BenoÃ t de Maillet ( Saint-Mihiel , 12 April 1656 â `` Marseille , 30 January 1738 ) was a well-travelled French diplomat and naturalist . BenoÃ t de Maillet ( Saint-Mihiel , 12 April 1656 â `` Marseille , 30 January 1738 ) was a well-travelled French diplomat and natural historian .