a celebrated lady in the court of France, was of a noble family, and born at Paris in the year 1615; but rendered herself famous by her wit and gallantries. Her mother was a lady of exemplary piety; but her father early inspired her with the love of pleasure. Having lost her parents at 14 years of age, and finding herself mistress of her own actions, she resolved never to marry: she had an income of 10,000 livres a year; and, according to the lessons she had received from her father, drew up a plan of life and gallantry, which she pursued till her death. Never delicate with respect to the number, but always in the choice, of her pleasures, she sacrificed nothing to interest; but loved only while her taste for it continued; and had among her admirers the greatest lords of the court. But though she was light in her amours, she had many virtues.—She was constant in her friendships, faithful to what are called the laws of honour, of strict veracity, disinterested, and more particularly remarkable for the exactest probity. Women of the most respectable characters were proud of the honour of having her for their friend; at her house was an assemblage of every thing most agreeable in the city and the court; and mothers were extremely desirous of sending their sons to that school of politeness and good taste, that they might learn sentiments of honour and probity, and those other virtues that render men amiable in society. But the illustrious Madame de Sevigné with great justness remarks in her letters, that this school was dangerous to religion and the Christian virtues; because Ninon Lenclos made use of seducing maxims, capable of depriving the mind of those invaluable treasures. Ninon was esteemed beautiful even in old age; and is said to have inspired violent passions at 80. She died at Paris in 1705.

This lady had several children; one of whom, named Chevalier de Villiers, occasioned much discourse by the tragic manner in which he ended his life. He became in love with Ninon, without knowing that she was his mother; and when he discovered the secret of his birth, stabbed himself in a fit of despair. There have been published the pretended Letters of Ninon Lenclos to the marquis de Sevigné.