, a learned scholar of the sixteenth century, was a native of Anghiari
, a learned scholar of the sixteenth century, was a native of Anghiari in Tuscany, where
he acquired great reputation by his knowledge, not only
of the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, but of the Syriac and
other oriental languages, which he taught at Venice, Padua, Bologna, Rome, and Spain. From Spain he came
to France in 1550, accompanied by father Simon Guichard,
then superior of the* order of the Minims; and at Paris, he
had for one of his scholars, the celebrated Andrew Dudith
of Buda. At length he attached himself to William du
Prat, bishop of Clermont, in whose service he died at
Auvergne in 1557. He was the author of some works
which have not appeared, but among those published was
a very valuable Greek grammar, entitled “Hellenismus,
”
and a book of instructions in the oriental languages, entitled “Institutiones linguarum Syriacte, Assyriacae, et
Thalmudicae, una cum jEthiopicae et Arabics collatione,
”
Paris,
he became acquainted in early life, was the late reverend and ingenious Dr. Henry Miles of Tooting, a learned member of the royal society, and of approved eminence
, an ingenious natural philosopher, was born at Stroud, in Gloucestershire, July 31, 1713; and was placed, when young, under the care of a Mr. Davis, of the same place, a very able mathematician, with whom, before he attained the age of nine years, he had gone through both vulgar and decimal arithmetic. He then proceeded to the mathematics, and particularly to algebra and astronomy, wherein he made a considerable progress, when his father took him from school, and put him to learn his own business, that of a broad-cloth weaver, but this circumstance did not damp his zeal for the acquisition of knowledge. All his leisure time was devoted to the assiduous^cultivation of astronomical science; and, by the help of the Caroline tables, annexed to Wing’s astronomy, he computed eclipses of the moon and other phsenomena. His acquaintance with that science he applied, likewise, to the constructing of several kinds of dials. But the studies of our young philosopher being frequently pursued to very late hours, his father, fearing that they would injure his health, forbade him the use of a cmidle in his chamber, any longer than for the purpose of going to bed, and would himself often see that his injunction was obeye<l. The son’s thirst of knowledge was, however, so great, that it made him attempt to evade the prohibition, and to find means of secreting his light till the family had retired to rest; when he rose to prosecute undisturbed his favourite pursuits. It was during this prohibition, and at these hours, that he computed, and cut upon stone, with no better an instrument than a common knife, the lines of a large upright sun-dial; on which, besides the hour of the day, were shewn the rising of the sun, -his place in the ecliptic, and some other particulars. When this was finished, and made known to his father, he permitted it to be placed against the front of his house, where it excited the admiration of several gentlemen in the neighbourhood, and introduced young Mr. Canton to their acquaintance, which was followed by the offer of the use of their libraries. In the library of one of these gentlemen, he found Martin’s Philosophical Grammar, which was the first bodk that gave him a taste for natural philosophy. In the possession of another gentleman, a few miles from Stroud, he first saw a pair of globes; an object that afforded him uncommon pleasure, from the great ease with which he could solve those problems he had hitherto been accustomed to compute. The dial was beautified a few years ago, at the expence of the gentlemen at Stroud; several of whom had been his school-fellows, and who continued still to regard it as a very distinguished performance. Among other persons with whom he became acquainted in early life, was the late reverend and ingenious Dr. Henry Miles of Tooting, a learned member of the royal society, and of approved eminence in natural knowledge. This gentleman, perceiving that Mr. Canton possessed abilities too promising to be confined within ^the narrow limits of a country town, prevailed on his father to permit him to come to London. Accordingly he arrived at the metropolis March 4, 1737, and resided with Dr. Miles, at Tooting (who, it may here be noticed, bequeathed to him all his philosophical instruments), till the 6th of May following; when he articled himself, for the term of five years, as a clerk to Mr. Samuel Watkins, master of the academy in Spitalsquare. In this situation, his ingenuity, diligence, and good conduct were so conspicuous, that, on the expiration of his clerkship, in the month of May 1742, he was taken into partnership with Mr. Watkins for three years; which gentleman he afterwards succeeded in Spital-square, and there continued during his whole life. On December 25, 1744, he married Penelope, the eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Colbrooke, and niece to James Colbrooke, esq. banker in London.
since the author acknowledges, that he had been thirty-six years about it. The younger Buxtorf wrote a learned answer to it, and some English protestants have also
Capellus composed another work, entitled “Critics, Sacra;
” fol. which so highly displeased the protestants that
they hindered the impression of it; till John Capellus,
who was his son, and afterwards turned papist, got leave
of the king to print it at Paris in 1650. This work is a
collection of various readings and errors, which he thought
were crept into the copies of the Bible, through the fault
of the transcribers, and must have been a work of prodigious labour, since the author acknowledges, that he had
been thirty-six years about it. The younger Buxtorf wrote
a learned answer to it, and some English protestants have
also appeared against it: but Grotius, on the other side,
very much commends it in an epistle to the author; where
he tells him to be content with the judicious approbation
of a few, rather than the blind applause of many readers.
“Contentus esto,
” says he, “magnis potius quam multis
laudatoribus.
” Father Simon quotes a letter which Morinus wrote to cardinal Francis Barbarini on the subject of
his “Critrca Sacra,
” in which he intimates that they would
do Capellus a kindness in condemning his book, because it
had procured him the hatred of his own party; but that
at the same time it would be prejudicial to the Roman
catholic 1 cause, which those “Critica
” were thought to
support. This letter was printed in England, and added
to a collection of letters entitled “Bibliotheca Orientalis.
”
Capellus died at Saumur, June 16, 1658, aged almost
eighty having made an abridgment of his life in his work
“De gente Capellorum.
”
, a learned bishop in the seventeenth century, son of Guy, second
, a learned bishop in the seventeenth century, son of Guy, second son of Thomas Carleton, of Carleton-hall, in Cumberland, was born at Norham,
in Northumberland, of whose important castle his father
was then governor. By the care of the eminent Bernard
Giipin, he was educated in grammar-learning and when
tit for the university, sent by the same generous person to
Edmund-hall in Oxford, in the beginning of the year
1576, and was by him chiefly maintained in his studies.
On the 12th of February 1579-80, he took his degree of
B. A. at the completing of which, he exceeded all that
performed their exercises at that time. The same year
he was elected probationer fellow of Merton-college, and
remained in that society above five years before he proceeded in his faculty, not taking the degree of M. A. till
June the 14th, 1585. While he remained in college, he
was esteemed a great orator and poet, and in process of
time became a better disputant in divinity, than he had before been in philosophy. What preferments he had, is not
mentioned, nor does it appear that he was possessed of anv
dignity in the church till he became a bishop. After
having continued many years in the university, and taken,
the degree of B. D. May 16, 1594, and that of Doctor,
December 1, 1613, he was advanced to the bishopric of
Landaff, to which he was confirmed July 11, 1613, and
consecrated at Lambeth the next day. The same year he
was sent by king James T. with three other English divine*,
Dr. Hail, afterwards bishop of Exeter, Dr. Davenant, afterwards bishop of Salisbury, and Dr. Ward, master of
Sidney-college, Cambridge, and one from Scotland, Dr.
W T alter Balcanqual, afterwards dean of Durham, to the
synod of Dort; where he stood up in favour of episcopacy,
and behaved so well in every respect to the credit of our
nation, that after his return he was, upon the translation,
of Dr. Harsnet to Norwich, elected to succeed him in
the see of Chichester, September 8, 16 19, and confirmed
the 20th of the same month. He departed this life in May
1628, and was buried the 27th of that month in the choir
of his cathedral church at Chichester, near the altar. He
was a person uf solid judgment, and of various reading;
well versed in the fathers and schoolmen; wanting nothing
that could render him a complete divine; a bitter enemy
to the Papists, and in the point of Predestination a rigid
Calvinist. “I have loved him,
” says Mr. Camden, “for
his excellent proficiency in divinity, and other polite parts
of learning.
” Echard and Fuller also characterize him in
very high terms.
n of the rector, Dr. Holland, he applied himself to theological studies, and, in a few years, proved a learned divine and an excellent preacher. In 1611 he was admitted
, confounded by Langbaine
with the former, but a divine of a very different character,
and prior in order of time, was a Cornish man, and became
a batler in, Exeter college in Oxford, in 1592, and four
years after fellow of that house, being then B. A. By
the advice and direction of the rector, Dr. Holland, he applied himself to theological studies, and, in a few years,
proved a learned divine and an excellent preacher. In
1611 he was admitted to the reading of the sentences; and
about that time was made rector of Slierwill, and of Loxhore adjoining, in Devonshire; and afterwards obtained
the benefice “of Ham near Sberwill. He died Dec. 18,
1627, aged fifty-two, and was bnried in the chancel of the
church of Loxbore. He published some sermons 1.
” “The
Soul’s Centinel,
” preached at the funeral of sir Arthur
Acland, knt. Jan. 9, loll, on Job xiv. 14.“Lomi. 1612, 8vo.
2.
” A Pastoral Charge, faithfully given and discharged at
the triennial visitation of W. Bishop of Exon, at Barnstaple, Sept. 7, 1616, on Acts xx. 28.“London, 1616, 8vo.
3.
” Christ’s Larum-bell of Love resounded,“&c. on John
xv. 12. Lond. 1616,8vo. 4.
” The conscionable Christian,"
&c. being three assize sermons at Tan n ton aud Chard in
Somersetshire, 162O, on Acts xxiv. 16. Lond. 1623, 4to.
, the first of a learned family in Germany, was born in 1565 in the marquisate
, the first of a learned family in Germany, was born in 1565 in the marquisate of Brandenburgh. As he excelled in the study of jurisprudence, he was enrolled among the number of lawyers at Wittemberg in 1592, where he lectured on the institutes in 1599 and 1601. He was afterwards appointed chancellor and assessor of appeals to Sophia, the widow of Christian I. elector of Saxony, and after residing some years at that court, obtained permission to return to Wittemberg, where he died in 1624.
, a learned critic, was of a Spanish family, but born at Bruges,
, a learned critic, was
of a Spanish family, but born at Bruges, in Flanders. He
began to study at Louvain, where he had Lipsius for his
school-fellow, of whom he often speaks with respect in
various parts of his “Antiquae lectiones,
” and his “Ernendationes,
” although it has been insinuated that he felt some
degree of jealousy of the fame of Lipsius. He prosecuted
his studies at Doway and at Paris, and returning to Louvain, was made doctor of laws in 1586, and about the same
time lectured on the Institutes of Justinian. He was afterwards appointed royal professor of law, and had some
church preferment, but he died young at Louvaine, June
23, 1595, being then president of the college of St. Ives.
His classical and critical taste is displayed in 1. “Histojriarum Sallustii fragmenta,
” with notes, Antwerp, Censorinus de die natali,
” with the fragment
of an unknown author on the same subject, attributed to
Censorinus, but which Carrio proves was not his, Paris,
1583, 8vo. Lindenbrog, in his own edition of Censorinus,
Leyden, 1642, 8vo, bestows high praise on Carrio, and
adopts most of his readings. 3. “M. A. Cassiodori de ortographia libellus,
” Antwerp, V. Flacci
Argonautica, cum castigationibus,
” Antwerp, 8vo, and
16mo, and Lyons, 1617, 8vo. 5. “Antiquarum lectionum libri tres,
” Antwerp, Thesaurus
” as is his other work, 6. “Emendationum et observationum libri duo,
” Paris, 4to.
and practised as a solicitor in Chancery in 1708, in which profession he became eminent. He was also a learned antiquary. Most of his manuscripts and papers relative
was admitted a scholar of Trinity-hall, Cambridge,
on the 5th of May, 1704, and proceeded LL. B. He was
afterwards a member of Symond’s-inn, and practised as a
solicitor in Chancery in 1708, in which profession he became eminent. He was also a learned antiquary. Most
of his manuscripts and papers relative to antiquities are
supposed to have been sold by his widow to the late sir
Thomas Cave, bart. He assisted Mr. Jackson, schoolmaster of Coventry, in his account of the benefactions and
charities belonging to that city; and was the editor, though
without his name, of Brewster’s “Collectanea Ecclesiastica,
” to which he added many learned notes. Mr. Samuel
Carte was alive in 1760, but died not long after. Several
manuscript letters of his, relative to subjects of antiquity,
were in Dr. Ducarel’s possession, and are now in that of
Mr, Nichols.
arious learning than fell to the lot of many of her contemporaries of the other sex. Mrs. Carter was a learned lady in the most honourable sense, and appears uniformly
In this interesting volume a more perfect portrait is exhibited of Mrs. Carter than can be admitted in any sketch like the present. With respect to genius, she had unquestionably a considerable portion, but she had it not easily at command; it did not precipitate her into any of those dazzling productions which are admired even for their faults. What she accomplished was the fruit of labour, but it was labour which amply made up for the time it consumed. Her poems, the only productions which can be considered under this head, are distinguished for elegance of style and sentiment, often for sublimity and a peculiar vigour of thought. Her versification is harmonious, and her language pure* and forcible. But the more remarkable qualities of her character must be sought in a mind cultivated with the highest degree of care, and enriched with a greater fund of various learning than fell to the lot of many of her contemporaries of the other sex. Mrs. Carter was a learned lady in the most honourable sense, and appears uniformly to have applied it to the most valuable purposes. In the sexual rivalship she was not ambitious to attain either equality or superiority by affecting new discoveries in religion, morals, or politics, yet attained a higher and more enviable rank in tke literary world than any of those unsexed females, in whose case the world has lately been obliged to add pity to its admiration, and to withhold esteem. Her principles, on all the great leading topics that are interesting to human beings, were sound, the result of examination and conviction; and while, by adhering to them, she secured her own happiness, she added to that of others by example and precept.
, a learned historiographer of Palermo, where he was born in 1673,
, a learned
historiographer of Palermo, where he was born in 1673,
devoted his life to the history and antiquities of Sicily;
and first published “Memorie Istoriche della Sicilia,
”
Palermo, Bibliotheca Historica Regni Siciliae,
” Bibliotheca
” was translated into Italian,
and published in
, a learned Chronologer in the seventeenth century, and great nephew
, a learned Chronologer in the seventeenth
century, and great nephew of sir George Cary, knt. lord
deputy of Ireland in queen Elizabeth’s reign, was born at
Cockinton, in the county of Devon, about the year 1615;
being the second son of George Cary, esq. and“Elizabeth,
daughter of sir Edward Seymour, of Berry-castle, bart.
When he was well-grounded in school -learn ing, he went
to Oxford, and was admitted sojourner of Exeter college,
on the 4th of October 1631, aged sixteen. Having continued there about three years, he was, in October 1634,
chosen scholar of Corpus Christi college in the same university. The next year, on December the 3d, he was
admitted bachelor of arts; and the 23d of February 1638-9,
proceeded master of arts: and it is probable, that he was
also chosen fellow of his college, though Mr. Wood professes he did not know. On Nov. 4, 1644, he was created
doctor of laws, by virtue of mandatory letters from
the chancellor, William marquis of Hertford, who was his
kinsman. Some time after, he travelled into Fiance, the
Low Countries, and other foreign parts. At his return,
he was presented by the marquis of Hertford, to the rectory of Portlemouth, near Kingsbridge in Devonshire, a
living of very good value. There he settled, and lived in
good repute: and being distinguished by his birth, degrees,
and learning, the presbyterian ministers of those times
made him moderator of that part of the second divisional*
the county of Devon, which was appointed to meet at
Kingsbridge; yet he was never zealous in their interest: for,
upon the restoration of Charles II. he was one of the first
that congratulated that king upon his return. For this,
he was soon after preferred to the archdeaconry of Exeter,
which he was installed into August 18, 1662. But he was
in a little while, namely, in 1664, affrighted and ejected
out of it by some great men then in power: who taking
advantage of some infirmities, or perhaps imprudences, of
his, resolved to throw him out, in order to raise a favourite
upon his ruin. Being thus deprived of his archdeaconry,
he retired to his rectory at Portlemouth, where he spent
the remainder of his days in a private, cheerful, and contented condition in good repute with his neighbours
and as much above content as he was below envy. He
died at the parsonage-house of Portlemouth, and was buried
in his own church there, on the 19th of September, 1688,
without any funeral monument. He was a man very perfect in curious and critical learning, particularly in chronology; of which he gave a full testimony, in the excellent book he published, entitled
” Palaelogia Chronica, a
chronological account of ancient time, in three parts, 1.
Didactical. 2. Apodeictical. 3. Canonical," Lond. 1677,
folio. He was also in his younger years well skilled in
poetry, as well Latin as English; though he published nothing in this kind but those hymns of our church, that are
appointed to be read after the lessons, together with the
creed, &c. These being translated by him into Latin verse,
were printed on the flat sides of two sheets in folio. In
person he was of a middle stature, sanguine complexion,
and in his elder years somewhat corpulent. In his carriage
he was a gentleman of good address, free and generous,
and courteous and obliging.
, a learned cardinal, was born at Naples, June 13, 1620, and at
, a learned cardinal, was born at
Naples, June 13, 1620, and at first, in compliance with
his father’s wishes, studied the law; but afterwards
his father was induced, at the request of cardinal Pamphili,
to allow him to go into the church. This cardinal, as sooa
as he became pope, by the name of Innocent X. made
Casanata one of his chamberlains of honour, and bestowed
on him several governments. In 1658 he was sent to Malta
as inquisitor by pope Alexander VII. and after residing
there four years and a half, was recalled to Rome, and employed in several congregations. He was promoted to be
cardinal by Clement X. in 1673, and was again employed
in public affairs of importance, during all which he retained a love of letters, accumulated an immense library,
and corresponded with many of the literati of Europe, whom
he encouraged in the publication of their works. In 1693,
pope Innocent XII. chose him librarian to the Vatican. As
it was his ambition to promote literature, he employed the
deputy librarian, the abbé Zacagni, to publish some curious
works that were in manuscript. Of these one volume in
quarto was. printed, and more would have followed if Casanata had not been prevented by death in March 1700.
He left his library 10 the church and Dominican convent
of St. Maria sopra Minerva, with a legacy of 80,000 ducats, destined partly for purchasing books, and partly for
salaries to ten learned monks, of whom two were to act as
librarians, two to expound the doctrine of St. Thomas, and
the six others to defend the doctrines of the church. This
establishment appears to have continued until within these
few years, as in 1776, the two librarians published “Bibliothecae Casanatensis Catalogus librorum typis impressorum,
” Rome, 3 vols. folio. This catalogue, which was
probably continued (although we have heard of only these three volumes), reaches to letter G. Most of the books in
this extensive library were published in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries, but there are neither English nor
German works among them. The Italian books, however,
are very numerous; and the catalogue, on account of the
great number of anecdotes and notices interspersed, may
be considered as an important acquisition to bibliography.
, a learned Jesuit, of a distinguished family in Placentia, was
, a learned Jesuit, of a distinguished
family in Placentia, was born there in 1617, and became
professor of mathematics and theology at Rome. He was
one of the two ecclesiastics who contributed to convert
Christina, queen of Sweden, to the popish faith. She had
desired that two Jesuits might be sent to confer with her
on the subject. In 1652 he returned to Italy, and, as he
had considerable political talents, was appointed superior
to several houses belonging to the society of Jesuits: and
he presided over the university of Parma for thirty years,
and acted as confessor to two successive duchesses of
Parma. Amidst all these occupations he had leisure for
his mathematical studies and publications. He died at
Parma, Dec. 22, 1707. His principal works are, 1. “Vacuum proscriptum,
” Genoa, Terra machinis
mota,
” Rome, Mechanicorum libri octo,
”
De igne dissertationes,
” De angelis disputatio theologica,
” Placentia, Hydrostaticse dissertationes,
” Parma, Opticae disputationes,
” Parma,
, a learned popish divine of conciliatory principles, was born in
, a learned popish divine of
conciliatory principles, was born in 1515, in the isle of
Cadsand, near Bruges, whence he took his name. He was
deeply skilled in the languages, polite literature, civil law,
and divinity; and taught the belles lettres at Ghent, Bruges,
and other places with great reputation. He afterwards directed almost his sole attention to theological studies, and
retiring to Cologne, prosecuted his favourite idea of forming an union and reconciliation between the Roman catholics and protestants. With this view he published without
his name in 1562, a small work, entitled “De Officio Viri
pii, &c.
” which favouring the Roman catholic church, on
the general ground of authority, engaged him in a controversy with Calvin, who thought that it was written by Baudouin, a celebrated lawyer; and although the true author
was discovered, the controversy went on. The sentiments
of Cassander, however, appeared in so favourable a light to
the German princes, that they fixed upon him as a mediator in the religious disputes. Under this character he composed his famous piece entitled “Consultatio Cassandri,
”
in which he discusses the several articles of the Augsburg
confession, stating their difference from the doctrines of
the catholic church, and the concessions that might be
safely made with respect to them. This work, which was
written with great liberality, was much applauded by those
who were desirous of a coalition, but who were soon convinced that every attempt of this kind was nugatory. Cassander died in 1566. M. De Thou represents him as modest, void of arrogance and acrimony; and he was as ardent
in his wishes for a religious union, and made as many
concessions for the accomplishment of this object, as could be
expected from a person who continued in the catholic
communion. Others, his contemporaries, speak highly of
him, but many of his works were censured or condemned
by the council of Trent. His works were first printed separately, and afterwards collected in a folio volume, Paris,
1616. Dupin bestows a prolix, but interesting article on
Cassander.
that Sienna has pretended to rival Florence in the production of classical language. Girolamo Gigli, a learned man of Sienna, who published a fine edition of St. Catherine’s
Her “Letters
” are written in a style so pure and elegant, that Sienna has pretended to rival Florence in the
production of classical language. Girolamo Gigli, a learned
man of Sienna, who published a fine edition of St. Catherine’s Letters in 1707, had a design of subjoining a vocabulary of words and expressions peculiar to her, but in
this attempt took so many liberties with the language and
academy of Florence, that his “Vocabolario Cateriniano
”
was stopt by an order from pope Innocent XII. the author
banished, his work burnt by the hands of the hangman,
and his name struck out of the list of the Florentine academicians, as guilty, says a late Italian historian, not only
of leze-grammar, but of leze-majesty. The vocabulary,
however, was afterwards published, without a date, 4to,
and with the fictitious name of Manille.
, a learned and industrious writer, was born at Paris Dec. 28, 1659.
, a learned and industrious writer,
was born at Paris Dec. 28, 1659. After studying classics
and philosophy, he relinquished the bright prospects of
promotion held out to him by his maternal uncle M. de
Lubert, who was treasurer-general of the marine; entered
the society of the Jesuits in 1677, and completed his
vows in 1694 at the college of Bourges, where he then
resided. After teaching for a certain number of years,
agreeably to the custom of his society, his superiors ordained him to the pulpit, and he became a very celebrated
preacher for some years, at the end of which the “Journal
de Trevoux
” was committed to his care: he appears to
have been editor of it from 1701, and notwithstanding his
almost constant attention to this journal, which for about
twelve years he enriched with many valuable dissertations
and extracts, he found leisure for various separate publications. In 1705, he published his “Histoire generate de
Tempire du Mogul,
” Paris, 4to, or 2 vols. 12mo, and often
reprinted. It is taken from the Portuguese memoirs of
M. Manouchi, a Venetian. In 1706 appeared his “Histoire duFanatisme des religions protestantes,
” Paris, 12mo,
containing only the history of the anabaptists; but he reprinted it in 1733, 2 vols. 12mo, with the history of
Davidism, and added the same year in a third volume, the
history of the Quakers. This work is in more estimation
abroad than it probably would be in this country. He employed himself for some time on a translation of Virgil into
prose, which was completed in 1716, Paris, 6 vols. 12mo,
and was reprinted in 1729, 4 vols. The notes and life of
Virgil are the most valuable part of the book, although his
admirers affected to consider him as excelling equally as
commentator, critic, and translator. That, however, on
which his fame chiefly rests, is his “Roman History,
” to
which his friend Rouilie contributed the notes. This
valuable work was completed in 20 vols. 4to, and was soon
translated into Italian and English, the latter in 1728, by
Dr. Richard Bundy, 6 volg. folio. Rouilie, who undertook
to continue the history, 'after the death of his colleague,
published only one volume in 1739, 4to, and died himself
the following year. Father Routh then undertook the
continuation, but the dispersion of the Jesuits prevented
his making much progress. As a collection of facts, this
history is the most complete we have, and the notes are
valuable, but the style is not that of the purest historians.
Catrou preserved his health and spirits to an advanced age,
dying Oct. 18, 1737, in his seventy-eighth year
tation. His only other publication was “Apologie de la Moraledes Peres contre Barbeyrac,” 1718, 4to, a learned treatise badly written. Cellier was fond of retirement
, a voluminous French biographer,
was born at Bar-le-duc in 1688, and was soon noted for
learning and piety. He attached himself to the congregation of the Benedictines of St. Vanne and St. Hidulphe,
and after he took the habit of that order, was intrusted
with various business belonging to it, and became titular
prior of Flavigni. He died in 1761. He published “Histoire generale des auteurs sacres et ecclesiastiques,
” Apologie de la Moraledes Peres
contre Barbeyrac,
”
, a learned philologist, was born at Verona in 1541, and was brought
, a learned philologist, was born
at Verona in 1541, and was brought to France in his infancy, by John Fregosa, bishop of Agen: here he was
educated, and for some time served in the army, after
which his patron sent him to Rome, with a view to the ecclesiastical life. Ceruti, however, being disinclined to
this, returned to his native country, and married. He
afterwards opened a school at Verona, in which he had
great success, and along with Guarinoni was at the head
of the academy of the Moderati. In 1585 he published an
edition of Horace at Verona, with a paraphrase, 4to, and
in 1597 an edition of Juvenal and Persius, 4to. He also
wrote commentaries on some parts of Cicero, and on the
Georgics of Virgil, but it does not appear that they were
printed. His other published works are, two Letters in
the “Amphotides Scioppiana;
” a “Dialogus de Comcedia,
” Verona, De recta adolescentulorum institutione,
” and a collection of Latin
poems in
, a learned philologer, was born at Sainloup in Poitou, in 1516,
, a learned philologer, was born at Sainloup in Poitou, in 1516, and studied the Latin tongue at Sainloup, and afterwards went to Poitiers, at twenty-four years of age, to study the Greek there; but he was soon recalled from thence, to teach youth in his native place. He taught there six years, after which he went to Paris, and went through a course of philosophical studies under Omer and Talon, in the college de Prele. Having spent three years and a half in study, he took his degree of M. A. and professed teaching. The children of several persons of distinction were committed to his care and he acquired so much reputation as a preceptor, that chancellor de PHopital resolved to engage him to live at his seat in the country, to teach his grandsons. He got Peter Ramus and John Mercier, the regius professors, to make proposals to him. Chabot accepted them, and lived twelve years in the chancellor’s family, viz. five years before the chancellor died, and seven years after. His chief work was a Commentary on Horace, on which he exhausted all the fruits of his studies. He was a man of great regularity in life and manners, and submitted three times, with great patience, to the plunder of his effects during the civil wars. He died of an advanced age, about 1597. He is said to have been once professor in the university of Paris, which Bayle doubts, but Freher seems to confirm it. His commentary on Horace was printed 1615, fol. according to Bayle. Dr. Clarke mentions an 8vo, Paris, 1582, and says it is a very rare edition, but this appears to be an abridgment of the larger work.
, a learned physician in the sixteenth century, noted chiefly for
, a learned physician in the sixteenth century, noted chiefly for being one of the founders of the college of physicians, London, was educated in Merton college in Oxford, of which he was fellow. He took his degree of master of arts about the year 1502; after which, travelling into Italy, he studied physic at Padua, and there took his degree of doctor in that faculty. After his return, he became physician to Henry VIII.; and with Thomas Linacre and others, founded the college of physicians. Henry VHIth’s charter, for the foundation of this college, bears date at Westminster, September 23, 1518, and is said to have been obtained at the request of Dr. John Chamber, Thomas Linacre, Fernandez de Victoria, his physicians; and of Nicolas Halsewell, John Fraunces, and Robert Yaxley, of the same faculty: but especially through the intercession and interest of cardinal Wolsey. The first college of this society was in Knight Rider-street, being the gift of Dr. Linacre. Afterwards they removed to Amen-corner, where they bought an house and ground but the house being burnt down in 1666, the fellows purchased a large piece of ground in Warwick-lane, upon which they erected the present college. The number of fellows at first was but thirty. Charles II. at their request, augmented the number to forty. And James II. in their new charter, was pleased to increase the number to eighty, and not to exceed. To the college belong, at present, a president, four censors, and twelve electors.
, a learned French antiquary, was born at Bourges, in 1656. In 1673
, a learned French antiquary,
was born at Bourges, in 1656. In 1673 he entered among
the Jesuits, and according to their custom, for some time
taught grammar and philosophy, and was a popular
preacher for about twenty years. He died at Paris, in
1730. He was deeply versed in the knowledge of antiquity. He published: 1. A learned edition of “Prudentius
” for the use of the Dauphin, with an interpretation and notes, Paris, 1687, 4to, in which he was much
indebted to Heinsius. It is become scarce. 2. Dissertations, in number eighteen, on several medals, gems, and
other monuments of antiquity, Paris, 1711, 4to. Smitten
with the desire of possessing something extraordinary, and
which was not to be found in the other cabinets of Europe,
he strangely imposed on himself in regard to two medals
which he imagined to be antiques. The first was a Pacatianus of silver, a medal unknown till his days, and which
is so still, for that it was a perfect counterfeit has been
generally acknowledged since the death of its possessor.
The other medal, on which he was the dupe of his own
fancy, was an Annia Faustina, Greek, of the true bronze.
The princess there bore the name of Aurelia; whence
father Chainillnrd concluded that she was descended from
the family of the Antonines. It had been struck, as he
pretended, in Syria, by order of a Quirinus or Cirinus,
descended, he asserted, from that Quit-in us who is spoken
of by St. Luke. Chamillard displayed his erudition on
the subject in a studied dissertation; but while he was
enjoying his triumph, a dealer in antiques at Rome declared himself the father of Annia Faustina, at the same
time shewing others of the same manufacture.
, a learned English prelate, was the son of Samuel Chandler, esq.
, a learned English prelate, was
the son of Samuel Chandler, esq. of the city of Dublin,
by his wife Elizabeth, whose maiden name was Calvert.
Our prelate was probably born in that city, but received
his academical education at Emanuel college, Cambridge,
where at the age of twenty-five, he commenced M. A. was
ordained priest, and made chaplain to Lloyd, bishop of
Winchester, in 1693. He was prebendary of Pipa Minor,
April 27, 1697, and afterwards canon of Lichfield and
Worcester. He was nominated to the bishopric of Lichfield, Sept. 5, 1717, and consecrated at Lambeth, Nov. 17.
From that see he was translated to Durham, Nov. 5, 1730;
and it was then publicly said that he gave 9000l. for that
opulent see, which is scarcely credible. He was, it is universally acknowledged, a prelate of great erudition, having
rendered himself justly valued and esteemed as a worthy
father of the church of England, and patron of the truth,
by his learning and convincing writings, particularly “A
Defence of Christianity from the prophecies of the Old
Testament, wherein are considered all the objections
against this kind of proof advanced in a late Discourse on
the Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion,
” London, The Scheme of Literal Prophecy considered,
” and
this occasioned a second answer from the learned bishop,
entitled “A Vindication of the Defence of Christianity,
from the prophecies of the Old Testament,
” published in
Chronological Dissertation
” prefixed to Arnald’s Ecclesiasticus, and a preface to a
posthumous work of Dr. Ralph Cudworth’s, entitled “A
Treatise concerning eternal and immutable MotaKty.
” He
died at his house in Grosvenor-square July 20, 1750, of
the stone, several large ones being found in his body,
when opened, and was buried at Farnham Royal, in the
county of Bucks. Whilst he was bishop of Durham, he
gave 50l. towards augmenting Monkwearmouth living, also
200l. to purchase a house for the minister of Stockton, and
2000l. to be laid out in a purchase for the benefit of clergymen’s widows in the diocese of Durham; and it is recorded, much to his honour, that he never sold any of his
patent offices.
, a learned French antiquary, was born at Paris, Sept. 12, 1538,
,
a learned French antiquary, was born at Paris, Sept. 12,
1538, and became highly distinguished for general erudition, and especially for his knowledge of civil and canon
law, history, politics, and the belles lettres. Nor was he
less admired for the excellence of his private character.
Louis XIII. made him intendant of the fortifications of the
gabelles, or excise on salt, &c. in the principality of Sedan,
and lastly intendant of the finances of the duchies of Bar
and Lorrain. He compiled, from original records, “Historical Memoirs of the Houses of Lorrain and Bar;
” the
first part of which only was published at Paris, 1642, folio.
He also published other works on detached parts of French
history; and after his death, his son published his “Treatise on Fiefs,
”
, LL. D. a learned schoolmaster in Scotland, was born at Alvah in the county
, LL. D. a learned schoolmaster
in Scotland, was born at Alvah in the county of Banff, in
August 1723, and educated at the grammar-school of Banff,
whence in 1737 he removed to King’s college, Aberdeen.
During the academical vacation, which lasts from April
to October, he engaged as a private tutor in the family of
a gentleman, by whose interest he was appointed master
of the school of Alvah, and being indulged with a substitute, he continued his academical course until April 1741,
when he took the degree of master of arts. Feeling now a
strong propensity to tuition, in order to qualify himself for
conducting some respectable establishment of that kind,
and in a situation of great publicity, he became assistant
teacher in the grammar-school of Dalkeith. On the recommendation of his friend and patron Dr. George Stewart,
professor of humanity in the university of Edinburgh, he
was in February 1747 admitted joint master of the grammar-school of Dumfries with Mr. Robert Trotter, on whose
resignation from age and infirmity, three years after, Mr.
Chapman was promoted to be rector or head-master; and
in this laborious office he continued with increasing reputation and success, until Martinmas 1774. A few years after
he had formed and experienced the good effects of the
plan of education which he adopted in this seminary, he
committed it to writing, and occasionally submitted it, in
the various stages of progression, to the inspection and observations of his particular friends, of whose animadversions
he availed himself by subjecting them to the test of attentive experiment. In the autumn of 1774, desirous of some
relief from his accumulated labours, the consequence of his
extensive fame as a teacher, he resigned his office in the
school, and confined himself to the instruction of a few
pupils who boarded in his house, until conceiving that this
limited kind of academy, which parents were often soliciting him to enlarge, might affect the interest of his successor in the school, he removed, in 1801, to Inchdrewer near
Banff, a farm that had long been occupied by his father,
and to the lease of which he had succeeded on his death.
On this he erected a handsome dwelling-house, capable
of accommodating a considerable number of boarders for
tuition, an employment he could never relinquish, and for
which few men were better qualified. He afterwards received the degree of LL. D. from the Marischal college of
Aberdeen, and about the same time removed to Edinburgh
to superintend a printing-house for the benefit of a relation, and occasionally gave his assistance to the students of
the university. He died at his house in Rose-street, Edinburgh, Feb. 22, 1806, in the' eighty-third year of his age,
leaving a character, as a schoolmaster and a gentleman,
which will not soon be forgotten by his numerous pupils
and friends. His publications were; 1. “A treatise on
Education,
” Hints on the Education of the Lower Ranks of the
People, and the appointment of Parochial Schoolmasters.
”
3. “Advantages of a Classical Education, c.
” 4. “An
abridgment of Mr. Ruddiman’s Rudiments and Latin.
Grammar.
” 5. “East India Tracts; viz. Collegium Bengalense, a Latin poem, Translation and Dissertation. 7 '
This Latin poem, in Sapphic verse, and in which there is
a considerable portion of fancy, with correct versification,
may be considered as a very uncommon instance of vigour
of mind at the advanced age of eighty-two. A new edition of his works, for the benefit of his family, was announced soon after his death, in a
” Sketch of his Life,"
published in 1808, 8vo, and was to have been sent to press
as soon as a requisite number of subscriptions were received, but we are sorry to find that this undertaking has not
been so liberally patronized as might have been expected.
, a learned and industrious French Jesuit, was born at St. Quintin
, a learned
and industrious French Jesuit, was born at St. Quintin in
1684, and died in 1761, aged 78. His fame rests chiefly
on the histories of his travels, which were extensive, and
his accounts, although diffuse, are in general reckoned
very godd authority. They consist of: 1. “Histoire et
description gene*rale du Japon,
” Histoire de PIsle de St. Dominique,
” Histoire generale de la
Nouvelle France,
” Histoire générale du Paraguay,
” Journal of a Voyage to North America,
” Letters
to the duchess of Lesdiguieres, giving an account of a
voyage to Canada,
” &c. The History of
Paraguay,
” 1769, 2 vols. 8vo. Charlevoix also published in
1724, “Vie de Mere Marie de l'Incarnation,
” 12mo; and
he was for twenty-four years employed on the “Journal
de Trevoux,
” which he enriched with many valuable articles.
, a learned antiquary of Paris in the last century, went early in
, a learned antiquary of Paris in the last century, went early in life to
Rome for the sake of studying antiquities and the same
taste that had led him to that famous city induced him to
remain there. His “Musaeum Romanum,
” Rome, Thesaurus Antiq. Romanorum.
” The same author
published at Rome a collection of engraved gems, entitled
“Gemme antiche figurate,
” Rome, Auxeus Constantini nummus, &c. explicatus,
” Rome, Le Pitture antiche delle
Grotte di Roma e del Sepolcro di Nasoni, &c.
” the plates
by Pietro Santo and Bartoli, Rome,
, in Latin, a Capite Fontium, a learned divine, fifty-fifth general of the cordeliers, was a
, in Latin, a Capite
Fontium, a learned divine, fifty-fifth general of the
cordeliers, was a native of Bretany, descended from a noble
and ancient family, and born in 1632. He was titular
archbishop of Csesarea, to exercise the episcopal office in
the diocese of Sens, in the absence of cardinal de Peleve.
He died May 26, 1595, at Rome, leaving several theological works; among them, “De necessaria Theologian
Scholasticse correctione,
” Paris, Confutation du Point d'Honneur,
” De Virgiuitate Marias et Josephi,
”
, a learned writer of the sixteenth century, descended from an ancient
, a learned writer of the sixteenth
century, descended from an ancient family in the Isle of
Wight, was born at Cambridge, June 16, 1514, being the
son of Peter Cheke, gent, and Agnes, daughter of Mr.
Dufford of Cambridgeshire. After receiving his grammatical education under Mr. John Morgan, he was admitted
into St. John’s college, Cambridge, in 1531, where he
became very eminent for his knowledge in the learned
languages, particularly the Greek tongue, which was then
almost universally neglected. Being recommended as such,
by Dr. Butts, to king Henry VIII. he was soon after made
kind’s scholar, and supplied by his majesty with money
for his education, and for his charges in travelling into
foreign countries. While he continued in college he introduced a more substantial and useful kind of learning
than what had been received for some years; and encouraged especially the study of the Greek and Latin languages, and of divinity. After having taken his degrees
in arts he was chosen Greek lecturer of the university.
There was no salary belonging to tnat place: but king
Henry having founded, about the year 1540, a professorship of the Greek tongue in the university of Cambridge,
with a stipend oi forty pounds a year, Mr. Cheke, though
but twenty-six years of age, was chosen the first professor.
This place he held long after he left the university, namely,
till October 1551, and was highly instrumental in bringing
the Greek language into repute. He endeavoured
particularly to reform and restore the original pronunciation of
it, but met with great opposition from Stephen Gardiner,
bishop of Winchester, chancellor of the university, and
their correspondence on the subject was published. Cheke,
however, in the course of his lectures,- went through all
Homer, all Euripides, part of Herodotus, and through
Sophocles twice, to the advantage of his hearers and his
own credit. He was also at the same time universityorator. About the year 1543 he was incorporated master
of arts at Oxford, where he had studied some time. On
the 10th of July 1544 he was sent for to court, in order to
be school- master, or tutor, for the Latin tongue, jointly
with sir Anthony Cooke, to prince Edward and, about
the same time, as an encouragement, the king granted
him, being then, as it is supposed, in orders, one of the
canonries in his new- founded college at Oxford, now Christ
Church but that college being dissolved in the beginning
of 1545, a pension was allowed him in the room of his
canonry. While he was entrusted with the prince’s education, he made use of all the interest he had in promoting
men of learning and probity. He seems also to have
sometimes had the lady Elizabeth under his care. In
1547, he married Mary, daughter of Richard Hill, serjeant of the wine-cellar to king Henry VIII. When his
royal pupil, king Edward VI. came to the crown, he rewarded him for his care and pains with an annuity of one
hundred marks; and also made him a grant of several
lands and manors . He likewise caused him, by a mandamus, to be elected provost of King’s college, Cambridge,
vacant by the deprivation of George Day, bishop of Chichester. In May 1549, he retired to Cambridge, upon
some disgust he had taken at the court, but was the same
Summer appointed one of the king’s commissioners for
visiting that university. The October following, he was one
of the thirty-two commissioners appointed to examine the
old ecclesiastical law books, and to compile from thence a
body of ecclesiastical laws for the government of the
church; and again, three years after, he was put in a new
commission issued out for the same purpose. He returned
to court in the winter of 1549, but met there with great
uneasiness on account of some offence given by his wife
to Anne, duchess of Somerset, whose dependent she was.
Mr. Cheke himself was not exempt from trouble, being of
the number of those who were charged with having suggested bad counsels to the duke of Somerset, and afterwards betrayed him. But having recovered from these
imputations, his interest and authority daily increased, and
he became the liberal patron of religious and learned men,
both English and foreigners. In 1550 he was made chief
gentleman of the king’s privy -chamber, whose tutor he
still continued to be, and who made a wonderful progress
through his instructions. Mr. Cheke, to ground him well
in morality, read to him Cicero’s philosophical works, and
Aristotle’s Ethics; but what was of greater importance, instructed him in the general history, the state and interest,
the laws and customs of England. He likewise directed
him to keep a diary of all the remarkable occurrences that
happened, to which, probably, we are indebted for the
king’s Journal (printed from the original in the Cottonian library) in Burnett’s History of the Reformation. In October, 1551, his majesty conferred on him the honour of
knighthood; and to enuhle him the better to support that
rank, made him a grant, or gift in fee simple (upon consideration of his surrender of the hundred marks abovementioned), of the whole manor of Stoke, near Clare, exclusively of the college before granted him, and the appurtenances in Suffolk and Essex, with divers other lands,
tenements, &c. all to the yearly value of 145l. 19$. 3d.
And a pasture, with other premises, in Spalding; and the
rectory, and other premises, in Sandon. The same year
he held two private conferences with some other learned
persons upon the subject of the sacrament, or transubstantiation. The first on November the 25th, in -secretary
Cecil’s house, and the second December 3d the same year,
at sir Richard Morison’s. The auditors were, the lord
Russel, sir Thomas Wroth of the bed-chamber, sir Anthony Cooke, one of the king’s tutors, Throgmorton,
chamberlain of the exchequer, Mr. Knolles, and Mr. Harrington, with whom were joined the marquis of Northampton, and the earl of Rutland, in the second conference.
The popish disputants for the real presence were, Feckenham, afterwards dean of St. Paul’s, and Yong; and at the
second disputation, Watson. The disputants on the other
side were, sir John Cheke, sir William Cecil, Horn, dean
of Durham, Whitehead, and Grindal. Some account of
these disputations is still extant in Latin, in the library of
Mss. belonging to Bene't college, Cambridge and from
thence published in English by Mr. Strypein his interesting
Life of sir John Cheke. Sir John also procured Bucer’s
Mss. and the illustrious Leland’s valuable, collections for
the king’s library but either owing to sir John’s misfortunes, or through some other accident, they never reached
their destination. Four volumes of these collections were
given by his son Henry Cheke, to Humphrey Purefoy, esq.
one of queen Elizabeth’s council in the north, whose son,
Thomas Purefoy, of Barvvell in Leicestershire, gave them
to the famous antiquary, William Burton, in 1612 and he
made use of them in his description of Leicestershire.
Many years after, he presented them to the Bodleian library at Oxford, where they now are. Some other of these
collections, after Cheke’s death, came into the hands of
William lord Paget, and sir William Cecil. The original
of the “Itinerary,
” in five volumes, 4to, is in the Bodleian library; and two volumes of collections, relating to
Britain, are in the Cottonian.
mum virum,” Lond. 4to. This sir Anthony Denny was originally of St. John’s college in Cambridge, and a learned man: afterwards he became one of the gentlemen of the
His works are: 1. A Latin translation of two of St.
Chrysostom’s Homilies, never before published, “Contra
observatores novilunii;
” and “De dormientibus in Christo,
” London, De Fato,
” and “Providentia
Dei,
” Lond. The hurt of Sedition, how grievous it is to a commonwealth.
” The running title is,
“The true subject to the rebel*
” It was published in
Communion-book;
”
done for the use of M. Bucer, and printed among Bucer’s
“Opuscula Angiicana.
” 5. “De obitu doctissimi et sanctissimi Theologi domini Martini Buceri, &c. Epistolae
duse,
” Lond. Scripta Angiicana.
” He also wrote an epicedium on the death of that
learned man. 6. “Carmen heroicum, or Epitaphium, in
Antonium Deneium clarissimum virum,
” Lond. 4to. This
sir Anthony Denny was originally of St. John’s college in
Cambridge, and a learned man: afterwards he became one
of the gentlemen of the privy chamber, and groom of the
stole to Henry VIII. and one of the executors of his will.
7. “De Pronuntiatione Graecse potissimum linguae disputationes,
” &c. containing his dispute on this subject with
Gardiner, Basil, 1555, 8vo. 8. “De superstitione ad regem Henricum.
” This discourse on superstition was drawn
up for king Henry’s use, in order to excite that prince to a
thorough reformation of religion. It is written in very elegant Latin, and was prefixed by the author, as a dedicar
tion to a Latin translation of his, of Plutarch’s book of Superstition. A copy of this discourse, in manuscript, is still
preserved in the library of University college, Oxon, curiously written, and bound up in cloth* of silver, which
makes it probable, that it was the veiy book that was presented to the king. An English translation of it, done by
the learned W. Elstob, formerly fellow of that college, was
published by Mr. Strype, at the end of his Life of sir John
Cheke. 9. Several “Letters
” of his are published in the
Life just now mentioned, and eight in Harrington’s “Nugae
antiquae,
” and perhaps in other places. 10. A Latin translation of Archbishop Cranmer’s book on the Lord’s Supper,
was also done by sir John Cheke, and printed in 1553. 11.
He likewise translated “Leo de apparatu bellico,
” Basil,
, D. D. a learned divine of the church of England, was born about 1740
, D. D. a learned divine of the
church of England, was born about 1740 in Westminster,
and educated at Westminster school, on bishop Williams’ s
foundation. From that school he went to St. John’s college,
Cambridge, but did not continue long there; as Dr. Freind,
one of the canons of Christ church, gave him a studentship
in that celebrated college. Here he resided for many
years, taking his master’s degree in 1762, that of bachelor
of divinity in 1772, and that of D. D. in 1773. It has been
said he was for some time usher at Westminster school;
but this is doubtful. At Oxford he entered into orders in.
1.762, and was presented to the college curacy of Lathbury
near Newport Pagnel, and to the benefice of Badger in
Shropshire, by Isaac Hawkins Browne, esq, His other
and chief preferment, was the rectory of Droxford in
Hampshire, given him by Dr. North, bishop of Winchester,
whose chaplain he was. His learning was extensive; and
his manners, though somewhat austere, were yet amiable.
Bad health, however, created an unequal flow of spirits,
which injured the powers of his mind towards the close of
his life. He died in 1801, and was buried at Droxford.
Besides some fugitive pieces without his name, and a tew
occasional sermons, he wrote one of the ablest series of
“Remarks on Gibbon’s Roman History,
” Reply to Mr. Gibbon’s Vindication,
” Remarks
” was
the second, published in Olla
Podrida,
” and to have published an “Essay on the History
of Mezzotinto.
” As an amateur of the fine arts, he made a
valuable collection of prints and gems, especially Tassie’s
imitations, to whom he was an early and zealous patron.
June 1664 to the prebend of Yatminster prima in the same church, by bishop Earle, who valued him as a learned and pious divine, and a great virtuoso. He died at Upway,
, a divine and natural philosopher, was born in 1623, and educated at Rochester,
whence he removed to Magdalen-college, Oxford, in
1640. and became one of the clerks of the house, but appears to have left the university on the breaking out of
the rebellion. When Oxford was surrendered to the
parliamentary forces, he returned and took his bachelor’s
degree, but two years after was expelled by the parliamentary visitors. He then subsisted by teaching school
at Feversham, in Kent, although not without interruption
from the republican party; but on the restoration, he was
made chaplain to Henry lord Herbert, was created D. D.
and had the rectory of Upway, in Dorsetshire, bestowed
upon him. Jn Jan. 1663, he was collated to the archdeaconry of Salisbury, and in June 1664 to the prebend
of Yatminster prima in the same church, by bishop Earle,
who valued him as a learned and pious divine, and a great
virtuoso. He died at Upway, Aug. 26, 1670, and was
buried in the chancel of his church. He published, 1. a
pamphlet entitled “Indago Astrologica,
” Syzygiasticon instauratum, or an Ephemerisof the places
and aspects of the Planets, &c.
” Lond. Britannia Baconica, or the natural rarities,
of England, Scotland, and Wales, historically related, ac$ording to the precepts of lord Bacon,
” &c.“Lond. 1661,
8vo. It was this work which first suggested to Dr. Plot his
” Natural History of Oxfordshire."
, a learned divine and antiquary, was born at Ey worth, in Bedfordshire,
, a learned divine and antiquary,
was born at Ey worth, in Bedfordshire, and was the son of
Paul Chishull, formerly bible clerk of Queen’s college,
Cambridge, and master of arts, as a member of Pembroke
college, Oxford. His son being intended for the church,
was sent to Oxford, became a scholar of Corpus Christi
college, and received the degree of master of arts in
February 1693; and he was chosen, likewise, a fellow of
his college. Previously to his commencing master of arts,
he had published in 1692, a Latin poem, inquarto, on
occasion of the famous battle of La Hogue, entitled, “Gulielmo Tertio terra manque principi invictissimo in Gallos
pugna navali nuperrime devictos, ' carmen heroic urn,
”
Oxon. When queen Mary died, on the 28th of December 1694, Mr. Chishull was one of the Oxford gentlemen
who exerted their poetical talents in deploring that melancholy event, and his tribute of loyalty is preserved in
the third volume of the Musse Anglicans, but is rather a
school exercise, than a production of genius. In 1698,
having obtained a grant of the traveller’s place, from the
society of Corpus Christi college, he sailed from England
on the 12th of September, and arrived on the 19th of November following at Smyrna. Before he set out on his
voyage, he preached a sermon to the Levant company,
which was published, and probably procured him to be
appointed chaplain to the English factory at Smyrna, in.
which station he continued till the 12th of February,
1701-2. On the 16th of June, 1705, he was admitted to
the degree of bachelor in divinity. In the next year he
engaged in a controversy, which at that time excited
considerable attention, by publishing “A charge of Heresy maintained against Mr. Dodwell’s late Epistolary Discourse concerning the Mortality of the Soul,
” London,
8vo. This was one of the principal books written in
answer to Dodwell on that subject. In 1707, Chishull
exerted his endeavours in opposing the absurdities and
enthusiasm of the French prophets, and their followers, in
a sermon, on the 23d of November, at Serjeant’s-inn
chapel, in Chancery-lane, which was published in the
beginning of 1708, and was entitled, “The great Danger
and Mistake of all new uninspired Prophecies relating to
the End of the World,
” with an appendix of historical
collections applicable to subject. On the 1st of September, in the same year, he was presented to the vicarage of
Walthamstow, in Essex; and in 1711, he had the honour
of being appointed one of the chaplains in ordinary to the
queen. About the same time, he published a visitation
and a few other occasional sermons, preached on public
occasions, all which were favourably received. But he,
soon became more distinguished for his researches in ancient literature and history.
, a learned philosopher, and one of the most eminent magistrates
, a learned philosopher, and
one of the most eminent magistrates of Geneva, was born
there in 1642. He was the first who taught the philosophy
of Descartes at Saumur. In 1669, he was recalled to Geneva, and gave lectures there with great applause. Chouet
became afterwards counsellor and secretary of state at Geneva, and wrote a history of that republic. He died September 17, 1731, aged 89. His publications are, “An
Introduction to Logic,
” in Latin, Theses
Physicae de varia Astrorum luce,
” Memoire
succinct sur la Reformation,
” Reponses a des
Questions de Milord Townsend sur Geneve ancienne fakes,
en 1696, et publiees en 1774.
” Besides these, he left in
ms. in 3 vols. folio, a work, entitled “Diverses Recherches
sur l'Hist. cle Geneve, sur son Gouvernement et sa Constitution.
”
her own judgment, or taste for their several excellencies, and she derived no great credit either as a learned lady, or as a discriminating patroness of literature.
, queen of Sweden, one of the few sovereigns whose history is entirely personal, was the only child of the great Gustavus Adolphus, by Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg. She was born Dec. 18, 1626, and succeeded to the throne of her father when she was only five years of age. During her minority, the long war with the German empire, in consequence of the invasion of Gustavus, as supporter of the protestant league, was carried on by able men, and particularly Oxentiern. Her education was conducted upon a very liberal plan, and she possessed a strong understanding, and was early capable of reading the Greek historians. Thucydides, Polybius, and Tacitus, were her favourite authors; but she as early manifested a distaste for the society and occupations of her sex, and delighted in manly sports and exercises. She affected likewise an extraordinary love of letters, and even for abstract speculations. When at the age of eighteen she assumed the reins of government, she was courted by several princes of Europe, but rejected their proposals from various motives, of which the true one appears to have been a conceited sense of superiority, and a desire to rule uncontrouled. Among her suitors were the prince of Denmark, the elector Palatine, the elector of Brandenburgh, the kings of Portugal and Spain, the king of the Romans, and Charles Gustavus, duke of Deux Ponts, her first cousin. Him the people, anxious for her marriage, recommended to her; but she rejected the proposal, and to prevent its renewal, she solemnly appointed Gustavus her successor. In 1650, when she was crowned, she became weary and disgusted with public affairs, and seemed to have no ambition but to become the general patroness of learning and learned men. With this view, she invited to her court men of the first reputation in various studies among these were Grotius, Descartes, Bochart, Huet, Vossius, Paschal, Salmasius, Naude, Heinsius, Meibom, Scudery, Menage, Lucas, Holstenius, Lambecius, Bayle, and others, who did not fail to celebrate her in poems, letters, or literary productions of some other kind, the greatest part of which are now forgotten. Her choice of learned men seems to have been directed more by general fame, than by her own judgment, or taste for their several excellencies, and she derived no great credit either as a learned lady, or as a discriminating patroness of literature. She was much under the influence of Bourdelot the physician, who gained his ascendancy by outrageous flattery: and her inattention to the high duties of her station disgusted her subjects. She was a collector of books, manuscripts, medals, and paintings, all which she purchased at such an enormous expence as to injure her treasury, and with so little judgment, that having procured some paintings of Titian at a most extravagant price, she had them clipped to fit the pannels of her gallery.
, a learned English bishop, was a Lancashire man by birth, and educated
, a learned English bishop,
was a Lancashire man by birth, and educated in St. John’s
college, Cambridge. He was one of the first fellows of
Trinity college after its foundation by Henry VIII. in 1546,
and shortly after became master of it; and in 1554 was
made dean of Norwich. In the reign of Edward VI. he
lived abroad in a state of banishment, in which, as he tells
us in the preface to his translation of Philo Judxus, he
was all the while supported by his college; but upon
queen Mary’s succeeding to the crown, returned, and was
made bishop of Chichester. He is said to have died a
little before this queen in 1558. He translated Philo Judaeiis into Latin, Antwerp, 1553, 4to, and also the ecclesiastical histories of Eusebius, Socrates, Sozomen, Evagrius,
and Theodoret, Louvain, 1570, 8vo; Cologn, 1570, fol.
hut his translations are very defective. Valesius, in his
preface to Eusebius, says, that compared with Rufinus and
Musculus, who had translated these historians before him,
he may be reckoned a diligent and learned man; but yet
that he is very far from deserving the character of a good
translator: that his style is impure, and full of barbarism;
that his periods are long and perplexed: that he has frequently acted the commentator, rather than the translator;
that he has enlarged and retrenched at pleasure; that he
has transposed the sense oftimes, and has not always preserved the distinction even of chapters. The learned Huet
has passed the same censure on him, in his book “De Interpretatione.
” Hence it is that all those who have followed
Christopherson as their guide in ecclesiastical antiquity,
and depended implicitly upon his versions, have often
been led to commit great faults; and this has happened
not seldom to Baronius among others.
and he was for some time educated at St. Paul’s school but his father, having other views than what a learned education afforded, carried him to court in the twelfth
, duke of Marlborough, and prince of the holy Roman empire, was eldest son of sir Winston Churchill, and born at Ashe in Devonshire on Midsummerday in 1650. A clergyman in the neighbourhood instructed him in the first principles of literature, and he was for some time educated at St. Paul’s school but his father, having other views than what a learned education afforded, carried him to court in the twelfth year of his age, where he was particularly favoured by James duke of York. He had a pair of colours given him in the guards, during the first Dutch war, about 1666; and afterwards obtained leave to go over to Tangier, then in our hands, and besieged by the Moors, where he resided for some time, and cultivated the science of arms. Upon his return to England, he attended constantly at court, and was greatly respected by both the king and the duke. In 1672, the duke of Monmouth commanding a body of English auxiliaries in the service of France, Churchill attended him, and was soon after made a captain of grenadiers in his grace’s own regiment. He had a share in all the actions of that famous campaign against the Dutch; and at the siege of Nimeguen, distinguished himself so much, that he was particularly taken notice of by the celebrated marshal Turenne, who bestowed on him the name of the handsome Englishman. He appeared also to so much advantage at the reduction of Maestricht, that the French king thanked him for his behaviour at the head of the line, and assured him that he would acquaint his sovereign with it, which the duke of Monmouth also confirmed, telling the king his father how much he had been indebted to the bravery of captain Churchill.
, a learned Italian, was born at Rome April 11, 1633. He quitted
, a learned Italian, was born
at Rome April 11, 1633. He quitted the study of the
civil law for the practice of the apostolical chancery, and
at the same time found leisure to cultivate the sciences
and polite literature. It was by his care and activity that
the academy of ecclesiastical history was instituted at Rome
in 1671, and in 1677 he established under the auspices of
the famous queen Christina, an academy of mathematics
and natural history, which, by the merit of its members,
soon became known throughout Europe. Ciampini died
July 12, 1698, aged sixty-five. His writings are: I.
“Conjecturae de perpetuo azymorum usu in ecclcsia Latina,
” Vetera monumenta, in quibus
praecipua Musiva opera, sacrarum profanarumque aedium
structura, dissertationibus iconibusque illustrantur,
” Rome,
Synopsis historica de sacris aedificiis a. Constantino Magno constructs,
” Lives of the Popes
” said to be written by Anastasius Bibliothecarius, calculated to prove that
Anastasius wrote only the lives of Gregory IV. Sergius II.
Leo IV. Benedict III. and Nicholas I. and that the others
were written by different authors, as we have already noticed in our account of Anastasius. Ciampini published
many other dissertations, both in Italian and Latin, and
left a great many manuscripts, of both which Fabroni has
the most complete catalogue.
, whom we have just mentioned as the editor of Cino da Pistoia’s works, was a learned Lutheran, born at Mosbach in the Palatinate, March 24,
, whom we have just mentioned as
the editor of Cino da Pistoia’s works, was a learned
Lutheran, born at Mosbach in the Palatinate, March 24,
1529. He studied at Heidelberg, and took his master’s
degree in 1547, and afterwards taught the Aristotelian
philosophy and mathematics. To improve himself farther
he went to Strasburgh, where Bucer, the celebrated reformer, and his relation, instructed him in the principles
of the reformation, and where he was confirmed in them by
studying divinity under Lutheran professors. The fame of
Melancthon induced him next to visit him at Wittemberg,
whence he returned in 1552 to Heidelberg, and was appointed by the elector Frederic to the chair of professor of
moral philosophy. He also lectured on Aristotle’s Ethics
and Cicero “De Finibus, until in 1553, the plague breaking out, he went to France- and Italy and was m>ade doctor
of laws at Pisa in 1559. The same year he returned to
Heidelberg, where he was appointed professor of the
Pandects, and counsellor to the elector Palatine Frederic
III. Some time after he succeeded Baudoin as professor
of civil law; and in 1563 he filled the office of rector of
the university of Heidelberg, and several other honourable
situations under the elector Lewis. He died at Heidelberg March G, 1583. The principal of his original works
were published in a thick octavo of 1031 pages, with a life
by the editor Reuter, under the title of
” N. Cisneri, &c.
opuscula historica et politico-philologica, distributa in
libros quatuor,“Francfort, 1611. This contains twentythree treatises, on subjects of history, philology, biography,
&c. besides poems and letters. He published also some
works on law, and was editor, as we have noticed, of the
works of Cino da Pistoia, of Aventinus’s annals, Albert
Krantz’s
” Saxonia,“Duarenus’s works, 1578, 2 vols. folio,
and of
” Simonis Chardii Scriptores rerum Germanicarum,"
Basil, 1574, 4 vols. folio.
, a learned divine and antiquary, was horn at Haghmon abbey, in
, a learned divine and antiquary,
was horn at Haghmon abbey, in Shropshire, in the year
1696, and was educated at Shrewsbury school, under the
care of Mr. Lloyd, for whom he always entertained the
greatest regard. From Shrewsbury he was removed to
St. John’s college, in the university of Cambridge, where
he became a fellow, Jan. 22, 1716-17. His election at
so early a period of life was owing to a number of vacancies, occasioned by the removal of several non-juring fellows, in consequence of an act of parliament. He commenced B. A. 1715; in 1719 became M. A.; and the reputation which he acquired when young was such, that he
was chosen to be chaplain to Dr. Adam Ottley, bishop of
St. David’s: but this prelate dying in 1723, he does not
appear to have received any advantage from the appointment. He was afterwards domestic chaplain to Thomas
Holies, duke of Newcastle; in which situation he did not
continue long, as in 1724, he was presented by archbishop
Wake to the rectory of Buxted, in Sussex, without any solicitation of his own, partly on account of his extraordinary
merit, and partly from a regard to the special recommendation of the learned Dr. William Wotton, whose
daughter he married. In 1738, he was made prebendary
and residentiary of the prebend of Hova Villa in the cathedral church of Chichester, Some years before this he had
given to the public a specimen of his literary abilities, in a
preface to his father-in-law Dr. Wotton’s “Leges Walliae
Ecclesiastical,
” Discourse on the Commerce of the Romans,
” which was
highly extolled by Dr. Taylor, in his “Elements of the
Civil Law,
” came either from his hand or from that of his
friend Mr, Bowyer. It is reprinted in that gentleman’s
“Miscellaneous Tracts,
” and in “The Progress of Maritime Discovery,
” by Mr. Clarke’s grandson. But Mr.
Clarke’s chief work was “The Connexion of the Roman,
Saxon, and English Coins; deducing the antiquities,
customs, and manners of each people to modern times; particularly the origin of feudal tenures, and of parliaments:
illustrated throughout with critical and historical remarks
on various authors, both sacred and profane,
” 1767, 4to,
dedicated to the duke of Newcastle. It had been perused
in manuscript by Arthur Onslow, esq. speaker of the house
of commons, who honoured him with some useful hints
and observations: but he was chiefly indebted to Mr.
Bowyer, who superintended the publication, drew up several of the notes, wrote part of the dissertation on the
Roman sesterce, and formed an admirable index to the
whole. By this work our author acquired great reputation. Mr. Pinkerton, in his Essay on Medals, says that a
student cannot begin with a better book in this science.
tian religion. This Fabricius opposes, but Lardner says it may be reckoned somewhat remarkable, that a learned man, a devout worshipper of all the gods, a wit and
In consequence of Orosius pronouncing him a heathen,
“an obstinate pagan,
” Cave thinks it may be reasonably
inferred that he had written against the Christian religion.
This Fabricius opposes, but Lardner says it may be
reckoned somewhat remarkable, that a learned man, a
devout worshipper of all the gods, a wit and a poet, and
author of many works, should never say any thing disrespectful of Christianity. He allows, however, that it is
somewhat more extraordinary that Claudian should so excel
in Latin verse, as to approach the best writers of the Augustan age in purity and elegance. Gibbon’s character
of Claudian, corresponding with this, is written with more
than usual care and discrimination. If, says this historian,
we fairly balance Claudian’s merits and defects, we shall
acknowledge that he does not either satisfy, or silence our
reason. It would not be easy to produce a passage that
deserves the epithet of sublime or pathetic; to select a
verse that melts the heart, or enlarges the imagination.
We should vainly seek in the poems of Claudian, the
happy invention and artificial conduct of an interesting
fable, or the just and lively representation of the characters
and situations of real life. For the service of his patron,
he published occasional panegyrics and invectives; and
the design of these slavish compositions encouraged his
propensity to exceed the limits of truth and nature. These
imperfections, however, are compensated in some degree
by the poetical virtues of Claudian. He was endowed with
the rare and precious talent of raising the meanest, of
adorning tjie most barren, and of diversifying the most similar topics; tys colouring, mere specially in descriptive
poetry, is soft and splendid; and he seldom fails to display, and even to abuse, the advantages of a cultivated
understanding, a copious fancy, an easy, and sometimes
forcible expression; and a perpetual flow of harmonious
versification. To these commendations, independent of
any accidents of time and place, we must add the peculiar
merit which Claudian derived from the unfavourable circumstances of his birth. In the decline of arts, and of empire, a native of Egypt, who had received the education
of a Greek, assumed in a mature age the familiar use and
absolute command of the Latin language, soared above the
heads of his feeble contemporaries, and placed himself, after
an interval of three hundred years, among the poets of ancient Rome. Strada, in his Prolusions, allows him to contend
with the five heroic poets, Lucretius, Virgil, Ovid, Lucan,
and Statius. His patron is the accomplished courtier, Balthazar Castiglione. His admirers are numerous and passionate. Yet the rigid critics reproach the exotic weeds,
or flowers, which spring too luxuriantly in his Latian soil,
and for which Dr. Warton, one probably ranked by Gibbon among these “rigid critics,
” places Claudian with
Statius and Seneca the tragedian, as authors into which no
youth of genius ought to be suffered to look.
, a learned presbyter of Vienna, flourished about the year 460.
, a learned
presbyter of Vienna, flourished about the year 460. He
is celebrated for his eloquence and his general knowledge;
and particularly for his acquaintance with the dialectics of
Aristotle, which were made use of by the orthodox fathers,
as weapons both offensive and defensive, against heretics.
He wrote on the state of the soul, “De statu animte,
lib. tres,
” printed by Mosellanus, Basil,
, a learned physician, was born of reputable parents, at Granton,
, a learned physician, was born
of reputable parents, at Granton, in the parish of Crammond, near Edinburgh, on the 13th of December 1716.
His father died in 1719, and left a widow and five children.
George, who was the youngest son, received the rudiments of his education in the grammar-school of Crammond, and in 1728 was sent to Edinburgh to be further
instructed in the Latin, Greek, and French; where, to a
singular proficiency in these languages, he added a
considerable stock of mathematical knowledge. In the beginning of 1731 he resolved to study physic and surgery,
and had the happiness of being placed under the tuition
of the late Dr. Alexander Monro, and under his roof. In
one of his letters his pupil appeared to dwell with peculiar
pleasure upon this circumstance; observing, that “his
amiable manners and unremitting activity in promoting the
public welfare, endeared him to all his acquaintance, but
more particularly to those who lived under his roof, and
had daily opportunities of admiring the sweetness of his
conversation, and the invariable benignity of his disposition.
” For five years he continued to profit by the instruction and example of his excellent master, visiting patients in company with him, and assisting at the dissections
in the anatomical theatre; at the same time he attended in
their turn the lectures in botany, materia medica, chemistry, and the theory and practice of medicine; and by extraordinary diligence he attracted the notice of all his preceptors. On Dr. Fothergill’s arrival from England at this
university in 1733, Dr. Cleghorn was introduced to his
acquaintance, and soon became his inseparable companion.
These twin pupils then studied together the same branches
of science under the same masters, with equal ardour and
success; they frequently met to compare the notes they
had collected from the professors, and to communicate
their respective observations. Their moments of relaxation, if that time can be called relaxation which is devoted to
social studies, were spent in a select society of fellowstudents, of which Fothergill, Russel, and Cuming, were
associates; a society since incorporated under the name of
The Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh.
, a learned French historian,- and a Benedictine of the congregation
, a learned French historian,- and
a Benedictine of the congregation of St. Maure, was born
at Beze in Burgundy, April 7, 1714, After his first studies at the college of Dijon, he embraced the monastic
life in the abbey of Vendome, where he studied so hard as
to injure his health. Being afterwards ordered to Paris by
his superiors, he devoted himself principally to history, to
which his attention was drawn by that vast collection of
French historical documents, of which we have already
spoken so largely in the lives of Bouquet and Andrew du
Chesne, and which was continued by Haudiquier, Housseau, Precieux, and Poirier. Clement became now their
successor in this great work, and in conjunction with father B rial, published in 1770 the twelfth volume, and in
1786 the thirteenth, enriched by two hundred articles of
great value and curiosity. Clement wrote also, 1. “Nouveaux eclaircissemens sur l'origine de Pentateuque des
Samaritains,
” a work begun by Poncet, and completed with
a preface, &c. by Clement. 2. “A Catalogue of the
Mss. in the library of the Jesuits at St. Germain-des-Pres.
3.
” L'art de verifier les dates,“1780 1792, 3 vols. folio.
This work, which is accounted in France a master-piece of
learning, was begun by the Benedictins Antine, Clemencet, and Durand, whose labours, however, are far inferior to those of Clement, who employed thirty years of
his life upon it, almost without any intermission. The only
objection is to the chronological table, or index, which is
said to be somewhat inaccurate. Clement was a free associate of the academy of inscriptions, but his studies were
interrupted by the revolution, which obliged him to quit
one convent after another, and at last seek an asylum with
a nephew. The remainder of his days were employed in
a work to introduce the former, under the title of
” L'art
de verifier les dates avant J. C." In this he had made
considerable progress, when he was carried oft by a stroke
of apoplexy, March 29, 1793.
, a learned Dominican, and bishop of Dardania in partibus, was born
, a learned Dominican, and
bishop of Dardania in partibus, was born at St. Calais on
the Maine, in 1574. He rose by his merits to the first
charges of his order, and died in 1623, after having been
named to the bishopric of Marseilles, by Lewis XIII. He
was eloquent in his sermons, and wrote ^Hh purity, considering the age. His principal pieces are a Roman history from Augustus to Constantine, folio, which was read
with pleasure in the seventeenth century. It was published
in 1647, fol. He translated Florus, and was chosen by
Henry IV. of Francej at the recommendation of cardinal du
Perron, to answer the book which James I. of England had
published; and at the instance of Gregory XV. he wrote
against Duplessis Mornay, and Marc. Anton, de Dominis,
archbishop of Spalatro his answer to the latter was entitled
“Pro sacra monarchia ecclesiae catholic^, &c. libri quatuor
Apologetici, adversus Rempublicam M. A. de Dominis,
&c.
” Paris,
, a learned English monk and Jiistorian, lived Jn the twelfth and
, a learned English monk and
Jiistorian, lived Jn the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. He
was of the Cistercian order, and was esteemed a man of
uncommon knowledge for his time. The surname under
which we here place this article, was given him from the
abbey over which he presided. The principal work of his
which is come down to us, is a chronicle of the Holy Land;
and it is so much the more valuable, as he was an eye-witness of the facts he relates. He was at Jerusalem, and was
even wounded there, during the siege of that city by Saladin. It is thought that he died in 1228. This chronicle
was published in 1729, by the fathers Martenne and
Durand, in the fifth volume of the “Amplissima collectio
veterum scriptorum et monumentorum,
” &c. In this volume are likewise two other works of the same author; the
first entitled “Chronicon Anglicanum ab anno 1066 ad
annum 1200;
” and the second, “Libellus de motibus
Anglicanis sub Johanne rege.
” Some of his Mss. are in
our public libraries.
, a learned and ingenious physician, was born at Hildesheim, in
, a learned and ingenious
physician, was born at Hildesheim, in Lower Saxony, towards
the end of the seventeenth century. Being educated to the
practice of medicine, after taking the degree of doctor, he
went to M.unster, where he soon distinguished himself by
his superior skill and abilities. His works, which are numerous, bear ample testimony to the vigour of his intellects, and
of his application to letters. His last work, “If ermippus
Redivivus,
” in which he professes to shew the practicability of prolonging the lives of elderly persons to 115 years,
by receiving the breath and transpirations of healthy young
females, was written, or first published, when he was in
his seventy-seventh year. This was translated into English,
and published, with additions and improvements, by the
late Dr. John Campbell, under the title of “Hermippus
liedivivus, or the Sage’s triumph over old Age and the
Grave.
” A vein of humour runs through this, and indeed
through most of the productions of this writer, which gave
them great popularity when first published, though they
are now little noticed, excepting, perhaps, the work ju$t
mentioned, in which the irony is extremely delicate; in
his rhapsody against the prevailing passion of taking snuff,
he affects to consider a passion for taking snuff as a disease of the nostrils, similar to that affecting the stomach
of girls in chlorosis, and therefore calls it the pica nasi.
The title of this production is, “Dissertatio satyrica,
physico-medico-moralis, de Pica Nasi sive Tabaci sternutatorii moderno abusu, et noxa,
” Amstelodami,
, a learned English divine, and the. founder of St. Paul’s school,
, a learned English divine, and the.
founder of St. Paul’s school, was born in the parish of St.
Antholin, London, in 1466, and was the eldest son of sir
Henry Colet, knt. twice lord-mayor, who had besides him
twenty-one children. In 1483 he was sent to Magdalen
college in Oxford, where he spent seven years in the study
of logic and philosophy, and took the degrees in arts. He
was perfectly acquainted with Cicero’s works, and no
stranger to Plato and Plotinus, whom he read together,
that they might illustrate each other. He could, hcfwever,
read them only in the Latin translations; for neither at
school nor university had he any opportunity of learning
the Greek, that language being then thought unnecessary,
and even discouraged. Hence the proverb, “Cave a Graecis, ne lias haereticus,
” that is, “Beware of Greek, lest
you become an heretic;
” and it is well known, that when
Linacer, Grocyn, and others, afterwards professed to teach
it at Oxford, they were opposed by a set of men who
called themselves Trojans. Colet, however, was well skilled
in mathematics; and having thus laid a good foundation of
learning at home, he travelled abroad for farther improvement first to France, and then to Italy; and seems to
have continued in those two countries from 1493 to 1497.
But before his departure, and indeed when he was of but
two years standing in the university, he was instituted to
the rectory of Denington in Suffolk, to which he was presented by a relation of his mother, and which he held to
the day of his death. This practice of taking livings, while
thus under age, generally prevailed in the church of Rome;
and Colet, being then an acolythe, which is one of their
seven orders, was qualitied for it. He was also presented
by his own father, Sept. 30, 1485, to the rectory of Thyrning in Huntingdonshire, but he resigned it about the latter end of 1493, probably before he set out on his travels.
Being arrived at Paris, he soon became^ acquainted with
the learned there, with the celebrated Budaeus in particular; and was afterwards introduced to Erasmus. In
Italy he contracted a friendship with several eminent persons, especially with his own countrymen, Grocyn, Linacer, Lilly, and Latimer; who were learning the Greek
tongue, then but little known in England, under those
great masters Demetrius, Angel us Politianus, Hermolaus
Barbarus, and Pomponius Sabinus. He took this opportunity of improving himself in this language; and having
devoted himself to divinity, he read, while abroad, the
best of the antient fathers, particularly Origen, Cyprian,
Ambrose, and Jerome, but, it is said, very much undervalued St. Augustine. He looked sometimes also into Sco^
tus and Aquinas, studied the civil and canon law, made
himself acquainted with the history and constitution of
church and state; and with a view to refinement, not very
common at that time, did not neglect to read such English
poets, and other authors of the belles lettres, as were then
extant. During his absence from England he was made a
prebendary of York, and installed by proxy upon March
5, 1494, and was also made canon of St. Martin’s Le Grand,
London, and prebendary of Good Easter, in the same
church. Upon his return in 1497 he was ordained deacon
in December, and priest in July following. He had, indeed, before he entered into orders, great temptations
from his natural disposition to lay aside study, and give
himself up to the gaiety of the court, for he was rather
luxuriously inclined; but he curbed his passions by great
temperance and circumspection, and after staying a few
months with his father and mother at London, retired to
Oxford.
, a learned advocate of parliament of Dombes, was born February
, a learned advocate of parliament of Dombes, was born February 15, 1643, at Chatilon-les-Dombes, where he died March 31, 1718, aged seventy-six. He left “Traité des Excommunications,
” Tr. de l'Usure,
”
, or Colomesius, a learned French protestant, was born at Rochelle in 1638, where
, or Colomesius, a learned French
protestant, was born at Rochelle in 1638, where his father
was a physician, and where he was probably educated.
His application to various reading must evidently have
been very extensive, and although he has no decided
claims to originality, his works ranked in his own day, and
some of them may still, as ably illustrating the history of
learning and learned men. He faithfully treasured what
he found in old, scarce, and almost unknown authors, and
knew how to render the reproduction of learned curiosities
both agreeable and useful. His great intimacy and high
regard for Vossius, induced him to visit England, where
Vossius was then canon of Windsor, and by his interest or
recommendation he was appointed librarian at Lambeth,
with a competent salary. This, however, he lost at the
revolution, when his patron, archbishop Bancroft, was deprived for not taking the oaths to the new government.
After this it is said that he fell into poverty, and died in
Jan. 1692; and was buried in St. Martin’s church-yard.
His principal works are, 1. “Gallia Orientalis,
” reprinted
at Hamburgh, Hispania &
Italia Orientalis,
” giving an account of the Spanish and
Italian Oriental scholars. 3. “Bibliotheque Choisie;
”
reprinted at Paris, Theologorum Presbyterianorum Icon,
” in which he shews his
attachment to episcopacy; and for which he was attacked
by Jurieu (who had not half his candour and impartiality)
in a book entitled “De P esprit d'Arnauld.
” 5. “Des
opuscules critiques & historiques,
” collected and published
in Melanges Historiques,
” &c.
7. “La vie du pere Sirmond,
” &c. His “Colomesiana,
”
make a volume of the collection of Anas.
. Venice, 1542. His” Epistles" have appeared in two editions, the one by Mehus, Florence, 1741, with a learned preface and notes the other by Lami, in the same year
Coluccio was the author of the following works, ms copies of most of which are preserved in the Laurentian library 1 “De Fato et Fortuna.
” 2. “De saeculo et
religione.
” 3. “De nobilitate legum et medicinae.
” 4.
“Tractatus de Tyranno.
” 5. “Tractatus quod medici
eloquentiue studeant, et de verecundia an sit virtus aut
vitium.
” 6. De laboribus Herculis.“7.
” Historia de
casu hominis.“8.
” De arte dictandi.“9.
” Certamen
Fortunae.“10.
” Declamationes.“11.
” Invectiva in
Antonium Luscum.“12.
” Phyllidis querimonise.“13.
” Eclogae octo.“14.
” Carmina ad Jacobum Allegrettum.“14.
” Sonetti.“And, lastly, various
” Epistles.“Of these,
except the Epistles, the only article published is his treatise
” De nobilitate legurn,“&c. Venice, 1542. His
” Epistles" have appeared in two editions, the one by
Mehus, Florence, 1741, with a learned preface and notes
the other by Lami, in the same year but Mazzuchelli
remarks, that it is necessary to have both collections, as
they do not contain the same epistles. Some of Coluccio’s
poems have appeared in various collections of Italian poetry.
, a learned Dominican, was born in 1605 at Marmande, and distinguished
, a learned Dominican, was born in 1605 at Marmande, and distinguished for his learning and piety. The clergy of France appointed him a pension of 1000 livres in 1650, as a reward for his merit, and an encouragement to complete those editions of the Greek fathers which have procured him a name. He died at Paris March 23, 1679, aged 74. He published the works of St. Amphilochus, St. Methodius, St. Andrew of Crete, and several opuscula of the Greek fathers, and an addition to the library of the fathers, 3 vols. folio, Gr. and Lat. He also contributed to the edition of the Byzantine history, * e Histories Bizant. Script, post Theophanem," 1685, folio; and there is a library of the fathers by him, for the preachers, 1662, 8 vols. folio, and other works. The chief objection to this laborious writer is the inelegance of his Latin style, which renders some of his translations obscure.
, a learned English divine, was born Oct. 18, 1608, at Yeatenton
, a learned English divine, was
born Oct. 18, 1608, at Yeatenton in Devonshire. He was
educated in classical learning at private schools, and, in
3626, sent to Exeter college in Oxford. He soon distinguished himself for uncommon parts and learning*; by
means of which he grew highly in favour with Dr. John
Prideaux, then rector of Exeter college, and king’s professor in divinity, who, accordingto the fashion of wit in
those times, used to say of him, “Conanti nihil est difficile.
” He took his degrees regularly; and, July
, a learned cardinal in the sixteenth century, was one of the illustrious
, a learned cardinal in the sixteenth century, was one of the illustrious family of that
name at Venice, which has produced so many great men.
He was ambassador from the republic to the emperor
Charles V, and employed in several important negotiations.
Paul III. created him cardinal 1535, sent him as legate
into Germany, and afterwards to Bologna. Contareni was
eminent for his learning, and skill in public affairs. He
died 1.542, at Bologna, aged 59. He left several theological works, written in good Latin, and a treatise on the
Immortality of the Soul, against Pomponatius, collected in
one volume fol. 1571. His most esteemed works are, “De
Optimi Antistitis officio,
” and his notes on the obscure
passages in St. Paul’s epistles.
, a learned divine and prelate of the church of England, was born
, a learned divine and prelate of
the church of England, was born at Pinhoe, near Exeter,
on the 31st of January, 1691-2. His father was the rev.
John Conybeare, vicar of Pinhoe; and his mother, Grace
Wilcocks, was the daughter of a substantial gentleman
farmer of that place. At a proper age, he was sent to the
free-school of Exeter for grammatical education, where
Hallet and Foster, afterwards two eminent dissenting divines, were his contemporaries. On the 23d of February,
1707-8, Mr. Conybeare was admitted a battler of Exeter
college, Oxford, under the tuition of Mr. Thomas Kennel,
afterwards Dr. Kennel, many years rector of Drew’s
Teington, Pevon. Mr. Conybeare, on his coming to the
university, was, according to the language of that place,
chum with Mr. Richard Harding, who was elected fellow of
Exeter college in 1709, and died rector of Marwood in
Devonshire, in 1782, in the ninety-fifth year of his age.
How early our young student obtained the esteem of the
learned society with which he was connected, appears from
his having been chosen on the 30th of June, 1710, and
admitted on the 8th of July following, a probationary fellow of his college, upon sir William Petre’s foundation, in
the room of Mr. Daniel Osborrie. When he was proposed
as a candidate, it was only with the design of recommending him to future notice; but such was the sense entertained of his extraordinary merit, that he was made the
object of immediate election. Mr. Harding used to say, that
Mr. Conybeare had every way the advantage of him, excepting in seniority; and that he should have had no
chance in a competition with him, if they had both been
eligible at the same time. The patronage of Dr. Ilennel,
Mr. Conybeare' s worthy tutor, concurred with his own
desert, in bringing him forward thus early to academical
advantages. On the 17th of July, 1713, he was admitted
to the degree of bachelor of arts; and at the next election
of college officers, upon the 30th of June, 1714, he was
appointed praelector, or moderator, in philosophy. On
the 19th of December following, he received deacon’s
orders from the hanclaof Dr. William Talbot, bishop of
Oxford; and on the 2rikof May, 1716, he was ordained
priest by sir Jonathan Trelawny, bishop of Winchester.
On the 16th of April, 1716, he proceeded to the degree of
master of arts; soon after which he entered upon the curacy of Fetcham, in Surry, where he continued about a
year. He was advised to this change of scene for the
benefit of his health, which was always delicate, and had
been greatly impaired by the intenseness of his application.
Upon his return from Fetcham to Oxford, he became a
tutor in his own college, and was much noticed in the university as a preacher. In the beginning of the year 1722,
he published a sermon, which he had delivered before the
university, on the 24th of December preceding, from
Hebrews ii. 4, entitled “The nature, possibility, and certainty of Miracles, &c.
” This discourse was so well received, that it went through four editions. Mr. Conybeare was hence encouraged to commit to the press a second sermon, from 1 Corinthians xiii. 12, which he had
preached before the university, on the 21st of October,
1724, and the title of which was, “The Mysteries of the
Christian Religion credible.
” It is probable, that the
reputation our author gained by these discourses, recommended him to the notice of the bishop of London (Dr. Gibson), who appointed him one of his majesty’s preachers
at Whitehall, upon the first establishment of that institution. The esteem in which his abilities and character were
held, procured him, also, the favour of the lord chancellor
Macclesfield, who, in May 1724, presented him to the
rectory of St. Clement’s in Oxford; a preferment of no
great value, but which was convenient to iiim from his constant residence at that place, and from its being compatible
with his fellowship. In 1725, he was chosen senior proctor of the university, which office he served in conjunction
with Mr. Barnaby Smyth, fellow of Corpus-Christi college,
and a scholar of eminence. In the same year, Mr. Conybeare was called upon to preach a visitation sermon before
the bishop of Oxford, at whose request it was published,
under the title of “The Case of Subscription to Articles
of Religion considered,
” and obtained no small degree of
celebrity, being referred to in the controversy relating to
subscription. The position of Mr. Conybeare is, that
“every one who subscribes the articles of religion, does
thereby engage, not only not to dispute or contradict
them; but his subscription amounts to an approbation of,
and an assent to, the truth of the doctrines therein contained, in the very sense in which the compilers are supposed to have understood them.
” Mr. Conybeare’s next
publication was an assize sermon, preached at St. Mary’s,
Oxford, in 1727, from Ezra vii. 26, and entitled “The
Penal sanctions of laws considered.
” This discourse was
dedicated by him to the honourable Charles Talbot, at
that time solicitor-general, afterwards lord high chancellor
of Great Britain, who had honoured our author with the
care of his two eldest sons, Mr. Charles Talbot, celebrated
by the poet Thomson, and the late earl Talbot, steward
of his majesty’s household. On the llth of July, 1728,
Mr. Conybeare was admitted to the degree of bachelor of
divinity; and on the 24th of January following, he took
his doctor’s degree. In the year 1729, he again appeared
from the press, in a sermon that had been preached before
the lord mayor and aldermen at St. Paul’s cathedral, and
which was entitled ^The Expediency of a Divine Revelation represented.“It was accompanied with a dedication
to bishop Talbot, father of the solicitor-general. From
Dr. Conybeare’s introduction to this family, and the reputation he had acquired as a divine, it was expected that
he would soon have been promoted to some dignity in the
church. But the good bishop was taken off before he had
a proper opportunity of carrying his benevolent intentions
in our author’s favour into execution. In 1730, the headship of Exeter college becoming vacant, by the death of
Dr. Hole, Dr. Conybeare was chosen to succeed him. His
competitor, on this occasion, was the rev. Mr. Stephens,
vicar of St. Andrew’s, Plymouth, a truly worthy clergyxpan, and the author of several ingenious discourses,
Nevertheless, as he had retired early from the society, he
could not be supposed to carry such weight with him as
Dr. Conybeare, who had resided constantly in the college.
In this year Dr. Tindal’s famous deistical book had appeared, entitled
” Christianity as old as the Creation, or
the Gospel a Republication of the Law of Nature.“This
work excited the greatest attention, and drew forth the
pens of some of the ablest divines of the kingdom, both in
the church of PZngland, and among the protestant dissenters. Bishop Gibson, who had himself engaged in the
controversy in his
” Pastoral Letters,“encouraged Dr.
Conybeare to undertake the task of giving a full and particular answer to Tindal’s production. Accordingly, he
published in 1732, his
” Defence of Revealed Religion,“Londoq, 8vo, by which he gained great credit to himself,
and performed an eminent service to the cause of Christianity. In his dedication to the learned prelate now mentioned, he observes, that if he has not succeeded in his
book according to his wishes, he may plead that it was
drawn up amidst a variety of interruptions, and under a
bad state of health.
” This,“says he,
” will in some sort
excuse the author, though it may detract from the performance.“But Dr. Conybeare’s work did not stand in
need of an apology. It is distinguished by the perspicuity of its method, and the strength of its reasoning; and
is, indeed, one of the ablest vindications of revelation
which England has produced. So well was the work received, that the third edition of it was published in 1733.
Dr. Warburton justly styles it one of the best reasoned
books in the world. It is likewise recommended by the
temper and candour with which it is composed. Dr. Conybeare' s Defence will always maintain its rank, and perhaps
be thought to sustain the first place among the four capital
answers which Tindal received. The other three were,
Foster’s
” Usefulness, Truth, and Excellency of the
Christian Revelation;“Leland’s
” Answer to a late book,
entitled Christianity as old as the Creation;“and Mr. Simon Browne’s
” Defence of the Religion of Nature and
the Christian Revelation."
, a learned English bishop, was born at Oxford about 1517, and educated
, a learned English
bishop, was born at Oxford about 1517, and educated in
the school adjoining to Magdalen college; and, having
made great progress in grammar learning, and gained high
reputation, he was there elected first demy, then probationer in 1539, and perpetual fellow the year after. He
quitted his fellowship in 1546, being then married, as it is
supposed; and when queen Mary came to the crown, applied himself to the study of physic, and, faking a bachelor’s degree, practised it at Oxford, because he was secretly
inclined to the Protestant religion; but upon the death of
that queen, he returned to his former study of divinity.
March 156,7, he took the degree of D.D. and about that
time was made dean of Christ-church. In 1569 he was
made dean of Gloucester, and the year after bishop of Lincoln. July 1572, he preached a sermon at St. Paul’s cross,
in vindication of the church of England and its liturgy; to
which an answer was sent him by a disaffected person, which
answer Strype has printed at length in his “Annals of
the Reformation.
” In Ye may all prophesy one by one, that
all may learn, and all may be comforted.
” They were set
on foot in several parts of the kingdom about 1571; and
consisted of conferences among the clergy, for the better improving of themselves, and one another, in the knowledge
of scripture and divinity; but in 1577 were generally suppressed, on account of their being thought seminaries of
puritanism. In 1584 he was translated to the bishopric of
Winchester; which diocese abounding greatly with papists,
he petitioned the privy-council to suppress them; and
among other methods proposed, “that an hundred or two
of obstinate recusants, lusty men, well able to labour,
might by some convenient commission be taken up, and
be sent into Flanders as pioneers and labourers, whereby
the country should be disburdened of a company of dangerous people, and the rest that remained be put in some
fear.
”
, a learned Italian Jesuit, was born in Alexandria de la Paglia
, a learned Italian Jesuit,
was born in Alexandria de la Paglia in 17u4. He was the
second son of the count of Calamandrana, descended from
an ancient and noble family, originally from Nice. He
was educated in the Jesuits’ college at Rome, and in 1718
entered the society, where his progress in learning was so
rapid that in the twentieth year of his age he was employed
as a teacher in the college of Viterbo, and then gradually
preferred to those of Fermo and Ancona, and lastly to that
of Rome. Although regularly instituted in universal literature, he evinced a peculiar predilection for oratory,
poetry, and history. At the age of twenty-three he firs
appeared before the public in an elegant discourse on the
political and literary merit of the founder of the Roman
college, pope Gregory XIII. which was soon followed by
an equally elegant Latin satire, “In fatuos numerorum
divinatores, vulgo Caballistas.
” This procured him admission into the academy of the Arcadia, by the name of
Panemo Cisseo, under which he afterwards published several of his poetical works.
, orCORDERUS (Balthasar), a learned editor, was born at Antwerp in 1592, belonged to the
, orCORDERUS (Balthasar), a learned editor, was born at Antwerp in 1592, belonged to the society
of Jesuits in the Low Countries, and was doctor of theology at Vienna, where he attained a considerable share of
celebrity, as professor of that faculty. He was a man of
great learning, particularly in Greek literature. He died
at Rome June 24, 1650. His principal works, as editor
and author, were “S. Dionysii Areopagitae Opera omnia,
Gr. et Lat. cum Scholiis, &c.
” Expositiones Patrum Graecorum in Psalmos,
” S. Cyrilli Homilise in Jeremiam,
”
, a learned Venetian lady, born in 1646, was the daughter of Gio
, a learned Venetian lady, born in 1646, was the daughter of Gio Baptista Cornaro, and educated in a very different manner from the generality of her sex, being taught languages and sciences, and all the philosophy of the schools. After having studied many years, she took her degrees at Padua, and was perhaps the first lady that ever was made a doctor. She was also admitted of the university of Rome, wherei she had the title of Humble given her, as she had at Padua that of Unalterable, titles which she is said to have deserved, because her learning had not inspired her with vanity, nor was any thing capable of disturbing her train of thought. With all this, however, she was not free from the weaknesses of her religion, and the age in which she lived. She early made a vow of perpetual virginity; and though all means were used to persuade her to marry, and even a dispensation with her vow obtained from the pope, yet she remained immoveable. It is affirmed, that not believing the perpetual study to which she devoted herself, and which shortened her days, sufficient to mortify the flesh, she addicted herself to other superstitious restraints, fasted often, and spent her whole time either in study or devotion, except those few hours when she was obliged to receive visits. All people of quality and fashion, who passed through Venice, were more solicitous to see her, than any of the curiosities of that superb city. The cardinals de Bouillon and D'Etrees, in passing through Italy, were commanded by the king of France, to examine whether what some said of her was true and their report was that her parts and learning were equal to her high reputation. At length her incessant study of books, particularly such as were in Greek and Hebrew, impaired her constU tution so much, that she fell into an illness, of which she died in 1685. We are told that she had notice of her death a year before it happened, and that, talking one day to her father of an old cypress-tree in his garden, she advised him to cut it down, since it would do well to make her a coffin.
, a learned antiquary, born in 1660, was first a lawyer, and in
, a
learned antiquary, born in 1660, was first a lawyer, and in
that profession so distinguished, as to attract the notice of
pope Clement XI. who appointed him to honourable and
confidential offices. Disgusted, however, by the intrigues
of the court, he gave himself up to retirement, for the purpose of applying to literary pursuits. Here he remained till
he was created cardinal by pope Innocent XIII. which dignity he enjoyed more than twenty years, and died at Rome
in 1743. He wrote a learned and curious work, entitled
“VetusLatium,profanum et sacrum,
” Rome, De civitate et ecclesia Settina;
” Rome, De jure precum primariarum,
”
, a learned cardinal, was born of a noble and ancient family at
, a learned cardinal, was born of a noble and ancient family at Modena,
and was auditor of the causes under Leo X. and afterwards
entered the Benedictine order, in which his merit raised
him to the highest offices. Paul III. created him cardinal
in 1542. He died at Rome in 1548, leaving “Epistolarum
familiavium Liber,
”
, a learned Jesuit, was born at Pontoise in 1615, and after being
, a learned Jesuit, was born at
Pontoise in 1615, and after being educated among the
Jesuits, taught rhetoric at Paris with much reputation for
seven years. He then joined with father Labbe, who had
commenced his vast collection of the “Councils;
” and
Labbe dying when the eleventh volume was printing, Cossart completed the whole in 1672, in eighteen volumes.
Cossart also wrote some orations and poems, a collection
of which was published in 1675, and reprinted at Paris in
1723, 12mo. He was thought one of the best orators and
poets which the society of Jesuits had produced. He died
at Paris, Sept. 18, 1674.
, a learned clergyman of the church of England, was born at Shrewsbury
, a learned clergyman of the
church of England, was born at Shrewsbury about the year
1710. He was educated at Wadham-college, Oxford, of
which he was admitted a member in 1726, if not earlier;
and on^ the 28th of June 1733, took the degree of master
of arts. He also became a tutor, and fellow of his college;
and, indeed, seems to have spent a great part of his life
there, though the fellows of Wadham-college hold their
fellowships only for a limited number of years. The same
year in which he took the degree of M.A. he published, in
8vo, “Critical observations on some Psalms.
” The first
ecclesiastical situation in which he was placed, was that of
curate of Islip in Oxfordshire. He afterwards became vicar
of Whitchurch, in Dorsetshire, where he served two churches
for some years. Part of a letter written by him to Mr. John
Catlain, containing an account of a fiery meteor seen by
him in the air, on the 14th of July 1745, was read at the
Royal Society on the 7th of November in that year, and
published in the Philosophical Transactions, No. 477. The
following year he published at London, in 8vo, “A Letter to Martin Folkes, esq. president of the Royal Society,
concerning the rise and progress of Astronomy amongst the
Ancients,
” in which he endeavoured to prove, that the Greeks
derived but a very small portion of their astronomical knowledge from the Egyptians or Babylonians; and that though
the Egyptians and Babylonians may be allowed, by their
observations of the heavens, to have laid the foundation of
astronomy; yet, as long as it continued amongst them, it
consisted of observations only, and nothing more; till Geometry being improved by the Greeks, and them alone, into
Sl science, and applied to the heavens, they became the true
and proper authors of every thing deserving the name of
astronomy.
, a learned divine of the church of Rome, who was long resident
, a learned divine of the
church of Rome, who was long resident in England, was
born at Vernon in “Normandy, in the year 1681, and being
educated for the church, became canon regular and librarian of the abbey of St. Genevieve, a situation extremely
favourable to the prosecution of his studies, as the library
of which he had the care is a very considerable one. Among
other theological inquiries, he engaged in one, which was
productive of very important consequences respecting his
future life. Having been employed in reading abbe Reuaudot’s
” Memoire sur la validite des Ordinations des
Anglois,“inserted in abbe Gould’s
” La veritable croyance
de T'eglise Catholique,“he was induced to enter into a farther examination of that subject. Accordingly he drew up
a memoir upon it, for his own satisfaction only, but which
grew insensibly into a treatise; and at the instance of some
friends to whom it was communicated, he was at length
prevailed with to consent to its publication. He therefore
made the usual application for permission to print it; and
obtained the approbation of Mons. Arnaudin, the royal licenser of the press. Some persons, however, afterwards
found means to prevail on the chancellor to refuse to affix
the seal to the approbation of the licenser. Terms were
proposed to father Courayer, to which he could not accede,
and he gave up all thoughts of publishing. Some of his
friends, however, being in possession of a copy, resolved
to print it; and this obliged him to acquiesce in the
publication. When he first wrote his treatise, all his materials were taken from printed authorities, and he had no
acquaintance or correspondence in England. But sundry
difficulties, which occurred to him in the course of his inquiries, suggested to him the propriety of writing to England, in order to obtain clearer information on some points;
and knowing that a correspondence had been carried on
between Dr. Wake, then archbishop of Canterbury, and
Dr. Dupin, on the project of re-uniting the churches of
England and France, he took the liberty, in 1721, although
entirely unknown to that prelate, to desire his information
respecting some particulars. The archbishop answered his
inquiries with great readiness, candour, and politeness, and
many letters passed between them on this occasion. Father
Courayer’s book was at length published in 1723, in two
volumes small 8vo, entitled,
” Dissertation sur la validite
des Ordinations des Anglois, et sur la Succession des
Evesques de l'Eglise Anglicane: avec les preuves justificatives des faits avancez dans cet ouvrage.“It was printed
at Nancy, though Brussels is placed in the title. It was
afterwards translated into English, by the rev. Mr. Daniel
Williams, and published at London in one volume 8vo,
under the title
” A Defence of the validity of the English
Ordinations, and of the Succession of the Bishops in the
Church of England: together with proofs justifying the
facts advanced in this treatise.“Father Courayer’s work
was immediately attacked by several popish writers, particularly by father le Quien and father Hardouin. But in
1726 he published, in four volumes 12mo,
” Defense de la
Dissertation sur la validite des Ordinations des Anglois,
coutre les differentes reponsesqui y out 6te faites. Avec les
preuves justiticatives des faits avancez dans cet ouvrage.
Par l'Auteur de la Dissertation.“An English translation
of this also was afterwards published at London, in two
volumes 8 vo, under the following title:
” A Defence of
the Dissertation on the validity of the English Ordinations," &c.
, in Latin, Cognatus, a learned writer of the sixteenth century, was born at Nozeret,
, in Latin, Cognatus, a learned
writer of the sixteenth century, was born at Nozeret, in
Franche-Comte, Jan. 21, 1506. Having a turn for the
law, he went to study at Dole in 1526, but not relishing it
after six months application, he entered upon a course of
divinity, and being introduced to Erasmus, was employed
by him as an amanuensis or copyist. Erasmus also instructed him in the learned languages and in polite literature. In 1535 the prince of Orange conferred on him a
canonry of St. Antony at Nozeret, in consequence of which
preferment, he was obliged to leave Erasmus, who expressed a very high regard for him in several of his letters.
When established at Nozeret, he appears to have taught
school. In 1553, he accompanied the archbishop of Besancon on a tour into Italy; but being soon after suspected
of heresy, he was arrested by order of pope Pius V. and
thrown into prison, in which he died in 1567. It is generally agreed that he inclined in some measure to the sentiments of the reformers. His works, of which a collection
was published in 1562, 3 ' vols. folio, at Basle, consist of
translations from various authors, a treatise on grammar,
erroneously ascribed to St. Basil Latin dissertations letters historical and critical treatises, &c. Niceron has an
elaborate article on this author; and in 1775 was published
at Altorf, “Commentatio de vita Gilberti Cognati, et
Commentatio de scriptis,
” by Schwartz, 4to. Cousin’s
notes upon Lucian are in Bourdelot’s edition of that classic,
1615, folio, but had been published before by himself, in
an edition printed at Basil, 1563, and reprinted in 1602,
and 1619, 4 vols. 8vo.
, a learned Benedictine of the congregation of St. Maure, was born
, a learned Benedictine of the
congregation of St. Maure, was born at Compiegne in
1654, and died at Paris October 18, 1721, in the abbey of
St. Germain des Pres, of which he was dean. He employed much of his time, as was the case with other learned
men of his order, in preparing editions of the fathers. In
1693, he published an edition of St. Hilary, folio, and in
1706 undertook the defence of Mabillon on the subject of
establishing rules for distinguishing genuine from fictitious
writings, and wrote against Mabillon’s antagonist, father
Germon$ a Jesuit, “Vindicise ms. codicum a R. P. Barth.
Germon impugnatorum, cum appendice in qua S. Hilarii
quidam loci ab anonymo (the abbe Faydit) obscurati et depravati illustrantur et explicantur.
” In 1715 he published
“Vindiciae veterum codicum confirmatae,
” against another
work of the same Germon’s, “De veteribus hrcreticis ecclesiasticorum codicum corruptoribus.
” He also assisted
in the Benedictine edition of St. Augustin’s works, and
published “The Letters of the Popes,
” at Paris, folio, with
a preface and notes,
, a learned and eminent civilian, was born at Ernsborough, in Devonshire,
, a learned and eminent civilian,
was born at Ernsborough, in Devonshire, about 1554;
educated at Eton school; and elected a scholar of King’s
college in Cambridge, in 1570. He was afterwards chosen
fellow of that college; and, by the advice of Bancroft
bishop of London, applied himself particularly to the study
of ci-vil law. He was regularly admitted to the degree of
LL.D. in his own university; and, in 1600, was incorporated into the same degree at Oxford. Soon after he was
made the king’s professor of civil law in Cambridge, and
about the same time master of Trinity-hall. His patron,
Bancroft, being advanced to the see of Canterbury in
1604, and beginning to project many things for the service of the church and state, put him upon that laborious,
work the “Interpreter,
” or an explanation of law-terms,
which he published at Cambridge in 1607, 4to. It was
reprinted in 1609, and several times since, particularly in
1638, for which archbishop Laud was reflected upon; and
it was made an article against him at his trial, as if the impression of that book had been done by his authority, or at
least with his connivance, in order to countenance king
Charles’s arbitrary measures. In 1677 and 1684 it was
published with large additions by Thomas Manley of the
Middle Temple, esq. and again in 1708, with very considerable improvements, by another hand: in all which later
editions the exceptionable passages have been corrected or
omitted.
, a learned writer of the sixteenth century, was the second son
, a learned writer of the
sixteenth century, was the second son of Laurence Cox,
son of John Cox, of the city of Monmouth. His mother’s
name was Elizabeth Willey. He was educated at Cambridge, where he took his bachelors degree in arts, but at
what college is not known. In 1528 he went to Oxford,
and was incorporated in the same degree in February 1529.
He supplicated also for the degree of M. A. but it does not
appear that he was admitted to it. About this time he
became master of Reading school; and was living there, in
great esteem, at the time when Fryth, the martyr, was first
persecuted by being set in the stocks. Cox, who soon,
discovered his merit by his conversation, relieved his wants,
and out of regard to his learning, procured his release.
In 1532 he published “The art or craft of Rhetoryke,
”
inscribed to Hugh Farington, abbot of Reading, in which
he divides his subject into four parts, invention, judgment,
disposition, and eloquence in speaking; but the present
treatise is confined to the first. In 1540 he published
tc Commentaries on William Lilly’s construction of the
eight parts of speech,“which are mentioned in Dr. Ward’s
edition of Lilly’s grammar; and, according to Wood, he
translated from Greek into Latin,
” Marcus Eremita de
lege et spiritu;“and from Latin into English,
” The paraphrase of St. Paul’s Epistle to Titus,“by Erasmus, with
whom he was well acquainted. These, Wood says, were
published in 1540, but by a ms note of Mr. Baker, we
are told, that the paraphrase of Erasmus was published in
1549, at which time, the author says,
” he was then in
hand“with Eremita, who had written
” on the law and
the spirit,“and
” of them that thynke to be justyfyed by
their works."
, a learned English bishop, was born at Whaddon in Buckinghamshire,
, a learned English bishop, was born at Whaddon in Buckinghamshire, of mean parentage, in the year 1499. He had probably his first education in the small priory of Snelshall, in the parish of Whaddon; but being afterwards sent to Eton-school, he was elected into a scholarship at King’s college in Cambridge, of which he became fellow in the year 1519. Having the same year taken his bachelor of arts degree, and being eminent for his piety and learning, he was invited to Oxford by cardinal Wolsey, to fill up his new foundation. He was accordingly preferred to be one of the junior canons of Cardinal college; and on the 7th of December, 1525, was incorporated bachelor of arts at Oxford, as he stood at Cambridge. Soon after, having performed his exercises, he took the degree of M. A. July 2, 1526, and at this time was reputed one of the greatest scholars of his age; and even his poetical compositions were in great esteem. His piety and virtue were not inferior to his learning, and commanded the respect of all impartial persons. But shewing himself averse to many of the popish superstitions, and declaring freely for some of Luther’s opinions, he incurred the displeasure of his superiors, who stripped him of his preferment, and threw him into prison on suspicion of heresy. When he was released from his confinement, he left Oxford; and, some time after, was chosen master of Eton-school, which flourished under his care. In 1537, he commenced doctor in divinity at Cambridge, and December 4, 1540, was made archdeacon of Ely; as he was also appointed in 1541, the first prebendary in the first stall of the same cathedral, upon its being new founded by king Henry VIII. September 10, 1541. He was likewise, June 3, 1542, presented by the same king to the prebend of Sutton with Buckingham in the church of Lincoln, and installed the llth of that month, but this he surrendered up in 1547. In the year 1543, he supplicated the university of Oxford, that he might take place among the doctors of divinity there, which was unusual, because he was not then incorporated in that degree, but this took place in June 1545. When a design was formed, of converting the collegiate church of Southwell into a bishopric, Dr. Cox was nominated bishop of it. On the 8th of January, 1543-4, he was made the second dean of the new-erected cathedral of Osney near Oxford; and in 1546, when that see was translated to Christ church, he was also made dean there. These promotions he obtained by the interest of archbishop Cranmer and bishop Goodrich, to the last of whom he had been chaplain; and, by their recommendation, he was chosen tutor to the young prince Edward, whom he instructed with great care in the true principles of religion, and formed his tender mind to an early sense of his duty, both as a Christian and a king. On that prince’s accession to the throne, he became a great favourite at court, and was made a privy-counsellor, and the king’s almoner. The 2 1st of May, 1547, he was elected chancellor of the university of Oxford; installed July 16, 1548, canon of Windsor; and the next year made dean of Westminster. About the same time he was appointed one of the commissioners to visit the university of Oxford, in which he and his brother commissioners destroyed some of the most valuable treasures in the libraries, from a notion that they encouraged popery and conjuration *. In 1550, he was ordered to go down into Sussex, and endeavour by his learned and affecting sermons, to quiet the minds of the people, who had been disturbed by the factious preaching of Day bishop of Chichester, a violent papist: and when the noble design of reforming the canon law was in agitation, he was appointed one of the commissioners. Both in this and the former reign, when an act passed for giving all chantries, colleges, &c. to the king, through Dr. Cox’s powerful intercession, the colleges in both universities were excepted out of that act. In November 1552, be resigned the office of chancellor of Oxford and soon after queen Mary’s accession to the crown, he was stripped of his preferments and on the 15th of August, 1553, committed to the Marshalsea. He was indeed soon discharged from this confinement; but foreseeing the inhuman persecution likely to ensue, he resolved to quit the realm, and withdraw to some place where he might enjoy the free exercise of his religion, according to the form established in the reign of king Edward. With this view he went first to Strasburgh in Germany, where he heard with great concern of some English exiles at Francfort having thrown aside the English Liturgy, and set up a form of their own, framed after the French and Geneva models. On the 13th of March 1555, he came to Francfort in order to oppose this innovation, and to have the Common- Prayer-Book settled among the English congregation there, which he had the satisfaction to accomplish. Then he returned to Strasburgh for the sake of conversing with Peter Martyr, with whom he had contracted an intimate friendship at Oxford, and whom he loved and honoured for his great learning and moderation. After the death of queen Mary he returned to England; and was one of those divines who were appointed to revise the Liturgy. When a disputation was to be held at Westminster between eight papists and eight of the reformed clergy, he was the chief champion on the protestants’ side. He preached often before queen Elizabeth in Lent; and, in his sermon at the opening of her first parliament, exhorted them in most affecting terms to restore religion to its primitive purity, and banish all the popish innovations and corruptions. These excellent discourses, and the great zeal he had shewn in support of the English liturgy at Francfort, so effectually recommended him to the queen’s esteem, that in June 1559, she nominated him to the bishopric of Norwich; but altering her mind, preferred him to the see of Ely in July 1559, in the room of Dr. Thirlby, who was deprived. Before his consecration (Dec. 19) he joined with Dr. Parker, elect archbishop of Canterbury, and the bishops elect of London, Chichester, and Hereford, in a petition to the queen, against an act lately passed for the alienating and exchanging the lands and revenues of the bishops; and sent her several arguments from scripture and reason against the lawfulness of it; observing withal, the many evils and inconveniencies both to church and state that would thence arise. In 1559 we find him again appointed one of the visitors of the university of Oxford, but this visitation was conducted so moderately as to obtain a letter of thanks to queen Elizabeth for the services of the commissioners. He enjoyed the episcopal dignity about twenty-one years and seven months, and was justly considered one of the chief pillars and ornaments of the church of England, having powerfully co-operated with archbishop Parker, and his successor Grindal, in restoring our church in the same beauty and good order it had enjoyed in king Edward’s reign. He indeed gave some offence to the queen by his zealous opposition to her retaining the crucifix and lights on the altar of the Chapel Royal, and his strenuous defence of the lawfulness of the marriage of the clergy, to which the queen was always an enemy. He was a liberal patron to all learned men whom he found well affected to the church; and shewed a singular esteem for Dr. Whitgift, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, made him his chaplain, and gave him the rectory of Teversham in Cambridgeshire, and a prebend of Ely. He did his utmost to get a body of ecclesiastical laws established by authority of parliament; but through the opposition of some of the chief courtiers, this design miscarried a third time. As he had, in his exile at Francfort, been the chief champion against the innovations of the puritans, he still continued, with some vigour and resolution, to oppose their attempts against the discipline and ceremonies of the established church. At first he tried to reclaim them by gentle means; but finding that they grew more audacious, and reviled both church and bishops in scurrilous libels, he wrote to archbishop Parker, to go on vigorously in reclaiming or punishing them, and not be disheartened at the frowns of those court-favourites who protected them; assuring him that he might expect the blessing of God on his pious labours to free the church from their dangerous attempts, and to establish uniformity. When the privycouncil interposed in favour of the puritans, and endeavoured to screen them from punishment, he wrote a bold letter to the lord- treasurer Burieigh in which he warmly expostulated with the council for meddling with the affairs of the church, which, as he said, ought to be left to the determination of the bishops; admonished them to keep within their own sphere; and told them he would appeal to the queen if they continued to interpose in matters not belonging to them. He is blamed by some for giving up several manors and other estates belonging to his see, while others thought he deserved commendation for his firmness in resolving to part with no more, and for being proof against the strongest solicitations and most violent attacks which he had to encounter, even from those who were most in favour at court, and who were backed by royal command and authority. In the years 1574- and 1575, sir Christopher Hatton, a noted favourite of the queen, endeavoured to wrest Ely-house in Holborn from him; and in order to preserve it to his see he was forced to have a long and chargeable suit in chancery, which was not determined in 1579. The lord North also attempted, in 1575, to oblige him to part with the manor of Somersham, in Huntingdonshire, one of the best belonging to his bishopric; and with Downham park; which he refusing to yield, that lord endeavoured to irritate the queen against him, and to have him deprived. For that purpose, North, and some others of the courtiers, examined and ransacked his whole conduct since his first coming to his see, and drew tip a large body of articles against him addressed to the privy-council. But the bishop, in his replies, so fully vindicated himself, that the queen was forced to acknowledge his innocence, though the lord North boasted he had found five prsemunires against him. Vexed, however, with the implacable malice of the lord North, and other his adversaries, he desired, in 1577, leave to resign his bishopric, which the queen refused. North, though disappointed in his former attempt, yet not discouraged, brought three actions against the poor old bishop for selling of wood, on which the bishop offered again, in 1579, to resign, provided he had a yearly pension of two hundred pounds out of his see, and Donnington (the least of five country houses belonging to Ely bishopric) for his residence during life. The lord- treasurer Burieigh, at the bishop’s earnest desire, obtained leave of the queen for him to resign; and in February 1579-80, upon the bishop’s repeated desires, forms of resignation were actually drawn up. But the court could not find any divine of note who would take that bishopric on their terms, of surrendering* up the best manors belonging to it. The first offer of it was made to Freak, bisbop of Norwich; and, on his refusal, it was proffered to several others; but the conditions still appeared so ignominious that they all rejected it; by which means bishop Cox enjoyed it till his death, which happened on the 22d of July 1581, in the eighty-second year of his arge. By his will he left several legacies, amounting in all to the sum of 945l.; and died worth, in good debts, 2,322l. He had several children. His body was interred in Ely cathedral, near bishop Goodrich’s monument, under a marble stone, with an inscription, now nearly effaced. His character is said to have been that of a man of a sound judgment and clear apprehension, and skilled in all polite and useful learning. He wanted no advantages of education, and improved them with such diligence and industry, that he soon became an excellent proficient both in divine and human literature. The holy scriptures were his chief study; and he was perfectly well versed in the original language of the New Testament. He was extremely zealous for the true interest of the reformed church, and a constant and vigorous defender of it against alj, the open, assaults of all its enemies. He is accused by some of having been a worldly and covetou’s person; and is said to have made a great havock and spoil of his woods and parks, feeding his family with powdered venison to save expences. Several complaints and long accusations were exhibited against him and his wife, in 1579, to queen Elizabeth upon these accounts, but the bishop fully vindicated himself, and shewed that all these complaints were malicious calumnies. It is likewise said, that he appears to have been of a vindictive spirit, by reason of his prosecution of, and severity to, the deprived catholics in his custody; and especially by his complaints against Dr. Feckenham, the last abbot of Westminster. But the bishop alleges in his own excuse, that these complaints were well founded; and that his endeavours to convert him were by order of the court. It must be remembered of this bishop, that he was the first who brought a wife to live in a college; and that he procured a new body of statutes for St, John’s college in Cambridge, of which, as bishop of Ely, he was, visitor.
, a learned mathematician, was a native of Scotland, in the seventeenth
, a learned mathematician, was a native
of Scotland, in the seventeenth century, and well known
for many papers recorded in the Philosophical
Transactions, and in the Acta Eruditorum. He had a controversy
with Bernouilli, in which Leibnitz took the part of Craig.
He made his name, however, famous chiefly by a pamphlet of 36 pages, 4to, entitled “Theologise Christianae
prinfcipia mathematica,
” printed at London in
on, he was knighted by king James. Bering well skilled in British and European antiquities, he wrote a learned treatise on the feudal law, entitled “Jus Feudale,”
, was born at Edinburgh in 1548,
and studied the civil law in the university of Paris. While
very young, he was called to the bar as an advocate in the
court of session: his practice at the bar was great, and he
was treated with every mark of respect by his countrymen;
and when on a visit to London, he was knighted by king
James. Bering well skilled in British and European antiquities, he wrote a learned treatise on the feudal law, entitled “Jus Feudale,
” which is still in very great esteem.
In
, a learned protestant divine, was born at Retz in the new march
, a learned protestant divine, was
born at Retz in the new march of Brandenburgh, Jan. 20,
1568, where his father was pastor of the church, and for
some time superintended his education. In 1531 he was
sent to Lansberg, where he was educated in Greek and
Latin by J. M. Capito, and afterwards pursued his studies
at other seminaries, particularly Rostock, where he applied to philosophy and mathematics under Dr. Duncan
Liddel, a learned native of Scotland, and Gotschovius.
Under the presidentship of Dr. Liddel he defended a thesis
on the organon of Aristotle with great applause, and lectured on the ethics to some of his fellow-students. About
this time, 1590, the son of the prime minister of Denmark,
Rosenkranz, being at Rostock for his education, Cramer
was appointed his tutor, and afterwards accompanied him
to Denmark, and to the university of Whtemberg; here
he was appointed professor of logic, and superintendant of
the scholars who were exhibitioners. From hence, being
invited to Stettin, he was made first dean, and professor,
and assessor of the consistory. In 1597 he was appointed
pastor at Marienkirk, and inspector of the college. In
1598 he received the degree of doctor of divinity at Wittemberg, where Moreri, blunderingly, makes him die in
the following year: on the contrary, after refusing many
preferments, he remained here until Oct. 5, 1637, on which
day he died, in his sixty-ninth year. His works, both in
Latin and German, are very numerous. Freher has given
a complete list, in which we find several treatises on Aristotle, “Emblematum Sacrorum Decades X.
” with plates,
and Latin, German, Italian and French verses,“8vo.
”Isagoge ad libros Propheticos et Apostolicos,“8vo;
” Arbor hsereticse consanguinitatis," a history of heresies, divided into four classes, 4to; and various controversial works
in favour of the Lutheran opinions.
, a learned protestant divine, was born at Elcau, Feb. 14, 1678,
, a learned protestant
divine, was born at Elcau, Feb. 14, 1678, and was first
instructed in classical learning by his father, who was a
pastor of the reformed church, and who intended him for
the medical profession, but by the advice of his brother,
professor of the oriental languages at Zurich, he studied
divinity, after the death of his father, in 1693, and was
admitted into the ministry in 1699. The same year he accompanied his brother to Herborn, where the latter had
been appointed professor of divinity, and pursued his
studies in that place for two years, under the ablest professors. He then removed to Leyden, and having made
great progress in Hebrew antiquities, he published there,
in 1702, his “Seven Dissertations on the Hilcoth Biccurim.
” His brother dying at Zurich the same year, he
was unanimously chosen to succeed him as Hebrew professor, and on Sept. 18, he opened his lectures with a discourse “de philologis a reformatione in schola Tigurina
claris.
” In 1705 he was appointed to teach sacred and
profane history, and the year following succeeded to the
Hebrew professorship in the superior college. In 1725 he
succeeded John James Lavater, the elder, as professor of
theology, and after some other preferments, the duties of
which appear to have affected his health, he died July 14,
1737. His works are very numerous: 1. “Decas Thesium
Theologicarum,
” Constitutiones de primitivis R. Mosis F. Maimonis, &c. cum versione et notis
philologicis,
” Leyden, De Summa pryedicationis apostolicae, quod Jesus sit Christus,
” De genuina indole fidei Jesum ceu Christum recipientis,
” two parts, Dissertationes Theolog. VII. de benedictione Mosis in tribum
Levi enunciata,
” 1725, 1736, 4to. 6. “Positiones theolog. ex pastorali instructione sancti Pauli ad Titum data,
”
Demonstratio quibus in rebus S'erae religionis prsestantia ponenda sit,
” 172H. 8. “De nonnullis
Antichrist! characteribus,
” Meditatio sacra in verba S. Pauli,
quee beatitudinem in Domino morientium veram ac certam
demonstrat,
” Zurich,
As archbishop Cranmer was a learned man hiinself, so he was also a great patron of all solid
As archbishop Cranmer was a learned man hiinself, so he was also a great patron of all solid learning, and of whatever he thought calculated to promote it. Mr. Gilpin observes, that the archbishop always thought himself much interested in the welfare of both the universities, but of Cambridge in particular; and though he does not appear to have bad any legal power there, yet such was his interest at court, and such was the general dependence of the more eminent members of that society upon him, that scarcely any thing was d,one there, either of a public or a private nature, without consulting him. It was his chief endeavour to encourage, as much as possible, a spirit of inquiry; and to rouse the students from the slumber of their predecessors; well knowing, the libertas philosophandi was the great mean of detecting error, and that true learning could never be at variance with true religion. Ascham and Cheke, two of the most elegant scholars of that age, were chiefly relied on, and consulted by the archbishop in this work. Leia'.id, also, the first British antiquary, was among the archbishop’s particular friends. Leland had a wonderful facility in learning languages, and was esteemed the first linguist in Europe. The archbishop soon took notice of him; and, with his usual discernment, recommended him to be the king’s librarian. His genius threw him on the study of antiquities; and his opportunities, on those of his own country. The archbishop, in the mean time, by procuring preferment for him, enabled him to make those inquiries to which his countrymen have been so much indebted.
, a learned Bohemian, was born at Schlackowald, in 1584, and after
, a learned Bohemian,
was born at Schlackowald, in 1584, and after receiving the
first rudiments of education at home, was sent in 1603,
first to Jena, and afterwards to Wittemberg, where he
studied divinity, philosophy, and the learned languages,
in which last, particularly the oriental languages, he became critically skilled. He also taught the oriental languages at Wittemberg, published several critical works,
which were highly esteemed, and had for his pupils many
young men who were afterwards authors of great name.
His reputation extending to Austria, he was invited in
1614 to become pastor at Geschwend, where he remained
five years, until he was induced to accept the pastoral office at Muhlgrub, the residence of a nobleman named
Fenzelius, who offered him the situation, with a liberal
income; and here, probably, he would have spent his
days, had not Ferdinand II, banished all Lutheran preachers
and teachers, which obliged him to go to Ratisbon, and
afterwards to Nuremberg. He was then made professor of
divinity at Altdorff, which he enjoyed only four years,
dying there, of what his biographers call the falling sickness, (comitialis morbus), Aug. 28, 1629. His principal
works are, 1. “A Dissertation on the Confusion of
Tongues.
” 2. “Exercitationes Hebraicse.
” 3. “Gymnasium & Lexicon Syriacum,
” 2 vols. 4to. 4. “Lingua
Samaritica,
” 4to. 5. “Grammatica Chaldaica,
” 4to.
6. “De auctoritate verbi divini in Hebraico codice,
” Amsterdam,
, a learned protestant clergyman in France, in the seventeenth century,
, a learned protestant
clergyman in France, in the seventeenth century, was born
at Usez, and being educated to the church, was appointed
pastor, first of Beziers, and afterwards of Usez. His life
appears to have been spent in the exercise of his duties as
a clergyman, and in writing on the controversies of the
times, in which he was enabled to take a distinguished
part, being a man of extensive learning, a critic, and an
able Oriental scholar. He died Aug. 31, 1659. He wrote
many controversial pieces in French, particularly a defence
of the Geneva confession of Faith, 1645, 8vo, and “Augustin suppose,
” &c. proving that the four books on the
creed in St. Augustine’s works are not the production of
that author; but his Latin works gained him greater reputation, particularly his “Specimen Conjecturarum in qusedam Origenis, Ireneei, et Tertulliani Loca,
” Observationes Sacræ et Historicæ in Nov. Test.
” chiefly
against Heinsius,
, a learned French writer, was born at Nantes, Dec. 4, 1661. His
, a learned French writer, was born at Nantes, Dec. 4, 1661. His father, who was a merchant, was also a man of letters, and bestowed much pains on the education of his son, who answered his expectations by the proficiency he made in classical studies. He had, however, provided him with a private tutor, who happened to disgust him by the severity of his manners, and upon this account partly, at the age of fourteen, he desired to take a voyage to some of the West India islands, to which his father traded; but his principal inducement was what he had read in books of voyages, and the conversation of persons who had been in America, all which raised his curiosity to visit the new world. He embarked on board a French ship, with no other books than Erasmus’s Colloquies, and the Gradus ad Parnassum. His passage was not unpleasant, and during his residence at Guadeloupe he borrowed all the Latin books he could discover, and read them with avidity; but the chief advantage he seems to have derived here was an opportunity to learn the English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese San^uasres. To these he afterwards added an acquaintance with the German, Sclavonic, and AngloSaxon; and studied with much attention the ancient and modern Greek, the Hebrew, Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Hebrew, Arabic, and even the Chinese. On his return to Nantes in 1677, he found his father’s affairs somewhat deranged, and was obliged to take a part in the business. Medicine appears to have been first suggested to him as a profession, but he found little inclination for that study; and some conferences he happened to have with the Benedictines of the congregation of St. Maur determined him to enter their society. He accordingly made his noviciate in 1673, and applied himself to the study of theology. In 1682 he formally became a member of the congregation. His residence at Paris, in the abbey of St. Germain des Pres, the vast number of books within his reach, and particularly of manuscripts, increased his knowledge and his thirst for knowledge, and some of his earliest labours were bestowed in preparing materials, collecting Mss. &c. for new editions of the works of St. Clement of Alexandria, and St. Gregory Nazianzen. But these were interrupted by certain differences which occurred in the abbey to which he belonged, and of which we have various accounts. The prior of St. Germain, father Loo, had a great aversion to the study of classical and polite literature, and was for confining the members to the strict religious duties of the house. This could not fail to be disgusting to a man of La Croze’s taste: but, according to other accounts, which seem more prohable, he began to entertain religious scruples about this time (lr.96), which induced him to withdraw himself. It is said that his superiors found among his papers a treatise against transubstantiation in his hand-writing, and which they believed to be his composition; but they discovered afterwards that it uas a translation from the English of Stillingfleet. Some other manuscripts, however, sufficiently proved that he had changed his opinion on religious matters; and the dread of persecution obliged him to make his escape to Basil, which he successfully accomplished in May 1696. Here he renounced the Roman catholic religion, and as his intention was to take up his residence, he was matriculated as a student of the college of Basil. He remained in this place, however, only till September, when he departed, provided with the most honourable testimonies of his learning and character from Buxtorf, the Hebrew professor, and Werenfels, dean of the faculty of theology. He then went to Berlin, where his object was to secure a iixed residence, devote himself to study, and endeavour to forget France. In order to introduce himself, he began with offering to educate young men, the sons of protestant parents, which appears to have answered his purpose, as in 1697 we find him appointed librarian to the king of Prussia; but his biographers are not agreed upon the terms. To this place a pension was attached, but not sufficient to enable him to live without continuing his school; and some assert that he was very poor at this time. The probability is, that his circumstances were improved as he became better known, and his reputation among the learned was already extensive. In June of 1697 he went to Francfort to visit the literati of that place, and their fine library, and visited also Brandenburgh for the same purpose. In November 1697 (or, as Chaufepie says, in 1702), he married Elizabeth Rose, a lady originally of Dauphiny, and thus, adds one of his Roman catholic biographers, completed the abjuration of the true religion. In 1698 he first commenced author, and from time to time published those works on which his fame rests. Soon after he became acquainted with the celebrated Leibnitz, with whom he carried on an intimate correspondence. In 17 13 he went to Hamburgh, where he paid many visits to the learned Fabricius, and in his letters speaks with great warmth of the pleasure this journey afforded; but this year, 17 J 3, was not in other respects a vei'y fortunate one to La Croze, and he formed the design of quitting Germany. He had been appointed tutor to the margrave of Schwel, and this employment terminating in 1714, he lost the pension annexed to it, and was reduced to considerable difficulties, of which he wrote to Leibnitz, as to a friend in whom he could confide. Leibnitz, by way of answer, sent him a copy of a letter which he had written to M. BernsdorfT, prime minister to the elector of Hanover, in his behalf. The object likely to be attained by this interest was a professorship at Helmstadt; but as it required subscription to the articles of the Lutheran church, M. la Croze, notwithstanding the persuasions Leibnitz employed, declined accepting it. His affairs, however, soon after wore a more promising aspect, partly in consequence of a prize he gained in the Dutch lottery. In 1717 he had the honour to be engaged as private tutor to the princess royal of Prussia, afterwards margravine of Bareoth. In 1724, for several months his studies were interrupted by a violent fit of the gravel; and on his recovery, the queen of Prussia, who always patronized La Croze, obtained for him the professorship of philosophy in the French college at Berlin, vacant by the death of M. Chauvin. This imposed on him the necessity of drawing up a course of philosophy, but as he never intended to print it, it is said not to have been executed with the care he bestowed on his other works. In 1713 father Bernard Pez, the Benedictine, made him liberal offers if he would return to the church he had forsaken, but this he declined with politeness, offering the arguments which influenced his mind to remain in the protestant church. In 1739 an inflammation appeared on his leg, which inApril put on appearances of mortification, hut did not prove fatal until May 21. About a quarter of an bour before his death he desired his servant to read the 51st and 77th psalms, during which he expired, in the seventy -first year of his age. He was reckoned one of the most learned men of his time, and was frequently called a living library. So extensive was his reading, and so vast iiis memory, that no one ever consulted him without obtaining prompt information. In dates, facts, and references he was correct and ready. We have already noticed how many languages he had learned, but it appears that he made the least progress in the Chinese, to which Leihnitz, in his letters, is perpetuiiy iirging him. The greater part of his life was employed in study, and he had no other pleasures. There was scarcely a book in his library whicli he had not perused, and he wrote ms notes on most of them. His conversation could not fail to be acceptable to men of literary research, as his memory was stored with anecdotes, which he told in a very agreeable manner. He was conscientiously attached to the principles of the reformed religion. He had always on his table the Hebrew Psalter, the Greek Testament, and Thomas a Kempis in Latin: the latter he almost had by heart, as well as Buchanan’s Psalms. His consistent piety and charity are noticed by all his biographers.
, or, as he signs in his French letters, La Croix, a learned Dutchman, was born at Delft, about the end of the sixteenth
, or, as he signs in his French letters,
La Croix, a learned Dutchman, was born at Delft, about
the end of the sixteenth century, and was first educated
under the elder Trelcatius at Leyden, and afterwards at
Franeker, where he studied divinity, Hebrew, and Greek,
under Drusius, &c. He also read history, philosophy,
and poetry, and occasionally amused himself with writing
Latin poetry. He became pastor at Delft, the only situation he appears to have held in the church. When he
died is not mentioned by Foppen or Moreri; and the little
we know of him is gleaned from his curious volume of
miscellanies and epistolary correspondence, the best edition of which was published at Amsterdam, 1661, 12mo,
under the title of “Jacobi Crucii Mercurius Batavus, sive
epistolarum opus, monitis theologicis, ethicis, politicis,
ceconomicis, refer turn, editio aucta et recognita.
” This
work is replete with judicious remarks, and literary anecdote, and contains many letters from Rivet, Colvius,
Lanoy, Salmasius, Vossius, and other learned contemporaries. The freedom of some of Crucius’s observations procured it a place in the Index Expurgatorius, Jan. 25, 1684.
He published also “Suada Delphica, sive orationes LXIX.
varii argurnenti, ad usury studiosae juventutis,
” Amst. 1675,
12mo, and often reprinted.
, a learned German scholar and antiquary, was born at Grebern, in
, a learned German
scholar and antiquary, was born at Grebern, in the bishopric of Bamberg, Sept. 19, 1526, and after some elementary instruction from his father, a minister of the
Lutheran church, was sent to Dim, where he studied
Greek and Latin under Gregory Leonard, and by his diligence and progress obtained a pension from the senators
of UJm, which enabled him to pursue his studies without
expense to his father. In 1545 he went to Strasburgh,
where, after applying for some time to polite literature,
he learned Hebrew, and went through a course of divinity,
Still liberally maintained by the city of Ulm; and in 1547
was appointed tutor to a person of rank. Some years after,
he presided over the school at Memmingen, and raised its
reputation very considerably. In 1559 he was chosen professor of moral philosophy and Greek at Tubingen; but
in 1566 was obliged to leave it on account of the plague,
and did not return, along with the other professors, until
1568. At the age of eighty -one, perceiving that he was
near his end, he assembled the whole university, with the
rector at its head, and after entertaining them sumptuously, gave them a goblet worth an hundred florins.
He died Feb. 25, 1607, leaving a library which was valued
at 2000 florins. Besides the learned languages, he was a
good French scholar, but was most distinguished for his
acquairt nee with the modern Greek, and was the first
who taught it in Germany. Of his numerous works, the
following are the most important: 1. “Turco-Graecias
libri octo, utraque lingua edita. Quibus Graecorum status
sub imperio Turcico, in politia et ecclesia, ceconomia et
scholis, jam hide ab amissa Constantinopoli, ad haec usque
tempora, luculenter describitur,
” Basil, Acta et Scripta Theologorum Wirtembergensium, et
Patriarchs Constantinopolitani D. Hieremiae quas utrique
ab anno 1576 usque ad annum 1581 de Augustana Confessione inter se miserunt,
” Gr. & Lat.
Germano-Graeciae libri sex > in quorum prioribus tribus, Orationes, in reliquis Carmina, Gr. & Lat. continentur,
” fol.
without date, but from the dedication, probably 1585.
4. “Annales Suevici, sive Chronica rerum gestarum antiquissimae et inclytae Suevicas Gentis quibus quicquid fere
de ea haberi potuit, ex Lat. & Graec. aliarumque linguarum auctoribus, scriptisque plurimis, non editis, comprehenditur, &c.
” Corona Anni, hoc est, explicatio
Evangeliorum et Epistolarum quae diebus dominicis et
festis in ecclesia proponuntur; e Tubingeiisium, et aliorum
Theologorum eonckmibus, conscripta,
” Wittemberg,
, a learned English divine and philosopher, was son of Dr. Ralph
, a learned English divine and
philosopher, was son of Dr. Ralph Cudworth, and born
at Alley, in Somersetshire, of which place his father
was rector. His mother was of the family of Machell, and
had been nurse to prince Henry, eldest son of James I.
His father dying when he was only seven yeaVs of age,
and his mother marrying again, his education was superintended by his father-in-law, Dr. Stoughton, who was
very attentive to the promising genius of his scholar. In
1630, he was admitted pensioner of Emanuel college,
Cambridge; of which, after taking the degrees of B. A.
and M. A. he was chosen fellow, and became an eminent
tutor. Among his pupils, who were numerous, was Mr.
William Temple, afterwards the celebrated baronet, statesman, and writer. About 1641 he was presented to the
rectory of North Cadbury, in Somersetshire. In 1642 he
published “A discourse concerning the true notion of the
Lord’s Supper,
” printed at London, in 4to, with only the
initial letters of his name. In this he contends that the
Lord’s supper is not a sacrifice, but a feast upon a sacrifice; and endeavours to demonstrate, that “the Lord’s
supper in the Christian church, in reference to the true
sacrifice of Christ, is a parallel to the feasts upon sacrifices, both in the Jewish religion and heathenish superstition.
” Bochart, Spencer, Selden, and other eminent
writers, quote this discourse with great commendations,
but his opinions have been controverted by the majority
of divines. The same year likewise appeared his treatise
entitled “The Union of Christ and the Church, in a
shadow, by R. C.
” printed at London, in 4to.
, a learned philologist, was born Sept. 14, 1644, at Hemmem, in
, a learned philologist,
was born Sept. 14, 1644, at Hemmem, in the duchy of
Guelderland, and educated first at home, and then at
Nimeguen, where after attending a course of rhetoric,
philosophy, mathematics, history, law, and theology, he
found his inclination drawing him more closely to matters
of taste and polite literature. With a view to further improvement in these branches, he went to Leyden, and put
himself for some time under the direction of the elder
Gronovius. He came afterwards to Paris, and while he
was about to leave that city for Italy, he was appointed
professor of history at Deventer, when he was only in his
twenty-fifth year. The reputation he acquired in this
office, raised him to the magistracy, and he was employed
by the states of Overyssel in various important transactions.
Having carried on a correspondence with some distinguished
members of the French academy of inscriptions, he was
chosen an honorary member. He died at Deventer,
Nov. 22, 1716, in the seventy-third year of his age. His
works are: 1. “Observationum Libri III.
” on different
Greek and Latin authors,“Utrecht, 1670, 8vo. 2.
” Harpocrates, et Monumenta antiqua inedita,“Utrecht, 1676,
1687, and 1&94, 4to. 3. An additional book or volume of
observations on the Greek and Latin authors, Deventer,
1678, 8vo. 4.
” Apotheosis, vel consecratio Homeri,“Amst. 1683, 4to. 5.
” Historia trium Gordianum,“Deventer, 1697, 12mo; and ibid. 1697, 8vo. 6.
” Lettres
de critique, d'histoire, de litterature, &c.“Amst. 1742,
4to. He also wrote a preface and notes to the edition of
Lactantius.
” de mortibus persecutorum,“Abo, 1684, and
Utrecht, 1692. His correspondence with the literary men
of his age was very extensive, and many of his letters
have been published in various collections particularly in
” Celeberrimorum virorum epistolae,“Wittemberg, 1716,
8vo, in
” Schelhornii Amcenitates,“Leipsic, 1738, 8vo
in Burman’s Sylloge;
” in the “Sylloge nova Epistolarum,
”
Nuremberg, De Aris et Lapidibus Votivis ad Neomagum et Sanctenum
effosis,
” Neomag.
flourishing plant of his own cultivation. All his fellow-citizens gave him the testimony that he was a learned and rigidly upright man, religious in the most exalted
Curtius was a man of the most extensive and various attainments; and his career as an author, an academical teacher, and a man, tended only to promote the welfare of his fellow creatures. His adopted country, Hesse, was particularly benefited by his history and statistics of that province, published at Marburg in 17^3, and by numerous programmas which he drew up. By his smaller pieces, abounding in critical investigations and new views, he made many an important accession to the history of other European states, and to literature in general. His labours were long and meritorious; he could rejoice over them at the termination of his career, and could behold with pleasure many a flourishing plant of his own cultivation. All his fellow-citizens gave him the testimony that he was a learned and rigidly upright man, religious in the most exalted sense of the word, just and benevolent, open and undisguised. His calm, peaceful, and tranquil life; his indefatigable attention to his duties, without ostentation; his manly spirit, which equally disdained artifice and base submission, deserve to be held forth as patterns for imitation.
at Saumur, about the end of 1651. She was only eleven years old when her father resolved to give her a learned education; which is said to have been owing to the following
, the learned wife of the preceding, was born at Saumur, about the end of 1651. She was only eleven years old when her father resolved to give her a learned education; which is said to have been owing to the following circumstance, that while he was teaching one of his sons the rudiments of grammar, in the same room where mademoiselle le Fevre was employed with her needle, she, with every appearance of unconcern, now and then supplied her brother with answers to questions that puzzled him. This induced her father to give her a regular course of lessons, and educate her as a scholar, in which character she soon excelled the youths under his care, and became her father’s associate in some of his publications. We are told that when she had learned Latin enough to read Phaedrus and Terence, he began to instruct her in the Greek, which she was so much pleased with, that in a short time she was capable of reading Anacreon, Callimachus, Homer, and the Greek Tragic Poets. As she read them, she shewed so much taste of the beauties of those admirable writers, that all the fatigue of her father in his professorship was softened by the pleasure which he found in teaching her. To divert her in her more serious studies, he taught "her the Italian language, and read over with her several poets of that nation, and particularly Tasso, in the perusal of whom she very acutely remarked the difference between that poet and Virgil and Homer. She sometimes took the liberty of disputing with her father, particularly, on one occasion, respecting Vaugelas’s translation of Quintus Curtius. Her father was charmed with it, but mademoiselle le Fevre ventured to point out some negligences of style, errors in language, and passages ill translated; and he was frequently obliged to own himself of the same opinion with her. These little contests, however, gave him great satisfaction, and he was extremely surprized to find so delicate a taste, and so uncommon a penetration, in so young a person.
th them a book, in which they desire such persons to write their names, with some sentence or other. A learned German paid a visit to madame Dacier, and requested
Madame Dacier was a lady of great virtue as well as
learning. She was remarkable for firmness, generosity,
good nature, and piety. The causes of her change of religion are not well explained, but she appears to have
been at least sincere. Her modesty was so great, that she
never spoke of subjects of literature; and it was with some
difficulty that she could at any time be led to do it. There
is an anecdote related of her, which her countrymen say
sets this modesty in a very strong light, although others
may think the pi oof equivocal. It is customary with the
scholars in the northern parts of Europe, who visit, when
they travel, the learned in other countries, to carry with
them a book, in which they desire such persons to write
their names, with some sentence or other. A learned
German paid a visit to madame Dacier, and requested her to
write her name and sentence in his book. She seeing in
it the names of the greatest scholars in Europe, told him,
that she should he ashamed to put her name among those
of so many illustrious persons; and that such presumption
would by no means become her. The gentleman insisting
upon it, she was at last prevailed upon and taking her
pen, wrote her name with this verse of Sophocles, Γυναιξὶν
ὴ πιγὴ φέρει χόσμον, that is, “Silence is the ornament of the
female sex.
” When likewise she was solicited to publish
a translation of some books of scripture, with remarks
upon them, she always answered, that “a woman ought
to read, and meditate upon the scriptures, and regulate her conduct by them, and to keep silence, agreeably to the command of St. Haul.
” Among her other literary honours, the academy of Iticovrati at Padua chose her
one of their body in 1684.
, a learned French physician and indefatigable botanist, was born
, a learned French physician
and indefatigable botanist, was born at Caen in 1513, studied
medicine and botany at Montpelier, xvas admitted doctor in
medicine in 1547, and died at Lyons, where he had long
practised physic, in 1538. He published several elaborate
translations, particularly of the fifteen books of Athenseus
into Latin, in 1552, in 2 vols. fol. illustrated with notes
and figures; and some of the works of Galen and Paul
Egineta into French. In 1556 he published a translation
of “Ccelius Aurelianus de Morbis acutis
” and in Chirurgie Franchise, avec plusieurs figures d'instrumens,
”
8vo, which has been several times reprinted. He principally followed the practice of Paree, from whose work he
borrowed the figures of the instruments; but he has added
a translation into French of the seventh book ol' Paree, with
annotations, and some curious cases occurring in his own
practice. He was also the editor of an edition of Pliny
with notes, published in 1537. His first work, according
to Ilaller, was an 8vo edition of Iluellius’s Commentary on
Dioscorides, which appeared at Lyons in 1552, enriched
by Dalechamp with thirty small figures of plants, at that
time but little known. But his principal performance in
this branch was an universal history of plants, in Latin,
with above two thousand five hundred wooden cuts, besides repetitions, published after his death in two folio volumes. The publisher, William Uouille, seems to take
upon himself the chief credit of collecting and arranging
the materials of this great work, though he allows that
Dalechamp laid its first foundations. Haller says the latter
was engaged in it for thirty years; his aim being to collect
together all the botanical knowledge of his predecessors,
and enrich it with his own discoveries. He employed John
Bauhin, then a young man, and resident at Lyons, to assist him; but Bauhin being obliged on account of his
religion to leave France for Switzerland, like many other
good and great men of that and the following century, the
work in question was undertaken by Des Moulins, and
soon afterwards Dalechamp died. It is often quoted by
the title of“Historia Lugdunensis,
” and hence the merits
of its original projector are overlooked, as well as the faults
arising from its mode of compilation, which are in many
instances so great as to render it useless. A French translation was published in 1615, and again in 1653. Besides
these Dalechamp published, 1. “Caelius Aurelianus de
morbis chronicis,
” Lond.
, a learned Swede, who was born at Winberga, in Holland, in 1708,
, a learned Swede, who was born
at Winberga, in Holland, in 1708, deservedly obtained
the appellation of the father of Swedish poetry by two
poems written in that language; the one entitled “The
Liberty of Sweden,
” published in Brunhilda.
” He successively raised himself
to be preceptor to prince Gustavus, counsellor in ordinary
of the chancery, knight of the northern star, and at last to
the dignity of chancellor of the court. By command of
the king he engaged to compile a history of his own country from the earliest period to the present time, which he
accomplished in three volumes quarto; and which was afterwards translated into the German language. Sweden is
indebted to him also lor a great number of epistles, satires,
fables, thoughts, and some panegyrics on the members otthe royal academy of sciences, of which he was a principal
ornament: all these have been collected and printed in
6 vols. There is likewise by him a translation of the
president Montesquieu, on the Causes of the grandeur and
declension of the Romans. Von Dalin died in August
1763, leaving a reputation for literature, which his works
are thought to confirm.
, or John of Damascus, a learned priest and monk of the 'eighth century, surnamed Mansur,
, or John of Damascus, a learned
priest and monk of the 'eighth century, surnamed Mansur,
was born at Damascus about G76. His father, who was
rich, and held several considerable offices, had him instructed in the sciences by an Italian monk, named Cosmo,
and he was afterwards raised to the highest posts, and became chief counsellor to the prince of the Saracens All
these dignities, however, St. John Damascenus resigned,
and entered himself a monk in the monastery of St. Sabas
near Jerusalem, where he led a pious and exemplary life,
and became famous in the church by his piety and writings.
It is said, that the caliph Hiocham, having ordered his
right hand to be cut off on account of a forged letter by
the emperor Leo, the hand was restored to him the night
following by a miracle, as he slept; which miracle was
universally known, or as much so as many other miracles
propagated in the credulous ages. He died about the year
760, aged eighty-four. He left an excellent treatise on the
orthodox faith, and several other works published in Greek
and Latin, by le Quien, 1712, 2 vols. fol. A book entitled “Liber Barlaam et Josaphat Indite regis,
” is ascribed to St. John Damascenus, but without any foundation; it has no date of time or place, but was printed about
1470, and is scarce. There are several French translations
of it, old, and little valued. Damascenus may be reckoned
the most learned man of the eighth century, if we except
our countryman Bede; and, what is less to his credit, ono
of the first who mingled the Aristotelian philosophy with
the Christian religion. He became among the Greeks
what Thomas Aquinas was afterwards among the Latins.
Except with regard to the doctrine of the Trinity, most of
his notions were erroneous, and his learning and fame
gave considerable support to the worshipping of images,
and other superstitions of that time.
, a learned German divine of the Lutheran church, and whose talents
, a learned German divine of the Lutheran church, and whose talents
contributed greatly to raise the reputation of the university
of Jena, was born Feb. 1, 1654, at Sandhusen, a village
near Gotha. He appears to have obtained the patronage
of the duke Frederick, who defrayed the expence of his
education, both at school, and at the university of Wittemberg, where he took his master’s degree in 1676.
Having devoted much of his attention to the Hebrew language and antiquities, he went to Hamburgh, where he
profited by the assistance of Esdras Edzardi and other
learned Jews, and was enabled to read the rabbinical writings with facility. From Hamburgh he went to Leipsic,
and thence to Jena, from which in 1683 he visited Holland and England, acquiring in both countries the acquaintance of men of learning. On his return, having determined to settle at Jena, he was appointed professor extraordinary of the oriental languages, and on the death of
the learned Frischmuth, was advanced to be professorordinary. In these offices he acquired great reputation,
and attracted a number of foreign students. Some time
after, he was appointed professor of divinity, in which he
was no less popular. He died of a stroke of apoplexy,
Dec. 20, 1727. He wrote, among many other works,
“Sinceritas sacrae Scripturae veteris testamenti triumphans,
cujus prodromus Sinceritas Scriptuvae Vet. Test, prevalente
Keri vacillans,
” Jena, Divina Elohim inter
coaequales de primo homine condendo deliberatio,
” Inauguratio Christi haud obscurior Mosaica, decem dissert, asserta,
” Jena, Davidis in Ammonitas devictos mitigata crudelitas,
”
, a learned lawyer, was born 1572, at Cahors, and after studying
, a learned lawyer, was born 1572, at Cahors, and after studying there, at Rhodez, and Toulouse, went to Paris with the president de Verdun, and succeeded Nicholas Oudin as professor of law, 1618. He was afterwards professor of common law at the royal college, and died April 2, 1651. It appears from his works, which were published at Paris, 1656, fol. that he was well acquainted with the ancient church discipline, and a very useful compiler, if not a profound scholar. He published some separate tracts besides those included in the above volume, which are enumerated in our authorities.
, a learned Italian writer, the son of a lawyer at Sienna, was born
, a learned Italian writer, the son of
a lawyer at Sienna, was born at that place in 1420, and
after acquiring some knowledge of the Latin language,
was put under the care of Francis Philelphus, an eminent
teacher at Sienna, who at the end of two years declared
he was his best scholar. Dati, however, at this time suffered not a little from the ridicule of his schoolfellows,
owing to a hesitation in his speech, which he is said to
have cured by the means which Demosthenes adopted, that
of speaking with small pebbles in his mouth. After
finishing his classical studies, he learned Hebrew of some
Jews, and then entered on a course of philosophy, jurisprudence, and theology. During his application to these
branches, Odo Anthony, duke of Urbino, from the very
favourable account he had of him, invited him to Urbino
to teach the belles lettres. Dati accordingly set out for
that city in April 1442, where he was received with every
mark of honour and friendship by the duke, but this prosperity was not of long duration. He had not enjoyed it
above a year and a half, when the duke, whose excesses
and tyranny had rendered him odious, was assassinated in
a public tumult, with two of his favourites; and Dati, who
was hated by the populace merely because he was respected
by the duke, was obliged to take refuge for his life in a
church, while the mob pillaged his house. The successor
of Odo, prince Frederick, endeavoured to console Dati for
this misfortune, and offered him a pension, besides recompense for all he had lost; but Dati could not be reconciled
to a residence so liable to interruption, and in 1444 returned to Sienna. Here, after refusing the place of secretary of the briefs, offered to him by pope Nicholas V. he
opened a school for rhetoric and the classics, and acquired
so much reputation, that the cardinal of Sienna, Francis
Piccolomini, formally granted him permission to lecture on
the Holy Scriptures, although he was a married man; and
at the same time gave him a similar licence to teach and
lecture on any subject, not only in his college, but in all
public places, and even in the church, where, his son informs us, he once preached during Lent. He was also
much employed in pronouncing harangues on public
occasions in Latin, many of which are among his works.
Nor were his talents confined to literature, but were the
means of advancing him to the first offices of the magistracy, and the republic of Sienna entrusted him with the
negociation of various affairs of importance at Rome and
elsewhere. In 1 J-57 he was appointed secretary to the republic, which he held for two years. Towards the close
of his life he laid aside the study of profane authors for
that of the Scriptures and ecclesiastical historians. He
died of the plague at Sienna, April 6, 1478. His son
Nicolas collected his works for publication, “Augustini
Dathi, Senensis, opera,
” of which there are two editions,
that printed at Sienna, 1503, fol. and an inferior in correctness, printed at Venice, 1516. They consist of treatises on the immortality of the soul letters; three books
on the history of Sienna; a history of Piombinoj on grammar, &c. &c.
, a learned Englishman, was born at Coventry, in Warwickshire, about
, a learned Englishman,
was born at Coventry, in Warwickshire, about 1598, and
educated in grammar-learning at a school in that city.
He was sent to Merton-college in Oxford at fifteen years
of age; where, spending two years, he, upon an invitation from some Romish priest, afterwards went to Doway.
He remained there for some time; and then going to
Ypres, he entered into the order of Franciscans among the
Dutch there, in 1617. After several removals from place
to place, he became a missionary into England, where he
went by the name of Franciscus a Sancta Clara; and at
length was made one of the chaplains to Henrietta Maria,
the royal consort of Charles I. Here he exerted himself
to promote the cause of popery, by gaining disciples,
raising money among the English catholics to carry on
public matters abroad, and by writing books for the advancement of his religion and order. He was very eminent
for his uncommon learning, being excellently versed in
school-divinity, in fathers and councils, in philosophers,
and in ecclesiastical and profane histories. He was, Wood
tells us, a person of very free discourse, while his fellowlabourer in the same vineyard, Hugh Cressey, was reserved; of a lively and quick aspect, while Cressey was
clouded and melancholy: all which accomplishments made
him agreeable to protestants as well as papists. Archbishop Laud, it seems, had some knowledge of this person; for, in the seventh article of his impeachment, it is
said, that “the said archbishop, for the advancement of
popery and superstition within this realm, hath wittingly
and willingly received, harboured, and relieved divers
popish priests and Jesuits, namely, one called Sancta
Clara, alias Davenport, a dangerous person and Franciscan friar, who hath written a popish and seditious book,
entitled, ‘ Dens, Natura, Gratia,’ &c. wherein the thirtynine articles of the church of England, established by act
of parliament, are much traduced and scandalized: that
the said archbishop had divers conferences with him, while
he was writing the said book,
” &c. To which article, the
archbishop made this answer: “I never saw that Franciscan friar, Sancta Clara, in my life, to the utmost of my
memory, above four times or five at most. He was first
brought to me by Dr. Lindsell: but 1 did fear, that he
would never expound the articles so, that the church of
England might have cause to thank him for it. He never
came to me after, till he was almost ready to print another
book, to prove that episcopacy was authorised in the church
by divine right; and this was after these unhappy stirs began. His desire was, to have this book printed here; but
at his several addresses to me for this, I still gave him this
answer: That I did not like the way which the church of
Rome went concerning episcopacy; that I would never
consent, that any such book from the pen of a Romanist
should be printed here; that the bishops of England are
very well able to defend their own cause and calling, without any help from Rome, and would do so when they saw
cause: and this is all the conference I ever had with him.
”
Davenport at this time absconded, and spent most of those
years of trouble in obscurity, sometimes beyond the seas,
sometimes at London, sometimes in the country, and
sometimes at Oxford. After the restoration of Charles II.
when the marriage was celebrated between him and Catherine of Portugal, Sancta Clara became one of her chaplains; and was for the third time chosen provincial of his
order for England, where he died May 31, 1680, and was
buried in the church-yard belonging to the Savoy. It was
his desire, many years before his death, to retire to Oxford to die, purposely that his bones might be laid in St.
Ebb’s churcb, to which the mansion of the Franciscans or
grey-friars sometime joined, and in which several of the
brethren were anciently interred, particularly those of his
old friend John Day, a learned friar of his order, who was
there buried in 165;s. He was the author of several works:
1. “Paraphrastiea expositio articulorum confessionis Anglicae:
” this book was, w r e know not why, much censured
by the Jesuits, who would fain have had it burnt; but
beino-soon after licensed at Rome, all farther rumour about
it stopped. 2. “Deus, Natura, Gratia sive, tractatus de
praedestinatione, de mentis,
” &c. this book was dedicated
to Charles I. and Prynne contends, that the whole scope of
it, as well as the paraphrastical exposition of the articles,
reprinted at the end of it in 1635, was to reconcile the
king, the church, and the articles of our religion, to the
church of Rome. He published also a great number of
other works, which are not now of consequence enough to
be mentioned.
, a learned French protestant divine, was born about 1670, and came
, a learned French protestant divine, was born about 1670, and came to England on the
revocation of the edict of Nantz. Of his history we hare
only a short memorandum in ms. by Mr. Whiston, who
supposes that he died in 1740. He wrote “Pro Testinonio Josephi de Jesn Christo, contra Tan. Fubrum et
alios,
” Lond. Commentary on the Revelation of St. John,
” A Perpetual Commentary, &c. newly
modelled, abridged, and rendered plain to the meanest
capacities.
” Mr. Daubuz is here said to have been vicar
of Brotherton in Cheshire. Mr. Whiston adds that he had
a son, a clergyman, also beneficed in Yorkshire, near Ferrybridge, a studious man, who lived in obscurity, and died
a bachelor about 1752.
of some French verses, printed in a collection of his own poems; and a daughter, whom he married to a learned man, named Nicolas Goulu, in whose favour he resigned
, an.
eminent French poet, was born near the head of the
Vienne, in the Limousin, about 1507. Removing to the
capital of the kingdom to finish his studies, he distinguished
himself in such a manner by his skill in Greek, and his
talent at poetry, that he became one of the professors of
the university of Paris. In 1560 he succeeded John Stracellus in the post of king’s reader and professor of Greek;
but before this he had been principal of the college of
Coqueret, and tutor to John Antony de Baif, in the house
of his father Lazarus de Baif, who was master of the requests. He continued to instruct this young pupil in the
college of Coqueret; and he had also the famous Ronsard
for his scholar there, during the space of seven years. His
highest praise is, that his school produced a great number of
able men; but imprudent generosity and want of management reduced him to poverty, and procured him a place in
the list of those learned men, whose talents have been of
little benefit to themselves. In the reign of Henry II. he had
been preceptor to the king’s pages and Charles IX. honoured him with the title of his poet, took great delight in
conversing with him, and endeavoured to support him in his
old age. It will not now be thought much in his favour that
Daurat had an uncommon partiality for anagrams, of which
he was the first restorer. It is pretended, that he found the
model of them in Lycophron, and brought them so much into
vogue, that several illustrious persons gave him their names
to anagrammatise. He undertook also to explain the centuries of Nostradamus, and with such imposing plausibility
as to be considered in the light of his interpreter or subprophet. When he was near 80, having lost his first wife,
he married a young girl; and by her had a son, for whom
he shewed his fondness by a thousand ridiculous actions.
In excuse for this marriage, he said that he would rather
die by a bright sword than a rusty one. He had by his
first wife, among other children, a son, who was the author
of some French verses, printed in a collection of his own
poems; and a daughter, whom he married to a learned
man, named Nicolas Goulu, in whose favour he resigned
his place of regius professor of Greek. He wrote a great
many verses in Latin, Greek, and French, in some of which
he attacked the protestants; and no book was printed, nor
did any person of consequence die, without his producing
some verses on the subject; as if he had been poet in
ordinary to the kingdom, or his muse had been a general
mourner. The odes, epigrams, hymns, and other poems
in Greek and Latin, composed by Daurat, have been estimated at the gross sum of 50,000 verses; Scaliger had
such an opinion of him as a critic, that he said he knew
none but him and Cujacius, who had abilities sufficient to
restore ancient authors; but he has presented the public
with no specimen of that talent, except some remarks on
the Sybilline verses in Opsopseus’s edition. Scaliger tells
us, with some ridicule, however, that he spent the latter
part of his life in endeavouring to find all the Bible in
Homer. He died at Paris, Nov. 1, 1588, aged Si. His
principal collection of verses is entitled “Joannis Aurati,
Lemovicis, Poetse et interprets regii, Poematia, hoc est,
Poematum libri quinque; Epigrammatum libri tres; Anagrammatum liber unus; Funerum liber unus; Odarum libri
duo; Epithalamiorum liber unus; Eclogarum libri duo;
Variarum rerum liber unus,
” Paris, 1586, 8vo, a very singular collection, although of no great merit as to taste or
versification. He deserves more praise as one of the revivers of Greek literature in France, and in that character
his memory was honoured, in 1775, hy an eloge, written
by the abbe Vitrac, professor of humanity at Limoges.
, a learned Jesuit, was born at St. Omer’s in 1566, and became canon,
, a learned
Jesuit, was born at St. Omer’s in 1566, and became canon,
of Tournay, where he died Jan. 17, 1644. He was an excellent Greek and Latin scholar, and a good critic, but
wrote in an affected and obscure style. Some of his works
are still valued, although their rarity prevents their being
generally known. Among these are, 1. “Antiqui novique Latii Orthographies,
” Tournay, Terra
et aqua, seu terrae fiuctuantes,
” Tournay, Orations of St. Basil of Seleucia,
” with notes,
, a learned English divine, was born in 1530, at Barton-Kirk in
, a learned English divine, was
born in 1530, at Barton-Kirk in Westmoreland, and became a student in Queen’s college, Oxford, in 1597, and
when B. A. was made tabarder, and in 1605, master of
arts and fellow. At college he was of a retired studious
disposition, and accounted an ornament to the society.
Having taken orders, he was beneficed at Barton-kirk, and
afterwards presented to a prebend of Carlisle. About the
same time he received the degree of D. D. from the university of St. Andrew’s, and was promoted to the rectory of
Ashby in Westmoreland. He was much esteemed for
learning, and talents in preaching, of which he published
a specimen in “Sermons preached upon several occasions,
” London,
, a learned critic, especially in the Greek tongue, was born in
, a learned critic, especially in the Greek tongue, was born in 1708. A respectable family of the name of Dawes had long been situated at Stapleton, between Market-Bosworth and Hinckley in Leicestershire, and our critic was probably of the same family, but it does not appear, from the register of the parish, that he was born at that place. There was a Dr. Dawes, who, early in the last century, resided at Stapleton, and was a great scholar, and a searcher after the philosopher’s stone. It has been supposed, that he might be father to the subject of the present article; but of this fact no decisive evidence can be produced. All the traditions concerning Richard Dawes are, that the place of his birth was either MarketBosworth, or the vicinity of that town. Whoever his parents were, or whatever was their condition in life, it is probable that they perceived such marks of capacity in their son, as determined them to devote him to a literary profession; and accordingly he was put to the free grammar-school at Bosworth, where he had the happiness of receiving part of his education under the care of Mr. Anthony Blackwall. Here he laid the foundation of that critical knowledge of the Greek language which he afterwards displayed so conspicuously. In 1725, he was admitted a sizar of Emanuel college, in the university of Cambridge, where he proceeded bachelor of arts in 1729. On the 2d of October, 1731, he became a fellow of the college on the nomination of sir Wolston Dixie, bart. In 1733, he took the degree of master of arts. The next year he was a candidate for the place of esquire beadle of the university, but his application was not crowned with success. Whilst Mr. Dawes was at Cambridge, he distinguished himself by some peculiarities of conduct, which probably arose from a mixture of insanity in his constitution; and in his conversation he occasionally took such liberties on certain topics as gave great offence to those about him. Having indulged himself too much, at college, in an indolent sedentary way of life, he, at length, found it absolutely necessary to have recourse to some kind of exercise. In this case, being of a strong athletic frame of body, and not over-delicate in the choice of his company, he took to the practice of ringing; and, as such a genius could not stop at mediocrity, he quickly became the leader of the band, and carried the art to the highest perfection.
urgess, of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, now bishop of St. David’s, who has enriched the work with a learned preface, and a number of notes of great value and importance,
On the 10th of July, 1738, Mr. Dawes was appointed
master of the free grammar-school in Newcastle-uponTyne, in the room of Mr. Edmund Lodge, who had resigned that office. The commencement of his duty was to
take place at the Michaelmas following. In the same year,
on the 9th of October, he was preferred, by act of common council, to the mastership of the hospital of the
blessed Virgin Mary in Newcastle. The business of Mr.
Dawes’s new station did not prevent him from prosecuting
his inquiries into the nature, peculiarities, and elegancies
of the Greek tongue; and accordingly, in 1745, he published his “Miscellanea Critica.
” Mr. Hubbard, of Emanuel college, Cambridge, and Dr. Mason, of Trinity,
assisted in the publication. It was Mr. Dawes’s design in
this work, to afford such a specimen of his critical abilities,
as should enable the learned world to judge what might be
expected from him, in an edition which he had projected
of all the Attic poets, as well as of Homer and Pindar.
Though his scheme was never carried into execution, he
has obtained, by his “Miscellanea Critica,
” a very high
place among those who have contributed to the promotion
of Greek learning in England, and, as such, his name will
be transmitted with honour to posterity. Accordingly, the
book has been spoken of in terms of distinguished applause,
by some of the first literary characters in Europe, particularly Valkener, Pierson, Koen, and Reiske. A second
edition of it, in octavo, was given in 1781, from the Clarendon press, by the rev. Mr. Burgess, of Corpus Christi
college, Oxford, now bishop of St. David’s, who has enriched the work with a learned preface, and a number of
notes of great value and importance, and some assistance
from Dawes’s Mss. procured by Dr. Farmer and Mr. Salter.
Mr. Dawes’s situation at Newcastle was neither so happy
nor so useful as might have been expected; in a great
measure owing to the eccentricity of his disposition, and,
indeed, to his imagination being in some respects disturbed. Hence he fancied that all his friends had slighted
him, or used him ill; and of the jealousy of his temper he
has left a remarkable instance, on a very trifling occasion.
His printer, by an unfortunate mistake, in a passage of
Terentianus Maurus, which Mr. Dawes had quoted in order
to correct, had inserted a comma that destroyed the merit
of the emendation. In consequence of this involuntary
error, our author, in the Addenda to his Mis-cellanea, has
expressed himself with great indignation, He declares,
that he could not conjecture what fault he had committed
against the printer, that he should envy him the honour,
whatever it was, that was due to his correction; and he
adds, that he knows not how it happened, that, for several years past, he had been ill used by those from whom
he had deserved better treatment. With the corporation
of Newcastle he became involved in altercations, and
adopted a singular method of displaying his resentment, or
rather his contempt; for in teaching the boys at school, he
made them translate the Greek word for ass into alderman;
which some of the lads did seriously, though otherwise
well instructed. With such a disposition of mind, it is not
surprising that his scholars were, at length, reduced to a
very small number; so that it became expedient for him
to consent to quit his station. Accordingly, at Midsummer, 1749, he resigned the mastership of the grammarschool, and the mastership of St. Mary’s hospital; and, in
consideration of these sacrifices, the mayor and burgesses
of Newcastle, on the 25th of September following, executed a bond, by which they engaged to grant him an
annuity of eighty pounds a-year, during life.
uriosity and activity of his own mind, that he became an ingenious mechanic, a wellinformed chemist, a learned theoretical physician, 'and an expert constitutional
In the very flattering, and by no means just or discriminative, character of Mr. Day, given in the Biographia
Britannica, his life is represented to have been “one uniform system of exertions in the cause of humanity. He
thought nothing mis-spent or ill-bestowed, which contributed, in any degree, to the general sum of happiness. In
his pursuit of knowledge, though he deemed it highly
valuable as a private and personal acquisition, he had a
particular view to the application of it to the purposes of
philanthropy. It was to be able to do good to others, as
well as to gratify the ardent curiosity and activity of his
own mind, that he became an ingenious mechanic, a wellinformed chemist, a learned theoretical physician, 'and an
expert constitutional lawyer. But though his comprehensive genius embraced almost the whole range of literature,
the subjects to which he was the most attached, and which he
regarded as the most eminently useful, were those that are
comprehended in historical and ethical science. Indeed,
every tiling was important in his eyes, not merely as it
tended to advance the individual, but in proportion to its
ability in disclosing the powers, and improving the general
interests, of the human species.
”
, a learned doctor of the house and society of the Sorbonne, seigneur
, a learned doctor of the house and society of the Sorbonne, seigneur de Sevais in Maine, and prior of St. Martin de Brive-laGaillarde, was born in 1621, of an ancient and illustrious family of Picardy. He was distinguished for learning and integr'ty; accompanied cardinal de Retz, to whom he was related, in his prosperity and his misfortunes, and settled afterwards ut the Sorbonne, where he earnestly devoted himself to deciding cases of conscience with his friend M. de S-iinte Beuve. He was a zealous director to several religious houses; was appointed to attend condemned criminals, and maintained and educated a great number of poor scholars. He died July 10, 1691, at the Sorbonne, aged 70. The greatest part of his decisions, and those of M. Fmrnageau, were collected 1732, 2 vols. fol.
, a learned German mineralogist, was born at Wallhanson in Thuringia
, a learned German mineralogist, was born at Wallhanson in Thuringia
in 1728, and died at Florence, Jan. 21, 1779, during a
visit he paid to the waters of Pisa. He originally served in
the army, but applying himself to the sci< nces, particularly mineralogy, he was appointed professor of the academy of the mines at Chemnitz, and was afterwards employed at Vienna in the department of the mines and mint.
Bis principal work was entitled “Enleitung zur BergBaukurst, &c.
” Vienna, Traité sur la science de l'exploitation des Mines,
”
Paris,
, a learned writer of the seventeenth century, whose works have
, a learned writer of the
seventeenth century, whose works have but lately been
brought to light, was born in the island of Chio; he took
the surname of Domesticus, as appears from the title of
his works. In 1637, became to Rome to prosecute his
studies in the Greek college, and seven years after he returned to his native country. During his studies at Rome,
he made so considerable a progress in learning and belles
lettres, that he was appointed to teach his fellow-students
the Greek language; but an illness, to which he became
subject, and which was thought likely to terminate in an
epilepsy, obliged him to leave the college, and disabled
him from taking the intended order of priesthood. Yet
before his return to the island of Chio, he made, with the
celebrated Lucas Holstenius, a tour to Florence, in order
to examine the Greek Mss. in the Laurentian library.
After his return to Chio, though he was not obliged to
preach the Roman catholic religion, he attempted to support and defend it by his writings. Controversial divinity
appears to have been the main object of his pursuits;
though he also cultivated poetry and physic. He composed a great number of iambic verses on sacred subjects;
one, among others, entitled “The Triumph of the Catholic
Faith.
” He wrote also a physical treatise against Galen and
his disciples. He married in 1649; but the latter part of
his life and his death are not recorded, though by the account of his countrymen he seems to have died at Messina.
His works were published for the first time in 1781, at
Rome, in 2 vols. 4to, under thfc title “Demetrii Pi-pani
Domestic! Chii Opera quie reperiuntur e Grseca in Latinum verr.it et adnotationes adjecit Bernardus Stephanopolus; accedit praefatio Joannis Christophori Amadutii,
cujus cura et studio nunc primum eduntur EpistoUe tres
Grgeco-Latinae Imperatorum Constantinopolitanorum Joannis et Emanuelis Comneni ad Romanos poutifices Houorium II. et Alexandrum III.
” Demetrius’s manuscripts
were discovered by signer Stellio Raffaetli, consul for the
English East India company at Chio, who sent them in
1776 to cardinal York, and earnestly requested of his eminence to get them published. The cardinal’s zeal for erudition, and for the interests of the Roman catholic religion,
prompted him to grant the request, and to charge Stephanopoli and Amaduzzi, two able Greek scholars, to
translate the Mss. in question into Latin, and to publish
both the text and their version together. They consist
chiefly of polemical treatises in favour of some points in
dispute between the Roman catholics and protestants, and
between the Roman catholics and the Greek church; but
the most valuable part of the work is the very learned preface by Amaduzzi, respecting the origin and progress of
the vulgar and modern Greek language, in which several
of Demetrius’s treatises are written; and another prefixed
to the letters mentioned in the title of the work, which
may be considered as one of the best essays extant on the
ancient Greek hand-writing.
e appellation of the young philosopher. At eight years of age he was committed to the care of Dinet, a learned Jesuit, under whom he made uncommon proficiency in learning.
, a modern philosopher of high distinction, was born at La Haye in Tourain, France, April 1, 1596, of an ancient and noble family. Whilst yet a child, he discovered an eager curiosity to inquire into the nature and causes of things, which procured him the appellation of the young philosopher. At eight years of age he was committed to the care of Dinet, a learned Jesuit, under whom he made uncommon proficiency in learning. But an habit of close and deep reflection soon enabled him to discover defects in the books which he read, and in the instructions which he received, which led him to form the ambitious hope that he should, in some future time, carry science to greater perfection than it had ever yet reached. After spending five years in the diligent study of languages, and in reading the ancient poets, orators, and historians, he made himself well acquainted with the elements of mathematics, logic, and morals, as they had been hitherto taught. His earnest desire of attaining an accurate knowledge of every thing which became a subject of contemplation to his inquisitive mind, did not, however, in any of these branches of science meet with full satisfaction. Concerning logic, particularly, he complained, that after the most diligent examination he found the syllogistic forms, and almost every other precept of the art, more useful in enabling a man to communicate to others truths already known, or in qualifying him to discourse copiously upon subjects which he does not understand, than assisting him in the investigation of truths, of which he is ignorant. Hence he was led to frame for himself a brief system of rules or canons of reasoning, in which he followed the strict method of the geometricians, and he pursued the same plan with respect to morals. But after all his speculations, he was not able to attain the entire satisfaction which he so earnestly desired; and, at the close of eight years’ assiduous application in the Jesuits’ college at La Fleche, he returned to his parents, lamenting that he had derived no other benefit from his studies, than a fuller conviction that he, as yet, knew nothing with perfect clearness and certainty. Despairing of being able to discover truth in the paths of learning, he now bade adieu to books, and resolved henceforth to pursue no other knowledge than that which he could find ti'ithin himself, and in the great volume of nature.
, a learned Benedictine, was a native of Flanders, born in 1597.
, a learned Benedictine, was a
native of Flanders, born in 1597. In 1640 he took his
degree of D. D. at Douay, where he was prefect and superior of the college belonging to his monastery, and
lastly, grand prior and official of the spiritual court of
Anchin. He was most celebrated for mathematical
knowledge, and on this account was requested by his majesty to
teach that science at Douay, where he died March 28,
1664. He was not only a good author, but an ingenious
instrument maker, and constructed an iron sphere, with
curious clock-work, to shew the motions of the heavenly
bodies. His principal works are, 1. “Gloria sanctissimi
monachorum patriarchs Benedicti.
” 2. “Calendarium
novum ad legendas horas canonicas, secundum ritum breviarii Romani.
” 3. “Vindicite Trithemianse, sive specimen
steganographiae Joannis Trithemii, quo auctoris ingenuitas
demonstratur, et opus superstitione absolvitur,
” Doway,
Auctorjtas Scripturae sacra Hebraic;*-,
Grcecae, et Latino?, hoc est textus Hebraici, versionis
septuaginta interpretum, et versionis vulgatae,
” ibid. Commentarius in psalteriurn David icum, quo
sensus litteralis tarn textus Hebraici quain vulgatoe breviter
exponitur.
” 6. “Calendarium Romanum novum, et Astronomia Aquicinctina (Anchin),
” ibid.
, a learned Greek scholar of the sixteenth century, was born in
, a learned Greek scholar of
the sixteenth century, was born in the island of Corfou, of
a catholic family. At the age of eight he was taken to
Rome by John Lascaris, and placed with other eastern
youths in the Greek college, which had been just established. Having made great progress in this language,
cardinal Rodolphi gave him the care of his library, which
office he held for fifteen years, and in that time he compiled an index to Eustathius’s commentary on Homer, for
which pope Paul III. gave him a pension; and Paul IV.
who continued this pension, made him corrector of the
Greek Mss. in the Vatican. On the death of cardinal
Rodolphi, Marc -Antony Colonna, who was afterwards
cardinal, became scholar to Devarius for three years in
the Greek language. He was afterwards patronized by
the cardinal Farnese; and died in his service, about the
end of the sixteenth century, in the seventieth year of his
age. By order of pope Pius V. he translated the catechism of the council of Trent into Greek; but the work
for which he is best known is entitled “De Particulis
Graecae linguae liber particularis,
” of which there have
been many editions, the first published by his nephew,
Peter Devarius, at Rome, in 1558, 4to, and reprinted at
London, 1657, 12mo Amsterdam, 1700 and 1718, &c. &c.
, a learned physician, and voluminous writer on medicine and natural
, a learned physician, and
voluminous writer on medicine and natural philosophy, was
born at Meurs, in the duchy of Juliers, October 16th,
4612. After studying the classics and the Arabic and
Persian languages, he went to Leyden, where he completed his education by taking the degree of M. D. in
1634; and three years after was appointed professor in
mathematics at Meurs. In 1639, he was called to succeed
Isaac Pontanus in the chair of natural philosophy and mathematics; and in 1642 to that of medicine, at Hardenvick,
to which was added the office of physician to the city.
From Harderwick he went to Groningen, where he was not
only professor of medicine, but rector of the university,
and ancient of the church. Amid the business which such
accumulated duties heaped upon him, he found leisure to
write a greater number of treatises on the different parts of
medicine and philosophy than have fallen from the pen.
of almost any other man. Haller and Manget have given
a list of fifty-four, but a small number of these are on practical subjects, many of them being metaphysical and
controversial. Those relating to his controversy with Silvius, are written with great acrimony; though the subjects, which are mostly physiological, do not seem calculated to excite so much rancour as we see infused into
them. Among these are, “Joannes Cloppenburgius,
Heautontimorumenos, seu retorsio injuriarum de libello
falsidico, cui titulus, Res judicata, cumulatarum,
”
s rather to suppose that he was an Epicurean. He divided his Lives into books, and inscribed them to a learned lady of the Platonic school, as he himself intimates
, so called from Laerta, or
Laertes, a town of Cilicia, where he is supposed to have
been born, is an ancient Greek author, who wrote ten books
of the Lives of the Philosophers, still extant. In what age
he flourished, is not easy to determine. The oldest writers
who mention him are Sopater Alexandrinus, who lived
in the time of Constantine the Great, and Hesychius Milesius, who lived under Justinian. Diogenes often speaks in
terms of approbation of Plutarch and Phavorinus; and therefore, as Plutarch lived under Trajan, and Phavorinus under
Hadrian, it is certain that he could not flourish before the
reigns of those emperors. Menage has fixed him to the time
of Severus; that is, about the year of Christ 200; and
from certain expressions in his works, some have fancied
him to have been a Christian; however, as Menage observes, the immoderate praises he bestows upon Epicurus
will not suffer us to believe this, but incline us rather to
suppose that he was an Epicurean. He divided his Lives
into books, and inscribed them to a learned lady of the
Platonic school, as he himself intimates in his life of Plato.
Montaigne was so fond of this author, that, instead of one
Laertius, he wishes we had a dozen; and Vossius says, that
his work is as precious as old gold. Without doubt we are
greatly obliged to him for what we know of the ancient
philosophers; and if he had been as exact in the execution, as he was judicious in the choice of his subject, we
had been more obliged to him still. Bishop Burnet, in the
preface to his Life of sir Matthew Hale, justly speaks of
him in the following manner: “There is no hook the ancients have left us,
” says he, “which might have informed
us more than Diogenes Laertius’s Lives of the Philosophers,
if he had had the art of writing equal to that great subject
which he undertook: for if he had given the world such an
account of them, as Gassendus has done of Peiresc, how
great a stock of knowledge might we have had, which by
his unskilfulness is in a great measure lost! since we must
now depend only on him, because we have no other and
better author who has written on that argument.
” He is
no where observed to be a rigid affecter or favourer of any
sect; which makes it somewhat probable, that he was a
follower of Potomon of Alexandria, who, after all the rest,
and a little before his time, established a sect which were
called Eclectics, from their choosing out of every sect what
they thought the best. His books shew him to have been
a man of universal reading; but as a writer he is very exceptionable, both as to the disposal and the defect of his
materials. Brucker, whose opinion must be of sterling
value, in estimating the merits of Diogenes Laertius, says,
that “he has collected from the ancients with little judgment, patched together contradictory accounts, relied
upon doubtful authorities, admitted as facts many tales
which were produced in the schools of the sophists, and
has been inattentive to methodical arrangement.
” Diogenes also composed a book of epigrams, to which he refers. The best edition is that of Meibomius, Amst. 1692,
2 vols. 4to; yet Rossius, in his “Commentationes Laertianae,
” has convicted Meibomius of innumerable errors.
, a learned doctor of the Sorbonne, was at first a friend to the
, a learned doctor of the Sorbonne, was at first a friend to the society of Port-royal, but afterwards disagreed with them on account of the formulary, which he defended in several of his writings. He was very intimate with Richard Simon, and died canon of Avranches at the end of the seventeenth century. Besides his works in favour of the formulary, he left a treatise, entitled *‘ Preuves et Prejuges pour la Religion Chretienne et Catholique, contre les fausses Religions, et l’Atheisme," 4to, much esteemed by his Roman catholic brethren. It was Dirois who inserted the ecclesiastical history of each century in Mezeray’s History of France.
, a learned English divine and magistrate, was born at Lincoln in
, a learned English divine and magistrate, was born at Lincoln in 1677. At the grammar school in that city he received the early part of his education, and afterwards studied at a private academy among the dissenters, to whom his father was attached. He was next entered at the Middle Temple with a view of making himself so far acquainted with the law as to enable him to become respectable as a magistrate and an author. The former character he sustained with dignity and much reputation: he was diligent, disinterested, and impartial in his decistons: he took an active part with those who formed themselves into a society for the suppression of vice and immorality. His regard to duty gained him the respect of the wise and good, and on some occasions he was singled out as meriting the thanks of the judges of the circuit for services that he had rendered his country. As he advanced in life, and after he had acted as a magistrate more than twenty years, he conceived the design of becoming a minister in the church of England, with which he had communicated from the time that he had attained to manhood. He was accordingly first ordained a deacon, and afterwards, in 1719, a priest. In the same year he was presented with the vicarage of Croft, and to the rectory of Kirby-superBaine, both in his native county. In the year 1722, he was instituted to the vicarage of St. Mary in Nottingham, to which town he removed; and here he remained till his death, Feb. 3, 1729-30, in the 53d year of his age. He was buried, according to his own request, in the chancel of his church, near to the communion-table, having no other inscription over his grave than the initial letters of his name, and the year of his death. He left a widow, who afterwards lived at her own family-seat, Flintham-hall, in Nottinghamshire, and died there May 20, 1763, in the 86th year of her age, by whom he had five sons and three daughters.
only, another method for finding the longitude; but which Mr. Whiston denied. However, Raphael Levi, a learned Jew, who bad studied under Leibnitz, informed the German
Mr. Ditton published many mathematical and other
tracts. His first works were a paper on the Tangents of
Curves, and a treatise on Spherical Catoptrics, both which
were published in the “Philosophical Transactions.
” This
last was written in the Latin language, and was so highly
approved, that it was republished in a foreign periodical
work, called the “Acta Eruditortim,
” in Memoirs of the Academy of
Sciences at Paris.
” In An Institution of Fluxions, containing the first
principles, operations, and applications of that admirable
method, as invented by sir Isaac Newton.
” This work,
with additions and alterations, was again published by Mr.
John Clarke, in 1726, some years after Mr. Ditton’s death.
The same year, 1 706, Mr. Ditton also published a treatise
on the laws of nature and motion. Of this the celebrated
Wolfius makes mention, and asserts, that it illustrates and
renders easy the writings of Galileo, Huygens, and the
“Principia
” of sir Isaac Newton. It is also noticed by De la
Roche, in “The Memoiresde Literature,
” vol. VIII. p. 46.
In 1709 he published the “Synopsis Algebraicum
” of John
Alexander Bernatus Helvetius; with many additions and corrections. His treatise on Perspective was published in 1712.
In this work he explained the principles of that art mathematically; and besides teaching the methods then generally practised, gave the first hints of the new method
afterward enlarged upon and improved by Dr. Brook Taylor; and which was published in 1715. Several publications of Mr. Ditton’s appeared in 1714, one of which was
a “Discourse upon the Resurrection of Jesus Christ;
”
the truth of which he here endeavoured to demonstrate.
This work went through four editions, and was translated
into several of the modern languages. Tindal, Collins,
and some other authors, opposed it, and endeavoured to
confute the reasoning; to whom Ditton had begun an
answer, but died before it was finished; and his friends,
upon revising it, found it too incomplete to hazard its
publication. Another of his works that appeared in the
same year, was, “The new law of Fluids; or, a Discourse
concerning the ascent of liquids, in exact geometrical
figures, between two nearly contiguous surfaces.
” To
this was annexed a tract, to demonstrate the impossibility
of thinking or perception being the result of any combination of the parts of matter and motion; a subject much
agitated in those days by the free-thinkers and their opponents. There was also adjoined to this work an advertisement from him and Mr. Whiston, concerning a method
for discovering the longitude; which, it appears, they
had published about half a year before. This attempt, it is
thought, cost Mr. Ditton his life; for, although it was approved and countenanced by sir Isaac Newton, previously
to its being presented to the Board of longitude, and the
method lias been since successfully put in practice, in
finding the longitude between Paris and Vienna, yet that
board then determined against it. Such a disappointment,
together with the public ridicule incurred, is supposed to
have affected his health, but this we think unlikely, as his
death was occasioned by a putrid fever, which proved
fatal Oct. 15, 1715, in the fortieth year of his age. He
was much regretted by the philosophical literati of that
time, who expected from his assiduity, learning, and penetrating genius, many useful and ingenious discoveries.
In an account of Mr. Ditton, prefixed to the German
translation of his Discourse on the Resurrection, it is said,
that he had published, in his own name only, another method for finding the longitude; but which Mr. Whiston
denied. However, Raphael Levi, a learned Jew, who
bad studied under Leibnitz, informed the German editor
that he well knew that Ditton and Leibnitz hud corresponded upon the subject; and that Ditton had sent to
Leibnitz a delineation of a machine he had invented
that purpose; which was a piece of mechanism con
with many wheels, like a clock, and which Leibnitz highly
approved of for land use, but doubted whether it wouldanswer on ship-board, on account of the motion of the ship.
, a learned physician and botanist, of a West Friesland family of
, a learned
physician and botanist, of a West Friesland family of good
repute, was born at Mechlin, in 1517. He studied medicine at Louvaine, and afterwards visited the celebrated
universities of France and Italy, and to his medical knowledge added an acquaintance with the classics and polite
literature. On his return from Italy, his reputation procured him the honour of being appointed physician to the
emperors Maximilian II. and Rodolph II. Having been
obliged during the civil wars of his time to quit the imperial court, in order to take care of his property at Mechlin and Antwerp, he resided awhile at Cologne, from
whence he was persuaded to return to Antwerp but soon
afterwards he became professor of physic in the newlyfounded university of Leyden, with an ample stipend.
This took place in 1582, and he sustained the credit of his
appointment by his lectures and various writings, till death
put a period to his labours in March 1585, in the sixtyeighth year of his age. It appears by his epitaph at Leyden, that he left a son of his own name behind him.
Dodoens is recorded to have excelled in a knowledge
of the history of his own country, and especially in genealogical inquiries, as well as in medicine. His chief fame
at present rests on his botanical publications, particularly
his “Pemptades,
” or 30 books of the history of plants, in
1 vol. folio, published at Antwerp in 1583, and again in
1612 and 1616. This is still a book of general reference
on account of the wooden cuts, which are numerous and
expressive. Hailer reckons it “a good and useful work,
though not of the first rate.
” The author had previously
published some lesser works in 8vo, as “Frugum Histona,
”
printed at Antwerp, in Herbarium Belgicum
” first appeared in the German language
in Henry Lyte,
esquyer
” composed his Herbrl, which is pretty nearly a
translation of the whole. It was published in 1578, and
went through several subsequent editions. This work, in
its various languages and editions, is accompanied by
wooden cuts, very inferior, for the most part, to those in
the above-mentioned “Pemptades.
” Halier records an
epitome of Dodoens by William Kam, printed at London, in 1606, 4to, under the title of “Little Dodoen.
”
This we have never seen.
the place of one of the clerks of the council, then vacant, the king replied, *' I know Mr. Donne is a learned man, has the abilities of a learned divine, and will
At this period of our history, it was deemed expedient
to select such men for high offices in the church, as
promised by their abilities and zeal to vindicate the reformed
religion. King James, who was no incompetent judge of
such merit, though perhaps too apt to measure the talents
of others by his own standard, conceived from a perusal
of the “Pseudo-Martyr,
” that Donne would prove an ornament and bulwark to the church, and therefore not only
endeavoured to persuade him to take orders, but resisted
every application to exert the royal favour towards him in
any other direction. When the favourite earl of Somerset
requested that Mr. Donne might have the place of one of
the clerks of the council, then vacant, the king replied,
*' I know Mr. Donne is a learned man, has the abilities of
a learned divine, and will prove a powerful preacher, and
my desire is to prefer him that way, and in that way I
will deny you nothing for him." Such an intimation must
have made a powerful impression, yet there is no reascn
to conclude from any part of Mr. Donne’s character, that
he won I'd have been induced to enter the church merely
by the persuasion of his sovereign, however flattering.
To him, however, at this time, the transition was not difficult. He had relinquished the follies of youth, and had
nearly outlived the remembrance of them. His studies
had long inclined to theology, and his frame of mind was
adapted to support the character expected from him. His
oldfriend Dr, Morton probably embraced this opportunity to second the king’s wishes, and remove Mr. Donne’s
personal scruples; and Dr. King, bishop of London, who
had been chaplain to the chancellor when Donne was his
secretary, and consequently knew his character, heard of
his intention with much satisfaction. By this prelate he
was ordained deacon and afterwards priest; and the king,
although not uniformly punctual in his promises of patronage, immediately made him his chaplain in ordinary, and
gave him hopes of higher preferment.
, a learned French advocate and classical scholar, was born in 1609
, a learned French advocate and classical scholar, was born in 1609 at Toulouse, of a family
distinguished by their talents. After having studied classics and philosophy with great success, he went through a
course of law, and was admitted an advocate of the parliament of Toulouse in 1637. Removing afterwards with a
view to settle in Paris, he was admitted to the same rank
in the parliament of that city in 1639. Here his reputation
for knowledge and eloquence became soon acknowledged,
and in 1650, on the death of Balthazar Baro, he was chosen
into the French academy in his place. The following
year, according to the “Menagiana,
” he went to Bourges
as candidate for a law professorship, but we are not told
whether he succeeded; in the same year, however, he
was appointed professor of the canon law in the royal college; and four years after, in 1655, had the appointment
of regent doctor of the faculty of the law, and filled both
offices with the highest reputation, nor did their laborious
duties prevent him from finding sufficient leisure to write
many of his published works. He was also appointed preceptor to the dauphin in history, and became one of the
learned editors of the Dauphin classics. He died Oct. 27,
1688, in his 79th year, being then dean of the French
academy, of the royal college, and of the faculty of law.
He had an extensive knowledge of languages, wrote fluently in Latin and French, and spoke Italian, Spanish,
Greek, Hebrew, and even the Turkish, and understood
English, German, and Sclavonic. With all these accomplishments, he was a man of singular modesty, probity,
and disinterestedness. His talents having procured him
what he thought a competent maintenance, he had no ambition for riches, and employed what was not necessary for
his own moderate wants, upon the poor.
His works are numerous, and justify the fame he acquired. 1. “Dictionnaire de la' langue Toulousaine,
”
lt)38, 8vo. This, which is without Doujat’s name, was
printed at the end of Goudelin’s works, which are in that
language. 2. “Grammaire Espagnole abregee,
” Paris,
Moyen aise
d'apprendre les langues mis en pratique sur la langue
Espagnole,
” ibid. Joannis Dartis opera
Canonica, edente J. Doujatio,
” ibid. De
Pace a Ludovico XIV. constituta, oratio panegyrica,
” ibid.
1660, 12mo. 6. “Historica juris Pontificii Synopsis,
”
added afterwards to his edition of Lancelot’s Institutions,
ibid. 1670, 12mo. 7. “Synopsis Conciliorum et Chrono*
logia Patrum, Pontificum, Imperatorum,
” &c. ibid. Panegyrique duRoy,
” by M. Pellison, ibid. La Clef du
grand Pouille de France,
” ibid. Specimen Juris Canonici apud Gallos usu recepti,
”
&c. ibid. Histoire du droit Canonique,
” ibid. Historia Juris Civilis Romanorum,
” ibid. Francisci Florentii
opera Canonica et Juridica,
” with additions, ibid. Livy,
” ibid. Theophili Antecessoris Institutionum lib. quatuor,
” with notes, &c. ibid. Institutiones Juris Canonici a J. P. Lancelotto Perusino conscriptae,
” with notes, ibid. Pra?notionum canonicarum libri quinque,
” ibid. Paris, Eloges des personnes illustres de l‘Ancient
Testament^ pour donner quelque teinture de l’Histoire Sacree, a I‘usage de monseigneur le due de Bourgogne,’
”
ibid. Reponse a M. Furetiere,
” Hague, Lettre
touchant un passage conteste de Tite Live,
” printed in the
Journal des Savans, Dec. Martini Bracarensis
episcopi Collectio Canonum Orientalium.
” This Doujat
revised and corrected, for insertion in the “Bibl. Juris
Canon, veteris,
” by Justell, Paris, Supplementa Lacunarum Livianarum,
” 4to, without date, and
probably part of his edition of Livy.
ginally descended from the town of Drayton in Leicestershire, which gave name to his progenitors, as a learned antiquary of his acquaintance has recorded; but his
, an English poet, was born at
HarshuU, in the parish of Atherston, in the county of
Warwick, in 1563. His family was ancient, and originally
descended from the town of Drayton in Leicestershire,
which gave name to his progenitors, as a learned antiquary
of his acquaintance has recorded; but his parents removing into Warwickshire, our poet was born there. When
he was but ten years of age, he seems to have been page
to some person of honour, as we collect from his own
words: and, for his learning at that time, it appears evidently in the same place, that he could then construe his
Cato, and some other little collection of sentences. It appears too, that he was then anxious to know, “what kind
of strange creatures poets were r
” and desired his tutor of
all things, that if possible “he would make him a poet.
”
He was some time a student in the university of Oxford:
though we do not find that he took any degree there.
In 1588, he seems, from his own description of the
Spanish invasion, to have been a spectator at Dover of its
defeat; and might possibly be engaged in some military
post or employment there, as we find mention of his being
well spoken of by the gentlemen of the army. He took
delight very early, as we have seen, in the study of poetry;
and was eminent for his poetical efforts, nine or ten years
before the death of queen Elizabeth, if not sooaer. In
1593 he published a collection of pastorals, under the
title of “Idea: the Shepherd’s Garland, fashioned in nine
eclogues; with Rowland’s sacrifice to the nine Muses,
”
4to, dedicated to Mr. Robert Dudley. This “Shepherd’s
Garland
” is the same with what was afterwards reprinted
with emendations by our author in 1619, folio, under the
title of “Pastorals,
” containing eclogues; with the “Man
in the Moon;
” but the folio edition of Drayton’s works,
printed in 1748, though the title-page professes to give
them all, does not contain this part of them. Soon after
he published his “Barons’ Wars,
” and “England’s heroical Epistles;
” his “Downfalls of Robert of Normandy,
Matilda and Gaveston;
” which were all written before
near countryman and old acquaintance,
” adds further of him, that, “though those
transalpines account us tramontani, rude, and barbarous,
holding our brains so frozen, dull, and barren, that they
can afford no inventions or conceits, yet may he compare
either with their old Dante, Petrarch, or Boccace, or
their neoteric Marinella, Pignatello, or Stigliano. But
why,
” says Burton, “sould I go about to commend him,
whom his own works and worthiness have sufficiently extolled to the world?
”
, a learned German, was born at Erlbrt, the capital of Thuringia,
, a learned German, was born at Erlbrt, the capital of Thuringia, in 1536. The first academical lectures which he heard, were those of Luther and Melancthon, at Wittemberg; but the air of that country not agreeing with his constitution, he was obliged to return to Erfort, where he studied Greek. When he had taken the degree of M. A. in 1559, he read lectures in rhetoric at home; and afterwards taught polite literature and the Greek tongue, in the college of Erfort. Having thus passed sixteen years in his own country, he was invited to Jena, to supply the place of Lipsius, as professor of history and eloquence. He pronounced his inaugural oration in 1574, which was afterwards printed with other of his orations. Some time after, he went to Meissen, to be head of the college there; where having continued six years, he obtained, in 1581, the professorship of polite learning in the university of Leipsic; and a particular pension was settled on him to continue the *' History of Saxony." Upon his coming to Leipsic, he found warm disputes among the doctors. Some endeavoured to introduce the subtleties of Ramus, rejecting the doctrine of Aristotle, while others opposed it; aad some were desirous of advancing towards Calvinism, while others would suffer no innovations in Lutheranism. Dresserus desired to avoid both extremes; and because the dispute concerning the novelties of Ramus greatly disturbed the philosophical community, he was very solicitous to keep clear of it. But the electoral commissary diverted him from this pacific design; and it happened to him, as it happens to many persons who engage late in disputes of this kind, that they are more zealous than the first promoters of them. Ilamism now appeared to Dresserus a horrible monster; and he became the most zealous opposer of it that ever was known in that country.
, a learned protestant and eminent critic, was born at Oudenard,
, a learned protestant and eminent critic, was born at Oudenard, in Elandcrs, June 28, 1550. He was designed for the study of divinity, and sent very early to Ghent, to learn the languages there, and afterwards to Louvain, to pass through a course of philosophy; but his father having been outlawed for his religion in 1567, and deprived of his estate, retired to England, and Drusius soon followed him, though his mother, who continued a bigoted catholic, endeavoured to prevent him. Masters were provided to superintend his studies; and he had soon an opportunity of learning Hebrew under Anthony Cevellier, or rather Chevalier, who was come over to England, and taught that language publicly in the university of Cambridge. Drusius lodged at his house, and had a great share in his friendship. He did not return to London till 1571; and, while he was preparing to go to France, the news of the massacre of St. Bartholomew made him change his resolution. Soon after this, he was invited to Cambridge by Cartwright, the professor of divinity; and also to Oxford, by Dr. Lawrence Humphrey, whither he went, and became professor of the oriental languages there at the age of twenty-two. He taught at Oxford four years with great success*; after which, being desirous of returning to his own country, he went to Louvain, where he studied the civil law. The troubles on account of religion obliged him to come back to his father at London; but, upon the pacification of Ghent, in 1576, they both returned to their own country. The son tried his fortune in Holland, and was appointed professor of the oriental tongues there, in 1577. While he continued in this station at Leyden, he married in 1580 a young gentlewoman of Ghent, who was more than half a convert, and became a thorough protestant after her marriage. The stipend allowed to Drusius, in Holland, not being sufficient to support himself and family, he gave intimations that if better terms should be offered him elsewhere, he would accept of them. The prince of Orange wrote to the magistrates of Leyden, to take care not to lose a man of his merit; yet they suffered him to remove to Friesland, whither he had been invited to be professor of Hebrew in the university of Franeker. He was admitted into that professorship in 1585, and discharged the functions of it with great honour till his death, which happened in 1616.
, a learned dissenting minister, was born in Ireland 1697. He had
, a learned dissenting minister, was born in Ireland 1697. He had his early education under the direction of an uncle his preparatory studies were greatly assisted by the well-known Mr. Abernethy and he finished his course of study at the universitv or Glasgow which, in- testimony of his merit, conferred en him the degree of D.D. He resided for ten or eleven years at Cambridge, as the pastor of a small congregation there; where he enjoyed the advantage of books, and of learned conversation, which he improved with the greatest diligence. On Mr. Abernethy’s removal from Antrim, he succeeded him in that place; and on the death of that gentleman, was chosen to be minister to the protestant dissenting congregation of Wood-street, Dublin, in which situation he continued to his death, which happened in 1761.
, a learned priest of the oratory, was born December 9, 1649, at
, a learned priest of the oratory, was born December 9, 1649, at Montbrison, the son
of Claude Duguet, king’s advocate in the presidial of that
city. Having entered the congregation of the oratory at
Paris, in 1667, he taught philosophy at Troyes, and was
afterwards recalled to St. Magloir, at Paris, where he
gained great reputation, as professor of divinity, by his
“Ecclesiastical Conferences.
” Ill health obliged him to
resign all his employments in 1680, and in 1685 he quitted
the oratory, and retired to M. Arnauld, at Brussels; but
returned to Paris afterwards, where he lived in a very retired manner, at the house of M. the president de Menars,
1690, where he continued till the death of that magistrate
and his wife. He was afterwards frequently forced to
change his dwelling and country, in consequence of his
opposition to the Constitution Unigenitus. He was successively in Holland, at Troyes, Paris, &c. and died in
the last-named city October 25, 1733, aged eighty-four.
His works are numerous, and well written in French. The
principal are, 1. “Lettres de Piete et de Morale,
” 9 vols,
12mo; 2. “La Conduite d'une Dame Chretienne,
” 12mo;
3. “Traite de la Priere publique, et des Saints Mysteres,
”
12mo; 4. “Traite dogmatique sur l‘Eucharistie, sur les
Exorcismes, et sur l’Usure.
” The three last are much
admired by Catholics, and are printed together, 1727;
12mo; 5. “Commentaires sur l'Ouvrage des 6 jours.
”
12mo; 6. “Sur Job,
” 3 tom, in 4 vols. 12mo; 7. “Sur
la Genese,
” 6 vols. 12mo; 8. “Explication sur les
Pseaumes,
” 5 tom. in 8 vols. 12mo; 9. “Explication des
Rois, Esdras, et Nehemias,
” 6 tom. in 7 vols. 12mo; 10.
“Explication du Cantique des Cantiques, et de la Sagesse,
”
2vols. 12mo; 11. “Explication sur Isaïe, Jonas, et Habacuc,
” 6 tom. in 7 vols. 12mo; 12. “Regles pour l‘Intelligence de l’Ecriture Sainte,
” 12mo. The preface to
this work is by M. d'Asfeld. 13. “Explication du Mystere de la Passion de N. S. J. C.
” 9 tom. in 14 vols. 12mo;
14. “Les Characters de la Charité,
” 12mo; 15. “Traité
des Principes de la Foi Chretienne,
” 3 vols. 12mo; 16.
“De l‘Education d’un Prince,
” 4to, or in 4 vols. 12mo;
17. “Conferences Ecclesiastiques,
” 2 vols. 4to; 18. “Je
sus crucifié,
” 1 vol. or 2 vols. 12mo; and some other
pieces, which procured him considerable reputation while
works of piety remained popular in France. The history,
and an analysis of his work on the education of a prince, may
be seen in our third authority.
kingdom from 1226 to 1325, is written in Latin, und tinued by an anonymous hand, to 1426. Hartknock, a learned German, published an edition of it in 4to, in 1679,
“Chronicle of Prussia
” contains the history of that kingdom from
, a learned French lady, was born at Paris, and instructed from
, a learned French lady, was born at
Paris, and instructed from her earliest infancy in the belles
lettres. She was married very young; but scarcely had
she attained the age of seventeen, when her husband was
killed in Germany at the head of a company he commanded.
She took advantage of the liberty her widowhood gave her,
to apply her mind to study, particularly that of astronomy,
and published, in 1680, at Paris, a quarto volume, under
the title of “Discourses of Copernicus touching the Mobility of the Earth, by Mad. Jeanne Dtimee of Paris.
” She
explains with clearness the three motions attributed to the
enrth and exhibits the arguments that establish or militate
against the system of Corpernicus with impartiality.
, professor of philosophy in the marischal college, Aberdeen, and a learned writer, was born in that city in the month of July 1717.
, professor of philosophy in the marischal college, Aberdeen, and a learned writer, was born in that city in the month of July 1717. His father, William Duncan, was a respectable tradesman in the same place, and his mother, Euphemia Kirkwood, was the daughter of a wealthy farmer in East Lothian, the first district in Scotland where agriculture was much improved. Young Duncan received his grammatical education partly in the public grammar-school of Aberdeen, and partly at Foveran, about fifteen miles distant, where there was a boardingschool, which at that time was greatly frequented, on account of the reputation of Mr. George Forbes, the master. In November 1733, Mr. Duncan entered the marischal college of Aberdeen, and applied himself particularly to the study of the Greek language, under the celebrated professor Dr. Thomas Blackwell. After going through the ordinary course of philosophy and mathematics, which continues for three years, he took the degree of M. A. This was in April 1737, and he never took any other degree. Mr. Duncan appears to have been designed for the ministry, and in this view he attended the theological lectures of the professors at Aberdeen for two winters. Not, however, finding in himself any inclination to the clerical profession, he quitted his native place, and removed to London in 1739, where he became an author by profession. In this capacity various works were published by him without his name; the exact nature and number of which it is not in our power to ascertain. It is in general understood that he translated several books from the French, and that he engaged in different undertakings which were proposed to him by the booksellers. There is reason to believe that he had a very considerable share in the translation of Horace which goes under the name of Watson. Without, however, anxiously inquiring after every translation, and every compilation in which Mr. Duncan might be concerned, we shall content ourselves with taking notice of the three principal productions upon which his literary reputation is founded. The first, in point of time, was his translation of several select orations of Cicero. It has gone through several impressions, and was much used as a schoolbook, the Latin being printed on one side, and the English on the other. A new edition in this form appeared in 1792. Sir Charles Whitworth, in 1777, published Mr. Duncan’s version in English only, for the benefit of such young persons of both sexes, as have not had the benefit of a liberal education. The publication is in 2 vols. 8vo. In his preface, sir Charles speaks highly, and we believe justly, of Mr. Duncan’s merit as a translator, and ranks him with a Leland, a Hampton, and a Melmoth. Mr. Duncan accompanied his translation with short but judicious explanatory notes.
, D. D. a learned Greek scholar, was born in 1606, in Jesus college, Cambridge,
, D. D. a learned Greek scholar,
was born in 1606, in Jesus college, Cambridge, of which
college his father was master from 1590 to 1617; and, after
a classical education at Westminster, was admitted in
1622, of Trinity college in that university, under the tuition of Dr. Robert Hitch, afterwards dean of York, to whom
he gratefully addressed a Latin poem in his “Sylvse,
”
where he calls him “tutorem suurn colendissimum.
” He
regularly became a fellow of his college; and his knowledge of Greek was so extensive, that he was appointed
regius professor of that language at Cambridge in 1632-.'
He was collated to the prebend of Langford Ecclesia, in
the cathedral of Lincoln, Aug. 14, 1641; and to the archdeaconry of Stow in that diocese, Sept. 13 of that year,
being then B. D.; and on the 13th of November in the
same year exchanged his prebend for that of Leighton
Buzzard in the same cathedral; but in 1656 he was ejected
from his professorship at Cambridge, for refusing the engagement. On the 20th of May, 1660, on the eve of the
restoration, he preached a sermon at St. Paul’s cathedral;
and his loyalty on that occasion was rewarded by an appointment to the office of chaplain in ordinary to Charles II.
He was also restored to the professorship; which he resigned the same year in favour of Dr. Barrow; and on the
5th of September following he was, by royal mandate, with
many other learned divines, created D. D. He was installed dean of Peterborough July 27, 1664, by Mr. William Towers, prebendary; and elected master of Magdalen college, Cambridge, 1668. When he obtained the
rectories of Aston Flamvile and Burbach, we cannot exactly
say; but it was probably in 1672, and owing to the patronage
of Anthony the eleventh earl of Kent. In 167G, he preached
three different sermons upon public occasions, all which
were printed, Jan. 30, May 29, and Nov. 5. He died
July 17, 1679, and was buried in Peterborough cathedral,
to which, and to the school there, he had been a considerable benefactor. Against a pillar on the north side of the
choir, behind the pulpit, is a handsome white marble tablet,
with his arms and a Latin inscription commemorating his
learning and virtues.
, a learned English bishop, was born at Lewisham in Kent, of which
, a learned English bishop, was born
at Lewisham in Kent, of which place his father was then
vicar. He was baptized there March 18, 1588-9, was
educated at Westminster school, and thence elected student of Christ church, Oxford, in 1605. In 1612 he was
chosen fellow of All Souls’ college; then went into orders,
and travelled abroad; particularly into France and Spain.
In July 1625 he took the degree of doctor in divinity; and
by the interest and recommendation of the earl of Dorset,
to whom he afterwards became chaplain, was appointed
dean of Christ church, Oxford, in June 1629. In 1634
he was constituted chancellor of the church of Sarum, and
soon after made chaplain to Charles I. He was appointed,
in 1638, tutor to Charles prince of Wales, and afterwards
to his brother the duke of York; and about the same time
nominated to the bishopric of Chichester. In 1641 he was
translated to the see of Salisbury, but received no benefit
from it, on account of the suppression of episcopacy. On
this event he repaired to the king at Oxford; and, after
that city was surrendered, attended him in other places,
particularly during his imprisonment in the Isle of Wight.
He was a great favourite with his majesty; and is said by
some to have assisted him in composing the “Eikon Basilike.
”
, so called from a town in Auvergne, a learned French divine of the fourteenth century, entered the
, so called from a town in
Auvergne, a learned French divine of the fourteenth century, entered the Dominican order, took a doctor’s degree
at Paris, was master of the sacred palace, bishop of Puy
in Velay, and afterwards bishop of Meaux, where he died
in 1333. Durand was one of the most eminent divines of
his age he left Commentaries on the four books of
Sentence, Paris, 1550, 2 vols. fol. and “Trait de TOrigine
des Jurisdictions,
” 4to. He frequently combats the opinions of St. Thomas, being an adherent of Scotus, and
displayed so much ingenuity in his disputes, as to be called
the Most resolute Doctor. Although the Thomists could
not conquer him in his life, one of the number contrived
to dispose of him after death, in these lines:
, a learned divine in the seventeenth century, who wrote several
, a learned divine in the seventeenth
century, who wrote several pieces in vindication of the
Church of England, was born at St. Helier’s in the Isle of
Jersey, in 1625. About the end of 1640, he was entered
of Merton-college in Oxford; but when that city came
to be garrisoned for king Charles I. he retired into France:
and, having studied for some time at Caen in Normandy,
took the degree of master of arts, in the Sylvanian college
of that place, on the 8th of July 1664. Then he applied
himself to the study of divinity, for above two years, at
Saumur, under the celebrated Amyrault, divinity reader in
that Protestant university. In 1647 he returned to Jersey,
and continued for some time until the reduction of that
island by the parliament-forces in 1651, when on account of his being in the defence of it for the king, he was
forced to withdraw, or rather was expelled thence. He
then went to Paris, and received episcopal ordination in
the chapel of sir Richard Browne, knt. his majesty’s resident in France, from the hands of Thomas, bishop of Galloway. From Paris, he removed to St. Malo’s, whence the
reformed church of Caen invited him to be one of their
ministers, in the absence of the learned Samuel Bochart,
who was going into Sweden. Not long after, the landgrave of Hesse having written to the ministers of Paris, to
send him a minister to preach in French at his highness’s
court, he was by them recommended to that prince, but
preferred being chaplain to the duke de la Force, father to
the princess of Turenne; in which station he continued
above eight years. Upon the restoration he came over to
England, and was very instrumental in setting up the new
episcopal French church at the Savoy in London, in which
he officiated first on Sunday, 14 July, 1661, and continued
there for some years after, much to the satisfaction of his
hearers. In April 1663, he was made prebendary of North
Auiton, in the cathedral of Salisbury, being then chaplain
in ordinary to his majesty; and, the llth of February following, succeeded to a canonry of Windsor. On the 1st
of July, 1668, he was installed into the fourth prebend of
Durham, and had a rich donative conferred on him. The
28th of February, 1669-70, he was actually created doctor
of divinity, by virtue of the chancellor’s letters. In 1677,
king Charles II. gave him the deanery of Windsor, vacant
by the death of Dr. Bruno Ryves, into which he was installed July 27. He had also the great living of Witney in
Oxfordshire conferred on him, all which preferments he
obtained, partly through his own qualifications, being not
only a good scholar, but also “a perfect courtier, skilful
in the arts of getting into the favour of great men;
” and
partly through his great interest with king Charles II., to
whom he was personally known both in Jersey and France.
Mr. Wood thinks, that, had he lived some years longer,
he would undoubtedly have been promoted to a bishopric.
He published several things; and, among the rest, 1. “The
Liturgy of the Church of England asserted, in a Sermon,
preached [in French] at the chapel of the Savov, before
the French Congregation, which usually assembles in that
place, upon the first day that divine service was there celebrated according to the Liturgy of the Church of England.
” Translated into English by G. B. doctor in physic,
Lond. 1662, 4to. 2. “A View of the Government and
public Worship of God in the reformed churches of England, as it is established by the act of uniformity,
” Lond.
Apologia
pro ministris trt Anglia (vulgo) noneonformistis,
” by an
anonymous author, supposed to be Henry Hickman, he
published, 3. “Sanctae Ecclesise Anglicanao ad versus iniquas atque inverecundas Schismaticorum Criminationes,
Vindiciae.
” The presbyterians, taking great offence at it,
published these answers: 1. “Bonasus Vapulans or some
castigations given to Mr. John Durel for fouling himself
and others in his English and Latin book,
” Loud. The Nonconformists
vindicated from the Abuses put upon them by Mr. Durel
and Mr. Scrivner.
” 2. Dr. Lewis Du Moulin published
also this answer thereto: “Patronus bonre fidei, in causa
Puritanorum,
” &c Lond. Theoremata philosophise,
” consisting of some theses maintained at the university of Caen;
a French and Latin edition of the Common Prayer Book;
and a French translation of the Whole Duty of Man,
partly written by his wife.
, a learned divine, and biblical critic, of the church of England,
, a learned divine, and biblical critic,
of the church of England, was a native of the island of
Jersey, and probably a descendant of the preceding Dr.
John Durel. That the Durells were a very respectable
family in Jersey is evident from there being several persons
of the name who received considerable promotions both in
that island and in England during the reign of king George
the Second. He was born in 1728, and after going
through a proper course of grammatical education, was matriculated at the university of Oxford, and became a
member of Pembroke college, where, on the 20th of June,
1753, he took the degree of master of arts. After this,
he was chosen a fellow of Hertford college, and was admitted principal of the same, in 1757, in the room of Dr.
William Sharp, who resigned that office, and was afterwards regius professor of Greek in the university, and
rector of East-Hampstead in Berks. On the 23d of April,
1760, Mr. Durell took the degree of bachelor in divinity,
and that of Doctor on the 14th of January, 1764. Previously to the taking his last degree, he published, in
1763, his first learned work, entitled, “The Hebrew text
of the parallel prophecies of Jacob and Moses, relating to
the Twelve Tribes; with a translation and notes: and the
various lections of near forty Mss. To which are added,
1. The Samaritan Arabic version of those passages, and part
of another Arabic version made from the Samaritan text,
neither of which have been before printed. 2. A map of
the Land of Promise. 3. An Appendix, containing four
dissertations on points connected with the subject of these
prophecies,
” Oxford, 4to. In this work our author exhibited a valuable and decisive proof of his skill in Oriental literature, and of his capacity and judgment in elucidating the sacred Scriptures. In 1767, he was made a
prebendary of Canterbury, in the room of Dr. Potter, who
had resigned. The only remaining preferment, which Dr.
Durell appears to have been possessed of, was the vicarage
of Tysehurst in Sussex. In 1772, he gave a farther evidence of his great proficiency in biblical learning, by publishing “Critical remarks on the books of Job, Psalms,
Ecclesiastes, and Canticles,
” Oxford, 4to, printed at the
Clarendon press. In the preface to this performance, the
author pleads for a new translation of the Bible. He intended to publish some remarks on the prophetic writings;
but this design he was prevented from accomplishing, by
his comparatively premature death, which happened when
he was only forty-seven years of age. He died at his college, on the 19th of October, 1775, and was buried at St.
Peter’s in the East, Oxford, where there is an inscription
on his grave-stone, with his arms. By his last will, he
bequeathed twenty pounds a-year, arising from money by
him lent for the building of Oxford-market; one half of
which sum is given to the principal of Hertford college;
the other, to the two senior fellows. From all that we have
heard concerning Dr. DurelPs character, we understand
him to have been a gentleman of eminent piety and goodness.
no information respecting his parents, or the particular time and place of his nativity. He received a learned education, and very early discovered a taste for history,
, or Edmer, the faithful friend and historian of archbishop Anselm, was an Englishman, who flourished in the twelfth century, but we have no information
respecting his parents, or the particular time and place of
his nativity. He received a learned education, and very
early discovered a taste for history, by recording every
remarkable event that came to his knowledge. Being a
monk in the cathedral of Canterbury, he had the happiness
to become the bosom friend and inseparable companion of
the two archbishops of that see, St. Anselm, and his successor Ralph. To the former of these he was appointed
spiritual director by the pope; and that prelate would do
nothing without his permission. In 1120 he was elected
bishop of St. Andrew’s, by the particular desire of Alexander I. king of Scotland; but on the very day after his
election, an unhappy dispute arose between the king and
him respecting his consecration. Eadmer would be consecrated by the archbishop of Canterbury, whom he regarded as primate of all Britain, while Alexander contended that the see of Canterbury had no pre-eminence
over that of St. Andrew’s. After many conferences, their
dispute becoming more warm, Eadmer abandoned his
bishopric, and returned to England, where he was kindly
received by the archbishop and clergy of Canterbury, who
yet thought him too precipitate in leaving his bishopric.
Eadmer at last appears to have been of the same opinion,
and wrote a long and submissive letter to the king of Scotland, but without producing the desired effect. Whartort
fixes his death in 1124, which was not long after this
affair, and the very year in which the bishopric of St. Andrew’s was tilled up. Eadmer is now best known for his
history of the affairs of England in his own time, from
1066 to 1122, in which he has inserted many original
papers, and preserved many important facts that are nowhere else to be found. This work has been highly commended, both by ancient and modern writers, for its authenticity, as well as for regularity of composition and purity of style. It is indeed more free from legendary tales
than any other work of this period, and affords many proofs
of the learning, good sense, sincerity and candour of its
author. The best edition is that by Selden, under the title
of “Eadmeri monachi Cantuarensis Historiac Novorum,
give sui Saeculi, Libri Sex,
” Lond. Anglia Sacra.
” 2. The Lives of St. Wilfrid, St.
Oswald, St. Dunstan, &c. &c. and others inserted in the
“Anglia Sacra,
” or enumerated by his biographers, as in
print or manuscript.
, a learned* professor at Francfort upon Oder, in the seventeenth
, a learned* professor at Francfort upon Oder, in the seventeenth century, and rector of
that university in 1618 and 1627, acquired a considerable
name, among oriental scholars particularly, by his works;
the principal of which are: “Juvenilia philosophica,
”
Franc. Poetica Hebraica,
” Lips. Elogia Jurisconsultorum et politicorum centum illustrium, qui Sanctam Hebraeam Linguam aliasque ejus propagines orientales propagarunt, auxerunt, promoverunt,
”
Lips. Speculum Morale.
”
, a learned Maronite of the seventeenth century, was professor of
, a learned Maronite of
the seventeenth century, was professor of Syriac and Arabic in the royal college at Paris, to which city he had been
invited from Rome by M. le Jay, that he might supply the
place of Gabriel Sionita, another Maronite, whom he had
employed in his edition of the Polyglot Bible. Gabriel
Sionita complained to the parliament, abused his countryman, and involved him in difficulties, which made much
noise. The abilities of Ecchellensis were also attacked by
M. de Flavigny, a learned doctor of the house and society
of the Sorbonne, and they wrote with much unbecoming
warmth against each other. There is, however, no doubt
but that Ecchellensis was well acquainted with the Arabic
and Syriac languages. The congregation de propaganda
JFidti associated him, 1636, with those whom they employed to translate the Bible into Arabic; and, recalling him
from Paris, appointed him professor of Oriental languages
at Rome. It was at that time that the grand duke, Ferdinand II. engaged Ecchellensis to translate the 5th, 6th,
and 7th books of the Conies of Apollonius from Arabic
into Latin, in which he was assisted by the celebrated John
Alphonso Borelli, who added commentaries to them. The
whole is printed with Archimedes “De Assumptis,
” Florence, Euthychius vindicatus,
”
against Selden and Hottinger, Rome, Remarks on the Catalogue of Chaldee Writers composed by
Ebed-jesu, and published at Rome,
” Chronicoa
Orientale,
” printed at the Louvre, Institutio* ling. Syriacae,
” Rome,
Synopsis Philosophise Orientalium,
” Paris,
Versio Durrhamani de medicis virtutibus
Animaiium, Plantarum, et Gemmarum,
”' Paris,
, a learned divine, and professor in the university of Ingoldstadt,
, a learned divine, and professor in the university of Ingoldstadt, was born in Suabia, in 1483. He is memorable for promoting the reformation by the weakness of the opposition he gave to Luther, Melancthon, Carolostadius, and other leading protestants in> Germany; and for his disputes and writings against them in defence of his own communion, all which terminated in, his defeat, and in exciting a spirit of inquiry and discussion which eminently advanced the reformation. In 1518 he disputed with Luther at Leipsic, about the supremacy of the pope, penance, purgatory, and indulgences, before George duke of Saxony; at which time even the Lutherans were ready to grant that he acquitted himself as well as a man could do in the support of such a cause, and were not a little pleased that they were able to answer itg greatest supporter. He disputed the year after, against Carolostadius, on the subject of free will. He appeared at the diet of Augsburg in 1538, where he argued against the protestant confession; and in 1541 he disputed for three days with Melancthon and other divines at Worms, concerning the continuance of original sin after baptism. This conference, by the emperor’s command, was adjourned to Ratisbon; where he dissented again from Pfiug and Cropper, with reference to the articles of union. He was the most conspicuous orator in all the public disputes which the Roman catholics had with the Lutherans and Zwinglians. He wrote a great many polemical tracts; and, among the rest, a Manual of Controversies, in which he discourses upon most of the heads contested between the papists and protestants. This book was printed at Ingoldstadt, in 1535. He wrote another tract against the articles proposed at the conference at Ratisbon, printed at Paris in 1543. He composed likewise two discourses upon the sacrifice of the mass; some other controversial pieces an exposition upon the prophet Haggai; and several homilies. Upon the whole, he was a person of uncommon parts, uncommon learning, and uncommon zeal; and to his perseverance in the cause of popery, the reformers were greatly indebted. He died at Ingoldstadr, in 1543, aged sixty years.
muster-master at Briel, in Zealand, one of the clerks of the council, and in 1617, a knight. He was a learned person, was generally skilled in all arts and sciences,
, son to sir Thomas Edmondes,
mentioned as the patron of the preceding sir Thomas, was
born in Shropshire in 1566 and in 1585 became either
clerk or chorister of All Souls’ college took one degree
in arts, and then was chosen fellow of the house in 1590.
Four years after, he proceeded in that faculty; and then
leaving the college, was, mostly by his father’s endeavours,
made successively secretary, as it is said, for the French
tongue to queen Elizabeth about 1601, remembrancer of
the city of London, master of the requests, muster-master
at Briel, in Zealand, one of the clerks of the council, and
in 1617, a knight. He was a learned person, was generally
skilled in all arts and sciences, and famous as well for military as for politic affairs; and therefore esteemed by all an
ornament to his degree and profession. He published
“Observations on the five first books of Caesar’s Commentaries of the civil wars,
” London, Observations on the sixth and seventh books of Caesar’s Commentaries,
” &c. London, Observations on
Caesar’s Commentaries of the civil wars, in three books,
”
London,
, a learned schoolmaster, who styled himself Henricus Edmundus ab
, a learned schoolmaster, who
styled himself Henricus Edmundus ab Edmundo, was born
an Cumberland in 1607, and in 1622 entered a student in
Queen’s college, Oxford, in the inferior rank of tabarder,
from which be probably rose by his talents, as he took his
degrees in arts, and obtained a fellowship. Afterwards he
was employed as usher of Tunbridge school; and in 1655,
was appointed, by the provost and fellows of Queen’s college, master of die free school at Northleach in Gloucestershire, which he retained until his death, July 15, 1659,
Jeaving the character of a learned and successful teacher.
He published at least two school books the one entitled
“Lingua linguarum,
” London, Homonyma et Synonyma Linguae Latin it- conjuncta et
distincta,
” Oxon.
, a learned divine of the church of England, was born at Coventry,
, a learned divine of the church
of England, was born at Coventry, August 10, O.S. 1729,
and was the son of the Rev. Thomas Edwards, M. A. vicar
of St. Michael’s in that city, and of Katharine his wife.
His grammatical education he received partly under the
tuition of Edward Jackson, D. D. master of the free grammar-school in Coventry, but principally under the care
of his own father; and such was his eagerness for the acquisition of knowledge, that he seldom engaged in the
diversions common to boys. In 1747, at the age of eighteen,
he was matriculated at the university of Cambridge, and
entered of Clare hall, where he took the degree of B. A.
in 1750, and of M. A. in 1754. He was likewise a fellow
of his college. In the younger part of his life he was a
self-taught musician, and became no mean performer on
the spinnet and the bass-viol: but, finding that this amusement encroached too much upon his studies, he entirely
relinquished it. On the 22d of September, 1751, he was
ordained deacon, and on the 23d of September, 1753, he
was ordained priest, both which orders he received from
the hands of Dr. Frederick Cornwallis, at that time bishop
of Litchfield and Coventry. In the spring of 1755, when
Mr. Edwards was not yet twenty-six years of age, he gave
a striking proof of the diligence with which he applied
himself to the study of the learned languages, and the acquisition of sacred literature. This was his publication of
“A new English Translation of the Psalms from the original Hebrew, reduced to metre by the late bishop Hare
with notes, critical and explanatory, illustrations of many
passages, drawn from the classics, and a preliminary dissertation, in which the truth and certainty of that learned
prelate’s happy discovery is stated, and proved at large,
”
8vo. It was Mr. Edwards’s design to make Dr. Hare’s system of Hebrew metre better known, and to prove, that, by
a judicious application of it, great light might be thrown
upon the poetical parts of the Hebrew scriptures. He was
of opinion that Dr. Hare’s hypothesis was rejected by
many persons, partly from an over-hasty determination,
and partly from too scrupulous a veneration for the Hebrew
text. The notes, which comprehend more than one third
of this book, chiefly contain emendations of the Hebrew
text, pointed out by the metre, and illustrations of some
passages, drawn from the classics, together with an explanation of the most difficult places. Considerable use is
made by our author of Hare and Mudge, but with no
servile adherence to their authority. Mr. Edwards’s next
publication was only a single sermon, which he had
preached at St. Michael’s in Coventry, on the 6th of
February, 1756. On the 2d of May, 1758, he was nominated, by the corporation of Coventry, master of the free
grammar-school, and presented to the rectory of St. John,
the Baptist in that city. This promotion was- followed by
his marriage, November 27th, in the same year, to Anne
Parrott, daughter of Stony er Parrott, esq. of Hawkesbury,
in the parish of Foleshill, in the county of Warwick, by
whom he had one son, Dr. Edwards of Cambridge. Early
in 1759, Mr. Edwards published one of his principal works,
“The doctrine of irresistible Grace proved to have no
foundation in the writings of the New Testament.
” This
was levelled at the opinions of the Calvinists on that subject. Our author’s next publication, which appeared in
1762, was entitled “Prolegomena in Libros Veteris Testamenti Poeticos; sive dissertatio, in qua viri eruditissimi
Francisci Harii nuper Episcopi Cicestriensis de antiqua
Hebraeorum poesi hypothesin ratione et veritate niti, fuse
ostenditur, atque ad objecta quaedam respond etur.
Subjicitur Metricae Lowthianae Confutatio, cum indicibus
necessariis,
” 8vo. This attack upon Dr. Lowth’s “Metricae Harianaj brevis Confutatio,
” which had been annexed to the first edition of his admirable “Praelectiones
de sacra Poesi Hebraeorum,
” did not pass unnoticed by
that gentleman. In the second edition of his “Praelectiones
” he added a note, in which he strenuously maintained his own opinion, in opposition to that of Mr, Edwards. In reply to this note our author published, in 1765 t
“Epistola ad doctissimimi Robertum Lowthium, S. T. P.,
In qua nonnulla, quae ad nuperae siur de sacra Hebraeorum
Poesi Prielectionum editionis calcem habet, expenduntur.
”
In this he indulged himself in some severity of language,
which the subject did not merit, and which ought not to
have been used towards such an antagonist as Dr. Loath.
The doctor thought the “Epistola
” of consequence enough
to deserve a reply; and therefore he printed, in 1766,
“A larger Confutation of bishop Hare’s System of Hebrew
Metre in a letter to the reverend Dr. Edwards in answer to his Latin cpisile,
” 8vo. Here the controversy
ended and the general opinion of the learned world gave
the preference to Dr. Lowth’s arguments.
, a learned Italian, was born at Venice of poor parents 1 abont
, a learned Italian, was born at Venice of poor parents 1 abont 1473, and
was a disciple of Politian, and educated along with Leo X.
He then opened a private school, and taught the belles
lettres when he was only eighteen years of age. This excited the jealousy of Sabellico, a public professor of tha
same city; but they became reconciled at last, when Sabclltco, finding himself near his end, sent for Egnazio, besought his forgiveness, and entrusted to his care a work in
manuscript, which Egnazio published, and pronounced
the funeral oration over the ashes of Sabellico. Egnazio
had now conferred upon him the right of citizenship, and
was afterwards presented with ecclesiastical preferment.
In 1515 he was sent with others to Milan, to compliment
king Francis I. to whose honour Egnazio composed a panegyric, for which he was rewarded with a gold medal. In
1520 he was elected public professor of eloquence at Venice, in opposition to many competitors; and so high was
his reputation in this department of literature, that he had
frequently five hundred auditors to hear him daily, and
even when towards the decline of life he was desirous of
resigning his employment, and to be declared Emeritus,
they refused a demand which might be so prejudicial to
his school, and persuaded him to continue. He at length,
however, was permitted to retire, and out of respect to
him, all his emoluments were continued, and his property
declared free of all taxation. He died July 4, 1553, and
bequeathed his property and library to three illustrious
families of Venice. His principal works are a treatise
“De Romania principibus vel Csesaribus,
” containing the
lives of the Roman emperors from Julius Caesar to Palaeologus, and from Charlemagne to Maximilian, Cologn,
1519, and reprinted in various editions of Suetonius, with
notes on that author by Egnazio; some orations and epistles, a panegyric on Francis I. king of France, in heroic
verse, printed at Venice in 1540, and “De exemplis
virorum illustrium,
” a work compiled in the manner of
Valerius Maximus, which he did not quite finish, but which
was published after his death, at Venice in 1554, 4to.
, a learned prelate of the church of England, was born in 1693.
, a learned prelate of the church of
England, was born in 1693. Who his parents were, and
what was the place of his birth, we are not informed, nor
have any reason to suppose him related to the subject of
the following article. After having gone through a proper
course of grammatical education, he was entered of Clarehall, in the university of Cambridge, where he took his
bachelor’s degree in 1712, and that of master of arts in
1716. It is highly probable that he likewise became a
fellow of his college. Some time after, having taken holy
orders, ne was in 1724 promoted to the vicarage of St.
Olave, Jewry, and to the rectory of St. Martin, Iremonger
lane, which is united to the former. In 1725, he was presented, by the lord chancellor Macclesfield, whose
chaplain he is said to have been, to a prebendal stall in the
cathedral church of Gloucester. On the 25th of April,
1728, when king George the Second paid a visit to the
university of Cambridge, Mr. Ellys was created doctor of
divinity, being one of those who were named in the chancellor’s list upon that occasion. In 1736, when the protestant dissenters were engaged in endeavouring to obtain
a repeal of the corporation and test acts, Dr. Ellys appeared in opposition to that measure, and published a
work, entitled “A Plea for the Sacramental Test, as a
just security to the Church established, and very conducive
to the welfare of the State,
” 4to, an elaborate performance,
written with great ability and learning. In 1749, Dr.
Ellys published a sermon, which he preached before the
house of commons on the thirtieth of January. This discourse, the text of which was Mat. xxii. 21, was printed,
as then was customary, at the request of the house. Our
author’s next publication was early in 1752, being “Remarks on an Essay concerning Miracles, published by David Hume, esq, among his Philosophical Essays,
” 4to. In
this small piece, which was written in a sensible and genteel manner, Dr. Ellys considered what Mr. Hume had
advanced, relating to miracles, in a somewhat different
light from what had been done by Dr. Rutherforth and Mr.
Adams; but the tract being anonympus, and coming after
what Mr. Adams had so admirably written on the same
subject, it did not, perhaps, excite that attention which,
it deserved. In October, 1752, Dr. Ellys was promoted
to the see of St. David’s, in the room of the honourable
Dr. Richard Trevor, translated to the bishopric of Durham,
and was consecrated February 28, 1753. It had for many
years been understood, that our author was engaged in
preparing, and had frequently declared his intention of
publishing, a work, the design of which should be to illustrate, confirm, and vindicate, the principles of religious
liberty, and the reformation from popery, founded upon
them. This design recommended him to the notice of the
excellent persons at that time in administration, and particularly to archbishop Herring; and it was the reputation
of being employed in the accomplishment of it, that occasioned Dr. Ellys’s advancement to the high station which
he held in the church. Why our prelate never completed
his design during his life-time, and why he received no
farther marks of favour, from the great personages who first
countenanced him, is not known. Dr. Ellys, after his
promotion to the bishopric of St. )avid’s, continued to
bold his prebend of Gloucester, and his city living in commendam; and besides his other preferments, he was vicar
of Great Marlow, Bucks. In 1754, he published the sermon which he had preached before the house of lords on
the thirteenth of January. The text was 1 Pet. ii. 16.
In 1758, he was called to a similar service, before the
tame house, on the twenty-ninth of May, being the anniversary of king Charles the Second’s restoration. The last
discourse published by him was in 1759, having been delivered, from John xv. 8. before the society for propagating the gospel in foreign parts. On the seventeenth of
January, 1761, our prelate died at Gloucester, and was
buried in the South aile of the cathedral there, where a
neat pyramidal monument is erected to his memory, with
an epitaph on a tablet of white marble, supported by a
cherub.
, a learned commentator of the seventeenth century, was a native
, a learned commentator
of the seventeenth century, was a native of Hamburgh, and
acquired very considerable fame as a critic. He published,
with notes, 1. “Arnobii disputationes adversus Gentes,
”
Hamburgh, Gennadius de dogmatibus
Ecclesise, ibid. 1614, 4to. 3. Sidonii Apollinaris Opera,
”
Hanover, Cebetis tabula cum versione
et uotis Jo. Caselii,
” Leyden, Apuleii
Platonic! Opera omnia,
” Francfort,
, a learned Prussian divine, was born in 1692, at Saalfield, in
, a learned Prussian divine, was born
in 1692, at Saalfield, in Prussia, and was educated at the
university of Konigsberg, where he became private tutor
to some young nobleman, and was afterwards appointed
chaplain of the army. In 1719, he published a work on
the delivery of the law on Mount Sinai, and shortly after
the first volume of his “Sacred Observations on the New
Testament.
” In the following year his Prussian majesty
appointed him professor of theology and the oriental languages at Lingen, to which he repaired, after having first
taken his degree of doctor at Utrecht. He was afterwards
chosen a member of the academy of Berlin; and in 1742,
he was appointed director of the class of the belles lettres
in that academy; and when the society was renewed in
1744, he retained the same office, and contributed several
valuable papers to their memoirs. He died of a fever,
Octobers, 1750. His works are very numerous, and on
various topics, but chiefly in theology. He published also,
“A new description of the state of the Greek Christians in
Turkey,
” in which he received very important assistance
from Athanasius Dorostamos, who came to Berlin to collect money for the Christian slaves in England.
he Greeks, and Romans: all are not in their proper places; for he often makes barbarians to speak in a learned and eloquent manner. To give one remarkable circumstance:
He is said to have been very nice and scrupulous in regard to his works, having always some correction to make;
hence Erasmus imputes the same fault to him that was
objected to the painter Protogenes, who thought he had
never finished his pieces; “That very learned man Paulus
Emilius (says he) gave pretty much into this fault he was
never satisfied with himself but, as often as he revised his
own performances, he made such alterations, that one
would not take them for the same pieces corrected, but for
quite different ones; and this was his usual custom. This
made him so slow, that elephants could bring forth sooner
than he could produce a work; for he took above thirty
years in writing his history.
” Lipsius was much pleased
with this performance: “Paulus Emilius (says that author)
is almost the only modern who has discovered the true and
ancient way of writing history, and followed it very closely.
His manner of writing is learned, nervous, and concise,
inclining to points and conceits, and leaving a strong impression on the mind of a serious reader. He often intermixes maxims and sentiments not inferior to those of the
ancients. A careful examiner, and impartial judge of
facts; nor have J met with an author in our time, who has
less prejudice or partiality. It is a disgrace to our age that
so few are pleased with him; and that there are but few
capable of relishing his beauties. Among so many perfections there are, however, a few blemishes, for his style
is somewhat unconnected, and his periods too short. This
is not suitable to serious subjects, especially annals, the
style of which, according to Tacitus, should be grave and
unaffected. He is also unequal, being sometimes too studied and correct, and thereby obscure; at other times
(this however but seldom) he is loose and negligent. He
affects also too much of the air of antiquity in the names
of men and places, which he changes, and would reduce to
the ancient form, often learnedly, sometimes vainly, and
in my opinion always unbecomingly.
” Emilius’s history is
divided into ten books, and extends from Pharamond to
the fifth year of Charles VIII. in 1438. The tenth book
was found among his papers in a confused condition, so
that the editor, Daniel Xavarisio, a native of Verona, and
relation of Emilius, was obliged to collate a great number
of papers full of rasures, before it could be published. He
has been censured by several of the French writers, particularly by M. Sorel: “It does not avail (says this author)
that his oratorical pieces are imitations of those of the
Greeks, and Romans: all are not in their proper places; for
he often makes barbarians to speak in a learned and eloquent manner. To give one remarkable circumstance:
though our most authentic historians declare, that Hauler,
or Hanier, the counsellor, who spoke an invective, in presence of king Lewis Hautin, against Enguerrand de Mar
rigny, came off poorly, and said many silly things; yet
Paulus Emilius, who changes even his name, calling him
Annalis, makes him speak with an affected eloquence. He
also makes this Enguerrand pronounce a defence, though
it is said he was not allowed to speak; so that what the
historian wrote on this occasion was only to exercise his
pen.
” He has been also animadverted upon for not taking
notice of the holy vial at Ilheims. “I shall not (says Claude de Verdier) pass over Paulus Emilius of Verona’s
malicious silence, who omitted mentioning many things
relating to the glory of the French nation. Nor can it be
said he was ignorant of those things, upon which none
were silent before himself; such as that oil which was sent
from heaven for anointing our monarchs; and also the
lilies. And even though he had not credited them himself, he ought to have declared the opinion of mankind.
”
Vossius, however, commends his silence in regard to these
idle tales. Julius Scaliger mentions a book containing the
history of the family of the Scaligers, as translated into
elegant Latin by Paulus Emilius; and in his letter about
the antiquity and splendour of the family, he has the following passage: “By the injury of time, the malice of
enemies, and the ignorance of writers, a great number of
memoirs relating to our family were lost; so that the name
of Scaliger would have been altogether buried in obscurity,
had it not been for Paulus Emilius of Verona, that most
eloquent writer and preserver of ancient pedigrees; who
having found in Bavaria very ancient annals of our family,
written, as himself tells us, in a coarse style, polished and
translated them into Latin. From this book my father extracted such particulars as seemed to reflect the
” greatest
honour on our family." Scaliger speaks also of it in the
first edition of his Commentary on Catullus, in 1586, and
in the second, in 1600, but in such a manner as differs
somewhat from the passage above cited. Scioppius has
severely attacked Scaliger on account of these variations:
he observes, that no mention being made of the place
where this manuscript was pretended to be found, nor the
person who possessed it, and such authors as had searched
the Bavarian libraries with the utmost care, having met
with no such annals; he therefore asserts, that whatever
the Scaligers advanced concerning this work, was all im
posture. Emilius, as to his private life, was a man of exemplary conduct and untainted reputation. He died in
1529, and was buried in the cathedral at Paris.
, a learned English divine, a great champion of Arianism, and memorable
, a learned English divine, a great
champion of Arianism, and memorable for his sufferings
on that account, was descended of a substantial and reputable family, and born at Stamford, in Lincolnshire, May
27, 1663. His parents were frequenters of the established
church, and particularly acquainted with Cumberland,
then a minister at Stamford, afterwards bishop of Peterborough; but being inclined to the sentiments of the nonconformists, they chose to bring up their son to the ministry among them. For this purpose, after he had been
at a private school four years, he was sent in 1678 to an,
academy in Northamptonshire, where he continued four
years more. He went in 1679 to Cambridge, and was
admitted of Emanuel college; but soon returned to the
academy. In August 1682, he removed to Mr. Doolittle’s
school near London; and in December following made his
first essay as a preacher at Mr. Doolittle’s meeting-house,
near Cripplegate. In 1683, Mr. Emlyn became chaplain
to the countess of Donegal, a lady of great quality and
estate in the north of Ireland, but then living in Lincoln’sinn-fields. In 1684, Mr. Emlyn went over with the countess and the rest of her family to Belfast, in Ireland, where
she was soon after married to sir William Kranklin, and
lived in great state and splendour. Here our chaplain had
a very liberal and handsome allowance, usually wore the
habit of a clergyman, and was treated by sir VV illiam and
the countess with every mark of civility. Sir William, who
had a good estate in the ivest of England, offered him a
considerable living there; but this offer he declined, not
being satisfied with the terms of ministerial conformity,
though at that time he had no scruples on the subject of
the trinity constantly attended the service of the church
both parts of the day and when in the evening he preached
in the countess’s hall, he had the minister of the parish, Mr.
Claude Gilbert, for a hearer, with whom he lived in great intimacy, and for whom he often officiated in the parish church.
Indeed, without any subscription, he had from the bishop of
the diocese a licence to preach facultatis exercende gratiá;
insomuch that it was reported that he had entirely left the
dissenters, and was gone over to the establishment. While
Mr. Emlyn was in this station, he made a journey fo
Dublin, where he preached once to the congregation of
which Mr. Daniel Williams and Mr. Joseph Boyse were
then pastors; and so acceptable were his services to the
audience, that the people were afterwards induced to invite him thither. Towards the latter end of king James’s
reign, the north of Ireland was thrown into such confusion
and disorder, that the family of sir William Franklin and
the countess of Donegal broke up; an event which was
accelerated by some domestic differences. Mr. Emlyn,
therefore, returned to London, where he arrived in December 1688. Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Daniel Williams had
some time before retreated to the same place, having
quitted the pastoral care of the congregation at Dublin,
which he could never be persuaded to resume. When this
determination was known, and Mr. Emlyn had not yet
left Ireland, Mr. Boyse sounded him by letter, to know
whether he was disposed to become Mr. Williams’s successor, and wished him to take Dublin in his way to England, but this he declined. In Mr. Emlyn’s journeyings
between Ireland and London, he several times accepted of
invitations to preach in the parish-churches of some towns
through which he passed. At Liverpbol in particular, as
he was standing at the door of his inn one Saturday evening, the minister of the place, concluding by his garb that
he was a clergyman, requested him to give his parishioners
a sermon the next day, which he accordingly did. What
was very remarkable, when he passed that way again some
time afterwards, the minister being dead, several of the
people, who had heard him before, desired him to preach
for them the next Sunday, which service he performed so
much to their satisfaction, that they offered to use their interest with their patron to procure him the living; an offer
with which his views of things did not permit him to comply.
After Mr. Emlyn had returned to London, being out of
employment, he was invited by sir Robert Rich, one of
the lords of the admiralty, in May 1689, to his house near
Beccles, in Suffolk, and was by him prevailed upon to
officiate as minister to a dissenting congregation at Lowestoff in that county. This place he supplied for about a
year and a half, but refused the invitation of becoming their
pastor, having determined not to accept the pastoral care,
where he was not likely to settle for life, or at least for a
long continuance. Here also Vie cultivated a friendly correspondence with the parish-minister, frequently taking
several of his people along with him to church, and accompanying the minister in collecting public charities; by
which means a perfect harmony subsisted between the
members of the establishment and the dissenters. During
Mr. Emlyn’s residence at LowestofT, ho contractcJ a closu
and intimate acquaintance with Mr. William Manning, a
nonconformist minister at Peasenhall in that neighbourhood. Being both of them of an inquisitive temper, they
frequently conferred together, and jointly examined into
the principal points of religion, mutually communicating
to each other their respective sentiments. This correspondence, notwithstanding the great distance to which
they were afterwards separated, was carried on by letters as
long as Mr. Manning lived. Dr. Sherlock’s “Vindication
of the Trinity
” having been published about this time,
their thoughts were much turned to the consideration of
that subject, the result of which was, that they began to
differ from the received doctrine in that article. Mr. Manning embraced the Socinian opinion, and strove hard to
bring Mr. Emlyn into the same way of thinking; but he
could not be brought to doubt either of the pre-existence
of Jesus as the Logos, or that by him God had created the
material world. The interpretations which the Socinians
gave of the scriptures appeared to our divine so forced and
unnatural, that he could by no means accede to them; nor
did he ever, in the succeeding part of his life, change his
sentiments upon the subject. Nevertheless, upon occasion of his carrying a letter from Mr. Whiston to the prolocutor of the lower house of convocation, in 1711, he was
reflected on as a Socinian preacher.
, a learned professor of Groningen, was born at Gretha, a village
, a learned professor of Groningen, was born at Gretha, a village in East Friesland, Dec. 5, 1547. He was the son of Emmo Diken, a minister of that village, who had been Luther’s and Melancthon’s disciple; and at nine years of age was sent to study at Embden. He continued there till he was eighteen, and was then sent to Bremen, to improve under the famous John Molanus. Returning to his father, he did not go immediately to the university, but passed some time at Norden. Being turned of twenty-three, he was sent to Rostock, a flourishing university, where he heard the lectures of David Chytraeus, a celebrated divine and historian; and of Henry Bruce, an able mathematician and physician. The death of his father obliged him to return to East Friesland, after he had continued above two years at Rostock.; and his mother’s excessive grief upon this occasion hindered his taking a journey into France, as he had wished, and induced him to continue with her three years, after which he went to Geneva, where he staid two years. Being returned into his own country, he had the choice of two preferments, either to be a minister or the rector of a college: but, from a great degree of natural timidity, he could not venture to engage in the ministry, thoagh it was very much his inclination. He chose therefore to be rector of a college, which was that of Norden and was admitted into that post in 1579. He made his college flourish exceedingly but was turned out of his employment in 1587, through the zeal of some Lutherans, because he would not subscribe the confession of Augsburg. He was chosen the year after to be rector of the college of Leer, whose reputation he raised so high, that it surpassed that of Norden; which the Lutherans could never retrieve from the declining state into which it fell after Emmius was deposed. They had banished from Groningen several persons who followed Calvin’s reformation; and those of the exiles who retired to Leer, meeting with the same fate as Emmius, engaged in a particular friendship with him: so that, when the city of Groningen confederated with the United Provinces, and the magistrates resolved to restore their college, Emmius being recommended by several persons, they chose him to be the rector of that college, and gave him a full power to make or abrogate there such statutes as he should think proper.
t collected by the two Stephenses; and afterwards published by Jerom Columna, a Roman nobleman, with a learned commentary, and the life of Ennius, at Naples, 1590,
Ennius is said to have been perfectly well skilled in the
Greek language, and to have endeavoured to introduce the
treasures of it among the Latins. Suetonius tells us, that
“he and Livius Andronicus were half Greeks, and taught
both the Greek and Latin languages at home and abroad.
”
He was the first among the Romans who wrote heroic
verses, and greatly polished the Latin poetry. He wrote the
Annals of Rome, which were so highly esteemed, that
they were publicly recited with unusual applause by Q,uintus Vargonteius, who digested them into books; and they
were read at Puteoli in the theatre by a man of learning,
who assumed the name of the Ennianist. He translated
several tragedies from the Greek, and wrote others. He
published likewise several comedies; but, whether of his
own invention, or translated by him, is uncertain. He
gave a Latin version of Evemerus’s sacred history, and
Epicharmus’s philosophy and wrote Phagetica, epigrams;
Scipio, a poem Asotus or Sotadicus, satires Protreptica & Praecepta, and very probably several other works.
It appears from his writings, that he had very strong sentiments of religion. The fragments of Ennius, for there
are nothing but fragments left, were first collected by the
two Stephenses; and afterwards published by Jerom Columna, a Roman nobleman, with a learned commentary,
and the life of Ennius, at Naples, 1590, 4to. Columna’s
edition was reprinted at Amsterdam, 1707, 4to, with several additions by Hesselius, professor of history and
eloquence in the school at Rotterdam, and this is by far the
best edition of Ennius.
, a learned French divine, was born at Chalons-sur-Marne in 1511,
, a learned French divine, was
born at Chalons-sur-Marne in 1511, of noble parents,
became a doctor of the Sorbonne, and was rector of the university of Paris. He preached with considerable applause;
but having in one of his sermons called the “Légende
Doreée
” the “Légende Ferrée,
” it was concluded that he
did not believe in the worship of the saints; especially
from his doubting of certain facts related by the legendary
writers in the “Golden Legend,
” of which he ventured to
speak thus disrespectfully. The faculty of Paris was about
to pass a censure on him; but he explained himself in
another discourse, and the transient storm was succeeded
by a calm. The cardinal de Lorraine, who was well aware
of his merit, employed him in several affairs of importance.
D‘Espence attended him to Flanders in 1544, for the purpose of ratifying the peace between Charles V. and
Francis I. His eminence took him afterwards to Rome in
1555, where he made so conspicuous a figure, that Paul
IV. would have honoured him with the purple, in order
to retain him. But his intention was set aside (says fatrjer, Berthier) as being apparently contrary to the interests of
France. The imperialists requested the hat for three
monks; and therefore the cardinal de Lorraine, who IV
voured the design of getting D’Espence into the sacred
college, relinquished the idea. “I rather chose,
” says he
in a letter to the king, “that he should not be there, than
that three monks should get in; accordingly I entreated
his holiness to think no more of it, and, by that means, I
kept out the whole crew.
” D'Espence, liking far less to
live at Rome than at Paris, returned to France, and appeared with consequence at the assembly of the states of
Orleans in 1560, and at the conference of Poissy in 1561,
where he attached himself to the Calvinists, which gave
much offence to his popish brethren. He died of the
stone at Paris, Oct. 5, 1571, in the sixtieth year of his age.
He was one of the most moderate and judicious doctors of
the age in which he lived, and with all his attachment to
popery, was the declared enemy of all violent measures,
and disapproved of persecutions. He was well versed in
the sciences, both ecclesiastical and profane. His works
are almost all written in Latin, with an elegance scarcely
known to the theologians of that period. The principal
of them are, 1. “A treatise on Clandestine Marriages;
” in
which he proves that the sons of distinguished families cannot validiy contract marriage, without the consent of their
relations. 2. “Commentaries on the Epistles of St. Paul
to Timothy and Titus,
” full of long digressions on the hierarchy and the ecclesiastical discipline. 3. Several
controversial tracts, some in Latin and others in French. Ah
his Latin works were collected at Paris in 1619, folio.
, a learned and orthodox Dutch divine, was born at Bommel, in the
, a learned and orthodox Dutch
divine, was born at Bommel, in the duchy of Guelderland,
in February 1618, and after having been instructed in
classical learning at home, was sent to Utrecht, where he
studied under Antonius Emilius, who was at that time moderator of the university. He then went through a course
of philosophy, mathematics, and theology, under the ablest
professors, and in 1639 his name was put into the list of
students who were candidates for the ministry. The following year he was admitted to his degree of M. A. In
1641 he was appointed pastor of the church of Nederlangbroeck. In 1645 he took his doctor’s degree in theology;
and in 1651 was chosen minister of the church of Utrecht:
two years after, he was appointed joint professor of divinity with Walter de Bruyn, and began his course of lectures, according to the usual mode, by a discourse “De
tractatione verbi divini.
” He died May 18, 1672, and an
eulogium was pronounced on him by his quondam fellowstudent, John Voetius, as appears by one of Graevius’s
letters in Burman’s “Sylloge,
” vol. IV. p. 419. His
works were, 1. “Triumphus Crucis, sive fides catholica
de satisfactione Jesu Christi,
” Amst. De
morah'tate Sabbathi,
” Disquisitio de moralitate
Sabbathi hebdomadalis,
” Dissertationes de
Decalogo et die Sabbathi adversus Abrahamum Heidanum,
” Utrecht, Vindiciae quarti praecepti in Decalogo,
” ibid. Defensio concilii Theologici Ultrajectini de Canonicatibus, Vicariatibns, &c.
” Vindicirc de Canonicis,
” printed at
Groningen, Systema Theologicum,
”
Utrecht, Synopsis
controversiarum Theologicarum, et index locorum totius
sacrae Scripturoc,
” Arnst. Compendium Theologiae dogmaticum,
”
Utrecht, Apologia pro ministris in Anglia non conformistis.
” The date of this is
not in our authority, but the work must not be mistaken
for one with a similar title, supposed by Hickman, mentioned in our account of Durell; (see Durell). 11. “Dissertatio de subjectione Christi ad legem divinam.
” 12.
“Doctrina de nostra redemptione per meritum Jesu
Christi.
” 13. “Instructio salutaris de Judaeis.
” 14. “Refutatio vere catholica contra pontificios.
” 15. “Oratio
de celsitudine perseverantiie.
” 16. “Oratio funebris in
obitum Gualteri de Bruyn,
” Utrecht, Oratio funebris in obitum Gisberti Voetii,
” ibid.
, a learned Jesuit, was a native of Crete, and supposed to be descended
, a learned Jesuit, was a
native of Crete, and supposed to be descended from the
imperial family of the Palseologi. He went to Rome in
pursuit of knowledge, and entered himself a member of the
society of Jesus. He was afterwards professor of philosophy, and then of theology in the university of Padua, rector of the Greek college in Rome, and censor of the inquisition. He was honoured with the esteem and friendship
of pope Urban VIII. who appointed him chaplain to his
nephew cardinal Francis Barberini, when he was sent papal
legate into France. He died at Rome Dec. 24, 1625. He
was suspected to be the author of a work entitled “Admonitio ad Regem Ludovicum XIII.
” which attacked the
authority of the kings of France, in matters of an ecclesiastical nature. This treatise brought the Jesuits into general disrepute; it was likewise censured by the faculty of
the Sorbonne, and the assembly of the clergy at Paris in
1626, and condemned by the parliament. He merits notice here, however, chiefly for having frequently entered
the lists of controversy with many eminent English divines,
who wrote against popery about the beginning of the
seventeenth century, particularly Burhill, Prideaux, Abbot, and Collins, but the titles of his works may now be
spared.
, a learned critic of the twelfth century, was born at Constantinople.
, a learned critic of the twelfth century, was born at Constantinople. He was at first master of the rhetoricians (rhetorum magister), and afterwards deacon of the great church, under the patriarchate of Lucas Chrysobergus, who arrived at that dignity in 1155, and appears to have conferred many favours on Eustatius. Having been, elected bishop of Myra in Lycia, he had accepted the office, and was about to be consecrated, when the emperor Emanuel Comnenus sent a cong6 d'eLre to the synod, enjoining them to choose him archbishop of Thessalonica. In this he displayed great prudence, knowledge of business, and extensive learning, as appears by his works. In 1180 he was one of the prelates who remonstrated against the order of Emanuel Comnenus to erase from the Greek catechism, a censure of what is said of God by Mahomet in the Alcoran. Five years after, we find Eusebius displaying his spirit and regard for his flock in a remarkable manner. Andronicus Comnenus, cousin-german of the emperor Emanuel, had usurped the throne, fey causing Alexis, the son and successor of Emanuel, to be strangled in 1183. This act of barbarity procured Andronicus many enemies, and among the rest Alexis Comnenus, the nephew of Emanuel, to whom he had been cup-bearer, and who was afterwards banished to Scythia by him. Alexis went then to Sicily, to the court of William II. surnamed the Good, and excited him to declare war against the empire of Constantinople. The king of Sicily, who appears to have wanted little persuasion on this occasion, raised an army, passed the straights, and took the city of Duras. He then went by sea to Thessalonica, which he besieged both by sea and land. Eustatkius would not for a moment quit his flock amidst so many dangers, but shut himself up in the city, endured the hardships ofthe siege, with the greatest fortitude, and exhorted his people to bear with Christian patience the chastisements of the Almighty. The city was at last taken by the cowardice of the governor, and was pillaged, the churches themselves not being spared, and the inhabitants were treated with the utmost cruelty by the conquerors. Eustathius, not fearing their power, addressed himself with so much spirit and eloquence to the Sicilian commanders, as to obtain a considerable alleviation of the sufferings of the inhabitants, from which they were entirely delivered the following year. Nicetas attributes this in a great measure to the prayers of their archbishop. The time of his death is unknown, but he appears to have been alive in 1194.
, a learned popish divine in the sixteenth century, was born at
, a learned popish divine in the
sixteenth century, was born at a village in the country of
Liege, and studied philosophy and divinity under his brother Geoffry; such was his progress that he was soon preferred to teach those sciences at Louvain. While here
Otho, cardinal of Augsburgh, engaged him in his service,
and sent him to Rome where he. remained his agent for
about six years under the pontificate of Pius V. On his return he was promoted to be counsellor to the dukes of Bavaria, and by their interest was farther advanced to the
provostship of Ottingen, where probably he died, in 1581.
His principal work was “Harmonia confessionis Augustinianae,
” Cologn, Catechism,
” with notes and illustrations, Antwerp, Latin tragedies,
” which are said to be
written in elegant language: 1. “Jeroboam rebellens,
”
Tngoldstadt, Religio patiens,
” Cologn, Samson,
” ibid.
, a learned German, and celebrated for a talent at Latin poetry,
, a learned German, and celebrated for a talent at Latin poetry, was born at Chemnitz
in Misnia, a province of Upper Saxony, 1516. After a
liberal education, he went to Italy and Rome, in quality
of tutor to a nobleman; where he spent his time in a manner suitable to his parts and learning. He did not content
himself with barely looking on, and blindly admiring; but
he examined with great accuracy and minuteness, all the
remains of antiquity, and compared them with the descriptions which the Latin writers have given of them. The
result of these observations was his work entitled “Roma,
”
published in
s honoured, was born at Hamburgh in 1613. He was a good poet, an able physician, a great orator, and a learned civilian. He gained the esteem of all the learned in
, a man eminent for wit and
learning, and for the civil employments with which he was
honoured, was born at Hamburgh in 1613. He was a
good poet, an able physician, a great orator, and a learned
civilian. He gained the esteem of all the learned in Holland while he studied at Leyden; and they liked his Latin
poems so well, that they advised him to print them. He
was for some time counsellor to the bishop of Lubec, and
afterwards syndic of the city of Dantzic. This city also
honoured him with the dignity of burgomaster^ and sent
him thirteen times deputy in Poland. He died at Warsaw,
during the diet of the kingdom, in 1667. The first edition
of his poems, in 1632, was printed upon the encouragement of Daniel Heinsius, at whose house he lodged. He
published a second in 1638, with corrections and additions:
to which he added a satire in prose, entitled “Pransus
Paratus,
” which he dedicated to Salmasius; and in which
he keenly ridiculed the poets who spend their time in
making anagrams, or licentious verses, as also those who
affect to despise poets. The most complete edition of his
poems is that of Leipsic, 1685, published under the direction of his son. It contains also Orations of our author,
made to the kings of Poland; an Oration spoken at Leyden in 1632, concerning the siege and deliverance of that
city and the Medical Theses, which were the subject of
his public disputations at Leyden in 1634, &c.
, a learned Italian orator and grammarian, was born Jan. 4, 1682,
, a learned Italian orator and
grammarian, was born Jan. 4, 1682, at Toreglia, and studied principally at Padua, where he took his degree of
doctor in divinity in 1704, and taught for some time, and
afterwards was professor of philosophy for three years. He
was then appointed regent of the schools. As the Greek
and Latin languages were now his particular department,
he bestowed much pains in providing his scholars with
suitable assistance, and with that view, reviewed and published new and improved editions of the Lexicons of Calepinus, Nizolius, and Schrevelius. Some years after he
was promoted to be logic professor, and in that as well as
the former situation, endeavoured to introduce a more correct and useful mode of teaching, and published a work on
the subject for the use of his students. In 1739, when the
business of teaching metaphysics was united to that of
logic, Facciolati was desirous of resigning, that he might
return to his original employment; but the magistrates of
Padua would by no means allow that their university should
be deprived of his name, and therefore, allowing him to
retain his title and salary, only wished him to take in hand
the history of the university of Padua, which Papadopoli
had written, and continue it down to the present time.
This appears, from a deficiency of proper records, a very
arduous task, yet by dint of perseverance he accomplished
it in a manner, which although not perfectly satisfactory,
as far as regards the “Fasti Gymnastici,
” yet was entirely
so in the “Syntagmata.
” He wrote also some works in
theology and morals, and had the ambition to be thought a
poet, but his biographer Fabroni thinks that in this he was
not successful. His principal excellence was as a classical
scholar and critic, especially in the Latin, and his high
fame procured him an invitation from the king of Portugal
to superintend a college for the young nobility at Lisbon,
but he excused himself on account of his advanced age.
Fabroni mentions a set of china sent to him by this sovereign, which he says was a very acceptable present, and
corresponded to the elegant furniture of Facciolati’s house.
He had a garden in which he admitted no plants or fruittrees but what were of the most choice and rare kind, and
four or five apples from Facciolati’s garden was thought no
mean present. In every thing he was liberal to his friends,
and most benevolent to the poor. He died in advanced
age of the iliac passion, Aug. 27, 1769.
, a learned man, was born in the isle of Jersey in 1655, and in
, a learned man, was born in the isle of
Jersey in 1655, and in 1669 became a commoner of Exeter
college in Oxford; from whence he removed to St. Alban’s
hall, and took both his degrees in arts, that of master in
July 1676. Afterwards he went into orders, retired to his
native country, where he was made rector of St. Saviour’s,
and was afterwards chosen deputy from the states of that
island to king William and queen Mary. He was also rector of Shenley, in Hertfordshire, where he built an elegant house at the expense of 1000l. King William recommended him to a prebend in Durham. The golden
prebend was then vacant, but the bishop removed Dr.
Pickering to it, and gave Dr. Falle the fourth stall, of
which he afterwards complained. The repairing of the
prebendal house cost him 200l. He died at Shenley, in
1742, and left his excellent library (excepting a collection of sacred music, which he gave to the library at Durham),
to the island of Jersey. He published three sermons; one
preached at St. Hilary’s in Jersey, in 1692; another at
Whitehall in 1694; and another before the mayor of London in 1695. He was the author also of “An account of
the isle of Jersey, the greatest of those islands that are
now the only remainder of the English dominions in
France: with a new and accurate map of that island,
”
, a learned minister of the church, and most intrepid reformer,
, a learned minister of the church,
and most intrepid reformer, was the son of a gentleman of
Dauphine in France, and born at Gap in 1489. He studied philosophy, and Greek and Hebrew, at Paris with great
success, and was for some time a teacher in the college of
cardinal le Moine. Briyonnet, bishop of Meaux, hem.; inclined to the reformed religion, invited him to preach in
his diocese in 1521; but the persecution raised there
against the early protestants who were styled heretics, in
1523, obliged him to provide for his security out of France.
He then retired to Strasburgh, where Bucer and Capito
admitted him as a. brother; and he was afterwards received
as such by Zwinglius at Zurich, by Haller at Berne, and
by Oecolampadius at Basil. As he was thought well qualified by zeal and knowledge for such a task, he was advised to undertake the reformation of religion at Montbeliard, in which design he was supported by the duke of
Wittenberg, who was lord of that place; and he succeeded
in it most happily. He was a man on some occasions of
too much warmth and enthusiasm against popery, which,
however, he tempered a little, by the advice of Oecolampadius. Once on a procession-day, he pulled out of the
priest’s hand the image of St. Antony, and threw it from a
bridge into the river, a boldness and imprudence which
was unnecessary, and might have cost him his life. Erasmus by no means liked Farel’s temper, as appears from
what he wrote of him to the official of Besancon. “You,
have,
” says he, “in your neighbourhood the new evangelist, Farel; than whom I never saw a man more false,
more virulent, more seditious.
” Erasmus has also given a
very unfavourable character of him elsewhere: but he
thought Farel had censured him in some of his writings,
and therefore is not to be altogether believed in every
thing he says of him; nor indeed was a man of decision
and intrepidity likely to be a favourite with the timid and
time-serving Erasmus.
, a learned divine among the-protestant dissenters, was born in
, a learned divine among the-protestant dissenters, was born in 17 14, at a village near Shrewsbury, where his parents resided, and being early designed for the dissenting ministry, received the first part of his grammatical learning in a school in Llanegrin, nearTowyn, Merionethshire, which had been founded by two of his progenitors. From tiiis place he was sent to perfect his classical education under the tuition of Dr. Owen of Warrington and in 1730, began his academical studies at Northampton, under the care of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Doddridge, being one of the doctor’s earliest pupils. After Mr. Farmer had finished his academical course, he became chaplain to William Coward, esq. of Waltham-Stowe, Essex, and preacher in a meeting-house which had been lately erected by that gentleman, whose name is of great note^ among the dissenters, on account of the large bequests which he made for the education of young men for the ministry, and for other beneficent purposes. Mr. Coward was remarkable for the peculiarities and oddities of his temper; and in this respect many pleasant stories are related concerning him. Amongst his other whimsies, his house was shut up at an uncommon early hour, we believe at six in the winter, and seven in the summer; and whoever, whether a visitant or a stated resident, trespassed upon the time, was denied admission. Mr. Farmer having one evening been somewhat too late, was of course excluded. In this exigence he had recourse to a neighbouring family, that of William Snell, esq. a solicitor, in which he continued more than thirty years, during the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Snell, by whom he was treated more like an equal than an inferior. Here he enjoyed a long series of peaceful leisure, which he employed in collecting a large fund of sacred and profane literature, and in his duties as a pastor. His congregation, which, when he accepted the charge of it, was very small, gradually became one or the most wealthy dissenting societies in or near the city of" London.
rom those of the Christian world to give much satisfaction. It was ably attacked by Dr. Worthington, a learned clergyman, who had already favoured the public with
In 1775, Mr. Farmer gave to the world “Essay on the
Demoniacs of the New Testament,
” in which his opinions were too far remote from those of the Christian world
to give much satisfaction. It was ably attacked by Dr.
Worthington, a learned clergyman, who had already favoured the public with some pious and valuable writings,
in “An impartial Inquiry into the case of the Gospel Demoniacs, with an Appendix, consisting of an essay on
Scripture Demonology,
” Letters to the
rev. Dr. Worthington, in answer to his late publication,
entitled An impartial Inquiry into the case of the Gospel
Demoniacs.
” Another of Mr. Fanner’s antagonists was
the late rev. Mr. Fell, a dissenting minister, at that time of
Thaxted in Essex, and afterwards one of the tutors of the
dissenting academy at Homerton. This gentleman pubJished in 177l>, a treatise, entitled “Demoniacs an inquiry into the lieathen and the Scripture doctrine of Daemons; in which the hypotheses of the rev. Mr. Farmer, and
others, on this subject, are particularly considered,
” In
this Mr. Fell deduces the injurious consequences to natural and revealed religion which he apprehends to result
from the doctrines advanced in the “Dissertation on Miracles,
” and the “Essay on the Demoniacs,
” but acquits
Mr. Farmer of any evil design, and allows “that he really
meant to serve the cause of virtue, which he thought could
not be more effectually done than by removing every thing
which appeared to him in the light of superstition.
”
, D. D. a learned critic and distinguished scholar, was the descendant
, D. D. a learned critic and distinguished scholar, was the descendant of a family long
seated at Ratcliffe Culey. a hamlet within the parish of
Shepey, in the county of Leicester. His grandfather
(who died in 1727, aged sixty-three) is described on his
tomb in St. Mary’s church at. Leicester as “John Farmer
of Nuneaton, gent.
” His father, who was largely engaged in Leicester in the business of a maltster, married in
1732-3, Hannah Knibb, by whom he had five sons and
four daughters. He died in 1778, at the age of eighty,
and his widow in 1808, at the advanced age of ninetyseven. The subject of this article was their second son,
and was born in Leicester, Aug. 23, 1735. He received
the early part of his education under the rev. Gerrard
Andrewes (father of the present dean of Canterbury) in the
free grammar-school of Leicester, a seminary in which
many eminent persons were his contemporaries. About
1753 he left the school with an excellent character for
temper and talents, and was entered a pensioner at Emamiei college, Cambridge, when Dr. Richardson, the biographer or the English prelates, was master, and Mr,
Bickham and Mr. Hubbard were tutors. Here Mr. Farmer
applied himself chiefly to classical learning and the belles
lettres, with a predilection for the latter, in which, in truth,
he was best qualified to shine. He took his degree of
B. A. in 1757, ranked as a senior optime, and gained the
silver cup given by Ernanuel college to the best graduate
of that year, which honorary reward is still preserved with
great care in his family. His only Cambridge' verses were
a poem on laying the foundation-stone of the public library
in 1755, and a sonnet on the late king’s death in 1760.
, a learned grammarian, was born in London about 1575. His father
, a learned grammarian, was born in London about 1575. His father was a carpenter in that city his grandfather had been mayor of Truro in Cornwall and his great-grandfather was an Italian musician, who had settled in England. After having received a proper grammatical education, he was admitted of Merton-college, Oxford, in the beginning of 1590, where he became servitor to Mr. Thomas French, fellow of that college, and soon distinguished himself as a youth of lively parts and great hopes. Being, however, of an unsettled disposition, he abruptly quitted the university, and, abandoning both his religion and his country, passed over to Spain, and was for some time educated there in a college belonging to the Jesuits. At length, growing weary of the severe discipline of the institution, he found a way to leave it, and went with sir Francis Drake and sir John Hawkins in their last voyage, in 15^5. By the former of these great naval commanders he is said to have been held in some esteem. Mr. Farnabie is afterwards reported to have served as a soldier in the Low Countries. No advantage was gained by him in these expeditions; for, having been reduced to much distress, he landed in Cornwall, and from the urgency of his necessities was obliged to descend to the humble employment of teaching children their horn-book. Whilst he was in this low situation he did not cbuse to go by his own name, but changed it to Thomas Baimafe, the anagram of Farnabie. By degrees he rose to those higher occupations of a school-master for which he was so well qualified, and after some lime, he fixed at Martock in Somersetshire, where he taught a grammarschool with great success. In 1646, when Mr. Charles Darby was called to teach the same school, he found in that town, and the neighbourhood, many persons who had been Mr. Farnahie’s scholars, and who, in their grey hairs, were ingenious men and good grammarians. From Martock Mr. Farnabie removed to London, and opened a school in Goldsmiths’-rents, behind Red-Cross-street, near Cripplegate, where were large gardens and handsome houses, together with all the accommodations proper for the young noblemen and gentlemen committed to his care. So established was his reputation, that at one time the number of his scholars amounted to more than three hundred. Whilst he was at the head of this school, he was created master of arts in the university of Cambridge, and on the 24th of April, 1616, was incorporated to the same degree at Oxford.
, a learned controversial divine of the church of England, was born
, a learned controversial divine of the church of England, was born at Charlton upon Otmore, near Oxford, March 15, 1582. Fairclough was the name of his ancestors, so spelt by his grandfather, father, and eldest brother, and it appears that he was ordained by the same. Why he afterwards preferred Featley, which is a corruption of Fairclough (or, Faircliff, a place in Lancashire, where the family were originally seated), we know not, nor is it perhaps of much consequence. That the family were reduced, appears from the occupation of his father, who was cook to Dr. Laurence Humphrey, president of Magdalen, and served Corpus Christi college, Oxford, in the same capacity. He had interest enough, however, with his employers, to obtain a good education for the subject of this memoir, who was his second son, and whom we find mentioned first as a chorister of Magdalen college. After having made considerable progress in the school belonging to that college, where, even at twelve years old, his Latin and Greek exercises were noted for their excellence, he was admitted scholar of Corpus Christi college, Dec. 13, 1594, and Sept. 20, 1602, when B. A. was chosen probationer fellow. He commenced M. A. at the usual time, and was always eminent for his academical exercises, nor was he less noted as a disputant and preacher. In 1607 he delivered an oration at the death of Dr. Reinold, president of Corpus, who had been one of his earliest patrons.
a prisoner to the time of his death, which happened in 1585. As to his character, Camden calls him “ a learned and good man, that lived long, did a great-deal of good
Upon the death of Mary, in 1558, her successor
Elizabeth, not unmindful of her obligations to Feckenham, sent
for him before her coronation, to consult and reward him;
and, as it is said, offered him the archbishopric of Canterbury, provided he would conform to the laws; but this he
refused. He appeared, however, in her first parliament,
taking the lowest place on the bishop’s form; and was the
last mitred abbot that sat in the house of peers. During
his attendance there he spoke and protested against every
thing tending towards the reformation; and the strong
opposition which he could not be restrained from making,
occasioned his commitment to the tower in 1560. After
nearly three years confinement there, he was committed
to the custody of Home bishop of Winchester: but having
been old antagonists on the subject of the oath of supremacy, their present connection was mutually irksome, and
Feckenham was remanded to the Tower in 1564. Afterwards he was removed to the Marshalsea, and then to
a private house in Holborn. In 1571, he attended Dr.
John Storie before his execution. In 1578 we find him in
free custody with Cox bishop of Ely, whom the queen had
requested to use his endeavours to induce Feckenham to
acknowledge her supremacy, and come over to the church:
and he was at length prevailed on to allow her supremacy,
but could never be brought to a thorough conformity.
Soon after, the restless spirit of some Roman catholics,
and their frequent attempts upon the queen’s life, obliged
her to imprison the most considerable among them: upon
which Feckenham was sent to Wisbich-castle in the Isle of
Ely, where he continued a prisoner to the time of his
death, which happened in 1585. As to his character,
Camden calls him “a learned and good man, that lived
long, did a great-deal of good to the poor, and always
solicited the minds of his adversaries to benevolence.
”
Fuller styles him, “a man cruel to none; courteous and
charitable to all who needed his help or liberality.
” Burnet says, “he was a charitable and generous man, who
lived in great esteem in England.
” And Dart concludes
his account of him in these words: “though I cannot go
so far as Reyner, to call him a martyr; yet I cannot gather
but that he was a good, mild, modest, charitable man, and
a devout Christian.
”
, a learned German, was born at Elburg in Guelderland, in the sixteenth
, a learned German, was born
at Elburg in Guelderland, in the sixteenth century. He
studied philosophy for some time, and afterwards applied
himself entirely to polite literature, in which he made a
considerable progress. He was a master of the Greek
tongue, and even of the Hebrew; of which the professors
of the protestant university of Bern gave him an ample
testimonial. Being returned to his own country, from
which he had been long absent, he was under great consternation, on account of the expedition of the Spaniards
commanded by Spinola. This determined him to leave his
native country; and he went to settle in France, where he
taught the Greek language, and was honoured with the
friendship of Casaubon, of M. Du Puy, and of the president Thuanus. When he was walking one day at Rochelle,
attended by a servant, he was desired to enter into the
house of a citizen: and after that day it could never be
discovered what became of him, notwithstanding all thf
strictest inquiries of the magistrates. He was but young
at the time of this most mysterious disappearing, “which,
”
says Bayle, “is to be lamented; for if he had lived to
grow old, he would have wonderfully explained most of the
subjects relating to polite letters.
” This judgement is
grounded upon his manuscript works, one of which was
published at Leyden in 1677, by Henry Brunaan, principal of the college at Swol, and the author’s grand nephew,
entitled “Antiqnitatum Homericarum libri quatuor,
” 12mo.
It is very learned, and abounds with curious and instructive observations. An edition of it was published in 1743,
with notes, by Elias Stoeber, 8vo, at Strasburgh. There
are other works of his in being, as, “De Atheniensium
republica, De antiquitatibus Atticis,
” &c. which the editor
promised to collect and publish; but we do not know that
it was done.
a learned divine, was born in the parish of St. Clement Danes,
a learned divine, was born in
the parish of St. Clement Danes, London, 1594; elected
student of Christ Church from Westminster school in
1601; took a master of arts degree in 1608, served the
office of proctor in 1614, and the year following was admitted bachelor of divinity; and about that time became
minister of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight. In May 1619,
he was installed canon of Christ Church, and the same
year proceeded doctor in divinity, being about that time
domestic chaplain to James I. In 1626, he was made
Margaret professor of divinity, and consequently had a
prebend of Worcester, which was about that time annexed
to the professorship. He was then a Calvinist, but at
length, renouncing the opinions so called, he was, through
Laud’s interest, made dean of Lichfield in 1637; and the
year following, dean of Christ Church. In 1645, he was
appointed vice-chancellor, which office he served also in
1647, in contempt of the parliamentary visitors, who at
length ejected him from that and his deanery, and their
minions were so exasperated at him for his loyalty to the
king, and zeal for the church, that they actually sought
his life: and being threatened to be murdered, he was
forced to abscond. He died broken-hearted, Feb. 1, 1648-9;
that being the very day he was made acquainted with the
murder of his royal master king Charles. He was buried
in the chancel of Sunning-well church, near Abingdon, in
Berkshire (where he had been rector, and built the front of the parsonage-house) with only this short memorial, on a
small lozenge of marble laid over his grave, “Depositum
S. F. February 1648.
” He was a public-spirited man, and
had the character of a scholar. Wood, though he supposes
there were more, only mentions these two Small productions of his; viz. “Primitiae; sive Oratio habita Oxoniae in
Schola TheologiiE, 9 Nov. 1626,
” and, “Concio Latina
ad Baccalaureos die cinerum in Coloss. ii. 8.
” They were
both printed at Oxford in
all public works belonging thereunto of great resolution and exemplary charity; of strict integrity; a learned divine; and excellently skilled in the Latin and Greek
In 1666, 1667, 1668, and part of 1669, Dr. Fell was
vice-chancellor of the university: during which time he
used all possible means to restore the discipline and credit
of the place; and such was his indefatigable spirit, that he
succeeded beyond all expectation. Among his other injunctions was, that persons of all degrees should appear in
their proper habits; he likewise looked narrowly to the
due performance of the public exercises in the schools,
and reformed several abuses that had crept in during a long
period of relaxation. He frequently attended in person
the disputations in the schools, the examinations for degrees, and the public lectures, and gave additional weight
and stimulus to the due performance of these duties. In
his own college he kept up the exercises with great strictness, and, aware of the importance of the best education to
those who were destined for public life, it was his practice,
several mornings in the week, to visit the chambers of the
noblemen and gentlemen commoners, and examine their
progress in study. No one in his time was more zealous
in promoting learning in the university, or in raising its
reputation by the noblest foundations. The Sheldonian
theatre was built chiefly by his solicitation; and he likewise advanced the press and improving printing in Oxford,
according to the public-spirited design of archbishop Laud.
He was likewise an eager defender of the privileges of the
university, especially while vice-chancellor. In 1675-6 he
was advanced to the bishopric of Oxford, with leave to
hold his deanery of Christ Church in commendarn, that he
might continue his services to his college and the university: and he was no sooner settled in his see, than he
began to rebuild the episcopal palace of Cuddesden in Oxfordshire. Holding also the mastership of St. Oswald’s
hospital, at Worcester, he re-built that in a sumptuous
manner, bestowing all the profits of his income there in
augmenting and recovering its estates: and, part of the
revenues of his bishopric arising from the impropriation
of the dissolved prebend of Banbury, he liberally gave
500l. to repair that church. He likewise established daily
prayers at St. Martin’s, or Carfax church, in Oxford, both
morning and evening. In a word, he devoted almost his
whole substance to works of piety and charity. Among
his other benefactions to his college, it must not be forgot, that the best rectories belonging to it were bought
with his money: and as he had been so bountiful a patron
to it while he lived, and, in a manner, a second founder,
so he left to it at his death an estate, for ten or more exhibitions for ever. It is said that he brought his body to an ill
habit, and wasted his spirits, by too much zeal for the
public, and by forming too many noble designs; and that
all these things, together with the unhappy turn of religion
which he dreaded under James II. contributed to shorten
his life. He.died July 10, 1686, to the great loss of learning, of the whole university, and of the church of England:
for he was, as Wood has observed of him, “the most
zealous man of his time for the church of England; a
great encourager and promoter of learning in the university, and of all public works belonging thereunto of great
resolution and exemplary charity; of strict integrity; a
learned divine; and excellently skilled in the Latin and
Greek languages.
” Wood relates one singularity of him,
which is unquestionably a great and unaccountable failing,
that he was not at all well-atfected to the royal society, and
that the noted Stubbes attacked that body under his sanction and encouragement. He was buried in Christ Church
cathedral; and over his tomb, which is a plain marble, is
an elegant inscription, composed by Aldrich, his successor.
He was never married.
, a learned divine, was born Feb. 3, 1679, in the parish of St.
, a learned divine, was born Feb. 3,
1679, in the parish of St. Martin’s-in-the-fields,
Westminster, and was educated first at Cheneys in Buckinghamshire, then at Westminster school under Dr. Busby, and
lastly at the Charter-house under Dr. Walker, to whom he
was a private pupil. At a proper age he was admitted of
Edmund hall, Oxford, of which Dr. Mill, the celebrated
critic, was at that time principal, and his tutor was Mr.
Thomas Mills, afterwards bishop of Waterford in Ireland.
In June 1702, he took his master’s degree, and in December following was ordained deacon, in the royal chapel at
Whitehall, by Dr. Lloyd, bishop of Worcester. In June
1704 he was admitted to priest’s orders by Dr. Compton,
bishop of London. In 1705-6, he first appeared as an
author, in a piece entitled “Remarks on the Colebrook
Letter/' a subject the nature of which we have not been
able to discover. In 1708 he had the care of the English
church at Amsterdam, but did not long continue in that
situation, returning to England in 1709. Soon after his
return he was appointed domestic chaplain to the duke of
Rutland, at Belvoir castle, and sustained that relation to
three successive dukes, for which noble house he always
preserved the warmest gratitude and affection. In the
same year (July 11, 1709) Mr. Felton was admitted to the
degree of B. D. being then a member of Queen’s college.
Having been employed as tutor to John lord Roos, afterwards third duke of Rutland, he wrote for that young nobleman’s use, his
” Dissertation on reading the Classics,
and forming a just style," 1711, 12mo. A fourth edition
of this was published in 1730, but the best is that of 1757.
It was the most popular, and best known of all Dr. Felton’s
works, although in the present improved state of criticism,
it may appear with less advantage.
, a learned Spaniard, considered as a prodigy in the fifteenth century,
, a learned Spaniard, considered as a prodigy in the fifteenth century, may be termed
the Crichton of Spain, whom he resembled in the marvellous and universal knowledge attributed to him. He was
well skilled in languages and the sciences; understood the
Bible, the works of Nicholas Lyranus, St. Thomas, St.
Bonaventura, Alexander Ales, and Scotus; with those of
Aristotle, Hippocrates, Galen, Avicenna, and several law
authors. He was also a brave soldier, played on several
instruments, was admired for his singing and dancing, and
equalled any artist of Paris in painting. It is said that he
foretold the death of Charles the Rash, duke of Burgundy,
and in 1445, was the admiration of all the learned at Paris.
Commentaries on Ptolemy’s Almagest, and on the Apocalypse, are ascribed to him, and a treatise “De Artificio
omnis scibilis,
” and other works.
, a learned lawyer, a good historian, a celebrated poet, and a most
, a learned lawyer, a good historian, a celebrated poet, and a most accomplished courtier,
in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. Mary, and Elizabeth, was descended from an ancient family in Hertfordshire, and born in a village near St. Alban’s, about
1512. He was bred at Oxford, and removed thence to
Lincoln’s-inn, where he applied himself with so much success to the study of the law, that he was soon taken notice of in Westminster-hall as an advocate, at the same
time that he was much admired at court for his wit and
good-breeding. His first rise in his profession, and at
court, was owing to Cromwell earl of Essex, who was
himself a man of great parts, and took a pleasure in countenancing and advancing others who had talents. Upon
the fall of this patron, he quitted the public exercise of his
profession as a lawyer; not, however, before he had given
evident testimonies of his knowledge and learning, as appears from, 1. “The double translation of Magna Charta
from French into Latin and English.
” 2. “Other laws enacted in the time of Henry III. and Edw. I. translated into
English.
”
a learned French civilian, was doctor of law in the university
a learned French civilian, was
doctor of law in the university of Paris, in which city he
was born 1639, and taught law at Paris, as fellow, till
1694, when he was appointed professor at Rheims, where
he acquired great reputation, and died May 11, 1715, aged
seven-seven, leaving a great number of works, which became very popular, and the booksellers of Paris, for whom
he wrote, were enriched, but he was not. His talents
were considerable; but a certain arrogance of manner,
and bigotry to his own opinions, prevented him from being
distinguished in his profession. The principal of his works
are, 1.“Comtnentaires sur la Coutume de Paris,
” 2 vols.
12mo. 2. “Traité des Fiefs,
” Recueil
des Commentateurs de la Coutume de Paris,
” La Jurisprudence du Code,
” Du Digeste,
” Des Novelles,
”
La Science des Notaires,
” Le Droit du Patronage,
” 3 vols. 12mo. 10.
” Introduction a la Pratique,“1758, 2 vols. 12mo.
” Le Diet, de
Droit," 1771, 2 vols. 4to, is by Claudius Joseph, his son,
who was dean of the law faculty in the university of Paris.
notes upon them. He laboured particularly on Seneca the rhetorician, whom he published in 1587, with a learned preface and notes, an. edition which we do not find
, or Nicolaus Faber, a very ingenious, learned, and pious man, was born at Paris, June 2, 1544, or according to Perrault, July 4, 1543; and liberally educated by his mother, his father dying in his infancy. During the course of his studies, as he was cutting a pen, a piece of the quill flew into his eye, and gave him such excessive pain, that hastily lifting up his hand to it, he struck it out with the knife. Having finished his application to the languages, he was sent to study the civil law at Tholouse, Padua, and Bologna. He did not come back till he had travelled through Italy: and he resided eighteen months in Rome, about 1571, where he cultivated a friendship with Sigonius, Muretus, and other learned men. He there acquired his taste for the investigation of antiquities, and brought away with him many curiosities. Upon hi$ return to France, he applied himself wholly to letters, and would hear no mention of marriage. His mother and brother dying in 1581, he lived with Peter Pithoeus, with whom he was very intimate; and having no occupation but study, he employed himself in reading the ancients, in correcting them by Mss. of which he had a great number in his own library, and in writing notes upon them. He laboured particularly on Seneca the rhetorician, whom he published in 1587, with a learned preface and notes, an. edition which we do not find mentioned by Dibdin oc Clarke. He applied himself also to studies of a different kind, to the mathematics particularly; in which he succeeded so well, that he discovered immediately the defect in Scaliger’s demonstration of the quadrature of the circle. When Henry the Fourth of France became at length the peaceable possessor of the crown, he appointed Faber preceptor to the prince of Conde. During this important trust, he found time to labour upon some considerable works; and composed that fine preface to the fragments of Hilary, in which he discovered so many important facts relating to the history of Arianism, not known before. After the death of Henry IV. he was chosen, by the queen, preceptor to Louis XIII. He died in 1611, or according to Perrault, Nov. 4, 1612.
, was a learned physician of the order of St. Benedict, born in Spain,
, was a learned physician
of the order of St. Benedict, born in Spain, who died in
1765. By his writings many have thought that he contributed as much towards curing the mental diseases of
his compatriots and reforming the vitiated taste of his
countrymen, by introducing liberal notions in medicine
and philosophy, as the great Michel Cervantes had done
those of a preceding age, by his incomparable history of
Don Quixote. In the “Teatro Critico, sopra los Errores
communes,
” which he published in fourteen volumes, are
many severe reflections against the ignorance of the monks,
the licentiousness of the clergy, ridiculous privileges, abuse
ef pilgrimages, exorcisms, pretende-d miracles, &c. &c. by
which he made a formidable host of enemies, and would
certainly have been also a martyr, had the numerous calls
of vengeance been listened to by those in power. The
learned part of the nation, however, undertook his defence, and he escaped the grasp of the inquisition; and,
notwithstanding the freedom he had taken with the faculty,
the medical college at Seville conferred on him the degree
of doctor, and honoured him with a seat at their board.
M. Bourgoing observes, that Dr. Feyjoo, or Feijoo, was
one of those writers who treated this conjectural art in the
most rational manner, but he is certainly far from consistent, and sometimes lays down a doctrine which he is
obliged afterwards to abandon. A considerable part of
tis “Teatro Critico
” was translated into French by D'Hermilly, in 12vols. 12mo; and several of his Essays have
been published at various times in English, the largest
collection of which is entitled “Essays or Discourses, selected from the works of Feyjoo, and translated from the
Spanish, by John Brett, esq.
”
, a learned Italian, and the reviver of the Platonic philosophy
, a learned Italian, and the reviver of the Platonic philosophy in the West, was born at Florence in 1433, where his father was physician to Cosmo de Medici, and sent his son to pursue that study at the university of Bologna. Marsilius obeyed him with some reluctance, but having made a short trip from Bologna to Florence, his father took him with him on a visit to Cosmo de Medicis, which gave a new turn to his life and studies. Cosmo was so charmed by his appearance and his spirited answers, that from that moment, although Marsilius was at this time merely a youth, he destined him to be the principal of the Platonic school which he was about to form. With this view he brought him to reside with him, superintended his studies, and treated him with so much kindness, that Marsilius regarded him ever after as a second parent. He made such rapid progress in the study of philosophy, that he was only twenty-three years old, when he wrote his four books of the Institutions of Plato. Cosmo and the learned Landino, to whom he shewed the manuscript, highly applauded his labours, but advised him to learn Greek before he should publish them. This he accordingly studied with his usual ardour, and gave the first proof of the progress he had made by translating the hymns of Orpheus into Latin. Reading about the same time in Plato that heaven had bestowed music on man in order to calm his passions, he learned that science also, and amrised himself with chanting the hymns of Orpheus, accompanying himself with a lyre resembling that of the Greeks. H translated afterwards the book on the origin of the world attributed to Mercurius Trismegistus, and having presented these first-fruits of his Greek studies to his patron, Cosmo rewarded him with a grant of some land at Careggi, near Florence, and with a house in the city, and some very magnificent manuscripts of Plato and Plotinus.
Agreeably to the will of her father, she gave her hand to Jo. Maria Mapellius of Vicenza, a learned physician, in her connexion with whom she experienced
Agreeably to the will of her father, she gave her hand
to Jo. Maria Mapellius of Vicenza, a learned physician, in
her connexion with whom she experienced various reverses. In 1521 she became a widow. In her ninetieth
year she was appointed to preside over a religious society
of her own sex at Venice, and died in 1558, or as some
say in 1567. She had composed a work “De Scientiarum Ordine,
” frequently mentioned in her letters, but it
was never published. Thomasinus wrote her life, prefixed to
her “Epistolse et Orationes Posthumae,
” Padua,
, a learned Swede, a professor of history, and an antiquary at Upsal,
, a learned Swede, a professor of history, and an antiquary at Upsal, published in
1656, a work of much research, entitled “De Statuis
illustrinm Romanorum,
” 8vo, which he dedicated to
Charles Gustavus king of Sweden. He had passed some
months at Rome in his youth, and this work was partly the
result of his studies and observations there. He died in
1676. We have no farther particulars of his life, and he
is but slightly mentioned in biographical collections.
,or Fizacre (Richard), a learned scholar in the thirteenth century, was, if not of the
,or Fizacre (Richard), a learned scholar in the thirteenth century, was, if not of the city of Exeter, at least a Devonshire man, and a Dominican friar. He studied at Oxford, first in the college of the great hall of the university, but afterwards taking the cowl, he removed to the Dominican convent, and was the first of the order that was honoured with the theological doctorate. His learning is reported to have been general and extensive, and he made so great a proficiency in every branch, that he was esteemed one of the most learned. Aristotle was his principal favourite, whom he read and admired, and carried about with him. But from these philosophical exercises he passed on to the study of divinity, and became as eminent in this as before he had been in arts, which so endeared him to Robert Bacon (see his article), that the two friends were scarce ever asunder. And for this reason Leland thinks he studied at Paris along with Bacon, and there considerably improved his knowledge; but this may be doubted. Leland observes, that writers generally mention the two Dominican friends together, both in respect of their friendship and learning; and indeed the two Matthews, Paris and Westminster, have joined them, and, therefore, it is probable that Fishacre, as well as Bacon, enjoyed the friendship of bishop Grosseteste. They both died in one year, 1248, and were interred among the Dominicans at Oxford. Bale is severe on the memory of. Fishacre for no reason that can be discovered; but Leland speaks very highly of him in point of personal worth as well as learning. Both Leland and Bale have given a list of his works, consisting of theological questions, postils, and commentaries, some of which may yet be found in the public libraries.
l of Margaret countess of Richmond.” The latter was republished in 1708, by Thomas Baker, B. D. with a learned preface. And one preached at London, on the day that
He was the author of several works, as, 1. “Assertionum Martini Lutheri confutatio.
” 2. “Defensio Assertions
Henrici Octavi de septem sacramentis,
” &c. 3. “Epistola
Responsoria Epistolge Lutheri.
” 4. “Sacerdotii Defensio
contra Lutherum.
” 5, “Pro Damnatione Lutheri.
” 6.
“Pe veritate cornoris et sanguinis ChristJ in Eucharistia a
adversus Oecolampadium.
” 7. “De unica Magdalena.
”
8. “Peirum fuisse Romse.
” 9. “Several Sermons, among
which was one preached at the funeral of Henry VII. and
one at the funeral of Margaret countess of Richmond.
”
The latter was republished in 1708, by Thomas Baker,
B. D. with a learned preface. And one preached at London, on the day that Luther’s writings were publicly burnt.
10. Several Tracts of a smaller nature upon subjects of
piety. 11. “His opinion of king Henry VIII.'s marriage,
in a letter to T. WoKey.
” This is printed in the Collection of Records at the end of the second volume of Collier’s
“Ecclesiastical History.
” Most of the forementioned
pieces, which were printed separately in England, were
collected and printed together in one volume folio at
Wurtzburg, in 1595. It is also supposed that he had a
considerable hand in Henry VIII.'s book, “Assertio septern
sacramentorum,
” &c. although bishop Burnet seems angry
with Sanders for saying so: it is nevertheless highly probable. In the Norfolk library of Mss. belonging to the
royal society is an answer of bishop Fisher’s to a book
printed at London in 1530, concerning king Henry’s marriage with queen Catherine.
, a learned doctor of the house and society of the Sorbonne, was
, a learned doctor of the
house and society of the Sorbonne, was born in the diocese of Loan. He took a doctor’s degree in 1621, and
was canon of Rheims, and Hebrew professor at the royal
college, in 1630. In 1656 he was promoted to be dean
of the college royal, and died April 29, 1674, in the Sorbonne. Flavigni assisted M. le Jay in the Polyglott Bible,
and wrote against Abraham Echellensis, in his “Epistolsa
de Heptaplis Parisiensibus,
” the most important of his
works. He also left the defence of a thesis he had signed,
in which it was asserted that episcopacy was not a distinct
sacrament from the priesthood. This apology was printed
at Tournay, 1668, 4to, 128 pages. His style is said to
have been as violent as his temper.
hamshire, where he had purchased an estate. He was married, and had children. Wood says that “he was a learned man, and a good antiquary, but of a marvellous merry
, an English lawyer, and recorder of London in the reign of Elizabeth, was the natural son of Robert Fleetwood, esq. who was the third sou
of William Fleetwood, esq. of Hesketh in Lancashire. He
had a liberal education, and was for some time of Oxford,
whence he went to the Middle Temple, to study the law;
and having quick as well as strong parts, became in a
short time a very distinguished man in his profession. In
1562 he was elected summer reader, and in 1568 double
reader in Lent. His reputation was not confined to the
inns of court; for when it was thought necessary to appoint
commissioners in the nature of a royal visitation in the
dioceses of Oxford, Lincoln, Peterborough, Coventry, and
Litchtield, Fleetwood was of the number. In 1569 he
became recorder of London. It does not appear whether
his interest with the earl of Leicester procured him that
place or not; but it is certain that he was considered as a
person entirely addicted to that nobleman’s service, for he
is styled in one of the bitterest libels of those times, “Leicester’s mad recorder;
” insinuating, that he was placed
in his office to encourage those of this lord’s faction in the
city. He was very zealous against the papists, active in
disturbing mass-houses, committing popish priests, and
giving informations of their intrigues: so zealous, that
once rushing in upon mass at the Portuguese ambassador’s
house, he was, for breach of privilege, committed prisoner
to the Fleet, though soon released. In 1580 he was made
serjeant at law, and in 1592, one of the qneen’s Serjeants;
in which post, however, he did not continue long, for he
died at his house in Noble-street, Aldersgate, February
28, 1594, and was buried at Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire, where he had purchased an estate. He was
married, and had children. Wood says that “he was a
learned man, and a good antiquary, but of a marvellous
merry and pleasant conceit,
” He was farther esteemed
an acute politician; which character was most likely to
recommend him to his patron Leicester. He was a good
popular speaker, and wrote well upon subjects of government. He made a great figure in his profession, being
equally celebrated for eloquence as an advocate, and for
judgment as a lawyer.
, a learned Italian ecclesiastic, was born at Florence in 1713,
, a learned Italian ecclesiastic, was born at Florence in 1713, and went through
his principal courses of study in that city, and evinced so
much fitness for the office, that his superiors appointed
him their librarian. This society, of which he became a
member in 1737, was composed of the theologians of Florence, and he made his first public display in some historical
and polemical theses respecting what were called the four
articles of the clergy of France, agreed upon in 1682; but
his subsequent writings have consigned these to oblivion.
In 1741 he published a dissertation “de primisFlorentinorum
apostolis,
” a work much praised by Manni and Lami.
The same year appeared another “against the reveries of
certain Protestants;
” but what procured him more reputation, was his edition of “Virgil,
” published at Florence,
, a learned Genoese, was born in that city in 1518, and descended
, a learned Genoese, was born in that city in 1518, and descended from
a noble family. Some writers have styled him a priest,
but we do not find him in any of his writings assuming any
other title than that of a Genoese noble. The troubles
which agitated his country induced him to write a work
by which they might be quieted, the subject of which
was the distinction between noble and plebeian families;
but he took so many liberties with the characters of the
nobles, that they procured his banishment, a treatment
which suggested to him as his future device, a lighted
tiambeau with the inscription “Officio mihi officio.
”
Moreri says that he took an active part in the troubles at Genoa, which was the cause of his banishment, but this does
not appear to have been the case. He submitted, however, to his sentence, like a philosopher, and applied his
leisure to the cultivation of his mind. He chose Rome as
the place of his retirement, and there acquired the patronage of Hippolyto cardinal d'Este, who received him
into his house, where he died in 1581. His works were
numerous, of which the following are the chief: 1. “Historia Genuensium, lib. 12.
” L535, folio; diffuse, but faithful and elegant; translated into Italian by Francesco Sardonati. 2i “De ratione scribendae HistQrise.
” 3. “Conjuratio Johannis Ludovici Flisci,
” Neapoli, Elogia clarorurn Ligurum,
” De Linguae Latinae usu et prsestantia,
” Romse,
De causis magnitudinis Turcarum imperil.
”
7. “Delia Republica di Genoa,
” 8vo. 8. “Opuscula nonnulla,
”
, a learned Dominican of Lisbon, who studied at Paris, was admitted
, a learned Dominican of
Lisbon, who studied at Paris, was admitted doctor of
the Sorbonne in 1542. Returning to Portugal, he was
appointed professor of divinity at Coimbra, and preacher
to the king. He left “Remarks on cardinal Cajetan’s
Commentaries on the Bible,
” Paris, de Epidemia Febrili,
” 4to, and other works. We find no account of the time of his death.
, a learned archbishop of Ancyra, was born in 1666, in the duchy
, a learned archbishop of
Ancyra, was born in 1666, in the duchy of Friouli; and
died at Rome in 1736. He was a man greatly distinguished, and held a correspondence with all the learned.
There are many works of his; the principal of which are,
1. “Biblioteca della Eloquenza Italiana,
” often primed;
but the best edition is that of Venice, 1753, in 2 vols. 4to,
with the remarks of Apostolo Zeno. 2. “A Literary History of Aquileia, in Latin,
” Rome, A collection of Bulls of
Canonization from John XV. to Benedict XIII.
”
, a learned Portuguese ecclesiastic, was born at Lisbon in 1523,
, a learned Portuguese ecclesiastic, was born at Lisbon in 1523, and entered among the Dominicans in February 1539. Having
acquired a critical knowledge of the Latin, Greek, and
Hebrew languages, king John III. sent him to study theology in the university of Paris, where he became distinguished for his proficiency. On his return to Lisbon
the king appointed him his preacher, and prince Louis at
the same time entrusted to him the education of his son.
Of all the divines sent by king Sebastian to the council of
Trent in 1561, he held the first place in respect of talents.
It is said that one day when he was about to ascend the
pulpit, he asked the fathers of the council, who were his
auditors, in what language they would wish to hear him
preach, such facility he had in all the modern languages.
In consideration of his uncommon merit these fathers
appointed him a member of that celebrated council of
Feb. 26, 1562. He was also appointed secretary to the
committee for examining and condemning such publications as they thought unfit to be disseminated, and this
office was ever after given to a monk of his order. The
fathers of the council afterwards sent him on an important
mission to pope Pius IV. who discovering his talents, and
knowing his integrity, conferred upon him the place of
confessor to his nephew, the cardinal St. Charles Borromeo.
At Rome he was also employed to reform the Breviary and
the Roman Missal, and to compose the Roman catechism.
This detained him at Rome for some time; but having at
length returned to Portugal, he was chosen prior of the
Dominican convent at Lisbon in 1568. His other offices
were those of confessor to king John III. and the princess
Mary, daughter of king Emanuel, qualificator of the inquisition, and deputy of the tribunal of conscience, and of
the military orders. From the profits of these places he
built the convent of St. Paul in the village of Almada, opposite Lisbon, and there he died, Feb. 10, 1581. He published an oration at the council of Trent, and the catechism
and breviary mentioned above; but his principal work was
a commentary of Isaiah, “Isaiae prophetae vetus et nova
ex Hebraico versio, cum commentario, &c.
” Venice, Critici Sacri,
”
, a learned Swedish naturalist, was born in 1736, and studied first
, a learned Swedish naturalist, was born in 1736, and studied first at Gottingen, and afterwards at Upsal, where he became a pupil of Linnæus. In 1761 he was sent, at the expence of the king of Denmark, to investigate the natural productions of the East, in company with the celebrated Niebuhr, and, unhappily too soon for the interests of science, died at Jerim in Arabia, July 11, 1763, aged thirty-one. His notes and descriptions, rich in information respecting the natural history of Egypt and Arabia, but not corrected by references to other authors, as they would have been by himself for the press, were published in three quarto volumes, under the direction of his fellow-traveller, at Copenhagen in 1775.
, a learned Italian prelate and poet, was born in 1674, obtained
, a learned Italian prelate
and poet, was born in 1674, obtained the highest rank of
episcopacy under pope Clement XI, and flattered himself
that Clement XII. a friend of poetry and poets, would
advance him to the dignity of cardinal. This pope continally giving him reason to hope, as constantly found excuses for disappointing him; at length one instance more
of this duplicity, added to so many that had passed, completely extinguished the expectations of Fortiguerra, and
this mortification so deeply affected him, that it proved
fatal. When he was on his death-bed, Clement sent to
him, endeavouring to comfort him once more, and revive
his hopes, but the sick man turning himself about, and
raising the clothes, only uttered such an explosion, as
once surprised and entertained the British house of commons, and said, “that is my answer; a good journey to
us both
” <c Eccovi la riposta bon viaggio e per lei, e
per me.“He died soon after this, which happened in
1735, being then sixty-one. His house was the general
resort of wit and literature in Rome, and he wrote his
”Ricciardetto,“a burlesque poem in thirty cantos, in a
very short time, to prove to a party of this kind, how easy
it is for a man of imagination to write in the style of Ariosto,
whom some of them had preferred to Tasso. In this poem
he gave abundant liberty to his imagination, and its extravagance would be fatiguing beyond measure, were it not
supported by the utmost ease of versification, and perpetual sallies of pleasantry and genius. It has been ably
translated into French by a M. du Mourner, chev. of St.
Louis, who died in 1768. There is also a translation of
” Terence" by Fortiguerra, with the Latin text, printed
at Urbino in 1736, and adorned with cuts, a very splendid
book.
, a learned Frenchman, and member of the academy of sciences, was
,
a learned Frenchman, and member of the academy of
sciences, was born at Paris Oct. 10, 1732. He was the
nephew of the celebrated Duhamel, and acquired a similar
taste for those studies that end in objects of real utility. He
travelled over Anjou and Brittany to investigate the nature
of the slate-quarries, and then went to Naples to make observations on the alum mines and other natural productions.
On his return he had the misfortune to lose his tutor and
uncle Duhamel, to whose estate he succeeded, and on
which he carried on very extensive agricultural improvements and experiments, and acquired by his amiable private character the esteem of every one who knew him.
He died Dec. 28, 1789, leaving the following valuable
publications: 1. “Memoires sur la formation de$ Os,
”
L‘art de l’Ardoisier,
” L'art de
travailler les cuirs dorés.
” 4. “L'art de Tonnelier,
”
L'art de Coutelier.
” All these form part of
the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences. 6. “Recherches
sur les ruines d'Herculaneum, et sur les lumieres qui
peuvent en resulter; avec un traite
” sur la fabrication des
mosaiques,“1769, 8vo. 7.
” Observations faites sur les
cotes de Normaudie," 1773, 4to. He was the author also
of a great number of miscellaneous papers in the Memoirs
of the Academy.
, a learned English prelate, was born in 1632, at Westerleigh, in
, a learned English prelate, was
born in 1632, at Westerleigh, in Gloucestershire; of
which place his father was minister, but ejected for noncon formitjr after the restoration. He was sent to the
College-school in Gloucester, where he was educated
under William Russel, who had married his sister. In the
beginning of 1650 he became clerk of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, and being looked upon, says Wood, “as
a young man well endowed with the spirit, and gifted with
extemporary prayer, he was admitted one of the chaplains
thereof in 1653, and the same year took a bachelor of arts
degree.
” Afterwards removing to Cambridge, he took
his master’s degree as a member of Trinity college, and
returning to Oxford, was incorporated in the same degree
July 5, 1656., About the same time he became chaplain
to Arabella, countess dowager of Kent, who presented him
to the rectory of Northill, in Bedfordshire. Having been
educated a presbyterian, he scrupled about conformity at
the restoration, but conformed afterwards, and became a
great ornament to the church. His excellent moral writings
renderedhim so considerable, that archbishop Sheldon,
in order to introduce him into the metropolis, collated him
in August 1673, to the rectory of All-hallows, Breadtreet. In February 1675-6, he was made prebendary of
Gloucester; and in March IbSl, vicar of St. Giles’s, Cripplegate, on which he resigned the living of Allhallows.
The same year, he accumulated the degrees of bachelor
and doctor of divinity. During the struggle between protestantism and popery in this kingdom, he appeared to
great advantage in defence of the former; but this rendered him obnoxious to the court, and in all probability
tvas the secret cause of a prosecution against him, in 1685,
by some uf his parishioners, who alledged that he was
guilty of Whiggism, that he admitted to the communion
excommunicated persons before they were absolved, &c.
We are told this matter was carried so far, that, after a
trial at Doctors’-couimons, he was suspended, under the
pretence of having acted in several respects contrary to
the canons of the church. This affront, however, did not intimidate him from doing what he thought his duty; for he was
the second, who in 1688, sighed the resolution of the London clergy, not to read king James’s new declaration for
liberty of conscience. He was rewarded for this and other
services at the revolution; for in 1691, he was preferred
to the see of Gloucester, and continued there till his
death, which happened at Chelsea, Aug. 26, 1714, in his
eighty-second year. His widow survived him some years,
dying April 2, 1732. She was his second wife, the widow
of the rev. Dr. Ezekiel Burton, and daughter of Ralph
Trevor, of London, merchant. His first wife, by whom
he had a large family, was daughter of Arthur Barnardiston, one of the masters in chancery. She died Dec. 19,
1696, and was buried, as well as the bishop, in Hendon
church-yard, Middlesex, in the chancel of which church is
a monument to his memory.
, or Sebastianus Foxius Morzillus, a learned Spaniard, originally of the family of Foix, in Aquitaine,
, or Sebastianus Foxius Morzillus, a learned Spaniard,
originally of the family of
Foix, in Aquitaine, was born at Seville in 1528, and passed
the whole of his short life in the study of philosophy and
the belles lettres, acquiring such reputation from his works
as made his untimely death a subject of unfeigned regret
with his countrymen. After being educated in grammar
learning at Seville, he studied at Lou vain e and other universities, and acquired the esteem of some of the most
eminent professors of his time. Before he was twenty
years of age he had published his “Paraphrasis in Ciceronis topica,
” and in his twenty-fourth year his Commentary on the Timaeus of Plato. About this time the reputation he had acquired induced Philip II. king of Spain, to
invite him home, and place his son the infant Carlos under
his care; but returning by sea, he unhappily perished by
shipwreck in the flower of his age, leaving the following
works as a proof that his short space of life had been employed in arduous and useful study: 1. “De Studii philosnphici ratione,
” of which there is an edition joined to
Nunnesius’s “De recte conficiendo curriculo Philosophico,
” Leyden, De usu et exercitatione
Dialectica,
” and “De Demonstratione,
” Basil, In Topica Ciceronis paraphrasis et scholia,
” Antwerp,
De naturae philosophise seu de Platonis
et Aristotelis consensione, libri quinque,
” Louvaine, De Juventute atqtie de Honore,
” Basil. 6. “Compendium Ethices, &c.
” Basil,
In Platonis Timaeum seu de universo
commentarius,
” ibid. In Phaedonem; et
in ejusdem decem libros de republica commentarii,
” Basil.
9. “De Imitatione,
” Antwerp, 1S54, 8vo. 10. “De conscribenda historia,
” Antwerp and Paris,
, a learned and pious German divine, and a great benefactor to his
, a learned and pious
German divine, and a great benefactor to his country,
was born at Lubeck, March 12, O. S. 1663. His father,
John Francke, was then one of the magistrates of Lubeck,
and afterwards entered into the service of Ernest the Pious,
duke of Saxe Gotha, as counsellor of the court and of
justice. His mother, Anne Gloxin, was the daughter of
one of the oldest burgomasters of Lubeck. Young Francke
had the misfortune to lose his father in 1670, when he was
between six and seven years old, and at this early age had
shown such a pious disposition, that he was intended for
the church, and with this view his mother placed him
under the instructions of a private tutor. His proficiency
in classical studies was such, th.'t at the age of fourteen
he vvas considered as well qualified to go to the university.
It was not, however, until 1679, that he went to that of
Erfurt, and from thence to Kiel, where he st-idied some
years under Kortholt and Morhoff. In 1682, he returned
to Gotha, and visited Hamburgh in his way, where he remained two months to improve his knowledge of the Hebrew language, under Esdras Edzardi. In 1684 he
went to Leipsic, and took his degree of M. A. in the
following year. During his stay l;ere, he formed a society for literary conversation among his friends, which
long subsisted under the name of “Collegium Philobiblicum,
” their favourite topic being the study of the* Holy
Scriptures. Some time after he went to Wittemberg,
where he was received with great respect by the literati
of that university, and thence to Luueburg, where he
attended the divinity lectures of the celebratd Sandhagen.
From Lunebourg he returned to Leipsic, and gave a course of
lectures on the holy scriptures, practical as well as critical,
which were frequented by above three hundred students.
This success, with a more than common earnestness and
seriousness in his method and address, occasioned some
jealousy, and created him enemies likewise at Erfurt,
whither, in 1690, he was invited to become pastor of St.
Austin. The objection to him was that of pietism, and it
increased with so much violence, that in 1691 he was deprived of his charge, and ordered to quit the city within
two days. How little he deserved this treatment, had already appeared in some of his writings, and was more manifest afterwards in his conduct and services.
, a learned Franciscan, was born at Peronne in 1620, and admitted
, a learned Franciscan, was born
at Peronne in 1620, and admitted doctor of the Sorbonne
in 1662. He afterwards taught theology in his convent,
was elected definitor-general of the whole Franciscan order
in 1682, and acquired great reputation by his writings,
and the various commissions he was entrusted with. He
died February 26, 1711, at Paris. His most esteemed
works are, “A System of Divinity,
” Paris, Disquisitiones Biblicae,
” 2 vols. 4to.; the best edition of the first volume is
that of Paris, 1711, but the work has been much enlarged,
and reprinted at Lucca, 1764, 2 vols. folio. He also published a “System of Philosophy,
” which has gone through
several editions.
, sieur de Chambrai, under which name he is classed in some biographical works, was a learned architect of the seventeenth century, and a native of
, sieur de Chambrai, under which
name he is classed in some biographical works, was a
learned architect of the seventeenth century, and a native
of Chambrai. He was connected by relationship, as well
as love of the art, with Sublet des Noyers, secretary of
state and superintend ant of the buildings under Louis XIII.
About 1640, Freart was sent, with one of his brothers, to
Italy, on an important mission to the pope, and he was
also ordered to collect antiquities, &c. and engage the
ablest artists to reside in France. Among the latter he
brought Poussin to Paris. Freart died in iv76. He published a French translation of Da Vinci on painting, Paris,
1651, fol. and another of Palladia’s Architecture, Paris,
1650. Of this a fine edition was printed by Nicolas du
Bois at the Hague in 1726, with engravings by Piea*t, but
he has strangely divided the translator into two persons,
asserting that Freart published one edition of Palladio, and
the sieur de Chambrai another. But the work by which
Freart is best known is his “Parallele de l'architecture
antique avec la rooderne,
” Paris,
, a German, was descended from a learned family, and born at Augsburg, July 26, 1565. He went
, a German, was descended from
a learned family, and born at Augsburg, July 26, 1565.
He went into France very young, to study the civil law
under Cujacius; yet paid so much attention to history and
criticism, that he became eminent in both. When he was
scarcely three and twenty, he was chosen among the counsellors of Casimir, prince of Palatine, and the year after
made professor of law at Heidelberg, where he lived in
friendship with Leunclavius, Sylburgius, Opsoprcus, the
younger Douza, and other learned men of his time. Some
little time after, he resigned his professor’s chair, and was
taken into the most important employments by the elector
Frederic IV. This prince made him vice-president of his
court, and sent him in quality of ambassador to several
places. In the midst of these occupations he never
intermitted his usual method of studying; and wrote a great
many works upon criticism, law, and history, the history
of his own country in particular. When we view the catalogue of them given by Melchior Adam, we are ready to
imagine that he must have lived a very long life, and
hardly have done any thing but write books; yet he died
in his forty-ninth year, May 13, 1614. Oouza says that
he seems to have been born for the advancement of polite
literature: and Thuanus acknowledges that it would be
difficult to find his equal in all Germany. Casaubon calls
him a man of profound and universal knowledge; and
Scioppius says that he joined great acuteness to an incredible depth of learning. Add to this, that he was perfectly skilled in coins, medals, statues, antiques of all
sorts, and could paint very well. His moral qualities are
described as not inferior to his intellectual; so that Melchior Adam seems justly to have lamented, that a man who
deserved so much to be immortal, should have died so
soon. His principal works are, 1. “Origines Palatinae,
”
fol. 2. “De Inquisitionis processu,
” De
re monetaria veterum Romanorum, &c.
” Leyden, Rerum Bohemicarum scriptores,
” Hanau,
Rerum Germanic-arum scriptores,
” fol.
S vols. Corpus historia Francia,
” fol. &c.
, a learned English physician, was born in 1675, at Croton in N
, a learned English physician, was born
in 1675, at Croton in Northamptonshire, of which parish
his father, William Freind, a man of great learning, piety,
and integrity, was rector, and where he died in 1663. He
was sent to Westminster school, with his elder brother
Robert, and put under the care of the celebrated Dr.
Busby. He was thence elected to Christ Church, Oxford,
in 1690, over which Dr. Aldrich at that time presided;
and under his auspices undertook, in conjunction with
another young man, Mr. Foulkes, to publish an edition of
Æschines, and Demosthenes, “de Corona,
” which was
well received, andhas since been reprinted. About the
same time he was prevailed upon to revise the Delphin
edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, reprinted in 8vo, at
Oxford, in 1696, which Dr. Bentley has severely criticised.
Mr. Freind was director of Mr. Boyle’s studies, and wrote
the Examination of Dr. Bentley’s Dissertation on jEsop,
which may account for that great critic’s speaking more
disrespectfully of his talents than justice required.
, a learned classical editor, was born in 1608, in the city of Dim
, a learned classical editor, was born in 1608, in the city of Dim in Swabia, and after studying law in the universities of Marpurg and Giessen, came to Strasburgh, where some poetical attempts in the German language recommended him to Matthias Bernegger, who made him his librarian. With this advantage, he applied to those classical pursuits on which his fame rests. He came afterwards to France, where he was admitted among the king’s interpreters, but did not remain here above three years, returning in 1637 to Strasburgh, where he married the daughter of his patron Bernegger. The university of Upsal making him very liberal offers, he accepted the professorship of eloquence, and filled that office for five years. Queen Christina then invited him to her court, appointed him her librarian and historiographer, with 2000 crowns salary, and a table; but the air of the country not agreeing with him, he was obliged to quit this profitable situation in 1655, and return home. Freinshewas a man of extensive learning; for, besides Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, he was familiar with almost all the living languages of Europe, and his fame induced the elector Palatine, when he projected the restoration of the university of Heidelberg, to appoint him honorary professor, and electoral counsellor. He accordingly removed with his family to Heidelberg in 1656, and died there in 1660.
, a learned physician, was born at Nieder Wesel, in the duchy of
, a learned physician, was born at Nieder Wesel, in the duchy of Cleves, Oct. 30, 1581 but his relations being compelled, by the troubles of the times, to retire to Osnaburg, he began his classical studies there. He was afterwards sent to Cologne, Wesel, and Helmstadt; but his disposition being early turned to medicine, as a profession, he studied at Rostock, afterwards returned to Helmstadt to attend the lectures of Duncan Liddell and of Francis Parcovius; he likewise derived much advantage from the lectures of the celebrated Meibomius, in whose house he resided in the capacity of tutor to his son, and was soon thought fit to give private lectures to the younger students on the practice of physic. He afterwards lectured in public as professor extraordinary; and in 1604, at the age of twenty-three, he obtained the ordinary professorship in the university, which office he filled during four years. He then took his degree of doctor, and went to the court of Philip Sigismund, duke of Brunswick Lunenburg, and bishop of Osnaburg, who had appointed him his principal physician. About 1622, Ernest, duke of Holstein and earl of Schawenburg, offered him the same office, with the addition of the chief medical professorship in the university which he had lately founded at Rinteln; but his patron would not permit him. to accept it. This prince-bishop dying in 1623, his nephew, duke Frederic Ulric, gave Freitag the option of being his chief physician, or of resuming his professorship at Helmstadt. He con*tinued at Osnaburg, where the new bishop retained him as his physician, and also appointed him one of his chamberlains. He also served his successor in the same capacity, but was dismissed in 1631, on account of his refusal to become a catholic. He found protection and patronage, however, under Ernest Cassimir, count of Nassau, and. the counts of Bettheim, who procured for him the vacant professorship in the university of Groningen. He fulfilled this new appointment with great reputation, and continued to distinguish himself by the success of his practice till the decline of his life, which was accelerated by a complication of maladies. Dropsy, gout, gravel, aud fever, terminated his life Feb. 8, 1641.
, commonly called Du Cange, a learned Frenchman, was descended from a good family, and born
, commonly called
Du Cange, a learned Frenchman, was descended from a
good family, and born at Amiens in 1610. After being
taught polite literature in the Jesuits college there, he went
to study the Jaw at Orleans, and was sworn advocate to the
parliament of Paris in 1631. He practised some time at
the bar, but without intending to make it the business of
his life. He then returned to Amiens, where be devoted
himself to study, and ran through all sorts of learning,
languages and philosophy, law, physic, divinity, and history. In 1668, he went and settled at Paris; and soon
after a proposal was laid before Colbert, to collect all the
authors who at different times had written the history of
France, and to form a body out of them. This minister
liking the proposal, and believing Du Fresne the best
qualified for the undertaking, furnished him with memoirs
and manuscripts for this purpose. Du Fresne wrought
upon these materials, and drew up a large preface, containing the names of the authors, their character and manner, the time in which they lived, and the order in which
they ought to be arranged. Being informed from the
minister that his plan was not approved, and that he must
adopt another, and convinced that if he followed the order
prescribed, the whole work would be spoiled, he frankly
told his employers that since he had not been happy enough
to please those in authority, his advice was, that they
should look out some of the best hands in the kingdom;
and at the same time he returned them all their memoirs.
(See Bouquet). Being thus disengaged from a tedious
and laborious undertaking, he finished his Glossary of low
Latin, or “Glossarium Mediæ et infimæ Latinitatis,
”
which was received with general commendation; and though
Hadrian Valesius, in his preface to the Valesiana, notes
everal mistakes in it, it is nevertheless a very excellent
and useful work. It was afterwards enlarged by the addition
of more volumes; and the edition of Paris, by Carpentier,
in 1733, makes no less than six in folio; to which Carpentier afterwards added four of supplement. Both have
been since excellently abridged, consolidated, and improved, in 6 vols. 8vo, published at Halle, 1772 1784.
His next performance was a “Greek Glossary of the middle
age,
” consisting of curious passages and remarks, most
of which are drawn from manuscripts very little known.
This work is in 2 vols. folio. He was the author and editor
also of several other performances. He drew a genealogical map of the kings of France. He wrote the history
of Constantinople under the French emperors, which was
printed at the Louvre, and dedicated to the king. H
published an historical tract concerning John Baptist’s
head, some relics of which are supposed to be at Amiens.
He published, lastly, editions of Cinnamus, Nicephorus,
Anna Commena, Zonaras, and the Alexandrian Chronicon, with learned dissertations and notes.
, an eminent literary historian, was the son of a learned schoolmaster, who is very highly celebrated by Ernesti,
, an eminent literary
historian, was the son of a learned schoolmaster, who is
very highly celebrated by Ernesti, and was born at Schulpforten, in 1723. All we know of his personal history is,
that he studied law, and became a burgomaster of Nuremberg, where he died in 1776. His principal writings are,
1. “Rhinoceros veterum scriptorum monumentis descriptus,
” Leipsic, Analecta literaria de Libris
rarioribus,
” ibid. Oratorum ac Rhetorum
Graecorum, quibus statuse honoris causa positse fuerunt, decas,
” ibid. Adparatus litterarius, ubi libri partim
antiqui partim rari recensentur,
” ibid. Analecta literaria,
”
and both are of the highest value to bibliographers. They
afford a striking proof of assiduity, close application, and
a discriminating judgment in appreciating the value of
what are termed rare and curious books. 5. “Specimen
historic literatae, quo virorum, feminarumque /ttrflpc3i3a*tov
memoria recolitur,
” ibid.
, a learned critical and poetical writer of Germany, was born at
, a learned critical and poetical writer of Germany, was born at Baling, in Suabia, in 1547. His father being a minister and a man of letters, taught him the rudiments of learning, and then sent him to Tubingen, where he made so amazing a progress in the Greek and Latin tongues, that he is said to have written poetry in both when he was no more than thirteen years of age. He continued to improve himself in compositions of several kinds, as well prose as verse; and at twenty years old was made a professor in the university of Tubingen. Though his turn lay principally towards poetry, insomuch, that as Melchior Adam tells us, he really could make verses as, fast as he wanted them, yet he was acquainted with every part of science and learning. He used to moderate in philosophical disputes; and to read public lectures in mathematics and astronomy, before he had reached his twenty-fifth year. In 1579, his reputation being much extended, he had a mind to try his fortune abroad, and therefore prepared to go to the ancient university of Friburg, where he had promised to read lectures. But he was obliged to desist from this purpose, partly because his wife refused to accompany him, and partly because the duke of Wirtemberg would not consent to his going thither, or any where else.
, a learned preacher and martyr, was the son of an inn-keeper at
, a learned preacher and
martyr, was the son of an inn-keeper at Sevenoaks, in
Kent, wher he was born (or as Fuller says, at Westerham, in the same county). He was educated at
King’scollege, Cambridge, where he proceeded B. A. but afterwards went to Oxford, was admitted ad eundem, and upon
account of his extraordinary learning, was chosen one of
the junior canons of cardinal Wolsey’s new college, now
Christ church. About 1525 he was instructed in the principles of the reformation, according to the Lutheran system, by the celebrated Tyndale. These he openly professed, and with some other young men of the same persuasion and boldness, was imprisoned by the commissary
of the university. The hardships of this imprisonment
proved fatal to some of his companions, but he obtained
his release, and about 1528 went abroad, where he remained about two years, and became more seriously coufirmed in his new opinions. On his return, he was narrowly watched by the lord chancellor, sir Thomas More,
whose resentment was said to have been occasioned by a
treatise which Fryth wrote against him. Simon Fish, of
Gray’s-inn, had written his “Supplication of the Beggars,
”
against the begging friars, and against indulgences, &c.
(See art. Fish ) This work was highly acceptable to Henry
VIII. as favouring his quarrel with the pope. The lord
chancellor, however, who was a more consistent catholic
than his majesty, answered it, and Fryth answered More,
denying the doctrine of purgatory. His opinions on the
sacrament were also highly obnoxious, and after a strict
search, he was betrayed into the hands of the civil power
by a treacherous friend, and sent prisoner to the Tower.
He was several times examined by the lord chancellor,
who uniformly treated him with contempt and cruelty, but
refusing to recant, he was ordered to be burnt, which sentence was executed in Smithfield, July 4, 1533, in the
prime of his life. He had a very remarkable opportunity,
some time before, of making his escape, the servants who
were to convey him to the archbishop’s palace at Croydon,
offering to let him go. But this he refused, with more zeal
than prudence. He was, according to all accounts, a scholar of great eminence, and well acquainted with the learned
languages.
, a learned medallist, was born at Gratz in Stiria in 1700, and
, a learned medallist, was born
at Gratz in Stiria in 1700, and entered the society of the
Jesuits in 1716. His reputation afterwards procured him.
the professorship of belles lettres and mathematics at
Vienna, where he employed his leisure hours in the pursuit of medallic history. He died in 1758. His works are,
1. “Utilitas rei nummariae, et Appendiculse ad numos
coloniarum per Cl. Vaillantium editse,
” Vienna, Quatuor Tentamina in re numaria vetere,
” ibid. Animadversiones in quosdam numos veteres urbium,
” ibid. Appendiculae duae novae ad numismata antiqua a Cl.
Vaillantio edita,
” ibid. Opusculum posthumum de familia Vaballathi,
” where
there is also an eulogium on Froelich. 5. “Annales compend. regum et rerum Syriae,
” ibid. Regum veterum numismata,
” ibid. Dubia de
Minnisari, aliorumque Armenias regum numis et Arsacidarum epocha nuper vulgatis proposita,
” ibid. Diplomatorium Garstensium emendatum, auctum, et
illustratum,
” ibid. Casulse S. Stephani,
regis Hungariae, vera imago et expositio,
” ibid. Ad numismata regum veterum anecdota aut rariora
accessio nova,
” ibid. Notitia elementaria
antiquorum illorum, quse urbium liberarum, regum et
principum, ac personarum illustrium, appellantur,
” ibid.
most
excellent and useful,
” although not altogether without
faults. He particularly mentions that the list of Greek
cities of which we have coins is defective in about a third
of the number; and he censures, in strong terms, the
plan of splitting the series of kings of every realm into
different epochs. After Froelich’s death was published,
as already mentioned, the “Opusculum posthumum de familia Vaballathi numis illustrata,
” with an appendix to the
“Numismata antiqua,
” edited by Joseph Khell, Specimen Archontologiae Carinthiae.
”
, known by the name of Fronto Duc.Eus, a learned Jesuit, was the son of a counsellor of Bourdeaux, where
, known by the name of Fronto Duc.Eus, a learned Jesuit, was the son of a counsellor of Bourdeaux, where he was born in 1558, and made a Jesuit in 1577. He studied with unwearied application the Greek tongue, and became one of the ablest translators and editors of Greek works in his time. He published notes and corrections, both on the text and on the translations of many of the works of the Greek and Latin fathers, particularly St. Clemens Alexandrinus, St. Basil, St. Gregory de Nazianzen, and St. Gregory of Nyssa, Zonaras, Bulsamon, &c. But his principal work is his edition of the works of St. Chrysostom, 6 vols. fol. Paris, 1609 1624, and reprinted there in 1636, and at Francfort in 1698. He was also engaged in controversy, and wrote against Philip du Plessis Mornay. He died at Paris, Dec. 12, 1624. Dupin informs us that he was as much esteemed for his prudence and modesty as for his learning and judgment, that his merit was equally acknowledged by catholics and protestants, and that there was scarcely a learned man in either communion with whom he did not correspond.
, a learned English divine and critic, was born at Southampton in
, a learned English divine and
critic, was born at Southampton in 1557, and educated at
the free-school in that town. He did not go directly thence
to the university, but was taken into the family of the
bishop of Winchester, Dr. Robert Home; where spending
some time in study, he was made at length his secretary,
and afterwards continued in that office by his successor,
Dr. Watson. But Watson dying also in about three years,
Fuller returned home, with a resolution to follow his
studies. Before he was gettled there, he was invited to be
tutor to the sons of a knight in Hampshire, whom he accompanied to St. John’s college, Oxford, in 1584. His
pupils leaving him in a little time, he removed himself to
Hart- hall, where he took both the degrees in arts, and
then retired into the country. He afterwards took order*,
and was presented to the rectory of Aldington, or Ailington, near Amesbury, in Wiltshire. He afterwards became
a prebendary in the church of Salisbury*, and rector of
Bisbop’s-Waltham, in Hampshire. He died in 1622.
He was extremely learned in the sacred tongues, and, as
Wood quaintly says, “was so happy in pitching upon useful difficulties, tending to the understanding of the Scripture, that he surpassed all the critics of his time.
” His
“Miscellanea Theologica,
” in four books, were published
first at Heidelberg, 1612, 8vo, and afterwards at Oxford,
in 1616, and at London, in 1617, 4 to. These miscellanies coming into the hands of John Drusius, in Holland,
he charged Fuller with plagiarism, and with taking his
best notes from him without any acknowledgment. But
Fuller, knowing himself guiltless, as having never seen
Drusius’s works, published a vindication of himself at
Leyden, in 1622, together with two more books of “Miscellanea Sacra,
” Leyden and Strasburgh, and dispersed throughout Pool’s
” Synopsis
Griticorum.“There are some manuscript* of Fuller in
the Bodleian library at Oxford, which shew his great skill
in Hebrew and in philological learning; as
” An Exposition of rabbi Mordecai Nathan’s Hebrew Roots, with notes
upon it,“and
” A Lexicon," which he intended to have
published with the preceding.
nd of his son Guiniforte, most of which were never before printed, in a handsome 4to vol. 1723, with a learned preface and life. He published, likewise, at Bergamo
Furietti collected and published at Rome the works of the
celebrated Caspar Barziza of Bergamo, and of his son
Guiniforte, most of which were never before printed, in a
handsome 4to vol. 1723, with a learned preface and life.
He published, likewise, at Bergamo in 1752, a fine edition
of the poems of Fontana; but what obtained him most reputation among scholars and antiquaries, was his treatise
on the Mosaic art of painting, entitled “De Musivis, vel
pictoriae Mosaicse artis origine, progressu, &c.
” Home,
, a learned dissenting clergyman, was born at Totness in Devonshire
, a learned dissenting clergyman,
was born at Totness in Devonshire in Dec. 1726, and was
educated in the free-school of that town at the same time
with Dr. Kennicott, who was a few years his senior, and
between them a friendship commenced which continued
through life. From Totness Dr. Furneaux came to London for academical studies among the dissenters, which he
completed in 1749. He was soon after ordained, and
chosen assistant to the rev. Henry Read, at the meetinghouse in St. Thomas’s, Southwark, and joint Sunday evening lecturer at Salters’-hall meeting. In 1753 he succeeded
the rev, Moses Lowman, as pastor of the congregation at
Clapham, which he raised to one of the most opulent and
considerable among the protestant dissenters. He remained their favourite preacher, and highly esteemed by
all classes, for upwards of twenty-three years, bat was
deprived of his usefulness in 1777, by the loss of his mental powers, under which deplorable malady (which was hereditary) he continued to the day of his death, Nov. 23,
1783. His flock and friends raised a liberal subscription to
support him during his illness, to which, from sentiments
of personal respect, as well as from the principle of benevolence, the late lord Mansfield, chief justice of the king’s
bench, generously contributed. Dr. Furneaux (which title he had received from some northern university) united to
strong judgment a very tenacious iriemory; of which he
gave a remarkable proof, when the cause of the dissenters
against the corporation of London, on the exemption they
claimed from serving the office of sheriff, was heard in the'
house of lords. He was then present, and carried away,
and committed to paper, by the strength of his memory,
without notes, the very able speech of lord Mansfield,
with so much accuracy, that his lordship, when the copy was
submitted to his examination, could discover but two or
three trivial errors in it. This circumstance introduced
him to the acquaintance of that great man, who conceived
a high regard for him. Dr. Furneaux published but little,
except a few- occasional sermons the most considerable of
his works was that entitled “Letters to the hon. Mr. Justice Blackstone, concerning his exposition of the act of
toleration, and some positions relative to religious liberty,
in his Commentaries on the Laws of England,
” Letters
” was added the before-mentioned speech of lord
Mansfield. In 1773 he published also “An Essay on
Toleration,
” with a view to an application made by dissenting ministers to parliament for relief in the matter of
subscription, which, although unsuccessful then, was afterwards granted.
, a learned Maronite, who died in 1648, was professor of oriental
, a learned Maronite, who died in
1648, was professor of oriental languages at Rome, from
whence he was invited to Paris, to assist in M. le Jay’s
Polyglott, and carried with him some Syriac and Arabic
bibles, which he had transcribed with his own hand from
ms copies at Rome; these bibles were first printed in
Jay’s Polyglott, with vowel points, and a Latin version
and afterwards in the English Polyglott. Gabriel Sionita
translated also the Arabian Geography, entitled “Geographia Nubiensis,
”
, a learned Rabbinical writer, was the son of Dr. Gaffarell, by
, a learned Rabbinical writer,
was the son of Dr. Gaffarell, by Lucrece de Bermond, his
wife; and was born at Mannes, in Provence, about 1601.
He was educated at the university of Apt, in that county,
where he prosecuted his studies with indefatigable industry; and applying himself particularly to the Hebrew
language and Rabbinical learning, was wonderfully pleased
with the mysterious doctrines of the Cabala, and commenced author in their defence at the age of twenty-two.
He printed a 4to volume at Paris in 1623, under_the title
of “The secret mysteries of the divine Cabala, defended
against the trifling objections of the Sophists,
” or “Abdita
divinae Cabalae mysteria,
” &c. The following year he
published a paraphrase upon that beautiful ode the 137th
Psalm, “By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept,
when we remembered thee, O Sion>
” -&c. He began
early to be inflamed with an ardent desire of travelling for
his improvement in literature, in which his curiosity was
boundless.
, a learned divine, and an eminent preacher among the baptists,
, a learned divine, and an eminent preacher
among the baptists, was born May 26, 1680, at London.
His father was a citizen of good repute; and observing
the natural turn of his son to be from his infancy grave and
composed, he resolved to breed him for the ministry. He
spared no cost jn his education, and the boy’s diligence
was such, that, both in school and out of school, heapplied attentively to his learning, and became not only
master of the Latin and Greek, but of the Hebrew language, at the age of seventeen; when he was sent to
Ley den, to finish what he had so happily begun. Soon
after his arrival there he received the news of his mother’s
death, and, being sensible that this would hasten his return home, he made it a spur to his industry; and so
surprisingiwas.his progress in academical learning, that he
was thought. -worthy of the degrees of master of arts and
doctor of philosophy in his nineteenth year, and accordingly received those honours in 1699, having performed
the usual exercises with universal applause . This extraordinary testimony of his son’s merit could not fail to be
very acceptable to the father; and the rector of the university communicated it, in a strong letter of commendation. Upon this occasion our author published his “Thesis,
” and dedicated it to his father and his two uncles, sir
John and sir Joseph Wolf; and a aioble attestation of his
merit was subjoined by Adrian Ileland in a Latin panegyric.