Pezay, Masson, Marquis Of

, was born at Paris, with a natural turn for literature, but entered into the military line, and was captain of dragoons, in which situation he had the honour to be the instructor of Louis XVI. in the art of tactics. Being appointed inspector-general of the coasts, he executed his office with considerable attention; but having made enemies, by a decree of haughtiness in his manner, complaints were lodged against him, which caused him to be banished to his own estate. In this situation he died soon after, in 1778. He cultivated the Muses a good deal, and was intimate with Dorat, whose style he imitated. His poems have an elegance which makes amends for a certain degree of negligence.' Such: as, 1. “Zelie au bain,” a poem in six cantos 2 A Letter from Ovid to Julia. 3. Several fugitive pieces published in the Almanach des Muses. 4. An indifferent translation of Catullus. 5. “Les Soirees Helvetiennes, | Alsaciennes, & Franc-Comtoises,” 1770, 8vo, a work agreeably varied, but not sufficiently correct in style. 6. “La Rosiere de Salency,” a pastoral, in three acts, which was approved. 7. “Les Campagnes de Maillebois,” 3 vols. 4to, printed in 1775, and now rare and of great value in France. 8. There is said also to be extant a manuscript work entitled “Les Soirees Proven9ales,” not inferior to his “Soirees Helvetiennes.” ¹