one of the ablest defenders of the theory of spontaneous generation.
BASTIAT, ba'stya',
Frédéric (1801-50). An eminent French political economist. He was born at Bayonne, June 29, 1801. His father was a merchant, and educated his son with a view to the same pursuit. After completing his studies, Bastiat entered the commercial house of one of his uncles, employing his leisure hours in the study of political economy. In 1831 he became justice of the peace at Mugron, and in the following year member of the Council-General of the Department of Landes. Circumstances called him into Spain and Portugal in 1840, where he took advantage of the opportunity afforded him to study the customs and institutions of these two countries. His first appearance as an author was in 1844, when he published, in the Journal des Economistes, an article entitled "De l'influence des tarifs français et anglais sur l'avenir des deux peuples." It contained in germ the theory of political economy subsequently developed by Bastiat, who, from that moment, was known as a decided opponent of the system of Protection. Subsequently, in the same journal, he combated the economic fallacies of Socialism and the rights of labor. During a visit to England, he made the acquaintance of Cobden, and on his return to France he translated (1845) the speeches of the Free-Trade advocates, which he published in Paris with an introduction, entitled Cobden et la ligue; ou l'agitation anglaise pour la liberté des échanges, in which he presented a complete summary of the arguments against the protective system. Bastiat continued to propagate his views with considerable success. He became secretary of the societies and chief editor of the journal established to vindicate the principles of Free Trade. After the Revolution of 1848, he was elected successively a member of the Constituent and Legislative assemblies. In 1850 he came forward as the antagonist of the Socialist writer, Proudhon. Suffering from pulmonary disease, he repaired to Italy for change of climate, but died at Rome on December 24, 1850. Besides the writings mentioned, Bastiat published Sophismes économiques; Propriété et loi; Justice et fraternité; Protectionisme et communisme; Harmonies économiques; and several other important treatises, all of which exhibit extensive knowledge of the subjects discussed, convincing logic, and a power of sprightly and biting satire. The Harmonies économiques and the Sophismes have been translated by J. P. Stirling. While his writings have had great influence, they did not establish a system of political economy which has found general acceptance. A new edition of his works in seven volumes was published at Paris in 1881. Consult Bondurand, Frédéric Bastiat (Paris, 1879).
BASTIDE, ba'stM',
Jules (1800-79). A French publicist and politician, born in Paris. In 1821 he became one of the first members of the French Carbonari, and after the July Revolution he was conspicuous among the writers of the radical opposition. On the reconstruction of the National Guard he was elected commandant-in-chief of the legion of artillery, and took part in the two insurrectionary movements, for the second of which — the émeute in Paris, June 5, 1832 — he was condemned to death, but escaped to London. Pardoned in 1834, he returned to Paris, and again devoted himself to politics, contributing articles to a daily journal, the National, of which he became editor in 1830. In 1847 he founded the Revue Rationale. He was one of the principal agitators in the Revolution of 1848, and became Minister of Foreign Affairs. After the coup d'etat he withdraw from political life. He published La république française et l'Italie en 1848 (1858); Guerres de religion en France (1859), and other works.
BASTIEN-LEPAGE, bas'tyaN' le-pazh',
Jules (1848-84). A French painter. He was born at Damvillers, November 1, 1848. and died in Paris, December 10, 1884. His bent toward art began in his early years, and at the age of five he would copy things by the wayside. This tendency was further developed by his father, who encouraged him, during winter evenings, to copy some household object. After taking several prizes for drawing at the College of Verdun. he went to study in Paris in 1867. Here, for the first six months, he was a student by day, and at night a postal agent. Finding this life impracticable, he gave himself entirely to art study, entering the class of Cabanel at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. His family managed to contribute a small monthly sum with which to increase a pension of 600 francs allowed him by the Council-General of the Meuse. The first of his pictures to command attention were in the Salon of 1874, where he exhibited "The Song of Spring" and a "Portrait of My Grandfather." The picture of his grandfather struck a new note in portrait art, and the artist was immediately called a revolutionary. It was a portrait painted en plein air, and full of delicate outdoor light, very truly recorded. The attitude of the figure was unconventional; the model was in the act of snuff-taking, snuff-box in hand and handkerchief over knee. From this time on, Lepage scored a success at the Salon, although he failed in his two efforts to secure the Prix de Rome. This was, in a way, fortunate for his future, for he was little in sympathy with school traditions. His chief canvases are "The Haymakers" (1878), in the Luxembourg (Paris); "The Potato Gatherers" (1879); "Joan of Arc Listening to the Voices" (1880), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Mention should also be made of The Beggar" (1881), "Love in a Village" (1883), and his last dated work, "The Forge" (1884). His numerous portraits are remarkable for strong characterization, attained through the closeness of their drawing. Among his notable subjects are Mme. Sarah Bernhardt. Albert Wolff, the Prince of Wales (Edward VII.), and Gambetta on his deathbed. He received several medals and was made a chevalier of the Legion of Honor (1879). Consult: Marie Bashkirtseff, Journal intime (Paris, 1890); A. Theuriet, J. Bastien-Lepage, l'homme et l'artiste (Paris, 1885).
BASTILLE, Kis-tel'
(Fr., fortress, from OF. bastir, to build). A name originally applied in France to any building constructed of masonry, with towers or bastions adapted for defense. These fortresses were once very numerous, especially at Paris; but Cardinal Mazarin, as a part of his anti-feudal policy, allowed only a few of them to remain standing, among these being the Castle of Paris, to which the name Bastille was at last exclusively applied. This castle developed from two towers on either side of the road
