**Bellerophon**, in fabulous history, the son of Glaucus king of Epirus, happening accidentally to kill his brother, fled to Proetus king of Argos, who gave him a hospitable reception: but Sthenobea, his queen, falling in love with the beautiful stranger, and finding that nothing could induce him to injure his benefactor, she accused him to her husband of an attempt to violate her honour. Proetus, however, not being willing to act contrary to the laws of hospitality, sent him to Iobates king of Lybia, and the father of Sthenobea, with letters desiring him to put him to death: whence the proverb *Bellerophonis literas afferet*, equivalent to *Litterae Uriæ*. That prince, at the receipt of these letters, was celebrating a festival of nine days, which prevented Bellerophon's destruction. Iobates, however, sent him in the mean time to subdue the Solymi, the Amazons, and Lylians, and thought to get rid of him by exposing him to the greatest dangers; but by his prudence and courage he came off victorious. Iobates next employed him to destroy the Chimera; when Minerva, or according to others, Neptune, in consideration of his innocence, furnished him with the horse Pegasus, by whose assistance he killed the Chimera. Iobates, on his return, being convinced of his truth and integrity, and charmed with his heroic virtues, gave him his daughter Philonoe in marriage, and declared him his successor; which when Sthenobea heard, she killed herself. Bellerophon at length growing vain with his prosperity, resolved, by the assistance of Pegasus, to ascend the skies; when Jupiter checked his presumption, by striking him blind in his flight; on which he fell down to the earth, and wandered till his death in contempt and misery: but Pegasus mounting into heaven, Jupiter placed him among the constellations.

**Belles Lettres.** Whether we consult the voluminous dictionaries of the French language, or those treatises that profess to point out the method of studying and teaching the belles lettres, we find not, in the one or the other, either a clear definition, or a succinct explication of the words *belles lettres*, nor any summary of those sciences which are comprehended under that general and collective denomination. It appears to be a vague term, under which every one may include whatever he thinks proper. Sometimes we are told that by the belles lettres is meant, the knowledge of the arts of poetry and oratory; sometimes that the true belles lettres are natural philosophy, geometry, and other essential parts of learning; and sometimes, that they comprehend the art of war, by land and sea: in short, they are made to include all that we know, and whatever we please; so that, in treating on the belles lettres, they talk of the use of the sacraments, &c. Some comprehend under the term, all those instructive and pleasing sciences which occupy the memory and the judgment, and do not make part either of the superior sciences, of the polite arts, or of mechanic professions: hence they make history, chronology, geography, genealogy, blazonry, philology, &c. the belles lettres. In a word, it were an endless task to attempt to enumerate all the parts of literature which different learned men have comprehended under this title. Nor would it be of any use to the reader for us to pretend to fix the true import of the term. Whatever arts or sciences it may be supposed to include, they are severally explained in the course of this work.

**Belléville,** a town of the Beaujolais in France, seated near the river Saone. E. Long. 4° 46'. N. Lat. 45° 5'.

**Bellevois,** painter of sea-pieces, is known through all parts of Europe as a good painter, though no particulars have been handed down concerning his life. He died in 1684. His subjects are views of heavens, sea-ports, shores, calms, and storms at sea; but in his calms he shows his peculiar excellence. Pictures of this matter are often in public sales; and some of them, which seem of his best style, are sold for a tolerable price.

**Belley,** or **Bellay,** a town of France, and capital of Bujey, in the department of Ain. It is seated near the river Rhone. E. Long. 5° 50'. N. Lat. 45° 43'.

**Bellingham,** a town of Northumberland in England. W. Long. 2° 10'. N. Lat. 55° 10'.

**Bellini, Gentil,** a Venetian painter, born in the year 1421. He was employed by the republic of Venice; and to him and his brother the Venetians are indebted for the noble works which are to be seen in the council-hall. We are told that Mahomet II., emperor of the Turks, having seen some of his performances, was so struck with them, that he wrote to the republic, entreating them to send him. The painter accordingly went to Constantinople, where he did many excellent pieces. Amongst the rest, he painted the decollation of St John the Baptist, whom the Turks revere as a great prophet. Mahomet admired the proportion and shadowing of the work; but he remarked one defect in regard to the skin of the neck, from which the head was separated; and in order to prove the truth of his observation, he sent for a slave and ordered his head to be struck off. The sight so shocked the painter, that he could not be easy till he had obtained his dismission; which the grand signior granted, and made him a present of a gold chain. The republic settled a pension upon him at his return, and made him a knight of St Mark. He died in 1501, in the 80th year of his age.

John Bellini, his brother, painted with more art and sweetness. He died in 1512, aged 90.

**Bellini, Laurence,** an eminent physician, born at Florence in the year 1643. After having finished his studies in polite literature, he went to Pila, where he was afflited by the generosity of the grand duke Ferdinand. Bellinzona dinand II. and studied under two of the most learned men of that age, Oliva and Borelli. Oliva instructed him in natural philosophy, and Borelli taught him mathematics. At 20 years of age, he was chosen professor of philosophy at Pisa, but did not continue long in this office; for he had acquired such a reputation for his skill in anatomy, that the grand duke procured him a professorship in that science. This prince was often present at his lectures, and was highly satisfied with his abilities and performances. Bellini, after having held his professorship almost 30 years, accepted of an invitation to Florence, when he was about 50 years of age. Here he practised physic with great success, and was advanced to be first physician to the grand duke Cosimo III. He wrote the following books in Latin: 1. An Anatomical discourse on the Structure and use of the Kidneys. 2. A Speech by way of thanks to the serene duke of Tuscany. 3. Some Anatomical Observations, and a proposition in Mechanics. 4. Of the Urine and Pulse, of Blood-letting, Fevers, and distempers of the Head and Breasts. 5. Several Tracts concerning Urine, the motion of the Heart, and Bile, &c. He died January 8, 1703, being 60 years of age. His works were read and explained publicly during his life, by the famous Scotch physician Dr Pitcairn, professor of physic in Leyden.