attacked, but gave him friends, or rather readers, among that very numerous class of the public, who, through an inconstancy cruelly rooted in the human heart, love
attacked, but gave him friends, or rather readers, among
that very numerous class of the public, who, through an
inconstancy cruelly rooted in the human heart, love to see
those humbled whom even they esteem the most. But
whatever favour and encouragement so general a disposition might promise Boileau, he could not avoid meeting
with censurers among men of worth. Of this number was
the duke de Montausier, who valued himself upon an inflexible and rigorous virtue, and disliked satire. But, as
it was of the greatest importance to Boileau to gain over
to his interest one of the first persons about court, whose
credit was the more formidable, as it was supported by
that personal consideration which is not always joined to
it, he introduced into one of his pieces a panegyrical notice of the duke de Montausier, which was neither flat nor
exaggerated, and it produced the desired effect. Encouraged by this first success, Boileau lost no time in giving
the final blow to the tottering austerity of his censurer,
by confessing to him, with an air of contrition, how humiliated he felt himself at missing the friendship of “the
worthiest man at court.
” From that moment, the
worthiest man at court became the protector and apologist
of the most caustic of all writers. Though we attach
less value to the satires of Boileau than to his other
works, and think not very highly of his conduct to his
patron, yet it must be allowed that he never attacks bad
taste and bad writers, but with the weapons of pleasantry;
and never speaks of vice and wicked men but with indignation. Boileau, however, soon became sensible that in
order to reach posterity it is not sufficient to supply some
ephemeral food to the malignity of contemporaries, but
to be the writer of all times and all places. This led him
to produce those works which will render his fame perpetual. He wrote his “Epistles,
” in which, with delicate
praises, he has intermixed precepts of literature and morality, delivered with the most striking truth and the happiest precision; and in 1674 his celebrated mock-heroic, the
“Lutrin,
” which, with so small a ground of matter, contains
so much variety, action, and grace; and his “Art of Poetry,
”
which is in French what that of Horace is in Latin, the
code of good taste. In these he expresses in harmonious
verse, full of strength and elegance, the principles of
reason and good taste; and was the first who discovered
and developed, by the union of example to precept, the
highly difficult art of French versification. Before Boileau, indeed, Malherbe had begun to detect the secret,
but he had guessed it only in part, and had kept his knowledge for his own use; and Corneille, though he had written “Cinna
” and “Polieucte,
” had no other secret than
his instinct, and when this abandoned him, was no longer
Corneille. Boileau had the rare merit, which can belong
only to a superior genius, of forming by his lessons and
productions the first school of poetry in France; and it
may be added, that of all the poets who have preceded
or followed him, none was better calculated than himself
to be the head of such a school. In fact, the severe and
decided correctness which characterizes his works, renders
them singularly fit to serve as a study for scholars in poetry.
In Racine he had a disciple who would have secured him
immortality, even if he had not so well earned it by his
own writings. Good judges have even asserted, that the
pupil surpassed the master; but Boileau, whether inferior
or equal to his scholar, always preserved that ascendancy
over him, which a blunt and downright self-love will ever
assume over a timid and delipate self-love, such as that of
Racine. The author of “Phaedra
” and of “Athaliah
”
had always, either from deference or address, the complaisance to yield the first place to one who hoasted of
having been his master. Boileau, it is true, had a merit
with respect to his disciple, which in the eyes of the latter
must have been of inestimable value, that of having early
been sensible of Racine’s excellence, or rather of what he
promised to become; for it was not easy, in the author of
the “Freres Ennemis,
” to discover that of “Andromache
”
and “Britannicus,
” and doubtless perceiving in Racine’s
first essays the germ of what he was one day to become,
he felt how much care and culture it required to give it
full expansion.
y of renown, which he mistook for real glory, was making preparations for war with Holland. Colbert, who knew how fatal to the people is the most glorious war, wished
Boileau knew how to procure a still more powerful protection at court than the duke de Montausier’s, that of
Lewis XIV. himself. He lavished upon this monarch
praises the more flattering, as they appeared dictated by
the public voice, and merely the sincere and warm expression of the nation’s intoxication with respect to its
king. To add value to his homage, the artful satirist had
the address to make his advantage of the reputation of
frankness he had acquired, which served as a passport to
those applauses which the poet seemed to bestow in spite
of his nature; and he was particularly attentive, while bestowing praises on all those whose interest might either
support or injure him, to reserve the first place, beyond
comparison, for the monarch. Among other instances,
he valued himself, as upon a great stroke of policy, for
having contrived to place Monsieur, the king’s brother,
by the side of the king himself, in his verses, without hazard of wounding the jealousy of majesty; and for having
celebrated the conqueror of Cassel more feebly than the
subduer of Flanders. He had however the art, or more
properly the merit, along with his inundation of praises,
to convey some useful lessons to the sovereign. Lewis
XIV. as yet young and greedy of renown, which he mistook for real glory, was making preparations for war with
Holland. Colbert, who knew how fatal to the people is
the most glorious war, wished to divert the king from his
design. He engaged Boileau to second his persuasions,
by addressing to Lewis his first epistle, in which te proves
that a king’s true greatness consists in rendering his subjects happy, by securing them the blessings of peace. But
although this epistle did not answer the intentions of the
minister or the poet, yet so much attention to please the
monarch, joined to such excellence, did not remain unrecompensed. Boileau was loaded with the king’s favour,
admitted at court, and named, in conjunction with Racine,
royal historiographer. The two poets seemed closely occupied in writing the history of their patron; they even
read several passages of it to the king; but they abstained
from giving any of it to the public, in the persuasion that
the history of sovereigns, even the most worthy of eulogy,
cannot be written during their lives, without running the risk
either of losing reputation by flattery, or incurring hazard
by truth. It was with repugnance that Boileau had undertaken an office so little suited to his talents and his
taste. “When I exercised,
” said he, “the trade of a
satirist, which I understood pretty well, I was overwhelmed
with insults and menaces, and I am now dearly paid for
exercising that of historiographer, which I do not understand at all/' Indeed,
” far from being dazzled by the favour he enjoyed, he rather felt it as an incumbrance. He
often said, that the first sensation his fortune at court inspired in him, was a feeling of melancholy. He thought
the bounty of his sovereign purchased too dearly by the
Joss of liberty a blessing so intrinsically valuable, which
all the empty and fugitive enjoyments of vanity are unable to compensate in the eyes of a philosopher. Boileau
endeavoured by degrees to recover this darling liberty, in
proportion as age seemed to permit the attempt; and for
the last ten or twelve years of his life he entirely dropped
his visits to court. “What should I do there?
” said he,
“I can praise no longer.
” He might, however, have
found as much matter for his applauses as when he lavished
them without the least reserve. While he attended at
court^ he maintained a freedom and frankness of speech,
especially on topics of literature, which are not common
among courtiers. When Lewis asked his opinion of some
verses which he had written, he replied, “Nothing,
sire, is impossible to your majesty; you wished to make
bad verses, and you have succeeded.
” He also took
part with the persecuted members of the Port-royal; and
when one of the courtiers declared that the king was
making diligent search after the celebrated Arnauld, in
order to put him in the Bastile, Boileau observed, “His
majesty is too fortunate; he will not find him:
” and when
the king asked him, what was the reason why the whole
world was running after a preacher named le Tourneux, a
disciple of Arnauld, “Your majesty,
” he replied, “knows
how fond people are of novelty: this is a minister who
preaches the gospel.
” Boileau appears from various circumstances, to have been no great friend to the Jesuits,
whom he offended by his “Epistle on the Love of God,
”
and by many free speeches. By royal favour, he was admitted unanimously, in 1684, into the French academy,
with which he had made very free in his epigrams; and
he was also associated to the new academy of inscriptions
and belles-lettres, of which he appeared to be a fit rnember, by his “Translation of Longinus on the Sublime.
”
To science, with which he had little acquaintance, he
rendered, however, important service by his burlesque
“Arret in favour of the university, against an unknown
personage called Reason,
” which was the means of preventing the establishment of a plan of intolerance in matters of philosophy. His attachment to the ancients, as
the true models of literary taste and excellence, occasioned
a controversy between him and Perrault concerning the
comparative merit of the ancients and moderns, which was
prosecuted for some time by epigrams and mutual reproaches, till at length the public began to be tired with
their disputes, and a reconciliation was effected by the
good offices of their common friends. This controversy
laid the foundation of a lasting enmity between Boileau
and Fontenelle, who inclined to the party of Perrault.
Boileau, however, did not maintain his opinion with the
pedantic extravagance of the Daciers; but he happily
exercised his wit on the misrepresentations of the noted
characters of antiquity, by the fashionable romances of the
time, in his dialogue entitled “The Heroes of Romance,
”
composed in the manner of Lucian. In opposition to the
absurd opinions of father Hardouin, that most of the classical productions of ancient Rome had been written by the
monks of the thirteenth century, Boileau pleasantly remarks, “I know nothing of all that; but though I am not
very partial to the monks, I should not have been sorry
to have lived with friar Tibullus, friar Juvenal, Dom Virgil, Dom Cicero, and such kind of folk.
” After the death
of Racine, Boileau very much retired from court; induced
partly by his love of liberty and independence, and partly
by his dislike of that adulation which was expected, and
for which the dose of Lewis’s reign afforded more scanty
materials than its commencement. Separated in a great
degree from society, he indulged that austere and misanthropical disposition, from which he was never wholly
exempt. His conversation, however, was more mild and
gentle than his writings; and, as he used to say of himself, without “nails or claws,
” it was enlivened by occasional sallies of pleasantry, and rendered instructive by
judicious opinions of authors and their works. He was religious without bigotry; and he abhorred fanaticism and
hypocrisy. His circumstances were easy; and his prudent economy has been charged by some with degenerating
into avarice. Instances, however, occur of his liberality
and beneficence. At the death of Colbert, the pension
which he had given to the poet Corneille was suppressed,
though he was poor, old, infirm, and dying. Boileau interceded with the king for the restoration of it, and offered
to transfer his own to Corneille, telling the monarch that
he should be ashamed to receive his bounty while such a
man was in want of it. He also bought, at an advanced
price, the library of Patru, reduced in his circumstances,
and left him in the possession of it till his death. He gave to
the poor all the revenues he had received for eight years
from a benefice he had enjoyed without performing the
duties of it. To indigent men of letters his purse was
always open; and at his death he bequeathed almost all
his possessions to the poor. Upon the whole, his temper,
though naturally austere, was on many occasions kind and
benevolent, so that it has been said of him, that he was
“cruel only in verse;
” and his general character was
distinguished by worth and integrity, with some alloys of
literary jealousy and injustice. Boileau died of a dropsy
in the breast, March 11, 1711, and by his will left almost
all his property to the poor. His funeral was attended by
a very numerous company, which gave a woman of the
lower class occasion to say, “He had many friends then I
yet they say that he spoke ill of every body.
”
ts. Both were accused of stealing from the ancients; but says an elegant critic of our nation, those who flattered themselves that they should diminish the reputation
Boileau 1 s character as a poet is now generally allowed
to be that of taste, judgment, and good sense, which predominate in the best of his works as they do in the most
popular of Pope’s writings. The resemblance between
these two poets is in many respects very striking, and in
one respect continues to be so; they are, in France and
England, more read and oftener quoted than any other
poets. Both were accused of stealing from the ancients;
but says an elegant critic of our nation, those who flattered themselves that they should diminish the reputation
of Boileau, by printing, in the manner of a commentary
at the bottom of each page of his works, the many lines he
has borrowed from Horace and Juvenal, were grossly deceived. The verses of the ancients which he has turned
into French with so much address, and which he has happily made so homogeneous, and of a piece with the rest of
the work, that every thing seems to have been conceived
in a continued train of thought by the very same person,
confer as much honour on him, as the verses which are
purely his own. The original turn which he gives to his
translations, the boldness of his expressions, so little forced
and unnatural, that they seem to be born, as it were, with
his thoughts, display almost as much invention as the first
production of a thought entirely new. The same critic,
Dr. Warton, is of opinion that Boileau’s “Art of Poetry
”
is the best composition of that kind extant. “The brevity
of his precepts,
” says this writer, “enlivened by proper
imagery, the justness of his metaphors, the harmony of
his numbers, as far as alexandrine lines will admit, the
exactness of his method, the perspicuity of his remarks,
and the energy of his style, all duly considered, may render this opinion not unreasonable. It is to this work he
owes his immortality, which was of the highest utility to
his nation, in diffusing a just way of thinking and writing,
banishing every species of false wit, and introducing a
general taste for the manly simplicity of the ancients, on
whose writings this poet had formed his taste.
”
ndemn them.” He was not more a friend to the Jesuits than his brother; and he described them as “men who lengthened the creed, and shortened the commandments.” As dean
He is well known by a number of works in a peculiar style,
some of which were not remarkable for decency; but these
he wrote in Latin, “lest the bishops,
” he said, “should
condemn them.
” He was not more a friend to the Jesuits
than his brother; and he described them as “men who
lengthened the creed, and shortened the commandments.
”
As dean of the chapter of Sens, he was appointed to
harangue the celebrated prince of Conde, when he 'passed
through the city. This great commander took particular
pleasure on these occasions in disconcerting his panegyrists; but the doctor, perceiving his intention, counterfeited great confusion, and addressed him in the following
manner: “Your highness will not be surprised, I trust,
at seeing me tremble in your presence at the head of a
company of peaceful priests; I should tremble still more,
if I was at the head of 30,000 soldiers.
” He manifested a
contempt of fanaticism, as well as of decorum, by his
“Historia Flagellantium, &c.
” or, an account of the extravagant, and often indecent, practice of discipline by
flagellation, in the popish church. It was translated
into French; and not many years ago (viz. 1777, 4to. and again in 1782, 8vo.) by M. de Lolme, into English. In
his treatise “De antiquo jure presbyterorum in regimine
ecclesiastico,
” he endeavours to shew, that in the primitive times the priests participated with the bishops in the
government of the church. He was also the author of several other publications, displaying much curious learning
and a satirical turn, which are now consigned to oblivion.
ng inhumed the day following without ceremony at three o clock in the morning. M. Parfait the elder, who inherited the works of Boindin, gave them to the public in 1753,
, born at Paris in 1676, the son
of an attorney in the office of the finances, entered into the
regiment of musqueteers in 1696. The weakness of his
constitution, unable to resist the fatigues of the service,
obliged him to lay down his arms and take to his studies.
He was received in 1706 into the academy of inscriptions
and belles-lettres, and would have been of the French
academy, if the public profession he made of atheism had
not determined his exclusion. He was afflicted towards
the latter end of his days with a fistula, which carried him
off the 30th of Nov. 1751, at the age of 75. He was denied the honours of sepulture; being inhumed the day
following without ceremony at three o clock in the morning. M. Parfait the elder, who inherited the works of
Boindin, gave them to the public in 1753, in 2 vols. 12mo.
In the first we have four comedies in prose: and a memoir on his life and writings, composed by himself. This
man, who plumed himself on being a philosopher, here
gives himself, without scruple, all the praises that a dull
panegyrist would have found some difficulty in affording
him. There is also by him a memoir, very circumstantial
and very slanderous, in which he accuses, after a lapse of
forty years, la Motte, Saurin, and Malaffaire a merchant,
of having plotted the stratagem that caused the celebrated
and unhappy Rousseau to be condemned. Boindin, though
an atheist, escaped the punishment due to his arrogance,
because, in the disputes between the Jesuits and their adversaries, he used frequently to declaim in the coffeehouses against the latter. M. de la Place relates, that he
said to a man who thought like him, and who was threatened for his opinions, “They plague you, because you
are a Jansenistic atheist; but they let me alone, because
I am a Molinistic atheist.
” Not that he inclined more to
Molina than to Jansenius; but he fouiul that he should get
more by speaking in behalf of those that were then in
favour.
him as his buffoon. When Boisrobert fell into disgrace with the cardinal, he had recourse to Citois, who put at the bottom of his paper to the cardinal, as if it had
, of the French
academy, to the establishment whereof he contributed
greatly, abbot of Chatilly-sur-Seine, was born at Caen in
1592, and died in 1662. He was remarkably brilliant in
conversation, but with his natural and borrowed powers,
often repeating scraps from many of the tales of Boccace, of Beroald, and especially the “Moyen de parvenir
”
of the Jatter. His imagination, fostered early by the
writings of all the facetious authors, furnished him with the
means of amusing and of exciting laughter. Citois, first
physician to the cardinal de Richelieu, used to say to that
minister, when he was indisposed, “Monseigneur, all our
drugs are of no avail, unless you mix with them a dram of
Boisrobert.
” The cardinal for a long time was never
happy without his company and jokes, and employed him
as his buffoon. When Boisrobert fell into disgrace with
the cardinal, he had recourse to Citois, who put at the
bottom of his paper to the cardinal, as if it had been a prescription, Recipe Boisrobert. This jest had its effect,
by causing him to be recalled. Boisrobert published,
1. Divers poems; the first part 1647, 4to, and the second
1659, 8vo. 2. Letters in the collection of Faret; 8vo.
3. Tragedies, comedies, and tales, which bear the name
of his brother Antoine le Metel, sieur d'Ouville. 4. “Histoire Indienne d‘Anaxandre et d’Orasie;
” Nouvelles heroiques,
” Now,
” added this friend, “when it is known that your
grace has rewarded a paltry piece with six thousand crowns,
every one will applaud your generosity, and will be anxious
to know what you would have given for a good poem.
”
It is most to his honour, however, that he contributed to
the establishment of the French academy, and always employed his interest with cardinal Richelieu in behalf of men
of merit.
thing of that pride, which forbid him to creep and fawn at the feet of a patron. Boissi had friends, who would readily have relieved him; but they were never made acquainted
, a celebrated French comic writer of native wit and genuine humour, was born at Vic in Auvergne in 1694. He came early to Paris, and began to write for the stage. The rest of his life is a moral. As has often been the fate of extraordinary favourites of the muses, though he laboured incessantly for the public, his works procured him only a competency of fame he wanted bread, and while the theatres and coffee-houses of Paris were ringing with plaudits on his uncommon talents to promote their mirth, he was languishing, with a wife and child, under the pressures of the extremest poverty. Yet, melancholy as his situation was, he lost nothing of that pride, which forbid him to creep and fawn at the feet of a patron. Boissi had friends, who would readily have relieved him; but they were never made acquainted with his real condition, or had not that friendly impetuosity which forces assistance on the modest sufferer. He at length became the prey of distress, and sunk into despondency. The shortest way to rid himself at once of his load of misery seemed to him to be death, on which he speculated with the despair of a man who has none of the consolations of religion. His wife, who was no less weary of life, listened with participation as often as he declaimed, in all the warmth of poetic rapture, on the topic of deliverance from this earthly prison, and the smiling prospects of futurity; till at length she took up the resolution to accompany him in death. But she could not bear to think of leaving her beloved son, of five years old, in a world of misery and sorrow; it was therefore agreed to take the child along with them, on their passage into another and a better, and they made choice of starving. To this end, they shut themselves up in their solitary and deserted apartment, waiting their dissolution with immovable fortitude. When any one came and knocked, they fled trembling into a corner, for fear of being discovered. Tneir little boy, who had not yet learned to silence the calls of hunger by artificial reasons, whimpering and crying, asked for bread; but they always found means to quiet him.
arms, and thus roused the last spark of paternal and maternal tenderness. He gave the child to eat; who, with one hand held his bread, and with the other alternately
It occurred to one of Boissi’s friends, that it was very extraordinary he should never find him at home. At first he thought the family had changed their lodgings; but, on assuring himself of the contrary, he began to be alarmed. He called several times in one day, and at last burst open the door, when he saw his friend, with his wife and son, extended on the bed, pale and emaciated, scarcely able to utter a sound! The boy lay in the middle, and the husband and wife had their arms thrown over him. The child stretched out his little hands towards his deliverer, and his first word was Bread! It was now the third day that not a morsel of food had entered his lips. The parents lay still in a perfect stupor; they had never heard the bursting open of the door, and felt nothing of the embraces of their agitated friend. Their wasted eyes were directed towards the boy; and the tenderest expressions of pity were in the look with which they had last beheld him, and still saw him dying. Their friend hastened to take measures for their recovery; but could not succeed without difficulty. They thought themselves already far from the troubles of life, and were terrified at being suddenly brought back to them. Void of sense and reflection, they submitted to the attempts that were made to recall them to life. At length a thought occurred to their friend, which happily succeeded. He took the child from their arms, and thus roused the last spark of paternal and maternal tenderness. He gave the child to eat; who, with one hand held his bread, and with the other alternately shook his father and mother. It seemed at once to rekindle the love of life in their hearts, on perceiving that the child had left the bed and their embraces. Nature did her office. Their friend procured them strengthening broths, which he put to their lips with the utmost caution, and did not leave them till every symptom of restored life was fully visible.
o officiate publicly; and was obliged to obtain assistance from the Rev. Charles Cooper, a clergyman who resided in the parish on a small patrimonial property, with
The last six years of his life he was unable to officiate
publicly; and was obliged to obtain assistance from the
Rev. Charles Cooper, a clergyman who resided in the
parish on a small patrimonial property, with whom he divided his salary, making up the deficiency from his savings.
Mr. Bold’s previous saving of 5l. annually, for the preceding four or five and forty years (and that always put out to interest) enabled him to procure this assistance, and to
continue his little charities, as well as to support himself,
though the price of boarding was just doubled upon him
from his first entrance on the cure, from 8l. to 16l. a year.
But, from the annual saving even of so small a sum as 5l.
with accumulating interest during that term, he not only
procured assistance for the last years of his life, but
actually left by his will securities for the payment of bequests to the amount of between two and three hundred
pounds: of which 100l. was bequeathed to some of his
nearest relations; 100l. to the farmer’s family in which he
died, to requite their attendance in his latter end, and with
which a son of the family was enabled to set up in a little
farm; and 40l. more he directed to be placed out at interest, of which interest one half is paid at Christmas to the
poorer inhabitants who attend at church; and the other,
for a sermon once a year, in Lent, “on the duty of the
people to attend to the instructions of the minister whom
the bishop of the diocese should set over them.
”
lk. When she was but seven years of age, she was carried over to France with the king’s sister Mary, who was married to Lewis XII. And though, upon the B'rench king’s
, second wife of king
Henry VIII. was born in 1507. She was daughter of sir
Thomas Bolen, afterwards earl of Wiltshire and Ormonde,
by Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk. When she was but seven years of age, she was carried
over to France with the king’s sister Mary, who was married to Lewis XII. And though, upon the B'rench king’s
death, the queen dowager returned to England, yet Anne
Bolen was so highly esteemed at the court of France, that
Claude, the wife of Francis I. retained her in her service
for some years; and after her death in 1524, the duchess
of Alenzon, the king’s sister, kept her in her court during
her stay in that kingdom. It is probable, that she returned
from thence with her father, from his embassy in 1527; and
was soon preferred to the place of maid of honour to the
queen. She continued without the least imputation upon
her character, till her unfortunate fall gave occasion to
some malicious writers to defame her in all the parts of it.
Upon her coming to the English court, the lord Percy,
eldest son of the earl of Northumberland, being then a
domestic of cardinal Wolsey, made his addressee to her,
and proceeded so far, as to engage himself to marry her;
and her consent shews, that she had then no aspirings to
the crown. But the cardinal, upon some private reasons,
using threats and other methods, with great difficulty put
an end to that nobleman’s design. It was prohably about
1528, that the king began to shew some favour to her,
which caused many to believe, that the whole process with
regard to his divorce from queen Catherine was moved by
the unseen springs of that secret passion. But it is not reasonable to imagine, that the engagement of the king’s affec
tion to any other person gave the rise to that affair; for so
sagacious a courtier as Wolsey would have infallibly discovered it, and not have projected a marriage with the
French king’s sister, as he did not long before, if he had
seen his master prepossessed. The supposition is much
more reasonable, that his majesty, conceiving himself in a
manner discharged of his former marriage, gave a full
liberty to his affections, which began to settle upon Mrs.
Bolen; who, in September 1532, was created marchioness
of Pembroke, in order that she might be raised by degrees
to the height for which she was designed; and on the 25th
of January following was married to the king, the office
being performed by; Rowland Lee, afterwards bishop of
Coventry and Lichfield, with great privacy, though in the
presence of her uncle the duke of Norfolk, her father,
mother, and brother. On the 1st of June, 1533, she was
crowned queen of England with such pomp and solemnity,
as was answerable to the magnificence of his majesty’s
temper; and every one admired her conduct, who had so
long managed the spirit of a king so violent, as neither to
surfeit him with too much fondness, nor to provoke with too
much reserve. Her being so soon with child gave hopes of
a numerous issue; and those, who loved the reformation,
entertained the greatest hopes from her protection, as they
knew she favoured them. On the 13th or 14th of September following, she brought forth a daughter, christened
Elizabeth, afterwards the renowned queen of England,
Cranmer, archbishop of Canterb ry, being her god-father.
But the year 1536 proved fatal to her majesty; and her
ruin was in all probability occasioned by those who began
to be distinguished by the name of the Romish party. For
the king now proceeding both at home and abroad in the
point of reformation, they found that the interest which
the queen had in him was the grand support of that cause.
She had risen, not only in his esteem, but likewise in that
of the nation in general; for in the last nine months of
her life, she gave above fourteen thousand pounds to the
poor, and was engaged in several noble and public designs.
But these virtues could not secure her against the artifices
of a bigoted party, which received an additional force
from several other circumstances, that contributed to her
destruction. Soon after queen Catharine’s death in Jan.
1535-6, she was brought to bed of a dead son, which was
believed to have made a bad impression on the king’s mind;
and as he had concluded from the death of his sons by
his former queen, that the marriage was displeasing to
God, so he might upon this misfortune begin to have the
same opinion of his marriage with queen Anne. It was
also considered by some courtiers, that now queen Catharine was dead, his majesty might marry another wife, and
be fully reconciled with the pope and the emperor, and
the issue by any other marriage would never be questioned;
whereas, while queen Anne lived, the ground of the controversy still remained, and her marriage being accounted
null from the beginning, would never be allowed by the
court of Rome, or any of that party. With these reasons
of state the king’s own passions too much concurred; for
he now entertained a secret love for the lady Jane Seymour, who had all the charms of youth and beauty, and
an humour tempered between the gravity of queen Catharine, and the gaiety of queen Anne. Her majesty therefore perceiving the alienation of the king’s heart, used all
possible arts to recover that affection, the decay of which
she was sensible of; but the success was quite contrary to
what she designed. For he saw her no more with those
eyes which she had formerly captivated; but gave way to
jealousy, and ascribed her caresses to some other criminal
passion, of which he began to suspect her. Her chearful
temper indeed was not always limited within the bounds of
exact decency and discretion; and her brother the lord
Rochford’s wife, a woman of no virtue, being jealous of
her husband and her, possessed the king with her own apprehensions. Henry Norris, groom of the stole, William
Brereton, and sir Francis W'eston, who were of the king’s
privy chamber, and Mark Smeton, a musician, were by
the queen’s enemies thought too officious about her; and
something was pretended to have been sworn by the lady
Wingfield at her death, which determined the king; but
the particulars are not known. It is reported likewise,
that when the king held a tournament at Greenwich on the
1st of May, 1536, he was displeased at the queen for
letting her handkerchief fall to one, who was supposed a
favourite, and who wiped his face with it. Whatever the
case was, the king returned suddenly from Greenwich to
Whitehall, and immediately ordered her to be confined to
her chamber, and her brother, with the four persons abovementioned, to be committed to the Tower, and herself to
be sent after them the day following. On the river some
privy counsellors came to examine her, but she made deep
protestations of her innocence; and as she landed at the
Tower, she fell down on her knees, and prayed Heaven
so to assist her, as she was free from the crimes laid to
her charge.“The confusion she was in soon raised a storm
of vapours within her; sometimes she laughejj, and at
other times wept excessively. She was also devout and
light by turns; one while she stood upon her vindication,
and at other times confessed some indiscretions, which
upon recollection she denied. All about her took advantage from any word, that fell from her, and sent it immediately to court. The duke of Norfolk and others, who
came to examine her, the better to make discoveries, told
her, that Morris and Smeton had accused her; which,
though false, had this effect on her, that it induced her to
own some slight acts of indiscretion, which, though no ways
essential, totally alienated the king from her. Yet whether even these small acknowledgments were real truths,
or the effects of imagination and hysterical emotions, is
very uncertain. On the 12th of May, Morris, Brereton,
Weston, and Smeton, were tried in Westminster-hall.
Smeton is said by Dr. Burnet to have confessed the fact;
but the lord Herbert’s silence in this matter imports him to
have been of a different opinion; to which may be added,
that Cromwell’s letter to the king takes notice, that only
some circumstances were confessed by Smeton. However,
they were all four found guilty, and executed on the 17th
of May. On the 15th of which month, the queen, and her
brother the lord Rochford, were tried by their peers in
the Tower, and condemned to die. Yet all this did not
satisfy the enraged king, who resolved likewise to illegitimate his daughter Elizabeth; and, in order to that, to annul his marriage with the queen, upon pretence of a precontract between her and the lord Percy, now earl of Northumberland, who solemnly denied it; though the queen
was prevailed upon to acknowledge, that there were some
just and lawful impediments against her marriage with the
king; and upon this a sentence of divorce was pronounced
by the archbishop, and afterwards confirmed in the convocation and parliament. On the 19th of May, she was
brought to a scaffold within the Tower, where she was
prevailed upon, out of regard to her daughter, to make no
reflections on the hardships she had sustained, nor to say
any thing touching the grounds on which sentence passed
against her; only she desired, that
” all would judge the
best." Her head being severed from her body, they were
both put into an ordinary chest, and buried in the chapel
in the Tower.
in the Netherlands; but death put an end to his labours in 1629. It was then entrusted to Bollandus, who was about this time thirty-four years of age, and who removed
, a learned Jesuit, was born at
Tillemont, in the Netherlands, Aug. 13, 1596, and at
sixteen, a very usual age, entered the society of the Jesuits, and soon became distinguished as a teacher, both in
the Netherlands, and in other countries. What entitles
him to notice here, is the share he had in that voluminous
work, the “Lives of the Saints,
” or “Acta Sanctorum.
”
The history of this work is not uninteresting, although the
work itself, otherwise than for occasional consultation,
defies time and patience. The design of this vast collection was first projected by father Hesibert Koseweide, a
Jesuit of the age of sixty, and consequently too far advanced to execute much of his plan, winch was to extend
no farther than eighteen volumes folio, a trifle in those
days, had he begun earlier. In 1607, however, he began
by printing the manuscript lives of some saints, which he
happened to find in the Netherlands; but death put an
end to his labours in 1629. It was then entrusted to Bollandus, who was about this time thirty-four years of age,
and who removed to Antwerp for the purpose. After examining Roseweide’s collections, he established a general
correspondence over all Europe, instructing his friends to
search every library, register, or repository of any kind,
where information might be found; but becoming soon
sensible of the weight of his undertaking, he called in the
assistance of another Jesuit, Henschemus of Gueiderland,
younger than himself, more healthy, and equally qualified
in other respects. With this aid he was enabled in 1641
to publish the tirst two volumes, folio, which contain the
lives of the saints of the month of January, the order of
the Kalendar having been preferred. Jn 1658 he published those of February; and two years after, his labours
still entreasmg, he had another associate, father Daniel
Paperbroch, at that time about thirty-two years old, whom
he sent with Henschenius to Italy and France to collect
manuscripts, but he died before the publication of another
volume, Sept. 12, 1665. After his death the work was
continued by various hands, called Bollandists, until it
amounted to forty-two folio volumes, the last published
1753, which, after all, bring down the lives only to the
fourteenth of September. In such an undertaking, much
legendary matter must be expected, and many absurdities
and fictions. Dupiri allows that Bollandus was more partial to popular traditions than Henschemus and Paperbroch,
yet it would appear that they found it difficult to please
the taste of the different orders of monks, &c. who were
to be edified by the work. Bollandus published separately:
1. “Vita S. Liborii Episcopi,
” Antwerp, Brevis Notitia Italiae,
” ibid. Breves Notitice triplici status, Ecclesiastici, Monastici et Saecularis,
”
ibid.
r of invective against them, he was often quoted, and became respected. He was a Carmelite of Paris, who, having preached somewhat freely in St. Bartholomew’s church,
, a writer, whose whole merit was
inventing abominable lies and absurdities against the first
reformers in the sixteenth century; and, by this means
supplying popish missionaries with matter of invective
against them, he was often quoted, and became respected.
He was a Carmelite of Paris, who, having preached somewhat freely in St. Bartholomew’s church, forsook hiaonier,
and fled into Italy, where he set up for a physician,
and married; but soon after committed some crime, for
which he was driven away. He set up afterwards in
Geneva as a physician; but not succeeding in that
protession, he studied divinity. At first he dogmatized privately on the mystery of predestination, according to the principles of Pelagius; and afterwards
had the boldness to make a public discourse against
the received opinion. Upon this, Calvin went to see
him, and censured him mildly. Then he sent for him
to his house, and endeavoured to reclaim him from his
error; but this did not hinder Bolsec from delivering in
public an insulting discourse against the decree of eternal
predestination. Calvin was among his auditors; but,
hiding himself in the crowd, was not seen by Bolsec,
which made him the bolder. As soon as Bolsec had ended
his sermon, Calvin stood up, and confuted all he had been
saying. “He answered, overset, and confounded him,
”
says Beza, “with so many testimonies from the word of
God, with so many passages, chiefly from St. Augustine
in short, with so many solid arguments, that every body
was miserably ashamed for him, except the brazen-faced
monk himself.
” On this, a magistrate who was present
in that assembly, sent him to prison. The cause was discussed very fully, and at last, with the advice of the Swiss
churches, the senate of Geneva declared Bolsec convicted
of sedition and Pelagian ism; and as such, in 1551, banished him from the territory of the republic, on pain of
being whipped if he should return thither. He retired
into a neighbouring place, which depended on the canton
of Bern, and raised a great deal of disturbance there, by
accusing Calvin of making God the author of sin. Calvin,
to prevent the impressions which such complaints might
make upon the gentlemen of Bern, caused himself to be
deputed to them, and pleaded his cause before them. He
was so fortunate, that though he could not get a
determination upon his doctrine, whether it was true or false,
yet Bolsec was ordered to quit the country.
was an engraver, of Antwerp, who flourished about 1620; but by what master he was instructed
was an engraver, of Antwerp, who flourished about 1620; but by what master he was instructed in the art of engraving, does not appear. He imitated the free open style of the Bloemarts with great success; and perhaps perfected himself in their school. When he worked from Rubens, he altered that style; and his plates are neater, fuller of colour, and more highly finished. The two following from this master may be here mentioned: 1. The Resurrection of Lazarus, a large upright plate. 2. The Last Supper, its companion. Basan, speaking of this print, says, that it proves by its beauty, and the knowledge with which it is engraved, that Boetius could sometimes equal his brother Scheltius.
ther, worked entirely with the graver. His general character as an an artist is well drawn by Basan, who says: “We have a large number of prints, which are held in great
, an admirable engraver, was the brother of the preceding. The
time of his birth and of his death, and the name of the
master he studied under, are equally unknown. Bolswert,
like his brother, worked entirely with the graver. His
general character as an an artist is well drawn by Basan,
who says: “We have a large number of prints, which are
held in great esteem, by this artist, from various masters;
but especially from Rubens, whose pictures he has copied
with all possible knowledge, taste, and great effect. The
freedom with which this excellent artist handled the graver,
the picturesque roughness of etching, which he could
imitate without any other assisting instrument, and the
ability he possessed of distinguishing the different masses
of colours, have always been admired by the connoisseurs,
and give him a place in the number of those celebrated
engravers whose prints ought to be considered as models
by all historical engravers, who are desirous of rendering
their works as useful as they are agreeable, and of acquiring a reputation as lasting as it is justly merited.
” He
drew excellently, and without any manner of his own;
for his prints are the exact transcripts of the pictures he
engraved from. His best works, though not always
equally neat or finished, are always beautiful, and manifest the hand of the master. Sometimes we find his engravings are in a bold, free, open style; as the Brazen
Serpent; the Marriage of the Virgin, &c. from Rubens.
At other times they are very neat, and sweetly finished;
as, the Crowning with Thorns, and the Crucifixion, &c.
from Vandyck. Mr. Strutt observes, that his boldest engravings are from Rubens, and his neatest from Vandyck
and Jordan. How greatly Bolswert varied his manner of
engraving appears from some prints, which, like the
greater part of those of his brother Boetius, bear great resemblance to the free engravings of the Bloemarts, and to
those of Frederic Bloemart especially; and form a part of
the plates for a large folio volume entitled “Academic de
l'Espée,
” by Girard Thibault of Antwerp, where it was
published A.D. 1628; and to these he signs his name
“Scheltius,
” and sometimes “Schelderic Bolswert,
” adding the word Bruxelle. His works are pretty numerous,
and his name is usually affixed to his plates in this manner:
“S. A. Bolswert.
”
a monument erected to her memory. How much he differs from the conjectures of the other antiquaries who have endeavoured to trace the history of Stonehenge, it would
, an ingenious
writer and antiquary, in the beginning of the seventeenth
century, was a retainer to the great George Villiers, duke
of Buckingham, under whom he probably enjoyed some
office. He was a Roman catholic; and distinguished Himself by the following curious writings; l.“The Life of
king Henry II.
” intended to be inserted in Speed’s Chronicle; but the author being too partial to Thomas Becket,
another life was written by Dr. Barcham. 2. “The Elements of Armories,
” Lond. Prosopopoeia Basilica,
” a ms. in the Cottonian library. 4.
An English translation of Lucius Florus’s Roman History.
5. “Nero Cæsar, or Monarchic depraved. An historicall
worke, dedicated with leave to the duke of Buckingham,
lord-admiral,
” Lond. Vindiciae Britannicae, or London righted
by rescues and recoveries of antiquities of Britain in general, and of London in particular, against unwarrantable
prejudices, and historical antiquations amongst the learned;
for the more honour, and perpetual just uses of the noble
island and the city.
” It consists of seven chapters. In
the first, he treats “of London before the Britann rebells
sackt and fired it in hatred and defiance of Nero.
” In the
second he shows, that “London was more great and famous in Nero’s days, than that it should be within the
description, which Julius Cæsar makes of a barbarous Britann town in his days.
” In the third, he proves, “that
the credit of Julius Cæsar’s writings may subsist, and yet
London retain the opinion of utmost antiquity.
” In the
fourth, “the same fundamental assertion is upholden with
other, and with all sorts of arguments or reasons.
” The
fifth bears this title, “The natural face of the seat of
London (exactly described in this section) most sufficiently
proved, that it was most antiently inhabited, always presupposing reasonable men in Britain.
” The sixth contains
“a copious and serious disquisition about the old book of
Brute, and of the authority thereof, especially so far forth
as concerns the present cause of the honour and antiquity
of London, fundamentally necessary in general to our national history.
” The last chapter is entitled, <; Special, as
well historical, as other illustrations, for the use of the
coins in my Nero Cæsar, concerning London in and before
that time.“This ms. (for it never was printed) was in the
possession of Hugh Howard, esq and afterwards sold among
Thomas Rawiinson’s to Endymion Porter. Mr. Bolton was
also author of
” Hypercritica, or a rule of judgement for
writing or reading our histories. Delivered in four supercensorian addresses by occasion of a censorian epistle,
prefixed by sir Henry Savile, knt. to his edition of some
of our oldest historians in Latin, dedicated to the late
queen Elizabeth. That according thereunto, a complete
body of our affairs, a Corpus Rerum Anglicarum may at
last, and from among our ourselves, come happily forth in
either of the tongues. A felicity wanting to our nation,
now when even the name thereof is as it were at an end.“It was published by Dr. Hall, at the end of
” Triveti Annales,“Oxford, 1722, 8vo. Bolton likewise intended to
compose a
” General History of England, or an entire and
complete body of English affairs;“and there is in the
Cottonian collection, the outline of a book entitled
” Agon
Heroicus, or concerning Arms and Armories," a copy of
which is in the Biog. Britannica. The time and place of
his death are unknown.
egree in this college, and was kindly supported by Dr. Brett of Lincoln, himself a good Grecian, and who admired the proficiency Bolton had made in that language, until
, an eminent puritan divine, and
one of the best scholars of his time, was born at Blackburn
in Lancashire, in 1572, and educated in queen Elizabeth’s
free-school in that place, where he made such proficiency
as to be accounted a young man of extraordinary talents
and industry. In his eighteenth year he went to Oxford,
and entered of Lincoln college, under the tuition of Mr.
John Randal, where he went through a course of logic and
philosophy with distinguished approbation, and particularly took pains to acquire a critical knowledge of Greek,
transcribing the whole of Homer with his own hand. By
this diligence he attained a greater facility than was then
usual, writing, and even disputing, in Greek with great
correctness and fluency. From Lincoln he removed to
Brazen-nose, in hopes of a fellowship, as that society
consisted most of Lincolnshire and Cheshire men. In 1596
he took his bachelor’s degree in this college, and was
kindly supported by Dr. Brett of Lincoln, himself a good
Grecian, and who admired the proficiency Bolton had
made in that language, until 1602, when he obtained a
fellowship, and proceeded M. A. the same year. His reputation advancing rapidly, he was successively chosen
reader of the lectures on logic, and on moral and natural
philosophy in his college. In 1605, vrhen king James
came to Oxford, the vice-chancellor (Abbot, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury) appointed him to read in natural
philosophy in the public schools, and to be one of the
disputants before his majesty. Afterwards he increased
his stock of learning by metaphysics, mathematics, and
scholastic divinity. About this time, one Anderton, a
countryman and schoolfellow, and a zealous Roman catholic, endeavoured to seduce him to that religion, and a
place of private conference was fixed, but Anderton not
keeping his appointment, the affair dropped. Mr. Bolton,
with all his learning, had been almost equally noted for
immorality, but about his thirty-fourth year, reformed his
life and manners, and became distinguished for regularity
and piety. In 1609, about two years after he entered into
holy orders, which he did very late in life, he was presented to the living of Broughton in Northamptonshire, by
Mr. afterwards sir Augustine Nicolls, serjeant at law, who
sent for him to his chamber* in Serjeant’s Inn and gave
him the presentation. Dr. King, bishop of London, being
by accident there at the same time, thanked the serjeant
for what he had done for Broughton, but told him that he
had deprived the university of a singular ornament. He
then went to his living and remained on it until his death,
Dec. 17, 1631. He was, says Wood, a painful and constant preacher, a person of great zeal in his duty, charitable and bountiful, and particularly skilled in resolving
the doubts of timid Christians. Of his works, the most
popular in his time, was “A Discourse on Happiness.
”
Lond. Mr. Bolton’s last and learned work of the
Four last Things, Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven,
with an Assize Sermon, and Funeral Sermon for his patron
Judge Nichols,
” Loncl. 1633. Prefixed to this is the life
of Mr. Bolton, to which all his subsequent biographers
have been indebted.
appear in Uuff'head’s life of that poet, and were communicated to the author by the hon. Mr. Yorke, who probably did not know that they first appeared in the Prompter,
, dean of Carlisle, was born in London in April 1697, and was the only surviving child of Mr. John Bolton, a merchant in that city, whom he lost when he was but three years old. He was first educated in a school at Kensington, and was admitted a commoner at Wadham college, Oxford, April 12, 1712. He was afterwards elected a scholar of that house, where he took his degree of B. A. in 1715, and of M. A. June 13, 1718, expecting to be elected fellow in his turn; but in this he was disappointed, and appealed, without success, to the bishop of Bath and Wells, the visitor. In July 1719 he removed to Hart Hall; and on the 20th December following, was ordained a deacon, in the cathedral church of St. Paul, by Dr. John Robinson, bishop of London. He then went to reside at Fulham, and seems to have passed two years there: for he was ordained priest by the same bishop in the chapel of Fulham palace, April 11, 1721. While at Fulham he became acquainted with Mrs. Grace Butler of Rowdell in Sussex, on whose daughter Elizabeth he wrote an epitaph, which is placed in Twickenham church-yard, where she was buried. This epitaph gave occasion to some verses by Pope, which appear in Uuff'head’s life of that poet, and were communicated to the author by the hon. Mr. Yorke, who probably did not know that they first appeared in the Prompter, a periodical paper, No. VIII. and afterwards in the works of Aaron Hill, who by mistake ascribes the character of Mrs. Butler to Pope.
dedicated to his early patron, lord Hardwicke, to whom he had inscribed The Employment of Time, and who at this period was no longer chancellor. In his address to this
Being chosen senior fellow of Dulwich college, he went
to reside there, March 10, 1722, where he remained three
years, and resigned his fellowship May 1, 1725. About
this time he removed to Kensington, living upon a small
fortune he possessed; and here he appears to have become
acquainted with the celebrated Whiston; and partly, as it
is said, by his recommendation, became known to sir Joseph Jekyll, master of the rolls, by whom he was appointed his domestic chaplain, and, in 1729, preacher at
the Rolls, on the resignation of Dr. Butler, afterwards
bishop of Durham. This connection introduced him to
the patronage of lord Hardwicke, by whose means, in 1734,
he was promoted to the deanery of Carlisle, and, in 1738,
to the vicarage of St. Mary’s Reading. He had his degree
of doctor of civil law from the archbishop of Canterbury,
Jan. 13, 1734, and went to reside at Carlisle in 1736. Both
these preferments, the only ones he ever received, he held
until the time of his death. He was an excellent parishpriest, and a good preacher, charitable to the poor, and
having from his own valetudinary state acquired some knowledge of physic, he kindly assisted them by advice and
medicine. He was greatly beloved by his parishioners,
and deservedly; for he performed every part of his duty
in a truly exemplary manner. On Easter Tuesday in 173y
he preached one of the spital sermons at St. Bride’s, Fleet'
street, which was afterwards printed in 4to, but we do
not find that he aspired to the character of an author,
though so well qualified for it, until late in life. His first
performance was entitled “A Letter to a lady on Cardplaying on the Lord’s day, 8vo, 1748; setting forth in a
lively and forcible manner the many evils attending the
practice of gaming on Sundays, and of an immoderate attachment to that fatal pursuit at any time. In 1750 appeared
” The Employment of Time, three essays,“8vo,
dedicated to lord Hardwicke; the most popular of our
author’s performances, and, on its original publication,
generally ascribed to Gilbert West. In this work two distinguished and exemplary female characters are supposed
to be those of lady Anson and lady Heathcote, lord Hardwicke' s daughters. The next year, 1751, produced
” The
Deity’s delay in punishing the guilty considered on the
principles of reason,“8vo; and in 1755,
” An answer to
the question, Where are your arguments against what you
call lewdness, if you can make no use of the Bible?“8vo.
Continuing to combat the prevailing vices of the times, he
published in 1757,
” A Letter to an officer of the army
on Travelling on Sundays,“8vo; and, in the same year,
” The Ghost of Ernest, great grandfather of her royal
highness the princess dowager of Wales, with some account of his life,“8vo. Each of the above performances
contains good sense, learning, philanthropy, and religion,
and each of them is calculated for the advantage of society.
The last work which Dr. Bolton gave the public was not
the least valuable. It was entitled
” Letters and Tracts on
the Choice of Company, and other subjects,“1761, 8vo.
This he dedicated to his early patron, lord Hardwicke, to
whom he had inscribed The Employment of Time, and
who at this period was no longer chancellor. In his address
to this nobleman he says,
” An address to your lordship on
this occasion in the usual style would as ill suit your inclinations as it doth my age and profession. We are both of
us on the confines of eternity, and should therefore alike
make truth our care, that truth which, duly influencing our
practice, will be the security of our eternal happiness.
Distinguished by my obligations to your lordship, I
would be so by my acknowledgments of them: I would not
be thought to have only then owned them when they might
have been augmented. Whatever testimony I gave of
respect to you when in the highest civil office under your
prince, I would express the same when you have resigned
it; and shew as strong an attachment to lord Hardwicke as
I ever did to the lord chancellor. Receive, therefore,
a tribute of thanks, the last which I am ever likely in this
manner to pay. But I am hastening to my grave, with a
prospect which must be highly pleasing to me, unless divested of all just regard to those who survive me."
looked down its crater. The disinterestedness of Urbano is also strongly insisted on by his nephew, who informs us that he rather chose to suffer the inconveniencies
, one of the revivers
of letters in the fifteenth century, was born in 1440, and
is said by his nephew Pietro Valeriano to have been the
earliest instructor of Leo X. in the knowledge of the Greek
tongue. Although an ecclesiastic of the order of St. Francis, he quitted the walls of his monastery with the laudable
curiosity of visiting foreign parts; and, having had an
opportunity of accompanying Andrea Gritti, afterwards
doge of Venice, on an embassy to Constantinople, he thence
made an excursion through Greece, Palestine, Egypt,
Syria, Arabia, and other countries; always travelling on
foot, and diligently noting whatever appeared deserving of
observation. His nephew adds, that he travelled also into
Sicily, where he twice ascended the mountain of yEtna,
and looked down its crater. The disinterestedness of Urbano is also strongly insisted on by his nephew, who informs us that he rather chose to suffer the inconveniencies
of poverty, than to receive a reward for those instructions
which he was at all times ready to give, and that he always
persevered in refusing those honours and dignities which
Leo X. would gladly have conferred upon him. His activity, temperance, and placid disposition, secured to him
a healthful old age; nor did he omit to make frequently
excursions through Italy, until he was disqualified from
these occupations by a fall in his garden whilst he was
pruning his trees. His principal residence was at Venice,
where he not only assisted Aldus in correcting the editions
which he published of the ancient authors, but gave in-'
structions in the Greek language to a great number of
scholars; and there was scarcely a person in Italy distinguished by his proficiency in that language who had not at
some time been his pupil. His grammar, “Urbani Grammatica Græca,
” Venice,
fol. 1518, and reprinted by him in 4to and 8vo. He learned Hebrew from Felix Pratenois, an Italian, who engaged him to print a Rabbinical Bible, which appeared in 1517,
, a celebrated printer of the sixteenth century, was a native of Antwerp, but settled at Venice, where he commenced business by printing a Hebrew Bible, which was published in 2 vols. fol. 1518, and reprinted by him in 4to and 8vo. He learned Hebrew from Felix Pratenois, an Italian, who engaged him to print a Rabbinical Bible, which appeared in 1517, fol. dedicated by Bomberg to Leo X. The Jews, however, not approving of this edition, the rabbi Jacob Haum suggested another, which Bomberg published in 4 vols. fol. in 1525. He also, in 1520, began an edition of the Talmud, which he finished, after some years, in 11 vols. fol. This he reprinted twice, and each edition is said to have cost him an hundred thousand crowns. These two last editions are more complete and beautifully printed than the first, and are in more estimation than the subsequent editions of Bragadin and Burtorf. Bomberg appears to have been a man highly zealous for the honour of his art, spared no cost in embellishments, and is said to have retained about an hundred Jews as correctors, the most learned he could find. In printing only, in the course of his life, he is thought to have expended four millions in gold (Scaliger says, three millions of crowns), and Vossius seems to hint that he injured his fortune by his liberality. He died at Venice in 1549.
en years of age, and was professed there the 2d of August the year following, according to Bertolot, who wrote his Life; though Moroti, in “Cistercii reflorescentis
, an eminent cardinal of the church of
Rome, and author of several derotional pieces, was born
the 19th of October, 1609, at Mondovi, a little city in
Piedmont, of a noble family. Having finished his first
studies with great success, he entered himself in a monastery of the order of St. Bernard near Pignerol in July 1625,
when he was but fifteen years of age, and was professed
there the 2d of August the year following, according to
Bertolot, who wrote his Life; though Moroti, in “Cistercii
reflorescentis Historia,
” places this. in
, a learned Jesuit, who died at Rome in 1725, at the age of eighty-seven, after having
, a learned Jesuit, who died at
Rome in 1725, at the age of eighty-seven, after having
honourably filled different posts in his order, left several
works of various kinds, principally relating to natural history, which was his favourite pursuit. He was engaged in
1698 to put in order the celebrated cabinet of father Kircher; and he continued to employ himself in that business
and the augmentation of it till his death. The chief of his
works are, 1. “Recreatio mentis et oculi in observatione
Animalium Testaceorum,
” Rome, History of the Church of the Vatican; with the plans
both antient and modern,
” Rome, Collection of the Medals of the popes, from Martin
V. to Innocent XII.
” Rome, 1699, 2 vols. fol. in Latin.
4. “Catalogue of the Orders, Religious, Military, and
Equestrian, with plates representing their several habiliments,
” in Latin and in Italian, Korne, Observationes circa viventia in non viventibus,
” Rome, Musaeum collegii Romani Kircherianum,
” Rome,
A Treatise on Varnishes,
” in Italian, Paris, Gabinetto armonico,
”
He attached himself, for some time, to cardinal Frederick Borromeo (nephew of St. Charles Borromeo) who had a regard for men of letters, and who founded the famous
, was born December 25,
1563, at Urbino, of one of the most ancient and noble
families in the city of Ancona, and was sent into France
at the age of fifteen, to be educated suitably to his birth
and the customs of that time. Bonarelli was but nineteen
when he was offered a philosophical professorship of the
Sorbonne, in the college of Calvi; but, his father having
sent for him home, he was satisfied with having merited
that honour, and declined accepting it. He attached himself, for some time, to cardinal Frederick Borromeo (nephew of St. Charles Borromeo) who had a regard for men
of letters, and who founded the famous Ambrosian library
at Milan. He went afterwards to Modena, to which place
his father had removed. After his death, the duke Alphonso, knowing the merit of Bonarelli, employed him in
several important embassies, and the success of these negociations proved how well they had been carried on.
Bonarelli went to Rome with the hope of recovering the
marquisate of Orciano, of which his father had been deprived; but an attack of the gout obliged him to stop at
Fano, where he died January 8, 1608, aged forty-five,
with the character of an able politician, a distinguished
bel esprit, and a good philosopher for the age he lived in.
The pastoral poem for which he is best known is entitled
“Filli di Sciro,
” and was printed first at Ferrara, Discorsi in difesa del doppio amore della sua
Celia,
” but this was rather ingenious than conclusive. We
have likewise some academical discourses of his.
test collectors. Bonasone has lately found an ingenious and able advocate in George Cumberland, esq. who, in 1793, published “Some Anecdotes” of his life, with a catalogue
, called sometimes Bolognese,
from the place of his birth, flourished in the sixteenth century, and is better known as an engraver than as a painter.
He is supposed, but without sufficient authority, to have
been a scholar of Sabbatini. Some remaining oil-pictures
of his, on canvas, which are, in general, weak, and of different styles, make it probable, says Lanzi, that he resolved to be a painter when he had passed youth. There
is, however, in the church of St. Stephano, in Bologna,
a Purgatory of his, which has great beauties, and is suspected to have been done with the assistance of Sabbatini.
As an engraver, he worked from the pictures of Raphael,
Julio Romano, and other great masters; and occasionally
from his own designs. Mr. Strutt’s opinion is, that excepting one or two subjects, in which he called in the
assistance of the point (the use of which, however, he never well understood), his plates are executed chiefly with
the graver, in a manner though much varied from that of
his tutor, Marc Antonio Raimondi, yet evidently founded
upon it, although neither so firm, clear, or masterly. His
drawing is often heavy, and the extremities of his figures
frequently neglected; the folds of his draperies are seldom
well expressed, and the back grounds to his prints, especially his landscapes, are extremely flat and stiff. However,
with all these faults (which are not always equally conspicuous), his best prints possess an uncommon share of
merit; and though not equal to those of his master, are
deservedly held in no small degree of estimation by the
greatest collectors. Bonasone has lately found an ingenious and able advocate in George Cumberland, esq. who,
in 1793, published “Some Anecdotes
” of his life, with a
catalogue of his engravings, &c.
ee of Rome lay vacant almost three years, and the cardinals not being able to agree among themselves who should be pope, came at length to a most solemn engagement,
, a celebrated doctor, cardinal, and saint of the church of Rome, was born
at Bagnarea in Tuscany, 1221. He was admitted into the
order of St. Francis, about 1243; and studied divinity at
the university of Paris under the celebrated Alexander de
Hales, with so much success, that at the end of seven
years he was thought worthy to read public lectures upon
the Sentences. He was created doctor in 1255 along with
St. Thomas Aquinas, and the year after appointed general
of his order, in which office he governed with so much
zeal and prudence, that he perfectly restored the discipline
of it, which had been greatly neglected. Pope Clement IV.
nominated him to the archbishopric of York in England;
but Bonaventure disinterestedly refused it. After the death
of Clement the see of Rome lay vacant almost three years,
and the cardinals not being able to agree among themselves
who should be pope, came at length to a most solemn engagement, to leave the choice to Bonaventure; and to
elect whoever he should name, though it should be even
himself, which, from his modest character, was not very
probable. Accordingly, he named Theobald, archdeacon
of Liege, who was at that time in the Holy land, and who
took the title of Gregory X. By this pope he was made a
cardinal and bishop of Albano; and appointed to assist at
a general council, which was held at Lyons soon after. He
died there in 1274, and was magnificently and honourably
conducted to his grave; the pope and whole council attending, and the cardinal Peter of Tarantais, afterwards
pope Innocent V. making his funeral oration. Sixtus IV.
canonized him in 1482. He. has had the good fortune to
be almost equally praised by popish and protestant writers,
Bellarmine has pronounced Bonaventure a person dear to
God and men; and Luther calls him “vir prtestantissimus,
” a most excellent man. His works were printed at
Rome in 1588, in 8 vols. folio. Excepting his commentary upon the master of the Sentences, they are chiefly on
pious and mystical subjects, and have gained him the name
of the Seraphic doctor. Brucker gives us the following
account of his method of philosophizing, from his treatise
“De reductione Artium ad Theologiam;
” on the “application of Learning to Theology:
” Human knowledge he
divides into three branches, logical, physical and moral.
Each of these he considers as the effect of supernatural
illumination, and as communicated to men through the
medium of the holy scriptures. The whole doctrine of
scripture he reduces to three heads; that which respects
the eternal generation and incarnation of Christ, the study
of which is the peculiar province of the doctors of the
church; that which concerns the conduct of life, which is
the subject of preaching; and that which relates to the
union of the soul with God, which is peculiar to the monastic and contemplative life. Physical knowledge he applies to the doctrine of scripture emblematically. For example, the production of the idea of any sensible object
from its archetype, is a type of the generation of the Logos;
the right exercise of the senses typifies the virtuous conduct of life; and the pleasure derived from the senses represents the union of the soul with God. In like manner,
logical philosophy furnishes an emblem of the eternal
generation and the incarnation of Christ: a word conceived in the mind resembling the eternal generation; its
expression in vocal sounds, the incarnation. Thus the
multiform wisdom of God, according to this mystical writer, lies concealed through all nature; and all human
knowledge may, by the help of allegory and analogy, be
spiritualised and transferred to theology. How wide a
door this method of philosophising opens to the absurdities
of mysticism the reader will easily perceive from this specimen.
c at Pisa, where he had the misfortune to lose his sight. During his career of teaching, his father, who was a poor shoemaker, having lost his wife, had an inclination
, a distinguished Latin scholar and poet, was born at Perugia in 1555, became
a disciple of the celebrated Muretus, and afterwards principal teacher of the schools of Perugia. He appears next
to have been professor of eloquence at Bononia, keeper
of the Ambrosian library, and professor of rhetoric at Pisa,
where he had the misfortune to lose his sight. During his
career of teaching, his father, who was a poor shoemaker,
having lost his wife, had an inclination to join the society
of the Jesuits, and lest he should be rejected for his ignorance of Latin, became one of his son’s scholars, and made
very considerable proficiency. Bonciarius died Jan. 9,
1616, leaving many works, which are very scarce, except
his Latin Grammar, which, being adopted in the schools,
was frequently reprinted. His “Epistolse
” were first
printed in Carmina Poetarum Italorum,
” Florence,
Satyrae sex, cum posthumis commentariis Johannis Bond,” 1614, 8vo. It was published by Roger Prowse, who had married his daughter Elizabeth, and who, in the dedication
Mr. Bond has left “Annotationes in poemata Quiuti
Horatii,
” Lond. Auli Persii Flacci Satyrae sex, cum posthumis commentariis Johannis Bond,
”
hem. He then retired into Dorsetshire, and died at Sandwich in the isle of Purbeck, July 1676. Wood, who has committed several mistakes in his life, corrected by Dr.
, LL. D. was the son of Dennis Bond,
esq. of Dorchester, a violent adherent of the republican
party in the seventeenth century, and at whose death, a
little before that of the protector, the wits said Oliver
Cromwell had given the devil Bond for his appearance.
Our author was educated under John White, commonly
called the patriarch of Dorchester, and was afterwards entered, not of St. John’s college, Cambridge, as Wood reports, but of Catherine-hall, of which he was afterwards
chosen fellow, and took the degree of B. A. in 163 1, commenced M. A. in 1635, was nominated LL. D. in 1645,
and completed the year following, while he was yet a member of that society. But, although he took his doctor’s degree in law, he was by profession a divine, and had before
this preached for some years, first as a lecturer in Exeter,
and frequently afterwards before the long parliament at
Westminster. In 1643, both he and his tutor, Mr. White,
were chosen of the assembly of divines; and when Mr.
White took the rectory of Lambeth, Dr. Bond succeeded
him as minister of the Savoy, and on Dec. 11, 1645, hfc
was made master of the Savoy hospital under the great
seal. On the decease of Dr. Eden, master of Trinity-hall,
Cambridge, the fellows made choice of the celebrated
Selden, and the choice was confirmed by parliament, but
he declining the office, Dr. Bond was chosen, chiefly by
the authority or interference of parliament, March, 1646.
In 1649 he was chosen law professor of Gresham college,
and in 1654 was made assistant to the commissioners of
Middlesex and Wesminster, for the ejection of scandalous
and ignorant ministers; and in 1658 served as vice-chancellor of Cambridge. He held his mastership and law
professorship until the restoration, when he was ejected
from both for his adherence to the politics by which he
had obtained them. He then retired into Dorsetshire, and
died at Sandwich in the isle of Purbeck, July 1676.
Wood, who has committed several mistakes in his life,
corrected by Dr. Ward, gives a list of his works, which
are few: 1. “A Door of Hope,
” Lond. Holy and Loyal Activity,
” Lond.
first books; but by speaking too freely and satirically of some families, he created himself enemies who resolved to ruin him, by a prosecution for an unnatural crime,
, an elegant Italian scholar of the
sixteenth century, was born at Gorzano in the Brescian
territory, but in what year is not known. He was three
years secretary to cardinal Bari at Rome; but lost the
fruits of his services by the death of his master. He then
served cardinal Glinucci in the same capacity; but long
sickness made him incapable of that employment. When
he was recovered, he found himself so disgusted with the
court, that he resolved to seek his fortune by other means.
He continued a good while in the kingdom of Naples, then
went to Padua, and to Genoa; where he read public lectures on Aristotle’s politics. He was ordered to read some
likewise upon his rhetoric, which he did with great success to a numerous auditory. His reputation increasing
daily, the republic of Genoa made him their historiographer, and assigned him a handsome pension for that
office. He now applied himself laboriously to compose
the annals of that state, and published the five first books;
but by speaking too freely and satirically of some families,
he created himself enemies who resolved to ruin him, by a
prosecution for an unnatural crime, and being convicted,
he was condemned to be first beheaded, and then burnt,
or as some say, sentence of burning was changed into that
of beheading. Some have attributed this prosecution to
the freedom of his pen; but the generality of writers have
agreed that Bonfadio was guilty, yet are of opinion, that
he had never been accused, if he had not given offence by
something else. He was executed in 1560. Upon the
day of his execution he wrote a note to John Baptist Grimaldi, to testify his gratitude to the persons who had endeavoured to serve him, and recommended to them his
nephew Bonfadio, who is perhaps the Peter Bonfadio,
author of some verses extant in the “Gareggiamento poetico del confuso accademico ordito,
” a collection of verses,
divided into eight parts, and printed at Venice in 1611.
The first five books of Bonfadio’s history of Genoa were
printed at Padua, 1586, 4to, under the title “I. Bonfadii
annales Genuensium ab anno 1528, ubi desinit Folieta, ad
annum 1550,
” and was in Lettere famigliari, &c.
” 8vo, dedicated to
pope Benedict XIV. with a life of the unfortunate author,
and a curious Latin poem by Paul Manutius, in honour of
those persons who used their interest to save Bonfadio
from punishment.
Greek, he understood critically. He died at Tournay, May 9, 1643. Dupin says that of all the Jesuits who have been commentators on the scriptures, there is no one superior
, a learned Jesuit and commentator, was born at Dinau in Liege, 1573. He was
admitted into the society of Jesuits in 1592, and taught at
Doway, philosophy, divinity, and the Hebrew tongue,
which, as well as Greek, he understood critically. He
died at Tournay, May 9, 1643. Dupin says that of all the
Jesuits who have been commentators on the scriptures,
there is no one superior in learning, and clearness of method, to Bonfrerius. His “Commentary on the Pentateuch
” was published at Antwerp in Onomasticon
” of the places and cities mentioned in the Bible,
composed by Eusebius, and translated by Jerome, with
learned notes, was published along with his “Commentaries on Joshua, Judges, and Ruth,
” at Paris in
in Germany, to a piece wherein the bad success of the expedition of 1587 was imputed to the French, who accompanied the Germans; and the world is indebted to him for
, an able classical scholar and negociator, was born at Orleans of a protestant family in 1554;
and studied at Strasburg in 1571, but in 1516, he studied
the civil law under the celebrated Cujacius. During this
time he applied much to critical learning; and though,
says Bayle, he went not so far as the Lipsiuses and Casaubons, yet he acquired great reputation, and perhaps would
have equalled them if he had not been engaged in political affairs. He was employed near thirty years in the
most important negociations of Henry IV. for whom he
was several times resident with the princes of Germany,
and afterwards ambassador, but however published his
edition of Justin at Paris, 1581, in 8vo. He had a critical
and extensive knowledge of books, both manuscript and
printed; and made a very great collection of them, some
of which came afterwards to the library of Berne in Swisserland, and some, with his manuscripts, to the Vatican.
Besides an edition of Justin, he was the author of other
works; which, if they did not shew his learning so much,
have spread his fame a great deal more. Thuanus highly
commends an answer, which he published in Germany, to
a piece wherein the bad success of the expedition of 1587
was imputed to the French, who accompanied the Germans; and the world is indebted to him for the publication
of several authors, who wrote the history of the expeditions
into Palestine. That work is entitled “Gesta Dei per
Francos;
” and was printed at Hanau in Rerum Hungaricarum Scriptores,
” fol. There are letters of Bongars, written during his employments, which
are much esteemed; and upon which Mr. Bayle remarks,
that though he did not, like Bembo and Manucius, reject
all terms that are not in the best Roman authors, yet his
style is elegant. His letters were translated, when the
dauphin began to learn the Latin language; and it appears
by the epistle dedicatory to that young prince, and by the
translator’s preface, that nothing was then thought more
proper for a scholar of quality, than to read this work of
Bongars. Bongars died at Paris in 1612, when he was 58
years of age: and the learned Casaubon, whose letters
shew that he esteemed him much, laments in one of them,
that “the funeral honours, which were due to his great
merit, and which he would infallibly have received from
the learned in Germany, were not yet paid him at Paris.
”
Mr. Bayle thinks that Bongars was never married: yet tells
us, that he was engaged in 1597, to a French lady, who
had the misfortune to die upon the very day appointed for
the wedding, after a courtship of near six years. This
Bongars speaks of in his letters, and appears to have been
exceedingly afflicted at it. His Latin letters were published at Leyden in 1647, and the French translation above
mentioned in 1668, along with the originals, 2 vols. 12mo,
but that of the Hague in 1695 is the most correct. His
edition of Justin is rare and valuable. It was printed from
eight manuscripts, accompanied with learned notes, various
readings, and chronological tables; but the Bipont editors
seem to think he sometimes took unwarranted liberties
with the text.
y letters from the bishop of Winchester, went to Rome, and presented himself to the pope Gregory II. who encouraged his design, and gave him a commission for the conversion
, a celebrated saint of the eighth century, and usually styled the Apostle of Germany, was an Englishman, named Wilfrid, and born at C red ton or Kirton in Devonshire, about the year 680. He was educated from the age of thirteen in the monastery of Escancester or Exeter, and about three years after removed to Nutcell, in the diocese of Winchester, a monastery which was afterwards destroyed by the Danes, and was never rebuilt. Here he was instructed in the sacred and secular learning of the times; and at the age of thirty, was ordained priest, and became a zealous preacher. The same zeal prompted him to undertake the functions of a missionary among the pagans and with that view he went with two monks into Friezeland, about the year 716; but a war which broke out between Charles Martel, mayor of the French palace, and Radbod, king of Friezeland, rendering it impracticable to preach the gospel at that time, he returned to England with his companions. Still, however, zealously intent on the conversion of the pagans, he refused being elected abbot of Nutcell, on a vacancy which happened on his return; and having received recommendatory letters from the bishop of Winchester, went to Rome, and presented himself to the pope Gregory II. who encouraged his design, and gave him a commission for the conversion of the infidels, in the year 719. With this he went into Bavaria and Thuringia, and had considerable success: and Radbod, king of Friezeland, being now dead, he had an opportunity of visiting that country, where he co-Operated with Willibrod, another famous missionary, who would have appointed him his successor, which Wilfrid rt fused, because the pope had particularly enjoined him to preach in the eastern parts of Germany. Through Hesse, or a considerable part of it, even to the confines of Saxony, he extended his pious labours, and had considerable success, although he suffered many hardships, and was often exposed to danger from the rage of the infidels.
n will give you the advantage of proving, that there was a time when they had no existence. Ask them who governed the world before the birth of their gods, and if these
After some time he returned to Rome, where Gregory II.
consecrated him bishop of the new German churches,
by the name of Boniface, a Roman name, which Gregory
probably thought might procure from the German converts more respect to the pope, than an English one.
Solicitous also to preserve his dignity, Gregory exacted
from Boniface an oath of subjection to the papal authority,
drawn up in very strong terms. Boniface then returned to
the scenes of his mission, and had great success in Hesse,
encouraged now by Charles Martel, the dominion of the
French extending at this time a considerable way into Germany. We do not, however, find that he derived any
other assistance from the civil authority, than personal
protection, which doubtless was of great importance. If
he complied with the instructions sent from England, he
employed no means but what became a true missionary.
These, instructions, or rather advice sent to him by Daniel,
bishop of Winchester, about the year 723, afford too
striking an instance of good sense and liberality in that
dark age, to be omitted. Daniel’s method of dealing with
idolaters was conceived in these words, “Do not contradict in a direct manner their accounts of the genealogy of
their gods; allow that they were born from one another
in the same way that mankind are: this concession will
give you the advantage of proving, that there was a time
when they had no existence. Ask them who governed the
world before the birth of their gods, and if these gods have
ceased to propagate? If they have not, shew them the
consequence; namely, that the gods must be infinite in
number, and that no man can rationally be at ease in worshipping any of them, lest he should, by that means, offend
one, who is more powerful. Argue thus with them, not
in the way of insult, but with temper and moderation: and
take opportunities to contrast these absurdities with the
Christian doctrine: let the pagans be rather ashamed than
incensed by your oblique mode of stating these subjects.
Shew them the insufficiency of their plea of antiquity; inform them that idolatry did anciently prevail over the
world, but that Jesus Christ was manifested, in order to
reconcile men to God by his grace.
” From this same prelate he received other instructions respecting reforming the
church, and exercising discipline 'with the refractory and
scandalous priests, who occasioned much obstruction to
his mission. In the mean time, the report of his success
induced many of his countrymen to join him, who dispersed
themselves and preached in the villages of Hesse and Thuringia.
In the year 732, he received the title of archbishop from Gregory II f. who supported his mission with the same spirit as his predecessor
In the year 732, he received the title of archbishop from
Gregory II f. who supported his mission with the same
spirit as his predecessor Gregory II.; and under this encouragement he proceeded to erect new churches, and
extend Christianity. At this time, he found the Bavarian
churches disturbed by one Eremvolf, who would have seduced the people into idolatry, but whom he condemned,
according to the canons, and restored the discipline of the
church. In the year 738, he again visited Rome; and
after some stay, he induced several Englishmen who resided there, to join with him in his German mission. Returning into Bavaria, he established three new bishoprics,
at Salczburgh, Frisinghen, and Ratisbon. At length he
was fixed at Mentz, in the year 745, and although afterwards many other churches in Germany have been raised
to the dignity of archbishoprics, Mentz has always retained the primacy, in honour of St. Boniface. He also
founded a monastery at Fridislar, another at Hamenburgh,
and one at Ordorfe, in all which the monks gained their
livelihood by the labour of their hands. In the year 746,
he laid the foundation of the great abbey of Fulda, which
continued long the most renowned seminary of religion
and learning in all that part of the world. The abbot is
now a prince of the empire. In the mean time his connection with England was constantly preserved; and it is
in the epistolary correspondence with his own country,
that the most striking evidence of his pious views appears.
Still intent on his original design, although now advanced
in years, he determined to return into Friezeland, and
before his departure, acted as if he had a strong presentiment of what was to happen. He appointed Lullus, an
Englishman, his successor as archbishop of Mentz, a privilege which the pope had granted him, and ordained him
with the consent of king Pepin. He went by the Rhine to
Friezeland, where, assisted by Eoban, whom he had ordained bishop of Utrecht, he brought great numbers of
pagans into the pale of the church. He had appointed a
day to confirm those whom he had baptized; and in
waiting for them, encamped with his followers on the banks of
the Bordue, a river which then divided East and West
Friezeland. His intention was to confirm, by imposition
of hands, the converts in the plains of Dockum. On the
appointed day, he beheld, in the morning, not the new
converts whom he expected, but a troop of enraged pagans, armed with shields and lances. The servants went
out to resist; but Boniface, with calm intrepidity, said to
his followers, “Children, forbear to fight; the scripture
forbids us to render evil for evil. The day which I have
long waited for is come; hope in God, and he will save
your souls.
” The pagans immediately attacked them
furiously, and killed the whole company, fifty-two in
number, besides Boniface himself. This happened on
June 5, 755, in the fortieth year after his arrival in Germany. His body was interred in the abbey of Fulda, and
was long regarded as the greatest treasure of that monastery. Boniface’s character has been strangely misrepresented by Mosheim, and by his transcribers, but ably vindicated by Milner, who has examined the evidence on
both sides with great precision. His works, principally
sermons and correspondence, were published under the title
“S. Bonifacii Opera, a Nicolao Serrario,
” Mogunt.
1757, 12mo. There is also one of London, 1720 and 1727, 12mo. Bonnefons died in 1614, leaving a son, who likewise cultivated Latin poetry, but his performances, enumerated
, or Bonnefonius, a Latin poet,
was born in 1554, at Clermont in Auvergne, and rilled the
post of lieutenant-general of Bar-sur-Seine. His “Paricharis,
” in the style of Catullus, is of all modern performances, the nearest to the graces, the easy pencil, the
delicacy and softness of that ancient poet. La Bergerie
has translated the Pancharis into French verse, very inferior to the Latin. The poems of Bonnefons are at the end
of those of Beza, in the edition of that author given at
Paris by Barbou, 1757, 12mo. There is also one of
London, 1720 and 1727, 12mo. Bonnefons died in 1614,
leaving a son, who likewise cultivated Latin poetry, but
his performances, enumerated by Moreri, are in less request.
d for piety and virtue, was born at Genoa, Nov. 14, 1653, being the son of Samuel Bonnell, merchant, who resided some time at Genoa, and of Rebecca, daughter of Thomas
, a man celebrated for piety and virtue, was born at Genoa, Nov. 14, 1653, being the son of Samuel Bonnell, merchant, who resided some time at Genoa, and of Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Sayer, near Norwich, esq. His grandfather was Daniel Bonnell of London, merchant, and his great-grandfather, Thomas Bonnell, a gentleman of good family near Ipres in Flanders, who, to avoid the duke of Alva’s persecution, removed with his family into England, and settled at Norwich, of which, before his death, he was chosen mayor. Samuel Bonnell, father of James Bonnell, being bred up under that eminent merchant, sir William Courteen, knt. applied himself to the Italian trade, at Leghorn and Genoa, with such success, that about 1649, he was worth at least 10,000l. and his credit much greater than his fortune. But both were soon impaired by several accidents, by great losses at sea, and particularly by his zeal for kingCharles II. during his exile, and the rest of the royal family, whom he privately supplied with large sums of money. About 1655, he removed with his family into England; and, at the restoration, on account of the services he had done the royal family, and as a compensation for the large sums he had advanced them (which, it seems, were never repaid otherwise) there was granted him a patent to be accomptant-general of the revenue of Ireland, a place worth about 800l. a year, his son’s life being included in the patent with his own. But this he was not long possessed of, for he died in 1664, leaving his son and one daughter.
, and was sent to a private philosophy school at Nettlebed in Oxfordshire, kept by Mr. William Cole, who had formerly been principal of St. Mary Hall in Oxford, and
After this son, the object of the present article, had
been instructed in the first rudiments of learning at Dublin,
he was sent to Trim school, where he was eminent for
sweetness of temper, and for a most innocent, gentle, and
religious behaviour. At fourteen years of age he left that
place, and was sent to a private philosophy school at Nettlebed in Oxfordshire, kept by Mr. William Cole, who had
formerly been principal of St. Mary Hall in Oxford, and
remained there two years and a half. But finding his
master was too remiss in matters of morality and religion ,
a thing quite unsuitable with his strict temper; and observing there were in that place all the dangers and vices
of the university, without the advantages, he removed to
Catherine-hall in Cambridge, where he prosecuted his
studies with indefatigable diligence, and performed all his
exercises with general approbation. After taking the degrees of A.B. in 1672, and A. M. 1676, he removed into
the family of Ralph Freeman of Aspenden-hall in Hertfordshire, esq. as tutor to his eldest son, and there continued till 1678, when, going with his pupil into Holland,
he stayed about a year in sir Leoline Jenkyns’s family at
Nimeguen. From Nimeguen he went, in the ambassador’s
company, through Flanders and Holland: and returning
to England, continued with his pupil till 16S5, when Mr.
Freeman was sent into France and Italy. In 1684, Mr.
Bonnell went into France, and met Mr. Freeman at Lyons,
and in his company visited several parts of that country.
From thence, however, he went directly to Ireland, and
took his employment of accountant-general into his own
hands, which had, since his father’s death, been managed
by others for his use. In the discharge of it he behaved
with so much diligence and fidelity, that he soon acquired
the esteem of the government, and the love of all who
were concerned with him. During the troublesome reign
of king James II. he neither deserted his employment, as
others did, nor countenanced the arbitrary and illegal measures of the court, and yet was continued in his office,
which proved a great advantage to the protestant interest
in Ireland, for whatever he received out of his office, he
liberally distributed among the poor oppressed protestants.
He also took every opportunity to relieve the injured, and
boldly to plead their cause with those who were in power.
But though his place was very advantageous, and furnished
him with ample means of doing good, yet either the weight
of the employment, or his ill state of health, or perhaps
his desire of entering into holy orders, which he had long
designed, but never effected, made him resolve to quit it;
and he accordingly parted with it to another person in
1693. In the whole course of his life he behaved in so
upright and worthy a manner, that he was courted by his
superiors and reverenced by his equals. In piety, justice, charity, sobriety, and temperance, few have excelled
him. His devotion was confined within the strictest bounds
of sobriety and reason, and free from the least appearance
of affectation. He commonly gave away the eighth part
of his yearly income to the poor, and his charity was not
only extensive but impartial. His learning was very considerable; he thoroughly digested the Greek and Roman
authors, understood French perfectly, and had made great
progress in the Hebrew language. In philosophy and
oratory he exceeded most of his contemporaries in the
university, and applied himself with success to mathematics and music. In the course of his studies he read
several of the fathers, and translated some parts of Synesius into English. There is nothing, however, of his
published, but some Meditations and Prayers inserted in
his Life, and a “Harmony of the Gospels,
” written by
another hand, but “improved by James Bonnell, esq. for
his own use,
” Lond. 1705, 8vo. This excellent man died
of a malignant fever, April 23, 1699, and was buried in
St. John’s church in Dublin. In 1693 he married Jane,
daughter of sir Albert Conyngham, by whom he had three
children, of whom only one daughter survived him a very
short time. A neat monument was erected to his memory
by his relict. “Such a character,
” says Mr. Granger,
“may, perhaps, be overlooked by some, because there is
nothing remarkably striking in it. But the man who is
uniformly good, and that to such a degree as Mr. Bonnell
was, ought to stand high in our opinion, and to be esteemed what he certainly was, a great man.
”
ll and dexterity in the management of affairs, which made him be taken notice of by cardinal Wolsey, who appointed him his commissary for the faculties; and he was with
, bishop of London, proverbial for his cruelty, was the son of an honest poor man, and born, at Hanley in Worcestershire, although some have very eagerly reported that he was the natural son of one George Savage, a priest, as if the circumstance of his birth could have had any effect on his future disposition. He was maintained at school by an ancestor of Nicholas Lechmere, esq. a baron of the exchequer in the reign of king William; and in 1512, he was entered at Broadgate-hall in Oxford, now Pembroke college. On June 12, 1519, he was admitted bachelor of the canon, and the day following bachelor of the civil law. He entered into orders about the same time, and had some employment in the diocese of Worcester; and on the 12th of July 1525, was created doctor of the canon law. He was a man of some, though not great learning, but distinguished himself chiefly by his skill and dexterity in the management of affairs, which made him be taken notice of by cardinal Wolsey, who appointed him his commissary for the faculties; and he was with this prelate at Cawood, when he was arrested for high treason. He enjoyed at once the livings of Blaydon and Cherry Burton in Yorkshire, Ripple in Worcestershire, East Dereham in Norfolk, and the prebend of Chiswick in the cathedral church of St. Paul: but the last he resigned in 1539, an of East Dereham in 1540. He was installed archdeacon of Leicester, October 17, 1535.
After the cardinal’s death, he got into the good graces of king Henry VIII. who appointed him one of his chaplains. On this he began his career
After the cardinal’s death, he got into the good graces of king Henry VIII. who appointed him one of his chaplains. On this he began his career in a manner not very consistent with his after-conduct. He was not only a favourer of the Lutherans, but a promoter of the king’s divorce from queen Catherine of Spain, and of great use to his majesty in abrogating the pope’s supremacy. He was also in high favour with lord Cromwell, secretary of state, by whose recommendation he was employed as ambassador at several courts. In 1532, he was sent to Rome, along with sir Edward Karne, to excuse king Henry’s personal appearance upon the pope’s citation. In 1533, he was again sent to Rome to pope Clement VII. then at Marseilles, upon the excommunication decreed against king Henry VIII. on account of his divorce; to deliver that king’s appeal from the pope to the next general council. But in this he betrayed so much of that passionate temper which appeared afterwards more conspicuously, and executed the order of his master in this affair with so much vehemence and fury, that the pope talked of throwing him into a caldron of melted lead, on which he thought proper to make his escape. He was employed likewise in other embassies to the kings of Denmark and France, and the emperor of Germany. In 1538, being then ambassador in France, he was nominated to the bishopric of Hereford, Nov. 27; but before consecration he was translated to London, of which he was elected bishop Oct. 20, 1539, and consecrated April 4, 1540.
n 1554, he was made vicegerent, and president of the convocation, in the room of archbishop Cranmer, who was committed to the Tower. The same year he visited his diocese,
On the accession of queen Mary, Bonner had an opportunity of shewing himself in his proper character, which indeed had been hitherto but faintly-concealed. He was restored to his bishopric by a commission read in St. Paul’s cathedral the 5th of September 1553; and in 1554, he was made vicegerent, and president of the convocation, in the room of archbishop Cranmer, who was committed to the Tower. The same year he visited his diocese, in order to root up all the seeds of the Reformation, and behaved in the most furious and extravagant manner; at Hadham, he was excessively angry because the bells did not ring at his coming, nor was the rood-loft decked, or the sacrament hung up. He swore and raged in the church at Dr. Bricket, the rector, and, calling him knave and heretic, went to strike at him; but the blow fell upon sir Thomas Joscelyn’s ear, and almost stunned him. On his return he set up the mass again at St. Paul’s, before the act for restoring it was passed. The same year, he was in commission to turn out some of the reformed bishops. In 1555, and the three following years, he was the occasion of above two hundred of innocent persons being put to death in the most cruel manner, that of burning, for their firm adherence to the Protestant religion. On the 14th of February 1555-6, he came to Oxford (with Thirlby bishop of Ely), to degrade archbishop Cranmer, whom he used with great insolence. The 29th of December following he was put into a commission to search and raze all registers and records containing professions against the pope, scrutinies taken in religious houses, &c. And the 8th of February 1556-7, he was also put in another commission, or kind of inquisition, for searching after and punishing all heretics.
orge’s churchyard, Southwark, to prevent any disturbances that might have been made by the citizens, who hated him extremely. He had stood excommunicated several years,
Upon queen Elizabeth’s accession, Bonner went to meet
her at Highgate, with the rest of the bishops; but she
looked on him as a man stained with blood, and therefore
would shew him no mark of her favour. For some months,
however, he remained unmolested; but being called before the privy council on the 30th of May 1359, he
refused to take the oath of allegiance and supremacy: for
which reason only, as it appears, he was deprived a second
time of his bishopric the 29th of June following, and committed to the Marshalsea. After having lived in confinement some years, he died September 5, 1569, and three
days after he was buried at midnight, in St. George’s churchyard, Southwark, to prevent any disturbances that might
have been made by the citizens, who hated him extremely.
He had stood excommunicated several years, and might
have been denied Christian burial; but of this no advantage was taken. As to his character, he was a violent, furious,
and passionate man, and extremely cruel in his nature;
in his person he was very fat and corpulent, the consequence of excessive gluttony, to which he was much addicted. He was a great master of the canon law, being
excelled in that faculty by very few of his time, and well
skilled in politics, but understood little of divinity. Several pieces were published under his name, of which the
following is a list 1. Preface to the Oration of Stephen
Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, concerning true Obedience. Printed at London, in Latin, 1534, 1535, and at
Hamburgh in 1536, 8vo. Translated into English by Mi-,
chael Wood, a zealous Protestant, with a bitter preface to
the reader, and a postscript, Roan, 1553, 8vo. It is also
inserted in J. Fox’s book of Martyrs. In the preface Bonner speaks much in favour of king Henry the VHIth’s
marriage with Ann Boleyn, and against the tyranny exercised by the bishop of Rome in this kingdom. 2. Several
letters to the lord Cromwell. 3. A declaration to lord
Cromwell, describing to him the evil behaviour of Stephen
(bishop of Winchester), with special causes therein contained, wherefore and why he misliked of him. 4. Letter
of his about the proceedings at Rome concerning the king’s
divorce from Catherine of Arragon. 5. An admonition and
advertisement given by the bishop of London to all readers
of the Bible in the English tongue. 6. Injunctions given
by Bonner, bishop of London, to his clergy (about preaching, with the names of books prohibited). 7. Letter to
Mr. Lechmere. 8. Responsum & exhortatio, Lond. 1553,
8vo. Answer and exhortation to the clergy in praise of
priesthood: spoken by the author in St. Paul’s cathedral,
the 16th October, 1553, after a sermon preached before
the clergy, by John Harpesfield. 9. A letter to Mr.
Lechmere, 6th September, 1553. 10. Articles to be enquired
of in the general visitation of Edmund bishop of London,
exercised by him in 1554, in the city and diocese of London, &c. To ridicule them, John Bale, bishop of Ossory,
wrote a book, entitled, A declaration of Edmund Bonner’s
articles, concerning the clergy of London diocese, whereby
that execrable anti-christ is in his right colours revealed,
1554, and 1561, 8vo. 11. A profitable and necessary doctrine, containing an exposition on the Creed, seven Sacraments, ten Commandments, the Pater Noster, Ave Maria,
with certain homilies adjoining thereto, for the instruction
and information of the diocese of London, Lond. 1554-5,
4to. This book was drawn up by his chaplains John
Harpesfield and Henry Pendleton; the former part of it,
which is catechism, is mostly taken out of the Institution
of a Christian man, set out by king Henry VIII. only varied in some points. 12. Several letters, declarations, arguings, disputes, &c. of his are extant in John Fox’s
book of Martyrs, vol. last. 13. His objections against the
process of Robert Horn, bishop of Winchester, who had
tendered the oath of supremacy to him a second time, are
preserved by Mr. Strype in his Annals of the Reformation.
The character of bishop Bonner is so familiar to our readers as to require little illustration, or any addition to the
preceding account from the former edition of this Dictionary; yet some notice may be taken of the defence set up
by the Roman Catholic historians. Dodd, alluding to his
cruelties, says, that “Seeing he proceeded according to
the statutes then in force, and by the direction of the legislative power, he stands in need of no apology on that
score.
” But the history of the times proves that Bonner’s
character cannot be protected by a reference to the statutes, unless his vindicator can likewise prove that he had
no hand in enacting those statutes; and even if this were
conceded, his conduct will not appear less atrocious, because, not content with the sentence of the law carried into
execution by the accustomed officers, Bonner took frequent opportunities to manifest the cruelty of his disposition by anticipating, or aggravating, the legal punishments.
He sometimes whipped the prisoners with his own hands,
till he was tired with the violence of the exercise; and on
one occasion he tore out the beard of a weaver who refused
to relinquish his religion; and that he might give him a
specimen of burning, he held his hand to a candle, till
the sinews and veins shrunk and burst . The fact is, that
Bonner was constitutionally cruel, and delighted in the
sufferings he inflicted. Granger very justly says, that
“Nature seems to have designed him for an executioner,
”
and as, wherever he could, he performed the character, how
can he be defended by an appeal to the statutes? The
most remarkable circumstance in his history is the lenity
shown to him after all this bloody career. There seems
no reason to think that he would have even been deprived of his bishopric, had he consented to take the oaths
of allegiance and supremacy, a circumstance which is
surely very extraordinary. His compliance, had he taken,
that step, could have been only hypocritical, and what an
object it would have been to have seen the duties and
power of a protestant prelate intrusted to such a monster,
and in that diocese, where so many families preserved the
bitter remembrance of his cruelty.
, an eminent natural philosopher, was born at Geneva, on the 13th of March, 1720. His ancestors, who were compelled to emigrate from France, in 1572, after the dreadful
, an eminent natural philosopher,
was born at Geneva, on the 13th of March, 1720. His
ancestors, who were compelled to emigrate from France,
in 1572, after the dreadful slaughter of St. Bartholomew’s
day, established themselves at Geneva, where his grandfather was advanced to the magistracy. His father, who
preferred the station of a private citizen, paid unremitted
attention to the education of his son, which the latter recompensed, at a very early period, by the amiableness of
his disposition, and the rapid progress he made in general
literature. When about sixteen years of age, he applied
himself, with great eagerness, to the perusal of “Le
Spectacle de la Nature,
” and this work made such a deep
impression on his mind, that it may be said to have directed the taste and the studies of his future life. What
that publication had commenced, was confirmed by the
work of La Pluche; but having accidentally seen the treatise of Reaumur upon insects, he was in a transport of joy.
He was very impatient to procure the book, but, as the
only copy in Geneva belonged to a public library, and as
the librarian was reluctant to entrust it in the hands of a
youth, it was with the utmost difficulty that he could obtain his end. By the possession of this treasure, our assiduous youth was enabled to make several new and curious experiments, which he communicated to Reaumur himself; and the high applause he gained, from so great a
naturalist, added fresh vigour to his assiduity.
terary institution at Bologna, which introduced him to a correspondence with the celebrated Zanotti, who may be deemed the Fontenelle of Italy.
Animated by such distinguished marks of approbation,
he diligently employed every moment he could steal from
the study of jurisprudence to the completion of his natural
history of the tree-louse; to experiments on the respiration of caterpillars and butterflies, which he discovered to
be effected by stigmata, or lateral pores; to an examination of the construction of the tinea, or tapeworm; in frequent correspondence with Reaumur; and in assisting
Trembley in his discoveries and publication concerning
millepedes, &c. Having, in 1743, obtained the degree
of doctor of laws, he relinquished a pursuit which he had
commenced with so much reluctance. In the same year
he was admitted a member of the royal society of London, to which he had communicated a treatise on insects.
Bonnet being now liberated from his other pursuits, applied himself, without intermission, to collecting together
his experiments and observations concerning the tree-louse
and the worm, which he published in 1744, under the
title of “Insectology.
” This work acquired deserved
approbation from the public, and was honoured by the commendation of the celebrated B. de Jussieu. He was reproached, however, as some other naturalists have deserved, with having paid too little attention to the delicacy
of his reader, though his patience and accuracy were acknowledged to be deserving of praise. Such unremitted
application and labour could not fail of becoming injurious
to his health. Inflammations, nervous fever, sore eyes, &c.
compelled him to relinquish the use of the microscope and
the study of insects. This prevention was so extremely
mortifying to a man of his taste and activity of mind, that
he was thrown into a deep melancholy, which could only
be subdued by the resolution inspired by philosophy, and
the consolations of religion; these gradually roused him
from a dejected state of mind. About the end of 1746,
he was chosen member of the literary institution at Bologna, which introduced him to a correspondence with the
celebrated Zanotti, who may be deemed the Fontenelle of
Italy.
n with the public: yet, ever ready to acknowledge his errors, he was sincerely thankful to every one who contributed to the perfection of his works. He was used to say,
In 1783, he was elected honorary member of the academy of sciences at Paris, and of the academy of sciences and the belles lettres at Berlin. Much of his time was
employed in a very extensive correspondence with some of
the most celebrated natural philosophers and others. Of
this number were Reaumur; De Geer, the Reaumur of Sweden; Du Hamel; the learned Haller; the experimental
philosopher Spallanzani; Van Swieten; Merian; and that
ornament of Switzerland, the great Lambert. He entertained, however, the utmost aversion to controversy. He
thought that no advantage to be obtained by it could compensate for the lo ss of that repose which he valued, with
Newton, as the rem prarsus substantiakm. He never
answered remarks that were made to the prejudice of his
writings, but left the decision with the public: yet, ever
ready to acknowledge his errors, he was sincerely thankful
to every one who contributed to the perfection of his works.
He was used to say, that one confession, “I was in the
wrong,
” is of more value than a thousand ingenious
confutations. His literary occupations, and the care he
was obliged to take of his health, prevented him from travelling. He delighted in retirement, and every hour was
occupied in the improvement of his mind. The last
twenty-five years of his life were spent in the same rural
situation where he had passed the greater part of his early
days; yet, notwithstanding the pursuit of literature was
his supreme delight, he never refused to suspend his studies, when the good of his country seemed to demand his
services.
690, but soon after left the French army, and entered into the Imperial service under prince Eugene, who honoured him with an intimate friendship. The intrigues of the
, count, known in the latter part of his life by the name of Osman Bashaw, descended from a family related to the blood royal of France, was born in 1672, and entered himself at the age of sixteen, in the service of that crown, and married the daughter of marshal de Biron. He made the campaign in Flanders in 1690, but soon after left the French army, and entered into the Imperial service under prince Eugene, who honoured him with an intimate friendship. The intrigues of the marquis de Prie, his inveterate enemy, ruined his credit however at the court of Vienna, and caused him to be banished the empire. He then offered his service to the republic of Venice, and to Russia; which being de^ clined, his next tender was to the grand Signior, who gladly received him: it was stipulated that he should have a body of 30,000 men at his disposal; that a government should be conferred on him, with the rank of bashaw of three tails; a salary of 10,000 aspers a day, equal to 45,000 livres a year; and that in case of a war, he should be commander in chief. The first expedition he engaged in after his arrival at Constantinople, was to quell an insurrection in Arabia Petraea, which he happily effected; and at his return, had large offers made him by Kouli Khan, which he did not choose to accept. Some time after, he commanded the Turkish army against the emperor, over whose forces he gained a victory on the banks of the Danube. But success does not always protect a person against disgrace; for Bonneval, notwithstanding his service, was first imprisoned, and then banished to the island of Chio. The sultan, however, continued his friend; and the evening before his departure made him bashaw general of the Archipelago, which, with his former appointment of beglerbeg of Arabia, rendered him one of the most powerful persons in the Ottoman empire. In this island, he found a retirement agreeable to his wishes, but did not long enjoy it, being sent for back, and made topigi or master of the ordnance, a post of great honour and profit. He died in this employment, aged 75, in 1747; and wrote the memoirs of his own life, which were published in London in 1755, 2 vols. 12 mo, and give but an indifferent idea of his personal character.
thered from St. Augustin and St. Ambrose. He had, before, been condemned by Damasus, bishop of Rome, who died A. D. 384. The council of Capua committed the hearing of
, an ancient prelate of the fourth century, is known in church history as the heretical bishop of Naissus in Dacia, though some authors say of Sardica, the metropolis of that province. In the year 391 he was accused of crimes against the canons of the chnrch and the law of God, and was reported for heresy at the council of Capua, which met the latter end of that year. The particulars of his crimes cannot now be known, but his heresy may be gathered from St. Augustin and St. Ambrose. He had, before, been condemned by Damasus, bishop of Rome, who died A. D. 384. The council of Capua committed the hearing of his cause to the bishops of Mecodon, his neighhours, under their metropolitan Anysius, bishop of Thessalonica. The bishops assembled, agreeably to the order of the council, and Bonosus appeared before them; after examination, they were so well convinced of the truth of the charge, that they immediately suspended him from all episcopal functions; at the same time writing a letter to Syricius bishop of Rome, declaring their abhorrence of the detestable error, that the virgin Mary should have other children than Christ. Bonosus died A. D. 410; but his doctrine did not die with him, being maintained by some 200 years after his death. Pope Gregory makes mention of the Bonosians in the latter end of the sixth century.
the Italian language with which we are acquainted, was an able professor, of considerable learning, who flourished about the middle of the seventeenth century. His
, a native of Perugia, and author of the first history of music in the Italian language
with which we are acquainted, was an able professor, of
considerable learning, who flourished about the middle of
the seventeenth century. His work, which has for title
“Historia Musica di Gio. And. Angelini Bontempi,
” was
published at Perugia, in small folio, Alia Palestrina
” for the
church: secular music was then but little cultivated, and
less respected there, till operas and oratorios had made
some progress in polishing melody, and in the just accentuation and expression of words.
, a lady who was born at Paris in 1718, and died in the same city April 18,
, a lady who was born at Paris in 1718, and died in the same city April 18, 1768, had received from nature a good understanding and an excellent taste, which were cultivated by a suitable education. She possessed the foreign languages, and was mistress of all the delicate turns of her own. It is to her that the French are indebted for a translation, said to be accurate and elegant, of Thomson’s Seasons, 1759, 12mo. Madame Bontems had a select society that frequented her house, and though she had a great talent for wit, she only made use of it for displaying that of others. She was not less esteemed for the qualities of her heart than those of her mind.
in Surrey, where he had at one time the honour of having the poet Fenton for his usher, and Bowyer ( who was afterwards the learned printer) for a scholar.
, a nonjuring clergyman of great piety and learning, son of the rev. John Bonwicke, rector of Mickleham in Surrey, was born April 29, 1G52, and educated at Merchant Taylors school. Thence he was elected to St. John’s college, Oxford, in 1668, where he was appointed librarian in 1670; B.A. 1673; M. A. March 18, 1675; was ordained deacon May 21, 1676; priest, June 6 (Trinity Sunday), 1680; proceeded B. D. July 21, 1682; and was elected master of Merchant Taylors school June 9, 1686. In 1689, the college of St. John’s petitioned the Merchant Taylors company, that he might continue master of the school (which is a nursery for their college) for life; but, at Christmas 1691, he was turned out for refusing to take the oath of allegiance, and was afterwards for many years master of a celebrated school at Headley, near Leatherhead in Surrey, where he had at one time the honour of having the poet Fenton for his usher, and Bowyer (who was afterwards the learned printer) for a scholar.
, one of those impostors who amused the public in the seventeenth century, was born at Manchester
, one of those impostors who amused
the public in the seventeenth century, was born at Manchester in 1601, and was bred a haberdasher in Lawrencelane, London, but quitted this employment and followed
that of a writing-master at Hadley in Middlesex, and was
afterwards for some time clerk to the sitting aldermen at
Guildhall. He in a few years rendered himself so eminent,
that he was appointed licenser of mathematical books, under
which were included all those that related to the celestial
sciences. Lilly tells us, that he once thought him the
greatest astrologer in the world; but it appears that he
afterwards sunk in his esteem, and that he thought himself
a much greater man. We are told by the same author,
that “he had a curious fancy in judging of thefts, and
was as successful in resolving love questions,
” which was
a capital branch of his trade. George Wharton, who was
formerly one of his astrological friends, had a great quarrel
with him, which occasioned his publishing “MercurioCrelico Mastix; or an Anti-caveat to all such as have heretofore had the misfortune to be cheated and deluded by
that great and treacherous impostor John Booker; in an
answer to his frivolous pamphlet, entitled Mercurius Coelicus, or a Caveat to all the people of England;
” Oxon.
Bloody Irish Almanac,
” which contains some memorable particulars relative to the war in Ireland. He
died April 1667, and his books were sold to Elias Ashmole,
who, as Lilly informs us, and we may readily believe, gave
more for them than they were worth.
fter having been for some time a disciple of Arnold Verbuis, placed himself under Godfrey Schalcken, who recommended to him, after having received his instructions for
, a portrait-painter, was born at Dort, in 1669, and after having been for some time a disciple of Arnold Verbuis, placed himself under Godfrey Schalcken, who recommended to him, after having received his instructions for six years, to study nature. By following this advice, Boonen obtained the reputation of a great master at the age of twenty-five years. His style of colouring was extremely good; the attitudes of his figures were elegantly disposed; his touch neat. The whole possessed such harmony, and his portraits maintained such a striking likeness, that he was ranked among the ablest artists of his time; he had a number of admirers, and a greater demand for works than he was able to execute. He had the honour of painting the portraits of the czar of Muscovy, of Frederick I. king of Prussia, of the victorious duke of Marlborough, as well as of many of the princes of Germany, and most of the noblemen who attended the czar. His health was impaired by his excessive application, and he died rich in 1729.
ister of the Baptist persuasion, was born at Blackwell in Derbyshire, May 20, 1734, of poor parents, who were unable to give him any education. He spent a considerable
, a pious and popular dissenting
minister of the Baptist persuasion, was born at Blackwell
in Derbyshire, May 20, 1734, of poor parents, who were
unable to give him any education. He spent a considerable part of his youth in the farming business, and that
of the stocking frame, but appears to have during this time
read much, and at length began to preach among the sect
called the general baptists, throughout the towns and villages in his neighbourhood. In his twenty-third year he
married; and this producing a numerous family, he opened
a school at Button-Ash field. At this time he held the
doctrine of universal redemption, and disliked predestination to such a degree as to ridicule it in a poem (of which he was afterwards ashamed), but he now changed his sentiments and became a zealous Calvinist in that and othei
points supposed to constitute the Calvinistic system. The
consequence of this change was, an avowal and defence of
his new opinions in his first publication, “The Reign of
Grace,
” in which he was encouraged hy the late rev. Henry
Venn, vicar of Huddersfield, who wrote a recommendatory
preface to it. It appeared in 1768, and led to a new and
important aera in his life, being so much approved by the
congregation of particular baptists in Prescot-street, Goodman’s fields, whose pastor was just dead, that they invited
Mr. Booth to succeed him. This invitation he accepted,
and in Feb. 1769, took possession of his pulpit, after being
regularly ordained for the first time. Here he appears for
some years to have spent what time he could spare from
his public labours in laying in a stock of knowledge; and
although he always lamented the want of a regular education, his proficiency, and the extent of his reading were so
great as in some measure to redeem his time, and place
him on a footing, both as a scholar, preacher, and writer,
with the ablest of his brethren. He knew Greek and
Latin usefully, if not critically: the Greek Testament he
went through nearly fifty times by the simple expedient
of reading one chapter every day. General science and
literature, history, civil and ecclesiastical, he investigated
with acuteness in the ablest writers, English, French,
Dutch, and German; and his works show that he particularly excelled in a knowledge of controversial divinity,
and of those arguments, pro and con, which were connected with his opinions as a baptist. After exercising
his ministry in Prescot-street for nearly thirty-seven years,
he died Monday, Jan. 27, 1806, and his memory was honoured by a tablet and inscription in his meeting-house,
recording his virtues and the high respect his congregation entertained for him. Besides the work already mentioned, he published, 1. “The Death of Legal Hope, the
Life of Evangelical Obedience,
” The
Deity of Jesus Christ essential to the Christian Religion,
”
a translation from Abbadie, and occasioned by the subscription controversy, 1770. 3. “An Apology for the Baptists in refusing communion at the Lord’s Table to Pscdobaptists,
” Paedobaptism examined, on the
principles, concessions, and reasonings of the most learned
Psedobaptists,
”
ould repeat them with such propriety of emphasis, and gracefulness of action, as to charm every body who heard him. Thence it was, that when, according to custom, a
, a celebrated tragic actor, was born
in the county palatine of Lancaster, 1681. At the age of
nine years he was put to Westminster school, under the
tuition of the famous Dr. Busby, where he soon discovered
an excellent genius and capacity. He had a peculiar turn
for Latin poetry, and had fixed many of the finest passages
of the antients so firmly in his memory, that he could
repeat them with such propriety of emphasis, and gracefulness of action, as to charm every body who heard him.
Thence it was, that when, according to custom, a Latin
play was to be acted, one of the first parts was given to
young Booth; who performed it in such a manner as gained
him universal applause, and particular respect from the
doctor. This first gave him an inclination for the stage.
His father intended him for the church: but when Barton
reached the age of seventeen, and was about to be sent to
the university, he stole away from school, and went over
to Ireland in 1698, with Mr. Ashbury, master of the company. Here he was soon distinguished greatly by his
theatrical abilities, especially in tragedy, for which he
seemed to be formed by nature; for he had a grave countenance and a good person, with a fine voice and a manly
action. When he had been three seasons in Dublin, in
which time he had acquired a great reputation, he resolved
to return to England; which he accordingly did in 1701,
and was recommended to Mr. Betterton, who behaved to
him with great civility, and took him into his company.
The first character in which he appeared on the English stage, was that of Maximus, in the tragedy of Valentinian; and it was scarce possible for a young actor to
meet with a better reception. The Ambitious Stepmother
coming on soon after, he performed the part of Artaban,
which added considerably to the reputation he had acquired, and made him esteemed one of the first actors.
Nor was his fame less in all the succeeding characters
which he attempted; but he shone with greatest lustre in
the tragedy of Cato, which was brought on the stage in
1712. “Although Cato (says Mr. Cibber) seems plainly
written upon what are called whig principles, yet the
tories at that time had sense enough not to take it as the
least reflection on their administration; but, on the contrary, seemed to brandish and vaunt their approbation of
every sentiment in favour of liberty, which, by a public
act of their generosity, was carried so high, that one day
while the play was acting, they collected 50 guineas in
the boxes, and made a present of them to Booth, with this
compliment For his honest opposition to a perpetual dictator, and his dying so bravely in the cause of liberty.
”
The reputation to which Booth was now arrived seemed to
entitle him to a share in the management of the theatre;
but this perhaps his merit would never have procured, had
it not been through the favour of lord Bolingbroke, who,
in 1713, recalling all former licences, procured a new one,
in which Booth’s name was added to those of Gibber,
Wilks, and Dogget. Dogget, however, was so much offended at this, that he threw up his share, and would not
accept of any consideration for it; but Gibber tells us, he
only made this a pretence, and that the true reason of his
quitting was his dislike to Wilks, whose humour was become insupportable to him. When Booth came to a share
in the management of the house, he was in the thirty-third
year of his age, and in the highest reputation as an actor:
nor did his fame as a player sink by degrees, as sometimes
has happened to those who have been most applauded, but
increased every day more and more. The health of Booth,
however, beginning to decline, he could not act so often
as usual; and hence became more evident the public favour towards him, by the crowded audiences his appearance drew, when the intervals of his distemper permitted
him to tread the stage: but his constitution broke now
very fast, and he was attacked with a complication of distempers, which carried him off, May 10, 1733.
s character as an actor has been celebrated by some of the best judges. Mr. Aaron Hill, a gentleman, who by the share he had in the management of the play-house, could
His character as an actor has been celebrated by some
of the best judges. Mr. Aaron Hill, a gentleman, who by
the share he had in the management of the play-house,
could not but have sufficient opportunities of becoming
well acquainted with his merit, has given us a very high
character of him. “Two advantages (says this gentleman)
distinguished him in the strongest light from the rest of his
fraternity; he had learning to understand perfectly whatever it was his part to speak, and judgment to know how
far it agreed or disagreed with his character. Hence arose
a peculiar grace, which was visible to every spectator,
though few were at the pains of examining into the cause
of their pleasure. He could soften, and slide over with a
kind of elegant negligence, the improprieties in a part he
acted; while, on the contrary, he would dwell with energy
upon the beauties, as if he everted a latent spirit, which
had been kept back for such an occasion, that he might
alarm, awaken, and transport in those places only where
the dignity of his own good sense could be supported by
that of his author. A little reflection upon this remarkable
quality will teach us to account for that manifest languor,
which has sometimes been observed in his action, and
which was generally, though I think falsely, imputed to
the natural indolence of his temper. For the same reason,
though in the customary rounds of his business he would
condescend to some parts in comedy, he seldom appeared
in any of them with much advantage to his character.
The passions which he found in comedy were not strong
enough to excite his fire, and what seemed want of qualification, was only absence of impression. He had a talent
at discovering the passions, where they lay hid in some
celebrated parts, by the injudicious practice of other actors,
which when he had discovered, he soon grew able to express: and his secret for attaining this great lesson of the
theatre was an adaption of his look to his voice, by which
artful imitation of nature, the variations in the sound of his
words gave propriety to every change in his countenance.
So that it was Mr. Booth’s peculiar felicity to be heard and
seen the same whether as the pleased, the grieved, the
pitying, the reproachful, or the angry. One would almost be
tempted to borrow the aid of a very bold figure, and, to express this excellence the more significantly, beg permission,
to affirm, that the blind might have seen him in his voice,
and the deaf have heard him in his visage. His gesture,
or, as it is commonly called, his action, was but the result
and necessary consequence of his dominion over his voice
and countenance; for having, by a concurrence of two
such causes, impressed his imagination with such a stamp
and spirit of passion, he ever obeyed the impulse by a
kind of natural dependency, and relaxed or braced successively into all that fine expressiveness, with which he
painted what he spoke without restraint or affectation.
”
married; first in 1704, to Miss Frances Barkham, daughter of sir William Barkham, of Norfolk, bart. who died in 1710, without issue; and secondly, to Mrs. Santlowe,
Besides his professional merit, Booth was a man of letters, and an author in more languages than one. He had
a taste for poetry, which discovered itself when he was
very young, in translations from several Odes of Horace;
and in his riper years, he wrote several songs and other
original poems, which were very far from injuring his reputation. He was also the author of a mask or dramatic
entertainment called “Dido and JEneas,
” that was very
well received upon the stage; but his best performance
was a Latin inscription to the memory of a celebrated
actor, Mr. William Smith, one of the greatest men of his
profession, and of whom Mr. Booth always spoke in raptures. This short elogy has much strength, beauty, and
elegance. In his private life he had many virtues, and
few of the failings so common to his profession. He had
no envy in his composition, but readily approved, and as
readily rewarded, merit, as it was in his power. He was
something rough in his manner, and a little hasty in his
temper, but very open and free to speak his sentiments,
which he always did with an air of sincerity, that procured
him as much credit with people at first sight, as he had
with those to whom he had been long known. He was
kind to all the players whose circumstances were indifferent,
and took care not to make them uneasy, either in point of
salary or of usage. He was no great speaker in company,
but when he did, it was in a grave lofty way, not unlike
his pronunciation on the stage. He had a great veneration for his parents while they were living, and was also
very useful to his brother and sister after their decease.
Booth was twice married; first in 1704, to Miss Frances
Barkham, daughter of sir William Barkham, of Norfolk,
bart. who died in 1710, without issue; and secondly, to
Mrs. Santlowe, an actress, who. survived him forty years,
and in 1772, erected a monument to his memory in Westminster abbey. In 1737 she married Mr. Goodyer,a
gentleman of fortune in Essex.
before, went to an inn on the road; and, as he had been ordered, bespoke a supper for his mistress, who, he said, was coming after. The pretended mistress being arrived,
, Lord Delamer, the son of William
Booth, esq. and grandson of sir George Booth, bart. rendered himself remarkable by heading an insurrection in
Cheshire, about a year after the death of Oliver Cromwell.
He received a commission from king Charles II. under his
signet and sign-manual, bearing date July 22, 1659, by
which he was constituted commander in chief of all forces
to be raised for his majesty’s service in Cheshire, Lancashire, and North Wales. A duplicate of this was dated
at Brussels, Aug. 9, the same year, but sir George did
not openly profess to act by the king’s authority, or with
a view to his restoration, but only in opposition to the
tyranny of the parliament. He assembled about four thousand men, took possession of Chester, and was joined by
the earl of Derby, sir Thomas Middleton, and major Brook.
Bui the parliamentary forces pursued sir George and his
adherents so closely, that they could not avoid coming to
an action; and, after a sharp contest, on the 19th of August, 1659, Lambert totally routed sir George Booth’s
troops, pursued them a considerable way, and killed and
took many of them. Ludlow informs us, that “Sir George
Booth, after his defeat, put himself into a woman’s habit,
and with two servants hoped to escape to London, riding
behind one of them. The single horseman going before,
went to an inn on the road; and, as he had been ordered,
bespoke a supper for his mistress, who, he said, was
coming after. The pretended mistress being arrived,
either by alighting from the horse, or some other action,
raised a suspicion in the master of the house, that there
was some mystery under that dress. And thereupon resolving to make a full inquiry into the matter, he got together some of his neighbours to assist him, and with them
entered the room vyhere the pretended lady was. But sir
George Booth suspecting their intentions, and being unwilling to put them to the trouble of a farther search, discovered himself. Whereupon they took him into their
custody, and sent him up to London, where the parliament committed him prisoner to the Tower.
” Sir George
made applications to many of the parliament and council,
by his friends, for favour; was examined by Haselrig and
Vane, who referred his examination to the council of state;
and applications were made from the lord Say, and others,
to save his life.
: his first wife was the lady Catherine Clinton, daughter and co-heir to Theophilus earl of Lincoln, who died in child-bed in 1643, by whom he had issue one daughter,
He was afterwards set at liberty, upon giving bail; and
being member of parliament for Chester, he was the first
of the twelve members sent by the house of commons, in
May 1660, to carry to king Charles II. the answer of that
house to his majesty’s letter, as appears by the journals of
the house of commons, May 7, 1660. And on the 13th of
July following, the house of commons ordered, that the
sum of ten thousand pounds should be conferred on him,
as a mark of respect for his eminent services, and great
sufferings for the public. In this resolution the lords afterwards concurred. It appears, that the first motion was for
twenty thousand pounds, which the house of commons
was about to agree to, had not sir George Booth himself,
in his place, requested of the house, that it might be no
more than ten; declaring, that what he had done was
purely with intention of serving his king and country, as
became him in duty to do, without view of any reward.
After the restoration, his services were also considered as
so meritorious, that the king gave him liberty to propose
six gentlemen to receive the honour of knighthood, and
two others to have the dignity of baronet conferred on
them. He was also himself created baron Delamer of Dunham-Massey; and on the 30th of July, 1660, he was appointed custos rotulorum for the county of Cheshire, but
on the 30th of May, 1673, he resigned this office to
Henry, his son and heir. “After this,
” says Collins, “he
not being studious to please the court in those measures
which were taken in some parts of that reign, both he and
his family were soon afterwards disregarded by the king,
and ill used by his successor king James the Second.
” His
lordship died at Dunham-Massey, in the 63d year of his
age, on the 8th of August, 1684, and was buried in a very
splendid manner at Bowdon, in the burial-vault of the
family. He was twice married: his first wife was the lady
Catherine Clinton, daughter and co-heir to Theophilus
earl of Lincoln, who died in child-bed in 1643, by whom
he had issue one daughter, Vere, who Belied unmarried at
Canonbury-house, in 1717, in the seventy-fourth year of
her age, and was buried in Islington church. His second
wife was the lady Elizabeth Grey, eldest daughter of
Henry earl of Stamford, by whom he had issue seven sons
and five daughters. His eldest son, William, died young,
and he was succeeded in his honours and estate by his second son, Henry, who is the subject of the following
article.
be preserved incorrupt. He was, therefore, desirous of procuring an act for the punishment of those who had received bribes from the court, as members of that parliament
As he was solicitous for frequent parliaments, so he was also anxious that they should be preserved incorrupt. He was, therefore, desirous of procuring an act for the punishment of those who had received bribes from the court, as members of that parliament which was styled the pensionparliament. He proposed, that a bill should be brought in, by which these prostituted senators should be rendered incapable of serving in parliament for the future, or of enjoying any office, civil or military; and that they should be obliged, as far as they were able, to refund all the money that they had received for secret services to the crown.
d being brought before his majesty, then sitting in council, he was neither confronted by any person who accused him, nor otherwise charged with any kind of treason,
Mr. Booth was also extremely zealous against the papists; and this circumstance, together with the vigorous
opposition that he made in parliament to the arbitrary
measures of the court, occasioned him to be put out of the
commission of the peace, and removed from the office of
custos rotulorum of the county of Chester. In 1684, by
the death of his father, he became lord Delamer; but
about this time he was committed close prisoner to the
Tower of London. The pretence probably was, that he
was suspected of being concerned in some practices against
the crown; but we have met with no particular account of
the accusation against him: and as no parliament was then,
sitting, it may be presumed, that less attention was paid
to any illegality in the proceedings respecting him. He
was, however, set at liberty, after a few months imprisonment. But soon after the accession of king James II. he
was again committed prisoner to the Tower. After being
confined for some time, he was admitted to bail; but was,
shortly after, a third time committed to the Tower. This
was on the 26th of July, 1685; and a parliament being
assembled in the November following, on the first day of
the session he stated his case in a petition to the house of
peers. He represented to their lordships, that the king,
by his proclamation, had required him. to appear before
him in council within ten days. He had accordingly surrendered himself to lord Sunderland, then principal secretary of state; and being brought before his majesty, then
sitting in council, he was neither confronted by any person who accused him, nor otherwise charged with any
kind of treason, but only questioned about some inferior
matters, and which were of such a nature, that, if he had
been really guilty of them, he ought by law to have been
admitted to bail: notwithstanding which, he had been
committed close prisoner to the Tower, by a warrant from
the secretary of state, in which he was charged with high,
treason. After some debate, it was resolved, that the lords
with white staves should wait upon his majesty, “to know
the reason why the lord Delamer, a member of their house,
was absent from his attendance there.
” The day following, the earl of Rochester, lord treasurer, reported to the
house, “That he, with the other lords, having waited on
his majesty with their message, his majesty was pleased to
answer, That the lord Delamer stood committed for high
treason, testified upon oath; and that his majesty had
already given directions, that he should be proceeded
against according to law.
”
brought to his trial, before a select number of the peers, on the 14th of January, 1685-6. The peers who tried him were, the dukes of Norfolk, Somerset, Beaufort, and
After the parliament was broken up, lord Delamer was brought to his trial, before a select number of the peers, on the 14th of January, 1685-6. The peers who tried him were, the dukes of Norfolk, Somerset, Beaufort, and Grafton the earls of Rochester, Sunderland, Mulgrave, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Huntingdon, Pembroke, Bridgwater, Peterborough, Scarsdale, Craven, Feversham, Berkeley, Nottingham, and Plymouth; the viscounts Falconberg and Newport; and the lords Ferrers, Cromwell, Maynard, Dartmouth, Godolphin, and Churchill. Jefferies, then lord chancellor, was appointed lord high steward on the occasion. He was known to be a personal enemy of lord Delamer, who had arraigned in parliament the conduct of Jefferies as chief justice of Chester. Lord Delamer, after the indictment against him was read, objected against the jurisdiction of the court; alleging, that he ought not to be tried by a select number of the peers, but by the whole body of the house of peers in parliament, because the parliament was then only under a prorogation, and not dissolved. But his plea was overruled. In Jefferies’s charge to the peers, previous to the opening of the evidence against lord Delamer, he threw out some hints relative to the share his lordship had in promoting the bill of exclusion, and introduced an eulogium on the conduct of king James the Second. The only positive evidence against lord Delamer was one Thomas Saxon, a man of a very bad character, and who in the course of the trial was proved to be perjured. Jefferies maintained, that there was no necessity, in point of law, that there should be two positive witnesses to convict a man of treason; and that where there was only one positive witness, additional circumstances might supply the place of a second. Lord Delamer made a very able defence; and by the lords who were appointed to try him he was unanimously acquitted.
nd in his “Advice to his Children,” printed in his works, he says, “There never yet was any good man who had not an ardent zeal for his country.” He was not only illustriously
Though lord Delamer was removed from the administration, it was thought necessary to confer on him some mark
of royal favour. Accordingly, by letters-patent, bearing
date at Westminster, April 17, 1690, he was created earl
of Warrington, in the county of Lancaster, to continue to
him and the heirs-male of his body. A pension likewise of
two thousand pounds per annum was granted to him, for
the better support of that dignity. And it was said, in the
preamble of the patent for his earldom, that it was conferred on him, “for his great services in raising and bringing great forces to his majesty, to rescue his country and
religion from tyranny and popery.
” On the 3d of January,
1692-3, the earl of Warrington signed a protest against
the rejection of the bill for incapacitating persons in office
under the crown, either civil or military, from sitting in
the house of commons. Two other protests were also
signed by him on different occasions. But this patriotic
peer did not live long to enjoy his new dignity; for he
died at London on the 2d of January, 1693-4, having not
quite completed the forty-second year of his age. He was
interred in the family vault in Bowdon church, in the
county of Chester, on the 14th of the same month. Mr.
Granger says, that lord Delamer was “a man of a generous and noble nature, which disdained, upon any terms,
to submit to servitude; and whose passions seemed to
centre in the love of civil and religious liberty.
” In every
part of his life, indeed, he appears to have been actuated
by the same principles; and in his “Advice to his Children,
” printed in his works, he says, “There never yet
was any good man who had not an ardent zeal for his
country.
” He was not only illustriously distinguished by
his public spirit, and his noble ardour in defence of the
liberties of his country; but in his private life he appears
to have been a man of strict piety, and of great worth, honour, and humanity. He married Mary, sole daughter
and heiress to sir James Langham, of Cottesbrooke, in the
county of Northampton, knight and baronet, by whom he
had four sons, and two daughters. His first son died an
infant, and his second son, George, upon the death of his
father, became earl of Warrington. He died on the 2d
of August, 1758, and leaving no heirs male, the earldom
became extinct, but was revived in his daughter’s husband.
The son of the preceding, who, we have just mentioned, died in 1758, has obtained a place
The son of the preceding, who, we have just mentioned,
died in 1758, has obtained a place among the royal and
noble authors, for having published, but without his name,
“Considerations upon the institution of Marriage, with
some thoughts concerning the force and obligation of the
marriage contract; wherein is considered, how far divorces
may or ought to be allowed. By a gentleman. Humbly
submitted to the judgment of the impartial,
” Lond. printed for John Whiston, Tetrachordon,
” and would, if we may conjecture from the effects of the experiment in a neighbouring nation, create more dissoluteness and misery than it
was intended to remove. He also wrote a letter to the
writer of the “Present state of the Republic of Letters
” in,
August History of his own times.
”
His only daughter married Henry earl of Stamford, in
whose son, the title of Earl of Warrington was revived in
1796.
er. Melancthon afterwards recommended him as a proper person to supply Calvin’s place at Strasburgh, who had gone back to Geneva; and there he gave lectures on the epistle
, or Boquinus, a French divine, and one of the contributors to the reformation, was
born in Aquitaine, and educated in a monastery at Bourges,
of which he became prior, and in high estimation with his
brethren. Having, however, perused some of the writings
of Luther, Bucer, &c. he imbibed their sentiments, and
went to Wittemberg, where he became acquainted with
Luther and Melancthon, and at Basil he attended the lectures of Myconius, Carlostadt, and Sebastian Muncer.
Melancthon afterwards recommended him as a proper person to supply Calvin’s place at Strasburgh, who had gone
back to Geneva; and there he gave lectures on the epistle
to the Galatians, and soon after had for his coadjutor
Peter Martyr. Boquine being at some distance of time
invited by his brother, who was a doctor in divinity, and
not an enemy to the reformation, removed to Bourges, in.
hopes that the French churches were friendly to his doctrine, and there he publicly read and expounded the Hebrew Bible. About this time, Francis, king of France,
being dead, the queen of Navarre came to Bourges, when
Boquine presented her with a book he had written on the
necessity and use of the Holy Scriptures, which she received very graciously, allowed him a yearly stipend out
of her treasury, and appointed him to preach a public lecture in the great church of Bourges, with the consent of
the archbishop. He remained in like favour with her successor, king Henry’s sister; but the enemies of the reformation threatening his life, he was obliged to desist
from his labours, and went back to Strasburgh, where he
was appointed pastor to the French church. This office,
however, he filled only about four months, and in 1557
went into Heidelberg, at the invitation of Otho Henry,
prince elector Palatine, who was carrying on the reformation in his churches. Here he was appointed professor of
divinity, and continued in this office about twenty years,
under Otho and Frederic III. After the death of the latter in 1576, the popish party again prevailing, drove him
and the rest of the reformed clergy from the place, but
almost immediately he was invited to Lausanne, where he
remained until his death in 1582. He left various works,
the dates of which his biographers have not given, except
the following “Oratio in obitum Frederici III. Comit.
Palatini,
” Leyden, 1577, 4to; but their titles are, 1. “Defensio ad calumnias Doctoris cujusdam Avii in Evangelii
professores.
” 2. “Examen libri quern Heshusius inscripsit.de praesentia corporis Christi in coena Domini.
”
3. “Theses in ccena Domini.
” 4. “Exegesis divinsc
communicationis.
” 5. “Adsertio veteris, ac veri Christianismi adversus novum et fictum Jesuitismum.
” This
appears to have been one of his ablest works, and was
translated into English under the title, “A defence of the
old and true profession of Christianitie against the new
counterfeite sect of Jesuites, by Peter Boquine, translated
by T. G.
” London, Notatio praecipuarum causarum diuturnitatis controversial de crena Domini,
” &c.
reputation as an antiquary, in which capacity, the earl of Arundel sent him into Italy to Mr. Petty, who was then collecting for his lordship, and retained him in his
a painter,
engraver, and antiquary, was born at Brussels in 1583, but
when in his third year, the war obliged his parents to remove into Germany. From his earliest years he discovered
a taste for painting, which induced his father to place him
under Giles Van Valkenberg. He afterwards studied in
Italy, and travelling over Germany, settled first at Franhendal, and in 1627 at Francfort on the Maine. His
paintings, principally fruit and flowers, were much admired, but
he perhaps had more reputation as an antiquary, in which
capacity, the earl of Arundel sent him into Italy to Mr.
Petty, who was then collecting for his lordship, and retained him in his service as long as he lived. After the
death of this patron, Vander Borcht was employed by the
prince of Wales (afterwards Charles II.) and lived in esteem
at London several years, till he returned to Antwerp, where
he died in 1660. As an engraver we have some few etchings by him; among the rest the “Virgin and Child,
” a
small upright print, from Parmigiano, engraved at London
in 1637; a “Dead Christ, supported by Joseph of Arimathea,
” from the same master, and “Apollo and Cupid,
” a
small upright oval from Perin del Vago.
akened by their persuasions. He encountered afterwards a more formidable opposition from his father, who was hostile to the prosecution of what he called unprofitable
, a celebrated French mathematician and natural philosopher, was born at Dax, in the department of the Landes, May 4, 1733. His mother was Maria Theresa de Lacroix, and his father John Anthony Borda, whose ancestors had acquired considerable distinction in the French army. He began his studies in the college of the Barnabites at Dax, where he gave early indications of his future genius. He was a considerable time after put under the charge of the Jesuits of La Fleche, and by his ardour for study and superior talents, frequently carried off the prizes which were held out as the reward of youthful genius. This induced the Jesuits to endeavour to press him into their order, but his attachment to geometry was too powerful to be weakened by their persuasions. He encountered afterwards a more formidable opposition from his father, who was hostile to the prosecution of what he called unprofitable studies, and endeavoured to please him by proposing to enter into the engineer service of the army, where the objects of his profession would necessarily require a knowledge of geometry and physics. His father, however, having eleven children, and being obliged to support two of his sons who were already in the army, was anxious that Charles should look forward to some situation in the magistracy, which might be obtained without much expence and trouble. To these views Borda reluctantly submitted; but after having thus lost some of the most precious years of his youth, a friar, who was a particular friend of his father, obtained, by earnest solicitation, that he should be allowed to devote himself to his favourite science; and, every restraint being now removed, he was in 1753, when only twenty years of age, introduced to D'Alembert, who advised him to remain in the capital, and look forward to a situation in the academy. Borda accordingly entered the light horse, and continuing his mathematical studies, he became professor to his comrades.
and in the exeeution of signals. Upon his return to France he communicated this idea to government, who immediately resolved to carry it into effect, and his profound
These labours induced M. Prasslin, the minister of the
marine, to wish for the aid of his talents in the French navy,
and after some opposition from official etiquette, he appointed him sub-lieutenant, in which character he first appeared in 1768; but nothing occurred of consequence until 1771, when the French and English were employed in
many inventions for the discovery of the longitude at sea,
and the French government having determined to try the
accuracy of some improved chronometers, the academy of
sciences appointed Borda and Pingre to sail for that purpose in the Flora frigate. The result of their voyage was
published at Paris in 1778, entitled, “Voyage fait par
ordre du Roy en 1771 et 1772, &c.
” 2 vols. 4to. He
was afterwards employed to determine the position of the
Canary Isles, and being promoted to the rank of lieutenant,
sailed in 1776, and in the course of his voyage, performed
its immediate object, with others. Being appointed majorgeneral to the naval armament which served under Count
D'Estaign in America, his experience led him to discover
many defects in the construction of vessels, which he thought
might be easily remedied. He considered the want of
uniformity in the construction of ships, which were to act
together, as a great defect, because a great discordance
arose in their movements and in the exeeution of signals.
Upon his return to France he communicated this idea to
government, who immediately resolved to carry it into effect, and his profound knowledge and patriotic exertions
did not fail to be acknowledged not only by France, but by
the best-informed men in England. The reputation which
he had now acquired enabled him to be further serviceable
to his country, by drawing up a plan for the schools of naval architecture, of which he may justly be termed the
founder, as he not only suggested the idea, but formed the
scheme for regulating these seminaries, and laid down the
rules for the instruction of the pupils admitted into them.
the state were not deemed too great for merit such as his; and we accordingly find the name of a man who had been decorated with the cross of merit during the monarchy,
To Borda France is indebted for the invention of the
mensuration-rod, with which the new station -lines were
lately ascertained. He was also a zealous promoter of the
reform in weights and measures; and in order to assist in
this, he published “Tables of Sines in the decimal
sy.stern,
” at his own expence. One of his last labours was,
the accurate determination of the length of the pendulum
vibrating seconds at Paris. Such were the acknowledged
reputation and patriotism of Borda, that the highest offices
in the state were not deemed too great for merit such as
his; and we accordingly find the name of a man who had
been decorated with the cross of merit during the monarchy, entered in the list of candidates for the office of
Director under the republic. This occurred in 1797, and
on the 20th of February 1799, the National Institute lost
one of its greatest ornaments and most assiduous supporters, in consequence of his death, which was occasioned
by a dropsy, that cut him off Feb. 20, 1799, in the 64th
year of his age.
representing a man in the habit of some particular country. His well known satire on the Englishman, who, to express the inconstancy and mutability of his fashions,
, or as he styles himself in Latin, Andreas Perforatus, was a very singular
character, and the reputation he acquired among his contemporaries must be considered in a great measure as a
proof of the ignorance and credulity of the times. He was
born at Pevensey in Sussex about 1500, and was educated
at Oxford; but before he had taken a degree, entered
among the Carthusians in or near London. He afterwards
left them, and studied physic at Oxford; and then travelled over most parts of Europe and Africa. On his return he settled at Winchester, where he practised physic
with considerable reputation, and in this capacity he is said
to have served Henry VIII. In 1541 and 1542 he was at
Montpellier, where he probably took the degree of doctor,
in which he was soon after incorporated at Oxford. He
lived then for some time at Pevensey, and afterwards returned to Winchester, still observing all the austerities of
the order to which he formerly belonged; though he has
been accused of many irregularities. It is certain that his
character was very odd and whimsical, as appears from the
books he wrote; yet he is said to have been a man of great wit
and learning, and an “especial physician.
” That he was not
of consequence eminent enough to rank with the first of his
profession, may be inferred from his dying insolvent in the
Fleet, April 1549. Bale intimates that he hastened his end
by poison on the discovery of his keeping a brothel for his
brother bachelors. His works are very various in their
subjects; one of the most considerable is intituled, “A
book of the introduction of knowledge,
” black letter, imprinted by William Coplande, without date. He there professes to teach all languages, the customs and fashions of
all countries, and the value of every species of coin. This
is a motley piece, partly in verse and partly in prose; and
is divided into thirty-nine chapters, before each of which is
a wooden cut, representing a man in the habit of some particular country. His well known satire on the Englishman,
who, to express the inconstancy and mutability of his
fashions, is drawn naked with a cloth and a pair of sheers in
his hand, is borrowed from the Venetians, who characterised
the French in that manner. Before the 7th chapter is the
effigies of the author, under a canopy, with a gown, a laurel on his head, and a book before him. The title of this
chapter shews how the author dwelt in Scotland and other
islands, and went through and round about Christendom.
An edition of this singular work was printed in London in
1542. His “Breviary of Health,
” which is a very trifling,
coarse, and weak performance, was published in 1.547, and
is supposed by Fuller to be the first medical piece written
in English. As a specimen of the style, take what follows,
which is the beginning of the Prologue, addressed to physicians: “Egregious doctors and maisters of the eximious
and arcane science of physicke, of your urbanity exasperate
not yourselves against me for making this little volume.
”
This work, with a second part called the “Extravagants,
”
was reprinted in 4to, Compendyouse Regimente, or Dietary of
Healthe made in Mounte Pyllor,
” an edition of which was
printed several years after his death, in 1562. A famous
jest book called the “Merrye tales of the madmen of Gotham;
” “The historye of the miller of Abingdon and the
Cambridge scholars,
” the same with that related by
Chaucer in his Canterbury Tales; a book of “Prognostics,
”
and another of Urines, &c. It is said that the phrase
“Merry Andrew
” is derived from him.
Paris, and member of the imperial academy of Florence, was born at Paris April 10, 1728. His father, who was also a surgeon, destined him for the same profession, which
, regius professor and director of the academy of surgery, veteran associate of the
academy of sciences of Paris, and member of the imperial
academy of Florence, was born at Paris April 10, 1728.
His father, who was also a surgeon, destined him for the
same profession, which had long been followed by the
branches of his family, but began with giving him the ordinary course of a learned education that he might acquire
the languages in which the most celebrated anatomists of
former ages wrote, and some of those principles of philosophy which are the foundation of all sciences and arts.
Young Bordenave’s proficiency fully answered his father’s
expectations, and he soon fdled the distinguished situations
already mentioned, and contributed many valuable papers
to the Memoirs of the academy of surgery, on extraordinary
cases which occurred in his practice: the treatment of gunshot wounds, and anatomical subjects. He also in 1757
made some experiments to illustrate Haller’s opinion on the
difference between sensible or irritable parts, and wrote a
work in defence of that celebrated anatomist’s opinion on
the formation of the bones, against that of Duhamel. He
also, in 1768, translated Haller’s Elements of Physiology
for the use of his students, but he had previously, in 1756,
published a new work on the same subject, admired for
precision of method. Bordenave had long wished for a
place in the academy of sciences, and in 1774 was elected
a veteran associate. This title, it seems, indicates that the
party has been chosen contrary to the statutes, and that the
academy did not choose him of their own will; but for this he
was not to blame, as such an election was totally contrary to
his wish. In a short time, however, the academicians were
reconciled, and Bordenave enriched their memoirs with
some important papers. Bordenave also became echevin,
or sheriff, of Paris, an office never before conferred on a
surgeon, but. which he filled in a manner highly creditable,
and directed his attention, as a magistrate, chiefly to the
health of the city. On the birth of Louis XVII. he was honoured with the ribbon of the order of St. Michael, in consideration of his talents and services, but did not long enjoy
this honour, being seized with an apoplexy, which after
eight days proved fatal, March 12, 1782. Besides the
works already noticed, he published, “Dissertations sur
les Antiseptiques,
” Memoires sur le
danger des Caustiques pour la cure radicale des Hernies,
”
e fore-runner of his end. He was found dead in his bed. One of the faculty, jealous of his fame, and who had tried to ruin him by a prosecution, said on the occasion:
, son to the preceding, was
born Feb. 22, 1722, at Iseste in the valley of Ossan inBearn,
and at the age of twenty, for his degree of bachelor in the
university of Montpellier, where he was then a student, he
held a thesis “De sensu generice considerate,
” which contains
the ground-work of all the publications he afterwards gave.
Such early knowledge determined his professors to dispense
with several acts usual before admission to practice. In>
1743, he was created M. D. at Montpellier, and two years
after succeeded his father, as inspector of the mineral waters, and professor of anatomy. In 1747, he was made
corresponding member of the royal academy of Sciences at
Paris, whither he soon after went, and where he acquired
great reputation. Having taken out his licence in that city
in 1754, he was appointed physician to the hopital de la
charite. He died of an apoplexy, Nov. 24, 1776. A
deep melancholy, occasioned by the flying gout, was the
fore-runner of his end. He was found dead in his bed.
One of the faculty, jealous of his fame, and who had tried
to ruin him by a prosecution, said on the occasion: “I
should never have thought he would have died in a horizontal position.
” But a witty lady retorted by observing
“that death was so much afraid of him, that he was obliged
to catch him napping.
” The facility with which he exercised his profession, his reluctance to give medicines, and
his great confidence in nature, sometimes drew upon him
the reproach that he had not much faith in medicine; but
his doubts were so much the less blameable, as he was continually occupied in rendering the resources of his art more
certain. He never disputed at all towards the latter end of his
life, because probably he had disputed much to no purpose
in his youth. Nobody knew better how to doubt, and he
had little confidence in his own knowledge, and trusted with
difficulty to that of others. Seeing the great number of
courses of lectures in all branches of science, advertised
every day, he observed once to a friend: “Will no one
ever give a course of good sense?
” As he expressed himself at times with rather too much acerbity on the merits
of others, some of his professional brethren have called his
own into question. His works, however, sufficiently attest
his abilities. The principal are, 1. “Chylificationis historia,
” Recherches sur les Glandes.
” He thought he observed a
duct passing from the thyroid gland to the trachaea; an
opinion which he repeats in another of his works, but without sufficient ground. 3. “Dissertatio physiologica de
sensu generice considerate,
” Monspelii, Chylificationis historia.
” 4. “Lettres contenant des essais sur l'histoire des Eaux minerales du Beam,
&c. 1746, 12mo.
” In these he treats of the properties of
the waters, and of the geography of Beam. 5. “Recherches anatomiques sur la position des Glandes, et sur leur
actions,
” Paris, Recherches sur le pouls
par raport aux crises,
” Paris, Recherches sur le tissu mnqueux, et l'organecellulaire,
”
Paris,
to Rome, where he spent the remainder of his life under the protection of Christina queen of Sweden, who honoured him with her friendship, and by her liberality towards
, a celebrated philosopher
and mathematician, was born at Naples the 28th of January, 1608. He was professor of philosophy and mathematics in some of the most celebrated universities of Italy,
particularly at Florence and Pisa, where he became highly
in favour with the princes of the house of Medici. But
having been concerned in the revolt of Messina, he was
obliged to retire to Rome, where he spent the remainder
of his life under the protection of Christina queen of Sweden, who honoured him with her friendship, and by her
liberality towards him softened the rigour of his hard fortune. He continued two years in the convent of the regular clergy of St. Pantaleon, called the Pious Schools, where
he instructed the youth in mathematical studies. And thi’s
study he prosecuted with great diligence for many years
afterward, as appears by his correspondence with several
ingenious mathematicians of his time, and the frequent
mention that has been made of him by others, who have
endeavoured to do justice to his memory. He wrote a letter to Mr. John Collins, in which he discovers his great
desire and endeavours to promote the improvement of those
sciences: he also speaks of his correspondence with, and
great affection for, Mr. Henry Oldenburgh, secretary of
the royal society; of Dr. Wallis; of the then late learned
Mr. Boyle, and lamented the loss sustained by his death to
the commonwealth of learning. Mr. Baxter, in his “Enquiry into the Nature of the Human Soul 3
” makes frequent
use of our author’s book “De Motu Animalium,
” and
tells us, that he was the first who discovered that the force
exerted within the body prodigiously exceeds the weight
to be moved without, or that nature employs an immense
power to move a small weight. But he acknowledges that
Dr. James Keil had shewn that Borelli was mistaken in his
calculation of the force of the muscle of the heart; but
that he nevertheless ranks him with the most authentic writers, and says he is seldom mistaken: and, having remarked
that it is so far from being true, that great things are
brought about by small powers, on the contrary, a stupendous power is manifest in the most ordinary operations of nature, he observes that the ingenious Borelli first
remarked this in animal motion; and that Dr. Stephen
Hales, by a course of experiments in his “Vegetable
Statics,
” had shewn the same in the force of the ascending sap in vegetables. After a course of unceasing labours,
Borelli died at Pantaleon of a pleurisy, the 31st of December 1679, at 72 years of age, leaving the following
works: 1. “Delle cagioni dellefebri maligni,
” Euclides restitutus,
” &c. Pisa, Apollonii Pergaei conicorum, libri v. vi. & vii. paraphraste Abalphato Aspahanensi nunc primum editi,
” &c. Floren. Theoriæ Medicorum Planetarum ex causis physicis deductae,
” Flor. De Vi Percussionis,
”
Bologna, De Motu Animalium,
” and that “De
Motionibus Naturalibus,
” in Osservazione intorno alia virtu ineguali degli occhi.
” This piece was inserted in the Journal of Rome for the year 1669. 7. “De
motionibus naturalibus e gravitate pemlentibus,
” Regio
Julio, 1670, 4to. 8. “Meteorologia Ætnea,
” &c. Regio Julio, Osservazione dell' ecclissi lunare, fatta in Roma,
” Elementaconica Apollonii Pergoei et Archimedis opera nova et breviori methodo demonstrata,
” Rome, De Motu Animaiium:
pars prima, et pars altera,
” Romae, 12. At Leyden, 1686, in 4to,
a more correct and accurate edition, revised by J. Broen,
M. D. of Leyden, of his two pieces
” De vi percussionis,
et de motionibus de gravitate pendentibus,“&c. 13.
” De
renum usu judicium:“this had been published with Bellini’s book
” De structura renum," at Strasburgh, 1664,
8vo.
d, greatly disgusted as well as disappointed, went immediately and complained to his mother Vanozza, who bid him not be cast down; and told him, that she knew the pope’s
, a monster of ambition and cruelty, was a natural son of pope Alexander VI. What year he was born in, we do not find: but he was at his studies in the university of Pisa, when Alexander was elected pope, in August 1492. Upon the news of his father’s advancement, he banished all thoughts of his former private condition of life; and, full of ambition, as if himself was to be made emperor of the world, he hastened directly to Rome, where Alexander received him with formality and coldness, but whether it was real or but affected, is not easy to determine. Cscsar, however, took it to be real; and, greatly disgusted as well as disappointed, went immediately and complained to his mother Vanozza, who bid him not be cast down; and told him, that she knew the pope’s mind better than any body, and for what reasons his holiness had given him that reception. In the mean time the courtflatterers solicited the pope to make Cæsar a cardinal, which he absolutely refused; but, that he might not seem altogether forgetful of him, he created him archbishop of Valenza, a benefice which his holiness had enjoyed in his younger days. This preferment was by no means acceptable to Cæsar, yet he affected to be content, since the pope, he found, Was determined to confer the best of his secular dignities on his eldest son Francis, who at that time was made duke of Gandia by Fertlinand king of Castile and Arragon.
of these brothers he should bestow the cardinal’s cap, Vanozza declared herself in favour of Cæsar, who was accordingly made a cardinal in the second year of Alexander’s
Alexander VI. had five children by his mistress Vanozza; Francis and Cæsar, already mentioned, two other sons,
and a daughter named Lucretia. Francis was a gentleman
of good disposition and probity, and in every respect opposite to his brother Cæsar; but Cæsar seems to have possessed abilities superior to those of Francis: which made a
certain historian say, “that Cæsar was great among the
wicked, and Francis good among the great.
” Cæsar however was the mother’s favourite, as having a temper and
principles more conformable to hers: for which reason, at
the time when Alexander was undetermined on which of
these brothers he should bestow the cardinal’s cap, Vanozza declared herself in favour of Cæsar, who was accordingly made a cardinal in the second year of Alexander’s
pontificate. From this time he acted in concert with his
father, and was an useful instrument in executing all the
schemes of that wicked pope, as he had no scruples of
honour or humanity, nor was there any thing too atrocious
for him to perpetrate, to promote his insatiable ambition.
This is said to have even incited him to the murder of his
elder brother Francis, duke of Gandia. All the secular
dignities, which then were much more coveted than the
ecclesiastical, were heaped upon Francis, which obstructed
Cæsar’s projects so entirely, that he was resolved at all adventures to remove him. TJjfle story is, that in 1497, hiring assassins, he caused him to be murdered, and thrown
into the Tiber; where his body was found some days after,
full of wounds and extremely mangled. The pope was
afflicted to the last degree; for though he made use of
Cæsar as the abler, he loved Francis as the better man. He
caused therefore strict inquiry to be made after the murderers; upon which Vanozza, who for that and other reasons
was justly suspected to be privy to the affair, went privately
to the pope, and used all the arguments she could, to dissuade him from searching any further. Some say, that she
went so far as to assure his holiness, that if he did not desist,
the same person who took away his son’s life would not spare
his own. The whole of this story, however, appears doubtful;
nor, indeed, is there any positive proof that Borgia was even
privy to his brother’s death. Gordon, only, has asserted
it with accompanying proofs, but the latter -appear to be
historic fictions. It cannot be necessary to add to Cesar’s
crimes. He now, however, succeeded to his brother’s
fortunes and honours, began to be tired of ecclesiastical
matters, and grew quite sick of the cardinalate, and therefore determined to throw it off as soon as possible, that he
might have the greater scope for practising the excesses,
to which his natural ambition and cruelty prompted him:
for cruel as well as ambitious he was in the highest degree.
Numbers he caused to be taken off by poison or the sword;
and it is recorded, that assassins were constantly kept in
pay by him at Rome, for the sake of removing all who
were either obnoxious or inconvenient to him. Getting
rid of the cardinalate, he was soon after made duke of Valentinois by Lewis XII. of France: with whom he entered
into a league for the conquest of the Milanese. From this
time he experienced various turns of fortune, being sometimes prosperous, sometimes unfortunate. He very narrowly escaped dying of poison in 1503; for, having con-,
certed with the pope a design of poisoning nine newly
created cardinals at once (or, as some say, only one cardinal), in order to possess their effects, the poisoned wine
destined for the purpose was by mistake brought to themselves and drank. The pope died of it; but Cæsar, by
the vigour of his youth, and the force of antidotes, after
many struggles, recovered. He only recovered, however,
to outlive his fortune and grandeur, to see himself depressed, and his enemies exalted; for he was soon after
divested of all his acquisitions, and sent a prisoner to
Spain, in order to free Italy from an incendiary, and the
Italian princes from those dangers which his turbulent and
restless spirit made them fear, even though he was unarmed. From Spain he escaped to Navarre to king John
his brother-in-law, where he met with a very friendly reception. From hence he designed to go into France; and
there, with the assistance of Lewis, to try if he could once
more re-establish his fortune, but Lewis refused to receive
him, not only because he and Spain had concluded a
truce, but because they were also at enmity with the king
of Navarre. The French king also, in order to gratify
Spain, had confiscated Cæsar’s duchy of Valentinois, and
taken away the yearly pension which he had from France.
So that this fallen tyrant, in a poor and abandoned condition, without revenue or territory, was forced to be dependent upon his brother-in-law, who was then at war
with his subjects. Borgia served as a volunteer in that
war; and, while the armies were engaged in battle, and
fighting under the walls of Viana, was wounded, and
died in consequence, March 12, 1507. On his death-bed
he is said to have exclaimed, “I had provided in the course
of my life for every thing but death; and now, alas! I am
to die, though completely unprepared for it.
” Cæsar
Borgia took these words for his device, “Aut Cæsar aut
nihil;
” which gave occasion to the following epigrams:
books of the oriental churches. After these promotions, he continued to be the liberal patron of all who had any connection either with his offices or with his literary
In 1788 he published his “Vindication of the rights of
the Holy See on the kingdom of Naples,
” 4to, a work now
of little importance, and relating to a dispute which will
probably never be revived. On the 30th of March, 1789,
he was promoted to the rank of cardinal, and about the
same time was appointed prefect of the congregation of
the Index; and, what was more analogous to his pursuits,
he held the same office in the Propaganda, and in the
congregation for the correction of the books of the oriental
churches. After these promotions, he continued to be the
liberal patron of all who had any connection either with
his offices or with his literary pursuits, until Italy was inTaded by the French, when, like the greater part of his
colleagues, he was involved in losses and dangers, both
with respect to his fortune and to his pursuits. He forfeited all his benefices, and was near witnessing the destruction of all the establishments committed to his care,
especially the Propaganda. He was soon, however, extricated from his personal difficulties; and, by his timely
measures, the invaluable literary treasures of the Propaganda were also saved. He was allowed a liberal pension
from the court of Denmark, and he soon obtained the removal of the establishment of the Propaganda to Padua, a
city which, being then under the dominion of the emperor
<?f Germany, was thought to be sheltered from robbery.
Here he remained till the death of pope Pius VI. after
which he repaired, with his colleagues, to Venice, to attend the conclave; and, a new pope being elected, he
returned to Rome. When the coronation of the emperor
of France was ordered, cardinal Borgia was one of those
individuals who were selected by the pope as the companions of his intended journey to Paris, but having caught
a, violent cold on his way, he died at Lyons, Nov. 23, 1804.
Cardinal Stephen Borgia was not much favoured by nature with respect to person. He was so clumsy, and his
motions so much embarrassed, as to have little of the appearance of a person of birth and rank. He was far, also,
from being nice in his house or equipage. These little
defects, however, were compensated by the superior qualities of his mind. From, the time of Alexander Albani,
no Roman cardinal had so many distinguished connections
and correspondents in every part of Europe: and a great
similarity (elegance of manners excepted) was remarked
between the character of that illustrious prelate and his
own. The Borgian ms. so called by Michaelis, is a fragment of a Coptic-Greek manuscript, brought by a monk
from Egypt, consisting of about twelve leaves, and sent to
cardinal Borgia. The whole of it is printed in “Georgii
Fragmentum Graeco-Copto-Thebaicum,
” Rome,
consequence of the ill treatment he received, through the envy and villainy of one Celio, a painter, who proved a most malicious competitor, and to whom he had been
, a painter and engraver, was
born at Rome, in 1630, and learned design from Giulio
Borgianni his brother; but improved himself by studying
the capital performances of the ancient and modern artists,
which he was enabled to contemplate every day in his native city. Having had an offer from a nobleman, of travelling with him in a tour through Europe, he willingly accepted it, from a desire of being acquainted with the different customs and manners of different nations. But his
progress was stopped by his falling in love with a young
woman in Spain, to whom he was afterwards married; and
finding his circumstances reduced to a narrow compass, he
applied himself to his profession with double diligence, to
procure a comfortable support. His endeavours were soon
successful; and he was happy enough to find many friends,
admirers, and employers, and was accounted one of the
best painters in Spain. After the death of his wife, having then no attachment to that country, he returned to
Rome, and painted some historical subjects larger than
life; but the figures being above his accustomed size,
shewed a want of correctness in several of the, members,
which made his pictures not quite acceptable to the refined taste of the Roman school. He was, however, engaged in some great works for the chapels and convents,
and also to paint portraits, by which he acquired honour,
and lived in affluence. He died in 1681, of a broken
heart, in consequence of the ill treatment he received,
through the envy and villainy of one Celio, a painter, who
proved a most malicious competitor, and to whom he had
been often preferred, by the best judges of painting at
Rome; but he died lamented and pitied by every worthy
man of his profession.
As an engraver, he is probably best known to many of
our readers, for his engravings of the Bible histories,
which were painted by Raphael in the Vatican, commonly
called “Raphael’s Bible,
” small plates, length-ways,
dated a dead Christ,
” a small square
plate, the figure greatly foreshortened, and behind appear the two Mary’s and St. John, who is kissing one of
the hands of our Saviour. His etchings are, in general,
in a bold, free manner, and more finished than usual, when
considered as the works of a painter, but in some the
drawing is not correct.
on to Christianity. To this undertaking he was encouraged by several gentlemen of his neighbourhood, who were men of literature and lovers of British antiquities; and
When Mr. Borlase was fixed at Ludgvan, which was a
retired, but delightful situation, he soon recommended
himself as a pastor, a gentleman, and a man of learning.
The duties of his profession he discharged with the most
rigid punctuality and exemplary dignity. He was esteemed
and respected by the principal gentry of Cornwall, and
lived on the most friendly and social terms with those of
his neighbourhood. In the pursuit of general knowledge
he was active and vigorous; and his mind being of an inquisitive turn, he could not survey with inattention or
indifference the peculiar objects which his situation pointed
to his view. There were in the parish of Ludgvan rich
copper works, belonging to the late earl of Godolphin.
These abounded with mineral and metallic fossils, which
Mr. Borlase collected from time to time; and his collection increasing by degrees, he was encouraged to study
at large the natural history of his native county. While
he was engaged in this design, he could not avoid being
struck with the numerous m'onuments of remote antiquity
that are to be met with in several parts of Cornwall; and
which had hitherto been passed over with far less examination than they deserved. Enlarging, therefore, his plan,
he determined to gain as accurate an acquaintance as possible with the Druid learning, and with the religion and
customs of the ancient Britons, before their conversion to
Christianity. To this undertaking he was encouraged by
several gentlemen of his neighbourhood, who were men of
literature and lovers of British antiquities; and particularly by sir John St. Aubyn, ancestor of the present baronet of that family, and the late rev. Edward Collins,
vicar of St. Earth. In the year 1748, Mr. Borlase, happening to attend the ordination of his eldest son at Exeter,
commenced an acquaintance with the Rev. Dr. Charles
Lyttelton, late bishop of Carlisle, then come to be installed into the deanry, and the Rev. Dr. Milles, the late
dean, two eminent antiquaries, who, in succession, have
so ably presided over the society of antiquaries in London.
Our author’s correspondence with these gentlemen was a
great encouragement to the prosecution of his studies; and
he has acknowledged his obligations to them, in several
parts of his works. In 1750, being at London, he was
admitted a fellow of the royal society, into which he had
been chosen the year before, after having communicated
an ingenious Essay on the Cornish Crystals. Mr. Borlase
having completed, in 1753, his manuscript of the Antiof Cornwall, carried it to Oxford, where he finished
the whole impression, in folio, in the February following.
A second edition of it, in the same form, was published
at London, in 1769. Our author’s next publication was,
“Observations on the ancient and present state of the
Islands of Scilly, and their importance to the trade of
Great Britain, in a letter to the reverend Charles Lyttelton, LL. D. dean of Exeter, and F. R. S.
” This work,
which was printed likewise at Oxford, and appeared in
1756, in quarto, was an extension of a paper that had
been read before the royal society, on the 8th of February
1753, entitled, “An Account of the great Alterations
which the Islands of Scilly have undergone, since the time
of the ancients, who mention them, as to their number,
extent, and position.
” It was at the request of Dr. Lyttelton, that this account was enlarged into a distinct
treatise. In 1757, Mr. Borlase again employed the Oxford press, in printing his “Natural History of Cornwall,
” for which he had been many years making collections, and which was published in April 1758. After this,
he sent a variety of fossils, and remains of antiquity, which
he 'had described in his works, to be placed in the Ashmolean museum; and to the same repository he continued
to send every thing curious which fell into his hands.
For these benefactions he received the thanks of the university, in a letter from the vice-chancellor, dated November 18, 1758; and in March, 1766, that learned body conferred on him the degree of doctor of laws, by diploma,
the highest academical honour.
erudition. He was buried within'the communion rails in Ludgvan church, by the side of Mrs. Borlase, who had been dead above three years.
Though Dr. Borlase, when he had completed his three
principal works, was become more than sixty years of age,
he continued to exert his usual diligence and vigour in
quiet attention to his pastoral duty, and the study of the
Scriptures. In the course of this study, he drew up paraphrases on the books of Job, and the books of Solomon,
and wrote some other pieces of a religious kind, rather, however, for his private improvement, than with a view to publication. His amusements abroad were, to superintend the
care of his parish, and particularly the forming and reforming of its roads, which were more numerous than in
any parish of Cornwall. His amusements at home were the
belles lettres, and especially painting; and the correction
and enlargement of his “Antiquities of Cornwall,
” for a
second edition, engaged some part of his time; and when
this business was completed, he applied his attention to a
minute revision of nis “Natural History.
” Alter this, he
prepared for the press a treatise he had composed some
years before, concerning the Creation and Deluge. But a
violent illness, in January 1771, and the apprehensions of
entangling himself in so long and close an attention as the
correcting of the sheets, solely, and at such a distance from
London, would require, induced him to drop his design,
and to recal the manuscript from his bookseller, when only
a few pages of it had been printed. From the time of his
illness, he began sensibly to decline, the infirmities of old
age came fast upon him; and it was visible to all his friends
that his dissolution was approaching. This expected event
happened on the 3 1st of August, 1772, in the 77th year of
his age, when he was lamented as a kind father, an affectionate brother, a sincere friend, an instructive pastor, and
a man of erudition. He was buried within'the communion
rails in Ludgvan church, by the side of Mrs. Borlase, who
had been dead above three years.
ix sons, two of whom alone survived him, the rev. Mr. John Borlase, and the rev. Mr. George Borlase, who was Casuistical Professor and Registrar of the university of
The Doctor had by his lady six sons, two of whom alone survived him, the rev. Mr. John Borlase, and the rev. Mr. George Borlase, who was Casuistical Professor and Registrar of the university of Cambridge, and died in 1809.
urg, in Transylvania, Dec. 26, 1742. He came early in life to Vienna, and studied under the Jesuits, who, perceiving his abilities, prevailed on him to enter into their
, Baron, an eminent mineralogist, was
born of a noble family at Carlsburg, in Transylvania, Dec.
26, 1742. He came early in life to Vienna, and studied
under the Jesuits, who, perceiving his abilities, prevailed
on him to enter into their society, but he remained a member only about a year and a half. He then went to Prague,
where, as it is the custom in Germany, he studied law, and
having completed his course, made a tour through a part
of Germany, Holland, the Netherlands, and France, and
returning to Prague, he engaged in the studies of natural
history, mining, and their connected branches, and in,
1770, he was received into the department of the mines
and mint at Prague. The same year he visited the principal mines of Hungary and Transylvania, and during this
tour kept up a correspondence with the celebrated Ferber,
who, in 1774, published his letters. It was in this town,
also that he so nearly lost his life, and where he was struck
with the disease which embittered the rest of his days. It
appears from his eighteenth letter to Mr. Ferber that, when
at Felso-Banya, he descended into a mine, where fire was
used to detach the ore, to observe the efficacy of this means,
but too soon after the fire had been extinguished, and while
the mine was full of arsenical vapours raised by the heat.
How greatly he suffered in his health by this accident appears from his letter, in which he complained that he could
hardly bear the motion of his carriage. After this he was
appointed at Prague counsellor of the mines. In 1771, he
published a small work of the Jesuit Poda, on the machinery
used about mines, and the next year his “Lithophylacium
Borneanum,
” a catalogue of that collection of fossils, which
he afterward disposed of to the lion. Mr. Greville. This
work drew on him the attention of mineralogists, and
brought him into correspondence with the first men in that
study. He was now made a member of the royal societies
of Stockholm, Sienna, and Padua; and in 1774, the same
honour was conferred on him by the royal society of
London.
dertaking. He had likewise the honour of instructing the arch-duchess Maria Anna in natural history, who was partial to this entertaining study; and he formed and arranged
During his residence in Bohemia, his active disposition
induced him to seek for opportunities of extending knowledge, and of being useful to the world. He took a part
in the work, entitled “Portraits of the learned men and
artists of Bohemia and Moravia.
” He was likewise concerned in the “Literary transactions, or Acta Litteraria, of
Bohemia and Moravia,
” and the editor of the latter pubr
licly acknowledges in the preface, how much Bohemian literature is indebted to him. Prague and Vienna were
both without a public cabinet for the use of the students:
it was at his instigation that government was induced tq
form one, which he assisted by his contributions and his
labours. In 1775, he laid the foundation of a literary society, which published several volumes under the title of
“Memoirs of a private Society in Bohemia.
” His fame
reaching the empress Mary Theresa, in
was convinced of the utility of his method, he laid before the emperor an account of his discovery, who gave orders that a decisive experiment on a large quantity of
What raised the baron more justly high in the public
opinion, was his knowledge of mineralogy, and his successful experiments in metallurgy, and principally in the progress of amalgamation. The use of quick-silver in extracting the noble metals from their ores, was not a discovery
of the baron’s, nor of the century in which he lived; yet
he extended so far its application in metallurgy as to form
a brilliant epoch in this most important art. After he had
at great expence made many private experiments, and was
convinced of the utility of his method, he laid before the
emperor an account of his discovery, who gave orders that
a decisive experiment on a large quantity of ore should be
made at Schemnitz, in Hungary, in the presence of Charpentier from Saxony, Ferber from Russia, Elhujar from
Spain, Poda, and other celebrated chemists, which met
with universal approbation, and established the utility of
his discovery. In 1786, Born published, at the desire of
the emperor, his treatise on Amalgamation; and in the following year, a farther account of it was published by his
friend Ferber. As a considerable saving in wood, time,
and labour, attended his process, the emperor gave orders
that it should be employed in the Hungarian mines; and
as a recompence to the inventor, a third of the sum that
should be saved by adopting his method was granted to
him for ten years, and for ten years more the interest of
that sum. Such, however, was the hospitality of Born,
and his readiness to admit and entertain all travellers, and
to patronize distressed talents of every kind, that his expences exceeded his income, and he was at last reduced to
a state of insolvency. Amidst all his bodily infirmities and
pecuniary embarrassments, and notwithstanding the variety
of his official avocations, he was indefatigable in his literary
pursuits; and in 1790, he published in two volumes, a
“Catalogue methodique raisonné,
” of Miss Raab’s collection of fossils, which is regarded as a classical work on that
subject. He employed himself also in bleaching wax by a
new chemical process, and in boiling salt with half the
wood commonly used for that purpose. Whilst he was engaged in writing the “Fasti Leopoldini,
” or a history of
the reign of Leopold II. in classical Latin, and a work on
Mineralogy, his disease rapidly advanced, and being attended with violent spasms, terminated his life on the 28th
of August, 1791. His treatise on Amalgamation was translated into English, and published by R. E. Raspe, Lond.
1791, 4to, and his travels through the Bannat of Temeswar,
&c. were published in 1787.
ndid equipage, and took upon him the title of Excellency: people flocked to him, as to the physician who could cure all diseases; and proposals were concerted for marrying
Borri staid some time in the city of Strasburgh, to which he had fled; and where he found some assistance and support, as well because he was persecuted by the inquisition, as because he was reputed a great chemist. But this was not a theatre large enough for Borri: he went therefore to Amsterdam, where he appeared in a stately and splendid equipage, and took upon him the title of Excellency: people flocked to him, as to the physician who could cure all diseases; and proposals were concerted for marrying him to great fortunes, &c. But his reputation began to sink, as his impostures became better understood, and he fled in the night from Amsterdam, with a great many jewels and sums of money, which he had pilfered. He then went to Hamburgh, where queen Christina was, and put himself under her protection: persuading her to venture a great sum of money, in order to find out the philosopher’s stone. Afterwards he went to Copenhagen, and inspired his Danish majesty to search for the same secret; by which means he acquired that prince’s favour so far, as to become very odious to all the great persons of the kingdom. Immediately after the death of the king, whom he had cheated out of large sums of money, he left Denmark for fear of being imprisoned, and resolved to go into Turkey. Being come to the frontiers at a time when the conspiracy of Nadasti, Serini, and Frangipani, was discovered, he was secured, and his name sent to his Imperial majesty, to see if he was one of the conspirators. The pope’s nuncio, who happened to be present, as soon as he heard Borri mentioned, demanded, in the pope’s name, that the prisoner should be delivered to him. The emperor consented to it, and ordered that Borri should be sent to Vienna; and afterwards, having first obtained from the pope a promise that he should not be put to death, he sent him to Rome; where he was tried, and condemned to perpetual confinement in the prison of the inquisition. He made abjuration of his errors in the month of October, 1672. Some years after he obtained leave to attend the duke d‘Estree, whom all the physicians had given over; and the unexpected cure he wrought upon him occasioned it to be said, that an arch-heretic had done a great miracle in Rome. It is said also, that the queen of Sweden sent for him sometimes in a coach; but that, after the death of that princess, he went no more abroad, and that none could speak with him without special leave from the pope. The Utrecht gazette, as Mr. Bayle relates, of the 9th of September, 1695, informed the public, that Borri was lately dead in the castle of St. Arigelo, being 79 years of age. It seems that the duke d’ Estre*e, as a recompence for recovering him, had procured Borri’s prisou to be changed, from that of the inquisition to the castle of St. Angelo.
has left us a description and character of him. He says, that “he was a tall black man, well shaped, who wore good clothes, and spent a good deal of money: that he did
Some pieces were printed at Geneva in 1681, which are
ascribed to him; as, 1. “Letters concerning Chemistry;
”
and 2. “Political reflections.
” The first of these works is
entitled, “La chiave del gabinetto;
” the second, “Istruzioni politichi.
” We learn from the life of Borri, that when
he was at Strasburg, he published a letter, which went all
over the world. Two other of his letters are said to have
been printed at Copenhagen in 1699, and inscribed to Bartholinus; one of them, “De ortu cerebri, et usu medico;
”
the other, “De artificio oculorum humores restituendi.
”
The Journal des Savans, of the 2d of September, 1669,
speaks fully of these two letters. Konig ascribes also another piece to him, entitled, “Notitia gentis Burrhorum.
”
Sorbiere saw Borri at Amsterdam, and has left us a description and character of him. He says, that “he was a
tall black man, well shaped, who wore good clothes, and
spent a good deal of money: that he did not want parts,
and had some learning, was without doubt somewhat skilled
in chemical preparations, had some knowledge in metals,
some methods of imitating pearls or jewels, and some purgative and stomachic remedies: but that he was a quack,
an artful impostor, who practised upon the credulity of
those whom he stood most in need of; of merchants, as
well as princes, whom he deluded out of great sums of
money, under a pretence of discovering the philosopher’s
stone, and other secrets of equal importance: and that,
the better to carry on this scheme of knavery, he had assumed the mask of religion.
”
Borrichius died rich, and made a most liberal use of his money. After satisfying his relations ( who were all collateral, as he had no family) with bequests to the
Borrichius died rich, and made a most liberal use of his money. After satisfying his relations (who were all collateral, as he had no family) with bequests to the amount of fifty thousand crowns, he left twenty-six thousand crowns to found
a college for poor students, consisting of a house, completely furnished for sixteen students, with library, chemical laboratory, garden, &c. to be called the Medicean
college. His principal medical productions consist of observations published in the Acta Haffniensia, and other
similar collections, and of the letters sent by him while on
his travels, to F. Bartholine, under whom he had been
educated. The letters are the most valuable of those published by Bartholine in his “Epistolas Medicse;
” but the
works by which he acquired his principal celebrity, were
“De ortu et progressu Chemise,
” published in Hermetis Ægyptiorum et Chemicorum sapientia,
ab H. Conringio vindicata,
” Conspectus prcestantiorum
scriptorum linguæ Latinæ;
” Cogitationes de
variis linguae Latinas cetatibus,
” Analecta
philologica, et judicium de lexicis Latinis Graecisque,
”
ergy and the monasteries; made institutions for the poor and orphans, and for girls exposed to ruin, who were desirous to return to a regular life. His zeal was the
In the mean while, however, the young cardinal, in the
midst of a brilliant court, went along with the torrent, fitted
up grand apartments, furnished them magnificently, and kept
splt-ntiid equipages. His table was sumptuously served; his
house was never empty of nobles and scholars. His uncle,
delighted with this magnificence, gave him ample revenues to support it. In a very short time he was at once
grand penitentiary of Rome, archpriest of St. Mary Major;
protector of several crowns, and of various orders, religious
and military; legate of Bologna, of Romania, and of the
marche of Ancona. It was at that time that the famous
council of Trent was held. Much was said about the reformation of the clergy, and Charles, after having advised
it to others, gave an example of it in his own conduct. He
suddenly discharged no less than eighty livery servants,
left off wearing silk, and imposed on himself a weekly fast
on bread and water. From this beginning he soon proceeded greater lengths. He held councils for confirming
the decrees of that of Trent, terminated partly by his
means. He made his house into a seminary of bishops; he
established schools, colleges, communities; re-modelled
his clergy and the monasteries; made institutions for the
poor and orphans, and for girls exposed to ruin, who were
desirous to return to a regular life. His zeal was the admiration of good men, but was far from acceptable to the
corrupt clergy. The order of the Humiliati, which he
attempted to reform, excited against him a friar, Farina, a
shocking member of that society, who fired a gun at the
good man while he was at evening prayer with his domestics. The bail having only grazed his skin, Charles petitioned for the pardon of his assassin, who was punished with
death, notwithstanding his solicitations, and his order was
suppressed. These contradictions did not abate the ardour
of the good archbishop. He visited the desolate extremities of his province, abolished the excesses of the carnival,
preached to his people, and shewed himself every where as
their pastor and father. During the ravages of a cruel
pestilence, he assisted the poor in their spiritual concerns
by his ecclesiastics and his personal attentions, sold the
furniture of his house to relieve the sick, put up prayers and
made processions, in which he walked barefoot, and with a
rope round his neck. His heroic charity was repaid with
ingratitude. The governor of Milan prevailed on the magistrates of that city to prefer complaints against Charles,
whom they painted in the blackest colours. “They accused him (says Baillet) of having exceeded the limits of
his authority during the time of the plague; of having introduced dangerous innovations; of having abolished the
public games, the stage-plays, and dances; of having
revived the abstinence on the first Sunday in Lent, in violation of the privilege granted to that town of including that
day in the carnival.
” They published an injurious and insulting manifesto against him: but, contented with the testimony of his own conscience, he resigned the care of his
justification to the Almighty. At length, worn out by the
labours of an active piety, he finished his course the 3d of
November 1594, being only in his 47th year. He was canonized in 1610. He wrote a very great number of works
on doctrinal and moral subjects, which were printed 1747
at Milan, in 5 vols. folio, and the library of St. Sepulchre
in that city is in possession of thirty-one vols. of his manuscript letters. The clergy of France reprinted at their expence the Institutions he composed for the use of confessors. Among his works are many homilies and sermons,
as he thought it incumbent on him to preach the word of
God himself to his people, notwithstanding the various business and government of so large a diocese. The edition
of “Ada Ecclesiae Mediolanensis,
” Milan,
to the preceding, and also a cardinal and archbishop of Milan, was first educated under St. Charles, who afterwards placed him in his newly-founded college at Pavia.
, cousin german to the preceding, and also a cardinal and archbishop of Milan, was
first educated under St. Charles, who afterwards placed
him in his newly-founded college at Pavia. Jn 1587, pope
Pius V. made him a cardinal, and in 1595, Clement VIII.
promoted him to the archbishopric of Milan. He died in
1632, leaving various pious works, written in Italian, the
principal of which is “Sacri Ragionamenti,
” Milan, Ragionamenti Spiritual!,
”
ibid. De Piacere della mente Christiana,
”
ibid.
truth. Judas in the attempt of slyly escaping with the Saints, is seized in the neck by the devils, who are going to hang him up in the air. A most remarkable painting
, an artist of singular taste, was born at Bois-le-Duc. He seemed to have a peculiar pleasure in painting spectres, devils, and enchantments: and although he possessed considerable powers as a painter, both in freedom of touch and strength of colouring, his pictures rather excite a horror mixed with admiration than any degree of real delight. Among the singular objects which he chose, there is one which represents the Saviour delivering the Patriarchs from hell. The fire and flames are painted with great truth. Judas in the attempt of slyly escaping with the Saints, is seized in the neck by the devils, who are going to hang him up in the air. A most remarkable painting of this master’s hand, among several others in the Escurial, is an allegory of the pleasures of the flesh: in which he represents the principal figure in a carriage drawn by monstrous imaginary forms, preceded by demons, and roll owed by death. As to his manner, it was less still than tnat of most of the painters of his time; and his draperies were in a better taste, more simple, and with less sameness, than any of his contemporaries. He painted on a white ground, which he so managed as to give a degree of transparence to his colours, and the appearance of more warmth. He laid on his colours lightly, and so placed them, even at the first touch of his pencil, as to give them their proper effect, without disturbing them: and his touch was full of spirit. Bos was also an engraver, and, as Strutt thinks, the first artist who attempted to engrave in the grotesque style. His engravings have that stiffness which so strongly characterises the works of the early German masters, and prove that he possessed a great fertility of invention, though perhaps but little judgment. He died in 1500.
, a learned philologist, was born at Worcum in Friesland, Nov. 23, 1670. His father who was rector or principal regent of the schools, and accustomed
, a learned philologist, was born at
Worcum in Friesland, Nov. 23, 1670. His father who
was rector or principal regent of the schools, and accustomed to mark the early appearance of talents, soon discovered his son’s aptitude for learning, and taught him
Greek and Latin. His mother, a woman of abilities, and
aunt to Vitringa, when she saw the latter, then a very
young man, advanced to the professorship of Oriental languages, exclaimed with maternal fondness that she hoped
to see her son promoted to a similar rank. In this, however, she was not gratified, as she died before he had
finished his studies. When he had gone through the ordinary course of the classes in his father’s school, he continued adding to his knowledge by an attentive perusal of the
Greek and Latin authors, and had many opportunities for
this while he lived with a man of rank, as private tutor to
his children. Cicero, above all, was his favourite Latin,
author, whom he read again and again. In 1694 he went
to the university of Franeker, where his relation, Vitringa,
encouraged him to pursue the Greek and Latin studies, to
which he seemed so much attached. In October 1696 he
was permitted to teach Greek in the university, and in February of the following year, the curators honoured him
with the title of prelector in that language. In 1704, when
the Greek professorship became vacant by the death of
Blancard, Mr. Bos was appointed his successor, and on
taking the chair, read a dissertation on the propagation of
Greek learning by their colonies, “de eruditione Graecorum per Colonias eorum propagata.
” About the end of
1716 he was attacked with a malignant fever, ending in a
consumption, a disorder he inherited from his mother,
which terminated his life Jan. 6, 1717. Bos was a man of
extensive classical learning, a solid judgment, and strong
memory. In his personal character he was candid, amiable, and pious; in his studies so indefatigable that he cegretted every moment that was not employed in them.
About five years before his death he married the widow of
a clergyman, by whom he left two sons.
, 8vo. 4. An edition of the “Septuagint,” 1709, 2 vols. 4to, with Prolegomena, &c. which Breitinger, who published another edition in 1730— 1732, has criticised with
He published, 1. “Exercitaciones Philologicæ, in quibus
Novi Fœderis nonnulla loca è profants maximè auctoribus
Græcis iiiustrantur,
” Franeker, Bibliotheque Choisie,
”
vol. XV. and his “Bibl. Anc. et Moderne,
” vol. 11. 2. “Mysterii Ellipsios Grcecas expositi Specimen,
” ibid. Observatiunes Misceilanex ad
loca quaedam cum Novi Fcederis, turn externorum Scriptorum Græcorum,
” ibid. Septuagint,
” Journal Litteraire,
” vol. XVIII. which the reader may compare
with what is said of Breitinger’s edition in vol. XL of the
“Bibliotheque Raisonnee.
” 5. “Antiquitatum Gritearum,
praecipne Atticarurh, brevis Descriptio,
” Franeker, Animadversiones ad Scriptores quosdam Graccos. Accedit specimen
animadversionum Latinarum,
” Franeker, Ellipses,
” in Thomre Magistri Dictionum Atticarurh Ecloga,
”
Franeker,
eat many honourable persons of the other party congratulated him; and there was a catholic gentleman who celebrated the event in a very singular manner, as thus related
, a French minister, and the greatest
preacher in his time among the protestants, was son of
William du Bosc, advocate to the parliament of Roan, and
born at Bayeux, February 21, 1623. He made such progress, after having studied divinity eighteen months at
Montauban, and three years at Saumur, that although he
was but in his three and twentieth year, he was qualified to
serve the church of Caen, to which he was presented Nov.
15, 1645, and received the imposition of hands Dec. 17,
the same year. The merit of his colleagues, and above all
that of Mr. Bochart, did not hinder Mr. du Bosc from acquiring speedily the reputation of one of the first men of
his function; and his eloquence became so famous
throughout the whole kingdom, that the church of Charenton would have him for their minister, and sent to desire him of his church, in the beginning of 1658. The
strongest solicitations were made use of; but neither the
eloquence of the deputies of Paris, nor the letters of persons of the greatest eminence in France amongst the protestants, could engage the church of Caen to part with
him, nor him to quit his flock. It was impossible that such
talents and fame should not give umbrage to the enemies
of the protestant religion, which they shewed in 1664, by
procuring a lettre de cachet, which banished him from Chalons till a new order, for having spoke disrespectfully of
auricular confession. Mr. du Bosc, as he passed through
Paris to go to the place of his banishment, explained to
Mr. le Tellier his opinion on confession, and in what manner he had spoken of it, with which Le Tellier was satisfied, and told him that he had never doubted of the falseness of the accusation. Mr. du Bosc recovered the liberty
of returning to his church October 15, 1664, and the joy
which was at Caen among the brethren, when he came
there, November 8, was excessive, A great many honourable persons of the other party congratulated him; and
there was a catholic gentleman who celebrated the event
in a very singular manner, as thus related by Du Bosc’s
biographer. “A gentleman of the Roman religion, of
distinction in the province, whose life was not very regular, but who made open profes&ion of loving the pastors
who had particular talents, and seemed particularly enamoured with the merit of Mr. du Bosc, having a mind to
solemnize the feast with a debauch, took two Cordeliers
whom he knew to be honest fellows, and made them drink
so much, that one of them died on the spot. He went to
see Mr. du Bosc the next day, and told him that he thought
himself obliged to sacrifice a monk to the public joy; that
the sacrifice would have been more reasonable, if it had
been a Jesuit; but that his offering ought not to displease
him, though it was but of a Cordeiier. This tragical accident, of which he was only the innocent occasion, did
not fail to disturb the joy which he had upon seeing himself again in his family and amongst his flock.
” During
the prosecutions of the protestant churches in 1665, he
defended that of Caen, and many others of the province,
against the measures of the bishop of Bayeux. The king
having published in 1666 a severe proclamation against
the protestants, all the chrrches sent deputies to Paris to
make humble remonstrances to his majesty. The churches
of Normandy deputed Mr. du Bosc, who departed from
Caen July 3, 1668. As soon as he was arrived at Paris,
the other deputies chose him “to draw up several memoirs.
It being reported that the king would suppress some chambers of the edict, all the deputies ran to Mr. de Ruvigni,
the deputy general, to speak with him about so important
an affair, in hopes of procuring leave to throw themselves
at his majesty’s feet; but Mr. du Bosc only was admitted
to the audience. He harangued the king, who was alone
in his closet, November 27, 1668; and after having ended
his discourse, he had the courage to represent several
things, and succeeded so well as to make all the court
speak of his eloquence and prudence. After several conferences with Mr. le Tellier, and many evasions and delays,
in April 1669, he obtained some relaxation of the declaration of 1666. After that time Mr. du Bosc went several
journies about the churches’ affairs, and supported them,
before the ministers of state and the intendants, with
great force and ability, until he was commanded himself,
by an act of the parliament of Normandy June 6, 1685,
not to exercise his ministry any more in the kingdom. It
was, however, universally acknowledged, t.iat if it had
been possible to preserve the reformed church of France
by the means of negotiation, he was more likely to succeed than any one that could be employed. He retired
into Holland after his interdiction, and was minister of
the church of Rotterdam, until his death, which happened
January 2, 1692. He published some volumes of sermons; and after his death, P. Le Gendre, his son-in-law,
published his
” Life, Letters, Poems, Orations, Dissertations," and other curious documents respecting the history of the reformed churches in his time, Rotterdam,
1694, 8vo, dedicated to lord viscount Galloway.
s of Porto Bello. At the siege of Carthagena in March 1741, he had the command of a party of seamen, who resolutely attacked and took a fascine battery of fifteen twenty-four
, a brave English admiral, the second son of Hugh, lord viscount Falmouth, was born in 1711, and having early embraced the naval service, arose, through the usual gradations, to be captain of the Shoreham of 20 guns, in 1740, and distinguished himself as a volunteer under admiral Vernon, in November, at the taking and destroying the fortifications of Porto Bello. At the siege of Carthagena in March 1741, he had the command of a party of seamen, who resolutely attacked and took a fascine battery of fifteen twenty-four pounders, though exposed to the fire of another fort of five guns, which they knew nothing of. Lord Aubrey Beauclerk being killed March 24, at the attack of Bocachica, capt. Boscawen succeeded him in the command of the Prince Frederic of 70 guns; and on the surrender of that castle, was entrusted with the care of its demolition.
e seaman, however, persisted. The admiral desired some others of his crew to look through the glass; who all, with their brains heated with the prospect of a prize,
In some French memoirs, admiral Boscawen is represented as having, at the siege of Louisburgh, wholly given
himself up to the direction of a particular captain in that
arduous and enterprising business. This, however, was
not the case. Whoever knew Mr. Boscawen’s knowledge
in his profession, with his powers of resource upon every
occasion, his intrepidity of mind, his manliness and independence of conduct and of character, can never give the
least degree of credit to such an assertion. The admiral,
however, upon other occasions, and in other circumstances,
deferred to the opinions of those with whom he was
professionally connected. When once sent to intercept a
St. Domingo fleet of merchantmen, and while waiting near
the track which it was supposed they would take, one of
his seamen came to tell him that the fleet was now in sight.
The admiral took his glass, and from his superior power of
eye, or perhaps from previous information, said, that the
sailor was mistaken, and that what he saw was the grand
French fleet. The seaman, however, persisted. The admiral desired some others of his crew to look through the
glass; who all, with their brains heated with the prospect
of a prize, declared, that what they saw was the St. Domingo fleet. He nobly replied, “Gentlemen, you shall
never say that I have stood in the way of your enriching
yourselves: I submit to you; but, remember, when you
find your mistake, you must stand by me.
” The mistake
was soon discovered; and the admiral, by such an exertion
of manffiuvres as the service has not often seen, saved his
ship.
ghter of James Ibbetson, D. D. archdeacon of St. A 1 ban’s, and rector of Bushey. By Mrs. Boscawt'n, who died about seven years before him, he had a numerous family,
, an English miscellaneous
writer, and poet of considerable merit, was nephew to the
preced ng, being the younger son of general George Boscawen, third son of lord Falmouth. He was born August
28, 1752, and was sent to Eton school before he was seven
years old, where he obtained the particular notice and
favour of the celebrated Dr. Barnard. From school he was
removed to Oxford, where he became a gentleman commoner of Exeter college, but left it, as is not unusual with
gentlemen intended for the law, without taking a degree.
He then studied the law, as a member of the Middle Temple, and the practice of special pleading under Mr. (afterwards judge) Buller: was called to the bar, and for a time
went the Western circuit. Nor were his legal studies unfruitful, as he published an excellent work under the title
of “A Treatise of Convictions on Penal Statutes; with
approved precedents of convictions before justices of the
peace, in a variety of cases; particularly under the Game
Laws, the Revenue Laws, and the Statutes respecting Manufactures, &c.
”
al painter, was born at Florence, in 1553, and educated under Santi di Titi. He was the first person who had a just notion of the chiaro scuro, and used it successfully
, an historical painter, was born at Florence, in 1553, and educated under Santi di Titi. He was the first person who had a just notion of the chiaro scuro, and used it successfully in the Florentine school; where, though it had been happily practised by Giorgione, at Venice, and also by Titian, it was not well understood before his time. He possessed great freedom of hand, and gave a surprising force of colour; and both in design and composition the grandeur of his style resembled that of his master. He studied after nature; and in his travels he drew sketches of any particular objects that struck him; but pursuing this practice at Loretto, with regard to the fortifications of the city, he was seized by the officers of justice, and condemned to be hanged; but he happily escaped, within a few hours of execution, by the interposition of signior Bandini, who explained to the chief magistrate his innocent intention. He was also an engraver; but the subjects of his plates are not specified either by Marolles or Florent le Comte. He died in 1606.
e problem of the centre of oscillation, to which Huygens had come by a wrong method; confutes Euler, who had imagined that the vis inertiæ was necessary in matter; and
Father Noceti, another Jesuit, and one of his early preceptors, had composed two excellent poems on the" rainbow and the aurora borealis, which were published in 1747, with learned annotations by Boscovich. His countryman, Benedict Stay, after having published the philosophy of Descartes in Latin verse t attempted the same with regard to the more modern and more true philosophy, and has executed it with wonderful success. The first two volumes of this elegant and accurate work were published in 1755, and 1760, with annotations and supplements by Boscovich. These supplements are short dissertations on the most important parts of physics and mathematics. In these he affords a solution of the problem of the centre of oscillation, to which Huygens had come by a wrong method; confutes Euler, who had imagined that the vis inertiæ was necessary in matter; and refutes the ingenious efforts of Riccati on, the Leibnitzian opinion of the forces called living.
Benedict XIV. who was a great encourager of learning, and a beneficent patron
Benedict XIV. who was a great encourager of learning,
and a beneficent patron of learned men, gave Boscovich
many proofs of the esteem he had for him; and both he
and his enlightened minister, cardinal Valenti, consulted
Boscovich on various important objects of public economy,
the clearing of harbours, and the constructing of roads and
canals. On one occasion, he was joined in a commission
with other mathematicians and architects, invited from different parts of Italy, to inspect the cupola of St. Peter’s,
in which a crack had been discovered. They were divided
in opinion; but the sentiments of Boscovich, and of the
marquis Poleni, prevailed. In stating, however, the result of the consultation, which was to apply a circle of
iron round the building, Poleni forgot to refer the idea to
its real author, and this omission grievously offended Boscovich, who was tenacious of fame, and somewhat irritable“in temper. About the same time other incidents had concurred to mortify his pride; and he became at last disgusted with his situation, and only looked for a convenient
opportunity of quitting Rome. While in this temper of
mind, an application was made by the court of Portugal to
the general of the Jesuits, for ten mathematicians of the
society to go out to Brazil, for the purpose of surveying
that settlement, and ascertaining the boundaries which divide it from the Spanish dominions in America. Wishing
to combine with that object the mensuration of a degree of
latitude, Boscovich offered to embark in the expedition,
and his proposition was readily accepted. But cardinal
Valenti, unwilling to lose his services, commanded him,
in the name of the pope, to dismiss the project, and persuaded him to undertake the same service at home in the
Papal territory. In this fatiguing, and often perilous operation, he was assisted by the English Jesuit, Mayer, an
excellent mathematician, and was amply provided with the
requisite instruments and attendants. They began the
work about the close of the year 1750, in the neighbourhood of Rome, and extended the meridian line northwards,
across the chain of the Appennines as far as Rimini. Two
whole years were spent in completing the various measurements, which were performed with the most scrupulous
accuracy. The whole is elaborately described by Boscovich in a quarto volume, full of illustration and minute
details’, and with several opuscules, or detached essays,
which display great ingenuity, conjoined with the finest
geometric taste. We may instance, in particular, the discourse on the rectification of instruments, the elegant synthetical investigation of the figure of the earth, deduce^
both from the law of attraction, and from the actual measurement of degrees, and the nice remarks concerning the
curve and the conditions of permanent stability. This last
tract gave occasion, however, to some strictures from
D'Alembert, to which Boscovich replied, in a note annexed to the French edition of his works. The arduous
service which Boscovich had now performed was but poorly
rewarded. From the pope he received only a hundred sequins, or about forty-five pounds sterling, a gold box, and
” abundance of praise." He now resumed the charge of
the mathematical school, and besides discharged faithfully
the public duties of religion, which are enjoined by his order.
A trifling circumstance will mark the warmth of his temper, and his love of precedence. He had recourse to the
authority of cardinal Valenti, to obtain admission into the
oratory of Caravita, from which his absence excluded him,
and which yet afforded only the bent-fit of a free, but frugal supper. In presiding at that social repast, the philosopher relaxed from the severity of his studies, and shone
by his varied, his lively, and fluent conversation.
esired and obtained leave to travel. At Paris he spent six months, in the society of the eminent men who then adorned the French capital; and, during his stay in London,
After a successful suit of eleven months at Vienna, Boscovich returned to Rome, and received from the senate of Lucca, for his zealous services, the handsome present of a thousand sequins, or abut 450l. Thus provided with the means of' gratifying his curiosity, he desired and obtained leave to travel. At Paris he spent six months, in the society of the eminent men who then adorned the French capital; and, during his stay in London, he was elected, in 1760, a fellow of the Royal Society, and he dedicated to that learned body his poem on eclipses, which contains a neat compendium of astronomy , and was published at London the same year. The expectation of the scientific world was then turned to the transit of Venus, calculated to happen in the following year. Boscovich, eager to observe it, returned through Holland and Flanders to Italy, and joined his illustrious friend, Correr, at Venice, from whence they sailed to Constantinople, having on their way, visited the famous plain of Troy. In Turkey, he scarcely enjoyed one day of good health, and his life was repeatedly despaired of by the physicians. After spending half a year in this miserable state, he returned in the train of sir James Porter, our ambassador at the Porte; and having traversed Bulgaria, Moldavia, and part of Poland, his intention was to penetrate into Russia, if the agitation which there prevailed, on the death of the emperor Peter, had not deterred him from executing the project. The diary of his journey, which he published in Italian and French, is inferior to any of his works, and contains many trifling and insipid remarks. The truth was, Boscovich began his travels at too late a period of life to profit much by them.
he university of Pavia. The honours which he received provoked the jealousy of the other professors, who intrigued to undermine his fame. He took tlfe most effectual
At Rome his arrival was welcomed, and he was again consulted on various plans of public improvement. But in the spring of 1764, he was called by the Austrian governor of Milan, to fill the mathematical chair in the university of Pavia. The honours which he received provoked the jealousy of the other professors, who intrigued to undermine his fame. He took tlfe most effectual mode, however, to silence them, by publishing his Dissertations on optics, which exhibit an elegant synthesis and well-devised set of experiments. These essays excited the more attention, as, at this time, the ingenuity of men of science was particularly attracted to the subject, by Dollond’s valuable discovery of achromatic glasses.
which he got the direction. But he was still doomed to experience mortification. Some young Jesuits, who acted as his assistants, formed a conspiracy, and, by their
The expulsion of the Jesuits from the dominions of
Spain prevented Boscovich from going to California, to
observe the second transit of Venus, in 1769, and which
expedition the royal society of London had strongly solicited him to undertake. And as his rivals began now to
stir themselves again, he sought to dispel the chagrin, by
a second journey into France and the Netherlands. At
Brussels he met with a peasant, famous for curing the
gout, and from whose singular skill he received most essential benefit. On his return to Italy in 1770, he was
transferred from the university of Pavia to the Palatine
schools at Milan, and resided with those of his order, at
the college of Brera, where he furnished, mostly at his
own expence, an observatory, of which he got the direction. But he was still doomed to experience mortification.
Some young Jesuits, who acted as his assistants, formed a
conspiracy, and, by their artful representations, prevailed
with the government to exclude his favourite pupil and
friend from holding a charge of trust. This intelligence
was communicated to him at the baths of Albano, and filled
him with grief and indignation. He complained to prince
Kaunitz, but implored his protection in vain. To the governor of Milan he wrote, that he would not return, unless things were restored to their former footing. He retired to Venice, where, having staid ten months in fruitless
expectation of obtaining redress, he meditated spending
the remainder of his days in honourable retirement at his
native city of Ragnsa. But while he waited for the opportunity of a vessel to convey him thither, he received the
afflicting news of the suppression of his order in Italy. He
now renounced his scheme, and seemed quite uncertain
what step he should take. Having come into the Tuscan
territory, he listened to the counsels and solicitation of
Fabroni, who held forth the prospect of a handsome appointment in the Lyceum of Pisa. In the mean time he
accepted the invitation of La Bord, chamberlain to Louis
XV. accompanied him to Paris in 1773, and through his
influence obtained the most liberal patronage from the
French monarch; he was naturalized, received two pensions, amounting to 8000 livres, or 333l. and had an office
expressly created for him, with the title of “Director of
optics for the marine.
” “Boscovich might now appear to
have attained the pinnacle of fortune and glory; but Paris
was no longer for him the theatre of applause, and his ardent temper became soured by the malign breath of jealousy and neglect. Such extraordinary favour bestowed
on a foreigner could not fail to excite the envy of the
sgavans, who considered him as rewarded greatly beyond
his true merit The freedom of his language gave offence,
his perpetual egotism became disgusting, and his repetition
of barbarous Latin epigrams was most grating to Parisian
ears. Besides, the name of a priest and a Jesuit did not
now command respect; and the sentiments of austere devotion, which he publicly professed, had grown unfashionable, and were regarded as scarcely befitting the character
of a philosopher
”.
the order of Malta. He was a very little man, of a dark countenance, resembling that of his mother, who had been an African slave, whom his father married. In his youth
, and the inheritor of his property,
was educated by him, studied law, and by his uncle’s interest was appointed agent to the order of Malta. He
was a very little man, of a dark countenance, resembling
that of his mother, who had been an African slave, whom
his father married. In his youth he was very wild, but reformed, lest his uncle should disinherit him, and addicted
himself to the study of antiquities, producing the “Roma
Sottefanea,
” Rome, 1632, fol. a description of the tombs
and the epitaphs of the early Christians which are found in
the catacombs at Rome. For this purpose he investigated
them with great care, often remaining five or six days
together under ground, but he did not live to put the finishing hand to the work, which was published by John
Severani, a priest of the oratory. Father Aringhi, another
of the oratory, translated and published it in Latin, 1651,
2 vols. fol. an edition in more request than the original, and
more full and correct.
nd while he makes some apology for the credulous believers of those stories, he makes none for those who originally invented them, a concession of great liberality from
, bishop of Lodeve, and afterwards of Montpellier, was one of the most learned French
prelates in the seventeenth century. He was born at Narbonne, May 28, 1605, and studied atThoulouse. He was
afterwards appointed judge royal of Narbonne, intendant
of Guienne and Languedoc, solicitor general to the parliament of Normandy, and counsellor of state in ordinary.
For his services in this last office he was promoted to the
bishopric of Lodeve, Jan. 1650. When the affair of the
five propositions was agitated at Rome, Bosquet was appointed deputy on the part of the king and clergy of
France, and while there, the cardinal Este appointed him
bishop of Montpellier. He was exemplary for piety, disinterestedness, and charity, and, like the best of his brethren at that time, practised rigorous austerities. He assisted at the general assembly of the clergy held at Paris
in 1670, and was distinguished for his learning and eloquence. An apoplexy carried him off July 24, 1676, and
he was interred in the cathedral, with an epitaph celebrating his many virtues. The first work he published
was “Pselli Synopsis Legum,
” Ecclesiye Gallicanae Historiarum
liber primus,
” Pontificum Romanorum
qui e Gallia oriundi in ea seclerunt, historia, ab anno 1315
ad ann. 1394 ex Mss. edita,
” Paris, 1632, The second
edition of his history of the Gallican Church, the one
above mentioned "in 1636, was much enlarged, but some
passages were omitted that had appeared in the first octavo
edition, which archbishop Usher has transcribed. By
these it appears that Bosquet was of opinion that the
mistaken zeal of the monks was the chief cause of those
fabulous traditions which have destroyed all confidence in
the early history of the Gallican church, and while he
makes some apology for the credulous believers of those
stories, he makes none for those who originally invented
them, a concession of great liberality from a prelate of the
Romish church.
ents, as visitor of the order, procurator-general, and abbot of Fiesole in Tuscany. Cosmo de Medici, who had a high respect for him, spent seventy thousand crowns in
, an Italian scholar and writer of
considerable eminence, was born at Verona in 1427, and
in 1451 entered the congregation of the regular canons of
St. John of Lateran, where he bore several employments,
as visitor of the order, procurator-general, and abbot of
Fiesole in Tuscany. Cosmo de Medici, who had a high
respect for him, spent seventy thousand crowns in the
repairs of that monastery, and it was in the church belonging to it that Bosso delivered the ensigns of the cardinalship to John de Medici, afterwards pope Leo X. Sixtus VI. also employed him in many important affairs, particularly in reforming the religious houses of Genoa, and
other neighbouring districts, and he thrice offered him a
valuable bishopric, which he refused. He vigorously opposed the decree of pope Innocent VIII. which ordered
all sorts of monks to pay part of their yearly revenues to
the clerks of the apostolic chamber. Hermolaus Barbarus
was his pupil and guest at Fiesole, and Picus of Mirandula,
his friend. He died at Padua in 1502. Mr. Roscoe says
he was a profound scholar, a close reasoner, and a convincing orator; and to these united a candid mind, an inflexible integrity, and an interesting simplicity of life and
manners. His literary productions were, l.“De Instituendo Sapientia animo,
” Bologna, De veris
et salutaribus animi gaudiis,
” Florence, Epistolar. Lib. tres,
” or rather three volumes, printed Recuperationes Fsesulanse,
” a rare and beautiful book, said to have been printed in 1483. His whole
works were published by P. Ambrosini, at Bologna, 1627,
with the exception of the third book, or volume, of letterS|
which, on account of its extreme rarity, was at that time
unknown to the editor. His moral writings were very
highly esteemed; and one of his pieces on female dress,
“de vanis mulierum ornamentis,
” excited a considerable
interest. The editor of Fabricius throws some doubts on
the date of the “Recuperationes,
” and if there be letters
in it dated
the author of the English translation. He is said to have brought back several to the Romish church who had embraced the protestant religion; and it was for the benefit
The writings of Bossuet gained him no less fame than
his sermons. From the year 1655 he had entered the lists
against the protestants; and the most famous piece he
wrote against them was his “Refutation du catechisme de
Paul Ferri.
” In L‘exposition de la doctrine de l’église catholique sur les matieres de controverse.
” This had the approbation of the
bishops of France, as well as of the prelates and cardinals
of Rome. Innocent XI. wrote him two letters on the subject, and the work was translated into most of the European languages: M. l'abbé Montague, a relation of the
Sandwich family, was the author of the English translation.
He is said to have brought back several to the Romish
church who had embraced the protestant religion; and it
was for the benefit of such that in 1682 he published his
“Traite de la communion sous les deux espèces,
” and his
“Lettre pastorale aux nonveaux catholiques.
” In Histoire des églises protestantes,
” for
which, as well as several other of his writings, he was successfully attacked by Mess. Jurieu, Burnet, Basnage, and
several other protestant ministers. He always distinguished
himself as a zealous advocate for the catholic religion; and
so great was his desire to bring about a re-union of the protestants with the church of Rome, that for this purpose he
voluntarily offered to travel into foreign countries. He
formed several schemes for this purpose, which were approved of by the church of Rome, but the succeeding wars
prevented his putting them in execution. His writings in
controversy with the protestants, and against quietism, the
religion of Madame Guion, Fenelon, and many of the pious
French, make several volumes.
racter of this celebrated prelate, we must not be guided by d'Alembert’s desultory and artful Eloge, who, however, struggles in vain to conceal the truth, that Bossuet
In estimating the character of this celebrated prelate, we
must not be guided by d'Alembert’s desultory and artful
Eloge, who, however, struggles in vain to conceal the
truth, that Bossuet was, with all his taste and talents, a furious bigot in favour of the Catholic religion, and while he
affected to dislike persecution, either submitted to the exercise of it, or promoted it by the asperity of his writings.
We shall come nearer the truth by adopting Bossuet’s character as contrasted with that of Fenelon by the writer of
the “Letters concerning Mythology,
” who represents him
as a prelate of vast parts, learned, eloquent, artful, and
aspiring. By these qualities he rose to the first dignities in
the Gallican church: while another of finer fancy and
better heart (Fenelon), humble, holy, and sincere, was
censured at Rome, and disgraced at the French court.
Both were intrusted with the education of princes, and acquitted themselves of those duties in a very different manner. The one endeavoured to make his royal pupil noble,
virtuous, and just, a father to his people, ana a friend to
mankind, by the maxims of his inimitable Telemaque. The
other in his discourses upon universal history, is perpetually
turning his prince’s eyes from mankind to the church, as
the sacred object of his care, from whose everlasting stem
whoever separates is lost: and for whose interests, in the
extirpation of heresy, and aggrandizement of her ministers,
he is, like his father Lewis XIV. to exert all the power he
has received from God.
ous, that not a single curate could be found, among the most unprincipled part of the Romish clergy, who would undertake to preach his funeral sermon.
Had the French press, however, remained open, the
controversy between the catholics and protestants might
have soon been brought to a conclusion: but other measures were to be adopted, more characteristic of the genius
of popery. Bossuet has been praised by most French
writers for his laudable attempts to promote an union between the catholic and reformed churches of France. The
basis of this union was not very promising. The reformed
were to give up every thing, the catholics nothing, and the
subsequent practice was worse than this principle. In the
“Memoirs pour servira I'histoire des Refugies Francois dans
les etats du Roi,
” or Memoirs of the French refugees in
the dominions of the king of Prussia, by Messrs. Erman
and Reclam, published at Berlin in 1782, we have a curious
developement of the plan of union, as detected by the
celebrated Claude. The reformed church of Paris, which
was a considerable edifice, was to be surrounded with
troops; the archbishop of Paris and the bishop of Meaux
(Bosquet) accompanied with a train of priests and the lieutenant of the police, were to march thither in procession,
during divine service: one of these prelates was to mount
the pulpit and summon the congregation to submit to the
mother church and re-unite; a number of Roman Catholics,
posted for the purpose in different parts of the church, as
if they belonged to it, were to answer the prelate’s summons, by crying out “re-union!
” after which the other
prelate was to give the congregation a public absolution
from the charge of heresy, and to receive the new pretended converts into the bosom of the church; and this
scandalous farce was to be imposed upon the world for an
actual re-union. This plan affords a tolerable specimen of
Bossuet as a prelate, and a man of candour; and it is worthy of notice, that his associate in this expedition, was the
libertine Harlai, archbishop of Paris, whose life and death
were so scandalous, that not a single curate could be found,
among the most unprincipled part of the Romish clergy,
who would undertake to preach his funeral sermon.
, a monk of St. Edmund’s bury in the fourteenth century, and who is thought to have died in 1410, was one of the first collectors
, a monk of St. Edmund’s bury in the
fourteenth century, and who is thought to have died in
1410, was one of the first collectors of the lives of English
writers, and the precursor of Leland, Bale, and Pitts. He
searched indefatigably all the libraries of the kingdom, and
wrote a catalogue of the authors, with short opinions of
them. Archbishop Usher had the most curious ms copy of
this book, which became afterwards Mr. Thomas Gale’s property. Wood mentions another smaller catalogue of his
writing. He wrote also “Speculum ccenobitarum,
” in
which he gives the origin and progress of monachism;
and a history of his own monastery. “De rebus cœnobii
sui,
” which last is lost, but the former was printed at
Oxford 1722, 8vo, by Hall at the end of “Trivet. Annal.
”
ies alter this related to the Hebrew accents. About this time, he was one of the clergy of Scotland, who refused taking the oath of abjuration, and in dread of the penalty,
, a popular and learned Scotch divine, was born in the town of Dunse, March 17, 1676,
and educated at the grammar school of that place, where
he was taught the elements of Latin, Greek, rhetoric, and
arithmetic. In 1692, he went to the university of Edinburgh, where he went through the usual courses for three
years, and entered on the study of divinity. In 1695, he
returned home with ample testimonials of his diligence and
good character. Next year he taught school at Glencairn
for a short time, and then was appointed tutor to a young
gentleman of family at Edinburgh, where he continued the
study of divinity, until he accompanied his pupil into the
country. In 1699, after the usual trials before the presbytery, he was licenced to preach the gospel, as a probationer
for the ministry, agreeably to the forms of the church of
Scotland, and in September of that year was ordained to the
Jiving of Simprin, one of the smallest in Scotland. In the
following year he married Katherine Brown, whom he describes as a woman possessed of many valuable qualifications. In May 1707, he exchanged the living of Simprin
for that of Etterick, on which he remained until his death.
About this time he began to improve his knowledge in the
Hebrew, having before only read the Psalter, but 1771
was, according to his own account, “the happy year
wherein he was first master (possessor) of a Hebrew Bible,
and began the study of it;
” and some day, which he forgot, in Oct Cross’s Taghmical Art.
” More than half
his cares and anxieties alter this related to the Hebrew accents. About this time, he was one of the clergy of
Scotland, who refused taking the oath of abjuration, and in
dread of the penalty, made over his little property to one of
his sons, and another person, but it does not appear that
the penalty was ever levied. Returning in 1715 to the
study of the “Taghmical Art,
” after incredible pains, he
found that he could make nothing of it; but still persevering, he became persuaded that the accents are the key
to the true version of the Hebrew text, and the intrinsic
light which illuminates it. Compared to this, as to him,
the digging in the mines of Peru was but a trifle. From
this time he began to write, as leisure permitted, a work
on the accents, accompanying his labours with constant
prayer, particularly that he might be instructed in the secrets of double accentuation, which he had not been able to
comprehend. All this zeal and industry at length produced
an “Essay on the Hebrew accentuation,
” which he exhibited
in manuscript to some learned friends, who gave him various
degrees of encouragement, but he often met with delays
and evasions which occasioned great uneasiness to the good
man. It being supposed that there were few persons in
Great Britain very much interested in the Hebrew accents,
he was advised to translate it into Latin that it might circulate among the learned on the continent. Accordingly he
began his translation, and as a help to his style, he mentions the following expedient, which perhaps others have
made use of on similar occasions. “As I went on, I read
something of Cicero, in my leisure hours, for the language, and noted in a book some terms and phraser, taken
from him and others: particularly out of Calepin’s dictionary, which Providence had in the year 1724 laid to my
hand, when 1 knew not for what use it was designed, and
to this collection 1 had frequent recourse, while I wrote
that book: and found it to be of good use to me. I had
formerly, upon occasion of appearing in print, done the
same as to the English tongue: by which means my style,
that I had been careless of before, was now somewhat refined.
” This work, which he pursued with uncommon enthusiasm, and which was to prove the antiquity and divine
authority of the Hebrew accents, was occasionally interrupted by his public services, and the publication of some
of his practical works, particularly “The Fourfold State,
”
in Thomæ Boston ecclesiæ Atricensis apud Scotos pastoris,
Tractatus Stigmologicus Hebraeo-Biblicus,
” dedicated to
sir Richard Ellys, who had been very friendly to Boston in
the prosecution of his studies on this subject. Mr. Boston
died May 20, 1732. His works in practical divinity, which
are still well known and popular in Scotland, were collected
in a large fol. volume in 1768, and since that time others,
particularly his “Body of Divinity,
” 3 vols. 8vo. 1773, have
been published from his Mss. but this last mentioned work
is eked out by extracts from other authors witnout acknowledgment, a disingenuous artifice of which the author never
would have been guilty. The most remarkable of his
posthumous pieces is the “Memoirs of his Lite, Time, and
Writings,
” written by himself, a closely printed octavo
volume, 1776. This is in the form of a diary, tedious and
minute beyond all precedent, but evincing a wonderful
simplicity of heart, ignorance of the world, and a mind
continually harrassed by conscientious scruples about the
merest trifles; much of it, however, may be interesting to
curious inquirers, as exhibiting characteristics of the manners and sentiments of the Scotch clergy of the seventeenth
and part of the eighteenth century.
d Glasgow. During his residence in these cities, he acquired by the society of the English gentlemen who were students in the Scotch colleges, that remarkable predilection
, the friend and biographer of Dr. Johnson, was the eldest son of Alexander Boswell, lord Auchinleck, one of the judges in the supreme courts of session and justiciary in Scotland. He was born at Edinburgh, Oct. 29, 1740, and received the first rudiments of education in that city. He afterwards studied civil law in the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. During his residence in these cities, he acquired by the society of the English gentlemen who were students in the Scotch colleges, that remarkable predilection for their manners, which neither the force of education, or national prejudice, could ever eradicate. But his most intimate acquaintance at this period was the rev. Mr. Temple, a worthy, learned, and pious divine, whose well-written character of Gray has been adopted both by Dr. Johnson and Mason in the life of that poet. Mr. Boswell imbibed early the ambition of distinguishing himself by his literary talents, and had the good fortune to obtain the patronage of the late lord Somerville. This pobleman treated him with the most flattering kindness; and Mr. Bosvvell ever remembered with gratitude the friendship he so long enjoyed with this worthy peer. Having always entertained an exalted idea of the felicity of London, in the year 1760 he visited that capital; in the manners and amusements of which he found so much that was congenial to his own taste and feelings, that it hecanie ever after his favourite residence, whither he always returned from his estate in Scotland, and from his various rambles in different parts of Europe, with increasing eagerness and delight; and we find him, nearly twenty years afterwards, condemning Scotland as too narrow a sphere, and wishing to make his chief residence in London, which he calls the great scene of ambition and instruction. He was, doubtless, confirmed in this attachment to the metropolis by the strong predilection entertained towards it by his friend Dr. Johnson, whose sentiments on this subject Mr. Boswell details in various parts of his life of that great man, and which are corroborated by every one in pursuit of literary and intellectual attainments.
a civilian at Edinburgh. Still, however, ambitious of displaying himself as one of the “manly hearts who guard the fair,” he visited London a second time in 1762; and,
The politeness, affability, and insinuating urbanity of
manners, which distinguished Mr. Boswell, introduced him
into the company of many eminent and learned men, whose
acquaintance and friendship he cultivated with the greatest
assiduity. In truth, the esteem and approbation of learned
men seem to have been one chief object of his literary ambition; and we find him so successful in pursuing his end,
that he enumerated some of the greatest men in Scotland
among his friends even before he left it for the first time.
Notwithstanding Mr. Boswell by his education was intended
for the bar, yet he was himself earnestly bent at this period upon obtaining a commission in the guards, and solicited lord Auchinleck’s acquiescence; but returned, however, by his desire, into Scotland, where he received a regular course of instruction in the law, and passed his trials
as a civilian at Edinburgh. Still, however, ambitious of
displaying himself as one of the “manly hearts who guard
the fair,
” he visited London a second time in 1762; and,
various occurrences delating the purchase of a commission, he was at length persuaded by lord Auchinleck to relinquish his pursuit, and become an advocate at the Scotch
bar. In compliance, therefore, with his father’s wishes,
he consented to go to Utrecht the ensuing winter, to hear
the lectures of an excellent civilian in that university; after
which he had permission to make his grand tour of Europe.
The year 1763 may be considered the most important
epocha in Mr. Boswell’s life, as he had, what he thought a
singular felicity, an introduction to Dr. Johnson. This
event, so auspicious for Mr. Boswel!, and eventually so
fortunate for the public, happened on May 16, 1763.
Having continued one winter at Utrecht, during which
time he visited several parts of the Netherlands, he commenced his projected travels. Passing from Utrecht into
Germany, he pursued his route through Switzerland to Geneva; whence he crossed the Alps into Italy, having visited
on his journey Voltaire at Ferney, and Rousseau in the
wilds of Neufchatel. Mr. Bosweli continued some time in
Italy, where he met and associated with lord Mountstuart,
to whom he afterwards dedicated his Theses Juridicae.
Having visited the most remarkable cities in Italy, Mr.
Bosweli sailed to Corsica, travelled over every part of that
island, and obtained the friendship of the illustrious Pasquale de Paoli, in whose palace he resided during his stay
at Corsica. He afterwards went to Paris, whence he returned to Scotland in 1766, and soon after became an advocate at the Scotch bar. The celebrated Douglas cause
was at that time a subject of general discussion. Mr. Boswell published the “Essence of the Douglas cause;
” a
pamphlet which contributed to procure Mr. Douglas the
popularity which he at that time possessed. In 1768 Mr.
Bosweli published his “Account of Corsica, with memoirs
of General Paoli.
” Of this printed performance Dr. Johnson thus expresses himself: “Your journal is curious and
delightful. I know not whether I could name any narrative by which curiosity is better excited or better gratified.
”
This book has been translated into the German, Dutch,
Italian, and French languages; and was received with extraordinary approbation. In the following winter, the theatre-royal at Edinburgh, hitherto restrained by party -spirit,
was opened. On this occasion Mr. Bosweli was solicited
by David Ross, esq. to write a prologue.‘ The effect of
this prologue upon the audience was highly flattering to the
author, and beneficial to the manager; as it secured to the
latter, by the annihilation of the opposition which had
been till that time too successfully’exerted against him,
the uninterrupted possession of his patent, which he enjoyed till his death, which happened in September 1790.
Mr. Bosweli attended his funeral as chief mourner, and
paid the last honours to a man with whom he had spent
many a pleasant hour.
In 1769, was celebrated at Stratford on Avon the jubilee
in honour of Shakspeare. Mr. Boswell. an enthusiastic admirer of the writings of our immortal bard, a. id ever ready
to join the festive throng, repaired thither, and appeared
at the masquerade ay an armed Corsican chief; a character
he was eminently qualified to support. This year he married miss Margaret Montgomery, a lady who, to the advantages of a polite education, united admirable good
sense and a brilliant understanding. She was daughter of
David Montgomery, esq. related to the illustrious family
of Eglintoune, and representative of the antient peerage
of Lyle. The death of this amiable woman happened in
June 1790. Mr. Boswell has honoured her memory with
an affectionate tribute. She left him two sons and three
daughters; who, to use Mr. Boswell' s own words, “if
they inherit her good qualities, will have no reason to
complain of their lot. Dos magna parentum virtus.
” In
1782 lord Auchinleck died. In 1783, Mr. Boswell published his celebrated Letter to the People of Scotland;
which is thus praised by Johnson in a letter to the author;
“I am very much of your opinion your paper contains
very considerable knowledge of history and the constitution, very properly produced and applied.
” Mr. Boswell
communicated the pamphlet to Mr. Pitt, who naturally
gave it his approbation. This first letter was followed by
a second, in which I.Ii. Bosweil displayed his usual energy
and political abilities. In 1785, Mr. Boswell published
“A journal of a tour to the Hebrides
” with Dr. Johnson;
which met a success similar to his entertaining account of
Corsica, and to which we owe his life of that illustrious
character. This year Mr. Boswell removed to London,
and was soon after called to the English bar, but his professional business was interrupted by preparing his most
celebrated work, “The life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.
”
which was published in 1790, and was received by the
world with extraordinary avidity. It is a faithful history
of Johnson’s life; and exhibits a most interesting picture
of the character of that illustrious mom list, delineated with
a masterly hand. The preparation of a second edition of
this work was the last literary performance of Mr. Boswell.
Mr. Boswell undoubtedly possessed considerable intellectual powers; as he could never have displayed his collection of the witticisms of his friend in so lively a manner as
he has done, without having a picturesque imagination,
and a turn for poetry as well as humour. He had a considerable share of melancholy in his temperament; and,
though the general tenor of his life was gay and active, he
frequently experienced an unaccountable depression of
spirits. In one of these gloomy moods he wrote a series
of essays under the title of “The Hypochondriac,
” which
appeared in the London Magazine, and end with No. 63
in 1732. These he had thoughts of collecting into a volume, but they would have added little to his reputation,
being in general very trifling. Soon after his return from
a visit to Auchinleck, he was seized with a disorder which
put an end to his life, at his house in Portland-street, on
the 19th of June 1795, in the 55th year of his age. Of
his own character he gives the following account in his
journal of the tour to the Hebrides: “I have given a
sketch of Dr. Johnson. His readers may wish to know a
little of his fellow-traveller. Think, then, of a gentleman
of ancient blood; the pride of which was his predominant
passion. He was then in his 33d year, and had been about
four years happily married: his inclination was to be a
soldier; but his father, a respectable judge, had pressed
him into the profession of the law. He had travelled a
good deal, and seen many varieties of human life. He
had thought more than any body supposed, and had a
pretty good stock of general learning and knowledge. He
had all Dr. Johnson’s principles, with some degree of relaxation. He had rather too little than too much prudence;
and, his imagination being lively, he often said things of
which the effect was very different from the intention. He
resembled sometimes * The best good maH, with the worstnatured muse.‘ He cannot deny himself the vanity of
finishing with the encomium of Dr. Johnson, whose friendly
partiality to the companion of this tour represents him as
one ’ whose acuteness would help my enquiry, and whose
gaiety of conversation, and civility of manners, are sufficient to counteract the inconveniencies of travel, in countries less hospitable than we have passed'.
”
, an eminent physician of Piedmont, who flourished about the middle of the 16th century, was a disciple
, an eminent physician of Piedmont, who flourished about the middle of the 16th century, was a disciple of Fallopius, and took his degree of
doctor in medicine at Padua. It appears by his writings,
that he was a diligent observer, and enjoyed a considerable share of practice. He was in succession physician and
aulic counsellor to Charles IX. Henry II. of France, and
to William prince of Orange. He was also skilled in the
practice of surgery, and published, “De curandis vulneribus sclopetorum,
” Venet. Commentarioli duo, alter
de medici, alter de aegvoti, munere,
” Lion. De curatione per sanguinis missione, de
incidendae venae, cutis scarificandae, et hirudinum arrigendarum modo,
” Antw. Opera Omnia,
” in
painters and engravers; John was born at Utrecht, in 1610, and was the disciple of Abraham Bloemart, who at the same time instructed Andrew; but to perfect themselves
, were two eminent Dutch painters and engravers; John was born at Utrecht, in 1610, and was the disciple of Abraham Bloemart, who at the same time instructed Andrew; but to perfect themselves in a good taste of design, they went together to Rome, and resided there for a great many years. The genius of John directed him to the study of landscape, in which he rose almost to the highest perfection, making the style of Claude Lorraine his model; and by many his works are mentioned in competition even with those of Claude. The warmth of his skies, the judicious and regular receding of the objects, and the sweetness of his distances, afford the eye a degree of pleasure, superior to what we feel on viewing the works of almost any other artist. John and Andrew had very different talents, and each of them were admirable in their different way. The former excelled in landscape, the latter inserted the figures, which he designed in the manner of Bamboccio; and those figures are always so well adapted, that every picture seemed only the work of one master. The works of these associate brothers are justly admired through all Europe; they are universally sought for, and purchased at very large prices. Most of his pictures are, for size, between two and five feet long; but in those that are smaller, there is exquisite neatness. They generally express the sunny light of the morning, breaking out from behind woods, hills, or mountains, and diffusing a warm glow over the skies, trees, and the whole face of nature; or else a sun-set, with a lovely tinge in the clouds, every object beautifully partaking of a proper degree of natural illumination. And it is to be observed, that even the different hours of the day are perceptible in his landscapes, from the propriety of the tints which he uses. By some connoisseurs he is censured for having too much of the tawny in his colouring, and that the leafings of his trees are too yellow, approaching to saffron; but this is not a general fault in his pictures, though some of them, accidentally, may justly be liable to that criticism, for he corrected that fault; and many of his pictures are no more tinged with those colours, than truth and beautiful nature will justify; and his colouring obtained for him the distinction which he still possesses, of being called Both of Italy.
account he appears to follow Sandrart; though other writers agree, that it was the landscape-painter who was drowned, and Andrew, returning to his own country, painted
Descamps, in the life of Both, after having said that John painted landscapes, and Andrew figures, in the manner of Bamboccio, asserts that Andrew was drowned in a canal at Venice, and John returned to Utrecht; in which account he appears to follow Sandrart; though other writers agree, that it was the landscape-painter who was drowned, and Andrew, returning to his own country, painted conversations and portraits as long as he lived, of which the other was incapable. The two brothers mutually assisted each other till the death of John in 1650; and then Andrew retired from Italy, settled at Utrecht, and continued to paint sometimes portraits, sometimes landscapes, in the manner of his brother, and also conversations, and players at cards, in the manner of Bamboccio. Both of those masters had extraordinary readiness of hand, and a free, light, sweet pencil; and that they were expeditious, may be evident from the great number of pictures which they finished. Andrew, during the remainder of his life, had as much employment as he could possibly execute; but was so affected by the melancholy death of his brother, that he survived him only a few years, dying in 1656. Strutt mentions a few engravings by both these artists, but neither arrived at any great perfection in the art.
a catalogue of the princes, dukes, earls, barons, bannerets, knights, and other persons of eminence, who were of the regent’s court. A copy of this collection, in quarto,
, or William Worcester, an
ancient English writer, acquainted with history, antiquities,
heraldry, physic, and astronomy, was born at Bristol
about 1415; his father’s name was Worcester, and his
mother’s Botoner, hence he often names himself William
Wyrcester, alias Botoner; and hence the error in Pits,
and others, of making two distinct persons of the two names.
He studied at Hart-hall, Oxford, 1434. He had been exercised in wars above 44 years; and had so faithfully served
sir John Fastolff that he left him one of his executors. He
wrote many books, the first of which, that was printed, was
his translation from the French, of “Cicero de Senectute,
” which he addressed to William Wainfleet, bishop of
Winchester. He tells us that he presented it to the bishop
at Asher [JSsher] August 10, 1475, but received no reward
(nullum regardum recepide episcopo). He wrote also “Antiquities of England;
” “Abbreviations of the Learned;
”
“Medicinal collections;
” a book of Astrology; another
of Astronomy; besides a particular treatise, gratefully preserving the life and deeds of his master, under the title of
“Acta Domini Johannis Fastolff;
” “the Acts of John duke
of Bedford;
” “Polyandrium Oxoniensium, or memoirs of
Oxford Students;
” and other lesser pieces; of which see
Tanner Bibl. Brit. p. 115. His “Annals of England
”
were printed by Hearne at the end of his “Liber Niger
Scaccarii,
” p. Itinerary
” was published
from a ms. not improbably the original, in the library at
Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, by Mr. James Nasmith, fellow of the said college, Cantab. 1778, 8vo. Fuller cites a book of Botoner’s, containing all the ancient
gentry of the county of Norfolk, long preserved in the
county, but not now extant. He also wrote something in
poetry, as that htimoroirs ballad in Nasmith’s edition of his
Itinerary, called " Comedia a<i Monasterium Hulme/' &c.
and a long chronographical epitaph in verse, on the lady
Milicent Fastoif; in the possession of Richard Poley, esq.
late prothonotary of the common pleas. He is supposed
to have died about 1490. The son of this Worcester,
among other things, also made a collection of several authentic instruments relating to the English wars and government in France; which he dedicated to king Edward
IV. containing a catalogue of the princes, dukes, earls,
barons, bannerets, knights, and other persons of eminence,
who were of the regent’s court. A copy of this collection,
in quarto, was some time in the custody of the late Brian
Fairfax, esq. one of the commissioners of the customs.
, an architect, who was born in France in 1670, of protestant parents, quitted his
, an architect, who was born in France in 1670, of protestant parents, quitted his country early in life, and went into the service of William of Orange, afterwards king of Great Britain. After the death of that prince, he attached himself to the elector of Brandenbourg, who gave him a post of captain of the guards, which did not slacken his industry in architecture. His first edifice was the arsenal at Berlin, and he afterwards signalized himself by various monuments of his art. Frederic I. being dead, Bott conciliated the favour of Frederic William, who raised him to the rank of major-general. The fortifications of Wesel, of which place he was commandant, were constructed under his direction. In 1728 he went into the service of the king of Poland, elector of Saxony, in quality of lieutenant-general and chief of the engineers. In Dresden are several edifices of his erection, where he died in 1745, with great reputation for probity, intelligence, and valour.
nd also a son, Edmund Bott, esq. of Christ church in Hampshire, a fellow of the Antiquarian society, who published, in 1771, A collection of cases relating to the Poor
, an English clergyman of ingenuity
and learning, was descended from an ancient family in
Staffordshire, and born at Derby in 1688. His grandfather had been a major on the parliament side in the civil
wars; his father had diminished a considerable paternal
estate by gaming; but his mother, a woman of great
prudence, contrived to give a good education to six children.
Thomas the youngest acquired his grammatical learning at
Derby; had his education among the dissenters; and was
appointed to preach to a presbyterian congregation at
Spalding in Lincolnshire. Not liking this mode of life, he
removed to London at the end of queen Anne’s reign, with
a view of preparing himself for physic; but changing his
measures again, he took orders in the church of England,
soon after the accession of George I. and was presented to
the rectory of Winburg in Norfolk. About 1725 he was
presented to the benefice of Reymerston; in 1734, to the
rectory of Spixworth; and, in 1747, to the rectory of
Edgefield; all in Norfolk. About 1750, his mental powers
began to decline; and, at Christmas 1752, he ceased to
appear in the pulpit. He died at Norwich, whither he had
removed, in 1753, with his family, Sept. 23, 1754, leaving a wife, whom he mafried in 1739; and also a son, Edmund Bott, esq. of Christ church in Hampshire, a fellow
of the Antiquarian society, who published, in 1771, A collection of cases relating to the Poor laws. Dr. Kippis,
who was his nephew by marriage, has given a prolix article
on him, and a minute character, in which, however, there
appears to have been little of the amiable, and in his religious opinions he was capricious and unsteady. His works
were, 1. “The peace and happiness of this world, the
immediate design of Christianity, on Luke ix. 56,
” a pamphlet in 8vo, The principal and peculiar notion of a
late book, entitled, The religion of nature delineated, considered, and refuted,
” Remarks upon Butler’s 6th chapter of the Analogy of Religion, &c. concerning Necessity,
”
timate knowledge of the Tuscan dialect. He studied rhetoric and Latin uiuier Antonio-Maria Biscioni, who was afterwards dictator of the Mediceo-Lorenzian library. (See
, a very learned prelate of the court
of Rome, was born at Florence, Jan. 15, 1689, and became early distinguished for the purity of his style, and
his intimate knowledge of the Tuscan dialect. He studied
rhetoric and Latin uiuier Antonio-Maria Biscioni, who was
afterwards dictator of the Mediceo-Lorenzian library. (See Biscioni). He then studied philosophy, divinity, mathematics, and Greek, the latter under the learned Salvini.
His proficiency in these branches of knowledge soon made
him noticed, and he was appointed by the academy della
Crusca, to superintend the new edition of their dictionary, in which labour he was assisted by Andrea Alamaorni
and Rosso Martini. He had afterwards the direction of the
printing-ofBce belonging to the Grand Duke, from which
several of his works issued. Clement XII. made him librarian of the Vatican, in which he arranged a cabinet of
medals, which that pope wished to be considered as a part
of the library. On his death, Bottari entered the conclave
Feb. 6, 1740, with the cardinal Neri Corsini. Next year
was published by P. Marmoreus, the edition of Virgil^
Rome, 1741, fol. a fac-simile of the famous Codex Vaticanus, to which Bottari prefixed a learned preface. He
was the first who had the curiosity to examine this valuable
manuscript, which belonged formerly to Pontanus, afterwards to Bembus, and lastly to Fulvius Ursinus, who deposited it in the Vatican, when he became librarian there.
Benedict XIV. being elected pope, who had long been
the friend of Bottari, he conferred on him the canonry of
St. Maria-Transteverini, and that he might reside in his
palace, appointed him his private almoner. He was also
a member of all the principal academies of Italy; and Fontanini, Apostolo Zeno, Gori, and others, have written his
eloges, having all profited, in the publication of their
works, by his valuable communications. His long and
studious life terminated June 3, 1775, in his eighty-sixth
year. Among his works, of which Mazzuchelli has given a
long list, are, 1. Vita di Francesco Sacchetti,“Vicenza
(Naples) 1725, with Sacchetti’s
” Novelle,“8vo. 2.
”
L'Ercolano, dialogodi Benedetto Varchi,“Florence, 1730, 4to.
3.
” Lezione tre sopra il tremuoto,“Rome, 1733 and 1748,
4to. 4.
” Sculture, e Pitture sacre estratte dai cimeteri
di Roma, &c.“Rome, 1737, 1747, 1753, 3 vols. fol. 5.
” Vocabularia della Crusca,“Florence, 1738, 6 vols. 6.
The Virgil already noticed. 7.
” De Museo Capitolino,“1750, 3 vols fol. 8.
” Raccolta di lettere sulla Pittura,
Sculrura, ed Architettura,“Rome, 1754, 1757, and 1759,
3 vols. 4to; and again, an enlarged edition at Naples,
1772. 9.
” Dialog hi sopra tre arti del Disegno," Lucca,
1754, 4to. He also contributed to a new edition oi Vasari and Passori’s Lives of the Painters.
inacrisc terras motu,” which is published in their transactions. He was the first Sicilian physician who had received that honour. He wrote also “Pyrologia topograpuica,
, the son of Nicholas Bottom, a
celebrated philosopher and physician of Leontini, in Sicily, was born the 6th of October 1641, and received his
education under Peter Castello. In 1658, he was admitted
to the degree of doctor, and was soon after made physician
to the marquis De Villa Franca, viceroy of Sicily, physician to the royal hospital of Messina, and superintendant of
the physicians there, with a pension of 50 crowns per
month. He afterwards enjoyed a similar situation under
the viceroy of Naples. In 1697, he was made corresponding jor honorary member of the royal society of London, to
which he had previously sent his “Idea historico-physica
tie magno trinacrisc terras motu,
” which is published in
their transactions. He was the first Sicilian physician who
had received that honour. He wrote also “Pyrologia topograpuica, id est, de igne dissertatio, juxta loca, cum
eorun. doscriptione,
” Neapoli, Febris rheumaticse malignae, historia medica,
” Messina, Preserve salutari contro il contagioso malore,
” Messina,
tires de l‘Iliade et de l’Odysse d'Homere,” mentions Bouchardon, with honour, among the tew artists who borrowed their subjects from Homer, and relates the following
, a French sculptor, was
the son of a sculptor and architect, and born at Chaumont
in Bassigni in 1698. He was drawn by an irresistible passion for these two arts, but confined himself at length to
the former. After having passed some time at Paris under
the younger Coustou, and obtained the prize at the academy in 1722, he was carried to Rome at the king’s expence. Upon his return from Italy, where his talents had
been greatly improved, he adorned Paris with his works:
a list of them may be seen in a life of him, published in
1762, 12mo, by the count de Caylus, but some of them no
longer exist, particularly his fine equestrian statue of Louis
XV. formerly in the square named after that monarch. In
1744 he obtained a place in the academy; and, two years
after, a professorship. He died July 17, 1762, a loss
to the arts, and much lamented; for he is described as a
man of great talent, disinterested spirit, and of most amiable manners. Music was his object in the hours of recreation, and his talents in this way were very considerable.
Count Caylus, in his “Tableaux tires de l‘Iliade et de
l’Odysse d'Homere,
” mentions Bouchardon, with honour,
among the tew artists who borrowed their subjects from Homer, and relates the following anecdote: “This great artist having lately read Homer in an old and detestable
French translation, came one day to me, his eyes sparkling
with fire, and said, * Since I have read this book, men
seem to be fifteen feet high, and all nature is enlarged in
my sight'.
” This anecdote, however, does not give a very
high idea of the education of a French artist, and a professor of the art.
great reputation in France, was born at Paris, April 16, 1719, of an honourable family. His father, who was also a lawyer, spared no expence in his education. From
, a law-writer of
great reputation in France, was born at Paris, April 16,
1719, of an honourable family. His father, who was also
a lawyer, spared no expence in his education. From the
age of sixteen he studied jurisprudence with such perseverance and success as to be admitted to a doctor’s degree in
1747. Being employed to prepare the articles on jurisprudence and canon law for the Encyclopaedia, he wrote those
on council, decretals, &c. but, for what reason we are
not told, they gave offence to the encyclopedists, who became on that account his enemies, and prevented him for
some time from attaining the rank of professor, which wag
the object of his ambition. Bouchaud, however, consoied
himself by cultivating a taste for modem poetry. He
translated several of the dramas of Apostolo Zeno into
French, and published them in 1758, 2 vols. 12mo, and in
1764 he translated the English novel of “Lady Julia Mandeville.
” In the interval between these two, he published
“Essai sur la poesie rhythmique,
” Traité de Timpot
du vingtieme sur les successions, et de l'impot sur les marchandises chez les Romains,
” a very curious history of the
taxes which the ancient emperors imposed. In 1766, on
the death of M. Hardron, he was elected into the French
academy, notwithstanding the opposition of the encyclopedists, whose dislike seems not ill calculated to give us a favourable idea of the soundness of his principles. This was
followed by a law professorship, and some years after he
was advanced to the professorship of the law of nature and
nations in the royal college of France. He was nominated
to this by the king in 1774, and was the first professor, it
being then founded. On this he wrote in the memoirs of
the academy, a curious paper concerning the societies that
were formed hy the Roman publicans for the receipt of the
taxes. The body of the publicans was taken from the order of knights, and had great influence and credit. They
were called by Cicero “the ornament of the capital,
” and
the “pillars of the state.
” Th“knights, though rich, entered
into associations, when the taxes of a whole province were
farmed out by the senate, because no individual was opulent
enough to be responsible for such extensive engagements;
and the nature of these societies or associations, and the
various conventions, commercial a>id pecuniary engagements, occupations, and offices, to which they gave rise,
form the subject of this interesting paper, which was followed by various others on topics of the same nature. In
1777 he published his
” Theorie des traits de commerce
entre les nations,“the principles of which seem to be
founded on justice and reciprocal benefits. In 1784 appeared another curious work on the ancient Roman laws and
policy, entitled,
” Recherches historiques surla Police des
Romains, concernant les grands chemins, les rues, et les
marches.“His
” Commentaire sur les lois des clouze tables," first published in 1767, was reprinted in 1803, with
improvements and additions, at the expense of the French
government, and he was employed in some treatises intended for the national institute, when he died, Feb. 1,
1804, regretted as aprofound and enlightened law-writer. It
is remarkable that in his essay on commercial treaties abovementioned, he contends for our Selden’s Mare Clausum,
as the opinion of every man who is not misled by an immoderate zeal for his own country.
to the vicarage of Epsom in Surrey; but the same year he had the misfortune to lose his first wife, who was a native of Maryland, of genteel connections, and of the
In 1784, long after his return to England, he was presented by the rev. John Parkhurst, editor of the Greek and
Hebrew Lexicons, to the vicarage of Epsom in Surrey; but
the same year he had the misfortune to lose his first wife,
who was a native of Maryland, of genteel connections, and
of the same name and family as the celebrated Joseph Addison, whom in many of the great points of his character
she resembled. Through life Mr. Boucher enjoyed the
society and friendship of men of erudition and science; and
on various occasions employed his pen, not only in defence
of those political principles on which the British monarchy
is founded, but in critical inquiries, and in theological duties. Of his discourses from the pulpit in Great Britain,
two Assize Sermons, preached in 1798, have been printed,
and fully justify the request of the Grand Juries to whom
we are indebted for their publication. He vas also an ample contributor to Mr. Hutchinson’s History of Cumberland.
The account of the parish of Bromfield, and the very interesting biographical sketches of eminent Cumberland men,
published in the same work, and marked “Biographia Cumbriensis,
” were written by him. Mr. Boucher was a patriot
in the best sense of the word: he was ever anxious to promote the happiness of his fellow countrymen; and in many
instances personally contributed, either by pecuniary or
literary exertions, to meliorate the condition pf society.
In 1792, he published an anonymous pamphlet, ^ubscribed
“A Cumberland Man,
” which was reprinted in the Appendix to sir Frederick Morton Eden’s “State of the Poor,
”
published in
, a lady, who merits some notice as a specimen of French female piety in former
, a lady, who
merits some notice as a specimen of French female piety in
former days, was born Jan. 8, 1618. Her parents, who
were of noble rank, and distinguished for their piety, gave
her a suitable education, and from the age of five she was
brought up with one of her aunts in the abbey royal of the
Holy Trinity at Caen. When eleven, at her own earnest request, she was admitted to take the habit, and such was her
wise conduct, that only four years after, she was appointed
mistress of the novices. She was soon after chosen prioress, and then commenced her great work, the “Annee Benedictine,
” or lives of the saints, the application to which,
however, did not make her relax from the duties of her office. One of the consequences of her biographical labours,
was a more enlarged sense of what, in her opinion, she
ought to do, and to be, after the example of the Saints
whose lives she was writing. She blushed, we are told, to
praise and to record what she did not practise (not a common feeling among biographers), and although she knew
that the kingdom of heaven was not to be gained by abstinence from certain meats, yet she firmly believed that in
order to be the exact imitator of St. Benedict, she must
join that privation to her other rules: and had an occasion
to bring her principles to the test, when the duchess of
Mecklenburgh formed the design of a new establishment at
Chatillon of the female Benedictines of the Holy Sacrament, and requested her to be one of the number. Madame Bouette assented, although then sixty years old, and
from the rank of prioress in the abbey of St. Trinity, condescended to the humble state of a novice in this new establishment, and afterwards preferred the lowest place in it
to the rank of abbess which was afterwards offered to her.
In her last days, her strength, bodily and mental, decayed:
she became blind, and lame, and lost the use of speech,
in which state she died March 24, 1696, leaving the following momuments of her industry: 1. “L‘ Annie Benedictine, ou, Les Vies des Saints de l’ordre de St. Benoit,
”
Paris, 1667, 7 vols. 4to. 2. “Eloges de plusieurs personnes illustres en piete de l'ordre de St. Benoit,
” 2 vols.
4to. 3. “Vie de Fourrier de Matin court.
” 4. “Exercices de la Mort.
” 5. “Vies des Saintes,
” 2 vols. fol. 6.
“Monologue historique de la Mere de Dieu,
” Paris,
st son. When he entered the parliament for his first reception in it, turning to a crowd of officers who had defended Lille with him, he said, “It is to you that I am
, peer and maréchal, distinguished in the French history, was born Jan.
10, 1644. His dispositions for the art of war having displayed themselves at a very early period, he was chosen
in 1669 to be colonel of a regiment of dragoons, at the
head of which he demonstrated his bravery under the
marechal de Crequi, and under Turenne. He received a
dangerous wound at the battle of Voerden; and another in
the affair of Entsheim, to the capture whereof he contributed much, by the confession of Turenne. After several
signal exploits, he gained immortal renown by the defence
of Lille in 1708. The siege lasted near four months.
Bouflers said to his officers, “Gentlemen, I trust to you;
but I answer for myself.
” Prince Eugene carried on the
siege with so much vigour that it was obliged to submit.
“I am very vain,
” said he to Bouflers, “on having taken
Lille; but I had rather still have the glory of having defended it like you.
” The king rewarded him for this service as if he had gained a battle. He was created a peer
of France; had the honours of first gentleman to the king,
and the reversion of the government of Flanders for his
eldest son. When he entered the parliament for his first
reception in it, turning to a crowd of officers who had
defended Lille with him, he said, “It is to you that I am
indebted for all the favours that are heaped upon me, and
on you I reflect them I have nothing to glory in but the
honour of having been at the head of so many brave men.
”
During the siege, one of his party having proved tojiim
that he could easily kill prince Eugene, “Your fortune is
made,
” returned Bouflers, “if you can take him prisoner:
but you shall be punished with the utmost severity if you
make an attempt on his life; and if I but suspected that
you had any such intention, I would have you shut up for
the rest of your life.
” This generosity, which formed a
part of his character, induced him to ask permission to
serve under the orders of marechal de Villars, though he
was his senior. At the battle of Malplaquet in 1709, he
made the retreat in such good order, that he left behind
him neither cannon nor prisoners. The marquis de Bouflers
united the virtues of a good citizen with the activity of a
general; serving his prince as the ancient Romans served
their republic; accounting his life as nothing when the
safety of his country was in question. The king having
ordered him to go and succour Lille, and having left to
himself the choice of his lieutenants; he set out that instant, without settling his affairs, or taking leave of his
family, and chose for his officers a man that had been disgraced, and a prisoner of the Bastille. His magnificence
was equal to his love for his country and his sovereign.
When Louis XIV. formed the camp of Compiegne, to
serve as a lesson to his grandson the duke of Burgundy,
and as a spectacle to the court, Bouflers lived there in
such a splendid style, that the king said to Livri, his
maitre-d'hotel, “The duke of Burgundy must not keep a
table; we cannot outdo the marechal; the duke of Burgundy shall dine with him when he goes to the camp.
”
This patriot general died at Fontainbleau, Aug. 22, 1711,
aged 68. “In him (writes madame de Maintenon) the
heart died last.
” We read in the continuation of the
history of England by Rapin, an anecdote too honourable
to the memory of this great man to be passed over here in
silence. King William having taken Namur, in 169,
made Bouflers prisoner, in violation of the articles that
had been agreed on. Surprised at so unjust a proceeding, the marechal, fresh from the glorious defence he
had made, demanded the reason of this perfidious treatment. He was answered that it was by way of reprisals
for the garrison of Dixmude and of Deinse, which the
French had detained contrary to capitulation. “If that be
the case (said Bouflers), then my garrison ought to be
arrested, and not I.
” “Sir (he was answered), you are
valued at more than ten thousand men.
”
came to Paris, where he passed his life in the house belonging to his order, in high esteem with all who knew him. He died of a stroke of apoplexy, March 19, 1753. Just
, a French biographer, descended
from an honourable family in Provence, was a priest of
the oratory, and born at Aix in 1680, where he was also
educated. The love of a retired life induced him to become a member of the congregation of the oratory, where
he taught the belles lettres with fame and success, and
filled the several posts of his profession with great credit.
Happening to be at Marseilles during the plague in 1719
and 1720, he risked his life in administering relief to the
diseased. He appears to have been in that city also in
1726, but some time after came to Paris, where he passed
his life in the house belonging to his order, in high esteem
with all who knew him. He died of a stroke of apoplexy,
March 19, 1753. Just before his death he had prepared
for the press his lives of the illustrious men of Provence,
which was to have formed four volume?, 4to, and was to
be published by subscription, but we do not find that the
scheme was carried into execution by his friends. During
his life he published in the literary journals, various memoirs of eminent men, and, in separate publications, the
Life of Gassendi, Paris, 1737, of John Peter Gibert, ibid.
1737, 12mo; and apart of his great work, under the title
of “Memoires pour servir a l'histoire des homines illustres
de Provence,
” ibid.
Fully sensible of the importance and utility of his own performances, he was apt to consider others, who were engaged in similar pursuits, as competitors with himself,
In his earlier years, Mr. Bouguer had lived in a state of
seclusion from general intercourse with the world, and he
had thus acquired a cast of temper, which marked his character in more advanced life. Although he was universally
acknowledged to possess superior talents, and to be distinguished by an assiduity and zeal, no less successful than
indefatigable, in various departments of useful science, he
indulged a degree of suspicion and jealousy, with regard
to his reputation, which disgusted some of those with whom
he was under a necessity of associating, and which disquieted his own mind. Fully sensible of the importance
and utility of his own performances, he was apt to consider others, who were engaged in similar pursuits, as competitors with himself, and to grudge them the reputation
which they justly acquired, from an apprehension that his
own credit would be thus diminished. Hence arose his
disputes with La Condamine, one of the companions of his
voyage, and associate in his labours in America; and the
mortification he experienced from the public suffrage that
seemed to have been bestowed on that academician. His
character in other respects was distinguished for modesty
and simplicity. The truths of religion were instilled into
him along with the first principles of geometry, and had
made such an impression upon his mind, r r to regulate and
adorn his moral conduct. On his death-bed he cherished
the same views which had thus guided him through life,
and he closed his career with philosophical fortitude, and
with a piety and resignation truly Christian. In the year
1784, a very singular book was published at Paris, entitled “Relation de la conversion et de mort de Bouguer,
” by P. La Berthonie. His piety naturally offended
Lalande, who, in noticing this book, ascribes his piety to
fear; this was a common opinion with the French deists,
and had very pernicious influence on the minds of their
disciples. Laiande, however, if our information be not
incorrect, lived to experience the fear he once ridiculed.
the French academy, was born March 16, 1673. He began his studies under the direction of his father ( who was also president a mortier of the same parliament) at the
, president a mortier of the parliament of Dijon, and a member of the French academy, was
born March 16, 1673. He began his studies under the
direction of his father (who was also president a mortier of the same parliament) at the Jesuits’ college of Dijon, and
finished them in 1638 with great approbation. Being as
yet too young for the law schools, he studied the elements
of that science in private, and perfected himself at the
same time in the Greek language. He also learned Italian, Spanish, and acquired some knowledge of the Hebrew. After two years thus usefully employed, he went
through a course of law at Paris and Orleans; and in 1692
he became counsellor of the parliament of Dijon. In 1704
he was appointed president, the duties of which office he
executed until 1727, and with an assiduity and ability not
very common. In this latter year he was elected into the
academy, on the condition that he would quit Dijon and
settle at Paris, to which condition he acceded, but was
unable to perform his promise, for want of health. Though
remote, however, from the capital, he could not remain in
obscurity; but from the variety and extent of his learning‘,
he was courted and consulted by the literati throughout
Europe: and many learned men, who had availed themselves of his advice, dedicated their works to him. At
length, his constitution being worn out with repeated attacks of the gout, he died March 17, 1746. A friend approaching his bed, within an hour of his death, found him
in a seemingly profound meditation. He made a sign that
he wished not to be disturbed, and with difficulty pronounced the words J’epie la mort “I am watching death.
”
Notwithstanding his business and high reputation as a
lawyer, he contrived to employ much of his time in the
cultivation of polite literature, and wrote many papers on
Critical and classical subjects in the literary journals. Separately he published, 1. A poetical translation, not inelegant, but somewhat careless, of Petronius on the Civil
War between Coesar and Pompey, with two epistles of
Ovid, &c. Amst. 1737, 4to. Alluding to the negligence
which sometimes appears in his poetry, his wife, a very
ingenious lady, used to say, “Confine yourself to thinking, and let me write.
” 2. “Remarques sur les Tusculanes de Ciceron, avec une dissertation sur Sardanapale,
dernier roi d'Asyrie,
” Paris, Des Lettres sur les Therapeutes,
” Dissertations sur
Herodote,
” with memoirs of the life of Bouhier, Dissertation sur le grand pontifical des
empereurs Remains,
” Explications de
quelques marbres antiques,
” in the collection of M. Le
Bret, Observations sur la Coutume de
Bourgogne,
” Dijon, 2 vols. fol. A complete edition of
his law works was published in 1787, fol. by M. de Bevy.
He wrote a very learned dissertation on the origin of the
Greek and Latin letters, which is printed in Montfaucon’s
Palaeography, Paris, 1708, p. 553 and his “Remarques
sur Ciceron
” were reprinted at Paris in
, was born at Paris in 1628; and has by some been considered as a proper person to succeed Malherbe, who died about that time. He entered into the society of Jesuits
, a celebrated French critic,
was born at Paris in 1628; and has by some been considered as a proper person to succeed Malherbe, who died
about that time. He entered into the society of Jesuits at
sixteen, and was appointed to read lectures upon polite
literature in the college of Clermont at Paris, where he
had studied; but he was so incessantly attacked with the
head-ach, that he could not pursue the destined task. He
afterwards undertook the education of two sons of the duke
of Longueville, which he discharged to the entire satisfaction of the duke, who had such a regard for him, that he
would needs die in his arms; and the “Account of the
pious and Christian death
” of this great personage was the
first work which Bouhours gave the public. He was sent
to Dunkirk to the popish refugees from England; and, in,
the midst of his missionary occupations, found time to
compose and publish many works of reputation. Among
these were “Entretiens d‘Ariste & d’Eugene,
” a work of
a critical nature, which was printed no less than five times
at Paris, twice at Grenoble, at Lyons, at Brussels, at Amsterdam, at Leyden, &c. and embroiled him with a great
number of critics, and with Menage in particular; who,
however, lived in friendship with our author before and
after. There is a passage in this work which gave great
oifence in Germany, where he makes it a question,
“Whether it be possible that a German could be a wit
”
The fame of it, however, and the pleasure he took in reading it, recommended Bouhours so effectually to the celebrated minister Colbert, that he trusted him with the education of his son, the marquis of Segnelai. The Remarks
and Doubts upon the French language has been reckoned
one of the most considerable of our author’s works; and
may be read with great advantage by those who would perfect themselves in that tongue. Menage, in his Observations upon the French language, has given his approbation
of jt in the following passage: “The book of Doubts,
”
says he, “is written with great elegance, and contains
many fine observations. And, as Aristotle has said, that
reasonable doubt is the beginning of all real knowledge; so
we may say also, that the man who doubts so reasonably
as the author of this book, is himself very capable of deciding. For this reason perhaps it is, that, forgetting the
tide of his work, he decides oftener than at first he proposed.
” Bouhours was the author of another work, “The
art of pleasing in conversation,
” of which M. de la Grose,
who wrote the eleventh volume of the Bibliotheque Universelle, has given an account, which he begins with this
elogium upon the author “A very little skill,
” says he,
“in style and manner, will enable a reader to discover the
author of this work. He will see at once the nice, the
ingenious, and delicate turn, the elegance and politeness
of father Bouhours. Add to this, the manner of writing in
dialogue, the custom of quoting himself, the collecting
strokes of wit, the little agreeable relations interspersed,
and a certain mixture of gallantry and morality which is
altogether peculiar to this Jesuit. This work is inferior to
nothing we have seen of father Bouhours. He treats in
twenty dialogues, with an air of gaiety, of every thing
which can find a way into conversation; and, though he
avoids being systematical, yet he gives his reader to understand, that there is no subject whatever, either of divinity,
philosophy, law, or physic, &c. but may be introduced
into conversation, provided it be done with ease, politeness, and in a manner free from pedantry and affectation.
”
He died at Paris, in the college of Clermont, upon the
27th of May 1702; after a life spent, says Moreri, under
such constant and violent fits of the head-ach, that he had
but few intervals of perfect ease. The following is a list
of his works with their dates: 1. “Les Entretiens d‘Ariste
et d’Eugene,
” Remarques et Doutes
sur la langue Franchise,
” 3 vols. 12mo. 3. “La Manier
de bien penser sur les ouvrages d' esprit,
” Paris, Pensees ingenieuses des anciens et des modernes,
” Paris, You have, it is true, introduced me in your
new work, but in very bad company,
” alluding to the frequent mention of some Italian and French versifiers whom
Boileau despised. 5. “Pensees ingenieuses des Peres de
l'Eglise,
” Paris, too much of
his time Oh profane literature. 6.
” Histoire du grandmaitre d'Aubusson,“1676, 4to, 1679, and lately in 1780.
7. The lives of St. Ignatius, Paris, 1756, 12mo, and of
St. Francis Xavier, 1682, 4to, or 2 vols. 12mo. Both these
are written with rather more judgment than the same lives
by Ribadeneira, but are yet replete with the miraculous
and the fabulous. The life of Xavier was translated by
Dryden, and published at London in 1688, with a dedication to king James II. 's queen. Dryden, says Mr. Malone,
doubtless undertook this task, in consequence of the queen,
when she solicited a son, having recommended herself to
Xavier as her patron saint. 8.
” Le Nouveau Testament,"
translated into French from the Vulgate, 2 vols. 1697
1703, 12mo.
he would not leave one stone upon another in Paris. This served only to irritate the revolutionists, who decreed that he should be tried for contumacy; but he was fortunately
, a French nobleman, and
officer of bravery and honour, was a native of Auvergne,
and a relative of the marquis La Fayette. After having
served in the dragoons, he became colonel of the regiment
of Vexin infantry. Having attained the rank of majorgeneral, the king appointed him governor-general of the
Windward islands. In 1778 he took possession of Dominica, St. Eustatk, and soon after St. Christopher’s, Nevis,
and Montserrat. His conduct while in that command was
allowed by the English commanders to be honourable and
disinterested. On his return, he was made lieutenantgeneral. On the breaking out of the revolution in 1789,
finding that he commanded in the three bishoprics, he
brought back to its duty the revolted garrison of Metz, and
on that occasion saved the life of M. de Pont, intendant of
the province. He afterwards caused Francois de Neufchateau, and two other electors, arrested by order of the
king’s attorney, to be set at liberty. On the 5th of September the same year, the national assembly was informed
by one of its members, Gregoire, that M. de Bouille had
not administered the civic oath individually, and a decree
was passed obliging him to do so. In 1790, he was commissioned to bring under subjection the garrison of Nancy,
which had risen against its chiefs; accordingly he advanced
upon the town with four thousand men, and succeeded in
this enterprize, in which he shewed much bravery, and
which at first gained him great praises from the national
assembly, and afterwards as many reproaches. Being
chosen by the unfortunate Louis XVI. to facilitate his
escape from Paris in June 1791, he marched at the head
of a body of troops to protect the passage of the royal
family; but this design failed from reasons now well known,
and which he has faithfully detailed in his memoirs: and
the marquis himself had some difficulty in making his escape. From Luxembourg he wrote his memorable letter
to the assembly, threatening, that if a hair of the king’s
head were touched, he would not leave one stone upon
another in Paris. This served only to irritate the revolutionists, who decreed that he should be tried for contumacy;
but he was fortunately out of their reach. From Vienna
whither he had at first gone, he passed to the court of
Sweden, where he was favourably received by Gustavus III.
but after his death, M. de BoniHe“found it necessary to
retire to England, where he passed the remainder of his
days in security, and much esteemed for his fidelity to his
sovereign. He died in London Nov. 14, 1800. In 1797
he published in English,
” Memoirs relating to the French
Revolution," 8vo; one of those works of which future historians may avail themselves in appreciating the characters
and events connected with that important period of French
history.
1736, 4to, with several other publications. He died in 1770, leaving a son, Henry Nicholas Bouillet, who was made doctor in medicine at Montpeliier, and member of the
, a French medical writer, was born
at Servian, in the diocese of Beziers, May 14, 1690, and
created doctor in medicine, at Montpellier, in 1717.
Enjoying, during the course of a long life, a considerable portion of reputation, he was, in succession, made professor in
mathematics, and secretary to the academy at Beziers,
member of the royal society at Montpeliier, and corresponding member of the academy of sciences at Paris. He
was also author of several ingenious dissertations: “On
the properties of Rhubarb,
” published at Beziers, Inaugural Thesis.
” “Sur la cause de
la Pesanteur,
” Avis et remedes, contre la Peste,
” Beziers, On Asthma and on
the Gout,
” in which complaints he recommends the Venice
soap as a powerful auxiliary; “Sur la maniere de traiter
la Petite Verole,
” Beziers, On the best method of preserving the district of
Beziers from that disease;
” “Recueil des lettres, et autres
pieces pour servir a I'histoire de Pacademie de Beziers,
”
Observations sur l'anasarque, le hydropesies de poitrine,
des pericarde, &c.
”
vast undertaking was at first interrupted by some objections from the theological faculty of Paris, who carried their remonstrances to the king; but the commissioners,
, the historian of the university of Paris, was born at St. Ellier or Helier, and became professor of rhetoric in the college of Navarre, and
afterwards register, historiographer, and rector of the university of Paris, where he died Oct. 16, 1678. Of all his
works, his history of the university of Paris, “Historia
Universitatis Parisiensis,
” 6 vols. 1665 1673, fol. contributed most to his fame. The publication of this vast undertaking was at first interrupted by some objections from
the theological faculty of Paris, who carried their remonstrances to the king; but the commissioners, whom his
majesty employed to inspect the work, having reported
that they saw no reason why it should not be continued, he
proceeded to its completion, and in 1667 published an answer to their objections, entitled “Notue ad censuram.
”
Not entirely satisfied with this triumph, he also published
a poetical satire against them, with the title of “Ad Zoilosycopuantam, sive Bulaeistarum obtrectatorem,
” a work of
considerable spirit and elegance of style. His history is
an useful repository of facts and lives of learned men connected with the revival of literature, and especially the progress of learning in that eminent university, and is blameable only for the fabulous accounts, in which our own university-historians have not been wanting, respecting the
early history of schools of learning. Boulai’s other writings are, 1. “Tresor des antiquues Romanies,
” Paris,
Speculum eloquentia?,
” ibid. De Patronis quatuor nationum universitatis Parisiensis,
” Paris, Remarques sur la dignite,
rang, preseance, autorite, et jurisdiction du recteur de Tuniversite de Paris,
” ibid. Recueil des Privileges de PUniversite de Paris accordes par les rois de
France depuis sa fondation., &c.
” ibid. Fondation de l'universite, &e,
”
lity, from which he descended. M. Boulainvilliers left some other works in ms. known to the learned, who have, with great reason, been astonished to find, that he expresses
, comte de St. Saire,
where he was born October 21, 1658, of a noble and ancient family, was educated at Juilli, by the rithers of the
oratory, and gave proofs of genius and abilities from his
childhood. His chief study was history, which he afterwards cultivated assiduously. He died January 23, 1722,
at Paris, having been twice married, and left only daughters. He was author of a History of the Arabians, and
Mahomet, 12mo, “Memoires sur l'ancien Governement de
France; ou 14 lettres sur les anciens Parlemens de
France,
” 3 vols. 12mo; “Histoire de France jusqu'a
Charles VIII.
” 3 vols. 12mo; and “l'Etatde la Fiance,
”
6 vols. 12mo, in the Dutch edition, and eight in the edition of Trevoux, “Memoire presente a M. le due d‘Orleans, sur l’Administration des Finances,
” 2 vols. 12mo
“Histoire de la Pairie de France,
” 12mo “Dissertations
sur la Noblesse de France,
” 12mo. Ah his writings on
the French history have been collected in 3 vols. fol. They
Sire riot written (says M. de Montesquieu) with all the free-.
dom and simplicity of the ancient nobility, from which he
descended. M. Boulainvilliers left some other works in
ms. known to the learned, who have, with great reason,
been astonished to find, that he expresses in them his
doubts of the most incontestable dogmas of religion, while
he blindly gives credit to the reveries of juticial astrology
an inconsistency common to many other infjdels. Mosheim
informs us that Boulainvilliers was such an admirer of the
pernicious opinions of Spinosa, that he formed the design
of expounding and illustrating it, as is done wth respect to
the doctrines of the gospel in books of piety, accommodated to ordinary capacities. This design he attually executed, but in such a manner as to set the atheim and impiety of Spinosa in a clearer light than they hid ever appeared before. The work was published by lenglet du
Fresnoy, who, that it might be bought with avdity, and
read without suspicion, called it a Refutation of theErrors of
Spinosa, artfully adding some separate pieces, to which this
title may, in some measure, he thought applicabk. The
whole title runs, “Refutation des Erreurs de Beioit de
Spinosa, par M. de Fenelon, archeveque de Cambay, par
le Pere Lauri Benedictin, et par M. Le Comte de Bulainvilliers, avec la Vie de Spinosa, ecrite par Jean COerus,
minister de l‘Eglise Lutherienne de la Haye, augnsntée
de beaucoup de particularites tirees d’une vie manucrite
de ce philosophe, fait par un de ses amis,
” (Luczs, the atheistical physician), Brussels,
, one of the earliest French infidels, who assumed the name of philosophers was born at Paris in 1722,
, one of the earliest
French infidels, who assumed the name of philosophers
was born at Paris in 1722, and died therein 1759, aged
only thirty -seven. During his education, he is said to
have come out of the college of Beauvais almost as ignorant
as he went in; hut, struggling hard against his inaptitude
to study, he at length overcame it. At seventeen years of
age he began to apply himself to mathematics and architecture; and,n three or lour years made such progress
as to be usefrl to the baron of Thiers, whom he accompanied to thearmy in quality of engineer. Afterwards he
had the supervision of the highways and bridges, and executed severa public works in Champagne, Burgundy, and
Lorrain. Ii cutting through mountains, directing and
changing tie courses of rivers, and in breaking up and
turning ov<r the strata of the earth, he saw a multitude of
different substances, which (he thought) evinced the great
antiquity of it, and a long series of revolutions which it
must hav undergone. From the revolutions in the globe,
he passei to the changes that must have happened in the
manner?of men, in societies, in governments, in religion
and fomed many conjectures upon all these. To be farther saisfied, he wanted to know what, in the history of
ages, lad been said upon these particulars; and, that he
might be informed from the fountain-head, he learned
first latin, and then Greek. Not yet content, he plunged
into clebrew, Syriac, Chaldaic, and Arabic and from
these studies accumulated a vast mass of singular and paradoxical opinions which he conveyed to the public in the
followng works: 1. “Traite du Despotisme Oriental,
” 2
vols. 2mo, 2. “L'antiquite devoile, par ses usages,
” 3
vols. 12mo. This was posthumous. 3. Another work, entitle! “Le Christianisme demasqu6,
” 8vo, is attributed
to Hm, but it is not certain that he was the author of it.
4. le furnished to the Encyclopedic the articles Deluge,
C-rvde, and Societe. 5. A dissertation on Elisha and
Eioch. 6. He left behind him in ms. a dictionary, which
my be regarded as a concordance in antient and modern
Jjnguages. Voltaire, the baron D'Holbach, and other disgminators of infidelity, made much use of Boulanger’s
works, and more of his name, which, it is supposed, they
prefixed to some of their own compositions. Barruel gives
some reason for thinking that Boulanger retracted his
opinions before his death. His name, however, still remained of consequence to the party; and as late as 1791,
an edition of his works, entitled the Philosophical
Library, was published at the philosophic press in Swisserland.
, an engraver, who flourished about the year 1657, was a native of France. His
, an engraver, who flourished
about the year 1657, was a native of France. His first
manner of engraving was partly copied from that of Francis
de Poilly; but he afterwards adopted a manner of his own,
which, though not original, he greatly improved; and,
accordingly, he finished the faces, hands, and all the naked
parts of his figures very neatly with dots, instead of strokes,
or strokes and dots. This style of engraving has been of
late carried to a high degree of perfection, particularly in
England. Notwithstanding several defects in the naked
parts of his figures, and in his draperies, his best prints
are deservedly much esteemed. Such are “A Holy Family,
” from Fran. Corlebet; “Virgin and Child,
” from
Simon Vouet; “The Pompous Cavalcade,
” upon Louis
the XlVth coming of age, from Chauveau; “The Virgin
with the infant Christ,
” holding some pinks, and therefore
called “The Virgin of the Pinks,
” from Raphael; “The
Virgin de Passau,
” from Salario;“” Christ carrying his
Cross,“from Nicolas Mignard;
” A dead Christ, supported by Joseph of Arimathea." He also engraved many
portraits, and, among others, that of Charles II. of England. He likewise engraved from Leonardo de Vinci,
Guido, Champagne, Stella, Coypel, and other great masters, as well as from his own designs.
There was another John Boulanger, a painter, who was born in 1606, and died in 1660. Mr. Fuseli informs us that
There was another John Boulanger, a painter, who was born in 1606, and died in 1660. Mr. Fuseli informs us that he was a pupil of Guido, became painter to the court of Modena, and master of a school of art in that city. What remains of his delicate pencil in the ducal palace, proves the felicity of his invention, the vivid harmony of his colour, and in the attitudes a spirit bordering on enthusiasm. Such is the Sacrifice (if it be his, as fame asserts) of Iphigenia; though the person of Agamemnon is veiled in a manner too whimsical to be admitted in a heroic subject. Of his scholars, Tomaso Costa of Sassuolo, and Sigismondo Caula a Modenese, excelled the rest. Costa, a vigorous colourist, laid his hand indiscriminately ori every subject of art, greatly employed at Reggio, his usual residence, and much at Modena, where he painted the cupola of S. Vicenzo. Caula left his home only to improve himself at Venice, and returned with a copious and welltoned style bat sunk to a more languid one as he advanced in life.
anded respect: and the general mildness and affability of his disposition engaged esteem among those who knew him. He raised a considerable fortune by his profession,
, eldest son of the preceding,
was born at Paris in 1649, and acquired the principles of
painting from his father, whom he resembled in his talent
of imitating the works of the greatest masters. After a residence of five years in Italy, he was admitted into the
academy, of which he became a professor, and employed
by Louis XIV. at Versailles and Trianon. He excelled in
history and portrait; his designs were accurate, and his
colouring good. Besides his paintings in fresco, in two
of the chapels of the Invalids, he painted several pieces
for the churches and public buildings of Paris, several of
which have been engraved. We have alsothree etchings
done by him, from his own compositions, viz. a species of
“Almanack;
” “St. John in the Desert
” and “St. Bruno
in a landscape
” its’ companion. He died at Paris in
Genevieve
” and “Magdalen,
”
painted well, and were members of the royal academy in
1669.
ox, afterwards bishop of Rochester and dean of Westminster, from whose merit and learning Dr. Hough, who was then restored to the presidentship of that college (from
, D. D. archbishop of Armagh, primate and metropolitan of all Ireland, was born in or near London, Jan. 4, 1671, of a reputable and opulent family, received his first rudiments] of learning at Merchant-Taylor’s school, and was admitted from thence a commoner of Christ-church, Oxford, some time before the Revolution. His merit became so conspicuous there, that immediately after that great event, he was elected a demi of Magdalencollege, with the celebrated Mr. Addison, and Dr. Joseph Wilcox, afterwards bishop of Rochester and dean of Westminster, from whose merit and learning Dr. Hough, who was then restored to the presidentship of that college (from which he had been unwarrantably ejected in the reign of king James II.) used to call this election by the name of the golden election, and the same respectful appellation was long after made use of in common conversation in the college*, Mr. Boulter was afterwards made fellow of Magdalen-college. He continued in the university till he was called to London, by the invitation of sir Charles Hedges, principal secretary of state in 1700, who made him his chaplain;
opulous, and for the most part poor, and required such a liberal and vigilant pastor as Dr. Boulter, who relieved their wants, and gave them instruction, correction,
* Dr. Welsted, a physician, was also The primate maintained a son of the
of this golden election, and when he doctor’s, as a commoner, at Hart-halt
became poor in the latter part of his in Oxford; and would effectually have
life, the archbishop, though he was no provided for him, if the young gentlerelation, gave him, at the least, two man had not died before he had taken
hundred pounds a year, till his death, a degree. Dr. Welsted was one of the
Nor did his grace’s kindness to the editors of the Oxford Pindar, and
doctor’s family end with his decease-, esteemed an excellent Greek scholar.
and some time after he was preferred to the same honour
by Dr. Thomas Tenison, archbishop of Canterbury. In
these stations he was under a necessity of appearing often
at court, where his merit obtained him the patronage of
Charles Spencer, earl of Sunderland, principal secretary
of state, by whose interest he was advanced to the rectory
of St. Olave in Southwark, and to the archdeaconry of
Surrey. The parish of St. Olave was very populous, and
for the most part poor, and required such a liberal and vigilant pastor as Dr. Boulter, who relieved their wants,
and gave them instruction, correction, and reproof. When
king George I. passed over to Hanover in 1719, Dr. Boulter was recommended to attend him in quality of his chaplain, and also was appointed tutor to prince Frederic, to
instruct him in the English tongue; and for that purpose
drew up for his use “A set of Instructions.
” This so recommended him to the king, that during his abode at
Hanover, the bishopric of Bristol, and deanery of Christchurch, Oxford, becoming vacant, the king granted to
him that see and deanery, and he was consecrated bishop
of Bristol, on the fifteenth of November, 1719. In this
last station he was more than ordinarily assiduous in the
visitation of his diocese, and the discharge of his pastoral
duty; and during one of these visitations, he received a
letter by a messenger from the secretary of state, acquainting him, that his majesty had nominated him to the archbishopric of Armagh, and primacy of Ireland, then vacant
by the death of Dr. Thomas Lindsay, on the 13th of July,
1724-, and desiring him to repair to London as soon as
possible, to kiss the king’s hand for his promotion. After
some, consultation on this affair, to which he felt great repugnance, he sent an answer by the messenger, refusing
the honour the king intended him, and requesting the secretary to use his good offices with his majesty, in making
his excuse, but the messenger was dispatched back to him.
by the secretary, with the king’s absolute commands that
he should accept of the post, to which he submitted,
though not without some reluctance, and soon after addressed himself to his journey to court. Ireland was at
that juncture not a little inflamed, by the copper-coin
project of one Wood, and it was thought by the king and
ministry, that the judgment, moderation, and wisdom of
the bishop of Bristol would tend much to allay the ferment.
He arrived in Ireland on the third of November, 1724,
had no sooner passed patent for the primacy, than he
appeared at all the public boards, and gave a weight and
vigour to them; and, in every respect, was indefatigable
in promoting the real happiness of the people. Among
his other wise measures, in seasons of great scarcity in,
Ireland, he was more than once instrumental in averting a
pestilence and famine, which threatened the nation. When
the scheme was set on foot for making a navigation, by a
canal to be drawn from Lough -Neagh to Newry, not only
for bringing coal to Dublin, but to carry on more effectually an inland trade in the several counties of the north
of Ireland, he greatlv encouraged and promoted the design, not only with his counsel but his purse. Drogheda
is a large and populous town within the diocese of Armagh,
and his grace finding that the ecclesiastical appointments
were not sufficient to support two clergymen there, and
the cure over-burthensome for one effectually to discharge,
he allotted out of his own pocket a maintenance for a second curate, whom he obliged to give public service every
Sunday in the afternoon, and prayers twice every day.
He had great compassion for the poor clergy of his diocese, who were disabled from giving their children a proper education, and maintained several of the sons of
such in the university, in order to qualify them for future
preferment, He erected four houses at Drogheda for the
reception of clergymen’s widows, and purchased an estate
for the endowment of them, after the model of primate
Marsh’s charity; which he enlarged in one particular: for
as the estate he purchased for the maintenance of the
widows, amounted to twenty-four pounds a year more than
he had set apart for that use, he appointed that the surplus
should be a fund for setting out the children of such,
widows apprentices, or otherwise to be disposed of for the
benefit of such children, as his trustees should think proper.
He also by his will directed, which has since been performed, that four houses should be built for clergymen’s
widows at Armagh, and endowed with fifty pounds a year.
During his life, he contracted for the building of a stately
market-house at Armagh, which was finished by his executors, at upwards of eight hundred pounds expence. He
was a benefactor also to Dr. Stevens’s hospital in the city
of Dublin, erected for the maintenance and cure of the
poor. His charities for augmenting small livings, and
buying of glebes, amounted to upwards of thirty thousand
pourids, besides what he devised by his will for the like
purposes in England. Though the plan of the incorporated society for promoting English protestant working
schools, cannot be imputed to primate Boulter, yet he
was the chief instrument in forwarding the undertaking,
which he lived to see carried into execution with consider,
able success. His private charities were not less munificent, but so secretly conducted, that it is impossible to
give any particular account of them: it is affirmed by
those who were in trust about him, that he never suffered
an object to leave his house unsupplied, and he often sent
them away with considerable sums, according to the judgment he made of their merits and necessities. With respect
to his political virtues, and the arts of government, when
his health would permit him he was constant in his attendance at the council-table, and it is well known what weight
and dignity he gave to the debates of that board. As he
always studied the true interest of Ireland, so he judged,
that the diminishing the value of the gold coin would be a
means of increasing silver in the country, a thing very
much wanted in order to effect which, he supported a
scheme at the council- table, which raised the clamours of
unthinking people, although experience soon demonstrated
its wisdom. He was thirteen times one of the lords justices,
or chief governors of Ireland; which office he administered
oftener than any other chief governor on record. He embarked for England June 2, 1742, and after two days illness died at his house in St. James’s place, Sept. 27, and
was buried in Westminster-abbey, where a stately monument has been erected to his memory. His deportment
was grave, his aspect venerable, and his temper meek and
humble. He was always open and easy of access both to
rich and poor. He was steady to the principles of liberty,
both in religion and politics. His learning was universal,
yet more in substance than shew; nor would his modesty
permit him to make any ostentation of it. He always preserved such an equal temper of mind that hardly any thing
could ruffle, and amidst obloquy and opposition, steadily
maintained a resolution of serving his country, embraced
every thing proposed for the good of it, though by persons
remarkable for their opposition to him: and when the most
public-spirited schemes were introduced by him, and did
not meet with the reception they deserved, he never took
offence, but was glad when any part of his advice for the
public good was pursued, and was always willing to drop
some points, that he might not lose all; often saying,
“he would do all the good to Ireland he could, though
they did not suffer him to do all he would.
” His life was
mostly spent in action, and therefore it is not to be expected that he should have left many remains of his learning behind him nor do we know of any thing he bath
written, excepting a few Charges to his clergy at his visitations, which are grave, solid, and instructive, and eleven
Occasional Sermons, printed separately. In 1769, however,
were published, at Oxford, in two volumes 8vo, “Letters
written by his excellency Hugh Boulter, D. D. lord primate of all Ireland, &c. to several ministers of state in
England, and some others. Containing an account of the
most interesting transactions which passed in Ireland from
1724 to 1738.
” The originals, which are deposited in the
library of Christ church, in Oxford, were collected by
Ambrose Philips, esq. who was secretary to his grace, and
lived in his house during that space of time in which they
bear date. They are entirely letters of business, and are
all of them in Dr. Boulter’s hand-writing, excepting some
few, which are fair copies by his secretary. The editor
justly remarks, that these letters, which could not be intended for publication, have been fortunately preserved,
as they contain the most authentic history of Ireland, for
the period in which they were written: “a period,
” he
adds, “which will ever do honour to his grace’s memory,
and to those most excellent princes George the first and
second, who had the wisdom to place confidence in so
worthy, so able, and so successful a minister; a minister
who had the rare and peculiar felicity of growing still
more and more into the favour both of the king and of the
people, until the very last day of his life,
” It is much to
be regretted that in some of his measures, he was opposed
by dean Swift, particularly in that of diminishing the gold
coin, as it is probable that they both were actuated by an
earnest desire of serving the country. In one affair, that
of Wood’s halfpence, they appear to have coincided, and
in that they both happened to encourage a public clamour
which had little solid foundation. The writer of archbishop'
Boulter’s Life in the Biog. Brit, seems to doubt whether
he assisted Ambrose Philips in the paper called the
“Freethinker;
” but of this we apprehend there can be no
doubt. It was published while he held the living of St.
Olave’s.
equal exhibitions to five servitors of the said college, of whom none were to be capable of election who were of above two years standing, nor to enjoy the exhibition
His widow died March 3, 1754. On the contingency of his having no issue by her, which was the case, he had bequeathed five hundred pounds to Magdalen- college in Oxford, to be applied towards rebuilding the same; and a thousand pounds to Christ-church in the same university, to be applied to the purchase of an estate for founding five exhibitions of equal value, to be distributed among five of the poorest and most deserving of the commoners of that college, to be enjoyed by them for four years from the time of their election; and directed, that no commoner of above three years standing should be elected into the said exhibitions. Fie vested the said election in the dean and canons of that house, and directed that the exhibitioners should be chosen upon a public examination in the hall, and recommended the sons of clergymen to be in the first place, cesteris paribus, considered. He also bequeath* d the further sum of five hundred pounds to the last mentioned college, to buy an estate, to be distributed in equal exhibitions to five servitors of the said college, of whom none were to be capable of election who were of above two years standing, nor to enjoy the exhibition longer than for three years and he vested the right of election in the dean and chapter.
, who justly ought to be classed among public benefactors, the son
, who justly ought to be classed among public benefactors, the son of Matthew Boulton, by Christian, daughter of Mr. Peers, of Chester, was born at Birmingham Sept. 3, 1728, and was principally educated at a private grammar school, kept by the rev. Mr. Ansted. He learned drawing under Worlidge, and mathematics under Cooper, and laid in a stock of that useful knowledge by which he was enabled so highly to improve the manufactures of his country.' So early as the year 1745, Mr. Boulton invented and brought to great perfection, the inlaid steel, buckles, buttons, watch chains, &c. Great quantities of these were exported to France, from- whence they were re-purchased with avidity by the English, as the offspring of French ingenuity. His manufactory at Birmingham, however, being inadequate to his extensive improvements, and further experiments, he, in 1762, purchased a lease of the Soho, at Handsworth, in the county of Stafford, distant about two. miles; at that time, a barren heath, on the bleak summit of which stood a naked hut, the habitation of a warrener. These extensive tracts of common were converted by Mr. Boulton into the present superb ^manufactory, which was finished in 1765, at the expence of 9000l.; and in the year 1794, he purchased the fee simple of Soho, and much of the other adjoining lands.
seurs. This art was brought to perfection under the management of the late ingenious Mr. F. Eginton, who was no less celebrated for his paintings on glass.
About the year 1773, the ingenious art of copying pictures in oil colours, by a mechanical process, was invented at Soho; and was brought to such a degree of perfection that the copies were taken for originals by the most experienced connoisseurs. This art was brought to perfection under the management of the late ingenious Mr. F. Eginton, who was no less celebrated for his paintings on glass.
f that monarch. This unrivalled piece was struck from a die engraved by the present empress dowager, who has, from her youth, taken great delight in the art of engraving
Since the demise of the late empress Catherine of Russia, Mr. Boulton presented her successor, the late emperor Paul I. with some of the curious articles of his’manufactory, and in return received a polite letter of thanks and Approbation, together with a splendid collection of medals, minerals from Siberia, and specimens of all the modern money of Russia. Among the medals which, for elegance of design and beauty of execution, have never yet been equalled in this or any other country, is a massy one of gold, impressed with a striking likeness, it is said, of that monarch. This unrivalled piece was struck from a die engraved by the present empress dowager, who has, from her youth, taken great delight in the art of engraving on steel.
The first who attempted a collection of the kind was the famous Peter Pithou.
The first who attempted a collection of the kind was the
famous Peter Pithou. It was his intention to have published a complete body of French historians, extracted
from printed books and Mss. but he died in 1596, having
published only two volumes on the subject, one in 8vo,
the other in 4to. These carried the history no lower than
the year 1285. Nothing more was done till 1635, when
Du Chesne, who is called the Father of French history,
took up the subject again, and published a prospectus for
a history, to be comprised in fourteen volumes fol. and
end with the reign of Henry II. The first two volumes accordingly came out in 1636, but the author died whilst the
two next were in the press. These, however, were published in 1641, by his sou, who added a fifth volume, ending with the life of Philippe le Bel, in 1649. The next
attempts were vain, though made under the auspices of
such men as Colbert, Louvois, and chancellor D'Aguesseau:
the plan proposed by the first miscarried through the obstinacy of the famous Ducange (who would have the work done in his own way, or have nothing to do with it) and
the modesty of Mabillon. Another was, as we have just
mentioned, put a stop to by the death of Le Long, who,
having pointed out the materials in his “Bibliotheque
Historique de la France,
” was the fittest to have made use
of them. In this state of things the Benedictine congregation of St. Maur recommended Bouquet, who accordingly went to work under the inspection of a society of
teamed men named by the chancellor, in whose presence
the plan of the work, and the materials fit to be made use
of, were discussed. Bouquet was so assiduous in his labour, that about the end of the year 1729 he was ready
with two volumes; but, owing to his removal to the abbey
of St. John de Laon, they were not published until 1738,
when the chancellor D'Aguesseau called him to Paris, and
he then proceeded so rapidly, that the eighth was published
in 1752. He had begun the ninth, in which he hoped to
have completed what regarded the second race of the
French kings; but, in 1754, was seized with a violent disorder, which proved fatal in tour days, April 6. He was
a man of extensive learning, connected with all the learned
men and learned societies of his time, and beloved for his
personal virtues. For many years the work was continued
by the congregation of St. Maur, but without the name of
any editor. Seven more volumes have appeared since
Bouquet’s death, and the sixteenth is now in the press,
and almost ready for publication.
Barnet-field, on Edward IVth’s part, and buried in Westminster abbey, during the life of his father, who was sir John Bourchier, K. G. fourth son of William earl of
, lord Berners, was born about 1467, son and heir of sir Humphrey Bourchier by Elizabeth, daughter and heir of sir Frederick Tilney (widow of sir Thomas Howard), which Humphrey was killed at Barnet-field, on Edward IVth’s part, and buried in Westminster abbey, during the life of his father, who was sir John Bourchier, K. G. fourth son of William earl of Ewe, and baron Berners, by marriage with Margery, daughter and heir of Richard lord Berners. Lord Bourchier succeeded his grandfather, May 16, 1474, being then only seven years old. He was educated in Baliol college, Oxford, and afterwards travelled abroad, and returned a master of seven languages, and a complete gentleman. In 1405 he obtained the notice of Henry VII. by his valour in quelling the fury of the rebels in Cornwall and Devonshire, under the conduct of Michael Joseph, a blacksmith. In 1513 he was captain of the pioneers at the siege of Therouenne. In 1514, being made chancellor of the king’s exchequer for life, he attended the lady Mary, the king’s sister, into France, to her marriage with king Lewis XII. and in 1527 obtained i grant from the king of several manors. Afterwards he vas made lieutenant of Calais and the marches adjoining to France, and spending most of his time there, wrot< several learned works in that situation. There he made his will, March 3, 1532, bequeathing his body to be bur'ud in the chancel of the parish church of our lady, within the town of Calais, and appointing that an honest priest shouldsing mass there for his soul, by the space of three years, ie died March 16th following, leaving by Katherine his wie, daughter of John duke of Norfolk, Joane his daughter nd heir, married to Edmund Knyvet of Ashwelthorpe inNorfolk, esq.
so a Paris edition 1787, 8 vols. 8vo. These memoirs may be of some use, if read cautiously, by those who would know the private history of Charles IX. of Henry III.
, better known by the name of Brantôme, of which he was abbot, added to that title those of lord and baron of Richemont, chevalier, gentleman of the chamber to the kings Charles IX. and Henry III. and chamberlain to the duke of Alençon. He had the design of being created a knight of Maltha in a voyage he made to that isle during the time of the siege in 1565. He returned to France, where he was fed with vain expectations; but he received no other reward (as he tells us himself) than being welcomed by the kings his masters, great lords, princes, sovereigns, queens, princesses, &c. He died July 5, 1614, at the age of 87. His memoirs were printed in ten volumes, 12mo, viz. four of the French commanders; two of foreign commanders two of women of gallantry one of illustrious ladies; and one of duels. There is another edition of the Hague, 1741, 15 vols. 12mo, on account of the supplement, which makes five, and also a Paris edition 1787, 8 vols. 8vo. These memoirs may be of some use, if read cautiously, by those who would know the private history of Charles IX. of Henry III. and of Henry IV. Here the man is more represented than the prince. The pleasure of seeing these kings in their peculiarities in private life, added to the simplicity of Brantome’s style, renders the reading of his memoirs extremely agreeable. But some of his anecdotes are grossly indecent, and many of them fictions.
radictions in a sort of epigram. On which 1 have this question to propose: Was Brantome a libertine; who, in order to sport more securely with religion and morals, affects
“Brantome,
” (says M. Anquetil) “is in the hands of
every body. All the world pretends to have read him; but
he ought particularly to be put into the hands of princes,
that they may learn how impossible it is for them to hide
themselves they they have an importance in the eyes of
their courtiers, which draws attention to all their actions;
and that, sooner or later, the most secret of them are revealed to posterity. The reflections that would occur, on
seeing that Brantome has got together all the little transactions, all the idle words that have escaped them, all the
actions pretended to be indifferent, which were thought to
be neglected and lost, and which nevertheless mark the
character, would render them more circumspect. In reading Brantome a problem forces itself on the mind, which
it is difficult to solve. It is very common to see that author
joining together the most discordant ideas in regard to morals. Sometimes he will represent a woman as addicted to
the most infamous refinements of libertinism, and then will
conclude by saying that she was prudent, and a good Christian. So likewise of a priest, of a monk, or any other ecclesiastic, he will relate anecdotes more than wanton; and
will tell us very gravely at the end, that this man lived regularly according to his station. Almost all his memoirs
are full of similar contradictions in a sort of epigram. On
which 1 have this question to propose: Was Brantome a libertine; who, in order to sport more securely with religion
and morals, affects in the expression a respect to which the
very matter of the recital gives the lie? or, Was he one of
those persons who generally go under the name of amiable
fops; who, without principles as without design, confound virtue and vice, making no real difference between one character
and another? Whatever judgment we may form of him, we
must always blame him for omitting to observe a proper reverence for decorum in his writings, and for frequently
putting modesty to the blush. We perceive in Brantome
the character of those young men, who, making a part of
the court by their birth, pass their lives in it without pretensions and without desires. They amuse themselves with
every thing: if an action has a ridiculous side, they seize
it; if it has not, they give it one. Brantome only skims
along the surface of a subject; he knows nothing of diving
into an action, and unfolding the motives that gave it birth.
He gives a good picture of what he has seen, relates in simple terms what he has heard; but it is nothing uncommon
to see him quit his main object, return to it, quit it a
and conclude by thinking no more of it. With all this irregularity he pleases, because he amuses.
”
, a learned French critic, who distinguished himself in the republic of letters by writing
, a learned French critic, who distinguished himself in the republic of letters by writing notes upon Lucian, Petronius, and Heliodorus, lived at the end of the 16th, and in the beginning of the 17th century, was of a good family of Sens, and educated with care. He applied himself to the study of the belles lettres and of the learned languages; and Baillet tells us, that he passed for a great connoisseur in the oriental tongues, and in the knowledge of manuscripts. These pursuits did not hinder him from being consummate in the law. He exercised the office of advocate to the parliament of Paris in 1627, when Mary of Medicis, hearing of his uncommon merit, made him master of the requests. He died suddenly at Paris in 1638. His edition of Heliodorus, which is one of the best, was published in 1619, 8vo That of Lucian at Paris, 1615, fol. with the notes of Micyllus, Guerinus, Marsilius, and Cognatus, and some short and learned ones by himself, at that time a very young man. Among the sources from which Bourdelot professes to have compiled his edition, are two ancient Mss. in the royal library at Paris, the existence of which Faber (ad Luciani Timonem, c. 1.) denies in the most positive terms. His Petronius was first published at Paris, 12mo, in 1618, a very scarce edition, and reprinted in 1645, 1663, and 1677.
enty-six. In 1634, he obtained leave to adopt the name of Bourdelot, pursuant to his uncle’s desire, who on that condition left him his library and fortune. He wrote
, nephew to the above,
and educated by him, was a very celebrated physician at
Paris, where he died Feb. 9, 1685, aged seventy-six. In
1634, he obtained leave to adopt the name of Bourdelot,
pursuant to his uncle’s desire, who on that condition left
him his library and fortune. He wrote some treatises
on “the Viper,
” on “Mount Etna,
” “La relation des
appartmens de Versailles,
” &c. with three volumes of
“Conferences,
” which were published by M. le Gallois.
d first physician to the duchess of Burgundy, was sister’s son to the preceding P. Michon Bourdelot, who enjoined him to change his name from Bonnet to Bourdelot, on
, physician in ordinary
to Louis XIV. and first physician to the duchess of Burgundy, was sister’s son to the preceding P. Michon Bourdelot, who enjoined him to change his name from Bonnet
to Bourdelot, on the same terms that himself adopted that
name, viz. his library and fortune. P. Bonnet Bourdelot
was a skilful physician, and a man of general literature.
He wrote some useful notes on the “Bibliotheque choisie
de M. Colomies,
” which were added to the Paris edition of
Histoire de la Musique,
”
, a very celebrated French painter, was born at Montpellier in 1616. His father, who was a glass-painter, gave him the first instructions in his
, a very celebrated French painter, was born at Montpellier in 1616. His father, who was a glass-painter, gave him the first instructions in his art. When only seven years old, one of his uncles brought him to Paris, and placed him with a very indifferent painter, whose defects, however, were supplied by young Bourdon’s natural genius. Returning to Bourdeaux at the age of fourteen, he painted the cieling of a neighbouring chateau, and then went to Toulouse. Finding here no employment, he went into the army; but his captain, a man of some taste, judging that he would one day excel in his profession as an artist, gave him his discharge. He was eighteen when he went to Italy, and became acquainted with Claude Lorrain, whose manner, as well as that of Saccbi, Caravagio, and Bamboccio, he imitated with great success. After a residence of three years here, he happened to have a difference with a painter, who threatened to inform against him as a Calvinist, and Bourdon immediately set out for Venice, and thence to France. At the age of twenty-seven he painted his famous Crucifixion of St. Peter for the church of Notre Dame at Paris, which could not fail to raise his reputation. Du Guernier, a miniature painter, much employed at court, and whose sister he married, assisted him with his advice, and procured him work. But the civil wars interrupting the progress of the fine arts, in 1652 he went to Sweden, where queen Christina appointed him her first painter. While employed on many works for her, chiefly portraits, she mentioned to him one day some pictures which the king her father had found when he took Prague; these had till now remained unpacked, and she desired Bourdon to examine them. Bourdon reported favourably of them, particularly of some by Corregio, on which the queen requested he would accept them as a present from her. Bourdon, with corresponding liberality and disinterestedness, represented that they were some of the finest paintings in Europe, and that her majesty ought never to part with them, as a fit collection for a crowned head. The queen accordingly kept them, and took them with her to Rome when she abdicated the throne. After her death, the heirs of Don Livio Odeschalchi, who had purchased them, sold them to the regent duke of Orleans; and they afterwards made part of the fine collection known in this country by the name of the Orleans Collection.
ted several portraits of persons of fashion. An anecdote is told, that, when in this place, a taylor who had a great esteem for him, and knew he was not rich, sent to
Bourdon, however, not finding much exercise for his genius in Sweden, and the queen having become Roman
catholic after her abdication, he returned to France, then
more favourable to the arts, and soon had abundance of
employment. Among his first performances after his return, were a “Dead Christ,
” and the “Woman taken in
adultery.
” Some business occasioning him to go to Montpellier, during his short stay there he painted several
portraits of persons of fashion. An anecdote is told, that, when
in this place, a taylor who had a great esteem for him, and
knew he was not rich, sent to him, by the hand of one
Francis, a painter, a complete suit of clothes, cloak, and
bonnet. Bourdon, in return, sent him his portrait dressed
in this suit; but Francis, thinking it a very fine specimen
of the art, presented the taylor with a copy, and kept the
original. In 1663 he returned to Paris, where he continued to execute many fine pictures, until his death in
1671.
born in London in 1756. His early destination was the army, under the patronage of lord Heathfield, who was his father’s - friend but having been instructedwhi|p a
, knight of the Polish order of Merit, and an artist of distinguished reputation, was the descendant of a considerable family in Switzerland, but was born in London in 1756. His early destination was the army, under the patronage of lord Heathfield, who was his father’s - friend but having been instructedwhi|p a child in the rudiments of painting, by a foreigner of inconsiderable merit as a horse-painter, he became so attached to the study, as soon to relinquish the military profession, and devote himself wholly to the pencil. For this purpose he was placed under the tuition of Loutherbourg, and having, from his connexions and acquaintance, access to many of the most distinguished collections, he soon acquired considerable reputation by his landscapes and sea-pieces. In 1776, he travelled through Italy, France, and Holland, where his correct knowledge of the language of each country, added to the politeness of his address, and the pleasures of his conversation, procured him an introduction to the best society, and most valuable repositories of the arts on the continent. At his return to England, he exhibited several specimens of his studies at the royal academy, which obtained him reputation and patronage. In 1791 he was appointed painter to the king of Poland, whose brother, the prince primate, had been much pleased with his performances during his residence in this country; and at the same time he received the honour of knighthood of the order of Merit, which was afterwards confirmed by his present majesty, who, in 1794, appointed him landscapepainter to the king. Previous to this he had, in 1792, been elected a member of the royal academy. Some time before his death, by the will of the late Noel Desenfans, esq. an eminent picture-dealer, he became possessed of sufficient property to render a laborious application to his profession no longer necessary, and from that time he lived in the circle of his friends, highly respected for his talents and agreeable manners. He died Jan. 8, 1811, at his house in Portland- street, bequeathing his fine collection of pictures, and his fortune, to Dirlwich college. According to the terms of his will, he leaves the whole of these pictures, besides 10,000l. to keep them in due preservation, and 2,000/ for the purpose of repairing the gallery ki the college for their reception. He also bequeathed legacies of lOOOl. each to the master of the college, and to the chaplain and the fellows of the college are to be the residuary legatees, and are to possess, for its advantage, all the rest of his property, of every denomination. Most part of this will, however, does not take effect until after the death of Mrs. Desenfans, the widow of his benefactor; and after that event he directs that the body of the late Noel Desenfans, which is now deposited in a sarcophagus within a mausoleum in a chapel, attached to his late house in Charlotte-street, Portland-place, shall be removed, together with his own body (which has, by his desire, been deposited in the same mausoleum), and entombed in a sarcophagus, to be "placed in the chapel of Dulwich college. So singular a will, with respect at least to the place chosen for this collection, excited much surprise. The following circumstances, however, which have been communicated by an intimate friend of the testator, may in some measure account for it. After sir Francis became possessed of the Desenfans collection, by the owner’s friendly will in his favour, he wished to purchase the fee simple of his fine house in Charlotte-street, enlarge it, and endow it as a perpetual repository for the collection, easily accessible to the public, and particularly to students as a school of art; but unluckily, his landlord, a nobleman lately deceased, refused his consent, although he afterwards expressed an inclination to grant it, when too late. Sir Francis then conceived the design of hequeathing the collection to the British Museum, but did not execute it, from a fear that the pictures might not be kept entire and unmixed, he being told that it was in the power of the trustees to dispose of what might appear superfluous or inferior. Such was his respect for his deceased friend, that his only ambition was to discover a place where the collection might be kept together, and known in perpetuum, not as his, but as the Desenfans Collection. By whom Dulwich college, an hospital for poor men and women, remote from the residence of artists and men of taste, was suggested, we know not. It was a place sir Francis had probably never before seen; but, having once visited it, and been informed that his terms might be complied with there, without risk of alteration, he disposed of his property as we have related.
was placed in that passage. He lived universally esteemed, and died sincerely regretted by all those who were acquainted with him and was buried in the church of the
, was born at the village of Beaumains near Falaise, in the diocese of Seez, in 1724. He was educated at the grammar-school at Caen, whence he was removed to that university, and pursued his studies with great diligence and success till 1745, when he became a Benedictine monk of the abbey of St. Martin de Seez, then en regie, that is, under the direction of a conventual abbot. Some time after this, Dom Bourget was appointed prior claustral of the said abbey, and continued six years in that office, when he was nominated prior of Tiron en Perche; whence being translated to the abbey of St. Stephen at Caen, in the capacity of sub-prior, he managed the temporalities of that religious house during two years, as he did their spiritualities for one year longer; after which, according to the custom of the house, he resigned his office. His superiors, sensible of his merit and learning, removed him thence to the abbey of Bee, where he resided till 1764. He was elected an honorary member of the society of antiquaries of London, Jan. 10, 1765; in which year he returned to the abbey of St. Stephen at Caen, where he continued to the time of his death. These honourable offices, to which he was promoted on account of his great abilities, enabled him not only to pursue his favourite study of the history and antiquities of some of the principal Benedictine abbie.s in Normandy, but likewise gave him access to all their charters, deeds, register-books, &c. &c. These he examined with great care, and left behind him in ms. large and accurate accounts of the abbies of St. Peter de Jumieges, St. Stephen, and the Holy Trinity at Caen (founded by William the Conqueror and his queen Matilda), and a very particular history of the abbey of Bee. These were all written in French. The History of the royal abbey of Bee (which he presented to Dr. Ducarel in 1764) is only an abstract of his larger work. This ancient abbey, (which has produced several archbishops of Canterbury and other illustrious prelates of this kingdom) is frequently mentioned by our old historians. The death of this worthy Benedictine (which happened on new-year’s day, 1776) was occasioned by his unfortunate neglect of a hurt he got in his leg by falling down two or three steps in going from the hall to the cloister of the abbey of St. Stephen at Caen, being deceived by the ambiguous feeble light of a glimmering and dying lamp that was placed in that passage. He lived universally esteemed, and died sincerely regretted by all those who were acquainted with him and was buried in the church of the said abbey, Jan. 3, 1776.
, who was born at Nimes in 1678, became celebrated for his proficiency
, who was born at Nimes in 1678,
became celebrated for his proficiency in natural history.
The revocation of the edict of Nantes having forced his
family to go and seek an asylum in Switzerland, Zurich
was indebted to them for its manufactures of stockings,
muslins, and several silk stuffs. Young Bourguet went
through a course of study there; afterwards married at
Berne, and settled at Neufeh&tel, where he became professor of philosophy and mathematics. He died Dec. 31,
1742, at the age of 64, after publishing, 1. A Letter on
the formation of salts and crystals; Amsterdam, 1729,
12mo. 2. “La bibliotheque Italique,
” 16 vols. 8vo. This
journal, begun at Geneva in 1728, found a welcome reception among the learned, as a solid and useful book deserving to be continued, although deficient in style, and
hastily written. He wrote also, “Traite des petrifactions,
”
Paris,
n so abundant a manner, that her presence and her conversation shed an ardour of continence over all who knew her.
, a famous female enthusiast, was born Jan. 13, 1616, at Lisle in Flanders. She came into the world so very deformed, that a consultation was held in the family some days about stifling her as a monstrous birth. But if she sunk almost beneath humanity in her exterior, her interior seems to have been raised as much above it. For, at four years of age, she not only took notice that the people of Lisle did not live up to the principles of Christianity which they professed, but earnestly desired to be removed into some more Christian country; and her progress was suitable to this beginning. Her parents lived unhappily together, Mr. Bourignon using his spouse with too much severity, especially in his passion: upon which occasions, Antoinette endeavoured to soften him by her infant embraces, which had some little effect; but 'the mother’s unhappiness gave the daughter an utter aversion to matrimony. This falling upon a temper strongly tinctured with enthusiasm, she grew a perfect devotee to virginity, and became so immaculately chaste, that, if her own word may be taken, she never had, in all her life, not even by temptation or surprise, the least thought unworthy of the purity of the virgin state: nay, she possessed the gift of chastity in so abundant a manner, that her presence and her conversation shed an ardour of continence over all who knew her.
a village of Hainault, on suspicion of her sex. It was an officer of horse quartered in the village who seized her; he had observed something extraordinary in her,
Her father, however, to whom all this appeared unnatural, considered her as a mere woman and, having found an agreeable match, promised her in marriage to a Frenchman. Easter-day, 1636, was fixed for the nuptials; but, to avoid the execution, the young lady fled, under the disguise of a hermit, hut was stopped at Blacon, a village of Hainault, on suspicion of her sex. It was an officer of horse quartered in the village who seized her; he had observed something extraordinary in her, and mentioning her to the archbishop of Cambray, that prelate came to examine her, and sent her home. But being pressed again with proposals of matrimony, she ran away once more: and, going to the archbishop, obtained his licence to set up a small society in the country, with some other maidens of her taste and temper. That licence, however, was soon retracted, and Antoinette obliged to withdraw into the country of Liege, whence she returned to Lisle, and passed many years there privately in devotion and great simplicity. When her patrimonial estate fell to her, she resolved at first to renounce it; but, changing her mind, she took possession of it; and as she was satisfied with a few conveniences, she lived at little expence: and bestowing no charities, her fortune increased apace. For thus taking possession of her estate, she gave three reasons: first, that it might not come into the hands of those who had no right to it; or secondly, of those who would have made an ill use of it; thirdly, God shewed her that she should have occasion for it to his glory. And as to charity, she says, the deserving poor are not to be met with in this world. This patrimony must have been something considerable, since she speaks of several maid servants in her house. What she reserved, however, for this purpose, became a temptation to one John de Saulieu, the son of a peasant, who resolved to make his court to her; and, getting admittance under the character of a prophet, insinuated himself into the lady’s favour by devout acts and discourses of the most refined spirituality. At length he declared his passion, modestly enough at first, and was easily checked; but finding her intractable, he grew so insolent as to threaten to murder her if she would not comply. Upon this she had recourse to the provost, who sent two men to guard her house; and in revenge Saulieu gave out, that she had promised him marriage, and even bedded with him. But, in conclusion, they were reconciled; he retracted his slanders, and addressed himself to a young devotee at Ghent, whom he found more tractable. This, however, did not free her from other applications of a similar nature. The parson’s nephew of St. Andrew’s parish near Lisle fell in love with her; and as her house stood in the neighbourhood, he frequency environed it, in order to force an entrance. Our recluse threatened to quit her post, if she was not delivered f*om this troublesome suitor, and the uncle drove himrom his house upon which he grew desperate, and someimes discharged & musquet through the nun’s chamber, giung out that she was his espoused wife. This made a nose in the city; the devotees were offended, and threatined to affront Bourignon, if they met her in the streets. At length she was relieved by the preachers, who publisied from their pulpits, that the report of the marriage wis a scandalous falsehood.
prdessed that great secrets were revealed to her. About thistime she acquired a friend at Amsterdam, who proved iithful to her as long as he lived, and left her a good
Some time afterwards she quitted her huse, and put herself as governess at the head of an hospitl, where she locked herself up in the cloister in 1658, havng taken the order and habit of St. Austin. But here agai, by a very singular fate, she fell into fresh trouble. Hetnospital was found to be infected with sorcery so much, hat even all the little girls in it had an engagement wit the devil. This gave room to suspect the governess; mo was accordingly taken up by the magistrates of LisU and examined but nothing could be proved against er. However, to avoid further prosecutions, she retire to Ghent in 1662 where she no sooner was, than she prdessed that great secrets were revealed to her. About thistime she acquired a friend at Amsterdam, who proved iithful to her as long as he lived, and left her a good esUe at his death his name was De Cordt he was one of te fathers of the oratory, and their superior at Mechlin, an was director also of an hospital for poor children. Th proselyte was her first spiritual birth, and is said to ha> given her the same kind of bodily pangs and throes as natural labour, which was the case also with her other siritual children and she perceived more or less of thespains, according as the truths which she had declared ojrated more or less strongly on their minds. Whence ancter of her disciples, a certain archdeacon, talking with D<Cordt before their mother on the good and new resolutionvhich they had taken, the latter observed, that her pain were much greater for him than for the former the archdicon, looking upon De Cordt, who was fat and corplent, whereas he was a little man himself, said, smiling, It is no wonder that our mother has had a harder labour fcyou than for me, since you are a great, huge child, wheas I am but a little one;" which discomposed the gravity of all the faces presei t: This has been recorded as a proof that our Antoinette’s disciples sometimes descended from the sublimity of ther devotion to the innocent raillery of people of the world
d, together with the tithes and government of the whole. He sold also an estate to madame Bourignon, who prepared to retire thither in 1668; but she rejected the proposal
Her stay at Amsterdam was chiefly owing to the happiness she had in her dear De Cordt: that proselyte had advanced almost all his estate to some relations, in order to drain the island of Noordstrandt in Holstein, by which means he had acquired some part of the island, together with the tithes and government of the whole. He sold also an estate to madame Bourignon, who prepared to retire thither in 1668; but she rejected the proposal of Labadie and his disciples to settle themselves there with her. It seems they had offered De Cordt a large sum of money to purchase the whole island, and thereby obtained his consent to their settlement in it: this was cutting the grass under her feet, an injury which she took effectual care to prevent. Accordingly De Cordt dying on the 12th of Novemer 1669, made her his heir: which inheritance, however, brought her into new troubles. Many law-suits were raised to hinder her from enjoying it: nor were her doctrine and religious principles spared on the occasion. However, she left Holland in 1671, to go into Noordstrandt.
But stopping in her way at several places of Holstein, where she dismissed some disciples ( who followed her, she found, for the sake of interest) she plied
But stopping in her way at several places of Holstein,
where she dismissed some disciples (who followed her, she found, for the sake of interest) she plied her pen, which
was so prolific that she found it convenient to provide herself with a press, where she printed her books in French,
Dutch, and German. Among others she answered all her
adversaries, in a piece entitled, “The testimony of truth,
”
in which she handled the ecclesiastics in a severe manner.
In these controversial pieces she" demonstrated her want of
the first fundamental of all religion both natural and revealed, humility. Two Lutheran ministers raised the
alarm against her by some books, in which they declared,
that people had been beheaded and burnt for opinions
more supportable than hers. The Labbadists also wrote
against her, and her press was prohibited. In this distress
she retired to Hensberg in 1673, but was discovered, and
treated so ill by the people under the character of a sorceress, that she was very happy in getting secretly away.
Afterwards, being driven from city to city, she was at length
forced to abandon Holstein, and went to Hamburgh in
1676, as a place of more security; but her arrival was no
sooner known, than they endeavoured to seize her. On
this she lay hid for some days, and then went to East Friesland, where she got protection from the baron of Latzbourg, and was made governess of an hospital.
she alleged two reasons, one, that her goods had already been dedicated to God for the use of those who sincerely sought to become true Christians; the other, that
It is observable, that all other passions have their holidays, but avarice never suffers its votaries to rest. When our devotee accepted the care of this charity, she declared that she consented to contribute her industry both to the building and to the distribution of the goods, and the inspection of the poor, but without engaging any part of her estate; for which she alleged two reasons, one, that her goods had already been dedicated to God for the use of those who sincerely sought to become true Christians; the other, that men and all human things are very inconstant. On this principle, she resolved never to part with any thing, but refer all donations to her last will and testament; and accordingly, when she had distributed among these poor people certain revenues of the place annexed to this hospital by the founder, being asked if she would not contribute something of her own, she returned an answer in writing, that because these poor lived like beasts, who had no souls to save, she had rather throw her goods, which were consecrated to God, into the sea, than leave the least mite there. It was on this account that she found persecutors in East Friesland, notwithstanding the baron de Latzbourg’s protection; so that she took her way to Holland in 1680, but died at Franeker, on the 30th of October the same year.
rgument; it discovers itself by flashes, which shed nothing but thick darkness in the minds of those who investigate truth with the understanding, and do not trust to
We have already mentioned the crookedness of her outward form, which probably was the reason why she would
never suffer her picture to be taken: however, her constitution was so tough, that, 'in spite of all the fatigues and
troubles of her life, she seemed to be but forty years of
age, when she was above sixty: and, though she was almost continually wearing her eyesight, both by reading
and writing, yet she never made use of spectacles. She
was lucky enough to have the three most remarkable
periods of her life, as her birth, her arriving to the rank
of an author, and her death, characterised by comets; a
circumstance greatly favourable to a prophet and a teacher
of a new religion. Her writings were voluminous, but it
would be impossible to draw from them an accurate and
consistent scheme of religion; for the pretended “Divine light,
” that guides people of this class, does not proceed in a methodical way of reasoning and argument; it
discovers itself by flashes, which shed nothing but thick
darkness in the minds of those who investigate truth with
the understanding, and do not trust to the reports of fancy,
that is so often governed by sense and passion. Madame
Bourignon’s intellect was probably in a disordered state.
One of her principal followers was Peter Poiret, a man of
bold and penetrating genius, who was a great master of the
Cartesian philosophy, and who proves in his own example,
that knowledge and ignorance, reason and superstition, are
often divided by thin partitions, and that they sometimes
not only dwell together in the same person, but also, by
an unnatural and unaccountable union, afford mutual assistance, and thus engender monstrous productions.
gnonism detected, against messieurs Poiret, De Cordt, and the English translator of the “Lux Mundi,” who endeavoured to shew that she was inspired, and had received
Antoinette Bourignon had more disciples in Scotland than
in any other country perhaps of the world. Not only laymen, but some of their ecclesiastics, embraced Bourignonism: and one of Antoinette’s principal books was published, entitled “The light of the world,
” in English, in
damnable
errors,
” and all candidates for orders are to this day required to abjure and renounce the Bourignian doctrine.
Mr. Charles Lesley, in the preface to the second edition
of his “Snake in the grass,
” observed the errors of this
sect and they were refuted at large by Dr. Cockburn, iti
a piece entitled, Bourignonism detected, against messieurs
Poiret, De Cordt, and the English translator of the “Lux
Mundi,
” who endeavoured to shew that she was inspired,
and had received a commission from God to refoi'm Christianity. This was answered by the Bourignonists in an
apology for their leader who has still a remnant left in.
some parts of North Britain.
m, in my mind, one of the most amiable writers in the world. It is not common to meet with an author who can make you smile, and yet at nobody’s expence; who is always
, an elegant Latin poet, and a
very amiable man, of whom we regret that our memoirs
are so scanty, was admitted a scholar of Westminsterschool in 1710, from whence he was elected to the university of Cambridge in 1714, where, in Trinity college, he
took his degree of A. B. 1717, and A.M. 1721, and obtained a fellowship. He was afterwards for several years
an usher in Westminster-school, and died of a lingering
disorder December 2, 1747. He married; and in a letter
which he wrote to his wife a few weeks before his death,
gives the following reasons why he did not take orders
“Though I think myself in strictness answerable to none
but God and my own conscience, yet, for the satisfaction
of the person that is dearest to me, I own and declare, that
the importance of so great a charge, joined with a mistrust
of my own sufficiency, made me fearful of undertaking it;
if I have not in that capacity assisted in the salvation of
souls, I have not been the means of losing any; if I have
not brought reputation to the function by any merit of
mine, I have the comfort of this reflection, I have given
no scandal to it, by my meanness and unworthiness. It
has been my sincere desire, though not my happiness, to
be as useful in' my little sphere of life as possible-: my own
inclinations would have led me to a more likely way of
being serviceable, if I might have pursued them: however,
as the method of education I have been brought up in was,
I am satisfied, very kindly intended, I have nothing to
find fault with, but a wrong choice, and the not knowing
those disabilities I have since been truly conscious of:
those difficulties I have endeavoured to get over; but found
them insuperable. It has been the knowledge of theee discouragements, that has been the chief subject of my sleeping, as well as my waking thoughts, a fear of reproach and
contempt.
” While we admire the conscientious motives
which induced him to contemplate, with reverential awe,
the duties of a clergyman, we must regret the concurrence
of events which, according to the conclusion of this letter,
seems to have led him into a way of life not agreeable to
his inclinations. Cowper, however, in one of his excellent
letters, throws some light on those peculiar habits, which
were not certainly very happily adapted to his situation as
a public teacher. “I love,
” says Cowper, “the memory
of Vinny Bourne. I think him a better Latin poet thaa
Tibullus, Propertius, Ausonius, or any of the writers in
his way, except Ovid, and not at all inferior to him. I
love him too, with a love of partiality, because he was usher
of the fifth form at Westminster when I passed through it.
He was so good-natured, and so indolent, that I lost more
than I got by him; for he made me as idle as himself. He
was such a sloven, as if he had trusted to his genius as a
cloak for every thing that could disgust you in his person; and indeed in his writings he has almost made amends
for all. His humour is entirely original he can speak of
a magpie or a cat, in terms so exquisitely appropriated to
the character he draws, that one would suppose him animated by the spirit of the creature he describes. And
with all his drollery, there is a mixture of rational, and
even religious reflection, at times, and always an air of
pleasantry, good nature, and humanity, that makes him, in
my mind, one of the most amiable writers in the world. It
is not common to meet with an author who can make you
smile, and yet at nobody’s expence; who is always entertaining, and yet always harmless; and who, though always
elegant and classical, to a degree not always found in the
classics themselves, charms more by the simplicity and
playfulness of his ideas, than by the neatness and purity of
his verse: yet such was poor Vinny. I remember seeing
the duke of Richmond set fire to his greasy locks, and box
his ears to put it out again.
”
sae Anglican*,” remarks that “those foreigners must entertain a high opinion of our pastoral poetry, who have seen the Latin translations of Vincent Bourne, particularly
His writings, thus characterised, were published in 1772,
under the title of “Miscellaneous Poems, consisting of
originals and translations,
” 4to, and certainly will be a
lasting testimony of his talents. He was, perhaps, at the
jtirue he wrote, the best Latin poet in Europe. Most of
the pieces in this volume had been printed in his life-time,
if we mistake not, in a smaller volume. Dr. Beattie, after
noticing that Boileau did not know that there were any
good poets in England, till Add i son made him a present of
the “Musae Anglican*,
” remarks that “those foreigners
must entertain a high opinion of our pastoral poetry, who
have seen the Latin translations of Vincent Bourne, particularly those of the ballads of ‘ Tweedside,’ ‘ William
and Margaret,’ and Rowe’s * Despairing beside a clear
stream,' of which it is no compliment to say, that in sweetness of numbers, and elegant expression, they are at least
equal to the originals, and scarce inferior to any thing in
Ovid or Tibullus.
”
simplicity, “What would the academy do with an ignorant and illiterate (ignare & non Lettre) member, who knows neither Latin nor Greek?” “We are not talking (returned
, a French dramatic writer
and satirist, was born in 1638, at Mussi-l'évêque in Burgundy. He was not brought up at school, and could only
speak the rude provincial dialect of his country, when he
came to Paris in 1651, yet, by the perusal of good books,
with his good memory, he was soon able to converse and
to write elegantly in French. Having composed, by order of Louis XIV. a book of no great merit, entitled “Of
the proper study of sovereigns,
” Merry Muse;
” but it was again suppressed. He
afterwards got into favour once more, and was made receiver of the excise at Montlugon, where he died of a violent colic, aged 63, Sept. 5, 1701. He wrote several
theatrical pieces, and other works. The chief of them
are, “Æsop in the city,
” and “Æsop at court;
” which
long remained to the stage. These two pieces and the
following are an agreeable satire on the ridiculous manners
or the several ages and conditions of life. His verse in
general is harmonious, but his style sometimes negligent,
yet in general easy and suitable to the subject. 2. The
“Mercure galante,
” or “La comedie sans titre,
” in which
he ingeniously ridicules the rage for getting a place in the
Mercure galaut. 3. “La satyre des satyres,
” in one act.
Boiltau’s satirical notice of Boursault, to avenge Moliere,
with whom he had had a difference, gave occasion to this
piece, which Boileau had interest enough and meanness
enough to prevent being played. The satirist being some
years afterwards at the baths of Bourbon, Boursault, at that
time receiver of the excise at Montluc/>n, repaired thither
on purpose to offer him his purse and his services. At this
act of generosity Boileau was much affected; and they
immediately engaged in a mutual friendship, of which
Boursault was highly deserving by the gentleness of his
manners, and the cheerfulness of his disposition. He behaved with less tolerance, however, towards his other censors; and was able sometimes to chastise them with effect.
A cabal having prevented the success of the first representation of “Æsop in the city,
” the author added to it a
fable of the dog and the ox, applying the moral of it to
the pit; which so effectually silenced the cabal, that the
piece had a run of forty-three nights without interruption.
Thomas Cornell le had a sincere regard for Boursault, whom
he used to call his son, and insisted on his applying to be
admitted a member of the academy. Boursault desired to
be excused on account of his ignorance, adding with his
usual simplicity, “What would the academy do with an
ignorant and illiterate (ignare & non Lettre) member, who
knows neither Latin nor Greek?
” “We are not talking
(returned Corneille) of a Greek or Latin academy, but of
a French academy; and who understands French better
than you?
” There are likewise by him, 1. Some romances, “The marquis de Chavigny,
” “The prince de
Conde
” which are written with spirit “Artemisia and
Polyanthus and,
” We should only believe what we see.“2. A collection of letters on subjects of respect, obligation,
and gallantry; known under the name of
” Lettres a Babet;“now forgotten. 3.
” Lettres nouvelles,“with fables, tales, epigrams, remarks, bon-mots, &c. 3 vols. 12mo,
several times reprinted, though mostly written in a loose
and inelegant style: a miscellany, which was very popular when ii first came out; but is much less at present, as
the tales and bon-mots which Boursault has collected, or
put into verse, are found in many other books. His fables
have neither the simplicity of those of La Fontaine, nor
the elegant precision of Phaedrus. There is an edition of
the
” Theatre de Boursault," in 3 vols. 1746, 12mo.
n otherwise of great kindness and benevolence. One anecdote is recorded as characteristic. A banker, who had experienced some heavy losses, was taken ill, and Bouvart,
, physician and doctor
regent of the faculty of Paris, and associate-veteran of the
academy of sciences, was born at Chartres Jan. 11, 1717.
Many of his ancestors having been physicians, he determined on the same profession, which he practised at Paris with so much success that no physician was more consulted; yet this did not prevent his being jealous of Tronchin, Bordeu, and some others, of whom he spoke very
illiberally, but he was a man otherwise of great kindness
and benevolence. One anecdote is recorded as characteristic. A banker, who had experienced some heavy losses,
was taken ill, and Bouvart, who was called in, suspected
that this weighed on his mind, but could not obtain the secret from him. The banker’s wife, however, was more
communicative, and told him that her husband had a payment of twenty thousand livres to make very shortly, for
which he was unprovided. Bouvart, without making any
professions of sorrow or assistance, went immediately home
and sent the money to his patient, who recovered surprisingly. Bouvart wrote only two or three small tracts: one a
critique on Tronchin’s book, “de colica Pictonum,
” 1758,
8vo; a “Consultation sur une naissance tardive,
” against
the anatomists Petit and Bertin, Memou/e au sujet de l'honoraire des medicines,
”
ll imagine; but I was still more affrighted when entering the room I saw two fellows drinking there, who, fixing their eyes upon me as soon as I came, continued looking
"I had passed two whole days without any kind of subsistence whatever, meeting nobody in the by-roads that would supply me with any, and fearing to come near any house, as I was not far from the borders of the dominions of the pope I thought I should be able to hold out till I got into the Modenese, where I believed I should be in less danger than while I remained in the papal dominions; but finding myself about noon of the third day extremely weak, and ready to faint, I came into the high road that leads from Bologna to Florence, at a few miles distance from the former city, and alighted at a post house that stood quite by itself. Having asked the woman of the house whether she had any victuals ready, and being told that she had, I went to open the door of the only room in the house (that being a place where gentlemen only stop to change horses), and saw, to my great surprise, a placard pasted on it with a most minute description of my whole person, and the promise of a reward of 800 crowns, about 200l. English money, for delivering me up alive to the inquisition, being a fugitive from the holy tribunal, and 600 crowns for my head. By the same placard all persons were forbidden, on the pain of the greater excommunication, to receive, harbour, or entertain me, to conceal or to screen me, or to be any way aiding and assisting to me in making my escape. This greatly alarmed me, as the reader may well imagine; but I was still more affrighted when entering the room I saw two fellows drinking there, who, fixing their eyes upon me as soon as I came, continued looking at me very steadfastly. I strove, by wiping my face, by blowing- my nose, by looking out at the window, to prevent their having a full view of me. But one of them saying, ‘ The gentleman seems afraid to be seen,’ I put up my handkerchief, and turning to the fellow said boklly, ‘ What do you mean, you rascal? Look at me; I am not afraid to be seen.’ He said nothing, but, looking again steadfastly at me, and nodding his head, went out, and his companion immediately followed him. I watched them; and seeing them with two or three more in close conference, and, no doubt, consulting whether they should apprehend me or not, I walked that moment into the stable, mounted my horse unobserved by them, and, while they were deliberating in an orchard behind the house, rode off full speed, and in a few hours got into the Modenese, where I refreshed both with food and with rest, as I was there in no immediate danger, my horse and myself. I was indeed surprised to find that those fellows did not pursue me; nor can I any other way account for it but by supposing, what is not improbable, that as they were strangers as well as myself, and had all the appearUnce of banditti or ruffians fly ing out of the dominions of the pope, the woman of the house did not care to trust them with her horses. From the Modenese I continued my journey more leisurely through the Parmesan, the Milanese, and part of the Venetian territory, to Chiavenna, subject, with its district, to the Grisons, who abhor the very name of the inquisition, and are ever ready to receive and protect all who, flying from it, take refuge, as many Italians do, in their dominions. However, as I proposed getting as soon as I could to the city of Bern, the metropolis of that great protestant canton, and was informed that my best way was through the cantons of Ury and Underwald, and part of the canton of Lucern, all three popish cantons, I carefully concealed who I was and from whence I came. For though no inquisition prevails among the Swiss, yet the pope’s nuncio, who resides at Lucern, might have persuaded the magistrates of those popish cantons to stop me as an apostate and deserter from the order.
countryman was out of sight; and that night I passed with a good r natured shepherd in his cottage, who supplied me with sheep’s milk, and my horse with plenty of grass.
"Having rested a few days at Chiaveuna, I resumed my journey quite refreshed, continuing it through the country of the Grisons, and the two small cantons of Ury and Underwald to the canton of Lucern, There I missed my way, as I was quite unacquainted with the country, and discovering a city at a distance, was advancing to it, but very slowly, as I knew not where I was; when a countryman whom I met informed me that the city before me was Lucern. Upon that intelligence, I turned out of the road as soon as the countryman was out of sight; and that night I passed with a good r natured shepherd in his cottage, who supplied me with sheep’s milk, and my horse with plenty of grass. I set out very early next morning, making the best of my way westward, as I knew that Bern lay west of Lucern. But after a few miles the country proved very mountainous; and having travelled the whole day over mountains, I was overtaken amongst them by night. As I was looking out for a place where I might shelter myself during the night against the snow and rain, for it both snowed and rained, I perceived a light at a distance; and, making towards it, got into a kind of footpath, but so narrow and rugged that I was obliged to lead my horse and feel my way with one foot, having no light to direct me, before I durst move the other. Thus wita much difficulty I reached the place where the light was, a poor little cottage; and, knocking at the door, was asked by a man within who I was, and what I wanted. I answered that I was a stranger, and had lost my way. ‘Lost your way!’ replied the man; ‘there is no way here to lose.’ I then asked him in what canton I was; and upon his answering that I was in the canton of Bern, ‘I thank God,’ I cried out, transported with joy, ‘that I am.’ The good man answered, ‘And so do I.’ I then told him who I was, and that I was going to Bern, but had quite lost myself by keeping out of all the high roads to avoid falling into the hands of those who sought my destruction. He thereupon opened the door, received and entertained me with all the hospitality his poverty would admit of, regaled me with sour-krout and some new-laid eggs, the only provisions he had, and clean straw with a kind of rug for my bed, he having no other for himself and his wife. The good woman expressed as much satisfaction and good-nature in her countenance as her husband, and said many kind things in the Swiss language, which her husband interpreted for me in the Italian; for that language he well understood, and spoke so as to be understood, having learnt it as he told me in his youth while servant in a public-house on the borders of Italy, where both languages are spoken. I never passed a more comfortable night; and no sooner did I begin to stir in the morning, than the good man and his wife came both to know how I rested, and wishing they had been able to accommodate me better, obliged me to breakfast on two eggs, which Providence, they said, had supplied them with for that purpose. I then took leave of the wife, who, with her eves lifted up to heaven, seemed most sincerely to wish me a good journey. As for the husband, he would by all means attend me to the high road leading to Bern; which road, he said, was but two miles distant from that place. But he insisted on my first going back with him to see the way I had come the night before, the only way, he said, I could have possibly come from the neighbouring canton of Lucern. I saw it, and shuddered at the danger I had escaped; for I found that I had walked and led my horse a good way along a very narrow path on the brink of a dreadful precipice. The man made so many pious and pertinent remarks on the occasion, as both charmed and surprised me. I no less admired his disinterestedness than his piety: for, upon our parting, after he had attended me till I was out of all danger of losing my way, I could by no means prevail upon him to accept of any reward for his trouble. He had the satisfaction, he said, of having relieved me in the greatest distress, which was in itself a sufficient reward, and he cared for no other.
As I had quitted the habi and withdrawn from the college of Macerata, without‘ave from my superiors who had placed me there, I shold have been treated as an apostate,
"The recor wrote, as I had desired him, to the general and the genral, taking no notice of my flight in his answer (for he could not disapprove it, and did not think it safe to appove it), ordered me to continue where I was till further-orders. I arrived at Douay early in May, and continued here till the latter end of June or the beginning of July, when the rector received a second letter from the general, acquainting him, that he had been commanded by the congregation of the inquisition to order me, wherever I was, back to Italy; to promise me in their name full pardon and forgiveness, if I obeyed; but if I did not obey, to treat ie as an apostate. He added, that the same order had bee transmitted soon after my flight to the nuncio* at the efferent Roman catholic courts; and he therefore advisedne to consult my own safety without farther delay. It’s to be observed here, that it is deemed apostacy in a prson of any religious order to quit his habit, and withdiw, without the knowledge of his superiors, from the c<lege, convent, or monastery, in which they have placechim; and that all bishops are not only impowered, but bind to apprehend such an apostate within the limits of tlir respective jurisdictions, and deliver him up to his supeors to be punished by them. As I had quitted the habi and withdrawn from the college of Macerata, without‘ave from my superiors who had placed me there, I shold have been treated as an apostate, had I been disco^red in my flight in a Roman catholic country, even wh’e no inquisition prevailed. But my returning voluntay, and resuming the habit, cleared me from the guilt oipostacy at the general’s tribunal, nay, and at that of tl inquisition itself. However, the congregation of the inquisition had it still in their power to oblige the general trecal me to Italy, and to treat me as an apostate if I d not obey; disobedience to an express command of a wful superior being deemed apostacy, and punished as ach with close confinement, and with bread and water for jod till the order is complied with. That order the geneal received; but his friendship forme, of which he had *iven me some remarkable instances, and his being fully convinced of my innocence, the inquisitor himself -having nothing to lay to my charge but my flight, prompted him to warn me of the danger that threatened me. Indeed I thought myself quite sate in the dominions of France; and should accordingly have lived there unmolested by the inquisition, what crime soever I had been guilty of cognizable by that tribunal alone; but as I had belonged to it, and was consequently privy to their hellish proceedings, they were apprehensive I should discover them to the world; and it was to prevent me from ever discovering them, that they obliged the general to order me back to Italy, and promise me, in their name, a free pardon if I complied, but to confine me for life it' I did not comply with the order.
general is not; and the high tribunal not only have it in their power to punish the general himself, who resides constantly at Rome, but may oblige hiuri to inflict
"Upon the receipt of the general’s kind letter, the rector was of opinion, that I should repair by all means, and without loss of time, to England, not only as the safest asylum I could fly to in my present situation, but as a place where I should soon recover my native language, and be usefully employed, as soon as I recovered it, either there or in Scotland. I readily closed with the rector’s opinion, being very uneasy in my mind, as my old doubts in point of religion daily gained ground, and new ones aroseupon my reading, which was my only employment, :the books of controversy I found in the library of the college. The place being thus agreed on, and it being at the same time settled between the rector and me that I should set out the very next morning, I solemnly promised, at his request and desire, to take no notice, after my arrival in England, of his having been any ways privy to my flight, or of the general’s letter to him. This promise I have faithfully and honourably observed; and I should have thought myself guilty of the blackest ingratitude if I had not observed it, being sensible that, had it been known at Rome that either the rector or general had been accessary to my flight, the inquisition would have resented it severely on both. For though a Jesuit in France or in Germany is out of the reach of the inquisition, the general is not; and the high tribunal not only have it in their power to punish the general himself, who resides constantly at Rome, but may oblige hiuri to inflict what punishment they please on any of the order obnoxious to them.
irty years, Mr. Bower gave the public as a genuine account. Whether owing to the inaccuracy of those who had formerly heard it, to the variations to which a tale frequently
This is the narrative which, after thirty years, Mr. Bower gave the public as a genuine account. Whether owing to the inaccuracy of those who had formerly heard it, to the variations to which a tale frequently repeated is always liable, or to the neglect of veracity in the writer, it certainly differed from accounts which had been orally given by him too much not to furnish some suspicions of the author. On his arrival in England it appears to have been his first object to procure att introduction to some persons of respectability in the country destined for his’ future residence. He had heard of Dr. Aspinwall soon after his arrival; and that divine having formerly belonged to the order of Jesuits, he waited on him, and was kindly received. By this gentleman he was introduced to Dr. Clarke; and to them both he opened, as he says, his mind, without disguise, respecting his doubts relative to his faith. After several conferences with these gentlemen, and some with Berkeley, the bishop of Cloyne, then dean of Londonderry, added to his own reading and reasoning, he obtained, as he says, the fullest conviction that many of the favourite doctrines of Rome were not only evidently repugnant to scripture and reason, but wicked, blasphemous, and utterly inconsistent with the attributes of the supreme and infinite being. He therefore withdrew himself from the communion of the church without further delay, took leave of the provincial, quitted the order, and broke off all connection with those of the communion. This happened in the month of November, 1726.
an’s friends and acquaintance; and among others to Dr. Goodman (physician to king George the first), who procured him to be recommended to lord Aylmer, who wanted a
By Dr. Aspinwall’s means he was introduced to all that gentleman’s friends and acquaintance; and among others to Dr. Goodman (physician to king George the first), who procured him to be recommended to lord Aylmer, who wanted a person to assist him in reading the classics. With this nobleman he continued several years on terms of the greatest intimacy; and was by him made known to all his lordship’s connections, and particularly to the family of lord Lyttelton, who afterwards became his warm, steady, and to the last, when deserted by almost every other person, his unalterable friend.
hter of a clergyman of the church of England, a younger son of a gentleman’s family in Westmoreland, who had a fortune of 4000l. sterling, and then had a child by a
Being thus disengaged from his literary employment,
though he had not then received back his money from the
Jesuits, he, on the 25th of March 1747, put forth the
proposals for his “History of the Popes;
” a work, winch,
he says, he undertook some years since at Rome, and then
brought it down to the pontificate of Victor, that is, to
the close of the second century. In the execution of this
work at that period he professes to have received the first
unfavourable sentiments of the pope’s supremacy. On
the 13th of May 1748, he presented to the king the first
volume; and on the death of Mr. Say, keeper of queen
Caroline’s library (10th of September), one of his friends
(Mr. Lyttelton, afterwards lord Lyttelton) applied to Mr.
Pelham for that place for him, and obtained it. The next
year, 1749, on the 4th of August, he married a niece of
bishop Nicolson, and daughter of a clergyman of the
church of England, a younger son of a gentleman’s family
in Westmoreland, who had a fortune of 4000l. sterling,
and then had a child by a former husband; which child he
afterwards deposed on oath was no way injured by his marriage. He had been engaged in a treaty of marriage,
which did not take effect, in 1745. In 1751, the second
volume of the History of the Popes made its appearance.
In the same year, 1751, Mr. Bower published by way of
supplement to his second volume, seventeen sheets, which
were delivered to his subscribers gratis; and about the
latter end of 1753 he produced a third volume, which
brought down his history to the death of pope Stephen, in
757. His constant friend Mr. Lyttelton, at this time become a baronet, in April 1754 appointed him clerk of the
buck warrants, instead of Henry Read, esq. who held that
place under the earl of Lincoln. This office was probably
of no great emolument. His appointment to it, however, serves to shew the credit he was in with his
patron.
m. His correspondence with the Jesuits at last came to light; and falling into the hands of a person who possessed both the sagacity to discover, and the industry to
It was in this year the first serious attack was made upon
him on account of his “History of the Popes,
” in a
pamphlet printed at Douay, entitled “Remarks on the
two first volumes of the late Lives of the Popes. In letters
from a gentleman to a friend in the country,
” 8vo; and
written, as Mr. Bower asserted, by a popish priest, Butler,
one of the most active and dangerous emissaries of Rome
in this kingdom. His correspondence with the Jesuits at
last came to light; and falling into the hands of a person
who possessed both the sagacity to discover, and the industry to pursueand drag to public notice the practices
of our historian, the warfare began in 1756, and ended in
the total disgrace of Mr. Bower. After a careful perusal
of the controversy, a list of which is here added in a note,
we are compelled to believe that our author (who, shocking as it may be to observe, made an affidavit, denying the authenticity of letters we think fully proved) was
clearly convicted of the material charges alleged against
him. He repelled the attack, however, made on him, with
great spirit; and continued to assert his innocence, and to
charge his enemies with foul practices, long after his
<c History of the Popes," as well as his own veracity, had
fallen into contempt. We find, in the course of this controversy, he ran some hazard of being brought on the stage
by Mr. Garrick, on account of the manner in which he
mentioned that incomparable actor and his lady in one of
his works.
expected, any declaration of his religious principles , he bequeathed all his property to his wife, who, some time after his death, attested his having died in the
Whether through the neglect of the work by the public, or his age, declining abilities, or to whatever other cause it is to be ascribed, the remainder of his history did not make its appearance until just before the author’s death, when the sixth and seventh volumes were published together, and these in so hasty and slovenly a manner, that the whole period from 16OO to 1758 was comprehended in twenty-six pages. He died on the 3d September 1766, at the age of eighty years, and was buried in Mary-le-bone church-yard, with an inscription maintaining his purity and innocence. By his will, made on the 1st of August 1749, which does not contain, as might be expected, any declaration of his religious principles , he bequeathed all his property to his wife, who, some time after his death, attested his having died in the protestant faith
, an ingenious scholar, who, from his Attachment to Spanish literature, was usually called
, an ingenious scholar, who, from his
Attachment to Spanish literature, was usually called by his
friends Don Bowle, was a descendant from Dr. John Bowle,
bishop of Rochester in the early part of the seventeenth
century. He was born in 1725, and educated at Oriel
college, Oxford, where he took his master’s degree in
1750, and having entered into holy orders, was presented
to the vicarage of Idmiston, Wiltshire. In 1776 he was
elected F. S. A. He was a man of great erudition, and
muca respected for his various researches in antiquity,
and varios other lucubrations in obscure literature. He
had the honour or being one of the first detectors of Lauder’s forgeries, and according to Dr. Douglas’s account,
had the juste-st claim to be considered as the original detector o! thai unprincipled impostor. In 1765, he was
editor of “Miscellaneous pieces of ancient English Poesie,
”
containing Shakspeare’s “King John,
” and some of the satires of Marston. To a very accurate and extensive fund
of classical learning, he had added a comprehensive knowledge of most of the modern languages, particularly of the
Spanish, Italian, and French; and in the course of his
reading contracted a fondness for Cervantes’ admirable
romance, which could scarcely be said to be kept within
reasonable bounds. Don Quixote himself did not sally
forth with more enthusiasm than Mr. Bowie, when in 1777
he published “A Letter to the rev. Dr. Percy, concerning
a new and classical edition of Historia del valoroso CavaU
lero Don Quixote de la Mancha, to be illustrated by
annotations and extracts from the historians, poets, and romances of Spain and Italy, and other writers ancient and
modern, with a glossary and indexes, in which are occasionally interspersed some reflections on the learning and
genius of the author, with a map of Spain adapted to the
history, and to every translation of it,
” 4to. He gave also
an outline of the life of Cervantes in the Gent. Mag. for
1731, and circulated proposals to print the work hy subscription at three guineas each copy. It appeared accordingly in 1781, in six quarto volumes, the first four consisting of the text, the fifth of the annotations, and the sixth
is wholly occupied by the index, but the work did not
answer his expectations. The literary journals were either
silent or spoke slightingly of his labours; and the public
sentiment seemed to be that annotations on Cervantes were
not quite so necessary as on Shakspeare. He appears,
however, to have taken some pains to introduce them to
the public in a favourable light. In 1784 (Gent. Mag. LIV. p. 565) we find him lamenting certain “unfair practices respecting the admission of an account of the work
into two periodical publications to which he had some
reason to think he was entitled.
” He adds, that the perpetrators of these practices were “a false friend, and
another, whose encomium he should regard as an affront
and real slander the one as fond of the grossest flattery,
as the other ready to give it, and both alike wholesale
dealers in abuse and detraction.
” Nor was this all; in
1785 he published “Remarks on the extraordinary conduct of the Knight of the Ten Stars and his Italian Squire,
to the editor of Don Quixote. In a letter to I. S. D. D.
”
8vo. This produced an answer from the “Italian Squire,
”
Baretti, not of the most gentleman-like kind, entitled
“Tolondron. Speeches to John Bowie, about his edition of
Don Quixote,
” 8vo, Le Roman de
la Rose;
” on parish registers; and on cards. He was also,
under various signatures, a frequent contributor to the
Gentleman’s Magazine, but as a divine he was not known
to the public. He died Oct. 26, 1788.
ucation, under the care of Mr. Ambrose Bonwicke, a non-juring clergyman of known piety and learning, who then lived at Headley, near Leatherhead in Surrey. Here Mr.
, the most learned English printer
of whom we have any account, was born in Dogwelt-court,
White Fryars, London, on the 19th of December, 1699. His
father, whose name was also William, was of distinguished
eminence in the same profession; and his maternal grandfather (Thomas Dawks) was employed in printing the celebrated Polyglott Bible of bishop Walton. At a proper
age, he was placed, for grammatical education, under the
care of Mr. Ambrose Bonwicke, a non-juring clergyman of
known piety and learning, who then lived at Headley, near
Leatherhead in Surrey. Here Mr. Bowyer made such advances in literature as reflected the highest credit both on
himself and his preceptor; for whose memory, to his latest
years, he entertained the sincerest respect; and to whose
family he always remained an useful friend. The attachment, indeed, was mutual; and the following instance of
the good school-master’s benevolence made an indelible
impression on the mind of his pupil. On the 30th of
January, 1712-13, the whole property of the elder Mr.
Bowyer was destroyed by a dreadful fire; on which occasion, Mr. Bonwicke, with great generosity, and no less
delicacy (endeavouring to conceal its being his own act of kindness), took upon him, for one year, the expences of
his scholar’s board and education. In June 1716, young
Mr. Bowyer was admitted as a sizar at St. John’s college,
Cambridge, of which Dr. Robert Jenkin was at that time
master. The doctor had been a benefactor to the elder
Mr. Bowyer in the season of his calamity; and the son, at
the distance of sixty years, had the happiness of returning
the favour to a relation of the worthy master, in a manner
by which the person obliged was totally ignorant to whom
he was indebted for the present he received, Mr. Bowyer
continued at Cambridge under the tuition, first, of Dr. Anstey, and afterwards of the rev. Dr. John Nevvcome, till
June 1722, during which time he obtained Roper’s exhibition, and wrote, in 1719, what he called “Epistola pro
Sodalitio a rev. viro F. Roper mihi legato;
” but it does not
appear that he took his degree of bachelor of arts. Notwithstanding an habitual shyness of disposition, which
was unfavourable to him at his first appearance, the
regularity of his conduct, and his application to study, procured him the esteem of many very respectable members
of the university. Here it was that he formed an intimacy
with Mr. Markland and Mr. Clarke, two learned friends
with whom he maintained a regular correspondence
through life and their letters contain a treasure of polite literature and sound criticism. On the death of Mr.
Bonwicke, his grateful scholar had an opportunity of requiting, in some measure, the obligations he had received,
by officiating, for a time, in the capacity of a schoolmaster, for the benefit of the family; but before this, he
had entered into the printing business, together with his
father, in June 1722; and one of the first bucks which received the benefit of his correction, was the complete edition of Selden by Dr. David Wilkins, in three volumes,
folio. This edition was begun in 1722, and finished in
1726; and Mr. Bowyer’s great attention to it appeared in
his drawing up an epitome of Selden “de Synedriis,
” as
he read the proof-sheets, and tue several memoranda
from “The privileges of the Baronage
” and “Judicature
in Parliament,
” &c. which are now printed in his “Miscellaneous Tracts.
” In A View of a Book, entitled, * Reliquiae Baxtevianae.' In a Letter to a Friend;
” a single sheet, 8vo.
Very few copies were printed; and, having never been
published, it is seldom found with the Glossary; but it was
reprinted in the “Miscellaneous Tracts.
” Dr. Wotton and
Mr. Clarke were highly pleased with this first public proof
given by Mr. Bowyer of his literary abilities. On the 20th
of December, 1727, he lost an affectionate mother, upon
which occasion he received a letter of pious consolation,
from Mr. Chishull, the learned editor of the “Antiquitates
Asiaticae.
”
een them, in which, as is commonly the case, each party was confident that he was right. Mr. Bowyer, who thought himself slighted, used often to remark, that, “after
Though it is not our intention to notice the works printed by Mr. Bowyer, excepting when he himself contributed to them by prefaces, notes, or other additions, yet
we shall mention his having been the printer, in 1742, of
the additional book of the Dunciad; as he received, on this
occasion, testimonies of regard both from the great poet
and his learned commentator. Among other friendly expressions of Dr. Warburton, he says, “I have never more
pleasure when there (in London), than when I loll and
talk with you at my ease, de qualibet ente, in your diningroom:
” And again, “The Greek I know will be well
printed in your edition, notwithstanding the absence of Senblerus
” The same celebrated writer had long before told
Mr. Bowyer, “No one’s thoughts will have greater weight
with me than your own, in whom I have experienced so
much candour, goodness, and learning.
” It is not, however, to be concealed, that a difference afterwards arose
between them, in which, as is commonly the case, each
party was confident that he was right. Mr. Bowyer, who
thought himself slighted, used often to remark, that, “after
the death of the English Homer, the letters of his learned
friend wore a different complexion.
” “But, perhaps,
”
as Mr, Nichols candidly and judiciously observes, “this
may be one of the many instances, which occur through,
life, of the impropriety of judging for ourselves in cases
which affect our interest or our feelings.
” Mr. Bowyer,
indeed, had a great sensibility of temper with regard to
any neglects which were shewed him by his literary friends,
in the way of his business. This did not proceed from a
principle of avarice, but from a consciousness of the respect
which was due to him from his acquaintance, as the first
of his profession: for he expressed his resentment as
strongly in cases where profit could be no material object,
as he did in more important instances. Dr. Squire, then,
dean of Bristol, not having appointed him to print a sermon
which had been preached before the house of commons,
on the general fast day, Feb. 13, 1761, Mr. Bowyer wrote
to the doctor, upon the occasion, an expostulatory letter.
Nor was this the only evidence he gave how much he was
offended, when he thought that a slight had been put upon
him from a quarter where he imagined he had a natural
claim to favour.
The design of this sensible little tract, which was written with spirit, and well received by those who were superior to narrow prejudices, was to shew, that whatever
In 1744, Mr. Bowyer is supposed to have written a small
pamphlet on the present state of Europe, taken principally
from Pufendorff. In 1746, he projected, what during his
whole life he had in view, a regular edition of Cicero’s
Letters, in a chronological order, on a plan which it is to
be lamented that he did not complete; as an uniform series
thus properly arranged would have formed a real history of
Tully’s life, and those which cannot be dated might be
thrown to the end without any inconvenience. In the same
year he published “The Life of the Emperor Julian,
”
translated from the French of M. Bleterie, and improve^
with twelve pages of curious notes, and a genealogical
table. The notes were not entirely Mr. Bowyer’s, but
were drawn up, in part, by Mr. Clarke and other learned
men. The translation, by Miss Anne Williams (Dr. Johnson’s inmate), and the two sisters of the name of
Wilkinson, was made under Mr. Bowyr’s immediate inspection.
In this year also, he printed, and is supposed to have assisted in thp composition of, “A Dissertation, in which the
objections of a late pampinet (by bishop Ross) to the writings of the anci nits, after the mariner of Mr. Maryland,
are clearly answered: those passages in Tuily corrected,
on which some of the objections are founded; with
Amendments of a few pieces of criticism in Mr. Maryland’s
Epistola Critica,
” 8vo. On the 2d of August, 1747, Mr.
Bowyer entered a second time into the matrimonial state,
with a most benevolent and worthy woman, Mrs. Elizabeth
Bill, by whom he had no children. In 1750, he had the
honour of sharing, with Dr. Burton, in the invectives most
liberally bestowed by Dr. King, in his “Elogium Famse
inserviens Jacci Etouensis, sive Gigantis: or, the Praises
of Jack of Eaton, commonly called Jack the Giant.
” Dr.
King’s abuse was probably owing to his having heard that
our learned printer had hinted, in conversation, his doubts
concerning the doctor’s Latiriity. Mr. Bowyer drew up
strictures in his own defence, which he intended to insert
at the conclusion of a preface to Montesquieu’s Reflections, &c.; but, in consequence ol Mr. Clarke’s advice, they
were omitted. In the same year, a prefatory critical dissertation, and some valuable notes, were annexed, by our
author, to Kuster’s Treatise “De vero usu Verborum
Mediorum;
” a new edition of which work, with further
improvements, appeared in 1773. He wrote, likewise,
about the same time, a Latin preface to Leedes’s “Veteres
Poeta? citati, &c.
” Being soon after employed to print an
edition of colonel Bladen’s translation of Cæsar’s Commentaries, that work received considerable improvements from.
Mr. Bowyer’s hands, and the addition of such notes in it
as are signed Typogr. In the subsequent editions of this
work, though printed by another person, and in our author’s life-time, the same signature, contrary to decorum,
and even justice, was still retained. In 1751, he wrote a
long preface to Montesquieu’s “Reflections on the Rise
and Fall of the Rouian Empire;
” translated the Dialogue
between Sylla and Socrates; made several corrections to
the work from the Baron’s “Spirit of Laws,
” and improved
it with his own notes. A new edition, with many; new
notes, was printed in 1759. He gave likewise to the
public, in 1751, with a preface, the first translation that
was made of Rousseau’s paradoxical oration on the effects
of the arts and sciences, which gained the prize at the academy of Dijon, in 1750; and which first announced that
singular genius to the attention and admiration of Europe.
On the publication of the third edition of lord Orrery’s
“Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Swift,
” in Two Letters from Dr. Bentley in the shades below, to
lord Orrery in a land of thick darkness.
” The notes
signed B, in the ninth quarto volume of Swift’s works, are
extracted from these Letters, which are reprinted at large
in his “Tracts.
” In Vindication of the Histories of the Old and New Testament, in answer to the Objections of Lord Bolingbroke,
”
Mr. Bowyer drew up an analysis of the same, with an intention of sending it to the Gentleman’s Magazine: it is now
printed in Mr. Nichols’s “Anecdotes.
” In Remarks on a Speech made in Common Council,
on the Bill for permitting persons professing the Jewish Religion to be naturalized, so far as Prophecies are supposed
to be affected by it.
” The design of this sensible little tract,
which was written with spirit, and well received by those
who were superior to narrow prejudices, was to shew, that
whatever political reasons might be alleged against the
Bill, Christianity would in no degree be prejudiced by
the indulgence proposed to be gVanted to the Jews. In
the same year, some of Mr. Bowyer’s notes were annexed
to bishop Clayton’s translation of “A Journal from Grand
Cairo to Mount Sinai, and back again.
” In Commentary on the Book of Wisdom,
” and enriched it with the remarks of Mr. Markland.
Upon the death of Mr. Richardson, in 1761, Mr. Bowyer,
through the patronage of the late earl of Macclesfield, was
appointed printer to the Royal Society; and, under the
friendship of five successive presidents, had the satisfaction
of continuing in that employment till his death. In the
same year (1761), appeared “Verses on the Coronation
of their late majesties, king George the Second and queen
Caroline, October 4, 1727, spoken by the Scholars of
Westminster school (some of them now the ornaments of the Nation) on January 15th following, being the Day of
the Inauguration of Queen Elizabeth, their foundress
with a Translation of all the Latin copies The whole
placed in order of the transactions of that important day.
Adorned with the Coronation Medals pf the Royal Pair,
and a bust of our present king. To which is subjoined
the Ceremonial of the august Procession, very proper to
be compared with the approaching one; and a Catalogue
of the Coronation Medals of the Kings and Queens of England.
” The original part of this pamphlet, in which a great
deal of humour is displayed, was entirely Mr. Bowyer' s:
the Latin verses were translated partly by him, but principally by Mr. Nichols. Our learned printer’s next publication was of a more serious and weighty nature, an excellent edition of the Greek Testament, in two volumes,
1763, 12mo, under the following title: “Novum Testamentum Greecum, ad Fidem GrascorUm solum Codicum
Mss. nunc primum expressum, adstipulante Joanne Jacobo Wetstenio, juxta Sectiones Jo. Albert! Bengelii divisum; et nova Interpunctione saepius illustratum. Accessere in altero Volumine Emendationes conjecturales virorum doctorum undecunque collectse.
” This sold with
great rapidity; though Mr. Bowyer, in his advertisements
of it in the public papers, was pleased to add, that it
boasted neither elegance of type nor paper, but trusted to
other merits. The conjectural emendations are a very
valuable addition to the Greek Testament, and were extremely well received by the learned. In a letter of thanks,
from the president and fellows of Harvard college, in Cambridge, New-England, to Mr. Bowyer, in 1767, for several benefactions of his to that college, they express themselves as follows: “It is a particular pleasure to us to
mention your very curious edition of the Greek Testament, in two volumes, with critical notes, and many happy
conjectures, especially as to the punctuation, an affair of
the utmost importance as to ascertaining the sense. This
work, though small in bulk, we esteem as a rich treasure
of sacred learning, and of more intrinsic value than many
large volumes of the commentators.
” A second edition of
the Conjectures on the New Testament, with very considerable enlargements, was separately published, in one
volume, 8vo, in 1772, a third in 4to, 1782, and a fourth
from the interleaved -copy of Dr. Owen, which he bequeathed to the honourable and right reverend Dr. Shute
Barrington, bishop of Durham, is just published (1812).
Bishop Wavbnrton having censured apassage in the first edition, Mr. Bowyer sent him a copy of the second, with a conciliatory letter. In 1765, at the request of Thomas Hollis,
esq. our learned printer wrote a short Latin preface to Dr.
Wallis’s “Grammatica Linguae Anglicanse.
” A larger English preface, which was written by him, and intended for
that work, is printed in his “Tracts.
” Some copies of this
book were sent by him to the rev. Edward Clarke, when,
chaplain to the earl of Bristol at Madrid, to be given to the
Spanish literati. Towards the latter end of the same year,
in consequence of overtures from a few respectable friends
at Cambridge, Mr. Bowyer had some inclination to have
undertaken the management of the University press, by
purchasing a lease of its exclusive privileges. He went,
accordingly, to Cambridge for this purpose; but the treaty
proved fruitless, and he did not much regret the disappointment. In the beginning of 1766, by engaging in a partnership with Mr. Nichols, he was again enabled to withdraw, in some degree, from that close application, which
had begun to be prejudicial to his health. His new associate had been trained by him to the profession, and had
assisted him several years in the management of business. He was very happy in this connection; and it is unnecessary to add how successfully Mr. Nichols has trod in
the steps of his worthy and learned friend and partner. In,
that year (1766) Mr. Bowyer wrote an excellent Latin preface to “Joannis Harduini, Jesuitae, ad Censuram Scriptorum veterum Prolegomena; juxta Autographum.
” In
this preface he gives an account of the nature of the work,
and of the manner in which it had been preserved. Mr. De
Missy’s remarks on the celebrated Jesuit’s extraordinary production were published about the same time, in a letter to
Mr. Bowyer, written in Latin. In 1767, he was appointed
to print the Journals of the House of Lords, and the Rolls
of Parliament. The noble peer to whom he was indebted
for this appointment, and his gratitude to whom is testified
in the inscription which he left behind him, to be placed in
Stationers Hall, was the earl of Marchmont. Mr. Bowyer
was now compelled, from the want of sufficient room, to
exchange White Fryars for Red Lion-passage; and it was
not without reluctance that he quitted a residence to which
he had been accustomed from his infancy. His new printing-house was opened with the sign of his favourite Cicero’s
Head: under which was inscribed, “M, T, Cicero, A Quo
Primordia Preli,
” in allusion to the well-known early editions of Tally’s Offices. Having printed this year Mr.
Clarke’s excellent and learned work on “The Connexion
of the Roman, Saxon, and English Coins,
” he wrote some
notes upon it, which are interspersed throughout the volume with those of the author. Part of the dissertation on
the Roman Sesterce was, likewise, Mr. Bowyer’s production; and the index, which is an uncommonly good one,
and on which he did not a little pride himself, was drawn up
entirely by him. On the 14th of January, 177 J, he lost
his second wife, who died at the age of seventy. His old
friend, Mr. Clarke, who had administered consolation to
him, on a similar occasion, nearly forty years before, again
addressed him with tenderness on this event. In the Philosophical Transactions for 1771, was printed a very ingenious “Enquiry intothe value of the antient Greek and Roman Money,
” by the late Matthew Raper, esq. The opinions advanced by this respectable gentleman, on these
subjects, not coinciding with those of Mr. Bowyer, he
printed a small pamphlet, entitled, “Remarks, occasioned
by a late Dissertation on the Greek and Roman Money.
” The pamphlet was intended as an appendix
to Mr. Clarke’s Treatise on Coins. The opinions of many
excellent writers in Germany and France having been ably
controverted in that elaborate work, Mr. Bowyer transmitted
a copy of it to the French king’s library, and inscribed his
little appendix,
r. I give to the two sons and one daughter of the late reverend Mr. Maurice of Gothenburgh iuSweden, who married the only daughter of Mr. Richard Williamson, bookseller
Mr. Bowyer had always been subject to a bilious colic;
and during the last ten years of his life, he was afflicted
with the palsy and the stone. But, notwithstanding these
infirmities, he preserved, in general, a remarkable cheerfulness of disposition; and received great satisfaction from
the conversation of a few literary friends, by whom he continued to be visited. The faculties of his mind, though
somewhat impaired, were strong enough to support the labour of almost incessant reading, which had ever been his
principal amusement; and he regularly corrected the
learned works, and especially the Greek books, which came
from his press. This he did till within a very few weeks of
his death; which happened on the 18th of November,
1777, when he had nearly completed his 78th year. The
publications of Mr. Bowyer are an incontrovertible evidence
of his abilities and learning; to which may be added that
he was honoured with the friendship and patronage of many
of the most distinguished ornaments of his age. We already have had occasion to mention the earls of Macclesfield and Marchmont, Dr. Wotton, Mr. Pope, Mr. Chishull,
Mr. Clarke, Mr. Markland, bishop Warburton, the right
honourable Arthur Onslow, Mr. Hollis, Dr. Salter, Mr,
De Missy, Dr. Owen, and Dr. Heberden. To these, among
other respectable names, might be added those of archbishop Seeker, bishop Kennett, bishop Tanner, bishop Sherlock, bishop Hoadly, bishop Lyttelton, bishop Pearce, bishop Lowth, bishop Barrington, bishop Hurd, bishop
Percy, lord Lyttelton, lord Sandys, dean Prideaux, doctors
Robert and John Freind, dean Freind, dean Milles, the very
learned Dr. Taylor, chancellor of Lincoln, Dr. Barnard, Dr.
Powell, Dr. Wilkins, Mr. Maittaire, Messrs. R. and S.
Gale, Mr. Browne Willis, Mr. Spelman, Mr. Morant, Dr.
Ducarel, Dr. Pegge, Mr. Garrick, and most of the distinguished scholars and antiquaries of his time. His connec^
tion with the late eminent and excellent Richard Gough,
esq. so well known by his acquaintance with British topography and antiquities, is apparent from his last will;
where his obligations to Dr. Jenkin, dean Stanhope, and
Mr. Nelson, are acknowledged. The late excellent Dr.
Robert Clayton, bishop of Clogher, so highly esteemed his
friendship, that he not only honoured him by a regular
epistolary intercourse, but presented him with the copy-right
of all his valuable writings. Mr. Bowyer stood unrivalled,
for more than half a century, as a learned printer; and
some of the most masterly productions of this kingdom have
undoubtedly appeared from his press. To his literary and
professional abilities, he added an excellent moral character.
His regard to religion was displayed in his publications, and
in the course of his life and studies; and he was particularly
distinguished by his inflexible probity, and an uncommon
alacrity in assisting the necessitous. His liberality in relieving every species of distress, and his endeavours to conceal
his benefactions, reflect great honour on his memory.
Though he was naturally fond of retirement, and seldom
entered into company, excepting with men of letters, he
was, perhaps, excelled by few in the talent of justly discriminating the real characters of mankind. He judged of the
persons he saw by a sort of intuition; and his judgments
were generally right. From a consciousness of literary superiority, he did not always pay that particular attention tQ
the booksellers which was expedient in the way of his business. Too proud to solicit the favours in that way which he
believed to be his due, he was often disappointed in his expectations. On the other hand, he' frequently experienced
friendships in cases where he had much less reason to have
hoped for them so that, agreeably to his own expression,
“in what he had received, and what he had fyeen denied,
he thankfully acknowledged the will of Heaven.
” The two
great objects of Mr. Bowyer’s view, in the decline of his
life, were to repay the benefactions his father had met
with, and to be himself a benefactor to the meritorious of
his own profession. These purposes are fully displayed in
his last will: for which reason, and because it illustrates
the turn of his mind in other respects, we shall insert it at
large. After a liberal provision for his son, among other
legacies are these “I likewise give to my son all my plate;
except the small silver cup which was given to my father
(after his loss by fire) by Mrs. James, and which I give to
the Company of Stationers in London, hoping they will
preserve it as a memorial. Having committed my body to
the earth, I would testify my duty and gratitude to my few
relations and numerous benefactors after my father’s loss by
fire. I give and bequeath to my cousin Scott, lately of
Westminster, brewer, and to his sister, fifty pounds each.
I give and bequeath to my relations Mr. Thomas Linley and
his wife one thousand pounds four per cent, consolidated annuities, to be transferred to them, or to the survivor of them;
and which I hope they will take care to settle, at their
deaths, for the benefit of their son and daughter. I give
to the two sons and one daughter of the late reverend Mr.
Maurice of Gothenburgh iuSweden, who married the only
daughter of Mr. Richard Williamson, bookseller (in return for her father’s friendship to mine), one thousand pounds
four per cent, consolidated annuities, to be divided equally
between them. Among my father’s numerous benefactors,
there is not, that I can hear of, one alive: to several of
them I made an acknowledgement. But one respectable
body I am still indebted to, the University of Cambridge;
to whom I give, or rather restore, the sum of fifty pounds,
in return for the donation of forty pounds made to my father
at the motion of the learned and pious master of Saint John’s
college, doctor Robert Jenkin: to a nephew of his I have
already given another fifty pounds, as appears by his receipt
of the thirty-first of May, one thousand seven hundred and
seventy. The benefactions which my father received from
Oxford I can only repay with gratiiude; as he received
them, not from the university as a body, but from particular members. I give thirty pounds to the dean and chapter
of Canterbury, in gratitude for the kindness of the worthy
doctor Stanhope (sometime dean of Canterbury) to my father; the remembrance of which amongst the proprietors of
his works I have long out-lived, as I have experienced by not
being employed to print them: the like I might say of the
works of Mr. Nelson, another respectable friend and patron of
my father’s, and of many others. I give to doctor William
Heberden my little cabinet of coins, with H ickes’s Thesau rus,
Tristan, and the odd volume, Spanheim’s Numismata, Harduin’s Opera Selecta, in folio, Nummi Populorum et Urbium, in quarto, and any other of my books he chooses to
accept: to the reverend doctor Henry Owen, such of my
Hebrew books and critical books on the New Testament,
as he pleases to take: to Richard Gough, esq. in like manner, my books on topographical subjects: to Mr. John
Nichols, all books that relate to Cicero, Livy, and the Roman
history, particularly the * Cenotaphia' of Noris and Pighius, my grammars and dictionaries, with Swift’s and
Pope’s works: to my son, whatever books (not described above) he thinks proper to take. And now I hope I may
be allowed to leave somewhat for the benefit of printing.
To this end, I give to the master and keepers or wardens
and commonalty of the mystery or art of a stationer of the
city of London, such a sum of money as will purchase two
thousand pounds three per cent, reduced Bank annuities,
upon trust, to pay the dividends and yearly produce thereof,
to be divided for ever equally amongst three printers, compositors or pressmen, to be elected from time to time by
the master, wardens, and assistants, of the said company,
and who at the time of such election shall be sixty-three
years old or upwards, for their respective lives, to be paid
half-yearly; hoping that such as sha.ll be most deserving
will be preferred. And whereas I have herein before given
to my son the sum of three thousand pounds four per cent,
consolidated annuities, in case he marries with the consent
of my executors: Now, I do hereby give and bequeath the
dividends and interest of that sum, till such marriage take
place, to the said company of stationers to be divided
equally between six other printers, compositors or pressmen, as aforesaid, in manner as aforesaid; and, if my said
son shall die unmarried, or married without such consent as
aforesaid, then I give and bequeath the said capital sum of
three thousand pounds to the company of stationers, the
dividends and yearly produce thereof to be divided for ever
equally amongst six other such old printers, compositors or
pressmen, for their respective lives, to be qualified, chosen,
and paid in manner as aforesaid. It has long been to me
matter of concern, that such numbers are put apprentices
as compositors without any share of school-learning, who
ought to have the greatest: in hopes of remedying this,
I give and bequeath to the said company of stationers such
a sum of money as will purchase one thousand pounds three
per cent, reduced bank annuities, for the use of one journeyman compositor, such as shall hereafter be described; with
this special trust, that the master, wardens, and assistants,
shall pay the dividends and produce thereof half-yearly to
such compositor: the said master, wardens, and assistants
of the said company, shall nominate for this purpose a compositor who is a man of good life and conversation, who shall
usually frequent some place of public worship every Sunday unless prevented by sickness, and shall not have worked
on a newspaper or magazine for four years at least before
such nomination, nor shall ever afterwards whilst he holds
this annuity, which may be for life, if he continues a journeyman; he shall be able to read and construe Latin, and at
least to read Greek fluently with accents; f which he shall
bring a testimonial from the rector of St. Martin’s Ludgate
for the time being: I could wish that he shall have been
brought up piously and virtuously, if it be possible, at Merchant Taylors, or some other public school, from seven
years of age till he is full seventeen, and then to serve seven years faithfully as a compositor, and work seven years
more as a journeyman, as I would not have this annuity bestowed on any one under thirty -one years of age: if after
he is chosen he should behave ill, let him be turned out,
and another be chosen in his stead. And whereas it may
be many years before a compositor may be found that shall
exactly answer the above description, and it may at some
times happen that such a one cannot be found; I would
have the dividends in the mean time applied to such person
as the master, wardens, and assistants, shall think approaches
nearest to what I have described. And whereas the above
trusts will occasion some trouble: I give to the said company, in case they think proper to accept the trusts, two
hundred and fifty pounds.
” It is almost superfluous to add,
that the trust was accepted, and is properly executed.
eresting in themselves, were not sufficient to grat:fy the friends and contemporaries of Mr. Bowyer, who foresaw that, with continued industry and research, Mr. Nichols
Early in 1778, Mr. Nichols printed twenty copies of
some short “Biographical Memoirs of Mr. Bowyer,
” an octavo pamphlet of fifty-two pages, which were given in presents to his friends, and reprinted in the Gent. Mag. vol.
XLVIII. These memoirs, although interesting in themselves, were not sufficient to grat:fy the friends and contemporaries of Mr. Bowyer, who foresaw that, with continued
industry and research, Mr. Nichols might erect a more sumptuous monument to the memory of his learned predecessor.
Accordingly from many valuable materials in his possession,
and the aid of some literary friends, he produced in 1782,
in a handsome quarto volume, closely printed, “Biographical and Literary Anecdotes of William Bowyer, Printer,
F. S. A. and of many of his learned friends, containing au
incidental view of the progress and advancement of
literature in this kingdom from the beginning of the present century to the end of the year 1777.
” The importance of this
work was soon acknowledged by men of learning and curiosity. It contained memoirs of several hundreds of eminent
scholars who had been unnoticed or imperfectly notice;! in
biographical compilations, and opened so many new and rich
sources of information and inquiry, that the author was further urged to extend his labours, and improve upon his own
plan so as to include a larger portion of literary history.
With this view, during the intervals he could spare from an
extensive business, and the publication of many useful
works, among which his elaborate ‘ History of Leicestershire’
stands prominent, amidst too his indefatigable attention to
the affairs of the corporation of London, of which he was
for many years a distinguished member, he was enabled in
the present year to publish a new edition of his Memoirs of
Bowyer, under the title of “Literary Anecdotes of the
Eighteenth Century; comprizing Biographical Memoirs
of William Bowyer,
” &c. extended to six copious and
closely printed volumes in octavo, illustrated by a series of engraved portraits. Of this work the editor of
this Dictionary, or of any compilation of the kind, cannot
speak without gratitude. It will appear, indeed, by our
references, that our obligations are numerous and important, nor should we be content with this brief acknowledgment, but from a motive of delicacy, it being known to
our readers that the author to whom we are so much indebted
is at the same time the medium of conveying our praises to
the public. We cannot help adding, however, that where
we refer to Mr. Nichols’s “Anecdotes,
” we wish it to be understood that it is for the purpose of more ample information
than we have usually extracted, and that no book has perhaps
ever been published in this or any country by which literary curiosity is so much excited, or so pleasingly gratified.
y Anne Boxhorn, the daughter of Henry Boxhorn, a minister of Breda, originally a Roman Catholic, but who embracing the reformed religion, became minister first in the
, an eminent philologer,
historian, and antiquary, born Sept. 12, 1612, was the son
of James Zuerius, minister at Bergen-op-Zoom, by Anne
Boxhorn, the daughter of Henry Boxhorn, a minister of
Breda, originally a Roman Catholic, but who embracing the
reformed religion, became minister first in the duchy of
Cleves, then at Woorden in Holland, and lastly at Breda,
which place he left in 1625 when the Spaniards took it, and
retired to Leyden: here he superintended the education of
his grandson, the subject of the present article, who lost
his father when only six years old, and as he had no male
children, gave young Zuerius his name of Boxhorn. Under
his tuition, the youth made great progress in his studies,
and in 1629 published some good poetry on the taking of
Boisleduc, and some other victories which the Dutch had
gained. This was when he was only seventeen years old,
and he was but twenty when he published some more considerable works, as will appear in our list, which induced the
curators of the university of Leyden in the same year, 1632,
to promote him to the professorship of eloquence. His reputation extending, chancellor Oxenstiern, the Swedish
ambassador, made him great offers in queen Christina’s
name, but preferring a residence in his own country, he
was afterwards appointed professor of politics and history
in the room of Daniel Heinsius, now disabled by age. For
some time he carried on a controversy with Salmasius, but
they were afterwards apparently reconciled. Besides his
numerous works, he contributed frequently to the labours
of his learned friends: his career, however, was short, as
he died, after a tedious illness, at Leyden, Oct. 3, 1653, at
the age of only forty -one. How industriously this time was
employed will appear from the following list of his publications. 1. “Poemata,
” Granatarum
encomium,
” Amsterdam, Historian Augustas Scriptores,
” a new edition with his notes, Leyden,
Theatrum, sive Descriptio Comitatus et Urbium Hollandiae,
” ibid. Plinii Panegyricus,
” Leyden, Leyden, 1632 and 1645, 12mo. 7.
” Poetae Satiric!
minores, cum Commentariis,“ibid. 1632, 8vo. 8.
” Respublica Leodiensium,“ibid. 1633, 24mo. 9.
” Apologia pro Navigationibus Hollandorum, adversus Pontum
Heuterum,“ibid. 1633, 24mo, and reprinted at London, 1636, 8vo. 10.
” Emblemata Politica, et Dissertationes Politicae,“Amsterdam, 1634 and 1651, 12mo.
11.
” Julii Csesaris Opera, cum commentariis variorum,“ibid. 16:34, fol. 12.
” Grammatica regia, &c. pro Christina Succor um regina,“Holm. 1635, 12nio, Leyden, 1650.
13.
” Catonis Disticha, Gr. Lat. cum Notis,“Leyden,
1635, 8vo. 14.
” Orationes duae de vera Nobilitate et ineptiis sseculi,“ibid. 1635, fol. 15.
” Oratio inauguralis de
maj estate eioqueuti Romanae,“ibid. 1636, 4to. 16.
44 Orationes Tres, de theologia paganorum, fabulis poetarum, et animarum immortalitate,
” ibid. 1636, 4to. 17.
“Oratio funebris in obitum Dominici Molini,
” ibid. Character causarum Patroni,
” ibid. ibid. 1637, 4to. 20.
” Panegyricus
Principi Fred. Henrico, post Bred am oppugnatam dictus,“Leyden, 1637, fol. 21.
” Quaestiones Roman se, cum Plutarchi qucetionibus Romanis, commentario uberrimo explicatis,“ibid. 1637, 4to, and reprinted in Graevius, vol. V.
22.
” Monumenta illustrium virorum seri incisa et elogia,“ibid. 1633, fol. 23.
” JuStinus, cum notis,“Amsterdam,
1638. 24.
” Panegyricus in classem Hispanorum profligatam,“Leyden, 1639, fol. 25.
” Oratio de Somniis,“ibid. 1639, 4to. 26.
” Historia obsidionis Bredanae,
&c.“ibid. 1640, fol. 27.
” De Typographies artis inventione et inventoribus, Dissertatio,“ibid. 1640, 4to.
In this he is inclined to think that the art of printing
was first discovered at Haerlem, and not at Mentz, as he first
supposed. 28. “Dissertatio de Trapezitis, vulgo Longobardis,” ibid. 1640, 8vo, and Groningen, 1658, 4to. 29.
“Panegyricus in Nuptias principis Arausionensium Gulielmi, et Mariae, Britanniae regis filiae,” Leyden, 1641, fol.
30.
” Oratio in excessum Cornelii Vander Myle,“ibid.
1642, fol. 31.
” Oratio qua Ser. Henricae Mariae, magnae
Britannise reginae urbem Leydensem subeuntis adventum
veneratur,“ibid. 1642, fol. This compliment to our exiled
queen, and a subsequent publication, Bayle informs us,
was disliked by some republicans. 32.
” Oratio in excessum principis Const. Alexandri,“ibid. 1642, fol. 33.
” Commentarius in vitam Agricolae Corn. Taciti,“ibid.
1642, 12mo, and an Apology for this edition,
” adversus
Dialogistam,“Amsterdam, 1643, 12mo. 34.
” Animadversiones in Corn. Taciturn, Amsterdam,“1643, and often
reprinted. 35. The Belgic History to the time of Charles
V. in Dutch, Leyden, 1644, 1649, 4to. 36.
” Chronicon
Zelandiae,“Middleburgh, 1644, 4to. 37. On the worship
of the goddess Nehalennia, in Dutch, Leyden, 1647, 4to.
38.
” Plinii Epistolae cum ejus Panegyrico,“ibid. 1648,
and Amsterdam, 1659, 12mo. 39.
” Dissertatio de Amnestia,“ibid. 1648, 12mo. 40.
” Dissertatio de successione
etjure primogenitorum, in adeundo principatu, ad Carolum
II. Magnse Britanniae regem,“ibid. 1649, 4to. 41.
” De
Majestate Regum, Principumque liber singularis,“a defence
of the former, ibid. 1649, 4to. 42.
”Com.mentariolusde Statu
Fcederatarum Provinciarum Belgii, Hague, 1649. Somi
offence taken by the States of Holland obliged the author to
alter part of this work in the edition 1650. 43. “Oratio
funebris in excessum Adriani Falkoburgii Med. Doct.
” Leyden, Hayraonis Hist, ecclesiastics Breviarium,
” ibid. Disquisitiones Politicae, ex
omni historia selectae,
” Hague, Dissertatio de Groecse, Romanae, et Germanics? Linguarum harmonia,
” Leyden, Historia Universalis Sacra et Profana a nato Christo ad annum 1650,
” ibid.
Orationes varii argumenti,
” Amst. Oratio in excessum
Gul. principis Arausiee, comitis Nassovii, Leyd. 1651, fol.
50.
” Metamorphosis Anglorurn,“Hague, 1653, 12mo.
51.
” Originum Gallicaruna liber,“Amst. 1654, 4to. This
critical history of ancient Gaul procured him much reputation. He was employed on it in his latter days, but did
not live to publish it. The following are also posthumous
52.
” Ideae orationum e selection materia modern! status
politici desumptae,“Leyden, 1657, ]2mo, and Leipsic,
1661, 12mo. 53.
” Institutionum seu disquisitionum Politicarum Libri Duo,“Leipsic, 1659, Amst. 1663. 54.
” Chronologia sacra et prophana,“edited by Bosius,
Francf. 1660, fol. 55.
” Epistolae et Poemata,“Amst.
1662, 12mo, with his life written by James Baselius, a Calvinist minister, and reprinted at Leipsic in 1679, with a
preface by Thomasius. 56.
” Dissertatio de Imperio Romano," Jena, 1664, 12mo.
e was at first a singing-boy at St. Paul’s, and afterwards apprenticed to the celebrated Dr. Greene, who bequeathed to him his manuscripts. In 1734 he was a candidate
, an eminent English musician, chapel-master and organist to George II. and III. was the son
of William Boyce, a joiner and cabinet-maker, and housekeeper of Joiners’-hall, where our musician was born, B'eb.
7, 1710. He was at first a singing-boy at St. Paul’s, and
afterwards apprenticed to the celebrated Dr. Greene, who
bequeathed to him his manuscripts. In 1734 he was a
candidate for the place of organist of St. Michael’s church,
Cornhill, with Froud, Young, James Worgan, and Kelway;
but though unsuccessful in this application, Kelway being
elected, he was appointee! the same year to the place of
organist of Oxford chapel and in 1736, upon the death
of Weltlon, when Kelway being elected organist of St.
Martin' sin the Fields, resigned his place at St. Michael’s
Cornhill, Boyce was not only elected organist of that
church, but organist and composer in the chapel royal.
The same year he set David’s “Lamentation over Saul and
Jonathan,
” which was performed at the Apollo Society.
About the year 1743, he produced his serenata of “Solomon,
” which was not only long and justly admired as a
pleasing and elegant composition, but still affords great
delight to the friends of English music whenever it is performed. His next publication was “Twelve Sonatas or
Trios for two violins and a base,
” which were longer and
more generally purchased, performed, and admired, than
any productions of the kind in this kingdom, except those
of CorelH. They were not only in constant use, as chamber music, in private concerts, for which they were originally designed, but in our theatres, as act-tunes, and
public gardens, as favourite pieces, during many years.
iastical composer, and able master of harmony. Dr. Boyce was one of the few of our church composers, who neither pillaged or servilely imitated Handel. There is an original
In 1749, he set the ode written by the rev. Mr. Mason,
for the installation of the late duke of Newcastle, as chancellor of the university of Cambridge, at which time he
was honoured with the degree of doctor in music by that
university. Soon after this event, he set the “Chaplet,
”
a musical drama, written by the late Mr. Mendez, for
Drury-lane theatre, which had a very favourable reception,
and long run, and continued many years in use. Not long
after the first performance of this drama, his friend Mr.
Beard brought on the same stage the secular ode, written
by Dryden, and originally set by Dr. Boyce for Hickford’s
room, or the Castle concert, where it was first performed,
in still life. This piece, though less successful than the
Chaplet, by the animated performance and friendly zeal
of Mr. Beard, was many times exhibited before it was
wholly laid aside. These compositions, with occasional
single songs for Vauxhall and Ranelagh, disseminated the
fame of Dr. Boyce throughout the kingdom, as a dramatic
and miscellaneous composer, while his choral compositions
for the king’s chapel, for the feast of the sons of the clergy
at St. Paul’s, and for the triennial meetings at the three
cathedrals of Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester, at the
performances in all which places he constantly presided
till the time of his death, established his’ reputation as an
ecclesiastical composer, and able master of harmony. Dr.
Boyce was one of the few of our church composers, who
neither pillaged or servilely imitated Handel. There is an
original and sterling merit in his productions, founded as
much on the study of our own old masters, as on the best
models of other countries, that gives to all his works a peculiar stamp and character of his own, for strength, clearness, and facility, without any mixture of styles, or extraneous and heterogeneous ornaments. On the decease
of Dr Greene, in 1757, he was appointed by the duke of
Devonshire, master of the king’s band; and, in 1758, on
the death of Travers, organist of the chapel-royal. He
published, at a great expence to himself, three volumes
of cathedral music, being a collection in score of the most
valuable compositions for that service by the several English masters of the preceding two centuries, which was
designed to have been published by Dr. Greene: and in
this Dr. Boyce was assisted by the first Dr. Hayes, of Oxford, and by Dr. Howard. Dr. Boyce died, of repeated
attacks of the gout, Feb. 7, 1779, and was interred in St.
Paul’s cathedral. An anonymous biographer records a
very singular circumstance in Dr. Boyce’s history, namely,
that he was from his youth incurably deaf.
, a writer who would scarcely have deserved notice, if he had not been obtruded
, a writer who
would scarcely have deserved notice, if he had not been
obtruded on the public as the author of Junius’s Letters,
was the second son of Alexander Macauley, esq. of the
county of Antrim, in Ireland. He was born in 1746; was
educated at Trinity college, Dublin; and was designed
for the bar; but, instead of prosecuting his original views,
came over to London, where, under the patronage of Mr.
Richard Burke, he soon became known both in the literary
and fashionable world. A propensity to extravagance had
already reduced him to considerable embarrassments,
when, in 1777, he married a lady of good fortune; but
this relief was only temporary; for the same expensive
habits still continued, and at length obliged him to accompany lord Macartney to Madras, in the capacity of a
second secretary. He remained there after his lordship’s
return, and died in 1791, having for some years previously
to his death, held the lucrative office of master attendant,
with little advantage to his circumstances. He wrote in
Ireland, a political periodical paper, called “The Freeholder,
” in Whig,
” published in Almon’s newspaper,
the London Courant, in 1780. In I?y4, he also wrote a
few periodical essays called “The Indian Observer,
” published at Madras. These were reprinted in an 8vo volume,
in 1798, by thejate Mr. Laurence Dundas Campbell, with
a view to establish an assertion which Almon first made,
if we mistake not, purporting that Mr. Boyd was the author of Junius; but unfortunately the reader has “the
bane and antidote
” both before htm in this volume, and
few attempts of the kind can be conceived more injudicious than a comparison between the styles of Boyd and Junius. Boyd wrote after Junius, and, like most political
writers, aims at his style; and the only conclusion which
his friends have arrived at amounts tu this absurdity, that
an imitator must be an original writer; and even this in the
case of Mr. Boyd is peculiarly unfortunate, for his imitations are among the most feeble that have been ever attempted. Mr. Campbell returned to the charge, however,
in 1800, with a publication of “The miscellaneous works
of Hugh Boyd, the author of the Letters of Junius: with
an account of his Life and Writings,
” 2 vols. 8vo.
st his father early, he was educated under the inspection of his uncle, Mr. James Boyd, of Trochrig, who, with the then unpopular title of “Archbishop of Glasgow,” performed
, a Scotch writer of considerable reputation in the sixteenth century, the son of
Robert Boyd, of Pinkill in Ayrshire, was born Jan. 13,
1562. Having lost his father early, he was educated under
the inspection of his uncle, Mr. James Boyd, of Trochrig,
who, with the then unpopular title of “Archbishop of
Glasgow,
” performed the offices of minister of the Barony
parish in that city. Young Boyd, in his nature lively
and headstrong, soon grew weary of academical discipline,
quarreled with his preceptors, renounced his studies, and,
eager to become a man of the world, presented himself at
court. It is not unlikely that in this scheme ae relied chit fly
on the patronage of liobert, fourth lord Boyd, who was
probably the cousin-gernran of Boyd’s father. All, however, that we learn of his proficiency at cm:;c is, that he
fought one duel, and was engaged in numberless broils.
His relations advised him to follow the profession of arms
in the Low Countries, for they could not tolerate his impetuous and unruly temper, and perhaps they were little
inclined or little able to support him in a manner of life
which had no determined object or aim. Boyd readily
consented to become a soldier; but he chose France rather
than the Low Countries, for the theatre of his future
achievements. He went therefore to Paris, furnished with
a small stock of money, all of which he soon lost at dice.
This the author of his life ascribes to some secret fate,
“occulto veluti fato
” but says his more recent biographer, lord Hailes, we may absolve fate, for when the raw
and self-sufficient go amongst sharpers, they ought to ascribe their ruin to folly.
a scholar, but a wit also, and a poet; and Gilb. Franc. Genebrand, professor of the Hebrew language, who afterwards by his zeal for the French league, tarnished the
Boyd, observing that young persons of quality, and even military men, were wont to attend academical lectures at Paris, resumed his studies. The teachers to whom he attached himself were, J. Marius d'Amboise, professor of philosophy; J. Passerat, professor of eloquence, not only a scholar, but a wit also, and a poet; and Gilb. Franc. Genebrand, professor of the Hebrew language, who afterwards by his zeal for the French league, tarnished the reputation that he had gained by his literary abilities. Guillonius also is mentioned amongst the professors under whom Boyd studied. He next resolved to apply himself to the civil law, and went to the university of Orleans, where that science was taught by J. Robertas, a man principally known for having dared to become the rival of Cujacius. But he soon quitted Orleans, and went to the university of Bourges. Cujacius, who taught the civil law there, received him with kindness, and possibly, not with the less kindness because his new scholar had quitted Orleans and professor Robertus. It was said that Boyd obtained the friendship of Cujacius, by writing some verses in the obsolete Latin language. Perhaps that learned man liked those verses best which approached nearest to the standard of the Twelve Tables.
er was a Greek by birth, an officer of cavalry. Boyd mentions not his name; but describes him as one who, with the specious advantages of elocution, and a noble figure,
In 1587, a numerous army, composed of mercenary Germans and Swiss, invaded France, in support of the king of Navarre. Boyd joined the troops that marched from Auvergne to reinforce the army of Henry III. His commander was a Greek by birth, an officer of cavalry. Boyd mentions not his name; but describes him as one who, with the specious advantages of elocution, and a noble figure, was volatile, forward, easily provoked, and of ungovernable passion. The'temerity of this commander exposed his soldiers to more hazards in skirmishes with the peasants, than they would have found in storming of towns. Boyd received a shot in the ancle, and this is all we know, with certainty, of his military services.
time, by means of a popular insurrection, fallen into the hands of the faction of the league, Boyd, who had assisted the royal cause, was thrown into prison and, from
In 1588, Boyd fixed his residence at Toulouse, and again applied himself to the study of the civil law under Fr. Rouldes, a celebrated professor. It appears that, about this time, he wrote some tracts on that science, and projected others; and that he even had it in view to compose a system of the law of nations. Toulouse having, about this time, by means of a popular insurrection, fallen into the hands of the faction of the league, Boyd, who had assisted the royal cause, was thrown into prison and, from the hatred of the Jesuits, was in great danger of his life. When he had obtained his liberty, which was granted him at the solicitations of the learned men of Toulouse, he went first to Bourdeaux, and thence to Rochelle. In this last journey he was attacked by robbers, and with difficulty escaped being assassinated by them, after having lost all the property he had with him. Disliking the air of Rochelle, he retreated to the borders of Poictou, where he enjoyed an agreeable rural retirement; devoting his time partly to polite literature, and partly to the aid of his friends, when they were occasionally exposed to the incursions of their enemies. He so equally applied himself te the study of learning and war, that it was not easy to say which he most preferred; but his character appears now to have been more decided than when in youth. Among men of the sword he appeared to be the accomplished soldier, and as eminently the scholar among those of the gown. In his person he was tall, compact, and well proportioned; his countenance was beautiful, sprightly, and engaging; and there was a singularly noble air in his discourse, aspect, voice, aud gesture. He was polite, pleasant, acute, courteous, a ready speaker, and entirely free from envy and avarice. He could easily bear with the boasting of the ignorant, but extremely disliked the abusive manner of writing which prevailed so much among the learned of his time. He thought it unworthy of a Christian, in a literary controversy, to throw out any thing, either in speech or writing, which should hurt the reputation of an adversary. In injuries of an atrocious nature, he chose to do himself justice by having recourse to the laws of arms. Among the ancients, Xenophon was his favourite as a philosopher, Cæsar as an historian, and Virgil as a poet. So admirably was he skilled in the Greek language, that he could write, dictate, and converse in it, with copiousness and elegance. He despised the centos, which were then not a little in fashion; and said, that however learned the authors of them might be, they were dull and ignorant men. Besides his epistles after the manner of Ovid, and his hymns, he wrote a variety of Latin poems, which have not been printed. He was the author of notes upon Pliny, and published an excellent little book, addressed to Lipsius, in defence of cardinal Bembo and the ancient eloquence. He translated, likewise, Cæsar’s Commentaries into Greek, in the style of Herodotus; but would not permit his translation to appear in public. He afterwards applied himself to the cultivation of poetry in his native Ianguage, and arrived at considerable excellence in it. In all his compositions, genius was more apparent than labour.
and affable, he acquired the esteem and confidence of all ranks of people, as well as of his prince, who created him a baron by the title of lord Boyd, of Kilmarnock.
, a nobleman of Scotland, of whose early years we have no account, began to make a figure in public life towards the end of the reign of James II. of Scotland. Being a man of great penetration and sound judgment, courteous and affable, he acquired the esteem and confidence of all ranks of people, as well as of his prince, who created him a baron by the title of lord Boyd, of Kilmarnock. In 1459, he was, with several other noblemen, sent to Newcastle, with the character of plenipotentiary, to prolong the truce with England, which had just fhen expired. On the death of James II. who was killed at the siege of Roxburgh, lord Boyd was made justiciary, and one of the lords of the regency, in whose hands the administration was lodged during the minority of the young king. His lordship had a younger brother who had received the honour of knighthood, sir Alexander Boyd of Duncow, a man in great credit with the king, whom he was appointed to teach the rudiments of military discipline; and between them, the two brothers found means to engross most of the places and preferments about the court. Sir Alexander began to instil into the young king, then twelve years old, that he was now capable of governing without the help of guardians and tutors, and that he might free himself from their restraint. This advice was readily listened to, and the king resolved to take upon himself the government, which, however, was no other than transferring the whole power, from the other regents, to the Boyds. The king was at this time at Linlithgow, and it was necessary to remove him to Edinburgh, to take upon him the regal government, which the Boyds effected, partly by force, and partly by stratagem. Haying got the king- to Edinburgh, lord Boyd began to provide for his own safety, and to avert the danger which, threatened him and his friends, for what they had done in the face of an act of parliament; and accordingly prevailed upon the king to call a parliament at Edinburgh, in October 1466; in which lord Boyd fell down upon his knees before the throne, where the king sat, and in an elaborate harangue, complained of the hard construction put upon the king’s removal from Linlithgow, and how ill this was interpreted by his enemies, who threatened that the advisers of that affair should one day suffer punishment; humbly beseeching his majesty to declare his own sense and pleasure thereupon, and that if he conceived any illwill or disgust against him for that journey, that he would openly declare it. The king, after advising a little with the lords, made answer, that the lord Boyd was not his adviser, but rather his companion in that journey; and therefore that he was more worthy of a reward for his courtesy, than of punishment for his obsequiousness or compliance therein; and this he was willing to declare in a public decree of the estates, and in the same decree provision should be made, that this matter should never be prejudicial to the lord Boyd or his companions. His lordship then desired, that this decree might be registered in the acts of the assembly, and confirmed by letters patent under the great seal, which was also complied with. At the same time also the king, by advice of his council, gave him letters patent, whereby he was constituted sole regent, and had the safety of the king, his brothers, sisters, towns, castles, and all the jurisdiction over his subjects, committed to him, till the king himself arrived to the age of twenty-one years. And the nobles then present solemnly promised to be assistant to the lord Boyd, and also to his brother, in all their public actions, and that they would be liable to punishment, if they did not carefully, and with faithfulness, perform what they then promised, to which stipulation the king also subscribed. Lord Boyd next contrived to be made Jord great chamberlain, and after this had the boldness to procure the lady Mary Stewart, the late king’s eldest daughter, in marriage for his son sir Thomas Boyd, notwithstanding the care and precaution of the parliament. The lord Boyd’s son was a most accomplished gentleman, and this match and near alliance to the crown, added to his own distinguished merit, raised him to a nearer place in the affection as well as confidence of his sovereign, by whom he was soon after created earl of Arran, and was now himself considered as the fountain from whence all honours and preferments must flow. The lord chamberlain, by this great accession of honour to his family, seemed to have arrived at the highest pinnacle of power and grandeur; but what seemed to establish his power, proved the very means of its overthrow. About this time, a marriage having been concluded, by ambassadors sent into Denmark for that purpose, between the young king of Scotland, and Margaret, a daughter of the king of Denmark, the earl of Arran was selected to go over to Denmark, to espouse the Danish princess in the king his brother-in-law’s name, and to conduct her to Scotland. The earl of Arran, judging all things safe at home, willingly accepted this honour; and, in the beginning of the autumn of 1469, set sail for Denmark with a proper convoy, and a noble train of friends and followers. This was, however, a fatal step, for the lord chamberlain, the earl’s father, being now much absent from the court in the necessary discharge of his office, as well as through age and infirmities, which was the case also of his brother sir Alexander Boyd; the earl of Arran had no sooner set out on his embassy, than every endeavour was tried to alienate the king’s affection from the Boyds. Every public miscarriage was laid at their door; and the Kennedies, their ancient enemies, industriously spread abroad reports, to inflame the people likewise against them. They represented to the king, that the lord Boyd had abused his power during his majesty’s minority; that his matching his son, the earl of Arran, with the princess Mary, was staining the royal blood of Scotland, was an indignity to the crown, and the prelude to the execution of a plot they had contrived of usurping even the sovereignty itself; for they represented the lord chamberlain as an ambitious, aspiring man, guilty of the highest offences, and capable of contriving and executing the worst of villanies: with what justice, history does not inform us. Buchanan only says the Boyds were the occasion of the king’s degeneracy into all manner of licentiousness, by their indulgence of his pleasures. The king, however, young, weak, credulous, and wavering, and naturally prone to jealousy, began to be alarmed, and was prevailed on to sacrifice, not only the earl of Arran, but all his family, to the resentment of their enemies, notwithstanding their ancestors’ great services to the crown, and in spite of the ties of blood which united them so closely. At the request of the adverse faction, the king summoned a parliament to meet at Edinburgh, the 20th of November, 1469, before which lord Boyd, the earl of Arran, though in Denmark, and sir Alexander Boyd of Duncow, were summoned to appear, to give an account of their administration, and answer such charges as should be exhibited against them. Lord Boyd, astonished at this sudden blow, betook himself to arms; but, finding it im-r possible to stem the torrent, made his escape into England; but his brother, sir Alexander, being then sick, and trusting to his own integrity, was brought before the parliament, where he, the lord Boyd, and his son the earl of Arran, were indicted of high-treason, for having laid hands on the king, and carried him, against an act of parliament, and contrary to the king’s own will, from Linlithgow to Edinburgh, in 1466. Sir Alexander alleged in his defence, that they had not only obtained the king’s pardon for that'offence in a public convention, but it was even declared a good service by a subsequent act of parliament; but no regard was had to this, because it was obtained by the Boyds when in power, and masters of the king’s person: and the crime being proved against them, they were found guilty by a jury of lords and barons; and sir Alexander Boyd, being present, was condemned to lose his head on the Castle-hill of Edinburgh, which sentence was executed accordingly. The lord Boyd would have undergone the same fate, if he had not inade his escape into England, where, however, he did not long survive his great reverse of fortune, dying at Alnwick in 1470. The earl of Arran, though absent upon public business, was declared a public enemy, without being granted a hearing, or allowed the privilege of defending himself, and his estates confiscated. Things were in this situation, when he arrived from Denmark, with the espoused queen, in the Frith of Forth. Before he landed he received intelligence of the wreck and ruin of his family, and resolved to retire into Denmark; and without staying to attend the ceremonial of the queen’s landing, he took the opportunity of one of those Danish ships which convoyed the queen, and were under his command, and embarking his lady, set sail for Denmark, where he met with a reception suitable to his high birth. From thence he travelled through Germany into France, and went to pay a visit to Charles duke of Burgundy, who received him most graciously, and being then at war with his rebellious subjects, the unfortunate lord offered him his service, which the duke readily accepted, and finding him to be a brave and wise man, he honoured and supported him and his lady, in a manner becoming their rank. But the king their brother, not yet satisfied with the miseries of their family, wrote over to Flanders to recal his sister home; and fearing she would not be induced to leave him, he caused others to write to her, and give her hopes that his anger towards her husband might be appeased, and that if she would come over and plead for him in person, there was no doubt but she might prevail with her brother to restore him again to his favour. The countess of Arran, flattered with these hopes, returned, and was no sooner arrived in Scotland, than the king urged her to a divorce from her husband, cruelly detained her from going back to him, and caused public citations, attested by witnesses, to be fixed up at Kilmarnock, the seat of the Boyds, wherein Thomas earl of Arran was commanded to appear in sixty days, which he not doing, his marriage with the king’s sister was declared null and void, and a divorce made (according to Buchanan), the earl still absent and unheard; and the lady Mary was compelled, by the king, to marry James lord Hamilton, a man much inferior to her former husband both in point of birth and fortune. This transaction was in 1474; and the earl of Arran, now in the last stage of his miseries, and borne down with the heavy load of his misfortunes, soon al'ter, died at Antwerp, and was honourably interred there. The character of him and of his father is variously represented. That they were ambitious, and regardless of the means of gratifying that ambition, cannot well be denied, nor are we permitted to censure with great asperity their enemies who effected their ruin by similar measures and with similar motives. Their fall undoubtedly holds out an useful lesson, but the experience of others, especially of examples in history, seldom checks the progress of that ambition that has once commenced in success.
s resigned, but strictly decent and awful. He had himself observed, with great truth, that for a man who had led a dissolute life, and yet believed the consequences
, a descendant of the preceding, and
fourth and last earl of Kilmarnock, was born in 1704, and
was but thirteen years old when his father died: he discovered early a genius not unequal to his birth, but found
the family estate pretty much encumbered, and great part
of the patrimony alienated, which was by no means answerable to his lordship’s generous and noble disposition.
It was also his misfortune to be too soon let loose among
the gaieties and pleasures of life. As he grew up, instead
of applying himself to study, he launched out into the
world in pursuit of pleasures which were more expensive
than his fortune could support, and by this means considerably reduced his estate, which, from the most probable
conjecture, was the true reason of his taking up arms against
the king. Indeed, his lordship himself owns in his confession to Mr. Foster (while under sentence), that his rebellion
was a kind of desperate scheme, proceeding originally from
his vices, to extricate himself from the distress of his circumstances; for he says, “the true root of all was his careJess and dissolute life, by which he had reduced himself to
great and perplexing difficulties; that the exigency of his
affairs was in particular very pressing at the time of the
rebellion; and that, besides the general hope he had of
mending his fortune by the success of it, he was also
tempted by another prospect of retrieving his circumstances, by following the Pretender’s standard.
” It does
not appear that his lordship was in the original design of
the rebellion: on the contrary, he declared both in his
speech at the bar of the house of lords, and in his petition
to the king after his sentence, that it was not tilt after the
battle of Preston Pans that he became a party in it, having,
till then, neither influenced his tenants or followers to
assist or abet the rebellion; but, on the contrary, influenced the inhabitants of the town of Kilmarnock,
and the neighbouring boroughs, to rise in arms for his
majesty’s service, which had so good an effect, that two
hundred men from Kilmarnock very soon appeared in
arms, and remained so all the winter at Glasgow and other
places. It is said, that when the earl joined the
Pretender’s standard, he was received by him with great marks
of esteem and distinction; was declared of his privy-council, made colonel of the guards, and promoted to the degree of a general (though his lordship himself says, he was far from being a person of any consequence among them).
How he behaved in these stations (quite new to him, and foreign from his former manner of life), we cannot determine; but common fame says, he displayed considerable
courage till the fatal battle of Culloden, when he was
taken, or rather surrendered himself, prisoner, to the king’s
troops, though involuntarily, and with a design to have
facilitated his escape: for he acknowledged to Mr. Foster,
whilst under sentence, that when he saw the king’s dragoons, and made towards them, he thought they had been
Fitz-James’s horse; and that if he could have reached
them by mounting behind one of the dragoons, his escape
would have been more certain, than when he was on foot.
Yet, in his speech to the house of lords, he made a merit
of having surrendered himself, at a time when he said he
could easily have made his escape, and in this he owned,
when in a state of repentance, that he had not spoken
truth. His lordship was brought to the Tower, and on
Monday the 28th of July, 174-6, was, together with the
earl of Cromartie, and lord Balmerino, conducted to Westminster-hall, and at the bar of the lord high-steward’s
court, arraigned, and pleaded guilty to his indictment,
submitting himself to his majesty’s mercy and clemency.
On the Wednesday following, the three lords were again
brought from the Tower to receive sentence, when the
lord Kilmarnock being asked by the lord high-steward, if
he had any thing to offer why sentence of death should not
be passed upon him, his lordship, addressing himself to
his grace and the whole august assembly, then consisting
of an hundred and thirty-six peers, delivered an eloquent
speech, after which, sentence of death was pronounced
upon him, and he returned to the Tower. After this, he
presented petitions to the king, the prince of Wales, and
duke of Cumberland, wherein he set forth his family’s
constant attachment to the revolution interest, and that of
the illustrious house of Hanover; his father’s zeal and
activity in support of both in the rebellion in 1715, and
his own appearing in arms (though then but young) under
his father, and the whole tenour of his conduct ever since
that time. But the services of his forefathers could not
satisfy the public demand for justice, nor avail him so far
as to procure him pardon. He was beheaded on Towerhill, August 18, 1746, and was interred in the Tower
church, with this inscription upon his coffin, viz. “Gulielmus Comes de Kilmarnock, decollat. 18 Augusti, 1746,
aetat. suae 42.
” His lordship’s whole deportment, from the
time he was condemned till his execution, was suitable to
one in his unhappy circumstances. He gave the most
lively marks of a sincere humiliation and repentance for
all his miscarriages, and his behaviour in the hour of death
was resigned, but strictly decent and awful. He had himself observed, with great truth, that for a man who had led
a dissolute life, and yet believed the consequences of
death, to put on an air of daringness and absolute intrepidity, must argue him either to be very stupid or very
impious. He was a nobleman of fine address and polite
behaviour; his person was tall and graceful; his countenance mild, but his complexion pale; and he had abilities, which, if they had been properly applied, might
have rendered him capable of bringing an increase of honour to his family, instead of ruin and disgrace. His
lordship lived and died in the public profession of the
church of Scotland, and left behind him a widow (who was the lady Anne Livingston, daughter of James earl of Linlithgow and Callander (attainted in 1715), with whom
he had a considerable fortune), and three sons, the eldest
of whom his lordship had educated in the principles of
duty and loyalty to his majesty, and in whose service he
fought against the rebels. He succeeded, upon the death
of Mary, countess of Errol, in 1758, to her estate and
honours, his mother having been undoubted heir of line of
that noble family, and he was the sixteenth earl of Errol.
He died June 3, 1778, leaving issue.
ding him for the church, but dying in 1731, the youth was brought up by hisfatlver, a land-surveyor, who very naturally intended him for his own profession, and as a
, a liberal patron of the arts, and an
honour to his country, was born at Stanton in Shropshire,
Jan. 19, 1719. His grandfather was the rev. John Boydell, D. D. vicar of Ashbourne, and rector of Mapleton in
Derbyshire, whose son Josiah married Mary Milnes, eldest daughter of Samuel Milnes, esq. of Ash-house near
Turnditch, Derbyshire, Jan. 22, 1718. Dr. Boydell was
an excellent scholar, and for some time superintended the
education of his grandson, intending him for the church,
but dying in 1731, the youth was brought up by hisfatlver,
a land-surveyor, who very naturally intended him for his
own profession, and as a taste for drawing generally discovers itself very early, he might probably foresee great
advantages from his son’s possessing this talent. Fortunately, however, for young Boydell, and for the arts, a
trifling accident gave a more decided direction to his mind,
and led him to aim at higher efforts in the art than the
mere mechanism of ground-plans and outlines. This was
no other than the sight of a print by Toms, a very indifferent artist, of sir John Glynne’s seat and the old castle
attached to it, in “Baddeley’s Views of different Country
Seats.
” An exact delineation of a building that he had
so often contemplated, afforded him pleasure, and excited
some reflections which gave a new turn to his ambition.
Considering it as an engraving, and from the copper of
which might be taken an almost indefinite number of impressions, he determined to quit the pen, and take up
the graver, as an instrument which would enable him to
disseminate whatever work he could produce, in so much
wider a circle. This resolution was no sooner made, than
it was put in execution; for, with that spirit and perseverance which he manifested in every succeeding scene of
life, he, at twenty-one years of age, walked up to the
metropolis, and bound himself apprentice for seven years
to Mr. Toms, the engraver of the print which had so forcibly attracted his attention. These, and accidents equally
trifling, sometimes attract men of strong minds into the
path that leads direct to fame, and have been generally
considered as proving that they were born with some peculiar genius for some peculiar study. Sir J. Reynolds
had the first fondness for his art excited by the perusal of
“Richardson’s Treatise on Painting
” and Mr. Boydell
was induced to learn the art of engraving, by a coarse
print of a coarse artist, representing a mis-shapen gothic
castle.
fitable. But this producing no effect, his father took into business with him a younger son, Thomas, who succeeded him, and who died a few years before the subject of
This step, however, gave his father no little uneasiness, and every argument and remonstrance of himself and his friends were employed to divert him from a pursuit which they considered as likely to be very unprofitable. But this producing no effect, his father took into business with him a younger son, Thomas, who succeeded him, and who died a few years before the subject of the present article, at Trevallyn Hall, Denbighshire, where his father had lived before him, but did not live long enough to witness the success of his son John, in the pursuit he so much disapproved.
r, equal to the taste of a great majority of their customers; and the few people of the higher order who had a relish for better productions, indulged it in the purchase
His conduct during his apprenticeship was eminently
assiduous. Eager to attain all possible knowledge of an
art on which his mind was bent, and of every thing that
could be useful to him, and^impelled by an industry that
seemed inherent in his nature, he, whenever he could,
attended the academy in St. Martin’s-lane to perfect himself in drawing; his leisure hours in the evening were devoted to the study of perspective, and to the learning of
French without the aid of a master. After very steadily
pursuing his business for six years, and finding himself a
better artist than his teacher, he bought from Mr. Toms
the last year of his apprenticeship, and became his own
master. In 1745 or 1746 he published six small landscapes, designed and engraved by himself. This publication, from his having in most of the views chosen a situation in which a bridge formed part of the scenery, was
entitled “The Bridge book,
” and sold for a shilling.
Small as this sum was, he sometimes spoke with apparent
pleasure of a silversmith in Duke’s-court, St. Martin’s
lane, having sold so many, that when he settled his annual
account, he thought it would be civil to take a silver pint
mug in part of payment, and this mug he retained until
his dying day. He afterwards designed and engraved
many other views, generally of places in and about London, and published the greater part of them at the low
price of one shilling each. But even at this early period
he was so much alive to fame, that after having passed
several months in copying an historical sketch of Coriolanus by Sebastian Concha, he so much disliked his own
engraving, that he cut the plate to pieces. Besides these,
he engraved many prints from Brocking, Berchem, Salvator ilosa, &c. The manner in which many of them are
executed, is highly respectable; and, being done at a
time when the artist had much other business to attend to,
displays an industry rarely to be paralleled, and proves
that had he devoted all his time to engraving, he wcmld
have ranked high in the profession. His facility of execution, and unconquerable perseverance, having thus enabled him to complete one hundred and fifty-two prints,
tie collected the whole in one port-folio, and published it
at fi,ve guineas. He modestly allowed that he himself had
not at that time arrived at any eminence in the art of engraving, and that those prints are now chiefly valuable
from a comparison of them with the improved state of the
art within the last fifty years. In fact, there were at that
time no eminent engravers in England, and Mr. Boydell
saw the necessity of forcing the art by stimulating men of
genius with suitable rewards. With the profits of the folio
volume of prints above-mentioned, he' was enabled to pay
very liberally the best artists of his time, and thus presented the world with English engravings from the works of
the greatest masters. The encouragement that he experienced from the public was equal to the spirit and patriotism of his undertaking, and soon laid the foundation
of an ample fortune. He used to observe, that he believed
the book we have alluded to was the first that had ever
made a lord mayor of London; and that when the smallness of the work was compared with what had followed, it
would impress all young men with the truth of what he
had often held out to them, “that industry, patience, and
perseverance, if united to moderate talents, are certain
to surmount all difficulties.
” Mr. Boydell, though he
never himself made any great progress as an engraver, was
certainly the greatest encourager of the art that this country
ever knew. The arts were at the time he began, at a
very low ebb in this country. Wotton’s portraits of hounds
^nd horses, grooms and squires, with a distant view of the
dog-kennel and stable; and Hudson’s portraits of gentlemen in great coats and jockey caps, were in high repute.
Inferior prints from poor originals were almost the only
works our English artists were thought capable of performing; and, mortifying as it must be to acknowledge it,
yet it must be admitted, that (with the exception of the inimitable Hogarth, and two or three others) the generality of them were not qualified for much better things.
The powers of the artists were, however, equal to the
taste of a great majority of their customers; and the few
people of the higher order who had a relish for better
productions, indulged it in the purchase of Italian and
Flemish pictures and French prints; for which, even at
th?t time, the empire was drained of immense sums of
money. To check this destructive fashion, Mr. Boydell
sought for an English engraver who could equal, it not
excel them; and jn Woollett he found one. The Temple
of Apollo, from Claude, and two premium pictures from
the Smiths of Chichester, were amongst the first large
works which this excellent artist engraved; but the Niobe
and the Phaeton, from Wilson, established his fame. For
the first of them the alderman agreed to give the engraver
fifty guineas, and when it was completed paid him a
hundred. The second, the artist agreed to engrave for
fifty guineas, and the alderman paid him one hundred and
twenty. The two prints were published by subscription,
at five shillings each. Proof prints were not at that time
considered as having any particular value; the few that
were taken off to examine the progress of the plate were
delivered to such subscribers as chose to have them, at the
subscription price. Several of these have since that time
been sold at public auctions, at ten and eleven guineas
each. By these and similar publications he had the satisfaction to see in his own time the beneficial effects of his
exertions. We have before observed, that previous to his
establishing a continental correspondence for the exportation of prints, immense sums were annually sent out of
the country for the purchase of those that were engraved
abroad; but he changed the course of the current, and
for many of the later years of his life, the balance of the
print-trade with the continent was very much in favour of
Great Britain.
Pall Mall; and we believe there are few individuals possessed of the least taste, or even curiosity, who have not inspected and been delighted by them.
Having been so successful in promoting the art of engraving in this country, he resolved to direct his next
efforts to the establishing an English school of historical
painting; and justly conceiving that no subject could be
more appropriate for such a national attempt than England’s inspired poet, and great painter of nature, Shakspeare, he projected, and just lived to see completed, a
most splendid edition of the works of that author, illustrated by engravings from paintings of the first artists that
the country could furnish, and of which the expence was
prodigious. These paintings afterwards formed what was
termed “The Shakspeare gallery,
” in Pall Mall; and we
believe there are few individuals possessed of the least
taste, or even curiosity, who have not inspected and been
delighted by them.
"In this state of things I throw myself with confidence upon that public who have always been but too partial to my poor endeavours, for
"In this state of things I throw myself with confidence upon that public who have always been but too partial to my poor endeavours, for the disposal of that, which, in happier days, I flattered myself to have presented to them.
to transcribe and prepare for the press Camden’s letters from the Cotton ian library, for Dr. Smith, who afterwards published them. In 1692, he became French and Latin
, a lexicographer and miscellaneous writer, was born June 13, 1667, at the city of Castres in Upper
Languedoc. His great-grandfather and grandfather were
masters of the riding-school at Nismes; his father was
president of the supreme court at Castres, and his mother
was Catherine, daughter of Campdomerius, a celebrated
physician, circumstances which have been recorded to
prove that he was of a good family. He was certainly of a
conscientious one, his relations being exiles for their adherence to the protestant religion. He was first educated
by his mother’s brother, Campdomerius, a noted divine
and preacher of the reformed church, and then was sent to
the protestant school at Puy Laurent, where he applied
assiduously, and excelled all his schoolfellows in Greek
and Latin. In 1685, when the persecution prevailed
against the protestants in France, he followed his uncle to
Holland, and pressed by want, was obliged to enter into
the military service in 1687; but soon, by the advice of
his relations, returned to his studies, and went to the university of Franeker, where he went through a regular course
of education, and added to philosophy, divinity, history,
&c. the study of the mathematics. In 1689 he came over
to England, and the hopes of being able to return to France,
which the protestants in general entertained, being disappointed, he was obliged to have recourse to his pen for a
livelihood. His first employment appears to have been to
transcribe and prepare for the press Camden’s letters from
the Cotton ian library, for Dr. Smith, who afterwards published them. In 1692, he became French and Latin tutor
to Allen Bathurst, esq. eldest son of sir Benjamin Bathurst,
who, being much in favour with the princess Anne of Denmark, afterwards queen of Great Britain, he had hopes of
some preferment at court. With this view he paid great
attention to his pupil’s education (who was afterwards lord Bathurst), and for his use composed two compendious
grammars, the one Latin, the other French; but the latter
only was printed, and to this da,y is a standard book. His
hopes of preferment, however, Appear to have been fallacious, which his biographer attributes to his siding with
a different party from the Bathurst family in the political
divisions which prevailed at that time in the nation, Boyer,
like the rest of his countrymen who had fled hither for religion, being a zealous whig. After this, having made
himself master of the English tongue, he became an author
by profession, and engaged sometimes alone, and sometimes in conjunction with the booksellers, in various compilations, and periodical works of the political kind, particularly a newspaper called the “Post-Boy;
” the “Political
State of Great Britain,
” published in volumes from History of William III.
” 3 vols. 8vo “Annals of the reign of Queen Anne,
” 11 vols. 8vo, and a
“Life of Queen Anne,
” fol. all publications now more
useful than when published, as they contain many state
papers, memorials, &c. which it would be difficult to find
elsewhere; but his name is chiefly preserved by his French
Dictionary, 1699, 4to, and a French Grammar, of both
which he lived to see several editions, and which still continue to be printed. His political principles involved him
with Swift, who often speaks contemptuously of him, and
with Pope, who has given him a place in the Dunciad. He
died Nov. 16, 1729, at a house he had built in Five Fields,
Chelsea, and was buried in Chelsea church-yard.
ch submitted to no restraint, he made choice of subjects strangely complicated, and equivocal heroes who had no character whatever. Aiming always at the sublime, where
, of the French academy, was born
at Alby in 1618. He came young to Paris, where he cultivated his talent for eloquence; but, having preached with
little success, he quitted the pulpit for the stage, which he
had been declaiming against, and now devoted himself to
it for life, always satisfied with himself, but seldom with
the public. Born with an imagination which submitted to
no restraint, he made choice of subjects strangely complicated, and equivocal heroes who had no character whatever. Aiming always at the sublime, where the simplicity
of nature was required, he fell into a strain of bombast,
unintelligible perhaps to himself. He is the author of
two-and-twenty dramatic pieces, full of fustian, and
conducted without any knowledge of the drama. His Judith
had a transient success. The epigram it produced from
Racine is generally known. “Je pleure, helas! pour ce
pauvre Holopherne, si mechamment mis a mort par Judith.
”
This piece, applauded during a whole Lent, was hissed off
the stage in the Easter holidays. Champmeslee, asking
the reason of the fickleness of the pit, was answered, that
the hissers had been at Versailles at the sermons of the
abbe Boileau, who had ridiculed him. Boyer, at length
disheartened by this constant run of ill-success, brought
out his tragedy of Agamemnon under a borrowed name,
andRacine, his grand tormentor, applauded the piece.
Boyer could not refrain from crying out in the pit, “It is
however Boyer’s, in spite of Mons. de Racine;
” but this
transport cost him dear, for his tragedy was hissed at the
next performance. He died at Paris, July 22, 1698, aged
eighty.
to business, gave him a suitable education, and afterwards sent him to Constantinople, to his uncle, who was consul there; but rinding him inclined to literature, and
, a learned French
physician, was born at Marseilles, August 5, 1693. His
father, intending to bring him up to business, gave him a
suitable education, and afterwards sent him to Constantinople, to his uncle, who was consul there; but rinding
him inclined to literature, and to the study of medicine, he
sent him, on his return from the Levant, to the university
at Montpellier. In 1717, he took the degree of doctor,
and gave for jiis inaugural thesis, “A dissertation on Inoculation of the Small Pox,
” which he had seen practised
at Constantinople. On the plague breaking out at Marseilles, in 1720, he was sent there with five other physicians; and his conduct on that occasion having been approved, he was rewarded by the king with a pension, and
was made physician to a regiment of guards. He was some
years after invited to Hunspruche, a town in the bishopric
of Treves, where an infectious fever was making great ravages, and, in 1742, to Paris, on a similar occasion. His
success at these places occasioned him to be sent for to
Beauvais, in. 1750, where by his judicious management he
prevented -the spreading of an infections fever, infesting
that country. For these services he was honoured' by the
king with letters of nobility, and invested with the order of
St. Michael. He died at Paris, April 2, 1768. His works
are, “Methode indiquee contre la maladie epidemique
convient de regner a Beauvais,
” Paris, 1750, a quarto pamphlet, of only ten pages. “Methode a suivre dans le
traitement de differentes maladies epidemiques qui regnent
le plus ordinairernent dans la generality de Paris,
” Memoir
” on the disease
infesting the cattle at that time, which was sent to the
royal society in London, and procured him a place in
the list of their foreign members. He also gave a nevr
edition of the “Codex medicamentarius,
” seu “Pharmacopoeia Parisiensis,
” 4to, a very useful and well digested
work.
rried at Limeric, Joan, the daughter and coheiress of William Ansley of Pulborough, in Sussex, <esq. who had fallen in love with him. This lady died 1599, in labour
, a celebrated statesman, descended
from an ancient and honourable family, and distinguished
by the title of the great earl of Cork, was the youngest
son of Mr. Roger Boyle of Herefordshire, by Joan, daughter of Robert Naylor of Canterbury, and born in the city
of Canterbury, Oct. 3, 1566. He was instructed in grammar learning by a clergyman of Kent; and after having
been a scholar in Ben'et college, Cambridge, where he
was remarkable for early rising, indefatigable study, and
great temperance, became student in the Middle Temple.
He lost his father when he was but ten years old, and his
mother at the expiration of other ten years; and being
unable to support himself in the prosecution of his studies,
he entered into the service of sir Richard Manwood, chief
baron of the exchequer, as one of his clerks: but perceiving few advantages from this employment, he resolved
to travel, and landed at Dublin in June 1588, with a very
scanty stock, his whole property amounting, as he himself
informs us, to 271. 3s. in money, two trinkets which his
mother gave him as tokens, and his wearing apparel. He
was then about two-and-twenty, had a graceful person,
and all the accomplishments for a young man to succeed in
a country which was a scene of so much action. Accordingly he made himself very useful to some of the
principal persons employed in the government, by penning
for them memorials, cases, and answers; and thereby acquired a perfect knowledge of the kingdom and the state
of publia affairs, of which he knew well how to avail himself. In 1595 he married at Limeric, Joan, the daughter
and coheiress of William Ansley of Pulborough, in Sussex,
<esq. who had fallen in love with him. This lady died 1599,
in labour of her first child (born dead) leaving her husband an estate of 500l. a year in lands, which was the beginning of his fortune. Some time after, sir Henry Wallop, of Wares, sir Robert Gardiner, chief justice of the
king’s bench, sir Robert Dillam, chief justice of the common pleas, and sir Richard Binghim, chief commissioner
of Connaught, envious at certain purchases he had made in
the province, represented to queen Elizabeth that he was
in the pay of the king of Spain (who had at that time some thoughts of invading Ireland), by whom he had been furnished with money to buy several large estates; and that
he was strongly suspected to be a Roman catholic in his
heart, with many other malicious suggestions equally
groundless. Mr. Boyle, having private notice of this,
determined to come over to England to justify himself:
but, before he could take shipping, the general rebellion
in Minister broke out, all his lands were wasted, and he
had not one penny of certain revenue left. In this distress
he betook himself to his former chamber in the Middle
Temple, intending to renew his studies in the law till the
rebellion should be suppressed. When the earl of Essex
was nominated lord-deputy of Ireland, Mr. Boyle, being
recommended to him by Mr. Anthony Bacon, was received
by his lordship very graciously; and sir Henry Wallop,
treasurer of Ireland, knowing that Mr. Boyle had in his
custody several papers which could detect his roguish
manner of passing his accounts, resolved utterly to depress
him, and for that end renewed his former complaints
against him to the queen. By her majesty’s special directions, Mr. Boyle was suddenly taken up, and committed
close prisoner to the Gatehouse: all his papers were
seized and searched; and although nothing appeared to
his prejudice, yet his confinement lasted till two months
after his new patron the earl of Essex was gone to Ireland,
At length, with much difficulty, he obtained the favour of
the queen to be present at his examination; and having
fully answered whatever was alledged against him, he gave
a short account of his behaviour since he first settled in
Ireland, and concluded with laying open to the queen
and her council the conduct of his chief enemy sir Henry
Wallop. Upon which her majesty exclaimed with, her
usual intemperance of speech, “By God’s death, these are
but inventions against this young man, and all his sufferings are for being able to do us service, and these
complaints urged to forestal him therein. But we find him to
be a man fit to be employed by ourselves; and we will employ him in our service: and Wallop and his adherents
shall know that it shall not be in the power of any of them,
to wrong him. Neither -shall Wallop be our treasurer any
longer.
” Accordingly, she gave orders not only for Mr.
Boyle’s present enlargement, but also for paying all the
charges and fees his confinement had brought upon him,
and gave him her hand to kiss before the whole assembly.
A few days after, the queen constituted him clerk of the
council of Munster, and recommended him to sir George
Carew, afterwards earl of Totness, then lord president of
Munster, who became his constant friend; and very soon,
after he was made justice of the peace and of the quorum,
throughout all the province. He attended in that capacity
the lord president in all his employments, and was sent by
his lordship to the queen with the news of the victory
gained in December 1601, near Kinsate, over the Irish,
and their Spanish auxiliaries, who were totally routed,
1200 being slain in the field, and 800 wounded. “I
made,
” says he, “a speedy expedition to the court, for I
left my lord president at Shannon -castle, near Cork, on
the Monday morning about two of the clock; and the next
day, being Tuesday, I delivered my packet, and supped
with sir Robert Cecil, being then principal secretary of
state, at his house in the Strand; who, after supper, held
me in discourse till two of the clock in the morning; and
by seven that morning called upon me to attend him to
the court, where he presented me to her majesty in her
bedchamber.
” A journey so rapid as this would be thought,
even in the present more improved modes of travelling,
requires all his lordship’s authority to render it credible.
many mortifications during the administration of sir Thomas Wentworth, afterwards earl of Strafford, who, before he went to Ireland, had conceived a jealousy of his
On the departure of lord-deputy Falkland, the earl of Cork, in conjunction with lord Lortus, was appointed one of the lords justices of Ireland, Oct. 26, 1629, and held that office several years. Feb. 16th following, the earl lost his countess, by whom he had fifteen children. Nov. 9 1631, he was constituted lord high treasurer of Ireland, and had interest enough to get that high office made hereditary in his family. Nevertheless, he suffered many mortifications during the administration of sir Thomas Wentworth, afterwards earl of Strafford, who, before he went to Ireland, had conceived a jealousy of his authority and interest in that kingdom, and now conceived that if he could humble the great earl of Cork, nobody in that country could give him much trouble. On the breaking out of the rebellion in Ireland in 1641, the earl of Cork, as soon as he returned from England (where he was at the time of the earl of Strafford’s trial), immediately raised two troops of horse, which he put under the command of his sons the lord viscount Kinalmeaky and the lord Brogbill, maintaining them and 400 foot for some months at his own charge. In the battle which the English gained at Liscarrol, Sept. 3, Io42, four of his sons were engaged, and the eldest was slain in the field. The earl himself died about a year after, on the 15th of September, in the 78th year of his age; having spent the last, as he did the first year of his life, in the support of the crown of England against Irish rebels, and in the service of his country. Though he was no peer of England, he was, on account of his eminent abilities and knowledge of the world, admitted to sit in the house of lords upon the woolpacks, ut consiliarius. When Cromwell saw the prodigious improvements he had made, which he little expected to find in Ireland, he declared, that if there had been an earl of Cork in every province, it would have been impossible for the Irish to have raised a rebellion.
is sons, and married his daughters into the best families of that country. He outlived most of those who had known the meanness of his beginning; but he delighted to
He affected not places and titles of honour until he was
well able to maintain them, for he was in the 37th year of
his age when knighted, and in his 50th when made A
baron. He made large purchases, but not till he was able
to improve them; and he grew rich on estates which had
ruined their former possessors. He increased his wealth,
not by hoarding, but by spending; for he built and walled
several towns at his own cost, but in places so well situated,
that they were soon filled with inhabitants, and quickly repaid the money he had laid out, with interest, which he as
readily laid out again. Hence, in the space of forty years,
he acquired to himself what in some countries would have
been esteemed a noble principality; and as they came to
years of discretion, he bestowed estates upon his sons,
and married his daughters into the best families of that
country. He outlived most of those who had known the
meanness of his beginning; but he delighted to remember
it himself, and even took pains to preserve the memory of
it to posterity in the motto which he always used, and
which he caused to be placed upon his tomb, viz. “God’s
providence is my inheritance.
”