MAS, LEWIS DU, natural son to Jean Louis de Montcalm Seigneur de Candiac, and a widow of rank of Rouergue, was born at Nîmes in 1676. His first attention was bestowed on jurisprudence; but afterwards he was altogether occupied with mathematics, philosophy, and the study of the languages. Father Malebranche cultivated his acquaintance and esteemed his virtues. His first appearance was severe, his general temper tranquil; yet he had a lively and fertile imagination. His mind was active, full of resources, and methodical. We are indebted to his industry for the Typographical Bureau. This invention is the more ingenious, as it presents the tedious parts of education, namely, reading, writing, and the elements of languages, to the youthful mind as a delightful entertainment; and many people in France, both in the capital and in the provinces, have adopted it with success. After he had conceived the idea of this invention, he made the first trial of it on the young Candiac, who was remarkable for his understanding in his earliest years. Du Mas conducted his pupil to Paris and the principal cities in France, where he was universally admired. This prodigy was carried off in the year 1726 before he was seven years of age, and his loss had nearly deprived Du Mas of his reason. A dangerous illness was the consequence of his vexation; and he would have died of want, if a gentleman had not taken him from his garret and entertained him in his own house. Du Mas afterwards retired with Madame de Vaujour within two leagues of Paris, and died in
Masafuero, in the year 1774, against 68. He was a philosopher
Masbuthæi both in genius and character. His works are, 1. L'Art
de transposer toutes sortes de Musiques sans être obligé de
connaître, ni le temps, ni le mode, published at Paris in
1714. This work is extremely curious, but of
no advantage to the study of music. 2. A volume in
quarto, printed at Paris 1733, in four parts, entitled,
Bibliothèque des enfans. In this treatise he has placed,
in a clear point of view, the system and economy of
his Typographical Bureau. This invention, like every
thing new, was censured by some and admired by
others. The author himself defended it with much
success in the journals and in several occasional pam-
phlets. This collection, however, is become exceed-
ingly scarce. The Typographical Bureau was brought
to perfection by M. Reybert a citizen of Avignon,
who enriched it with many articles containing useful
and agreeable information in geography, history, fable,
&c. &c. 3. Mémoires de l'Écclésiastique sous le règne de Marie
Stuart, by Crawford, and translated from the English.
This translation was found in manuscript in the library
of the marquis d'Aubais, with whom Du Mas had lived
in the most intimate habits of friendship.
Mas Planta, a plant which upon the same root pro-
duces male flowers only. See Masculus Flor, Bo-
TANY Index.