1648, he was recommended to the service of Michael Le Tellier, Secretary of State, and here he discoveredsuch diligence and accuracy in executing all commissions entrusted to his care, that he, in a short time, became greatly distinguished.

Upon a certain occasion, Le Tellier had sent him to Cardinal Mazarine, who was then at Sedan, with a letter written by the queen mother, and ordered him to bring it back, after that minister had seen it. Colbert carried the letter, and would not return without it, though the cardinal treated him roughly, used. several arts to deceive him, and obliged him to wait for it several days. Some time after, the cardinal returning to court, and wanting a confidential secretary, desired Le Tellier to furnish him with a proper person for that employment: and Colbert being presented to him, the cardinal had some remembrance of him, and desired to know where he had seen him. Colbert was afraid of putting him in mind of Sedan, lest the remembrance of his importunity in demanding the queen's letter, should renew the cardinal's anger; but Mazarine was so far from being displeased with him, that he greatly commended him for his fidelity. to his late master, and desired him to serve him with the same zeal and integrity.

Colbert accommodated himself so dextrously to the inclinations of the cardinal, that he first made him his intendant, and afterwards entrusted him with the management of that gainful trade of selling benefices and governments. By Colbert's counsel, the cardinal obliged the governors of frontier places to maintain their garrisons, with the contributions they exacted, with which advice his eminence was so well pleased, that he soon after sent him to Rome, to negociate some business of the utmost importance, with his holiness the Pope.

Upon the whole, Mazarine had so high an opinion of Colbert's abilities and faithful services, that, at his death, in 1661, he earnestly recommended him

to Louis XIV. as the most proper person to regulate the finances; which, at that time, stood greatly in need of reformation. Louis accepted the recommendation, and made Colbert intendant of the finances. He applied himself to their regulation and succeeded; though it procured him many enemies and some affronts. France is also obliged to this minister for establishing at that time, her trade with, the East and West-Indies a great design, and from which she has reaped innumerable advantages.

In 1664, he became superintendant of the buildings; and from that time, applied himself so earnestly to the enlarging and adorning the royal edifices, that they are at present master-pieces of architecture : witness the palace of the Thuillieries, the Louvre, St. Germain, Fontainbleau, &c. But royal palaces were not Colbert's only care: he formed several designs for increasing the beauty and convenience of the capital, which he executed with great magnificence and grandeur.

He established the academy for painting and sculpture, and the academy of sciences, as also the royal observatory at Paris. France also owes to him all the advantages she receives from the communication between the ocean and the Mediterranean,by the canal of Languedoc, an immense work, which was begun in 1666, is extended over hills and vallies for upwards of 100 miles, and was completed in 1680. Colbert was, likewise, attentive to matters of a more private nature, such as regarded the order, decency and comfort of society. He undertook to reform the courts of justice, and to put a stop to the usurpation of titles of nobility; a practice, which was then very common in France. In the former of these laudable attempts he failed; in the latter he succeeded.

In 1669, he was made secretary of state, and entrusted with the management of affairs, relating to the seas; the duties of which office, he performed in such a manner, as to answer the high confidence

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Louis reposed in him. He suppressed several expen sive and useless offices, and proposed several new regulations in criminal courts. For the advancement of trade, he likewise, procured an edict to erect a general insurance-office, at Paris, for merchants, &c. In 1672, he was made prime minister, in which exalted station he continued till his death, which happened 6th Sept. 1683. He had been married many years, and left six sons and three daughters, all of whom he had taken care to marry to persons of rank. Colbert was a man of middle stature. was low and dejected, his air gloomy, and his aspect His mien stern and forbidding, yet he knew how to act the lover, for notwithstanding the large family which he had in wedlock, he openly violated the rules of morality, by keeping mistresses. He was of a slow conception, but spoke judiciously of every thing after he comprehended it. He understood business perfectly well, and pursued it with unwearied application. Thus he filled the most important places with high reputation and credit, and its influence diffused itself, through every part of the government. He restored the finances, the navy, the commerce, and erected those various works of art, which have ever since been monuments of his taste. learning, and conferred donations and pensions upon He was a lover of men of science in other countries, whilst he established and protected academies in his own. He invited into France eminent artists of all kinds; thus giving new life to the sciences, and making them flourish exceedingly. Upon the whole, he was a wise, active and public spirited minister; ever attentive to the honour of his king, the happiness of the people, and every thing, which could advance the credit and interest of his country.

COLLINS, (WILLIAM) a late unfortunate, but admirable poet, was born at Chichester, England,

about the year 1724. He received his classical education at Winchester; after which he studied at Oxford, where he applied himself to poetry, and published his "Oriental Eclogues;" with regard to which it may be justly asserted, that, in simplicity of description and expression, in delicacy and softness of numbers, and in natural and unaffected tenderness, they are not to be equalled by any thing of the pastoral kind in the English language.

About 1744, he suddenly left the university, and came to London, where, in 1746, he published his Odes, descriptive and allegorical; but the sale of this work not being answerable to its merit, he burnt the remaining copies in indignation. Being a man of a liberal spirit, and of small fortune, his pecuniary resources were soon exhausted, and his life became a miserable succession of necessity, indolence and dissipation. He projected books, which he was not able to publish; for he wanted the means to carry his ideas into execution. Day succeeded day, for the support of which he made no provision; and he was obliged to subsist either by the repeated contributions of a friend, or the generosity of a casual acquaintance. His spirit became oppressed, and he sunk into a sullen despondence. While in this gloomy state of mind, his uncle, colonel Martin died, and left him a considerable fortune; but this came too late for enjoyment. He had been so long harrassed by anxiety and distress, that he fell into a nervous disorder, which, at last, reduced the finest understanding to the most deplorable childishness. In the first stages of this disorder, he endeavoured to relieve himself by travelling, and passed into France; but the growing malady obliged him to return; and, having continued, with short intervals, in the most piteous state of mental derangement, he died, in 1756.

The close of the life of poor Collins can never be adverted to without commiseration; for when he could have enjoyed his fortune, he had it not; and Vol. II. No. 10. K

when it came to him, he was in too melancholy a state to enjoy it. The ingenious Mr. Longhorne published his poetical works soon after his death, with memoirs of the author, in one vol. 12mo.

COLUMBUS, (CHRISTOPHER) the celebrated navigator, and first discoverer of the islands of America, was a native of the Republic of Genoa, and born about the year 1447. With respect to his pedigree, we have no certain information, only that he was descended of an honourable family, who, by various misfortunes, had been reduced to indigence. His parents were sea-faring people, and Columbus having early discovered an inclination for that way of life, was encouraged by them to follow the same profession. He was accordingly initiated in the sciences of geometry and astronomy, which form the basis of navigation, and at the age of fourteen went to sea.

His first voyages were to those parts of the Mediterranean, frequented by the Genoese; after which he visited Iceland, and proceeding still farther North, advanced several degrees within the polar circle. Atter this, he entered into the service of a sea-captain of his own name and family, who commanded a small squadron, fitted out at his own expence; and by cruizing sometimes against the Mahometans and sometimes against the Venetians, the rivals of his country in trade, had acquired both wealth and reputation. With him, Columbus continued for several years, no less distinguished for his courage, than his experience as a sailor. At length, in an obstinate engagement off the coast of Portugal, with some Venetian caravels, returning richly laden from the Low countries, the vessel on board which he sailed, took fire, together with one of the enemies ships, to which it was fast grappled. At this alarming crisis, Columbus threw himself into the sea, and laid hold of a floating oar, by means of which, and his own dex