(Gaspard de), admiral of France, was born in 1516. He signalized himself in his youth, in the reigns of Francis I. and Henry II., and was made colonel of infantry and admiral of France in 1552. Henry II. employed him in the most important affairs; but after the death of that prince he embraced the reformed religion, and became the chief of the Protestant party: he strongly opposed the house of Guise, and rendered this opposition so powerful, that it was thought he would have overturned the French government. On the peace made after the battles of Jarnac and Montcontour, Charles IX. despatched Coligni into security by his deceitful favours; and though he recovered one attempt on his life, when he attended the nuptials of the prince of Navarre, yet he was included in the dreadful massacre of the Protestants on St Bartholomew's-day 1572, and his body treated with wanton brutality by a misguided Popish populace.

COLIR, an officer in China, who may properly be called an inspector, having an eye over what passes in every court or tribunal of the empire.

In order to render him impartial, he is kept independent, by having his post for life. The power of the colirs is such, that they make even the princes of the blood tremble.