N. Masson, Marquis of, born at Paris, very early applied himself to the study of letters, and afterwards went into the army. He was made a captain of dragoons; and had the honour of giving some lessons on tactics to the ill-fated Louis XVI. Being appointed inspector-general of some coaling vessels, he repaired to the maritime towns, and executed his commission with more care and attention than was to have been expected from a votary of the muses. But as, at the same time, he showed too much haughtiness, a complaint was brought against him to the court, and he was banished to his country seat, where he died soon after, in the beginning of 1778. He was the intimate friend and companion of Dorat. He had studied, and successfully imitated, his manner of writing; but his poems have more delicacy, and are less disfigured with trifling conversations of gallantry. He has left behind him, 1. A translation of Catullus, which is not much esteemed. 2. Les Soirées Helvetiennes, Alsaciennes, et Franc-Comtoises, in 8vo, 1770; a work very agreeably diversified, full of charming landscapes, but written with too little accuracy. 3. Les Soirées Provençales, in manuscript, which are said to be nowise inferior in merit to the foregoing ones. 4. La Rofiere de Salency; a pastoral in three acts, and which has been performed with success on the Italian theatres. 5. Les campagnes de Maillbois, in 3 vols 4to, and a volume of maps.