(Charles), an eminent Frenchman, famous for his skill and knowledge in the art military, was born at Avignon in 669, of a noble family, but not a rich one. He discovered an early turn for the sciences, and a strong passion for arms; which last was so inflamed by reading Caesar's Commentaries, that he enlisted at 16 years of age. His father got him off, and shut him in a monastery; but he made his escape in about two years after, and entered himself a second time in quality of cadet. His inclination for military affairs, and the great pains he took to accomplish himself in that way, recommended him to notice; and he was admitted into the friendship of the first-rate officers. M. de Vendome, who commanded in Italy in 1720, made him his aide-de-camp, having conceived the highest regard for him; and soon after sent him with part of his forces into Lombardy. He was entirely trusted by the commander of that army; and no measures were concerted, or steps taken, without consulting him. By pursuing his plans, many places were taken, and advantages gained; and such, in short, were his services, that he had a pension of 400 livres settled upon him, and was honoured with the cross of St Lewis. He distinguished himself greatly, August 15, 1705, at the battle of Caffano; where he received a wound upon his left hand, which deprived him of the use of it ever after. It was at this battle that he conceived the first idea of that system of columns, which he afterwards prefixed to his Commentaries upon Polybius. The duke of Orleans sending de Vendome again into Italy in 1706, Folard had orders to throw himself into Modena to defend it against Eugene: where, tho' he acquitted himself with his usual skill, he was very near being afflaimated. The description which he has given of the conduct and character of the governor of this town, may be found in his Treatise of the Defence of Places, and deserves to be read. He received a dangerous wound on the thigh at the battle of Malplaquet, and was some time after made prisoner by prince Eugene. Being exchanged in 1711, he was made governor of Bourbourg. In 1714 he went to Malta, to assist in defending that island against the Turks. Upon his return to France, he embarked for Sweden, having a passionate desire to see Charles XII. He acquired the esteem and confidence of that famous general, who sent him to France to negotiate the re-establishment of James II. upon the throne of England; but that project being dropped, he returned to Sweden, followed Charles XII. in his expedition to Norway, and served under him at the siege of Fredericksburg, where that prince was killed, Dec. 11, 1718. Folard then returned to France; and made his last campaign in 1719, under the duke of Berwick, in quality of colonel. From that time he applied himself intensely to the study of the art military as far as it could be studied at home; and built his theories upon the foundation of his experience and observations on facts. He contracted an intimacy with count Saxe, who, as he then declared, would one day prove a very great general. He was chosen a fellow of the Royal Society at London in 1749; and, in 1751, made a journey to Avignon, where he died in 1752, aged 83 years. He was the author of several works, the principal of which are, 1. Commentaries upon Polybius, in six volumes, 4to. 2. A Book of new Discoveries in War. 3. A Treatise concerning the Defence of Places, &c. in French. Those who would know more of this eminent soldier, may consult a French piece, intitled,