BELLE ISLE

Charles Louis Auquste Fouquet, Count de. Marshal of France, bom at Yillefranche, Sept. 22, 1684, distinguished himself during the famous siege of Lille, and became brigadier in the royal forces. After the conclusion of tiie war of the Spanish succe ion he went with Marshal ViUars to Rastadt, where he displayed diplomatic talents. The ce ion of Lorraine to France in 1786 was principally his work. Cardinal Fleury reposed confidence in him; Louis XY. made him Governor of Metz and the three bishoprics of Lorraine, which office he held until his death. Before the breaking out of the war in 1741 he visited the principal courts of Grermany with the design of disposing them, after the death of Charles VI., to choose the Elector of Bavaria Emperor of Germany; and he displayed so much addre on this occasion as to excite the admiration of Frederick II. After his return he placed himself, together with Broglio, at the head of the French forces to oppose those of Maria The res a. He took Prague by a ault; but the King of Pru ia having made a separate peace, he was compelled to a retreat, which he performed with admirable skill. In Dec. 1744, when on a diplomatic journey to Berlin, he was arrested at Elbingerode, a Han over i an post, and sent to England, where he was exchanged, however, in 1746. In the following year he forced Greneral Browne, who had entered the s. of France from Italy, to raise the siege of Antibes and to retreat over the Yar. In 1748 the king made him a duke and peer of France, and the department of war was con unit ted to his charge. He reformed the army by abolishing many abuses, enlarged the military academy, and caused an order of merit to be established. The dty of Metz is indebted to him for an academy. He died in 1761.