ANCIL'LON, a French family who, after the revocation of the edict of Nantes. migrated from Metz into Prussia.—DAV1D A. studied theology at Geneva, was afterwards pastor of the French Reformed colony at Hanau, and d. in Berlin in 1692.—CHARLES, son of the former,. was b. at Metz, July 28, 1659, and d. in Berlin, July 5, 1715. He is known by his writings: L'Irrevocabilite de l'Edit de _Nantes (1688), and Ilistoire de l'Etablissement des Francais Refuges dans les Etats de Brandenbourg FREDERICK, grandson of Charles A., was b. in Berlin 1740, and d. there as pastor of the French congregation in 1814. his son FREDERICK, who rose to be a minister of state in Prussia, wash. in Berlin, April 30, 1767. In 1792, he was appointed professor of history in the military academy of Berlin, and afterwards royal historiographer, a post to which lie had recommended himself by his work, Tableau des Revolutions du Systne Politigue de l'Europe depuis to 15me Siecle (4 vols., Berlin, In 1814, he
took an administrative post under Hardenberg, and, in 1818, held a very prominent position under Count von Bernstorff. In 1830, when the July revolution occurred in France, he assisted the measures of king Frederick William M. for the preservation of peace in Europe. While, like the politicians of Austria, he argued that "all should be done for the people, but nothing by the people," he also contended for the necessity of progressive reforms in legislation, in order to prevent all violent collisions between government and popular opinion. His private life was simple and unostentatious. Though thrice married, he left no children. A. d. April 19, 1837. His various writings on politics, philosophy, and literature are chiefly devoted to an exposition of the prin ciples by which he was guided as a statesman.