or Ninian, commonly called St Ninian, a holy man among the ancient Britons. He resided at or near a place called by Ptolemy Lencopibia, and by Bede Candida Casa; but the English and Scotch called it Whitthorne. We mention him, because he is said to have been the first who converted the Scots and Picts to the Christian faith; which he did during the reign of Theodosius the Younger. Bede informs us, that he built a church dedicated to St Martin, in a style unknown to the Britons of that time; and adds, that during his time the Saxons held this province (Galluvia, now Galloway), and that, as in consequence of the labours of this saint the converts to Christianity increased, an episcopal see was established there. Dr Henry, considering that "few or none of the writings of the most ancient fathers of the British church are now extant, and since little being said of them by their contemporaries, we can know little of their personal history and of the extent of their erudition," gives a short account of some of them. Of St Ninian he says, "he was a Briton of noble birth and excellent genius. After he had received as good an education at home as his own country could afford, he travelled for his further improvement, and spent several years at Rome, which was then the chief seat of learning as well as of empire. From thence he returned into Britain, and spent his life in preaching the gospel in the most uncultivated parts of it, with equal zeal and success."

There is a small town called St Ninian, about a mile south of Stirling. Its church had been occupied by the rebels in 1745 as a powder magazine; who on their return blew it up in such haste, as to destroy some of their own people and about fifteen spectators.

NING-po-FOU, called by the Europeans Liampo, is an excellent port, on the eastern coast of China, opposite to Japan. Eighteen or twenty leagues from this place is an island called Tcheou-chan, where the English first landed on their arrival at China.

The silks manufactured at Ning-po are much esteemed in foreign countries, especially in Japan, where the Chinese exchange them for copper, gold, and silver. This city has four others under its jurisdiction, besides a great number of fortresses.

NINON L'Enclos, 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 notwithstanding the levity of her conduct, she had many virtues.—She was constant in her friendship, faithful to what are called the laws of honour, of strict veracity, disinterested, and more particularly remarkable for perfect probity. Women of the most respectable characters were proud of the honour of having her for their friend; at her house was an affable

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(A) This assertion, however, is far from seeming probable; for every trace of it seems to have totally disappeared, even so early as A.D. 627, that the vacant space afforded a spacious field for the celebrated battle between the emperor Heraclius and the Persians. There are few things in ancient history which have more puzzled the learned world, than to determine the spot where this city stood. Mr Ives informs us, that some have imagined it stood near Jonah's tomb; others, however, place it at another place, some hours journey up the Tigris. These different opinions, however, seem perfectly reconcilable; for it appears at least probable, that ancient Nineveh took in the whole of the ground which lies between these two ruined places. Mr Ives adds, that "what confirms this conjecture is, that much of this ground is now hilly, owing no doubt to the rubbish of the ancient buildings. There is one mound of 200 or 300 yards square, which stands some yards north-east of Jonah's tomb, wherein it is likely a fortification once stood. It seems to have been made by nature, or perhaps both by nature and art, for such an use." NIO

semblage 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 L'Enclos 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, excited much attention 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 L'Enclos to the Marquis de Sevigné.