The Palace and Park by Phillips, Forbes, Latham, Owen, Scharf, and Shenton

[Born at Dijon, 1689. Died 1773. Aged 84.] A wild and dissolute spirit. The author of one admirable comedy, “La Métromanie,” which may take rank with the dramatic productions of the best period in France, and of seven volumes of compositions which have long ceased to float on the broad river of fame. Piron was the son of an apothecary at Dijon, and after almost breaking his father’s heart by his follies, he was obliged to flee his native town in consequence of the publication of an indecorous effusion written amidst the fumes of an orgie. He went to Paris, and there for nine years lived in great indigence, supporting himself as a copyist. Then he took to writing for the minor theatres, with more or less success, until 1738, when he produced his masterpiece, already mentioned. It secured him a place at once amongst the best dramatists of his country. In 1753, he applied for a vacant seat in the Academy, and was refused. He revenged himself by composing a satire and the following epitaph:-- “Ci-git Piron, qui ne fut rien, Pas même Académicien.” “Here lies Piron--a nullity-- Not even an Academician.” [This is an admirable bust, by Caffieri, dated 1775. Copied at Versailles by M. Pigalle.]