LOUIS FRANCOIS, an eminent sculptor, was born at Lyons in France about 1695, and after studying under Balthazar of Dresden, came to London in 1720 to practise his profession. It was not long before the bustling little Frenchman began to exhibit in his calling all his national vivacity of temperament. His artistic enthusiasm knew no bounds. At dinner he would drop his knife and fork, and stare in wrapt attention at some new conception that had risen before the eye of his imagination. In company he would suddenly seize a lady's hand, and implore her to allow him to model it. Nor did his ardour cool when he took up the chisel. His figures were fashioned in the most excited attitudes. An intensity of expression, amounting even to grimace, was put into their faces. The very robes seemed instinct with tremor and agitation. These striking characteristics soon ensured to Roubilac a very wide success. On the recommendation of Sir Edward Walpole, he was employed to erect a monument to John, Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, in Westminster Abbey. The ability with which he finished this undertaking gave publicity to his name. Other tombs in the same place were entrusted to his execution. Several of the aristocracy gave him commissions for busts. He was also honoured to execute the likenesses of some men of genius. So high, indeed, was his standing, that at his death in 1762 he left many works which must always be objects of national interest. There are his monuments in Westminster Abbey, including, besides the one already mentioned, "Joseph Gascoigne Nightingale and his Lady," "Sir Gilbert Lort," "Admiral Sir Peter Warren," "Field-Marshal Wade," "General Fleming," and "General Hargrave." There are also his busts of Milton, Dryden, Pope, and Sir Robert Walpole; and his statues of Shakespeare and Newton,—the former in the British Museum, and the latter in Trinity College, Cambridge. (See Cunningham's British Painters, &c.)