[_Fr. orig. autogr._--_Library of Geneva._ Vol. 194.]
[49] Juan Diaz, originally of Cuença, in Spain, studied letters at
the University of Paris, and was distinguished, amid the scholars of
his nation, "by superior learning, adorned with pure morals, great
mildness, prudence, and benignity." Initiated in the knowledge of
the Gospel, he left Paris and visited Geneva, Bâle, Strasbourg,
where he acquired the friendship of Bucer, whom he accompanied into
Germany. The Jesuit, Malvenda, a stout defender of Popish idolatry,
having made vain efforts to lead him back to the Romish Church,
the adversaries of Juan Diaz planned a most detestable conspiracy
against his life, and, on the 27th of March, he was assassinated
by order of Alphonso Diaz, his own brother, who had come from Rome
in order to the accomplishment of this execrable outrage, the
instigator of which remained unpunished.--See the record of this
odious fratricide in Sleidan, and _Histoire des Martyrs_, pp. 162,
168; and Letter CLXIII.
[50] Calvin had this year a child by his wife, Idelette de Bure,
which died in the birth.