father having received the title of Augustus in 306; took her into Gaul, where he gave her in marriage to the Emperor Constantine. She was for a long time a most exemplary wife and mother, and a strenuous advocate with the emperor for all acts of indulgence and liberality to the people. She even sacrificed her father's life to her husband, by discovering to Constantine a plot tor his destruction. She has been accused of staining the last years of her life by the commission of many crimes; among others, that of causing the death of Crispus, the son of Constantine by a former wife, by false accusations; and, it is said, that the emperor revenged his honour, and his son's death, by causing her to be suffocated in a warm bath, in 327. The truth of these latter circumstances has been much doubted.
FAVART, MARIE JUSTINE BENOITE. MADAME.
Was a celebrated French actress, whose maiden name was du Roncerai. She was always a great favourite with the public, in comedies, comic operas, and other lively pieces. Beloved among her Mends for her sensibility, gentleness, and generosity of character, she was also a favourite with the public for her inexhaustible vivacity. She was born at Avignon in 1727, and died at Paris, in 1772.
FAYETTE, LOUISE DE LA,
Was celebrated for her friendship for Louis the Thirteenth, and for her self-denial in that dangerous situation. She was of a noble family, and a favourite maid of honour to the queen, Anne of Austria. The king, enslaved by Richelieu, sought consolation in the society of this lady, who took sincere interest in his welfare, and was instrumental in reconciling him to his queen. When she found her regard for the king growing more tender than prudence allowed, she retired to a convent and took the veil. The king continued to visit her till the intrigues of Richelieu interrupted their friendship. The queen urged her to return to court, but she rejected all temptations, and continued in her convent, with the universal esteem of France.
FAYETTE, MARIE MADELEINE, COUNTESS DE,
Daughter of Aymar de la Vergne, marechal-de-camp, and governor of Havre-de-Grace, was more distinguished by her wit and literary productions than by her family. She married the Count de Fayette, in 1655, and removing to Paris, cultivated letters and the fine arts. Her house was the rendezvous for the most distinguished literati in Paris, especially the Duke de la Rochefoucault, Huet, Menage, La Fontaine, and Legrais. The last, when obliged to leave the house of Madame de Montpensier, found an honourable retreat with her. Madame Sévigné, who knew her well, speaks of her as an amiable and estimable lady. Her principal works are the three romances, "Zaide," "La Princesse de Cleves," and "La Princesse de Montpensier;" which were the first romances that exhibited the manners of fashionable life in an easy and natural manner. She also wrote "Memoires de la court de France pour les années, 1688 et 1689," "Histoire d'Henriette d'Angleterre," and "Divers portraits de quelques personnes de la cour." All these works are still esteemed. She also wrote memoirs of other persons
