a large island in the Ægean sea, on the coast of Æolia, of about 168 miles in circumference. It has been formerly called Pelagia, from the Pelagi by whom it was first peopled; Macaria, from Macareus who settled in it; and Lebos, from the son-in-law and successor of Macareus who bore the same name. The chief towns of Lebos were Methymna and Mitylene. It was originally governed by kings, but they were afterwards subjected to the neighbouring powers. The wine which it produced was greatly esteemed by the ancients, and still is in the same repute among the moderns. The Lesbians were so debauched and dissipated, that the epithet of Lesbian was often used to signify debauchery and extravagance. Lesbos has given birth to many illustrious persons, such as Arion, Terpander, Sappho, &c. See Mitylene.

Lescaillle (James), a celebrated Dutch poet and printer, was born at Geneva. He and his daughter Catharine Lescaillle have excelled all the Dutch poets. That lady, who was named the Sappho of Holland, and the tenth Muse, died in 1711. A collection of her poems has been printed, in which are the Tragedies of Geeleric, Wenceslaus, Herod and Mariamne, Hercules and Dejaneira, Nicomedes, Ariadne, Cassandra, &c. James Lescaillle her father deserved the poet's crown, with which the emperor Leopold honoured him in the year 1603; he died about the year 1677, aged 67.