CHÂTEAUBRIAND’S “The Genius of Christianity” appeared in 1856 and at once fixed his place among the great essayists of France. The theory of evolution gave to Christian theology a new direction, so that Châteaubriand’s defense of Christianity as a religion is thus forced to rely for survival chiefly on its merits as literature. It has been vindicated by the test. In spite of changing tastes and opinions, it remains in favor with all classes of readers, because it is the work—not of a theologian or a logician, but of a poet endowed with extraordinary imaginative power and a rare faculty of expression. While this is Châteaubriand’s greatest work, his essays on English literature have a special interest to English readers because of his freedom from the restraints of traditional English criticism. He was born at St. Malo, in September, 1768. After completing his studies at Dol and at Rennes, he narrowly escaped becoming a soldier in India, but gave up the idea in favor of a voyage in the Arctic Ocean in search of the Northwest Passage. While on this expedition, during which he made no serious attempt at exploring the Arctic, he traveled in various parts of America and studied the habits of the Indians. This study resulted in “Atala, or the Loves of Two Savages,” which appeared in 1801 and made Châteaubriand famous. During the French Revolution he lived in England, and while there made the studies which led to his essays on English literature. In 1802 he published “René,” which with “Atala” formed part of the scheme of “The Natchez,” a more ambitious work, which is remembered only because of these two celebrated episodes of its plan. After the Bourbon restoration Châteaubriand was very prominent in politics, but he belongs to the great writers of France rather than to its great statesmen. He died at Paris, July 4th, 1848.