A French gentleman, born and educated at Rohan, in Normandy. He came
over into England, was a considerable trader, and resided here many
years. He is said to have possessed no inconsiderable share of wit,
and humour; and, besides a translation of Don Quixote, several Songs,
Prologues and Epilogues, together with a Poem on Tea, dedicated to
the Spectator, (see Vol. VII. Numb. 552) he is author of the following
dramatic pieces.
1. Love's a Jest, a Comedy; acted at the new Theatre, in little
Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, 1696. In the two scenes, where love is made a
jest, some passages are taken from Italian writers.
2. The Loves of Mars and Venus; a Masque set to Music, performed
at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, 1696; dedicated to colonel
Codrington. The story from Ovid.
3. The Novelty, or every Act a Play; consisting of Pastoral, Comedy,
Masque, Tragedy, and Farce, after the Italian manner; acted at the
Theatre in little Lincoln's-Inn Fields 1697.
The model of this play is formed upon Sir William Davenant's
Play-House to be let: But neither of them met with much success.
4. Europe's Revels for the Peace, and his Majesty's Happy Return, a
Musical Interlude, performed at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields,
1697.
5. Beauty in Distress, a Tragedy; acted at the Theatre in
Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, 1698. There is some poetry in this play; and in
the multiplicity of its incidents, he has followed the example of the
British Poets. Before this piece, there is prefixed a discourse on the
lawfulness or unlawfulness of plays; written originally in French,
by the learned father Cassaro, divinity professor at Paris; sent by a
friend to Mr. Motteaux.
6. The Island Princess, or the Generous Portugueze; made into an
Opera, and performed at the Theatre-Royal 1701. The music by Mr.
Daniel Purcell, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Leveridge. The greatest part of the
play is taken from Fletcher's Island Princess. Scene the Spice Island.
7. The Four Seasons, or Love in every Age; a musical Interlude, set to
Music by Mr. Jeremiah Clark; printed with the musical Entertainments
of the above Opera. 8. Britain's Happiness, a musical Interlude;
performed at both the Theatres, being part of the entertainment,
subscribed for by the nobility. Scene a prospect of Dover castle
and the sea. This Interlude was long before designed, only as an
introduction to an Opera; which if ever finished was to have been
called the Loves of Europe, every act shewing the manner of the
different nations in their addresses to the fair-sex; of which he has
informed us in his prefatory epistle.
9. Thomyris Queen of Scythia, an Opera; translated from the Italian;
performed at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields.
10. The Temple of Love, a Pastoral Opera, from the Italian; performed
at the Queen's Theatre in the Hay-market, by her majesty's servants,
1706. Scene Arcadia. Time of action, the same with that of the
representation.