LEROS 464 LESSIN6 miles S. E. of Cannes. On Sainte-Mar- guerite (the ancient Lerona), 4 miles in circumference, stands a fortress in which the Man with the Iron Mask and Mar- shal Bazaine were at different times confined, and from which Bazaine es- caped in 1874. LEHOS, a Greek island in the ^Egean, off the coast of Asia Minor, 35 miles S. of Samos ; length 6 miles, width 4 miles ; pop. about 3,000. Cap. Leros or Marina ; pop. 1,500. LE ROUX (E, C. HENRI), known as HuGUBS, a French journalist; born in Havre in 1860. In early life he was connected with the "Political and Liter- ary Review," and subsequently succeeded Jules Claretie as writer of the Paris ehronique in the "Temps." He is author of a series of popular romances, includ- ing "Mederic and Lis6e" and "One of Us" (1886); "Souls in Agony" (1888); "The Parisian Inferno" (1888); "Le Fils a Papa" (1900). His miscellane- ous works are: "In the Sahara" (1891); "On Board a Yacht: Portugal, Spain, etc." (1891); "Portraits de Cire," "Nos Filles," "Au Sahara," etc. LE SAGE, ALAIN RENE (luh- sazh'), a French novelist and dramatist; born in Sarzeau, near Vannes, May 8, 1668. He abandoned law for literature, with scant success till 1707, when the comedy "Crispin His Master's Rival" was received with high public favor; as was "Turcaret" in the year 1909. His novels "The Devil on Two Sticks" (1707) and "Gil Bias" (1717) were suggested by Spanish originals. He also wrote "The Bachelor of Salamanca" and "The Life and Adventures of M. de Beau- chene." He died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Nov. 17, 1747. LESBOS. See MiTYLENE. LESGHIANS, a Tartar people of the Mohammedan religion, inhabiting the Eastern Caucasus, and forming the chief portion of the inhabitants of Daghestan. They were among the most stubborn of the Caucasian peoples in their resistance to the Russians. LESINA, or LESSINA, an island in the Adriatic, on the coast of Dalmatia, consisting of a long and narrow strip, stretching E. to W. for 40 miles, with a breadth of 2 to 6 miles, and presenting a continuous chain of hills. Wine, olive- oil, and fruit are produced. The prin- cipal town, bearing same name, is on the S. W. coast. Pop. about 15,000. LESLEY, JOHN, a Scotch historian; born Sept. 29, 1527. A stanch friend of Mary, Queen of Scots, he was implicated in the project of her marriage to the Duke of Norfolk, and in the consequent rebellion in the N. of England, and was imprisoned in the Tower. On his release he crossed to the Continent, and subse- quently became Bishop of Coutances in Normandy. His chief production is a history of Scotland (published at Rome, 1578), in 10 books, 7 in Latin and the last 3 in Scotch dialect. He died in Brussels, Belgium, May 31, 1596. LESLIE, FRANK, an American pub- lisher; born in Ipswich, England, in 1821; proper name, Henry Carter. At 17 he was placed in a mercantile house in London. "Frank Leslie" was the name he adopted in sending in sketches to the "Illustrated London News." In 1848 he came to the United States, where he assumed the name of Frank Leslie by a legal process, and in 1854 founded the "Gazette of Fashion" and the New York "Journal." "Frank Leslie's Illus- trated Newspaper" was commenced in 1855 ( (German and Spanish editions later), the "Chimney Corner" in 1865; and a number of other periodicals were published by him. Died Jan. 10, 1880. LESSEPS, FERDINAND, VICOMTE DE (les-eps), a French diplomat and engineer; born in Versailles, Nov. 19, 1805. He was employed in the French consular and diplomatic service. In 1854, on the invitation of Said Pasha, he visited Egypt to study the problem of canalizing the Isthmus of Suez. He was made chief director of the works in 1856. The canal was opened to traffic Aug. 15, 1869. He published (1875-1881) fiv^ volumes of "Letters, Journals, and Docu- ments Relating to the Suez Canal"; and in 1887, "Recollections of Forty Years.' His attempt to pierce the Isthmus of Panama resulted in failure and a great political scandal. He died Dec. 7, 1894. LESSING, GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM, a German critic, dramatist, and miscellan- eous writer; born in Kamenz, Lusace, in 1729. He was educated at Meissen and the University of Leipsic. His first es- says in literature were dramatic com- positions. In 1770 was appointed libra- rian to the Prince of Brunswick, at Wol- fenbuttel. He made a short visit to Italy two years later, lost his wife in 1776, and later suffered a decline of health, spirits, and mental power. Lessing's gjfeat aim was to infuse a new spirit into the literature of his country, and to re- fine and polish its style; and he suc- ceeded. His writings are among the classics of German literature. Among his dramatic works are, "Miss Sara Samson," "Minna von Barnhelm," "Emilia Galotti," and "Nathan the
