BOULAINVILLIERS (Henry de), Lord of St
Saife, and an eminent French writer, was descended
from a very ancient and noble family, and born at St
Saife in 1658. His education was among the fathers of
the oratory; where he discovered from his infancy those
uncommon abilities for which he was afterwards distin-
guished. He applied himself principally to the study
of history; and his performances in this way are nu-
merous and considerable. He was the author of a hi-
story of the Arabians; Fourteen letters upon the an-
cient
Boulay
Boulogne. Bient parliaments of France; a History of France to the reign of Charles VIII; the State of France, with historical memoirs concerning the ancient government of that monarchy, to the time of Hugh Capet, "written (says Mr Montefquieu) with a simplicity and honest freedom worthy of that ancient family from which their author was descended." Mr Boulainvilliers died at Paris in 1722; and after his death was published his Life of Mahomet.