BENOIT, (MADAME) born at Lyons, 1724,
A Lady, who is indebted to nature merely for her talents; as she never applied herself much to study, or was conversant with men of letters. Her first production was A Collection of Letters to an intimate Friend. This work which has been called a sort of journal of Lyons, drew her into some unpleasant circumstances, and she left that city for Paris, where her husband, who was an excellent draughtsman, had procured the situation of designer at the manufacture of the Gobelins Tapestry. She afterwards wrote many works; one entitled Mes Principes, and a Journal Litteraire, are said to be her best. The others are romances; Elizabeth; Lettres du Colonel Talbert, a feeble imitation of Clarissa Harlowe; Agatha and Isidore; Celiane ou les Amans seduits par leur Virtu. She also wrote some comedies; la Triomphe de la Probite; la Supercherie Reciproque; and l'Officieux, which is not certainly known to be hers.
BENTIVOGLIO, CALCAGNINI, (The Marchioness donna Batilda) a Poetess of Ferrara. Died 1711.
A lady of much erudition and knowledge of different Languages; translated from the French into Italian many good works of different kinds. Her poetical pieces are published in the collections of the Arcadians, a literary Society, of which she was a member.
