of l'Isle-Adam.[5]
Our author signed, himself _de Marivaux_ or _Carlet de Marivaux_.

His childhood was passed at Riom in Auvergne, where his father had been
appointed director of the Mint. Gossot declares that Marivaux was six
years of age when he was taken to Riom,[6] but does not give his authority
for the statement. It is certain, however, that he was so young at the
time that some of his contemporaries supposed he had been born there.[7]
Marivaux received his early education at Riom, and later at Limoges, where
the family went to dwell, and where his father was perhaps again connected
with the Mint.

His biographers differ with regard to the education he received. His
earliest biographer, de La Porte, maintains that his father "ne negligea
rien pour l'education de son fils, qui annonca de bonne heure, par des
progres rapides dans ses premieres etudes, cette finesse d'esprit qui
caracterise ses ouvrages."8] Lesbros de la Versane gives the same
testimony: "Ses heureuses dispositions lui firent profiter de celle (the
education) qu'il recut," and adds: "Il fut admire de ses maitres, et il a
fait les delices de tous ceux qui l'ont connu."[9] There is no reason why
we should not accept the testimony of one who, in general, is so judicious
in his statements as is de La Porte, and, particularly, when the adverse
testimony comes from so evidently prejudiced a writer as Palissot.[10]

D'Alembert follows the testimony of Palissot and others, although he
confesses that they are "in truth very ill disposed" towards Marivaux, and
adds that perhaps they have very unjustly accused him of ignorance of
Latin. Their pardoning him his lack of knowledge of Greek, d'Alembert
cleverly ascribes to that "indulgent equity" which does not require of
one's fellows that which one lacks himself.[11] The following extract from
the _Spectateur_ will prove that, while Marivaux could read the Greek
writers in translations only, he was able to read Latin in the original:
"Si c'est une traduction du grec, et qu'elle m'ennuie, je penche a croire
que l'auteur y a perdu; si c'est du latin, _comme je le sais_, je me livre
sans facon au degout ou au plaisir qu'il me donne."[12] It is also known
that he completed his law studies and might have practiced, but for the
hatred which he, in common with so many other young _litterateurs_ in
times past, had conceived for the profession.

Admitted early to the best society of Limoges, Marivaux enjoyed advantage