e court was a pension of two thousand livres, with the addition of the titles of counsellor of state and historiographer of France, which he used to call magnificent
, a French writer,
Lorn in 1594 at Angouleme. When about seventeen years of
age he went to Holland, where he composed a discourse on
the state of the United Provinces. He accompanied also
the duke d'Epernon to several places. In 1621 he was
taken into the service of the cardinal de la Valette, with
whom he spent eighteen months at Rome. Upon his return he retired to his estate at Balzac, where he remained
for several years, till he was drawn thence by the hopes he
had conceived of raising his fortune under cardinal llichelieu, who had formerly courted his friendship but being
in a few years tired of the dependent state of a court- life,
he went again to his country retirement all he obtained
from the court was a pension of two thousand livres, with
the addition of the titles of counsellor of state and historiographer of France, which he used to call magnificent trifles,
He was much esteemed as a writer, especially for his letters, which went through several editions, but there were
in his own time some critics who started up against him
the chief of these was a young Feuillant, named Andre de
St. Denis, who wrote a piece entitled, “The conformity
of M. de Balzac’s eloquence, with that of the greatest men
in the past and present times.
” Although this piece was
not printed, yet it was circulated very extensively, which
made Balzac wish to have it publicly refuted, which was
accordingly done by prior Ogier in 1627, with the assistance of Balzac himself. Father Goulu, general of the
Feuillants, undertook the cause of brother Andre, and,
under the title of Phyllarchus, wrote two volumes of letters
against Balzac. Several other pieces were also written
against him, but he did not think proper then to answer
his adversaries he did, indeed, write an apology for himself, but this was never made public till it appeared witli
some other pieces of his in 1645. The death of his chief
adversary father Goulu having happened in 1629, put an
end to all his disputes, and restored him to a state of tranquillity for father Andre de St. Denis, who had been the
first aggressor, became heartily reconciled, and went to
pay him a visit at Balzac.
tution, insomuch that, when he was only 30 years of age, he used to say he was older than his father and that he was as much decayed as a ship after her third voyage
Balzac had a very infirm constitution, insomuch that, when he was only 30 years of age, he used to say he was older than his father and that he was as much decayed as a ship after her third voyage to the Indies yet -he lived till he was 60, when he died Feb. 18, 1654, and was interred in the hospital of Notre Dame des Anges. He bequeathed twelve thousand livres to this hospital, and left uu estate of an hundred franks per annum, to be employed eveiy two years for a prize to him who, in the judgment of the French academy, should compose the best discourse ou some moral subject. The prize is a golden medal, representing on one side St. Lewis, and on the other a crown of laurel, with this motto, A P Immortality which is the device of the academy.
lain,” 1656. 10. “Entretiens,” 1657. 11. “Aristippe,” 1658, 4to. All the above works were collected, and printed at Paris in 1665, with a preface by abbe de Cassagnes.
His works are, 1. “Letters,
” Le
Prince,
” Discours sur une tragedie, Herodes Infanticitla,
” Discours politique sur
l'etat des Provinces Unies,
” Leyde, Oeuvres
diverses,
” Le Barbon,
” 164S, 8vo.
7. “Cavminum libri iii. ejusdem epistolae selectse,
” Paris,
Socrate Chretienne, et autres oeuvres,
” Lettres familiaires a M. Chapelain,
” Entretiens,
” Aristippe,
”
Of all these, his Letters, of which there is an English translation, and which passed through many editions in French, contributed most
Of all these, his Letters, of which there is an English
translation, and which passed through many editions in
French, contributed most to his reputation. During his
time he was not only deemed the most eloquent, but the
only eloquent writer, and Maynard, a contemporary poet,
pronounced him not mortal who could speak like Balzac.
It was not only by such praises that he was encouraged. It
became a fashion to write to Balzac, in hopes of an answer,
which was a treasure worth boasting of. “1 am,
” says he,
“the butt of all the aukward compliments in Christendom,
not to speak of the genteel ones, which give me still more
trouble. I am harassed I am teazed to death with encomiums from the four quarters of the globe yesterday,
there lay upon the table tir'ty letters requiring answers
and oh unconscionable! well turned, eloquent answers
answers it to be shewn, copied, and printed. At this instant, I see before me not less than a hundred letters,
which must all have their answers; I am in arrears to
crowned heads.
” As he seems, therefore, to have suspected the use that would be made of his letters, we cannot be surprised at the artificial and inflated style which
frequently occurs, Voltaire, however, allows that he contributed to the harmony of French prose. But the magic
which gave them for many years an unprecedented popu<larity was dispelled probably in Boileau’s time, who asserts
that what Balzac employed himself most upon, viz. writing
letters, was what he least understood in them all, he adds,
we meet with the two faults that are the most inconsistent
with the epistolary style affectation, and bombast. Boileau, also, in his two letters to the marechal de Vivonne,
very successfully imitates the style of Balzac and Voiture
but Dr. Warton considers Balzac as much superior to Voiture, and adds, that although he was affectedly turgid,
pompous, and bloated on all subjects and on all occasions
alike, yet he was the first that gave form and harmony to
the French prose.
account, either of the uncommon shape of his body, the lower being one third longer than the upper, and his neck buried between his shoulders or, as Mr. Fuseli conjectures,
, an eminent Butch, or perhaps rather Italian, painter, was born at Laeren, near Narden, in 1613. His name was Peter Van Laer, but in Italy they gave him the name of Bamboccio, on account, either of the uncommon shape of his body, the lower being one third longer than the upper, and his neck buried between his shoulders or, as Mr. Fuseli conjectures, he might acquire this name from the branch of painting in which he excelled for his usual subjects, the various sports of the populace, and transactions of vulgar life, harvest-homes, drolleries, hops, &c. are by the Italians comprised under the name of Bambocciate. Baldinucci seems to be of the same opinion, He had, however, an ample amends for the unseemliness of his limbs, in the superior beauties of a mind endowed xvith extensive powers of perception and imitation. He resided at Rome for sixteen years successively, and was held in the highest esteem by all ranks of men, as well as by those of his own profession, not only on account of his extraordinary abilities, but also for the amiable qualities of his mind.
g with a curious exactness every effect of light on different objects, at different hours of the day and whatsoever incident afforded pleasure to his imagination, his
He studied nature incessantly, observing with a curious exactness every effect of light on different objects, at different hours of the day and whatsoever incident afforded pleasure to his imagination, his memory for ever perfectly retained. His style of painting is sweet and true, and his touch delicate, with great transparency of colouring. His figures are always of a small size, well proportioned, and correctly designed and although his subjects are taken but from the lower kind of nature, such as plunderings, playing at bowls, inns, farriers shops, cattle, or conversations, yet whatever he painted was so excellently designed, so happily executed, and so highly finished, that his manner was adopted by many of the Italian painters of his time. His works are still universally admired, and he is justly ranked among the first class of the eminent masters. His hand was as quick as his imagination, so that he rarely made sketches or designs for any of his works he only marked the subject with a crayon on the canvas, and finished it without more delay. His memory was amazing for whatever^objects he saw, if he considered them with any intention to insert them in his compositions, the idea of them was so strongly impressed on his mind, that he could represent them with as much truth as if they were placed before his eyes. Sandrarfc observes, that although painters, who are accustomed to a small size, are frequently inaccurate in the disposition of the different parts of their subjects, seeming content if the whole appears natural, yet Bamboccio was as minutely exact in having his figures, trees, grounds, and distances, determined with the utmost precision and perspective truth, as the best masters usually are in pictures of the largest size; which is one circumstance that causes the eye to be so agreeably deluded by the paintings of Bamboccio.
The earnest requests of his family and friends induced him to leave Italy in 1639, after which he resided
The earnest requests of his family and friends induced him to leave Italy in 1639, after which he resided for some time at Amsterdam and Harlem, where his pieces were as much admired as in Italy, which makes us doubt Houbraken’s assertion that he became jealous of the popularity of Wouvermans. Bamboccio, however, was a bad manager, and often in distress, and in the latter part of his life he was afflicted with an asthmatic complaint, which became insupportable, and brought on fits of melancholy, during one of which he threw himself into a canal, and was drowned. This happened in 1675. His disciples are not known, except Andrew Both, who imitated his manner. His elder brother Roeland Van Laer, who died in 1640, aged only thirty, painted in the same style and manner as his brother; being not much-inferior-to him, either in colouring, pencil, or design. He travelled to Italy along with Peter, and they resided together at Rome for several years Roeland painting the same subjects, and following his profession with very great success. He left Rome to visit Genoa, perhaps with a view to avoid all competition with his brother; and it is highly probable that he would have made a considerable figure, if he had not been cut off in the prime of his years in that city.
, archbishop of York, and cardinal-priest of the Roman church, was born at Hilton near
, archbishop of York, and cardinal-priest of the Roman church, was born at Hilton near Appleby in Westmorland, and educated at Queen’s college in Oxford. Having taken holy orders, he became rector of Aller in the diocese of Bath and Wells. He enjoyed three prebends successively in the cathedral church of Salisbury that of South-Grantham in 14&5, that of Chardstock the same year, and that of Horton in 1486i He was elected provost of Queen’s college in 1495, and about the same time created doctor of laws. On September 28, 1503, he was admitted prebendary of Strenshall in the cathedral church of York, void by the consecration of Jeoffrey Blyth to the see of Litchfield and Coventry and on the 2 1st of December following, he was installed in the deanery of that church, in the room of the said Blyth. In 1505 he was made dean of Windsor, and the same year master of the rolls, and one of the king’s privy council. In 1507, he was advanced to the see of Durham, and received the temporalities the 1.7th of November. The next year he was translated to the archbishopric of York, and received the temporalities the 12th of December. Pits assures us, that Bambridge had been very intimate with Morton archbishop of Canterbury, and shared in that prelate’s sufferings during the usurpation of Richard III. after whose death, his affairs took a more prosperous turn, as he was appointed almoner to king Henry VII. and employed by that prince on several embassies to the emperor Maximilian, Charles VIII. king of France, and other potentates of Europe. But he distinguished himself chiefly by his embassy from king Henry VIII. to pope Julius II. who created him a cardinal, with the title of St. Praxede, in March 1511, and, eight days after, appointed him legate of the ecclesiastical army, which had been sent into the Ferrarese, and were then besieging the fort of Bastia. In return for which marks of honour, our new cardinal and legate prevailed with the king his master, to take part with his holiness against the king of France, nor was he less zealous in the service of that pontiff during his life, than in honouring and defending his memory after his death. There are extant in Rymer’s Fœdera, &c, two letters; one from cardinal Barnbridge, during his residence at Home, to king Henry VIII. concerning the pope’s bull giving him the title of mostChristian king and another from the cardinal de Sinigallia, to the king, acquainting his highness that he had delivered that instrument to cardinal Bamhridge. This prelate died at Rome July 14, 1514, being poisoned by one of his domestics, whom he had chastised, and was buried there in the English church of St. Thomas. Pits commends him for his extensive learning, and adds, that he wrote some treatises on subjects of civil law, but that biographer erroneously calls him Urswic, which was the name of his predecessor in the deanery of.Windsor.
, a native of Florence, and a Dominican of Fiesoli, and doctor of divinity, gained the esteem
, a native of Florence, and a Dominican of Fiesoli, and doctor of divinity,
gained the esteem and friendship of Ferdinand I. grand
duke of Tuscany, and was sent by him into France during
the troubles, that he might give an account of them. Being
at Lyons 1593, Peter Barnere, a young man of twentyseven, consulted him upon the horrid design of assassinating Henry IV. Banchi, zealous for France and the
royal family, directly mentioned it to a lord of the court,
pointed out the young man to him, and entreated him to
ride off, with all possible speed, to acquaint the king with
the danger which threatened him. The nobleman, going
to Melun for that purpose, met Barriere, who had just entered the palace to perpetrate his crime. He was arrested,
and being put to the torture, confessed all. The king, to
reward Banchi, appointed him bishop of Angouleme, but
he either resigned it 1608, in favour of Anthony de la Rochefoucauld, or declined it with the reserve of a moderate pension. He appears to have passed the rest of his life at Paris,
in the convent of St. James; he was living in 1622, and
was a great benefactor to that convent, among other
things, by finishing the beautiful Salle des Artes at his own
expence he was also very liberal to the convent at Fiesoli. His works are, “Histoire prodigieuse du Parricide de
Barriere,
” Apologie contre les Jug-emeus temeraires de ceux, qui out pense conserver la Religion Catholiqtie en faisant assassiuer les tres Chretiens Rois de
France,
” Paris, Le Rosaire spirituel de la
sacree Vierge Marie,
” &c. Paris, 1610, 12mo. Pere Banchi justifies himself in this work againsl some historians
who had accused him of abusing Peter Barriere’s confession. He never confessed that young man, and the detestable project was only discovered to him by way of consultation.
, a Swedish lawyer, was born at Norcopin, and was professor of civil law in the university of Franeker for
, a Swedish lawyer, was born at
Norcopin, and was professor of civil law in the university
of Franeker for fifteen years, a place conferred upon him
on account of his high reputation when a scholar. He
died Oct. 13, 1662. In 1649 he published at Franeker a
work, “De tyrannide papae in reges et principes Christianos,
” and seven years after, “Roma triumphans, seu
inauguratio Innocentii X.
” also some writings, “de Bancse ruptoribus,
” “de Duellis,
” “de conciliis et consiliariis
principum
” but his most celebrated work was an edition of
the Taxes of the Roman Chancery, on the sums paid for
absolution for crimes, even of the most atrocious kind.
It was published at Franeker in 1651, in 8vo, after he had
consulted the most ancient copies, printed or manuscript,
and by comparing them word for word, supplied by means
of one what was wanting in others. He made use of the
edition of Cologne in 1523, of that of Wittembergin 1538,
of that of Venice in 1584, and of a manuscript, which had
been communicated to him by John Baptista Sibon, a
Bernardine monk, and reader in the college of Rome. By
this means he has made his edition somewhat larger than
all that had been published before, and he has added notes,
in which he explains a great many terms, which are difficult to be understood it is a kind of glossary. He has
likewise joined to it a small Italian tract, which contains
the lax which was made use of under pope Innocent X.
and he has explained the value of the money as it was at
that time. It is almost unnecessary to add, that this work
was soon added to the list of prohibited books.
, archbishop of Canterbury in, the reign of king James I. the son of John Bancroft, gentleman, and Mary daughter of Mr. John Curvvyn, brother of Dr. Hugh Curvvyn,
, archbishop of Canterbury in,
the reign of king James I. the son of John Bancroft, gentleman, and Mary daughter of Mr. John Curvvyn, brother of
Dr. Hugh Curvvyn, archbishop of Dublin, was born at Farnworth in Lancashire, in September 1544. After being
taught grammar, he became a student of Christ college,
Cambridge, where, in 1566-7, he took the degree of B. A.
and thence he removed to Jesus’ college, where, in 1570,
he commenced M. A. Soon after, he was made chaplain to
Dr. Cox, bishop of Ely, who, in 1575, gave him the rectory of Teversham in Cambridgeshire. The year following he was licensed one of the university preachers, and in
1580 was admitted B. D. September 14th, 1584, he was
instituted to the rectory of St. Andrew, Holborn, at the
presentation of the executors of Henry earl of Southampton. In 1585 he commenced D. D. and the same year was
made treasurer of St. Paul’s cathedral in London. The
year following he became rector of Cottingham in Northamptonshire, at the presentation of sir Christopher Hatton, lord chancellor, whose chaplain he then was. Feb.
25th, 1589, he was made a prebendary of St. Paul’s, in
1592 advanced to the same dignity in the collegiate church
of Westminster, and in 1594 promoted to a stall in the
cathedral of Canterbury. Not long before, he had distinguished his zeal for the church of England by a learned and
argumentative sermon against the ambition of the Puritans,
preached at St. Paul’s cross. In 1597, Dr. Bancroft, being
then chaplain to the archbishop of Canterbury, Whitgift, was
advanced to the see of London, in the room of Dr. Richard
Fletcher, and consecrated at Lambeth the 8th of May.
From this time he had, in effect, the archiepiscopal power:
for the archbishop, being declined in years, and unfit for
business, committed the sole management of ecclesiastical
affairs to bishop Bancroft. Soon after his being made
bishop, he expended one thousand marks in the repair of
his house in London. In 1600, he, with others, was sent
by queen Elizabeth to Embden, to put an end to a difference between the English and Danes but the embassy had
no effect. This prelate interposed in the disputes between
the secular priests and the Jesuits, and furnished some of
the former with materials to write against their adversaries.
In the beginning of king James’s reign^ he was present at
the conference held at Hampton court, between the bishops
and the Presbyterian ministers. The same year, 1603, he
was appointed one of the commissioners for regulating the
affairs of the church, and for perusing and suppressing
books, printed in England, or brought into the realm without public authority. A convocation being summoned to
meet, March 20, 1603-4, and archbishop Whitgift dying in
the mean time, Bancroft was. by the king’s writ, appointed
president of that assembly. October 9tb, 1604, he was
nominated to succeed the archbishop in that high dignity,
to which he was elected by the dean and chapter, Nov. 17,
and confirmedin Lambeth chapel, Dec. 10. Sept. 5, 1605,
he was sworn one of his majesty’s most honourable privy
council. This year, in Michaelmas term, he exhibited
certain articles, to the lords of the council, against the
judges. This was a complaint of encroachment, and a
contest for jurisdiction between the temporal and ecclesiastical judges, and as Collier has well observed, ought
to be decided by neither side but the decision was against
him. In 1608 he was elected chancellor of the university
of Oxford, in the room of the earl of Dorset. In ] 6 10 thisarchbishop offered to the parliament a project for the better providing a maintenance for the clergy, but without
success. One of our historians pretends, that archbishop
Bancroft set on foot the building a college near Chelsea,
for the reception of students, who should answer all Popish
and other controversial writings against the church of England. This prelate died Nov. 2, 1610, of the stone, in his
palace at Lambeth. By his will he ordered his body to be
interred in the chancel of Lambeth church, and besides
other legacies, left all the books in his library to the archbishops his successors for ever. He was a rigid disciplinarian, a learned controversialist, an excellent preacher, a
great statesman, and a vigilant governor of the church, and
filled the see of Canterbury with great reputation but as
he was most rigid in his treatment of the Puritans, it is not
surprising that the nonconformist writers and their successors have spoken of him with much severity; but whatever
may be thought of his general temper and character, his
abilities appear to have been very considerable. In his famous sermon against the Puritans, there is a clearness,
freedom, and manliness of style, which shew him to have
been a great master of composition. It was printed with a,
tract of his, entitled “Survey of the pretended Holy Discipline.
” He wrote also another tract, entitled “Dangerous Positions,
” and there is extant, in the Advocates’
library at Edinburgh, an original letter from him to king
James I. containing an express vindication of pluralities.
This letter has been printed by sir David Dalrymple, in
the first volume of his Memorials. Dr. Bancroft is also the
person meant as the chief overseer of the last translation of
the Bible, in that paragraph of the preface to it beginning
with “But it is high time to leave them,
” &c. towards the
end.
, bishop of Oxford in the reigo of king Charles I. and nephew of the preceding Dr. Richard Bancroft, archbishop of
, bishop of Oxford in the reigo of king Charles I. and nephew of the preceding Dr. Richard Bancroft, archbishop of Canterbury, was born at Asteli, or Estwell, a small village between Whitney and Burford ^n Oxfordshire, and admitted a student of Christ-church in Oxford in 1592, being then about eighteen years of age. Having taken the degrees in arts, and entered into holy orders, he became a preacher tur some years in and near Oxford. In 1609, being newly admitted to proceed in divinity, he was, through the interest and endeavours of his uncle, elected head of University college, in which station he continued above twenty years, and was at great pains and expence in recovering and settling the ancient lands belonging to that foundation. In 1632 he was advanced to the see of Oxford, upon the translation of Dr. Corbet to that of Norwich, and consecrated about the 6th of June. This prelate died in 1640, and was buried at Cuddesden in Oxfordshire, the 12th of February, leaving behind him, among the Puritans or Presbyterians, the character of a corrupt, unpreaching, Popish prelate. This bishop Bancroft built a house or pakce, for the residence of his successors, at Cuddesden. Before his time the bishops of Oxford had no house left belonging to their see, either in city or country, but dwelt at their parsonage-houses, which they held in commendam; though Dr. John Bridges, who had no commendam in his diocese, lived for the most part in hired houses in the city. For though, at the foundation of the bishopric of Oxford, in trie abbey of Osney, Gloucester college was appointed for the bishop’s palace, yet, when that foundation was inspected into by king Edward VI. that place was left out of the charter, as being then designed for another use. So that afterwards the bishops of Oxford had no settled house or palace, till Bancroft came to the see, who, at the instigation of archbishop Laud, resolved to build-one*. In the first place, therefore, in order to improve the slender revenues of the bishopric, he suffered the lease of the impropriate parsonage of Cuddesden aforesaid, live miles distant from Oxford (which belonged to the bishop in right of his see) to run out, without any more renewing. In the mean time, the vicarage of his own donation becoming vacant, he procured himself to be legally instituted and inducted thereunto and afterwards, through the archbishop’s favour, obtained an annexation of it to the episcopal see, the design of the iinpropriatioa'i falling in still going on. Soon after, with the help of a large quantity of timber from the forest of Shotover, given him by the king, he began to build a fine palace, which, with a chapel in it, was completely finished in 1634. The summer after, it was visited out of curiosity by archbishop Laud, who speaks of it in his Diary thus " September the second, an. 1635, I was in attendance with the king at Woodstock, and went thence to Cudsden, to see the house which Dr John Bancroft, then lord bishop of Oxford, had there built, to be a house for the bishops of that see for ever he having built that house at my persuasion/' But this house, which cost 3500l. proved almost as shortlived as the founder for, in the latter end of 1644, it was burnt down by colonel William Legg, then governor of the garrison of Oxford, to prevent its being garrisoned by the parliament forces. It lay in ruins till 1679, when Dr. John Fell, bishop of Oxford, at his own expence, and with the help of timber laid in for that purpose by Dr. William Paul, one of his predecessors, rebuilt it upon the old foundation, with a chapel in it, as at first.
e order, of Do^ minicans, with whom he also travelled through various parts of Italy, France, Spain, and Germany, where it was the 4uty of the general to inspect the
, a celebrated Italian novelist, was born at Castelnuovo in the district of Tortona,
where he remained for some years, under the patronage of
his uncle Vincenzio Bandello, general of the order, of Do^
minicans, with whom he also travelled through various parts
of Italy, France, Spain, and Germany, where it was the
4uty of the general to inspect the convents of his order.
After the death of his uncle, at the convent of Altomonte in
Calabria, in 1506, Bandello passed a considerable part of
his time at the court of Milan, where he had the honour of
instructing the celebrated Lucretia Gonzaga, in whose
praise he wrote an Italian, poem, which still remains, and
where he formed an intimacy with many eminent persons
of the age, as appears from the dedicatory epistles prefixed
to his novels. Having early enrolled himself in the order
of Dominicans, in a fraternity at Milan, he entered deeply
into the ecclesiastical and political affairs of the times, and
after various vicissitudes of fortune, obtained at length, in
1550, the bishopric of Agen in France, conferred on him
by Henry II. but being fond of the poets, ancient and
modern, addicted himself much more to the belles lettres
than to the government of his diocese. He filled the episcopal chair of Agen for several years, and died about 1561,
at the chateau de Bazens, the country seat of the bishops of
Agen. His monument was erected in the church of the
Jacobins du port St. Marie. He had resigned the bishopric
of Agen in 1555, when his successor, Janus Fregosa, son of
the unhappy Cæsar, assassinated by the marquis de Guast,
had attained his twenty-seventh year. Henry II. who had
a regard for the Fregosas, Jiad agreed with the pope, on the
death of the cardinal de Lorraine, bishop of Agen, to give,
by interim, this bishopric to Bandello, till Janus should
arrive at the age required. Bandello consented to this arrangement, and gave up the see according to promise.
The best edition of his novels is that of Lucca, 1554, 3
vols. 4to, to which belongs a fourth volume, printed at
Lyons in 1573, 8vo. This edition is scarce and dear.
Those of Milan, 1560, 3 vols. 8vo, and of Venice, 1566,
3 vols. 4to, are curtailed and little esteemed but that
of London, 1740, 4 vols. 4to, is conformable to the first.
Boaisteau and Belleforest translated a part of them into
French, Lyons, 1616, et seq. 7 vols. 16mo. It is entirely
without reason that some have pretended that these novels
are not by him, but were composed by a certain John Bandello, a Lucchese, since the author declares himself to be
of Lombardy, and even marks Castelnuovo as the place of
his nativity. On the other hand, Joseph Scaliger, his contemporary and his friend, who calls him Bandellus Insuber,.
positively asserts that he composed his novels at Agen.
Fontanini is likewise mistaken in making him the author of
a Latin translation of the history of Hegesippus, which he
confounds with the novel of Boccace entitled Sito e Gisippo, which Bandello did really translate into Latin. We
have by him likewise the collection of poems beforementioned, entitled “Canti xi. composti del Bandello,
ilelle lodi della signora Lucrezia Gonzaga,
” &c. printed
at Agen in
“Whilst he was engaged,” says Mr. Roscoe, “in frequent journeys and public transactions, he omitted no op. portunity of collecting
“Whilst he was engaged,
” says Mr. Roscoe, “in frequent journeys and public transactions, he omitted no op.
portunity of collecting historical anecdotes and narratives of
extraordinary events, as materials for his novels, which were
composed at different periods of his life, as occasion and
inclination concurred. These tales bear the peculiar character which in general distinguishes the literary productions of the ecclesiastics of that age from those of the laity,
and are. no less remarkable for the indecency of the incidents than for the natural simplicity with which they are
related. In point of composition, these novels, although
much inferior to those of Boccaccio, are written with a degree of vivacity and nature, which seldom fails to interest
the reader, and which, combined with the singularity of
the incidents, will probably secure a durable, although not
a very honourable reputation, to the author.
” It may be
added, that Shakspeare took his Romeo and Juliet from one
of his novels, which was acpordingly translated in the
“Shakspeare illustrated.
”
, an eminent sculptor, was born at Florence in 1487, and died in 1559. He was intended by his father, who was a goldsmith,
, an eminent sculptor, was born at Florence in 1487, and died in 1559. He was intended by his father, who was a goldsmith, to follow that business, but discovered an early and much higher relish for sculpture. It is said that at the age of nine he made a statue of snow, which was remarkable for justness of proportion. He attempted also painting, but was deficient in colouring, and wanted perseverance to acquire execution and handling. He was, however, a great designer, and his compositions of the Martyrdom of St, Lawrence, and the Massacre of the Innocents, shew exuberance of fancy. In the former, the draped figures that compose the upper rank of spectators, are equally admirable for simplicity and elegance, whilst the saint' himself, and those around him, exhibit little more than clumsiness, or barefaced contrast. The Massacre of the Innocents, with a display of anatomic prowess, presents a scene, not of terror and pity, but loathsomeness and horror. As a sculptor, however, he was esteemed the greatest after Michael Angelo. Among his most admired "works is the copy of the Laocoon, in the garden of the Medicis at Florence. This was intended by pope Clement VII. as a present to Francis I. but when he saw it, he was so much pleased that he could not part with it, and in its stead sent a present of antique statues to the king of France. Another of his admired productions was a bas relief of a Descent from the Cross, which he presented to Charles V. who rewarded him with a commandery of St. James and to this, not inferior in excellence, maybe added his Hercules and Cacus, a colossal groupe, and his statues of Leo X. and Clement VII. Vasari, who has written his life, justlv censures his envious disposition, and particularly his jealous hatred of Michael Angelo.
antiquary, was born at Ragusa, a small republic situated in Dalmatia, on the coast of the Adriatic, and entered when young into the Benedictine order, in Meleda or
, a celebrated antiquary, was born
at Ragusa, a small republic situated in Dalmatia, on the
coast of the Adriatic, and entered when young into the
Benedictine order, in Meleda or Melita, an island not far
from Ragusa. After taking the vows at Naples, he travelled over part of Italy, and intended to have settled at
Florence, a place favourable for literary pursuits. During
this journey his musical Skill, particularly on the organ,
procured him a favourable reception at the different convents in his way, and enabled him to travel agreeably and
without expense. On his arrival at Florence, although still
ft very young man, he was found so able a linguist, that he
was appointed to teach the learned languages in various
religious houses of his order. The celebrated Montfaucon
happening to visit Florence in 1700, he employed Banduri
to examine the manuscripts which he wished to consult for
a new edition of the works of St. Chrysostom, and conceived
such an opinion of him as to recommend him to Cosmo II.
grand duke of Tuscany, who then had a design of restoring
the fame of the university of Pisa. But representing, at
the same time, that it would be advantageous for so young
a man to pass some years at Paris, in the abbey of St. Germain, for farther improvement, the grand duke consented,
and Banduri arrived at Paris about the end of 1702, and
was lodged in the abbey, where his patron Cosmo supplied
him with every thing necessary and useful. His first studies
here, agreeably to his original design, were turned to divinity, and ecclesiastial history, and in May 1705, he published the prospectus of an edition of the works of Nicephorus, patriarch of Constantinople, with prefaces, dissertations, and notes. This he intended to be followed by an
edition of Thfodoriis of IVIopsuesta’s commentary on the
minor prophets, and other ancient commentators. Happcning, however, in the course of his researches, to meet
with several documents relative to the antiquities of Constantinople, he was advised to publish them, along with
ethers already published and this gave rise to his most
celebrated work, “Imperium Orientale, sive Antiquitatis
Constantinopolitanae,
” &c. Paris, Numismata Imperatorum Romanorum, cum Bibliotheca nummaria, sive auctorum qui de re nummaria scripserunt,
” 2 vols. folio, 1718, reprinted by John Albert Fabricius at Hamburgh in 1719, 4to. In both these works Banduri was assisted by the abbe Lama, of Naples, and yet
more by M. de la Barre, who was his associate in the academy of the belles lettres. In 1715 he was elected an
honorary academician, and was very assiduous in his attendance on that learned body. In 1723 he announced his
new edition of Nicephorus and Theodorus of Mopsuesta,
as being ready for publication in 4 vols. folio, but they
never appeared. In 1724 he was appointed librarian to the
duke of Orleans, with apartments in the palace, and there
he died of an attack of the gout, Jan. 14, 1743, aged about
seventy-two or seventy-three years. His eloge, by M.Freret, is inserted in the Memoirs of the academy of inscriptions and belles lettres, vol. XVI.
, doctor and professor of divinity in the university of Copenhagen, was born
, doctor and professor of divinity in
the university of Copenhagen, was born in 1600, and was
educated first in the college of Ottensee in the isle of Funen, and then at Copenhagen. Caspar Brochmand, professor of divinity and bishop of Selande, made him tutor to
his son and he was preceptor at the same time to Christian
Friis, eldest son to the chancellor of Denmark. After he
had continued in that employment above five years, he obtained a pension from the king, and went to Rostoch, from
whence he returned to Copenhagen, when the emperor’s
troops drew near to the Baltic sea. He finished his course
of divinity under professor Brochmand, and afterwards went
to Franeker, where he learned rabbinical and Chaldee
learning under Sixtinus Amama, by whom he was greatly
esteemed. He studied afterwards at Wittemberg, and received there, in 1630, a letter from the rector and academical council of Copenhagen, with an offer of the professorship in Hebrew, which he accepted, on condition that he
should be permitted to employ the revenue of that place
in studying for some years the Arabic and Syriac tongues
under Gabriel Sionita. He discharged the professorship
with great advantage to students till 1652, when he was
raised to the professorship of divinity, vacant by the death
of Mr. Brochmand. He was promoted to the doctorship in
the same faculty in 1653, in the presence of the king and
queen. In 1656 he was* appointed librarian of the academy. He died Oct. 27, 1661, of an illness of only six
days, leaving a widow atid fourteen children. He was the
author of several learned works on the Hebrew language
and criticism, among which are, “Observationes Philologicce,
” Copenhagen, Hebrew Lexicon,
”
, licentiate in laws, member of the academy of inscriptions and belles lettres, and an ecclesiastic in the diocese of Clermont,
, licentiate in laws, member of
the academy of inscriptions and belles lettres, and an
ecclesiastic in the diocese of Clermont, in Auvergne, where
he applied himself to his several studies, except philosophy, to pursue which he went to Paris, was born in 1673.
His parents being too poor to maintain him in this city,
commanded him to return home but the friendships he
had contracted, and the pleasure they gave him, were more
irresistible than the authority of his relations; for he told
them, that he was determined to remain where he was, and
seek, in the exertion of his abilities, far those resources
which, from their indigence, he had not any reason to expect. He was very shortly afterwards received into the
family of Monsieur du Metz, president of the chamber
of accounts, who intrusted to him the education of his
sons, who always honoured him with their patronage and
esteem. The exercises which he had set for these young
gentlemen gave birth to his “Historical Explanation of
Fables,
” and, in some measure, determined the author to
make mythology the principal object of his studies during
the remainder of his life.
This work appeared at first only in two volumes 12mo;
but the uncommon taste and erudition discovered through the
whole were the causes of his obtaining, in the year 1714,
an admission into the academy of inscriptions and belles
lettres, as one of their scholars. In 1716, this order was
suppressed, and that of the associates augmented to ten,
of which number was B&nier. In 1729, he was elected one
of their pensioners. In 1715, he published a new edition
of his “Explanation of Fables,
” in dialogues, to which he
annexed a third volume so great was the difference between this edition and the former, that it became justly
entitled to all the merits of a new performance. Besides
the five dialogues, which he added on subjects either not
treated of in his former undertaking, or else very slightlymentioned, there is scarcely a single article which has not
been retouched, and enriched by new conjectures or rendered more valuable by the multitude of proofs which are
advanced in its support. “Until that time,
” says the abbe
du Fresnoy, in his catalogue of historians, “the origin of
ancient fables had never been explained with such knowledge and discernment mythology is sought after at its
first source, profane history. Here are no endeavours to
mark out its affinity to the sacred writings and it is more
than probable that the ill success which Huet bishop of
Avranches, Bochart, and many others, met with in their
attempts of this kind, was the chief reason to induce Banier to drop so fruitless an undertaking. This, however,
is a work in which the author, without losing himself in
the labyrinth of a science which is but too often less replete with use than ostentation, has not only unravelled all
the notions which the ancients, even of the remotest times,
had entertained of their deities, but traced out, with equal
judgment and precision, the progress of their religious
worship in the succeeding ages of the world.
”
n there be more convincing instances of his excellence as a writer, than his historical explanation, and his thirty dissertations before the academy of belles lettres,
The turn which Banier had for researches of this nature,
perpetually incited him to carry them to their utmost
stretch his knowledge of the learned languages made
him, perhaps of all others, the most equal to the task nor
can there be more convincing instances of his excellence
as a writer, than his historical explanation, and his thirty
dissertations before the academy of belles lettres, which
are now printed in the memoirs of that body, either entire
or by extracts. The lists may be seen in the third volume
of the panegyrics upon their deceased members, printed in
12mo, at Paris, 1740. There are also to be found the
titles of many other essays, on subjects different from mythology, and which prove in how extensive a circle the
abilities of Banier were capable of moving. In 1725, he
gave new life to “The treatises on History and Literature,
” under the fictitious name of Vigneul Marville, but
whose real author was Bonaventure d'Argonne, a carthusian friar. Three editions of this work had been already
published, and in the third volume of the third edition,
which was an appendix to the whole, scarce any thing appeared but articles relating to the former part of it, and an
index referring to the pages in which the principal matters
were contained. Banier added those articles to their proper subjects in the two first volumes, which were injudiciously designed to have been read as detached pieces in
the third. And in return for having stripped this last volume, the able editor has replaced it by a new one which
is filled with tracts of history, anecdotes of literature, critical remarks, comparisons, extracts from scarce and valuable books, sentiments on various authors, refutations of
errors and ridiculous customs; together with memorable
sayings and lively repartees.
Of equal service was Banier to the third voyage of Paul Lucas into Egypt; and that of Cornelius Bruyn, or Le Brun. That of Paul Lucas appeared
Of equal service was Banier to the third voyage of Paul
Lucas into Egypt; and that of Cornelius Bruyn, or Le
Brun. That of Paul Lucas appeared in 1719, at Rouen,
in 3 vols. 12mo. With regard to Corn. Le Brun, his
voyage to the Levant was published in 1714, at Amsterdam, in folio and his voyage to the East Indies came also
out in folio, at the same place, 1718. Some booksellers
at Rouen, choosing to reprint them both, intrusted the revising of them to Banter, who made several alterations,
and added some remarks. This republication appeared in
1725, in 5 vols. 4to, but the Dutch edition is the best. His
engagements with this work were however unable to prevent his application to mythology, his favourite study, the
fruits of which appeared during the last ten years of his
life, in his translation of the metamorphoses of Ovid, with
historical remarks and explanations, published 1732, at
Amsterdam, in folio, finely ornamented with copper plates,
by Picart. and reprinted at Paris, 1738, in 2 vols. 4to and
in his “Mythology, or Fables explained by 'history,
” a
work full of the most important matter, printed at Paris,
1740, in two different forms, the one in 3 vols. 4to, and
the other in several, 12mo. The eighth volume of this
extensive work treats of those public and solemn ceremonies of the Greeks, which composed a part of the religion
of the ancients, and which were instituted in their age of
heroes.
tend the new edition, which they designed to give^ of “A general History of the ceremonies, manners, and religious customs of all the nations in the world;” a magnificent
The abbe already began to perceive the attacks of a distemper, which seemed to be conducting him insensibly to
the grave, when some booksellers at Paris prevailed upon
him to superintend the new edition, which they designed
to give^ of “A general History of the ceremonies, manners, and religious customs of all the nations in the world;
”
a magnificent edition of which had made its appearance,
about twenty years before, in Holland. Banier embarked
in this attempt, with l'abbe le Mascrier, a Jesuit, who had
assisted in the French translation of Thuanus. This, which
was finished in 1741, in seven volumes folio, is much
more valuable than the Dutch edition as there are in it
numberless corrections, a larger quantity of articles, and
several new dissertations, written by these ingenious compilers. The Dutch author, particularly where he mentions
the customs and ceremonies of the Roman church, is more
occupied in attempting to make his readers laugh, than
solidly to instruct them. The new editors, whilst they
retained these passages, were also careful to amend them.
The abbe Banier died on Nov. 19, 1741, in the 69th year
of his age. An English translation of his Mythology and
Fables of the Ancients, was published in London, 1741, in
4 vols. 8vo.
, an eminent physician of the sixteenth century, studied philosophy for some time at Oxford, and afterwards having entered upon the department of physic, applied
, an eminent physician of the sixteenth century, studied philosophy for some time at Oxford, and afterwards having entered upon the department
of physic, applied himself entirely to that faculty and
surgery. In July 1573, he took the decree of bachelor
in physic, and was admitted to practice. He removed
from Oxford to Nottingham, where he lived many years,
and was in high esteem for his skill in physic and surgery.
The time of his death is not known. His works are:
1 “A needfull, new, and necessary treatise of Chirurgery, briefly comprehending the general and particular
curation of ulcers,
” Certain experiments
of his own invention,
” &c. 3. “History of man, sucked
from the sap of the most approved anatomists, &c. in
nine books,
” 1578. 4. “Compendious Chirurgery, gathered and translated especially out of Wecker,
” &c.
Antidotary chirurgical, containing variety of all sorts of medicines,
” &c.
There was another physician named Richard Banister, who wrote, “A treatise of one hundred and thirteen Diseases of the Eyes and Eyelids” commonly called Banister’s
There was another physician named Richard Banister,
who wrote, “A treatise of one hundred and thirteen
Diseases of the Eyes and Eyelids
” commonly called Banister’s Breviary of the Eyes and “An appendant part
of a treatise of one hunched and thirteen Diseases of the
Eyes and Eyelids, called Cewisia Medicata, Purging Ale,
with divers Aphorisms and Principles.
” From this book
it appears that the author was living in 1617, and 1619,
and probably in 1622, when the second edition was published. When it was first published, cannot be found.
But in 1622, “The treatise of the one hundred and thirteen Diseases, &c.
” was reprinted. In Chapter IV. of
the “Appendant part, &c.
” he says “In my treatise of
the Eyes I have named the best oculists that have been in
this land for fifty or sixty years, who were no graduates,
either in Cambridge or Oxon.
”
natural history, first made a voyage to the East Indies, about the close of the seventeenth century, and remained there some time but was afterwards fixed in Virginia.
, mentioned by Mr. Ray in very
high terms, as a man of talents in natural history, first
made a voyage to the East Indies, about the close of the
seventeenth century, and remained there some time but
was afterwards fixed in Virginia. In that country he industriously sought for plants, described them, and himself drew the figures of the rare species he was also
celebrated for his knowledge of insects and meditated
writing the natural history of Virginia, for which, Mr.
Ray observes that he was every way qualified. He sent
to Ray. in 1680, “A catalogue of Plants observed by him
in Virginia,
” which was published in the second volume
of Ray’s history, p, 1928. The world was deprived of
much of the fruit of his labours, by his untimely death.
Banister increased the martyrs to natural history. In one
of his excursions in pursuit of his object, he fell from the
rocks, and perished. His herbarium came into the
possession of Sir Hans Sloane, who thought it a considerable
acquisition. Four papers by him, on subjects of natural
history, peculiar to Virginia, are inserted in the Philosophical Transactions, No. 198, and 247.
is own county, whence, in 1604, he removed to Queen’s college, in Oxford, being then about fifteen, - and there, for spine time, pursued his studies. He left the university
, lord chief justice of the common pleas, in the reign of king Charles I. was descended from a good family seated at Keswick, in Cumberland, where he was born, in A. D. 1589. The first part of his education he received at a grammar-school in his own county, whence, in 1604, he removed to Queen’s college, in Oxford, being then about fifteen, -and there, for spine time, pursued his studies. He left the university without a degree, and taking chambers in Grays inn, he applied himself to the law, in which science he quickly became eminent. His extraordinary diligence in his profession, his grave appearance, and excellent reputation, recommended him early to his sovereign, Charles I. by whom he was firsi made attorney to the prince. He was next year, 1630, lent-reader at Gray’s inn, and in 1631, treasurer of that society. In August 1634, he was knighted, and made attorney -general, in the place of Mr. Noy, deceased. He discharged this arduous employment, in those perilous times, with great reputation, till in hilary term 1640, he was made chief justice of the common pie.as, in the room of Sir Edward Littleton, now lord keeper. In this high station he acted also with universal approbation, remaining at London after the king was compelled to leave it, in order to discharge the duties of his office. But when he once understood that his continuance amongst them was looked on by some as owning the cause of the Parliamentarians, he retired to York. So just an idea the king had of this act of loyalty, that when he had thoughts of removing the lord-keeper, he at the same time was inclined to deliver the great seal to the lord chief-justice Bankes, whose integrity was generally confessed; but he was by some suspected (though wrongfully as it afterwards appeared) in point of courage. He subscribed the declaration made June 15, 1642, by the lords and gentlemen then with his majesty at York; and yet his conduct was so free from aspersion, that even the Parliament in their proposals to the king, in January 1643, desired he might be continued in his office. Beforethis, viz January 31, 1642, the university of Oxford, to manifest their high respect for him, created him LL. D. His majesty also caused him to be sworn of his privy council, and always testified a great regard for his advice. In the summer circuit he lost all his credit at Westminster, for having declared from the bench at Salisbury, that the actions of Essex, Manchester, and Waller, were treasonable, the commons voted him, and the rest of the judges in that sentiment, traitors. In the mean time, lady Bankes with her family being at Sir John’s seat, Corffe-castle, in the Isle of Purbeck, in Dorsetshire, the friends of the Parliament, who had already reduced all the sea coasts but that place, resolved tft reduce it likewise. The courageous lady Bankes, though she had about her only her children, a few servants and tenants, and little hopes of relief, yet refused to surrender the fortress. Upon this*, sir W. Earl, and Thomas Trenchard, esq. who commanded the Parliament forces, had recourse to very rough measures. Thrice they attempted the place by surprize, and as often were repulsed with loss, though the first time lady Bankes had but five men in the place, and during the whole time her garrison never exceeded forty. Then they interdicted her the markets, and at length formally besieged the house with a very considerable force, a train of artillery, and a great quantity of ammunition. This forced the little town dependant on the castle to surrender, which inclined the besiegers to be remiss, of which lady Bankes taking advantage, procured a supply of provision an-d ammunition, which enabled her still to hold out. At last, the gallant earl of Carnarvon, having with a considerable body of horse and dragoons, cleared a great part of the west, came into the neighbourhood of Purbeck, and sir W. Earl raised his siege, August 4, 1643, so precipitately, that he left his tents standing, together with his ammunition and artillery, all which fell into the hands of lady Bankes’s household. There is no question but this action was very pleasing to the king, at Oxford, where sir John continued in the discharge of his duty, as a privy counsellor, till the last day of his life, vis. December 28, 1644. But that be ever had any other preferment, much less was chief-justice of the king’s bench, as Wood has affirmed, is certainly erroneous. He was interred with great solemnity in the cathedral of Christ-church, and a monument erected to his memory, with an inscription, signifying his titles, &c. and that he was distinguished by his knowledge, integrity, and fidelity. He left a numerous posterity, both male and female. By his will, he gave Carious sums to pious and charitable uses.
, an English miscellaneous writer of some note, was born at Sunning, in Berkshire, in 1709, and put apprentice to a weaver at Reading but accidentally breaking
, an English miscellaneous writer of
some note, was born at Sunning, in Berkshire, in 1709,
and put apprentice to a weaver at Reading but accidentally breaking his arm before the expiration of his time,
he was unable to follow his trade, and for some time,
probably, lived upon charity. Ten pounds, however,
being left him by a relation, he came up to London, and
set up a book-stall in Spital-nelds, hoping to be as lucky
as Duck, who about this time raised himself to notice by
his poem called “The Thresher,
” in imitation of which
Banks wrote “The Weaver’s Miscellany,
” but without
success, which he afterwards acknowledged was not unjust.
He then quitted this settlement, and lived some time with
Mr. Montague, a bookseller and bookbinder, employing
his leisure hours in the composition of small poems, for a
collection of which he solicited a subscription, and sent
his proposals, with a poem, to Mr. Pope, who answered
him in a letter, and subscribed for two copies. He was
afterwards concerned in a large work in folio, intituled
the “Life of Christ,
” which was drawn up with much
piety and exactness. He also wrote the celebrated “Critical Review of the Life of Oliver Cromwell,
” 12mo,
which has been often printed, and is, upon the whole, an
impartial work. Towards the end of his life he was employed in writing the Old England and Westminster
Journals, and was now enabled to live in easy circumstances. He died of a nervous disorder at Islington, April
19, 1751. His biographer represents him as a pleasing
and acceptable companion, and a modest and unassuming
man, free from every inclination to engage in contests,
or indulge envy or malevolence.
, an English dramatic writer, was bred an attorney at law, and belonged to the society of New-inn. The dry study of the law,
, an English dramatic writer, was bred
an attorney at law, and belonged to the society of New-inn.
The dry study of the law, however, not being so suitable
to his Natural disposition as the more elevated flights of
poetical imagination, he quitted the pursuit of riches in
the inns of court, to attend on the muses in the theatre,
but here he found his rewards hy no melins adequate to his
deserts. His emoluments at the best were precarious, and
the various successes of his pieces too feelingly convinced
him of the error in his choice. Yet this did not prevent
him from pursuing with cheerfulness the path he had
taken his thirst of fame, and warmth of poetic enthusiasm, alleviating to his imagination many disagreeably
circumstances, into which indigence, the too frequent
attendant on poetical pursuits, often threw him. His turn
was entirely to tragedy his merit in which is of a peculiar
kind. For at the same time that his language must be
confessed to be extremely unpoetical, and his numbers
uncouth and inharmonious nay, even his characters,
very far from being strongly marked qr distinguished, and
his episodes extremely irregular yet it is impossible to
avoid being deeply affected at the representation, and
even at the reading of riis tragic pieces. This is owing in
general to a happy choice of his subjects, which are all
borrowed from history, either rpal or romantic, and most
of them from circumstances in the annals of our own
country, which, not only from their being familiar to our
continual recollection, but even from their having some
degree of relation to ourselves, we are apt to receive with
a kind of partial prepossession, and a predetermination
to be pleased. He has constantly chosen as the basis of
his plays such tales as were, in themselves and their wellknown catastrophes, best adapted to the purposes of the
drama. He has, indeed, seldom varied from the strictness
of historical facts, yet he seems to have made it his constant rule to keep the scene perpetually alive, and never
suffer his characters to droop. His verse is not poetry,
but prose run mad, Yet will the false gem sometimes approach so near in glitter to the true one, at least in the
eyes of all but the real connoisseurs, that bombast frequently passes for the true sublime and where it is rendered the vehicle of incidents in themselves affecting,
and in which the heart is apt to take an interest, it will
perhaps be found to have a stronger power on the human
passions, than even that property to which it is in reality
no more than a bare succedaneum. On this account only
Mr. Banks’s writings have in general drawn more tears
from the eyes, and excited more terror in the breasts even,
of judicious audiences, than those of much more correct
ariid more truly poetical authors. The tragedies he has
left behind him are seven in number, yet few of them
have been performed for some years past, excepting “The
Unhappy Favourite, or Earl of Essex,
” which continued
till very lately a stock tragedy at both theatres. The
writers on dramatic subjects have not ascertained either
the year of the birth, or that of the death of this author.
His last remains, however, lie interred in the church of
St. James, Westminster.
William Banks, land-steward to the then duke of Beaufort, a situation which he occupied with honour and credit to himself, and from which he derived very handsome emolument.
, an eminent English sculptor, born in 1735, was the son of Mr. William Banks, land-steward to the then duke of Beaufort, a situation which he occupied with honour and credit to himself, and from which he derived very handsome emolument. His eldest son Thomas, evincing a strong partiality for the arts, was placed with Mr. Kent, whose name is well known in the architectural annals of that period but, shewing afterwards a preference for sculpture, he studied that art with greater success in the royal academy, then lately instituted, and obtained the geld medal and other prizes for his productions he was also elected to be sent for three years to pursue his studies on the continent, at the expence of that establishment which was one of its regulations previous to the French revolution, when the disturbances in Italy rendered it difficult, if not impossible, for Englishmen to travel in that country. The residence of Mr. Banks was prolonged beyond the limits allowed by the academy for his enthusiastic admiration of the antique, which could then be seen only in perfection in that now despoiled country, and his eager endeavours to imitate the simplicity and elegance of its best specimens, made him unwilling to quit a spot where he could contemplate its beauties with unremitting delight. He met with some patronage from his countrymen who visited Rome and among others of his productions which were sent to this country, was a basso-relievo in marble, representing Caractacus with his family broughtprisoners before Claudius which now ornaments the entrance-hall at Stowe, the seat of the marquis of Buckingham a beautiful little figure of Pysche stealing the golden fleece, in marble also, which was intended as a portrait of the princess Sophia of Gloucester, and is still in her family and an exquisite figure of Cupid catching a butterfly, an emblem of loye tormenting the soul, the size of life, which perhaps for grace, symmetry of form, and accuracy of contour, has scarcely been equalled by a modern hand, and might almost vie with those productions of the ancients, to which his admiration, as well as emulation, had been so constantly directed.
, taking with him the above-mentioned figure of Cupid, which was purchased by the empress Catherine, and placed in a temple constructed for the purpose in her gardens
Finding, at length, that it was impossible on the Continent to meet with that patronage which, with just ambition, he aspired to, he determined on returning to his native country from which, however, he was soon after again enticed, by very favourable prospects held out to him by the court of Russia, whither he repaired, taking with him the above-mentioned figure of Cupid, which was purchased by the empress Catherine, and placed in a temple constructed for the purpose in her gardens at Czarscozelo. After a residence of nearly two years, in a climate which proved very destructive to his health, an,d disappointed in his hopes, he returned to his family in England, there to wait the tide of favour, which was not long in turning its course towards him. In that branch which the profession of a sculptor chiefly embraces, that of monumental subjects, there is not so much scope for fancy and variety, as in the productions of an historical painter, but whenever an opportunity offered of deviating from the established rules usually adopted in these cases, our artist did not omit to avail himself of it, of which there is a striking instance in a monument to the memory of a daughter of sir Brooke Boothby, in Ashbourne church. The first great work which was to have been executed by Mr. Banks, on his return from Petersburg, was a colossal statue of Achilles bewailing the loss of Brise'is on the sea shore, for col. Johnes, of Hafod, in Cardiganshire but, as it was likely to be a work of immense labour and expence, other smaller things were undertaken for the same distinguished gentleman, some of which unfortunately perished in the conflagration which destroyed his unique abode of classic taste and elegance, in 1807. Various events afterwards combined to prevent the completion of this magnificent statue, in marble and since Mr. Banks’ s death, it has been presented, by his family, to the British institution in Pall Mall, where it forms a grand and simple ornament to the entrance-hall. The exterior of tnat building, which was originally the Shakspeare gallery, is also a specimen of our artist’s varied talents the whole front of it having been designed by him, as well as the beautiful groupe of figures over the entrance, which are allusive to its original destination. In the latter years of Mr. Banks’s career, his monument for sir Eyre Coote in Westminster abbey, and those in St. Paul’s to the memory of the captains (Hutt, Westcott, and Rundle Burges), who fell in some of our great naval victories, are the most conspicuous and, as they are within the reach of general observation, may be duly appreciated by persons of taste. Mr. Banks’ s election to be one of the members of the royal academy took place not long after after his return from Russia. On this occasion, he presented that body with a piece of sculpture, representing one of the fallen Titans, which is placed among the deposits in the council chamber of that institution, and is a striking example of the knowledge he possessed in anatomy, which enabled him to execute a subject of this nature with as much correctness and energy, as the elegance of his taste led him to represent tender and pathetic subjects with that peculiar delicacy and feeling which so eminently characterize his works.
Mr. Banks’ s manners were simple and unaffected, and though generally reserved and silent, his temper
Mr. Banks’ s manners were simple and unaffected, and though generally reserved and silent, his temper was uniformly serene occasionally he would unbend in social intercourse with a friend, when the intellectual stores of his mind would improve as well as delight his hearers. He took peculiar pleasure in promoting the improvement of young people and wherever he observed a ray of talent, would give it every encouragement in his power, although attended with unrepaid trouble and loss of time from himself. The chief delight and pride of his leisure hours, was in advancing tfre education of his only and favourite daughter, for whose superior accomplishments he spared neither expence nor attention and a sniile of happiness on her countenance appeared to be his greatest reward. He terminated a life of arduous exertion, attended by a well-earned reputation, on the 2d of February, 1805 His virtues and his talents are recorded on a stone placed to his memory in Westminster abbey.
nding that his genius more strongly inclined him to the painting of flowers, he applied his talents, and in that branch became one of the greatest masters. When Le Brim
, who was also surnamed Monnoyer,
a painter of some note, who resided many years in England, was born at Lisle, in Flanders, in 1635. He was
brought up at Antwerp, where his business was 'history
painting but finding that his genius more strongly inclined him to the painting of flowers, he applied his talents, and in that branch became one of the greatest
masters. When Le Brim had undertaken to paint the
palace of Versailles, he employed Baptist to do the flower
part, in which he displayed great excellence. The duke
of Montague being then ambassador in France, and observing the merit of Baptist’s performances, invited him
over into England, and employed him, in conjunction
with La Fosse and Rousseau, to embellish Montague
house, which is now the British museum and contains
many of the finest productions of Baptist. “His pictures
(says Mr. Pilkington in his Dictionary of Painters) are not
so exquisitely finished as those of Van Huysum, but his
composition and colouring are in a bolder style. His
flowers have generally a remarkable freedom and looseness, as well in the disposition, as in pencilling together
with a tone of colouring, that is lively, admirable, and
nature itself. The disposition of his objects is surp'risingly
elegant and beautiful and in that respect his compositions
are easily known, and as easily distinguished from the
performances of others.
” A celebrated performance of
this artist is a looking-glass preserved in Kensington palace, which he decorated with a garland of flowers, for
queen Mary and it is mentioned as a remarkable circumstance, that her majesty sat by him during the greatest
part of the time that he was employed ia painting it. He
painted, for the duke of Ormond, six pictures of East
India birds, after nature, which were in that nobleman’s
collection at Kilkenny in Ireland, and afterwards came
into the possession “of Mr. Pilkington. He died in Pall
Mall, in the year 1699. There is a print of Baptist, from
a painting of sir Godfrey Kneller, in Mr. Walpole’s
” Anecdotes." He had a son, named Anthony Baptist,
who also painted flowers and, in the style and manner of
his father, had great merit. There was also another
painter known by the name of John Baptist, whose surname was Caspars, and who was commonly called Lely’s
Baptist. He was born at Antwerp, and was a disciple of
Thomas Willebores Boschaert. During the civil war he
came to England, and entered into the service of general
Lambert; but after the restoration he was employed by
sir Peter Lely, to paint the attitudes and draperies of his
portraits. He was engaged in the same business under
Riley and sir Godfrey Kneller. The portrait of Charles
II. in Painters’ Hall, and another of the same prince, with
mathematical instruments, in the hall of St. Bartholomew’s
Hospital, were painted by this Baptist, who died in 1691,
and was buried at St. James’s.
rn at Serravalle, in the environs of Verceil in Piemont, in 1590, was chosen professor of philosophy and mathematics at Anneci, where he was much distinguished by the
, a Barnabite monk, born
at Serravalle, in the environs of Verceil in Piemont, in
1590, was chosen professor of philosophy and mathematics
at Anneci, where he was much distinguished by the acuteness of his genius. The general of his order having sent
him into France to form some establishments, he proceeded
to Paris, where he acquired reputation both as a philosopher and as a preacher. He was one of the first that had
the courage to abandon the trammels of Aristotle. He died
at Montargis the 23d of December, 1622, aged only thirtythree. La Mothe le Vayer classes him among the foremost
of the learned in his time. He adds, that Baranzano had
several times assured him that he would appear to him, if
he should depart the first out of this world, but that he did
not keep his word. Lord chancellor Bacon had as great an
esteem for him as la Mothe le Vayer, as appears by a letter
he wrote to him in June 1622, which Niceron has printed.
His works are, 1. “Campus Philosophicus,
” Lyons, Uranoscopia, seu universa doctrina de Coelo,
”
Novae Opiuiones Physicx,
” Lyons,
, a celebrated lawyer of the fifteenth century, was a native of Placentia, and professor of feudal law at Pavia and Ferrara. He made a new
, a celebrated lawyer of
the fifteenth century, was a native of Placentia, and professor of feudal law at Pavia and Ferrara. He made a new
arrangement of the law of Lombardy, and sent it to the
duke of Mila,n, who placed it in the library of Pavia, and
ordered that the professors of Pavia should use it as a textbook. This manuscript, as well as the library in which it
was deposited, was removed to France under the reign of
Louis XII. Nicolas Rigault printed it at Paris in 1612,
under the title “De Feudis liber singularis,
” and John
Schilter reprinted it in Libeilus feudorum reformatus.
”
, a very extraordinary German scholar, and whom Baillet, if he had lived in his time, would have placed
, a very
extraordinary German scholar, and whom Baillet, if he had
lived in his time, would have placed at the head of his
“Enfans Celebres,
” was born at Schwoback, in the margravate of Brandenburg- Anspach, the 19th of January 1721.
His father Francis had quitted France, for the sake of professing the religion of Calvin, and was then pastor of the
Calvinist church of Schwoback. He took upon himself the
care of his son’s education, and taught him languages without study, and almost without his perceiving that he was
learning them, by only introducing words of different languages as it were casually into conversation with him. By
this means, when he was but four years old, he spoke every
day French to his mother, Latin to his father, and German
to the maid, without the least perplexity to himself, or the
least confusion of one language with another.
language he then proposed to learn, accompanied with a translation. Thus he understood Greek at six, and Hebrew at eight years of age insomuch that, upon opening the
The other languages of which he was master, he learnt by a method yet more uncommon, which was by only using the bible in the language he then proposed to learn, accompanied with a translation. Thus he understood Greek at six, and Hebrew at eight years of age insomuch that, upon opening the book, and without a moment’s hesitation, he could translate the Hebrew bible into Latin or French. He was now very desirous of reading the Rabbins, and prevailed upon his father to buy him the great Rabbinical bible published at Amsterdam, 1728, in 4 vols. folio, which he read with great accuracy and attention, as appears from his account of it, inserted in the 26th volume of the Bibliotheque Germanique. In his eleventh year he published the travels of Rabbi Benjamin, translated from Hebrew into French, which he illustrated with notes, and accompanied with dissertations, that would have done honour to an adept in letters.
He afterwards applied himself to the study of the fathers and the councils, of philosophy, mathematics, and above all, of
He afterwards applied himself to the study of the fathers
and the councils, of philosophy, mathematics, and above
all, of astronomy. This boy, as he really was, formed
schemes for finding the longitude, which he sent in January
1735, to the royal society at London; and, though these
schemes had been already tried and found insufficient, yet
they exhibited such a specimen of his capacity for mathematical learning, that the royal society of Berlin admitted
him, the same year, as one of their members. Notwithstanding these avocations and amusements, he published,
in 1735, the fourteenth year of his age, a learned
theological work, entitled “Anti Artemonius
” written against
Samuel Crellius, who had assumed the name of Artemonius,
and the subject is the text at the beginning of St. John’s
gospel. In 1735 too, he went with his father to Halle, at
which university he was offered the degree of M. A. or (as it is there termed) doctor in philosophy. Baratier drew up
that night fourteen theses in philosophy and the mathematics, which he sent immediately to the press, and which he
defended the next day so very ably, that all who heard him
were delighted and amazed he was then admitted to his
degree. He went also to Berlin, and was presented to the
king of Prussia as a prodigy of erudition, who shewed him
remarkable kindness, and conferred upon him great honours,
but, not being very fond of men of letters, treated him, as
some write, with a small tincture of severity. He asked
him, for instance, by way of mortifying him, whether he
knew the public law of the empire which being obliged
to confess that he did not, “Go,
” says the king, “and
study it, before you pretend to be learned.
” Baratier applied himself instantly to it, and with such success, that
at the end of five months he publicly maintained a thesis
in it.
He continued to add new acquisitions to his learning, and to increase his reputation by new performances he was, in his
He continued to add new acquisitions to his learning, and to increase his reputation by new performances he was, in his nineteenth year, collecting materials for a very large work concerning the Egyptian antiquities, but his constitution, naturally weak and delicate, and now impaired by intense application, began to give way, and his health to decline. Cough, spitting of blood, fever on the spirits, head-ach, pains at the stomach, oppressions at the breast, frequent vomitings, all contributed to destroy him, and he died at his father’s at Halle the 5th of October 1740, in the twentieth year of his age. He was naturally gay, lively, and facetious, and he neither lost his gaiety, nor neglected his studies, till his distemper, ten days before his death, deprived him of the use of his limbs. He was a wonderful proof how much in a short time may be performed by indefatigable diligence and yet it is remarkable, that he passed twelve hours in bed till he was ten years old, and ten hours from thence to the time of his death so that he spent nearly half his life in sleeping.
He was not only master of many languages, but skilled almost in every science, and capable of distinguishing himself in every profession except
He was not only master of many languages, but skilled almost in every science, and capable of distinguishing himself in every profession except that of physic," towards which, having been discouraged by the diversity of opinions among those who consulted upon his disorders, and also by the inefficacy of their applications, he had conceived a dislike, and even an aversion. His learning, however vast, had not depressed or overburdened his natural faculties, for his genius appeared always predominant; and when he inquired into the various opinions of the writers of all ages, he reasoned and determined for himself, having a mind at once comprehensive and delicate, active and attentive. He was able to reason with the metaphysicians on the most abstruse questions, or to enliven the most unpleasing subjects by the gaiety of his fancy. He wrote with great elegance and dignity of style. He was no imitator, but struck out new ideas, and formed original systems. He had a quickness of apprehension and firmness of memory, which enabled him to read with incredible rapidity, and at the same time to retain what he had read, so as to be able to recollect and apply it. He turned over volumes in an instant, but seldom made extracts, being always able at once to find what he wanted. He read over, in one winter, twenty vast folios, and the catalogue of the books which he had borrowed comprised forty-one pages in 4to, the writing close, and the titles abridged. He was a constant reader of literary journals.
With regard to common life he had some peculiarities he could not bear music, and if ever he was engaged at play, could not attend to it. He neither
With regard to common life he had some peculiarities
he could not bear music, and if ever he was engaged at
play, could not attend to it. He neither loved wine nor
entertainments, nor dancing, nor sports of the field, nor relieved his studies with any other diversion than that of walking and conversation. He ate little flesh, and lived almost
wholly upon milk, tea, bread, fruits, and sweetmeats. He
had great vivacity in his imagination, and ardour in his desires, yet was always reserved and silent except among his
favourites, who were few and the delicacy of his habit, together with his constant application, suppressed those
passions which often betray others of his age into irregularities. The last of his works was entitled “Disquisitio
historico-chronologica de successione antiquissima episcoporum Romanorum, cum quatuor dissertationibus,
” c.
ry scarce book entitled “Arte de loa metallos,” Madrid, 1640, 4to. It was reprinted in 1729, in 4to, and to that edition was added, the Treatise of Alonzo Carillo Lasso,
, curate of St. Bernard de
Potosi, at the contmen cement of the seventeenth century,
is the author of a very scarce book entitled “Arte de loa
metallos,
” Madrid, Recueil d'Ouvrages
” on the same subject; also
in 12mo, in very great esteem.
Madrid, died about 1630, composed several comedies highly applauded in Spain. His style, being pure and elegant, contributed greatly to the improvement of the Spanish
, born at Madrid, died about 1630, composed several comedies highly applauded in Spain. His style, being pure and elegant, contributed greatly to the improvement of the Spanish language. His theatrical pieces are lively, and abound in moral sentiments. There is likewise, by him, the adventures of don Diego de Noche, 1624, 8vo.
, the son of Candiano Barbaro, was an accomplished soldier and a man of letters. He was a scholar of the celebrated Chrysoloras,
, the son of
Candiano Barbaro, was an accomplished soldier and a man
of letters. He was a scholar of the celebrated Chrysoloras,
under whom he studied Greek and Latin. His character
raised him to the highest offices in the republic of Venice,
and he acquired great reputation on account of the bravery
with which he defended the city of Brescia, when governor,
against the forces of the duke of Milan. It was riot less to
his credit that he was able to reconcile the two opposite
factions of the Avogadri and the Martinenghi, and prevailed
on them to support the common cause. He died procurator of St. Mark, in 1454. Rewrote a Latin treatise on
marriage, which was published by Badius Ascensius, in
Paris, 1513, 4to, entitled “F. Barbari patricii Veneti oratorisque clarissimi de Re Uxoria libelli duo.
” It is a work of
pure morality, and contains excellent advice, in a very perspicuous style, and has been often reprinted, and translated
into French. Barbaro also translated the lives of Aristides
and Cato from Plutarch, and his letters were printed at
Brescia, 1743, 4to. Bayle has a long note, by which it
appears somewhat doubtful, whether the defender of Brescia
and the writer of the “De Re Uxoria,
” were the same
person.
sso, then resident at Verona. At the age of eight he became the scholar of Pomponius Lactus at Rome, and studied under him for the space of ten years, commencing an
, grandson of the preceding,
was born in 1454. After a slight education at Venice, he
was placed, when very young, under the tuition of Matteo
Bosso, then resident at Verona. At the age of eight he
became the scholar of Pomponius Lactus at Rome, and
studied under him for the space of ten years, commencing
an intimacy with the most celebrated literati of the age,
and in particular with Theodore Gaza, who formed the
most honourable opinion of his talents. On his return to
Venice, by his father’s advice he went to reside at Padua,
in order to finish his education in that university. Here he
first applied himself to the version of “Themistii Paraphrasis,
” which was finished in the nineteenth, but not
published until (1473) the twenty-sixth year of his age.
The following year he was nominated to pronounce the
funeral oration of the doge Niccolo Marcello, a composition
which is at present extant. Retiring again to Padua, he
was authorised, by a special faculty from the senate, to
read lectures on philosophy, and with great public approbation expounded Aristotle’s Ethics, and drew up an epitome of them for the benefit of his hearers. Hermolaus
spent five years uninterruptedly at this seat of learning, and
having attained his twenty-third year, was, by the general
approbation, created a doctor of the civil and canon law.
In 1479 he returned to his native city, where he was speedily admitted to all those honours which were compatible
with his rank and age. Yet persevering in his studies, he
this year interpreted “Aristotelis Rhetorica,
” published
his “Themistius
” in the following in and in 1484,
” Aristotelis Dialecticen,"
besides a number of poems and other occasional productions.
e undertook, at the earnest request of several of the students, to expound some of the Grecian poets and orators, particularly Theocritus and Demosthenes. He had already
In June 1484, having again retired to Padua, to avoid the plague then raging at Venice, he undertook, at the earnest request of several of the students, to expound some of the Grecian poets and orators, particularly Theocritus and Demosthenes. He had already borne two important offices in the republic, and was exulted to the dignity of senator in 1484, in the thirtieth year of his age. In the same year he opened, at his own house at Venice, a private school of philosophy, delivering his lectures at an early hour in the morning, and although he meant to admit only a few friends, his audience speedily increased, and he continued this employment until June 1485, when he was appointed on an embassy to congratulate the archduke Maximilian, who had recently been elected king of the Romans. On this occasion, Maximilian, whom he addressed in a complimentary oration, conferred on him order of knighthood. In 1488, the senate again interrupted his favourite studies, by appointing him ambassador to Ludovico Sforza, duke of Milan, an office which his grandfather and father had both formerly filled. At Milan, his house became the general resort of the learned, and he contrived, amidst his public labours, to resume his criticisms on Aristotle and Dioscorides. In 1490, he returned to his native city, and about a year after, was appointed ambassador in ordinary to pope Innocent VIII. who conferred the patriarchate upon Hermolaus, and he accepted it, notwithstanding he knew that the republic of Venice had made an express law forbidding all the ministers they sent to Rome to accept of any benefice. Hermolaus excused himself by saying the pope forced him to accept of the prelacy but this availed nothing with the council of ten, who signified to him that he must renounce the patriarchate, and if he refused to comply, that Zachary Barbarus his father should be degraded from all his dignities^ and his estate confiscated. Zachary was a man much advanced in years, and filled one of the chief posts in the commonwealth. He employed all the interest in his power to gain the consent of the republic to his son’s being patriarch but his endeavours proved ineffectual, and Hernaolaus was condemned by the Venetians to perpetual exile.
udition, his “Castigationes PliniansE,” the first part of which was published in the following year, and the second in 1493. Erasmus assigns him the most honourable
From this time he resided at Rome, where, in 1491, he
began a work of great erudition, his “Castigationes PliniansE,
” the first part of which was published in the following year, and the second in 1493. Erasmus assigns him
the most honourable place among those critics who have
undertaken to illustrate Pliny the naturalist but his labours
have not wholly escaped censure, particularly that of father
Harduin, who accuses him of too frequently indulging
conjecture, from which, and other charges, Apostolo Zeno
defends him with great ability. Hermolaus died of the
plague in July 1493. Besides the works already mentioned, he is said to have left some volumes of letters in
manuscript, and to have written at least twelve thousand
Latin verses, of which only two short epigrams remain.
ng, coadj utor of the patriarchate of Aquileia, bora in 1513, acquired a reputation for his learning and his capacity in the management of public affairs, which caused
, probably of the same family
with the preceding, coadj utor of the patriarchate of
Aquileia, bora in 1513, acquired a reputation for his learning
and his capacity in the management of public affairs, which
caused him to be chosen by the senate of Venice to be
ambassador from the republic to England, where he remained till 1551. He died in 1570, and left behind him
several works in good repute, the chief of which are, 1 A
Treatise of Eloquence, by way of dialogue, printed at Venice, in 1557, 4to. 2. “Pratica della Perspectiva,
” Venice,
, a French antiquary, was born at St. Fargeau in Puisay, in the diocese of Auxerre, in 1696, and died at Paris in 1770, after having passed the greater part
, a French antiquary, was born
at St. Fargeau in Puisay, in the diocese of Auxerre, in
1696, and died at Paris in 1770, after having passed the
greater part of his life in the study of the ancient French
writers, from the twelfth to the fifteenth century. This
pursuit recommended him to many of the literati, who invited him to Paris, and there the abbe La Porte and Graville
engaged him to assist them, in a prolix, but curious work,
entitled “Recueil alphabetique depuis la lettre C jusqu‘a
la fin de l’alphabet,
” which was begun by the abbe Perau,
and printed in 24 vols. 12mo, Paris, 1745, &c. He published afterwards, 1. “Fabliaux et contes des poetes Franc,ais des 12, 13, 14,et 15 siecles,
” Paris, L'Ordene de chivalerie,
” ib. Le Castoiement, ou instructions d' une pere a son fils,
”
a moral work of the thirteenth century, ib. Glossaire du nouveau
tresor de Borel,
” the manuscript of which is in the library
of the French arsenal, with the exception of the first part,
which has been lost.
, born at Paris in 1710, was the son of a woodmonger, and originally intended for his father’s trade but nature had given
, born at Paris
in 1710, was the son of a woodmonger, and originally intended for his father’s trade but nature had given him a
taste for literature, and in order to be able to cultivate it,
he at first embraced the ecclesiastical profession, which
he quitted some time afterwards, and retired to Holland, where he passed ten or fifteen years. He carried
with him from that country charts but little known in
France, which he communicated to M. Bauche, who kept
him with him above twenty-three years, and in whose workshe had the greatest share. In 1759, however, a production appeared under his name. This was “Mappe-monde
Historique
” an ingenious and novel chart, in which the
author has had the skill to combine geography, chronology,
and history into one system. He had intended to particularize this general chart in distinct maps but he was forced
to abandon this idea by the necessity he laboured under of
gaining his bread by rapid publications. The world is indebted to him for the “Tablettes Chronologiques
” ofthe
abbe Lenglet, Geographic IVJoderne
” of the abbe la Croix, the substance of which is properly his the two last volumes of the “Bibliotheque de
France,
” of father le Long; and he furnished great assistance to M. de Fontette in the publication of the three
first. We have likewise by him a Description of the empire of Russia, published in German by baron de Strahlemberg, 1757, and translated into French, but this is a very
inaccurate work and “Vie de M. Francois Paris, diacre,
”
, an old Italian poet, was born in 1264, in the chateau of Barberino in Tuscany, and having gone to Florence, became one of the scholars of Brunetto
, an old Italian poet, was born
in 1264, in the chateau of Barberino in Tuscany, and
having gone to Florence, became one of the scholars of Brunetto Latin i. He afterwards studied law with great reputation at Bologna, Padua, and Florence, and was a celebrated practitioner. But these graver studies did not check
his inclination for poetry, as we may conjecture from his
principal work, “I Documenti d'Amore,
” written in verse
of various measures. This is not, as the title seems to imply, a poem on the subject of love, but of morality and
philosophy. Although Ihe style is often deficient in ease
and elegance, and is often mixed with Provencal turns
and expressions, the academicians of de la Crusca rank
Barberino among their classics. It remained long in manuscript, but was printed at Rome in 1640, with beautiful
engravings, a life of the author by Ubaldini, and a glossary. He died at Florence of the plague, in 1348.
, a physician, and member of the academy of Stockholm and of Philadelphia, was
, a physician, and member of the academy of Stockholm and of Philadelphia, was
born at Mayenne or Mayne, Feb. 15, 1709, and died Dec.
16, 1779. In his youth he was an able linguist, particularly in Greek and Hebrew. He published several works,
the earliest of which was a Medical Gazette, the first number of which appeared in 1761. He afterwards wrote, I.
“Le Botaniste Francis,
” Elemens de Medicine, en forme d'Aphorismes,
” Chronographie,
” with a chart of the revolutions of
empires. 4. “Code de la Raison humaine,
” 12mo, which
Dr. Franklin reprinted in England, and sent to America. 5.
“Eloge du medicin Charles Gillet,
” 8vp and 6. “Petit
Calendrier de Philadelphe.
” He also published a French
translation of Dr. Franklin’s works, and of Bolingbroke’s
Letters on history. His biographer says that he was intimate with Bolingbroke, who permitted him to make this
translation on condition it was not published in his lordship’s life-time.
, an eminent French physician of the seventeenth century, was born at Cereste in Provence, and studied at Aix and Montpellier, at which last university he
, an eminent French physician
of the seventeenth century, was born at Cereste in
Provence, and studied at Aix and Montpellier, at which last
university he took his doctor’s degree in 1649, and in this
place he settled, and acquired very great reputation as a
practitioner and a man of learning. In his practice he appears to have attained the simplicity and sound principles
of modern times, founded on experience. The celebrated
Locke, who visited him at Montpellier, compared him to
cur Sydenham in manners and opinions. He died in 1699.
The only works he published are, 1. “Traites de Medicine,
” 12mo, Questiones Medicae duodecim,
”
674, at Bariers, a city of Lower Languedoc, in France. He went to Lausanne in 1686, with his father: and, in 1697, was at Berlin, where he taught philosophy at the French
, nephew of the preceding, was
born the 15th of March 1674, at Bariers, a city of Lower
Languedoc, in France. He went to Lausanne in 1686,
with his father: and, in 1697, was at Berlin, where he
taught philosophy at the French college. At the desire of
his father, he applied himself at first to divinity, but afterwards quitted it, and gave himself up to the study of the
law, especially that of nature and nations. In 1710 he
was invited to Lausanne, to accept of the new professorship of law and history, which the magistrates of Bern had
instituted, and he enjoyed it for seven years, during which
time he was thrice rector. In 1713, he was elected a
member of the royal society of sciences at Berlin and in
1717, chosen professor of public and private law at Groningen. He translated into French the two celebrated works
of Puffendorf, his “Law of nature and nations,
” and his
“Duties of a man and citizen
” he wrote excellent notes
to both these performances, and to the former he gives an
introductory preface. He translated also the two discourses
of Mr. Noodt, concerning the power of a sovereign and
liberty of conscience, and Tillotson’s sermons, in 6 vols.
8vo, 1709, &c. The piece entitled “Traite de jeu,
”
printed at Amsterdam, in Traite sur la morale des peres,
” A translation, with notes, of a
treatise of M. Bynckershoek,
” La defence du
droit de la compagnie Hollandoise des Indes Orientales,
contre les nouvelles pretensions des habitans des Pais Bas
Autrichiens, &c.
” De jure belli ac pacis,
”
with large and excellent notes. He died in
, advocate in the parliament of Paris, and member of the French academy, was born at Langres, of poor parents,
, advocate in the parliament of Paris, and member of the French academy, was
born at Langres, of poor parents, and drew himself out of
obscurity by his talents. He was at first repetiteur in the
college of Lisieux. He then applied himself to the bar
but his memory having failed him at the outset of his first
pleading, he promised never to attempt it again, though it
was thought he might have pleaded with success. Colbert having given him charge of fhe education of one of his sons, Barbier lengthened his name by the addition of d'Aucour. But
this minister dying without having done any thing for his
advancement, he was obliged to return to the bar. Here
he acquired great honour by the eloquent and generous
defence he made for a certain le Brun, the valet of a lady
in Paris, falsely accused of having assassinated his mistress,
but this was his last cause. He died Sept. 13, 1694, at
the age of 53, of an inflammation of the breast. The deputies of the academy, who went to see hirn in his last sickness, were concerned to find him so badly lodged “It is
my comfort,
” said he, “and a very great comfort it is, that
I leave no heirs of my misery.
” The abbe* de Choisi, one of
them, having said, “You leave a name that will never
die
” “Alas, T do not flatter myself on that score,
” returned cl'Aucour “if my works should have any sort of
value in themselves, I have been wrong in the choice of my
subjects. I have dealt only in criticism, which never lasts
long. For, if the book criticised should fall into contempt, the criticism falls with it, since it is immediately
seen to be useless and if, in spite of the criticism, the
book stands it ground, then the criticism is equally forgotten, since it is immediately thought to be unjust.
” He
was no friend to the Jesuits, and the greater part of his
works are against that society, or against the writers of it.
That which does him the most honour is entitled “Sentirnens de Cleanthe sur les Entretiens d‘Ariste et d’Eugene,
par le pere Bouhours,
” Jesuit, in 12mo. This book has
been often quoted, and with good reason, as a model of
just and ingenious criticism. D‘Aucour here distributes
his bon-mots and his learning, without going too great
lengths in his raillery and his quotations. Bouhours was
supposed never to have recovered this attack. The abbe
Granet gave an edition of this work in 1730, to which he
has added two circumstances, which prove that Barbier
would have been as good a lawyer as a critic. The other
writings of d’Aucour are more frivolous, “Les Gaudinettes, l'Onguent pour la brdlure,
” against the Jesuits
“Apollon vendeur de Mithridate,
” against Racine two
satires in miserable poetry. It is not easy to conceive that
he could rally Bouhours in so neat, and the others in so
coarse a manner. It is said that his antipathy to the Jesuits arose from his being one day in their church, when
one of the fathers told him to behave with decency, because locus erat sacer. D'Aucour immediately replied,
Si locus est sacrus. This unfortunate blunder was repeated
from mouth to mouth. The regents repeated it it was
echoed by the scholars and the nickname of Lawyer Sacrus was fixed upon him.
lady, a native of Orleans, became celebrated for her dramatic productions. She cultivated literature and poetry at Paris, and took for her models, Racine and Quinaut.
, a French lady, a native of
Orleans, became celebrated for her dramatic productions.
She cultivated literature and poetry at Paris, and took for
her models, Racine and Quinaut. Her tragedy, entitled
“Arria & Paetus,
” dedicated by an epistle, in verse, to
the duchess de Bouillon, was represented at the theatre
in 1702. “Cornelie Mere des Greques,
” appeared on the
stage in the ensuing year. “Tomyris, Reine des Mussagetes,
” dedicated to the duchess du Maine, was acted in
La Mort de Cesar,
” was dedicated to M. d'Argenson, counsellor of Metz. These pieces were printed
soon after their representation as was also “La Faucon,
”
a comedy, inverse, represented in Joseph,
”
which was neither acted nor printed. She wrote also three
operas, which were acted with success; “Les Fetes de
FEte,
” the music by Montclair, represented in Le Jugement de Paris,
” an heroic pastoral, in three
acts, which appeared in 1718; and “Les Plaisirs de la
Campagne,
” a ballet, played in
storers of learning in Spain, in the end of the fifteenth century, was the son of Ferdinand Barbosa, and of Catherine Figuera, who took great pains with his education-.
, a native of Aveiro in Portugal, one of the restorers of learning in Spain, in the
end of the fifteenth century, was the son of Ferdinand
Barbosa, and of Catherine Figuera, who took great pains
with his education-. After studying for some time in the
Spanish universities, he went into Italy, and at Florence
studied under the celebrated Politian. Here he made
great progress in the languages, particularly the Greek,
which he had an opportunity of acquiring more perfectly
from those Greeks, who, at the taking of Constantinople,
came into Italy. About the year 1494, Barbosa returned
to Spain in order to teach Greek, which had long been
forgotten in that country. After teaching it at Salamanca,
with Antony of Lebrixa, for twenty years, he was invited
to the court of Portugal, to be preceptor to the two young
princes Alphonsus and Henry, who were afterwards cardinals, and the latter, king of Portugal in 1578. He remained in this employment for seven years, and afterwards
went home, and died of a very advanced age in 1540.
Barbosa, with Lebrixa and Resendius, contributed very
successfully to the restoration of classical and polite literature in Spain. His works are, 1. “In Aratoris presbyter!
poema de Apostolorum rebus gestis commentarium,
” Salamanca, De Prosodia, relectio, seu de re
poetica, ac recte scribendi ratione
” and with it, “
Epometria, sive relectio alia,
” Salamanca, 4to. 3. “QuodJibeticae questiones,
” a work mentioned by Valerius Andreas, but unknown to Antonio. 4. “Epigrammatum li^
bellus,
” 8vo.
sbon, “Remissiones doctorum ad contractus, ultimas voluntates, &c. constitutionum Lusitanarum,” fol. and in 1638, “De postestate Episcopi.” He died seven or eight months
, a Portuguese lawyer, a native
of Guimaraens, in the diocese of Brague, was king’s advocate in the province of Alentejo. In 1618, he published
at Lisbon, “Remissiones doctorum ad contractus, ultimas
voluntates, &c. constitutionum Lusitanarum,
” fol. and in
De postestate Episcopi.
” He died seven or eight
months after, in his ninetieth year.
, bishop of Ugento, and son of the preceding, studied the civil and canon law under
, bishop of Ugento, and son of
the preceding, studied the civil and canon law under his
father, and continued the same pursuit at Rome, passing
his days in reading at the public libraries, and his nights
in writing, and living, according to Erythraeus, on a very
scanty income. The same biographer informs us that one
day his servant brought him a piece of fish wrapped up in
a sheet of manuscript, which he discovered to be part of a
work on the canon law. He immediately went to the market, and was so fortunate as to purchase the whole with the
loss of only four or five leaves; and it is added, that this
was the book “De officio Episcopi,
” which he published
under his own name. He published also many other works,
of which a very copious catalogue is given by Antonio, but
certain critics were of opinion that he was very much indebted to his father’s manuscripts for some of these. In
1632, he returned to Spain, and at Madrid was employed
partly in judging of ecclesiastical affairs, and partly in
preparing his writings, until 1648, when king Philip IV.
appointed him bishop of Ugento, the duties of which office
he performed with care and piety for the short remainder
of his life. He died about the latter end of 1649. Besides his writings on the civil and canon law, he compiled
a “Dictionario Lusitanico- Latino,
”
316, but of his personal history few memorials have been recovered. He was brought up to the church, and in 1357, is styled archdeacon of Aberdeen. Quring the same year,
, an ancient Scotch poet, was born
about 1316, but of his personal history few memorials
have been recovered. He was brought up to the church,
and in 1357, is styled archdeacon of Aberdeen. Quring
the same year, the bishop of his diocese appointed him one
of the commissioners to deliberate concerning the ransom
of the captive king o f Scotland, David II. In 1365, he
appears to have visited St. Denis, near Paris, in company
with six knights, the object of which visit was probably of
a religious kind, as the king of England granted them permission to pass through his dominions on their way to
St. Denis and other sacred places. About ten years afterwards he was engaged in composing the work upon which
his lame now principally rests, “The Bruce.
” As a reward of his poetical merit, he is said to have received a
pension, but this is doubtful. From some passages in Winton’s Chronicle, it would appear, that Barbour also composed a genealogical history of the kings of Scotland, but
no part of this is known to be extant. He died in 1396,
of an advanced age, if the date of his birth which we have
given be correct, but that is not agreed upon. His celebrated poem, “The Bruce, or the history of Robert I. king
of Scotland,
” was first published in taking the
total merits of this work together, he prefers it to the early
exertions of even the Italian muse, to the melancholy sublimity of Dante, and the amorous quaintness of Petrarca.
”
Barbour is not only the first poet, but the earliest historian
of Scotland, who has entered into any detail, and from
whom any view of the real state and manners of the country
can be learned. The obscure and capricious spelling may
perhaps, deter some readers from a perusal of “The
Bruce,
” but it is very remarkable that Barbour, who was
contemporary with Gower and Chaucer, is more intelligible to a modern reader than either of these English. Some
assert that he was educated at Oxford, but there is no
proof of this, and if there were, it would not account for
this circumstance.
n the county of Lippe, March 16, 1666. After applying to classical studies for some years, chemistry and pharmacy became his favourite pursuits, and in improving himself
, an eminent physician, was born at Home,
in the county of Lippe, March 16, 1666. After applying
to classical studies for some years, chemistry and pharmacy became his favourite pursuits, and in improving himself in them, he attended the instructions of the most famous practitioners at Berlin, Mentz, and other places ii>
Germany. After ten years spent in this manner, he returned to his native country in 1693, but after a short stay,
set out again for improvement in various parts of Germany,
Hungary, and Italy. At the expedition of the Morea, he
acted as physician to the general of the Venetian army,
but on the death of this commander, he came to Etolland,
took up his residence at Utrecht, and obtained permission
of the magistrates to teach chemistry. Their decree for
this purpose is dated Sept. 17, 1694, and on Oct. 3, 1698,
he was created M. D. and lecturer on chemistry. In
March 1703 3 he was elected professor extraordinary of
chemistry, which office he filled with great reputation until his death, Oct. 1, 1723. Barchausen was a man of
worth and probity, liberal and public-spirited. By his
will, he bequeathed to the public library, a valuable collection of works on botany and natural history, and his own
writings remain a monument of his skill in those branches,
and in pharmacy, chemistry, and medicine. The principal are, 1. “Synopsis pharmaceutica,
” Francfort, Pyrosophia,
” Leyden,
Elementa chemise, &c.
” 3. “Acroamata, in quibus
complures ad iatrochemiam, atqne physicam spectantia jucunda rerum varietate explicantur,
” Utrecht, Historia Medicinge,
” Amst. De Medicinae origine et progressu.
” 5. “Compendium
ratiocinii chetnici more geometrarum concinnatum,
” Leyden, Collecta medicines practicue generalis,
” Amst.
hers have contended that he was born in Somersetshire, where there is both a village called Barcley, and an ancient family of the same name, yet there is no such village,
, was an elegant writer in the sixteenth century but whether he was English or Scotch by birth is disputed. It seems most probable that he was Scotch, but others have contended that he was born in Somersetshire, where there is both a village called Barcley, and an ancient family of the same name, yet there is no such village, except in Gloucestershire, and Mr. Warton thinks he was either a Gloucestershire or Devonshire man. But of whatever country he was, we know nothing of him, before his coming to Oriel college in Oxford, about 1495, when Thomas Cornish was provost of that house. 'Having distinguished himself there, by the quickness of his parts, and his attachment to learning, he went into Holland, and thence into Germany, Italy, and France, where he applied himself assiduously to the* languages spoken in those countries, and to the study of the best authors in them, and made a wonderful proficiency, as appeared after his return home, by many excellent translations which he published. His patron was now become bishop of Tyne, and suftragan under the bishop of Wells, who first made him his chaplain, and afterwards appointed him one of the priests of St. Mary, at Ottery in Devonshire, a college founded by John Grandison bishop of Exeter. After the death of this patron, he became a monk of the order of St. Benedict, and afterwards, as some say, a Franciscan. He was also a monk of Ely, and upon the dissolution of that monastery in 1539, he was left to be provided for by his patrons, of which his works had gained him many. He seems to have had, first, the vicarage of St. Matthew at Wokey, in Somersetshire, on the death of Thomas Eryngton, and afterwards was removed from that small living to a better, if indeed he received not both at the same time. It is more certain, that in Feb. 1546, being then doctor of divinity, he was presented to the vicarage of Much-Badew, or, as it is commonly called, Baddow-Magna, in the county of Essex and diocese of London, by Mr. John Pascal, on the death of Mr. John Clowes; and the dean and chapter of London, upon the resignation of William Jennings, rector of Allhallows, Lombard-street, on the 30th of April 1552, presented him to that living, which he did not however enjoy above the space of six weeks. He was admired in his lite-time for his wit and eloquence, and for a fluency of style not common in that age. This recommended him to many noble patrons though it does not appear that he was any great gainer by their favour, otherwise than in his reputation. He lived to a very advanced age, and died at Croydon in Surrey, in month of June, 15-52, and was interred in the church there. Bale has treated his memory with great indignity he says, he remained a scandalous adulterer under colour of leading a single life but Pits assures us, that he employed all his study in favour of religion, and in reading and writing the lives of the saints. There is probably partiality in both these characters but that he was a polite writer, a great refiner of the English tongue, and left behind him many testimonies of his wit and learning, cannot be denied.
catalogue, but the following are best known. 1. “The Castell of Labour, wherein is Rychesse, Vertue, and Honour,” an allegorical poem, in seven- line stanzas, translated
Of his works, we have not a complete catalogue, but the
following are best known. 1. “The Castell of Labour,
wherein is Rychesse, Vertue, and Honour,
” an allegorical
poem, in seven- line stanzas, translated from the trench,
printed by Wynken de Worde, 1506. 2. “The Shyp of
Folys,
” or the Ship of Fools, printed by Pynson, in A right frutefu 11 treatyse, intituled, the myrrour of good maneYs, conteyning the four
vertues, called cardinal!,
” printed by Pynson. 4. “Egloges,
” or the miseries of courts and courtiers, five in number, printed by Pynson. 5. His “Answer to John Skelton the poet,
” probably in poetry, but not printed, or
known to exist in manuscript. Bale and Pits also mention
what are as little known, the lives of St. George, of St. Catherine, and other saints, all translations, and a translation
of Sallust, which was printed in 1557. His Ship of Fools,
an excellent satire on the follies of all ranks, is partly a
translation, or imitation of a work of the same title, published in 1494, by Sebastian Brandt, afterwards translated
into French, and then into Latin. From this original and
the two translations Barclay formed his poem, in the octave stanza, with considerable additions gleaned from the
follies of his countrymen. Mr. Warton has given an elaborate account of the whole of Barclay’s writings.
, a learned and eminent Civilian, was born in Aberdeenshire, in 1541, and descended
, a learned and eminent Civilian,
was born in Aberdeenshire, in 1541, and descended from
one of the best families in Scotland. He was in favour
with Mary queen of Scots but, after that princess was
dethroned, and detained in captivity in England, finding
that he had no prospect of making his fortune in the court
of her son James, he resolved to retire into France, which.
he did about 1573. He was then more than thirty years
of age, and went to Bourges, in order to study law. He
there took his doctor’s degree in that faculty, and had
applied himself so closely to his books, that he was qualified
to fill a chair. Edmund Hay, the Jesuit, who was his
countryman, and is said to have been related to him, procured him accordingly a professorship in civil law in the
university of Pontamousson, by his interest with the duke
of Lorrain, who had lately founded that seminary. And
the duke not only conferred upon Barclay the first professorship, but also appointed him counsellor of state, and
master of requests. In 1581, Barclay married Anne de
Malleville, a young lady of Lorrain, by whom he had his
son John, who afterwards became a writer of considerable
note, and whom the Jesuits endeavoured to prevail on to
enter into their society. But Barclay opposing their
scheme, the Jesuits resented it so highly, and did him so
many ill offices with the duke, that he was obliged to leave
Lorrain. He then went to London, where king James I.
is said to have offered him a place in his council, with a
considerable pension but he declined these offers, because
it was made a necessary condition of his accepting them,
that he should embrace the protestant religion. In 1604,
he returned into France, and accepted the professorship
of the civil law, which was offered him by the university
of Angers. He taught there with reputation, and is said
to have been fond of making a splendid appearance in his
character of professor. But he did not hold this office
long, dying in 1606. He was buried in the church of the
Franciscans. He appears to have been much prejudiced
against the Protestants and was a zealous advocate for
passive obedience, and the divine right of kings, as appears from his writings, of which the following are “the
principal, 1.
” De Reguo et llegali Potestate ad versus
Buchananum, Brutum, Boucherium, et reliquos Monarchoniachos,“Paris, 1600, dedicated to Henry IV. 2.
” De
Potestate Papse, quatenus in Reges et Principes seculares
Jus et Imperium habeat,“Franco!'. 1609, 1613, 1621, Hannovias, 1612, in 8vo, and Lond. in English, 1611, in 4to,
Mussiponti, 1610, 8vo, and Parisiis, 1600, 4to. In this
he proves that the pope has no power, direct or indirect,
over sovereigns in temporals, and that they who allow him,
any such power, whatever they may intend, do very great
prejudice to the Roman catholic religion. 3.
” A commentary
upon the Title of the Pandects de Rebus creditis et de Jure] urando,“Paris, 1605, 8vo. 4.
” Prcemetia in vitam
Agricolse," Paris, 1599, 2 vols. 8vo. This last is said to
be an excellent commentary on Tacitus. There are two
letters from him to Lipsius in Burman’s Sylloges Epistolarum, and four from Lipsius to him.
n at Pontamousson, Jan. 28, 1582. He was educated at the college of the Jesuits in his native place, and when only nineteen years old, published notes on the Thebais
, son of the preceding, was born at
Pontamousson, Jan. 28, 1582. He was educated at the
college of the Jesuits in his native place, and when only
nineteen years old, published notes on the Thebais of Statins. The Jesuits, as already noticed in his father’s life,
remarked his genius for literature, and attempted to win.
him to their order, but his father looked on that attempt as
a breach of trust. Hence there arose a quarrel between
him and the Jesuits, who at that time were in high credit
with the duke of Lorraine. He therefore quitted Lorraine
in disgust, and conducted his son to London. This was
in 1603, just after the accession of his native sovereign to
the English throne. In 1604 young Barclay presented to
the king a poetical panegyric, as a new year’s gift, and
soon after dedicated to him the first part of the Latin satire
entitled “Euphormion.
” “I had no sooner left school,
”
says Barclay in his Apology prefixed, “than the juvenile
desire of fame incited me to attack the whole world, rather
with a view of promoting my own reputation, than of dishonouring individuals,
” a candid and singular confession,
but which, in the opinion of his biographer, he ought to
have made before he had learnt that his satires disgusted
the public. In the dedication to Euphormion he intimated
his wish to enter into the service of king James, and professed himself alike ready in that service, “to convert his
sword into a pen, or his pen into a sword.
” To excel was
his ruling passion and youthful self-sufficiency led him to
hope that he might, excel in every department but his
flatteries, and even his confidence, availed not. His father
was conscientiously attached to the church of Rome, and
his son professed the same.
In 1604, his father carried him to France, and was himself chosen professor of civil law at Angers. It is said
In 1604, his father carried him to France, and was himself chosen professor of civil law at Angers. It is said that
John attended his father’s lectures, and indeed it appears
from many passages in his works, that he was conversant
in that science which his father taught. In 1605, allured
by some proffers of countenance and advancement, the sou
returned to England, and remained there about a year.
On his father’s death in 1606, he went to Paris, married
Louisa Debonnaire, and soon after settled with his family
in London. There he published the second part of his
“Euphormion,
” dedicated to that able and unpopular minister, the earl of Salisbury, in a style of gross flattery.
The same writer, adds lord Haiies, who could discover no
faults in Salisbury, aimed the shafts of his ridicule at Sully.
Perhaps it was to conciliate favour with king James, that
in this second part of “Euphormion,
” he satirized tobacco
and the puritans. In this year he also published a brief
narrative of the gunpowder-plot, which he had composed
a few weeks after the dfscovery of that treason, entitled
“Series patefacti divinitus parricidii contra Maximum Regem regnumque Britanniae cogitati et instructi.
” It is hard
to say what could have induced him to withhold this narrative from the public, while the events which it relates
were peculiarly interesting from their strange nature: and
then, after so long an interval, to send it abroad without
the addition of a single circumstance that was not already
known throughout Europe.
the royal liberality. Sunk in indigence, he only wished to be indemnified for his English journies, and to have his charges defrayed into France. At length, he was
During the course of three years residence in England,
Barclay received no token of the royal liberality. Sunk in
indigence, he only wished to be indemnified for his English
journies, and to have his charges defrayed into France. At
length, he was relieved from those urgent distresses by his
patron Salisbury. Of these circumstances we are informed
by some allegorical and obscure verses written by Barclay
at that sad season. (Delit. Poet. Scot. I. 92 100.) Never
did dependent offer incense to a patron more liberally than
he did. Burleigh, he admits, was a wise man, but, he
adds, “that the wisdom of Burleigh bore the like proportion to that of his son, as the waters of the Thames do to
the ocean.
” In 1610 he published his Apology for Euphormion, the severity of which satire had excited enemies
against him in every quarter of Europe. In this year also
he, published his father’s work, “De Potestate Papse,
”
and when it was attacked by cardinal Bellarmin, be published a treatise entitled “J. Barclaii Pietas, sive, publics
pro regibus ac principibus, et privates pro Gulielmo Earclaio parente vindici*, adversus Roberti Bellarmini tractatum, de Potestate summi Pontificis ia rebus temporal!bus,
” Paris, 4to.
In Icon animarum,
” perhaps
the best, although not the most renowned of his compositions. It is a delineation of the genius and manners of
the European nations, with remarks, moral and philosophical, on the various tempers of men. Mr. Malone observes, as a curious circumstance, that in this work, Barclay has suggested an expedition against the Turkish empire, similar in the most material circumstances to that
undertaken in 1798 by the French republic, (particularly in the number of the troops employed) though it was proposed to be directed against a different part of the Turkish
dominions from that which was assailed by the French,
In 1615, invited, as it is said, by pope Paul V. Barclay
determined to fix his residence under the immediate power
of a pontiff whose political conduct he had reprobated, and
of a court whose maxims he had censured with extraordinary freedom. About the end of that year he quitted
England, but not clandestinely, as his enemies reported,
and having hastily passed through France, he settled at
Rome with his family, in the beginning of the year 1616.
In the “Paraenesis,
” or “Exhortation to the Sectaries,
”
he mentions two reasons which induced him to quit England, and take up his abode in Italy. His first was, lest
his children, by remaining in England, should have been
perverted from the faith. But he could have obviated that
danger, by removing into France, in which country he had
for his friends Du Vair (president of the parliament of Provence, afterwards keeper of the great seals, and lastly, bishop of Lisieux), and M. Peiresc. His second reason
was more singular he perceived that his “Pietas,
” or
vindication of his father, was pleasing to heretics, and that
it disgusted many persons of the Romish communion. He
repented of having written it: he then found that it contained erroneous propositions, and he wished to settle in
Italy that he might have leisure and freedom to refute
them.
probable, that by this exhortation to the sectaries he meant to give evidence of his own orthodoxy, and to atone for the liberties, almost heretical, which he had taken,
In 1617 he published his “Parsenesis ad Sectarios,
”
Rome, 8vo. It is probable, that by this exhortation to the
sectaries he meant to give evidence of his own orthodoxy,
and to atone for the liberties, almost heretical, which he
had taken, as well with the papal court, as with its most
faithful adherents. But that court, adds his biographer,
which had cardinal Bellarmin for its champion, required
not the feeble and suspicious aid of the author of Euphonnion.
uch civility at Rome, yet it does not appear that he obtained any emolument. Inctimbered with a wife and family, and having a spirit above his fortune, he was left at
Although Barclay found much civility at Rome, yet it
does not appear that he obtained any emolument. Inctimbered with a wife and family, and having a spirit above
his fortune, he was left at full leisure to pursue his literary
studies. It was at that time that he composed his Latin
romance, called “Argenis.
” He employed his vacant
hours in the cultivating of a flower-garden. Rossi (or Erythrsfeus) relates, in the turgid Italian style, that Barclay
cared not for those bulbous roots which produce flowers of
a sweet scent; and that he cultivated such as produced
flowers void of smell, but having variety 6f colours. Hence
we may conclude, that he was among the first of these who
were infected with that strange disease, a passion for tulips,
which soon after overspread Europe, and is still remembered
under the name of the Tulipo-mania. Barclay had it to
that excess, that he placed two mastiffs, as centinels, in
his garden and rather than abandon his favourite flowers,
chose to continue his residence in an ill- aired and unwholesome habitation.
s Guilielmus a monte Sancti Sabini. “My husband,” said that high-spirited lady, “was a man of birth, and one famous in the literary world and I will not suffer him to
He died at Rome Aug. 12, 1621, of the stone, a disease^
for which, in his Euphormion, he had vainly pronounced
the plant golden rod to be a specific. At that time, his
friend M. de Peiresc was engaged in superintending the
publication of Argenis, at Paris. His widow erected a monument for him, with his bust in marble, at the church of
St. Laurence, on the road to Tivoli but she caused the
bust to be removed as soon as she learnt that cardinal Francis Barberini had, in the same place, erected a monument
altogether similar, in honour of his preceptor Bernardus
Guilielmus a monte Sancti Sabini. “My husband,
” said
that high-spirited lady, “was a man of birth, and one famous in the literary world and I will not suffer him to
remain on a level with a base and obscure pedagogue.
”
The inscription on the monument of Barclay was erased
but by whom, or on what account, is not certainly known.
Frehef, the biographer, ascribes this to the malevolence
of the Jesuits, who, indeed, had no great cause to be studious of preserving the memory of Barclay. But Tomasini
says, that he heard, from undoubted authority, that the
only cause for effacing the inscription was, that the widow
of Barclay proposed to erect a more sumptuous monument
for him in another place. This, however, has much the
air of an affected pretence; for why disfigure one monument, because another, more sumptuous, might be erected
hereafter
tion of the Argenis was printed at Paris in 8vo, in 1621. It has since passed through many editions, and been translated into several languages. The first English translation
The first edition of the Argenis was printed at Paris in
8vo, in 1621. It has since passed through many editions,
and been translated into several languages. The first
English translation was published in 4to, by Kingsmill
Long, gent, in 1625, 4to. The poetical part was translated by Thomas May, esq. The second edition was published in 1636. There was also an edition in 1628, by sir
Robert Le Grys, said to be by command of king Charles I.
Another translation appeared in 1772, in 4 vols. 12 mo,
under the following title “The Phoenix or, the History
of Polyarchus and Argenis, translated from the Latin, by a
Lady.
” In the preface to this it is observed, that the editor
has made use of both the former translations occasionally,
and whenever a doubt arose, had recourse to the original.
Barclay’s Latin style, in his Argenis, has been much praised, and much censured but upon the whole it is elegant. It is said,
Barclay’s Latin style, in his Argenis, has been much
praised, and much censured but upon the whole it is
elegant. It is said, that cardinal Richelieu was extremely
fond of reading this work, and that from thence he derived
many of his political maxims. It is observed in the preface to the last English translation, that “Barclay’s Argenis affords such variety of entertainment, that every kind
of reader may find in it something suitable to his own taste
and disposition the statesman, the philosopher, the soldier, the lover, the citizen, the friend of mankind, each
may gratify his favourite propensity while the reader, who
comes for his amusement only, will not go away disappointed.
” It is also remarked of this work in the same
preface, that “it is a romance, an allegory, and a system
of politics. In it the various forms of government are investigated, the causes of faction detected, and the remedies
pointed out for most of the evils that can arise in a state.
”
Cowper, the celebrated poet, pronounced it the most amusing romance ever written. “It is,
” he adds in a letter to
Sam. Rose, esq. “interesting in a high degree; richer'trt
incident than can be imagined, full of surprizes, which the
reader never forestalls, and yet free from all entanglement
and confusion. The style too appears to me to be such as
would not dishonour Tacitus himself.
” In this political
allegory, “by the kingdom of Sicily, France is described
during the time of the civil wars under Henry the Third.
and until the fixing the crown upon the head of Henry the
Fourth. By the country over-against Sicily, and frequently
her competitor, England is signified. By the country, formerly united under one head, but now divided into several
principalities, the author means Germany; i. e. Mergania.
Several names are disguised in the same manner, by transposing the letters.
” As to the principal persons designed,
“by Aquilius is meant the emperor of Germany, Calvin is
Usinulca, and the Hugenots are called Hyperephanii, Under the person and character of Poliarchus, Barclay undoubtedly intended to describe that real hero, Henry of
Navarre, as he has preserved the likeness even to his features and complexion. By his rivals are meant the leaders
of the different factions’; by Lycogenes and his friends,
the Lorrain party, with the duke of Guise at their head.
Some features of Hyanisbe’s character are supposed to resemble queen Elizabeth of England Radirobanes is the
king of Spain, and his fruitless expedition against Mauritania is pointed at the ambitious designs of Philip the Second, and his invincible armada. Under Meleander, the
character of Henry the Third of France seems intended
though the resemblance is very flattering to him.
”
, the celebrated apologist for the Quakers, and one of the ablest writers of that sect, was born at Gordonstown,
, the celebrated apologist for the
Quakers, and one of the ablest writers of that sect, was
born at Gordonstown, in the shire of Murray, Scotland, in
1648, of an ancient and very honourable family. The
troubles in Scotland induced his father, colonel Barclay,
to send him while a youth to Paris, under the care of his
uncle, principal of the Scots college who, taking advantage of the tender age of his nephew, drew him over to
the Romish religion. His father, being informed of this,
sent for him in 1664. Robert, though now only sixteen,
had gained a perfect knowledge of the French and Latin
tongues, and had also improved himself in most other parts
of knowle_dge. Several writers amongst the quakers have
asserted that colonel Barclay had embraced their doctrine
before his son’s return from France, but Robert himself has
tixed it to the year 1666. Our author soon after became
also a proselyte to that sect, and in a short time distinguished himself greatly by his zeal for their doctrines. His
rirst treatise in defence of them appeared at Aberdeen,
1670. It was written in so sensible a manner, that it
greatly raised the credit of the quakers. The title runs
thus “Truth cleared of calumnies, 'wherein a hook entitled, A dialogue between a Quaker and a stable Christian
(printed at Aberdeen, and, upon good ground, judged to be writ by William Mitchel, a preacher near by it, or at least that he had a chief hand in it), is examined, and the
disingenuity of the author in his representing the Quakers
is discovered here is also their case truly stated, cleared,
demonstrated, and the objections of their opposers answered according to truth, scripture, and right reason to
which are subjoined queries to the inhabitants of Aberdeen,
which might (as far as the title tells us) also be of use to
such as are of the same mind with them elsewhere in the
nation.
” The preface to this performance is dated from the
author’s house at Ury, the 19th of the second month, 1670.
In a piece he published in 1672, he tells us that he had
been commanded by God to pass through the streets of
Aberdeen in sackcloth and ashes, and to preach the necessity of faith and repentance to the inhabitants he accordingly performed it, being, as he declared, in the greatest
agonies of mind till he had fulfilled this command. In
1675, he published a regular and systematical discourse,
explaining the tenets of the quakers; which was well received. This was called “A Catechism and Confession of
Faith, &c.
” Many of those who opposed the religion of the
quakers, having endeavoured to confound them with another sect called the ranters, our author, in order to shewr
the difference between those pi his persuasion and this
other sect, wrote a very sensible and instructive work
called “The Anarchy of the Ranters and other Libertines,
&e.
” In for the Quakers
was published in Latin at Amsterdam, 4to. His
” Theses
theologies,“which are the foundation of this work, had
been published some time before. He translated his Apology into English, and published it in 1678. The title in
the English edition runs thus
” An apology for the true
Christian divinity as the same is held forth and preached by
the people called in scorn Quakers being a full explanation and vindication of their principles and doctrines, by
many arguments deduced from scripture and right reason,
and the testimonies of famous authors both ancient and
modern, with a full answer to the strongest objections
usually made against them presented to the king: written
and published in Latin for the information of strangers, by
Robert Barclay; and now put into our own language for
the benefit of his countrymen.“This work is addressed
to Charles II. and the manner in which he expresses himself to his majesty is very remarkable. Amongst many
other extraordinary passages, we meet with the following:
” There is no king in the world, who can so experimentally
testify of God’s providence and goodness; neither is there
any who rules so many free people, so many true Christians which thing renders thy government more honourable, thyself more considerable, than the accession of many
nations rilled with slavish aud superstitious souls. Thou
hast tasted of prosperity and adversity thou knowest what
it is to be banished thy native country, to be over-ruled
as well as to rule and sit upon the throne and being oppressed, thou hast reason to know how hateful the oppressor is both to God and man if, after all those warnings
and advertisements, thou dost not turn unto the Lord with
all thy heart, but forget him who remembered thee in thy
distress, and give up thyself to follow lust and vanity, surely,
great will be thy condemnation.“These pieces of his,
though they greatly raised his reputation amongst persons
of sense and learning, yet they brought him into various
disputes, and one particularly with some considerable members of the university of Aberdeen an account of which
was afterwards published, entitled
” A true and faithful
account of the most material passages of a dispute between
some students- of divinity (so called) of the university of
Aberdeen, aud the people called Quakers, held in Aberdeen in Scotland, in Alexander Harper his close (or yard)
before some hundred of witnesses, upon the 14th day of the
second month, called April, 1675, there being John Lesly,
Alexander Sherreff, and Paul Gellie master of arts, opponents and defendants upon the Quakers’ part, Robert
Barclay and George Keith praeses for moderating the
meeting, chosen by them, Andrew Thompson advocate;
and by the quakers, Alexander Skein, some time a magistrate of the city published for preventing misreports
by Alexander Skein, John Skein, Alexander Harper, Thomas Merser, and John Cowie to which is added, Robert
Barclay’s offer to the preachers of Aberdeen, renewed and
reinforced.“It appears also that he suffered imprisonment
for his principles, which he bore with the greatest
meekness. In 1677, he wrote a large treatise on
” universal
love.“Nor were his talents entirely confined to this abstracted kind of writing, as appears from his letter to the
public ministers of Nimeguen. In 1679, a treatise of his
was published in answer to John Brown he wrote also the
same year a vindication of his Anarchy of the Ranters.
His last tract was published in 1686, and entitled
” The
possibility and necessity of the inward and immediate Revelation of the Spirit of God towards the foundation and
ground of true faith, proved in a letter written in Latin to
a person of quality in Holland, and now also put into
English.' 7 He did great service to his sect by his writings
over all. Europe. He travelled also with the famous IVlr.
Penn through the greatest part of England, Holland, and
Germany, and was every where received with great respect. When he returned to his native country, he spent
the remainder of his life in a quiet and retired manner. He
died at his own house at Ury, on the 3d of October 1690,
in the forty-second year of his age, leaving seven children,
all of whom were alive in October 1740, fifty years after
their father’s death, and the last survivor, Mr. David Barclay, a merchant of London, died in March 1769, in his
eighty-eighth year, a gentleman still remembered for having had the singular honour of receiving at his house in
Cheapside, three successive kings, George I. II. and III.
when at their accession they favoured the city with their
presence. From his windows they witnessed the procession, previous to dining with the lord-mayor and citizens at Guildhall on the lord-mayor’s day.
Mr. Barclay vyas in private life a man of a very amiable character, and may justly be celebrated by those of his sect, as their ablest
Mr. Barclay vyas in private life a man of a very amiable character, and may justly be celebrated by those of his sect, as their ablest defender. In this respect, however, the editors of the Biographia Britannica, from which the present sketch is taken, have surely gone too far, in asserting that his defence of quakerism was unanswerable. It is necessary, says a recent and acute writer, to enter into the true spirit of Barclay’s writings. This ingenious man appeared as a patron and defender of quajcerism, and not as a professed teacher or expositor of its various doctrines and he interpreted and modified the opinions of this sect after the manner of an advocate, who undertakes the defence of an unpopular cause. In the first place, he obeervep an entire silence in relation to those fundamental principles of Christianity, concerning which it was of great consequence to know the real opinions of the Quakers and thus he exhibits a system of theology that is evidently lame and imperfect. Secondly, he touches, in a slight and superficial manner, some tenets, the explanation of which had exposed the Quakers to severe censure and, lastly, he employs the greatest dexterity and art in softening and modifying those invidious doctrines which he cannot conceal, and presumes not to disavow for which purpose he carefully avoids all those phrases and terms which are used by the Quakers, and are peculiar to their sect, and expresses their tenets in ordinary language, in terms of a vague and indefinite nature, and in a style that casts a sort of mask over their natural aspect. And with all the reputation he acquired, it has been thought that Perm and Whitehead declared the sentiments of the sect with far more freedom, perspicuity, and candour.
tion in a dreadful calamity under the emperor Adrian, was a Jew, who proclaimed himself the Messiah, and found a famous rabbi, Akiba, who applauded this impious pretension.
, or Barcochab, an impostor, who involved his nation in a dreadful calamity under the emperor Adrian, was a Jew, who proclaimed himself the Messiah, and found a famous rabbi, Akiba, who applauded this impious pretension. This false Messiah accommodated himself wonderfully to the prejudices of his people he spoke of nothing but wars, battles, and triumphs and the first lesson of his gospel was that they must rise against the Romans. He had so much the less difficulty in persuading them to this doctrine, because he took the opportunity, when the zeal of the Jews for their religion had enraged them against the emperor. This prince had lately settled a colony near Jerusalem, and established idolatry. The Jews considered this as an insupportable abomination, and a prodigious profanation of their holy place upon which account they were disposed to rise. Some writers pretend, that circumcision was forbid them, which was a violation of their conscience. Barcochebas fortified himself in divers places; but he chose the city of Bitter for his place of arms, and the seat of his empire. He ravaged many places, and massacred an infinite number of people, but his chief cruelty was against the Christians. The emperor being informed of these ravages, sent troops to llufus, governor of Judea, with orders to suppress this sedition immediately. Rufusin obedience to these orders exercised many cruelties, yet without effect. The emperor was therefore obliged to send for Julius Severus, the greatest general of that time, and to intrust him with the whole care of this war. This general chose to fall upon them separately, to cut off their provisions, to shut them up, and streighten them and at last the whole affair was reduced to the siege of Bitter ia the eighteenth year of Adrian. The vast number of Jews, who threw themselves into that city, was the cause that they defended themselves a long while, and that they were reduced by famine to the greatest -extremities. After the taking of this city, the war was not entirely concluded but it did not continue much longer. Barcochebas perished there, and it is supposed that about fifty thousand Jews were killed in the course of this rebellion.
mother’s brother, educated him, sent him to Louvain, that he might study under the famous Jansenius and some years after entrusted him with the tuilion of the son of
, a native of Bayonne, of the seventeenth century, descended from one of the first families in that city. The celebrated abbot of St. Cyran, who
was his mother’s brother, educated him, sent him to Louvain, that he might study under the famous Jansenius
and some years after entrusted him with the tuilion of the
son of M. Arnauid d'Andilly. M. de Barcos at last returned with the abbot de St. Cyran, who employed him as
a secretary, undertook nothing without consulting him,
and they jointly composed the book, entitled “Petrus
Aurelius.
” It was at this time that the abbot de Barcos
formed a strict friendship with M. Arnauid the doctor,
with whom he was afterwards involved in the controversy
respecting Frequent Communion. Upon the death of
the abbot de St. Cyran, the queen mother gave that abbey
to M. de Barcos, who took possession of it, May 9, 1644,
went to reside there, re-established and reformed it he
nevertheless always retained his ecclesiastical habit, and
took no solemn vows. He died there, August 22, 1678.
His works are: 1. “A censure of- the Predestinatus of
pere Sirmond,
” 8vo. 2. “La grandeur de TEglise Romaine, etablie sur Fautorite de St Pierre et de St. Paul,
&c.
” 4to. 3. “Traitc de Pautorite* de St. Pierre et de
St. Paul, qui reside dans le Pape, successeur de ces deux
Apotres,
” Eclaircissemens de quelques
Objections, que l‘on a forme’es contre la Grandeur de
TEglise Romaine,
” St. Peter and St. Paul are two heads of the
Roman church, which form but one.
” This proposition
he had inserted in the preface to M. Arnauld’s book on
Frequent Communion, without his consent. He also left
“De la Foi, de I'Esperance, et de la Charite,
” 2 vols.
12mo. “Exposition de la Foi de l'Eglise Romaine, touchant la Grace et la Predestination,
” 8vo. or 12 mo. and
several other anonymous works. This last was condemned
by de Noailles, archbishop of Paris
under the reign of Lewis XIV. He had been chief deputy of monsieur de Chavigni, secretary of state, and assisted at the conferences at Munster, as a minister of the
, counsellor of state, marquis of Marolles upon the Seine, was ambassador from France to Switzerland under the reign of Lewis XIV. He had been chief deputy of monsieur de Chavigni, secretary of state, and assisted at the conferences at Munster, as a minister of the second rank, when endeavours were made to procure him the title of excellency, which did not succeed. He had been already named for the embassy in Switzerland, and served France with great integrity and address, during the whole course of this embassy. He wrote in Latin the History of France from the death of Lewis XIII. to the year 1652. This work was printed in 1671, and well received by the public. The style is excellent; affairs are related without flattery, and with great skill in the intrigues of the cabinet. The author has latinised his name by that of Labardicus. He had made a French translation of this history, which in the opinion of good judges was much inferior to the original Latin. As he was very learned in points of divinity, he wrote a book of Controversy in Latin, against the opinion of protestants concerning the Eucharist, which was not published. It is thought he destroyed it himself. He died in 1692, ninety years of age.
of Mesopotamia, flourished in the second century. He is held up to us as a man of very acute genius, and acquired a shining reputation by his numerous writings. He first
, a native of Edessa, a city in Syria, in the country of Mesopotamia, flourished in the second century. He is held up to us as a man of very acute genius, and acquired a shining reputation by his numerous writings. He first followed the doctrine of Valentine, and afterwards retracted from it. He gave rise to a considerable sect known in ecclesiastical history by the name of the Barclesanists. His sentiments were, that there is one supreme God, perfectly good and benevolent, who made the world and all its inhabitants in a state of perfection, all souls being clothed with bodies celestial and pure but the prince of darkness, having seduced men into sin, God permitted them to fall into gross bodies, formed of malignant and corrupt matter by the evil principle, and hence permitted the inward disorder of their breasts, as the punishment of their sin. At last, Jesus Christ, the son of God, descended to this world, clothed with an aerial body, and taught men how to subdue their bodies, and by abstinence, fasting, and contemplation, disentangle themselves from the dominion of malignant matter, that at death they may ascend to immortal happiness. His followers continued in these opinions for a considerable time He was a man of acute genius, and acquired great reputation by his writings, which were numerous and learned.
, a late eminentFrench historical painter, was born in 1732, at Montbar, and died at Orleans October 6, 1809. His parents, who were not rich,
, a late eminentFrench historical painter,
was born in 1732, at Montbar, and died at Orleans October 6,
1809. His parents, who were not rich, sent him to Paris
to be brought up to some trade; 'but his taste and genius
guided him to the profession in which he lived to make a
distinguished figure. In 1764, while a pupil of Lagrenee,
he carried off the prize his subject on this occasion was,
Tullia driving her chariot over the body of her father. He
also made a beautiful design of the “Rape of the Sabines,
”
and others of “St. Charles Borromeo,
” and the “Massacre of the Innocents.
” He passed some time at Rome,
and on his return to France, painted some pieces which
fully established his reputation. Among these are “The
Immaculate Conception,
” “the Apotheosis of St. Theresa,
”
and “St Catherine disputing with the Doctors,
” the merit
of which last procured him admission into the royal academy of painting. In 1795, he was elected a corresponding
member of the national institute, and was professor of design in the central school of the Loiret, which took the name
of the Orleans Lyceum. His death was much regretted
by his family, friends, and scholars.
ch academy, was born at Rouen in 1590, of poor parents. He received his education among the Jesuits, and employed his time chiefly in studying philosophy, mathematics,
, a member of the French academy,
was born at Rouen in 1590, of poor parents. He received
his education among the Jesuits, and employed his time
chiefly in studying philosophy, mathematics, and poetry.
His first work was a paraphrase on Ecdesiastes, to which
he gave the name of “Pensces morales.
” He afterwards
wrote the two first parts of his “Lycee,
” in which he described his own character, as the portrait of an honest man.
He was preparing the third part, when he was drowned,
1637, while endeavouring to save one of his pupils from
that fate. His principal works, which are written rather
in a diffuse style, are, 1. “Le grand Chambellan de
France,
” Essai sur l'Ecclesiaste de Salomon,
” a different work from his “Pensees morales.
”
“La Lycee, ou en plusieurs promenades il est traite des
connoissances, des actions, et des plaisirs d'un Honnete
Homrne,
” 2 vols. 8vo. His eloge was pronounced in the
academy by M. Godeau.
copyist than an original painter. He painted a picture of the celebrated Dr. Ward relieving his sick and lame patients, from which there is a print dated 1748-9, which
, was an English artist of the
last century, but known rather as a copyist than an original
painter. He painted a picture of the celebrated Dr. Ward
relieving his sick and lame patients, from which there is a
print dated 1748-9, which appears to be the work of
Baron. There is also a mezzotinto of admiral Vernon,
from a picture by Bard well in 1744. At what time he
died is not known, but it is probable that he was living in
1773, as a second edition of his treatise was published in
that year. Whatever his merits as a painter, he certainly
thought himself qualified to give instructions in the practical part of the art, and published a quarto pamphlet of
sixty-four pages, entitled the “Practice of Painting and
Perspective made easy,
”
architect under don Philip Invara, the famous Sicilian, who left many specimens of his abilities in and about Turin. From this parent he appears to have received a
, was born at Turin about the year 1716. His father was an architect under don Philip Invara, the famous Sicilian, who left many specimens of his abilities in and about Turin. From this parent he appears to have received a good education, and had some little property left him, which he tells us himself he gamed away at faro by which means he was forced to have recourse to his wits, and thus turned author in spite of his teeth, as he phrases it, to keep them going. To the early part of his life we are strangers, except that we learn from himself, that he had been employed two years at Cuneo assisting at the fortifications there, but left the place a few days before the siege of it, by the combined powers of France and Spain, commenced in 1744. What became of him after this period we are not informed, except that in 1748 he was at Venice a teacher of Italian to English gentlemen. From circumstances scattered through his works, we can collect that he had travelled much had experienced some vicissitudes of fortune had encountered several difficulties and at length, with little money in his pocket, with a very imperfect knowledge of the English tongue, and without any recommendations, he bent his course towards England, where he arrived in 1750, and where he continued to reside (with a short interval) during the rest of his life.
A facility to acquire languages he possessed in a very extraordinary degree, and his perseverance was not inferior to his natural genius. With
A facility to acquire languages he possessed in a very
extraordinary degree, and his perseverance was not inferior to his natural genius. With such advantages he soon
overcame those difficulties which obstruct a foreigner on
his arrival in England. In a short time he was sufficiently
master of the English language to be enabled to write in
it; and in 1753 published, what we apprehend td have
been his first performance, a defence of the poetry of his
native country against the censures of Voltaire, who had
treated it with too great contempt. About the same time
accident brought him acquainted with a person who was
the means of introducing him to the notice of Dr. Johnson,
who to the end of his life regarded him with great esteem.
The origin of this intimacy has been frequently mentioned
by Mr. Baretti to have happened in the following manner
Mrs. Lennox, the authoress of “The Female Quixote,
”
having an intention to publish a translation of the novels
from whence Shakspeare had taken some of his plays,
wished to acquire a sufficient knowledge of the Italian language to enable her to execute the work with some degree
of credit. To accomplish this point Mr. Lennox, her
husband, went to the Orange coffee house to learn whether any foreigner was desirous of improving himself in the
English language, and by that means receive the same advantage as he should communicate. Mr. Baretti happened
to be present when the inquiry was made, and eagerly accepted the offer. After some time he was introduced to Dr.
Johnson, when an intimacy commenced, which appears to
have continued until nearly the end of Dr. Johnson’s life.
From the time of Mr. Baretti’s arrival in England he subsisted by teaching the Italian language, and by his writings. Through the means of Dr. Johnson he was introduced
From the time of Mr. Baretti’s arrival in England he
subsisted by teaching the Italian language, and by his
writings. Through the means of Dr. Johnson he was introduced to the family of Mr. Thrale, in which he passed
much of his time and his employment of teacher, added
to some agreeable and some useful qualities, gave him access to the houses of other persons of distinction. As he
possessed nothing but what his industry enabled him to obtain, he was under the necessity of exerting himself, and
his efforts were not unsuccessful. What his avocations
procured him, his ccconomy rendered sufficient and he
was never charged with' meanness or servility. By his
writings he certainly procured both money and reputation,
though he appears to have set but little value on his literary
performances. Very late in life he said, “Whatever I
have written in the long course of my life was all done out
of necessity rather than choice.
” Again “As want was
incessantly pushing and pushing at my back, whatever I
scribbled was always done in a most confounded hurry
and it is a miracle greater, I think, than St. Anthony ever
performed, how I came to get bread and cheese, and now
and then a beef-steak, by my ill-chopt performances.
Conscious of the numberless and supreme faults and imperfections of all my poor doings that way, I wish now, and to
my sorrow I wish it in vain, that every page I have sent to
the press in Italy or in England were at the bottom of the
sea.
” “After this declaration, drawn from the very core
of my heart, I give you most ample leave to massacre all
my literary offspring.
”
d his first encouragement to come to England from lord Charlemont, to whom he became known in Italy, and to whom he afterwards dedicated his Account of the manners and
Mr. Baretti, it is said, received his first encouragement
to come to England from lord Charlemont, to whom he
became known in Italy, and to whom he afterwards dedicated his Account of the manners and customs of his native
country. “Upon your arrival in Italy several years ago,
”
he says, addressing himself to this nobleman, “a lucky
chance brought me within the sphere of your notice and
from that fortunate moment a friendship began on your
lordship’s side, that has never suffered any abatement; and
an attachment on mine, which will never cease as long as
I have. life.
” During his stay in London, he met with
much kindness from its inhabitants. To most of the first
persons both for rauk and literature he procured himself to
be introduced, with many he lived on terms of friendship,
and with some he was permitted to make a part of their
family during their seasons of retirement. At length he
resolved on his return to Italy, and accordingly left London on the 13th of August 1760. In his first letter to his
brothers, he thus speaks of the kingdom he was about to
leave. “Now therefore, England, farewell I quit thee
with less regret, because I am returning to my native
country, after a very long absence, considering the shortness of life. Yet I cannot leave thee without tears. May
heaven guard and prosper thee, thou illustrious mother of
polite men and virtuous women Thou great mart of literature I thou nursery of invincible soldiers, of bold navigators and ingenious artists, farewell, farewell I have
now forgotten all the crosses and anxieties I have undergone in thy regions for the space of ten years but never
will I forget those many amongst thy sons who have assisted me in my wants, encouraged me in my difficulties,
comforted me in my adversities, and imparted to me the
light of their knowledge in the dark and intricate mazes of
life Farewell, imperial England, farewell, farewell
”
His journey home was taken through Portugal and Spain. Previous to his setting out, he was recommended by Dr.
His journey home was taken through Portugal and Spain. Previous to his setting out, he was recommended by Dr. Johnson to write a daily account of the events that might happen, and with all possible minuteness, and by him were pointed out the topics which would most interest and most delight in a future publication. To those who have read the narrative which he afterwards gave the world, it will be unnecessary to applaud Dr. Johnson’s suggestion. It must be admitted to be one of the most entertaining journals which the public had then received, containing a description of places then little known, and placing the character of the writer (as far as any dependence can be had on an author’s character, as drawn from his writings) in a very amiable point of view. During the progress of his tour, good sense and good humour, a playfulness not inconsistent with youth, nor yet unworthy of age, seem always to have attended him. He arrived at Genoa on the 18th of November.
dical paper which was published in Venice under the title of “Frusta Literaria,” written in the name and character of an old, ill-natured, and ferocious soldier, who
He had been settledbut a short time in Italy, before he
projected a periodical paper which was published in Venice under the title of “Frusta Literaria,
” written in the
name and character of an old, ill-natured, and ferocious
soldier, who was supposed to have quitted his native
try when scarcely fifteen years old, and to have returned
home no less than fifty years after his departure. In this
the satire was very pointed and severe, and the publication had great success. One who appears to have known
him asserts, that it brought him in a considerable profit,
but raised such a flame in Venice, as to make his stay in
that country at least disagreeable, if not dangerous. After
six yeans absence he returned to England, and almost immediately dipped his pen in a controversy with Mr. Sharp,
who had just then published “Letters from Italy, describing the customs and manners of that country in the years
1765 and 1766.
” Mr. Sharp’s representation was certainly extravagant, and perhaps taken on too slight grounds.
It excited Mr. Baretti’s resentment, and it is well known
that he seldom expressed himself in gentle terms when he
felt himself entitled to shew his anger.
To Mr. Baretti’s defence of his country Mr. Sharp published a reply, and from the writings of his opponent endeavoured to justify the
To Mr. Baretti’s defence of his country Mr. Sharp published a reply, and from the writings of his opponent endeavoured to justify the fidelity of his representation. This produced a rejoinder from Mr. Baretti, which concluded the controversy. If the picture drawn by Mr. Sharp was extravagant in some particulars, it certainly did not arise from a design to misrepresent. Ill health, which prevented him from viewing the scenes he described, and some misrepresentation from interested people, seem to have contributed to the mistakes into which he was led in his account of Italy. The dispute was productive of this consequence it destroyed the reputation of Mr. Sharp’s work, which since that time has been totally neglected.
Baretti’s return to England he made several excursions abroad. He particularly attended Dr. Johnson and the Thrale family to Paris; and in February 1769 he made a second
After Mr. Baretti’s return to England he made several
excursions abroad. He particularly attended Dr. Johnson
and the Thrale family to Paris; and in February 1769 he
made a second tour through part of Spain, from whence
he had but just returned, when an accident happened
which hazarded his life at the time, and probably diminished, in the event, some of the estimation in which,
until then, he had been held amongst his friends. On the
6th of October, returning from the Orange coffee-house
between six and seven o'clock, and going hastily up the
Haymarket, he was accosted by a woman, who behaving
with great indecency, he was provoked to give her a blow
on the hand (as he declared) accompanied with some angry words. This occasioned a retort from her, in which
several opprobrious terms were used towards him and
three men, who appeared to be connected with the woman,
mimed lately interfering, and endeavouring to push him
from the pavement, with a view to throw him into a paddle, in order to trample on him, he was alarmed for his
safety, and rashly struck one of them with a knife. He
was then pursued by them all, and another of them collaring him, he again struck the assailant, Evan Morgan, with
his knife several times, and gave him some wounds, of
which he died in the Middlesex hospital the next day. Mr.
Baretti was immediately taken into custody, and at the
ensuing sessions tried at the Old Bailey. He refused to
accept the privilege of having a jury of half foreigners.
The, evidence against him were the woman, the two men,
the constable, a patient in Middlesex hospital, and the
surgeon. When called upon for his defence, he read a
paper which contained a narrative of the unfortunate transaction, with the reasons which obliged him to act with so
much violence. “This, my lord, and gentlemen of the
jury,
” he concluded, “is the best account I can give of
my unfortunate accident for what is done in two or three
minutes, in fear and terror, is not to be minutely described, and the court and jury are to judge. I hope
your lordship, and every person present, will think that a
man of my age, character, and way of life, would not
spontaneously quit my pen to engage in an outrageous tumult. I hope it will easily be conceived, that a man almost blind could not but be seized with terror on such a
sudden attack as this. I hope it will be seen, that my
knife was neither a weapon of offence or defence I wear
it to carve fruit and sweet-meats, and not to kill my fellowcreatures. It is a general custom in France not to put
knives upon the table, so that even ladies wear them in
their pockets for general use. I have continued to wear it
after my return, because I have found it occasionally convenient. Little did I think such an event would ever have
happened let this trial turn out as favourable as my innocence may deserve, still my regret will endure as long
as life shall last. A man who has lived full fifty years, and
spent most of that time in a studious manner, I hope, will
not be supposed to have voluntarily engaged in so desperate an affair. I beg leave, my lord and gentlemen, ta
add one thing more. Equally confident of my own innocence, and English discernment to trace out truth, I resolved to wave the privilege granted to foreigners by the
laws of this kingdom nor was my motive a compliment to
this nation my motive was my life and honour that it
should not be thought I received undeserved favour from a
jury, part my own countrymen. I chose to be tried by
a jury of this country; for, if my honour is not saved, I
cannot much wish for the preservation of my life. I will
wait for the determination of this awful court with that
confidence, I hope, which innocence has a right to obtain.
So God bless you all.
”
ds to the effects of the attack on him of an accidental passenger to the assault; of justice Kelynge and major Alderton to the frequency of such kind of practices on
In his defence he had the testimony of several persons of two of his friends to the effects of the attack on him of an accidental passenger to the assault; of justice Kelynge and major Alderton to the frequency of such kind of practices on the spot where He was attacked of Mr. Beauclerk, sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Burke, Mr. Garrick, Dr. Goldsmith, and Dr. Hallifax, to the quietness of his general character. These, added to the bad reputation of his prosecutors, impressed the court much in his favour. He was acquitted of the murder., and of the manslaughter the verdict was self-defence.
After this unfortunate transaction he again sat down to his studies, and in 1770 published his Travels, for which, it is said, he received
After this unfortunate transaction he again sat down to his studies, and in 1770 published his Travels, for which, it is said, he received 500/, He procured the Mss. of the History of Friar Gerund, which he caused to be translated and he superintended a magnificent edition of Machiavel’s works. For some years he was domesticated at Mr. Thrale’s house, and lived on terms of friendship with that family.
age, he became negligent, inattentive to the state of his finances, spent the principal of his 500l. and, at the conclusion of his life, felt himself scarce out of the
With the indolence which sometimes accompanies old age, he became negligent, inattentive to the state of his finances, spent the principal of his 500l. and, at the conclusion of his life, felt himself scarce out of the gripe of poverty. His pension, from circumstances of public embarrassment well known, was in arrear, and he had received from the booksellers, by whom he was employed to revise his dictionary, as much money as they conceived he was entitled to expect, considering the state the work was then in. An application to them for an immediate supply had not met with a ready acquiescence, and the vexation occasioned by his disappointment is supposed to have had an ill effect on his health. A fit of the gout ensued, which he at first neglected, and apprehended himself to be in no danger until the middle of the day preceding his death, when he consented that the vultures, as he called the medical people, might be called in. He acknowledged his obligations to Dr. Blane who attended him, and by whose means he would probably have been restored to health, if he had continued to follow his prescriptions, as he had before much recovered under his management, until he relapsed in consequence of drinking cold water. Ice and cold water had alone been used by him as medicine for a giddiness in his head.
he faculty, as it might he prejudicial, he feared, to many young persons who had heard his opinions, and who might be induced by them to neglect medical assistance.
He expressed his concern at the contempt with which he had been accustomed to speak of the faculty, as it might he prejudicial, he feared, to many young persons who had heard his opinions, and who might be induced by them to neglect medical assistance. On the morning of his death he said, that he had often dreaded that day, and expected it would be a very melancholy one. On his barber’s calling to shave him, he desired he would come the next day, when he should be better able to undergo the operation. He took leave about four o'clock, with the greatest cheerfulness, calmness, and composure, of Dr. Vincent, Mr. Milbanke, Mr. Turner, and Mrs. Collins, and expressed an earnest wish to see Mr. Cator. On their leaving the room he desired the door to be shut, that he might not be disturbed by the women, who would perhaps be frightened at seeing him die. He expired about a quarter before eight, on May 5, 1789, without a struggle or a sigh, the moment after taking a glass of wine. He preserved his faculties to the last moment
ryingground Marybone, followed by Dr. Vincent, sir William Chambers, John Milbanke, esq. Mr. Wilton, and Mr. Richards.
He was buried on the 9th of May in the new buryingground Marybone, followed by Dr. Vincent, sir William Chambers, John Milbanke, esq. Mr. Wilton, and Mr. Richards.
ial his eye, when he was inclined to please or be pleased, when he was conversing with young people, and especially young women, cheerful and engaging he was fond of
“The person of Baretti,
” says one who appears to have
known him, “was athletic, his countenance by no means
attractive, his manners apparently rough, but not unsocial
his eye, when he was inclined to please or be pleased,
when he was conversing with young people, and especially
young women, cheerful and engaging he was fond of
conversing with them, and his conversation almost constantly turned upon subjects of instruction: he had the
art of drawing them into correspondence, and wished by
these means to give them the power of expression and facility of language, while he himself conveyed to them
lessons on the conduct of life and the best answer that
can be given to all those accounts which have represented
him as a man of a brutal and ferocious temper, is the attachment which many of his young friends felt while he
was living, and preserve to his memory now he is no more.
He was not impatient of contradiction, unless where contempt was implied but alive in every feeling where he
thought himself traduced, or his conduct impeached. In
his general intercourse with the world he was social, easy,
and conversible his talents were neither great nor splendid but hvs knowledge of mankind was extensive, and
his acquaintance with books in all modern languages which
are valuable, except the German, was universal his conduct in every family, where he became an inmate, was
correct and irreproachable; neither prying, nor inquisitive, nor intermeddling, but affable to the inferiors, and
conciliatory between the principals in others which he
visited only, he was neither intrusive nor unwelcome; ever
ready to accept an invitation when it was cordial, and
never seeking it where it was cold and affected. In point
of morals he was irreproachable with regard to faith, he
was rather without religion than irreligious the fact was,
possibly, that he had been disgusted with the religion of
Italy before he left it, and was too old when he came to
England to take an attachment to the purer doctrines of
the protestant church but his scepticism was never offensive to those who had settled principles, never held out or
defended in company, never proposed to mislead or corrupt the minds of young people. He ridiculed the libertine publications of Voltaire, and the reveries of Rousseau
he detested the philosophy of the French pour lesfemmes
de cJiambre^ and though too much a philosopher (in his own opinion) to subscribe to any church, he was a friend
to church establishments. If this was the least favourable
part of his character, the best was his integrity, which was,
in every period of his distresses, constant and unimpeached. His regularity in every claim was conspicuous his
wants he never made known but in the last extremity and
his last illness, if it was caused by vexation, would doubtless have been prevented by the intervention of many
friends who were ready to supply him, if his own scruples,
strengthened by the hopes of receiving his due from day to
day, had not induced him to conceal his immediate distress
till it was too late to assist him.
”
To this character, his biographer adds, that he was chaVitable in the extreme and, like Goldsmith, would divide the last shilling he possessed
To this character, his biographer adds, that he was chaVitable in the extreme and, like Goldsmith, would divide
the last shilling he possessed with a friend in distress. He
also kept small money of various kinds in a pocket by
itself to relieve distress. He was improvident enough to
be always anticipating his income, and spent a good deal
of it in post-chaise hire, in travelling through the country.
He was no dealer in compliment. Avoiding the practice
of it himself, he would not knowingly permit it to be used
towards him. He would not receive money from any one,
and actually refused 6l. from his brother at a time when
he was in want, though he accepted from him some wine
and macaroni. Immediately after his death, his legal
representatives (for no other persons could be authorised to interfere in so extraordinary a manner) either as executors or administrators burnt every letter in his possession
without inspection an instance of gothic precipitation
which ignorance itself would blush to avow, and which,
with the papers of a man of letters, may be attended with
very mischievous consequences. We hope the practice
is not frequent. Among these letters were several from
Dr. Johnson, which Mr. Baretti a few weeks only before
his death had promised to make known to the public and
from the value of those that have already been published,
the world may form some judgment of their loss. The
following is a correct list of Mr, Baretti’s works 1. “A
Dissertation upon the Italian poetry in which are inter^
spersed some remarks on Mr. Voltaire’s essay on the epic
poets,
” 1753, 8vo. 2. “An Introduction to the Italian
language,; containing specimens both of prose and verse.
Selected from Francisco Redi, Galileo Galilei, &c. &c.
&c. With a literal translation and grammatical notes, for
the use of those who being already acquainted with grammar, attempt to learn it without a master,
”
3. “The Italian Library containing an account of the lives and works of the most valuable authors of Italy with a preface exhibiting
3. “The Italian Library containing an account of the
lives and works of the most valuable authors of Italy with
a preface exhibiting the change of the Tuscan language
from the barbarous ages to the present time,
”
4. “A Dictionary of the English and Italian languages; improved and augmented with above ten thousand
4. “A Dictionary of the English and Italian languages;
improved and augmented with above ten thousand words
omitted in the last editio*n of Altieri. To which is added,
an Italian and English grammar,
”
for the use of the Italians,” 1762, 8vo. 6. “The Frusta Literaria, published in Italy in 1763, 1764, and 1765.” 7. f An Account of the manners and customs of Italy with
5. “A Grammar of the Italian language with a copious
praxis of moral sentences. To which is added an English
grammar for the use of the Italians,
” The
Frusta Literaria, published in Italy in 1763, 1764, and
1765.
” 7. f An Account of the manners and customs of
Italy with observations on the mistakes of some travellers
with regard to that country,“1768, 2 vols. 8 vo. 8.
” An
Appendix in answer to Mr. Sharp’s Reply,“1769, 8vo.
9. < 6 A Journey from London to Genoa, through England,
Portugal, Spain, and France,
” 1770, 4 vols. 8vo. 10. “Proposals for- printing the Life of friar Gerund,' 7 1771, 4to.
This was for printing the original Spanish. The scheme
was abortive but a translation by Dr. Warner was printed
in 2 vols. 8vo. 11.
” An Introduction to the most useful
European languages consisting of select passages from
the most celebrated English, French, Italian, and Spanish
authors with translations as close as possible, so disposed
in columns, as to give in one view the manner of expressing the same sentence in each language,“1772, 8vo.
12.
” Tutte Topere di Machiavelli,“1772, 3 vols. 4 to
with a preface, and several- pieces omitted in former editions. 13.
” Easy Phraseology for the use of young ladies
who intend to learn the colloquial part of the Italian language,“8vo, 1776. 14.
” Discours sur Shakespeare et
sur Mons. de Voltaire,“1777, 8vo. 15.
” Scelta di
Lettere familiari“or, a selection of familiar letters, for
the use of students in the Italian tongue, 1779, 2 vols.
12mp. 16.
” Carmen Seculare of Horace, as performed
at Free-Masons’ Hall,“1779, 4to. 17.
” Guide through
the Royal Academy,“1781, 4to. 18.
” Dissertacion
Epistolar accrea unas Obras de la Real Academia Espanola
su auctor Joseph Baretii, secretaria por la correspondencia
estrangera de la Real Academia Britannica di pintura,
escultura, y arquitectura. Al senor don Juan C****,“4to.
19.
” Tolondron. Speeches to John Bowie about his
edition of Don Quixote together with some account of
Spanish literature," 1786, 8vo.
, D.D. was educated at Eton school, and was admitted into King’s college, Cambridge, in 1737, where
, D.D. was educated at Eton
school, and was admitted into King’s college, Cambridge,
in 1737, where he proceeded B. A. 1742, M. A. 1746,
and D.D. 1771. He was tutor of his college, and presided as moderator in the Soph’s school, in 1747, 1751,
and 1756 and was of course one of the taxors of the university in each of the years succeeding. He was public
orator in 1761-2, which office he resigned in 1768, and a
candidate for the Greek professorship on the death of
Fraignean, but was unsuccessful. He was presented by
his college to the living of Fordinbridge, in Hampshire,
in that year, which he ceded in April 1773, on being instituted to the rectory of Kimpton, in Hertfordshire, which
he held during life, along with the living of Allhallows,
Lombard-street, London. In June 1770, he was installed
9. prebendary of Canterbury, in consequence of his having
been chaplain to the house of commons, on the appointment of sir John Cust, the speaker. But he did not continue in this office above one session sir Fletcher Norton
the succeeding speaker, making choice of another clergyman for that office. It was supposed there was some
design to prevent his receiving the usual recompense for
his service, but his friends contended, that he was not to
be considered as the chaplain of the speaker, but of the
house, and Mr. Thomas Townsend, afterwards lord Sydney, moved, on May 9th, to address the king to confer
upon Mr. Barford, as chaplain, some dignity in the
church. He was ordered to preach before the house of
commons on Jan. 30 of that year, which sermon he printed.
He published also “In Pindari primum Pythium dissertatio habita Cantabrigiae in Scholis publicis,
” Latin Oration
” at the funeral of Dr. George, provost
of King’s college, 1756; and a “Concio ad Clerum,
”
1784, on the first meeting of the convocation at St. Paul’s
cathedral. The learned Mr. Bryant, in the preface to the
third volume of his System of Mythology, bears honourable
testimony to the merits of Dr. Barford, as a scholar and a
friend. He died as he had lived, universally respected
by all learned and good men, in Nov. 1792, at his rectory
of Kim p ton.
f Robert Bargrave, of Bridge, in Kent, esq. by Joan, the daughter or John Gilbert, of Sandwich, esq. and was born in 1586. He was entered early at Clare-hall, in Cambridge,
, dean of Canterbury, was the
sixth son of Robert Bargrave, of Bridge, in Kent, esq. by
Joan, the daughter or John Gilbert, of Sandwich, esq. and
was born in 1586. He was entered early at Clare-hall,
in Cambridge, of which society he was probably a fellow,
where he took his degrees in arts. He was incorporated
M. A. at Oxford, in 16*11, and in 1612 he undertook the
office of taxor in the university of Cambridge. In March
1614-15, when king James visited Cambridge, Bargrave
was one of those who performed a part in the celebrated
comedy of “Ignoramus,
” written by Ruggle, his fellowcollegian, in order to entertain his majesty. He was at
this time a beneficed clergyman, having been inducted to
the rectory of Eythorne, in Kent, in October preceding.
He became soon afterwards minister of St. Margaret’s,
Westminster, and chaplain to Charles prince of Wales,
whom he served in the same quality after his accession to
the throne. In his church of St. Margaret’s, he often
preached before the house of commons, and with much approbation. In 1622, at which time he was D. D. he was
promoted by the crown to the fifth prebend in the church
of Canterbury. In Feb. 1623, in a sermon before the
house of commons, he inveighed with honest warmth
against the influence of popery, bad counsellors, and corruption, which displeased king James, but Charles I. soon
after his accession, nominated him to the deanery of Canterbury. Other promotions followed, some of which he
exchanged, and in 1629 he was commissioned by archbishop Abbot, together with archdeacon Kingsley, to enforce the instructions from the king concerning the regularity of lecturers in the diocese, and the due attendance
at divine worship. When the rebellion broke out, he
shared the sufferings of the rest of the loyal clergy, and,
jn 1641 was fined a thousand pounds by the house of
commons, for being a member of a convocation of the
clergy in the preceding year. In 1642, when the parliamentary colonel Sandys came to Canterbury, he and
his troops treated the dean and his family with the most
brutal behaviour, without regard to age or sex his son
was then sent prisoner to Dover, and himself to the Fleet
prison, London. It does not appear, however, that the
dean was either examined or called before the house, nor
did his confinement last above three weeks, yet what he
bad suffered so much affected him, that he died in January following, (1643). It is worthy of notice, although
shocking to relate, that this Sandys owed his escape from
an* ignominious death, when he was indicted at Maidstone
for a rape, to the interest of dean Bargrave. The dean
had been a great traveller, and his connexions ii> foreign
countries were such as prove his discernment as well as
testify his merit. He attended sir Henry Wotton in one
of his embassies, as his chaplain, and sir Henry appointed
him one of the supervisors of his will, with a legacy of
books: during his residence at Venice, he enjoyed the
intimate acquaintance of the celebrated father Paul, who
once said to him that he thought the hierarchy of the
church of England the most excellent piece of discipline
in the whole Christian world. Bargrave was a firm defender of our civil and religious rights. He published
only three sermons, printed at London in 1624 and 1627.
He was interred in the dean’s chapel, Canterbury, and a
monument was erected in the same place by Dr. John Bargrave, in 1679.
, was born in 1690 in Hildesheim, and obtained the place of sub-librarian of the royal library of
, was
born in 1690 in Hildesheim, and obtained the place of
sub-librarian of the royal library of Hanover. He was
particularly eminent for historical and diplomatic researches, and was the first who collected materials to form
a diplomatic library. His first publication was “Succincta
Notitia Scriptorum rerum Brunsvicensium ac Luneburgensium, cum recensione legum atque constitutionurn
terrarum Brunsvico-Luneburgica'rum,
” Hanover, Clavis diplomatica,
specimina veterum scripturarum tradens, &c.
” Hanover,
ic pleasure,” although the particulars of his early life may not be interesting. He was the inventor and patentee of the now well-known species of exhibition called
, an artist of great ingenuity, deserves notice as having contributed to “the harmless stock
of public pleasure,
” although the particulars of his early life
may not be interesting. He was the inventor and patentee
of the now well-known species of exhibition called a Panorama,
by which bird’s-eye views of large cities anti other
interesting subjects, taken from a tower, or some other
elevated situation, and painted in distemper round the wall
of a circular building, produce a very striking effect, and a
greater resemblance to reality than was ever before invented, a strong light being thrown on the painting, whilst the
place from whence it proceeds is concealed. The deception is also aided by the picture having no frame or apparent boundary. The first picture of this kind was a view of
Edinburgh, exhibited to the public in that city by Mr.
Barker, in 1788, and in the following year in London,
where it did not attract much attention nor was the invention popular, until Mr. Barker named his exhibition a
Panorama, a compound word which was not ill contrived
to excite curiosity. The first view, under this new title,
was one of London from the top of the Albion Mills, which
Mr. Barker exhibited at a house in Castle-street, Leicester
Fields and although this was confined, Tor want of room,
to a half circle, he was soon patronised and encouraged by
the liberal praises of sir Joshua Reynolds and other eminent artists. Soon after, partly by means of a subscription, Mr. Barker was enabled to build a large and commodious house in Leicester Fields, calculated to give his
exhibition every advantage. Since that time, "views of
Dublin, Paris, Constantinople, Cairo, and other cities, with
some of the most remarkable sea-fights of the present
eventful war, have been exhibited with the greatest success. A more rational, or in many respects a more useful, public exhibition, it would be difficult to conceive.
Mr. Barker died in April 1806, at his house in West-square,
Southwark, leaving two sons, one of whom continues the
exhibition in Leicester-square, with all his father’s skill.
, esq. the descendant of an ancient and respectable family at Lyndon in Rutlandshire, was the son of
, esq. the descendant of an ancient
and respectable family at Lyndon in Rutlandshire, was the
son of Samuel Barker, esq. of Lyndon, by a daughter of
the celebrated Whiston, who often acknowledges the assistance he received from his son-in-law in his ecclesiastical
researches. Mr. Samuel Barker was long employed in preparing a Hebrew grammar, which he probably did not live
to finish, but in 1761 was published “Poesis vetus He^
braica restitutus. Accedunt quasdam de carmine Anacre^
ontis. De accentibus Graecis. De Scriptura vetere lonica,
De literis consonantibus et vocalibus, et de pronuntiatione
>inguae Hebraicoe,
” 4to. He was then dead. His son, the
subject of the present article, was the author of several
tracts on religious and philosophical subjects among the
former were, “The duty, circumstance, and benefits of
Baptism, determined by evidence,
” The
Messiah, being the prophecies concerning him methodized,
with their accomplishment,
” The nature and
circumstances of the Demoniacs in the Gospel,
” An account of a Meteor seen in Rutland,
” On the return of the Comet expected in 1757 or
1755, ibid. 1759. 3.
” On the mutations of the Stars,“ibid. 1761. 4.
” Account of a remarkable Halo,“ib. 1762,
5.
” Observations on the quantity of rain fallen at Lyndon
for several years, with observations for determining the
latitude of Stamford,“ib. 1771. He published also separately,
” Account of the discoveries respecting Comets,"
1757, 4to. This contains a table of the Parabola, much
valued by competent judges, and reprinted by sir Henry
Englefield, in his excellent treatise on the same subject.
Mr. Barker, by a course of uninterrupted abstemiousness,
particularly from animal food, which he was under the necessity of leaving off in his infancy, prolonged his life and
faculties to an unusual period, dying at Lyndon, Dec. 29th,
1809, in his eighty-eighth year. It ought to have been noticed, that he drew up the history of the parish of Lyndon, one of the few parts given to the public of a new
edition of Wright’s history and antiquities of Rutland.
, a very learned divine and antiquary, in the end of the sixteenth, and part, of the seventeenth
, a very learned
divine and antiquary, in the end of the sixteenth, and part,
of the seventeenth century, was born in the parish of St.
Mary the More, in the city of Exeter, about 1572. He was
the second son of Lawrence Barkham, of St. Leonard’s,
near that city, by Joan his wife, daughter of Edward
Bridgeman of Exeter, a near relation of John Bridgeman,
bishop of Chester. In Michaelmas term, 15^7, he was entered a sojourner.of Exeter college in Oxford; and on the
24th of August, the year following, admitted scholar of
Corpus Christi college in the same university. He took the
degre of B. A. February 5 1590-1, and that of M. A. December 12, 1594. On “the 21st of June, 1596, he was
chosen probationer fellow of Corpus Christi college, being
then in orders and July 7, 1603, took the degree of B. D.
Some time after, he became chaplain to Ric. Bancroft,
archbishop of Canterbury: and, after his death, to George
Abbot, his successor in that see. On the llth of June,
1608, he was collated to the rectory of Finchleyin Middlesex, and on the 31st of October, 1610, to the prebend of
Brownswood, in the cathedral of St. Paul’s on the 29th of
March, 1615, to the rectory of Packlesham; the 27th of
May following to the rectory of Lachingdon and, the 5th
of December, 1616, to the rectory and deanery of Bocking, all in the county of Essex. But, in 1617, he resigned
Packlesham, as he had done Finchley in 1615. March 14,
1615, he was created D. D. He had great skill and knowledge in most parts of useful learning, being an exact historian, a good herald, an able divine, a curious critic,
master of several languages, an excellent antiquarian, and
well acquainted with coins and medals, of which he had the
best collection of any clergyman in his time. These he
gave to Dr. Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, who presented
them to the university of Oxford. He died at Bocking,
March 25, 1642, and was buried in the chancel of that
church. He was a man of strict life and conversation, charitable, modest, and reserved, but above all, exemplary in
his duties as a clergyman. Dr. Barkham wrote nothing in
his own name, but assisted others in their works, particularly Speed in his history of Great Britain, which that author gratefully acknowledges. In this work Barkham wrote
” The life and reign of king John,“one of the most valuable in the book and
” The life and reign of king
Henry II.“in the same history. He is likewise the author
of
” The display of Heraldry,“&c. first published at London in 1610, folio, under the name of John Guillim. The
learned author having mostly composed it in his younger
years, thought it too light a subject for him (who was a grave divine) to own, and gave Guillim the copy, who,
adding some trivial things, published it, with the author’s
leave, under his own name. He published also Mr. Ric,
Crakanthorpe’s book against the archbishop of Spalato, entitled
” Defensio Ecclesiie Anglicanee,“Lond. 1625, 4to,
with a preface of his own. It is said also that he wrote a
treatise on coins, which was never published. Fuller, in his
usual, way, says, that he was <fr a greater lover of coins than
of money; rather curious in the stamps than covetous for
the metal thereof.
”
, a biographical and miscellaneous writer of the seventeenth century, was born at
, a biographical and miscellaneous writer of the seventeenth century, was born at
Winchcombe in Gloucestershire, Nov. 23, 1609, and educated first at Abingdon school, whence he entered as a
servitor in Merton college, Oxford, in 1625, and in a short
time removed to Gloucester hall (novy Worcester college)
under the tuition and patronage of Dr. Gregory Whear,
the principal. Here he studied with great assiduity for
several years, took his degrees in arts, and entered into
holy orders. In 1637 he supplied the place of chaplain of
Lincoln college at the church of All-Saints, for a short
time, and was the same year appointed master of the freeschool at Hereford, vicar-choral there, and not long after
was promoted to the vicarage of All-hallows in that city.
When the garrison of Hereford was surprised by the parliamentary forces in 1646, he was rescued out of the danger,
and placed at Sudeley castle, doubtless by the Bridges family, where he exercised his ministry. After that he
taught a private school at Hawling in Cotswold, and on the
restoration his majesty gave him the living of Naunton
near Hawling in Gloucestershire, which he retained until
his death, Jan. 6, 1687-8. He was buried in the chancel
of Naunton church, leaving behind him the character of
a frequent and edifying preacher, and a good neighbour.
Wood further adds, that he was a good disputant, a great
admirer of Grotius, and a great pretender to poetry but
poetry is one of those subjects with which Wood is seldom
to be trusted. Barksdale was certainly more than a pretender to poetry. His works are very numerous, both original and translated; but the greater part of the former
are small pious tracts on various subjects, little known now,
although no doubt very useful in the time they were
published. His biographical works, mostly compilations from
very scarce tracts and funeral sermons, were published
under the title of “Memorials of Worthy Persons.
” Of
these, two decades were published, London, A remembrancer of Excellent Men,
”
London, Nympha Libaethris or the Cotswold Muse,
presenting some extempore verses to the imitation of young
scholars; in four parts,
” London, Ccnsura Literaria,
” vol. VI. Of Barksdale’s other writings it may be sufficient to mention,
1. “Monumenta Literaria,” the characters of eminent men from Thuanus, Lond. 1640, 4to, and often reprinted in 8vo.
1. “Monumenta Literaria,
” the characters of eminent men
from Thuanus, Lond. 1640, 4to, and often reprinted in 8vo.
d. 1652, 12mo, 3. The disputation at Winchcombe," Oxford, 1653, 8vo, respecting points of discipline and church government. 4. Several sermons enumerated by Wood, and
2. “Life of Hugo Grotius,
” ibid.
as in 1339 sent by the Greek emperor Andronicus the younger, as ambassador to Philip king of France, and Robert king t)f Sicily, to solicit assistance against the Mahometan
, a monk of the order of St. Basil, in the fourteenth century, was in 1339 sent by the Greek emperor Andronicus the younger, as ambassador to Philip king of France, and Robert king t)f Sicily, to solicit assistance against the Mahometan power; and as there was little prospect that this would be granted without a previous union between the Greek and Latin churches, he was also instructed to treat of this measure. These two princes gave him letters to pope Benedict XII. to whom he proposed the assembling of a general council; but as he desired, in the mean time, that a reinforcement might be sent to the Greek emperor, the pope replied that the procession of the Holy Ghost was a point already settled, and therefore did not require a new council, and as for the assistance required, it could not be granted unless the Greek church would shew more sincerity in its wishes for a junction. Barlaam, at his return from Constantinople, had a controversy with the monks called Quietists, who were charged with reviving the Messalian heterodoxy. These monks pretended to see the light which appeared upon Mount Tabor at our Saviour’s transfiguration. They asserted this light to be uncreated and incorruptible, though not part of the divine essence and held other strange opinions, which induced Barlaani to accuse Palamas and his disciples of this sect, to the emperor and to the patriarch of Constantinople, on which a council was called in that city in 1340, but BarJaain failed in maintaining his charges, and was himself censured. Barlaam beinp; thus condemned in the east, retired to the west, joined himself to the Latins, and was made bishop of Hieracium or Gerace in Calabria, where he died about 1348. As he changed from the Greeks to the Latins, his writings will be found to be both for and against the latter. Against them he wrote a treatise on the pope’s primacy, printed first in Gr. and Lat. at Oxford, 1592, 4to, by Lloyd, and afterwards at Hainault, 1608, 8vo, with notes by Sahnasius, who again reprinted it, along with his own treatise of the primacy of the pope, Amsterdam, 1645. Barlaam wrote also a treatise of the procession of the Holy Ghost, containing eighteen articles, of which Ailatius gives the titles. For the Latins he wrote a discourse of the union of the two churches, and five letters, published by Bzovius, Canisius, and in the Bibl. Patrnm separately also at Strasburgh, 1572; and a treatise on arithmetic and algebra from his pen was published at Paris, 1600.
, a modern Latin poet of great reputation, was born at Antwerp, 1584, and studied eight years at Leyden. Bertius, the sub-principal of
, a modern Latin poet of great
reputation, was born at Antwerp, 1584, and studied eight
years at Leyden. Bertius, the sub-principal of his college,
having been appointed principal, recommended Barlseus to
be his successor, who was accordingly named sub-principal,
and some time after made professor of logic in the university of Leyden; but he interested himself so much in the
disputes of the Armiaians, that he lost his professorship as
soon as the opposite party prevailed in the synod of Dort.
He now applied himself to physic, and in two years took a
doctor’s degree at Caen, but scarce ever practised. In
1631, the magistrates of Amsterdam having erected a seminary, offered him the professorship of philosophy, which
he accepted, and discharged with great honour. He pubiished several sharp controversial pieces against the adversaries of Arminius; and being looked upon as a favourer
of that sect, many people murmured against the magistrates
of Amsterdam for entertaining such a professor. He was
continued, however, in his professorship till his death,
which happened in 1648. We have a volume of orations
of his, which he pronounced on different occasions, and
which are admired for their style and wit but his poetical
compositions are what chiefly raised his reputation. His
letters were published after his death in two volumes.
The following are the dates of his principal works, 1. “Britannia triumphans,
” Leyden, Poemata,
”
ib. Mercator sapiens,
” Amst. De Cceli admirandis, oratio,
” ib. Oratio de victa Hispanorum regis classe,
” ib. Laurus Flandrica,
” ib. Mauritius
Redux,
” ib. Hist. Rerum in Brasilia et
alibi nilper gestarum, sub praefectiira Mauritii principis
Nassoviae,
” “ib. 1647, fol. 9.
” Orationes,“ib. 1661^
12mo. 10.
” Faces Sactae," Lond. 4to.
, brother of the preceding, was born in 1595, and became professor of Greek in the university jrf Leyden. It is
, brother of the preceding, was born in 1595, and became professor of Greek in the university jrf Leyden. It is said that he spoke that language as fluently as his mother-tongue a qualification which procured him, from the states of the Low Countries, the commission to translate into Dutch the confession of the reformed churches, in conjunction with James Revius. He died June 16> 1655. We have of him the Timon of Lucian, with useful annotations; and a good commentary on the Theogony of Hesiod.
, a learned and voluminous writer, was born Sept. 28, 1488, at Barland, a village
, a learned and voluminous writer, was born Sept. 28, 1488, at Barland, a village of
Zealand, from which he took his name. His father sent
him to Ghent at the age of eleven, where he studied the
classics under Peter Scot, a man eminently skilled in the
ancient orators and poets, who, discovering his pupil’s promising talents, and that he excelled all his schoolfellows,
bestowed particular care in cultivating his mind. At the
expiration of four years, he went, in compliance with his
father’s wish* to Loitvaine, an university which Barland allows to be very celebrated* but where, he says, he passed
his time, without much acquisition of knowledge, and had
nearly forgot what he had learned at Ghent. Representations of this kind, from young men, are generally to be
suspected. Barland does not inform us how he was employed during the four years he passed at this university.
It is certain, however, that he was admitted master of arts
in his twentieth year, r and soon after returned to his classical studies, which he cultivated with such success, that he
was enabled to teach and for more than nine years had a
very flourishing school. According to Andreas Valerius,
he taught Latin in the college of the three languages,
called Busleiden, at Louvaine. In 1518 he went into England, but soon after, we find him at Afflinghem, superintending the studies of one of his Lonvaine pupils. In 152G
he was invited to the professorship of rhetoric at Louvaine,
which he continued to hold until his death in 1542. In
1603, a collection of some of his works was published at
Cologne, under the title of “Historica,
” all of which had
been published separately, except a letter to one of his
friends, in which he gives an account of his early studies.
Besides these, he published, 1. “In omnes Erasmi Adagiorum chiliados epitome,
” Colon. Historica narratio Papiensis obsidionis anni 1525,
” printed in
the second volume of Schardius’s German writers. 3. “Dialogi ad profligandam e scholis barbariem,
” the best edition
of which is that of De Litteratis urbis Roma
principibus opusculum. Elysii Calentii oppido quam elegantes epistolse, a Barlando recognitas et argumentis auctae. Menandri dicta eximia, adnotationibus illustrata,
”
Louvaine, Epistola de ratione studii.
”
6. “Commentarii in Terentii comedias,
” added to the
Paris editions of Terence, Enarrationes in quatuor libros Eneidos
Virgilianse,
” Antwerp,
, a very learned divine and bishop in the seventeenth century, was born at Langhill, in
, a very learned divine and bishop
in the seventeenth century, was born at Langhill, in the
parish of Orton, in Westmorland, in 1607; being the son
<*f Mr. Richard Barlow, descended from the ancient family
of Barlow-moore in Lancashire. He had his first education at the free-school at Appleby, in his own country.
From thence being removed, in the sixteenth year of his
age, to Queen’s college in Oxford, he took his degrees in
arts, that of master being completed the 27th of June,
1633, and the same year was chosen fellow of his college.
In 1635, he was appointed metaphysic-reader in the university; and his lectures being much approved of, were
published in 1637 for the use of the scholars. When
the garrison of Oxford surrendered to the parliament
in 1646, he submitted to the persons then in power and
by tb-^ interest of colonel Thomas Kelsey, deputy governor of that garrison, or more likely by that of Selden or
Dr. Owen, preserved his fellowship, notwithstanding the
parliamentary visitation, of which he gave a ludicrous account, in a pamphlet entitled “Pegasus.
” In The case of a Toleration in matters of religion,' 7 addressed to the famous Rob. Boyle, esq. in which
that subject fs handled with great candour. In 1661, he was
appointed archdeacon of Oxford, in the room of Dr. Barten Holiday, deceased but he was not installed till June 13,
1664, owing to a contest between him and Dr. Thomas
Lamplugh about thut dignity, which, after having lasted
some time, was at length decided in favour of Dr. Barlow, at the assizes held at Oxford, March 1, 1663-4. Being eminent for his skill in the civil and canon law, he was
often applied to as a casuist, to resolve cases of conscience,
about marriage, &c. And on one of these occasions, in
1671, he wrote
” Mr. Cottington’s case of Divorce,“in
which is discussed the validity of his marriage with a lady
whose former husband was living and some years after,
another case of marriage, inserted in his
” Genuine remains.“Upon the death of Dr. W. Fuller, bishop of
Lincoln, which happened April 22, 1675, he obtained, the
same day, a grant of that bishopric, at the recommendation of some of the nobility, and chiefly through the interest of the two secretaries of state, Henry Coventry, esq.
and sir Joseph Williamson, both some time of his college,
and the first formerly his pupil. The 27th of June following, he was consecrated at Ely-house chapel. Archbishop
Sheldon opposed his promotion, though the reasons of it
are not assigned. After his advancement to this see,
bishop Barlow wrote several curious things. They were
generally short, and most of them by way of letter. The
most considerable are these: In 1676,
” The original of
Sine Cures >“concerning
” Pensions paid out of Churchlivings“and a” Survey of the numbers of Papists within
the province of Canterbury
” in 1679, “A letter concerning the Canon Law, allowing the whipping of heretics.
”
But he was most distinguished by his writings against
popery the chief of which were, “Popery, or the principles and positions approved by the Church of Rome, &c.
are very dangerous to all,
” and “A discourse concerning
the Laws ecclesiastical and civil, made against heretics by
popes, emperors, and kings, provincial and general councils, approved by the Church of Rome,
” evidently levelled
against the duke of York. He expressed his zeal against
the papists, not only in writing, but in action. For when,
in 1678, after the discovery of the popish plot, a bill was
brought into parliament, requiring all members of either
house, and all such as might come into the king’s court, or
presence, to take a test against popery our bishop appeared for that bill in the house of lords, and spoke in favour of it. Notwithstanding which we are told, that after
king James II.'s accession to the throne, bishop Barlow
took all opportunities to express his affection, or submission, to him for he sent up an address of thanks to him,
for his first declaration for liberty of conscience, signed by
six hundred of his clergy. He wrote reasons for reading
that king’s second declaration for liberty of conscience
he caused it to be read in his diocese , nay, he was
prevailed upon to assert and vindicate the regal power of dispensing with penal laws, in an elaborate tract, with numerous quotations from canonists, civilians, and divines.
And yet, after the revolution, he was one of those bishops
who readily voted that king James had abdicated his kingdoms. He took the oaths to his successors and no bishop
was more ready than he, to fill the places of such clergymen as refused to take the oaths to king William and queen
Mary. There was nothing in this, however, inconsistent
in one who held his sentiments *in favour of toleration. It
is more doubtful that he was entirely addicted to the Aristotelian philosophy, and a declared enemy to the improvements made by the royal society, and to what he called in
general the new philoso'phy. He was, however, a rigid
Calvinist, and the school divinity was that which he most
admired but when his attachment to Calvin’s notions engaged him in a public opposition to some of Mr. Bull’s
works, he declined a public disputation on the subject.
He has also been blamed for never appearing in his cathedral, nor visiting his diocese in person, but residing constantly at his manor of Bugden but against this he appears to have vindicated himself. His enemies are willing
to allow that he was a good casuist, a man of very exten^
sive learning, an universal lover and favourer of learned
me if, of what country or denomination soever, and a great
master of the whole controversy between the Protestants
and Papists. He died at Bugden, October 8, 1691, in the
eighty-fifth year of his age; and was buried the llth of
the said month, on the north side of the chancel belonging to
that church, near the body of Dr. R. Sanderson, some time
bishop of Lincoln, and, according to his own desire, in the
grave of Dr. William Barlow, formerly bishop of the same
see to whose memory, as well as his own, is erected a
monument, with an inscription which he composed himself
a few days before his death. He bequeathed to the
Bodleian library, all such books of his own, as were not in that
noble collection at the time of his death and the remainder he gave to Queen’s college in Oxford, on which the
society erected, in 1694, a noble pile of buildings, on the
west side of their college, to receive them. All his manuscripts, of his own composition, he left to his two domestic
chaplains, William Otfley and Henry Brougham, prebendaries of Lincoln, with a particular desire that they
would not make any of them public after his decease.
Besides the works already mentioned, he wrote against
popery, 1.'“Confutation of the infallibility of the church
of Rome,
” written in 167S. 2. “A letter to J. Evelyn,
esq. concerning invocation of Saints, and adoration of the
Cross,
” London, The Gun-powder Treason, with a discourse of the manner of its discovery, &c.
” printed at first
in A preface
touching that horrid conspiracy, dated Feb. 1, 1678-9.
”
4. “Brutum Fulmen, or the bull of pope Pius Sextus
against queen Elizabeth,
” Whether the
pope be Antichrist, &c.
” 6. “A few plain reasons why
a Protestant of the church of England should not turn
Roman catholic,
” Pietas in Patrem, or a few tears upon
the lamented death of his most dear and loving Father
Richard Barlow, late of Langhill in Westmorland, who
died December 29, 1636,
” Oxford, A
letter to Mr. John Goodwin, concerning Universal Redemption, by J. Christ,
” For toleration of the Jews,
”
3655. 10. “A letter to Mr. John Tombes in defence of
Anabaptism, inserted in one of Tombes’s books.
” 11. “A
tract to prove that true grace doth not lie so much in the
degree, as in the nature.
” This also is inserted in a book,
entitled Sincerity and Hypocrisy, &c. written by William
Sheppard, esq. 12. “The Rights of the Bishops to judge
in capital eases in parliament cleared, &c.
” Lond. A letter (to his clergy) for the putting in execution the Laws against
Dissenters, written in concurrence to that which was drawn
up by the justices of the peace of the county of Bedford,
at the quarter-sessions held at Ampthill for the said county,
Jan. 14, 1684.
” After his decease, sir Peter Pett
lisbed in Several miscellaneous and weighty
cases of conscience, learnedly and judiciously resolved by
the right rev. father in God, Dr. T ho. Barlow, late lord
bishop of Lincoln.
” Sir Peter published also in The genuine Remains of that learned
prelate, Dr. Thomas Barlow, late lord bishop of Lincoln,
containing divers discourses, theological, philosophical,
historical, &c. in letters to several persons of honour and
quality.
” But these two volumes being published without
the knowledge or consent of the bishop’s two chaplains
above-mentioned, to whom he had left all his manuscripts,
with orders that they should not be published, they severely
Reflected upon the publisher, for the unwarrantable liberty
he had taken.
, bishop of Rochester and Lincoln, was a native of Lancashire, and became fellow of Trinity
, bishop of Rochester and Lincoln, was a native of Lancashire, and became fellow of Trinity hall, Cambridge. He was afterwards chaplain to queen Elizabeth, and to archbishop Whitgift, who collated him to the rectory of St. Dunstan’s in the East, and he occurs likewise as a prebendary of St. Paul’s. He was installed prebendary of Westminster, in 1601, and the next year, dean of Chester, and in 1605, a prebendary of Canterbury. In the same year, May 23, he was elected bishop of Rochester, which he held for three years, and was translated to Lincoln, May 21, 1608. He died suddenly at his palace at Buckden, Sept. 7, 1613, where he was buried. In his will he appointed to be buried in Lincoln cathedral, or Westminster abbey, if he died near them, and gave several charities, and was, according to Wood, a benefactor to St. John’s college, Cambridge, where he founded the London fellowships and scholarships, but his will, in this respect, being only conditional, St. John’s college never derived any benefit from it. He was reputed a learned and excellent preacher, and when dean of Chester, was employed by archbishop Whitgift to draw up an authentic relation of the famous conference between the bishop and the Puritans, held at Hampton court, Jan. 14, 15, 16, 1603, before king James, which was published at London, 1604, 4to, and 1638, and reprinted in the Phoenix, vol. I. He published also some controversial tracts, and a life of Dr. Richard Cosin, an eminent civilian, in whose house he had been brought up in his youth.
a learned bishop in the sixteenth century, descended of the ancient family of the Barlowes in Wales, and was born in the county of Essex. He was at first a monk in the
, a learned bishop in the sixteenth century, descended of the ancient family of the Barlowes in Wales, and was born in the county of Essex. He was at first a monk in the Augustin monastery of St. Osith in Essex, and was educated there, and at Oxford, where the religious of that order had an abbey and a priory and, arriving to a competent knowledge of divinity, Was made doctor in that faculty. He was afterwards prior of the canons of his order at Bisham in Berkshire, and by that title was sent on an embassy to Scotland, in 1535. At the dissolution of the monasteries, he readily resigned his house, and prevailed upon many abbots and priors to do the same. Having by this means ingratiated himself with the king, he was appointed bishop of St. Asaph and the temporalities being delivered to him on February 2, 1535, he was consecrated the 22d of the same month. Thence he was translated to St. David’s, in April 1536, where he formed the project of removing the episcopal see to Caerniardhyn, as being more in the midst of the diocese, but without success. In 1547, he was translated to Bath and Wells, of which he alienated most of the revenues; but being a zealous professor and preacher of the Protestant religion, he was, in 1553, upon queen Mary’s accession to the throne, deprived of his bishopric, on pretence of his being married. He was, likewise, committed to the Fleet, where he continued prisoner for some time at length, finding means to escape, he retired, with many others, into Germany, and there lived in a poor condition, till queen Elizabeth’s happy inauguration. Tanner says that he went early in life to Germany, and heard Luther, and some other of the reformers. On his return now to his native country, he was not restored to his see, but advanced to the bishopric of Chichester, in December 1559; and, the next year, was made the first prebendary of the first stall in the collegiate church of Westminster, founded by queen Elizabeth which dignity he held five years with his bishopric. He died in August, 1568, and was buried in Chichester cathedral. What is most particularly remarkable concerning him is, that by his wife Agatha Wellesbourne, he had five daughters, who were all married to bishops, namely, 1. Anne, married first to Austin Bradbridge, anc| afterwards to Herbert Westphaling, bishop of Hereford, 2. Elizabeth, wife of William Day, dean of Windsor, afterwards bishop of Winchester. 3. Margaret, wife of William Overtoil, bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. 4. Frances, married first to Matthew Parker, younger son of Matthew Parker, archbishop of Canterbury, and afterwards to Toby Matthew, archbishop of York. 5. Antonia, wife of William Wick ham, bishop of Winchester. He had also a son, of whom we shall give an account in the next article; and five more, of whom nothing memorable is recorded.
e, 1. “Christian Homilies,” 2. “Cosmography.” 3. He was one of those bishops who compiled “The godly and pious institution of a Christian man,” commonly called “The
His works, are, 1. “Christian Homilies,
” 2. “Cosmography.
” 3. He was one of those bishops who compiled
“The godly and pious institution of a Christian man,
”
commonly called “The bishop’s book,
” London, His answers to certain, Queries concerning the Abuses
of the Mass.
” 5. In Edward Vlth’s reign, he is said to
have translated into English, “The Apocrypha,
” as far as
the book of Wisdom. He is also said to have written “A
dialogue describing these Lutheran factions, and many of
their abuses,
” of which a second edition was published in
The
burial of the Masse,
” and some other tracts in favour of
protestantism. It is to be remarked too, that Cranmer had
very little dependance on Barlowe at that time. He was so
indiscreet, so totally unguarded, and his conversation so
full of levity, that the primate was always afraid of any
communication with him on matters of business, and would
sometimes say, on the conclusion of a long debate, “This
is all very true but my brother Barlowe, in half an hour,
will teach the world to believe it is but a jest.
”
, son of the above, an eminent mathematician and divine, in the sixteenth century, was born in Pembrokeshire.
, son of the above, an eminent mathematician and divine, in the sixteenth century, was born in Pembrokeshire. In 1560 he was entered commoner of Baliol college in Oxford; and in 1564, having taken a degree in arts, he left the university, and went to sea; but in what capacity is uncertain however, he thence acquired considerable knowledge in the art of navigation, as his writings afterwards shewed. About the year 1573, he entered into orders, and became prebendary of Winchester, and rector of Easton, near that city. In 1588 he was made prebendary of Lichneld, which he exchanged for the office of treasurer of that church. He afterwards was appointed chaplain to prince Henry, eldest son of king James the first and in 1614, archdeacon of Salisbury. Barlowe was remarkable, especially for having been the first writer on the nature and properties pf the loadstone, twenty years before Gilbert published his book on that subject. He was the first who made the inclinatory instrument transparent, and to be used with a glass on both sides. It was he also who suspended it in a compass-box, where, with two ounces weight, it was made fit for use at sea. He also found out the difference between iron and steel, and their tempers for magnetical uses. He likewise discovered the proper way of touching magnetical needles and of piecing and cementing of loadstones and also why a loadstone, being double-capped, must take up so great a weight.
1. “The Navigator’s Supply, containing rnaiw things of principal importance belonging to Navigation, and use of diverse Instruments framed chiefly for that purpose,”
Barlowe died in the year 1625. His works are as follow:
1. “The Navigator’s Supply, containing rnaiw things of
principal importance belonging to Navigation, and use of
diverse Instruments framed chiefly for that purpose,
”
Lond. Magnetical Advertisement, or diverse pertinent observations and improved experiments concerning the natnre and properties of the Loadstone,
” Lond. A Brief Discovery of the idle animadversions of Mark
Ridley, M. D. upon a treatise entitled Magnetical Advertisement,
” Lond.
int these thirtie yeares at least [he should have said twenty-eight only], but a cloude (as it were) and thicke miste of ignorance doth keepe it hitherto concealed and
In the first of these pieces, Barlowe gave a demonstration
of Wright’s or Mercator’s division of the meridian line,
as communicated by a friend observing that “This
manner of carde has been publiquely extant in print these
thirtie yeares at least [he should have said twenty-eight
only], but a cloude (as it were) and thicke miste of ignorance doth keepe it hitherto concealed and so much the
more, because some who were reckoned for men of good
knowledge, have by glauncing speeches (but never by any one reason of moment) gone about what they could to,
disgrace it.
” This work of Barlowe’s contains descriptions
of several instruments for the use of navigation, the principal of which is an azimuth compass, with two upright
sights and as the author was very curious in making experiments on the loadstone, he treats well and fully upon
the sea- compass. And he treated still farther on the same
instrument in his second work, the Magnetical Advertisement.
, i.e. Son of the Prophet, an apostle, and one of the first preachers of the Gospel in the first century,
, i.e. Son of the Prophet, an apostle, and one of the first preachers of the Gospel in the first century, was born in Cyprus, of the tribe of Levi. It is supposed that he went to Jerusalem, and studied with St. Paul, under Gamaliel. Upon embracing the Christian faith he sold his land, and laid the price of it at the apostles’ feet. He was appointed to be an apostle of the Gentiles with St. Paul, travelled with him, and accompanied St. Mark into the island of Cyprus. It is said, that he suffered martyrdom, after having founded the church of Milan, and that his body was found in the year 488, with the gospel of St. Matthew upon the breast. An epistle, attributed to St. Barnabas, was published 1645, by Dom. Luke d'Acheri, 4to. It is in the library of the fathers, and in the Patres Apostclici of Cotelier; but in all probability it was the production of some Jew, whose mean talents and attachment to Jewish fables point him out as a very different person from the companion of St. Paul. Yet Dupin labours hard to give it a kind of authenticity.
After that he went to Oxford, to obtain preferment from the visitors appointed by act of parliament, and there took the degree of B.A.April 15, 1648; and on Sept. 29
, an English divine, was the son of
Mr. John Barnard, of Castor, a market town in Lincolnshire. He had his education in the grammar-school of
that place; from whence he was sent to Cambridge, where
he became a pensioner of Queen’s college. After that he
went to Oxford, to obtain preferment from the visitors appointed by act of parliament, and there took the degree of
B.A.April 15, 1648; and on Sept. 29 following, was, by order
of the said visitors, made fellow of Lincoln college. Feb.
20, 1650, he took the degree of M. A. At length, having
married the daughter of Dr. Peter Heylyn, then living at
Abingdon, he became rector of Wadding-ton, near Lincoln, the perpetual advowson of which he purchased, and
held it for some time, together with the sinecure of
Gedney, in the same county. After the restoration he conformed, and was made prebendary of Asgarby in the
church of Lincoln. July 6, 1669, he took the degree of
B. D. and the same year was created D. D. being then in
good repute for his learning and orthodoxy. He died at
Newark, on a journey to Spa, Aug. 17, 1683, and was
buried in his own church of Waddington. His works
are: 1. “Censura Cleri, against scandalous ministers, not
fit to be restored to the church’s livings, in point of prudence, piety, and fame,
” Lond. TheoJogo-historicus, or the true life of the most reverend divine and excellent historian Peter Heylyn, D. D. subdean of Westminster,
” Lond. An Answer to Mr. Baxter’s
false accusation of Mr. Heylyn.
” 4. “A catechism for
the use of his parish.
” The purpose of the “Censura
Cleri
” was to prevent some clergymen from being restored to their livings who had been ejected during the
interregnum, but, according to Wood, when affairs took a
different turn, he did not wish to be known as the author.
, an eminent citizen and alderman of London of the last century, and many years one of
, an eminent citizen and alderman of London of the last century, and many years one of its representatives in parliament, will not probably be thought undeserving of a lengthened notice, in these days of political delusion and imposture. He was born at Heading, in Berkshire, in 1685. His parents, who were of the people called Quakers, put him to a school at Wandsworth, in Surrey, which was solely appropriated to the education of persons of that profession. From this school, the master of which was of the same religious principles, young Barnard is said to have derived very iittle advantage in point of classical and polite literature. This loss, however, his native good sense, and love of knowledge, soon led him to supply, as far as possible, by carefully reading, in our own tongue, the best writers of Greece and Rome. By these means, though he could not be fully sensible of the elegance of the classic authors, which was, for the most part, lost in the translations of them, he became well acquainted with every remarkable sect, character, and action, in profane history. Such were the integrity and candour of his mind, when he was a boy, that his playmates used to choose him for their chancellor, in the disputes which they had with each other, and readily submitted to his decisions. When in the fifteenth year of his age, his father, who appears to have been settled in London, and had long been afflicted with bad health, determined to take him into his comptinghouse and, from observing his natural turn, assiduity, and talents, scrupled not to commit to his care the management of a great business in the wine trade, nor was he disappointed in the early confidence which he placed in his son. At this time our young gentleman took peculiar pleasure in the study of figures, which he pursued with such success, that his judgment was afterwards highly valued in affairs which required profound skill in calculation, and his knowledge as an able financier became undisputed. In the midst of these pursuits and engagements, he did not neglect the subject of religion. Some scruples having arisen in his mind with regard to the principles wherein he had been educated, he determined to apply himself to the devout study of the Bible, which he firmly believed to be the sole repository of divine truth. The result of his inquiries was, that he found himself called upon, by the dictates of his conscience, to make the painful sacrifice of openly renouncing the distinguishing tenets of his revered parents. For this purpose, he was introduced to doctor Compton, then bishop of London and, after several conferences with that prelate, was baptized by him, in his chapel at Fulham, 1703. Mr. Barnard was under nineteen years of age when he quitted the society of the Quakers; and from that time he continued, till his death, a member of the established church, an admirer of her liturgy, and an ornament to her communion. There was a peculiarity of character in the early part of his life, which deserves to be noticed. When he was a youth himself, he never chose to associate with those of his own age. Being convinced that he could derive no improvement from an acquaintance with them, he sought out companions among men distinguished by their knowledge, learning, and religion; and such men received, with open arms, a young person who discovered so much good sense and discernment.
till the thirty-sixth year of his age, was only known by the excellencies of his private character, and the esteem in which he was held as a man of reading and strong
Mr. Barnard, till the thirty-sixth year of his age, was only known by the excellencies of his private character, and the esteem in which he was held as a man of reading and strong parts. But about this time, the following incident laid the foundation of his public fame. A bill seriously affecting the wine trade, had passed through the house of commons, and was depending in the upper house. The principal merchants, who would have been injured by the operation of the bill, united in presenting a petition to the lords, praying to be heard against it, by themselves, -or counsel. Their request being granted, Mr. Barnard, without his knowledge, was made choice of, as the fittest person to prove the grievance alleged, and to answer every objection to the petition. Through some unaccountable negligence, he was not acquainted with the business assigned him, till the afternoon before he was to be heard by the peers. This singular disadvantage, when it came to be known, made his speech appear the more extraordinary. By the extent of his acquaintance with, commerce, and the perspicuity and force of his reasoning, accompanied with a becoming modesty, he contributed in so high a degree to carry the point aimed at, that all his friends considered themselves as principally indebted to his talents for their success. So signal an instance of Mr. Barnard’s abilities drew the attention of the public towards him, andprepared the way for his appearing in a more honourable and important station. The admiration he had acquired, made it wished, that he might be employed in the service of his fellow- citizens and countrymen at large. Accordingly, at an anniversary meeting in 1721, his friends proposed, without his knowledge, that he should be put up as a candidate to represent the city of London in Parliament at the next election, which was expected to happen in that year, though it did not take place till the year following. When Mr. Barnard was informed of the honour intended him, he urged hisinvincible dislike to the soliciting and canvassing for votes. But this objection was over-ruled by the proposers, who pledged themselves to undertake that trouble and so effectually did they perform their promise, that he was chosen member, though the contest between the competitors was one of the warmest ever known in London. The candidates were Child, Lockwood, Godfrey, Barnard, Parsons, and Heyshaw the four former of whom were elected. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy-three liverymen polled a number, it is said, which had never before been equalled. All who knew Mr. Barnard, conceived great expectations that he would acquit himself to the honour of his constituents nor were their expectations disappointed. From his first -taking his seat in the house of commons, he entered with penetration into the merits of each point under debate defended with intrepidity what he apprehended to be our constitutional rights; withstood every attempt to burden his country with needless subsidies; argued with remarkable perspicuity and strength and crowned all with such a close attendance upon parliament, that he was never absent by choice, from the time the members met, till they were adjourned. It is difficult to say, whether out of the house he was more popular, or within it more respectable, during the space of nearly forty years.
row lane prevented their view of each other. Mr. Bar-nard, talking with his company, was overheard. And a gentleman of the other party said, Whose voice is that Sir
Of the regard sir Robert Walpole had for him, the following instance has been given riding out on the same day in two parties, they happened to come where only a narrow lane prevented their view of each other. Mr. Bar-nard, talking with his company, was overheard. And a gentleman of the other party said, Whose voice is that Sir Robert replied, do you not know it is one I shall never forget I have often felt its power. Upon meeting at the end of the lane, sir Robert Walpole, with that enchanting courtesy he possessed, saluting Mr. Barnard, told him what had passed.
As Mr. Barnard was so assiduous in discharging his duty to his constituents, and took so constant a part in every important affair that occurred
As Mr. Barnard was so assiduous in discharging his duty
to his constituents, and took so constant a part in every
important affair that occurred during a very interesting
period, of the British annals, were we to take particular
notice of all the business wherein he was engaged, and of
all the debates in which he spoke, we should run too far
into the general history of the time, but the more distinguished instances of his parliamentary conduct will unavoidably be mentioned in the course of our narrative.
Violent disputes having arisen in the city of London,
about the choice of sheriffs and aldermen, it was thought
necessary to ascertain more clearly than they were then understood, the rights and modes of election for the future.
Accordingly, in 1725, a bill was brought into parliament
to effect that important purpose. But the citizens apprehending that it invaded their just privileges, formed a
strong opposition to it, in which they were supported by
three of their representatives, Child, Lock wood, and
Barnard. Mr. Barnard objected to it, that, by its making
an alteration in the city charter, it established a bad precedent for the crown to violate corporation charters at
their pleasure; that.it took away from a number of honest
citizens the right they had enjoyed, from time immemorial, of voting at wardmote elections that it abridged
the privileges of the common -council and that, by transferring too great a weight of authority and influence to
the court of mayor and aldermen, it subverted, in a considerable degree, the ancient constitution of the metropolis. The formal thanks of the citizens were presented,
by a deputation of four aldermen and eight commoners,
to Mr. Barnard and his two colleagues, for their cgnduct
in this affair. The bill, notwithstanding all opposition,
passed into a layv and it is the statute by which all elections in the city are now regulated. However, the most
obnoxious part of the act, which granted a negative power
to the lord mayor and aldermen, was repealed in 1746
and to this sir John Barnard greatly contributed. On the
4th of January 1728, Mr. Barnard was chosen alderman
of Dowgate Ward, upon the death of John Crawley, esq.
On the 14th of April, 1729, he presented a bill to the
house of commons, for the better regulation and gove'rnment of seamen in the merchants service which, having
passed in that house on the 6th of May, was sent up to the
lords, and received the royal assent on the 14th of the
same month. About this time, likewise, he took an active
part in the inquiry, which, in consequence of the iniquitous and cruel conduct of Thomas Bambridge, warden
of trie Fleet, was made into the state of the gaols in this
kingdom. When Bambridge and his agents were committed to Newgate, and the attorney-general was ordered
to prosecute them, alderman Barnard was very assiduous
as a magistrate, in procuring information concerning the
several abuses which had been practised in the Fleet to
the oppression of the debtors and he so pathetically represented the grievances under which they laboured, as
to be greatly instrumental in obtaining the act of insolvency, and the act for the relief of debtors, with respect
to the imprisonment of their persons, which were assented
to by the king, at the close of the session, on the 14th of
May, 1729. Another occasion which he had of displaying
his parliamentary abilities, was, when on the 24th of February 1729-30, the bill was read a second time, “To
prevent any persons, his majesty’s subjects, or residing
within this kingdom, to advance any sum of money to any
foreign prince, state, or potentate, without having obtained licence from his majesty under his privy seal, or
some greater authority.
” The bill had taken its rise from
a negotiation which had been set on foot by the emperor
of Germany, to obtain a loan in England, of 400,000/1
Mr. Barnard, who opposed the passing of the act, alleged in
the course of the debate, several important reasons against
it; which, however, were answered in a masterly manner by
sir Philip Yorke. The opposition so far prevailed, that
the bill was modified in a certain degree and an expla^
natiort was given by the ministry, that it was not his majesty’s intention to prevent his subjects from lending money
to the king of Portugal, or any other prince in alliance
with England and that the only reason for not naming
the emperor in the bill was, that by making it general,
there could be no foundation for an open rupture between
the courts of London and Vienna. On the 28th of September, 1732, Mr. Barnard having attended Francis
Child, esq. then lord mayor, to Kensington, with an address of congratulation to king George the Second, received from his majesty the honour of knighthood. Towards the beginning of the following year, the famous
excise scheme, which met with so vigorous an opposition,
was proposed by sir Robert Walpole. As a particular account of this arTair will more properly come under the
article of that celebrated statesman, we shall take no
other notice of it here than what may be necessary to complete the history of sir John Barnard. No one could
exceed him in the ability and zeal with which he oppose^
the design. He spoke several times against it, and condemned it both in a commercial and political light. He
considered it as introductory to such general and arbitrary
laws of excise as would be absolutely inconsistent with the
freedom of the constitution and thought that the question
upon the scheme would be, “Whether we shall endeavour
to prevent frauds in the collecting of the public revenues,
at the expence of the liberties of the people
” “For my
own part,
” said sir John, “I never was guilty of any fraud:
I put it to any man, be he who he will, to accuse me
of so much as the appearance of a fraud in any trade
I was ever concerned in I am resolved never to be
guilty of any fraud. It is very true, that these frauds
are a very great prejudice to all fair traders and,
therefore, I speak against my own interest, when I speak
against any methods that may tend towards preventing of
frauds. But I shall never put my private interest in balance with the interest or happiness of the nation. I had
rather beg my bread from door to door, and see my country
flourish, than be the greatest subject of the nation, and
see the trade of my country decaying, and the people
enslaved and oppressed.
” On the 14th of March, 1732-3,
in the grand committee of the house of commons “To
consider of the most proper methods for the better security and improvement of the duties and revenues, already charged upon, and payable from tobacco and
wines,
” the excise scheme was proposed. In the course
of the long and violent debate which took place on this
occasion, sir John Barnard, among other arguments, alledged that the scheme was such as could not, even by
malice itself, be represented to be worse than it really was;
that it was a pill, which, if the people of England were
obliged to swallow, they would find as bitter a pill v as ever
was swallowed by them since they were a people that
the intended remedy for preventing frauds in the collection of the revenue, was far more desperate than the
disease that the constitution of our government, and
the liberty of the subject, were never more nearly or more
immediately concerned in any question and that it was
a dangerous encroachment upon the ancient birthright of
Englishmen, the right of trial by jury. A great number
of the citizens having come down to the lobby of the house
of commons, and some of the crowd who had mixed with
them having behaved tumultuously, sir Robert Walpole
took notice of the extraordinary concourse of people who
were collected together at the door, and declared his disapprobation of the methods which had been used to bring
them thither. In doing this, he so far lost the usual moderation of his temper, as to drop an expression which
gave the highest offence to the city of London, and was
long remembered to his disadvantage. “Gentlemen,” he
observed,
” might say what they pleased of the multitudes
at the door, and in all the avenues leading to the house;
they might call them a modest multitude if they would
they might give them what names they thought fit; it
might be said that they came as humble supplicants but,“added sir Robert,
” I know whom the law calls Sturdy
Beggars and those who brought them hither could not
be certain but that they might have behaved in the same
manner.“Sir John Barnard rising up to answer this reflection, the committee, for a while, were in some confusion, in consequence of the question’s being loudly
called for. At length, however, order being restored, sir
John made the following reply
” Sir, I know of no irregular or unfair methods that were used to call people
from the city to your door. It is certain, that any set of
gentlemen or merchants may lawfully desire their friends,
they may even write letters, and they may send those
letters to whom they please, to desire the merchants of
figure and character to come down to the court of requests,
and to our lobby, in order to solicit their friends and acquairitance ngainst any scheme or project, which they
think may be prejudicial to them. This is the undoubted
right: of the subject, and what has been always practised
upon all occasions. The honourable gentleman talks of
Sturdy Beggars I do not know what sort of people may
be now at our door, because I have not lately been out of
the house. But I believe they are the same sort of people
that were there when I came last into the house and then,
I can assure you, that I saw none but such as deserve the
name of Sturdy Beggars as little as the honourable gentleman himself, or any gentleman whatever. It is well known
that the city of London was sufficiently apprized of what
we were this day to be about. Where they got their information, I do not know but I am very certain that they
had a right notion of the scheme which has been now
opened to us and they were so generally and zealously
bent against it, that whatever methods may have been used
to call them together, I am sure it would have been impossible to have found any legal method to have prevented
their coming hither." When four resolutions had been
formed by the committee, in pursuance of sir Robert
WalpoleV motion, relating to the excise-scheme, and were
reported to the house on the 16th of March, sir John Barnard took the lead with his usual spirit, in the fresh debate which arose upon the question of agreeing to the first
resolution. And the same vigorous opposition was continued by him through the whole progress of the bill, till,
as is well known, sir Robert Walpole himself found it
necessary to move, on the 11th of April, 1733, that the second reading of it should be deferred for two months.
rnard, for leave to bring in a bill “For restraining the number of houses for playing of interludes, and for the better regulating common players of interludes.” In
On 5th of March 1734-5, a motion was made by sir
John Barnard, for leave to bring in a bill “For restraining
the number of houses for playing of interludes, and for the
better regulating common players of interludes.
” In support
of his motion, he represented the mischief that was done
to the metropolis by the effect which the play-houses had
in corrupting the youth, encouraging vice and debauchery,
and prejudicing the spirit of industry and trade and he
urged that these evils would be much increased, if, according to a project which was then set on foot, another
play-house should be erected in the very heart of the city.
He was seconded by Mr. Sandys, and was so ably sustained
by Mr. Pulteney, sir Robert Walpole, sir Joseph Jekyll,
sir Thomas Saunderson, and Mr. James Erskine, that it was
ordered, nemine eontradicente, that a bill should be brought
in, pursuant to sir John Barnard’s motion. This was accordingly done; but the affair was afterwards dropped, on
account of a clause which was offered to be inserted in the
bill, for enlarging the power of the lord chamberlain, with
regard to the licensing of plays. At midsummer, 1735,
sir John Barnard was chosen, together with his brother-inlaw, alderman Godschall, to the office of sheriff for the
city of London and county of Middlesex. When, on the
2d of February, 1736-7, Mr. Pulteney moved in the house
of commons for an address to his majesty, that he would
graciously be pleased to settle 100,000l. a year upon his
royal highness Frederick prince of Wales, sir John was
one of the gentlemen who spoke in its favour.
Hitherto our upright and excellent magistrate and senator had been singularly popular
Hitherto our upright and excellent magistrate and senator had been singularly popular in his undertakings.
But in the next great affair he was engaged in, though his
purposes were as wise and upright as in any part of his
former conduct, he met with a very different fate. On
the 14th of March, 1736-7, he made a motion for enabling
his majesty to raise money towards redeeming old and new
South Sea annuities. This was done with a view of reducing the interest of these annuities from four to three
per cent, and thereby to prepare a way for a like reduction
of interest with regard to the other funds. In consequence
of the debates which arose on this occasion, several resolutions were formed by the committee of the whole
house and a bill was ordered in for converting all the
public funds, redeemable by law, into an interest or an^
nuity not exceeding three per cent, per annum. The
matter, however, was so altered, modified, and refined
upon, and rendered so unacceptable, by the artifices of
those in power, that, after long and violent debates, it
came to nothing. The integrity of sir John Barnard appeared in his moving, about the same time, that the house
would, as soon as the annual interest of all the national
redeemable debt should be reduced to three per cent, take
off some of the heavy taxes which oppress the poor and
manufacturers but this proposition was rejected by a considerable majority. Notwithstanding the undeniable uprightness of his intentions, he became, whMe his attempt
to reduce the yearly dividends of the funds was depending,
very obnoxious to the“public. Instead of receiving the
applause which he justly merited, he was insulted with
revilings, and exposed to the resentment of the populace.
A young man belonging to a public office, headed a mob,
who endeavoured to break into sir John Barnard’s house.
Though farther violence was prevented, the disturbance
continued for some hours. The leader of the rioters,
conscious that the assault might easily be proved upon
him, consulted his safety by flight into another country.
After several months, sir John Barnard was entreated to
suffer the criminal to return without molestation to which
he generously answered,
” that he felt no resentment
against the youth that it was enough, if he was sensible
or' his fault that no prosecution was ever intended; and
that allowances should be made for the effect which inflammatory speeches have upon young minds, from those
whom it is their duty to respect and love.“The odium
which was excited by the plan of our faithful senator soon
subsided. His character shone the brighter from the
cloud which had been cast upon it. And when, some
years afterwards, Mr. Henry Pelham adopted and carried
into execution the scheme which was now rejected, he
was greatly aided and encouraged in the undertaking by
sir John Barnard. Indeed, sir John was so fully convinced
of the wisdom and utility of the design, that he published,
though without his name, in February 1749-50, a small
tract in defence of it, entitled
” Considerations on the
Proposal fur reducing the Interest on the National Debt.“This piece is written with great perspicuity and good
sense; and the arguments of it were by no means invalidated by an answer to it, called
” Annotations on a late
pamphlet, entitled Considerations on the Proposals for reducing the Interest on the National Debt.' 7
In 1737, he was raised to the dignity of chief magistrate of the city of London and no one ever discharged the office with greater reputation to
In 1737, he was raised to the dignity of chief magistrate of the city of London and no one ever discharged the office with greater reputation to himself, or advantage to the public. During his whole mayoralty, he paid a paternal attention to the welfare of his fellow citizens. Though he was enthusiastically devoted to a country evening retirement, he would not sleep a single night in his house at Clapham, lest any person should be injured by his indulging himself even with a short absence from the metropolis. He gave such strict injunctions to remove the nuisance of common beggars out of the City, and took such care to have his injunctions observed, that scarcely a vagrant was to be seen within the walls. When young delinquents were brought before him, he was an advocate, in every instance where it could be done with propriety, for softening the penalties they had incurred. If prosecutors were of a severe temper, he would labour to dissuade them from sending a petty offender, for the first trespass, to a prison, where surrounding prostitutes, and wretches hardened in vice, might induce a total corruption of manners. There were not wanting, it is said, several instances in which his prudence and seasonable lenity became happily successful in restoring deluded youths to regularity of conduct, and the order of society. But where severity was necessary, sir John Barnard well knew how to exercise it with a becoming firmness. As the regard he bore to the clergy was generally spoken of, an offender of that order thought that he should hence be treated with greater gentleness. Accordingly, he appeared before the lord mayor in his canonical robes. But his lordship strongly represented to him that the sanctity of the clerical profession was a high aggravation of the fault and, without paying the least deference to his religious garb, punished the reverend delinquent according to his crime. Among other methods which our active magistrate took to promote virtuous manners, and the good government of the city, one was the issuing of a strict order for the decent observance of the Lord’s day. The edict was so diligently enforced, as effectually to awe the offenders against whom it was levelled. The Sunday was observed throughout the city with a decency which hath never since been equalled and it must be acknowledged that sir John Barnard, by his conduct in this respect, consulted not only the honour of religion, but the political welfare and happiness of the community.
There was an excellent rule laid down by sir John Barnard for himself in his mayoralty, and which well deserves to be imitated. He would not permit, if
There was an excellent rule laid down by sir John Barnard for himself in his mayoralty, and which well deserves to be imitated. He would not permit, if it could possibly be avoided, any persons to be committed to the Compter, even for a single night, without the accusation’s being heard. He thought that the confinement of a single night might, if they were innocent, be very injurious to the parties put into custody it might hurt their morals, or otherwise be very distressing to themselves or families. He sat up, therefore, every evening, till after eleven o'clock, to hear the cases of those who were laid hold of by the constables. One night, when he was gone up stairs to bed, a woman was brought, who had been seized as a street-walker. Though the lord mayor was nearly undressed, he readily came down again. The woman alledged in her defence, that she was a person of honesty, who lived in a remote part of Wapping, and had been kept out late by necessary and unavoidable business. As she said that her neighbours would testify to her character, Jiis lordship waited patiently to past three in the morning, until some of them came for that purpose. During his mayoralty, he had the misfortune of losing his lady, whose funeral procession to Clapham was attended, through the city, by the children belonging to Christ’s hospital, of which he was many years president.
In 1745, the whole kingdom was indebted to the weight and influence of sir John Barnard, in assisting to prevent the public
In 1745, the whole kingdom was indebted to the weight and influence of sir John Barnard, in assisting to prevent the public confusion. The successes of the rebels in Scotland, at that time, and their march into the heart of England, had spread such a terror through the city, that public credit began to be shaken, and there was a run upon the Bank, the notes of which had sunk to ten per cent, below their value. In this crisis, sir John Barnard took the lead at the head of one thousand and six hundred merchants and principal traders, who, at Garraway’s coffeehouse, signed the following agreement
“We, the undersigned merchants, and others, being sensible how necessary the preservation of public
“We, the undersigned merchants, and others, being
sensible how necessary the preservation of public credit is,
at this time, do hereby declare, that we will not refuse to
receive Bank notes in payment of any sum of money to be
paid to us, and ttyat we will use our utmost endeavours to
make all our payments in the same manner.
” This happy
expedient removed the jealousies which the enemies of the
constitution, or the fears of the people, had excited, and
restored public credit to its usual vigour. Sir John Barnard, having disapproved of the method of raising the supplies for the service of the year 1.746, and having made
some other proposals for that purpose, a pamphlet was addressed to him, which blamed his conduct in this respect,
and objected to the schemes he had offered. To this he
thought proper to reply, in a tract to which he prefixed his
name, entitled “A Defence of several Proposals for raising of three millions for the service of the Government, for
the Year 1746 with a postscript, containing some notions
relating to public credit 1J and whoever peruses it, will be
sensible how well skilled he was in matters of finance.
Upon the death of sir John Thompson, in 1749, sirJolm
Barnard took upon him the office of alderman of Bridgeward Without; and thus became in name, as before he
might be deemed in reality, the Father of the City. The
sense of the many advantages, which he had been active
in procuring for the nation in general, and the metropolis
in particular, induced the body of London merchants to
testify their veneration for him, by erecting his statue,
during his lifetime, in the Royal Exchange an honour
which had never before been conferred on any beneath a
crowned head. Sir John Barnard’s modesty engaged him
sincerely to object to this signal mark of the gratitude and
esteem of his fellow-citizens. He thought that such a testimony of regard ought not to be paid to any character, till
its perseverance in integrity had been sealed by death and
he said that he could not, consistently with decorum and
delicacy, appear in the Royal Exchange, when his statue
was there. Accordingly, he never afterwards used to ' go
within-side of it, but contented himself with transacting
his business in the front of that building. In 1754, without his solicitations, and, indeed, contrary to his wishes,
he was chosen, for the last time to a seat in parliament for
the city of London on which occasion, he made the following speech to hk electors
” The honour you have
done me in choosing me six times one of your representatatives in parliament, calls for my sincere and hearty thanks;
the rather, as I look upon the present election to be the
last favour I can expect. I have not of late presumed to
offer my service, knowing my inability to give that
attendawce in parliament, which this honourable city has a right
to require from its members. But the continuance of your
polling for me, is a proof of your kindness in overlooking
my failings, and of your affectionate regard for me. The
impression which this hath made upon my heart can never be
effaced, of which I beg leave to assure you, and of my best
endeavours to promote the good of this city in particular,
and of the nation in general."
John Barnard finding, some few years afterwards, that the infirmities of age advanced fast upon him, and having always disliked the thought of retaining a trust when
Sir John Barnard finding, some few years afterwards,
that the infirmities of age advanced fast upon him, and
having always disliked the thought of retaining a trust when
the duties of it could no longer be fulfilled, thought proper
to resign his alderman’s gown. This resolution, which
took place in July 175$, was received with the sincere
concern of his brethren, and his fellow-citizens. The subsequent record of his worth, at the motion of John Paterson, esq. was ordered to be entered upon their books, by
the court of common-council. “Sir John Barnard, so
justly and emphatically styled the Father of this City, having lately, to the great and lasting regret of this court,
thought proper to resign the office of alderman, it is unanimously resolved, that the thanks of this court be given
him, for having so long and so faithfully devoted himself
to the service of his fellow-citizens for the honour and
influence which this city has, upon many occasions, derived
from the dignity of his character, and the wisdom, steadiness, and integrity of his conduct, both in church and state;
his noble struggles for liberty and his disinterested, invariable pursuits of the true glory and prosperity of his
king and country, uninfluenced by power, unawed by clamour, and unbiassed by the prejudices of party.
” An
equally honourable resolution was passed by the court of
aldermen.
hn Barnard, after resigning the office of alderman, retired in a great measure from public business, and Jived in a private manner, at his house at Clapham, for the
Sir John Barnard, after resigning the office of alderman, retired in a great measure from public business, and Jived in a private manner, at his house at Clapham, for the remainder of his days. The persons he commonly associated with were his neighbours, most of them merchants, whom he used to meet at a weekly club. It was his custom, likewise, to go, once a week, to the common bowling-green. When he rode out on the Saturdays and Mondays, the principal gentlemen of Clapham attended him, and esteemed themselves highly honoured in being of his party. After some years of honourable retirement, he departed this life on the 29th of August, 1764, at Clapharn in Surrey, and was buried at Mortlake in the same county.
All who have written concerning sir John Barnard, and all who were acquainted with him, have united in testifying
All who have written concerning sir John Barnard, and
all who were acquainted with him, have united in testifying to the universal excellence of his character. He was
not only blameless, but eminently exemplary^ as a son, a
husband, a father, a master, a benefactor, a merchant, a
magistrate, and a senator. To the faithful and active discharge of the personal and social duties, he added a most
devout sense of religion. The first hour, at least, of every
day was employed in prayer, and the study of the scriptures. He attended public worship twice on a Sunday, and
was constant in receiving the communion. He had such a
high reverence for the Bible, that he always expressed a
great dislike of any attacks which were made upon its sacred original and authority. Sir John Barnard did not, in
leaving the Quakers, lay aside the simplicity of his manners.
He was plain in his dress and address clear, unaffected,
and concise in his language. Though modest in his deportment, he feared no man in the discharge of his duty. Once,
when he had risen in a debate, sir Robert Walpole, then
in the height of his power, was whispering to the speaker,
who leaned towards him, over the arm of his chair. Upon
this sir John Barnard cried out, “Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I address myself to you, and not to your chair. I will
be heard. I call that gentleman to order.
” The speaker
turned about, dismissed sir Robert, asked sir John’s pardon, and desired him to proceed. Another time, when
sir Robert Walpole had taken a roll of paper from off the
table, and was reading it, sir John Barnard obliged him to
lay it down, and attend to the business of the house.
was accustomed to ask, “What does sir John Barnard say what is his opinion” That celebrated nobleman and Mr. Pulteney used frequently to visit him at Clapham, to request
When, during lord Granville’s being secretary of state,
any applications were made by the merchants to administration, his lordship was accustomed to ask, “What does
sir John Barnard say what is his opinion
” That celebrated nobleman and Mr. Pulteney used frequently to visit
him at Clapham, to request his advice with regard to any
important affairs in which they were engaged. Lord Chatham, when Mr. Pitt, hath been known to style him the
great Commoner and lord Palmerston requested his youngest daughter for his eldest son, as an honour done to his
family.
Sir John Barnard left one son, and two daughters. His son John Barnard, esq. of Berkeley square,
Sir John Barnard left one son, and two daughters. His son John Barnard, esq. of Berkeley square, well known for his taste in the polite arts, and for his admirable collection of pictures, died about 1784. Of sir John Barnard’s daughters, the eldest was married to Thomas Hankey, esq. afterwards sir Thomas Hankey, knt. and the youngest to the honourable Henry Temple, esq. the second lord viscount Palmerston.
n in 1761, the son of an opulent attorney of Grenoble. He was educated to the profession of the law, and being appointed deputy to the States-General in 1789, became
, one of the
active agents in the French revolution, was born in 1761,
the son of an opulent attorney of Grenoble. He was educated to the profession of the law, and being appointed
deputy to the States-General in 1789, became one of the
most implacable enemies of the court, and in other respects betrayed that sanguinary spirit which at that time
raised many more obscure men into popular reputation.
He joined in most of the extravagant measures of the assembly, and argued in particular for confiscating the property of the clergy, and abolishing religious orders. In
order to catch popularity from whatever quarter, he declared himself the advocate of protestants, actors, Jews,
and executioners, and solicited their admission to the rights
of citizenship. He was likewise for the suppression of all
feudal rights and titles, and in general for all the measures
of the Jacobin party but amidst all this violence, he ventured to think for himself on some points, which proved his
ruin. On one occasion, he insisted that no law shouJd be
passed concerning people of colour, until the motion had
been made by the colonies and pointed out the certain
resistance of the planters to innovations of this nature.
Such an appearance of justice could not be acceptable at
that time. It was even attributed to corruption, of which
a more direct proof appeared soon after. On the news of
the king’s being arrested in his flight, Barnave, with Petion, and another, were appointed to escort the royal family
to Paris. He returned in the carriage of their majesties,
and conducted himself with all proper respect and attention. What had happened to produce this change is not
known it might be compunction, or he might have discovered that the unfortunate monarch was not the monster
he had represented him but from this hour Barnave became a suspected character; and he increased this suspicion, by giving in the assembly a simple recital of his mission, without adding any reflection. He did worse he even
spoke for the inviolability of the king’s person, and repelled,
with looks of contempt, the hootings of the populace. He
still continued, however, to enjoy some influence in the
assembly, to which his talents justly entitled him, and even
was powerful enough to procure a repeal of the decree respecting the colonies, which he had before opposed against
the voice of the majority. At the end of the session he
was appointed mayor of Grenoble, where he married the
only daughter of a lawyer, who brought him a fortune of
700,000 livres but all this he did not enjoy long. When
the jacobin party obtained possession of the court, in consequence of the events of August 1792, they found, or
created, proofs of his connection with the cabinet of the
Thuileries. After a long imprisonment at Grenoble, he was
brought before the revolutionary tribunal of Paris, where
he made an able defence, and probably impressed even his
enemies with a favourable opinion of his conduct. He was,
however, condemned to be guillotined, which was executed Nov. 29, 1793. Barnave was unquestionably a man
of abilities, whatever may be thought of their direction.
Mirabeau, to whom he was a rival, and whom he often opposed, was astonished that a young man should speak so
rapidly, so long, and so eloquently and said of him, “It
is a young tree, which will mount high if it be let to grow.
”
ctly related. According to Moreri (who refers to “Memoires du temps”) he was an Englishman by birth, and studied with great success at Lou vain. Wood savs he was of
, was an English Roman Catholic, of
the seventeenth century, whose history has been imperfectly related. According to Moreri (who refers to “Memoires du temps
”) he was an Englishman by birth, and
studied with great success at Lou vain. Wood savs he was
of a Lancashire family, and educated for some time at Oxford, whence he went to Spain, and studied divinity and
philosophy under the famous Dr. J. Alph. Curiel, who,
adds Wood, was wont to call Barnes by the name of John
Hiiss, because of a spirit of contradiction which was always
observed in him, but which, it appears by his writings,
was a spirit of thinking for himself that could not be very
acceptable to his superiors. He is said to have been
young when he entered among the English Benedictines
near Douay, for fear of the inquisition, with which he was
threatened at Louvain and some time after he was obliged
to leave the Benedictines, under the same alarm, for holding some sentiments they did not approve. Wood says,
that before this he was sent into England on a mission, but
being discovered there, he was imprisoned and sent to
Normandy with certain priests and Jesuits. Moreri says,
that on leaving Douay, he took refuge in Paris, where he
was protected by some persons of distinction, and admitted into the friendship of several men of learning. In
1625, at which time he was one of the confessors of the
abbey of Chelles, he published a work against mental reservation, entitled “Dissertatio contra equivocationes,
”
Paris, 8vo, of which a French translation was published at
the same time. In the approbation of the faculty of theology at Paris prefixed to this work, he is styled doctor of
arts and divinity, professor of the English mission, and
first assistant of the congregation of Spain. This work
made a considerable noise, and was attempted to be answered by father Theophilus Raynaud in 1627. His next
work, entitled “Catholico-Romanus Pacificus,
” gave yet
more offence, and the pope wrote to the king of France,
and to cardinal Richelieu, desiring they would send the
author of these publications to Rome. Barnes was accordingly taken up in December 1625. He wrote also an answer
to Clement Reyner’s “Apostolatus Benedictinorum in Anglia,
” which Wood makes to precede the former. It appears certain, however, that in consequence of the moderation of his opinions, he was hurried like a malefactor
from place to place through Germany. While confined at
Mechlin, he contrived to make his escape from the room
by means of the strings of a bass viol, of which he had procured a quantity under pretence that the dampness of the
place had injured what belonged to his instrument; but he
was discovered while stepping into a vessel at Antwerp, and
conveyed to Rome. Here he was put into the prison belonging to the inquisition, in which he died, after thirty
years confinement. During part of this time, his sufferings
had brought on insanity. An edition of his “CatholicoRomanus Pacificus
” was printed at the theatre at Oxford
in Ancient Liberty of the Britannic
church.
” Wood mentions other writings by Barnes, but
without specifying their titles.
, a learned divine and professor of Greek at Cambridge, was the son of a tradesman
, a learned divine and professor of
Greek at Cambridge, was the son of a tradesman of London, where he was born Jan. 10, 1654. He was educated
in Christ’s hospital, where he distinguished himself by
his early knowledge of Greek, and by some poems in
Latin and English, written before he went to the University. On Dec. 11, 1671, he was admitted a servitor in
Emanuel college, Cambridge. In 1675 he published at
London, his “Gerania;
” and in June Poetical paraphrase on the History of Esther.
” In
nce of the senses. He believed, that charity seldom or never passes without its reward in this life. And this opinion prevailed so far with him, that he has given his
Mr. Barnes’s character has been variously represented, but always with a preponderance of the good. He had a great deal of enthusiasm in his temper, which discovered itself in various circumstances of his life. He constantly maintained, that spiritual sins, such as pride, defamation, &c. were more offensive in the eyes of God, than those which arise from a too great indulgence of the senses. He believed, that charity seldom or never passes without its reward in this life. And this opinion prevailed so far with him, that he has given his only coat to a vagrant begging at the door; and he used to relate some extraordinary retributions conferred upon him by unknown persons for his charities of this kind. He was remarkable rather for the quickness of his wit, and the happiness of his memory, than for the solidity of his judgment; upon which somebody recommended this pun (which, by the way, Menage used in his satire upon Pierre Montmaur) to be inscribed upon his monument
He bad a prodigious readiness in writing and speaking the Greek tongue and he himself tells us in the preface
He bad a prodigious readiness in writing and speaking the
Greek tongue and he himself tells us in the preface to his
Esther, that “he found it much easier to him to write in
that language, than* in Latin or even English, since the
ornaments of poetry are almost peculiar to the Greeks,
and since he had for many years been extremely conversant in Homer, the great father and source of the Greek
Poetry However, that his verses were not mere Cantos
from that poet, like Dr. Duport’s, but formed, as far as
he was able, upon his style and manner since he had no
desire to be considered as a rhapsodist of a rhapsody, but
was ambitious of the title of a poet.
” Dr. Bentley, we are
told, used to say of Joshua Barnes, that “he understood
as much Greek as a Greek cobler.
” This bon mot, which
was first related by Dr. Salter of the Charter-house, has
been explained by an ingenious writer, as not insinuating,
that Barnes had only some knowledge of the Greek language. Greek was so familiar to him that he could offhand have turned a paragraph in a newspaper, or a hawker’s bill, into any kind of Greek metre, and has often been
known to do so among his Cambridge friends. But with
this uncommon knowledge and facility in that language,
being very deficient in taste and judgment, Bentley compared his attainments in Greek, not to the erudition of a
scholar, but to the colloquial readiness of a vulgar mechanic. With respect to his learning, it seems agreed that
he had read a great many books, retained a great many
words, and could write Greek in what is called the Anacreontic measure readily, but was very far from being a
judicious or an able critic. If he had some enemies at
first, his abuse and vanity did not afterwards lessen their
number, though it is probable, more men laughed at, than
either envied or hated him. They said he was ovo$ trfo$ *v%<xv 9
Asinus ad Lyram and perhaps it is not the worst thing
Barnes ever said in reply, that they who said this of him,
had not understanding enough to be poets, or wanted the
b vug Ts%Q$ huqav.
hire, with a jointure of c200 per annum. The common report is, that this lady, who was between forty and fifty, having for some time been a great admirer of Mr. Barnes,
In 1700, he married Mrs. Mason, a widow lady of Hemingford, near St. Ives, in Huntingdonshire, with a jointure of c200 per annum. The common report is, that this
lady, who was between forty and fifty, having for some
time been a great admirer of Mr. Barnes, came to
Cambridge, and desired leave to settle an hundred pounds a
year upon him after her death which he politely refused,
unless she would condescend to make him happy in her
person^ which was none of the most engaging. The lady
was too obliging to refuse any thing to “Joshua, for
whom,
” she said, “the sun stood still
” and soon after
they were married. This jointure was probably a help to
him, but he had no church preferment, and bore a considerable part in the printing of some of his works, particularly his Homer. It appears that he was much involved
with the expence of this work, and wrote two supplicating
letters on the subject to the earl of Oxford, which are now
in the British Museum, and weiae copied some years ago,
and printed in the St. James’s Chronicle by George Steevens, esq. What the effect of them was, we know not but
it is said that he at one time generously refused c2000 a
year which was offered to be settled upon him. Upon the
same authority we are told that a copy of verses which he
wrote to prove that Solomon was the author of the Iliad,
was not so much from the persuasion of his own mind, as
to amuse his wife and by that means engage her to supply him with money towards defraying the expences of the
edition. On his monument is a Latin inscription, and
some Greek anacreontics by Dr. Savage, rather extravagant, but composed by way of pleasantry, and which his
widow requested might be inscribed. The English translation, often reprinted, is professedly burlesque but one
curious-fact is recorded on this monument, that he “read
a small English Bible one hundred and twenty-one times
at his leisure,
” which, Mr. Cole remarks, is but once
more than the learned duke de Montausier had read the
Greek Testament. In one of the above-mentioned letters
to Harley, he says, “I have lived in the university above
thirty years fellow of a college, now above forty years
standing, and fifty-eight years of age am bachelor of
divinity, and have preached before kings.
” How Mr.
Barnes was neglected in church preferment cannot now be
ascertained, but it seems not improbable that he did not
seek it, his whole life being spent in study, and his only
wants, those which arose from the expense of his publications. His pursuits were classical, and although from his
constant perusal of the Bible, we may infer his piety, we
know little of him as a divine.
The following is a Jist of Mr. Barnes’s works, published
and unpublished; and from the latter, we may at least
form a very high opinion of his industry. It is unnecessary, perhaps, to add that his editions of the classics are
not now in the highest reputation. Their errors were
pointed out in his life-time, and superior critics have in a
great measure superseded the use of them. While at
Christ-church he published, 1. "Sacred Poems, in five
books, viz. I. These pieces are in English, with a Latin dedication, an. 1669. 2.
” The Life of Oliver Cromwell, the
Tyrant,“an English poem, 1670. 3. Several dramatic
pieces, viz. Xerxes, Pythias and Damon, Holofernes, &c.
some in English and some in Latin; the former written
entirely by himself, the latter in conjunction with others.
Also some tragedies of Seneca translated into English.
4.
” Upon the Fire of London and the Plague,“a Latin
poem in heroic verse. 5.
” A Latin Elegy upon the beheading of St. John the Baptist.“He afterwards published, 6.
” Gerania, or a new discovery of a little sort
of people called Pigmies," 1655, 12mo. 7. 1679, 8vo. 8.
” The History of that most victorious
monarch Edward III. king of England and France, and
lord of Ireland, and first founder of the most noble order
of the Garter; being a full and exact account of the Life
and Death of the said King; together with that of his most
renowned son, Edward Prince of Wales and Acquitain,
surnamed the Black Prince; faithfully and carefully collected from the best and most ancient authors domestic
and foreign, printed books, manuscripts, and records,“Cambridge, 1688, fol. a very elaborate collection of facts,
but strangely intermixed with long speeches from his own
imagination, which he thought was imitating Thucydides.
Of his judgment as an antiquary, it may be a sufficient
specimen that he traced the institution of the order of the
garter to the Phenicians, following his predecessor Aylet
Sammes, who derives all our customs from the same ancient people. 9. His
” Euripides,“1694, fol. 10.
” His
Anacreon,“1705 and 1721, 8vo, which he dedicated to
the duke of Marlborough, who, it has been observed,
knew nothing of Anacreon, or of Greek. 11. His Homer,
” 2 vols. 1711, 4to. The verses he wrote proving
that Solomon wrote the Iliad, are in ms. in the library of
Emanuel college.
second edition of that poet, printed after his death in 1721, though it is mentioned in the contents and the prolegomena. In this catalogue, besides the books already
There is subjoined to the first edition of his Anacreon at Cambridge, 1705, a catalogue of works, which Mr. Barnes had either published, or intended to publish; which is omitted in the second edition of that poet, printed after his death in 1721, though it is mentioned in the contents and the prolegomena. In this catalogue, besides the books already mentioned, we find the following 1. The Warlike Lover, or the Generous Rival; an English dramatic piece upon the war between the English and Dutch, and the death of the earl of Sandwich, an. 1672. 2. ψονθομφανεὰχ, or Joseph the Patriarch a Greek heroic poem in one book. The author designed twelve books, but finished only one. 3. Ὀρειολογία, or our Saviour’s Sermon upon the Mount, the Decalogue, the Apostles Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Magnificat, with other hymns from the Old and New Testament, in Greek verse. 4. Thuribuluna, or the hymns and festivals in Greek verse. 5. Miscellanies and epigrams in Latin and Greek verse. 6. Αγγλα Βελγομαχία, or the death of Edward Montague, earl of Sandwich, in Greek, Latin, and English verse. 7. Ἀγεκτρυομαχία, or a poem upon Cock-fighting, an, 1673. 8. The Song of Songs, containing an hundred Hexastics in English heroic verse, an. 1674. 9. Σῶειδηριάδος; a ludicrous poem, in Greek macaronic verse, upon a battle between a Spider and a Toad, an. 1673. 10. Φληϊάδος, or a supplement to the old ludicrous poem under that title, at Trinity-house in Cambridge, upon a battle between the Fleas and a Welshman. 11. A Poetical Lexicon, Greek and Latin to which is added a Lexicon of proper names, 1675, fol. 12. A treatise on the Greek Accents, in answer to Henry Christian Heninius and others, with a discourse upon the Points now in use. 13. Humorous Poems upon the 9th by ok of the; Iliad, and the ninth of the Odyssey, in English published in 1681. 14. Franciados an heroic poem, in Latin, upon the Black Prince. The whole was to consist of twelve books, eight of which were finished. 15. The Art of War, in four books, in English prose, 1676. 16. Hengist, or the English Valour; an heroic poem in English, in seven books. 17. Landgarth, or the Amazon Queen of Norway and Denmark an English dramatic poem in heroic verse, designed in honour of the marriage between prince George of Denmark and princess Anne. 18. An Ecclesiastical History from the beginning of the world to the ascension of our Saviour, in Latin, to I. 19. Miscellaneous Poems in English. 20. Philosophical and Divine Poems, in Latin, published at different 'times at Cambridge. 21. Poems, and sacred daily Meditations, continued for several years in English. 22. A dissertation upon Pillars, Obelisks, Pyramids, &c. in Latin, 1692. 23. A discourse upon the Sibyls, in three books, in Latin. 24. The Life of Pindar in four lectures, and thirty-two lectures upon his first Olympic Ode. 25. The Life of Theocritus, and lectures upon that poet. 26. The Lives of David, Scanderbeg, and Tamerlane. These lives, he tells us, he never actually begun, but only made considerable collections for them. 27. The Life of Edward the Black Prince. 28. The University- Calendar, or directions for young students of all degrees, with relation to their studies, and general rules of ethics, and a form of prayer, anno 1685. 29. Thirty-two lectures upon the first book of the Odyssey. 30. Above fifty lectures upon. Sophocles. 31. Lectures upon Bereshith, with an oration recommending the study of the Hebrew language. 32. Three Discourses in Jtnglish. I. The Fortunate Island, or the Inauguration of Queen Gloriana. II. The Advantage of England, or a sure way to victory. III. The Cause of the Church of England defended and explained published in 1703. 33. Concio ad Clerum, for his degree of bachelor of divinity, at St. Mary’s in Cambridge, 1686. 3*. Occasional Sermons, preached before the lord-mayor, &c. 35. An Oration, recommending the study of the Greek language, spoken in the public schools at Cambridge before the vice-chancellor, March 28, 1705. 36. A Greek Oration, addressed to the most reverend father Neophytus, archbishop of philippopolis, spoken in the Regent-house at Cambridge, September 13, 1701, 37. A Prevaricator’s Speech, spoken at the commencement at Cambridge, 1680. 38. A Congratulatory Oration in Latin, spoken at St. Mary’s, September 9, 1683, upon the escape of king Charles Ji. and the duke of York from the conspiracy. 39. Sermons, orations, declamations, problems, translations, letters, and other exercises, in English, Latin, and Greek. 40. A Satire in English verse upon the poets and critics. 41. An imitation of Plautus’s Trinummi in English. 42. Interpretations, illustrations, emendations, and corrections of many passages, which have been falsely translated, with explications upon various passages of scripture, from Genesis to Revelations. 43. Common-places in divinity, philology, poetry, and criticism and emendations of various Greek and Latin authors, with fragments of many of the poets.
, professor of divinity, and chaplain to Henry VIII. king of England, was sent to Germany
, professor of divinity, and chaplain to Henry VIII. king of England, was sent to Germany by his master in 1535, where he held a conference
with the protestant divines upon the affair of the divorce
after that he had several audiences of the elector of Saxony, and joined with the English ambassadors, who proposed to this elector an alliance against the pope, and desired that Henry VIII. might be associated in the league
of Smalcalde. He gave them hopes of a reformation in
England but in fact, they had no other design than to
obtain their doctors approbation of the divorce of their
master, and a political alliance, in order to find the emperor more employment, who threatened to revenge the
injury upon king Henry for divorcing his aunt. They carried away with them the opinion of the divines of Witternberg which was not entirely favourable to them but they
suppressed the conclusion, wjien they shewed it to the
king. Barnes’s conduct however pleased the king, and
induced him to employ him in carrying on a correspondence with the princes of Germany. He was sent several
times to those courts and among other negociations, he
w r as the first who was employed in the project of the marriage with Anne of Cleves. He was a zealous Lutheran,
which he did not conceal in his sermons for in Lent in
1540 he confuted the sermon, which bishop Gardiner had
preached against Luther’s doctrine. He took the same
text as Gardiner had done, and taught a doctrine absolutely contrary to what this prelate had laid down concerning
justification nay he even attacked the bishop personally,
and jested upon the name of Gardiner. Gardiner’s friends
complained to the king of this, who ordered 'Barnes to
give him satisfaction, to sign certain articles, and to make
a formal recantation in the pulpit. All this was done, but
in such a manner, that there was a complaint, that in one
part of his sermon he artfully maintained what he had retracted in the other. Upon these complaints he was sent
to the Tower by the king’s command, which he never
came out of but to suffer death in the midst of the flames
for he was condemned* as an heretic by the parliament,
without being permitted to make his defence. He declared his belief a little before his death he rejected justification by works, invocation of saints, &c. and desired
that the king would undertake a thorough reformation.
His freedom of speech had for a long time before exposed
him to trouble. While Wolsey was in favour, he preached
so vehemently at Cambridge against the luxury of prelates,
that every body saw immediately that he designed it
against the cardinal. Upon that account he was carried to
London, where by the solicitations of Gardiner and Fox,
he was rescued from that prosecution, having agreed to
abjure some articles which were proposed to him. Afterwards he was again committed to prison upon some newaccusations and then it was generally believed that he
would be burnt, but he escaped, and went over into Germany, where he applied himself entirely to the study of
the bible and divinity in which he made so great a progress, that he was very much esteemed by the doctors and
princes. When the king of Denmark sent ambassadors to
England, he desired Barnes to accompany them, or even
to be one of them. We have at least two books written
by Barnes, one, the “Articles of his Faith,
” published in
Latin, with a preface by Pomeranus, and again in Dutch
in 1531. The other is his “Lives of the Popes,
” from
St. Peter to Alexander II. published, with a preface by
Luther, at Wirtemberg, 1536, and afterwards at Leyden,
1615; together with Bale’s Lives of the Popes. Luther
also published an account of his martyrdom.
three years old; but he had the happiness to be instructed in the principles of piety by a sensible and affectionate mother, and early discovered an inclination to
, D. D. a learned dissenter, was born
at Warrington in Lancashire, Feb. 13, 1747. His lather
died when he was only three years old; but he had the
happiness to be instructed in the principles of piety by a
sensible and affectionate mother, and early discovered an
inclination to study with a view to the ministerial function.
He was accordingly placed at the grammar school of Warrington, under the Rev. Mr. Owen, an able classical scholar, and afterwards became a boarder at a school kept by
the Rev. Philip Holland, at Bolton. From this he removed in 1764 to the academy at Warrington, where Dr.
Aikin and Dr. Priestley were tutors. In 1769 he was ordained a preacher, and settled at Cockey Moor, near Bolton, for twelve years, during which he became highly acceptable to his congregation, and more than trebled their
number. In May 17 So, he removed to Manchester, and
became connected there as co-pastor, with one of the
largest and most wealthy congregations among the Protestant dissenters, of the presbyterian denomination, and
here he remained during the space of thirty years, preaching from 1782, twice each Sunday. In the beginning of
1784, the degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by the
university of Edinburgh, on the recommendation of his
friends, particularly the late learned Dr. Percival. Not
long after, Dr. Barnes was induced, by the solicitations of
his friends,' to undertake, in conjunction with his colleague
in the ministry, the Rev. Ralph Harrison, the charge of
an academical institution at Manchester. On this he entered in the summer of 1786, and presided as principal,
with great reputation, until 1798, when he determined to
resign it, in consequence of the difficulty which he had
for some time experienced, in maintaining in so large a
town as Manchester, where there are many temptations to
dissipation, that regular and strict discipline which he
wished to support. His active mind, however, was alxvays
ready to embrace every opportunity of usefulness and
after his retirement from the academy, he began to take a
lively interest in the concerns of the Manchester infirmary,
which continued to be a favourite object of his attention to
the time of his death and in the conduct of which his assistance has been generally considered and acknowledged
to be of great use. He was also one of the first promoters
of the Manchester literary and philosophical society, anjd
wrote several papers in the early volumes of its memoirs,
which his friend Dr. Percival, a very competent judge, repeatedly urged him to revise and enlarge for separate publication, but he appears to have been unambitious of literary fame, althou/h he had undoubted claims; and never
published any thing, but “A Discourse upon the commencement of the Academy,
”
, the celebrated Dutch statesman, and one of the founders of the civil liberty of Holland, was born
, the celebrated Dutch
statesman, and one of the founders of the civil liberty of
Holland, was born in 1547. His patriotic zeal inducing
him to limit the authority of Maurice prince of Orange,
the second stadtholder of Holland, the partisans of that
prince falsely accused him of a design to deliver his country into the hands of the Spanish monarch. On this absurd charge he was tried by twenty-six commissaries, deputed from the seven provinces, condemned, and beheaded
in 1619. His sons, William and Réné, with a view of revenging their father’s death, formed a conspiracy against
the usurper, which was discovered. William fled; but
Réné was taken and condemned to die; which fatal circumstance has immortalized the memory of his mother, of
whom the following anecdote is recorded. She solicited
a pardon for Réné, upon which Maurice expressed his surprise that she should do that for her son, which she had
refused to do for her husband. To this remark she replied
with indignation, “I would not ask a pardon for my husband, because he was innocent. I solicit it for my son,
because he is guilty.
”
, a learned divine, born at Estampes in France, was of the Protestant religion, and. obliged to leave his native country in order to avoid persecution.
, a learned divine, born at Estampes in France, was of the Protestant religion, and. obliged to leave his native country in order to avoid persecution. He removed to England, where he was kindly received and generously supported by lord treasurer Burleigh, who admitted him into his family. He afterwards settled in Cambridge, upon the invitation of Dr. Pierce, master of Peterhouse. In 1574, he was chosen the lady Margaret’s professor at Cambridge, which he enjoyed for some years very quietly; but, on account of some opinions which he held, a party was at length formed against him in the university. At this time absolute predestination in the Calvinistical sense was held as the doctrine of the church of England. The chief advocates for it at Cambridge were Dr. Whitacre, regius professor of divinity, Dr. Humphry Tindal, and most of the senior members of the university. Dr. Baro had a more moderate notion of that doctrine: and this occasioned a contest between him and Mr. Laurence Chadderton, who attempted to confute him publicly in one of his sermons. However, after some papers had passed between them, the affair was dropped.
The next dispute he was engaged in, was of much longer continuance. Dr. Whitacre and Dr. Timlal were deputed by the heads of the university to archbishop
The next dispute he was engaged in, was of much longer
continuance. Dr. Whitacre and Dr. Timlal were deputed
by the heads of the university to archbishop Whitgift to
complain that Pelagianism was gaining ground in the university; and, in order to stop the progress of it, they desired confirmation of some propositions they had brought
along with them. These accordingly were established and
approved by the archbishop, the bishop of London, the
bishop elect of Bangor, and some other divines; and were
afterwards known by the title of the Lambeth articles.
They were immediately communicated to Dr. Baro; who,
disregarding them, preached a sermon before the university, in which however he did not so much deny, as moderate those propositions: nevertheless his adversaries
judging of it otherwise, the vice-chancellor consulted the
same day with Dr. Clayton and Mr. Chadderton, what
should be done. The next day he wrote a letter to the
archbishop of Canterbury; who returned for answer, that
they should call Baro before them, and require a copy of
his sermon, or at least cause him to set down the principal
heads thereof. Baro, finding what offence was taken at
his sermon, wrote to the archbishop; yet, according to his
grace’s directions, was cited before Dr. Goad, the vicechancellor in the consistory; when several articles were
exhibited against him. At his last appearance the conclusion against him was, “That whereas Baro had promised
the vice-chancellor, upon his demand, a copy of his sermon, but his lawyers did advise him not to deliver the
same the vice-chancellor did now, by virtue of his authority, peremptorily command him to deliver him the
whole and entire sermon, as to the substance of it, in
writing: which Baro promised he would do the next day,
and did it accordingly. And lastly, he did peremptorily
and by virtue of his authority command Buro, that he
should wholly abstain from those controversies and articles,
and leave them altogether untouched, as well in his lectures, sermons, and determinations, as in his disputations
and other his exercises. The vice-chancellor, who had
proceeded thus far without the knowledge of the lord Burleigh their chancellor, thought fit to acquaint him with
their proceedings, and to desire his advice. The discountenance lord Burleigh gave to this affair, stopped all farther proceedings against Baro; who continued in the university, but with much opposition and trouble: and though
he had many friends and adherents in the university, he
met with such uneasiness, that, for the sake of peace, he
chose to retire to London, and fixed his abode in Crutched
Friars; where he died about 1600, and was buried in the
church of St. Olave, Hart-street. He left the following
works: 1.
” In Jonam Prophetam Prcelectiones xxxix.“2.
” Conciones tres ad Clerum Cantabrigiendem habitae in
templo B. Mariae.“3.
” Theses publics in Scholis peroratse et disputatac.“[These Theses, being only two,
were translated into English by John Ludham, under these
titles; First,
” God’s purpose and dtecree taketh not away
the liberty of man’s corrupt will.*' The second, “Our
conjunction with Christ is altogether spiritual,
” London
Precationes quibus usus est author in
suis pnclectionibus inchoandis & finiendis.
” All these
were published at London De
Fide ejusque ortu et natura plana et dilucida explicatio,
”
&c. Lond. De prsestantia &. dignitate divinse
Legis, lib. 2,
” Tractatus in quo docet
expetitionem oblati a mente boni et fiduciam ad fidei justificantis naturam pertinere.
” 8. “Sumina trium sententiarum de Praedestinatione,
” &c. Hardr. Special treatise of God’s providence, and of comforts
against all kind of crosses and calamities to be fetched
from the same; with an exposition, on Psalm cvii.
” 10.
Four Sermons; the first on Psalm cxxxiii. 1, 2, 3 the second, on Psalm xv. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. 1560, 8vo.
ng, that eminent Franciscan friar, who, in the seventeenth century, demonstrated his great abilities and industry, by many voluminous treatises of genius and labour.
, whose true name
was Fitz-Gerald, was descended from a branch of the FitzGcralds of Burnchurch in the county of Kilkenny, a family
settled in Ireland soon after the English acquisitions in that
country, which has produced several men of figure in the
church. But he has been more remarkable in the learned
world for his maternal genealogy, being the son of a sister
of Luke Wadding, that eminent Franciscan friar, who, in
the seventeenth century, demonstrated his great abilities
and industry, by many voluminous treatises of genius and
labour. His uncle Wadding took great care of his education in his youth, which he saw rewarded by an uncommon
diligence: and when he was of a proper age procured his
admission into the Franciscan order, and sent for him toRome; where he lived under his own eye in the college
of St. Isidore, a society of thut order founded by himself
in 1625, for the education of Irish students in the study of
the liberal arts, divinity, and controversy, to serve as a
seminary, out of which the mission into England, Scotland, and Ireland, might be supplied. Baron, after some
time, grew into high reputation, and became especially
remarkable for the purity of -his Latin style, which procured
him great reputation. He was for a considerable time lecturer on divinity in the above-mentioned college, and in all
resided at Rome about sixty years, where he died, very
old, and deprived of sight,. March 18, 1696, and was
buried at St. Isidore’s. His works are, 1. “Orationes
Panegyricce Sacro-Prophanre decem,
” Romae, Romse, 1645, 24to. 3.
” Prolusiones Philosophicee,“Romae, 1651, 12mo. 4. a Harpocrates quinque Ludius; seu Diatriba silentii,
” Romce,
Obsidio et Expugnatio Arcis Duncannon ia Hibernia, sub Thoma Prestono.
” 6. “Boetius
Absolutus; sive de ConsolationeTheologiae, lib. iv.
” Roma-,
Controversial et Stratagemata,
” Lug'duni, Scotus Defensus,
” Colonize, Cursus Philosophicus,
” Colonise, Epistolæ Familiares Parceneticse,
” &c. These are
among his 11. “Opuscula varia Herbipoli,
” Theologia,
” Paris, Johannes
Duns Scotus, ordinis minorum, Doctor subtilis de Angeiis contra adversantes defensus, nunc quoque Novitate amplificatus,
” FlorentitE, Annales Ordinis S. S.
Trinitatis Redemptions Captivorum, Fundatoribus 8. S.
Johanne de Matha, et Felice de Valois,
” in vols. folio.
The first volume was printed at Rome in 1686, and begins
with the year 1198, in which pope Innocent the Third gave
habit to the founders, and is carried down to the year 1297,
just one hundred years. In this volume we have an account
of the foundations of their convents, their privileges, and
benefactions, the eminent fathers of their order, their miracles and actions; as also, the number of slaves delivered
by them from bondage.
age, when he published this work. 3. A commentary on Plato, “de numero geometrico,” Boulogne, 1556; and 4. A system of Cosmography, Venice, 1585, 8vo. We have an account
, a patrician or senator of Venice,
distinguished for his knowledge in mathematics, flourished
about the middle of the sixteenth century. Some of his
translations, as well as original works, were published in
his life-time, as 1. “Heronis liber de machinis bellicis, necnon liber de Geodiesia, ex Graeco Latine,
” Venice, Procli in primuin elementorum Euclidis libri
quatuor,
” translated into Latin, Padua, de numero geometrico,
”
Boulogne, 1556; and 4. A system of Cosmography, Venice, 1585, 8vo. We have an account likewise of one of
his writings, entitled “Cryptographia,
” (or according to the Dict. Hist. “Rytmomachia,
”) describing an ancient
game attributed to Pythagoras. This was translated by
Augustus duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, under the
name of Gustavus Seienus. On Barocci’s death, his manuscripts were sold by his heirs, and came to the Bodleian
library, as part of Langbaine’s collection.
, an eminent Italian artist, was born at Urbino, in 1528, and was the disciple of Battista Venetiano, by whom he was carefully
, an eminent Italian artist, was born at Urbino, in 1528, and was the disciple of Battista Venetiano, by whom he was carefully instructed in the principles of painting, but he derived his knowledge of perspective from his uncle Bartolomeo Genga. Under those preceptors he practised assiduously, till he was in his twentieth year; and then visited Rome, where, under the patronage of cardinal della Rovere, he pursued his studies incessantly, and proved one of the most graceful painters of his time. At his return to his native city Urbino, he painted several pictures which procured him great applause; but that of a St. Margaret raised his reputation to the highest pitch, and induced pope Pius IV. to invite him to Home, where he employed him in the decorations of his palace of Belvedere, in conjunction with Federigo Zucchero. He excelled equally in history and portrait, but his genius inclined him more particularly to the painting of religious subjects; and his works sufficiently evince, that the utmost of his ambition was to imitate Correggio in his colouring, and Raphael in his manner of designing. But Correggio has somewhat so natural, so grand, so unaffectedly graceful, that Baroccio was far inferior to him, although perhaps more correct in the outlines. Sir Joshua Reynolds, who thought him, upon the whole, one of Correggio’s most successful imitators, says, that sometimes in endeavouring at cleanness or brilliancy of tint, he overshot the mark, and falls under the criticism that was made on an ancient painter, that his figures looked as if they fed upon roses. It is, however, singular to see colours of such variety coalesce so sweetly under his pencil, that perhaps no music reaches the ear with purer harmony, than his pictures the eye; an effect produced, in a great measure, by his attention to chiaroscuro, which he may be said to have introduced to the schools of Lower Italy, and which to obtain he rarely painted any historical figure without having either modelled it in wax, or placed some of his disciples in such attitudes as he wished to represent, it is sajd that when young, he was attempted to be poisoned at a dinner &ivc.5i by some of his rival artists, and that although he escaped with his life, he continued long in an infirm state. He must, however, have completely recovered from this attack, as his life was prolonged to the advanced age of eighty-four. He died at Urbino in 1612. Baroccio was also an engraver from some of his own compositions, and his plates, although slight, and not well managed, with respect to the mechanical part of the workmanship, are nevertheless most admirable, on account of the expression, and excellent drawing, which is discovered in them. His heads are very beautiful and characteristic; and the other extremities of his figures finely marked. Amidst all the difficulties he appears to have met with, in biting his plates with the aquafortis, after he had etched them, and his unskilfulness in handling-the graver, to harmonize and finish them, the hand of the master appears so evident, that the beauties we discover in them far overbalance the defects.
, an engraver of considerable fame in this country, was a native of France, and there first learned his art. He was brought into England by
, an engraver of considerable fame in this country, was a native of France, and there first learned his art. He was brought into England by Duhosc, with whom he went to law respecting the plates for the storyof Ulysses, engraven from die designs of Rubens in the collection of Dr. Meacle. Being afterwards reconciled, Baron accompanied Dubosc to Paris in 1729, and engraved a plate from Watteau, and engaged to do another from Titian in the king’s collection, for Mons. Crozat, for which he was to receive 60l. sterling. While at Paris, they both sat to Vanloo. How soon afterwards he returned to England, is not known, but he died in Panton-square, Piccadilly, Jan. 24, 1762. His manner of engraving seems to have been founded on that of Nicholas Dorigny. It is slight and coarse, 2 without any great effect; and his drawing is frequently very defective. He executed, however, a great number of works, a few portraits, and some considerable pictures after the best masters; as the family of Cornaro, at Northumberland house; Vandyke’s family of the earl of Pembroke, at Wilton; Henry VIII. giving the charter to the barber surgeons, from Holbein; the equestrian figure of Charles I. by Vandyke, at Kensington; its companion, the king, queen, and two children; and king William on horseback with emblematic figures, at Hampton-court. His last considerable work was the family of Nassau, by Vandyke. This, and his St. Cecilia from Carlo Dolce, he advertised in 1759, by subscription, at a guinea the pair.
, ancient professor and dean of the faculty of medicine at Paris, the place of his birth,
, ancient professor and
dean of the faculty of medicine at Paris, the place of his
birth, died July 29, 1758, at about the age of 72. He had
a great share in the Pharmacopoeia of Paris, for 1732, 4to;
and in 1739, gave an academical dissertation in Latin on
chocolate, “An senibus Chocolate potas?
” which has
been often reprinted. His son, of the same name, war
also dean of the faculty at Paris, where he died in 1787, at
the age of eighty. He was long a surgeon in the armies of
Italy and Germany, and published some medical works.
There was a Theodore Baron before these, probably their
ancestor, who, in 1609, published a curious work entitled
“De operationis meiendi triplici lacsione et curatione,
” of
which Haller gives a brief analysis.
ppears to have had his full share in the annals of biography, was the son of a merchant of Issondun, and was born at Paris in 1652. He entered first into the company
, an eminent French player, who appears to have had his full share in the annals of biography, was the son of a merchant of Issondun, and was born at Paris in 1652. He entered first into the company of la Raisin, and some time afterwards in that of Moliere, and quitted the stage in 1696, either from dislike or from some religious scruples, with a pension of a thousand crowns granted him by the king. He took up the profession again, however, in 1720, at the age of 68; and was as much applauded, notwithstanding his advanced age, as in the early period of his life. At those lines of Cinna,
he was seen within a minute to turn pale and red, in conformity to the verse. He was styled with one consent,
he was seen within a minute to turn pale and red, in conformity to the verse. He was styled with one consent, the
Roseius of his times. He said himself, in one of his enthusiastical fits of vanity, that once in a century we might
see a Cæsar, but that two thousand years were requisite to
produce a Baron. One day his coachman and his lacquey
were soundly chastised by those of the marquis de Biran,
with whom Baron lived on those familiar terms which young
noblemen frequently allow to players. “Monsieur le marquis,
” said he to him, “your people have ill treated mine;
I must have satisfaction of you.
” This he repeated several
times, using always the same expressions, your people and
mine. M. de Biran, affronted at the parallel, replied:
“My poor Baron, what wouldst thou have me say to thee?
why dost thou keep any people?
” He was on the point
of refusing the pension bestowed on him by Louis XIV.
because the order for it ran: “Pay to the within-named
Michael Boyrun, called Baron, &c.
” This actor, born with
the choicest gifts of nature, had perfected them by thq
utmost exertions of art: a noble figure, a sonorous voice,
a natural gesticulation, a sound and exquisite taste. Racine, versed as he was in the art of declamation, wanting to
represent his Andromache to the actors, in the distribution
of the parts, had reserved that of Pyrrhus for Baron. After
having shewn the characters of several of the personages to
the actors who were to represent it, he turned towards
Baron:“As to you, sir, I have no-instruction to give you;
your heart will tell you more of it than any lessons of mine
could explain.
” Baron would affirm that the force and play
of declamation were such, that tender and plaintive sounds
transferred on gay and even comic words, would no less
produce tears. He has been seen repeatedly to make the
trial of this surprising effect on the well-known sonnet,
Baron, in common with all great painters and great poets, was fully sensible that the rules of art were not
Baron, in common with all great painters and great poets,
was fully sensible that the rules of art were not invented
for enslaving genius. “We are forbid by the rules,
” said
this sublime actor, “to raise the arms above the head; but
if they are lifted there by the passion, it is right: passion
is a better judge of this matter than the rules.
” He died
at Paris, Dec. 22, 1729, aged 77, Three volumes in 12mo
of theatrical pieces were printed in 1760, under the name
of this comedian; but it is doubted whether they are all
his. “L'Andrienne
” was attributed to pere de la Rue, at
the very time when it was in full representation. It was
to this that Baron alluded in the advertisement he prefixed
to that piece. “I have here a fair field,
” said he, “for
complaining of the injustice that has been intended me. It
has been said that I lent my name to the Andrienne. I
will again attempt to imitate Terence; and I will answer as
he did to those who accused him of only lending his name
to the works of others (Scipio and Lselius). He said, that
they did him great honour to put him in familiarity with
persons who attracted the esteem and the respect of all
mankind.
” The other pieces that merit notice are,
“L'homme à bonne fortune,
” “La Coquette,
” “L'Ecole
des Peres,
” &c. The dramatical judgment that reigns
in these pieces, may perhaps be admitted as a proof that
they are by Baron. The dialogue of them is lively, and
the scenes diversified, although they rarely present us with
grand pictures: but the author has the talent of copying
from nature certain originals, not less important in society
than amusing on the stage. It is evident that he had studied the world as well as the drama. As to the versification,
if Baron was an excellent actor, he was but an indifferent
poet. The abbé d'Alainval published the “Lettres sur
Baron et la le Couvreur.
” The father of this famous actor possessed also in a superior degree the talent of declamation. The manner of his death is remarkable. Playing
the part of Don Diego in the Cid, his sword fell from his
hand, as the piece requires; and kicking it from him with
indignation, he unfortunately struck against the point of
it, by which his little toe was pierced. This wound was at
first treated as a trifle; but the gangrene that afterwards
appeared requiring the amputation of his leg, he would
not consent to the operation. “No, no,
” said he; “a
theatrical monarch would be hooted if he should appear
with a wooden leg
” and he preferred the gentle expectation of death, which happened in 1655.
senting minister, but most noted for his zeal as a political writer, was born at Leeds in Yorkshire, and educated at the university of Glasgow, which he quitted in 1740,
, a dissenting minister, but most
noted for his zeal as a political writer, was born at Leeds
in Yorkshire, and educated at the university of Glasgow,
which he quitted in 1740, with very honourable testimonies to his learning and personal character, from the
celebrated Hutchinson, and the mathematical professor
Simpson. Where he passed his time after this, we know
not; but in 1753, he was ordained pastor of the dissenting
meeting at Pinners’ hall, Broad-street, London, a congregation, if we are not mistaken, of the Baptist persuasion.
What he was as a divine, is not very clear, but tho whole
bent of his studies was to defend and advance civil and religious liberty. This zeal led the famous Thomas Hollis,
csq. to engage his assistance in editing some of the authors
in the cause of freedom, whose works he wished to reprint
with accuracy, and in an elegant form. Toland’s Life of
Milton, Milton’s Iconoclastes, and afterwards an Edition
of Milton’s prose works, were prepared and corrected by
Mr. Baron. For this task he was well qualified, being an
industrious collector of books on the subject of constitutional liberty, several of which he communicated to Mr.
Hollis, with ms notes, or memorandums of his own in
the blank pages, in which, we are told, he was not always
in the right. Still he was indefatigable in searching for
what he reckoned scarce and valuable liberty-tracts, many
of which Mr. Hollis bought of him while he lived, and
others he bought at the sale of his books after his death.
Mr. Baron, we are likewise told, “only breathed, he did
not live, in his own estimation, but whilst he was in someway or other lending his assistance to the glorious cause
of religious and civil liberty. He wrote, he published, and
republished perpetually in its defence. His character was
one of the most artless and undisguised in the world. He
was a man of real and great learning of fixed and steady
integrity and a tender and sympathizing heart.
” Yet
with such a heart, we are told, not very consistently, that
had he been mindful of his domestic concerns, he might
have left a competency behind for his wife and family, but
his whole soul was engaged in the cause, and he neglected
every other concern. For this absurd and unjust train of
feeling, we are referred to the natural impetuosity of his
temper, and his eccentricities, which indicated occasional
derangements of mind. With many virtues, it is added,
and a few faults, which must have been of a peculiar kind,
since “they only wanted the elevation of a higher station
and a better fate to have assumed the form of virtues,
”
Mr. Baron passed the greatest part of his life in penurious
circumstances, which neither abated the generous ardour,
or overcame the laudable independency of iiis spirit. These
virtues, “with their blessed effects,
” were all he left behind him, for the consolation and support of a widow and
three children. He died at his house at Blackheath, Feb.
22, 1768. His principal publication was a collection of
what he called liberty-tracts, first published in 2 vols. 1752,
under the title of “The pillars of Priestcraft and Orthodoxy shaken.
” In who has
been made a sacrifice to proud bigots, religious rogues,
and psalm-singing hypocrites:
” and flatters himself that
his subscribers will “enable him to express his utter contempt, and everlasting abhorrence of them all.
” To this
meek wish, he adds an assurance that the *' names of the
subscribers shall not be printed." This edition appeared
after his death, and was published for the benefit of his
family, along with a-new edition of Milton’s Eikonoclastes,
and his manuscript sermons and papers.
, a learned father of the Romish church, and a monk of the Benedictine order, was born at Martres in the
, a learned father
of the Romish church, and a monk of the Benedictine order, was born at Martres in the diocese of Rieux in Gascony, and entered into the order of the preaching friars
at Toulouse in 1622. He taught divinity several years
with applause in the convent of the same city, and was
made prior there; as he was likewise at Avignon, and in
the general novitiate of the suburb of St. Germain at Paris.
He was definitor for his province in the general chapter
held in 1656, in which he presided at the theses dedicated
to pope Alexander VII. which gained him the esteem of all
the city and his whole order. He was present at the assembly, in which the pope ordered the definitors and
fathers of the chapter to be told, from him, that he was
extremely grieved to see the Christian morality sunk into
such a deplorable relaxation, as some of the new casuists
had reduced it to, and that he exhorted them to compose
another system of it, which should be conformable to the
doctrine of St. Thomas. This was what engaged father
Baron to undertake the works which he wrote upon that
subject. He was again chosen provincial; and afterwards
sent by the father general as commissary to Portugal, upon
important affairs, which he managed with such success,
that the queen, the court, and all the monks gave testimony of his merit by a public act. He returned to Paris
to the general novitiate, and died there, Jan. 21, 1674,
aged seventy years. Besides several Latin poems, which
he left as instances of his capacity in polite literature, he
published the following works: 1. “Theologia Moralis,
”
Paris, Libri
Apologetici contra Theophilum Rainaudum,
” Paris, Mens sancti Augustini & Thorn ae de
Gratia & Libertate,
” Ethica Christiana,
”
Paris, Responsio ad Librum Cardense,
” ibid, in 8vo. 6. “L'Heresie Convaincue,
” Paris,
Panegyriques des Saints,
” ibid.
, an eminent ecclesiastical writer, and a cardinal of the Roman church, was born at Sora, an episcopal
, an eminent ecclesiastical writer,
and a cardinal of the Roman church, was born at Sora, an
episcopal city in the kingdom of Naples, October the 30th,
1538, of Camillo Baronio and Porcia Phebonia, who educated him with great care. He went through his first
studies at Veroli, and afterwards applied himself to divinity
and civil law at Naples. But the troubles of that kingdom
obliged his father to remove him in 1557 to Rome, where
he finished his studies in the law under Cesar Costa, afterwards archbishop of Capua, and put himself under the
discipline of St. Philip de Neri, founder of the congregation of the oratory, who employed him in the familiar instructions which his clerks gave to the children. After he
was ordained priest, St. Philip de Neri sent him, with some
of his disciples, in 1564, to establish his congregation in
the church of St. John the Baptist. He continued there
till 1576, when he was sent to 8,t. Mary in Vallicella, and
in both houses he was much admired for his pious zeal and
charity. St. Philip de Neri having, in 1593, laid down the
office of superior of the congregation of the oratory,
thought he could not appoint a more worthy successor than
Baronius, and pope Clement VIII. who knew his merit,
in compliance with the desires of the founder and his congregation, approved the choice, and some time after made
him his confessor. The esteem which that pope had for
him, increased as he had an opportunity of growing more
intimately acquainted with him, and induced him to appoint our author apostolical prothonotary in 1595, and to
advance him to the dignity of cardinal, June 5th, 1596, to
which he afterwards added the post of library-keeper to
the see of Rome. Upon the death of Clement VIII. m
1605, Baronius had a great prospect of being chosen pope,
one and thirty voices declaring for him; but the Spaniards
strongly opposed his election on account of his treatise,
“Of the Monarchy of Sicily,
” in which he argued against
the claim of Spain to Sicily. His intense application to
his studies weakened his constitution in such a manner,
that towards the end of his life he could not digest any
kind of food. He died June the 30th, 1607, aged sixtyeight years and eight months, and was interred in the
church of St. Mary in Vallicella, in the same tomb where
his intimate friend cardinal Francesco Maria Taurusio was
buried the year following. Dupin observes, that “an high
regard ought to be paid to the memory of Baronius, who
was a man of sincere religion, probity, learning, and extensive reading, and laboured with success for the service
of the church, and the clearing up of ecclesiastical
antiquity. But it were to be wished that he had been exempt
from the prejudices which his education and country inspired him with*
” In a book of lather Parsons, printed in
1607, and entitled “I)e sacris alienis non adeundis qusestiones du; ad usum praximque Angliae breviter explicate,
” is published the judgment of Baronius, together with
that of cardinal Bcllarmin and others, declaring that it was
absolutely unlawful for the Roman Catholics to be present
at the religious worship of the Protestants in England.
The work for which Baronius was most celebrated, and
which is certainly a wonderful monument of industry and
research, was his “Ecclesiastical Annals.
” He undertook
this work at the age of thirty, and laboured for thirty years
in collecting and digesting the materials for it, by reading
over carefully the ancient monuments of the church, as
well in printed books as in manuscripts, in the Vatican
library. He published in 1588 the first volume, which contains the first century after the birth of Christ. The second, which followed after, contains two hundred and five
years. These two volumes are dedicated to pope Sixtus V.
The third, dedicated to king Philip 11. of Spain, comprehends the history of fifty-five years immediately following.
The fourth, dedicated to Clement VIII. contains the history of thirty-four years, which end in the year 395. The
fifth, dedicated to the same pope, as well as the following
volumes, extends to the year 440. The sixth ends in the
year 518. The seventh contains seventy-three years.
The eighth extends to the year 714. The ninth, dedicated
to king Henry IV. of France, concludes with the year 842.
The tenth, dedicated to the emperor Rodolphus II. begins
with the year 843, and reaches to 1000. The eleventh,
dedicated to Sigismond III. king of Poland, and published
in 1605, continues the history to the year 1099. The
twelfth, printed under the pontificate of Paul V. in 1607,
concludes with 1198. So that we have, in these twelve
volumes, the history of the twelve first ages of the church.
Henry Spoudunns informs us, that Baronius had left memoirs for three more volumes, which were used by Odoricus Kaynaldus in the continuation of his work. The first
edition of Baronius’ s Annals, begun in 158S, and continued
the following years, was printed at Rome, where the first
volumes were reprinted in 1593. It was followed by some
others, with alterations and additions. The second edition
was that of Venice, and was begun in 1595. The third was
printed at Cologne in 1596, and the foil owing years. The
fourth at Antwerp in 1597, &c. The fifth at Mentz in
1601, The sixth at Cologne in 1609. There were several other editions published afterwards, at Amsterdam in
1610, at Cologne in 1624, at Antwerp in 1675, at Venice
in 1705, and at Lucca in 1738—1759, by far the best.
Before this, the best editions, according to the abbe Longlet de Fresnoy, in his “New method of studying History,
”
were that of Home, as the original, and that of Antwerp,
and the most convenient for study, is that of Mentz, because
the authorities of the ecclesiastical writers are marked in it
by a different character from the text of Baronius, and the
impression is in two columns. The edition of Cologne has
the same advantage, though ill printed.
imself with a mere narration of facts of ecclesiastical history, without entering into controversies and particular interests. However, it must be owned that his work
Baronins’s design in these Annals was, as he tells us himself in his preface, to refute the Centuriators of Magdeburg, or rather to oppose to their work, which was written
against the church of Rome, another work of the same kind
in defence of that church. “It were to be wished,
” says
Monsieur Dupin, “that he had contented himself with
a mere narration of facts of ecclesiastical history, without
entering into controversies and particular interests. However, it must be owned that his work is of a vast extent,
well digested, full of deep researches, written with care,
and as much exactness as can be expected from a man who
first undertakes a work of such extent and difficulty as that.
It is true that a great number of mistakes in chronology
and history have been remarked in it; that many facts have
been discovered not at all known to him; that he made use
of several supposititious or doubtful monuments; that he
has reported a considerable number of false facts as true,
and has been mistaken in a variety of points. But though,
without endeavouring to exaggerate the number of his errors with Lucas Holstenius, who declared that he was readyto shew eight thousand falsities in Baronins’s Annals, it cannot be denied that the number of them is very great; yet it
must be acknowledged that his work is a very good and very
useful one, and that he is justly styled the father of church
history. It must be remarked, that he is much more exact
in the history of the Latins than in that of the Greeks, because he was but very indifferently skilled in the Greek,
and was obliged to make use of the assistance of Peter
Morin, Metius, and father Sinnond, with regard to the monuments which had not been translated imo Latin. His
style has neither the purity nor elegance xvhich were to be
wished for in a work of that nature-, and it may be saidj
that he writes rather like a clissertator than an historian;
however, he is clear, intelligible, and methodical.'
”
, have been published. The most extensive is that of Henry Spondanus, Paris, 1612, 1622, 1630, 1639, and often afterwards. They were also abridged byAurelio, Bzovius,
Cardinal de Laurea drew up an index to this work for his
own private use, which he afterwards left to the public
“Index alphabeticus rerum et locorum omnium memorabilium ad Annales Cardinalis Baronii. Opus posthumum
Rev. Cardinalis de Laurea,
” Rome, Exercitationes contra Baronium,
” London, Marty rologium Romanum restitutum,
” Tractatus de Monarchia Siciliae,
” Paris, Parsenesis ad RempublicamVenetam,
”
Rome, Contra ser. Rempublicam Venetam Votum,
”
not published by Baronius, but containing his opinion in
the consistory. 5. “Historica relatio de Legatione
Ecelesise Alexanclrinse ad Apostolicam sedem,
” 1598, 8vo, respecting the re-union of the church of Alexandria to the
see of Home, which did not last long. And some other
works of less reputation.
, a Jesuit and eminent Portuguese divine, was born at Lisbon, 1542. After entering
, a Jesuit
and eminent Portuguese divine, was born at Lisbon, 1542.
After entering among the Jesuits, he taught a long time at
Coimbra and other places; and, applying himself to preaching, gained the title of “The apostle of Portugal.
” He
died April 14, 1615, in great reputation for sanctity. All
his works were printed at Cologn, 1628, 4 vols. fol. under
the title of “Commentaria in concordiam et historiarn
Evangelicam.
” The most particularly esteemed among
them is, “Itinerarium filiorum Israel ex Ægypto in terram
repromissionis,
” Paris,
, born at Grenoble, and died at Paris, July 21, 1772, came early in life to that metropolis,
, born at Grenoble, and died
at Paris, July 21, 1772, came early in life to that metropolis, where he took up the employment of a schoolmaster.
He wrote, in conjunction with fathers Gaubile and Varra,
a “Dictionnaire historique, litteraire, et critique, des
homines celebres,
” Sevigniana.
” 2. An abridgment, much esteemed, of the “Dictionnaire des Antiquities Romaiues,
” by Pitiscus, in 2 vols. 8vo. 3. “Dictionnaire hist, geographique et moral de la Bible,
” Maximes sur le devoir des Hois, et le bon usage
de leur authorité,
” Paris, Memoires historiques et litteraires de Pabbe Gouget,
” with a correct list of his works.
The abbé Barral was a man of erudition, of a lively conversation, and the style of his writings is vigorous and manly,
though sometimes negligent and incorrect.
, was born July 1647, at Paris. He applied himself to studying the Scriptures and councils, and conceived so great a contempt for scholastic divinity,
, was born July
1647, at Paris. He applied himself to studying the Scriptures and councils, and conceived so great a contempt for
scholastic divinity, as to give up the design he had entertained of being a doctor of the Sorbonne. He was curate
of Flamingrie, in the diocese of Laon, 1680; but imbibing
the tenets of the Protestants, and fearing lest he should be
arrested for the opinions which he propagated in his sermons and discourses, he went to Paris, 1688, and afterwards took refuge at Geneva, where he married, 1690. He
at first taught French to the foreign nobility; but was afterwards declared a citizen, and admitted into one of the
first classes of the college at Geneva, in which city he died
May 1723. His best works are those which he published
in France before his retiring to Geneva, they are, “Un
traite de l'Egalite des deux sexes,
” Traite
de l‘ Education des Dames, pour laconduite de l’esprit dans
les sciences et dans les mceurs,
” 12mo. “De Texcellence
des Hommes contre l'Egalite des Sexes,
” 12mo. “Rapports de la Langue Latine a la Franchise,
” 12mo. John
James de la Barre, his son, was author of “Pensees philosophiques et theologiques,
”
, a learned French historian, antiquary, and biographer, was born at Tournay, March 9, 1688. His father,
, a learned
French historian, antiquary, and biographer, was born at
Tournay, March 9, 1688. His father, Paul Joseph de la
Barre, an eminent lawyer, sent him early to Paris, where he
made great proficiency in classical studies, particularly
Greek, which he not only studied critically, but acquired
considerable skill in the collation of ancient manuscripts,
and the antiquities of the language. When Banduri came
to Paris, with some works for the press, young de la Barre
was recommended to him as an assistant in transcribing
and comparing manuscripts, and it was by his aid that Banduri was enabled to publish his “Imperiwm Orientate,' 12
vols. folio, and his
” Medals“(see Banduri) for which
services Banduri prevailed on the grand duke of Tuscany
to grant him a pension, which was punctually paid to de la
Barre, until the death of the last sovereign of the house of
Medici. As soon as de la Barre was at leisure from his
eugagements with Bandnri, the booksellers employed him
on a new edition of D'Acheri’s
” Spicilegium,“which he
accordingly undertook, and which was published in 1723,
3 vols. folio, in a very much improved state. He next contributed to the edition of Moreri’s dictionary of 1125. In
1727 he was admitted a member of the academy of inscriptions and belles lettres, a choice whjch the many learned
papers he published in their memoirs fully justified. In
the same year he undertook to continue the literary journal of Verdun, which he did during his life, and added
much to its character. In 1729 he published a work very
interesting to French historians,
” Mcmoircs pour servir a
l'histoire cie France et de Bourgogne.“In 1732 he published new editions of the
” Secretaire du Cabinet,“and
the
” Secretaire dn Cour,“2 vols. 12mo; improving both
very essentially, although we may be allowed to doubt
whether
” Letter-writing“can be effectually taught by
models. In 1733 he revised and corrected an edition of
M. cie Larrey’s
” L'histoire de France, sous le regne de
Louis XIV." 12 mo. In 1735 appeared a new history of
Paris, in 5 vols, taken from that of father Lobineau, but la
Barre wrote only the fifth volume. A very few months before his death he had projected a dictionary of Greek and
Itoman antiquities, which was to form four folio volumes,
and had executed some parts of it with great care and accuracy, at the time of his death, May 23, 1738. Hiseloge
was pronounced by M. de Boze.
, a canon regular of St. Genevieve, and chancellor of the university of Paris, was born in 1692, and
, a canon regular of St. Genevieve,
and chancellor of the university of Paris, was born in 1692,
and died at Paris in 1764. He joined his order early in
life, and became distinguished for his knowledge and researches in civil and ecclesiastical history, and his numerous works afford a considerable proof of his industry.
The principal are, 1. “Vindicise librorum deutero-canonicorum veteris Testamenti,
” Histoire generate cTAllemagne,
” 1752, 2 vols. 12mo. 4.
” Examen des defauts theologiques," Amst. 1744, 2 vols. 12mo. He also wrote notes to
the edition of Bernard Van Espen’s works, 1753, 4 vols.
fdrio; and about the time of his death had made some
progress in a history of the courts of justice, of which he had
published a prospectus in 1755.
, was born at Paris in 1606 and after having gone through a course of study, and taken the degree
, was born at Paris in 1606 and
after having gone through a course of study, and taken
the degree of licentiate in medicine, he entered into the
order of Dominicans in 1635. His talents and his prudence
were so conspicuous, that in 1646 he was elected assistant
to the general, with whom he made the tour of France,
Spain, and Italy. Amidst the avocations of this post, and
without neglecting his duties, he found the means of applying himself to the study of botany, to which he seemed
to have a natural propensity. He collected a great number of plants and shells, and made drawings of several that
had not been known, or but very imperfectly described.
He had undertaken a general history of plants, which he
intended to entitle “Hortus Mundi,
” or “Orbis Botanicus,
” and was employed on it with the utmost diligence,
when an asthma put an end to his labours in 1673, at the
age of sixty-seven. All that could be collected of this
“work was published by Ant. de Jussieu, with a life of the
author, under the title
” Plantæ per Galliam, Hispaimim,
et Italiani observatæ, et iconibus reneis exhibitce," Paris,
1714, folio, a valuable contribution to a botanical library,
but by no means correct.
, physician of Perpignan, who practised some time at Cayenne, and died in 1755, was well versed both in the theory and practice
, physician of Perpignan, who
practised some time at Cayenne, and died in 1755, was
well versed both in the theory and practice of his art, and
had the reputation of being an accurate observer. His
principal works are, 1. “Relation et essai sur Phistoire de
la France equinoxiale,
” with a catalogue of plants collected
at Cayenne, Dissertation sur la couleur
drs
” N ogres,“1741, 4to. 3.
” Observations sur Torigine
des pierres figurees," 1646, 4to, &c.
to considerable powers as a landscape painter, by studying from the scenes of nature in the Dargies, and in the park at Powerscourt, places near Dublin, and is said
, an English landscape painter, was born about 1728, in the city of Dublin. It is not known that he received any regular instructions in painting. He began his attempts in the very humble line of colouring prints, in which he was employed by one Silcock, in Nicholas street, Dublin. From this feeble commencement he rose to considerable powers as a landscape painter, by studying from the scenes of nature in the Dargies, and in the park at Powerscourt, places near Dublin, and is said to have received patronage and encouragement from the noble owner of Powerscourt. About this time a premium was offered by the Dublin society for the best landscape in oil, which Mr. Barret won. In 1762 he visited London, where he soon distinguished himself; and, the second year after his arrival, gained the premium given by the society for the encouragement of arts, &c. for the best landscape in oil. The establishment of the royal academy was in a great measure indebted to the efforts of Mr. Barret, who formed the plan, and became one of its members.
He had two decided manners of painting, both with regard to colour and touch; his first was rather heavy in both, his latter much lighter.
He had two decided manners of painting, both with regard to colour and touch; his first was rather heavy in both, his latter much lighter. Scarcely any painter equalled him in his knowledge or characteristic execution of the detuils of nature. His attention was chiefly directed to the true colour of English scenery, its richness, dewy freshness, and that peculiar verdure, especially in the vernal months, which is so totally different from the colouring of those masters who have formed themselves on Italian scenery or Italian pictures. This strong desire sometimes tempted him to use colours rich and beautiful when first applied, but which no art could render permanent; which, in some of his slighter works, prevailed to such a degree as to leave scarcely any traces of the original colouring.
The best pictures in his first manner are to be found in the houses of the dukes of Buccleugh and Portland, c. &c. and those of his latter, in his great work,
The best pictures in his first manner are to be found in the houses of the dukes of Buccleugh and Portland, c. &c. and those of his latter, in his great work, at Mr. Lock’s, at Norbury-park, Surrey, consisting of a large room painted with a continued scene entirely round. The idea in general characterizes the northern part of this country; and for composition, breadth of effect, truth of colour, and boldness of manner in the execution, has not been equalled by any modern painter. He exerted his powers to the utmost in this work, as he entertained the warmest sense of Mr. Lock’s great kindness and friendly patronage. He also painted in water-colours, in which he excelled.
As a man he was remarkably kind and friendly, gentle in manners, with a vast flow of spirits, even
As a man he was remarkably kind and friendly, gentle in manners, with a vast flow of spirits, even to playfulness, and a strong turn to wit and humour. For the last ten years of his life, he was obliged, on account of his health, to retire to Paddington, near London, where he painted (in conjunction with Mr. Gilpin, the celebrated animal-painter) some of his best easel-pictures. He died in March 1734, and was interred in Paddington church-yard, leaving a widow and nine children. In the latter part of his life he enjoyed the place of master painter to Chelsea hospital, an appointment conferred Oh him by Edmund Bnrke, esq. during his short administration. Barret left some etchings of his performances, the best of which is a view in the Dargles near Dublin. The plates of his etchings were purchased by Mr. Paul Sand by, but no impressions have been taken from them.
, a scholar of Cambridge of the sixteenth century, who had travelled various countries for languages and learning, is known now principally as the author of a triple
, a scholar of Cambridge
of the sixteenth century, who had travelled various countries for languages and learning, is known now principally
as the author of a triple dictionary in English, Latin, and
French, which he entitled an “Alvearie,
” as the materials were collected by his pupils in their daily exercise, like
so many diligent bees gathering honey to their hive.
When ready for the press, he was enabled to have it printed
by the liberality of sir Thomas Smith, and Dr. Nowell,
dean of St. Paul’s, whose assistance he gratefully acknowledges. It was first printed by Denham in 1573, with a
Latin dedication to the universal Maecenas, lord Burghlev,
and various recommendatory verses, among which the Latin of Cook and Grant, the celebrated masters of St. Paul’s
and Westminster schools, and the English of Arthur Golding, the translator of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, have chief
merit. This book was more commodious in size than in
form, for as there is only one alphabet, the Latin and French
words are to be traced back by means of tables at the end
of the volume. In the then scarcity of dictionaries, however, this must have been an useful help, and we find that
y, second and improved edition, with the title of a “Quadruple Dictionarie,
” (the Greek, thinly scattered in the first impression, being now added) came out after the decease of the author in 1580, and is the only edition of which
Ames and Herbert take any notice, nor does Ainsworth,
who speaks of it in the preface to his dictionary, seem to
be aware of a prior edition. Of Baret’s life we have not
been able to discover any particulars. In the Ashmole
Museum is his patent by queen Elizabeth, for printing this
dictionary for fourteen years.
of considerable eminence, was born at Bent, in the parish of Kildwick in Craven, Yorkshire, in 1713, and was educated at the grammar school of Skipton, where he distinguished
, a classical teacher of considerable eminence, was born at Bent, in the parish of Kildwick in Craven, Yorkshire, in 1713, and was educated at the grammar school of Skipton, where he distinguished himself by his poetical compositions and classical knowledge. From thnt school he was removed to a scholarship in Universitycollege, Oxford, where he took his master’s degree, June l, 1714, and was admitted into holy orders. Soon after he quitted the university, he was nominated by the late sir V/yndham Knatchbull, hart, to the mastership of the free grammar school of Ashford in Kent, over which he presided during a very long period, and advanced the school to great reputation. He was also rector of the parishes of Pirton and Ickleford in Hertfordshire. In 1773 he was appointed, by the late earl of Thanet, to the rectory of Hothfield in Kent, where he rebuilt the parsonage house, to which he retired, and resigned the school of Ashford, to the endowment of which he was a liberal benefactor. He married Mary, the only daughter of Edward Jacob, esq. of Canterbury, and by her had an only daughter, Mary, the wife of Edward Jeremiah Curteis, esq. at whose house, at Northiam in Sussex, he died Nov. 26, 1801, in his eighty-third year.
Early in life Mr. Barret was an intimate friend of Dr. Johnson, and of Edward Cave, the founder of the Gentleman’s Magazine, to
Early in life Mr. Barret was an intimate friend of Dr.
Johnson, and of Edward Cave, the founder of the Gentleman’s Magazine, to which he became a frequent contributor. One very interesting letter, signed by his name, appears in vol. XXIV. on a new method of modelling the
tenses of verbs, which he defends on the authority of Varro
and Dr. Clarke. This judicious scheme, and his elegant
translation of Pope’s pastorals into Latin verse, fully established Mr. Barret’s reputation as a Latin scholar; and he
also discovered some poetical talent in “War,
” a satire,
but was less fortunate in his translation of “Ovid’s Epistles
into English verse.
” This had critical essays and notes,
and was said in the title (1759) to be “part of a poetical
and oratorial lecture, read in Ashford school, calculated to
initiate youth in the first rudiments of taste.
”
, first lord viscount Harrington, a nobleman of considerable learning, and author of several books, was the youngest son of Benjamin Shute,
, first lord viscount
Harrington, a nobleman of considerable learning, and
author of several books, was the youngest son of Benjamin
Shute, merchant (youngest son of Francis Sbute, of Upton, in the county of Leicester, esq.) by a daughter of the
Kev. Jos. Caryl, author of the commentary on Job. He
was born at Theobalds in Hertfordshire, in 1678, and received part of his education at Utrecht, as appears from a
Latin oration which he delivered at that university, and
published there in 1698, in 4to, under the following title
“Oratio de studio Philosophise conjungendo cum studio
Juris Roman!; habita in inclyta Academia Trajectina Kalendis Junii, 1698, a Johanne Shute, Anglo, Ph. D. et
L. A. M.
” He published also three other academical exercises; viz. 1. “Exercitatio Physica, de Ventis,
” Utrecht,
Dissertatio Philosophica, de Theocratia
morali,
” Utrecht, Dissertatio Philosophica Inauguralis, de Theocratia civili,
” Utrecht, An essay upon the
interest of England, in respect to Protestants dissenting
from the Established Church,
” 4to. This was reprinted two
years after, with considerable alterations and enlargements,
and with the title of “The interest of England considered,
”
&c. Some time after this he published another piece in.
4to, entitled “The rights of Protestant Dissenters,
” in
two parts. During the prosecution of his studies in the
law, he was applied to by queen Anne’s whig ministry, at
the instigation of lord Sorners, to engage the Presbyterians in Scotland to favour the important measure then in
agitation, of an union of the two kingdoms. Flattered at
the age of twenty-four, by an application which shewed
the opinion entertained of his abilities, and influenced by
the greatest lawyer and statesman of the age, he readily
sacrificed the opening prospects of his profession, and undertook the arduous employment. The happy execution
of it was rewarded, in 1708, by the place of commissioner
of the customs, from which he was removed by the Tory
administration in 1711, for his avowed opposition to their
principles and conduct. How high Mr. Shute’s character
stood in the estimation even of those who differed most
widely from him in religious and political sentiments, apyears from the testimony borne to it by Dr. Swift, who
writes thus to archbishop Kitig, in a letter dated London,
Nov. 30, 1708. “One Mr. Shute is named for secretary
to lord Wharton. He is a young man, but reckoned the
shrewdest head in England, and the person in whom the
Presbyterians chiefly confide; and if money be necessary
towards the good work, it is reckoned he can command as
far as 100,000l. from the body of the dissenters here. As
to his principles, he is a moderate man, frequenting the
church and the meeting indifferently.
” In the reign of
queen Anne, John Wildman, of Becket, in the county of
Berks, esq. adopted him for his son, after the Roman custom, and settled his large estate upon him, though he was
no relation, and said to have been but slightly acquainted
with him. Some years after, he had another considerable
estate left him by Francis Harrington, of Tofts, esq. who
had married his tirst cousin, and died without issue. This
occasioned him to procure an act of parliament, pursuant
to the deed of settlement, to assume the name and bear the
arms of Barrington. On the accession of king George
he was chosen member of parliament for the town of Berwick-upon-Tvveed. July 5, 1717, he had a reversionary
grant of the office of master of the rolls in Ireland, which.
he surrendered Dec. 10, 1731. King George was also
pleased, by privy seal, dated at St. James’s, June 10, and
by patent at Dublin, July 1, 1720, to create him baron
Barrington of Newcastle, and viscount Barrington of Ardglass. In 1722 he was again returned to parliament as
member for the town of Berwick; but in 1723, the house
of commons, taking into consideration the affair of the Harburgh lottery, a very severe and unmerited censure of expulsion was passed upon his lordship, as sub-governor of
the Harburgh company, under the prince of Wales.
een able to discover this pamphlet, we shall subjoin a very curious history of the Harburgh company, and of his lordship’s conduct in that affair, from a manuscript
It is said that a vindication of lord Barrington was published at the time, in a pamphlet which had the appearance of being written by him, or at least of being published under his direction but as we have not been able to discover this pamphlet, we shall subjoin a very curious history of the Harburgh company, and of his lordship’s conduct in that affair, from a manuscript of sir Michael Foster, communicated by his nephew, Mr. Dodson, to the editor of the Biographia Britannica. "His late majesty king George I. was desirous to introduce trade and manufactures into his German dominions; and the town of Harburgh being thought a proper place for that purpose, a scheme was offered to him, which met with his approbation, for making the port of Harburgh capable of receiving ships of burden, and for carrying on the intended trade and manufactures principally at that place. Accordingly his majesty, by charter under the great seal of the electorate, about Midsummer 1720, incorporated a number of gentlemen and merchants of London, for setting up and carrying on certain manufactures by a joint stock at Harburgh; and divers privileges were granted to the company, whose capital was to be 500,000l. and a charter for commerce was promised to that company. As soon as the manufacture charter was passed, and subscriptions taken in for raising the stock, shares sold at an exorbitant price, 50l. being commonly given for a share on which only 2l. had been advanced, and I think that some shares were sold at 50l. a-share. So great was the madness of that memorable year!
"This exorbitant rise upon the stock put some gentlemen and merchants of London, who thought themselves not enough considered
"This exorbitant rise upon the stock put some gentlemen and merchants of London, who thought themselves not enough considered in the manufacture charter, upon soliciting for a separate charter, for opening the port of Harburgh, and carrying on the foreign commerce there; and agents on behalf of the manufacture company, with others on behalf of the separate charter, followed his Majesty to Hanover, each party for some time endeavouring to carry their respective points; the manufacture company to get likewise the charter for commerce, the other party to get a separate charter for commerce, exclusive of the manufacture company. At length both sides agreed to accept one charter for commerce and manufactures, which should take in the members of the old company, and those who solicited for the separate commerce charter; and that the capital of the united company should be 1,500,000l. It was likewise agreed, that the members of the old company should, over and above the 500,000l. already subscribed, be entitled to a certain share of the new stock, upon advancing, as before, 2l. upon each share, and that the residue of the stock should be divided amongst the new members and their friends. One gentleman in particular secured to himself, as I am informed, no less than 300,000l. to be disposed of by him amongst his friends.
. a share but before the end ofthe year, Harburgh stock sunk, as all other projects of that kind did and no money having been paid on the new stock, and no charter for
"At this time shares were commonly sold at 20l. a share but before the end ofthe year, Harburgh stock sunk, as all other projects of that kind did and no money having been paid on the new stock, and no charter for commerce being passed, the gentlemen who solicited the new charter refused to be any farther concerned in the affair, since the opportunity for exorbitant profits was lost; and a new set of gentlemen and merchants, with the members of the old company, undertook to carry it on, and were incorporated by charter under the great seal of the electorate, for opening the port and carrying on the trade and manufactures at Harburgh.
rburgh. Accordingly, after the new charter was passed, his majesty, by warrant under his sign manual and the privy seal of the electorate, empowered and required the
"It was, as I have been informed, part of the original scheme, that the expence of opening the port, which was computed at 100,000l. should be defrayed by the profits of a lottery, to be drawn at Harburgh. Accordingly, after the new charter was passed, his majesty, by warrant under his sign manual and the privy seal of the electorate, empowered and required the company to lay before him a scheme for the lottery, which they did; and sometime afterwards his majesty, by a second warrant under his sign manual and privy seal of the electorate, signed his approbation of the scheme, and empowered the company to proceed upon it, and to deliver out tickets here for the lottery, and he named trustees to manage and direct the drawing at Harburgh. Before the lottery was opened, lord Barrington, who was sub-governor of the company, (his royal highness the present prince of Wales being named governor) thought it necessary to procure a British charter of incorporation, and measures were taken for that purpose with the British ministers; for hitherto everything touching the company had been transacted with the German ministers.
o believe, was persuaded that the ministers intended that the company should have a British charter; and things went so far in that way, that a draught of a British
"His lordship, as I have reason to believe, was persuaded that the ministers intended that the company should have a British charter; and things went so far in that way, that a draught of a British charter was prepared and laid before the attorney-general. While things were in this state, some of the gentlemen in London concerned in the affair opened a subscription for the lottery, lord Barrington being then in the country. This step they took, contrary to 'his lordship’s opinion and advice.
ertisements were published by some of the gentlemen who had formerly solicited the commerce charter, and afterwards when the price of stock fell, had refused to accept
"Within a few clays after the subscription for the lottery was opened, advertisements were published by some of the gentlemen who had formerly solicited the commerce charter, and afterwards when the price of stock fell, had refused to accept their shares, treating the affair as a public cheat; and the matter was soon brought before the house of commons.
he gentlemen concerned touching the best method for avoiding the storm which seemed to be gathering, and threatened the ruin of the company. My advice was, that the
"While it was there depending, I was, in lord Barrington’s absence, consulted by the gentlemen concerned touching the best method for avoiding the storm which seemed to be gathering, and threatened the ruin of the company. My advice was, that the company should, without any hesitation, lay. their charter, with the two warrants for the lottery, before the house; and submit their case upon the foot of those powers; since it would appear by those powers, thut what they had done in the affair was done by virtue of powers received from his majesty. But this advice was soon laid aside, and the secretary (Mr. Ridpath) was instructed to acquaint the house, as he did, that the company having acted under powers received from his majesty as elector, in an affair concerning his electorate, they did not think themselves at liberty to lay such powers before the house without his majesty’s permission. This answer exactly suited the views of those people who intended to ruin the company, without seeming to do a thing which reflected dishonour on his majesty. Accordingly the houss was satisfied with the answer, so far as not to insist on a sight of the charter and warrants; and immediately came to a resolution, that the persons concerned in the affair, had acted therein without any authority from his majesty; and lordBarrington, who then served for Berwick upon Tweed, was expelled the house.
is lordship was firmly attached to the administration during the time of lord Sunderland’s ministry, and employed all his credit and influence with the dissenters, which
“This matter was made an occasion for bringing this
severe censure on lord Barrington who was suspected to
have formerly taken some steps very disagreeable to the
reigning minister, sir Robert Walpole. His lordship was
firmly attached to the administration during the time of
lord Sunderland’s ministry, and employed all his credit and
influence with the dissenters, which was then very great,
to keep that body in the same interest but upon the death
of lord Sunderlandj sir Robert Walpole, who, for many
years during lord Sunderland’s administration, had opposed
every public measure, succeeded him, as pi-hue minister,
and could not forget the part which lord B irrington had
acted again-st him.
”
postles as is contained in scripture; in an abstract of their history, an abstract of that abstract, and four critical essays.” In this work the noble author has traced,
In 1725 he published in 2 vols. 8vo, his “Miscellanea
Sacra: or, anew method of considering so much of the
history of the Apostles as is contained in scripture; in an
abstract of their history, an abstract of that abstract, and
four critical essays.
” In this work the noble author has
traced, with great care and judgment, the methods taken
by the apostles, and first preachers of the gospel, for propagating Christianity; and explained with great distinctness the several gifts of the spirit, by which they were enabled to disciiarge that office. These he improved into an
argument for the truth of the Christian religion; which is
said to have staggered the infidelity of Mr. Anthony Collins. In 1725 he published, in 8vo, “An Essay on the
several dispensations of God to mankind, in the order in
which they lie in the Bible; or, a short system of the religion of nature and scriptwre,
” &c. He was also author
of several other tracts, of which the principal were, 1. “.A
Dissuasive from Jacobitism; shewing in general what the
nation is to expect from a popish king; and, in particular,
from the Pretender.
” The fourth edition of this was printed
in 8vo, in 1713. 2. “A Letter from a Layman, in communion with the church of England, though dissenting from
her in some points, to the right rev. the bishop of ———,
with a postscript, shewing how far the bill to prevent the
growth of schism is inconsistent with the act of toleration,
and the other laws of this realm.
” The second edition of
this was printed in The Layman’s Letter
to the bishop of Bangor.
” The second edition of this was
published in An account of the late proceedings of the Dissenting-ministers at Salters’-hall; occasioned by the differences amongst their brethren in the
country: with some thoughts concerning imposition of human forms for articles of faith;
” in a letter to the rev. Dr.
Gale, A Discourse of natural and revealed
Religion, and the relation they bear to each other,
” Reflections on the 12th query, contained in a
paper, entitled Reasons offered against pushing for the
repeal of the corporation and test-acts, and on the animadversions on the answer to it,
” Miscellanea Sacra
” was published in
Lord Barrington married Anne, eldest daughter of sir William Daines, by whom he left six sons and three daughters. William, his eldest son, succeeded to his father’s
Lord Barrington married Anne, eldest daughter of sir William Daines, by whom he left six sons and three daughters. William, his eldest son, succeeded to his father’s honours; was elected, soon after he came of age, member for the town of Berwick, and afterwards for Plymouth; and, in the late and present reigns, passed through the successive offices of lord of the admiralty, master of the wardrobe, chancellor of the exchequer, treasurer of the navy, and secretary at war. He died in 1793. Francis, the second, died young. John, the third, was a majorgeneral in the army, commanded the land forces at the reduction of the island of Guadaloupe in 1758, and died in 17CM-. Of Daines and Samuel some notice will follow; Shutc, the sixth, is now bishop of Durham. Of the three daughters, who survived their father, Sarah married Robert Price, esq. of Foxley in Herefordshire Anne, Thomas Clarges, esq. only son of sir Thomas Clarges, bart. and Mary died unmarried.
on of the preceding, was born in 1727, studied some time at Oxford, which he quitted for the Temple, and after the usual course was admitted to the bar. He was one of
, fourth son of the
preceding, was born in 1727, studied some time at Oxford,
which he quitted for the Temple, and after the usual course
was admitted to the bar. He was one of his majesty’s counsel
learned in the law, and a bencher of the lion society of the
Inner Temple, but, although esteemed a very sound lawyer,
he never rose to any distinguished eminence as a pleader. He
was for some time recorder of Bristol, in which situation
he was preceded by sir Michael Foster, and succeeded by
Mr. Dunning, afterwards lord Ashburton. In May 1751
he was appointed marshal of the high court of admiralty in
England, which he resigned in 1753, on being appointed
secretary for the affairs of Greenwich hospital; and was
appointed justice of the counties of Merioneth, Carnarvon,
and Anglesey, 1757, and afterwards second justice of Chester, which he resigned about 1785, retaining only the
place of commissary-general of the stores at Gibraltar.
Had it been his wish, he might probably have been promoted to the EngU&h bench, but possessed of an ample
income, having a strong bias to the study of antiquities,
natural history, &c. he retired from the practice of the law,
and applied his legal knowledge chiefly to the purposes of
investigating curious questions of legal antiquity. His first
publication, which will always maintain its rank, and has
gone through several editions, was his “Observations on
the Statutes,
” The Naturalist’s Calendar,
” which was also favourably received. In Tracts on the probability of reaching
the North Pole,
” Philosophical Transactions,
” were published separately. -It must be allowed that
the learned author bestowed much time and labour on this
subject, and accumulated an amazing-quantity of written,
traditionary, and conjectural evidence, in proof of the possibility of circumnavigating the pole; but when his testimonies were examined, they proved rather ingenious than
satisfactory. In 1781 he published “Miscellanies on various subjects,
” 4to, containing some of his papers in the
Philosophical Transactions, and other miscellaneous essays composed or compiled by him, on various subjects of
antiquity, civil and natural history, &c. His contributions
to the Philosophical Transactions and to the Archaologia
are numerous, as may be seen in the indexes of these
works. He was a -member of both societies, and a vicepresident of that of the antiquaries, which office he resigned
in his latter days on account of his bad state of health. He
died after a lingering illness, at his chambers in the King’s
Bench walk, Temple, March 11, 1SOO, aged 73, and
was interred in the vault of the Temple church. Mr. Barrington was a man of amiable character, polite, communicative, and liberal.
, brother to the preceding, and fifth son of the first lord viscount Harrington, was born in
, brother to the preceding, and fifth son of the first lord viscount Harrington, was born in 1729, and entered very young into the service of the British navy, passing through the inferior stations of midshipman and lieutenant with great reputation. He first went to sea in the Lark, under the command of lord George Graham, and in 1744, he was appointed a lieutenant by sir William Rowley, then commanding a squadron in the Mediterranean. In 1746, he had the rank of master and commander in the Weazcl sloop, in which he took a French privateer off Flushing. During the same year, or in 1747, he became post-captain, by being appointed totheBellona frigate (formerly a French privateer) in which he took the Duke de Chartres outward bound East India ship, of 800 tons, and of superior force, after a severe engagement, in which the French lost many killed and wounded. After the peace of 1748, he had the command of the Sea-horse, a twenty-gun ship in the Mediterranean, and while there, was dispatched from Gibraltar to Tetuan, to 'negociate the redemption of some British captives, in which he succeeded. He had afterwards the command of the Crown man of war, on the Jamaica station, and was in commission during the greater part of the peace. When the war broke out again between Great Britain and France, in 1756, he was appointed to the command of the Achilles of 60 guns. In 1759, he signalized his courage in an engagement with the Count de St. Florentin, French man of war, of equal force with the Achilles she fought for two hours, and had 116 men killed or wounded, all her masts shot away, and it was with difficulty she was got into port. The Achilles had twenty-five men killed or wounded. In the Achilles, captain Barrington was after this dispatched to America, from whence she returned about the close of the year 1760. In the Spring of the ensuing year, captain Barrington served under admiral Keppel, at the siege of Belleisle. To secure a landing for the troops, it became necessary to attack a fort and other works, in a sandy bay, intended to be the place of debarkation; three ships, one of which was the Achilles, were destined to this service. Captain Barrington got first to his station, and soon silenced the fire from the fort and from the shore, and cleared the coast for the landing the troops, and although, soon obliged to re-embark, they were well covered by the Achilles, and other ships. Ten days after the troops made good their landing, at a place where the mounting the rock was, as the commanders expressed it, barely possible, and captain Barrington was sent home with this agreeable news. After the peace of 1763, captain Barrington in 1768 commanded the Venus frigate, in which ship the late duke of Cumberland was entered as a midshipman. In her he sailed to the Mediterranean, and as these voyages are always intended both for pleasure and improvement, he visited the most celebrated posts in that sea. Soon after his return, the dispute between Great Britain and Spain, respecting Falkland’s Island, took place, and on the fitting out of the fleet, captain Barrington was appointed to the command of the Albion, of 74 guns, and soon after made colonel of marines. He found some little difficulty, from a scarcity of seamen, in manning his ship, and had recourse to a humourous experiment. He offered a bounty. for all lamp-lighters, and men of other trades which require alertness, who would enter; and soon procured a crew, but of such a description that they were, for some time, distinguished by the title of Barrington‘ s blackguards. He soon, however, changed their complexion. He had long borne the character of being a thoroughrbred seaman, and a rigid disciplinarian. His officers under him were the same, and they succeeded in making the Albion one of the best disciplined ships in the royal navy. The convention between the two courts putting an end to all prospect of hostilities, the Albion was ordered, as a guardship, to Plymouth; and in this situation captain Barrington commanded her for three years, made himself universally esteemed, and shewed that he possessed those accomplishments which adorn the officer and the man. In the former capacity he had so completely established his character, as to be looked up to as one who, in case of any future war, would be intrusted with some important command. In the latter, the traits of benevolence which are known, exclusive of those which he was careful to keep secret, shew, that with the roughness of a seaman, he possessed the benevolence of a Christian. An economical style of living enabled him to indulge his inclination that way, with a moderate income. On the breaking out of the war with France, captain Barrington, having then been thirty-one years a post-captain in the navy, was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral, and dispatched with a squadron to the West Indies. He found himself, on his arrival, so much inferior to the enemy, that he could riot preserve Dominica from falling into their hands. However, before the French fleet under D’Estaing could reach the West Indies, he was joined at Barbadoes by the troops under general Grant from America. He then immediately steered for St. Lucia, and the British troops had gained possession of a part of the island, when the French fleet, under the command of count D‘Estaing, appeared in sight. ’ Barrington lay in the Grand Cul de Sac, with only three ships-of the line, three of fifty guns, and some-frigates, and with this force, had not only to defend himself against ten sail of the line, many frigates, and American armed ships, but also to protect a large fleet of transports, having on board provisions and stores for the army, and which there had not yet been time to land; so that the fate of the army depended on that of the fleet. During the night the admiral caused the transports to be warped into the bay, and moored the men of war in a line without them. D'Estaing, elated with the hopes of crushing this small naval force under Barrington, attacked him next morning, first with ten sail of the line, but failing, he made a second attack with his whole force, and was equally unsuccessful, being only able to carry off one single transport, which the English had not time to warp within the line. This defence is among the first naval atchievements of the war. In an attack by land, on general Meadows’s intrenchments, the count was equally repulsed, and the island soon after capitulated. Admiral Byron shortly after arriving in the West Indies, Barrington, of course, became second in command only. In the action which took place between the British fleet and the French on the 6th of July, 1775, admiral Barrington, in the Prince of Wales, commanded the van division. The enemy were much superior to the English, but this discovery was not made till it was too late to remedy it. Admiral Barrington, in the Prince of Wales, with the Boyne and Sultan, pressed forward, soon closed with the enemy’s fleet, and bravely sustained their attack until joined by other ships. It was not, however, the intention of the French admiral to risk a general engagement, having the conquest of Grenada in view, and his ships being cleaner than those of the English, enabled him to choose his distance. The consequence was, that several of the British ships were very severely handled, whilst others had no share in the action. Barrington was wounded, and had twenty-six men killed, and forty-six wounded, in his own ship. Soon after this engagement, admiral Barrington, on account of ill-health, returned to England. These two actions established our admiral’s reputation, and he was looked on as one of the first officers in the English navy. The ferment of parties during the close of that war occasioned many unexpected refusals of promotion; and as admiral Barrington was intimately connected with lord Shelburne, col. Barre, and several other leading men in opposition, it was probably owing to this circumstance that he refused the command of the channel fleet, which was offered to him after the resignation of admiral Geary in 1780, and on his declining to accept it, conferred on admiral Darby. In 1782, he served, as second in command, under lord Howe, and distinguished himself at the memorable relief of Gibraltar. The termination of the war put a period to his active services. In February 1786, he was made lieutenant-general of marines; and on Sept. 24, 1787, admiral of the blue. During the last ten years of his life, his ill state of health obliged him to decline all naval command. He died at his lodgings in the Abbey Green, Bath, August 16, 1800.
, a Portuguese historian, was born at Viseu in 1496, and brought up at the court of king Emanuel, with the younger branches
, a Portuguese historian, was born at Viseu in 1496, and brought up at
the court of king Emanuel, with the younger branches of
the royal family. He made a rapid progress in Greek
and Latin learning. The infant Juan, to whom he was
attached, in quality of preceptor, having succeeded the
king his father in 1521, de Barros had a place in the
household of that prince. In 1522 he became governor
of St. George de la Mine, on the coast of Guinea in
Africa. Three years afterwards, the king having recalled
him to court, appointed him treasurer of the Indies: this
post inspired him with the thought of writing the history
of those countries, and in order to finish it, he retired to
Pombal, where he died in 1570, with the reputation of an
excellent scholar and a good citizen. De Barros has divided his History of Asia and the Indies into four decads. He
published the first under the title “Decadas d'Asia,
” in
Chronica do imperador Clarimando,
” a
species of romance in the style of Amadis, and some
treatises on subjects of morality, religion, and education,
for the use of the young princes.
St.Asaph in the reign of Charles II. was the son of Isaac Barrow of Spiney Abbey irt Cambridgeshire, and uncle of the celebrated mathematician, who will form the subject
, bishop of St.Asaph in the reign of
Charles II. was the son of Isaac Barrow of Spiney Abbey
irt Cambridgeshire, and uncle of the celebrated mathematician, who will form the subject of the next article. He
was born in 1613, admitted July 1639 of Peterhouse, Cambridge, next year chosen scholar, and in 1631, librarian. In
Dec. 1641, he was presented to the vicarage of Hin ton, by his
college, of which he was a fellow, and resided there until ejected by the presbyterians in 1643. He then removed to Oxford, where his learning and abilities were well known, and
where he was appointed one of the chaplains of New College, by the interest of his friend, Dr. Pink, then warden.
Here he continued until the surrender of Oxford to the
parliamentary army, when he was obliged to shift from
place to place, and suffer with his brethren, who refused to
submit to the usurping powers. At the restoration, however, he was not only replaced in his fellowship at Peterhouse, but chosen a fellow of Eton college, which he held
in commendam with the bishopric of Mann. In 1660,
being then D. D. he was presented by Dr. Wren, bishop of
Ely, to the rectory of Downham, in the Isle of Ely; and,
in 1662, resigned his fellowship of Peterhouse. In July
1663, he was consecrated bishop of Mann, in king Henry
Vllth’s chapel, Westminster, on which occasion his nephew, the mathematician, preached the consecration sermon. In April 1664, he was appointed governor likewise
of the Isle of Mann, by his patron, Charles earl of Derby;
and executed his office with the greatest prudence and honour during all the time in which he held the diocese, and
for some months after his translation to the see of St. Asaph.
He was ever of a liberal, active mind; and rendered himself peculiarly conspicuous as a man of public spirit, by
forming and executing good designs for the encouragement of piety and literature. The state of the diocese of
Mann at this time was deplorable, as to religion. The
clergy were poor, illiterate, and careless, the people grossly
ignorant and dissolute. Bishop Barrow, however, introduced a very happy change in all respects, by the establishment of schools, and improving the livings of the
clergy. He collected with great care and pains from pious
persons about eleven hundred pounds, with which he purchased of the earl of Derby all the impropriations in the
island, and settled them upon the clergy in due proportion,
He obliged them all likewise to teach schools in their respective parishes, and allowed thirty pounds per annum for
a free-school, and fifty pounds per annum for academical
learning. He procured also from king Charles II. one hundred pounds a year (which, Mr. Wood says, had like to have been lost) to be settled upon his clergy, and gave one
hundred and thirty-five pounds of his own money for a lease
upon lands of twenty pounds a year, towards the maintenance of three poor scholars in the college of Dublin, that
in time there might be a more learned body of clergy in
the island. He gave likewise ten pounds towards the building a bridge, over a dangerous water; and did several other
acts of charity and beneficence. Afterwards returning to
England for the sake of his health, and lodging in a house
belonging to the countess of Derby in Lancashire, called
Cross-hall, he received news of his majesty having conferred on him the bishopric of St. Asaph, to which he was
translated March 21, 1669, but he was permitted to hold
the see of Sodor and Mann in commendam, until Oct. 167 1,
in order to indemnify him for the expences of his translation. His removal, however, from Mann, was felt as a
very great loss, both by the clergy at large, and the inhabitants. His venerable, although not immediate, successor,
Dr. Wilson, says of him, that “his name and his good deeds
will be remembered as long as any sense of piety remains
among them.
” His removal to St. Asaph gave him a fresh
opportunity to become useful and popular. After being
established here, he repaired several parts of the cathedral
church, especially the north and south ailes, and new covered them with lead, and wainscotted the east part of the
choir. He laid out a considerable sum of money in repairing the episcopal palace, and a mill belonging to it. In
] 678 he built an alms-house for eight poor widows, and
endowed it with twelve pounds per annum for ever. The
same year, he procured an act of parliament for appropriating the rectories of Llanrhaiader and Mochnant in Denbighshire and "Montgomeryshire, and of Skeiviog in the
county of Flint, for repairs of the cathedral church of St.
Asaph, and the better maintenance of the choir therein,
and also for the uniting several rectories that were sinecures, and the vicarages of the same parishes, within the
said diocese. He designed likewise to build a free-school,
and endow it, but was prevented by death; but in 1687,
Bishop Lloyd, who succeeded him in the see of St. Asaph,
recovered of his executors two hundred pounds, towards a
free-school at St. Asaph.
Bishop Barrow died at Shrewsbury, June 24, 1680, and was interred in the cathedral church-yard of St. Asaph, on the
Bishop Barrow died at Shrewsbury, June 24, 1680, and was interred in the cathedral church-yard of St. Asaph, on the south side of the west door, with two inscriptions, one of which seeming to favour the popish doctrine of praying for the dead, gave some offence, especially as it was said, we know not on what authority, that it was drawn up by the bishop himself.
, an eminent mathematician and divine of the seventeenth century, was descended from an ancient
, an eminent mathematician and divine of the seventeenth century, was descended from an
ancient family of that name in Suffolk. His father was
Mr. Thomas Barrow, a reputable citizen of London and
linen-draper to king Charles I.; and his mother, Anne,
daughter of William Buggin of North-Cray in Kent, esq.
whose tender care he did not long experience, she dying
when he was about four years old. He was born at London in October 1630, and was placed first in the Charterhouse school for two or three years, where his behaviour
afforded but little hopes of success in the profession of a
scholar, for which his father designed him, being quarrelsome, riotous, and negligent. But when removed to Felstead school in Essex, his disposition took a more happy
turn, and he quickly made so great a progress in learning,
that his master appointed him a kind of tutor to the lord
viscount Fairfax of Emely in Ireland, who was then his
scholar. During his stay at Felstead, he was admitted,
December the 15.th 1643, being fourteen years of age,
a pensioner of Peter-house in Cambridge, under his uncle
Mr. Isaac Barrow, then fellow of that college. But
when he was qualified for the university, he was entered a
pensioner in Trinity-college, the 5th of February 1645;
his uncle having been ejected, together with Seth Ward,
Peter Gunning, and John Barwick, who had written
against the covenant. His father having suffered greatly
in his estate by his attachment to the royal cause, our
young student was obliged at first for his chief support to
the generosity of the learned Dr. Hammond, to whose memory he paid his thanks, in an excellent epitaph on the
doctor. In 1647, he was chosen a scholar of the house;
and, though he always continued a staunch royalist, and
never would take the covenant, yet, by his great merit
and prudent behaviour he preserved the esteem and goodwill of his superiors. Of this we have an instance in Dr.
Hill, master of the college, who had been put in by the
parliament in the room of Dr. Comber, ejected for adhering to the king. One day, laying his hand upon our
young sflident’s head, he said, “Thou art a good lad,
‘tis pity thou art a cavalier;’ 7 and when, in an oration on
the Gunpowder-treason, Mr. Barrow had so celebrated the
former times, as to reflect much on the present, some fellows were provoked to move for his expulsion but the
master silenced them with this,
” Barrow is a better man
than any of us.“Afterwards when the engagement was imposed, he subscribed it; but, upon second thoughts, repenting of what he had done, he applied himself to the
commissioners, declared his dissatisfaction, and prevailed to
have his name razed out of the list. He applied himself
with great diligence to the study of all parts of literature,
especially natural philosophy; and though he was yet but a
young scholar, his judgment was too great to rest satisfied
with the shallow and superficial philosophy, then taught
and received in the schools. He applied himself therefore
to the reading and considering the writings of the lord Verulam, M. Des Cartes, Galileo, &c. who seemed to offer
something more solid and substantial. In 1648, Mr. Barrow took the degree of bachelor of arts. The year following, he was elected fellow of his college, merely out of
regard to his merit; for he had no friend to recommend
him, as being of the opposite party. And now, finding
the times not favourable to men of his opinions in matters
of church and state, he turned his thoughts to the profession of physic, and made a considerable progress in anatomy, botany, and chemistry: but afterwards, upon deliberation with himself, and with the advice of his uncle,
he applied himself to the study of divinity, to which he
was further obliged by his oath on his admission to his
fellowship. By reading Scaliger on Eusebius, he perceived the dependance of chronology on astronomy; which
put him upon reading Ptolemy’s Almagest: and finding
that book and all astronomy to depend on geometry, he
made himself master of Euclid’s Elements, and from
thence proceeded to the other ancient mathematicians.
He made a short essay towards acquiring the Arabic language, but soon deserted it. With these severer
speculations, the largeness of his mind had room for the amusements of poetry, to which he was always strongly addicted.
This is sufficiently evident from the many performances he
has left us in that art. Mr. Hill, his biographer, tells us,
he was particularly pleased with that branch of it, which
consists in description, but greatly disliked the hyperboles
of some modern poets. As for our plays, he was an enemy
to them, as a principal cause of the debauchery of the
times; the other causes he thought to be, the French education, and the ill example of great persons. For satires,
he wrote none his wit, as Mr. Hill expresses it, was
” pure and peaceable."
In 1652, he commenced master of arts, and, on the 12th of June the following year, was incorporated in
In 1652, he commenced master of arts, and, on the 12th
of June the following year, was incorporated in that degree
at Oxford. When Dr. Duport resigned the chair of Greek.
professor, he recommended his pupil Mr. Barrow to succeed
him; who justified his tutor’s opinion of him by an excellent
performance of the probation exercise: but being looked
upon as a favourer of Arminianism, the choice fell upon
another; and this disappointment, it is thought, helped to
determine him in his resolution of travelling abroad. In
order to execute this design, he was obliged to sell his books.
Accordingly, in the year 1655, he went into France;
where, at Paris, he found his father attending the English
court, and out of his small means made him a seasonable
present. The same year his “Euclid
” was printed at
Cambridge, which he had left behind him for that purpose.
He gave his college an account of his journey to Paris in a
poem, and some farther observations in a letter. After a
few months, he went into Italy, and stayed sometime at
Florence, where he had the advantage of perusing several
books in the great duke’s library, and of conversing with
Mr. Fitton, an Englishman, his librarian. Here his poverty must have put an end to his travels, had he not been
generously supplied with money by Mr. James Stock, a
young merchant of London, to whom he afterwards dedicated his edition of Euclid’s Data. He was desirous to
have seen Rome; but the plague then raging in that city,
he took ship at Leghorn, November the 6th 1656, for
Smyrna. In this voyage they were attacked by a corsair
of Algiers, who, perceiving the stout defence the ship
made, sheered off and left her; and upon this occasion
Mr. Barrow gave a remarkable instance of his natural courage and intrepidity. At Smyrna, he made himself welcome
to Mr. Bretton the consul (upon whose death he
afterwards wrote an elegy), and to the English factory. Front
thence he proceeded to Constantinople, where he met
with a very friendly reception from sir Thomas Bendish
the English ambassador, and sir Jonathan Daws, with whom
he afterwards kept up an intimate friendship and correspondence. This voyage, from Leghorn to Constantinople, he has described in a Latin poem. At Constantinople, he read over the works of St. Chrysostom, once bishop of that see, whom he preferred to all the other fathers.
Having stayed in Turkey above a year, he returned from
thence to Venice, where, soon after they were landed,
the ship took fire, and was consumed with all the goods.
From thence he came home, in 1659, through Germany
and Holland, and has left a description of some parts of
those countries in his poems. Soon after his return into
England, the time being somewhat elapsed, before which
all fellows of Trinity-college are obliged to take orders, or
quit the society, Mr. Barrow was episcopally ordained by
bishop Brownrig, notwithstanding the unsettled state of
the times, and the declining condition of the church of
England. Upon the king’s restoration, his friends expected he would have been immediately preferred on account of his having suffered and deserved so much; but it
came to nothing, which made him wittily say (which he has not left in his poems),
ssor of geometry in Gresham-college, in the room of Mr. Lawrence Rooke, chiefly through the interest and recommendation of Dr. Wilkins, master of Trinity-college, and
However, he wrote an ode upon that occasion, in which
he introduces Britannia congratulating the king upon his
return. In 1660, he was chosen, without a competitor,
Greek professor of the university of Cambridge. His oration, spoken upon that occasion, is preserved among his
Opuscula. When he entered upon this province, he designed to have read upon the tragedies of Sophocles: but,
altering his intention, he made choice of Aristotle’s rhetoric. These lectures, having been lent to a person who
never returned them, are irrecoverably lost. The year
following, which was 1661, he took the degree of bachelor
in divinity. July the 16th, 1662, he was elected professor
of geometry in Gresham-college, in the room of Mr. Lawrence Rooke, chiefly through the interest and recommendation of Dr. Wilkins, master of Trinity-college, and afterwards bishop of Chester. In this station, he not only
discharged his own duty, but supplied, likewise, the
absence of Dr. Pope the astronomy professor. Among his
lectures, some were upon the projection of the sphere
which being borrowed and never returned, are lost but
his Latin oration, previous to his lectures, is in his works.
The same year, 1662, he wrote an epithalamium on the
marriage of king Charles and queen Catherine, in Greek
verse. About this time, Mr. Barrow was offered a valuable living, but the condition annexed of teaching the patron’s son, made him refuse it, as too like a simouiacal
contract. Upon the 20th of May 1663, he was elected a
fellow of the royal society, in the first choice made by the
council after their charter. The same year, Mr. Lucas
having founded a mathematical lecture at Cambridge, Mr.
Barrow was so powerfully recommended, by Dr. Wilkins,
to that gentleman’s executors Mr. Raworth and Mr. Buck,
that he was appointed the first professor; and the better to
secure the end of so noble and useful a foundation, he
took care that himself and his successors should be obliged
to leave yearly to the university ten written lectures. We
have his prefatory oration, spoken in the public mathematical school, March the 14th, 1664. Though his two
professorships were not incompatible, he resigned that of
Gresham-college, May the 20th, 1664. He had been invited to take the charge of the Cotton library; but, after
;a short trial, he declined it, and resolved to settle in the
university. In 1669, he resigned the mathematical chair
to his very worthy friend the celebrated Isaac Newton,
being now determined to exchange the study of the mathematics for that of divinity, partly from a strong inclination for the latter, and partly because his mathematical
works were less favourably received than he thought they
deserved. In 1670, he wrote a Latin poem upon the
death of the duchess of Orleans, an epicedium upon the
duke of Albemarle, and a Latin ode upon the Trinity.
He was only a fellow of Trinity-college, when he was collated by his uncle, the bishop of St. Asaph, to a small
sinecure in Wales, and by Dr. Seth Ward, bishop of
Salisbury, to a prebend in that cathedral; the profits of
both which he applied to charitable uses, and afterwards
resigned them, when he became master of his college. In
the same year he was created doctor in divinity by mandate. In 1672, Dr. Pearson, master of Trinity-college,
being, upon the death of bishop Wilkins, removed to the
bishopric of Chester, Dr. Barrow was appointed by the
king to succeed him; and his majesty was pleased to say
upon that occasion, “he had given it to the best scholar
in England.
” His patent hears date February the 13th,
1672, with permission to marry, which he caused to be
erased, as contrary to the statutes, and he was admitted
the 27th of the same month. He gave the highest satisfaction to that society, whose interest he constantly and
carefully consulted. In 1675, he was chosen vice-chancellor of the university. This great and learned divine
died of a fever, the 4th of May 1677, and was buried in
Westminster-abbey, where a monument was erected to
him by the contribution of his friends. His epitaph was
written by his friend Dr. Mapletoft. He left his manuscripts to Dr. Tillotson and Mr. Abraham Hill, with permission to publish what they should think proper. He left
little behind him, except books, which were so well
chosen, that they sold for more than the prime cost.
Though he could never be prevailed to sit for his picture,
some of his friends contrived to have it taken without his
knowledge, whilst they diverted him with such discourse
as engaged his attention. As to his person, he was low of
stature, lean, and of a pale complexion, and negligent of
his dress to a fault; of extraordinary strength, a thin skin,
and very sensible of cold; his eyes grey, clear, and somewhat short-sighted; his hair a light brown, very fine, and
curling. He was of a healthy constitution, very fond of
tobacco, which he used to call his panpharmacon, or universal medicine, and imagined it helped to compose and
regulate his thoughts. If he was guilty of any intemperance, it seemed to be in the love of fruit, which he thought
very salutary. He slept little, generally rising in the
winter months before day. His conduct and behaviour
were truly amiable; he was always ready to assist others,
open and communicative in his conversation, in which he
generally spoke to the importance, as well as truth, of any
question proposed; facetious in his talk upon fit occasions,
and skilful to accommodate his discourse to different capacities; of indefatigable industry in various studies, clear
judgment on all arguments, and steady virtue under all
difficulties; of a calm temper in factious times, and of
large charity in mean estate; he was easy and contented
with a scanty fortune, and with the same decency and moderation maintained his character under the temptations of
prosperity. In short, he was, perhaps, the greatest scholar of his times and, as an ingenious writer expresses it,
“he may be esteemed as having shewn a compass of invention equal, if not superior, to any of the moderns, sir
Isaac Newton only excepted.
”
Dr. Barrow’s works are very numerous, and indeed various, mathematical, theological, poetical, &c. and
Dr. Barrow’s works are very numerous, and indeed various, mathematical, theological, poetical, &c. and such as
do honour to the English nation. They are principally as
follow: l.“EuclidisElementa,
” Cantab. EuclidisData,
” Cantab. Lond. 1669, 4to. 4.
” Lectiones Geometric^ xiii,“Lond.
1670, 4to. 5.
” Archimedis Opera, Apollonii Conicorum
libri iv. Theodosii Sphericoruni lib. iii.; nova methodo illustrata, et succiricte clemonstrata,“Lond. 1675, 4to. The
following were published after his decease, viz. 6.
” Lectio,
in qua theoremata Archimedis de sphcera et cylindro per
methodum indivisibilium investigata, ac breviter investigata, exhibentur,“Lond. 1678, 12mo. 7.
” Mathematics
Lectiones habitrc in scholis publicis academiai Cantabrigiensis, an. 1664, 5,6, &c.“Lond. 1683. 8. All his English works in 3 volumes, Lond. 1683, folio. These are
all theological, and were published by Dr. John Tillotson.
9.
” Isaaci Barrow Opuscula, viz. Determinationes, Conciones ad Clerum, Orationes, Poemata, &c. volumen quartum,“Lond. 1687, folio. Dr. Barrow left also several curious papers on mathematical subjects, written in his own
hand, which were communicated by Mr. Jones to the author of
” The Lives of the Gresham Professors,“a particular account of which may be seen in that book, in the
life of Barrow. Several of his works have been translated
into English, and published as the Elements and Data of
Euclid; the Geometrical Lectures, the Mathematical Lectures. And accounts of some of them were also given ia
several volumes of the Philos. Trans.
Dr. Barrow must ever be esteemed, in all the subjects
which exercised his pen, a person of the clearest perception, the finest fancy, the soundest judgment, the profoundest thought, and the closest and most nervous reasoning.
” The name of Dr. Barrow (says the learned Mr. Granger) will ever be illustrious for a strength of mind and
a compass of knowledge that did honour to his country.
He was unrivalled in mathematical learning, and especially
in the sublime geometry; in which he has been excelled
only by his successor Newton. The same genius that
seemed to be born only to bring hidden truths to light, and
to rise to the heights or descend to the depths of science,
would sometimes amuse itself in the flowery paths of poetry, and he composed verses both in Greek and Latin."
Several good anecdotes are told of Barrow, as well of his great integrity, as of his wit, and bold intrepid spirit and strength of body. His early attachment
Several good anecdotes are told of Barrow, as well of
his great integrity, as of his wit, and bold intrepid spirit
and strength of body. His early attachment to fighting
when a boy is some indication of the latter; to which may
be added the two following anecdotes: in his voyage between Leghorn and Smyrna, already noticed, the ship was
attacked by an Algerine pirate, which after a stout resistance they compelled to sheer off, Barrow keeping his post
at the gun assigned him to the last. And when Dr. Pope
in their conversation asked him, “Why he did not go
down into the hold, and leave the defence of the ship to
those, to whom it did belong r
” He replied, “It concerned no man more than myself: I would rather have lost
my life, than to have fallen into the hands of those merciless infidels.
”
a visit at a gentleman’s house in the country, where the necessary was at the end of a long garden, and consequently at a great distance from the room where he lodged
There is another anecdote told of him, which shewed not only his intrepidity, but an uncommon goodness of disposition, in circumstances where an ordinary share of it would have been probably extinguished. Being once on a visit at a gentleman’s house in the country, where the necessary was at the end of a long garden, and consequently at a great distance from the room where he lodged as he was going to it before day, for he was a very early riser, a fierce mastiff, that used to be chained up all day, and let loose at night for the security of the house, perceiving a strange person in the garden at that unusual time, set upon him with great fury. The doctor caught him by the throat, grappled with him, and, throwing him down, lay upon him once he had a mind to kill him; but he altered his resolution, on recollecting that this would be unjust, since the dog did only his duty, and he himself was in fault for rambling out of his room before it was light. At length he called out so loud, that he was heard by some of the family, who came presently out, and freed the doctor and the dog from the danger they both had been in.
Among other instances of his wit and vivacity, they relate the following rencontre between him and
Among other instances of his wit and vivacity, they relate the following rencontre between him and the profligate
lord Rochester. These two meeting one day at court,
while the doctor was king’s chaplain in ordinary, Rochester, thinking to banter him, with a flippant air, and a low
formal bow, accosted him with, “Doctor, 1 am yours to
my shoe-tie:
” Barrow perceiving his drift, returned the
salute, with, “My lord, I am yours to the ground.
” Rochester, on this, improving his blow, quickly returned it,
with, “Doctor, I am yours to the centre;
” which was as
smartly followed up by Barrow, 'with, “My lord, I am
yours to the antipodes.
” Upon which, Rochester, disdaining to be foiled by a musty old piece of divinity, as he
used to call him, exclaimed, “Doctor, I am yours to the
lowest pit of hell;
” upon which Barrow, turning upon his
heel, with a sarcastic smile, archly replied, “There, my
lord, I leave you.
”
Dr. Barrow’s sermons are yet admired for the style and moral sentiment. Yet in him, says Dr. Blair, one admires more
Dr. Barrow’s sermons are yet admired for the style and moral sentiment. Yet in him, says Dr. Blair, one admires more the prodigious fecundity of his invention, and the uncommon strength and force of his conceptions, than the felicity of his execution, or his talent in composition. We see a genius far surpassing the common, peculiar, indeed, almost to himself; but that genius often shooting wild, and unchastised by any discipline or study of eloquence. His style is unequal, incorrect, and redundant, but uncommonly distinguished for force and expressiveness. On every subject, he multiplies words with an overflowing copiousness, but it is always a torrent of strong ideas and significant expressions which he pours forth.
otland, was born, in 1748, in the county of Berwick. He was educated in the university of Edinburgh, and for a short time was employed as private tutor to the sons of
, D. D. a clergyman of Scotland, was
born, in 1748, in the county of Berwick. He was educated
in the university of Edinburgh, and for a short time was
employed as private tutor to the sons of some gentlemen
in Orkney, by whose patronage he became second minister of the royal burgh and ancient cathedral of Kirkwall;
from whence, about 1796, he was translated to the island
and parish of Shapinshay. Here he discharged the duties
of the pastoral office with zeal, and the approbation of his
parishioners. He first attracted public notice by the statistical account of his two parishes, published by sir John Sinclair in that work (“Statistical Reports
”), which has done
so much credit to the talents of the clergy of Scotland.
Dr. Barry had also great merit in the education of youth,
which he superintended in his parish and its neighbourhood
with the happiest effect. Sensible of his zeal in this respect, the society for propagating Christian knowledge in
Scotland, about the year 1800, chose him one of their
members, and gave him a superintendence over their
schools at Orkney. Soon after the university of Edinburgh
conferred on him the degree of doctor in divinity. For
some years before his death, he was employed in drawing
up a work of great value and authenticity, entitled “The
History of the Orkney Islands; in which is comprehended
an account of their present as well as their ancient state,
c.
” 4to. This was published a short time after his death,
which took place May 14, 1805.
of Mainaper, near Pembroke, in 1146. By his mother he was descended from the princes of South Wales and his father, William Barry, was one of the chief men of that
, usually called Giraldus Cambrensis, or Girald of Wales, was born at the castle of Mainaper, near Pembroke, in 1146. By his mother he was descended from the princes of South Wales and his father,
William Barry, was one of the chief men of that principality. Being a younger brother, and intended for the
cburch, he was sent to St. David’s, and educated in the
family of the bishop of that see, who was his uncle. He
acknowledges in his history of his own life and actions,
that in his early youth he was too negligent and playful;
but his uncle and his masters remonstrated with him so
sharply, that he became diligent, and soon excelled his
school-fellows. When about twenty years of age, he was
sent to the university of Paris, where he continued for
three years, acquiring great fame by his skill in rhetoric,
and on his return he entered into holy orders, and obtained several benefices in England and Wales. Finding
that the Welch were very reluctant in paying tidies of
wool and cheese, he applied to Richard, archbishop of
Canterburv, and was appointed his legate in Wales for
rectifying that disorder, and for other purposes. He
executed this commission with great spirit, excommunicating
all without distinction, who neglected to pay. He also
informed against the old archdeacon of Brechin for being
married, and procured him to be deprived of his archdeaconry, which was bestowed on this officious legate. In
otherwise discharging the duties of this new office, he
acted with great vigour, which involved him in many quarXels; but, according to his own account, he was always in
the right, and always victorious. On his uncle’s death,
he was elected by the chapter of St. David’s, bishop of
that see, but he declined accepting it, owing to the informality of not applying to the king for his licence, although
in reality he knew that the king, Henry II. would never
have confirmed such an election, and did in fact express
his displeasure at it, in consequence of which another person was chosen. Girald, however, was not reconciled to
the disappointment, and determined to get rid of his chagrin by travelling, and studying for some time longer at
Paris. Here he pursued the civil and canon law, and with
his usual vanity he boasts what a prodigious fame he acquired, especially in the knowledge of papal constitutions,
or decretals, as they are called. In 1179, he was elected
professor of the canon law in the university of Paris; but
rejected the honour, expecting more solid advantages in
his own country. In 1180, he returned home through
Flanders and England, and in his way stopped at Canterbury, where he emphatically describes (what may be well allowed him) the great luxury of the monks of that place.
At length he got home, where he found the whole country
in a flame, the canons and archdeacons of Menevia having
joined with the inhabitants in driving out the bishop of
that see, the administration of which was committed to our
author, by the archbishop of Canterbury. Under this authority he governed the see of St. David’s for three or four
years, and made wonderful reformations in it. The abdicated bishop, whose name was Peter, did not acquiesce in
the conduct of his clergy, but by letters suspended and
excommunicated the canons and archdeacons, uncited and
unheard: and at length, Girald, not having power to redress them, resigned his charge to the archbishop, who
absolved the excommunicated. Bishop Peter imputed his
disgrace, or at least the continuance of it, to Girald; great
contests arose, and appeals were made to Rome: but at
length they were reconciled, and the bishop restored.
About the year 1184, king Henry II. invited Girald to
court, and made him his chaplain, and at times he attended the king for several years, and was very useful to
him in keeping matters quiet in Wales’. Yet though the
king approved of his services, and in private often coinmended his prudence and fidelity, he never could be
prevailed on to promote him to any ecclesiastical benefices, on account of the relation he bore to prince Rhees,
and other grandees of Wales. In 1185, the king sent him
to Ireland with his son John, in quality of secretary and
privy-counsellor to the young prince: but the expedition
did not meet with success, because earl John made use
only of youthful counsels, and shewed no favour to the
old adventurers, who were men experienced in the affairs
of Ireland. While Girald thus employed himself in Ireland, the two bishoprics of Ferns and Leighlin fell vacant, which earl John offered to unite, and confer on him;
but he rejected the promotion, and employed himself in
collecting materials for writing his Topography and history
of the conquest of Ireland, which he compiled and published a few years after. In the spring of the year 1186,
John Comyn, archbishop of Dublin, convened a synod of
his clergy, in Christ-church of that city, at which Girald
was one of the preachers, but by the account of it in his
life, it appears to have been a turbulent assembly. Having obtained great fame in Ireland, as he tells us himself,
between Easter and Whitsuntide 1187, he returned to
Wales, and employed all his time in writing and revising
his Topography, to which, when he had put, the last hand,
he took a journey to Oxford, and repeated it in a public
audience of the university; and as it consisted of three
distinctions, he repeated one every day of three successively; and in order to captivate the people, and secure
their applause, the first day he entertained all the poor of
the town, the next day the doctors and scholars of fame
and reputation, and the third day the scholars of the
lower rank, the soldiers, townsmen, and burgesses. In
the year 1188, he accompanied Baldwin, archbishop of
Canterbury, in a journey through the rough and mountainous parts of Wales, in order to preach up to the
people the necessity of taking the cross, and engaging
in an expedition in defence of the Holy Land. Here our
author shews the vast success his eloquence met with, in
persuading the greatest part of the country to engage in
this adventure, when the archbishop was able to do nothing. Girald himself took the cross at this time, and it
afforded him the opportunity of writing his “Itinerarium
Cambriae.
” The same year he went over into France,
in the retinue of king Henry If, which he did by the advice of the archbishop of Canterbury, and Ranulph de
Glanville, chief-justice of England; but the king dying
the year after, he was sent back by Richard I. to preserve
the peace of Wales, and was even joined with the bishop
of Ely, as one of the regents of the kingdom. After refusing one or two bishoprics, in hopes to succeed to St.
David’s, which was his favourite object, this latter became
vacant in 1198, and he was unanimously elected by the
chapter. Yet here again he was disappointed, owing to
the opposition of Hubert archbishop of Canterbury, and
was involved in a contest, which lasted five years, during
which he took three journies to Rome, and was at last
defeated. Soon after this, he retired from the world, and
spent the last seventeen years of his life in study, composing many of his writings. He was unquestionably a
man of genius and learning, but as a historian, full of
credulity and fable; and as a man, one of the most vain
upon record. Ware, and the editor of the Biog. Britannica, have given a long list of his manuscript works, which
are in the Cotton and Harleian libraries in the British
museum, the archbishop’s library at Lambeth, the
Bodleian, Oxford, and the public library and Bene't college library, Cambridge. Those printed are: 1. “Topographia Hibernioe,
” Francfort, Historia Vaticinalis, de expugnatione Hiberniae,
” Francfort, Itinerarium Cambriae,
” published with annotations
by David Powel, De laudibus Carnbrorum,
” also published by Powel. 5. “Gemma Ecclesiastica,
” Mentz, Gemma animoe,
” without the author’s name. 6. “Liber secundus de descriptione Wallise,
” published by Wharton,
in Anglia Sacra, part II. p, 447. Camden every where
quotes Giraldus as an author of undoubted credit and
reputation.
rary of archbishop Baldwin through Wales, A. D. 1188, by Giraldus de Barri; translated into English, and illustrated with views, annotations, and a life of Giraldus.”
In 1806, sir Richard Colt Hoare, bart. published in two
splendid quarto volumes, “The Itinerary of archbishop
Baldwin through Wales, A. D. 1188, by Giraldus de
Barri; translated into English, and illustrated with views,
annotations, and a life of Giraldus.
” In this life, an elegant and elaborate composition, although the facts are not
materially different from the preceding, yet the colouring
is more highly favourable, and we refer with pleasure to
it as a memoir in which the curiosity of the antiquary
will be amply gratified. Sir Richard thus briefly sums
up the character of Girald: “Noble in his birth, and
comely in his person; mild in his manners, and affable
in his conversation; zealous, active, and undaunted in
maintaining the rights and dignities of his church; moral
in his character, and orthodox in his principles; charitable
and disinterested, though ambitious; learned, though superstitious. Such was Giraldus. And in whatever point
of view we examine the character of this extraordinary
man, whether as a scholar, a patriot, or a divine, we may
justly consider him as one of the brightest luminaries that
adorned the annals of the twelfth century.
”