=Belmont, François Vachon de.= Came to Canada from France in 1680, and joined the Seminary of St. Sulpice at Montreal, of which he was superior, 1698-1732. Died the latter year. Left a _History of Canada_, which was published in the first series of Historical Documents of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. =Index=: =F= On number of captives taken at Lachine, 226; on excessive use of brandy, 312; and footnote. =L= His large donations to religious objects, 135; preaches funeral sermon on Laval at Montreal, 265. =Bénédiction.= =Ch= English vessel seized by French, 221. =Bennett, George.= =B= An employee of the _Globe_, 256; shoots George Brown, 257; on Brown's death, is tried and found guilty of murder, 258; his mind disordered by misfortunes and intemperance, 258. =Bentham, Jeremy= (1748-1832). English writer on jurisprudence and ethics. =Index=: =Sy= An associate of Sydenham's, 13. =Bib.=: _Works_, ed. by Bowring and Burton, 1843. For biog., _see_ _Dict. Nat. Biog._ =Bentivoglis.= Papal Nuncio. =Index=: =Ch= Authorizes establishment of church in Canada, 84. =Bering, Vitus= (1681-1741). Born at Horsens, Denmark. Joined the Russian navy in 1704; and in 1725 sent by Peter the Great to explore the waters east of Kamchatka, and examine the American coast. After a three-years' journey overland, reached the eastern coast of Siberia, built vessels there, and in 1728 followed the coast north to the Arctic, proving that Asia and America were not united. In 1733 set out again on the long overland journey, hampered with a huge retinue, and it was not until 1741 that his ships were ready at Petropaulovsk. Sailed to the east, reached and explored the American coast, and was wrecked on what was afterwards known as Bering Island, where he died, Dec. 8, 1741. =Index=: =D= His explorations, 39, 40; his death, 1741, 40. =Bib.=: Lauridsen, _Vitus Bering_; Muller, _Voyages from Asia to America_; Laut, _Vikings of the Pacific_.