Saint-Pierre
JACQUES HENRI BERNARDIN DE, a French author born in 1737. He learned engineering, and in the capacity of engineer worked in Malta, Russia, and Germany, and for about three years for the French Govern- JACQUES H. B. DE SAINT-PIERRE from the 12th to the 15th century, and containing a much more ancient crypt.
The town hall (15th and 16th centuries) is also a fine specimen of Gothic. The town is a center of the cotton industries, including the making of calicoes, tulle, cretonnes, jaconets, muslin, merino, cam bric, gauze, and so forth. Further, vast quantities of embroidery are prepared, and machinery, hats, paper, sugar, soap, and beer are manufactured. St. Quentin and its vicinity has been the scene of memorable battles. The Spaniards under the Duke of Savoy and Ferdinand Gonzaga, assisted by an English contingent under the Earl of Pembroke and Egmont in command of the Flemings, inflicted a crushing defeat on the French under Constable Montmorency, Aug. 10, 1557 (St. Lawrence's Day), a victory which Philip II. commemorated in the Escorial. Shortly afterward the town, after a brilliant defense by Coligny, capitulated to the Spanish army. On Jan. 19, 1871, the Germans under Von Goeben put to rout the army of Faidherbe, capturing nearly 10,000 prisoners. During the World War St.
Quentin was reduced to ruins by the German guns. By the terms of the Treaty of Peace (1919) the city is to be rebuilt by German labor. Pop. before the war about 55,500.
ST. REMY, a town in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, France; 15 miles N. E. of Arles. Near it are antiquities from the Roman town of Glanum Livii.
The most noteworthy are the triumphal arch, A. D. 100, and the tomb, or monument, of the Julii. The latter is about 60 feet high, rising two stories above the square base. Around the base is a series of military scenes in relief; the first story is pierced by archways, and decorated ment in Mauritius. Having returned to with Corinthian semi-columns; and the France he betook himself to literature. second story is a circular edicule with His "Studies of Nature," published in 10 Corinthian columns and a domical roof 1783, first secured him a literary position. sheltering two statues. This monument Then followed his chief works: "Paul and workarom assigned to the time of the early em- Virginia" (1787) and "Indian Cottage" pire. (1790), both of them (especially the former) very popular. In 1795 he was admitted to the Institute. He died in 1814. ST. POL DE LÉON, a town in the Breton department of Finistère, France, near the English Channel, 13 miles N. N.
W. of Morlaix. It has a 13th-century cathedral, dedicated to St. Pol, who came hither from Cornwall in the 6th century, and also the Kreizker church, with a beautiful spire 252 feet high.
ST. QUENTIN, a town in the French department of Aisne, on the Somme, 95 miles N. E. of Paris and 33 S. of Cam- SAINT-SAËNS, CHARLES CAMILLE, a French musician; born in Paris, France, Oct. 3, 1835. At the age, it is said, of two and a half years he was taught the pianoforte by his great-aunt, and at seven further instruction from Stamaty, Maleden. In 1847 he studied the organ and subsequently learned harmony under under Benoist. At the age of 16 he wrote his first symphony, which was performed with success, and was followed by numer ous other instrumental works. He became organist, first of the church of St. Méry, and in 1858 of the Madeleine, where he continued till 1877. His first opera, "The SAINTSBURY Yellow Princess," was given in 1872, and "The Silver Bell" in 1877; but neither was successful. "Samson and Dalila," a sacred drama, was produced at Weimar also in 1877, and was subsequently successfully revived at Rouen. More important operas are: "Henry VIII.," brought out in 1883 at the Grand Opéra with success, not however extending to its subsequent revivals; "Proserpina," given in 1887, but received with disapprobation; and "Ascanius," produced at the Grand Opéra, March 21, 1890, and well received, though not with unmixed praise; "The Barbarians" (1901); "Andromaque" (1903); "L'Ancêtre" (1906). He was one of the greatest performers on the piano and organ, and had remarkable powers of improvisation. He appeared as a performer in various countries. His reputation as a composer is high, though he has not attained the highest rank in opera. He wrote several works on music.