FRANCISCO, an eminent musical performer and composer, was born at Lucca about the year 1690. He studied the civil law in the university of Padua; but, after a short stay there, chose music for his profession. Accordingly, he put himself under the tuition of some of the ablest masters in Italy; and having attained to a considerable degree of proficiency in the science of practical composition, took a resolution to settle in England, and came thither with Geminiani, who was also a Lucceze, in the year 1714. He was a good performer on the hautboy, and also on the flute; in the former capacity he found employment in the opera band, and in the latter derived considerable advantages by teaching. He published, with a dedication to the earl of Burlington, six solos for a flute with a thorough-bass, and afterwards six solos for a German flute and a bass. He also made into sonatas, for two violins and a bass, the first six solos of Geminiani. He continued many years a performer at the opera house: at length reflecting that there was a prospect of advantage for one of his profession in Scotland, he went thither; and, with greater truth than the fame is affected of David Rizzio, may be said to have meliorated the music of this country, by collecting and making basses to a great number of the most popular Scots tunes. About the year 1750 Bar- Barfanti santi returned to England; but being advanced in years, he was glad to be taken into the opera band as a performer on the tenor violin; and in the summer fea- son into that of Vauxhall. At this time he publish- ed 12 concertos for violins; and shortly after, Sei Antifone, in which he endeavoured to imitate the style of Palestrina, and the old composers of motets; but from these publications so little profit resulted, that, towards the end of his life, the industry and economy of an ex- cellent wife, whom he had married in Scotland, and the studies and labours of a daughter, whom he had qua- lified for the profession of a finger, but who is now an actress at Covent-Garden, were his chief support.

BARTAS, WILLIAM DE SALLUSTE DU, a French poet, who lived in the 16th century. He was employ- ed by Henry IV. of France, in England, Denmark, and Scotland; and commanded a troop of horse in Gascony, under the marshal de Martignan. He was a Calvinist; and died in 1560, aged 46. He wrote a great number of poems; the most famous of which are, 1. The Week, or the Creation of the World, in seven books. 2. The Poem of Judith; and, 3. The battle of Ivry, gained by Henry IV. in 1590. Du Bartas wrote in a bombast style.