, an English divine, author of some small controversial pieces, was
, an English divine, author of some small controversial pieces, was born in 1625, and educated at Clare-hall, Cambridge, and was admitted sizar and pupil to Mr. David Clarkson, on the 4th of May, 1646, as appears from the register of the college. He was ejected by the act of uniformity in 1662, from the living of Oswaldkirk, near Helmsley, in Yorkshire, and not from that of Bolton, as Dr. Calamy affirms in his account, p. 818, who has rectified that mistake in his Continuation, p. 950, though, as it seems, without knowing that it was a mistake, it being indeed Mr. Nathan, and not Mr. John Denton, who was ejected from Bolton upon Dearn, or more properly Darwent. Mr. John Denton afterwards conformed; and being re-ordained by Dr. Thomas Barlow, bishop of Lincoln, was collated to the living of Stonegrave, within two miles of Osvvaldkirk, and a prebend of the church of York, both which he held till his death, January 4, 1708, in the eighty-third year of his age, as is evident from the inscription on his tomb-stone in the church of Stonegrave, in which living he was succeeded by his son, Mr. Robert Denton, who was educated at Catherine-hall, in Cambridge, and died about 1748. Mr. John Denton having contracted an intimate friendship with Mr. Tillotson, at Clare-hall, they kept up a constant correspondence during his grace’s life.
h and Hales of Eton in English, which he wrote fluently. For some time it is 'said he was engaged in an English Dictionary, historical and critical, in the manner of
, a
fellow of the royal society of London, was born in
Auvergne, in France, in 1666, and was the son of a protestant clergyman. He came over in his youth to England,
and appears to have led the life of a man of letters, continually employed in composing or editing literary works.
In 1720 he was elected F. R. S. and from his numerous
letters in the British Museum, appears to have carried on
a very extensive correspondence with the learned men of
his time, especially St. Evremont and Bayle. He died at
London in June 1745. Bayle he assisted with many articles
and remarks for his Dictionary, and published his “Letters
” at Amsterdam, Nouvelles Lettres de Pierre
Bayle,
” Hague, Recueii
de diverses pieces sur la philosophic, la religion naturelle,
l'histoire, les mathematiques, &c.
” by Leibnitz, Clarke,
Newton, and others; Amst. 2 vols. 12mo. He appears
likewise to have been the editor of the “Scaligerana,
Thuana, Perroniana, Pithoeana, et Colomesiana,
” Amst.
Bibliotlieque Raisonnæ
” and “The Republic of Letters.
”
f great parts and unsuspected credit, delivers as an undoubted truth; and that upon the authority of an English minister, who might be well presumed to know what he
The ear) met with nothing in Ireland but disappointments, in the midst of which, an army was suddenly raised
in England, under the command of the earl of Nottingham;
nobody well knowing why, but in reality from the suggestions of the earl’s enemies to the queen, that he rather meditated an invasion on his native country, than the reduction of the Irish rebels. This and other considerations
made him resolve to quit his post, and come over to
England; which he accordingly did, and presented himself
before the queen. He met with a tolerable reception;
but was soon after confined, examined, and dismissed from
all his offices, except that of master of the horse. In the
summer of“1600, he recovered his liberty; and in the
autumn following, he received Mr. Cuffe, who had been
his secretary in Ireland (See Cuffe), into his councils.
Cuffe, who was a man of his own disposition, laboured to
persuade him, that submission would never do him any
good; that the queen was in the hands of a faction, who
were his enemies; and that the only way to restore his
fortune was to obtain an audience, by whatever means he
could, in order to represent his case. The earl did not
consent at first to this dangerous advice; but afterwards,
giving a loose to his passion, began to declare himself
openly, and among other fatal expressions let fall this,
that
” the queen grew old and cankered; and that her
mind was become as crooked as her carcase.“His enemies, who had exact intelligence of all that he proposed,
and had provided effectually against the execution of his
designs, hurried him upon his fate by a message, sent on
the evening of Feb. 7, requiring him to attend the council,
which he declined. This appears to have unmanned him,
and in his distraction of mind, he gave out, that they sought
his life kept a watch in Essex-house all night; and summoned his friends for his defence the next morning. Many
disputes ensued, and some blood was spilt; but the earl
at last surrendered, and was carried that night to the archbishop’s palace at Lambeth, and the next day to the
Tower. On the 19th, he was arraigned before his peers,
and after a long trial was sentenced to lose his head: upon
which melancholy occasion he said nothing more than this,
viz.
” If her majesty had pleased, this body of mine might
have done her better service; however, I shall be glad if it
may prove serviceable to her any way.“He was executed
upon the 25th, in his thirty-fourth year, leaving behind
him one only son and two daughters. As to his person, he
is reported to have been tall, but not very well made; his
countenance reserved; his air rather martial than courtly;
very careless in dress, and a little addicted to trifling diversions, He was learned, and a lover of learned men,
whom he always encouraged and rewarded. He was sincere in his friendships, but not so careful as he ought to
have been in making a right choice; sound in his morals,
except in point of gallantry, and thoroughly well affected
to the protestant religion. Historians inform us, that as
to his execution, the queen remained irresolute to the very
last, and sent sir Edward Carey to countermand it but,
as Camden says, considering afterwards his obstinacy in
refusing to ask her pardon, she countermanded those orders, and directed that he should die. There is an odd
story current in the world about a ring, which the chevalier Louis Aubrey de Mourier, many years the French
minister in Holland, and a man of great parts and unsuspected credit, delivers as an undoubted truth; and that
upon the authority of an English minister, who might be
well presumed to know what he said. As the incident is
remarkable, and has made much noise, we will report it
in the words of that historian:
” It will not, I believe, be
thought either impertinent or disagreeable to add here,
what prince Maurice had from the mouth of Mr. Carleton,
ambassador of England in Holland, who died secretary of
state so well known under the name of lord Dorchester,
and who was a man of great merit. He said, that queen
Elizabeth gave the earl of Essex a ring, in the height of
her passion for him, ordering him to keep it; and that
whatever he should commit, she would pardon him when
he should return that pledge. Since that time the earl’s
enemies having prevailed with the queen, who, besides,
was exasperated against him for the contempt he had
shewed her beauty, now through age upon the decay, she
caused him to be impeached. When he was condemned,
she expected to receive from him the ring, and would have
granted him his pardon according to her promise. The
earl, finding himself in the last extremity, applied to admiral Howard’s lady, who was his relation; and desired
her, by a person she could trust, to deliver the ring into
the queen’s own hands. But her husband, who was one of
the earl’s greatest enemies, and to whom she told this imprudently, would not suffer her to acquit herself of the
commission; so that the queen consented to the earl’s
death, being full of indignation against so proud and
haughty a spirit, who chose rather to die than implore her
mercy. Some time after, the admiral’s lady fell sick;
and, being given over by her physicians, she sent word to
the queen that she had something of great consequence to
tell her before she died. The queen came to her bedBide i and having ordered all her attendants to withdraw,
the admiral’s lady returned her, but too late, that ring
from the earl of Essex, desiring to be excused for not
having returned it sooner, since her husband had prevented her. The queen retired immediately, overwhelmed
with the utmost grief; she sighed continually for a fortnight, without taking any nourishment, lying in bed entirely dressed, and getting up an hundred times a night.
At last she died with hunger and with grief, because she
had consented to the death of a lover who had applied to
her for mercy." Histoire de Hollancle, p. 215, 216.
D‘Ewes (Sir Symonds), an English historian and antiquary, was the son of Paul D’Eues,
D‘Ewes (Sir Symonds), an English historian and antiquary, was the son of Paul D’Eues, esq. and born in
1602, at Coxden in Dorsetshire, the seat of Richard Syxnonds, esq. his mother’s father. He was descended from
an ancient family in the Low Countries, from whence his
ancestors removed hither, and gained a considerable settlement in the county of Suffolk. In 1618, he was entered a
fellow- commoner of St. John’s college in Cambridge and
about two years after, began to collect materials for forming a correct and complete history of Great Britain. He
was no less studious in preserving the history of his own
times; setting down carefully the best accounts he was
able to obtain of every memorable transaction, at the time
it happened. This disposition in a young man of parts
recommended him to the acquaintance of persons of the
first rank in the republic of letters, such as Cotton, Selden,
Spelman, &c. In 1626, he married Anne, daughter to sir
William Clopton of Essex, an exquisite beauty, not fourteen years old, with whom he was so sincerely captivated,
that his passion for her seems to have increased almost to
a degree of extravagance, even after she was his wife. He
pursued his studies, however, as usual, with great vigour
and diligence, and when little more than thirty years of
age, finished that large and accurate work for which he is
chiefly memorable. This work he kept by him during his
life-time it being written, as he tells us, for his own private use. It was published afterwards with this title
“The Journals of all the Parliaments during the reign of
queen Elizabeth, both of the House of Lords and House
of Commons, collected by sir Symonds D'Ewes, of Stowhall in the county of Suffolk, knt. and bart. revised and
published by Paul Bowes, of the Middle Temple, esq.
1682,
” folio. In
irmation; and the observation of Epiphany, Christmas, &c. These, however harmless they may appear to an English reader, were matters not only of objection, but abhorrence
, an eminent divine of the church of
Scotland, the son of John Dickson, a merchant in Glasgow, was born about 1583, and educated at the university
of his native city. After taking the degree of M. A. he
was admitted regent, or professor of philosophy, an office
which, at that time, somewhat after the manner of the
foreign universities, was held only for a term of years (in this case, of eight years) after which these regents received ordination. Accordingly, in 1618, Mr. Dickson
was ordained minister of the town of Irvine, which preferment he held about twenty-three years, and became a very
popular preacher. Although always inclined to the presbyterian form of church-government, he had shewn no
great reluctance to the episcopal forms until the passing of
what are known, in the ecclesiastical history of Scotland,
by the name of the Perth articles; five articles, which enjoined kneeling at the sacrament; private adtninistratioa
of it in extreme sickness; private baptism, if necessary;
episcopal confirmation; and the observation of Epiphany,
Christmas, &c. These, however harmless they may appear to an English reader, were matters not only of objection, but abhorrence to a great proportion of the Scotch
clergy; and Mr. Dickson having expressed his dislike in
strong terms, and probably in the pulpit, was suspended
from his pastoral charge, and ordered to remove to Turriff,
in the north of Scotland, within twenty days. After much
interest, however, had been employed, for he had many
friends among persons of rank, who respected his talents
and piety, he was allowed in 1623 to return to Irvine.
As during the progress of the rebellion in England, the
power of the established church decayed also in Scotland,
Dickson exerted himself with considerable effect in the
restoration of the presbyterian form of church-government,
and there being a reluctance to this change on the part
of the learned divines of Aberdeen, he went thither in
1637, and held solemn disputations with Doctors Forbes,
Barron, Sibbald, &c. of that city, which were afterwards published. In 1641 he was removed from Irvine
to be professor of divinity in the university of Glasgow;
and in 1643 he assisted in drawing up some of those
formularies which are contained in the “Confession of
Faith,
” a book which is still subscribed by the clergy of
Scotland. The “Directory for public worship,
” and
“The sum of saving knowledge,
” were from his pen, assisted, in the former, by Henderson and Calderwood and
in the latter, by Durham. Some years after, probably
about 1645, he was invited to the elmir of professor of divinity at Edinburgh, which he held until the restoration,
when he was ejected for refusing the oath of supremacy.
He did not survive this long, dying in 1662. He was esteemed one of the ablest and most useful men of his time,
in the promotion of the church of Scotland as now established, and his writings have been accounted standard
books with those who adhere to her principles as originally
laid down. His principal works are, I. “A Commentary
on the Hebrews,
” 8vo. 2. “On Matthew,
” 4to. 3. “On
the Psalms,
” On the Epistles,
”
Latin and English, folio and 4to. 5. “Therapeutica Sacra, or Cases of Conscience resolved,
” Latin 4to, English
8vo. 6. “A treatise on the Promises,
” Dublin, Confession of
Faith,
” he lectured, when professor of divinity, on that
book, the heads of which lectures were afterwards published, as he had delivered them, in Latin, under the title
“Prelectiones in Confessionem Fidei,
” folio but they
have been since translated and often reprinted, under the
title of “Truth’s Victory over Error,
” one of the most
useful, and now, we believe, the only one of his works
which continues still popular in Scotland. Prefixed is a
life of the author by Woodrow, the ecclesiastical historian, from which we have extracted the above particulars.
, an English gentleman, memorable for the share he had in the powder-plot,
, an English gentleman, memorable for the share he had in the powder-plot, and his suffering on that account, was descended from an ancient
family, and born some time in 1581. His father, Everard
Digby, of Drystoke in Rutlandshire, esq. a person of great
worth and learning, was educated in St. John’s college,
Cambridge, where he took the degree of M. A. and published several treatises, some on learned, others on curious
subjects: as, 1. “Theoria analytica viam ad mouarchiam
scientiarum demonstrans,
” De duplici
methodo libri duo, Rami methodum refutantes,
” 1580,
8vo. 3. “De arte natandi, libri duo,
” A
dissuasive from taking away the goods and livings of the
church,
” 4to. His son, the subject of this article, was
educated with great care, but unfortunately under the tuition of some popish priests, who gave him those impressions which his father, if he had lived, might probably have
prevented; but he died when his son was only eleven
years of age. He was introduced very early to the court
of queen Elizabeth, where he was much noticed, and received several marks of her majesty’s favour. On the accession of king James, he went likewise to pay his duty,
as others of his religion did; was very graciously received;
and had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him,
being looked on as a man of a fair fortune, pregnant abilities, and a court-like behaviour. He married Mary,
daughter and sole heiress of William Mulsho, esq. of Gothurst, in Buckinghamshire, with whom he had a great fortune, which, with his own estate, was settled upon the
children of that marriage. One would have imagined that,
considering his mild temper and happy situation in the
world, this gentleman might have spent his days in honour
and peace, without running the smallest hazard of meeting
that disgraceful death, which has introduced his name into
all our histories: but it happened far otherwise. He was
drawn in by the artifices and persuasions of sir Thomas
Tresham, a zealous papist, and probably also by those of
the notorious Catesby, with whom he was intimate, to be
privy to the gunpowder-plot; and though he was not a
principal actor in this dreadful affair, or indeed an actor
at all, yet he offered 1500l. towards defraying the expences
of it; entertained Guy Fawkes, who was to have executed
it, in his house; and was taken in open rebellion with
other papists after the plot was detected and miscarried.
The means by which sir Everard was persuaded to engage
in this affair, according to his own account, were these:
first, he was told that king James had broke his promises
to the catholics; secondly, that severer laws against popery
would be made in the next parliament, that husbands
would be made obnoxious for their wives’ otte/iees and
that it would be made a praemunire only to be a catholic;
but the main point was, thirdly, that the restoring of the
catholic religion was the duty of every member and that,
in consideration of this, he was not to regard any favonjr*
received from the crown, the tranquillity of his country,
or the hazards that might be run in respect to his life, his
family, or his fortune. Upon his commitment to the Tower,
he persisted steadily in maintaining his own innocence as
to the powder-plot, and refused to discover any who were
concerned in it; but when he was brought to his trial at
Westminster, Jan. 27, 1606, and indicted for being acquainted with and concealing the powder-treason, taking
the double oath of secrecy and constancy, and acting
openly with other traitors in rebellion, he pleaded guilty.
After this, he endeavoured to extenuate his offence, by
explaining the motives before mentioned; and then requested that, as he had been alone in the crime, he might
alone bear the punishment, without extending it to his
family; and that his debts might be paid, and himself beheaded. When sentence of death was passed, he seemed
to be very much affected: for, making a low bow to those
on the bench, he said, “If I could hear any of your lordships say you forgave me, I should go the more cheerfully
to the gallows.
” To this all the lords answered, “God
forgive you, and we do.
” He was, with other conspirators, upon the 30th of the same month, hanged, drawn,
and quartered at the west end of St. Paul’s church in London, where he asked forgiveness of God, the king, the
queen, the prince, and all the parliament; and protested,
that if he had known this act at first to have been so foul a
treason, he would not have concealed it to have gained a
world, requiring the people to witness, that he died penitent and sorrowful for it. Wood mentions a most extraordinary circumstance at his death, as a thing generally
Itnown, or rather generally reported; namely, that when
the executioner plucked out his heart, and according to
form held it up, saying, “Here is the heart of a traitor,
”
sir Everard made answer, “Thou lyest;
” a story which
will scarcely now obtain belief; yet it is told by Bacon in
his “Historia vitae et mortis,
” although he does not mention sir Everard’s name.
, an English nobleman of great parts, was son of the preceding, and
, an English nobleman of great
parts, was son of the preceding, and born at Madrid, in
October, 1612. In 1626 he was entered of Magdalencollege, in Oxford, where he lived in great familiarity
with the well-known Peter Heylin, and gave manifest
proofs of those great endowments for which he was afterwards so distinguished. In 1636 he was created M. A.
there, just after Charles 1. had left Oxford; where he had
been spendidly entertained by the university, and particularly at St. John’s college, by Dr. Laud, afterwards
archbishop of Canterbury. In the beginning of the long
parliament he was disaffected to the court, and appointed
one of the committee to prepare a charge against the earl
of Strafford, in 1640 but afterwards would not consent to
the bill, “not only,
” as he said, “because he was unsatisfied in the matter of law, but for that he was more unsatisfied in the matter of fact.
” From that time he
became a declared enemy to the parliament, and shewed his
dislike of their proceedings in a warm speech against them,
which he made at the passing' of the bill of attainder against
the said earl, in April 1641. This speech was condemned
to be burnt, and himself in June following, expelled the
house of commons. In Jan. 1642, he went on a message
from his majesty to Kingston-upon-Thames, to certain
gentlemen there, with a coach and six horses. This they
improved into a warlike appearance; and accordingly he
was accused of high treason in parliament, upon pretence
of his levying war at Kingston-upon-Thames. Clarendon
mentions “this severe prosecution of a young nobleman of
admirable parts and eminent hopes, in so implacable a
manner, as a most pertinent instance of the tyranny and
injustice of those times.
” Finding what umbrage he had
given to the parliament, and how odious they had made
him to the people, he obtained leave, and a licence from
his majesty, to transport himself into Holland; whence he
wrote several letters to his friends, and one to the queen,
which was carried by a perfidious confidant to the parliament, and opened. In a secret expedition afterwards to
the king, he was taken by one of the parliament’s ships,
and carried to Hull; but being in such a disguise that not
his nearest relation could have known him, he brought
himself off very dextrously by his artful management of
the governor, sir John Hotham. In 1643 he was made
one of the secretaries of state to the king, and high steward
of the university of Oxford, in the room of William lord
Say. In the latter end of 1645 he went into Ireland, and
exposed himself to great hazards of his life, for the service of the king; from thence he passed over to Jersey,
where the prince of Wales was, and after that into France,
in order to transact some important matters with the queen
and cardinal Mazarin. Upon the death of the king, he was
exempted from pardon by the parliament, and obliged to
live in exile till the restoration of Charles II. when he was
restored to all he had lost, and made knight of the garter.
He became very active in public affairs, spoke frequently in
parliament, and distinguished himself by his enmity to
Clarendon while chancellor. He died at Chelsea, March
20, 1676, after succeeding his father as earl of Bristol.
Many of his speeches and letters are still extant, to he
found in our historical collections and he wrote “Elvira,
”
a comedy, &c. There are also letters of his cousin
sir Kenelm Digby, against popery, mentioned in our account of sir Kenelm yet afterwards he became a papist
himself; which inconsistencies in his character have been
neatly depicted by lord Orford. “He was,
” says he, “a
singular person, whose life was one contradiction. He
wrote against popery, and embraced it; he was a zealous
opposer of the court, and a sacrifice for it; was conscientiously converted in the midst of his prosecution of lord
Strafford, and was most unconscientiously a prosecutor of
lord Clarendon. With great parts he always hurt himself
and his friends; with romantic bravery, he was always an
unsuccessful commander. He spoke for the test act,
though a Roman catholic, and addicted himself to astrology on the birth-day of true philosophy.
”
, an English poet, was born in Ireland about 1633, while the government
, an English poet, was born in Ireland about 1633, while the government of that kingdom was under the first earl of Strafford, to whom he was nephew; his father, sir James Dillon, third earl of Roscommon, having married Elizabeth the youngest daughter of sir William Wentworth, of Wentworth-Woodhouse, in the county of York, sister to the earl of Stratford. Hence lord Roscommon was christened Wentworth. He was educated in the protestant religion, his father (who died at Limerick in 1619) having been converted by archbishop Usher from the communion of the church of Rome; and passed the years of his infancy in Ireland. He was brought over to England by his uncle, on his return from the government of Ireland*, and placed at that nobleman’s seat in Yorkshire, under the tuition of Dr. Hall, erroneously* said to have been afterwards bishop of Norwich. The celebrated Hall was at this time a bishop, and far advanced in years. By this Dr. Hall, whoever he was, he was instructed in Latin; and, without learning the common rules of grammar, which he could never remember, attained to write that language with classical elegance and propriety. When the cloud began to gather over England, and the earl of Strafford was singled out for an impeachment, he was, by the advice of Usher, sent to finish his education at Caen in Normandy, where the protestants had then an university, and studied under the direction of the learned Bochart; but at this time he could not have been more than nine years old. After some years he travelled to Rome, where he grew familiar with the most valuable remains of antiquity, applying himself particularly to the knowledge of medals, which he gained to perfection; and he spoke Italian with so much grace and fluency, that he was frequently mistaken there for a native.
was the son of Theodore Diodati, who, although originally of Lucca, as well as his brother, married an English lady, and his son in every respect became an Englishman.
, a very eminent divine, descended
of a noble family of Lucca, was born June 6, 1576; but
of his early years we have no information. When, however, he was only nineteen years of age, we find him appointed professor of Hebrew at Geneva. In 1619 the
church of Geneva sent him to the synod of Dort, with his
colleague Theodore Tronchin. Diodati gained so much
reputation in this synod, that he was chosen, with five
other divines, to prepare the Belgic confession of faith.
He was esteemed an excellent divine, and a good preacher.
His death happened at Geneva, Oct. 3, 1649, in his seventy-third year, and was considered as a public loss. He
has rendered himself noticed by some works which he
published, but particularly by his translation of the whole
Bible into Italian, the first edition of which he published,
with notes, in 1607, at Geneva, and reprinted in 16 n.
The New Testament was printed separately at Geneva in
1608, and at Amsterdam and Haerlem in 1665. M. Simon
observes, that his method is rather that of a divine and a
preacher, than of a critic, by which he means only, that
his work is more of a practical than a critical kind. He
translated the Bible also into French, but not being so intimate with that language, he is not thought to have succeeded so well as in the Italian. This translation was
printed in folio, at Geneva, in 1664. He was also the
first who translated into French father Paul’s “History of
the Council of Trent,
” and many have esteemed this a
more faithful translation than de la Houssaye’s, although
less elegant in language. He also is said to have translated sir Edwin Sandys’ book on the “State of Religion in
the West.
” But the work by which he is best known in
this country is his Annotations on the Bible, translated into
English, of which the third and best edition was published
in 1651, fol. He is said to have begun writing these annotations in 1606, at which time it was expected that
Venice would have shaken off the popish yoke, a measure to which he was favourable; and he went on improving them in his editions of the Italian and French
translations. This work was at one time time very popular
in England, and many of the notes of the Bible, called the
“Assembly of Divines’ Annotations,
” were taken from Diodati literally. Diodati was at onetime in England, as we
learn from the life of bishop Bedell, whom he was desirous
to become acquainted with, and introduced him to Dr. Morton, bishop of Durham. From Morrice’s “State Letters
of the right hon. the earl of Orrery,
” we learn that when
invited to preach at Venice, he was obliged to equip himself in a trooper’s habit, a scarlet cloak with a sword, and
in that garb he mounted the pulpit; but was obliged to
escape again to Geneva, from the wrath of a Venetian
nobleman, whose mistress, affected by one of Diqdati'a
sermons, had refused to continue her connection with her
keeper. The celebrated Milton, also, contracted a friendship for Diodati, when on his travels; and some of his
Latin elegies are addressed to Charles Diodati, the nepheiv
of the divine. This diaries was one of Milton’s most intimate friends, and was the son of Theodore Diodati, who,
although originally of Lucca, as well as his brother, married an English lady, and his son in every respect became
an Englishman. He was also an excellent scholar, and
being educated to his father’s profession, practised physic
in Cheshire. He was at St. Paul’s school, with Milton,
and afterwards, in 1621, entered of Trinity-college, Oxford. He died in 1638.
, an English painter, was born in London, in 1610. His father was
, an English painter, was born in
London, in 1610. His father was master of the Alienation
office; but “spending his estate upon women, necessity
forced his son to be the most excellent painter that England
hath yet bred.
” He was put out early an apprentice to
one Mr. Peake, a stationer and trader in pictures, with
whom he served his time. Nature inclined him very
powerfully to the practice of painting after the life, in
which he had some instructions from Francis Cleyne; and,
by his master’s procurement, he had the advantage of
copying many excellent pictures, especially some of Titian and Van Dyck. How much he was beholden to the
latter, may easily be seen in all his works; no painter
having ever so happily imitated that excellent master, who
was so much pleased with his performances, that he presented him to Charles I. This monarch took him into
his immediate protection, kept him in Oxford all the
while his majesty continued in that city, sat several
times to him for his picture, and obliged the prince of
Wales, prince Rupert, and most of the lords of his court,
to do the like. Dobson \\as a fair, middle-sized man,
of a ready wit and pleasing conversation; but somewhat loose and irregular in his way of living; and, notwithstanding the opportunities he had of making his fortune, died poor at his house in St. Martin’s-lane, in 1647.
Although it was his misfortune to want suitable helps in
beginning to apply himself to painting, and he was much
disturbed by the commotions of the unhappy times tie nourished in, yet he shone out through all disadvantages;
and it is universally agreed, that, had his education and
encouragement been answerable to his genius, England
might justly have been as proud of her Dobson, as Venice of her Titian, or Flanders of her Van Dyck. He
was both a history and portrait painter; and there are in
the collections of the dukes of Marlborough, Devonshire,
Northumberland, and the earl of Pembroke, several of his
pictures of both kinds.
, an English poet and miscellaneous writer, was born at Mansfield,
, an English poet and miscellaneous writer, was born at Mansfield, in Nottinghamshire, in 1703. His father is said to have kept the tree-school at Mansfield, a situation in which it is natural to suppose he could have bestowed some education on his children, yet it is not easy to reconcile this with the servile track of life into which they were obliged to enter. He is described as a little deformed man, who, after having a large family by his first wife, married at the age of seventy-five a young girl of only seventeen years, by whom he had a child. Of his sons, A Ivory lived many years, and died in the service of the late sir George Saville; Isaac was for some time gardener to Mr. Allen, of Prior-park, and afterwards to lord Weymouth, at Long-leat. In these two families he spent fifty-two years of his life; and has the credit of being the projector of some of the beautiful plantations at both those seats. He retired from Long-leat at the age of seventy-eight, and died about three years after. There was a third, John, whose name with that of Alvory, and of the father, is among the subscribers to our poet’s first publication. James, who was twenty-two years younger than Robert, will come to be mentioned hereafter; when he was taken into partnership. How he passed the preceding part of his time is not known. Of Robert, nothing is now remembered in his native town, but a traditional story, that he was put apprentice to a stocking-weaver of that place, and that, being almost starved, he ran away, and was hired by a lady as her footman: this lady, it is added, observing that he employed his leisure hours in reading, gave him every encouragement; and soon after he wrote an entertainment, which was shewn to Pope and others. Part of this story is probable, but too much of his history is crowded into it. His first service was not that of a lady, nor was the entertainment (The Toy-shop) his first production.
is prefixed, an account of the manner in which the said manuscript was discovered. In a letter from an English Gentleman, now residing in China, to the earl of *****.”
In 1748 our author published a work of yet greater popularity and acknowledged value in the instruction of youth,
feis “Preceptor,
” to which some of the parties just mentioned contributed. Dr. Johnson furnished the Preface,
and “The Vision of Theodore the Hermit.
” In the be
ginning of the following year, Dodsley purchased Johnson’s “Vanity of Human Wishes,
” for the small sum of
fifteen guineas, but Johnson reserved the right of printing
one edition. It is a better proof of Dodsley’s enterprising
Spirit that he was the first who suggested the scheme of
the English Dictionary, upon which Dr. Johnson was at
this time employed; and is supposed to have procured
some hints from Pope, among whose friends a scheme of
this kind had been long entertained. Pope, however, did
not live to see the excellent Prospectus which Johnson
published in 1747. In 1748, Dodsley collected together
in one volume his dramatic pieces, under the modest title
of “Trifles.
” On the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, he wrote
the “Triumph of Peace,
” a masque, which was set to
music by Dr. Arne, and performed at Drury-lane in
1748-9. In 1750 he published a small volume, unlike
any of his former attempts, entitled “The Œconomy of
Human Life, translated from an Indian manuscript, written by an ancient Bramin; to which is prefixed, an account of the manner in which the said manuscript was
discovered. In a letter from an English Gentleman, now
residing in China, to the earl of *****.
” Whether from
modesty, fear, or merely a trick of trade, Dodsley affected
to be only the publisher of this work, and persisted in his disguise for some time. Conjecture gave it to the earl of
Chesterfield, and not quite so absurdly as Mrs. Teresa
Constantia Phillips complimented that nobleman on being
author of the “Whole Duty of Man.
” Chesterfield had
a friendship for Dodsley, and would not contradict a report
which rendered the sale of the “Œconomy
” both rapid.
and extensive. The critics, however, in the Monthly
Keview, and Gentleman’s Magazine, were not to be deceived.
, an English barrister, was the son of the Rev. John Dodson, M. A.
, an English barrister, was the
son of the Rev. John Dodson, M. A. a dissenting minister
of Marlborough, in Wiltshire, and of Elizabeth, one of
the daughters of Mr. Foster, an attorney-at-law of the
same place. He was born at Marlborough on the 20th or
21st Sept. 1732, and educated partly under the care of his
father, and partly at the grammar-school of that town; and
under the direction of his maternal uncle, sir Michael
Foster, he was brought up to the profession of the law.
After being admitted of the Middle Temple, London, August 31, 1754, he practised many years with considerable
reputation, as a special pleader. His natural modesty and
cliffiJence discouraged him from attending the courts, and
therefore he did not proceed to be called to the bar till
July 4, 1783. This measure contributed, as was intended,
more to the diminution than to the increase of professional
business. He was appointed one of the commissioners of
bankrupts in 1770, during the chancellorship of lord Camden, and was continued in that situation till the time of
his death. On December 31, 1778, Mr. Dodson married
miss Elizabeth Hawkes, his cousin-german, and eldest
daughter of Mr. Hawkes, of Marlborough. He enjoyed a
life of uninterrupted good health, and indeed little alteration was observeable in his strength or general habits till
nearly the last year of his life. It was not till the month
of October 1799, that he began more sensibly to feel the
effect of disease; and, after a confinement to his room of
about a fortnight, he died of a dropsy in his chest, at his
house in Boswell-court, Carey-street, London, on the 13th
of November of that year; and was buried in Bunhillfields the 21st of the same month. Mr. Dodson’s legal
knowledge and discrimination were deservedly estimated
by those to whom he was known, and who had occasion to
confer with him upon questions of law. He was deliberate
in forming his opinion, and diffident in delivering it, but
always clear in the principles and reasons on which it was
founded. His general acquaintance with the laws, and
veneration for the constitution of his country, evinced his
extensive acquaintance with the principles of jurisprudence, and his regard for the permanence of the liberties
of Britain. In 1762, Mr. Justice Foster published his
book, entitled, “A Report of some proceedings on the
commission for the trial of the Rebels in the year 1746, in
the county of Surrey; and of other crown cases; to which
are added, Discourses upon a few branches of the Crown
Law.
” This work will be to him, said Mr. Dodson, “monumeutum aere perennius.
” The impression being large,
and a pirated edition being made in Ireland, a new edition,
was not soon wanted in England; but in 1776 Mr. Dodson
published a second edition with some improvements, and
with remarks in his preface on some objections made by
Mr. Barrington in his “Observations on the more ancient
Statutes.
” In Commentaries and Essays,
” written by the members of a small “Society for promoting the knowledge of
the Scriptures.
” Mr. Dodson was a very early member of
this society, not only communicating some papers of his
own, but conducting through the press some of the contributions of others. In 1790 he laid before the public, as
the result of many years’ study, “New translation of Isaiah,
with notes supplementary to those of Dr. Lowth, late
bishop of London, and containing remarks on many parts
of his Translation and Notes, by a Layman.
” In this he
has taken more freedoms than can be justified by the principles of sound criticism; which drew forth an able answer
from the pen of Dr. Sturges, in “Short remarks on a new
Translation of Isaiah,
” 8vo. To this Mr. Dodson replied,
with urbanity and candour, in “A Letter to the Rev. Dr.
Sturges, &c.
” 8vo,
, an English divine, was born about 1598 at Martley near Worcester,
, an English divine, was born about
1598 at Martley near Worcester, and educated at Worcester, whence at the age of sixteen he became a student
at Oxford. After he had taken his bachelor’s degree, he
was one of those excellent scholars who were candidates
for a fellowship in Merton college, and after a severe
examination by the then warden, sir Henry Savile, Mr.
Doughty gained the election. He there completed his
degree of M. A. and entering into orders, became a very
popular and edifying preacher. In 1631 he served the
office of proctor only for four months, the proctors being
removed by the king; but about that time he became
chaplain to the earl of Northumberland, and his college
bestowed on him the rectory of Lapworth in Warwickshire.
On the commencement of the rebellion, he left Lapworth,
to avoid sequestration and imprisonment, and joined the
king at Oxford. Soon after Dr. Duppa, bishop of Salisbury, gave him the lectureship of St. Edmund’s in that
city, where he continued about two years; but, on the defeat of the royal army in the West, he went to London,
and found an asylum in the house of sir Nathaniel Brent,
in Little Britain. After the restoration, his loyalty and
public services were rewarded with a prebend in Westminster, and the rectory of Cheam in Surrey, and about
the same time he was created doctor of divinity. He died
at Westminster, after he had lived, says Wood, “to be
twice a child,
” December 25, 1672, and was buried in the
abbey.
, an English divine, the eldest son of Calybute Downing of Shennington,
, an English divine, the eldest
son of Calybute Downing of Shennington, in Gloucestershire, gent, was born in 1606, and in 1623 became a commoner of Oriel college, Oxford, where he took one degree
in arts. His master’s degree, according to Wood, he took
at Cambridge, or abroad; after which, entering into orders,
he held the vicarage of Hackney, near London, with the
parsonage of Hickford, in Buckinghamshire. But these not
being sufficient for his ambition, he stood in competition
with Dr. Gilbert Sheldon for the wardenship of All -soul’s;
and losing that, was a suitor to be chaplain to the earl of
Strafford, lord lieutenant of Ireland, thinking that road
might lead to a bishopric. But failing there also, he joined
the parliament party, and became a great promoter of
their designs; and in a sermon preached before the artillery-company, Sept. 1, 1640, delivered this doctrine:
“That for the defence of religion, and reformation of the
church, it was lawful to take up arms against the king
”
but fearing to be called in question for this assertion, he
retired to the house of Robert earl of Warwick, at Little
Lees, in Essex. After this he became chaplain to the
lord Robert’s regiment, and in 1643 was one of the assembly of divines; but died in the midst of his career, in
1644. He has some political discourses and sermons in
print, enumerated by Wood. He was father of sir George
Downing, made by king Charles II. secretary to the treasury, and one of the commissioners for the customs.
ound to queen Elizabeth, in Latin verse, the terms iipon which she might hope for peace; which, with an English translation of a very homely kind, by Dr. Fuller, we
In the mean time it must not be dissembled, concerning the expedition in general, that, through an oversight of Drake, the admiral ran the utmost hazard of being taken by the enemy. For Drake being appointed, the first night of the engagement, to carry lights for the direction of the English fleet, was led to pursue some hulks belonging to the Hansetowns, and so neglected this orh'ce; which occasioned the admiral’s following the Spanish lights, and remaining almost in the centre of their fleet till morning. However, his succeeding services sufficiently atoned for this mistake, the greatest execution done on the flying Spaniards being performed by the squadron under his command. It is remarkable, that the Spaniards, notwithstanding their loss was so great, and their defeat so notorious, took great pains to propagate false stories, which in some places gained so much credit as to hide their shame. A little before this formidable Spanish armament put to sea, the ambassador of his catholic majesty had the confidence to propound to queen Elizabeth, in Latin verse, the terms iipon which she might hope for peace; which, with an English translation of a very homely kind, by Dr. Fuller, we will insert in this place, because Drake’s expedition to the West Indies makes a part of this message. The verses are these:
Besides the performances already mentioned, he made an English translation of Herodotus, which was never published.
Besides the performances already mentioned, he made
an English translation of Herodotus, which was never published. He wrote a comedy called “The Sham- Lawyer,
or the Lucky Extravagant
” which was acted at the theatre
royal in The Spanish Curate,
” and “Wit without
Money.
” He was the editor of Historia Anglo-Scotica,
upon a diligent revisal, in order, if possible, to discover the name
of the author, and the age of his writing, he found, that
it was written in, or at least not finished till, the time of
king Charles I.
” But he says nothing more ol? the ms. nor
how it came into his hands. But whatever merit there
might be in his political writings, or however they might
distinguish him in his life-time, he is chiefly known now by
his medical works: by his new “System of Anatomy
”
particularly, which was finished a little before his decease,
and published in 1707, with a preface by W. Wagstaffe,
M. D. reader of anatomy at Surgeons’-hall. Dr. Wagstaffe
tells us, that Drake “eminently excelled in giving the
rationale of tilings, and inquiring into the nature and
causes of phsenomena. He does not,
” says he, “behave
himself like a mere describer of the parts, but like an unprejudiced inquirer into nature, and an absolute master of
his profession. And if Dr. Lower has been so much and
so deservedly esteemed for his solution of the systole of
the heart, Dr. Drake, by accounting for the diastole, ought
certainly to be allowed his share of reputation, and to be
admitted as a partner of his glory.
” A second edition of
this work was published in 1717, in 2 vols. 8vo; and an
appendix in 1728, 8vo, which is usually bound np with
the second volume. The plates, which are very numerous,
are accurately drawn, and well engraved. Some of them
are taken from Swammerdam. Dr. Drake added notes to
the English translation of Le Clerc’s “History of Physic,
”
printed in Memorial of the Church of England,
”
&c. was reprinted in 8vo, in
, an English divine and poet, of the sixteenth century, was educated
, an English divine and poet, of the
sixteenth century, was educated at St. John’s college,
Cambridge, where he took his degree of bachelor in divinity in 1569. The same year he was admitted to the prebend of Firles in the cathedral of Chichester, June 27, and
on July 2 to that of Chamberlaynward in St. Paul’s, and
March 9 following, he was installed archdeacon of Lewes.
He seems to have been chaplain to Grindall, when archbishop of York. He was a tolerable Latin poet, and translated the Ecclesiastes into Latin hexameters, 1572, 4to,
and published two miscellanies of Latin poetry, the one
entitled “Sylva,
” and the other “Poemata varia et externa,
” the last printed at Paris. In the “Sylva,
” he
mentions his new version of David’s psalms, which Wartou
supposes to have been in English, and says, he had begun
to translate the Iliad, but had gone no further than the
fourth book. In 1566 he published what he called “A
medicinable Morall, that is, the two bookes of Horace his
satyres Englished, according to the prescription of St.
Hierome,
” &c. Lond. and in the following year appeared
“Horace, his arte of Poetrie, Pistles, and Satyrs Englished.
”
This version, which Drant undertook in the character of a
grave divine, and as a teacher of morality, is very paraphrastic, and sometimes parodical. His other publications
are, 1. “Gregory Nazianzen his Epigrams and spiritual
sentences,
” Shaklocki, epigrammatis in
mortem Cuthberti Scoti, apomaxis,
” Lond. An
Epygrame of the death of Cuthberte Skotte some tyme
beshoppe of Chester, by Roger Shacklocke, and replyed
against by Thomas Drant.
” 3. “Thomae Drantae Angli,
Advordingamiae Praesul,
” Three godly and learned
Sermons, very necessary to be read and regarded of all
men,
”
, an English poet, was born at HarshuU, in the parish of Atherston,
, 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?
”
, an English prelate, was the second son of George Henry, seventh
, an English prelate, was the second son of George Henry, seventh earl of Kinnoul, and Abigail, youngest daughter of Robert Harley, earl of Oxford and Mortimer, lord high treasurer of Great Britain. He was born in London, Nov. 10, 1711, and after being educated at Westminster school, was admitted student of Christ church, Oxford, where he prosecuted his studies with great diligence and credit. When he had taken his first degree in arts, he accompanied his cousingerman, Thomas duke of Leeds, on a tour to the continent. From that he returned in 1735 to college, to pursue the study of divinity; the same year, June 13, he was admitted M. A. and soon after entered into holy orders, and was presented by the Oxford family to the rectory of Bothall in Northumberland; and in 1737, by the recommendation of queen Caroline, was appointed chaplain in ordinary to his majesty. In 1739 he assumed the name and arms of Drummond, as heir in entail of his great grandfather William, first viscount of Strathallan. In 1743, he attended the king abroad, and on his return was installed prebendary of Westminster, and in 1745 was admitted B. D. and D. D. In 1748 he was promoted to the see of St. Asaph; a diocese where his name will ever be revered, and which he constantly mentioned with peculiar affection and delight, as having enjoyed there for thirteen years, a situation most congenial to his feelings, and an extent of patronage most gratifying to his benevolent heart.
, an English mariner, and a native of Leicestershire, merits some
, an English mariner, and a native of Leicestershire, merits some notice as the author of the most authentic account ever given of Madagascar, which was first published in 1729, reprinted in 1743, and more recently, in 1808. Drury was shipwrecked in the Degrave East Indiaman, on the south side of that island, in 1702, being then a boy, and lived there as a slave fifteen years. After his return to England, he had among those who knew him, the character of a plain honest man, without any appearance of fraud or imposture. The truth of his narrative, as far as it goes, was confirmed by its exact agreement with the journal kept by Mr. John Benbow (eldest son of the brave but unfortunate admiral), who, being second-mate of the Degrave, was also shipwrecked, and narrowly escaped being massacred by the natives, with the captain and the rest of the crew, Drury and three other boys only excepted. Mr. Benbow’s journal was accidentally burnt in 1714, in a fire near Aldgate; but several of his friends who had seen it, recollected the particulars, and its correspondence with Dairy’s. (See Benbow). Indeed the authenticity of Drury’s narrative seems to be amply confirmed, and his facts have been accordingly adopted by the compilers of geography. There is all that simplicity and verbiage which may be expected in the narratives of the illiterate, but none of the artifices of fiction. After his return from his captivity, he went to Loughborough, to his sister and other relations. It is said that he had the place of a porter at the India-house, and that his father left him 200l. and the reversion of a house at Stoke Newington. A friend of the late Mr. Duncombe, who was living in 1769, knew him well, and used frequently to call upon him at his house in Lincoln’s-inn fields, which were not then inclosed, and had often seen Drury throw a javelin there, and hit a small mark at a surprizing distance; but other particulars of his life are not known.
, an English gentleman of considerable learning and genius, of the
, an English gentleman of considerable learning and genius, of the seventeenth century, was
a teacher of poetry and rhetoric in the English college at
Doway, in 1618. He was invited thither by Dr. Kellison,
the president, who was then providing professors to teach
such young men as had been drawn from the protestant religion in England, and had hitherto been educated in the
schools of the Jesuits. Drury was for some time a prisoner
in England, on account of his religion, but about 1616 was
released at the intercession of count Gondemar, the Spanish
ambassador in England, to whom he dedicated his Latin
plays. These plays, three in number, entitled “Aluredus
sive Alfretius,
” a tragi-comedy “Mors,
” a comedy;
and “Reparatus sive depositum,
” a tragi-comedy, were
printed together at Doway, in 1628, 12mo, and often reprinted. There is a copy of his “Aluredus
” in the British
Museum, printed separately, of the date 1620, 16mo.
These plays, Dodd informs us, were exhibited with great
applause, first privately, in the refectory of the college of
Doway, and afterwards in the open court or quadrangle in
the presence of the principal persons of the town and university.
in Gerrard-street, Soho, at eight o'clock at night, on the 16th of December, 1679. In 1680 came out an English translation in verse of Ovid’s epistles by several hands
In 1673, his tragi-comedies, entitled the “Conquest of
Granada
” by the Spaniards, in two parts, were attacked
by Richard Leigh, a player belonging to the duke of York’s
theatre, in a pamphlet called “A Censure of the Rota,
”
&c. which occasioned several other pamphlets to be written. Elkanah Settle likewise criticised these plays; and
it is remarkable that Settle, though in reality a mean and
inconsiderable poet, was the mighty rival of Dryden, and for
many years bore his reputation above him. To the first
part of the “Conquest of Granada,
” Dryden prefixed an
essay on Heroic Plays, and subjoined to the second a Defence of the Epilogue; or, an essay on the dramatic poetry
of the last age. In 1679 was published an “Essay on Satire,
” written jointly by the earl of Mulgrave and Dryden.
This piece, which was handed about in ms. contained
severe reflections on the duchess of Portsmouth and the
earl of Rochester; and they, suspecting Dryden to be the
author of it, hired three men to cudgel him; who, as Wood
relates, effected their business as he was returning from
Will’s coffee-house through Rose-street, Covent-gardeu,
to his own house in Gerrard-street, Soho, at eight o'clock
at night, on the 16th of December, 1679. In 1680 came
out an English translation in verse of Ovid’s epistles by
several hands two of which, viz. Canace to Macareus,
and Dido to Æneas, were translated by Dryden, who also
wrote the general preface and the epistle of Helen to
Paris by Dryden and the earl of Mulgrave.
, an English civilian, was born at Heavy-Tree, near Exeter in Devonshire,
, an English civilian, was born at
Heavy-Tree, near Exeter in Devonshire, 1580, of a considerable family, and was the younger brother of Nicholas
Duck, recorder of Exeter. At the age of fifteen he was
entered of Exeter college, Oxford, took his degree of B. A.
and became a fellow-commoner in 1599. From thence he
removed to Hart-hall, took his master’s degree, and afterwards was elected fellow of All-souls but his genius leading him to the study of the civil law, he took his degree of
doctor in that faculty.* He travelled into France, Italy,
and Germany; and, after his return, was made chancellor
of the diocese of Bath and Wells. He was afterwards
made chancellor of London, and at length master of the
requests: but the confusions, which were then beginning,
probably hindered him from rising higher. In 1640 he
was elected burgess for Minehead in Somersetshire, and
soon after siding with king Charles in the time of the rebellion, became a great sufferer in the fortunes of his family, being stripped by the usurpers of 2000l. In 1648
he was sent for by his majesty to Newport in the Isle of
Wight, to assist in his treaty with the commissioners from
the parliament; but, that treaty not succeeding, he retired
to his habitation at Chiswick near London, where he died
in May 1649, but in Smith’s obituary he is said to have
died in December preceding. He was an excellent
civilian, a man of piety, a tolerable poet, especially in his
younger days, and very well versed in history, ecclesiastical as well as civil. His only defect was a harshness of
voice in pleading. He left behind him, “Vita Henrici
Chichele,
” &c. Oxon. De usu & authoritate Juris Civilis Romanorum in dominiisprincipmn Christianorum:
” a very useful and entertaining work, which has
been printed several times at home and abroad, and is
added to De Ferriere’s “History of Civil Law,
”
chus, with another piece by the same hand, and Addisou’s Defence of Christianity, his next. They had an English dictionary, and a sort of English grammar, an Ovid of
He was then about 24 years of age; was married, and at
service: he had little time to spare: he had no books,
and no money to get any; but used to work more than
other day-labourers, by which means he got some little
matter added to his pay. This overplus was at his own
disposal; and with this he bought first a book of vulgar
arithmetic, then one of decimal, and a third of measuring
land; of all which, by degrees, he made himself a tolerable master, in those hours he could steal from sleep after
the labours of the day. He had, it seems, one dear friend,
who joined with him in this literary pursuit; and with
whom he used to talk and read, when they could steal a
little time for it. This friend had been in a service at
London for two or three years, and had an inclination to
books, as well as Stephen Duck. He had purchased some,
and brought them down with him into the country; and
Stephen had always the use of his little library, which in
time was increased to two or three dozen of books. “Perhaps,
” says his historian, Mr. Spence, “you would be
willing to know, what books their little library consisted
of. I need not mention those of arithmetic again, nor his
Bible. Milton, the Spectators, and Seneca, were his first
favourites; Telemachus, with another piece by the same
hand, and Addisou’s Defence of Christianity, his next.
They had an English dictionary, and a sort of English
grammar, an Ovid of long standing with them, and a
Bysshe’s Art of Poetry of later acquisition. Seneca’s Morals made the name of L'Estrange dear to them; and, as I
imagine, might occasion their getting his Joseph us in folio,
which was the largest purchase in their whole collection.
They had one volume of Shaksneare, with seven of his
plays in it. Besides these, Stephen had read three or four
other plays; some of Epictetus. Waller, Dryden’s Virgil,
Prior, Hudibras, Tom Browne, and the London Spy.
”
, was the son of Dr. Peter Duncan, professor of physic in that city, and grandson to William Duncan, an English gentleman, of Scottish original, who removed from London
, an eminent physician, born at
Montauban in Lano-uedoc in 1649, was the son of Dr.
Peter Duncan, professor of physic in that city, and grandson to William Duncan, an English gentleman, of Scottish original, who removed from London to the south of
France about the beginning of the last century. Having
lost both his parents while yet in his cradle, he was indebted, for the care of his infancy and education, to the
guardianship of his mother’s brother, Mr. Daniel Paul, a
leading counsellor of the parliament of Toulouse, though
a firm and professed protestant. Mr. Duncan received the
first elements of grammar, polite literature, and philosophy, at Puy Laurens, whither the magistracy of Montauban had transferred their university for a time, to put an
end to some disputes between the students and the citizens.
The masters newly established there, finding their credit
much raised by his uncommon proficiency, redoubled their
attention to him; so that he went from that academy with
a distinguished character to Montpellier, when removed
thither by his guardian, with a view to qualify him for a
profession which had been for three generations hereditary
in his family . His ingenuity and application recommended him to the esteem and friendship of his principal
instructor there, the celebrated Dr. Charles Barbeyrac
(uncle to John Barbeyrac the famous civilian), whose medical lectures and practice were in high reputation. Having taken his favourite pupil into his own house, the professor impressed and turned to use his public and private
instruction by an efficacious method, admitting him, at
every visit he paid to his patients, to consult and reason
with him, upon ocular inspection, concerning the effect of
his prescriptions. When he had studied eight years under
the friendly care of so excellent a master, and had just
attained the age of twenty-four, he was admitted to the
degree of M. D. in that university. From Montpellier he
went to Paris, where he resided nearly seven years. Here
he published his first work, upon the principle of motion
in the constituent parts of animal bodies, entitled: “Explication nouvelle & mechanique des actions an i males,
Paris, 1678.
” It was in the year following that he went
for the first time to London, to dispose of some houses
there, which had descended to him from his ancestors.
He had, besides, some other motives to the journey; and
among the rest, to get information relative to the effects of
the plague in London in 1665. Having dispatched his
other business, he printed in London a Latin edition of
his “Theory of the principle of motion in animal bodies.
”
His stay in London, at this time, was little more than
two years; and he was much disposed to settle there entirely. But in 1681 he was recalled to Paris to attend a
consultation on the health of his patron Colbert, which was
then beginning to decline. Soon after his return he produced the first part of a new work, entitled, “La chymie
naturelle, ou explication chymique & mechanique de la
Tiourriture de Tanimal,
” which was much read, but rather
raised than satisfied the curiosity of the learned; to answer
which he added afterwards two other parts, which were
received with a general applause. A second edition of the
whole was published at Paris in 1687. In that year likewise came out his “Histoire de l'animal, ou la connoissance
du corps animé par la méchanique & par la chymie.
” He
left Paris in 1683, upon the much-lamented death of Colbert, the kind effect of whose esteem he gratefully acknowledged, though in a much smaller degree than he
might have enjoyed, if he had been less bold in avowing
his zeal for protestantism, and his abhorrence of popery.
He had some property in land adjoining to the city of
Montauban, with a handsome house upon it, pleasantly
situated near the skirts of the town. It was with the purpose of selling these, and settling finally in England, that
he went thither from Paris. But the honourable and
friendly reception he met with there determined his stay
some years in his native city. In 1690, the persecution
which began to rage with great fury against protestants
made him suddenly relinquish all thoughts of a longer
abode in France. Having disposed of his house and land
for less than half their value, he retired first to Geneva,
intending to return to England through Germany; an intention generally kept in petto, but for many years unexpectedly thwarted by a variety of events. Great numbers
of his persuasion, encouraged by his liberality in defraying
their expences on the road to Geneva, had followed him
thither. Unwilling to abandon them in distress, he spent
several months in that city and Berne, whither great numbers had likewise taken refuge, in doing them all the service in his power. The harsh and gloomy aspect which
reformation at that time wore in Geneva, ill agreeing with
a temper naturally mild and cheerful, and the sullen treatment he met with from those of his profession, whose ignorance and selfishness his conduct and method of practice
tended to bring into disrepute, occasioned his stay there
to be very short. He listened therefore with pleasure to
the persuasion of a chief magistrate of Berne, who invited
him to a residence more suited to his mind. He passed
about 8 or 9 years at Berne, where to his constant practice
of physic was added the charge of a professorship of anatomy and chemistry. In 1699, Philip landgave of Hesse
sent for him to Cassel. The princess, who lay dangerously ill, was restored to life, but recovered strength very
slowly. Dr. Duncan was entertained for three years with
great respect, in the palace of the landgrave, as his domestic physician. During his stay at that court, he wrote
his treatise upon the abuse of hot liquors. The use of tea,
which had not long been introduced into Germany, and in
the houses of only the most opulent, was already at the
landgrave’s become improper and immoderate, as well as
that of coffee and chocolate. The princess of Hesse, with
a weak habit of body inclining to a consumption, had been
accustomed to drink these liquors to excess, and extremely
hot. He thought fit, therefore, to write something against
the abuse of them, especially the most common one last
mentioned. Their prudent use, to persons chiefly of a
phlegmatic constitution, he allowed. He even recommended them, in that case, by his own example, to be
taken moderately warm early in the morning, and soon
after dinner; but never late in the evening, their natural
tendency not agreeing with the posture of a body at rest.
He wrote this treatise in a popular style, as intended for
the benefit of all ranks of people; the abuse he condemned
growing daily more and more epidemical. Though he
deemed it too superficial for publication, he permitted it
to be much circulated in manuscript. It was not till five
years after that he was persuaded by his friend Dr. Boerhaave to print it, first in French, under the title of “Avis
salutaire a tout le monde, contre Tabus cles liqueurs chaudes,
& particulierement du caffe, du chocolat, & du the.
”
Rotterdam, J
Historical Account of Dr. Dodd’s Life,” 1777*, 8vo; and was the translator of“Sherlock’s Letters of an English Traveller,” 1st edition, 4to. The 2d edition, 8vo, was
As he had many leisure hours, he passed much time in
literary employments, though many were very cheeriully
given to society. Among his published productions maybe mentioned, the “Feminead,
” The Prophecy of
Neptune;
” “On the Death of the Prince of Wales;
”
“*Ode presented to the Duke of Newcastle
” and one
“*To the hon. James Yorke,
” first bishop of St. David’s,
and afterwards bishop of Ely. Between 1753 and 1756
came out separatelv, “*An Evening Contemplation in a
College,
” being a parody on Gray’s Elegy“reprinted in
” The Repository.“Other detached poems of Mr. Duncombe’s are,
” *Verses to the Author of Clarissa,“published in that work;
” *Verses on the Campaign, 1759,“(addressed to Sylvanus Urban, and originally printed in the volume for that year);
” *To Colonel Clive, on his
arrival in England;“” *On the Loss of the Ramilies,
Captain Taylor, 1760;“” Surrey Triumphant, or the
Kentish Men’s Defeat, 1773,“4to; a parody on Chevy Chace; which, for its genuine strokes of humour, elegant
poetry, and happy imitation, acquired the author much
applause. This has been translated into
” Nichols’s Select
Collection of Poems, 1782,“where may be found, also,
a poem of his on Stocks House; a translation of an elegant epitaph, by bishop Lowth; and an elegiac *' Epitaph
at the Grave of Mr. Highmore.
” Those pieces marked
with a starare in the Poetical Calendar, vol. VII. together
with a Prologue spoken at the Charter-house, 1752 a
Poem on Mr. Garrick and translations from Voltaire.
And in vol. X. “The Middlesex Garden
” “Kensington
Gardens
” “Farevvel to Hope
” “On a Lady’s sending
the Author a Ribbon for his Watch
” “On Captain Cornwallis’s Monument
” “Prologue to Amalasont
” “Epigrams.
” He published three Sermons; one “On the
Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, 1759,
” preached at St. Anne’s,
Westminster, and published at the request of the pa- 4
rishioners another, “preached at the Consecration of the
parish-church of St. Andrew, Canterbury,
” July 4, 1774;
and one, “On a General Fast, Feb. 27, 1778,
” also
preached at St. Andrew’s, Canterbury; and so well approved, that by the particular desire of the parish, it appeared in print under the title of “The Civil War between
the Israelites and Benjamites illustrated and applied.
”
He published with his father, in Huetiana,
” in the Gentleman’s Magazine for
Antiquitates Rutupinte.
” He wrote “The Historical Account of Dr. Dodd’s
Life,
” Sherlock’s
Letters of an English Traveller,
” 1st edition, 4to. The
2d edition, 8vo, was translated by Mr. Sherlock himself.
In 1778 he published *' An Elegy written in Canterbury
Cathedral;“and in 1784,
” Select Works of the Emperor
Julian,“2 vols. 8vo. In 1784 he was principally the author of
” The History and Antiquities of Keculver and
Heme,“which forms the eighteenth number of the Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica to which work he also
contributed in 1785, the thirtieth number, containing,
” The History and Antiquities of the Three Archiepiscopal Hospitals in and near Canterbury,“which he dedicated to archbishop Moore. He was the editor of several other works; all of which were elucidated by his
critical knowledge and explanatory notes; viz. 1.
” Letters from several eminent persons, deceased, including
the correspondence of John Hughes, esq. and several of
his friends; published from the originals, with notes.
Of these there have been two editions; the last in 3 vols.
2. “Letters from Italy; by the late right-hon. John earl
of Corke and Orrery, with notes,
” Letters from the late
archbishop Herring, to William Buncombe, esq. deceased;
from 1728 to 1757, with notes, and an appendix,
” Rusncus,
” in
“The World,
” vol. I. No. 36 of several Letters in “The
Connoisseur,
” being the “Gentleman of Cambridge,
A. B.
” mentioned in the last number. And in the Gentleman’s Magazine, his communications in biography, poetry,
and criticism, during the last twenty years of his life, were
frequent and valuable. Many of them are without a name;
but his miscellaneous contributions were usually distinguished by the signature of Crito.
, “ an English musician of the fifteenth century, at an early stage
, “an English musician of the fifteenth century, at an early stage of counterpoint, acquired
on the continent the reputation of being its inventor,
which, however, Dr. Burney has proved could not belong
to him. He was the musician whom the Germans, from a
similarity of name, have mistaken for saint Dunstan, and
to whom, as erroneously, they have ascribed with others
the invention of counterpoint in four parts. He was author
of the musical treatise
” De Mensurabili Musica,“which
is cited by Franchinus, Morley, and Ravenscroft. But
though this work is lost, there is still extant in the Bodleian
library, a Geographical Tract by this author and, if we
may believe his epitaph, which is preserved by Weever, he
was not only a musician, but a mathematician, and an eminent astrologer. Of his musical compositions nothing remains but two or three fragments in Franchinus, and Morley.
He is very unjustly accused by this last writer of separating
the syllables of the same words by rests. Stow calls him
” a
master of astronomy and music," and says he w;;s buried
in the church of St. Stephen, Walbrook, in 1458.
, an English divine, son of John Durham of Willersley near Carnpden
, an English divine, son of John Durham of Willersley near Carnpden in Gloucestershire, was born there in 1611, and educated at Broadway in the same county. In 1626 he became a student of New-inn, Oxford, took his degrees in arts, and after receiving orders became curate of St. Mary’s, Reading. In the beginning of the rebellion he went to London, conformed with the ruling powers, and became preacher at the Rolls chapel. He was afterwards presented to the rectory of Burfield in Berkshire, and that of Tredington in Worcestershire; but after the restoration was ejected and came to London, where he remained unemployed for some time. At length upon his conformity to the established church, Sir Nich. Crispe presented him to the rectory of St. Mildred’s, Bread-street, where he died July 7, 1684. He published several single sermons, a tract on family instruction, and, what is now the most valuable of his works, the life of Dr. Harris, president of Trinity college, Oxford, 1660, 12mo. He had a son, of the same names, who was D. D. of Cambridge, rector of Letcombe Basset in Berkshire, and chaplain to the duke of Monmouth. He died of an apoplexy June 18, 1686.
, an English poet, was born in 1700, the second son of Robert Dyer,
, an English poet, was born in 1700, the
second son of Robert Dyer, of Aberglasney, in Caermarthenshire, a solicitor of great capacity and note. He passed
through Westminster-school under the care of Dr. Freind,
and was then called home to be instructed in his father’s
profession. His genius, however, led him a different way;
for, besides his early taste for poetry, having a passion
no less strong for the arts of design, he determined to
make painting his profession. With this view, having
studied awhile under his master, he became, as he tells
his friend, an itinerant painter, and wandered about South
Wales and the parts adjacent; and about 1727 printed
“Grongar Hill,
” a poem which Dr. Johnson says, “is
not very accurately written but the scenes which it
displays are so pleasing, the images which they raise so welcome to the mind, and the reflections of the writer so
consonant to the general sense or experience of mankind,
that when it is once read, it will be read again.
” Being
probably unsatisfied with his own proficiency, he made the
tour of Italy; where, besides the usual study of the remains of antiquity, and the works of the great masters, he
frequently spent whole days in the country about Rome
and Florence, sketching those picturesque prospects with
facility and spirit. Images from hence naturally transferred themselves into his poetical compositions; the principal beauties of the “Ruins of Rome,
” are perhaps of
this kind, and the various landscapes in the “Fleece
”
have been particularly admired. On his return to England, he published the “Ruins of Rome,
”
, an English divine, reckoned by some the founder of Antinomianism,
, an English divine, reckoned by some
the founder of Antinomianism, was a native of Kent,
where he was born in 1575, and studied at Oxford, being
the first of Blount’s exhibitioners in Trinity-college, to
which he was admitted in 1590. He took his degree of
M. A. in 1603, and entering into holy orders, officiated as
a curate for several years, and at length, in 1625, was
made minister and preacher at Wickbam Market, in Suffolk, where he died and was buried in 1641. His works
are, 1. ‘.’ The discovery of a most dangerous dead faith,“Lond. 1641, 12mo; and 2.
” The Honeycomb of free
justification,“Lond. 1642, 4to, published by Robert Lancaster, who informs us in his preface that
” the author’s
faith, zeal, and diligence in doing his calling, and his
faith, patience, and cheerfulness in suffering for the same,"
were highly exemplary. It appears that he was imprisoned
in the Gate-house, Westminster, for his book on justification; and Neal admits that he committed some mistakes in
his assertions about the doctrines of grace. Ecbard gives
him in other respects a favourable character.
, an English musician, was much admired 'for many years for his surprising
, an English musician, was much
admired 'for many years for his surprising skill on several
instruments, but while in the zenith of his fame, became a
quaker, and practised so many follies in this new profession that he was the ridicule of the whole town. He burnt
his lute and his violins, and by meditation found out a new
expedient for ascertaining the true religion; this was, to
collect under one roof the most virtuous men of the several sects that divide Christianity; who should unanimously
fall to prayer for seven days without taking any nourishment. “Then,
” said he, “those on whom the spirit of God
shall manifest itself in a sensible manner, that is to say,
by the trembling of the limbs, and interior illuminations,
may oblige the rest to subscribe to their decisions.
” He
found, however, none that would put this strange conceit
to the trial; and while he persisted in propagating his folly,
his prophecies, his invectives, his pretended miracles, only
served to pass him from one prison into another: till at
length, by this sort of discipline he was brought to confess
the vanity of his prophecies, and he finished his life in
tranquillity, but without religion. He died about the close
of the seventeenth century.
belonging to his manor of Preston, near Northampton. Over his grave is a fair monument erected, with an English and Latin epitaph. That in English is as follows: “Here
Our learned author died in St. Martin’s in the fields,
London, Oct. 12, 1622, and was buried in the little chapel
belonging to his manor of Preston, near Northampton.
Over his grave is a fair monument erected, with an English
and Latin epitaph. That in English is as follows: “Here
lieth sir Clement Edmondes, knt. one of the clerks of his
majesty’s most honourable privy council. His dextrous
pen made him most worthily esteemed in his own vocation;
and in the art military, by Caesar’s confession, an understanding soldier. He lived faithfully industrious in his
place, and died religiously constant in the belief of the
resurrection,
” &c.
ne, on account of the illness of the divinity professor, to moderate and determine. He only preached an English sermon at the commencement, and a Concio ad Clerum;
Soon after Mr. Edwards’s marriage, his friend sir Robert Carr, generously offered him the presentation of two considerable benefices then vacant in Norfolk, which he as generously declined, being willing that those livings should be bestowed upon some other person or persons who needed them. About the same time he accepted a preferment less valuable, that of St. Peter’s church in Colchester, merely from the prospect of extensive usefulness. Thither he accordingly removed with his family, and was highly acceptable to his parishioners, but quitted the place at the end of three years, and removed to Cambridgeshire. To this he was induced by the unkind usage which (as he thought) he met with from the clergy of the town, by the sickly habit of his wife, and by an apoplectic and convulsive fit with which he was himself visited. Upon his removal into the county of Cambridge, being afflicted with bodily pains and weaknesses, and especially the gout, which prevented him from appearing in public, he employed himself in presenting a succession of publications to the world. About 1697, he removed with his family to Cambridge, for the convenience of the university library. Our author had often been solicited by his friends to take his degree of D. D. but he did not comply with their motion till 1699. Upon this occasion he had not the opportunity of keeping an act, there being none, on account of the illness of the divinity professor, to moderate and determine. He only preached an English sermon at the commencement, and a Concio ad Clerum; besides which he made a determination in Latin, in the schools, on a theological question. In 1701, Dr. Edwards lost his lady, and, after a decent time, married again, a niece of alderman Lane, who had been brought up several years under Mrs. Edwards before her marriage to the doctor. It is remarkable, that, notwithstanding his numerous; publications, he was never possessed of a library; some bibles, lexicons, dictionaries, and other works of a similar nature and constant use, excepted. The university and college libraries furnished him with all the classic authors, and Greek and Latin fathers, and indeed with whatever related to ancient learning. These he either perused in the places where they were kept, or had them brought to his chamber; and his method was, from the early part of his life, to make adversaria and collections out of the books which he read, and all along to frame notes, observations, inferences, and reflections, from and on them, and to reduce them to the particular heads and subjects on which he designed to treat. He never had a commonplace book. With regard to modern authors, his practice was to procure the loan of them from the booksellers, at the price of sixpence for an 8vo, a shilling for a 4to, and two shillings for a folio. By this good husbandry, he was forced to read the works which he borrowed within the time prefixed; whereas, otherwise he might perhaps never have perused them thoroughly. Dr. Edwards continued in his course of diligent study and repeated publications till near the period of his decease, April 16, 1716, in the seventy-ninth year of his age.
, an English divine and able writer against Socinianism, was born
, an English divine and able
writer against Socinianism, was born at Wrexham in Denbighshire in 1629; and in 1655 became a servitor of Christ
church, Oxford, where he was admitted B. A. in Oct. 1659;
elected fellow of Jesus college in 1662, and took his bachelor’s degree in divinity in March 1669. He was afterwards rector of Kiddington in Oxfordshire, which he exchanged, in 1681, for Hinton in Hampshire. On Nov. 2,
1636, he was unanimously elected principal of Jesus college,
and became treasurer of Llandaff in 1687. He took his
degree of D. D. immediately after his election as principal,
and served the office of vice-chancellor in the years 1689,
1690, and 1691. He held two other livings, one in Anglesea and the other in Caernarvonshire. He was also
proctor in the convocation, 1702, for the chapter of Llandaff. He died July 20, 1712, and was buried in the chapel of his college, where is an inscription celebrating his
learning, usefulness as principal, and his munificence as a
benefactor. Besides many books given in his life-time, he
bequeathed his own collection of upwards of 1000 volumes
to the college library, and gave near 1000l. to the repairs
of the chapel, &c. What he wrote against the Socinians
is entitled “A Preservative against Socinianism
” in four
parts, 4to, published from
, an English divine, whose writings, in the opinion of a recent biographer,
, an English divine, whose writings, in the opinion of a recent biographer, deserve to be more extensively known than, it is apprehended, they now are, or ever have been, was the son of Mr. Ellis, steward to Dr. Barnaby Potter, bishop of Carlisle, and wasjborn in 1630, near Penrith in Cumberland. He became a servitor of Queen’s college, Oxford, under the tuition of Mr. Thomas Tully, in 1649, and was afterwards a tabarder; and when master of arts, became a fellow of the college.
acine’s poem of “Religion,” which we are told was approved by Young. About the same time he composed an English grammar for the use of his school, which he afterwards
In 1753 he made a poetical version of the younger Racine’s poem of “Religion,
” which we are told was approved by Young. About the same time he composed an
English grammar for the use of his school, which he afterwards enlarged and published in 2 vols. 12mo. This is by
far the most useful of his works, and perhaps the only one
likely to live. The late Mr. John Walker, a very competent
judge, always spoke highly of this work. In the year
1763, Mr. Elphinston published a poem called “Education
” but his taste was ill-adapted to poetry, of which
unfortunately he never could be persuaded and this erroneous estimate of his talents led him to translate Martial,
for which he issued proposals about 1778, and was at
least fortunate in the number of his subscribers. Previous
to this he had, for what reason we are not told, given up
his school, and in 1778 removed altogether from Kensington, where, in the same year, his wife died. He then
visited Scotland, and while in that city there was a design
started of establishing a professorship of modern languages
in the university of Edinburgh, with a view that Mr,
Elphinston should fill the chair; but although this never
took place, he gave a course of lectures on the English language, both at Edinburgh and Glasgow.
of the Society of Antiquaries. Alfred’s Version of Orosius has since been given to the public, with an English translation, by the honourable Daines Barrington. In
, a divine and antiquary, descended
from a very ancient family in the bishopric of Durham,
was born at Newcastle upon Tyne, Jan. 1, 1673, and was
the son of Mr. Ralph Elstob, a merchant of that place.
Being intended for the church, he received his grammatical
education, first at Newcastle, and afterwards at Eton after
which he was admitted of Catharine-hall, in Cambridge
but the air of the country not agreeing with him, he removed to Queen’s college, Oxford. Here his studious turn
acquired him so much reputation, that in 1696 he was
chosen fellow of University college, and was appointed
joint tutor with Dr. C layering, afterwards bishop of Peterborough. At this college Mr. Elstob took the degree of
master of arts, June 8, 1697. In 1701, he translated into
Latin the Saxon homily of Lupus, with notes, for Dr.
Jiickes. About the same time he translated into English
sir John Cheke’s Latin version of Plutarch, “De Superstitione,
” which is printed at the end of Strype’s Life of
Cheke. The copy made use of by Mr. Elstob was a
manuscript in University college, out of which Obadiah
Walker, when master of that college, had cut several
leaves, containing Cheke’s remarks against popery. In
1702, Mr. Elstob was appointed rector of the united
parishes of St. Swithin and St. Mary Bothaw, London,
where be continued to his death, and which appears to be
the only eqclesiastical preferment he ever obtained. In
1703, he published, at Oxford, an edition of Ascham’s
Latin Letters. He was the author, likewise, of an “Essay
on the great affinity and mutual agreement between the
two professions of Law and Divinity,
” printed at London,
with a preface, by Dr. Hickes. This book, in process of
time, became so little known, that Mr. Philip Carteret
Webbe insisted upon it that there was no such work, until
convinced, by an abstract or view of it, which was sent to
Mr. Pegge, from a copy in the library of St. John’s college, Cambridge. It is a thin octavo, and not very scarce.
In 1704, Mr Elstob published two sermons; one, a thanksgiving sermon, from Psalm ciii. 10, for the victory at
Hochstet; and, the other, from 1 Timothy i. 1, 2, on the
anniversary of the queen’s accession. Besides the works
already mentioned, our author, who was a great proficient
in the Latin tongue, compiled an essay on its history and
use collected materials for an account of Newcastle and,
also, the various proper names formerly used in the north
but what is become of these manuscripts is not known. In
1709, he published, in the Saxon language, with a Latin
translation, the homily on St. Gregory’s day. Mr. Elstob
bad formed several literary designs, the execution of which
was prevented by his death, in 1714, when he was only
forty-one years of age. The most considerable of his designs was an edition of the Saxon laws, with great additions, and a new Latin version by Somner, together with
notes of various learned men, and a prefatory history of
the origin and progress of the English laws, down to the
conqueror, and to Magna Charta. This great plan was
completed in 1721, by Dr. David Wilkins, who, in his
preface, thus speaks concerning our author “Hoc Gulielmus Elstob, in literis Anglo-Saxonicis versatissimus
præstare instituerat. Hinc Wheloci vestigia premens, Leges
quas editio ejus exhibet, cum Mss. Cantabrigiensibus,
Bodleiano, Roffensi, et Cottonianis contulerat, versioneque
nova adornare proposuerat, ut sic Leges, antea jam publici
juris factae, ejus opera et studio emendatiores prodiissent.
Veruin morte immatura præreptus, propositum exequi non
potuit.
” Whilst Mr. Elstob was engaged in this design,
Dr. Hickes recommended him to Mr. Harley, as a man
whose modesty had made him an obscure person, and
which would ever make him so, unless some kind patron
of good learning should bring him into light. The doctor
added his testimony to Mr. Elstob’s literature, his great
diligence and application, and his capacity for the work he
had undertaken. Mr. Harley so far attended to Dr. Hickes’s
recommendation as to grant to Mr. Elstob the use of the
books and manuscripts in his library, which our author
acknowledged in a very humble letter. A specimen of
Mr. Elstob’s design was actually printed at Oxford, in
1699, under the title of “Hormesta Pauli Orosii, &c. ad
exemplar Junianum, &c.
” He intended, also, a translation
with notes, of Alfred’s Paraphrastic Version of Orosins;
his transcript of which, with collations, was in Dr. Pegge’s
hands. Another transcript, by Mr. Ballard, with a large
preface on the use of Anglo-Saxon literature, was left by
Dr. Charles Lyltelton, bishop of Carlisle, to the library of
the Society of Antiquaries. Alfred’s Version of Orosius
has since been given to the public, with an English translation, by the honourable Daines Barrington. In his publication, Mr. Barrington observes, that he has made use of
Mr. Elstob’s transcript, and that he has adopted from it
the whimsical title of Hormesta. When it is considered
that Mr. Elstob died in early life, it will be regretted, by
the lovers of antiquarian learning, that he was prevented
from acquiring that name and value in the literary world,
to which he would otherwise probably have arisen.
s in 1709, when, upon Mr. Elstob’s printing the homily on St. Gregory’s day, she accompanied it with an English translation. The preface, too, was written by her, in
, sister of Mr. William Elstob,
and engaged in the same learned pursuits, was born at
Newcastle, Sept. 29, 1683. It is said, that she owed the
rudiments of her extraordinary education to her mother;
of which advantage, however, she was soon deprived; for
at the age of eight years she had the misfortune of losing
this intelligent parent. Her guardians, who entertained
different sentiments, discouraged as much as they were
able her progress in literature, as improper for her sex;
but she had contracted too great a fondness for literary
studies to be diverted from the prosecution of them.
During her brother’s continuance at Oxford, she appears to
have resided in that city, where she was esteemed and
respected by Dr. Hudson and other Oxonians. Upon her
brother’s removal to London, she probably removed with
him; and, it is certain, that she assisted him in his antiquarian undertakings. The first public proof which she
gave of it was in 1709, when, upon Mr. Elstob’s printing
the homily on St. Gregory’s day, she accompanied it with
an English translation. The preface, too, was written by
her, in which she answers the objections made to female
learning, by producing that glory of her sex, as she calls
her, Mrs. Anna Maria Schurman. Mrs. Elstob’s next publication was a translation of madame Seudery’s “t-ssay on
Glory.
” She assisted, also, her brother in an edition of
Gregory’s pastoral, which was probably intended to have
included both the original and Saxon version; and she had
transcribed all the hymns, from an ancient manuscript in
Salisbury cathedral. By the encouragement of Dr. Hickes,
she undertook a Saxon Homilarium, with an English translation, notes, and various readings. To promote this design, Mr. Bowyer printed for her, in 1713, “Some testimonies of learned men, in favour of the intended edition
of the Saxon Homilies, concerning the learning of the
author of those homilies, and the advantages to be hoped
for from an edition of them. In a letter from the publisher to a doctor in divinity.
” About the same time she
wrote three letters to the lord treasurer, from which it
appears, that he solicited and obtained for her queen
Anne’s bounty towards printing the homilies in question.
Her majesty’s decease soon deprived Mrs. Elstob of this
benefit; and she was not otherwise sufficiently patronized,
so as to be able to complete the work. A lew only of the
homilies were actually printed at Oxford, in folio. Mrs.
Elstob’s portrait was given in the initial letter G of
“The English. Saxon Homily on the Birth-day of St,
George.
” In
, an English gentleman, clerk of the house of commons in the reign
, an English gentleman, clerk of the house of commons in the reign of Charles I. was born at Battersea in Surrey, in 1598; being the eldest son of Henry Elsynge, esq. who was clerk of the house of lords, and a person of great abilities. He was educated at Westminster school; and thence, in 1621, removed to Christ Church, in Oxford, where he took the degree of B. A. 1625. Then he travelled abroad, and spent at several times above seven years in foreign countries; by which he became a very accomplished person, and was greatly esteemed by men of the highestquality and bestjudgment. He was in particular so much valued by archbishop Laud, that his grace procured him the place of clerk of the house of commons, to which he proved of excellent use, as well as a singular ornament. For he was very dextrous in taking and expressing the sense of the house; and also so great a help to the speaker and to the house in stating the questions, and drawing up the orders free from exceptions, that it much conduced to the dispatch of business, and the service of the parliament. His discretion also and prudence were such, that though the long parliament was by faction kept in continual disorder, yet his fair and temperate carriage made him commended and esteemed by all parties, how furious and opposite soever they were among themselves. And therefore for these his abilities and good conduct) more reverence was paid to his stool, than to the speaker Lenthall’s chair; who, being obtioxious, timorous, and interested, was often much confused in collecting the sense of the house, and drawing the debates into a fair question; in which Elsynge was always observed to be so ready and just, that the house generally acquiesced in what he did of that nature. At length, when he saw that the greater part of the house were imprisoned and secluded, and that the remainder would bring the king to a trial for his life, he desired, the 26th Dec. 1648, to resign his place. He alleged for this his bad state of health; but most people understood his reason to be, and he acknowledged it to Wbitelock and other friends, because he would have no hand in the business against the king. After which, quitting his advantageous employment, he retired to his house at Hounslow, in Middlesex, where he presently contracted many bodily infirmities, of which he died in 1654. He was a man of very great parts, and very learned, especially in the Latin, French, and Italian languages he was, what was far above all these accomplishments, a very just and honest man and Whitelock relates, that the great Selden was particularly fond of him, which is no small circumstance to his honour.
, an English antiquary, was the son of Hugh Erdeswicke, esq. and
, an English antiquary, was
the son of Hugh Erdeswicke, esq. and was born at Sandon
in Staffordshire. He studied at Brazen-nose college, Oxford, in 1553 and 1554, as a gentleman commoner, and
afterwards returned to Sandon, where he employed much
of his time in antiquarian researches, especially what related to his own county. In this he must have shown
acuteness and judgment as well as industry, for Camden
styles him “venerandse antiquitatis cultor maximus.
” He
died April 11, 1603, and was buried in Sandon church,
which be had a little before repaired and new glazed. He
left behind him, in manuscript, “A short view of Staffordshire, containing the antiquities of the same county.
” He
began this, it is said, in The true use of Armory,
” published under the
name of Will. Wyrley,
, an English poet, descended from a good family in Ireland, was son
, an English poet, descended
from a good family in Ireland, was son of Dr. Eusden,
rector of Spotsworth in Yorkshire, and was educated at
Trinity college, Cambridge; after which he went into
orders, and was for some time chaplain to Richard lord
Willoughby de Broke. His first patron was the celebrated
lord Halifax, whose poem “On the Battle of the Boyne,
”
Eusden translated into Latin. He was also esteemed by
the duke of Newcastle, on whose marriage with lady Henrietta Godolphin he wrote an Epithalamium, for which,
upon the death of Rowe, he was by his grace (who was then lord chamberlain, and considered the verses as an elegant compliment) preferred in 1718 to the laureatship. He had
several enemies; and, among others, Pope, who put him
into his Dunciad; though we do not know what provocation he gave to any of them, unless by being raised to the
dignity of the laurel. Cooke, in his “Battle of the Poets,
”
speaks thus of him:
s into the history of his poetical countrymen had been profound and successful. His other works were an English poem called “The Love of our Country, with historical
, a Welch divine and poet, was born at
Cynhavvdrew, in Cardiganshire, about 1730, and was entered of Jesus college, Oxford, about the beginning of
1751, where he probably took a bachelor’s degree, but
left college after taking orders, and officiated as curate in
several places, particularly Newick in Kent, Llanvair
Talhaiarn in Denbighshire, and Towyn in Merion. He
was at the same time an assiduous student of Welch literature, employing all his leisure hours in transcribing an
cient manuscripts, of which labour he left behind him
about an hundred volumes of various sizes. Having passed
a great part of his life in such pursuits, without being able
to procure the smallest promotion in the church, his fortitude deserted him, and, to chase away his vexations, he
fell into that which increased them, a habit of drinking,
which at times produced symptoms of derangement, and
precluded his chance of obtaining any new friends. He
inherited a small freehold in Cardiganshire, which he conveyed over to a younger brother to raise money to support
himself at the university. Such a sacrifice to the laudable
ambition of learning ought not to have gone unrewarded.
Mr. Evans died at his birth-place in 1790. lu 1764 he
published a 4to vol. “Dissertatio de Bardis,
” or “Some
Specimens of the Poetry of the ancient Welch Bards.
Translated into English, with explanatory notes on the
historical passages, and a short account of the men and
places mentioned by the Bards; in order to give the curious some idea of the taste and sentiments of our ancestors,
and their manner of writing,
” 4to. Although these specimens appeared to considerable disadvantage in a translation, yet Mr. Evans’s Latin Dissertation proved his very
intimate acquaintance with the subject, and that his researches into the history of his poetical countrymen had
been profound and successful. His other works were an
English poem called “The Love of our Country, with
historical notes,
” Diddanwch Tenluaidd,
” and two volumes
of Sermons by Tillotson and others, translated into Welch.
All the manuscripts that Mr. Evans possessed at his death
became the property of Paul Pan ton, esq. of Plas Gwyn,
in Mona, in consideration of an annuity of twenty pounds,
which that gentleman settled upon him.
erent sizes. One edition is in two volumes, 4to,and some of the editions are in seven volumes, 12mo. An English translation of 'some of his works was published in two
The works of St. Evremond consist of a variety of essays
and letters, containing many ingenious and acute remarks
on polite literature, and on life and manners, but very unequally written, together with some insipid poems, and
several dramatic pieces. He possessed a considerable degree of wit and humour, and great knowledge of the world.
He appears to have had a very intimate acquaintance with
Roman literature; but acknowledged that he did not understand the Greek language. His works in French have
passed through many editions, and been printed in different sizes. One edition is in two volumes, 4to,and some
of the editions are in seven volumes, 12mo. An English
translation of 'some of his works was published in two volumes, in 1700, 8vo; and a translation of some other of
his pieces in 1705, in one volume, 8vo, under the title of
“The posthumous Works of M. de St. Evremond, containing variety of elegant essays, letters, poems, and other
miscellaneous pieces on several curious subjects.
” Another translation, in two volumes, 8vo, was published by Mr.
Des Maizeaux, in 1714, with a dedication to lord Halifax.
But the best edition was published by the same editor, with
the life of the author prefixed, in 1728, in three volumes,
8vo. This translation, however, does not cqntain our
author’s poems, nor his dramatic pieces. There is also a
collection of his anecdotes and opinions among the “Ana.
”
His reputation has sunk considerably among his own coun-r
trymen, nor has there been any edition of his works printed
in Franco for more than half a century. They consider
none of his writings as worthy of perusal, except what he
wrote on the genius of the Greeks and Romans, on
manners, on the peace of the Pyrenees, on the duke of LongueviHe, and the conversation of the marshal Hocquincourt
with father Canaye. In his comedies they find neither wit
nor interest, and assert that his verses have more vivacity
than genuine poetry; but they bestow higher praise on his
prose, and except only to his frequent affectation of antithesis and point. La Harpe, in a well-written character
of his works, ascribes his reputation more to fashion and
artful management, than to real merit. As to his personal
character, enough has been said in the preceding sketch
to exhibit its most striking features, those of the wit, the
courtier, and the voluptuary.
, an English historian, was an alderman of London, and presents us
, an English historian,
was an alderman of London, and presents us with the rare
instance of a citizen and merchant, in the fifteenth century,
devoting himself to the pleasures of learning: but we
know little of his personal history. There was nothing remarkable in his descent, and he made no great figure in
public life. From his will it appears that his father’s name
was John Fabyan; and there is reason to believe that,
although he was apprenticed to a trade, his family were
people of substance in Essex. Bishop Tanner says he was
born in London. At what period he became a member of
the Drapers’ company cannot now be ascertained. Their
registers would probably have furnished a clue to guess at
the exact time of his birth, but the hall of that ancient
company was twice destroyed by fire, and they have no
muniments which reach beyond 1602. From records, however, in the city archives, it appears that he was alderman
of the ward of Farringdon Without; in 1493 he served the
office of sheriff; and in the registers which go by the name
of the “Repertory,
” a few scattered memoranda are preserved
of the part which he occasionally took, at a period somewhat later, in public transactions.
he world. He there lived the remainder of his life, in the style of a gentleman farmer, or rather of an English country gentleman. He kept many servants, white and
On his return at this time, he went to Belvoir, the seat of his friend and relation Mr. William Fairfax, and remained several years in his family, undertaking and directing the management of his farms and plantations, and amusing himself with hunting and the pleasures of the field. At length, the lands about Belvoir not answering his expectation, and the foxes becoming less numerous, he determined to remove to a fine tract of land on the western side of the Blue Ridge, or Apalachian mountains, in Frederic county, about eighty miles from Belvoir where he built a small neat house, which he called Greenway-court; and laid out one of the most beautiful farms, consisting of arable and grazing lands, and of meadows two or three miles in length, that had ever been seen in that quarter of the world. He there lived the remainder of his life, in the style of a gentleman farmer, or rather of an English country gentleman. He kept many servants, white and black; several hunters; a plentiful, but plain table, entirely in the English fashion; and his mansion was the mansion of hospitality. His dress corresponded with his mode of life, and notwithstanding he had every year new suits of clothes, of the most fashionable and expensive kind, sent out to him from England, which he never put on, was plain in the extreme. His manners were humble, modest, and unaffected; not tinctured in the smallest degree with arrogance, pride, or self-conceit. He was free from the selfish passions, and liberal almost to excess. The produce of his farms, after the deduction of what was necessary for the consumption of his own family, was distributed and given away to the poor planters and settlers in his neighbourhood. To these he frequently advanced money, to enable them to go on with their improvements; to clear away the woods, and cultivate the ground; and where the lands proved unfavourable, and not likely to answer the labour and expectation of the planter or husbandman, he usually indemnified him for the expence he had been at in the attempt, and gratuitously granted him fresh lands of a more favourable and promising nature. He was a friend and father to all who held and lived under him; and as the great object of his ambition was the peopling and cultivating of that beautiful country of which he was the proprietor, he sacrificed every other pursuit, and made every other consideration subordinate, to this great point
, an English gentleman of extraordinary talents and attainments,
, an English gentleman of extraordinary talents and attainments, was the son of William Falconer, esq. one of the magistrates of Chester, by his wife Elizabeth, the daughter of Ralph Wilbraham, esq. of Townsend in Cheshire, and was born in 1736. That his education had not been neglected appears evidently from the uncommon progress he made in classical learning and antiquities, to which he appears to have been early attached, and in the study of which he persevered during a long and painful course of years. He had a permanent indisposition, which lasted thirty-two years, and which he bore with pious resignation. Such was his thirst of knowledge during this period, that he used to read in a kneeling posture, the only one in which he had a temporary respite from internal uneasiness, from which he was never entirely free. He was a man of taste and science, of extraordinary memory, and pqwers of application, and singularly comprehensive in his reading, and judicious and communicative. He was particularly acquainted with voyages and travels, and retained a fondness for both to the last. His latter days, when indisposition permitted him, were chiefly dedicated to the preparation of an edition of Strabo, in which he had made a considerable progress at the time of his death, Sept. 4, 1792. He was buried in St. Michael’s church, within the city of Chester, where he died, but there is a marble tablet to his memory in St. John’s church, in which parish he resided until within a few years of his death. On this tablet is a just and elegant inscription to his memory from the pen of his brother Dr. William Falconer of Bath.
h much of his life was spent in active business, he found leisure to produce the following works: 1. An English translation in rhyme of Guarini’s “II Pastor Fido, or
Although much of his life was spent in active business,
he found leisure to produce the following works: 1. An
English translation in rhyme of Guarini’s “II Pastor Fido,
or the Faithful Shepherd,
” 1646, 4to. 2. A translation from,
English into Latin verse of Fletcher’s “Faithful Shepherdess,
” The Faithful Shepherd,
” are inserted the following poems of our
author; An Ode on his majesty’s Proclamation in 1630,
commanding the gentry to reside upon their estates in the
country; an English translation of the fourth book of Virgil’s Aneid Odes of Horace, translated into English;
and a summary Discourse of the Civil Wars of Rome.
4. He translated from Portuguese into English, Canpens’
“Lusiad, or Portugal’s Historical Poem,
” luerer per solo querer,
” “To love only for love’s sake,
”
a dramatical romance, represented before the king and
queen of Spain and “Fiestas de Aranjeuz,
” Festival at
Aranjeuz. Both written in Spanish by Antonio de Mendoza, upon celebrating the birth-day of Philip VI. in 1623,
at Aranjuez; and translated by our author in 1654, during
his confinement. 6. His correspondence was published in
1701, in one volume, 8vo, under this title: “'Original
Letters of his excellency sir Richard Fanshawe during his
embassy in Spain and Portugal; which, together with divers letters and answers from the chief ministers of state in
England, Spain, and Portugal, contain the whole negotiations of the treaty of peace between those three crowns.
”
The publisher received these letters from the hands of a
daughter of sir Richard, who had them in her possession.
He also composed other things, remaining in manuscript,
which he wrote in his younger years, but had not tha
leisure to complete. Even some of the preceding printed
pieces have not all the perfection which our ingenious
author could have given them: for, as his biographer observes, “being, for his loyalty and zeal to his master’s
service, tossed from place to place, and from country to
country, during the unsettled times of our anarchy, some
of his manuscripts falling by misfortune into unskilful
hands, were printed and published without his consent or
knowledge, and before he could give them his last finishing strokes.
” But that was not the case with his translation of “II Pastor Fido,
” which was published by himself,
and procured him much reputation.
author, and all his party, had to the government. We do not find when they were first published, but an English edition bears date 1719. The Author died at Paris, 1712.
, was born
in 1644, at the castle of Valgorge, in Vivarais. He was
captain of the guards to the duke of Orleans, and his son,
who was regent. His gaiety, and sprightly wit, made him
the delight of the best companies. He left a few songs,
and other poetical pieces, which have been printed with
those of his friend the abb de Chaulieu, and separately,
with his Memoirs, 2 vols. small 12mo. They are full of
wit and delicacy; but we are told he had attained the age
of sixty before he made any poetical etibrt, and that then
his inspirer was rather Cupid or Bacchus than Apollo, He
also wrote the words of an opera, called “Panthea.
” His
“Memoirs
” are written with great freedom and openness,
and show the dislike which their author, and all his party,
had to the government. We do not find when they were
first published, but an English edition bears date 1719.
The Author died at Paris, 1712.
Portuguesa,” ibid. 1678, 2 vols. folio. 10. “Africa Portuguesa,” ibid. 1681, folio. Of this we have an English Edition by John Stevens, Lond. 1695, 3 vols. 8vo. 11.
, one of the most celebrated historians and poets of his nation in the seventeenth
century, was born March 18, 1590, at Sonto near Caravilla in Portugal, of a noble family, both by his father’s
and mother’s side. His father’s name was Arnador Perez
d'Eiro, and his mother’s Louisa Faria, but authors are not
agreed in their conjectures why he did not take his father’s
name, but preferred Faria, that of his mother, and Sousa,
which is thought to have been his grandmother’s name.
In his infancy he was very infirm, yet made considerable
progress, even when a puny child, in writing, drawing, and
painting. At the age of ten, his father sent him to school
to learn Latin, in which his proficiency by no means answered his expectations, owing to the boy’s giving the preference to the Portuguese and Spanish poets. These he
read incessantly, and composed several pieces in verse and
prose in both languages, but he had afterwards the good
sense to destroy his premature effusions, as well as to perceive that the Greek and Roman classics are the foundation
of a true style, and accordingly he endeavoured to repair
his error by a careful study of them. In 1604, when only
in his fourteenth year, he was received in the Tank of gentleman into the household of don Gonzalez de Moraes,
bishop of Porto, who was his relation, and afterwards made
him his secretary; and during his residence with this prelate, which lasted ten years, he applied himself indefatigably to his studies, and composed some works, the best
of which was an abridgment of the historians of Portugal,
“Epitome de las historias Portuguesas, desde il diluyio
hasta el anno 1628,
” Madrid, Noches claras,
” a collection of moral and political discourses, Madrid, 1623 and 1626, 2 vols. 12mo. 2.
“Fuente de Aganipr, o Rimes varias,
” a collection of his
poems, in 7 vols. Madrid, 1644, &c. 3. “Commentarios
sobra las Lusiadas de Luis de Camoens,
” an immense
commentary on the Lusiad, ibid. Madrid, 1640 or 1645, folio. 5.
” Imperio de la China, &e.“and an account of the propagation of religion by the Jeuits, written by Semedo: Faria was only editor of this
work, Madrid, 1643, 4to. 6.
” Nobiliario del Concle D.
Petro de Barcelos,“&c. a translation from the Portuguese,
with notes, ibid. 1646, folio. 7.
” A Life of Don Martin
Bapt. de Lanuza,“grand justiciary of Arragon,
” ibid. 1650,
4to. 8. “Asia Portuguesa,
” Lisbon, Europa Portuguesa,
” ibid. Africa Portuguesa,
” ibid. America Portuguesa.
” All these" historical and geographical works have been considered as correct and valuable. Faria appears to have published some
other pieces of less importance, noticed by Antonio.
, an English divine, was born at Sunning in Berks, 1596. He was admitted
, an English divine, was born
at Sunning in Berks, 1596. He was admitted scholar of
Trinity college, Oxford, in 1612, and elected fellow in
1617. Three years after, he took a master of arts degree;
about which time entering into orders, he became a celebrated preacher in those parts, an eminent tutor in the college, and, as Wood says, an example fit to be followed by
all. In 1634, being then bachelor of divinity, he was made
vicar of Bray near Maidenhead in Berks, and soon after
divinity-reader in the king’s chapel at Windsor. He con^
tinued at the first of these places, though not without some
trouble, till after the civil commotions broke out; and
then he was ejected, and reduced with his wife and family
to such extremities, as to be very near starving. Lloyd
says that his house was plundered by Ireton, in mean revenge, because Mr. Faringdon had reproved him for some
irregularities when at Trinity college. At length sir John
Robinson, alderman of London, related to archbishop Laud,
and some of the parishioners of Milk-street, London, invited him to be pastor of St. Mary Magdalen in that city,
which he gladly accepted, and preached with great approbation from the loyal party. In Io47, he published a folio
volume of these sermons, and dedicated them to his patron
Robinson, “as a witnesse or manifesto,
” says he to him,
“of my deep apprehension of your many noble favours,
and great charity to me and mine, when the sharpnesse of
the weather, and the roughnesse of the times, had blown
all from us, and well-neer left us naked.
”
, an English artist of great promise, the fourth son of the rev.
, an English artist of great promise, the fourth son of the rev. William Farington, B. D. rector of Warrington, and vicar of Leigh in Lancashire, was born in 1754, and received his first instructions in the art from his brother Joseph, one of the present royal academicians; but his inclinations leading him to the study of historical painting, he acquired farther assistance from Mr. West. He was for some time employed by the late alderman Boy dell, for whom he executed several very excellent drawings from the Houghton collection. He studied long in the royal academy, and obtained a silver medal in 1779; and in 1780, obtained the golden medal for the best historical picture, the subject of which was the cauldron scene in Macbeth. In 1782 he left England, and went to the East Indies, being induced to undertake that voyage by some advantageous offers. In India he painted many pictures; but his principal undertaking was a large work, representing the Durbar, or court of the nabob, at Mershoodabad. Whilst employed on this work, he imprudently exposed himself to the night air, to observe some ceremonies of the natives, in order to complete a series of drawings begun for that purpose, when he was suddenly seized with a complaint, which, in a few days, unfortunately terminated his life in 1788.
Dr. Farmer had now attained the utmost of his wishes; and although both an English and an Irish bishoprick were offered to him, he declined
Dr. Farmer had now attained the utmost of his wishes;
and although both an English and an Irish bishoprick were
offered to him, he declined them, for which various reasons
have been assigned. One is certainly erroneous. It has
been said “that in early life he had felt the power of love,
and had suffered such a disappointment as had sunk deep
in his mind, and for a time threatened his understanding.
From that period, though he retained his faculties entire,
he acquired some peculiarities of manner, of which he was
so far conscious, as to be sensible that they would hardly
become the character of a bishop; being likewise strongly
attached to dramatic entertainments (which, if we mistake net, the English bishops never witness), and delighting in
clubs where he could have rational conversation without
state or ceremony of any kind, he very wisely preferred
his residentiaryship to the highest dignity in the church.
”
What is here said as to his habits being incompatible with
the character of a bishop, cannot be denied; but these
habits were partly natural, from indolence and a love of
ease, and partly acquired by a seclusion from polished
society. The lady to whom Dr. Farmer is said to have
been attached, was the eldest daughter of sir Thomas’
Hatton, with whom he became acquainted while curate of
Swavesey. Cole says, sir Thomas refused his consent, and
this refusal appears to have been given in 1782, when Dr.
Farmer was in his forty-seventh year, and if, as Cole affirms, the lady was then only twenty-seven or twenty-eight
years of age, she must have been an infant when Dr.
Farmer became acquainted with her father. The whole,
however, may be only one of Cole’s gossiping stories; and
whether so or not, Dr. Farmer, neither at this or any
previous time, exhibited any symptoms of-“disappointed
love.
” It is more rational to suppose, with his last biographer (Mr. Nichols), that when he arrived at that situation, as to fortune, which gave him a claim to the object
of his affections, he found, on mature reflection, that his
habits of life were then too deeply rooted to be changed
into those of domestic arrangements with any probable
chance of perfect happiness to either party. As to his
promotion to a bishopric, it may yet be added, that
although few men have been more beloved by an extensive
circle of friends than Dr. Farmer, there was not, perhaps,
one of them who did not applaud his declining that station,
or who did not think, with all their respect for him, that
he would not have appeared to advantage in it. It is not
as a Divine that Dr. Farmer was admired by his contemporaries, or can be known to posterity.
, an English Jesuit, was born in 1554, at Foston in Leicestershire,
,
an English Jesuit, was born in 1554, at Foston in Leicestershire, and entered a student in Merton college, in 1568,
under the tuition of John Potts, whom Wood calls a noted
philosopher. In 1570, Potts, who was a concealed papist,
being detected, conducted his young pupil, whose parents
were of that persuasion, to the Jesuits’ college at Louvain.
In this seminary he continued till he had taken a bachelor
of arts degree, and then went to Paris. From thence he
travelled to Munich in Bavaria, where duke William allowed him a handsome salary to prosecute his studies, and
Ivhere he took the degree of M. A. In 1575 he proceeded
to Rome, and became a member of the English Jesuits’
college, of which he was soon after appointed divinityreader. He was much distinguished and favoured by several princes, and particularly by pope Gregory XIII. who,
as a token of his affection and confidence, gave him a seal
which empowered him to grant a pass to any of his countrymen travelling through the catholic dominions. In 1581
he was appointed president of the Jesuits’ college at Posna
in Poland, in which country he spent the remainder of his
life. He died at Ulna, in the province of Lithuania, Feb.
18, 1591, much regretted by his fraternity, amongst whom
he had the character of a prudent, learned, and ^pious divine. His works are: 1. “.De Christi in terris ecclesia,
”
Posna, 1584, 4to. 2. “Contra Antonium Sadeelem Calv:nistam, libri III.
” 3. “Theses de variis fidei eontroversiis,
”
Posna, Doctrina catholica de Sanctorum
Invocatione, &c.
” ibid. Apologia Libri
sui de Invocatione, &c. contra Danielem Tossanum,
” Colon.
Coenae Lutherana? et Calvinistee oppu<rnatio,
” Posna, Apologia Thesium de CcBUtt
Lutherana, &o.
” ibid. Oratio de causis
Haeresis, &c.
” 9. “Tractatus de Controversiis inter ordinem Eccles. et Secularem in Polonia,
”
, an English monk of the fifth century, was created abbot of a monastery
, an English monk of the fifth century, was created abbot of a monastery in the Lerin islands about the year 433, and afterwards bishop of Riez in Provence, about the year 466. The time of his death is uncertain. He wrote a homily on the life of his predecessor in the see, Maximus; which is extant among those attributed to Eusebius Emisenus. He governed his diocese unblamcably, led a holy life, and died regretted and esteemed by the church. In the grand controversy of the fifth century, he rather favoured the Semi-Pelagians, which a recent historian attributes to his fear of the abuses of predestination, and a misunderstanding of the consequences of Augustine’s doctrine. It is certain that in a treatise which he wrote on saving grace, he shewed that grace always allures, precedes, and resists the human will, and that all the reward of our lahour is the gift of God. In a disputation, likewise, with Lucidus, a priest, who was very tenacious of the sentiments of Augustine, Faustus endeavoured to correct his ideas by suggesting, that we must not separate grace and human industry; that we must abhor Pelagius, and yet detest those who believe, that a man may be of the number of the elect, without labouring for salvation.
on the Poem attributed to Rowley by Rayner Hickford, esq.” 8vo, no date (1783). 6. An Essay towards an English Grammar, with a dissertation on the nature and peculiar
, a dissenting minister of considerable
learning, was born, Aug. 22, 1735, at Cockermouth in
Cumberland, of poor parents, and was at first brought up
to the business of a taylor. He was pursuing this employment in London, when some discerning friends perceived
in him a taste for literature, and an avidity of knowledge,
which they thought worthy of encouragement; and finding
that his principal wish was directed to the means of procuring such education as might qualify him for the ministry
among the dissenters, they stepped forward to his assistance, and placed him at the dissenting academy at Mileend, then superintended by Dr. Conder, Dr. Gibbons, and
Dr. Walker. Mr. Fell was at this time in the nineteenth
year of his age; but, by abridging the hours usually allotted to rest and amusement, and praportionably extending
those of application to his studies, and by the assiduous
exercise of a quick, vigorous, and comprehensive mind, he
made rapid advances in learning, gave his tutors and patrons the utmost satisfaction; and in due time, was appointed to preach to a congregation at Beccles, near Yarmouth. He was afterwards invited to take upon himself
the pastoral office in a congregation of Protestant dissenters, at Thaxted, in Essex, where he was greatly beloved
by his congregation, and his amiable deportment, and diligence in all the duties of his station, attracted the regard
even of his neighbours of the established church. At
Thaxted, Mr. Fell boarded and educated a few young gentlemen, and it was also during his residence there, that he
distinguished himself by the rapid production of some wellwritten publications, which conduced to establish his character as a scholar. After he had thus happily resided several years at Thaxted, he was unfortunately prevailed
upon 'to be the resident tutor at the academy, formerly at
Mile-end, when he was educated there, but now removed
to Homerton, near London. The trustees and supporters
of this academy appear to have been at first very happy
that they had procured a tutor peculiarly calculated for
the situation; but he had not been there long before differences arose between him and the students, of what nature his biographers have not informed us; but they represent that he was dismissed from his situation without a
fair trial and complain that this severity was exerted in
the case of “a character of no common excellence a
genius of no ordinary size a Christian minister, well furnished with gifts and graces for that office a tutor, who
for biblical knowledge, general history, and classic taste,
had no superior, perhaps no equal, among any class of
dissenters.
” This affair happened in 1796, and Mr. Fell’s
friends lost no time in testifying their unaltered regard for
his character. An annuity of 100l. was almost immediately
procured for him, and he was invited to deliver a course
of lectures on the evidences of Christianity, for which he
was to be remunerated by a very liberal subscription. But
these testimonies of affection came too late for his enjoyment of them. Four of his lectures had been delivered to
crowded congregations at the Scotch church at Londonwall, when sickness interrupted him, and on Wednesday
Sept. 6, 1797, death put a period to his labours. The four
lectures he delivered were published in 1798, with eight
by Dr. Henry Hunter, who concluded the course, but who
does not appear well qualified to fill up Mr. FelPs outline.
Mr. Fell’s previous publications, which show that the character given of him by his friends is not overcharged, were
1. “Genuine Protestantism, or the unalienable Rights of
Conscience defended: in opposition to the late and new
mode of Subscription proposed by some dissenting ministers, in three Letters to Mr. Pickard,
” A
Fourth Letter to Mr. Pickard on genuine Protestantism;
being a full Reply to the rev. Mr. Toulmin’s Defence of
the Dissenters’ new mode of Subscription,
” The justice and utility of Penal Laws for the Direction of Conscience examined; in reference to the Dissenters’ late application to parliament. Addressed to a
member of the house of commons,
” Daemoniacs. An enquiry into the Heathen and the Scripture
doctrine of Daemons, in which the hypothesis of the rev.
Mr. Farmer and others on the subject are particularly considered,
” Remarks on
the Appendix of the Editor of Rowley’s Poems, printed at
the end of Observations on the Poem attributed to Rowley
by Rayner Hickford, esq.
” 8vo, no date (1784, 12mo. 7.
” The Idolatry of Greece and Rome distinguished from that of other
Heathen Nations, in a Letter to the rev. Hugh Farmer,"
1785, 8vo. Mr. Fell ranks among the orthodox, or calvinistic dissenters; but how far, or whether this had any
share in the animosity exerted against him, we are unable
to discover, from the obscure manner in which his biographers advert to the disputes in the Homerton academy.
, an English prelate, was born at Yarmouth in Norfolk, and admitted
, an English prelate, was born at Yarmouth in Norfolk, and admitted of Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, of which college he was chosen fellow Nov. 27, 15H3 Archbishop Whitgift collated him to the rectory of St. Mary le Bow, Jan. 17, 1595-6, being then B. D. and he was some time also rector of St. Antholin’s, London. He was elected master of Pembroke-hall, June 29, 1616; admitted rector of Easton-Magna in Essex, Oct. 23, the same year; and collated to a prebend in St. Paul’s, being then D. D. March 4 following. In 1617, he was promoted to the see of Bristol, to which he was consecrated, Dec. 14. The next year he resigned his mastership, and was nominated to the bishopric of Coventry and Lichfield, but was translated to Ely, March 11, 1618-19. He died Oct. 5, 1626, in the sixty-third year of his age, and was buried under the communion-table in St. Antholin’s church, London; but without any memorial or inscription. He was a very pious, learned, and judicious man, and deserves some notice in this work, as one of those who was employed by king James I. in the new translation of the Bible. There is an excellent picture of him in the gallery of the palace at Ely, which was presented for that purpose to the late bishop Gooch, by Mr. Cole of Milton.
, knt. an English antiquary, was born at Norwich, Nov. 26, 1739, and educated
, knt. an English antiquary, was born at Norwich, Nov. 26, 1739, and educated partly at Scarning, in Norfolk, and partly at Boresdale, in Suffolk, after which he was admitted of Gonville and Caius college, Cambridge, where he proceeded B. A. 1761, M. A. 1764, and was an honorary fellow till Jan. 1, 1766, when he married Ellenor, daughter of Sheppard Frere, esq. of Roydon, in Suffolk, by whom he had no issue. He was afterwards in the commission of the peace, and a deputy-lieutenant, and served the office of sheriff for the county of Norfolk in 1791, with that propriety and decorum that distinguished all his actions; and he left a history of the duties of the office of sheriff, which might be serviceable to his successors. Among other things, he revived the painful duty of attending in person the execution of criminals, as adding to the solemnity and impressive awe of the scene; and he was the first to admit Roman catholics on juries, under the new statute for that purpose enacted. He died at East Dereham, Norfolk, Feb. 14, 1794.
, an English navigator in the reign of Elizabeth, was descended from
, an English navigator in the reign
of Elizabeth, was descended from an ancient family in
Nottinghamshire, where he had some property. This he
sold, as did also his brother Geoffrey, being, it is said,
more inclined to trust to their abilities, than the slender
patrimony descended to them from their ancestors; and
they were among the very few of those who take such
daring resolutions in their youth, without living to repent
of them in their old age. The inclination of Edward leading him to the choice of a military life, he served some
time with reputation in Ireland; but upon sir Martin Frobisher’s report of the probability of discovering a northwest passage into the South seas, he resolved to embark
with him in his second voyage, and was accordingly appointed captain of the Gabriel, a bark of twenty-five tons,
in which he accompanied sir Martin in the summer of
1577, to the straits that now bear his name, but in their
return he was separated from him in a storm, and arrived safely at Bristol, in a third expedition, which proved
unsuccessful, he commanded the Judith, one of fifteen
sail, and had the title of rear-admiral. The miscarriage of
this voyage had not convinced Fenton of the impracticability of the project; he solicited another trial, and it was,
after much application, granted him, though the particular object of this voyage is not easily discovered; his
instructions from the privy-council, which are still preserved, say, that he should endeavour the discovery of a
north-west passage, and yet he is told to go by the Cape
of Good Hope to the East Indies, thence to the South seas,
and to attempt his return by the supposed north-west passage, and not by any means to think of passing the Straits
of Magellan, except in case of absolute necessity. The
truth appears to be, he had interest enough to be allowed
to try his fortune in the South-seas. He sailed in the
spring 1582, with four vessels, and was making to Africa;
thence he intended to sail to Brazil, in his course to the
straits of Magellan, but having learnt that there was already
a strong Spanish fleet there, he put into a Portuguese
settlement, where he met with three of the Spanish squadron, gave them battle, and after a severe engagement,
sunk their vice-admiral, and returned home in May 1583.
Here he was well received, and appointed to the command
of a ship sent out against the famous armada in 1588. In
some accounts of this action he is said to have commanded
the Antelope, in others, the Mary Rose; but his talents
and bravery in the action are universally acknowledged,
and it is certain he had a very distinguished share in those
actions, the fame of which can never be forgotten. Little
more is recorded of him, than that he spent the remainder
of his days at or near Deptford, where he died in 1603.
A monument was erected to his memory in the parish
church of Deptford, at the expence of Richard earl of
Cork, who had married his niece. According to Fuller,
he died within a few days oi' his mistress, queen Elizabeth,
and he remarks, “Observe how God set up a generation
of military men both by sea and land, which began and
expired with the reign of queen Elizabeth, like a suit of
clothes made for her, and worn out with her; for providence designing a peaceable prince to succeed her, in
whose time martial men would be rendered useless, so ordered the matter, that they all, almost, attended their
mistress, before or after, within some short distance, unto
her grave.
” This, however, was not strictly true, for the
celebrated earl of Nottingham, sir Charles Blount, sir
George Carew, sir Walter Raleigh, sir William Monson,
sir Robert Mansel, and other great officers by sea and
land, survived queen Elizabeth.
, an English antiquary, was the son of William Feme, of Temple Belwood,
, an English antiquary, was the son
of William Feme, of Temple Belwood, in the isle of Axholme, in Lincolnshire, esq. by Anne his wife, daughter
and heir of John Sheffield, of Beltoft; and was sent to Oxford when about seventeen years of age. Here he was
placed, as Wood conceives, either in St. Mary’s-hall, or
University college: but leaving the university without a
degree, he went to the Inner Temple, and studied for some
time the municipal law. In the beginning of the reign of
James I. he received the honour of knighthood, being about
that time secretary, and keeper of the king’s signet of the
council established at York for the north parts of England.
He probably died about 1610, leaving several sons behind
him, of whom Henry, the youngest, was afterwards bishop
of Chester, the subject of our next article. In 1586 sir
John published “The Blazon of Gentry, divided into two
parts, &c.
” 4to. This is written in dialogues, and, though
in a language uncommonly quaint and tedious, contains
critical accounts of arms, principles of precedence, remarks upon the times, &c. which are altogether curious.
The nobility of the Lacys, earls of Lincoln, which forms a
part of it, was written in consequence of Albert a Lasco, a
noble German, coming to England in 1583, and claiming
affinity to this family of Lacy, and from this, Feme says,
he was induced to open their descents, their arms, marriages, and lives. The discourse is curious, and during
the century that elapsed after its publication, before the
appearance of Dugdaie’s Baronage, must have been peculiarly valuable.
, an English gentleman of considerable learning and ingenuity, of
, an English gentleman of considerable learning and ingenuity, of great personal worth, and at the same time an enthusiast of a singular description, was the third son of Nicholas Ferrar, a merchant in London, and was born Feb. 22, 1592, in the parish of St. Mary Stayning, in Mark-lane, London. His lather traded very extensively to the East and West Indies, and to all the celebrated seats of commerce. He* lived in high repute in the city, where he joined in commercial matters with sir Thomas and sir Hugh Middleton, and Mr. Bateman. He was a man of liberal hospitality, but governed his house with great order. He kept a good table, at which he frequently received persons of the greatest eminence, sir John Hawkins, sir Francis Drake, sir Walter Raleigh, and others with whom he was an adventurer; and in all their expeditions he was ever in the highest degree attentive to the planting the Christian Religion in the New World. At home also he was a zealous friend to the established church, and always ready to supply his prince with what was required of him. He lent 300l. at once upon a privy-seal a sum at that time notinconsiderable. He had the honour of being written Esq. by queen Elizabeth.
, an English divine, and laborious writer, was born of reputable
, an English divine, and laborious
writer, was born of reputable parents, at Hunmanby near
Scarborough in Yorkshire in 1671. In his education he
was much encouraged by his uncle the rev. Mr. Fiddes of
Brightwell in Oxfordshire, who was as a father to him.
After being instructed at a private school at Wickham in
that neighbourhood, he was admitted of Corpus Christi,
and then of University college, in Oxford; where by his
parts and address he gained many friends. He did not,
however, continue there; but, after taking a bachelor of
arts degree in 1693, returned to his relations, and married,
in the same year, Mrs. Jane Anderson, a lady of good
family and fortune. In 1694, he was ordained priest by
Dr. Sharp, archbishop of York; and not long after, presented to the rectory of Halsham in that county, of about
90l. per annum. Halsham, being situated in a marsh,
proved the occasion of much ill health to Fiddes and his
family; and he had the misfortune, while there, to be suddenly so deprived of his speech, as never after to be able
to utter words very articulately, unless his organs were
strengthened with two or three glasses of wine, which, as
he was a mun of great temperance, was to him an excess.
His diocesan, however, dispensed with his residence upon
his benefice for the future; on which he removed to Wickham, and continued there some months. Being no longer
able to display his talents in preaching, which before were
confessedly great, and having a numerous family, he resolved to devote himself entirely to writing. For this purpose, he went to London in 1712; and, by the favour of
dean Swift, was introduced to the earl of Oxford, who received him kindly, and made him one of his chaplains.
The dean had a great esteem for Fiddes, and recommended
his cause with the warmth and sincerity of a friend. The
queen soon after appointed him chaplain to the garrison at
Hull, and would probably have provided handsomely for
him, had not death prevented her. Losing his patrons
upon the change of the ministry in 1714, he lost the above
mentioned chaplainship; and the expences of his family
i icreasing, as his ability to supply them lessened, he was
obliged to apply himself to writing with greater assiduity
than ever. Yet he continued in high esteem with contemporary writers, especially those of his own party; and was
encouraged by some of the most eminent men of those
times. By the generosity of his friend and relation Dr.
Radcliffe, the degree of bachelor of divinity was conferred
upon him by diploma, Feb. 1, 1713, and in 1718 he was
honoured by the university of Oxford with that of doctor,
in consideration of his abilities as a writer. He died at the
house of his friend Anstis at Putney, in 1725, aged fifty four years, leaving behind him a' family consisting of a wife
and six children. His eldest daughter was married to the
rev. Mr. Barcroft, curate of St. George’s, Hanover-square,
who abridged Taylor’s “Ductor Dubitantium.
” Dr. Fiddes
was buried in Fulham churchyard, "near the remains of
bishop Compton, to whom he had been much obliged.
, an English Jesuit of the seventeenth century, whose true name was
, an English Jesuit of the seventeenth
century, whose true name was Piercy, was born in Yorkshire, and admitted in the English college at Rome,
whence he removed to Louvaine, and became a Jesuit in
1594. Afterwards he was sent on a mission to England,
and laboured several years in endeavouring to make proselytes, until he was imprisoned and banished. Those of
his order then made him professor of divinity at Louvaine,
and vice-provincial of the English Jesuits. Returning thence
to England, he made a considerable figure in the reigns of
James I. and Charles I. in various controversies and conferences with some noted divines of the church of England.
His most remarkable conference was with Dr. Francis
White, dean of Carlisle, and afterwards bishop of Norwich, which was held in the king’s presence in 1622, at
three different times, at the request of the duke of Buckingham, on account of his duchess being a Roman catholic.
At the conclusion of these conferences, king James desired
Fisher to return an answer to nine points, proposed by his
majesty, which Fisher did in writing, except an article
concerning the supremacy, about which he desired to he
excused. He had conferences also with Laud, Featley,
and othrrs. He was alive in 1641, but how long afterwards we do not find. He published 1. “A Treatise of
Faith,
” Lond. A Defence of the preceding against Wooton and White,
” St.
Omers, A Challenge to Protestants; to shew
the succession of their pastors, from Christ down,
” ibid.
An Answer to nine points of Controversy proposed by king James I. with the censure of Mr. White’s
reply,
” The Romish Fisher caught in his own net,
” by Dr.
Featley, Lond. A Conference between bishop Laud
and Fisher,
” ibid. Reply to the relation, of the conference between Laud and Fisher,
” by an
anonymous author, Reply to Fisher’s
answer to some questions propounded by king James,
”
Orthodox faith and the
way to the church explained,
” by the same, Fisher’s folly unfolded,
” &c. by George Walker, Catalogus protestantium before Luther,
” by George
Webb, An answer to Mr. Fisher the Jesuit,
&c. in a dialogue,
” by Henry Rogers, The
Protestant church existent, and by whom their faith professed in all ages,
” by the same, A
Dialogue about this question, Where was your church before Luther?
” by C. W.
ied the duke of Feria to Milan. This duke had formerly been in England with king Philip, had married an English lady, and was justly esteemed a great patron of the
, grandson of sir Anthony, and a very ingenious and learned man, was born in the county of Stafford, in 1552; and sent to either Exeter or Lincoln-college, in Oxford, in 1568. But having been bred a catholic, the college was uneasy to him; and though he would now and then hear a sermon, which was permitted him by an old Roman priest, who lived privately in Oxford, and to whom he recurred for instruction in matters of religion, yet he would seldom go to prayers, for which he was often admonished by the sub -rector of the house. At length, seeming to be wearied with the heresy of the times, as he called it, he receded without a degree to his patrimony: where also refusing to go to his parish church, he was imprisoned about 1572; but being soon set at liberty, he became still more zealous in his religion, maintaining publicly, that catholics ought not to go to protestant churches; for which, being like to suffer, he withdrew, and lived obscurely with his wife and family. In 1580, when the Jesuits Campian and Parsons came into England, he went to London, found them out, was exceedingly attached to them, and supplied them liberally: by which, bringing himself into dangers and difficulties, he went a voluntary exile into France, in 1582, where he solicited the cause of Mary queen of Scots, but in yam. After the death of that princess, and of his own wife, he left France, and went to Madrid, in order to implore the protection of Philip II.; but, upon the defeat of the armada, in 1588, he left Spain, and accompanied the duke of Feria to Milan. This duke had formerly been in England with king Philip, had married an English lady, and was justly esteemed a great patron of the English in Spain. Fitzherbert continued at Milan some time, and thence went to Rome; where, taking a lodging near the English college, he attended prayers as regularly as the residents there, and spent the rest of his time in writing books. He entered into the society of Jesus in 1614, and received priest’s orders much about the same time; after which he speedily removed into Flanders, to preside over the mission there, and continued at Brussels about two years. His great parts, extensive and polite learning, together with the high esteem that he had gained by his prudent behaviour at Brussels, procured him the government, with the title of rector, of the P^nglish college at Rome. This office he exercised for twenty-two years, vrith unblemished credit, during which time he is said to have been often named for a cardinal’s hat. He died there, Aug. 27, 1G40, in his eighty-eighth year, and was interred in the chapel belonging to the English college.
, an English historian of the twelfth century, and author of the
, an English historian of
the twelfth century, and author of the earliest description
of London extant, was of Norman extractio/i, but born of
creditable parents in London. He was a monk of Canterbury, was dispatched to his holiness the pope, who was
then probably at Rome or Benevento, once at least, and
was much connected with archbishop Becket. He tells us
h msel f that he was one of his clerks, and an inmate in
h s family. He was also a remembrancer in his exchequer;
a subdeacon in his chapel whenever he officiated a reader
of Lil’s and petitions, when the archbishop sat to hear and
determine causes, and sometimes, when his grace was
pleased to order it, Fitzstephen performed the office of an
advocate. He was also present with him at Northampton,
and was an eye-witness of his murder at Canterbury, continuing with him after his other servants had had deserted
him. He has reported a speech which he made on occasion of the archbishop’s sitting alone, with the cross in his
hand, at Northampton, when he was forsaken by his suffragans, and expected, as he relates it, to be assaulted
and murdered. This speech is memorable, and breathes
more of a Christian spirit than we should have expected in
those days. One of the archbishdp’s friends had recommended, that if any violent attempt was made upon his
person, immediately to excommunicate the parties, which
then was the most dreadful vengeance an ecclesiastic could
inflict. Fitzstephen, on the contrary, said, “Far be that
from my lord. The holy apostles and martyrs, when they
suffered, did not behave in that manner,
” and endeavoured
to dissuade the archbishop from taking a step that would
appear to proceed from anger and impatience, &c. This
worthy monk is supposed to have died in 1191; but authors
vary much as to the particular time when he composed his
work, although it seems certain that he wrote it in the
reign of Henry II. and that it was part of another work,
“The Life and Passion of archbishop Becket.
” Dr. Pegge
fixes the period between the years I Description of the City of London,
” affords, after Domesday Book, by far the most early account we have of that
metropolis, and, to use his editor’s words, we may challenge any nation in Europe to produce an account of its
capital, or any other of its great cities, at so remote a
period as the twelfth century. It was accordingly soon
noticed by Leland and Stowe, who inserted a translation
of it in his “Survey of London.
” But this edition was
grown not only obsolete, but incorrect, when Dr. Pegge
published in 1772, 4to, a more accurate translation, with
notes, and a preliminary dissertation on the author. Fitzstephen was a person of excellent learning for his age.
He was well versed in Horace, Virgil, Sallust, Ovid, Lucan, Persius, and with perhaps many other of the Latin
classics, and had even peeped into Plato and some of the
Greeks. If he was in some respects a little too credulous,
it must be imputed to the times he lived in. His account
of London, however, is in all views, curious and interesting, and the composition easy, natural, and methodical.
, an English poet, was born in Aldersgate-street, London, about 1633;
, an English poet, was born in
Aldersgate-street, London, about 1633; and educated at
Winchester school. He went from thence to New college, in Oxford; but leaving the university without a degree, he removed to the Inner Temple, where in due time
he became a barrister. Jt does not appear that he ever
followed the profession of the law; but, having a turn for
the fine arts, he indulged his inclination, and made some
proficiency, both as a poet and a painter. He speaks of
himself as a painter, in a poem called “The Review,
” and
it appears from thence, that he drew in miniature. The
third edition of his poems, with additions and amendments, was published by himself, with his portrait before
them, in 1682, and dedicated to the duke of Ormond.
The first poem in this collection is, “On the Death of the
right honourable Thomas earl of Ossory,
” and had been
published separately the year before. Soon after, it was
read by the duke of Ormond his father, who was so extremely pleased with it, that he sent Flatman a mourning
ring, with a diamond in it worth 100l. He published also
in 1685, two Pindaric odes; one on the death of prince
Rupert, the other on the death of Charles II.
, an English poet and dramatic writer in the reign of Charles II.
, an English poet and dramatic
writer in the reign of Charles II. whose productions, although not without some proportion of merit, would not
have preserved his name so long as the satire of Dryden,
entitled “Mac Flecnoe,
” is said to have been originally a
Jesuit, and to have had connections with some persons of
high distinction in London, who were of the Roman catholic persuasion. What was the cause of Dryden’s aversion
is not determined. Some have said that when the revolution was completed, Dryden, having some time before
turned papist, became disqualified for holding his place of
poet-laurcat. It was accordingly taken from him, and
conferred on Flecknoe, a man to whom Dryden is said to
have had already a confirmed aversion; and this produced
the famous satire, called from him Mac Flecknoe, one of
the most spirited and amusing of Dryden' s poems; and,
in some degree, the model of the Dunciad. That this is a
spirited poem is as certain, as that all the preceding account from Cihber and his copiers is ridiculous. Shadwell
was the successor of Dryden, as laureat, and in this poem
is ridiculed as the poetical son of Flecknoe. However con.temptibly Dryden treated Flecknoe, the latter at one time
wrote an epigram in his praise, which, with his religion,
might have conciliated both Dryden and Pope. Perhaps
Dryden, says a modern critic, was offended at his invectives against the obscenity of the stage, knowing how much
he had contributed to it. Be this as it may, Flecknoe himself wrote some plays, but not more than one of them was
acted. His comedy, called “Damoiselles a la mode,
” was
printed in For the acting this comedy,
those who have the government of the stage have their
humours, and would.be in treated and I have mine, and
won't intreat them and were all dramatic writers of my
mind, tljeyshould wear their old plays thread-bare, ere
they should have any new,till they better understood
their own interest, and how todistinguish between good
*nd bad.
”
, an English lawyer, and recorder of London in the reign of Elizabeth,
, 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.
, an English bishop, was descended from the family of Fleetwood just
, an English bishop, was descended from the family of Fleetwood just mentioned, and
born in the Tower of London, in which his father, JefFery
Fleetwood had resided, Jan. 21, 1656. He was educated
at Eton, whence he was elected to king’s college in Cambridge. About the time of the revolution he entered into
holy orders; and from the first was a celebrated preacher.
He was soon after made chaplain to king William and
queen Mary; and by the interest of Dr. Godolphin, at
that time vice-provost of Eton, and residentiary of St.
Paul’s, he was made fellow of that college, and rector of
St. Austin’s, London, which is in the gift of the dean and
chapter of St. Paul’s. Soon after he obtained also the
lecture of St. Dunstan’s in the West, probably by his great
reputation and merit as a preacher. In 1691 he published,
1. “Inscriptionum Antiquarum Sylloge,
” &c. 8vo. This
collection of ancient inscriptions consists of two parts: the
first, containing remarkable pagan inscriptions collected
from Gruter, Keinesius, Spon, and other writers the
second, the ancient Christian monuments the whole illustrated with very short notes for the use of the young antiquary. In 1692 he translated into English, revised, and
prefixed a preface to, 2. “Jurieu’s plain method of Christian Devotion, laid down in discourses, meditations, and
prayers, fitted to the various occasions of a religious life;
”
the 27th edition of which was printed in 1750. In the
mean time he was highly distinguished by his talents
for the pulpit, which rendered him so generally admired, that he was frequently called to preach upon the
most solemn occasions; as, before the king, queen, lordmayor, &c. In 1701 he published, 3. “An Essay upon
Miracles,
” 8vo, written in the manner of dialogue, and
divided into two discourses. Some singularities in it occasioned it to be animadverted upon by several writers, particularly by Hoadly, in “A Letter to Mr. FleetvVood,
1702;
” which letter is reprinted in Hoadly’s tracts,
, an English prelate, and the founder of Lincoln college, Oxford,
, an English prelate, and the founder of Lincoln college, Oxford, descended from an ancient family, was born at Crofton iti Yorkshire, and educated at University college, Oxford, where his extraordinary proficiency in logic and philosophy procured him higher degrees than were then usually conferred. In 1406 he was presented to the prebend of South Newbold, in the church of York, and next year served the office of proctor in the university. The copy of the statutes belonging to the duties of junior proctor, which he caused to be transcribed, is still preserved among the archives. Soon after taking his master’s degree, he professed a zealous attachment to the principles by which Wickliff was endeavouring to oppose the established religion, and argued with so much ability as to make many converts, some of whom were persons of high distinction. By what means he was induced to change His opinion, and display equal or greater zeal against the reformation, is not known. In 1396, when a student in theology, or scholar, we find his name among the other Oxford men who condemned Wicklif 's doctrines, and it is certain, that when he speculated on the foundation of a college, it was for the express purpose of educating divines who were to exert their talents against the heresy of that reformer.
, an English dramatic writer, the son of the preceding, is said to
, an English dramatic writer, the
son of the preceding, is said to have been born in Northamptonshire, in 1576, while his father was dean of Peterborough, but as this does not correspond with his age at
the time of his death, it is more probable he was a native
of London, a person of that name and place being admitted pensioner of Bene't college, Oct. 15, 1591, when he
must have been about fifteen, the usual age of admission
in those days. He was made one of the bible clerks in
15i>3, but his further progress in the university cannot be
traced, nor how long he remained in it. On his arrival in
London he became acquainted, and wrote plays jointly
with Beaumont; and Wood says that he assisted Ben
Jouson in a comedy called “The Widow.
” After Beaumont’s death, which happened in he was one of the happy triumvirate of the chief dramatic poets of our nation in the last
foregoing age, among whom there might be said to be a
symmetry of perfection, while each excelled in his peculiar way Ben Jonson in his elaborate pains and knowledge
of authors Shakspeare in his pure vein of wit and natural
poetic height and Fletcher in a courtly elegance and genteel familiarity of style, and withal a wit and invention so
overflowing, that the luxuriant branches thereof were fre^
quently thought convenient to be lopped off by his almost
inseparable companion Francis Beaumont.
” Dryden tells
us, that Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays in his time were
the most pleasing and frequent entertainments, two of
theirs being acted through the year for one of Shakspeare’s
or Jonson’s; and the reason he assigns is, because there
is a certain gaiety in their comedies, and a pathos in their
most serious plays, which suits generally with all men’s humours. The case, however, is now reversed, for Beaumont and Fletcher are not acted above once for fifty times
that the plays of Shakspeare are represented. Their merit,
however, is undoubted; and though it could not avert the
censure of the cynical Rymer, has been acknowledged by
our greatest poets. Their dramas are full of fancy and
variety, interspersed with beautiful passages of genuine
poetry; but there is not the nice discrimination of character, nor the strict adherence to nature, that we justly admire in Shakspeare.
Some of Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays were printed in
4to, during the lives of their authors; and in 1645, twenty
years after Fletcher’s death, there was published a folio
collection of them. The first edition of all their plays,
amounting to upwards of fifty, was published in 1679,
folio. Another edition was published in 1711, in seven
volumes, 8vo. Another in 1751, in ten volumes, 8vo.
Another by Colman, also in ten volumes, in 1778.
, an English Jesuit, who merits some notice from his controversial
, an English Jesuit, who merits some
notice from his controversial connections, was born in
Cambridgeshire, and going abroad, became a Jesuit in
1593, and returned to England as a missionary. After
some years spent in this employment, he was apprehended
and banished; but his sufferings and his talents procured
him great respect in France, where he was employed by
his superiors to teach humanity and divinity at St. Omer’s
and Louvaine. He was alive at St. Omer’s in 1641, but
the time of his death is not on record. In his publications,
written in controversy with Chillingworth, Antonius de
Dominis, Crashaw, sir Edward Hobby, and other learned
protestants, he assumed the fictitious names of Daniel a
Jesu, Hermannus Loemelius, and Annosus Fidelis Verimontanus. Under these he wrote, 1. “Synopsis Apostasiæ
M. A. de Dominis,
” Antw. Detectio hypocrisis M. A. de Dominis,
” ibid. Censura decem Lib. de republica ecclesiast. M. A. de Dominis,
” Cologne, Apologia sedis Apostolicæ,
” &c. Rothomag. The church conquerant over human wit,
” against Chillingworth, St.
Omer’s, The Total Sum,
” against the same,
ibid. Answer to William Crashaw,
” ibid.
A treatise of Purgatory, in answer to sir
Edward Hobby,
” ibid. Answer to Francis
White’s Reply concerning Nine Articles offered by king
James I. to F. John Fisher (See Fisher), ibid. 1626.
10.
” Spongia,“against the bishops of France, and the
censure of the Sorbonne. 11.
” Answer to a book entitled `Instructions for the Catholics of England'," with
several other small treatises relative to the bishop of Chalcedon’s case; which attack of his on that bishop, and on
the clergy of France, was repelled in various pamphlets
by his brethren, who took part with the bishop. Floyd
also published a translation of St. Augustine’s Meditations,
and of some other religious works.
, or de Fluctibus, an English philosopher, was the son of sir Thomas Fludd, knight,
, or de Fluctibus, an English philosopher, was the son of sir Thomas Fludd, knight, sometime treasurer of war to queen Elizabeth in France and the
Low Countries; and was born at Milgate, in the parish of
Bearsted, in Kent, in 1574. He was admitted of St.
John’s-college, Oxford, in 1591; and having taken both
the degrees in arts, applied himself to physic. He then
spent six years in travelling through France, Spain, Italy,
and Germany: in most of which countries he not only became acquainted with several of the nobility, but read
lectures to them. After his return, being in high repute
for his chemical knowledge, he accumulated the degrees
of bachelor and doctor of physic. This was in 1605;
about which time he practised in London, and became fellow of the college of physicians. He did not begin to
publish till 1616, but afterwards became a voluminous
writer, being the author of about twenty works, mostly
written in Latin, and as dark and mysterious in their language, as in their matter. Some of his productions were
aimed against Kepler and Mersennus; and he had the
honour of replies from both those philosophers. He wrote
two books against Mersennus; the first entitled “Sophias
cum Moria certamen, in quo lapis Lydius, a falso structore
Patre Marino Mersenno Monacho reprobatus, celeberrima
voluminis sui Babylonici in Genesim figmenta accuratæ
examinat.
” Franc. Summum
Bonorum, quod est verum Magiae, Cabalae, Alchymije,
Fratrum Roseug Crucis Verorum, subjectum: in dictarum
scientiarum laudem, in insignis calumniatoris Fr. Mar.
Mersenni dedecus publicatum, per Joachim. Frizium,
”
Sophiae cum Moria certamen
”
and the third against “Summum Bonorum,
” &c. This
answer, called “Examen Fluddanae Philosophise,
” is
dated Feb. 4, 1629, and is printed in the third volume of
Gassendus’s works in folio. In the dedication to Merseniius, this antagonist fairly allows Fludd the merit of extensive learning. His other works were: 1. “Utriusque
Cosmi, majoris et minoris, Technica Historia,
” Oppenheim, Tractatus Apologeticus integritatena societatis de Rosea cruce defendens,
”
Leyden, Monochordon mundi symphoniacum,
eu Replicatio ad Apologiam Joannis Kepleri,
” Francfort,
Anatomise Theatrum triplici effigie designatum,
” ibid. Philosophia Sacra et vere Christiana, seu Meteorologia Cosmica,
” ibid, Mediclna Cathotica, sen, Mysticum artis Medicandi Sacrarium,
” ibid. Integrum Morborum Mysterium,
”
ibid. De Morborum Signis,
” ibid. Clavis Philosophise et Alchyrniae Fluddanse,
” ibid.
Philosophia Mosa'ica,
” Goudae, Pathologia Daemoniaca,
” ibid.
n short chapters, which has often been printed under the title of “Bible de Royaumont,” and there is an English edition in 4to, with above 300 prints. 4. “Memoirs of
, a voluminous French writer,
the son of a scrivener at Paris, was born in 1625, and received at the age of twenty into the: society of the celebrated solitaries of Port Royal, in a subordinate office, but
in the course of time obtained the^ chief superintendance
of the young men who were sent there for education; He
employed his leisure hours in severe literary labours, such
as transcribing the works of several of these solitaries. He
followed Nicole and Arnauld, to whom he had been a kind
of secretary, into their different places of retreat; in 1664
he was shut up in the Bastille with Sacy, and came out of
it with him in 16f>8. After the death of Sacy, in 1684, he
frequently changed his retreat, but established himself
finally at Mel un, where he died in 1709, at the age of
eighty-four. His works are principally, 1. “Lives of the
Saints of the Old Testament,
” 4 torn. 8vo. 2. “Lives of
the Saints
” in general, the same number of volumes, or
1 in folio. 3. “Les figures de Bible,
” or a history of tha
Bible, in short chapters, which has often been printed
under the title of “Bible de Royaumont,
” and there is
an English edition in 4to, with above Memoirs of the Solitaries of Port Royal,
” 2 vols. 12mo. 5.
“Translation of St.' ChrysostonVs Homilies on St. Paul’s
Epistles,
” 7 vols. 8vo. His versions are written with fidelity, but not always with vigour. He was far inferior to
Arnauld and Nicole, whom he admired; but his piety was
worthy of Port Royal. He was distinguished for innocence of manners, laborious, edifying simplicity of life,
sincere modesty, unparalleled disinterestedness, and a
steadiness of faith superior to all trials. A man of so many
virtues deserves to be recorded, though not among the
first class of authors. It remains to be added that his
translation of Chrysostom involved him in trouble. Father
Daniel, a Jesuit, accused him of Nestorianism, and denounced, him in a letter to the Sorbonne. Fontaine made
a very humble and respectful retraction, and substituted
several new pages in those parts which had been found reprehensible; but, as this did not prevent M. de Harlai
from condemning his translation, he undertook its defence
in a work where he asserts, that he has faithfully translated St. Chrysostom, and not fallen into heresies.
, an English divine and scholar of eminence in the last ceatury,
, an English divine and scholar of eminence in the last ceatury, was born Feb. 3, 1717, at Stadscombe, in the parish of Plimstock, Devonshire, of which his father, Robert Forster, was then minister. His mother, Elizabeth, was daughter of the rev. John Tindal, vicar of Cornwood, in the same county, and sister of the rev. Nicolas Tindal, translator of Rapin’s History. His father, soon after the birth of this his eldest child, being chosen lecturer to St. Andrew’s church at Plymouth, went thitherto reside, and continued in the same place and office till his death. His son, the subject of this article, having received the rudiments of a grammatical education at home, in which he made an early progress, was put under the tuition of the rev. John Bedford, master of the grammar-school at Plymouth; and of this numerous seminary he had gained the first place before he was thirteen years old. In 1731-2 he was removed to Eton, and at the same time entered at Pembroke college, Oxford, in order to entitle him to an exhibition. After passing about sixteen months at Eton, while Dr. George was head-master, he went to college, and became a pupil of Dr. Radcliffe. On June 13, 1733, he was admitted scholar of Corpus Christi, where Dr. Burton was tutor. In 1729 he became fellow; and afterwards took the care of pupils himself as assistant to Mr. Paget, but was disappointed in his wishes of succeeding that gentleman as the college tutor, Mr. Patten being appointed by the president to that office. He was admitted to the degree of B. A. Oct. 13, 1735; to that f M. A. Feb. 10, 1738, and to that 'of B. D. April 9, 1746, as soon as his standing allowed, in order to preserve hie seniority in college. His degree of D. D. was deferred till 1750, the time of his leaving the university. In 1739 he received deacon’s orders from Dr. Wynne, bishop of Bath and Wells, and priest’s orders from Dr. Hoadly, bishop of Winchester.
again, with Selden’s notes, 1672, 12mo. In 1737 Fortescue was printed in folio; and lastly, in 1775, an English translation with the original Latin, was published in
In April 1463, he embarked with queen Margaret, prince
Edward, and many persons of distinction, who followed
the fortunes of the house of Lancaster, at Hamburg, and
landed at Sluys in Flanders; whence they were conducted
to Bruges, thence to Lisle, and thence into Lorrain. lu
this exile he remained for many years, retiring from place
to place, as the necessities of the royal family required:
for though, during that space, the queen and prince were
often in motion, and great efforts were made to restore. Henry, yet, considering the age of Fortescue, it is
not probable that he was suffered to expose himself to such
hazards; especially as he might do them better service by
soliciting their interest at different courts. It is certain,
that he was not idle; but, observing the excellent understanding of prince Edward, who applied himself wholly to
military exercises, and seemed to think of nothing but
qualifying himself for an expert commander, he thought
it high time to give him other impressions, and to infuse
into his mind just notions of the constitution of his country,
as well as due respect to its laws; so that, if Providence
should favour his designs, he might govern as a king, and
not as a tyrant, or a conqueror. With this view 1 as we
learn from his introduction, he drew up his famous work,
entitled “De Laudibus Legtirn Anglise;
” which, though
it failed of its primary intention, that hopeful prince being
not long after cruelly murdered, will yet remain an everlasting monument of this great and good man’s respect and
affection for his country. This very curious and concise
vindication of our laws was received with great esteem
when it was communicated to the learned of that profession; yet it was not published till the reign of Henry VIII.
when it was printed hy Edward Whitchurch, in 16mo, but
without a date. In 1516 it was translated by Robert Mulcaster, and printed by R. Tottel, and again in 1567, 1573,
and 1575; also by Thomas White in 1598, 1599, and 1609.
Fortescue, with HenghamVs “Summa magna et parva,
”
was likewise printed in Fortescue illustratuV
” a commentary on
the “De Laudibus,
” which, although prolix and defective
in style, Mr. Hargrave thinks may be resorted to with
great advantage, and may very much facilitate the labours
of more judicious and able inquirers. When lord chancellor, sir John is said to have drawn up the statute 2$
Henry VI. “of resumption of certain grants of the crown,
”
which, though much relied upon by the writers on that
subject, is not extant in any present edition of the statutes.
The house of Lancaster having afterwards a prospect of
retrieving their fortunes, the queen and the prince went
over to England, Fortescue with many others accompanying them. They did not succeed, so that this chancellor
was forced to reconcile himself as well as he could to the
victorious Edward IV.; for which purpose he wrote a kind
of apology for his own conduct. Tlws treatise, though it
has never been published, Selden had seen; as he tells us
in his preface to Fortescue' s book, “L)e Laudibus, <kc.
”
After all these extraordinary changes of masters and fortunes, he preserved his old principles in regard to the
English constitution; as appears from another valuable
and learned work, written by him in English, and published in the reign of queen Anne, with this title: “The
difference between an absolute and limited monarchy, as
it more particularly regards the English constitution:
being a treatise written by sir John Fortescue, knight, lord
chief justice, and lord high chancellor of England, under
king 'Henry VI. Faithfully transcribed from the manuscript copy in the Bodleian library, and collated with three
other manuscripts (which were afterwards printed). Published with some remarks by John Fortescue Aland, of the
Inner Temple, esq. F. R. S. 1714,
” 8vo. There is a manuscript of this work in the Cotton library, in the title of
which it is said to be addressed to Henry VI. but many passages in it shew it to have been plainly written in favour of,
and for the service of, Edward IV. A second edition, with
amendments, was published in 1719, 8vo. As for this
author’s other writings, which were pretty numerous, as
they were never printed, we know nothing more of them
than we learn from the titles, and the commendations bestowed upon them by those who had perused them. They
have, however, been carefully preserved in libraries, some
of them being still extant under the following titles
“Opusculum de natura Legis Naturae, et de ejus censura
in successione regnorum supremorum;
” “Defensio juris
Domus Lancastriae
” “Genealogy of the House of Lancaster
” “Of the title of the House of York
” “Genealogise Ilegum Scotios
” “A Dialogue between Understanding and Faith
” "A Prayer Book which savours
touch of the times we live in,' 1 &c. It would certainly be
a gratification, if not a benefit, to the learned world, if
his manuscripts were printed; for he was a man of general
knowledge, great observation, and his writings would probably throw much light upon the dark parts of our history
and antiquities.
, an English dissenting minister, was born at Exeter, Sept. 16, 1697.
, an English dissenting minister, was born at Exeter, Sept. 16, 1697. His grandfather was 9, clergyman at Kettering in Northamptonshire; but his father, being educated by an uncle who was a dissenter, imbibed the same principles, and was afterwards by trade a tucker, or fuller, in Exeter. He was sent early to the free school in that town, where the foundation of a friendship between him and Dr. Conybeare, afterwards bishop of Bristol, is said to have been laid; and thence was removed to an academy in the same city, where he finished his studies. He there displayed pre-eminent natural abilities, a quick apprehension, a solid judgment, a happy memory, and a free commanding elocution.
, an English mathematician, and professor of astronomy at Gresham
, an English mathematician, and
professor of astronomy at Gresham college, was born in
Northamptonshire or as Aubrey says, at Coventry, where
he adds that he was some time usher of the school and
was sent to Emanuel college, Cambridge, in 1616. He
took the degree of B. A. in 1619, and of master in 1623.
He applied early to the mathematics, and attained to great
proficiency in that kind of knowledge, of which he gave
the first specimen in 1624. He had an elder brother at
the same college with himself, which precluded him from a
fellowship; in consequence of which, he offered himself a
candidate for the professorship of astronomy in Gresham
college, Feb. 1636, and was elected the 2 d of March. He
quitted it again, it does not appear for what reason, Nov.
25, the same year, and was succeeded therein by Mr.
Mungo Murray, professor of philosophy at St. Andrew’s in
Scotland. Murray marrying in 1641, his professorship
was thereby vacated; and as Foster bad before made way
for him, so he in his turn made way for Foster, who was
re-elected May 22, the same year. The civil war breaking out soon after, he became one of that society of gentlemen, who had stated meetings for cultivating philosophy,
and afterwards were established by charter, under the
name of the royal society, in the reign of Charles II. In
1646, Dr. Wallis, another member of that society, received from Foster a mathematical theorem, which he
afterwards published in his “Mechanics.
” Neither was it
only in this branch of science that he excelled, but he was
likewise well versed in the ancient languages; as appear!
from his revising and correcting the “Lemmata
” of Archimedes, which had been translated from an Arabic manuscript into Latin, but not published, by Mr. John
Greaves. He made also several curious observations upon
eclipses, both of the sun and moon, as well at Gresham
college, as in Northamptonshire, at Coventry, and in other
places; and was particularly famous for inventing, as well
as improving, astronomical and other mathematical instruments. After being long in a declining state of health, he
died in July 1652, at his own apartment at Gresham college, and, according to Aubrey, was buried in the church
of St. Peter le poor. His works are, 1. “The Description
and use of -a small portable Quadrant, for the more easy
finding of the hour of azimuth/' 1624, 4to, This treatise,
which has been reprinted several times, is divided into
two parts, and was originally published at the end of Gunter’s
” Description of the Cross Staffe in three hooks,“to
which it was intended as an appendix. 2.
” The Art of
Dialling,“1638, 4to. Reprinted in 1675, with several
additions and variations from the author’s own manuscript,
as also a supplement by the editor William Leybourne.
Our author himself published no more, yet left many
other treatises, which, though not finished in the manner
he intended, were published by his friends after his death
as, 3.
” Posthuinu Fosteri containing the description of
a Ruler, upon which are inscribed divers scales, &c.“1652,
4to. This was published by Edmund Wingate, esq. 4.
” Four Treatises of Dialling,“1654, 4to. 5.
” The Sector altered, and other scales added, with the description
and use thereof, invented and written by Mr. Foster, and
now published by William Leybourne, 1661,“4to. This
was an improvement of Gunter’s Sector, and therefore
published among his works. 6.
” Miscellanies, or Mathematical Lucubrations of Mr. Samuel Foster, published,
and many of them translated into English, by the care and
industry of John Twysden, C. L. M. D. whereunto he hath
annexed some things of his own." The treatises in this
collection are of different kinds, some of them written in
Latin, some in English.
, an English, physician, was born at York, Jan. 22, 1736, and, after
, an English, physician, was born
at York, Jan. 22, 1736, and, after having gone through a
course of classical and medical education, set up as an
apothecary in his native city, in 1760. In 1774, however,
he relinquished this branch of practice, in order to apply
himself more closely to the study of medical science; and
for this purpose he went to Edinburgh, where he graduated
in 1778. He then settled at Stafford, and was soon after
elected physician to the infirmary at that place, where he
practised with considerable reputation and success until
1791, when he returned to York. Here he met with the
most flattering encouragement; but his ardent attention
to his professional duties and studies was considerably interrupted in July 1793, by an attack of a painful anomalous disease of the chest, which he described as “fits of
spasmodic asthma, attended with most of the painful
symptoms of the angina pectoris.
” After consulting many
eminent physicians, and trying a variety of medicines,
with partial and transient relief, for two years, he was
agreeably surprised by a spontaneous and gradual decline
of the symptoms, and was at length totally free from them.
Notwithstanding the check to his exertions which he received from this complaint, his professional emoluments
and reputation continued to increase; and m 1796 he was
appointed, without solicitation, and even without his
knowledge, physician to the lunatic asylum, near York,
called the “Retreat,
” established by the society of quakers, for the relief of the insane members of their community. He was a member of the medical societies of
Edinburgh, of the medical society of London, and of the
Bristol medical society. Dr. Fowler continued his useful
career, active in every duty that benevolence could dictate, or friendship demand, and, in the exercise of his
profession, an example of generosity, unwearied diligence
and humanity, until 1901, when he died, on July 22d,
while upon a visit to some friends in London.
, an English clergyman, of whose early history we have no account,
, an English clergyman, of whose early
history we have no account, was educated at Edmund Hall,
Oxford, where he took his master’s degree, July 5, 1704.
He afterwards became vicar of Pottern, in Wiltshire, prebendary of that prebend in the church of Salisbury, and
chaplain to lord Cadogan. In 1722 he published “The
New Testament explained,
” 2 vols. 8vo. This work has the
several references placed under the text in words at length,
so that the parallel passages may be seen at one view; to
which are added, the chronology, the marginal readings,
and notes on difficult or mistaken texts, with many more
references than in any other edition then published, of the
English New Testament. He likewise wrote “The duty
of Public Worship proved, to which are added directions
for a devout behaviour therein, drawn chiefly from the
holy scriptures and the liturgy of the church of England;
and an account of the method of the Common Prayer, by
way of question and answer.
” The fourth edition of this
was printed in A Letter to the rev. Joseph
Slade, &c.
” printed at Reading. Mr. Fox published also
a few other occasional sermons. He died at Reading in
1738, and was buried in St. Mary’s church.
less charity and munificence, of which he has left lasting monuments.” Of his writings, we have only an English translation of the “Rule ofSt. Benedict,” for the use
“His character,
” says Mr. Gough, “may be briefly
summed up in these two particulars: great talents and
abilities for business, which recommended him to one of
the wisest princes of the age; and not less charity and
munificence, of which he has left lasting monuments.
” Of
his writings, we have only an English translation of the
“Rule ofSt. Benedict,
” for the use of his diocese,
printed by Pinson,
, an English clergyman, and the able translator of Horace and Demosthenes,
, an English clergyman, and the
able translator of Horace and Demosthenes, was of Irish
extraction, if not born in that kingdom, where his father
was a dignified clergyman, and, among other preferments,
held the rectory of St. Mary, Dublin, from which he was
ejected by the court on account of his Tory principles.
His son, our author, was also educated for the church, and
obtained a doctor’s degree. His edition of “Horace
”
made his name known in England about The lyrical part of Horace never can
be properly translated; so much of the excellence is in
the numbers and the expression. Francis has done it the
best: I'll take his, five out of six, against them all.
”
t difficult to translate, yet so universal has been the ambition to perform this task, that scarcely an English poet can be named in whose works we do not find some
Of all the classical writers, “Horace
” is by general
consent allowed to be the most difficult to translate, yet
so universal has been the ambition to perform this task,
that scarcely an English poet can be named in whose works
we do not find some part of Horace. These efforts, however, have not so frequently been directed to give the
sense and local meaning of the author, as to transfuse his
satire, and adapt it to modern persons and times. But of
the few who have exhibited the whole of this interesting
poet in an Eirglish dress, Mr. Francis has been supposed
to have succeeded best in that which is most difficult, the
lyric part, and likewise to have conveyed the spirit and
sense of the original in the epistles and satires, with least
injury to the genius of the author. In his preface he acknowledges his obligations to Dr. Dunkin, a poet of some
celebrity, and an excellent classical scholar.
, an English physician and historian of singular character, was born
, an English physician and
historian of singular character, was born in Lancashire in
1633, and was entered a student in Brasenose college,
Oxford, in 1649. He took a degree in arts, and obtained
a fellowship in 1654. Afterwards studying divinity, he
became a preacher according to the form of ordination
during the usurpation. In 1662 he served the office of
proctor, and the year after, having taken orders regularly,
he was, but with much difficulty, admitted to the reading
of the sentences. He afterwards studied physic, and settled
in London, where he imposed upon the public for some
time, by pretending to have taken his doctor’s degree in
that faculty, and at length offering himself as a candidate
for fellow of the college of physicians, he produced a
forged diploma, was admitted fellow, and afterwards was
censor. His ungracious manners, however, procuring him
enemies, an inquiry was made at Oxford in 1677, which
discovered the fraud, and although by the connivance of
some of the college of physicians, he remained among
them, yet his credit and practice fell off, and being reduced in circumstances, he was imprisoned in the Fleet,
where he died in 1690, and was interred in St. Vedast’s
church, Foster-lane. He wrote, “The Annals of King
James and King Charles I. containing a faithful history
and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and
transactions of parliament in England, from the tenth of
king James, 1612, to the eighteenth of king Charles, 1642.
Wherein several passages relating to the late civil wars
(omitted in former histories) are made known,
” Lond.
The honours of
the Lords Spiritual asserted, and their privileges to vote
in capital cases in parliament maintained by reason and
precedents;
” but Wood does not give this as certain. Dr.
Frankland was esteemed a good scholar while at Oxford,
but in the subsequent part of his character appears deserving of little esteem.
ith improvements, the last of which editions appeared at Francibrt, 1712, 4 vols. 4to. There is also an English translation of the original work, Lond. 1674, 8vo. 3.”
, a Lutheran divine, was
born in 1564 at Plawen, in the circle of Voightland, and
was educated at Francfort on the Oder. He then removed
to Wittetnberg, where in 1598, he was appointed professor
of history, and took his doctor’s degree in divinity. Three
years after, he was invited to be superintendant at Kemsperg, and remained there until 1605, when he was chosen
divinity professor at Wittemberg. He died suddenly ia
1628, of a second attack of apoplexy. Among his numerous works are, 1. “Syntagma controversiarum
theologicarum.
” 2. “Historia animalium,
” Francfort, Historia animal iura sacra.
”“It was afterwards reprinted often with improvements, the
last of which editions appeared at Francibrt, 1712, 4 vols.
4to. There is also an English translation of the original
work, Lond. 1674, 8vo. 3.
” Schola sacrificiorum patriarchalium sacra, hoc est, assertio satisfactionis a Domino
nostro J. C. pro peccatis totius mundi prcestitse, in sacrificiorum veterum typis fundata?, et recentibus Arianis et
Photinianis oppositae,“Wittemberg, 1654, 4to. This has
been sometimes sold in two parts; the one entitled
” Schola sacrificiorum,“and the other
” Assertio satisfactionis,“but it is the same work. 4.
” Tractatus theologrcus de interpretatione scripturarnm maxime legitima,
duabus constans regulis, a Luthero ad papatns Komani destructionem in versione Biblioruni Germanica usitatis, et
152 exemplis elucidatus," Wittemberg, 1634, 4to. Of
this there have been several editions. Frantzius is also the
author of various dissertations and disputations on subjects
of theological controversy.
, an English versifier in queert Elizabeth’s time, whose works are
, an English versifier in queert
Elizabeth’s time, whose works are still an object of some
curiosity, was educated at the ex pence of air Philip Sydney at St. John’s college, Cambridge, where he took his
master’s degree, and afterwards went to Gray’s-lnn, where
be remained till he was called to the bar of the court of the
Marches in Wales. In August 1590, he was recommended
by Henry earl of Pembroke, to lord treasurer Burleigh,
as 41 man in every respect qualified for the place of her
majesty’s solicitor in that court, but his history cannot
Ixe traced any farther. He wrote, 1 “The Lamentations
of Amituas for the death of Phillis, in English hexameters,
” London, The countess of Pembroke’s Ivy-church and Emamiel,
” in English hexameters, London, The Lamentations of Corydon,
”
&c. Fraunce also translated the beginning of “Heliodorns’s Ethiopics,
” Lond. Tke Lawier’s Logike, exemplifying the
precepts of Logike by the practice of the Common Lawe.
”
Of this last, as well as of his “Sheapheardes Logike,
” a
ms., an account is givenin the “Bibliographer,
” and a
few particulars of the authors other writings may be found
in our authorities.
, an English physician, the son of John French, of Broughton, near
, an English physician, the son of John
French, of Broughton, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, was
born there in 1616, and entered New-Inn-hall, Oxford, in
1633, when he took his degrees in arts. He afterwards
studied medicine, and acted as physician to the parliamentary army, by the patronage of the Fiennes, men of
great influence at that time; he was also one of the two
physicians to the whole army under general Fairfax. In
1648, when the earl of Pembroke visited the university of
Oxford, he was created M. D. and was about the same
time physician to the Savoy, and one of the college. He
went abroad afterwards as physician to the English army at
Bulloigne, and died there in Oct. or Nov. 1657. Besides
translations of some medical works from Paracelsus and
Glauber, he published “The An of Distillation,
” Lond.
The Yorkshire Spaw, or a Treatise of
Four famous medicinal wells: viz. the spaw, or vitrioline
well; the stinking or sulphur well; the dropping or petrifying well; and St. Magnus-well, near Knaresborow in
Yorkshire. Together with the causes, vertues, and use
thereof,
” Lond.
u Fresnoy, by our late skilful poet, William Mason, M. A.; by whom, in 1782, he was first clothed in an English dress suited to his elevated pretensions. And still
His poem was not published till three years after his death, at Paris, 12mo, with the French version, and remarks of Mons. Du Piles, and it has been justly admired for its elegance, perspicuity, and the utility of the instruction it contains. In 1694, Dryden made a prose translation of it into English, which he accompanied with his ingenious parallel between poetry and painting. It was again translated into English by Mr. Wills, a painter, who gave it in metre without rhyme. He attempted to produce the sense of his author in an equal number of lines, and thus cramped his own skill; and produced a work unequal in itself, in which, however well he appears to hare understood the original text, he fails to impress it on his reader. It is now almost totally forgotten. More ample justice has been done in our language to the talents of Du Fresnoy, by our late skilful poet, William Mason, M. A.; by whom, in 1782, he was first clothed in an English dress suited to his elevated pretensions. And still greater honour was done to him by the hand of that extraordinary genius of our isle in the art of painting, sir Joshua Reynolds, for whose more valuable remarks upon the most important points in the poem, Mr. Mason was induced to discard those of Mons. Du Piles. By the union of the talents of two men so renowned in the arts of poetry and painting, Du Fresnoy is rendered for ever dear to the English reader; and the thorough knowledge he has exhibited of the best principles of the art of painting, is become more agreeably and more extensively diffused.
, an English poet, was the son of a gentleman, who had been post-master
, an English poet, was the son of a
gentleman, who had been post-master in the reign of queen
Anne, and the grandson of sir Philip Frowde,a loyal officer
in king Charles I.'s army. He was sent to the university of
Oxford, where he had the honour of being distinguished
by Addison, who took him under his protection. While
be remained there be became the author of several pieces
of poetry, some of which, in Latin, were pure and elegant
enough to entitle them to a place in the “Muse Anglicanae.
” He wrote likewise two tragedies: “The Fall of
Saguntum,
” dedicated to sir Robert Walpole; and “Philotas,
” addressed to the earl of Chesterfield. Neither of
these were very successful on the stage, to which they were
thought less adapted than to the closet. He died at his
lodgings in Cecil-street in the Strand, Dec. 19, 1738; and
in the London Daily-Post had the following character
given him': “Though the elegance of Mr. Frowde’s writings has recommended him to the general public esteem,
the politeness of his genius is the least amiable part of his
character; for he esteemed the talents of wit and learning,
only as they were conducive to the excitement and practice
of honour and humanity. Therefore, with a soul chearful,
benevolent, and virtuous, he was in conversation genteelly
delightful, in friendship punctually sincere, in death Chnstianly resigned. No man could live more beloved; no
private man could die more lamented.
”
, an English law-writer, was the son of Thomas Fulbeck, who was mayor
, an English law-writer, was the
son of Thomas Fulbeck, who was mayor of Lincoln at the
time of his death in J 566. He was born in the parish of
St. Benedict in that city in 1560, entered as a commoner
of St. Alban hall, Oxford, in 1577, and was admitted
scholar of Corpus Christi college about two years after. In
1581 he took his bachelor’s degree, and the next year
became probationer fellow. He then removed to Gloucester-hall (now Worcester college) where he completed
the degree of M. A. in 1584. From Oxford he went to
Gray’s Inn, London, where he applied with great assiduity to the study of the municipal law. Wood says, he
had afterwards the degree of civil law conferred on him,
but where he had not been able to discover, nor is the
place or time of his death known. From an extract from,
bishop Kennet, in the new edition of Wood, it seems not
improbable that he took orders. His works are, 1. “Christian Ethics,
” Lond. An historical collection of the continual factions, tumults, and massacres -of
the Romans before the peaceable empire of Augustus
Caesar,
” ibid. A direction or
preparative to the study of the Law,
” ibid. A parallel or conference of the civil, the canon, and the common law,
” ibid. The Pandects of the Laws of
Nations; or the discourses of the matters in law, wherein
the nations of the world do agree,
” ibid.
, was an English painter of some note in the reign of Charles II. but
, was an English painter of some note in the reign of Charles II. but of his family or masters we have no account, except that he studied many years in France under Perrier, who engraved the antique statues. In his historical compositions he has left little to admire, his colouring being raw and unnatural, and not compensated by disposition or invention, but in portraits his pencil was bold, strong, and masterly. In the latter he was much employed, particularly at Oxford. His own portrait in the gallery there is touched with great force and character. The altar-piece of Magdalen was also by him, but has not been much approved. As an imitation of Michel Angelo, it falls far short of the sublime, although sometimes wild imagination of that great artist; nor is the colouring harmonious. Some of the figures, however, are correctly drawn; and he has at least imitated the temper of Michel Angelo with success, in introducing among the damned, the portrait of an hostler at the Greyhound-inn, near the college, who had offended him. The picture, it is well known, was honoured by Addison in an elegant Latin poem. At Wadham college is an altar-cloth by Fuller in a singular manner, and of merit; which is just brushed over for the lights and shades, and the colours melted in with a hot iron. Soon after the restoration, he was engaged in painting the circumstances of king Charles II.'s escape, which he executed in five large pictures. These were presented to the parliament of Ireland, where they remained for many years in one of the rooms of the parliament house in Dublin. But some time in the last century the house undergoing a thorough repair, these pictures were not replaced, but lay neglected, until they were rescued by the late earl of Clanbrassil, who obtained possession of them, and had them cleaned and removed to his seat at Tullymore park, co. Down, where they were a few years ago. Lord Orford speaks slightingly of these, which he had never seen, and probably with as much justice as of Fuller’s altar-piece at All-souls college, which he never could have seen, for Fuller had no picture there. Fuller died in Bloomsbury-square July 17, 1672, and left a gon, an ingenious but idle man, chiefly employed ia coach -painting, who died young.
, an English historian and divine, was the son of the rev. Thomas
, an English historian and divine,
was the son of the rev. Thomas Fuller, minister of St.
Peter’s, in Aldwincle, in Northamptonshire, and born
there in 1608. The chief assistance he had in the rudiments of learning was from his father, under whom he
made so extraordinary a progress, that he was sent at
twelve years of age to Queen’s-college, in Cambridge;
Dr. Davenant, who was his mother’s brother, being then
master of it, and soon after bishop of Salisbury. He took
his degrees in arts, that of A. B. in 1624-5, and that of
A. M. in 1628, and would have been fellow of the college;
but there being already a Northamptonshire man a fellow,
he was prohibited by the statutes from being chosen, and
although he might have obtained a dispensation, he preferred removing to Sidney-college, in the same university.
He had not been long there, before he was chosen minister of St. Bennet’s, in the town of Cambridge, and soon
became a very popular preacher. In 1631, he obtained a
fellowship in Sidney-college, and at the same time a prebend in the church of Salisbury. This year also he issued
his first publication, a work of the poetical kind, now but
little known, entitled “David’s Hainous Sin, Heartie Repentances, and Heavie Punishment,
” in a thin 8vx>.
, an English physician, but perhaps better known for a very useful
, an English physician, but perhaps
better known for a very useful work on morals, was born
June 24, 1654, and was educated at Queen’s college,
Cambridge, where he took his degrees in medicine, that
of M. B. in 1676, and that of M. D. in 1681. He does
not appear to have been a member of the college of physicians of London, but settled at Sevenoak in Kent, where
he was greatly esteemed. He was a great benefactor to
the poor, and a zealous assertor of their rights, having,
not long before his death, prosecuted the managers of a
considerable charity given to the inhabitants of that town
by sir William Senoke (a foundling of the place, and in 1418 lord mayor of London) and obliged them to produce
their accounts in chancery, and to be subject for the
future to an annual election. Here Dr. Fuller died, Sept.
17, 1734. The moral work which he published was entitled “Introductio ad prudentiam; or directions, counsels
and cautions, tending to prudent management of affairs of
common life,
” Introductio, &c.; or the art of
right thinking, assisted and improved by such notions as
men of sense and experience have left us in their writings,
in order to eradicate error, and plant knowledge,
” Pharmacopreia extemporanea,
” Pharmacopoeia Bateana,
” Pharmacopoeia Domestica,
” Of eruptive fevers, measles, and small-pox,
” Medici na Gymnastica,
” which has been sometimes attributed to him, but
was written by a Francis Fuller, M. A. of St. John’s college,
Cambridge, and published in 1704.
, an English antiquary, was the son of a tradesman at Penshurst,
, an English antiquary, was the
son of a tradesman at Penshurst, in Kent, where he was
born in Nov. 1632, and his early capacity being known to
the celebrated Dr. Hammond, who was minister of that
place, he took him with him to Oxford during the usurpation. There he procured him the place of chorister in
Magdalen college, and at the same time had him educated
at the school belonging to that college. In 1647 he became a candidate for a scholarship in Corpus Christi college, and succeeded by his skill in classical learning. The
next year he was ejected by the parliamentary visitors,
along with his early patron, Dr. Hammond, to whom,
however, he faithfully adhered, and was serviceable to him
as an amanuensis. Dr. Hammond afterwards procured him
a tutor’s place in a family, where he remained until the
restoration, and then resuming his scholarship at college,
was created M. A. and obtained a fellowship. He was,
several years after, presented by his college to the rectory
of Meysey Hampton, near Fairford, in Gloucestershire,
on which he resided during his life, employing his time
that was not occupied in professional duties, in the study
pf history and antiquities, particularly what regarded his
own country. He died June 28, 1688, according to
Wood, but Atkins mentions his successor, Dr. Beale, with
(he date 1697. Wood informs us that Mr. Fulmau made large collections of history, but published little. We have, however, of his, 1. “Academiae Oxoniensis Notitia,
” Oxford, Appendix to the Life of Edmund Stunton, D. D. wherein some passages are further cleared, which were not fully held forth by the former authors,
” Lond. Corrections and Observations on the first part of Burnet’s History of
the Reformation,
” not a distinct publication, but communicated by the author to Burnet, who published them
at the end of his second volume, and, according to Wood,
not completely. Fulman also collected what are called
the “Works of Charles I.
” but happening to be taken ill
about the intended time of publication (1662), the bookseller employed Dr. Periuchief as editor. It contains,
however, Fulman’s notes. Many of his ms collections
are in the library of Corpus Christi college. He will occur
to be noticed hereafter as editor of Dr. Hammond’s works.
, an English physician, who lived in the early part of the fourteenth
, an English physician, who lived in the early part of the fourteenth century, of very extensive and lucrative practice, was the first Englishman who was employed as a physician at court, being appointed to that office by Edward II.: before his time the king’s physicians had been exclusively foreigners. The ignorance, superstition, and low quackery, which appear throughout his practice; are painted with much life and humour by Dr. Freind. He came forward as an universal genius, was a philosopher, philologist, and poet, and undertook every thing that lay within the circle of physic and surgery, was skilled in manual operations, very expert in bone-setting, and a great oculist. He also acquaints us with his great skill in physiognomy; and designed to write a treatise of chiromancy. He was a great dealer in secrets, and some he had which were the most secret of secrets, and did miracles. But his chief strength lay in receipts, and without giving himself much trouble in forming a judgment respecting the nature of the case, he seemed to think that, if he could muster up a good number of these, he should be able to encounter any distemper. He seems to have neglected no stratagems, by which he might surprise and impose on the credulity of mankind, and to have been very artful in laying baits for the delicate, the ladies, and the rich. When he was employed in attending the king’s son, in the small-pox, in order to shew his skill in inflammatory distempers, he, with a proper formality, and a countenance of much importance, ordered the patient to be wrapped up in scarlet, and every thing about the bed to be of the same colour. This, he says, made him re-, cover without so much as leaving one mark in his face; and he commends it for an excellent mode of curing. Nevertheless this man was praised by Leland, Ovaringius, and others, as a profound philosopher, a skilful physician, and the brightest man of his age.
, an English clergyman and traveller, was descended from Robert Gage
, an English clergyman and traveller,
was descended from Robert Gage of Haling, in Surrey,
third son of sir John Gage, of Firle, in Sussex, who died
in 1557. He was the son of John Gage, of Haling, and
his brother was sir Henry Gage, governor of Oxford, who
was killed in battle at Culham-bridge,' Jan. 11, 1644. Of
his early history we are only told that he studied in Spain,
and became a Dominican monk. From thence he departed
with a design to go to the Philippine islands, as a missionary, in 1625; but on his arrival at Mexico, he heard
so bad an account of those islands, and became so delighted with New Spain, that he abandoned his original
design, and contented him with a less dangerous mission.
At length, being tired of this mode of life, and his request
to return to England and preach the gospel among his
countrymen being refused, he effected his escape, and
arrived in London in 1637, after an absence of twentyfour years, in which he had quite lost the use of his native
language. On examining into his domestic affairs, he
found himself unnoticed in his father’s will, forgotten by
some of his relations, and with difficulty acknowledged by
others. After a little time, not being satisfied with respect to some religious doubts which had entered his mind
while abroad, and disgusted with the great power of the
papists, he resolved to take another journey to Italy, to
“try what better satisfaction he could find for his
conscience at Rome in that religion.
” At Loretto his conversion from popery was fixed by proving the fallacy of the
miracles attributed to the picture of our Lady there; on
which he immediately returned home once more, and
preached his recantation sermon at St. Paul’s, by order of
the bishop of London. He continued above a year in.
London, and when he saw that papists were entertained
at Oxford and other parts of the kingdom attached to the
royal cause, he adopted that of the parliament, and received a living from them, probably that of Deal, in Kent,
in the register of which church is an entry of the burials
of Mary daughter, and Mary the wife of “Thomas Gage,
parson of Deale, March 21, 1652;
” and in the title of his
work he is styled “Preacher of the word of God at Deal.
”
We have not been able to discover when he died. His
work is entitled “A new Survey of the West-Indies; or
the English American his Travail by sea and land, containing a journal of 3300 miles within the main land of
America. Wherein is set forth his voyage from Spain to
St. John de Ulhua; and from thence to Xalappa, to Flaxcalla, the city of Angels, and forward to Mexico, &c. &c.
&c.
” The second edition, Lond. Madoc,
” says that
Gage’s account of Mexico is copied verbatim from Nicholas’s “Conqueast of West-India,
” which itself is a
translation from Gomara. There is an Amsterdam edition
of Gage, 1695, 2 vols. 12mo, in French, made by command of the French minister Colbert, by mons. de Beaulieu Hues O'Neil, which, however, was first published in
1676, at Paris. There are some retrenchments in this
edition. Gage appears to be a faithful and accurate relator,
but often credulous and superstitious. His recantation
sermon was published at London, 1642, 4to; and in 165L
he published “A duel between a Jesuite and a Dominican, begun at Paris, fought at Madrid, and ended at London,
” 4to.
if ever this nation should produce genius sufficient to acquire to us the honourable distinction of an English school, the name of Gainsborough will be transmitted
In the same lecture, which principally treats of the acquirements of Gainsborough, and which was delivered at
the royal academy soon after his death, by its truly exalted
president, it is said of him, “that if ever this nation should
produce genius sufficient to acquire to us the honourable
distinction of an English school, the name of Gainsborough
will be transmitted to posterity in the history of the art
among the first of that rising name.
” " Whether he most
excelled in portraits, landscapes, or fancy pictures, it is
difficult to determine: whether his portraits were most
admirable fAr exact truth of resemblance, or his landscapes
for a portrait-like representation of nature, such as we see
in the works of Rubens, Rysdael, or others of these schooJsi
In his fancy pictures, when he had fixed upon his object
of imitation, whether it was the mean and vulgar form of a
wood-cutter, or a child of an interesting character, as he
tlid not attempt to raise the one, so neither did he lose any
of the natural grace and elegance of the other; such a
grace and such an elegance as are more frequently found
in cottages than in courts. This excellence was his own,
the result cJ his particular observation and taste. For this
he was certainly not indebted to any school; for his grace
was not academical, or antique, but selected by himself
from the great school of nature; where there are yet a
thousand modes of grace unselected, but which lie open in
the multiplied scenes and figures of life, to be brought out
by skilful and faithful observers.
, an English surgeon, was born in 1507; and educated under Richard
, an English surgeon, was born in 1507;
and educated under Richard Ferris, afterwards serjeantsurgeon to queen Elizabeth. He was surgeon in the army
of king Henry VIII. at Montruil, in 1544; and in that of
king Philip at St. Quintin, in 1557, but afterwards settled
in London, and became very eminent in the practice of
surgery. He was living in 1586. Tanner gives the following list of his writings: “The Institution of a Chirurgeon.
” “An Enchiridion of Surgery,
” in four books.
“On Gun-shot wounds.
” “Antidotarie,
” in two books.
All these were printed together, London, 1563, 8vo. “A
compendious method of curing praeternatural Tumours.
”
“On the several kinds of Ulcers, and their cure.
” “A
Commentary on Guido de Cauliaco.
” “An Herbal, for
the use of surgeons.
” “A brief declaration of the worthy Art of Medicine, and the office of a Chirurgeon.
”
“An epitome of Galen de Natural. Facultat.
” The two
last were printed with a translation of " Galen de Methodo
MedenoV' It cannot be supposed that any of these are
now of much value, but some of them contain curious
information respecting the state of the profession at that
time.
, an English divine, born at Beckenham, in Kent, in August 1696,
, an English divine, born at Beckenham, in Kent, in August 1696, was admitted pensioner of
Bene't college, under the tuition of Mr. Fawcett, May 8,
1714, and became scholar of the house in July following.
He took the degree of M. A. in 1721, and was upon tbfc
king’s list for that of D. D. (to which he was admitted April 25, 1728) when his majesty honoured the university
of Cambridge with his presence. In 1721 he was chosen
lecturer of St. Paul’s Covent-garden, and instituted the
same year to the rectory of Wavenden, or Wanclen, in
Buckinghamshire. The lord chancellor King appointed
him his domestic chaplain in 1725, preferred him to a prebend in the church of Gloucester in 1728, and to another
in that of Norwich ahout three years after. He presented
him likewise to the rectory of Ashney, alias Ashton, in
Northamptonshire, in 1730; and to that of St. Giles’s in
the fields, in 1732; his majesty made him also one of his
chaplains in ordinary in October 1735. Dr. Gaily died
August 7, 1769. He was the author of, 1. “Two sermons on the Misery of Man, preached at St. Paul’s Covent-garden, 1723,
” 8vo. 2. “The Moral Characters of
Theophrastus, translated from the Greek, with notes, and
a Critical Essay on Characteristic Writing,
” The Reasonableness of Church and College Fines
asserted, and the Rights which Churches and Colleges
have in their Estates defended,
” An Enquiry into the Customary Estates and Tenants of those who hold Lands of
Church and other Foundations by the tenure of three Lives
and twenty-one years. By Everard Fleet wood, esq.
” 8vo.
4. “Sermon before the House of Commons, upon the
Accession, June 11, 1739,
” 4to. 5. “Some Considerations upon Clandestine Marriages,
” A Dissertation against pronouncing the Greek language according to Accents,
” A Second Dissertation,
” on the same subject, 8vo.
d. His discourses were in Latin, and were interpreted by Mr. Gambold. He was consecrated a bishop at an English provincial synod held at Lindsey house in Nov. 1754,
, a pious bishop among the Moravian brethren, was born near Haverford Wes in SouthWales, and became a member of Christ- church, Oxford,
where he took the degree of M. A. May 30, 1734; and
was afterwards vicar of Stanton Harcourt, in Oxfordshire,
to which he was presented by Dr. Seeker, when bishop of
Oxford. At this place, in 1740, he wrote “The Martyrdom of Ignatius, a Tragedy,
” published after his death by
the rev. Benjamin La Trobe with the Life of Ignatius,
drawn from authentic accounts, and from the epistles written by him from Smyrna and Troas in his way to Rome,
1773, 8vo. A sermon, which he preached before the
university of Oxford, was published under the title of
“Christianity, Tidings of Joy,
” Textu per omnia Milliano, cum divisione pericoparum &
interpunctura A. Bengelii,
” 12mo. Joining afterwards the
Church of the Brethren, established by an act of parliament of 1749, and known by the name of “Unitas Fratrum,
” or, the United Brethren; he was, for many years,
the regular minister of the congregation settled at London,
and resided in Neville’s-court, Fetter-lane, where he
preached at the chapel of the society. His connexion with
these sectaries commenced in 1748, when Peter Boehler
visited Oxford, and held frequent meetings with John and
Charles Wesley, for the edification of awakened people,
both learned and unlearned. His discourses were in Latin,
and were interpreted by Mr. Gambold. He was consecrated a bishop at an English provincial synod held at
Lindsey house in Nov. 1754, and was greatly esteemed for
his piety and learning by several English bishops, who had
been his contemporaries in the university of Oxford. In
1765 a congregation was settled by bishop Gatnbold, at
Cootbill, in Ireland. Soon after he had joined the brethren, he published a treatise, written while he was at
Stariton Haiv.ourt, and which proves his steady attachment
to the church of England, entirely consistent with his connexion with, and ministry in, the church of the brethren.
The title of it is, “A short summary of Christian Doctrine,
in the w.iy ol question and answer; the answers being all
made in the sound and venerable words of the Common-?
prayer-book of the church of England. To which are
added, some extracts out of the Homilies. Collected for
the service of a few persons, members of the established
church i but imagined not to be unuseful to others.
” We
know not the exact date of this treatise; but a second edition of it was printed in 1767, 12mo. Mr. Gam-bold also
published in 1751, 8vo, “Maxims and Theological Ideas
and Sentences, collected out of several dissertations and
discourses of count Zinzendorf, from 1738 till 1747*
” His
“Hymns for the use of the Brethren
” were printed in
Essay towards giving
some just ideas of the personal character of count Zinzendorf, the present advocate and ordinary of the brethren’s
churches,
” Sixteen Discourses on the Second Article of the Creed,
preached at Berlin by the ordinary of the Brethren,
” 12mo.
In June The ordinary oi' the Brethren’s
churches his short and peremptory remarks on the way and
manner wherein he has been hitherto treated in controversies, &c. Translated from the High Dutch, with a preface, by John Gambold, minister of the chapel in Fetterlane.
” In the same year he published, “Twenty-one
discourses, or dissertations, upon the Augsburg Confession, which is also the Brethren’s Confession of Faith; delivered by the ordinary of the Brethren’s churches before
the seminary. To which is prefixed a synodical writing
relating to the subject. Translated from fche High Dutch,
by F. Okeley, A. B.
” In A
clest Plea for the Church of the Brethren,
” &c. 8vo with a
preface hy himself. In the same year, in conjunction with
Mr. Hutton, secretary to the brethren, he also drew up
4< The representation of the committee of the English
congregation in union with the Moravian church,“addressed to the archbishop of York; and also
” The plain
case of the representatives of the people known by the name
f the Unitas Fratrum, from the year 1727 till these times,
with regard to their conduct in this country under misrepresentation.“And in 1755 he assisted in the publication
of
” A letter from a minister of the Moravian branch of
the Unitas Fratrum, together with some additional notes
by the English editor, to the author of the Moravians compared and detected;“and also of
” An exposition, or true
state of the matters objected in England to the people
known by the name of Unitas Fratrutn; by the ordinary of
the brethren; the notes and additions by the editor.“In
1756 he preached at Fetter-lane chapel, and printed afterwards, a sermon upon a public fast and humiliation, setting forth
” the reasonableness and extent of religious reverence.“He was not only a good scholar, but a man of
great parts, and of singular mechanical ingenuity. It was.
late in both their lives before the learned Bowyer was acquainted with his merits; but he no sooner knew them,
than he was happy in his acquaintance, and very frequently
applied to him as an occasional assistant in correcting the
press; in which capacity Mr. Gambold superintended
(among many other valuable publications) the beautiful
and very accurate edition of lord chancellor Bacon’s works
in 1765; and in 1767 he was professedly the editor, and
took an active part in the translation from the High Dutch,
of
” The History of Greenland;“containing a
” description of the country and its inhabitants; and particularly a
relation of the mission carried on for above these thirty
years by the Unitas Fratrum at New Herrnhut and Lichtenfels in that country, by David Crantz; illustrated with
maps and other copper-plates: printed for the brethren’s
society for the furtherance of the Gospel among the Heathen," 2 vols. 8vo. In the autumn of 1768 he retired to
his native country, where he died, at Haverford West,
universally respected, Sept. 13, 1771.
, an English divine, a native of Hereford, where he was born ki 1591,
, an English divine, a native of
Hereford, where he was born ki 1591, was educated at
the school there, and became a student of Christ- church,
Oxford, about 1607. After taking his degrees in arts, he
entered into holy orders, and was noted for a quaint singularity in his manner of preaching. King James I. beingmuch pleased with a speech which he had delivered before
him in the Scotch tone, when he was deputy-orator, gave
him the reversion of the next canonry of Christ-church;
into which he was installed, on the death of Dr. Thomas
Thornton, in 1629; and taking his degrees in divinity the
following year, he was made one of the chaplains in ordinary to king Charles I. In 1648 he was ejected from his
canonry by the parliamentary visitors, and lived obscurely
in Oxford, until the restoration, when he-was re-instated
in his stall, and from that time devoted the profits of it to
charitable uses, with some benefactions to his relations,
and to Christ-church. He published several sermons, particularly a volume containing sixteen, Lond. 1659, 8vo.
2; “Specimen Oratorium,
” Lond.
, an English divine, was born at Bury St. Edmund’s, May 1, 1753,
, an English divine,
was born at Bury St. Edmund’s, May 1, 1753, and was
the only surviving child of the rev. Robert G. many years
master of the free grammar-school at Bury, and rector of
Nowton and Hargrave, in Suffolk . His mother was
Mary, daughter of Mr. Benton, and sister of the late Edward Benton, esq. secondary in the court of king’s-bench.
He was educated partly by his father, who supported a
considerable reputation for classical learning, and partly
at Bury school, whence he was admitted of Trinity-college,
Cambridge, in 1770, and the following year was elected
scholar. In 1774 he was admitted to his degree of B. A.
which he obtained with credit to his college and himself;
and was elected fellow in 1775, and proceeded M. A. in
1777. In 1793 he was elected college preacher, and in
November 1797, was advanced into the seniority. He
was ordained deacon March 3, 1776, and afterwards entered
on the curacies of Newton and Great Welivatham, in the
neighbourhood of Bury. On June 15, 1777, he was ordained priest, but having imbibed some scruples as to the
articles of the church, of the Socinian cast, he determined
sever to repeat his subscription to the articles for any preferment which he might become entitled to from the college patronage, or which might be offered to him from any
other quarter. Agreeably to, and consistently with, this
state of mind, be resigned, at Midsummer, 1789, the curacies in which he was then engaged, and resolved thenceforward to decline officiating in the ministry. Mr. Garnham’s health was never robust, and, during the last five or
six years of his life, suffered much from sickness, which
prevented his residing at Cambridge after the death of his
father, in 1798, and indisposed and disqualified him from
pursuing his former application to his studies. His indisposition and infirmities continued to increase; and, in the
summer of 1801, he evidently appeared to be much broken.
For some short time he had complained of an asthma; and,
on the Saturday preceding his death, was attacked with an
inflammation on the lungs and breast. He continued till
the morning of the following Thursday, June 24, 1802,
when he expired in the- 50th year of his age, and was buried in the chancel of Nowtoa church. His writings were
numerous, but all anonymous. 1. “Examination of Mr.
Harrison’s Sermon, preached in the cathedral church of
St. Pawl, London, before the lord mayor, on May 25,
1788, 1789.
” 2. “Letter to the right rev. the bishop of
Norwich (Dr. Bagot), requesting him to name the prelate
to whom he referred as * contending strenuously for the
general excellence of our present authorized translation of
the Bible,' 1789.
” 3. “Letter to the right rev. the bishop
of Chester (Dr. Cleave*), on the subject of two sermons
addressed by him to the clergy of his diocese comprehending also a vindication of the late bishop Hoadly, 1790.
”
4. “Review of Dr. Hay’s sermon, entitled, t Thoughts
on the Athanasian Creed,' preached April 12, 1790, at the
visitation of the archdeacon of Bucks,
” Outline of a Commentary on Revelations xi. 114,
” A Sermon preached in the chapel of Trinity-college,
Cambridge, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 1793, the day appointed for the commemoration of the benefactors to that
society,
” Commentaries and Essays
” signed Synergus: and some in “The
Theological Repository,
” signed Ereunetes, and Idiota.
, an English prelate, of more fame than character, was son of John
, an English prelate, of more fame than character, was son of John Gauden, vicar of Mayfield in Essex, where he was born in 1605. He was first educated at Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, whence he was removed to St. John’s-college in Cambridge; and having made a good proficiency in academical learning, took his degrees in arts. About 1630, he married a daughter of sir William Russel of Chippenham in Cambridgeshire, and was presented to that vicarage. He also obtained the rectory of Brightwell in Berkshire, which bringing him near Oxford, he entered himself of Wadham-college in that university, and became tutor to two of his father-in-law’s sons; other young gentlemen, and some noblemen, were also put under his care. He proceeded B. D. July 1635; and D.D.July 8, 1641.
s parents, who were Roman catholics, in very humble life, possessed but a few books, among which was an English Bible, to the study of which their son applied very
, a Roman catholic divine, who attempted to translate the Bible, with a view to destroy its credibility, was born in 1737, in the parish of Ruthven, and county of Bamff, in Scotland. His parents, who were Roman catholics, in very humble life, possessed but a few books, among which was an English Bible, to the study of which their son applied very early, and is said to have known all its history by heart before he was eleven years old. At the age of fourteen he was sent to Scalan, a free Roman catholic seminary in the Highlands, of obscure fame, where he acquired only an acquaintance with the vulgate Latin Bible. Having attained the age of twentyone, he was removed to the Scotch college at Paris, where he made such proficiency in his studies as very much attracted the attention of his preceptors. Here school divinity and biblical criticism occupied the principal part of his time; and he endeavoured also to make himself master of the Greek and Latin languages, and of the French, Spanish, German, and Low Dutch.
Latin tongue. Geliibrand wrote the second book, which was translated into English, and published in an English treatise with the same title, “Trigonometria Britaonica,
As Gellibrand was inclined to puritan principles, while
he was engaged in this work, his servant, William Beale,
by his encouragement, published an al manack for the year
1631, in which the popish saints, usually put into our kalendar, and the Epiphany, Annunciation, &c. were omitted; and the names of other saints and martyrs, mentioned
in the book of martyrs, were placed in their room as they
stand in Mr. Fox’s kalendar. This gave offence to Dr.
Laud, who, being then bishop of London, cited them
both into the high-commission court. But when the cause
came to a hearing, it appeared, that other almanacks of
the same kind had formerly been printed; on which plea
they were both acquitted by abp. Abbot and the whole
court, Laud only excepted; which was afterwards one of
the articles against him at his own trial. This prosecution
jdid not hinder Geliibrand from proceeding in his friend’s
work, which he completed in 1632; and procured it to
be printed by the famous Ulacque Adrian, at Gouda in
Holland, in 1633, folio, with a preface, containing an encomium of Mr. Brigg’s, expressed in such language as
shews him to have been a good master of the Latin tongue.
Geliibrand wrote the second book, which was translated into
English, and published in an English treatise with the
same title, “Trigonometria Britaonica, &c.
” the -first part
by John Newton in that this so styled a truth he should receive a an hypothesis; and so be easily led on to the
consideration of the imbecility of man’s apprehension, as
not able rightly to conceive of this admirable opifice of
God, or frame of the world, without falling foul on so
great an absurdity:
” so firmly was he fixed in his adherence to the Ptolemaic system. He wrote several things
after this, chiefly tending to the improvement of navigation, which would probably have been further advanced
by him, had his life been continued longer; but he was untimely carried offby a fever in 1636, in his thirty-ninth year,
and was buried in the parish church of St. Peter le Poor,
Broadstreet. He had four younger brothers, John, Edward, Thomas, and Samuel; of whom John was his executor, and Thomas was a major in the parliamentary army,
was an evidence in archbishop Laud’s trial; and was grandfather to Samuel Gellibrand, esq. who, about the middle of
last century, was nnder-secretary in the plantation-office.
, an English divine of the puritan cast, was born in Yorkshire in
, an English divine of the puritan cast,
was born in Yorkshire in 1600, and in 1615 entered as a servitor of Magdalen-hall. In 1621 he took his degree of
M. A. and being ordained, became minister of Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, where he was afterwards silenced
by bishop Goodman for objecting to certain ceremonies of
the church. In 1641 this suspension was removed by one
of the parliamentary committees which took upon them to
new-model the church. In 1645 he became by the same
interest minister of St. Albans, and about four years afterwards that of St. Faith’s, under St. Paul’s, London. Although a puritan' in matters of the ceremonies and discipline, -he appears soon to have penetrated into the designs
of the reformers of his age, and opposed the civil war, aad
especiaMy the murder of the king, the barbarity of which
is said to have hastened his death. He died at his house
in Ivy-lane, Paternoster-row, in February 1649. Wood
gives a long list of sermons and tracts published by this
author, against the baptists and independents; one of them
is entitled “An exercise, wherein the evil of Health-drinking is by clear and solid arguments convinced,
” AstrologoMastix; or, the vanity of judicial astrology,
”
, an English lady of uncommon parts, was the daughter of sir George
, an English lady of uncommon
parts, was the daughter of sir George Norton, of AbbotsLeigh, in Somersetshire, and born in 1676. She had all
the advantages of a liberal education, and became the wife
of sir Richard Gethin, of Gethin-grott, in Ireland. She
was mistress of great accomplishments natural and acquired, but did not live long enough to display them to
the world, for she died in her twenty-first year, Oct. 11,
1697. She was buried, not in Westminster-abbey, as Ballard mistakes, but at Hollingbourne, in Kent, In Westminster-abbey, however, a beautiful monument with an
inscription is erected over her; and for perpetuating her
memory, provision was made for a sermon to be preached
in the abbey, yearly, on Ash-Wednesday for ever. She
wrote, and left behind her in loose papers, a work, which,
soon after her death was methodized and published under
the title of “Reliquiae Gethinianae; or, some remains of
the most ingenious and excellent lady, Grace lady Gethin,
lately deceased; being a collection of choice discourses,
pleasant apophthegms, and witty sentences. Written by
her, for the most part, by way of essay, and at spare hours,
1700,
” 4to, with her portrait before it. This work consists
of discourses upon various subjects of religion, morals,
manners, &c. and is now very scarce. Among Mr. Congreve’s poems are some encomiastic “Verses to the memory of Grace lady Gethin,
” occasioned by reading her
book: and Dr. Birch, in his anniversary sermon on her
death, says, that to superior talents and endowments of
mind, she joined meekness, candour, integrity, and piety.
Her reading, observation, penetration, and judgment, were
extraordinary for her years, and her conduct in every relation of life correct and exemplary.
There is a correct, but not very elegant French translation by Desmonceaux, Hague, 4 vols. 4to, and an English one, by capt. Ogilvie, in 1729 1731, in 2 vols. fol.
, or in Latin Jannonius (Peter), was
born at Ischitella, a small town in Apulia, in the month of
May 1676, and practised the law, but was much more
distinguished as an historian. In 1723 he wrote a “History of Naples,
” in 4 vols. 4to. The style is pure, but
the freedom with which he discussed several topics relating
to the origin of the papal power gave so much offence to
the court of Rome, that he was obliged to exile himself
from his native country. He found an asylum with the
king of Sardinia, who did not, however, dare to avow himself his protector, but chose rather to represent his situation as that of a prisoner. Giannone died in Piedmont in
April 1748. Extracts from his history were afterwards
printed in Holland, under the title of “Anecdotes Ecclesiastiques.
” His posthumous works were given to the
world in a 4to volume, 1768, containing, among other miscellaneous matter, his profession of faith, and a justification
of his history; and a life of him, by Leonard Panzini.
There is a correct, but not very elegant French translation
by Desmonceaux, Hague, 4 vols. 4to, and an English one,
by capt. Ogilvie, in 1729 1731, in 2 vols. fol.
not unworthy of their confidence. He had an opportunity also of seeing Voltaire, who received him as an English youth, but without any peculiar notice or distinction.
To his classical acquirements, while at Lausanne, he
added the study of Grotius, and Puffendorff, Locke, and
Montesquieu; and he mentions Pascal’s “Provincial Letters,
” La Bleterie’s “Life of Julian,
” and Giannone’s
civil “History of Naples,
” as having remotely contributed
to form the historian of the Roman empire. From Pascal,
he tells us that he learned to manage the weapon of grave
and temperate irony, even on subjects of ecclesiastical solemnity, forgetting that irony in every shape is beneath
the dignity of the historical style, and subjects the historian to the suspicion that his courage and his argument are
exhausted. Jt is more to his credit that at this time he
established a correspondence with several literary characters, to whom he looked for instruction and direction, with
Crevier and Breitinger, Gesner and Allamand; and that
by the acuteness of his remarks, and his zeal for knowledge,
he proved himself not unworthy of their confidence. He
had an opportunity also of seeing Voltaire, who received
him as an English youth, but without any peculiar notice or distinction. Voltaire diffused gaiety around him
by erecting a temporary theatre, on which he performed
his own favourite characters, and Mr. Gibbon became so
enamoured of the French stage, as to lose much of his veneration for Shakspeare. He was now familiar in some,
and acquainted in many families, and his evenings were
generally devoted to cards and conversation, either in private parties, or more numerous assemblies.
the continent, which, according to custom, his father thought necessary to complete the education of an English gentleman. Previous to his departure he obtained re
His designs were, however, now interrupted by a visit
to the continent, which, according to custom, his father
thought necessary to complete the education of an English
gentleman. Previous to his departure he obtained recommendatory letters from lady Hervey, Horace Walpole (the late lord Orford), Mallet, and the duke de Nivernois, to
various persons of distinction in France. In acknowledging the duke’s services, he notes a circumstance which
in some degree unfolds his own character, and exhibits
that superiority of pretensions from which he never departed. “The duke received me civilly, but (perhaps through Maty’s fault) treated me more as a man of letters than as a man of fashion.
” Congreve and Gray were
weak enough to be offended on a similar account, but that
Mr. Gibbon, whose sole ambition was to rise to literary
fame, should have for a moment preferred the equivocal
character of a man of fashion, is as unaccountable as it is
wonderful that, at an advanced period of life, he should have
recorded the incident.
” Synodus Anglicana, &c.“1702. 14.” A Parallel between a Presbyterian Assembly, and the new Model of an English Provincial Synod,“4to. 15.” Reflections upon a paper
His works in the order of publication were: 1. An edition of Drummond’s “Polemo-middiana, &c. 1691,
” 4to,
already mentioned. 2. The “Chronicon Saxonicum,
”
Librorum Manuscriptorum Catalogus,
”
printed the same year at Oxford, 4to. 4. “Julii Caesaris
Portus Iccius illustratus,
” a tract of W. Somner, with a
dissertation of his own, 1694. 5. An edition of “Quintilian de Arte Oratoria, with notes,
” Oxon. Britannia
” into English, Vita Thomae Bodleii Equitis Aurati, &
Historia Bibliothecae Bodleianae,
” prefixed to “Catalog!
Librorum Manuscriptorum in Anglia & Hibernia in unum
collecti,
” Oxon. folio. 8.
” Reliquiae Spelmannianae, &c.“1698, folio. 9.
” Codex Juris Ecclesiastic!
Anglicani, &c.“1713, folio. 10.
” A Short State of some
present Questions in Convocation,“1700, 4to. 11.
” A
Letter to a Friend in the Country, concerning the Proceedings in Convocation, in the years 1700 and 1701,“1703, 4to. 12.
” The Right of the Archbishop to continue or prorogue the whole Convocation. A Summary of
the Arguments in favour of the said right.“13.
” Synodus Anglicana, &c.“1702. 14.
” A Parallel between a
Presbyterian Assembly, and the new Model of an English
Provincial Synod,“4to. 15.
” Reflections upon a paper
entitled The Expedient proposed,'“4to. 16.
” The
Schedule of Prorogation reviewed,“4to. 17.
” The pretended Independence of the Lower House upon the Upper
House a groundless notion,“1703, 4to. 18.
” The Marks
of a defenceless Cause, in the proceedings and writings of
the Lower House of Convocation,“4to. If.
” An Account of the Proceedings in Convocation in a Cause of
Contumacy, upon the Prolocutor’s going into the country
without the leave of the archbishop, commenced April 10,
1707.“All these upon the disputes in convocation, except the
” Synodus Anglicana,“&c. are printed without
his name, but generally ascribed to him. 20.
” Visitations parochial and general, with a Sermon, and some other
Tracts,“1717, 8vo. 21. Five Pastoral Letters, &c.
Directions to the Clergy, and Visitation Charges, &c.
8vo. To these may be added his lesser publications and.
tracts, viz. Family Devotion; a Treatise against Intemperance; Admonition against Swearing; Advice to persons who have been sick; Trust in God; Sinfulness of
neglecting the Lord’s Day; against Lukewarmness in
Religion; several occasional Sermons. Remarks on part of
a Bill brought into the house of lords by the earl of Nottingham, in 1721, entitled
” A Bill for the more effectual
Suppression of Blasphemy and Profaneness,“is also ascribed to the bishop; as is also
” The Case of addressing
the Earl of Nottingham, for his treatise on the Trinity,“published about the same time. Lastly,
” A Collection of
the principal Treatises against Popery, in the Papal Controversy, digested into proper heads and titles, with some
Prefaces of his own," Lond. 1738, 3 vols. folio.
f the great seal, which he declining, returned to England. Here he was first called to the degree of an English serjeant at law, preparatory, according to ancient usage,
, knt. lord chief baron of the
exchequer, and an eminent law writer, was born Oct. 10,
1674. Of his family, education, or early life, it has been
found impossible to recover any information* Either in
1714, or 1715, for even this circumstance is not clearly
ascertained, he was appointed one of the judges of the
court of king’s bench in Ireland, and within a year was
promoted to the dignity of chief baron of the exchequer in
that kingdom, which office he held till the beginning of
1722, when he was recalled. During his residence there,
he was engaged in an arduous and delicate contest concerning the ultimate judicial tribunal to which the inhabitants were to resort, which was disputed between the
English house of lords and the Irish house of lords; and
he appears to have been taken into custody by the order of
the latter, for having enforced an order of the English
house in the case of Annesley versus Sherlock, “contrary
to the final judgment and determination of that house.
”
It appears by the style of this last order of the Irish house
of lords, that he was a privy counsellor of that kingdom;
and it is noticed in his epitaph, that a tender was made to
him of the great seal, which he declining, returned to
England. Here he was first called to the degree of an
English serjeant at law, preparatory, according to ancient usage, to his taking his seat as one of the barons of
the exchequer, in which he succeeded sir James Montague
in June 1722. Having remained in that station for three
years, he was in Jan. 1724 appointed one of the commissioners of the great seal in the room of lord Macclesfield, his
colleagues being sir Joseph Jekyll and sir Robert Raymoqd.
The great seal continued in commission till June 1, 1725,
when sir Peter King was constituted lord keeper, and on the
same day sir Jeffray Gilbert became, on the appointment of
sir Rpbert Eyre to the chief-justiceship of the commonpleas, lord chief baron, which office he filled until his
death, Oct. 14, 1726, at an age which may be called early,
if compared with the multitude and extent of his writings,
which were all left by him in manuscript.
ed “Jani Alex. Ferrafii Euclides catholicus,” an ironical work against the Romish church, written by an English convert who chose to conceal his true name. Gilbert
, a nonconformist divine of very
considerable abilities, was the son of William Gilbert of
Priss, in Shropshire, and was born in 1613. In 1629 he
was admitted a student of Edmund-hall, Oxford, where he
took his bachelor’s degree, and after a short residence in
Ireland, returned and took that of master in 1638. By
the favour of Philip lord Wharton, he became minister of
Upper Winchington, in Buckinghamshire; and in 1647,
having taken the covenant, and become a favourite with the
usurping powers, he was appointed vicar of St. Lawrence’s,
Reading, and next year was created B. D. at the parliamentary visitation of the university of Oxford. About the
same time he obtained the rich rectory of Edgemond, in
his native county, where he was commonly called the bishop of Shropshire. In 1654 he was appointed an assistant
to the commissioners of Shropshire, Middlesex, and the
city of Westminster, for the ejection of such as were styled
“scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient ministers and
schoolmasters;
” and according to Wood, was not sparing
of the power which this sweeping commission gave him.
After the restoration, he was ejected for nonconformity,
and, retiring to Oxford, lived there very obscurely, with
his wife, in St. Ebbe’s parish, sometimes preaching in conventicles, and in the family of lord Wharton. Nor was
he without respect from some gentlemen of the university
on account of his talents. Calamy informs us that, in a
conversation with the celebrated Dr. South on the subject
of predestination, he so satisfied him, that South became
ever after an assertor of that doctrine. When a toleration
or temporary indulgence was granted to the nonconformists
in 1671, although a professed independent, he joined with
three presbyterians in establishing a conventicle in Thames
street, in the suburbs of Oxford; but this indulgence was
soon called in. In his last days he was reduced to great
distress, and was supported by the contributions of private
persons, and of several heads of colleges. He died July
15, 1694, and was buried in the church of St. Aldate. He
was esteemed a good philosopher, disputant, and philologist, and a good Latin poet. He published, 1. “Vindicise
supremi Dei dominii,
” against Dr. Owen, Lond. An Assize Sermon,
” ibid. England’s Passing-Bell, a poem written soon after the year of
the plague, the fire of London, and the Dutch war,
” Super auspicatissimo regis Gulielmi in Hiberniam
descensu, et salva ex Hibernia reditu, carmen gratulatorium,
” Epitapbia diversa,
” chiefly on persons not of the church of
England. 6. “Julius Secundus,
” a dialogue, Ox. Jani Alex. Ferrafii Euclides
catholicus,
” an ironical work against the Romish church,
written by an English convert who chose to conceal his
true name. Gilbert translated into Latin a considerable
part of Francis Potter’s book entitled “An interpretation
of the number 666,
” printed at Amsterdam, Anni mirabiles,
” printed in
asil, 1568, 12mo, and by Gale, in his “Rerum Anglic. Scriptores veteres,” fol. 1684—7. There is also an English translation, Lond. 1652, 12mo. In this he laments over
, the oldest British historian, surnamed The
Wise, was, according to Leland, born in Wales, in the
year 511, but according to others, in 493. Where he was
educated is uncertain; but from his writings he appears
to have been a monk. Some writers say that he went over
to Ireland others, that he visited France and Italy; but
they agree that after his return to England, he became a
celebrated and assiduous preacher ofChristianity. Leland says that he retired to one of the small islands in the
Bristol Channel called the Hulms; but that, being disturbed by pirates, he removed thence to the monastery of
Glastonbury, where he died. But all this is supposed to
belong to another of the name, called Gildas Albanius. Du
Pin says he founded a monastery at Venetia in Britain.
The place and time of his death are as uncertain as ther
particulars of his history which may be found in our airthorities. He is the only British author of the sixth century whose works are printed; and they are therefore valuable on account of their antiquity, and as containing the
only information of the times in which he wrote. The
only book, however, attributed to him with certainty, i$
his “Epistola de excidio Britanniæ, et castigatio ordinis
ecclesiastici,
” Lond. Rerum Anglic. Scriptores veteres,
” fol.
try,’ which he had practised himself very unsuccessfully in his dramatic performances. He also wrote an English grammar; but what he seemed to build his chief hopes
He died Jan. 12, 1723-4. His literary character is given
in Boyer’s Political State, vol. XXVII. p. 102, as “a person of great literature, but a mean genius; who, having
attempted several kinds of writing, never gained much
reputation in any. Among other treatises he wrote the
‘ English Art of Poetry,’ which he had practised himself
very unsuccessfully in his dramatic performances. He also
wrote an English grammar; but what he seemed to build
his chief hopes of fame upon was his Critical Commentary
On the duke of Buckingham’s * Essay on Poetry,' which
last piece was perused and highly approved by his grace.
”
, a writer of the fourteenth century, was an English Minorite, or Franciscan, of the family of the earls
, a writer of the fourteenth
century, was an English Minorite, or Franciscan, of the
family of the earls of Suffolk. He is said to have studied
at Oxford, Paris, and Rome, and to have been very familiar with the writings of Aristotle, Plato, and Pliny; from
which, with his own observations, he compiled his celebrated work “De Proprietatibus rernrn,
” a kind of general history of nature; divided into nineteen books, treating
of God, angels, and devils, the soul, the body, animals,
&c. In some copies there is an additional book, not of his
writing, on numbers, weights, measures, sounds, &c. Some
v “Sermons
” of his were printed at Strasburgh in De Proprietatibus*' appears to have been
the chief favourite, and was one of the first books on which
the art of printing was exercised, there being no fewer
than twelve editions, or translations, printed from 1479 to
1494. The English translation printed by Wynkyn de
Worde is the most magnificent publication that ever issued
from the press of that celebrated printer, but the date has
not been ascertained. A very copious and exact analysis
of this curious work is given by Mr. Dibdin in the second
Volume of his
” Typographical Antiquities."
collection of the whole in Latin was published at Francfort in 1658, in 8vo, and again 165y, in 4to. An English translation was published by Christopher Pack, London,
, a celebrated chemist of Amsterdam, and called the Paracelsus of his age, was born in Germany in the beginning of the sixteenth century. He travelled much in the pursuit of chemical knowledge, and collected many secret processes; and his experiments contributed to throw much light on the composition and analysis of the metals, inflammable substances, and salts. In fact he passed the greater part of his life in the laboratory. He did not always see the proper application of his own experiments, and vainly fancied that he had discovered the panacea, and the philosopher’s stone, which were at that time objects of pursuit; and the disappointment of many persons who had been seduced by his promises, contributed to bring the art of chemistry into contempt. His theory is full of obscurity; but his practice has perhaps been misrepresented by those who listened to his vain and pompous pretensions; and who accuse him of a dishonourable traffick, in first selling his secrets to chemists at an enormous price, of again disposing of them to other persons, and lastly, of making them public in order to extend his reputation. Glauber published about twenty treatises; in some of which he appears in the character of physician, in others in that of an adept or metallurgist; in the latter he most particularly excelled. However, it would be unjust not to give him the praise of acuteness of mind, of facility and address in the prosecution of his experiments, and of extensive chemical knowledge. He was the inventor of a salt which to this day retains his name in the shops of our apothecaries. The works of Glauber have appeared in different languages; the majority of editions are in German, some in Latin, and others in French. A collection of the whole in Latin was published at Francfort in 1658, in 8vo, and again 165y, in 4to. An English translation was published by Christopher Pack, London, 1689, fol.
, an English physician, was son of William Glisson, of Rampisham,
, an English physician, was son of William Glisson, of Rampisham, in Dorsetshire, and grafidson of Walter Glisson, of the city of Bristol. He appears to have been born in 1596. Where he learned the first rudiments of his grammar is not known; but he was admitted June 18, 1617, of Caius college, in Cambridge, apparently with a view to physic. He first, however, went through the academical courses of logic and philosophy, and proceeded in arts, in which he took both degrees, that of B. A. in 1620, and of M. A. in 1624; and being chosen fellow of his college, was incorporated M. A. at Oxford, Oct. 25, 1627. From this time he applied himself particularly to the study of medicine, and took his doctor’s degree at Cambridge in 1634, and was appointed regius professor of physic in the room of Ralph Winterton; which office he held forty years. But not chusing to reside constantly at Cambridge, he offered himself, and was admitted candidate of the college of physicians, London, in 1634, and was elected fellow, Sept. 30, the ensuing year.
, an English poet, the son of Richard Glover, a Hamburgh merchant
, an English poet, the son of Richard Glover, a Hamburgh merchant in London, was born in St. Martin’s-lane, Cannon-street, in 1712. Being prot>ably intended for trade, he received no other education than what the school of Cheam, in Surrey, afforded, which he was afterwards induced to improve by an ardent love of learning, and a desire to cultivate his poetical talents according to the purest models. His poetical efforts were very early, for in his sixteenth year he wrote a poem to the memory of sir Isaac Newton, which was supposed to have merit enough to deserve a place in the view of that celebrated author’s philosophy, published in 1728, by Dr, Henry Pemberton. This physician, a man of much science, and of some taste, appears to have been warmly attached to the interests of our young poet, and at a time when there were few regular vehicles of praise or criticism, took every opportunity of encouraging his efforts, and apprizing the nation of this new addition to its literary honours.
, an English physician and chemist, and promoter of the royal society,
, an English physician and chemist, and promoter of the royal society, was the son of a rich ship-builder at Deptford, and born at Greenwich about 16 17. Being industrious and of good parts, he made a quick progress in grammar-learning, and was entered a commoner at Magdalen-hall, Oxford, in 1632. He staid at the university about four years, applying himself to physic; and then left it, without taking a degree, to travel abroad, as was at that time the custom, for farther improvement in his faculty. At his return, not being qualified, according to the statutes, to proceed in physic at Oxford, he went to Cambridge, and took the degree of bachelor in the faculty, as a member of Christ college, in 1638; after which, intending to settle in London, without waiting for another degree, he engaged in a formal promise to obey the laws and statutes of the college of physicians there, Nov. 1640. Having by this means obtained a proper permission, he entered into practice; but being still sensible of the advantage of election into the college, he took the first opportunity of applying for his doctor’s degree at Cambridge, which he obtained, as a member of Catherine-hall, in 1643; and was chosen fellow of the college of physicians in 1646. In the mean time, he had the preceding year engaged in another society, for improving and cultivating experimental philosophy. This society usually met at or near his lodgings in Wood-street, for the convenience of making experiments; in which he was very assiduous, as the reformation and improvement of physic was one principal branch of this design. In 1647, he was appointed lecturer in anatomy at the college; and it was from these lectures that his reputation took its rise. As he, with the rest of the assembly which met at his lodgings, had all along sided with the parliament, he was made head-physician in the army, and was taken, in that station, by Cromwell, first to Ireland in 1649, and then to Scotland the following year; and returned thence with his master; who, after the battle of Worcester, rode into London in triumph, Sept. 12, 1651. He was appointed warden of Merton-college, Oxon, Dec. 9th following, and was incorporated M. D. of the university, Jan. 14th the same year. Cromwell was the chancellor; and returning to Scotland, in order to incorporate that kingdom into one commonwealth with England, he appointed our warden, together with Dr. Wilkins, warden of Wadham, Dr. Goodwin, president of Magdalen, Dr. Owen, dean of Christ Church, and Cromwell’s brother-in-law, Peter French, a canon of Christ Church, to act as his delegates in all matters relating to grants or dispensations that required his assent. This instrument bore date Oct. 16, 1652. His powerful patron dissolving the long parliament, called a new one, named the Little Parliament, in 1653, in which the warden of Merton sat sole representative of the university, and was appointed one of the council of state the same year.
, an English prelate, was born in 1517 at Oakingham in Berkshire;
, an English prelate, was born in 1517 at Oakingham in Berkshire; and being put to the grammar-school there, quickly made such a progress as discovered him to be endowed with excellent parts. But his parents being low in circumstances, he must have lost the advantage of improving them by a suitable education, had they not been noticed by Dr. Richard Layton, archdeacon of Bucks, a zealous promoter of the reformation, who, taking him into his house, and instructinghim in classical learning, sent him to Oxford, where he was entered of Magdalen college about 1538. Not long after, he lost his worthy patron; but his merit, now become conspicuous in the university, had procured him other friends; so that he was enabled to take the degree of B. A. July 12, 1543. The same merit released his friends from any farther expence, by obtaining him, the year ensuing, a fellowship of his college; and he proceeded M. A. in 1547. But he did not long enjoy the fruits of his merit in a college life; his patron, the archdeacon, had taken care to breed up Godwin in the principles of the reformation, and this irritating some popish members of the college, they made his situation so uneasy, that, the free-school at Brackley in Northamptonshire becoming vacant in 1549, and being in the gift of the college, he resigned his fellowship, and accepted it. In this station, he married the daughter of Nicholas Purefoy, of Shalston, in the county of Bucks, and lived without any new disturbance as long as Edward VI. was at the helm: but, upon the accession of Mary, his religion exposed him to a fresh persecution, and he was obliged to quit his school. In this exigence, although the church was his original intention, and he had read much with that view, yet now it became more safe to apply to the study of physic; and being admitted to his bachelor’s degree in that faculty, at Oxford, July 1555, he practised in it for a support till Elizabeth succeeded to the throne, when he resolved to enter into the church. In this he was encouraged by Bullingham, bishop of Lincoln, who gave him orders, and made him his chaplain; his lordship also introduced him to the queen, and obtained him the favour of preaching before her majesty; who was so much pleased with the propriety of his manner, and the grave turn of his oratory, that she appointed him one of her Lentpreachers. He had discharged this duty by an annual appointment, with much satisfaction to her majesty, for a series of eighteen years. In 1565, on the deprivation of Sampson, he was made dean of Christ church, Oxford, and had also the prebend of Milton-ecclesia in the church of Lincoln conferred on him by his patron bishop Bullingham. This year also he took his degrees of B. and D. D. at Oxford. In 1566, he was promoted to' the deanery of Canterbury, being the second dean of that church: and queen Elizabeth making a visit to Oxford the same year, he attended her majesty, and among others kept an exercise in divinity against Dr. Lawrence Humphries, the professor; in which the famous Dr. Jewel, bishop of Salisbury, was moderator. In June following he was appointed by archbishop Parker, one of his commissioners to visit the diocese of Norwich; and that primate having established a benefaction for a sermon on Rogation Sunday at Thetford in Norfolk and other places, the dean, while engaged in this commission, preached the first sermon of that foundation, on Sunday morning July 20, 1567, in the Green-yard adjoining to the bishop’s palace at Norwich. In 1573 he quitted his prebend of Milton-ecclesia, on being presented by Cooper, then bishop of Lincoln, to that of Leighton-Bosard, the endowment of which is considered the best in the church of Lincoln. In 1576 he was one of the ecclesiastical commissioners, empowered by the queen to take cognizance of all offences against the peace and good order of the church, and to frame such statutes as might conduce to its prosperity.
both in church and state. To attain this commendable end he wrote his “Roman Historiae Anthologia,” an English exposition of the Roman antiquities, &c. and printed
, a learned English writer, and
an excellent schoolmaster, was born in Somersetshire, in
1587; and, after a suitable education in grammar-learning, was sent to Oxford. He was entered of Magdalenhall in 1602; and took the two degrees in arts 1606 and
1609. This last year he removed to Abingdon in Berkshire, having obtained the place of chief master of the freeschool there; and in this employ distinguished himself by
his industry and abilities so much, that he brought the
school into a very flourishing condition; and bred up many
youths who proved ornaments to their country, both in
church and state. To attain this commendable end he
wrote his “Roman Historiae Anthologia,
” an English
exposition of the Roman antiquities, &c. and printed it at
Oxford in 1613, 4to. The second edition was published
in 1623, with considerable additions. He also printed for
the use of his school, a “Florilegium Phrastcon, or a survey of the Latin Tongue.
” However, his inclinations
leading him to divinity, he entered into orders, and became chaplain to Montague bishop of Bath and Wells.
He proceeded B. D. in 1616, in which year he published
at Oxford, “Synopsis Antiquitatum Hebraicarum, &c.
” a
collection of Hebrew antiquities, in three books, 4to. Thi
he dedicated to his patron; and, obtaining some time after from him the rectory of Brightwell in Berkshire, he
resigned his school, the fatigue of which had long been too
great for him. Amidst his parochial duties, he prosecuted
the subject of the Jewish antiquities; and, in 1625, printed
in 4to, “Moses and Aaron, &c.
” which was long esteemed
an useful book for explaining the civil and ecclesiastical
rites of the Hebrews. He took his degree of D. D. in 1637,
but did not enjoy that honour many years; dying upon his
parsonage in 1642-3, and leaving a wife, whom he had
married while he taught school at Abingdon.
ton, lord Oxford, and Robert earl of Essex. He was connected with sir Philip Sydney, for he finished an English translation of Philip Mornay’s treatise in French, on
, a man of some poetical turn,
but principally known as a translator, in the sixteenth century, was a native of London. In 1563 we find him living
with secretary Cecil at his house in the Strand, and in
1577 in the parish of Allhallows, London Wall. Amongst
his patrons, as we may collect from his dedications, were,
sir Walter Mildmay, William lord Cobham, Henry earl of
Huntingdon, lord Leicester, sir Christopher Hatton, lord
Oxford, and Robert earl of Essex. He was connected
with sir Philip Sydney, for he finished an English translation of Philip Mornay’s treatise in French, on the “Truth
of Christianity,
” which had been begun by Sydney, and
was published in 1587. His religious turn appears also
from his translating many of the works of the early reformers and protestant writers, particularly Calvin, Chytraeus,
Beza, Marlorat, Hemingius, &c. He also enlarged our
treasures of antiquity, by publishing translations of Justin
in 1564; and of Csesar in 1565. Of this last, a translation
as far as the middle of the fifth book by John Brend,
had been put into his hands, and he therefore began at
that place, but afterwards, for uniformity, re-translated the
whole himself. He also published translations of Seneca’s
Benefits, in 1577; of the Geography of Pomponius Mela
the Poly history of Solinus, 1587, and of many modern
Latin writers, which were then useful, and suited to the
wants of the times. Warton thinks his only original work
is a “Discourse of the Earthquake that happened in England and other places in 1580,
” 12mo; and of his original
poetry, nothing more appears than an encomiastic copy of
verses prefixed to Baret’s “Alvearie
” in Ovid’s Metamorphoses,
” the
first four books of which he published in it was a pretty good one considering the time when it was written.
” The style is certainly poetical and spirited, and his versification clear; hi
manner ornamental and diffuse; yet with a sufficient observance of the original. He has obtained a niche in the
“Biographia Dramatica
” for having translated a drama of
Beza’s, called “Abraham’s Sacrifice,
”
, an English prelate, and the only one who forsook the church of
, an English prelate, and the
only one who forsook the church of England for that of
Rome since the reformation, was born at Ruthvyn in Denbighshire, 1583. He was educated at Westminster school,
whence, in 1600, he went to Trinity college, Cambridge.
After taking orders, he got the living of Stapleford Abbots
in Essex in 1607. Becoming acknowledged at court as a
celebrated preacher, he obtained in 1617, a canonry of
Windsor; in 1620, the deanery of Rochester, and in 1625
was consecrated bishop of Gloucester. In 1639, he refused to sign the seventeen canons of doctrine and discipline drawn up in a synod, and enjoined by archbishop
Laud, who, after admonishing him three times, procured
him to be suspended, and it appeared soon after that he
was in all principles a Roman catholic. After this, and
during the rebellion, he lived privately in Westminster,
employing much of his time in researches in the Cottonian
library. He died, in the open profession of popery, Jan.
19, 1655. He wrote, 1. “The Fall of Man, and Corruption
of Nature, proved by reason,
” Arguments and Animadversions on Dr. George Hackwil’s
Apology for Divine Providence.
” 3. “The two mysteries
of Christian Religion, viz. the Trinity and Incarnation,
explicated,
” An Account of his Sufferings,
” The Court of King James by Sir Anthony Weldon reviewed,
” a ms. in the Bodleian.
1798, 4to. 7. In the same year he amended and considerably enlarged, from the Paris edition of 1786, an English translation of the” Arabian Nights Entertainments,“to
A few of Mr. Cough’s publications yet remain to be noticed: l.New editions of “Description desRoyaulmes d‘Angleterre et d’Ecosse, composed par Etienne Perlin,
” Paris,
Histoire de I'entree de la Reine Mere dans
le Grande Bretagne, par de la Serre,
” Paris, A Catalogue of the
Coins of Canute, king of Denmark and England, with
specimens,
” An Essay on the Rise and
Progress of Geography in Great Britain and Ireland; illustrated with specimens of our oldest maps, M 1780, 4to; and
” Catalogue of Sarum and York Missals,“1780, both extracted from the second edition of his
” British Topography.“5.
” A comparative view of the ancient Monuments
of India,“&c. 1785, 4to. 6.
” List of the members of
the Society of Antiquaries of London, from their revival
*n 1717 to June 1796; arranged in chronological and alphabetical order,“1798, 4to. 7. In the same year he
amended and considerably enlarged, from the Paris edition
of 1786, an English translation of the
” Arabian Nights
Entertainments,“to which he added notes of illustration,
and a preface, in which the supplementary tales published
by Dom. Chavis are proved to be a palpable forgery.
8.
” A Letter to the Lord Bishop of London, by a Layman,“1799, 8vo, on various subjects connected with the
prosperity of the church. 9. * Rev. Kennett Gibson’s
comment upon part of the fifth journey of Antoninus
through Britain,
” &c. 1800, 4to. 10. “Description of the
Beauchamp chapel, adjoining to the church of St. Mary at
Warwick,
”
ing the Eucharistical Elements; written in Latin, by John Ernest Grabe, and now first published with an English version.” To which is added, from the same author’s
He left a great number of Mss. behind him, which he
bequeathed to Dr. Hickes for his life, and after his decease
to Dr. George Smalridge. The former of these divines
carefully performed his request of making it known, that
he had died in the faith and communion of the church of
England, in an account of his life, prefixed to a tract of
our author’s, which he published with the following title
“Some Instances of the Defects and Omissions in Mr,
Whiston’s Collections of Testimonies, from the Scriptures
and the Fathers, against the true Deity of the Holy Ghost,
and of misapplying and misinterpreting divers of them, by
Dr. Grabe. To which is premised, a discourse, wherein
some account is given of the learned doctor, and his Mss.
and of this short treatise found among his English Mss. by
George Hickes, D. D.
” 1712, 8vo. There came out afterwards two more of our author’s posthumous pieces I “Liturgia Grseca Johannis Ernesti Grabii.
” This liturgy,
drawn up by our author for his own private use, was published by Christopher Matthew Pfaff, at the end of “Irensei Fragmenta Anecdota,
” printed at the Hague, De Forma Consecrationis Eucharistiae, hoc est,
Defensio Ecclesia? Griccae,
” &c. i. e. “A Discourse concerning the Form of Consecration of the Eucharist, or a
defence of the Greek church against that of Rome, in the
article of consecrating the Eucharistical Elements; written
in Latin, by John Ernest Grabe, and now first published
with an English version.
” To which is added, from the
same author’s Mss. some notes concerning the oblation of
the body and blood of Christ, with the form and effect of
the eucharistical consecration, and two fragments of a preface designed for a new edition of the first liturgy of Edward VI. with a preface of the editor, shewing what is the
opinion of the church of England concerning the use of the
fathers, and of its principal members, in regard to the matter defended by Dr. Grabe in this treatise, 1721, 8vo.
, an English printer and historian, was descended of a good family,
, an English printer and historian,
was descended of a good family, and appears to have been
brought up a merchant, and his works, as an author, evince
him to have had a tolerable education. He tells us himself that he wrote the greatest part of Hall’s chronicle
(who died in 1547), and next year printed that work, entitled “The union of the two noble and illustre famelies
of Lancastre and Yorke,
” &c. continued to the end of the
reign of Henry VIII. from Hall’s Mss. according to Ant.
Wood. It had been printed by Berthelet in 1542, but
brought down only to 1532. In 1562 Grafton’s “Abridgment of the Chronicles of England,
” was printed by R.
Tottyl, and reprinted the two succeeding years, and in
1572. And as Stowe had published his “Summarie of the
Englyshe Chronicles
” in A Manuell of the Chronicles of England;
” and Stowe,
not to be behind with him, published in the same year his
“Summarie of Chronicles abridged.
” This rivalship was
accompanied by harsh reflections on each other in their respective prefaces. In 1569 Grafton published his “Chronicle at large, and meere History of the affaires of England,
” &c. some part of which seems to have been unjustly
censured by Buchanan. In the time of Henry VIII. soon
after the death of lord Cromwell, Grafton was imprisoned
six weeks in the Fleet, for printing Matthews’s Bible, and
what was called “The Great Bible
” without notes, and,
before his release, was bound in a penalty of lOOl. that he
should neither sell nor print, or cause to be printed, anymore bibles, until the king and the clergy should agree
upon a translation. As Whitchurch was concerned with
him in printing those Bibles, he very probably shared the
same fate. Grafton was also called before the council, on
a charge of printing a ballad in favour of lord Cromwell;
and his quondam friend bishop Bonner being present, aggravated the cause, by reciting a little chat between them,
in which Grafton had intimated his “being sorry to hear
of Cromwell’s apprehension;
” but the lord chancellor Audley, disgusted probably at this meanness of spirit in Bonner, turned the discourse, and the matter seems to have
ended. In a few years after, Grafton was appointed printer to prince Edward, and he with his associate Whitchurch
had special patents for printing the church-service books,
and also the Primers both in Latin and English.
, an English poet and physician, was born at Dunse, a small town
, an English poet and physician, was born at Dunse, a small town in the southern part of Scotland, about 1723. His father, a native of Cumberland, and once a man of considerable property, had removed to Dunse, on the failure of some speculations in mining, and there filled a post in the excise. His son, after receiving such education as his native place afforded, went to Edinburgh, where he was apprenticed to Mr. Lawder, a surgeon, and had an opportunity of studying the various branches of medical science, which were then begun to be taught by the justly celebrated founders of the school of medicine in that city. Having qualified himself for such situations as are attainable by young men whose circumstances do not permit them to wait the slow returns of medical practice at home, he first served as surgeon to lieut.-general Pulteney’s regiment of foot, during the rebellion (of 1745) in Scotland, and afterwards went in the same capacity to Germany, where that regiment composed part of the army under the earl of Stair. With the reputation and interest which his skill and learning procured abroad, he came over to England at the peace of Aix-laChapelle, sold his commission, and entered upon practice as a physician in London.
bject. The effect of his “Sugar Cane,” either as to pleasure or utility, must be local. Connected as an English merchant may be with the produce of the West Indies,
Although it is impossible to deny Grainger the credit of
poetical genius, it must ever be regretted that where he
wished most to excel, he was most unfortunate in the
choice of a subject. The effect of his “Sugar Cane,
”
either as to pleasure or utility, must be local. Connected
as an English merchant may be with the produce of the
West Indies, it will not be easy to persuade the reader of
English poetry to study the cultivation of the sugar plant
merely that he may add some new imagery to the more
ample stores which he can contemplate without study or
trouble. In the West Indies this poem might have charms,
if readers could be found; but what poetical fancy can
dwell on the ceconomy of canes and copper-boilers, or find
interest in the transactions of planters and sugar-brokers?
His invocations to his muse are so frequent and abrupt, that
“the assembled wits at sir Joshua ReynoldsV might have
found many passages as ludicrous as that which excited
their mirth. The solemnity of these invocations excites
expectation, which generally ends in disappointment, and
at best the reader’s attention is bespoke without being rewarded. He is induced to look for something grand, and
is told of a contrivance for destroying monkies, or a recipe
to poison rats. He smiles to find the slaves called by the
happy poetical name of swains, and the planters urged to
devotion The images in this poem are in general low,
and the allusions, where the poet would be minutely descriptive, descend to things little and familiar. Yet this is
in some measure forced upon him. His muse sings of
matters so new and uncouth to her, that it is impossible
” her heavenly plumes“should escape being
” soiled.“What muse, indeed, could give a receipt for a compost of
” weeds, mould, clung, and stale,“or a lively description
of the symptoms and cure of the yaws and preserve her
elegance or purity Where, however, he quits the plain
track of mechanical instructions, we have many of those
effusions of fancy which will yet preserve this poem in our
collections. The description of the hurricane, and of the
earthquake, are truly grand, and heightened by circumstances of horror that are new to Europeans. The episode
of Montano in the first book arrests the attention very
forcibly, and many of the occasional reflections are elegant
and pathetic, nor ought the tale of Junio and Theana to be
omitted in a list of the beauties of this poem. The
” Ode
to Solitude,“already noticed, and the ballad of Bryan and
Pereene,
” are sufficient to attest our author’s claim to
poetical honours; and the translation of Tibullus gives proofs
of classical taste and learning.
, viscount Lansdowne, an English poet, was descended of a family distinguished for their
, viscount Lansdowne, an English poet, was descended of a family distinguished for their loyalty; being second son of Barnard Granville, esq. brother to the first earl of Bath of this name, who had a principal share in bringing about the restoration of Charles II. and son of the loyal sir Bevil Greenvile, who lost his life fighting for Charles I. at Lansdowne in 1643. He was born in 1667, and in his infancy was sent to France, under the tuition of sir William Ellys, a gentleman bred up under Dr. Busby, and who was afterwards eminent in many public stations. From this excellent tutor he not only imbibed a taste for classical learning, but was also instructed in all other accomplishments suitable to his birth, in which he made so quick a proficiency, that after he had distinguished himself above all the youths of France in martial exercises, he was sent to Trinity-college, Cambridge, in 1677, at ten years of age; and before he was twelve, spoke some verses of his own composing to the duchess of York, afterwards queen-consort to James II. at her visit to that university in 1679. On account of his extraordinary merit, he was created M. A. at the age of thirteen, and left the college soon after.
, an English divine and miscellaneous writer, was a younger son of
, an English divine and miscellaneous writer, was a younger son of Richard Graves, esq. of Mickleton, in Gloucestershire, where he was born in 1715. His father, who was an able antiquary, died in 1729. His son, Richard, was educated partly at home, under the rev. Mr.Smith, curate of the parish in which his father resided, and partly at a public school at Abingdon, in Berkshire, whence, at the age of sixteen, he was chosen a scholar of Pembroke college, Oxford. Soon after his arrival he joined a party of young men who met in the evening to read Epictetus, Theophrastus, and other Greek authors, seldom read at schools; and a short time after became the associate of his contemporaries, Shenstone the poet, and Anthony Whistler, who used to meet to read poetry, plays, and other light works. In 1736 he was elected a fellow of All Souls college, where he acquired the particular intimacy of sir William Blackstone; but instead of pursuing the study of divinity, according to his original intention, he now devoted his attention to physic, and attended in London two courses of anatomy. A severe illness, however, induced him to resume the study of divinity, and in 1740, after taking his master’s degree, he entered into holy orders. About the same time he removed with Mr. Fitzherbert, fatlier of lord St. Helen’s, to the estate of that gentleman at Tissington, in Derbyshire, where he remained three years enjoying in his house the highest pleasures of refined society. At the end of that period, he set off‘ to make the tour of the north, and while at Scarborough, accidentally met with a distant relation, Dr. Samuel Knight, archdeacon of Berkshire, and the author of the Lives of Colet and Erasmus, by whose recommendation he obtained a curacy near Oxford. This was particularly gratifying to Mr. Graves, who was then coming, by turn, into office in the college, and had been for some time desirous of procuring such a situation. He immediately took possession of his curacy, but as the parsonage-house was out of repair, he took a lodging with a gentleman -farmer in the neighbourhood. The attractions of the farmer’s youngest daughter made such a powerful impression on the heart of Mr. Graves that he resigned his fellowship and married her. After residing about two years on his curacy, he was presented by Mr. Skrine to the rectory of Claverton, where he went to reside in 1750, and till his death, was never absent from it a month at a time. As the narrowness of his circumstances obliged him to superintend in person the education of his children, he likewise -resolved to take other pupils under his tuition; and this practice he continued, with great credit to himself, upwards of thirty years. In 1763, through the interest of Ralph Allen, esq. of Prior-Park, he was presented to the living of Kilmersdon, in addition to tbat of Claverton, and that gentleman likewise procured him the appointment of chaplain to lady Chatham. His conversation was rendered highly agreeable by that epigrammatic turn which points his writings of the lighter kind. His constant good humour rendered him an acceptable companion in every society, his colloquial impromptus being frequently as happy as the jeux d’e^prit of his pen, while both were invariably the unmeditated effusions of a sportive fancy and guileless heart. He died at Claverton, Nov. 23, 1804, at the advanced age of ninety.
, an English prelate, was born about 1706, at Beverly, in Yorkshire,
, an English prelate, was born about
1706, at Beverly, in Yorkshire, and received the rudiments of his education at a private school. From this he
was admitted a sizar in St. John’s college, Cambridge;
and after taking his degrees in arts, with great credit as a
classical scholar, engaged himself as usher to a school at
Lichfield, before Dr. Johnson and Mr. Garrick had left
that city, with both of whom he was of course acquainted,
but he continued here only one year. In 1730 he was
elected fellow of St. John’s, and soon after the bishop of
Ely procured him the vicarage of Hingeston from Jesus
college, which was tenable with a fellowship of St. John’s,
but could not be held by any fellow of Jesus. In 1744,
Charles duke of Somerset, chancellor of the university,
appointed Mr. Green (then B. D.) his domestic chaplain.
In January 1747, Green was presented by his noble patron
to the rectory of Borough-green, near New-market, which
he held with his fellowship. He then returned to college,
and was appointed bursar. In December 1748, on the
death of Dr. Whalley, he was elected regius professor of
divinity, with which office he held the living of Barrow in
Suffolk, and sodn after was appointed one of his majesty’s
chaplains. In June 170, on the death of dean Castle,
master of Bene't college, a majority of the fellows (after the headship had been declined by their president, Mr. Scottowe) agreed to apply to archbishop Herring for his
recommendation; and his grace, at the particular request
of the duke of Newcastle, recommended professor Green,
who was immediately elected. Among the writers on the
subject of the new regulations proposed by the chancellor,
and established by the senate, Dr. Green took an active
part, in a pamphlet published in the following winter, 1750,
without his name, entitled “The Academic, or a disputation on the state of the university of Cambridge.
” On
March 22, 1751, whenhis friend Dr. Keene, master of
St. Peter’s college, was promoted to the bishopric of Chester, Dr. Green preached the consecration -sermon in Elyhouse chapel, which, by order of the archbishop of York,
was soon after published. In October 1756, on the death
of Dr. George, he was preferred to the deanery of Lincoln,
and resigned his professorship. Being then eligible to the
office of vice-chancellor, he was chosen in November following. In June 1761, the dean exerted his polemical
talents in two letters (published without his name) “on the
principles and practices of the Methodists,
” the first addressed to Mr. Berridge, and the second to Mr. Whitfield.
On the translation of bishop Thomas to the bishopric of
Salisbury, Green was promoted to the see of Lincoln, the
last mark of favour which the duke of Newcastle had it in
his power to shew him. In 1762, archbishop Seeker (who had always a just esteem for his talents and abilities) being indisposed, the bishop of Lincoln visited as his proxy
the diocese of Canterbury. In 1763 he preached the 30th
of January sermon before the house of lords, which was
printed.
, an English poet and miscellaneous iter of the Elizabethan age,
, an English poet and miscellaneous
iter of the Elizabethan age, and memorable for his tants and imprudence, was a native of Norwich, and born
ubout 1560. His father appears to have been a citizen of
Norwich, the fabricator of his own fortune, which it is
thought he had accumulated by all the tricks of selfishness
and narrow prudence. He educated his son, however, as
a scholar, at St. John’s college, Cambridge. Here he took
the degree of A. B. in 1578, and for some time travelled
into Italy and Spain. Ou his return, he took his master’s
degree at Clare-hall, in 1583, and was incorporated in the
same at Oxford in 1588, no inconsiderable proof that
hiproficiency in his studies had been very conspicuous, and
that there was nothing at this time grossly objectionable in
his moral demeanour. It is supposed that he took orders
after his return from his travels, and that he was the same
Robert Greene who was presented to the village of Tollesbury, in Essex, June 19, 1584. If this be the case, it is
probable that he did not long reside, or was perhaps driven
from Tollesbury, by his irregular life, the greater part of
which was spent in London. Here, from some passages
cited by Mr. Beloe, it would appear that he gave himself
up to writing plays and love pamphlets, and from the date
of his “Myrrour of Modestie,
” The history of genius,
” says one of our authorities, with equal justice and feeling, “is too often a detail of immoral irregularities, followed by indigence and misery. Such, in after
times, was the melancholy tale of Otway and Lee, of Savage, Boyse, Smart, Burns, Dermody, and many others.
Perhaps the writers of the drama have, of all others, been
the most unfortunate in this respect; perhaps there is
something which more immediately seizes all the avenues
of the fancy in the gorgeous exhibitions of the stage;
which leads men away from the real circumstances of their
fortune, to the delusions of hope, and to pursue the fairy
lights so hostile to sober truth.
” In what species of dissipation, and to what degree Greene indulged, it were useless now to inquire his faults were probably exaggerated
by the rival wits of his day and his occupation as a playwriter being in itself at that time looked upon as criminal,
was barely tolerated. Among his errors, about which we
are afraid there is now no doubt, may be mentioned his
marrying an amiable lady, whom he deserted and ill-used.
His career, however, was short. He died Sept. 5, 1592,
at an obscure lodging near Dowgate, not without signs of
contrition, nor indeed without leaving behind him written
testimonies that he was more frequently conscious of an.
ill-spent life than able or willing to amend it. In some of
his works also, he made strenuous exertions to warn the
unthinking, and expose the tricks, frauds, and devices of
his miscreant companions. His works, says one of his
biographers, contain the seeds of virtue, while his acts
display the tares of folly. From such of his writings as
have fallen 'in our way, he appears to possess a rich and
glowing fancy, great command of language, and a perfect
knowledge of the manners of the times. As a poet he has
considerable merit, and few of his contemporaries yield a
more pleasant employment to the collectors of specimens.
His writings attained great popularity in his day, but until
very lately, have been seldom consulted unless by poetical
antiquaries. The following list of his works, by Mr. Haslewood, is probably complete: 1. “The Myrrour of Modestie,
” Monardo the Tritameron of Love,
”
Planetomachia,
” Euphues’s censure to Pbilautus,
” Arcadia
or Menaphon, Camillae’s alarm to slumbering Euphues,
”
Pandosto the Triumph of Time,
” Perimedes
the blackesmith,
” The pleasant and delightful
history of Dorastiis and Favvnia,
” Alcida, Greene’s Metamorphosis,
”
The Spanish Masquerade,
” Orpharion,
” The Royal Exchange, contayning
sundry aphorisms of Philosophic,
” Greene’s
mourning garment, given him by Repentance at the funerals of Love,
” Never too late,
” A notable discovery of
Coosenage,
” The ground work of
Conny Catching,
” 159U 18. “The second and last part
of Conny Catching,
” The third and
last part of Conny Catching,
” Disputation,
between a hee conny-catcher and a shee conny-catcher,
”
Greene’s Groatsworth of wit bought with a
million of repentance,
” Philomela, the lady FitzwalterV
nightingale,
” A quip for an
upstart courtier,
” r$92, 162O, 1625, 1635, and reprinted in 1
the Harleian Miscellany. 24. “Ciceronis amor, Tullie’s
love,
” News
both from heaven and hell,
” The Black
Book’s Messenger, or life and death of Ned Browne,
” The repentance of Robert Greene,
” Greene’s vision at the instant of his death,
” no date.
29. “Mamillia, or the triumph of Pallas,
” Mamillia, or the second part of the triumph of Pallas,
”
Card of Fancy,
” Greene’s
funerals,
” The
honourable history of Fryer Bacon and Fryer Bongay, a
comedy,
” The history of
Orlando Furioso, a play,
” 1S94, 1599. 35. “The comical
historic of Alphonsus king of Arragon, a play,
” A looking-glass for London and England,
” a comedy,
jointly with Lodge, The Scottish Historic of James the Fourthe, si ai ue at Flodden, intermixed
with a pleasant comedie,
” Penelope’s
Webb,
” Historic of Faire Bellora,
” no date,
afterwards published, as “A paire of Turtle doves, or the
tragical history of Bellora and Fidelio,
” The
debate between Follie and Love, translated out'of French,
”
Thieves falling out, true men come by their
goods,
” Greene’s Farewell to Folie,
” Arbasto, the history of Arbasto king of Denmarke,
” FairEmme, a comedy,
” The
history of lobe,
” a play, destroyed, but mentioned in Warburton’s list. A few other things have been ascribed toGreene on doubtful authority.
who published an English translation of that doctrine. Gen. Diet. vol. IV. p.
who published an English translation of that doctrine. Gen. Diet. vol. IV. p.
rum accornmodata, &c.“1751;” A Sermon at the opening of Steane chapel, Northampt.“1752; and, lastly, an English translation of Mr. Hawkins Browne’s poem” De Animi
, an ingenious and learned English
divine, the son of John Grey of Newcastle, was born there
in 1694, and in 1712 was entered of Lincoln college, Oxford, where he took the degree of B. A. May 15, 1716,
and that of M. 4- January 16, 1718-19. May 1, he was
ordained deacon, and priest April 10, 172Q, by Crew bishop of Durham, to whom he was chaplain and secretary,
and who gave him, in 1721, the rectory of Hinton, near
Brackley, in Northamptonshire; and obtained for him, from
lord Willoughby de Broke, the rectory of Kimcote in Leicestershire. ' He was alsp a prebendary of St. Paul’s. In
1746, he was official and commissary of the archdeaconry
of Leicester. In 1730, he published at Oxford a “Visitation-Sermon
” and, the same year, '< Memoria Technica or a new Method of artificial Memory“a fourth
edition of which came out in 1756. At this time also appeared his
” System of English Ecclesiastical Law, extracted from the Codex Juris Ecclesiastic! Anglican!“of
bishop Gibson, 8vo. This was for the use of young students designed for orders; and for this the university gave
him the degree of D. D. May 28, 1731. He printed an
assize sermon in 1732, called
” The great Tribunal,“and
in 1736, was the author of a large anonymous pamphlet,
under the title of
” The miserable and distracted State of
Religion in England, upon the Downfall of the Church
established,“8vo and, the same year, printed another
Visitation- Sermon. He also published
” A new and easy
Method of learning Hebrew without points, 1738;“” Historia Josephi,“and
” Paradigmata Verborum, 1744;
” The last Words of David,“1749;
” Nova Methodus Hebraice discendi diligentius recognita & acl Usum
Scholarum accornmodata, &c.“1751;
” A Sermon at the
opening of Steane chapel, Northampt.“1752; and, lastly,
an English translation of Mr. Hawkins Browne’s poem
” De
Animi Immortalitate,“1753. He died Feb. 28, 1771, in
his 77th year. He married Joyce, youngest daughter of
the rev. John Thicknesse of Brazen-nose-college, Oxford,
and sister of the late Philip Thicknesse, esq. by whom he
left three daughters, the eldest of whom married Dr.
Philip Lloyd, dean of Norwich, and was well-known for
her genius in working in worsted, and for her painted windows in that cathedral. Dr. Grey was buried at Hinton,
as is his widow, who died Jan. 12, 1794, aged eighty-nine.
His
” Memoria Technica" was at one time a very popular
book, and the system has lately in part been revived by a
foreigner, which has been the means of again directing
the public attention to Dr. Grey’s book; but it seems
agreed that such helps are of very little substantial efficacy,
and that attention and exercise are the only means to
assist or prolong memory. Dr. Grey was a man of piety
and liberality, as appears by his frequent correspondence
with Dr. Doddndge.
, LL. D. an English divine, and miscellaneous writer, was of a Yorkshire
, LL. D. an English divine, and miscellaneous writer, was of a Yorkshire family, originally
from France. He was born in 1687, and was admitted a
pensioner in Jesus college, Cambridge, April 18, 1704,
but afterwards removed to Trinity-ball, where he was admitted scholar of the house, Jan. 6, 1706-7; LL. B. 1709
LL. D. 1720; and though he was never fellow of that
college, he was elected one of the trustees for Mr. Ayloffe’s benefaction to it. He was rector of Houghton
Conquest in Bedfordshire: and vicar of St. Peter’s and St.
Giles’s parishes in Cambridge, where he usually passed
the winter, and the rest of his time at Ampthill, the neighbouring market-town to his living. He died Nov. 25, 1766,
at Ampthill, and was buried at Houghton Conquest. Very
little of his history has descended to us. How he spent
his life will appear by a list of his works. He is said to
have been of a most amiable, sweet, and communicative
disposition; most friendly to his acquaintance, and never
better pleased than when performing acts of friendship
and benevolence. Being in the commission of the peace,
and a man of reputable character, he was much courted
for his interest in elections. He was not, however, very
active on those occasions, preferring literary retirement.
His works were, 1. “A Vindication of the Church of England, in answer to Mr. Pearce’s Vindication of the Dis^
senters; by a Presbyter of the Church of England.
” Presbyterian Prejudice displayed,
” A pair of clean Shoes and Boots for a Dirty Baronet;
or an answer to Sir Richard Cox,
” The
Knight of Dumbleton foiled at his own weapons, &c. In a
Letter to Sir Richard Cocks, knt. By a Gentleman and
no Knight,
” A Century of eminent Presbyterians: or a Collection of Choice Sayings, from the public sermons before the two houses, from Nov. 1641 to Jan.
31, 1648, the day after the king was beheaded. By a
Lover of Episcopacy,
” A Letter of Thanks to
Mr. Benjamin Bennet,
” A memorial of the Reformation,
” full of gross prejudices
against the established church, and “A defence of it.
”
7. “A Caveat against Mr. Benj. Bennet, a mere pretender to history and criticism. By a lover of history,
” A Defence of our ancient and modern Historians against the frivolous cavils of a late pretender to.
Critical History, in which the false quotations smd unjust
inferences of the anonymous author are confuted and exposed in the manner they deserve, la two parts,
” A Review of Dr. Zachary Grey’s Defence
of our ancient and modern historians. Wherein, instead
of dwelling upon his frivolous cavils, false quotations, unjust inferences, &c it is proved (to his glory be it spoken)
that there is not a book in the English tongue, which contains so many falsehoods in so many pages. Nori vitiosus
homo es, Zachary, sed vitium. By the author,
” &c. y. “An
Appendix by way of Answer to the Critical Historian’s
Review,
” 1725. 11.
” The Ministry of the
Dissenters proved to be null and void from Scripture and
antiquity,“1725. 12. In 1732 he wrote a preface to his
relation dean Moss’s sermons,
” by a learned hand.“Mr.
Masters in his history of C. C. C. C. ascribes this to Dr.
Snape, who might perhaps have been editor of the sermons, but it was written by Dr. Grey. 13.
” The spirit
of Infidelity detected, in answer to Barbeyrac, with a defence of Dr. Waterland,“1735, 8vo. 14.
” English Presbyterian eloquence. By an admirer of monarchy and episcopacy,“1736, 8vo. 15.
” Examination of Dr. Chandler’s
History of Persecution,“1736, 8vo. 16.
” The true picture
of Quakerism,“1736. 17.
” Caveat against the Dissenters,“1736, 8vo. 18.
” An impartial Examination of the
second volume of Mr. Daniel Neal’s History of the Puritans,“1736, 8vo. The first volume of Neal had been examined by Dr. Madox, assisted in some degree by Dr.
Grey, who published his examination of the third volume
in 1737, and that of the fourth in 1739. J 9.
” An examination of the fourteenth chapter of Sir Isaac Newton’s
Observations upon the prophecies of Daniel,“1736, 8vo.
This is in answer to sir Isaac’s notion of the rise of Saintworship. 20.
” An attempt towards the character of the
Royal Martyr, king Charles I.; from authentic vouchers,“1738. 21.
” Schismatics delineated from authentic vouchers, in reply to Neal, with Dowsing' s Journal, &c. By
Philalethes Cantabrigiensis,“1739, 8vo. 22.
” The Quakers and Methodists compared,“&c. 1740. 23.
” A Review of Mr. Daniel Neil’s History of the Puritans, with a
Postscript. In a letter to Mr. David Jennings;“a pamphlet, Cambridge, 174-4. 24.
” Hudibras with large annotations, and a prelate,“&c. 1744, 2 vols. 8vo. 2b.
” A
serious address to Lay Methodists: by a sincere Protestant,“1745, 8vo. 27.
” Popery in its proper colours, with a list
of Saints invocated in England before the Reformation,“17, 8vo. 28,
” Remarks upon a late edition of Shakspeare, with a long string of emendations borrowed by the
celebrated editor from the Oxford edition without acknowledgement. To which is prefixed, a Defence of the late
sir Thomas Hanmer, bart. addressed to the rev. Mr. Warburton, preacher of Lincoln’s-Inn,“8vo, no date, but
about 1745. 29.
” A word or two of Advice to William
Warburton, a dealer in many words; by a friend. With
an Appendix, containing a taste of William’s Spirit of Railing,“1746, 8vo. 30.
” A free and familiar Letter to that
great refiner of Pope and Shakspeare, the rev. William
Warburton, preacher at Lincoln’s-Inn. With Remarks
upon the epistle of friend W. E. (query if not T. E. i. e. Thomas Edwards). In which his unhandsome treatment of
this celebrated writer is exposed in the manner it deserves.
By a Country Curate,“1750, 8vo, 31.
” A Supplement
to Hudibras,“1752, 8vo. 32.
” Critical, historical, and
explanatory notes on Shakspeare, with emendations on the
text and metre,“1755, 2 vols. 8vo. 33.
” Chronological
account of Earthquakes,“1757, 8vo. In 1756 he assisted
iVIr. Whalley in his edition of Shakspeare; he had also contributed to Mr. Peck’s
” Desiderata,“and
” Life of Cromwell," and collected some materials for a Life of Baker,
the Cambridge antiquary, which were afterwards enlarged
and published by the rev. Robert Masters. Dr. Grey left
some other Mss. and a collection of letters, now in Mr.
Nichols’s possession.
, an English prelate, and the most learned ecclesiastic of his time,
, an English prelate, and the most learned ecclesiastic of his time, was born probably about 1175, of obscure parents at Stradbrook in Suffolk. He studied at Oxford, where he laid the foundation of his skill in the Greek tongue, and was thus enabled to make himself master of Aristotle, whose works had been hitherto read only in translations: at Oxford too he acquired a knowledge of the Hebrew. He afterwards went to Paris, where he prosecuted his studies of Greek and Hebrew, and made himself master of French. Here he also studied the divinity and philosophy of the age, his proficiency in which was so remarkable as to draw upon him the suspicion of being a magician. At Oxford, on his return, he became celebrated as a divine, and was the first lecturer in the Franciscan school in that university. In 1235 he was elected, by the dean and chapter, bishop of Lincoln, which see was then, and continues still, the largest in England, although Ely, Oxford, and Peterborough have been since taken from it. Grosseteste, who was of an ardent and active spirit, immediately undertook to reform abuses, exhorting 'both clergy and people to religious observances, and perhaps would have been in a considerable degree successful, had he not confided too much in the Dominican and Franciscan friars, as his helpers in the good work. But they being appointed by him to preach to the people, hear their confessions, and enjoin penance, abused these op-portunities by exercising dominion over the superstitious minds of the laity, and enriched themselves at their expence. Although, however, the hypocrisy of the Dominicans and Franciscans in this instance escaped his penetration, he could not be deceived in the dissolute character and ignorance of the more ancient orders, and was very strict in his visitations, and very severe in his censures of their conduct. Partly through this sense of his duty, and his love of justice, and partly from his warmth of temper, he was frequently engaged in quarrels with convents, and other agents of the pope. At one time he was even excommunicated by the convent of Canterbury; but treating this with contempt, he continued to labour in promoting piety, and redressing abuses with his usual zeal, firmness, and perseverance. Although the friars continued to be his favourites, and he rebuked the rectors and vicars of his diocese, because they neglected to hear them preach, and be^ cause they discouraged the people from attending and confessing to them, in time he began to see more clearly into the character of those ecclesiastics. In 1247, two English Francisqans were sent into England with credentials to extort money for the pope; and when they applied, with some degree of insolence, to Grosseteste, for six thousand marks, as the contribution for the diocese of Lincoln, he answered them that (with submission to his holiness), the demand was as dishonourable as impracticable; that the whole body of the clergy and people were concerned in it as well as himself; and that for him to give a definitive answer in an instant to such a demand, before the sense of the kingdom was taken upon it, would be rash and absurd.
sed by the late Dr. Ward, rhetoric-professor at Gresham-college, who has also obliged the world with an English version of it. Besides the works already mentioned,
In 1725 he lost his partner in the academy, the rev.
Mr. James; and was now obliged to take the students in,
divinity under his direction. In the execution of this, task
he confined himself to no system in divinity, but directed
his pupils to the best writers on natural and revealed religion, and an impartial consideration of the chief controversies. He likewise succeeded Mr. James in his pastoral
charge at Fullwood^ near Taunton, in which he continued
till his death. In 1730 he published “The Evidence of
our Saviour’s Resurrection considered,
” and the same
year, “Some Thoughts concerning the Proof of a future
State from Reason,
” in answer to the rev. Mr. Hallet, junior, which drew him into a dispute on the point with
that divine. In this controversy he was thought to disparage the necessity of revelation in regard to that proof.
In 1732 he printed “A Discourse concerning the Nature
and Design of the Lord’s Supper,
” where he set that institution in the same light with bishop Hoadly. In 173-1he published, without his name, “Wisdom the first Spring
of Action in the Deity,
” which was animadverted on, as
to some particulars, by Mr. Balguy, who, however, allowed the discourse in general to abound in solid remarks
and sound reasonings. In 1736 he published “A Discourse on saving Faith.
” The same year he met with a heavy
affliction, in the death of his wife; and a little more than
a year after this, he died himself; for, having preached
on February 19, 1737-8, and with such an uncommon flow
of spirits as he said he could hardly govern, he was violentlyseized at night with a fever, which carried him off upon
the 27th. His friends erected a handsome monument over
his grave, on which is a Latin inscription composed by the
late Dr. Ward, rhetoric-professor at Gresham-college, who
has also obliged the world with an English version of it.
Besides the works already mentioned, he published many
sermons upon several occasions, and also a volume of
(i Miscellanies in prose and verse.“After his death came out by subscription his
” Posthumous Works,“1740, in 4 vols. 8vo. Gruchius, or Grouciii (Nicholas), an eminent
antiquary in the sixteenth century, descended from a noble
family of Rouen, was the first who explained Aristotle in
Greek. He taught with reputation at Paris, Bourdeaux,
and Coimbra, and, on his return to France, went to Rochelle, where a college was intended to be established, and
where he died in January 1572, leaving many works. The
most known are, a translation of F. L. de Castagneda’s
” History of the Indies,“Paris, 1554, 4to; a treatise
” De
Comitiis Romanorum," 1555, fol.; and some pieces against
Sigonius, fol. which Sigonius did not answer till he heard
of the author’s death.
ggars), was banished his country. He crossed the sea to Norwich in England, taking his wife (who was an English woman) and family along with him. Young Gruter was then
, a celebrated philologer,
was born December 3, 1560, at Antwerp. He was the
son of John Walter Gruter, burgomaster of Antwerp;
who, having, among others, signed the famous petition tq
the duchess of Parma, the governess of the Netherlands,
which gave rise to the word Gueux (Beggars), was banished
his country. He crossed the sea to Norwich in England,
taking his wife (who was an English woman) and family
along with him. Young Gruter was then but an infant; he
had the peculiar felicity, like Cicero, of imbibing the elements of learning from his mother, Catharine Tishem;
who, besides French, Italian, and English, was complete
mistress of Latin, and so well skilled in Greek that she
could read Galen in the original. The family found an
hospitable asylum in England, where they resided several
years, and at a proper age sent their son to complete his
education at Cambridge. His parents, after some time,
repassing the sea to Middleburg, the son followed them to
Holland and, going to Leyden, studied the civil law, and
took his doctor’s degree there in that faculty but,
applying himself at the same time to polite literature, he became an early author, as appears by some Latin verses
which he published, under the title of “Ocelli,
” at twenty
years of age.
a few years afterwards he was made captain of a fifty-four gun ship, with which, it is said, he took an English man-of-war of seventytwo gnus. So brilliant was his
, a French naval officer,
born at St. Malo in 1673, was the son of a merchant who
had been French consul at Malaga, and who commanded
armed vessels, either for war or trade, as circumstances
required. Young Du Guay, led by his example, went on
board a privateer, and performed a number of heroic actions. In 1691, when he was only in his eighteenth year,
he had the command of an armed sloop, carrying fourteen
guns, with which he obtained much success on the coast of
Ireland. Three years after he entered the river of Limerick, and carried off several vessels but falling in with four
English ships, he was obliged to yield, and was taken a
prisoner into Plymouth. In confinement he won the aifootions of a female, who enabled him to make his escape, and
in a short time he appeared again on the coast of England,
where he captured some prizes. In 1695 he took three
rich vessels on the Irish coast, and two Dutch ships on th
coast of Spain: these successes were followed by others
still more important. In 1696 he fell in with baron de
Wassenaer, who with three ships was escorting a fleet of
merchant-men, and took the baron with a part of his convoy. He presented, in person, his prisoner to the king,
and thereupon was removed to the royal navy, and appointed to the command of a frigate. In a few years afterwards he was made captain of a fifty-four gun ship, with
which, it is said, he took an English man-of-war of seventytwo gnus. So brilliant was his career of success, that in
1709 he was rewarded with letters of noblesse, the preamble to which records his having captured more than 300
merchant ships, and 20 ships of war. The most important
f all his exploits was the taking of Rio Janeiro in 1711,
which occasioned a loss to the Portuguese of at least a million sterling. A pension was now forced on him, he having in 1707 refused one that was then offered, requesting
that it might be granted to his second captain, whose thigh
had been shot off. “I,
” said the gallant officer, “am
sufficiently rewarded, if I obtain the advancement of my
friends. 7 ' In 1728 he was made commander of the order
of St. Louis, and lieutenant-general, and in 1731 went at
the head of a squadron to curb the insolence of Algiers
and Tunis, and promote a good understanding between
France and Tripoli. After many other important services,
he died at Paris Sept. 27, 1736, leaving
” Memoirs,"
partly written by his own hand, and partly by a nephew,
which were printed in one vol. 4to. 1740.
, an English divine, was born at Ablond’s or Abbey-load’s court,
, an English divine, was born at Ablond’s or Abbey-load’s court, near Gloucester, in 1653,
and entered in 1669 a commoner of Oriel-college, Oxford, which he changed for All souls, where he was chosen
fellow a little before he took his first degree in arts, April
4, 1674. He commenced M. A. in 1677, and entered into
orders; but marrying in 1680, he resigned his fellowship.
However, he still continued at Oxford, and took a house
in St. Michael’s parish, resolving not to leave the university, on account of his studies, which he prosecuted with
indefatigable industry, and soon became a great master of
the oriental learning and languages. He translated into
English, and illustrated with a commentary, Dr. Bernard’s
work entitled “Misnae pars ordinis prim
”! Zeraim Tituli
septem,“1690, 4to, and a tract
” De Victimis humanis,“8vo, and was preparing an edition of Abulfeda’s Geography, when he was seized with the small-pox, which carried him off' Sept. 3, 1684, aged only thirty-one. Thomas
Smith gives him the title of
” Vir longe eruditissimus,“and observes, that his death was a prodigious loss to the
republic of letters; and the editors of the
” Acta Eruditorum“style him a
” person of great learning, and the immortal ornament of the university of Oxford." He was
buried at St. Michael’s church in that city, where a monument was erected to his memory by his widow, with a
Latin inscription. He left issue a son John, who, being
bred to the army, raised himself to the highest posts there,
and was well known in the military world, by the title of
General Guise. He died in 1765, and bequeathed his
large collection of paintings to Christ-church Oxford,
where he was educated, and where they are now placed in
the lower library.
, an English mathematician, was of Welsh extraction, from a family
, an English mathematician, was of Welsh extraction, from a family at Gunter’s-town, in Brecknockshire but his father being settled in the county of Hereford, had this son born to him there in 1581. As he was a gentleman possessed of a handsome fortune, he thought proper to give him a liberal education, to which end he was placed by Dr. Busby at Westminster-school, where he was admitted a scholar on the foundation, and elected student of Christ-church, Oxford, in 1599. Having taken both his degrees in arts at the regular times, he entered into orders, and became a preacher in 1614, and proceeded B. D. November 23, 1615. But genius and inclination leading him chiefly to mathematics, he applied early to that study; and about 1606, merited the title of an inventor by the new projection of his sector, which he then described, together with its use, in a Latin treatise; and several of the instruments were actually made according to his directions. These being greatly approved, as being more extensively useful than any that had appeared before, on account of the greater number of lines upon them, and those better contrived, spread our author’s fame universally their uses also were more largely and clearly shewn than had been done by others and though he did not print them, yet many copies being transcribed and dispersed abroad, carried his reputation along with them, recommended him to the patronage of the earl of Bridgewater, brought him into the acquaintance of the celebrated Mr. Oughtred, and Mr. Henry Briggs, professor of geometry at Gresham; and thus, his fame daily increasing the more he became known, he was preferred to the astronomy-chair at Gresham-college, on March 6, 1619.
, an English physician of considerable eminence in his day, was the
, an English physician of considerable eminence in his day, was the son of Edward Gwinne, descended from an ancient family in Wales, who at this time resided in London. His son was educated at Merchant Taylors’ school, whence in 1574 he was elected a scholar of St. John’s college, Oxford, took the degree of B. A. May 14, 1578, and was afterwards perpetual fellow of the college. It was the custom at that time in Oxford for the convocation to appoint a certain number of regent masters, to read each of them upon some one of the liberal arts two years, for which they received a small stipend, levied upon the younger scholars. This provision was made, before the public professorships were settled and supported by fixed salaries. Agreeably to this practice, Mr. Gwinne was made regent-master in July 1582, and appointed to read upon music, and there is extant a manuscript oration of his upon that subject, spoken Oct. 15, of that year, in which he calls himself prelector musica publicus. When he had taken his degrees in arts, he studied physic, and practised in and about Oxford for several years. In 1588 he was chosen junior proctor of the university, and in 1592 distinguished himself in a disputation at Oxford before queen Elizabeth. On July 17, 1593, he was created doctor of physic. He obtained leave of the college in 1595, to attend sir Henry Union, ambassador from queen Elizabeth to the French court, and continued with him during his absence abroad.
e editor meddling imprudently with politics, appears to have been discountenanced. The count married an English lady, second daughter of John Wright, esq. attorney-general
Gyllenborg afterwards waited on Charles XII. and was
appointed, with baron Goertz, minister-plenipotentiary at
the conferences of pacification which were opened with
the court of Russia in the isle of Aland, but which terminated without success. In 1719 he was raised to the dignity of high chancellor of Sweden. In the beginning of
the following year he also acted an important part in the
negociations respecting the accession of Frederick I. to the
throne, and gained constantly greater influence during the
reign of this monarch, who appointed him counsellor of
the Swedish empire, and chancellor of the university of
Lund; and in 1739, when a great change took place in the
senate and ministry, in which he took an active part, he
was made president of chancery, minister for the foreign
and home departments, and soon after chancellor of tin*
university of Upsal. He died Dec. 14, 1746, with a high
character for political talent, general learning, and ambition to promote learning and science in his country. He
left to the university of Upsal, his valuable cabinet of natural history, remarkable for a great number of amphibious
productions and corals, which Linnæus has described under
the title “Amphibia Gyllenborgiana.
” He appears also
to have been a man of a religious turn of mind, from his
translating into the Swedish language Sherlock’s “Discourse on Death,
” but which he could not get licensed,
as the Swedish clergy pretended to find some things in it
contrary to sound doctrine. He procured it, therefore, to
be printed in Holland, and distributed the whole edition
for the benefit of his countrymen. He als* translated some
English comedies, with alterations suitable to the genius
of the Swedes, which were acted with applause at Stockholm. He had a concern in a periodical paper called the
“Argus,
” printed at Stockholm, but which, owing to the
editor meddling imprudently with politics, appears to have
been discountenanced. The count married an English
lady, second daughter of John Wright, esq. attorney-general of Jamaica, and widow of Elias Deritt, esq. deputy o'f
the great wardrobe under the duke of Montague, by whom
he had no issue; the counts of his name in Sweden are his
collateral relations. His lady’s daughter by Mr. Deritt,
accompanying her mother to Sweden, was created countess
Gyllenborg, and afterwards married Baron Sparre, on
whose dqath she returned to England, where she died in
1766, and her daughter by the Baron died at Thirske in
Yorkshire in 1778.
h, which united him with our countrymen, whom he always esteemed. In 1734 he married the daughter of an English taylor, of the name of Butler, a step which does not
About this time (1729), he came to London with the
Danish ambassador, baron Stoelenthal, and here he composed some of his most beautiful odes, and his best songs.
In 1733 he was appointed secretary of the English factory
at Hamburgh, which united him with our countrymen,
whom he always esteemed. In 1734 he married the
daughter of an English taylor, of the name of Butler, a
step which does not seem to have added to his happiness.
In 1738 he published the first volume of his “Fables,
” an
original work, which contributed much to his reputation. In
1740, he composed the beautiful satire of “The Philosopher;
” in Sage;
” in
Happiness.
” This
last piece is equally favourable to his opinions and his
poetical talents. His modest muse does not succeed in
sublime descriptions, or the dithirambic flights: it has
more of the elegance that pleases, than the splendour that
dazzles; more Socratic wisdom, than oriental sublimity.
His Moral Poems are like the Sermones of Horace. His
“Considerations on some of the Attributes of God
” contains the sublimest passages of Scripture “The Prattler
”
is a dialogue full of familiar descriptions of human life
*/ The Letter to a Friend“is an instructive commentary
on the
” Nil Adrnirari" of Horace. Various other pieces
followed; but, in 1750, he first excited the gaiety of his
nation, by mixing sports and graces with the solemn poetry
of the Germans. His odes and songs are highly pleasing.
Nature, sprightliness, simplicity, enthusiasm, and harmony,
unite to render them seductive: for spirit and elegance,
he may be said to resemble our own Prior.
he procured the publication of it at Paris at his own expence in 1586; and in May 1587, he published an English translation of it, which he dedicated after the example
About 1584, he attended sir Edward Stafford as his
chaplain, when that gentleman went over ambassador to
France; and continued there some years with him, and
during his absence, being then master of arts and in orders
he was made a prebendary of Bristol. While at Paris, he
contracted an acquaintance with all the eminent mathematicians, cosmographers, and other persons of a similar taste
with himself. He inquired after every thing that had any
relation to our English discoveries; and prevailed with
some to search their libraries for the same. At last,
having met with a narrative in ms. containing “The notable
History of Florida,
” which had been discovered about
twenty years before by captain Loudonniere and other
French adventurers, he procured the publication of it at
Paris at his own expence in 1586; and in May 1587, he
published an English translation of it, which he dedicated
after the example of the French editor, to sir Walter
Raleigh. The same year he published a new edition of
Peter Martyr’s book, entitled “De Orbe Novo,
” illustrated
with marginal notes, a commodious index, a map of New
England and America, and a copious dedication, also, to
sir Walter Raleigh; and this book he afterwards caused to
be translated into English.
on, and especially touching rarefaction and condensation.” 4. “Contemplations moral and divine.” 5. “ An English Translation of the Life of Pomponius Atticus, written
He was the author of several things which were published by himself; namely, 1. “An Essay touching theGravitation or Non -gravitation of Fluid Bodies, and the
Reasons thereof.
” 2. “Difficiies Nugse, or observationstouching the Torricellian Experiment, and the various solutions of the same, especially touching the weight and
elasticity of the air.
” 3. “Observations touching the Principles of natural motion, and especially touching rarefaction and condensation.
” 4. “Contemplations moral and
divine.
” 5. “An English Translation of the Life of
Pomponius Atticus, written by Corn. Nepos; together
with observations political and moral.
” 6. “The Primitive Origination of Mankind considered and explained
according to the Light of Nature, &c.
” He left also at
his decease other works, which were published namely,
1. His “Judgment of the Nature of true Religion, the
Causes of its Corruption, and the Church’s Calamity by
men’s addition and violences, with the desired Cure.
”
2. “Several Tracts; as a f Discourse of Religion under
three heads’,
” &c. 3. “A Letter to his Children, advising them how to behave in their speech.
” 4. “A Letter
to one of his sons after his recovery from the small-pox/'
5.
” Discourse of the Knowledge of God and of ourselves,
first by the light of nature; secondly, by the sacred Scriptures.“All these, under the title of his
” Moral and Religious Works,“were published by the rev. Thomas Thirlwall, 1805, 2 vols. 8vo, with his life by bishop
and an appendix to it.
Of his law tracts, one only was printed in his life-time,
viz.:
” London Liberty, or an argument of Law and Reason,“1650, which was reprinted in 1682, under the title
of
” London’s Liberties, or the opinions of those great
lawyers, lord chief justice Hale, Mr. justice Wild, and
serjeant Maynard, about the election of mayor, sheriffs,
aldermen, and common councel of London, and concerning
their charter.“In 1668 he wrote a preface to Rolle’s
” Abridgment," which he published with the whole of that
work.
, an English lawyer and historiographer, was the son of John Halle
, an English lawyer and historiographer, was the son of John Halle of Northall in Shropshire, by Catherine his wife, daughter and heir of Thomas Gedding, and was descended from sir Francis Van Halle, knight of the garter in the time of Edward III. who was the son of Frederic Van Halle, of the Tyrol, in Germany, natural son of Albert king of the Romans and archduke of Austria. He was born, probably about the last year of the fifteenth century, in the parish of St. Mildred’s, London. He was educated at Eton, whence in 1544 he was sent to King’s college, Cambridge, where he continued until he became a junior fellow. He afterwards studied at Gray’s-inn, and resided there until he was made a judge in the sheriffs’ court. Wood, however, says that he went to Oxford about 1518, when cardinal Wolsey founded certain lectures there; and adds that, that being the common mart of learning, no person of ingenuity or curiosity thought themselves complete until they had been there. But Mr. Baker of St. John’s, in a letter to Hearne, seems to think this doubtful, as he is not to be traced from Gray’s-inn to Oxford.
, an English poet of some note, was born at Durham, August 1627,
, an English poet of some note, was born
at Durham, August 1627, and after one year spent at St.
John’s college, Cambridge, removed to Gray’s-inn, London, where he was called to the bar; but entering into
the politics of the times, and writing on subjects favourable to the rebellion, he attracted the notice of parliament,
who sent him into Scotland to attend Oliver Cromwell,
and afterwards distinguished him by other marks of favour:
but, being too much addicted to pleasure, he fell a sacrifice to its indulgence; and returning to his native city of
Durham, died there, August 1, 1656. In 1646 (during his short residence at Cambridge), being then but nineteen
years of age, he published “Horas Vacivse, or Essayes,
” a
sufficient proof of his abilities. His poems came out the
same year. He published the first English version of Longinus, which he entitled “The Height of Eloquence,
”
Lond. Hierocles upon the Golden Verses of Pythagoras;
” before which is an account of the ingenious translator and his works, by John Davis of Kidwelly, by whom
it was published in 1657, 8vo. Several of his poems are
preserved in Nichols’s “Select Collection,
” reprinted from
a little volume, entitled “Poems by John Hall, Cambridge,
printed by Roger Daniel, printer to the universitie, 1646,
for J. Rothwell at the Sun in St. Paul’s Churchyard,
” to
which in The Second Booke of Divine
Poems by J. H.
” which is now become exceedingly scarce.
Recommendatory verses are prefixed to it by Jo. Pawson
(his tutor), H. More, W. Dillingham, W. Harrington, Ja.
Windet, R. Marshall, T. Smithsby, and Edw. Holland.
, an English divine of a very mixed character, was son to Thomas
, an English divine of a very
mixed character, was son to Thomas Hanmer of Porkington, in Shropshire, where he was born in 1543, though
Fuller says he was born in Flintshire. He became chaplain
of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, where he took a degree
in arts in April 1567. He afterwards was presented to the
living of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, during his holding of
which his conduct was such as to bring great odium on him.
Out of avarice he tore away the brass plates from the gravestones and monuments, and sold them; and he also appears by Fleetwood’s Diary to have paid very little regard to
his oath in a court of justice. In 1581 or 1582, betook
his degrees in divinity, and in Nov. 4th, 1583, was presented to the vicarage of Islington, which he resigned in
1590. Two or three years afterwards he resigned Shoreditch, went to Ireland, and at length became treasurer to
the church of the holy Trinity, in Dublin, which he kept
until his death in 1604. Weever says he committed suicide; and there is still a tradition to this effect among the
inhabitants of Shoreditch parish. Whatever his errors, he
was esteemed an exact disputant, and a good preacher; an
excellent Greek scholar, and well versed in ecclesiastical
and civil history. Besides some tracts against the Jesuits,
he published “A Chronography,
” &c. Lond. The
Ancient Ecclesiastical Histories of the first 600 years after
Christ, originally written by Eusebius, Socrates, and Evagrius,
” The Chronicle of Ireland, in two parts,
” the third
part of which was published in A Sermon on the Baptising of a Turk,
”
preached in the collegiate church of St. Katherine, 1586,
8vo.
, an English bishop, was born in London, and educated at Eton, whence
, an English bishop, was born in
London, and educated at Eton, whence he was admitted
of King’s college, Cambridge, in 1688, and took his degree of A. B. in 1692, and of A. M. 1696. He afterwards
became tutor in the college, and in that capacity superintended the education of the celebrated Anthony Collins,
who was fellow-commoner there. He had also the tuition
of the marquis of Blandford, only son of the illustrious
duke of Marlborough, who appointed him chaplain-general
to the army; but this promising young nobleman died in
1702, and was buried in King’s college chapel. The inscription on his monument is by our author. In 1708 Mr.
Hare took his degree of D. D. obtained the deanery of
Worcester, and in 1726 the deanery of St. Paul’s. In
Dec. 1727, he was consecrated bishop of St. Asaph, where
he sat about four years, and was translated, Nov. 25, 1731,
to the bishopric of Chichester, which he held with the
deanery of St. Paul’s to his death. He was dismissed from
being chaplain to George I. in 1718, by the strength of
party prejudices, in company with Dr. Moss and Dr. Sher-r
lock, persons of distinguished rank for parts and learning.
About the latter end of queen Anne’s reign he published
a remarkable pamphlet, entitled “The difficulties and
discouragements which attend the Study of the Scriptures,
in the way of private judgment;
” in order to shew, that
since such a study of the scriptures is an indispensable
duty, it concerns all Christian societies to remove, as much
as possible, those discouragements. This work was thought
to have such a direct tendency to promote scepticism, and
a loose way of thinking in matters of religious concern,
that the convocation judged it right to pass a severe censure
on it; and Whiston says, that, finding this piece likely to
hinder preferment, he aimed to conceal his being the author. The same writer charges him with being strongly
inclined to scepticism that he talked ludicrously of sacred
matters and that he would offer to lay wagers about the
fulfilling of scripture prophecies. The principal ground
for these invidious insinuations some suppose to be, that,
though he never denied the genuineness of the apostolical
constitutions (of which he procured for Whiston the collation of two Vienna Mss.), yet “he was not firm believer
enough, nor serious enough in Christianity, to hazard any
thing in this world for their reception.
” He published
many pieces against bishop Hoadly, in the Bangorian controversy; and also other learned works, which were collected after his death, and published in four volumes, 8yo.
2. An edition of “Terence,
” with notes, in 4to. 3. “The
Book of Psalms, in the Hebrew, put into the original poetical metre,
” 4to. In this last work he pretends to have
Discovered the Hebrew metre, which was supposed to be
irretrievably lost. But his hypothesis, though defended
by some, yet has been confuted by several learned men,
particularly by Dr. Lowth in his “Metrics Hareaue brevis
confutatio,
” annexed to his lectures “De Sacra Poesi Hebreeorum.
” He was yet more unfortunate in the abovementioned edition of Terence, which sunk under the reputation of that of Dr. Bentley, of whom he was once the
warm admirer, and afterwards the equally warm opponent.
During their friendship the emendations on Menander and
Philemon were transmitted through Hare, who was then
chaplain-general to the army, to Burman, in 1710; and
Bentley’s “Remarks on the Essay on Freethinking
” (supposed to be written by Collins) were inscribed to him in
1713. As soon as the first part of these were published,
Hare formally thanked Dr. Bentley by name for them, in
a most flattering letter called “The Clergyman’s Thanks
to Phileleutherus,
” printed the same year; but, in consequence of the rupture between them, not inserted in the
collection of Hare’s works. This rupture took place soon
after the above-mentioned date, and Bentley in the subsequent editions of his “Remarks
” withdrew the inscription. Hare was excessively piqued at the utter annihilation of his Terence and Phoedrus, the one soon after its
birth, the other before its birth, by Bentley’s edition of
both together in 1726, who never once names Hare.
there was a third edition in 1747. He made some attempts in the poetical way, and in 1658 published an English translation of two eclogues of Virgil, and two books
His writings were first collected, methodized, reviewed,
and published, by Toland, 1700, in one volume, folio; but
there was another edition, by Dr. Birch, published in 1737,
which Contains several articles omitted in Toland’s, and
there was a third edition in 1747. He made some attempts
in the poetical way, and in 1658 published an English
translation of two eclogues of Virgil, and two books of the
“Æneis,
” under the title of “An Essay upon two of Virgil’s Eclogues, and two of his Æneids, towards the translation of the whole;
” and, in of the Æneid
” but his
poetry gained him no reputation.
, an English civilian, chancellor of the dioceses of Durham, Hereford,
, an English civilian, chancellor of
the dioceses of Durham, Hereford, and Llandaff, and
commissary of Essex, Herts, and Surrey, was the son of
Dr. John Harris, bishop of Llandaff, who died in 1738.
The time of his son’s birth we have not been able to ascertain. He was, however, a member of Oriel college, Oxford, where he took his degree of bachelor of laws in May
1745, and that of doctor in the same faculty in May 1750,
in which last year he was admitted into the college of advocates. Here he proved himself an eminent pleader, although not a masterly orator, and enriched himself by
very extensive practice. He died at his house in Doctors’
Commons, April 19, 1796, leaving his very extensive property mostly to charitable uses. Among the very
munificent items in his will, were 40,000l. to St. George’s hospital; 20,000l. to Hetherington’s charity for the blind;
15,000l. to the Westminster lying-in hospital, and 5000l.
to the Hereford infirmary. He also was in his life-time a
benefactor to the funds of the society of advocates. In
1752 he published a pamphlet, entitled “Observations
upon the English Language, in a letter to a friend,
” 8vo,
relating to the common mistakes in spelling, pronunciation,
and accent. This was anonymous; but he afterwards published with his name, “D. Justiniani Institutionum, Libri
quatuor; and a translation of them into English, with
notes,
”
, esq. an English gentleman of very uncommon parts and learning, was the
, esq. an English gentleman of very uncommon parts and learning, was the eldest son of James Harris, esq. of the Close of Salisbury, by his second wife the lady Elizabeth Ashley, who was third daughter of Anthony earl of Shaftesbury, and sister to the celebrated author of the Characteristics, as well as to the Hon. Maurice Ashley Cooper, the elegant translator of Xenophon’s Cyropaedia. He was born July 20, 1709. The early part of his education was received at Salisbury, under the rev. Mr. Hele, master of the grammar-school, in the Close, who was long known and respected in the West of England as an instructor of youth. From Mr. Hele’s school, at the age of sixteen, he was removed to Oxford, where he passed the usual number of years as a gentleman commoner of Wadham college. His father, as soon as he had finished his academical studies, entered him at Lincoln’s-Inn, not intending him for the bar, but, as was then a common practice, meaning to make the study of the law a part of his education.
, an English historian, was a native of London, and educated at Westminster
, an English historian, was a
native of London, and educated at Westminster school,
under the celebrated Alexander Nowell. He afterwards
studied at both universities, but in what colleges seems
doubtful. Wood suspects Christ Church for Oxford, and
Baker mentions one of this name a bachelor of arts of St.
John’s, Cambridge; but the date, 1571, is obviously too
late for our Harrison. He says himself that both universities “are so clear to him that he cannot readily tell to
which of them he owes most good will.
” After leaving
Cambridge he became domestic chaplain to sir William
Brooke, knt. lord-warden of the Cinque Ports, and baron
of Cobham in Kent, who is supposed to have given him the
living of Radwinter, in Essex, in Feb. 1558, which he held
until his death in the end of 1592 or beginning of 1593.
He wrote a “Historical Description of the Island of Britain,
” published in Holiingshed’s Chronicles; and “A
Chronology
” mentioned by Hollingshed. He translated
also “The Description of Scotland,
” from Hector Boethius,^ which is prefixed to Hollingshed’s “Hist, of Scotland.
” Wood says he obtained a canonry of Windsor, and
was buried there, leaving several children by his wife Manan, daughter of Will. Isebrand, ofAnderne, in Picardy.
His turn appears to have been more for compiling ancient
history than topography; for in his dedication to lord
Cobham he says, “Indeed I must needs confess, that un1 now of late, except it were from the parish where I
dwell unto your honour in Kent, or out of London, where
I was born, unto Oxford and Cambridge, where I have
been brought up, I have never travelled forty miles forth
right and at one journey in all my life.
”
, an English poet and divine, was the son of a father of both his
, an English poet and divine, was the son of a father of both his names, who was fellow of Pembroke college, Oxford, prebendary of Wales, canon, of Bristol, and vicar of St. Mary Magdalen, Taunton, Somersetshire. Refusing to take the oaths after that revolution which placed a new family on the throne, he relinquished *all his preferments, in 1691, and retired to Kentbury in Buckinghamshire, where he died Feb. 10, 1736, aged eighty-five. His son informs us, that when judge Jeffries came to Taunton -assizes in 1685, to execute his commission upon the unfortunate persons concerned in Monmouth’s rebellion, Mr. Harte, then minister of St. Mary Magdalen’s, waited on him in private, and remonstrated much against iiis severities. The judge listened to him calmly, and with some attention, and though he had never seen him before, advanced him in a few months to a prebendal stall in the cathedral church of Bristol. Old Mr. Harte was so much respected for his piety and learning, that the prelates Kidder, Hooper, and Wynne, who successively filled the see of Bath and Wells, contrived that he should receive the profits of his prebend of Wells as long as he lived; and Mr. Simon Harcourt, afterwards lord chancellor, offered him a bishopric in queen Anne’s time, which he declined with grateful acknowledgments. According to his son’s account, he was a most laborious student, employing ten or twelve hours a day, without any interruption, but that of casual sickness, for fifty years successively. His principal business was in referring every difficult part of Scripture to those particular passages in the fathers and eminent modern divines who had explained them expressly or occasionally.
is father having married two Polonian ladies of noble extraction. This third wife seems to have been an English woman, for she had two sisters very honourably married
He was the issue of a third wife, his father having married two Polonian ladies of noble extraction. This third
wife seems to have been an English woman, for she had
two sisters very honourably married here; one, first to
Mr. Clark, son of a lord mayor, and afterwards to a “veryrich knight, sir Richard Smith, one of the king’s privycouncil, she bringing him a portion of 10,000l.; after his
death, she married a third time sir Edward Savage, and
was made one of the ladies of honour to the king’s mother.
Her daughter married sir Anthony Irby, at Boston,
” a
knight of 4 or 5000l. sterling a year.“The other sister
married Mr. Peak, a younger brother. Warton says,
Hartlib came over into England about 1640. In 1641 he
published
” A relation of that which hath been lately attempted, to procure ecclesiastical peace among Protestants," Lond. 1641.
, an English physician, was born in Surrey, acquired the Greek and
, an English physician, was born in
Surrey, acquired the Greek and Latin tongues in the
Low Countries, and was admitted of Exeter-college, Oxford, in Ib55. Afterwards he went to Leyden, and studied
under Vanderlinden, Vanhorn, and Vorstius, all of them
professors of physic, and men of eminence. He was
taugbt chemistry there by a German, and, at the same
place, learned the practical part of chirurgery, and the
trade of an apothecary. After this he went to France, and
thence returned to Holland, where he was admitted fellow
of the college of physicians at the Hague; being-, at that
time, physician in ordinary to Charles II. in his exile.
He afterwards returned to London, whence he was sent, in
1659, with a commission to Flanders, to be physician to
the English army there; where staying till he was tired of
that employment, he passed through Germany into Italy,
spent some time at Padua, Bologna, and Rome, and then
returned through Switzerland and Holland to England.
Here he became physician in ordinary to his majesty; and,
after king William came over, was made physician of the
Tower. At this time there was a great debate who should
succeed to this office, and the contending parties were so
equally matched in their interests and pretensions, that it
was extremely difficult to determine which should have the
preference. The matter was at length brought to-a compromise; and Dr. Harvey was promoted, because he was
in appearance sickly and infirm, and his death was expected in a few months. He survived, however, not only
his rivals, but all his contemporary physicians, and died
after he had enjoyed his office above fifty-years. He wrote
several medical treatises, which never have been in any
esteem. Unlike his predecessor of the same name, whose
modesty equalled his knowledge, and who never proceeded
a step without fact and experiment, Gideon Harvey was
a vain and hypothetical prater throughout. Under pretence
of reforming the art of medicine, he attacked the characters of the most eminent physicians of the time, combining:
the most insulting sarcasms with many glaring falsehoods
and absurdities; and although, in the general war which,
he waged, he justly attacked many abuses which then
prevailed in the profession, yet he often committed great
errors of judgment. His principal work, part of which was
published in 1683, and part in 1686, was entitled “The
Conclave of Physicians, detecting their intrigues, frauds,
and plots against the patients,
” &c.
, an English poet who flourished about the end of the fifteenth century,
, an English poet who flourished about the end of the fifteenth century, was a native of Suffolk, and educated at Oxford. He travelled afterwards in England, Scotland, France, and Italy, and became a complete master of French and Italian poetry. On his return, his acquired politeness and knowledge procured him an establishment in the household of Henry VII. who was struck with the liveliness of his conversation, and admired the readiness with which he could repeat most of the old English poets, especially Lydgate: his knowledge also of the French tongue might be a recommendation to that monarch, who was fond of studying the best French books then in vogue.
, an English physician, and founder of the Humane Society, was born
, an English physician, and founder of the Humane Society, was born at Islington, Nov. 28,1736; and received the early part of his education in his native village, and completed it in St. Paul’s school. He was afterwards placed with Mr. Carsan, an ingenious medical practitioner near Vauxhall; and, on the expiration of his apprenticeship, was for a short time an assistant to Mr. Dicks, in the Strand, whom he succeeded in business; and, by his application, and unwearied attention to his patients, acquired a considerable degree of reputation and affectionate esteem. In May 1759, he married an amiable woman, by whom he had a numerous family, and who survives to lament his loss.
, an English lawyer, the son of Thomas Hawles, gent, was born at
, an English lawyer, the son of Thomas Hawles, gent, was born at Salisbury in 1645, and educated at Winchester school, whence he entered as a
commoner of Queen’s college, Oxford, in 1662, but, like most
men intended for the study of the law, left the university
without taking a degree. He removed to Lincoln’s Inn,
and after studying the usual period, was admitted to the
bar, and, as Wood says, became “a person of note for
his profession.
” On the accession of king William, he
more openly avowed revolution-principles, and published
“Remarks upon the Trials of Edward Fitzharris, Stephen
Coiledge, count Coningsmarke, the lord Russel, &c.
” Lond.
The Magistracy
and Government of England vindicated; or a justification
of the English method of proceedings against criminals, by
way of answer to the Defence of the late lord Russel’s
innocence,
” ibid.
, an English artist, much celebrated in his day, was born in 1708,
, an English artist, much celebrated in his day, was born in 1708, at Exeter, and was the scholar of Brown. He appears to have come to London in the early part of his life, and was much employed by Fleetwood, the proprietor of Drury-lane theatre, for whom he painted many scenes. In the pursuit of his profession, he was not extremely assiduous, being more convivial than studious; yet he acquired a very considerable degree of power in his art, and was the best historical painter in the kingdom, before the arrival of Cipriani. It was this superiority of talent that introduced him to the notice of Mr. Jonathan Tyers, the founder and proprietor of Vauxhall, by whom he was employed in decorating those well-known gardens, and where some of his best historical pictures are still to be seen. He also painted four pictures from subjects taken from Sbakspeare, for what is called the prince’s pavilion in Vauxhall, but Mr. Tyers had such an high opinion of them, as to remove them to his own residence, and place copies in their room. His reputation procured him much employment from the booksellers, whom he furnished with drawings for their editions of Moore’s Fables, Congreve’s Works, Newton’s Milton, Hammer’s Shakspeare, Smcllet’s Don Quixote, Pope’s Works, &c. These drawings have in general great merit.
, an English historian, was educated at Cambridge, where he took
, an English historian, was educated at Cambridge, where he took the degree of LL. D.
In 1599 he published, in 4to, The first Part of the Life
and Raigne of King Henrie IV. extending to the end of
the first yeare of his raigne,“dedicated to Robert earl of
Essex; for which he suffered a tedious imprisonment, on
account of having advanced something in defence of hereditary succession to the crown. We are informed, in lord
Bacon’s
” Apophthegms,“that queen Elizabeth, being
highly incensed at this book, asked Bacon, who was then
one of her council learned in the law,
” whether there was
any treason contained in it?“who answered,
” No, madam for treason, I cannot deliver my opinion there is
any but there is much felony.“The queen,
apprehending it, gladly asked,
” How and wherein“Bacon answered,
” because he had stolen many of his sentences
and conceits out of Cornelius Tacitus.“This discovery is
thought to have prevented his being put to the rack.
Carnden tells us, that the book being dedicated to the
earl of Essex, when that nobleman and his friends were
tried, the lawyers urged, that
” it was written on purpose
to encourage the deposing of the queen;“and they particularly insisted on these words in the dedication* in which
our author styles the earl
” Magnus & present! judicio, &
futuri temporis expectatione.“In 1603 he published, in
quarto,
” An Answer to the first part of a certaine Conference concerning Succession, published not long since
under the name of R. Doleman.“Tais R. Doleman was
the Jesuit Parsons. In 1610 he was appointed by king
James one of the historiographers of Chelsea college, near
London, which, as we have often had occasion to notice,
was never permanently established. In 1613, he published
in 4to,
” The Lives of the Three Normans, kings of England; William I; William II.; Henry I.“and dedicated
them to Charles prince of Wales. In 1619, he received
the honour of knighthood from his majesty, at Whitehall.
In 1624, he published a discourse entitled
” Of Supremacie in Affaires of Religion,“dedicated to prince Charles,
and written in the manner of a conversation held at the
table of Dr. Toby Matthews, bishop of Durham, in the
time of the parliament, 1605. The proposition maintained is, that supreme power in ecciesiasticaJ affairs is a
right of sovereignty. He wrote likewise,
” The Life and
Raigne of King Edward VI. with the beginning of the
Raigne of queen Elizabeth,“1630, 4to, but this was posthumous; for he died June 27, 1627. He was the author
of several works of piety, particularly
” The Sr.nctuarie of
a troubled soul,“Lond. 1616, 12mo;
” David’s Tears,
or an Exposition of the Penitential Psalms,“1622, 8vo.
and te Christ’s Prayer on the Crosse for his Enemies,
”
1623. Wood says that “he was accounted a learned and
godly man, and one better read in theological authors,
than in those belonging to his profession; and that with
regard to his histories, the phrase and words in them were
in their time esteemed very good; only some have wished
that in his
” History of Henry IV.“he had not called sir
Hugh Lynne by so light a word as Mad-cap, though he
were such; and that he had not changed his historical style
into a dramatical, where he introduceth a mother uttering a woman’s passion in the case of her son.
” Nicolson observes, that “he had the repute in his time, of a
good clean pen and smooth style; though some have since
blamed him for being a little too dramatical,
” Strype
recommends that our author “be read with caution
that his style and language is good, and so is his fancy
but that he uses it too much for an historian, which puts
him sometimes on making speeches for others, which they
never spake, and relating matters which perhaps they never thought on.
” In confirmation of which censure, Kennet has since affirmed him to be “a professed speech-maker
through all his little history of Henry IV.
”
, an English historian, was born 1629, in London, where his father,
, an English historian, was born 1629,
in London, where his father, who was the king’s cutler,
lived. He was educated at Westminster-school, and was
elected to Christ Church, Oxford, in 1646. In 1648 he
was ejected thence by the parliament-visitors, for his adherence to the royal cause lived upon his patrimony till
it was almost spent and then married, which prevented
his return to Christ Church at the restoration, where he
might have qualified himself for one of the learned professions. To maintain his family he now commenced author,
and corrector of the press. He died of a consumption and
dropsy, at London, in August 1664, and left several children to the parish. He published, 1. “A brief Chronicle
of the late intestine War in the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c.
” Elegy
upon Dr. Thomas Fuller,
” 1661. 3. “The glories and
magnificent triumphs of the blessed Restoration of king
Charles II. &c. 1662,
” 8vo. 4. “Flagellum or, the Life
and Death, Birth and Burial, of Oliver Cromwell, the late
usurper,
” Elegy on Dr. Sanderson,
bishop of Lincoln,
” A new book of loyal English Martyrs and Confessors, who have endured the pains
and terrors of death, arraignment, &c. for the maintenance
of the just and legal government of these kingdoms both in
church and state,
” Brief but exact Survey
of the Affairs of the United Netherlands, &.c.
” 12mo.
Heath, as a historian, is entitled to little praise on account
of style or argument, but his works contain many lesser
particulars illustrative of the characters and manners of
the times, which are interesting to a curious inquirer. In
the meanest historian there will always be found some
facts, of which there will be no cause to doubt the truth,
and which yet will not be found in the best; and Heath,
who perhaps had nothing but pamphlets and newspapers
to compile from, frequently relates facts that throw light
upon the history of those times, which Clarendon, though
he drew every thing from the most authentic records, has
omitted.
ction of medical, surgical, and anatomical observations, in quarto, is well known in this country by an English translation.
Heister continued from time to time to publish a number
of books relating to anatomy and surgery, to several of
which he supplied figures drawn by his own hand. Among
these, his most distinguished work is the “Compendium
Anatomieuai,
” an octavo volume, first printed in Institutions of Surgery,
” also published inGerman in
, an English gentleman of parts and learning, was the son of sir
, an English gentleman of parts and learning, was the son of sir R ->bert Henley, of the Grange in Hampshire, descended from the Henleys of Henley in Somersetshire; of whom sir Andrew Henley was created a baronet in 1660. This sir Andrew had a son of the same name, famous for his frolics and profusion. His seat, called Bramesley, near Hartley-row, in the county of Southampton, was very large and magnifirent. He had a great estate in that and the other western counties, which was reduced by him to a very small one, or to nothing. Sir Robert Henley of the Grange, his uncle, was a man of good sense and osconomy. He held the master’s place of the King’s-bench court, on the pleas side, many years; and by the profits of it, and good management, left his son, Anthony Henley, of the Grange, of whom we now treat, possessed of a very fine fortune, above 3000l. a-year, part of which arose from the ground-rents of LincolnVinnfields. Anthony Henley was bred at Oxford, where he distinguished himself by an early relish for polite learning. He made a great proficiency in the study of the classics, and particularly the ancient poets, by which he formed a good taste for poetry, and wrote verses with success. Upon his coming to London, he was presently received into the friendship and familiarity of persons of the first rank for quality and wit, particularly the earls of Dorset and Sunclerland. The latter had especially a great esteem and affection for him; and as every one knew what a secret influence he had on affairs in king William’s court, it was thought strange that Mr. Henley, who had a genius for any thing great, as well as any thing gay, did not rise in the state, where he would have shone as a politician, no Jess than he did at Will’s and Tom’s as a wit. But the Muses and pleasure had engaged him. He had something of the character of Tibullus, and, except his extravagance, was possessed of all his other qualities; his indolence, his gallantry, his wit, his humanity, his. generosity, his learning, his taste for letters. There was hardly a contemporary author, who did not experience his bounty. They soon found him out, and attacked him with their dedications; which, though he knew how to value as they deserved, were always received as well as the addressers could wish; and his returns were made so handsomely, that the manner was as grateful as the present.
t the ms. of it to Gerard Vossius, as appears from a letter of his lordship’s, and Vossius’s answer. An English translation of this work was published in 1705, under
His most useful work, the “History of the Life and
Reign of Henry VIII.
” was published in 1649, a year after
his death, and has always been much admired. Nicolson
says, that lord Herbert “acquitted himself in this history
with the like reputation, as the lord chancellor Bacon
gained by that of Henry Vllth. For in the public and
martial part this honourable author has been admirably
particular and exact from the best records that were extant; though as to the ecclesiastical, he seems to have
looked upon it as a thing out of his province, and an undertaking more proper for men of another profession.
” Although it has been considered as a very valuable piece of
history, there is not, perhaps, so much candour displayed
in every part as could be wished. In 1663, appeared his
book “De Religione Gentilium, errorumque apud eos
causis.
” The first part was printed at London, in The ancient Religion of the
Gentiles, and causes of their errors considered. The mistakes and failures of the Heathen Priests and wise men, in
their notions of the Deity and matters of Divine Worship,
are examined with regard to their being destitute of Divine Revelation.
” Lord Herbert wrote also in Expeditio Buckingham! ducis in Ream insulam,
” which
was published in Occasional Verses,
” published in De Veritate,
” has ranked him with
Hobbes and Spinosa, in his dissertation entitled “De
tribus impostoribus magnis, Edvardo Herbert, Thoma
Hobbes, & Benedicto Spinosa, Liber,
” printed at Kilon m
o called, was more fully developed in his “Outlines of a philosophy of the history of Man,” of which an English translation was published in 1800, 4to, but without
, a German philosopher of
the new school, was born in 1741, in a small town of Prussia, and was originally intended for the profession of a surgeon, but afterwards studied divinity, and was invited to
Buckeburg, to officiate as minister, and to be a member
of the consistory of the ecclesiastical council, In 1774 he
was promoted by the duke of Saxe Weimar, to be first
preacher to the court, and ecclesiastical counsellor, to
which was afterwards added the dignity of vice-president
cjf the consistory of Weimar, which he held until his death,
Pec. 18, 1803. Some of his ficst works gained him great^
praise, both as a critic antj philosopher; such as his, 1.
“Three fragments on the new German Literature,
” Riga,
On the Writings of Thomas Abbt,
” Berlin,
On the origin of Language,
” ibid. Oldest Notices of the Origin of Mankind,
”
Riga, Outlines of a philosophy
of the history of Man,
” of which an English translation
was published in
nd verse: 1. “A Translation of Ovid’s Epistles,” sixteen of them in verse. 2. “La Tour te'nebreuse,” an English tale. 3. “Les Caprices du Destin,” another novel. 4.
, de Villandon, a daughter of the preceding, born at Paris in 1664, inherited a
taste and talent for poetry, and was esteemed also for the
sweetness of her manners, and the dignity of her sentiments. The academy of the “Jeux Floraux,
” received
her as a member in Ricovrati,
” at
Padua, in A Translation of
Ovid’s Epistles,
” sixteen of them in verse. 2. “La Tour
te'nebreuse,
” an English tale. 3. “Les Caprices du Destin,
” another novel. 4. “L'avare puni,
” a novel in verse;
with a few poems of an elegiac or complimentary nature.
, A. M. an English controversial writer, was a native of Suffolk, and admitted
, A. M. an English controversial writer,
was a native of Suffolk, and admitted pensioner of Corpus
Christi college, Cambridge, under the tuition of Mr.
Fawcett, Oct. 29, 1711; he was made scholar of the house
next year, and proceeded A. B. in 1715. About this time
he was recommended to the duchess of Bedford, who took
him into her family, for the instruction of her sons, Wrotthesly, the third, and John, the fourth duke of Bedford;
and the year following he was made fellow of Merton college, Oxford, where he commenced M. A. in 1718. He
was a man of learning, virtue, and spirit, and continued a
batcheior and a layman till the time of his death, which
happened at Woburn about the year 1722. He published
“The False notion of a Christian priesthood, &c.
” in answer to Mr. Law, A Letter to the Prolocutor,
”
jjo answer to one from him to Dr. Tenison, A
Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tenison concerning Citations out of
Arch. Wake’s Preliminary Discourse to the Apostolic Fathers,
” Lond. Under this name he was one of the writers in the Bangorian controversy, of which he began in some measure the
history, by publishing an account of all the considerable
pamphlets to which it gave rise, with a continuation and
occasional observations, to the end of the year 1719, by
the name of Philonagnostes Criticus. He published also,
w An account of all the considerable books and pamphlets
written in the controversy concerning the Trinity,
” from
Vindication
of the Archbishop of Canterbury from being the author of
a Letter on the State of Religion in England, printed at
Zurich,
” Lond. Two letters to Dr. Mangey
on his Sermon upon Christ’s Divinity,
” published about
the same time.
love for the marvellous, a degree of national vanity, and too great inflation in the style. There is an English translation by capt. John Stevens, published in 1725
, a Spanish historian of great fame, was born in 1565. He became first secretary to Vespasian Gonzaga, viceroy of Naples, and afterwards grand historiographer of India, with a considerable pension under Philip II. He did not receive his money unearned, but published a general history of India from 14^2 to 1554, in four volumes, folio. A very short time before his death he received from Philip IV. the appointment of secretary of state. He died in 1625. His History of India is a very curious work, carried to a great detail, and chargeable with no defects, except too great a love for the marvellous, a degree of national vanity, and too great inflation in the style. There is an English translation by capt. John Stevens, published in 1725 and 1726, 6 vols. 8vo. He published also a general History of Spain, from 1554 to 1598, which has been less esteemed than the other work. It is in three volumes, folio.
, an English divine of exemplary piety and virtue, was born at H
, an English divine of exemplary piety and virtue, was born at Hardingstonc, a village about a mile from Northampton, on Feb. 26, 1713-14. His father was minister of the parish of Collingtree, within two miles of Hardingstone. He received his early education at the free grammar-school of Northampton, where he attended for nearly ten years, learning the Latin and Greek languages; and would have made a much greater progress if he had not been impeded by the caprice of his master, who, it is said, would not suffer any of his boys to learn faster than his own son. At the age of seventeen he was entered of Lincoln-college, Oxford, and resided in the university about seven years, but without proceeding farther than his bachelor’s degree. His time, however, was not mispent. Besides a very considerable stock of learning which he accumulated here, he imbibed those habits of regularity and principles of piety which gave a colour to his future life and writings, and made him one of the most useful and popular preachers of his time.
Feb. 1767, and translated to that of Derry in 1768. When appointed to the former, he refused to take an English chaplain over with him, but made choice of Mr. Skelton,
During his brother’s being lord lieutenant of Ireland, he
was promoted to the see of Cloyne, in Feb. 1767, and
translated to that of Derry in 1768. When appointed to
the former, he refused to take an English chaplain over
with him, but made choice of Mr. Skelton, with whom he
was no otherwise acquainted than by his writings against
deism and infidelity. 1 The rev. Philip Skelton, a very
learned and pious divine, and author of many excellent
works, is the person here intended; but Skelton, who had
his oddities as well as his new patron, rendered this deSign abortive. Skelton’s principal work, “Deism revealed,
” had been published some years, and was much
admired by Dr. Hervey, who, before he got his bishopric,
wrote to the author, informing him, that as he expected
soon to be raised to a station of some eminence in the Irish
church, he hoped then to be able to prove the high opinion he entertained'for the author of “Deism revealed.
”
Accordingly, on obtaining the bishopric of Cloyne, his
lordship sent him another letter to this effect, that having
some time before made a sort of an engagement with him,
he begged leave now to fulfil it, aud therefore requested
him to come up to Dublin (from Fintona in the county of Tyrone), and preach his consecration sermon, assuring him
that, upon his compliance, he would promote him in the
church as high as he was able. Skelton, in his answer,
informed his lordship, he would comply with his request,
though he was content with the living he had; and if he
consented to go to the diocese of Cloyne, it would be only
to be nearer the sun, and nearer his lordship. He then
prepared a sermon for the occasion, but when the day approached, finding himself somewhat unwell, and the weather very cold, he thought he could not with safety go to
Dublin, and of course the bishop was disappointed. However, he sent his lordship the sermon, who, though asta
nished at the ability it displayed, was still offended with
Mr. Skelton, as he imagined his excuse for his absence was
not sufficient. Upon this, he informed him by letter, that
the chain of their friendship was broken in two; to which
Mr. Skelton replied, that if it were broken, it was of hte
lordship’s own forging, not of his. Yet the bishop, after
his promotion to the see of Derry, came to Fintona to pay
him a visit, and Skelton happening to be abroad, left word
that he had come fifteen miles out of his road to see him.
Of this visit Mr. Skelton took no notice, a rudeness certainly unpardonable in the case of a gentleman who had
sought him out purely for his merit’s sake.
, an English divine, descended from an ancient family at Pentre-Heylin
, an English divine, descended
from an ancient family at Pentre-Heylin in Montgomeryshire, the son of Henry Heylin, gent, hy Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Clampard, of Wrotham in Kent, and was
born at Burford in Oxfordshire, Nov. 29, 1600. In 16J3
he was entered of Hart-hall in Oxford, and two years after
chosen a demy of Magdalen-college. He had, while at
school, given a specimen of his genius for dramatic poetry,
in a tragi-comedy on the wars and fate of Troy; and now
composed a tragedy, entitled “Spurius,
” which was so
approved by his society, that the president, Dr. Langton,
ordered it to be acted in his apartments. After this, he
read cosmographical lectures in the college, which being a
very unusual thing, and he very conversant in that branch
of science, so.much recommended him to the society, that
he was chosen fellow in 16 1 y. In 1621 he published his
u Microcosm us, or Description of the World;" the chief
materials of which were the lectures just mentioned. It
was universally approved, and so speedily sold, that, in
1624, it was reprinted in the same size, but with considerable additions, and again presented to prince Charles, to
whom it had been dedicated. It was soon after put into
the hands of the king, who seemed at first greatly pleased
with it; till meeting with a passage in it, where Heylin gave
precedency to the French king, and styled France the
more famous kingdom, he took so much offence, that he
ordered the lord-keeper to suppress the book. Heylin, to
make his peace with the king, declared that the error, in
one of the exceptionable passages, was entirely the printer’s, who had put is instead of was; and that when he
himself mentioned the precedency of France before England, he did not speak of England as it then stood augmented by Scotland, and besides he took what he did say
from Camden’s Remains. James being satisfied with this
apology, Heylin took care that the whole clause, which
gave so much disgust, should be left out in all future impressions. The work was afterwards successively enlarged,
till it became a great folio, and has since been often reprinted in that size.
, an English divirre of uncommon abilities and learning, was born
, an English divirre of uncommon
abilities and learning, was born June 20, 1642, at Newsham
in Yorkshire, where his parents were settled on a very large
farm-. He was sent to the grammar school at North Allerton, and thence in 1659, to St. John’s college in Oxford.
Soon after the Restoration he removed to Magdalen colJege, from thence to Magdalen hall; and at length, in
3664, was chosen fellow of Lincoln college, taking the
degree of M. A. the year after. In June 1666 he was>
admitted into orders, became a public tutor r and discharged
that office with great reputation for seven years. Being
then in a bad state of health, he was advised to travel;
upon which sir George Wheeler, who had been his pupil,
and had conceived a filial affection for him, invited him to
accompany him to the continent. They set out in Oct.
1673, and made the totir of France; after which they
parted, Hickes being obliged to return to take his degree
of B. D. At Paris, where he staid a considerable time,
he became acquainted with Mr. Henry Justell, who in confidence told him many secret affairs, particularly that of
the intended revocation of the edict of Nantes, and of a
design in Holland and England to set aside the family of
the Stuarts. He committed to him also his father’s ms. of
the “Codex canonum ecclesiae universalis,
” to be presented in his name to the university of Oxford.
Paris, Gr. and Lat. 158.3. The best is that of Ashton and Warren, Gr. and Lat. Lond. 1742. From this an English translation was published by the rev. William Rayner,
It appears, however, that notwithstanding this unjust
treatment by the Christians at Constantinople, he afterwards philosophized at Alexandria in his usual manner;
and hence we may infer, that the severities with which the
Gentile people, and particularly their learned men and
philosophers, were treated, were not extremely rigorous.
Hierocles wrote a treatise “On Providence,
” of which
Photius has given large extracts, and in which he appears
to be an advocate for the Eclectic philosophy, labouring
to reconcile the doctrines of Plato and Aristotle concerning
providence, the origin of the world, the immortality of
the soul, and other subjects. He pursues the same method of philosophizing in his book “On Fate,
” and in his
*' Commentary on the Golden Verses of Pythagoras,“which
is still extant. Besides these, there are large fragments of
other works preserved in Stobaeus, and generally published
together with the works above-mentioned. All these' are
valuable, tending to recommend and promote virtue; but
not with that force which flows from revelation, enjoining
every part of moral righteousness by divine authority, and
with the assurance of recompences in a future state. The
first edition of the
” Golden Verses" was published at Paris,
Gr. and Lat. 158.3. The best is that of Ashton and Warren, Gr. and Lat. Lond. 1742. From this an English
translation was published by the rev. William Rayner,
vicar of Calthorpe, Norwich, 1797, 8vo.
, an English divine and writer, was, the son of Roger Hieron, a learned
, an English divine and writer, was,
the son of Roger Hieron, a learned clergyman, vicar of
Epping, in Essex, who died in 1592. His son, who was
born in 1572, received his early education from his father,
who afterwards sent him to Eton school, whence he was
elected by the free choice of provost Goade, into a scholarship of King’s college, Cambridge. On the death of
his father, who probably left no great provision behind
him, he was much assisted in the prosecution of his studies
in the university by sir Francis Barrington, of Barringtonhall, in Essex, knt. While at Cambridge he studied divinity under Lawrence Chaderton, master of Emanuel
college, and made such progress that at his first preaching
at King’s, he was heard with the utmost approbation, seeming, as his biographer says, “rather a bachelor in divinity
than a bachelor in arts, and rather a divine of forty, than
only twenty-four years of age.
” On his appearance as a
preacher in London, he immediately became so popular
that many congregations, together with the inns of court,
desired to have him settled as their minister. But being
offered the living of Moclbury, in Devonshire, in the gift
of Eton college, he preferred that, and preached with
great success, both there and at other places, particularly
Plympton, where, by the means of sir Ferdinand Gorges,
and other gentlemen of the neighbourhood, a lecture was
established, of which he became one of the preachers. His
public and private character procured him the reverence
both of the poor and rich, and it appears by the dedications of his works that he had many friends of high rank.
He inclined to puritan principles, but with a strict adherence to the church of England; and was particularly
zealous against popery. He was long afflicted with a chronical distemper, but continued his public services and
private studies notwithstanding the apparent incapacity of
his weak body. This disorder, however, put an end to
his useful life in the forty-fifth year of his age, in 1617.
He was interred in Modbury church. His works, consisting principally of sermons and commentaries, printed often
separately, in 4to and 8vo, were collected by him and
published in 1614 in fol. and reprinted at London in 1620,
with an additional volume edited by Robert Hill, D. D.
rector of St. Bartholomew, Exchange. To this Dr. Hill
prefixed a life, from which the above particulars are taken.
, an English poet and dramatic writer of some celebrity in his day,
, an English poet and dramatic writer of
some celebrity in his day, was born in Beaufort-buildings
in the Strand, February 10, 1685. He was the eldest son
Of George Hill, esq. of Malmsbury-abbey in Wiltshire
and, in consequence of this descent, the legal heir to an,
entailed estate of about 2000l. per annum; but the misconduct of his father having, by a sale of the property,
which he had no right to execute, rendered it of no advanl
tage to the family, our author was left, together with Mr.
Hill’s other children, to the care of, and a dependence on,
his mother and grandmother; the latter of whom (Mrs. Anne Gregory) was more particularly anxious for his education and improvement. The first rudiments of learning
he received from Mr. Reyner, of Barnstaple in Devonshire^
to whom he was sent at nine years old, and, on his removal
from thence, was placed at Westminster-school, under the
care of the celebrated Dr. Knipe. After remaining here
until he was fourteen years of age, he formed a resolution
singular enough in one so young, of paying a visit to his
relation lord Paget, then ambassador at Constantinople;
and accordingly embarked for that place, March 2, 1700.
When he arrived, lord Paget received him with much surprise, as well as pleasure; wondering, that a person so
young should run the hazard of iuch a voyage, to visit a
relation whom he only knew by character. The ambassador immediately provided for him a very learned ecclesiastic in his own house; and, under his tuition, sent him to
travel, so that he had an opportunity of seeing Egypt, Palestine, and a great part of the East. With lord Paget he
returned home about 1703, and in his journey saw most of
the courts in Europe, and it is probable that his lordship
might have provided genteelly for him at his death, had
he not been dissuaded by the misrepresentations of a female about him, which in a great measure prevented his
good intentions. The young man’s well known merit,
however, soon recommended him to sir William Wentworth, a Yorkshire baronet, who being inclined to make
the tour of Europe, his relations engaged Mr. Hill to accompany him as a travelling tutor, which office he performed, for two or three years, to their entire satisfaction.
In 1709, he commenced author, by the publication of an
“History of the Ottoman Empire,
” compiled from tinmaterials 'which he had collected in the course of his di
rent travels, and during his residence at the Turkish conr:.
This work, though it met with success, Mr. Hill frequently
afterwards repented the having printed, and would himself,
at times, very severely criticize it; and indeed, to say
the truth, there are in it a great number of puerilities, which render it far inferior to the merit of his subsequent writings; in which correctness has ever been so
strong a characteristic, that his critics have even attributed
it to him as a fault; whereas, in this work, there at best
appears the labour of a juvenile genius, rather choosing to
give the full reign to fancy, and indulge the imagination
of the poet, than to aim at the plainness and perspicuity of
the historian. About the same year he published his first
poetical piece, entitled “Camillus,
” in vindication and
honour of the earl of Peterborough, who had been general
in. Spain. This poem was printed without any author’s
name; but lord Peterborough, having made it his business to find out to whom he was indebted, appointed Mr.
JHill his secretary; which post, however, he quitted the
year following, on occasion of his marriage.
, an English writer, and most extraordinary character, was the son
, an English writer, and most extraordinary character, was the son of a Mr. Theophilus Hill, a clergyman of Peterborough or Spalding, and born about the year 1716. He was bred an apothecary, and set up in St. Martin’s-lane, Westminster; but marrying early, and without a fortune on either side, he was obliged to look round for other resources than his profession. Having, therefore, in his apprenticeship, attended the botanical lectures which are periodically given under the patronage of the apothecary’s company, and being possessed of quick natural parts, he soon made himself acquainted with the theoretical as well as practical parts of botany; after which, being recommended to the duke of Richmond and lord Petre, he was by them employed in the inspection and arrangement of their botanic gardens. Assisted by the liberality of these noblemen, he executed a scheme of travelling over several part* of this kingdom, to gather some of the most rare and uncommon plants, accounts of which he afterwards published by subscription. But, after great researches, and the exertion of uncommon industry, which he possessed in a peculiar degree, this undertaking turned out by no means adequate either to his merits or expectations.
, an English divine and lexicographer, was born Oct. 1625, at Bromley,
, an English divine and lexicographer,
was born Oct. 1625, at Bromley, near Leeds, where his
father, Joshua Hill, was a puritan preacher. He was carefully educated in classical learning, and sent to Cambridge
in 1644, where he was admitted of St. John’s college. Jn
1649, he was chosen fellow of Magdalen college, and became a favourite tutor. In 1658 he served the office of
senior proctor, and in 1660 kept the act for the degree of
bachelor of divinity, and having declared his sentiments
in favour of nonconformity, his fellow-collegians erased
his name from their books, that he might be enabled to
retire without suffering a formal ejectment. He then retired to London, and preached ibr a while at the church
of Allhallows Barking, but in 1663 went abroad, and, after
visiting various parts of the continent, passed three years
at the university of Leyden. In 1667 he was invited to be
minister of the English church at Mtddleburgh in Zealand,
where he continued till 167'5, when his too late publishing
his “Defence of the Zealander’s choice,
” occasioned the
governors of that province to order him to ktave the placre.
On his arrival in England, however, and waiting on
diaries II. he rewarded him for writing that book with a
sinecure of 50/, and, according to Calamy, offered him a
bishopric if he would conform. But this being against his
principles, he accepted an invitation to the English church
at Rotterdam in 1678, where he exercised the office of
pastor until his death, Nov. 5, 1707. Mr. Hill was much
esteemed as a preacher, and has left one or two specimens
of his talents but tie is more noticeable as the editor of
Scbreveiius’s Lexicon, which he augmented with 8000
words, and purged of nearly as many faults. He published
his edition in 1676, since which it has often been reprinted,
sometimes with improvements, and is still a standard book.
Mr. Hill had accumulated a very fine library, in which he
employed his leisure hours to the last.
, an English artist, the son of Nicholas Hilliard of Exeter, was
, an English artist, the son of
Nicholas Hilliard of Exeter, was born in that city in 1547
and for want of a proper instructor, studied the works of
Hans Holbein, which to him seemed preferable to all
others, but he was incapable of acquiring the force and
nature which that great master impressed on all his smaller
performances. He could never arrive at any strength of
colouring his carnations were always pale, and void of
any variety of tints yet his penciling was exceedingly
neat, the jewels and ornaments of his portraits were expressed with lines incredibly slender, and even the hairs
of the head and of the beard were almost distinctly to be
counted. He was exact in describing the dress of the
times, but he rarely attempted more than a head; and yet
his works were much admired and highly prized. He
painted the portrait of the queen of Scots, which gained
bina universal applause; and queen Elizabeth sat to him
for her portrait several times. He was this queen’s goldsmith, carver, and portrait-painter. He was very much
employed by the nobility and gentry, and was admired
and highly prized in his time. Enjoying his reputation to
the age of seventy-two, he died in 1619. Donne has celebrated him in a poem called “The Storm;
” where he says,
, an English physician, was the son of Dr. Thomas Hodges, dean of
, an English physician, was the
son of Dr. Thomas Hodges, dean of Hereford, of whom
there are three printed sermons. He was educated in
Westminster-school, and became a student of Christ-church,
Oxford, in 1648. In 1651 and 1654, he took the degrees
of B. and M. A. and, in 1659, accumulated the degrees of
B. and M. D. He settled in London, and was, in 1672,
made fellow of the College of Physicians. He remained in
the metropolis during the continuance of the plague in
1665, when most of the physicians, and Sydenham among
the rest, retired to the country: and, with another of his
brethren, he visited the infected during the whole of that
terrible visitation. These two physicians, indeed, appear
to have been appointed by the city of London to attend the
diseased, with a stipend. Dr. Hodges was twice taken ill
during the prevalence of the disease; but by the aid of
timely remedies he recovered. His mode of performing
his perilous duty was to receive early every morning, at his
own house, the persons who came to give reports of the
sick, and convalescents, for advice; he then made his
forenoon visits to the infected, causing a pan of coals to be
carried before him with perfumes, and chewing troches
while he was in the sick chamber. He repeated his visits
in the afternoon. His chief prophylactic was a liberal use
of Spanish wine, and cheerful society after the business of
the day. It is much to be lamented that such a man afterwards fell into unfortunate circumstances, and was confined
for debt in Ludgate prison, where he died in 1684. His
body was interred in the church of St. Stephen’s, Walbrook,
London, where a monument is erected to him. He is
author of two works: 1. “Vindiciae Medicinse et Medicorum: An Apology for the Profession and Professors
of Physic, &c. 1660,
” 8vo. 2. “Aoj/t*oXoyi sive, pestis
nuperoe apud populum Londinensem grassantis narratio historica,
” Loimologia, or, an Historical Account of the Plague of
London in 1665, with precautionary Directions against the
like Contagion. To which is added, an Essay on the different
causes of pestilential diseases, and how they become contagious. With remarks on the infection now in France,
and the most probable means to prevent its spreading here;
”
the latter by John Quincy, M. D. In A collection of very valuable
and scarce pieces relating to the last plague in 1665;
”
among which is “An account of the first rise, progress,
symptoms, and cure of the Plague; being the substance of
a letter from Dr. Hodges to a person of quality, dated from
his house in Watling-street, May the 8th, 1666.
” The
author of the preface to this collection calls our author
“a faithful historian and diligent physician;
” and tells us,
that “he may be reckoned among the best observers in
any age of physic, and has given us a true picture of the
plague in his own time.
”
, an English landscape painter, was born in London, in 1744, and
, an English landscape painter,
was born in London, in 1744, and received his tuition in
the art from Wilson, whom he assisted for some time, and
under whom he acquired a good eye for colouring, and
great freedom and boldness of hand; but unluckily, like
too many pupils, he caught the defects of his master more
powerfully than his beauties; and was, in consequence,
too loose in his definition of forms, by which means, that
which added grace to the works of the master, became
slovenliness in the pupil. “Hodges,
” says Fuseli, “had
the boldness and neglect of Wilson, but not genius enough
to give authority to the former, or make us forgive the
latter: too inaccurate for scene-painting, too mannered for
local representation, and not sublime or comprehensive
enough for poetic landscape; yet, by mere decision of
hand, nearer to excellence than mediocrity; and, perhaps,
superior to some who surpassed him in perspective, or
diligence of execution.
” He accepted an appointment to
go out draughtsman with captain Cook on nis second voyage
to the Soutn Seas, from which he returned after an
absence of three years, and painted some pictures for the
admiralty, of scenes in Otaheite and Ulietea. Afterwards,
under the patronage of Warren Hastings, he visited the
East Indies, where he acquired a decent fortune. On his
return home, after practising the art some time, he engaged in commercial and banking speculations; which not
proving successful, he sunk under the disappointment, and
died in 1797.
It is said, that an English nobleman, who accidentally saw some of Holbein’s performances
It is said, that an English nobleman, who accidentally saw some of Holbein’s performances at Basil, invited him to come to England, where his art was in high esteem; and promised him great encouragement from Henry VIII.; but Holbein was too much engaged in his pleasures to listen to so advantageous a proposal. A few years after, however, moved by the necessities to which an increased family and his own mismanagement had reduced him, as well as by the persuasions of his friend Erasmus, who told him how improper a country his own was to do justice to his merit, he consented to go to England: and he consented the more readily, as he did not live on the happiest terms with his wife, who is said to have been a termagant. In his journey thither he stayed some days at Strasburg, and applying to a very great master in that city for work, was taken in, and ordered, to give a specimen of his skill. Holbein finished a piece with great care, and painted a fly upon the most conspicuous part of it; after which he withdrew privily in the absence of his master, and pursued his journey. When the painter returned home, he was astonished at the beauty and elegance of the drawing; and especially at the fly, which, upon his first casting his eye upon it, he so far took for a real fly, that he endeavoured to remove it with his hand. He sent all over the city for his journeyman, who was now missing; but after many inquiries, found that he had been thus deceived by the famous Holbein, This story has been somewhat differently told, as if the painting was a portrait for one of his patrons at Basil, but the effect was the same, for before he was discovered, he had made his escape.
, an English Roman catholic divine, was born in Lancashire in 1596,
, an English Roman catholic divine,
was born in Lancashire in 1596, and in 1618 was admitted
a student in the English college at Doway, where he took
the name of Johnson. Here he improved himself in the
classics, and studied philosophy and divinity, and going
to Paris in 1623, took the degree of D. D. in that university, to which he continued attached during the remainder
of his life, having no other preferment but that of penitentiary or confessor in the parish church of St. Nicholas du
Chardonet. He died about 1665, esteemed one of the
ablest controversial divines of his time, and in this respect
has been highly praised by Dupin. Some suspected him
of Jansenism, but his biographers wish to repell this
charge, as they think it. Among his works are three,
which chiefly contributed to his fame, 1. “Analysis Fidei,
”
Paris, Marginal Notes on the New Testament,
” Paris, A Letter concerning Mr. White’s Treatise
De Medio Animarum statu,
” Paris,
, an English historian, and famous for the Chronicles that go under
, an English historian, and famous for the Chronicles that go under his name, was
descended from a family which lived at Bosely, in Cheshire:
but neither the place nor time of his birth, nor scarcely
any other circumstances of his life, are known. Some say
he had an university education, and was a clergyman;
while others, denying this, affirm that he was steward to
Thomas Burdett, of Bromcote in the county of Warwick,
esq. Be this as it will, he appears to have been a man of
considerable learning, and to have had a particular turn for
history. His “Chronicles
” were first published in An historical Description of the Island of
Britaine, in three books,
” by William Harrison; and then,
“The Hislorie of England, from the time that it was first
inhabited, until the time that it was last conquered,” by
R. Holinshed. The second volume contains, “The description, conquest, inhabitation, and troublesome estate
of Ireland; particularly the description of that kingdom:
”
by Richard Stanihurst. “The Conquest of Ireland, translated from the Latin of Giraldus Cambrensis,
” by John
Hooker, alias Vowell, of Exeter, gent. “The Chronicles
of Ireland, beginning where Giraldus did end, continued
untill the year 1509, from Philip Flatsburie, Henrie of
Marleborow, Edmund Campian,” &c. by R. Holinshed;
and from thence to 1586, by R. Stanihurst and J. Hooker.
“The Description of Scotland, translated from the Latin
of Hector Boethius,
” by R. H. or W. H. “The Historie
of Scotland, conteining the beginning, increase, proceedings, continuance, acts and government of the Scottish
nation, from the original thereof unto the yeere 1571,
”
gathered by Raphael Holinshed, and continued from 1571
to 1586, by Francis Boteville, alias Thin, and others. The
third volume begins at “Duke William the Norman, commonly called the Conqueror; and descends by degrees of
yeeres to all the kings and queenes of England.
” First
compiled by R. Holinshed, and by him extended to 1577;
augmented and continued to 1586, by John Stow, Fr.
Thin, Abraham Fleming, and others. The time of this
historian’s death is unknown; but it appears from his will,
which Hearne prefixed to his edition of Camden’s “Annals,
” that it happened between
, an English antiquary, born in 1662, at Skipton, in Craven, Yorkshire,
, an English antiquary, born in 1662,
at Skipton, in Craven, Yorkshire, became about 1695 clerk
to William Petyt, esq. keeper of the records at the Tower;
and continued near sixty years deputy to Mr. Petyt, Mr.
Topham, and Mr. Polhill. On the death of Mr. Petyt,
which happened Oct. 9, 1707, Mr. Holmes was, on account of his singular abilities and industry, appointed by
lord Halifax (then president of a committee of the House of lords) to methodize and digest the records deposited in
the Tower, at a yearly salary of 200l. which was continued
to his death, Feb. 16, 1748-9, in the 87th year of his age.
He was also barrack-master of the Tower. He married a
daughter of Mr. Marshall, an eminent sword-cutler in
Fleet-street, by whom he had an only son George, who
was bred at Eton, and was clerk under his father, but died,
aged 25, many years before him. Holmes re-published
the first 17 volumes of Rymer’s “Fœdera,
” in —In Strype’s London, 1754, vol. I. p 746,
is a fac-simile of an antique inscription over the little door
ftext to the cloister in the Temple church. It was in old
Saxon capital letters, engraved within an half-circle; denoting the year when the church was dedicated, and by
whom, namely, Heraclius the patriarch of the church of
the Holy Resurrection in Jerusalem; and to whom, namely,
the Blessed Virgin; and the indulgence of forty days pardon to such who, according to the penance enjoined them,
resorted thither yearly. This inscription, which was scarcely
legible, and in 1695 was entirely broken by the workmen,
having been exactly transcribed by Mr. Holmes, was by
him communicated to Strype. Mrs. Holmes out-lived her
husband, and received of government 200l. for his Mss.
about the records, which were deposited and remain in his
office to this day. Few men, in a similar office, were ever
more able or willing to assist the researches of those who
applied to him, than Mr. Holmes; and he received many
handsome acknowledgements of his politeness and abilities,
in that respect, from Browne Willis, Dr. Tovey, principal
of New-Inn-hall, Oxford, Dr. Richardson, editor of
” Godwin de Presulibus," and others.
f Halicarnassus,” 1753, 8vo. But the author of this was Edward Spelman, esq. who was then publishing an English translation of Dionysius. Hooke published also a translation
The “Roman History
” of Hooke was published in, 4 vols.
4to; the first in 1733, the second in 1745, the third in
1764, and the fourth in 1771. It embraces the events
from the building of Rome to the ruin of the commonwealth. In 1758 he published “Observationson four
pieces upon the Roman Senate,
” among which were those
of Middleton and Chapman; and was answered in an anonymous pamphlet, entitled “A short Review of Mr. Hooke’s
Observations, &c. concerning the Roman Senate, and the
character of Dionysius of Halicarnassus,
” Travels of Cyrus,
”
an English historian, was born at Exeter, about the year 1524.
an English historian,
was born at Exeter, about the year 1524. His father Hobert Hooker, a wealthy citizen, was in 1529 mayor of that
city. Dr. Moreman, vicar of Menhinit in Cornwall, was
his tutor in grammar, after which he studied at Oxford,
but in what college Wood was not able to discover. Having
left the University, he travelled to Germany, and resided
some time at Cologn, where he studied the law; and thence
to Strasburgh, where he heard the divinity lectures of
Peter Martyr. He intended also to have visited France,
Spain, and Italy, but a war breaking out, he returned to
England, and, residing at his native city, Exeter, was
elected chamberlain in 1554, being the first person who
held that office; and in 1571 he represented Exeter in
parliament. He died in 1601, and was buried in the cathedral of Exeter. His works are, 1. “Order and usage of
keeping of Parliaments in Ireland.
” The ms. of this is
in Trinity-college-library, Dublin. He had been sent into
Ireland by sir Peter Carew to negotiate his affairs there,
and was elected burgess for Athenry in the parliament of
1568. This tract is printed with his Irish Chronicle in
Holinshed. 2. “The events of Comets, or blazing stars,
made upon the sight of the comet Pagonia, which appeared
in November and December 1577.
” Lond. An addition to the Chronicles of Ireland from 1546
to 1568,
” in the second volume of Holinshed. 4. “Catalogue of the bishops of Exeter,
” and “a Description
of Exeter,
” in the third volume of Holinshed. 5. A translation of the history of the conquest of Ireland from Giraldus Cambrensis, in the second volume of Holinshed, and
some other pieces not printed. This gentleman was uncle
to the celebrated Richard Hooker.
m, are said to have told the pope, then Clement VIII. that “though his holiness had not yet met with an English book, as he was pleased to say, whose writer deserved
But whatever value Hooker himself might put upon his
books of “Ecclesiastical JPolity,
” he could not in that
respect exceed the estimate which has been formed by the
general judgment of mankind, with the exception only of
the enemies of our church establishment. This work has
ever been admired for soundness of reasoning, and prodigious extent of learning; and the author has universally
acquired from it the honourable titles of “the judicious,
”
and “the learned.
” When James I. ascended the throne
of England, he is said to have asked Whitgift for his friend
Mr. Hooker, from whose books of “Ecclesiastical Polity
”
he had so much profited; and being informed by the archbishop that he died a year before the queen, he expressed
the greatest disappointment, and the deepest concern.
Charles I. it is well known, earnestly recommended the
reading of Hooker’s books to his son; and they have ever
since been held in the highest veneration and esteem by
all. An anecdote is preserved by the writer of his life,
which, if true, shews that his fame was by no means confined to his own country, but reached even the ears of the
pope himself. Cardinal ALen and Dr. Stapleton, though
both in Italy when his books were published, were yet so
affected with the fame of them, that they contrived to have
them sent for; and after reading them, are said to have
told the pope, then Clement VIII. that “though his holiness had not yet met with an English book, as he was
pleased to say, whose writer deserved the name of an author, yet there now appeared a wonder to them, and so
they did not doubt it would appear to his holiness, if it
was in Latin; which was, that ‘a pure obscure English
priest had written four such books of law and church polity, in so majestic a style, and with such clear demonstrations of reason,’ that in all their readings they had not
met with any thing that exceeded him.
” This begetting
in the pope a desire tq know the contents, Stapleton read
to him the first book in Latin upon which the pope said,
“there is no learning that this man hath not searched into
nothing too hard for his understanding. This man indeed
deserves the name of an author. His books will get reverence by age; for there is in them such seeds of eternity, that if the rest be like this, they shall continue till
the last fire shall devour all learning;
” all which, whether
the pope said it or no, we take to be strictly true.
- conformity. At school his son was so great a proficient, that at twelve years of age he translated an English poem into Latin verse, which was printed some time before
, a learned divine of the church
of England, was born at Evesham, in Worcestershire, in
August 1647, and was the son of the rev. George Hopkins,
whom Hickes terms a pious and learned divine, and who
was ejected for non- conformity. At school his son was so
great a proficient, that at twelve years of age he translated
an English poem into Latin verse, which was printed some
time before the restoration. At thirteen he was admitted
commoner of Trinity-college, Oxford, under the learned
Mr. Stratford, afterwards bishop of Chester. He proceeded
M. A. in 1668, sometime before which he removed from
Trinity-college to St. Mary-hall. He was much noticed
by Dr. Fell, dean of Christ-church, who, it is supposed,
recommended him to the Hon. Henry Coventry, as his
chaplain and companion in his embassy to Sweden; on
which he set out in Sept. 1671. While in Sweden, Mr.
Hopkins applied himself to the study of northern antiquities, having previously studied the Saxon. After his return in 1675, by Mr. Coventry’s recommendation, he was
preferred to a prebend in Worcester cathedral; and from
his installation, began to collect materials for a history of
this church, some of which fell afterwards into the hands of
Wharton and other antiquaries. In June 1678 he was made
curate of Mortlake in Surrey, and about 1680 was chosen
Sunday lecturer of the church of St. Lawrence Jewry, and
in 1686 was preferred to the vicarage of Lindridge in
Worcestershire. In 1697 he was chosen master of St.
Oswald’s hospital in “Worcester, of the profits of which he
made a fund for the use of the hospital, and the benefit of
his poor brethren there. He had proceeded D. D. at Oxford in 1692. He died of a violent fever May 18, 1700,
and was interred in Worcester cathedral. Hickes, who
prefixed his Life to a volume of his Sermons, published in
1708, 8vo, gives him a high character for piety, learning,
and benevolence. He was a great benefactor to the library
of Worcester cathedral. Although a man of extensive
reading and study, he published only, 1.
” Bertram or Ratram, concerning the Body and Blood of the Lord, &c.
wherein M. Boileau’s version and notes upon Bertram are
considered, and his unfair dealings in both detected.“Of
this a second edition appeared in 1688. 2.
” Animadversions on Mr. Johnson’s answer to Jovian, in three letters
to a country friend;“and a Latin translation, with notes, of
a small tract, written in the Saxon tongue, on the burialplaces of the Saxon saints, which Dr. Hickes published in
his
” Septentrional Grammar,“Oxford, 1705. Dr. Hopkins also assisted Gibson in correcting his Latin version of
the Saxon Chronicle; and made a new translation, with
notes and additions, of the article
” Worcestershire" in
Camden’s Britannia, published by Gibson.
, an English mathematician, was son of sir Arthur Hopton, and born
, an English mathematician, was
son of sir Arthur Hopton, and born in Somersetshire. He
was educated at Lincoln college, Oxford, and after taking
his degree of B. A. removed to the Temple, where he lived
in habits of friendship with the learned Selden. He died
in 1614, a very young man, not having attained to more
than his twenty-sixth year. He wrote a treatise on the
“Geodetical Staff;
” “The Topographical Glass, containing the uses of that instrument, the theodolite, plane table,
and circumferentor;
” “A Concordance of Years, containing a new and a most exact computation of time, according to the English accompt;
” “Prognostications for
the years 1607 and 1614.
”
, an English divine, was born at Baccharack, a town in the Lower
, an English divine, was
born at Baccharack, a town in the Lower Palatinate, in
1641. His father was recorder or secretary of that town,
a strict protestant; and the doctor was brought up in the
same manner, though some, we find, asserted that he was
originally a papist. He was designed for the sacred ministry from his birth, and first sent to Heidelberg, where
he studied divinity under Spanheim, afterwards professor
at Leyden. When he was nineteen he came over to
England, and was entered of Queen’s college, in Oxford,
Dec. 1663; of which, by the interest of Barlow, the provost of that college, and afterwards bishop of Lincoln, he
was made chaplain soon after his admission. He was incorporated M. A. from the university of Wittemberg, Dec.
1663; and not long after made vicar of All Saints, in Oxford, a living in the gift of Lincoln-college. Here he < ontinued two years, and was then taken into the family of
the duke of Albemarle, in quality of tutor to his son lord
Torrington. The duke presented him to the rectory of
Doulton, in Devonshire, aud procured him also a prebend
in the church of Exeter. In 1669, before he married, he
went over into Germany to see his friends, where he was
much admired as a preacher, and was entertained with
great respect at the court of the elector Palatine. At his
return in 1671, he was chosen preacher in the Savoyj
where he continued to officiate till he died . This,
however, was but poor maintenance, the salary being small as
well as precarious, and be continued in mean circumstances for some years, after the revolution; till, as his.
biographer, bishop Kidder, says, it pleased God to raise up
a friend who concerned himself on his behalf, namely,
the lord admiral Russel, afterwards earl of Orford. Before
he went to sea, lord Russel waited on the queen to take
leave and when he was with her, begged of her that she
“would be pleased to bestow some preferment on Dr.
Horneck.
” The queen told him, that she “could not at
present think of any way of preferring the doctor
” and
with this answer the admiral was dismissed. Some time
after, the queen related what had passed to archbishop
Tillotson; and added, that she “was anxious lest the ad-,
miral should think her too unconcerned on the doctor’s
behalf.
” Consulting with him therefore what was to be
done, Tillotson advised her to promise him the next prebend of Westminster that should happen to become void.
This the queen did, and lived to make good her word in
1693. In 1681 he had commenced D. D. at Cambridge,
and was afterwards made chaplain to king William and
queen Mary. His prebend at Exeter lying at a great distance from him, he resigned it; and in Sept. 1694 was
admitted to a prebend in the church of Wells, to which
he was presented by his friend Dr. Kidder, bishop of Bath
and Wells. It was no very profitable thing; and if it
had been, he would have enjoyed but little of it, since he
died so soon after as Jan. 1696, in his fifty-sixth year.
His body being opened, it appeared that both his ureters
were stopped; the one by a stone that entered the top of
the ureter with a sharp end; the upper part of which was
thick, and much too large to enter any farther; the other
by stones of much less firmness and consistence. He was
interred in Westminster-abbey, where a monument, with
an handsome inscription upon it, was erected to his memory.
He was, says Kidder, a man of very good learning, and
had goou skill in the languages. He had applied himself
to the Arabic from his youth, and retained it to his death.
He had great skill in the Hebrew likewise nor was his
skilllimited to the Biblical Hebrew only, but he was also
a great master in the Rabbinical. He was a most diligent
and indefatigable reader of the Scriptures in the original
languages: “Sacras literas tractavit indefesso studio,
” says
his tutor Spanheiui of him: and adds, that he was then
of an elevated wit, of which he gave a specimen in 1655,
by publicly defending “A Dissertation upon the Vow of
Jephthah concerning the sacrifice of his daughter.
” He
had great skill in ecclesiastical history, in controversial and
casuistical divinity; and it is said, that few men were so
frequently consulted in cases of conscience as Dr. Horneck.
As to his pastoral care in all its branches, he is set forth
as one of the greatest examples that ever lived. “He had
the zeal, the spirit, the courage, of John the Baptist,
”
says Kidder, “and durst reprove a great man; and perhaps that man lived not, that was more conscientious in
this matter. I very well knew a great man,
” says the
bishop, “and peer of the realm, from whom ne had just
expectations of preferment; but this was so far from stopping his mouth, that he reproved him to his face, upon a
very critical affair. He missed of his preferment, indeed,
but saved his own soul. This freedom,
” continues the
bishop, “made his acquaintance and friendship very desirable by every good man, that would be better. He
would in him be very sure of a friend, that would not suffer sin upon him. I may say of him what Pliny says of
Corellius Rufus, whose death he laments, “amisi meæ vitæ
testem,' &c. ‘I have lost a faithful witness of my life;’
and may add what he said upon that occasion to his friend
Calvisius, ‘vereor ne negligentius vivam,’ ‘I am afraid lest
for the time to come I should live more carelessly.’” His
original works are, 1.
” The great Law of Consideration:
or, a discourse wherein the nature, usefulness, and absolute necessity of consideration, in order to a truly serious
and religious life, are laid open,“London, 1676, 8vo,
which has been several times reprinted with additions and
corrections. 2.
” A letter to a lady revolted to the Romish
church,“London, 1678, 12mo. 3.
” The happy Ascetick: or the best Exercise,“London, 1681, 8vo. To this
is subjoined,
” A letter to a person of quality concerning
the holy lives of the primitive Christians.“4.
” Delight
and Judgment: or a prospect of the great day of Judgment, and its power to damp and imbitter sensual delights,
sports, and recreations,“London, 1683, 12mo. 5.
” The
Fire of the Altar: or certain directions how to raise the
soul into holy flames, before, at, and after the receiving of the blessed Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper with
suitable prayers and devotions,“London, 1683, 12mo. To
this is prefixed,
” A Dialogue between a Christian and his
own Conscience, touching the true nature of the Christian
Religion.“6.
” The Exercise of Prayer; or a help to devotion; being a supplement to the Happy Ascetick, or
best exercise, containing prayers and devotions suitable to the respective exercises, with additional prayers
for several occasions,“London, 1685, 8vo. 7.
” The first
fruits of Reason: or, a discouse shewing the necessity of
applying ourselves betimes to the serious practice of Religion,“London, 1685, 8vo. 8.
” The Crucified Jesus:
or a full account of the nature, end, design, and benefit of
the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, with necessary dU
rections, prayers, praises, and meditations, to be used by
persons who come to the holy communion,“London, 1686,
8vo. 9.
” Questions and Answers concerning the two
Religions; viz. that of the Church of England and of the
Church of Rome.“10.
” An Answer to the Soldier’s Question: What shall we do?“11, Several single Sermons.
12.
” Fifteen Sermons upon the fifth chapter of St. Matthew," London, 1698, 8vo.
, an English astronomer, and memorable for being the first who had
, an English astronomer, and memorable for being the first who had observed the passage of Venus over the sun’s disk, was born at Toxteth in Lancashire, about 1619. From a school in the country, where he acquired grammar-learning, he was sent to Emanuel-college in Cambridge, and there spent some time in academical studies. About 1633, he began with real earnestness to study astronomy: but living at that time with his father at Toxteth, in very moderate circumstances, and being destitute of' books and other assistances for the prosecution of this study, he could not make any considerable progress. He spent some of his first years in studying the writings of Lansbergius, of which he repented and complained afterwards; neglecting in the mean time the more valuable and profitable works of Tycho Brahe, Kepler, and other excellent astronomers. In 16^6, he contracted an acquaintance with Mr. William Crabtree of Broughton near Manchester, and was engaged in the same studies; but living at a considerable distance from each other, they could have little correspondence except by letters. These, however, they frequently exchanged, communicating their observations to one another; and they sometimes consulted Mr. Samuel Foster, professor of astronomy at Gresham-college in London. Horrox having now obtained a companion in his studies, assumed new spirits. Procuring astronomical instruments and books, he applied himself to make observations; and by Crabtree’s advice, laid aside Lansbergius, whose tables he found erroneous, and his hypotheses inconsistent. He was pursuing his studies with great vigour and success, when he was cut off by a sudden death, Jan. 3, 1640-1.
, an English lawyer and poet, was born in 1566, at Mownton, in the
, an English lawyer and poet, was
born in 1566, at Mownton, in the parish of Lanwarne, in
Herefordshire, and was at first intended by his father for
a trade, but his surprizing memory and capacity induced
him to send him to Westminster, and afterwards to Winchester school, at both which he made great proficiency.
From Winchester he was in 1584 elected probationer-felr
low of New-college, Oxford, and two years afterwards
admitted actual fellow. In 1591 he took his master’s degree; but being terra jiliu$ y in the act following, he was,
says Wood, “so bitterly satirical,
” as to be refused to
complete his degree as regent master, and was also expelled the university. He then, for his maintenance,
taught school for some time at Ilchester, in Somersetshire,
where he compiled a Greek lexicon as far as the letter M.
Marrying afterwards a lady of property, he entered himself as student in the Twiddle temple, and at the usual
time was called to the bar. In 1614 he hid a seat in parliament, where some rash speeches occasioned his being
imprisoned for a year. He was afterwards elected Lentreader of the Middle-temple, and four years after was
made a serjeant at law, a justice itinerant for Wales, and
one of the council of the Marches. He died at his house
at Morehampton, in Herefordshire, Aug. 27, 1638.
12mo, the mode of interpretation used in which, he thought too arbitrary. 6. A French translation of an English work by Forbes, entitled “Thoughts on Natural Religion.”
, a pious and learned
translator of the Hebrew Scriptures, and commentator on
them, was born at Paris in 168t>. In 1702 he became a
priest of the congregation named the Oratory; and being-,
by deafness, deprived of the chief comforts of society, addicted himself the more earnestly to books, in which he
found his constant consolation. Of a disposition naturally
benevolent, with great firmness of soul, goodness of temper, and politeness of manners, he was held in very general estimation, and received honours and rewards from the
pope (Bened. XIV.) and from his countrymen, which he
had never thought of soliciting. Though his income was’
but small, he dedicated a part of it to found a school near
Chantilly; and the purity of his judgment, joined to the
strength of his memory, enabled him to carry on his literary labours to a very advanced age. Even when his faculties had declined, and were further injured by the accident of a fall, the very sight of a book, that well-known
gonsoler of all his cares, restored him to peace and rationality. He died Oct. 3 I, 1783, at the advanced age of ninetyeight. His works, for which he was no less esteemed in
foreign countries than in his own, were chiefly these: 1.
An edition of the Hebrew Bible, with a Latin version and
notes, published at Paris in 1733, in 4 vols. folio. This is
the most valuable and important work of the author, and
contains the Hebrew text corrected by the soundest rules
of criticism, a Latin version, and useful notes: and prefixed to each book is a very learned preface. Benedict
XIV. who justly appreciated the value and difficulty of the
work, honoured the author with a medal, and some other
marks of approbation; and the clergy of his own country,
unsolicited, conferred a pension on him. 2. A Latin translation of the Psalter, from the Hebrew, 1746, 12mo. 3.
Another of the Old Testament at large, in 1753, in 8 vols.
8vo. 4. “Racines Hebraiques,
” Examen du Psautier des Capuchins,
” 12mo,
the mode of interpretation used in which, he thought too
arbitrary. 6. A French translation of an English work by
Forbes, entitled “Thoughts on Natural Religion.
” 7.
Most of the works of Charles Leslie translated, Paris, 1770,
8vo. Father Houhigant is said also to have left several
works in manuscript, which, from the excellence of those
he published, may be conjectured to be well deserving of
the press. Among these are a “Traite des Etudes;
” a
translation of “Origen against Celsus;
” a “Life of Cardinal Berulle;
” and a complete translation of the Bible,
according to his own corrections. The first of these was
to have been published by father Dotteville, and the rest
by Lalande, but we do not find that any of them have appeared.
, an English prelate, memorable for the firm and patriotic stand
, an English prelate, memorable for the firm and patriotic stand which he made against the tyranny and bigotry of James II. was the son of John Hough, a citizen of London, descended from the Houghs of Leighton in Cheshire, and iof Margaret, the daughter of John Byrche of Leacroft in the county of Stafford, esq. He was born in Middlesex, April 12, 1651; and, after having received his education either at Birmingham or Walsall in Staffordshire, was entered of Magdalen college, Oxford, Nov. 12, 1669, and in a few years was elected a fellow. He took orders in 1675, and in 1678 was appointed domestic chaplain to the duke of Ormond, at that time lord lieutenant of Ireland, and went over with him to that country; but he returned soon after, and in 1685 was made a prebendary of Worcester. He was also presented to the rectory of Tempsford in Bedfordshire, in the gift of the crown. From these circumstances, it should seem that he must have been considered as a man of talents and merit, before he acted the conspicuous part he did in October 1687.
, an English historian, who flourished in the reign of Henry II.
, an English historian, who
flourished in the reign of Henry II. was born in Yorkshire,
most probably in the town of that name, was of a good
family, and lived beyond the year 1204, but the exact periods of his birth and death are not known. He is said to
have had some situation in the family of Henry II. and to
have been employed by that monarch in confidential services, such as visiting monasteries. He was by profession
a lawyer, but, like other lawyers of that time, in the
church, and also a professor of theology at Oxford. After
the death of Henry, he applied himself diligently to the
writing of history, ancl composed annals, which he commenced at the year 731, the period where Bede left off,
and continued to the third year of king John, 1202. These
annals were first published by Savile among the Historic!
Anglici, in 1595, and reprinted at Francfort in 1601, folio,
in two books. Leland says of him, “If we consider his
diligence, his knowledge of antiquity, and his religious
strictness of veracity, he may be considered as having surpassed, not only the rude historians of the preceding ages,
but even what could have been expected of himself. If to
that fidelity, which is the first quality of a historian, he had
joined a little more elegance of Latin style, he might have.
stood the first among the authors of that class.
” Vossius
says that he wrote also a history of the Northumbrian kings,
and a life of Thomas a Becket. Edward the Third caused
a diligent search to be made for the works of Hoveden
when he was endeavouring to ascertain his title to the crown
of Scotland. Savile bears the same testimony to his fidelity that we have seen given by Leland.
n of a French account of the Bastille; and, in 1789, the duke of Tusany' new code ef civil law, with an English translation. In his book on Lazarettos, he had announced
, the indefatigable friend of the poor
and unfortunate, was born at Hackney, in 1726. His
father, who kept a carpet-warehouse in Long-lane, Smithfield, ciymg wiule he was very young, left him to the care
or' guardians, by whom he was apprenticed to Mr. Newnham, grandfather to the late alderman Newhham, a wholesale grocer in the city of London. His constitution appearing too weak for attention to trade, and his father having left him, and an only sister, in circumstances which
placed them above the necessity of pursuing it, he bought
out the remainder of his indentures before the time, and
took a tour in France and Italy. On his return, he lodgei
at the house of a Mrs Lardeau^ a widow, in Stoke- Newing.
ton, where he was so carefully attended by the lady, thai
though she was many years older than himself, he form
an attachment to her, and in 1752 made her his wife. She
Wag possessed of a small fortune, which he generously presented to her sister. She lived, however, only three yeai
after their union, and he was a sincere mourner for hei
loss. About this time he became a fellow of the royal society, and, in 1756, being desirous to view the state ol
Lisbon after the dreadful earthquakej he embarked for thai
city. In this voyage, the Hanover frigate, in which hi
sailed, was taken by a French privateer, and the inconveniences which he suffered during his subsequent confine
ment in France, are supposed to have awakened his sympathies with peculiar strength in favour of prisoners, and
to have given rise to his plans for rendering prisons less
pernicious to health. It is supposed, that after his release,
he made the tour of Italy. On his return, he fixed himself
at Brokenhurst, a retired and pleasant villa near Lymington, in the New Forest. Mr. Howard married a second
time in 1758; but this lady, a daughter of a Mr. Leeds,
of Croxton in Cambridgeshire, died in child-bed of her
only child, a son, in 1765. Either before, or soon after
the death of his second wife, he left Lymington, and purchased an estate at Cardington, near Bedford, adjoining to
that of his relation Mr. Whitbread. Here he much conciliated the poor by giving them employment, building them
cottages, and other acts of benevolence; and regularly attended the congregations of dissenters at Bedford, being
of that persuasion. His time was also a good deal occupied by the education of his only son, a task for which he
is said to have been little qualified. With all his benevolence of heart, he is asserted to have been disposed to a
rigid severity of discipline, arising probably from a very
strict sense of rectitude, but not well calculated to form a
tender mind to advantage. In 1773, he served the office
of sheriflj which, as he has said himself, “brought the distress of prisoners more immediately under his notice,
” and
led to his benevolent design of visiting the gaols and other
places of confinement throughout England, for the sake of
procuring alleviation to the miseries of the sufferers. In
1774, trusting to his interest among the sectaries at Bedford, he offered himself as a candidate for that borough,
but was not returned; and endeavouring to gain his seat
by petition, was unsuccessful. He was, however, in the
same year, examined before the House of Commons, on
the subject of the prisons, and received the thanks of the
house for his attention to them. Thus encouraged, he
completed his inspection of the British prisons, and extended his views even to foreign countries. He travelled
with this design, three times tnrough France, four through
Germany, five through Holland, twice through Italy, once
in Spain and Portugal, and once also through the northern
states, and Turkey. These excursions were taken between
1775 and 1787. In the mean time, his sister died, and
left him a considerable property, which he regarded as
the gift of Providence to promote his humane designs, and
applied accordingly. He published also in 1777, “The
State of the Prisons in England and Wales, with preliminary Observations, and an Account of some Foreign Prisons,
” dedicated, to the House of Commons, in 4to. In
Have I
not one friend in England,
” he said, when he first heard
of the design, “that would put a stop to such a proceeding?
” In 1789, he published “An Account of the principal Lazarettos in Europe, with various Papers relative to
the Plague, together with further Observations on some
foreign Prisoas and Hospitals; and additional remarks on
the present state of those in Great Britain and Ireland.
”
He had published also, in I am not insensible,
” says he, “<>f the dangers that must attend such
a journey. Trusting, however, in the protection of that
kind Providence which has hitherto preserved me, I calmly
and cheerfully commit myself to the disposal of unerring
wisdom. Should it please God to cut off my life in the
prosecution of this design, let not my conduct be uncandidly imputed to rashness or enthusiasm, but to a serious,
deliberate conviction, tnat I am pursuing the path of duty;
and to a sincere desire of being made an instrument of
more extensive usefulness to my fellow-creatures, than
couid be expected in the narrower circle of a retired life.
”
He did actually fall a sacrifice to this design; for in visiting
a sick patient at Cherson, who had a malignant epidemic
fever, he caught the distemper, and died, Jan, 20, 1790.
An honour was now paid to him, which we believe is without a precedent: his death was announced in the London
Gazette.
, an English writer of some abilities and learning, born Jan. 1626,
, an English writer of some
abilities and learning, born Jan. 1626, was a younger son
of Thomas earl of Berkshire, and educated at Magdalen
college, Cambridge. During the civil war he suffered with
his family, who adhered to Charles I. but at the Restoration was made a knight, and chosen for Stockbridge in
Hampshire, to serve in the parliament which began in
May 1661. He was afterwards made auditor of the exchequer, and was reckoned a creature of Charles II. whom
the monarch advanced on account of his faithful services,
in cajoling the parliament for money. In 1679 he was
chosen to serve in parliament for Castle Rising in Norfolk;
and re-elected for the same place in 1688. He was a
strong advocate for the Revolution, and became so passionate an abhorrer of the nonjurors, that he disclaimed all
manner of conversation and intercourse with persons of
that description. His obstinacy and pride procured him
many enemies, and among them the duke of Buckingham;
who intended to have exposed him under the name of
Bilboa in the “Rehearsal,
” but afterwards altered his
resolution, and levelled his ridicule at a much greater
name, under that of Bayes. He was so extremely positive, and so sure of being in the right upon every subject,
that Shadwell the poet, though a man of the same principles, could not help ridiculing him in his comedy of the
“Sullen Lovers,
” under the character of Sir Positive At-all.
Jn the same play there is a lady Vaine, a courtezan which
the wits then understood to be the mistress of sir Robert,
whom he afterwards married. He died Sept. 3, 1698. He
published, 1. “Poems and Plays.
” 2. “The History of
the Reigns of Edward and Richard II. with reflections and
characters of their chief ministers and favourites; also a
comparison of these princes with Edward I. and III.
” 1690,
8vo. 3. “A letter to Mr. Samuel Johnson, occasioned by
a scurrilous pamphlet, entitled Animadversions on Mr.
Johnson’s answer to Jovian,
” The History
of Religion,
” The fourth book of Virgil
translated,
” Statius’s Achilleis translated,
”