(Abel),** a well-known gloiographer and historiographer, born at Cattres in France, in 1664. Upon the revocation of the edict of Nantz, he went first to Geneva, then to Franeker, where he finished his studies; and came finally to England, where he applied himself so closely to the study of the English language, and made so great a proficiency therein, that he became an author of considerable note in it, being employed in the writing of several periodical and political works. He was for many years concerned in, and had the principal management of, a newspaper called the *Puff-boy.* He likewise published a monthly work, intitled, the *Political State of Great Britain.* He wrote a life of queen Anne in folio, which is esteemed a very good chronicle of that period of the English history. But what has rendered him the most known, and established his name to the latest posterity, are the excellent Dictionary and Grammar of the French language, which he compiled, and which have been and still are reckoned the best in their kind. He also wrote, or rather translated from the French of M. de Racine, the tragedy of *Iphigenia,* which he published under the title of *The Victim.* It was performed with success at the theatre of Drury-lane, and is far from being a bad play. Nor can there perhaps be a stronger instance of the abilities of its author, than success in such an attempt; since writing with any degree of correctness or elegance, even in prose, in a language which we were not born to the speaking of, is an excellence not very frequently attained; but to proceed so far in the perfection of it as to be even sufferable in poetry, and more especially in that of the Drama, in which the diction and manner of expression require a peculiar dignity and force, and in a language so difficult to attain the perfect command of as the English, is what has been very seldom accomplished. He died in 1729.

**BOYER,** in navigation, a kind of Flemish sloop, or small vessel of burden, having a boltprit, a caffle at each end, and a tall mast; chiefly fit for the navigation of rivers, and in many of its parts resembling a smack.

**BOYES,** idolatrous priests among the savages of Florida. Every priest attends a particular idol, and the natives address themselves to the priest of that idol to which they intend to pay their devotion. The idol is invoked in hymns, and his usual offering is the smoke of tobacco.