PEZAY, N. MASSON, MARQUIS OF, born at Paris,
very early applied himself to the study of letters, and
afterwards went into the army. He was made a captain
of dragoons; and had the honour of giving some les-
sons on tactics to the ill-fated Louis XVI. Being ap-
pointed inspector general of some coasting vessels, he re-
paired to the maritime towns, and executed his commis-
sion with more care and attention than was to have been
expected from a votary of the muses. But as, at the
same time, he showed too much haughtiness, a complaint
was brought against him to the court, and he was ban-
ished to his country seat, where he died soon after, in
the beginning of 1778. He was the intimate friend
and companion of Dorat. He had studied, and success-
fully imitated, his manner of writing; but his poems
have more delicacy, and are less disguised with trifling
conversations of gallantry. He has left behind him, 1.
A translation of Catullus, which is not much esteemed.
2. Les Soirées Helvetiennes, Alsaciennes, et Franc-Com-
toises, in 8vo, 1770; a work very agreeably diversified,
full of charming landscapes, but written with too little
accuracy. 3. Les Soirées Provençales, in manuscript,
which are said to be nowise inferior in merit to the fore-
going ones. 4. La Rosière de Salency; a pastoral in
three acts, and which has been performed with success
on the Italian theatres. 5. Les campagnes de Maile-
bois, in 3 vols 4to, and a volume of maps.