shall have reason to admire his unwearied diligence, and his profound knowledge; to respect him as a scholar and a divine. His style, indeed, partakes of the quaintness
If we examine his “Postils,
” or the Defence of our
Liturgy, we shall have reason to admire his unwearied diligence, and his profound knowledge; to respect him as a
scholar and a divine. His style, indeed, partakes of the
quaintness of the age, but upon the whole we think him
less blameable on this score than some of his contemporaries. His main object was opposition to popery. He accordingly attacks the pope both with unsparing ridicule.
and with elaborate argument. In a sermon preached on
the Gunpowder treason, he introduced a parody on the
Lord’s Prayer in Latin, “Papa noster qui es llomae, maledicetur nomen tuum, intereat regnum tuum, impediatur
voluntas tua, sicut in coelo sic et in terra. Potum nostrum
in ccena dominica da nobis hodie, et remitte nummos
nustros quos tibi dedimus ob indulgentias, et ne nos indticas in haeresin, sed libera nos a miseria, quoniam tuum
est infernum, pix et sulphur in saecula sseculorurn.
” Granger gives this prayer in English, as if Dr. Boys had used
it in that language, and adds, what he certainly could not
know, that “he gained great applause by turning the
Lord’s Prayer into an execration.
” The truth is, he only
quoted it, saying “I have another prayer, and forasmuch
as it is in Latin, &c.
” It occurs in a ms. of sir Henry
Fynes, who says he found it in an old book. Sir Henry
Fynes was born in 1587, and Dr. Boys’s works could not
be deemed an old book in his time.
d shewed, even in his last moments, such an attachment to his own system, as to desire his favourite scholar, the great Kepler, to follow his system rather than that of
It is remarkable, that so sensible a man, and so accurate an observer as Tycho Brahe, should be so infected with the rage of system-making as to reject the simple and beautiful system of Copernicus, established by the most incontrovertible proofs, and to endeavour to reconcile the absurdities of the Ptolemaic system. He was, indeed, too well acquainted with the motions of the heavenly bodies, not to be sensible that the sun was the centre of the system; and though he was struck with the simplicity and harmony of the Pythagorean system, which Copernicus had lately revived, yet, out of respect, it is said, for several passages in scripture, he absurdly endeavoured to reconcile (what were never intended to be reconciled) his learning with his faith: he rejected the diurnal rotation of the earth on its own axis; supposed that the earth was quiescent; that the sun, with all the planets, was carried about the earth in the space of a year; and that the planets, by their proper motions, revolved round the sun in their several periods; thus retaining the most absurd part of the Ptolemaic hypothesis, which makes the whole planetary system revolve round the earth in the space of every twenty-four hours. Tycho, indeed, was so bigotted to his own hypothesis, and shewed, even in his last moments, such an attachment to his own system, as to desire his favourite scholar, the great Kepler, to follow his system rather than that of Copernicus.
pression for itself. His understanding was very good, and greatly improved by labour and study. As a scholar, his excellency lay in the rational and argumentative part of
Of his person and character, his biographer informs us
that he “was of a middle stature, and active, but his mien
and presence not altogether so great as his endowments of
mind. His complexion was highly sanguine, pretty deeply
tinctured with choler, which in his declining years became
predominant, and would sometimes overflow, not without
some tartness of expression, but it proceeded no farther.
As he was a great lover of plain-dealing and plain-speaking, so his conversation was free and familiar, patient of
any thing in discourse but obstinacy; his speech ready and
intelligible, smooth and strong, free from affectation of
phrase or fancy, saying it was a boyish sport to hunt for
words, and argued a penury of matter, which would always
find expression for itself. His understanding was very
good, and greatly improved by labour and study. As a
scholar, his excellency lay in the rational and argumentative part of learning. He was also well acquainted with
ecclesiastical and other histories; and in the pulpit an excellent persuasive orator. He was a firm friend to the
church of England, bold in the defence of it, and patient in
suffering for it; yet he was very far from any thing like
bigotry. He had a great allowance and charity for men of
different persuasions, looking upon those churches as in a
tottering condition that stood upon nice opinions. Accordingly, he made a distinction between articles necessary for peace and order, and those that are necessary to
salvation; and he often declared, that the church was not
to be healed but by general propositions.
”
surnamed Lippus, on account of the loss of his sight, which did not, however, prevent his becoming a scholar of much reputation, and an orator, musician, and poet. His fame
, of a noble family of Florence, in the fifteenth century, was surnamed Lippus, on
account of the loss of his sight, which did not, however,
prevent his becoming a scholar of much reputation, and
an orator, musician, and poet. His fame procured him
an invitation from Matthias Corvinus, king of Hungary,
to teach oratory, which he accepted, and taught at the
university of fiada. After returning to Florence, he took
the habit of the friars of St. Augustin, was made priest
some time after, and preached to numerous auditories.
He died of the plague at Rome, in 1497. Wonders are
told of his powers of extempore versification, and he is
classed among the first of the improvisator!. As to his
preaching, Bosso says that those who heard him might
fancy they listened to a Plato, an Aristotle, and a Theopfcrastus; he is yet more extravagant in noticing his extempore effusions. The circumstance, says he, which
placed him above all other poets, is, that the verses they
compose with so much labour, he composed and sang impromptu, displaying all the perfections of memory, style,
and genius. At Verona, on one occasion, before a numerous assemblage of persons of rank, he took up his lyre,
and handled every subject proposed in verse of every measure, and being asked to exert his improvisitation on the
illustrious men of Verona, without a moment’s consideration
or hesitation, he sang the praises, in beautiful poetry, of
Catullus, Cornelius Nepos, and Pliny the elder; nay, he
delivered in the same extempore manner all the subjects
in Pliny’s thirty-seven books of natural historj r without
omitting any one circumstance worthy of notice. Whatever credit may be given to these prodigies, his works
prove him to have been a man of real learning. The principal of these are: 1. “Libri duo paradoxorum Chris tianorum,
” Basil, Dialogus de humanae vitae conditione
et toleranda corporis aegritudine,
” Basil, De ratione scribendi Epistolas,
”
Basil, de laudibus musicae.
” Julius Niger mentions also some
works of his on the laws commentaries on St. Paul’s
epistles, and the Bible histories, in heroic verse, but,
whether printed, does not appear.
shepherd,” ibid. 1614, 8vo. 3. “The Prodigal’s Tears, or his farewell to vanity,” 1614, 8vo. 4. “The Scholar’s Medley, or an intermixt discourse upon historical and poetical
, whom
Warton calls one of the minor pastoral poets of the reign
of James I. was the second son of Thomas Brathwaite, of
Warcop, near Appleby, in Westmoreland, descended of
a respectable family. He was born in 1588, and at the
age of sixteen became a commoner of Oriel-college, Oxford, being matriculated as a gentleman’s son, and a native
of Westmoreland. While he continued in that college,
which was at least three years, Wood informs us, that
“he avoided as much as he could the rough paths of logic
and philosophy, and traced those smooth ones of poetry
and Roman history, in which, at length, he did excel.
”
He afterwards removed to Cambridge, where he spent
some time “for the sake of dead and living authors,
”
and then going into the north, his father gave him the
estate of Barnside, where he lived many years, having a
commission in the militia, and being appointed deputylieutenant in the county of Westmoreland, and a justice
of peace. In his latter days he removed to Appleton, near
Richmond, in Yorkshire, where he died May 4, 1673,
and was buried in the parish church of Catterick, near
that place, leaving behind him, says Wood, the character
of a “well-bred gentleman, and a good neighbour.
”
Wood has enumerated as his publications: 1. “Golden
Fleece, with other poems,
” Lond. The
Poet’s Willow, or the passionate shepherd,
” ibid. The Prodigal’s Tears, or his farewell to vanity,
” The Scholar’s Medley, or an intermixt discourse upon historical and poetical relations,
&c.
” Essays upon the Five Senses,
”
Nature’s Embassy, or the
wild man’s measures, danced naked by twelve Satyrs,
”
Time’s curtain
drawn: divers poems,
” The English
Gentleman,
” The English
Gentlewoman,
” Discourse of Detraction,
” The Arcadian
Princess, or the triumph of justice,
” Survey of History, or a nursery for gentry; a discourse historical and poetical,
” A spiritual
Spicery, containing sundry sweet tractates of devotion
and piety,
” Mercurius Britannicus,
or the English intelligencer,
” a tragi-comedy, acted at
Paris, and a satire upon the republicans, 16-H, second
edit. 4to. 15. “Time’s Treasury, or Academy for the
accomplishment of the English gentry in arguments of
discourse, habit, fashion, &c.
” Congratulatory poem on his Majesty, upon his happy
arrival in our late discomposed Albion,
” Regicidium,
” a tragi-comedy, Panedone, or health from Helicon,
” The
description of a Good Wife, or a rare one among women,
”
Arcadian Princess.
” It appears to us, that in his poetry, as
in his prose, he excels’most as a painter of manners, a subject which he had studied all his life, and of which he
delivered some of the earliest precepts. His style, however, must still render his works more acceptable to the
curious, than to the common reader.
degree of A. B. Upon his return to Cambridge some time after, finding his books embezzled by an idle scholar who had been put into his chamber, he determined to leave that
His father was for some time undetermined whether he should send him to the university, but at length placed him in Queen’s-college, Cambridge, where he was admitted March 1684. Here he continued till he became soph, when some irregularities in money-matters, and improper company, induced his father to recal him, and he remained at home until he had missed the time of taking the degree of A. B. Upon his return to Cambridge some time after, finding his books embezzled by an idle scholar who had been put into his chamber, he determined to leave that college, and was admitted into Corpus Christ! Jan. 17, 1689, where he proceeded LL. B. on St. Barnabas day following, and made no scruple of taking the oaths of allegiance and supremacy to king William and queen Mary; his father, and other relations, who were accounted whigs, having taught him whig principles. He saw also that the tories of his acquaintance took these oaths without any scruple, although they had formerly sworn allegiance to king James, which he had never done: even his schoolmaster, Mr. Pratt, complied, who had early instilled such principles into his mind as he could never thoroughly reconcile with the revolution. The bishop of Winchester ordained him deacon at Chelsea, Dec. 21, 1690, when he undertook the service of the cure of Folkstone> for a twelvemonth; after which he came up to London, entered into priests’ orders, and was chosen lecturer of Islington, Oct. 4, 1691; where, from his frequent conversation with Mr. Gery , the vicar, who was a tory, he became entirely of the same principles.
, an eminent Italian scholar of the fifteenth century, was born in the Brescian territory,
, an eminent Italian scholar of the fifteenth century, was born in the Brescian territory, of a family originally from Great Britain; and having studied at Padua about the year 1470, kept school at Brescia, and distinguished himself by several learned annotations on various classic authors, particularly Juvenal, Lucan, Horace, Persius, and Statius in his Achiileid. He also wrote grammatical and other tracts, and an eulogy on Bartholomew Cajetan. He is supposed not to have long survived the year 1518, and did not live to publish his notes upon Pliny’s Natural History. His Statius was published in 1485, fol. and his Juvenal in 1512, Venice, fol.
, or John Broeckhuizen, a distinguished scholar in Holland, was born Nov. 20, 1649, at Amsterdam, where his
, or John Broeckhuizen, a distinguished scholar in Holland, was born Nov. 20, 1649, at Amsterdam, where his father was a clerk in the admiralty. He learned the Latin tongue under Hadrian Junius, and made a prodigious progress in polite literature, but his father dying when he was very young, he was taken from literary pursuits’, and placed with an apothecary at Amsterdam, with whom he lived some years. Not liking this, he went into the army, where his behaviour raised him to the rank of lieutenant-captain; and, in 1674, was sent with his regiment to America in the fleet under admiral de Ruyter, but returned to Holland the same year. In 1678 he was sent to the garrison at Utrecht, where he contracted a friendship with the celebrated Grsevius; and here, though a person of an excellent temper, he had the misfortune to be so deeply engaged in a duel, that, according to the laws of Holland, his life was forfeited: but Gnevius wrote immediately to Nicholas Heinsius, who obtained his pardon from the stadtholder. Not long after, he became a captain of one of the companies then at Amsterdam; which post placed him in an easy situation, and gave him leisure to pursue his studies. His company being disbanded in 1697, a pension was granted him; upon which he retired to a country-house near Amsterdam, where he saw but little company, and spent his time among his books. He died Dec. 15, 1707, and was interred at Amsterween, near Amsterdam; a monument was afterwards erected to his memory, with an inscription, the letters of which are arranged so as to form the date of the year, which we presume was considered as a great effort of genius:
n the same chamber with the well-known Ford, by whom Dr. Johnson heard him described as a contracted scholar and a mere versifier, unacquainted with life, and unskilful
was born in Cheshire, as is said, of very mean parents. Of the place of his birth, or the first part of his life, we have not been able to gain any intelligence. He was educated upon the foundation at Eton, and was captain of the school a whole year, without any vacancy, by which he might have obtained a scholarship at King’s college. Being by this delay, such as is said to have happened very rarely, superannuated, he was sent to St. John’s college by the contributions of his friends, where he obtained a small exhibition. At his college he lived for some time in the same chamber with the well-known Ford, by whom Dr. Johnson heard him described as a contracted scholar and a mere versifier, unacquainted with life, and unskilful in conversation. His addiction to metre was then such, that his companions familiarly called him Poet. When he had opportunities of mingling with mankind, he cleared himself, as Ford likewise owned, from great part of his scholastic rust.
al theatre was favoured by the king and the princess of Orange, of whom the latter had been Handel’s scholar. By this inferiority it fell into a debt of nine thousand pounds.
Scarcely ever had any singer a like capacity of perpetually giving new accessions of force to his voice, and always with pleasure; and when it had attained to the highest degree of energy, to keep it for a long time at that pitch which the Italians call mezza di voce. While he sung at London, in the year 1734, in an opera composed by his brother Riccardo, at another theatre they were performing an opera set to music by Handel, wherein Senesini, Carestini, and the no less celebrated Cuzzoni, had parts. Farinello from the very beginning was acknowledged to have the superiority by a mezza di voce, though the rival theatre was favoured by the king and the princess of Orange, of whom the latter had been Handel’s scholar. By this inferiority it fell into a debt of nine thousand pounds.
e malice which that writer was seldom anxious to conceal. Buffon, on the contrary, regarded him as a scholar of the first rank, an acute philosopher, and an original and
, a French writer of great
learning, was born at Dijon, in 1709, and became a counsellor of parliament, in 1730, and president a worker in
1742. During the leisure which his public employments
afforded, he cultivated most of the sciences, and was allowed to be well acquainted with all. Voltaire only has
attacked his literary reputation, and this his countrymen
ascribe to the malice which that writer was seldom anxious
to conceal. Buffon, on the contrary, regarded him as a
scholar of the first rank, an acute philosopher, and an original and valuable writer; nor was he less estimable in
private life. In 1774 he was appointed president of the
parliament of Burgundy, but died soon after, at Paris, in
1777, whither he had come to visit his married daughter.
He was a member of the academy of Dijon, of the inscriptions and belles lettres, and other learned societies. He
wrote: 1. “Lettres sur la Decouverte de la ville d'Herculaneum,
” Histoire des Navigations aux
Terres Australes,
” Du
culte des dieux Fetiches, ou parallele de l'ancienne idolatrie avec celle des peuples de Nigritie,
” Traite de la formation mecanique des Langues,
”
Histoire de
la Republique Romaine dans la cours du VII siecle, par
Salluste,
” Dijon, 3 vols. 4to. This may be accounted his
principal work, and was long his principal employment.
He was so sensible of the loss of Sal lust’s principal work,
that he resolved to collect his fragments with greater care
than had ever been employed before; and by the most
accurate arrangement to trace out as near as possible the
plan and chief features of that work, and then to connect
these fragments in the manner of Freinshemius in his
“Fragmenta Livii.
” But as De Brosses soon became
sensible of the difficulty of assimilating his Latin diction
to that of Sallust, he changed his first design, and resolved
on translating both the fragments and his author’s histories
of the Catilinarian and Jugurthine wars into French, and
to attempt to supply the lost work from other ancient
writers. The first volume opens with a preface containing
remarks on the various methods of writing history, and
some information concerning Roman names, ranks, magistracies, and elections. The body of the work itself begins
with a translation of, and commentary on, Sallust’s Jugurthine war. The notes subjoined to this part treat chiefly
of the geography and population of Africa, and the text is
illustrated by a map of Africa, a plan of Meteilus’s march
against Jugurtha, and its illustration by a military connoisseur. After this follows the restoration of Sallust’s five
books, continued in vol. II. comprizing the war with Mithridates: a description of the Pontus Euxinus, with the
adjacent countries; the Gladiatorian war, raised by Spartacus, and the war of Greta. The third volume contains a
translation of the Catilinarian war, with its sequel, illustrated with historical and political notes; Sallust’s two letters to Caesar, commonly styled “Orat. de Rep. ordinanda,
” which De Brosses considers as genuine; a very minute collection of all the notices of Sallust’s life, writings,
gardens, buildings, and even of the remains discovered in
later times. The whole concludes with the abb Cassagne’s “Essay on the Art of composing History, and on
the works of Sailust.‘-’ Industrious as M. de Brosses has
been in this work, we believe that in the life of Sailust, at
least, he has been improved upon by Henry Stuart, esq.
in his late elaborate publication,
” The works of Sailust,“1806, 2 vols. 4to, Besides these, De Brosses contributed
many learned papers to the Paris and Dijon memoirs, but
his family disown 3 vols. of
” Lettres historiques et critiques sur l'Italie," published in 1799 in his name.
, an eminent classical scholar and editor, was born at Tanay, a small village of the Nivernois,
, an eminent classical scholar and
editor, was born at Tanay, a small village of the Nivernois, in 1722, and died at Paris, Feb. 12, 1789, at the
age of 67. In his youth he made it his practice to write
notes in every book that he read; and the margins of severaHn his library were entirely filled with them. Until his
last moment he pursued the same 'method of study. All
these he arranged wonderfully in his memory; and if it
had been possible after his death to have put his papers in
that order which he alone knew, they would have furnished
materials for several curious volumes. With this method,
and continued labour for twelve hours a day, the abbé
Brotier acquired an immense stock of various knowledge.
Except the mathematics, to which it appears he gave little
application, he was acquainted with every thing; natural
history, chemistry, and even medicine. It was his rule
to read Hippocrates and Solomon once every year in their
original languages. These he said were the best books
for curing the diseases of the body and the mind. But the
belles lettres were his grand pursuit. He had a good
knowledge of all the dead languages, but particularly the
Latin, of which he was perfectly master: he was besides
acquainted with most, of the languages of Europe. This
knowledge, however extensive, was not the only part in
which he excelled. He was well versed in ancient and
modern history, in chronology, coins, medals, inscriptions,
and the customs of antiquity, which had always been objects of his study. He had collected, a considerable quantity of materials for writing a new history of France, and
it is much to be regretted that he was prevented from undertaking that work. The akl>6 Brotier recalls to our remembrance those laborious writers, distinguished for their
learning, Petau, Sirmond, Labbu, Cossart, Hardouin, Souciet, &c. who have done so much honour to the college
of Louis XIV. in which he himself was educated, and where
fre lived several years as librarian; and his countrymen
say he is the last link of that chain of illustrious men, who
have succeeded one another without interruption, for near
two centuries. On the dissolution of the order of Jesuits,
the abbe Brotier found an asylum equally peaceful and
agreeable in the house of Mr. de la Tour, a printer, eminent in his business, who has gained from all connoisseurs
a just tribute of praise for those works which have come
from his press. It was in this friendly retirement that the
abbe Brotier spent the last twenty-six years of his life, and
that he experienced a happiness, the value of which he
knew how to appreciate, which arose from the care, attention, and testimonies of respect, bestowed upon him both
by Mr. and Mrs. de la Tour. It was there also that he
published those works which will render his name immortal; an edition of Tacitus, enriched not only with notes
and learned dissertations, but also with supplements, which
sometimes leave the reader in a doubt, whether the modern writer is not a successful rival of the ancient: this
was first published in 1771, 4 vols. 4to, and reprinted in
1776, in 7 vols. fcvo. He published also in 1779, 6 vols.
12mo, an edition of Pliny the naturalist, which is only a'
short abridgment of what he had prepared to correct and
enlarge the edition of Hardouin, and to give an historical
series of all the new discoveries made since the beginning
of this century; an immense labour, which bespeaks the
most extensive erudition. To these two editions, which
procured the abbe Brotier the applauses of all the literati
in Europe, he added in 1778, 8vo, an edition of Rapin on
gardens, at the end of which he has subjoined a history of
gardens, written in Latin with admirable elegance, and
abounding in the most delightful imagery: for the abbe
was not one of those pedants, according to the expression
of the poet, “herisses de Grec & de Latin;
” he possessed a lively imagination, and a fine taste, with clearness
and perspicuity; and above all, a sound judgment, which
never suffered him to adopt in writing any thing that
was not solid, beautiful, and true. His other works are,
1. “Examen de PApologie de M. I 7 Abbe de Prades,
” Conclusiones ex universa Theologia,
” Traite des Monnoies Romanies, Grecques, et
Hebr. compares avec les Monnoies de France, pour l'intelligencederEcriture Sainte, et de tous les auteurs Grecs,
et Remains,
” Prospectus d'une edit. Lat.
de Tacite,
” Supplementa, lib. 7.
loAnnal. Taciti,
” 17 v 55, 8vo. 6.“Cl. viri de la Caille
vita
”7 1763, 4to. 7. “Phaedri Fabularum, lib. v. cum
notis et suppl. access. Parallela J. de la Fontaine Fabulse,
”
Memoire du Levant
” Brumoy’s Theatre,
” Parolles Memorables,
” a work
of which Mr. Seward has made great use in his “Anecdotes.
”
d with him by accident, when he was a poor boy travelling on the Oxford road, and finding him a good scholar, took the charge of his farther education. The biographer of
, a divine of great eminence for his extensive knowledge in Hebrew and rabbinical learning, was descended from an ancient family, and born in 1549, at Oldbury, in the county of Salop. Dr. Lightfoot says, that it is uncertain in what school he was instructed in grammar, but, according to the writers of the life of Bernard Gilpin, he was brought up in the school founded by that excellent man at Houghton, and by him sent to Cambridge. Gilpin is said to have become acquainted with him by accident, when he was a poor boy travelling on the Oxford road, and finding him a good scholar, took the charge of his farther education. The biographer of Gilpin adds, apparently upon slender foundation, that Broughton acted with ingratitude to Gilpin, when the latter was old and infirm, and persuaded the bishop of Durham to give him a living intended for Gilpin.
, an English traveller and scholar, the son of James Brown, M. D. (who died Nov. 24, 1733), was
, an English traveller and scholar, the
son of James Brown, M. D. (who died Nov. 24, 1733), was
born at Kelso, in the shire or Roxburgh, in Scotland, May
23, 1709, and was educated under Dr. Freind at Westminster school, where he made great proficiency in the Latin
and Greek classics. In the latter end of 1722, he went
with his father to Constantinople, and having a great aptitude for the learning of languages, acquired a competent
knowledge of the Turkish, vulgar Greek, and Italian; and
on his return home in 1725, made himself master of the
Spanish tongue. About the year 1732, he first started the
idea of a very useful book in the mercantile world, although
not deserving a place in any literary class, “The Directory,
”
or list of principal traders in London; and having taken
some pains to lay the foundation of it, he gave it to the
late Mr. Henry Kent, printer in Finch-lane, Cornhill, who
continued it from year to year, and acquired an estate by it.
In 1741, Mr. Brown entered into an agreement with
twenty-four of the principal merchants of London, members of the Russia Company, as their chief agent or factor,
for the purpose of carrying on a trade, through Russia, to
and from Persia, and he sailed for Riga Sept. 29. Thence
he passed through Russia, down the Volga to Astracan, and
sailed along the Caspian sea to Reshd in Persia, where he
established a factory, in which he continued near four years.
During this time, he travelled in state to the camp of
Nadir Shah, commonly known by the name of Kouli Khan,
with a letter which had been transmitted to him from the
late George II. to that monarch. While he resided in this
country, he applied himself much to the study of that language, and made such proficiency in it that, after his return home, he compiled a very copious “Persian Dictionary and Grammar,
” with many curious specimens of
their writing, which is yet in manuscript. But not being
satisfied with the conduct of some of the merchants in London, and being sensible of the dangers that the factory was
constantly exposed to from the unsettled and tyrannical
nature of the government of Persia, he resigned his charge
to the gentlemen who were appointed to succeed him, returned to London Dec. 25, 1746, and lived to be the last
survivor of all the persons concerned in the establishment
of that trade, having outlived his old friend Mr. Jonas
Hanway above two years. In May 1787, he was visited
with a slight paralytic stroke, all the alarming effects of
which very speedily vanished, and he retained his wonted
health and chearfulness till within four 1 days of his death;
when a second and more severe stroke proved fatal Nov.
30, 1788. He died at his house at Stoke Newington,
where he had been an inhabitant since 1734, and was succeeded by his worthy son James Brown, esq. F. S. A. now
of St. Alban’s. Mr. Lysons informs us that the elder Mr.
Brown published also a translation of two “Orations of
Isocrates
” without his name. He was a man of the strictest
integrity, unaffected, piety, and exalted, but unostentatious benevolence; of an even, placid, chearful temper,
which he maintained to the last, and which contributed to
lengthen his days. Few men were ever more generally
esteemed in life, or more respectfully spoken of after death
by all who knew him.
Mr. Brown was not only known as an exquisite drafts.man, he was also a good philosopher, a sound scholar, and endowed with a just and refined taste in all the liberal
Mr. Brown was not only known as an exquisite drafts.man, he was also a good philosopher, a sound scholar, and
endowed with a just and refined taste in all the liberal and
polite arts, and a man of consummate worth and integrity.
Soon after his death his “Letters on the Poetry and Music
of the Italian Opera,
” 12mo, were published. They were
originally written to his friend lord Monboddo, who wished
to have Mr. Brown’s opinion on those subjects, which have
so intimate a connection with his work on the Origin and
Progress of Language; and who was so pleased with the
style and observations contained in them, that he wrote
an introduction, which was published with them, in one
volume, 12mo, 1789, for the benefit of his widow. The
letters, written with great elegance and perspicuity, are
certainly the production of a strong and fervid mind, acquainted with the subject; and must be useful to most of
the frequenters of the Italian opera, by enabling them to
understand the reasons on which the pleasure they receive
at that musical performance is founded, a knowledge in
which they are generally very deficient. Not being written
for publication, they have that spirit and simplicity which
every man of genius diffuses through any subject which he
communicates in confidence, and which he is but too apt
to refine away when he sits down to compose a work for
the public. Lord Monboddo, in the fourth volume of the
Origin and Progress of Language, speaking of Mr. Brown,
says, “The account that I have given of the Italian language is taken from one who resided above ten years in
Italy; and who, besides understanding the language perfectly, is more learned in the Italian arts of painting,
sculpture, music, and poetry, than any man I ever met
with. His natural good taste he has improved by the study
of the monuments of ancient art, to be seen at Rome and
Florence; and as beauty in all the arts is pretty much the
same, consisting of grandeur and simplicity, variety, decorum, and a suitableness to the subject, I think he is a
good judge of language, and of writing, as well as of
painting, sculpture, and music.
” A very well-written character in Latin, by an advocate of Edinburgh, is appended
to the Letters. Mr. Brown left behind him several very
highly-finished portraits in pencil, and many very exquisite sketches in pencil and in pen and ink, which he had
taken of persons and of places in Italy; particularly a book
of studies of heads, taken from the life, an inestimable
treasure to any history painter, as a common-place book
for his pictures, the heads it contained being all of them
Italian ones, of great expression, or of high character.
He was so enraptured with his art, and so assiduous in the
pursuit of it, that he suffered no countenance of beauty,
grace, dignity, or expression, to pass him unnoticed; and
to be enabled to possess merely a sketch for himself, of
any subject that struck his fancy, he would make a present
of a high-finished drawing to the person who permitted his
head to be taken by him. The characteristics of his hancl
were delicacy, correctness, and taste, as the drawings he
made from many of Mr. Townley’s best statues very plainly
evince. Of his mind, the leading features were acuteness,
liberality, and sensibility, joined to a character firm, vigorous, and energetic. The last efforts of this ingenious
artist were employed in making two very exquisite drawings, the one from Mr. Townley’s celebrated bust of Homer, the other from a fine original bust of Pope, supposed
to have been the work of Rysbrac. From these drawings
two very beautiful engravings have been made by Mr. Bartolozzi and his pupil Mr. Bovi. After some stay in London, his health, which had never been robust, yielded to
extraordinary application, and he was forced to try a seavoyage, and return on a visit to Edinburgh, to settle his
father’s affairs, who was then dead, having been some time
before in a state of imbecility. On the passage from
London to Leith, he was somehow neglected as he lay
sick on his hammock, and was on the point of death
when he arrived at Leith. With much difficulty he was
brought up to Edinburgh, and laid in the bed of his friend
Runciman, the artist, who had died not long before in the
same place. Here he died, Sept. 5, 1787. His portrait
with Runciman, disputing about a passage in Shakspeare’s
Tempest, is in the gallery at Dryburgh abbey. This was
the joint production of Brown and Runciman before the
death of the latter in 1784.
ompany sought after, yet as he possessed less of the gentleman than wits usually do, and more of the scholar, so he was not apt to choose his acquaintance by interest, but
, of facetious memory^ as Mr. Addison says of him, was the son of a considerable farmer of Shiffnal in Shropshire, and educated at Newport-school in. that county; from whence he was removed to Christchurch in Oxford^ where he soon distinguished himself by his uncommon attainments in literature. He had great parts and quickness of apprehension, nor does it appear that he was wanting in application; for we are told, that he was very well skilled in the Latin, Greek, French, Italian, and Spanish languages, even before he was sent to Oxford. The irregularities of his life did not suffer him however to continue long at the university; but when obliged to quit it, instead of returning home to his father, he formed a scheme of going to London, in hopes of making his fortune some way or other there. This scheme did not answer. He was very soon in danger of starving; upon, which he made interest to be schoolmaster of Kingston upon Thames, in which pursuit he succeeded. But this was a profession very unsuitable to a man of Mr. Brown’s turn, and a situation that must needs have been extremely disagreeable to him; and therefore we cannot wonder, that he soon quitted his school, and went again to London; where finding his old companions more delighted with his humour, than ready to relieve his necessities, he had recourse to his pen, and became an author, and partly a libeller, by profession. He published a great variety of pieces, under the names of dialogues, letters, poems, &c. in all which he discovered no small erudition, and a vast and exuberant vein of humour: for he was in his writings, as in his conversation, always lively and facetious. In the mean time he made no other advantage of these productions, than what he derived from the booksellers; for though they raised his reputation, and made his company sought after, yet as he possessed less of the gentleman than wits usually do, and more of the scholar, so he was not apt to choose his acquaintance by interest, but was more solicitous to be recommended to the ingenious who might admire, than to the great who might relieve him. An anonymous author, who has given the world some account of Mr. Brown, says, that though a good-natured man, he had one pernicious quality, which was, rather to lose his friend than his joke. He had a particular genius for satire, and dealt it out liberally whenever he could find occasion. He is famed for being the author of a libel, fixed one Sunday morning on the doors of Westminsterabbey; and of many others against the clergy and quality. He used to treat religion very lightly, and would often say, that he understood the world better, than to have the imputation of righteousness laid to his charge, yet, upon the approach of death, his heart misgave him, as if all was not right within, and he began to express sentiments of remorse for his past life.
, 1767, when he died, leaving the character of being a well-bred man, a polite as well as a profound scholar, an agreeable companion, and a steady friend. There was a gravity
Upon the death of Dr. Smith, provost of Queen’s, Nor. 23, 1756, Dr. Browne offered himself a candidate for the headship, and had for his formidable competitor, Dr. George Fothergill, principal of Edmund-hall, who had likewise been fellow of the college, an eminent tutor, and a person universally esteemed. The election lasted three days, and each candidate having upon every day’s scrutiny an equality of votes, both among the senior and junior fellows, Dr. Browne being the senior candidate, was, as the statute directs, declared duly elected. This contest, however, made no disagreement between the two competitors; they lived in the same harmony and friendship as before. In 1759, Dr, Browne was appointed vicechancellor, which arduous office, together with that of his headship, he managed with great prudence and ability, till March 25, 1765, when a stroke of the palsy rendered him utterly incapable of business. Under this calamity he languished till June 17, 1767, when he died, leaving the character of being a well-bred man, a polite as well as a profound scholar, an agreeable companion, and a steady friend. There was a gravity and authority in his looks and deportment, that reflected dignity upon the offices he sustained. He cbntinued vice-chancellor an unusual length of time, and presided at the memorable Enccenia when the earl of Litchfield was installed. It is said that his death prevented his being advanced to one of the first vacancies Oh the episcopal bench.
onfirming and improving his taste for classical learning and composition, under so polite and able a scholar. When he was little more than sixteen years of age, he was removed
, esq. F. R. S. and a very ingenious and elegant poet of the last century, was born at Burton-upon-Trent, January 21, 1705-6; and was the son of the rev. William Browne, minister of that parish, where he chiefly resided, vicar of Winge, in Buckinghamshire, and a prebendary of Litchfield, which last preferment was given him by the excellent bishop Hough. He was possessed, also, of a small paternal inheritance, which he greatly increased by his marriage with Anne, daughter of Isaac Hawkins, esq. all whose estate, at length, came to his only grandson and heir-at-law, the subject of this article. Our author received his grammatical education, first at Litchfield, and then at Westminster, where he was much distinguished for the brilliancy of his parts^ and the steadiness of his application. The uncommon rapidity with which he passed through the several forms or classes of Westminster school, attracted the notice, and soon brought him under the direction of the head master, Dr. Freind, with whom he was a peculiar favourite. Mr. Browne stayed above a year in the sixth, or head form, with a view of confirming and improving his taste for classical learning and composition, under so polite and able a scholar. When he was little more than sixteen years of age, he was removed to Trinity-college, Cambridge, of which college his father had been fellow. He remained at the university till he had taken his degree of M. A. and though during his residence there he continued his taste for classical literature, which through his whole life was his principal object and pursuit, he did not omit the peculiar studies of the place, but applied himself with vigour and success to all the branches of mathematical science, and the principles of the Newtonian philosophy. When in May 1724, king George the First established at both universities, a foundation for the study of modern history and languages, with the design of qualifying young men for employments at court, and foreign embassies, Mr. Browne was among the earliest of those who were selected to be scholars upon this foundation. On the death of that prince, he wrote an university copy of verses, which was the first of his poems that had been printed, and was much admired. About the year 1727, Mr. Browne, who had been always intended for the bar, settled at Lincoln’s-inn. Here he prosecuted, for several years, with great attention, the study of the law, and acquired in it a considerable degree of professional knowledge, though he never arrived to any eminence in the practice of it, and entirely gave it up long before his death. He was the less solicitous about the practice of his profession, and it was of the less consequence to him, as he was possessed of a fortune adequate to his desires; which, by preserving the happy mean between extravagance and avarice, he neither diminished nor increased.
. At the age of fourteen, he was sent to Pembroke-hall in Cambridge, of which he successively became scholar and fellow; and there he distinguished himself by his facetious
, bishop of
Exeter, was born at Ipswich in Suffolk, in 1592. His father, who was a merchant of that place, dying when he
was but a few weeks old, his mother took due care of his
education, in which he made a very considerable progress.
At the age of fourteen, he was sent to Pembroke-hall in
Cambridge, of which he successively became scholar and
fellow; and there he distinguished himself by his facetious
and inoffensive wit, his eloquence, and his great skill and
knowledge in philosophy, history, poetry, &c. He took
his master’s degree in 1617, B. D. in 1621, and D. D. in
1626. He was appointed prevaricator when James I.
visited the university, and discharged that employment to
the universal aUmiration of the whole audience. His first
preferments were, the rectory of Barley in Hertfordshire,
and a prebend of Ely in 1621, to both which he was collated by Dr. Nicholas Felton, bishop of Ely. July 15, 1628,
he was incorporated doctor of divinity at Oxford. On the
2 1st of September, 16-29, he was collated to the prebend
of Tachbrook, in the cathedral church of Lichfield, which
he quitted September 19, 1631, when he was admitted to
the archdeaconry of Coventry. He was likewise master of
Catherine-hall in Cambridge, and proved a great benefit
and ornament both to that college and the whole university. In 1637, 1638, 1643, and 1644, he executed the
office of vice-chancellor, to the universal satisfaction of all
people, and to his own great credit. In 1641, he was
presented to the eleventh stall or prebend in the church of
Durham, by Dr. Thomas Morton, bishop of that diocese,
to whom he was chaplain. Upon the translation of Dr.
Joseph Hall to the bishopric of Norwich, Dr. Brown rig was
nominated to succeed him in the see of Exeter, in 1641.
Accordingly he was elected March 3 1, 1642; confirmed
May 14; consecrated the day following; and installed the
1st of June. But the troubles that soon after followed,
did not permit him long to enjoy that dignity. Before the
beginning of them, he was much esteemed, and highly
commended, by his relation John Pym, and others of the
presbyterian stamp: but they forsook him, only because
he was a bishop; and suffered him to be deprived of his
revenues, so that he was almost reduced to want. Nay,
once he was assaulted, and like to have been stoned by the
rabble, his episcopal character being his only crime. About
1645, he was deprived of his mastership of Catherine-hall>
on account of a sermon preached by him before the university, on the king’s inauguration, at some passages of
which, offence was taken by the parliament party; and
neither his piety, gravity, or learning, were sufficient to
preserve him in his station. Being thus robbed of all, he
retired to the house of Thomas Rich, of Sunning, esq. in
Berkshire, by whom he was generously entertained: and
there, and sometimes at London, at Highgate, and St.
Edmundsbury, spent several years. During this time, he
had the courage to advise Oliver Cromwell to restore king
Charles II. to his just rights, but yet he suffered in his
reputation, as not being zealous enough for the church.
About a year before his decease, he was invited to be a
preacher at the Temple, in London, with a handsome allowance; and accordingly he went and settled there, in
good lodgings furnished for him. But his old distemper,
the stone, coming upon him with greater violence than
usual, and being attended with the dropsy and the infirmities of age, they all together put an end to his life, on
the 7th of December, 1659: he was buried the 17th following in the Temple church, where there is an epitaph
over him. He was once married, but never had a child.
Though he was very elaborate and exact in his compositions, and completely wrote his sermons, yet he could not
be persuaded to print any thing in his life-time. Bishop
Brownrig, as to his person, was tall and comely. The
majesty of his presence was so allayed with meekness, candour, and humility, that no man was farther from any
thing morose or supercilious. He had a great deal of wit,
as well as wisdom; and was an excellent scholar, an admirable orator, an acute disputant, a pathetic preacher,
and a prudent governor, full of judgment, courage, constancy, and impartiality. He was, likewise, a person of
that soundness of judgment, of that conspicuity for an unspotted life, and of that unsuspected integrity, that he was
a complete pattern to all. Dr. Gauden, who had known
him above thirty years, declares that he never heard of any
thinor said or done by him, which a wise and good man
would have wished unsaid or undone. Some other parts
of Dr. Gauden’s character of him may be supposed to proceed from the, warmth of friendship. Echard says of him,
that “he was a great man for the Anti-Arminian cause (for he was a rigid Calvinist), yet a mighty champion for the
liturgy and ordination by bishops: and his death was highly
lamented by men of all parties.' 7 Baxter, Neal, and other
writers of the nonconformist party, are no less warm in his
praises. He was one of those excellent men with whom
archbishop Tillotson cultivated an acquaintance at his first
coming to London, and by whose preaching and example
he formed himself. After his death some of his sermons
were published, under the title
” Forty Sermons, &c."
1662, fol. and reprinted with the addition of twenty-five,
making a second volume, 1674, fol. His style is rather
better than that of many of his contemporaries.
, a celebrated Greek scholar and critic, a member of the inscriptions and belles iettres,
, a celebrated
Greek scholar and critic, a member of the inscriptions and
belles iettres, and of the institute, was born at Strasburgh,
Dec. 30, 1729, and died in that city June 12, 1803. Of
his history no detailed account has yet appeared in this
country, as far as we have been able to learn. We are only
told that he was first educated in the college of Louis le
Grand at Paris, and that having afterwards engaged in the
civil administration of affairs, he had long neglected the
cultivation of letters, when, in the course of the campaigns
in Hanover, he happened to lodge at Gie^sen, in the house
of a professor of the university. With him he read several
Latin and Greek authors, and was soon inspired with a
great predilection for the latter language; but the most
remarkable particular is, that some time before his death
he lost on a sudden all taste for the critical and classical
pursuits which he had followed so eagerly and successfully
for upwards of half a century, and this without any visible
decay of his powers either intellectual or physical. Yet,
such was the change, that he totally abandoned all study
of his favourite Greek, and could not be prevailed upon to
cast even a glance on any of his favourite authors, nor did he
appear to take the smallest interest in the discovery of a
manuscript of Aristophanes, which happened to confirm
the greater part of his notes and conjectures on that author,
a circumstance, which, at any other period of his life, would
have excited his warmest enthusiasm. The works for
which the learned world is indebted to his pen are, 1. “Analecta veterum Poetarum Graecorum,
” Strasburgh, Anacreontis Carmina,
” ibid. Æschyli
Tragcedioe, Prometheus, Persae, Septem ad Thebas: Sophoclis Antigone: Euripidis Medea,
” ibid 1779, 8vo. 4.
“Sophoclis Elettra, et Euripidus Andromache,
” ibid. Sophoclis Oedipus Tyrannus, et Euripidis Orestes,
” ibid. Euripidis Tragediae quatuor,
Hecuba, Phcenissa?, Hyppolytus et Bacchae,
” ibid. Apollonii Rhodii Argonautica,
” ibid. Aristophanis
Comœdiæ in Latinum Sermonem conversæ,
” ibid. Aristophanis Comcediae ex optimis exemplaribus emendatae,
” ibid. G-nomici
Poetae Graeci,
” ibid. Virgilius,
” ibid.
Sophoclis qua; extant omnia, cum veterum Grammaticorum scholiis,
” ibid. Plautus,
” Bipont. Terentius,
”
, a very eminent scholar and historian, derived his name of Aretine, or Aretino, from
, a very eminent scholar and historian, derived his name of Aretine, or Aretino,
from Arezzo, in which city he was born in the year 1370,
of parents sufficiently wealthy to bestow on him a good
education. In his early youth he was incited to a love of
letters by an extraordinary accident. A body of French
troops, who were marching to Naples to assist Louis of
Anjou in maintaining his claim to trie sovereignty of that
kingdom, at the solicitation of the partizans of a faction
which had been banished from Arezzo, made an unexpected attack upon that city; and, after committing a
great slaughter, carried away many of the inhabitants into
captivity; and, among the rest, the family of Bruni. Leonardo being confined in a chamber in which hung a portrait of Petrarch, by daily contemplating the lineaments of
that illustrious scholar, conceived so strong a desire to signalize himself by literary acquirements, that immediately
upon his enlargement he repaired to Florence, where he
prosecuted his studies with unremitting diligence, under
the direction of John of Ravenna, and Manuel Chrysoloras.
During his residence at Florence, he contracted a strict
intimacy with the celebrated Poggio Bracciolini, and the
latter being afterwards informed by Leonardo that he
wished to procure a presentation to some place of honour
or emolument in the Roman chancery, took every opportunity of recommending him. In consequence of this,
pope Innocent VII. invited him to Rome, where he arrived March 24, 1405, but was at first disappointed in his
hopes, the place at which he aspired being intended for
another candidate, Jacopo d'Angelo. Fortunately, however, the pope having received certain letters from the
duke of Berry, determined to assign to each of the competitors the task of drawing up an answer to them, and the
compositions being compared, the prize was unanimously
adjudged to Leonardo, who was instantly advanced to the
dignity of apostolic secretary, and by this victory considerably increased his reputation, as his competitor was a
man of very considerable talents. (See Angelo, James.)
In 1410 Leonardo was elected chancellor of the city of
Florence, but finding it attended with more labour than
profit, resigned it in 1411, and entered into the service of
pope John XXII. and soon after went to Arezzo, where
he married a young lady of considerable distinction in that
city. He was thought by his contemporaries rather too
attentive to the minutiae of economy, and having married a
lady who loved dress and ornaments, was somewhat disappointed. In a letter to his friend Poggio, after giving an
account of his marriage expences, he adds, “In short, I
have in one night consummated my marriage, and consumed my patrimony.
” In
his infant society for six years, he was invited to Rome by pope Urban II. who had formerly been his scholar at Rheims, and now received him with every mark of respect and
After St. Bruno had governed this infant society for six
years, he was invited to Rome by pope Urban II. who had
formerly been his scholar at Rheims, and now received him
with every mark of respect and confidence, and pressed him
to accept the archbishopric of Reggio. This however he
declined, and the pope consented that he should withdraw
into some wilderness on the mountains of Calabria. Bruno
found a convenient solitude in the diocese of Squiiiaci,
where he settled in 1090, with some new disciples, until
his death, Oct. 6. 1101. There are only two letters of his
remaining, one to Raoul le Verd, and the other to his
monks, which are printed in a folio volume, entitled “S.
Brunonis Qpera et Vita,
”
l Mr. Bryant’s works. His next communication to the public, and the work on which his character as a scholar must ultimately rest, was his “New System or Analysis of Ancient
His first publication was “Observations and Inquiries
relating to various parts of Ancient History: containing
Dissertations on the wind Euroclydon, and on the Island
Melite, together with an account of Egypt in its most early
state, and of the Shepherd Kings; wherein the time of
their coming, the province which they particularly possessed, and to which the Israelites afterwards succeeded, is
endeavoured to be stated. The whole calculated to throw
light on the history of that ancient kingdom, as well as on
the histories of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Babylonians,
Edomites, and other nations,
” New System or Analysis of Ancient Mythology; wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition
of Fable, and to reduce Truth to its original Purity.
” Of
this publication the first and second volumes came forth
together, in 1774, and the third followed two years after. It
being his professed design to present a history of the Babylonians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Canaanites, Helladians,
lonians, Leleges, Dorians, Pelasgi, and other ancient nations, his researches for this purpose were not only of necessity recondite, but in many instances uncertain; but to
facilitate his passage through the mighty labyrinth which
led to his primary object, he not only availed himself of
the scattered fragments of ancient history wherever he
could find them, but also of a variety of etymological aids;
for being persuaded that the human race were the offspring
of one stock, and conceiving thence that their language in
the beginning was one, this favourite notion was exemplified by him in the investigation of radical terms, and application of these as collateral aids. As his knowledge of
the oriental dialects was very confined, upon some occasions he has indulged too freely to fancy; yet his defects
in this kind of learning form a strong plea in his favour;
for if, without fully understanding these languages, he has
succeeded in tracing out so many radicals as his table of
them exhibits, and more especially if he has been right in
explaining them, it will follow that his explanations must
be founded on truth, and therefore are not chimerical. In
opposition, however, to them, Mr. Bryant experienced
some severe and petulant attacks: first, from a learned
Dutchman, in a Latin review of his work; and shortly after
from the late Mr. Richardson, who was privately assisted
by sir William Jones; a circumstance which there is reason to think Mr. Bryant never knew. Mr. Richardson, in
the preface to his Persian Dictionary, has no doubt successfully exposed some of Mr. Bryant’s etymological mistakes with regard to words of eastern origin. Bryant had
a favoyrite theory with regard to the Amonians, the original inhabitants of Kgypt^ whose name, as well as descent,
he derives from Ham, but Richardson has stated an insuperable objection to the derivation of the name, for
though the Greeks and Latins used Ammon and Hammou
indifferently, yet the Heth in Ham is a radical, not mutable
or omissible; and had the Greeks or Latins formed a word
from it, it would have been Chammon, and not Ammon,
even with the aspirate. To these and other strictures, Mr.
Bryant replied in an anonymous pamphlet, of which he
printed only a few copies for the perusal of his friends;
and that part of his work which relates to the Apamean.
medal having been particularly attacked, especially in the
Gentleman’s Magazine, he defended himself in “A Vindication of the Apamean Medal, and of the inscription
NilE, together with an illustration of another coin struck
at the same place in honour of the emperor Severus.
” This
was first published in the Archaeologia, and afterwards separately, 1775, 4to, and although what he offered on the
subject was lightly treated by some, whose knowledge in
inedallic history is allowed to be great, yet the opinion of
professor Eckhel, the first medallist of his age, is decidedly
in favour of Mr. Bryant. And whatever may be the merit,
in the opinion of the learned, of Mr. Bryant’s “New System
” at large, no person can possibly dispute, that a very
uncommon store of learning is perceptible through the
whole; that it abounds with great originality of conception, much perspicacious elucidation, and the most happy
explanations on topics of the highest importance: in a
word, that it stands forward amongst the first works of its
age.
forming a general estimate of Mr. Bryant’s literary character, it will be found that, as a classical scholar, he had few equals; his acquaintance with history, and the topics
In forming a general estimate of Mr. Bryant’s literary character, it will be found that, as a classical scholar, he had few equals; his acquaintance with history, and the topics of general information, was of very uncommon extent, but from the want of Oriental literature, and the stricter sciences, he yielded too often to the impulses of a vigorous fancy. It will, notwithstanding, be found from repeated perusals of his writings, that he deservedly ranks amongst the first men of his age, and from having consecrated his great talents and acquisitions to the service; of religion, will be ever entitled to the veneration of mankind.
, or Bude’ (William), an eminent scholar and critic, the descendant of an ancient and illustrious family
, or Bude’ (William), an eminent scholar
and critic, the descendant of an ancient and illustrious
family in France, lord of Marli-la-ville, king’s counsellor,
and master of requests, was born at Paris in 1467. He
was the second son of John Budé, lord of Yere and Villiers,
secretary to the king, and one of the grand officers of the
French chancery. In his infancy he was provided with
masters; but such was the low state of Parisian education
at that time, that when sent to the university of Orleans to
study law, he remained there for three years, without
making any progress, for want of a proper knowledge of
the Latin language. Accordingly, on his return home, his
parents had the mortification to discover that he was as
ignorant as when he went, disgusted with study of any
kind, and obstinately bent to pass his time amidst the
gaieties and pleasures of youth, a coarse which his fortune
enabled him to pursue. But after he had indulged this
humour for some time, an ardent passion for study seized
him, and became irresistible. He immediately disposed
of his horses, dogs, &c. with which he followed the chace,
applied himself to study, and in a short time made very
considerable progress, although he had no masters, nor
either instruction or example in his new pursuit. He became, in particular, an excellent Latin scholar, and although
his style is not so pure or polished as that of those who
formed themselves in early life on the best models, it is
far from being deficient in fluency or elegance. His knowledge of the Greek was so great that John de Lascaris, the
most learned Grecian of his time, declared that Budé might
be compared with the first orators of ancient Athens. This
language is perhaps complimentary, but it cannot be denied that his knowledge of Greek was very extraordinary,
considering how little help he derived from instructions.
He, indeed, employed at a large salary, one Hermonymus,
but soon found that he was very superficial, and had acquired the reputation of a Greek scholar merely from
knowing a little more than the French literati, who at that
time knew nothing. Hence Budé used to call himself
ανἶομαθης & οψιμαϑης
i. e. self-taught and late taught. The work
by which he gained most reputation, and published under
the title “De Asse,
” was one of the tirst efforts to clear up
the difficulties relating to the coins and measures of the
ancients; and although an Italian, Leonardus Portius, pretended to claim some of his discoveries, Budé vindicated
his right to them with spirit and success. Previously to
this he had printed a translation of some pieces of Plutarch,
and “Notes upon the Pandects.
” His fame having
reached the court, he was invited to it, but was at first
rather reluctant. He appears to have been one of those
who foresaw the advantages of a diffusion of learning, and
at the same time perceived an unwillingness in the court
to entertain it, lest it should administer to the introduction
of what was called heresy. Charles VIII. was the first
who invited him to court, but died soon after: his successor Louis XII. employed him twice on embassies to
Italy, and made him his secretary. This favour continued
in the reign of Francis I. who sent for Budé to court when
it was held at Arches at the interview of that monarch with
Henry VIII. the king of England. From this time Francis
paid him much attention, appointed him his librarian, and
master of the requests, while the Parisians elected him
provost of the merchants. This political influence he employed in promoting the interests of literature, and suggested to Francis I. the design of establishing professorships for languages and the sciences at Paris. The excessive heats of the year 1540 obliging the king to take a
journey to the coast of Normandy, Budé accompanied his
majesty, but unfortunately was seized with a fever, which
carried him off Aug. 23/1540, at Paris. His funeral was
private, and at night, by his own desire. This circumstance created a suspicion that he died in the reformed religion; but of this there is ho direct proof, and although
he occasionally made free with the court of Rome and the
corruptions of the clergy in his works, yet in them likewise he wrote with equal asperity of the reformers. Erasmus called him porttntum Gallic, the prodigy of France.
There was a close connection between these two great
men. “Their letters/' says the late Dr. Jortin,
” though
full of compliments and civilities, are also full of little
bickerings and contests: which shew that their friendship
was not entirely free from some small degree of jealousy
and envy; especially on the side of Budé, who yet in
other respects was an excellent person." It is not easy
to determine on which side the jealousy lay; perhaps it
was on both. Budé might envy Erasmus for his superior
taste and wit, as well as his more extensive learning; and
perhaps Erasmus might envy Budé for a superior knowledge of the Greek tongue, which was generally ascribed
to him.
n Dorsetshire, was born in that county in 1566, and entered Merton college in 1582, but was admitted scholar of Trinity college in May of the fol lowing year, where he took
, a civilian of Oxford, the son of John
Budden of Canford, in Dorsetshire, was born in that
county in 1566, and entered Merton college in 1582, but
was admitted scholar of Trinity college in May of the fol
lowing year, where he took his bachelor’s degree. He
was soon after ivmoved to Gloucester hall, where he took
his master’s degree, but chiefly studied civil law. He was
at length made philosophy reader of Magdalen college,
and took his bachelor and doctor’s degrees in civil law in
1602. In 1609 he was made principal of New-inn, and
soon after king’s professor of civil law, and principal of
Broadgate’s hall, where he died June 11, 1620, and was
buried in the chancel of St. Aldate’s church. Wood says
he was a person of great eloquence, an excellent rhetorician, philosopher, and civilian. He wrote the lives of
“William of Wainflete,
” founder of Magdalen college, in
Latin, Oxon, Batesii Vitæ
” and
of “Archbishop Morton,
” London, Common Wealth
of England;
” and from the French of P. Frodius, a civilian,
“A Discourse for Parents’ Honour and Authority over their
Children,
” Loud.
at least amusing; but his “Memoires sur la langue Celtique” contributed most to his reputation as a scholar of profound research. In these he has endeavoured to prove that
Our learned professor’s “Researches into the history o
Cards
” is at least amusing; but his “Memoires sur la
langue Celtique
” contributed most to his reputation as a
scholar of profound research. In these he has endeavoured
to prove that all Europeans are descended from one common origin, and, consequently, now speak only different
dialects of the same language. In this investigation an
immense number of books and Mss. appear to have been
consulted, and he made some progress in all the languages
of the earth, and had recourse to every living and dead
tongue, where the smallest vestiges of the Celtic were to
be found. In his dissertations on different subjects of the
history of France are many curious inquiries.
, a celebrated astronomer and scholar, was born of protestant parents, at Houdun in France, September
, a celebrated
astronomer and scholar, was born of protestant parents, at
Houdun in France, September the 28th, 1605; and having finished his studies in philosophy at Paris, and in civil
law at Poictiers, he applied to mathematics, theology, sacred and profane history, and civil law, with such assiduity, that he became eminent in each of these departments, and acquired the reputation of an universal genius.
As he had travelled for his improvement into Italy, Germany, Poland, and the Levant, he formed an extensive
acquaintance with men of letters, and maintained a correspondence with the most distinguished persons of his
time. Although he had been educated a protestant, he
changed his profession at the age of 27 years, and became
a catholic priest. His life was prolonged to his 89th year;
and having retired to the abbey of St. Victor at Paris in
1689, he died there November the 25th, 1694. Besides
his pieces concerning ecclesiastical rights, which excited
attention, and the history of Ducas, printed at the Louvre,
in 1649, in the original Greek, with a Latin version and
notes, he was the author of several other works, chiefly
mathematical and philosophical. His “Treatise on the
Nature of Light
” was published in Philolaus, sive de vero Systema Mundi,
” or his
true system of the world, according to Philolaus, an ancient philosopher and astronomer, in the same year, and
republished in 1645, under the title of “Astronomia Philolaica,
” grounded upon the hypothesis of the earth’s motion, and the elliptical orbit described by the planet’s motion about a cone. To which he added tables entitled
“Tabulæ Philolaicæ:
” a work which Riccioli says ought
to be attentively read by all students of astronomy. He
considered the hypothesis, or approximation of bishop
Ward, and found it not to agree with the planet Mars;
and shewed in his defence of the Philolaic astronomy
against the bishop, that from four observations made by
Tycho on the planet Mars, that planet in the first and third
quarters of the mean anomaly, was more forward than it
ought to be according to Ward’s hypothesis; but in the 2d
and 4th quadrant of the same, the planet was not so far
advanced as that hypothesis required. He therefore set
about a correction of the bishop’s hypothesis, and made it
to answer more exactly to the orbits of the planets, which
were most eccentric, and introduced what is called by
Street, in his “Caroline Tables,
” the Variation: for these
tables were calculated from this correction of Bullialdus,
and exceeded all in exactness that went before. This correction is, in the judgment of Dr. Gregory, a very happy
one, if it be not set above its due place; and be accounted
no more than a correction of an approximation to the true
system: For by this means we are enabled to gather the
coequate anomaly a priori and directly from the mean, and
the observations are well enough answered at the same
time; which, in Mercator’s opinion, no one had effected
before. It is remarkable that the ellipsis which he has
chosen for a planet’s motion, is such a one as, if cut out of
a cone, will have the axis of the cone passing through one
of its foci, viz. that next the aphelion.
, an elegant Latin scholar, was born at Toulouse in 1499, and studied at Paris, where he
, an elegant Latin scholar, was born at Toulouse in 1499, and studied at Paris, where he was distinguished by his quick progress and promising talents. On his return to Toulouse, finding his family unable to maintain him, he went to Padua, where he was supported by Emilius Perrot. He was afterwards taken into the family of Lazarus de Baif, the French ambassador at Venice, by whose generosity he was not only maintained, but enabled to study the Greek tongue, and he afterwards studied Hebrew. George de Selve, bishop of Lavaur, who succeeded de Baif as ambassador, retained Bunel in his service, and when his embassy was finished, carried him with him to Levaur. Upon the death of that prelate, which happened in 1541, Bunel returned to Toulouse^ where he would have been reduced to the greatest indigence, had not messieurs de Faur, the patrons of virtue and science, extended their liberality to him unasked. One of these gentlemen appointed him tutor to his sons; but whilst he was making the tour of Italy with them, he was cut off at Turin by a fever, in 1546. Mr. Bayle says, that he was one of the politest writers of the Latin tongue in the sixteenth century; but though he was advantageously distinguished by the eloquence of his Ciceronian style, he was still more so by the strictness of his morals. The magistrates of his native town of Toulouse set up a marble statue to his memory in their town-house. He left som'e Latin epistles written with the utmost purity, which were first published by Charles Stevens in 1551, and afterwards by Henry Stevens in 1581. Another, but a more incorrect edition, was printed at Toulouse in 1687, with notes by Mr. Gravero, advocate of Nimes.
mentioned. The celebrated Dr. John Wallis was his pupil, and says he was “a pious, learned, and able scholar, a good disputant, a good tutor, an eminent preacher, and a
, a Nonconformist clergyman,
was the son of a schoolmaster at Watford, in Hertfordshire^
and educated at St. John’s college, Cambridge. He afterwards became a fellow of Emanuel college, and took
his master’s degree. He obtained the living of SuttonColfield, in Warwickshire, in 1635, by the death of the
rev. John Burgess, but no relation. He was afterwards
one of the assembly of divines, and although inclined to
conformity before the rebellion, acquired such opinions on
the subject as induced him to submit to ejectment aftet
the restoration. Dr. Racket, bishop of Lichfield and
Coventry, who had a high opinion of his learning, and
said he was fit for a professor’s chair in the university, endeavoured by every argument to retain him in the church,
but in vain, although Mr. Burgess went to the parish
church of Tamworth, where he spent the remainder of his
days, and lived in cordiality with the incumbent. At what
time he died, is not mentioned. The celebrated Dr. John
Wallis was his pupil, and says he was “a pious, learned,
and able scholar, a good disputant, a good tutor, an eminent preacher, and a sound and orthodox divine.
” (See Hearne’s Langtoft, publisher’s appendix to his preface, p. cxlviii). His principal works are: 1. “Spiritual Refinings; or a Treatise of Grace and Assurance,
” fol. 1656. 3.
” The Doctrine of Original Sin,“1659, fol. 4.
” Commentary on
the 1. and 2. of Corinthians," 1661, 2 vols. fol. with some
smaller tracts, and several sermons before the long parliament.
uch a quickness and facility in imbibing literary instruction, that his master used to say, that his scholar would soon acquire all the knowledge that it was in his power
, a moral and political writer, was born at Madderty, in Perthshire, Scotland, in the latter end of the year 1714. His father was minister of that parish, and his mother was aunt to the celebrated historian Dr. Robertson. His grammatical education he received at the school of the place which gave him birth, where he discovered such a quickness and facility in imbibing literary instruction, that his master used to say, that his scholar would soon acquire all the knowledge that it was in his power to communicate. In due time young Burgh was removed to the University of St. Andrew’s, with a view of becoming a clergyman in the church of Scotland; but he did not continue long at the college, on account of a bad state of health, which induced him to lay aside the thoughts of the clerical profession, and enter into trade, in the linen, way; which he was enabled to do with the greater prospect of advantage, as he had lately obtained a handsome fortune by the death of his eldest brother. In business, however, he was not at all successful; for, by giving injudicious credit, he was soon deprived of his property. Not long after this misfortune, he came to London, where his first employment was to correct the press for the celebrated Mr. Bowyer; and at his leisure hours he made indexes. After being engaged about a year in this way, during which, he became acquainted with some friends who were highly serviceable to him in his future plans of life, he removed to Great Marlow, in Buckinghamshire, as an assistant at the free grammar-school of that town; and whilst he continued in this situation, the school is said to have been considerably increased. During his residence at Marlow, he met with only one gentleman who was suited to his own turn of mind. With that gentleman, who was a man of piety, and of extensive reading in divinity, though no classicai scholar, he contracted a particular friendship. At Marlow it was that Mr. Burgh first commenced author, by writing a pamphlet, entitled Britain’s Remembrancer," and which was published, if we mistake not, a little after the beginning of the rebellion, in 1745. This tract contained an enumeration of the national blessings and deliverances which Great Britain had received; with pathetic exhortations to a right improvement of them, by a suitable course of piety and virtue. It appeared without Mr. Burgh’s name, as was the case with his works in general, and was so much read and applauded by persons of a religious temper, that it went through five editions in little more than two years, was reprinted in Scotland, Ireland, and America, and again in London 1766. Mr. Barker, at that time one of the most eminent ministers among the protestant dissenters in London, spoke highly of it, in a sermon preaghed at Salters’-hall and publicly thanked the unknown author, for so seasonable and useful a performance.
took the lead in this, but in all general exercises: he was considered as the first Greek and Latin scholar; to these he added the study of poetry and belles lettres; and,
This was carried on, in the way of literary contest, between two boys, which begat an emulation for reading above the ordinary line of duty, and at the same time called out and strengthened the powers of memory. Burke not only took the lead in this, but in all general exercises: he was considered as the first Greek and Latin scholar; to these he added the study of poetry and belles lettres; and, before he left the school, produced a play in three acts, founded on some incidents in the early part of the history of England, of which little is now remembered, unless that Alfred formed the principal character, and that this part contained many sublime sentiments on liberty.
who had passed through all the high gradations of official knowledge for near half a century, a fine scholar, a most ready and eloquent speaker, and one of the best writers
It is certain, however, that about 1753 he came to London, and entered himself, as already noticed, as a student
of the Middle Temple, where he is said to have studied,
as in every other situation, with unremitting diligence.
Many of his habits and conversations were long remembered at the Grecian coffee-house (then the great rendezvous of the students of the Middle Temple), and they
were such as were highly creditable to his morals and his
talents. With the former, indeed, we should not know
jhow to reconcile a connection imputed to him at this time
with Mrs. Woffington, the actress, if we gave credit to the
report; but it is not very likely, that one in Mr. Burke’s
narrow circumstances would have been admitted to more
than a slight acquaintance with a lady of that description.
Though by the death of his elder brother, he was to have
succeeded to a very comfortable patrimony, yet as his.
father was living, and had other children, it could not be
supposed that his allowance was very ample. This urged
him to draw upon his genius for the deficiency of fortune,
and we are told that he became a frequent contributor to
the periodical publications. His first publication is said to
have been a poem, which did not succeed. There is no
certain information, however, concerning these early productions, unless that he found it necessary to apply with
so much assiduity as to injure his health. A dangerous
illness ensued, and he resorted for medical advice to Dr.
Nugent, a physician whose skill in his profession was
equalled only by the benevolence of his heart. He was,
if we are not mistaken, a countryman of Burke’s, a Roman
catholic, and at one time an author by profession. This
benevolent friend, considering that the noise and various
disturbances incidental to chambers, must retard the recovery of his patient, furnished him with apartments in
his own house, where the attention of every member of
the family contributed more than medicine to the recovery
of his health. It was during this period that the amiable
manners of miss Nugent, the doctor’s daughter, made a
deep impression on the heart of Burke; and as she could
not be insensible to such merit as his, they felt for each,
other a mutual attachment, and were married soon after
his recovery. With this lady he appears to have enjoyed
uninterrupted felicity. He often declared to his intimate
friends, “That, in all the anxious moments of his public
life, every care vanished when he entered his own house.
”
Mr. Burke' s first known publication, although not immediately known, was his very happy imitation of Bolingbroke, entitled “A Vindication of Natural Society,
” The critics knew the turn of his
periods; his style; his phrases; and above all, the matchless dexterity of his nietaphysical pen: and amongst these,
nobody distinguished himself more than the lately departed
veteran of the stage, Charles Macklin; who, with the
pamphlet in his hand, used frequently to exclaim at the
Grecian coffee-house (where he gave a kind of literary law to the young Templars at that time),
” Oh! sir, this must
be Harry Bolingbroke: I know him by his cloven foot."
But much of this account is mere assumption. Macklin,
and such readers as Macklin, might be deceived; but no
man was deceived whose opinion deserved attention. The
public critics certainly immediately discovered the imitation, and one at least of them was not very well pleased
with it. We are told, indeed, that lord Chesterfield and
bishop Warburton were at first deceived; but this proves
only the exactness of the imitation; a more attentive perusal discovered the writer’s real intention.
hing state to which he advanced the university. He was reckoned an excellent philosopher, an eminent scholar in the learned languages, and a good preacher. He died Nov.
, the first upon record of a very
learned family, and professor of divinity at Utrecht, was
the son of Peter Burman, a Protestant minister at Frankendal, and was born at Leyden in 1632, where he pursued his studies. At the age of twenty-three he was
invited by the Dutch congregation at Hanau, in Germany,
to be their pastor, and thence he was recalled to Leyden,
and chosen regent of the college in which he had been
educated. Before he had been here a year, his high reputation occasioned his removal to Utrecht, where he was
appointed professor of divinity, and one of the preachers;
Here he acquired additional fame by his learning, and the
flourishing state to which he advanced the university. He
was reckoned an excellent philosopher, an eminent scholar
in the learned languages, and a good preacher. He died
Nov. 10, 1679. His principal works are Commentaries on
some of the books of the Old Testament, in Dutch,
besides which he wrote in Latin: 1. “An Abridgment of
Divinity,
” Utrecht, De Moralitate Sabbati,
” Narratio de controversiis
nuperius in academia Ultrajectina motis, &c.
” Utrecht,
Exercitationes Academic^,
” Rotterdam,
Tractatus de Passione Christi,
”
Academical discourses,
” published
by Grasvius, with some account of the author, Utrecht,
1700, 4to, and the same year they were translated and
printed in Dutch.
nor yet of the poor, at the expence of injustice to the rich. All his whimsies and partialities as a scholar disappeared, when he came to determine concerning the rights
Amidst this progress of his literary and philosophical studies, lord Monboddo neglected not his duties as a judge. Whether officiating singly, in the character of lord ordinary or reporting judge; assisting his brother judges in full court; or attending to those parts of his judicial duty which were to be discharged by private study, he was still solemnly and indefatigably diligent in these engagements, in preference to all others. As a lawyer, his arguments. opinions, and decisions, were sound, learned, marked with acute discrimination, and free from fantastic peculiarity. He was no favourer of the rich in preference to the poor; nor yet of the poor, at the expence of injustice to the rich. All his whimsies and partialities as a scholar disappeared, when he came to determine concerning the rights of his fellow subjects.
gh a slip about his neck; but for this insinuation there appears little foundation. He was a general scholar and severe student, of a melancholy yet humourous disposition,
, author of the “Anatomy of Melancholy,
” the younger brother of William Burton, the
antiquary, the subject of the next article but one, was born
at Lindley, Feb. 8, 1576, and had his grammatical education
at Sutton-Colfield; after which, in 1593, he was admitted
a commoner of Brazen-nose college, and elected a student
of Christ church, in 1599, under the tuition (though only for form’s sake) of Dr. John Bancroft, afterwards bishop of
Oxford. He took the degree of B. D. in 16 14, and was
in that year admitted to the reading of the sentences. In
1616, the dean and chapter of Christ church presented
him to the Vicarage of St. Thomas in Oxford, in which
parish he always gave the sacrament in wafers; and George
lord Berkeley bestowed upon him the rectory of Segrave
in Leicestershire. Both these preferments he held till his
decease, which happened at Christ church, January 25,
1639—4O. He was a curious calculator of nativities, and
among others, of his own; and the time of his death answering exactly to his own predictions, it was whispered in the
college, that (to use Anthony Wood’s language), rather
than there should be any mistake in the calculation, he
sent up his soul to heaven through a slip about his neck; but
for this insinuation there appears little foundation. He was
a general scholar and severe student, of a melancholy yet
humourous disposition, and appears to have been a man of
extensive learning, which his memory enabled him to produce upon every subject. In his moral character, he was a
man of great integrity, plain-dealing, and chanty. He
was principally known as the author of a very celebrated
and popular work, entitled “The Anatomy of Melancholy,
”
published first in quarto, and which afterwards went through
several editions in folio, so that the bookseller acquired an
estate by it. This book was compiled by our learned writer
with a view of relieving his own melancholy; but it encreased to such a degree, that nothing could divert him
but going to the bridge foot, and hearing the ribaldry of
the bargemen, which seldom failed to throw him into a
violent fit of laughter. In the intervals of his vapours, he
was one of the most facetious companions in the university.
The “Anatomy of Melancholy
” is for the greater part a
cento, though a very ingenious one. The quotations,
which abound in every page, are pertinent; but if the
author had made freer use of his invention, and less of his
common -place book, his work, perhaps, would have been
more valuable. However, he generally avoids the affected
language, and ridiculous metaphors, which were common
in that age. On Mr. Burton’s monument in Christ church
is his bust, with his nativity, and this description by himself, put up by his brother: “Faucis notus, paucioribus
ignotus, hie jacet Democritusjunior, cui vitam dedit et mortem Melancholia. Obiit viii. Id. Jan. A. C. MDCXXXIX.
”
He left behind him a choice collection of books, many of
which he bequeathed to the Bodleian library, and that of
Brazen-nose college. He left also a hundred pounds, for
a fund to purchase five pounds’ worth of books, every year,
for the library of Christ church.
on in Lincolnshire, September 22, 1606. He received his education in Westminster-school, as a king’s scholar; and in 1624 was elected student of Christ Church. He took the
, the most eminent schoolmaster in
his time, was the second son of Richard Busby, of the
city of Westminster, gent, but born at Lutton in Lincolnshire, September 22, 1606. He received his education in
Westminster-school, as a king’s scholar; and in 1624 was
elected student of Christ Church. He took the degree of
bachelor of arts Oct. 21, 1628; and that of master June
18, 1631; at which time he was esteemed a great master
of the Greek and Latin tongues, and a complete orator.
Towards the expence of taking his degrees, a sum was honourably voted him by the vestry of St. Margaret, Westminster (in all 11l. 13s. 4d.) which he afterwards as honourably repaid, adding to it an annual sum towards the
maintenance of the parish school. On the 1st of July
1639, he was admitted to the prebend and rectory of Cudworth, with the chapel of Knowle annexed, in the church
of Wells; of which he lost the profits during the civil
wars; but found means to keep his student’s place, and
other preferment. He was appointed master of Westminster-school, December 13, 1640; in which laborious station he continued above fifty-five years, and bred up the
greatest number of learned scholars that ever adorned any
age or nation . But he met with great uneasiness from
the second master, Edward Bagshaw, who endeavoured to
supplant him; but was himself removed out of his place
for his insolence, in May 1658 (See Edward Bagshaw).
After the restoration, Mr. Busby’s merit being noticed>
his majesty conferred on him a prebend of Westminster,
into which he was installed July 5, 1660; and the llth of
August following, he was made treasurer and canon-residentiary of Wells. On October 19, 1660, he took the
degree of D. D. At the coronation of king Charles II.
April 1661, he carried the Ampulla. In the convocation,
which met June 24, the same year, he was proctor for the
chapter of Bath and Wells; and one of those who approved and subscribed the Common Prayer-Book. He
gave two hundred and fifty pounds towards repairing and
beautifying Christ Church college and cathedral; and intended, but never completed the foundation of two lectures in the same college, one for the Oriental languages,
and another for the mathematics; but he left a stipend
for a catechetical lecture, 10 be read in one of the parish
churches in Oxford, by a member of Christ Church . He
contributed also to the repair of Lichfield church. As for
his many other benefactions, they are not upon record,
because they were done in a private manner. This great
man, after a loBg, healthy, and laborious life, died April
6, 1695, aged eighty-nine, and was buried in Westminsterabbey, where there is a curious monument erected to him.
He composed several books for the use of his school, as,
1. “A short institution of Grammar,
” Cambr. Juvenalis et Persii Satira?,
” Lond. An English Introduction to the
Latin Tongue,
” Lond. Pvlartiaiis Epigrammata selecta,
” Lond. Grsecae Grammaticae Rudimenta,
” Lond. Nomenclatura Brevis Reformata, adjecto cum Syllabo Verborum et
Adjectivorum,
” At the end is printed “Duplex Centenarius Proverbiorum Anglo-Latino-Graecorum,
” Lond.
Ανθολογία δευτέρα: sive Græcorum Epigrammatum Florilegium novum,
” Lond. 1673, &c. 8vo.
8. “Rudimentum Anglo-Latinum, Grammatica literalis et
numeralis,
” Lond. Rudimentum Grammaticæ Græco-Latinæ Metricum,
” Lond.
the vicarage of Lawrence Wotton, in Hampshire; which Wood thinks a very inadequate preferment for a scholar of his abilities. There, however, he appears to have remained
, an ingenious writer of the seventeenth century, was born in 1559, at High Wycomb, in
Buckinghamshire; and entered a student into Magdalen
hall, Oxford, in 1579, where he took a degree in arts;
and was translated to Magdalen college, and made one of
the bible clerks. Soon after, he became master of the
free school at Basingstoke in Hampshire; and had the
cure of a small church in the neighbourhood. About 1600
he was promoted to the vicarage of Lawrence Wotton, in
Hampshire; which Wood thinks a very inadequate preferment for a scholar of his abilities. There, however, he
appears to have remained until his death, March 29, 1647,
in his eighty-eighth year. He wrote: 1. “The Feminine
Monarchy; or a Treatise on Bees,
” Oxon. Rhetoricee libri duo,
” Oxon. De
propinquitate matrimonium impediente regula generalis,
”
on the marriage of cousin-germans, a work much approved
by Dr. Prideaux, Oxon. 1625, 4to. 4. “Oratoriae libri duo,
”
Oxon. English Grammar,
”
Oxon. The Principles of Music,
” Lond. Grammar/' with a specimen of his
orthography from his
” Treatise on Bees.“Of his
” Principles uf Music," Dr. Burney says* that it was the only
theoretical or didactic work published on the subject of
music during the reign of king Charles I. and that it contains more knowledge in a small compass than any other
of the kind in our language; but the Saxon and new characters he uses, in order to explode such letters as are
redundant, or of uncertain powers, render this musical
tract somewhat difficult to peruse.
tood the Hebrew language thoroughly; and that notwithstanding his grey beard, he would gladly be his scholar;” which was the highest compliment that could be paid to so
Many learned men, who admire the rabbinical excellence of these two great men, are not always satisfied
with their judgment. They believe these authors too
much led by the Rabbins; and that Capellus, though not
so deep in Hebrew, has written more judiciously upon
this argument. They add, that the strong fancy which a
great part of the German and Geneva divines have for the
Hebrew points, proceeds in good measure from the regard
they had for the two Buxtorfs, whose opinions they implicitly followed. Father Simon has spoken but slightly
of them: “The two Buxtorfs,
” says he, “who have got
much reputation, especially among the Protestants, have
in most of their works, only shewn themselves extremely
prejudiced in favour of the Rabbins, without paving consulted any other authors.
” But Buxtorf the father received the highest encomiums from all the learned of his
time. In particular, Gerard Vossius, in the funeral oration which he made for Erpenius, says, that “Europe had
not a more knowing and learned man, nor one who was
better versed in the Rabbins, and in such books as related
to the Talmud, than Buxtorf.
” Joseph Scaliger goes
farther, and says, that Buxtorf “ought to be considered
as the master of the Rabbins. He declares him to be the
only man who understood the Hebrew language thoroughly;
and that notwithstanding his grey beard, he would gladly
be his scholar;
” which was the highest compliment that
could be paid to so young a man as Buxtorf then was.
Isaac Casaubon entertained exactly the same opinion of
him as Scaliger; and adds, that “there is a great deal of
candour, and an air of honesty, which runs through all
Jiis writings.
”
ese art, though with less celebrity than merit, for no traces appear of his education: had he been a scholar of the Caracci, his first essays in fresco would have been made
, an artist, knqwn by the name of Moncalvo, from his long abode in that place, was born in 1568 at Montebone, in Montferrat, and marks perhaps the brightest data of Piemontese art, though with less celebrity than merit, for no traces appear of his education: had he been a scholar of the Caracci, his first essays in fresco would have been made at Bologna, not at the stationary chapels of Monte Crea; his style of design would resemble that of Annibale more than the ideal line of Raffaello, or Andrea del Sarto, or Parmigiano; and his landscape have Jess of Paul Brill. His numerous small Madonnas breathe the spirit of the Roman and Florentine school, and one in the royal palace of Torino seems to have issued from the hands of Andrea, if we except the colour, which, though graceful and delicate, has more of the weakness that marked the tints of Sabbatini and the predecessors of the Caracci. The powers of Moncalvo were not, however, coiir fined to soft subjects: the contrary appears in the church of the Conventuals at that place in numerous instances, and still more in a chapel of S. Domenico at Chieri, where the Resuscitation of Lazarus, and the Multiplication of the Loaves, two collateral altar-pieces, vie with each other in pathetic imagery, legitimate composition, energy of expression and attitude, and correctness of design. He was assisted by several scholars of no very eminent note, but N. Sacchi of Casale, in energy of varied expression and decision of pencil, perhaps excelled the master. His two daughters i< raneesca and Orsola Caccia became, under his tuition, apt associates of his labours in fresco, a practice else unknown to female hands; they drew from the father the structure of bodies, but not their animation; and such was the similarity of their execution, that to avoid confusion, Francesca, the younger, marked her performances with a small bird, whilst Orsola distinguished her own by a flower; she founded the Conservatory of the Ursuliiies at Moncalvo, where, and at Casale, she left altar-pieces and numerous cabinet-pictures, touched in the manner of Paul Brill, and strewn with flowers; A holy family in that taste is among the rich collection of the palace Natta. Caccia died about 1625.
the most private way. He had great politeness in his manners and behaviour: in his conversation, the scholar, the gentleman, and the Christian were united. In the pulpit,
The parishioners of St. Giles’s were deeply affected by the death of Mr. Talbot, and equally grieved at the appointment of his successor; and their only hopes were, that as he was a youth of noble family, he would have no inclination to do the duties himself, and might, perhaps, continue Mr. Halvvard as curate, who had been appointed to that office by Mr. Talbot, and was highly acceptable to them. Upon a petition, however, being presented to Mr. Cadogan in favour of Mr. Halward, he rejected it with the strongest marks of disapprobation, and the congregation that usually met in St. Giles dispersed themselves among the dissenting meetings, and some of them went so far as to erect a meeting in lady Huntingdon’s connection. On this occasion several letters passed between Mr. Cadogan and Mrs. Talbot, whose house was opened for religious exercises. At first he was highly offended; but at length his views of religious doctrines became materially altered, and he attained before his death a popularity equal, or rather superior, to that of his predecessor, and a corresponding change took place in his manner and habits. He had usually divided his time between Reading and Chelsea; but finding his labours there attended with little or no success, and having been prevailed upon to let the rectory-house, he left that populous parish to the care of his curate, the rev. Erasmus Middleton, except at the season of Lent, and of the monthly sacrament. At Reading, besides preaching on Sundays, morning and evening, he preached on Thursday evenings; and on Tuesday evenings he prayed and expounded the scriptures in his own house; but finding the number of his hearers too large, he removed this instructive exercise into the chancel. He also instituted four Sunday schools, in which upwards of 120 poor children were instructed. These schools he constantly attended, encouraging those who made the greatest improvement, by presents of money or books; and supplying every deficiency in the collections of the parishioners at his own expence. He was usually in his study by six o'clock, and devoted the greater part of his mornings to reading the scriptures in the original languages; the remainder he employed in exercise, or in visiting the sick and poor. He passed much time in secret prayer, and has been frequently surprised on his knees by his servant, when the family had retired to rest. His generosity and charity were truly great; nor could an object of distress be mentioned to him by any of his congregation without experiencing his liberality. Many clergymen, in circumstances of indigence or affliction, have received assistance from him, which was conveyed in the most private way. He had great politeness in his manners and behaviour: in his conversation, the scholar, the gentleman, and the Christian were united. In the pulpit, he endeavoured to reform the sinner, and display to all men the blessings of salvation. His voice was not pleasing, but his delivery was forcible; and he commanded attention by the earnestness with which he impressed upon his hearers the sublime truths of the gospel. Amidst these Christian duties, Mr. Cadogan was seized on a Thursday evening after his lecture, with an inflammation in his bowels, which, after a short interval of relief, proved fatal Jan. 18, 1797.
ollege, and was honoured with some considerable appointments. As he was an excellent Greek and Latin scholar, and conversant with the historians in. both languages, his
, of Verona,
an eminent physician, was first lecturer in that faculty at
Rome in the sixteenth century, under the popes Clement
VIII. and Paul V. He studied at Padua under Zabarella,
and was a man of great learning, and considered as the
head of his profession. His distinguished merit procured
him an invitation to Rome, where he taught philosophy
and medicine in the college, and was honoured with some
considerable appointments. As he was an excellent Greek
and Latin scholar, and conversant with the historians in.
both languages, his lectures acquired a particular interest
from the quotations he occasionally made in them from
these writers. He wrote two books on the manner of preserving health, on diet, exercise, &c. Rome 1591, and
Padua, 1605. He wrote also on the inundations of the
Tiber, the salubrity of the air at Rome, epidemic disorders,
the 24th aphorism of Hippocrates, which he thought had
been long misunderstood, and on the cure of fevers as
practised at Rome. His knowledge appeared also in his
four books of “Observations,
” Rome, Thesaurus Criticus,
” Dissertations
” on various medical topics.
He died in
with a small estate in the country, a philosophical retreat sufficient to satisfy the ambition of a scholar. The Calvinists, whom he had deserted, endeavoured to expose
, was born
in 1525 at Montrichard in Touraine, of a poor family, and
was at first a protestant divine, attached to Catherine of
Bourbon, sister of Henry IV. but was deposed in a synod
on a charge of practising the arts of magic, and for having
written a book in favour of public stews. This sentence
accelerated his abjuration, which he delivered at Paris in
1595, and died in 1610, at the age of eighty-five, doctor
of Sorbonne, and professor of Hebrew in the college royal.
Caiet was of a kind and officious disposition, and was so
unfortunate as to have for his enemies all whom he had
obliged. His slovenly dress, his manner of life, and his
absurd attempts to discover the philosopher’s stone, drew
upon him no less contempt than his learning brought him
respect. Notwithstanding his humble and shabby exterior,
Henry IV. continued to admit him to court, not without
wishing, however, to avoid it, which he shewed by presenting him with a small estate in the country, a philosophical retreat sufficient to satisfy the ambition of a scholar.
The Calvinists, whom he had deserted, endeavoured to
expose his principles and conduct, and as after his abjuration he had had a conference with Du Moulin, this was a
fresh reason for their animosity. Caiet did not remain
silent, but published, in 1603, against Du Moulin, the
book emphatically entitled “The fiery Furnace, and the
reverberatory Furnace, for evaporating the pretended waters of Silofim (the title of Du Moulin’s work), and for
strengthening the fire of purgatory.
” The intimacy between the count de Soissons and the sister of Henry IV.
proceeded such lengths, that they ordered Caiet to marry
them immediately. On his refusal to do it, the prince
threatened to kill him. “Kill me then,
” replied Caiet;
“I had much rather die by the hand of a prince than by
that of the hangman.
”
is birth; but it was probably in the reign of Ptolemy Euergetes: for Apollonius Rhodius, who was his scholar, was chosen by that prince to the care of the Alexandrian library,
We know no more of the time of this poet’s death than we do of th,at of his birth; but it was probably in the reign of Ptolemy Euergetes: for Apollonius Rhodius, who was his scholar, was chosen by that prince to the care of the Alexandrian library, and after dying in that office was buried in Callimachus’s grave.
of Aristotle, by whose advice he accompanied Alexander in his expeditions. Aristotle gave him to his scholar, that he might moderate the fury of his passions; but Callisthenes
, a Greek philosopher and historian,
was a native of Olinthus, and the disciple and relation of
Aristotle, by whose advice he accompanied Alexander in
his expeditions. Aristotle gave him to his scholar, that he
might moderate the fury of his passions; but Callisthenes
was too deficient in the arts of a courtier to render truth
sufficiently palatable to the prince. His animadversions
on him were probably conveyed in repulsive language, and
he is said to have placed his writings far above the conquests of the king of Macedon, who ought, said he, “to
look for immortality more from his books than from the
madness of being the son of Jupiter/* He thus coarsely
expostulated with Alexander on the absurdity of his expecting divine honours, and he became insupportable to
the youthful hero. Callisthenes being accused, in the
year 328 before the Christian aera, of conspiring against
the life of Alexander, the prince eagerly seized that opportunity for getting rid of his censor.
” This conqueror (says the historian Justin), irritated against the philosopher Callisthenes for boldly disapproving his resolution to make himself
adored after the manner of the kings of Persia, pretended
to believe that he had engaged in a conspiracy against
him; and made use of this pretext for cruelly causing his
lips, his nose, and his ears to be cut off. In this mutilated
condition he had him drawn in his retinue, shut up with a
dog in an iron cage, to make him an object of horror and
affright to his army. Lysimachus, a disciple of this virtuous man, moved at beholding him languish in a misery he
had brought on himself only by a laudable frankness, procured him poison, which at once delivered him from his
exquisite torments and such unmerited indignity. Alexander, being informed of it, was so transported with rage,
that he caused Lysimachus to be exposed to the fury of
a hungry lion, The brave man, on seeing the beast approach to devour him, folded his cloak round his arm,
plunged it down his throat, and, tearing out his tongue,
stretched him dead upon the spot. An exploit so courageous struck the king with an admiration that disarmed his
wrath, and made Lysimachus more dear to him than ever.“
There are, however, other accounts of his death, but all
of them sufficiently shocking. It is reported that Alexander caused these words to be engraved on the tomb of
Callisthenes:
” Gdi Sophistam Qui Sibi Non Sapit." In
the seventh volume of Memoirs of the academy of belles
lettres of Paris may be seen some curious researches on
the life and writings of this philosopher by the abbe Sevin.
The philosophers that succeeded Callisthenes thought it
their duty (says M. Hardion) to avenge their brother by
launching out into furious declamations against the memory
of Alexander, whose criminality, according to Seneca, was
never to be effaced, because he was the murderer of Callisthenes.
s a gentleman commoner of St. John’s college, Oxford, and, without wishing to be thought a laborious scholar, omitted no opportunity of improving his mind in such studies
, an ingenious English writer, was born in London, Feb. 14, 1717, of ancestors belonging to the county of Gloucester. His father, who was a younger brother, had been bred to business as a Turkey merchant, and died in London not long after the birth of his son, the care of whom then devolved on his mother and his maternal uncle Thomas Owen, esq. who adopted him as his future representative. He was sent to Eton, school, where quickness of parts supplied the place of diligence; yet although he was averse to the routine of stated tasks, he stored his mind with classical knowledge, and amuseid it by an eager perusal of works addressed to the imagination. He became early attached to the best English poets, and to those miscellaneous writers who delineate human life and character. A taste likewise for the beauties of rural nature began to display itself at this period, which he afterwards exemplified at his seat in Gloucestershire, and that at Twickenham. In 1734, he entered as a gentleman commoner of St. John’s college, Oxford, and, without wishing to be thought a laborious scholar, omitted no opportunity of improving his mind in such studies as were suitable to his age and future prospects. His first, or one of his first, poetical effusions was on the marriage of the prince of Wales, which was published with the other verses composed at Oxford on the same occasion. In 1737, he became a member of Lincoln’s-inn, where he found many men of wit and congenial habits, but as he had declined taking a degree at Oxford, he had now as little inclination to pursue the steps that lead to the bar; and in 1741, in his twenty-fourth year, he married Miss Trenchard, the second daughter of George Trenchard, esq. of Woolverton in Dorsetshire, a lady who contributed to his happiness for upwards of half a century, and by whom he had a family equally amiable and affectionate. She died Sept. 5, 1806, Laving survived her husband four years.
formed a just estimate, when he says that he is to be regarded rather as an elegant than a profound scholar. Yet, where he chose to apply, his knowledge was far from being
Of his literary character his Son has formed a just estimate, when he says that he is to be regarded rather as an elegant than a profound scholar. Yet, where he chose to apply, his knowledge was far from being superficial, and if he had not at an early period of life indulged the prospect of filling the station of a retired country gentleman, it is probable that he might have made a distinguished figure in any of the learned professions. It is certain that the ablest works on every subject have been produced, with very few exceptions, by men who have been scholars by profession, to whom reputation was necessary as well as ornamental, and who could not expect to rise but in proportion to the abilities they discovered. Mr. Cambridge, without being insensible to the value of fame, had yet none of the worst perils of authorship to encounter. As a writer 1 he was better known to the world, but he could not have been more highly respected by his friends.
cern about any thing but an Aldus’s Herodotus, which he carried under his arm; and which indeed to a scholar at that time was of some consequence, when printing was in its
, one of the most learned writers of his age, was born at Bamberg April 12, 1500. The ancient family name was Leibhard, but it was afterwards changed into that of Cammermeister, in Latin Camerarius, or Chamberlain, from one of his ancestors having held that office at court. He was sent to a school at Leipsic when he was 13 years of age, and soon distinguished himself by his application to Greek and Latin authors, which he read without ceasing. When Leipsic, on one occasion, was in a tumult, Camerarius shewed no concern about any thing but an Aldus’s Herodotus, which he carried under his arm; and which indeed to a scholar at that time was of some consequence, when printing was in its infancy, and Greek books not easily procured. It is yet more to his praise that his Greek professor, when obliged to be absent, entrusted him to read his lectures, although at that time he was but sixteen years old. In 1517 he studied philosophy under Moseilanus; and this was the year, when the indulgences were preached, which gave occasion to the reformation. Camerarius was at St. Paul’s church in Leipsic with Heltus, who was his master in Greek and Latin literature, when these indulgences were exposed from the pulpit; but Heltus was so offended with the impudence of the Dominican who obtruded them, that he went out of the church in the middle of the sermon, and ordered Camerarius to follow him. When he had staid at Leipsic five years, he went to Erford; and three years after to Wittemberg, where Luther and Melancthon were maintaining and propagating the reformation. He knew Melancthon before lived afterwards in the utmost intimacy with him and, after Melancthon' s death, wrote a very copious and accurate life of him. He was also soon after introduced to Erasnrus, and his uncommon abilities and industry made him known to all the eminent men of his time.
c,” which established his reputation as an excellent grammarian, an accurate and judicious critic, a scholar of delicate imagination and taste, and a philosopher of great
Dr. Campbell continued for twelve years to discharge
the offices of principal of Marischal college-, and of one of
the ministers of Aberdeen. In the former capacity he was
equally esteemed by the professors and students; as he
united great learning to a conduct strictly virtuous, and to
manners equally gentle and pleasant. lit the latter office
he lived in the greatest harmony with his colleagues, over
whom he affected no superiority; and by all his hearers
was esteemed as a worthy man, a good preacher, and one
of the best lecturers they had ever heard. In lecturing,
indeed, he excelled, while he rarely composed sermons, but preached from a few, and sometimes without
any notes. Yet his discourses on particular occasions,
were such as maintained his reputation. In June 1771,
he was, on a vacancy by resignation, elected professor of
divinity in Marischal college. This appointment was attended with the resignation of his pastoral charge, as one
of the ministers of Aberdeen; but as minister of Gray
Friars, an office conjoined to the professorship, he had to
preach once every Sunday in one of the churches, and
besides this, had the offices both of principal and professor of divinity to discharge. In the latter office he increased the times of instructing his pupils, so thak they
heard nearly double the number of lectures which were
usual with his predecessors, and he so arranged his subjects, that every student who chose to attend regularly
during the shortest period prescribed by the laws of the
church, might hear a complete course of lectures on thelgy embracing, under the theoretical part, every thing
that the student of divinity should know; and under the
practical branch, every thing that he should do, as a
reader of sacred or church history, a biblical critic, a polemic divine, a pulpit orator, a minister of a parish, and a
member of the church courts on the Scotch establishment.
Some idea may be formed of the value of his labours, by
the canons of scripture criticism, and a few other
prelections on the same subject, which are included in preliminary dissertations/printed along with his “Translation of the
Gospels,
” and by the “Lectures
” published after his death.
In Philosophy of
Rhetoric,
” which established his reputation as an excellent
grammarian, an accurate and judicious critic, a scholar of
delicate imagination and taste, and a philosopher of great
acuteness and deep penetration. Our author also published a few occasional sermons, which were much admired, but not equally. That “On the Spirit of the Gospel,
”
school, to make an oration before queen Mary at her accession to the crown; and from thence elected scholar of St. John’s college in Oxford by Thomas White, the founder
, an ingenious Roman catholic
writer, was born in London in 1540, and educated at
Christ’s hospital. Being a boy of great parts, he was selected while at school, to make an oration before queen
Mary at her accession to the crown; and from thence
elected scholar of St. John’s college in Oxford by Thomas
White, the founder of it, in 1553. He took his degrees
of B. and M. A. regularly, and afterwards went into orders.
In 1566, when queen Elizabeth was entertained at Oxford, he made an oration before her, and also kept an act
in St. Mary’s church, with very great applause from that
learned queen. In 1568, he went into Ireland, where he
wrote a history of that country in two books; but being
then discovered to have embraced the popish religion, and
to labour for proselytes, he was seized and detained for
some time. He escaped soon after into England; but in
1571 transported himself into the Low Countries, and settled in the English college of Jesuits at Doway, where he
openly renounced the protestant religion, and had the degree of B. D. conferred upon him. From thence he went
to Rome, where he was admitted into the society of Jesuits in 1573; and afterwards sent by the general of his
order into Germany. He lived for some time in Brune,
and then at Vienna where he composed a tragedy, called
“Nectar and Ambrosia,
” which was acted before the emperor with great applause. Soon after he settled at Prague
in Bohemia, and taught rhetoric and philosophy for about
six years in a college of Jesuits, which had been newly
erected there. At length being called to Rome, he was
sent by the command of pope Gregory XIII. into England,
where he arrived in June 1580. Here he performed all
the offices of a zealous provincial, and was diligent in propagating his religion by all the arts of conversation and
Writing. He seems to have challenged the English clergy
to a disputation, by a piece entitled “Rationes decem oblati certaminis in causa fidei, redditse academicis Angliae,
”
which was printed at a private press in Edmund Campian, a most pernicious Jesuit.
” Afterwards, having been
found guilty of high treason in adhering to the bishop of
Rome, the queen’s enemy, and in coming to England todisturb the peace and quiet of the realm, he was hanged
and quartered, with other Romish priests, at Tyburn, December 1, 1581.
higher prices. Canaletto died in 1768, aged seventyone. Mr. Fuseli adds, that Francesco Guardi, his scholar, has been of late considered as the rival of his fame, and his
Lord Orford informs us that he came to England in 1746, when he was about the age of fifty, by persuasion of his countryman Amiconi, and encouraged by the multitude of pictures he had sold to, or sent over to the English. He was then in good circumstances, and it was said came over to vest his money in our stocks. Lord Orford thinks he did not stay above two years. At Strawberry hill is a perspective by him of the inside of King’s college chapel, Cambridge; and at Buckingham-house are several large pieces far superior to his common views of Venice. They had belonged to Smyth, the English consul at Venice, who early engaged Canaletto to work for him for a long term of years, at low rates, but retailed the pictures to travelling English at higher prices. Canaletto died in 1768, aged seventyone. Mr. Fuseli adds, that Francesco Guardi, his scholar, has been of late considered as the rival of his fame, and his views of Venice have excited in Italy and on this side of the Alps, the admiration of those whom the brilliancy of his effect and the taste of his method prevented from perceiving how much he wants of the precision and solidity of the master. He died 1793, aged eighty-one.
, a learned scholar of the sixteenth century, was a native of Anghiari in Tuscany,
, a learned scholar of the sixteenth century, was a native of Anghiari in Tuscany, where
he acquired great reputation by his knowledge, not only
of the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, but of the Syriac and
other oriental languages, which he taught at Venice, Padua, Bologna, Rome, and Spain. From Spain he came
to France in 1550, accompanied by father Simon Guichard,
then superior of the* order of the Minims; and at Paris, he
had for one of his scholars, the celebrated Andrew Dudith
of Buda. At length he attached himself to William du
Prat, bishop of Clermont, in whose service he died at
Auvergne in 1557. He was the author of some works
which have not appeared, but among those published was
a very valuable Greek grammar, entitled “Hellenismus,
”
and a book of instructions in the oriental languages, entitled “Institutiones linguarum Syriacte, Assyriacae, et
Thalmudicae, una cum jEthiopicae et Arabics collatione,
”
Paris,
many, who died in 1597, was born at Nimeguen, and became not only a celebrated lawyer, but a general scholar of great reputation, particularly in ecclesiastical antiquities.
, or De Hondt, the nephew of
Peter Canisius, first provincial of the Jesuits in Germany,
who died in 1597, was born at Nimeguen, and became not
only a celebrated lawyer, but a general scholar of great
reputation, particularly in ecclesiastical antiquities. After
studying at the university of Louvain, he was appointed
professor of canon law in that of Ingolstadt, which situation he retained until his death in 1610. His professional
writings were principally, 1. “Summa juris Canonici.
”
2. “Commentarium in regulas juris.
” 3. “Praelectiones
academicae,
” &c. all collected and republished by Andrew
Bouvet in “Opera Canonica Canisii,
” Louvain, Antiqute lectiones,
” Thesaurus monumentorum ecclesiasticorum &
historicorum,
” &c. Amsterdam,
His brother Theodore was also a classical Scholar, and editor of many annotations and criticisms, some of which
His brother Theodore was also a classical Scholar, and editor of many annotations and criticisms, some of which are in Gruter’s Thesaurus. Burman has given a very ample catalogue of the writings of both these learned brothers.
, an eminent classical scholar and Greek professor, was born at Mondidier, a small town in
, an eminent classical scholar and Greek professor, was born at Mondidier, a small town in Picardy, May 1, 1671. For some time his father, who was a tanner, employed him in that business, but he early contracted a fondness for reading, and even taught himself, at his leisure hours, the elements of Latin. About the beginning of 1685, Charles de St. Leger, his uncle, a Benedictine of the abbey of Corbie, happening, on a visit to Mondidier, to discover his nephew’s predilection, advised his parents to send him to the college of Mondidier, where the Benedictines of Cluny then taught Latin. There Capperonnier studied for eighteen months, and by an un% common effort of diligence combined the study of Greek with Latin, two languages which he considered as mutually aiding each other, and which he made the subject of all his future researches. In 1686 he continued his education at Amiens among the Jesuits, for two years, under father Longuemare, who observing his application to be far more incessant than that of his fellow-scholars, gave him private lessons in Greek. In 1688 he came to Paris, where at the seminary of the Trente-trois, he entered upon a course of philosophy and theology, during which he never failed to compare the fathers of the church with the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers. In 1693 and 1694 he studied the Oriental languages in the college of Ave-Maria, and in the latter year, the bishop of his diocese sent him to the community of St. George d' Abbeville to assist the ecclesiastical students in the Greek language, and in 1695 to that of St. Valois cle Monstreuil to teach humanity and philosophy; but the sea air and his excessive application disagreeing with his health, he returned to Paris in 1696, took the degree of master of arts, and followed the business of education until he found that it interfered too much with his studies. Contenting himself, therefore, with the small profits arising from giving a few lessons, he took up his abode, in May 1697, in one of the colleges, and when he had taken his bachelor’s degree in divinity went to Amiens to take orders. Returning to Paris, he became a licentiate, and obtained the friendship and patronage of cardinal Rohan, the abbe Louvois, and other persons of note. At this time, some lessons which he gave in the Greek, and a chapel ry of very moderate income in the church of St. Andr6 des Arcs, were his only resources, with which he lived a life of study and temperance, defrayed the expences of his licentiate, and even could purchase books. Mr. Colesson, however, a law- professor, and who from being his scholar had become his friend, seeing with what difficulty he could maintain himself, made him an offer of his house and table, which, after many scruples, he consented to accept. He went to his new habitation in 1700, and in the following year resigned his duty in the chapel, the only benefice he had, because it took up that time which he thought completely lost if not employed in study. In 1706, M. Viel, then rector of the university of Paris, and M. Pourchot, t.he syndic, admiring his disinterested spirit, procured him a pension of four hundred livres on the faculty of arts, to which no other condition was annexed than that he should revise the Greek booksused in the classes. M. Capperonnier expressed his gratitude on this occasion in a Greek poem, which was printed with a Latin translation by M. Viel, 4to, a pamphlet of six pages.
rade, was yet very careful to give his sons a liberal education. Augustine was intended to be bred a scholar; but his genius leading him to arts, he was afterwards put to
Augustine Caracci was born in 1557, and Hannibal in 1560. Their father, though a taylor in trade, was yet very careful to give his sons a liberal education. Augustine was intended to be bred a scholar; but his genius leading him to arts, he was afterwards put to a goldsmith. He quitted this profession in a little time, and then gave himself up to every thing that pleased his fancy. He first put himself under the tuition of his cousin Lewis; and became a very good designer and painter. He gained some knowledge likewise of all the parts of the mathematics, natural philosophy, rhetoric, music, and most of the liberal arts and sciences. He was also a tolerable poet, and very accomplished in many other respects. Though painting was the profession he always adhered to, yet it was often interrupted by his pursuits in the art of engraving, which he learnt of Cornelius Cort, and in which he surpassed all the masters of his time.
er, and the result has commonly been in favour of Domenichino; but surely, if Agostino yields to his scholar in repose, and the placid economy of the whole, he far excels
Agostino Caracci, with a singular modesty, which prompted him rather to propagate the fame of others by his graver, than by steady exertion to rely on his own power for perpetuity of name, combined with some learning a cultivated taste, correctness and sometimes elegance of form, and a Correggiesque colour, especially in fresco. His most celebrated work in oil is the Communion of St. Jerome, formerly at the Certosa, now likewise, with its rival picture of the same subject, among the spoils of the Louvre. These two pictures have often been compared without much discrimination of the principles that distinguish either, and the result has commonly been in favour of Domenichino; but surely, if Agostino yields to his scholar in repose, and the placid economy of the whole, he far excels him in the principal figure, the expression and character of the Saint.
nd Civolt, an eminent painter, was born in 1559, at the castle of Cigoli, in Tuscany, and became the scholar of Santi di Titi, but after travelling into Lombardy, studied
, called also Cigoli and Civolt, an eminent painter, was born in 1559, at the castle of Cigoli, in Tuscany, and became the scholar of Santi di Titi, but after travelling into Lombardy, studied the works of the first masters, and particularly Correggio. He had some taste, also, for poetry and music, but soon became exclusively attached to his particular art. He was employed by the grand duke in the palace Pitti, and afterwards at Rome and Florence exhibited some excellent specimens of his genius. He gave a new style to the Florentine school; but to say that perhaps he was superior to all his contemporaries, that he approached nearer than any other the style of Correggio, are expressions of Baldinucci, which none will believe who has seen the imitations of that master by Baroccio, the Caracci, or Schidone. Cardi, to judge from his pictures as they are now, availed himself with success of Correggio’s chiaroscuro, joined it to learning in design, and set it off by judicious perspective and a far livelier colour than that of the Tuscan school; but his pictures do not exhibit that contrast of tints, that impasto, that splendour, that graceful air, those bold fore-shortenings, which constitute the character of the. heads of Lombard art. In short, he was the inventor of an original but not a steady style; that which he adopted at Rome differs from his former one. If the general tone of his colour be Lembardesque, his draperies resemble those of Paolo Veronese, and sometimes he approaches the depth of Guercino.
the character of a faahful subject, a valiant and prudent commander, an honest counsellor, a genteel scholar, a lover of antiquities, and a great patron of learning. A stately
, afterwards earl of Totness (descended from an ancient family in the West of England, originally so named from Carew-castle in Pembrokeshire) was born in 1557. His mother was Anne, daughter of sir Nicolas Harvey, kiTight, and his father, George, archdeacon of Totness, and successively dean of Bristol, of the queen’s chapel, of Windsor, of Christ Church, Oxon, and of Exeter; besides several other preferments, most of which he resigned before his decease, which occurred in 1585. George Carew in 1572 was admitted gentleman commoner of Broadgate-hall (now Pembroke college) in Oxford; where he made a good proficiency in learning, particularly in the study of antiquitie’s, but being of an active temper, he left the university without a degree; and applying himself to military affairs, went and served in Ireland against the earl of Desmond. In 1580 he was made governor of Asketten-castle, and in 1589 was created master of arts at Oxford, being then a knight. Some time after, being constituted lieutenant-general of the artillery, or master of the ordnance in Ireland, he was one of the commanders at the expedition to Cadiz, in 1596; and again, the next year, in the intended expedition against Spain. Having in 1599 been appointed president of Munster, he was in 1600 made treasurer of the army, and one of the lords justices of Ireland. When he entered upon his government, he found every thing in a deplorable condition; all the country being in open and actual rebellion, excepting a few of the better sort, and himself having for his defence but three thousand foot and two hundred and fifty horse; yet he behaved with so much conduct and bravery, that he reduced many castles and forts, took James Fitz Thomas, the titular earl of Desmond, and O'Connor, prisoners; and brought the Bourkes, Obriens, and many other Irish rebels, to submission. He also bravely resisted the six thousand Spaniards, who landed at Kinsale, October 1, 1601, and had so well established the province of which he was president, by apprehending the chief of those he mistrusted, and taking pledges of the rest, that no person of consideration joined the Spaniards. In 1602 he made himself master of the castle of Donboy, which was a very difficult undertaking, and reckoned almost impracticable; and by this means prevented the arrival of an army of Spaniards, which were ready to sail for Ireland. He had for some time been desirous of quitting his burdensome office of president of Minister, but he could not obtain permission till the beginning of 1603, when, leaving that province in perfect peace, he arrived in England the 21st of March, three days before queen Elizabeth’s death. His merit was so great, that he was taken notice of by the nevr king, and made by him, in the first year of his reign, governor of the isle of Guernsey, and Castle Cornet: and having married Joyce*, the daughter and heir of William Clopton, of Clopton, co. Warwick, esq. he was June 4, J 605, advanced to the degree of a baron, by the title of lord Carew, of Clopton. Afterwards he was made vice-chamberlain and treasurer to king James’s queen; and in 1608 constituted master of the ordnance throughout England for life; and sworn of the privy-council to the king, as he had before been to queen Elizabeth. Upon king Charles Ist’s accession to the crown, he was created, Feb. 1, 1625, earl of Totness. At length, full of years and honours, he departed this life at the Savoy in London, March 27, 1629, aged seventy- three years and ten months and was buried at Stratford upon Avon, near Clopton leaving behind him the character of a faahful subject, a valiant and prudent commander, an honest counsellor, a genteel scholar, a lover of antiquities, and a great patron of learning. A stately monument was erected to his memory, by his widow, with a long inscription reciting his actions.
of Monmouth, and was noted, Wood says, as “a person well skilled in modern languages, and a general scholar.” This taste for study was his consolation when the depression
, earl of Monmouth, was the eldest
son of Robert, the first earl of Monmouth, who died in
1639, and whose “Memoirs,
” written by himself, and
containing some curious particulars of secret history of the
Elizabethan period, were published from a manuscript in
the possession of the late earl of Corke and Orrery, in
1759, 8vo. Henry, his son, was born in 1596, admitted
a fellow commoner of Exeter college, Oxford, at the age
of fifteen, and took the degree of B. A. in 1613, after
which he was sent to travel into foreign countries. In 1616
he was made a knight of the bath at the creation of Charles
prince of Wales. In 1625 he was known by the name of
lord Lepington, his father’s title before he was created earl
of Monmouth, and was noted, Wood says, as “a person
well skilled in modern languages, and a general scholar.
”
This taste for study was his consolation when the depression of the nobility after the death of Charles I. threw many
of them into retirement. He died June 13, 1661. In
Chauncey’s Hertfordshire is the inscription on his monument
in the church at Rickmansworth, which mentions his living
forty-one years in marriage, with his countess, Martha,
daughter of the lord treasurer Middlesex. He was a
most laborious writer, but chiefly of translations, and, as
lord Orford observes, seems to have distrusted his abilities,
and to have made the fruits of his studies his amusement
rather than his method of fame. Of his lordship’s publications we have, 1. “Romulus and Tarquin; or De Principe
et Tyranno,
” Lond. Fragmenta Aurea,
” and others were prefixed by
Stapylton, Davenant, Carew, &c. It came to a third edition in 1648. 2. “Speech in the house of peers, Jan.
30, 1641, upon occasion of the present distractions, and
of his Majesty’s removal from Whitehall,
” London, Historical relations of the United Provinces, and of
Flanders,
” London, History of the Wars in Flanders,
” ibid. ibid. 1656, fol. from Boccalini. 6.
” Politic Discourses, in six books,“ibid. 1657, fol. 7.
” History of Venice,“ibid. 1658, fol. both from Paul Paruta, a noble Venetian. 8.
” The use of Passions,“ibid.
1649 and 1671, 8vo, from the French of J. F. Senault. 9.
” Man become guilty or the corruption of his nature by
sin,“ibid, from the same author. 10.
” The History of
the late Wair of Christendom,“1641, fol. which lord Orford thinks is the same work with his translation of
” Sir
Francis Biondi’s History of the Civil Wars of England,
between the houses of York and Lancaster.“11.
” Capriata’s “History of Italy,
” Priorato’s History of
France,
” but died before he could finish it. It was completed by William Brent, esq. and printed at London,
1677.
, a divine and poet of the seventeenth century, was educated at Eton college, and thence elected scholar of King’s college in Cambridge, in 1622. About three years after,
, a divine and poet of the seventeenth century, was educated at Eton college, and thence elected scholar of King’s college in Cambridge, in 1622. About three years after, he left England, and studied in Flanders, Artois, France, Spain, and Italy; and at length received holy orders at Rome from the hands of the pope’s substitute. Soon after, having taken upon him the order of St. Benedict, he was sent into England to make proselytes; in which employment he continued somewhat above a year, then returned to the protestant religion, and, through the archbishop of Canterbury’s interest, obtained the small vicarage of Poling by the seaside, near Arundel castle, in Sussex. Here he was exposed to the insults of the Romish party, particularly one Francis a S. Clara, living in that neighbourhood under the name of Hunt, who used to expose him to scorn before his parishioners. In the time, however, of the civil war, he quitted his living, retired to Paris, and reconciling himself to the Romish church, he made it his business to rail against the protestants. Afterwards, returning to England, he settled at Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, where he had some relations; and, being once more a protestant, he would often preach there in a very fantastical manner, to the great mirth of his auditors. He was living there in 1670; but before his death he returned a third time to popery, causing his pretended wife to embrace that persuasion; and in that faith he died. He was generally esteemed a man of an absurd character, one that changed his opinions as often as his cloaths, and, for his juggles and tricks in religion, a theological mountebank.
ue evidently erroneous. The last upon record, John Benedict Carpzovius, was a very eminent classical scholar and critic. He published an excellent edition of Musaeus, Gr.
, one of the sons of the
preceding, was born in 1595, succeeded to his father’s
employments, which he held for forty-six years, and died
in 1666, He was accounted one of the ablest lawyers and
law-writers of his time, and may likewise be praised as a
legal antiquary, as he rescued from the archives, where
they were unknown or forgot, many constitutions and decisions of great curiosity and importance. In his latter
days he retired to Leipsic, and devoted his time entirely
to the study of the Bible, which he is said to have read
over fifty-three times, besides making notes as he went
on, and consulting the commentators. The chief of his
published works are, 1. “Practica rerum criminalium,
”
Detinitiones forenses,
” Comment, ad legern regiam Germanorum,
” Responsa juris Electoralia,
” Definitiones ecclesiastics,
” Decisiones Saxonicae,
”
Processus
Juris Saxonici,
”
finished by entering the school of Andrea del Sarto, whose jealousy and ungenerous treatment, from a scholar, soon turned him into a rival. With such talents he became the
, an artist who from the place of his nativity was called Pontormo, had great natural ingenuity, and was in his earliest works admired by Raphael and Michel Angelo. He had had a few lessons from Lionardo da Vinci; after him from Albertinelli made some progress under Pier di Cosimo; and finished by entering the school of Andrea del Sarto, whose jealousy and ungenerous treatment, from a scholar, soon turned him into a rival. With such talents he became the victim of inconstancy, roaming from style to style. The Certosa of Florence exhibits specimens of the three different manners commonly ascribed to him. The first is correct in design, vigorous in colour, and approaches the style of Andrea del Sarto. The second, with good drawing combines a languid tone, and became the model of Bronzino and the subsequent epoch. The third is a downright imitation of Albert Durer, aod at present can only be found in some histories from the Passion in the cloister of that monastery, which are neither more nor less than copies from the prints of Albert. To these, perhaps, a fourth manner might be added, if the frescos of the General Deluge and Universal Judgment, on which he spent eleven years in S. Lorenzo, and his last work, had not been whitewashed, with the tacit acquiescence of all contemporary artists. In this labour he strove to emulate Michel Angelo, and to exemplify, like him, anatomic skill, which was then becoming the favourite pursuit of Florentine art. He died in 1558, aged sixty-five.
was admitted a scholar of Trinity-hall, Cambridge, on the 5th of May, 1704, and proceeded
was admitted a scholar of Trinity-hall, Cambridge,
on the 5th of May, 1704, and proceeded LL. B. He was
afterwards a member of Symond’s-inn, and practised as a
solicitor in Chancery in 1708, in which profession he became eminent. He was also a learned antiquary. Most
of his manuscripts and papers relative to antiquities are
supposed to have been sold by his widow to the late sir
Thomas Cave, bart. He assisted Mr. Jackson, schoolmaster of Coventry, in his account of the benefactions and
charities belonging to that city; and was the editor, though
without his name, of Brewster’s “Collectanea Ecclesiastica,
” to which he added many learned notes. Mr. Samuel
Carte was alive in 1760, but died not long after. Several
manuscript letters of his, relative to subjects of antiquity,
were in Dr. Ducarel’s possession, and are now in that of
Mr, Nichols.
, whose proper name was Forteguerra, an eminent Italian scholar, was born of a good family at Pistoia in Tuscany, Feb. 4, 1467.
, whose proper name
was Forteguerra, an eminent Italian scholar, was born of
a good family at Pistoia in Tuscany, Feb. 4, 1467. He
was at first educated at a college in Pistoia called “la
Sapienza de' Forteguerri,
” from a cardinal of that name who
founded it for the benefit of twelve students, three of whom
should he of the family of Forteguerra. He studied afterwards at Rome and Florence, where Politian was his Greek
preceptor. In 1500, the senate of Venice appointed him
to teach Greek in that city, and his reputation for knowledge of that language was most extensive. He was afterwards invited to Rome by pope Julius II. who appointed
him preceptor to his nephew, the cardinal Galeotto and
Leo X. is said to have chosen him in the same capacity for
his cousin Julius de Medici; but whatever benefits might
have accrued from this or other instances of Leo’s favour,
were prevented by Carteromachus’s death, Oct. 1G, 1513.
He is indebted for his literary reputation rather to the numerous commendations of his contemporaries and friends
than to his own writings, many of which are said to have
been dispersed at his death, and usurped by others into
whose hands they had fallen. Among those which remain
is his “Oratio de laudibus literarum Graecarum,
” Venice,
Thesaurus Linguae Grasctf.
” Several epigrams of his also are
extant in Greek and Latin in the publications of the times.
During his residence at Venice, he frequently acted as
corrector of the Ahline press, and had a considerable hand
in the edition of Ptolomy’s Geography printed at Rome in
1507, folio.
at the free-school of which town his son was educated under Mr. William Topp. Being chosen a king’s scholar, he was removed to Westminster school, under Dr. Osbaldiston,
, an English poet of the
seventeenth century, was born at Northway near Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, Sept. 1611. His father, after
spending a good estate, was reduced to keep an inn at
Cirencester; at the free-school of which town his son was
educated under Mr. William Topp. Being chosen a king’s
scholar, he was removed to Westminster school, under
Dr. Osbaldiston, and thence elected a student of Christ
church, Oxford, in 1628. After pursuing his studies, with
the reputation of an extraordinary scholar and genius,
he took his master’s degree in 1635, and in 1638 went
into holy orders, becoming “a most florid and seraphical
preacher in the university.
” One sermon only of his is in
print, from which we are not able to form a very high
notion of his eloquence; but whdn Mr. Abraham Wright,
of St. John’s, Oxford, compiled that scarce little book,
entitled “Five Sermons in five several styles, or ways of
Preaching,
” it appears that Dr. Maine and Mr. Cartwright
were of consequence enough to be admitted as specimens
of university preaching. The others are bishop Andrews’,
bishop Hall’s, the presbyterian and independent “ways
of preaching.
”
In 1642, bishop Duppa, with whom he lived in the
strictest intimacy, bestowed on him the place of succentur
of the church of Salisbury. In the same year he was one
of the council of war or delegacy, appointed by the university of Oxford, for providing for the troops sent by the
king- to protect the colleges. His zeal in this office occasioned his being imprisoned by the parliamentary forces
when they arrived at Oxford, but he was bailed soon after.
In 1643, he was chosen junior proctor of the university,
and was also reader in metaphysics. “The exposition of
them,
” says Wood, “was never better performed than by
him and his predecessor Thomas Barlow, of Queen’s college.
” Lloyd asserts that he studied at the rate of sixteen
hours a day. From such diligence and talents much might
have been expected, but he survived the last- mentioned
appointments a very short time, dying on December 23,
1643, in the thirty-second year of his age, of a malignant
fever, called the camp disease, which then prevailed at
Oxford. He was honourably interred towards the upper
end of the south aile of the cathedral of Christ church.
ctober 1631, aged sixteen. Having continued there about three years, he was, in October 1634, chosen scholar of Corpus Christi college in the same university. The next year,
, a learned Chronologer in the seventeenth
century, and great nephew of sir George Cary, knt. lord
deputy of Ireland in queen Elizabeth’s reign, was born at
Cockinton, in the county of Devon, about the year 1615;
being the second son of George Cary, esq. and“Elizabeth,
daughter of sir Edward Seymour, of Berry-castle, bart.
When he was well-grounded in school -learn ing, he went
to Oxford, and was admitted sojourner of Exeter college,
on the 4th of October 1631, aged sixteen. Having continued there about three years, he was, in October 1634,
chosen scholar of Corpus Christi college in the same university. The next year, on December the 3d, he was
admitted bachelor of arts; and the 23d of February 1638-9,
proceeded master of arts: and it is probable, that he was
also chosen fellow of his college, though Mr. Wood professes he did not know. On Nov. 4, 1644, he was created
doctor of laws, by virtue of mandatory letters from
the chancellor, William marquis of Hertford, who was his
kinsman. Some time after, he travelled into Fiance, the
Low Countries, and other foreign parts. At his return,
he was presented by the marquis of Hertford, to the rectory of Portlemouth, near Kingsbridge in Devonshire, a
living of very good value. There he settled, and lived in
good repute: and being distinguished by his birth, degrees,
and learning, the presbyterian ministers of those times
made him moderator of that part of the second divisional*
the county of Devon, which was appointed to meet at
Kingsbridge; yet he was never zealous in their interest: for,
upon the restoration of Charles II. he was one of the first
that congratulated that king upon his return. For this,
he was soon after preferred to the archdeaconry of Exeter,
which he was installed into August 18, 1662. But he was
in a little while, namely, in 1664, affrighted and ejected
out of it by some great men then in power: who taking
advantage of some infirmities, or perhaps imprudences, of
his, resolved to throw him out, in order to raise a favourite
upon his ruin. Being thus deprived of his archdeaconry,
he retired to his rectory at Portlemouth, where he spent
the remainder of his days in a private, cheerful, and contented condition in good repute with his neighbours
and as much above content as he was below envy. He
died at the parsonage-house of Portlemouth, and was buried
in his own church there, on the 19th of September, 1688,
without any funeral monument. He was a man very perfect in curious and critical learning, particularly in chronology; of which he gave a full testimony, in the excellent book he published, entitled
” Palaelogia Chronica, a
chronological account of ancient time, in three parts, 1.
Didactical. 2. Apodeictical. 3. Canonical," Lond. 1677,
folio. He was also in his younger years well skilled in
poetry, as well Latin as English; though he published nothing in this kind but those hymns of our church, that are
appointed to be read after the lessons, together with the
creed, &c. These being translated by him into Latin verse,
were printed on the flat sides of two sheets in folio. In
person he was of a middle stature, sanguine complexion,
and in his elder years somewhat corpulent. In his carriage
he was a gentleman of good address, free and generous,
and courteous and obliging.
mber of manuscripts to the university of Oxford. His character is thus represented. He was a general scholar, but not of particular excellence, unless in criticism, in which
, son of the preceding, was born
at Geneva, August 14, 1599, and had the name of Meric
from Meric de Vicq, a great friend and benefactor to his
father. His first education he received at Sedan, but
coming to England with his father, in the year 1610, he
was instructed by a private master till 1614, when he was
sent to Christ Church, Oxford; and being put there under
a most careful tutor, Dr. Edward Meetkirk (afterwards Regius Hebrew professor), was soon after elected a student
of that house. He took the degree of bachelor of arts,
May 8, 1618, and that of master, June 14, 1621, being
even then eminent for his extensive learning; and the
same year, though he was but two and twenty, he published a book in defence of his father, against the calumnies of certain Roman catholics, entitled “Pietas contra
maledicos, &c.
” Loud. Vindicatio Patris, &c.
” Exercitations against Baronius’s Annals,
” but was diverted
by some accident. At length, when he came to maturity
of years for such a work, and had acquainted archbishop
Laud, his great friend and patron, with his design, who
was very ready to place him conveniently in Oxford or
London, according to his desire, that he might be furnished
with books necessary for such a purpose, the rebellion
broke out in England. Having now no fixed habitation, he
was forced to sell a good part of his books; and, after
about twenty years’ sufferings, became so infirm, that he
could not expect to live many years, and was obliged to
relinquish his design. Before this, however, in June
1628, he was made prebendary of Canterbury, through
the interest of bishop Laud; and when that prelate was
promoted to the archbishopric of Canterbury, he collated
him, in Oct. 1634, to the vicarage of Minster, in the Isle
of Thanet; and in the same month, he was inducted into
the vicarage of Monckton, in that island. In August 1636,
he was created doctor in divinity, by order of king
Charles I. who was entertained at the same time, with his
queen, by the university of Oxford. About the year 1644,
during the heat of the civil wars, he was deprived of his
preferments, abused, fined, and imprisoned. In 1649,
one Mr. Greaves, of Gray’s inn, an intimate acquaintance
of his, brought him a message from Oliver Cromwell, then
lieutenant-general of the parliament forces, desiring him to
come to Whitehall, on purpose to confer with him about
matters of moment; but his wife being lately dead, and
not, as he said, buried, he desired to be excused. Greaves
came again afterwards, and Dr. Casaubon being somewhat
alarmed, desired him to tell him the meaning of the matter; but Greaves refusing, went away the second time.
At length he returned again, and told him, that the lieutenant-general intended his good and advancement; and
his particular errand was, that he would make use of his
pen to write the history of the late war; desiring withal,
that nothing but matters of fact should be impartially set
down. The doctor answered, that he desired his humble
service and hearty thanks should be returned for the great
honour done unto him; but that he was uncapable in several respects for such an employment, and could not so
impartially engage in it, as to avoid such reflections as
would be ungrateful, if not injurious, to his lordship.
Notwithstanding this answer, Cromwell seemed so sensible
of his worth, that he acknowledged a great respect for him;
and, as a testimony of it, ordered, that upon the first demand there should be delivered to him three or four hundred pounds, by a bookseller in London, whose name was
Cromwell, whenever his occasions should require, without
acknowledging, at the receipt of it, who was his benefactor.
But this ofter he rejected, although almost in want. At
the same time, it was proposed by Mr. Greaves, who belonged to the library at St. James’s, that if our author
would gratify him in the foregoing request, Cromwell
would restore to him all his father’s books, which were then
in the royal library, having been purchased by king James;
and withal give him a patent for three hundred pounds a
year, to be paid to the family as long as the youngest sou
of Dr. Casaubon should live, but this also was refused.
Not long after, it was intimated to him, by the ambassador
of Christiana, queen of Sweden, that the queen wished
him to come over, and take upon him the government of
one, or inspection of all her universities; and, as an encouragement, she proposed not only an honourable salary
for himself, but offered to settle three hundred pounds a
year upon his eldest son during life: but this also he
waved, being fully determined to spend the remainder of
his days in England. At the restoration of king Charles II.
he recovered his preferments; namely, his prebend of
Canterbury in July 1660, and his vicarages of Monckton
and Minster the same year: but, two years after, he exchanged this last for the rectory of Ickham, near Canterbury, to which he was admitted Oct. 4, 1662. He had a
design, in the latter part of his days, of writing his own
life; and would often confess, that he thought himself
obliged to do it, out of gratitude to the Divine Providence,
which had preserved and delivered him from more hazardous occurrences than ever any man (as he thought) besides
himself had encountered with; particularly in his escape
from a fire in the night-time, which happened in the house
where he lived, at Geneva, while he was a boy: in his recovery from a sickness at Christ Church, in Oxford, when
he was given over for dead, by a chemical preparation administered to him by a young physician: in his wonderful
preservation from drowning, when overset in a boat on the
Thames near London, the two watermen being drowned,
and himself buoyed up by his priest’s coat: and in his
bearing several abuses, fines, imprisonments, &c. laid
upon him by the republicans in the time of his sequestration: but this he did not execute. He died July 14, 1671,
in the seventy-second year of his age, and was buried in the
south part of the first south cross aile of Canterbury cathedral. Over his grave was soon after erected a handsome
monument with an inscription. He left by will a great
number of manuscripts to the university of Oxford. His
character is thus represented. He was a general scholar,
but not of particular excellence, unless in criticism, in
which probably he was assisted by his father’s notes and
papers. According to the custom of the times he lived in,
he displays his extensive reading by an extraordinary mixture of Greek and Latin quotations and phrases. He was
wont to ascribe to Descartes’s philosophy, the little inclination people had in his time for polite learning. Sir William Temple very highly praises his work, hereafter mentioned, on “Enthusiasm;
” and unquestionably it contains
in any curious and learned remarks; buthisbeingamaintainer
of the reality of witches and apparitions, shews that he was
not more free from one species of enthusiasm than most of
his contemporaries. In his private character he was eminent for his piety, charity to the poor, and his courteous
and affable disposition towards scholars. He had several
children, but none made any figure in the learned world;
one, named John, was a surgeon at Canterbury .
lege, Oxford, where, as well as in Christ Church, he was some time chorister. In 1564 he was elected scholar of St. John’s college, proceeded M. A. was made fellow of the
, M. D. a physician and philosopher of
Oxford, was born at Woodstock in that county, and educated in New college, Oxford, where, as well as in Christ
Church, he was some time chorister. In 1564 he was
elected scholar of St. John’s college, proceeded M. A. was
made fellow of the house, and was accounted one of the
most acute disputants of his time. He forsook his fellowship, as supposed, on account of his inclination to the
Koman catholic religion, but appears to have concealed
this, as we find him in 1589 made prebendary of North
Aulton, in the church of Salisbury. In the mean time he
was reckoned so able an instructor, that he was permitted
to keep a sort of private academy in St. Mary Magdalen’s
parish, where he held declamations, disputations, and exercises, as in the other colleges and halls, and his auditors
were numerous, particularly of young men of popish principles; and several men of eminence came from his school.
His printed works were also held in considerable estimation. His learning was various, but he inclined most to
medicine, and was admitted to his doctor’s degree in that
faculty in 1589. In 1574 he married Elizabeth, the widow of one Dobsou, keeper of the Bocardo prison. By
his lectures, and by his medical practice he acquired a
considerable fortune, much of which he bestowed on pious
uses. He was a man, says Wood, “of an innocent, meek,
religious, and studious life, of a facete and affable conversation; a lover of scholars, beloved by them again, and
had in high veneration.
” Pits gives nearly the same character. Dodd only laments that he hurt his conscience by
occasional conformity to the reformed religion, and says
that he never made a candid confession of his faith till he
lay in his last sickness, when he was assisted by a priest of
the Roman catholic communion. He died at his house in
Oxford, Jan. 23, 1600, and was interred in the chapel of
St. John’s college, where a monument was afterwards
erected to his memory. He was one of the benefactors to
this college.
ch have been compared for their execution with the works of Correggio. The celebrated Le Moine was a scholar of Cases.
, a painter, was born at Paris in 1676, where he also died in the month of June 1754. He had for masters in his art Houasse, and afterwards Bon Boullogne. He obtained the grand prize of painting in 1699, and was received member of the academy in 1704. Cases may be considered as one of the first painters of the French school. His drawing is correct, and in the grand style, his compositions bear marks of genius; he excels in draperies, and possesses a knowledge of the chiaroscuro to a very high degree. His strokes are mellow, and his pencil brilliant. There is much freshness in his tints. This famous artist worked with great industry; but his performances are not all of equal beauty. Towards the latter end of his life, the coldness of age and the weakness of his organs, occasioned him to produce pictures which betray the decline of his powers. Some of his works may be seen at Paris, in the church of Notre Dame, in the college of Jesuits, at the house of charity, at the petit St. Antoine, at the chapel of la Jussienne, at the abbey of St. Martin, and particularly at St. Germain-des. Prs, where he has represented the lives of St. Germain and of St. Vincent. A holy family at St. Louis de Versailles, is much admired, and is one of his best productions. Cases mostly excelled in pictures with horses. The king of Prussia has two fine pieces by this painter, which have been compared for their execution with the works of Correggio. The celebrated Le Moine was a scholar of Cases.
Castalio’s learning has been highly extolled. He was undoubtedly an able Latin, Greek, and Hebrew scholar, but aiming at classical taste, he betrayed the greatest want
Castalio’s learning has been highly extolled. He was
undoubtedly an able Latin, Greek, and Hebrew scholar, but
aiming at classical taste, he betrayed the greatest want of
judgment in the two works for which he is now principally
known, his translation of the Bible into Latin, and his
Dialogues. The quaintness of his Latin style in the former,
evinces a deplorable inattention to the simple majesty of
the original. In the song of Solomon he is particularly
injudicious. This book he wished expunged from the
canon, which was one of the causes of his differences with
Calvin and Beza; when that could not be done, he contrived to debase the magnificence of the language and the
subject by diminutives, which, though expressive of familiar endearment, are destitute of dignity, and therefore
improper on solemn occasions . This incongruous mixture of sublime ideas and words comparatively mean, degrades the noblest poetry almost to the level of burlesque.
In his “Sacred Dialogues,
” says an author, who cannot
be supposed prejudiced against him on account of his
ancient controversies, Castalio is so imprudent in the
verbosity of his paraphrases, that if his character as a man
of learning and piety were not thoroughly established, we
should be tempted to think he had meant to burlesque some
passages of the Old Testament. Indeed these dialogues
are so frequently farcical, not to say indecent, that the
reading of them seems to be very improperly continued in
some schools.
rsation turning one day, in presence of Fontenelle, on the marks of originality in the works of this scholar, somebody said,” But he is mad.“” I know it,“returned Fontenelle,”
The “Vrai systeme de physique generate de Newton,
”
Newton and Descartes,
” said he,
tt are nearly on a par in regard to invention; but the latter
had more facility and elevation; the other, with less facility,
was more profound. Such is pretty nearly the character
of the two nations: the French genius builds upwards, the
English genius downwards. Each of them had the ambition to make a world, as Alexander had that of conquering
it, and both had grand ideas of nature.“Other papers by
him are in the Memoires de Trevoux, in which he was for
some time concerned. The style of Castel partook of the
fire of 'his genius and the wanderings of his imagination.
The conversation turning one day, in presence of Fontenelle, on the marks of originality in the works of this scholar, somebody said,
” But he is mad.“” I know it,“returned Fontenelle,
” and I am sorry for it, for it is a great
pity! But I like him better for being original and a little
mad, than I should if he were in his senses without being
original.“Castel died the llth of January, 1757, at the
age of 68. The abbe dela Porte published in 1763, 12mo,
at Paris under the imprint of Amsterdam,
” L'esprit, les
saillies, & singularites du pere Castel." The author treats,
on a great number of subjects; and though he enters
deeply into none, yet he thinks much, and sometimes verjr
well. The life of Castel was exemplary and edifying he!
was ever assiduous in performing the duties of his station,
and had the highest reverence for religion.
ca Cambiaso, is commonly called il Bergamasco, in contradistinction of Gio. Bat. Castelli a Genoese, scholar of Cambiaso, and -the most celebrated miniature-painter of his
, an eminent artist, the companion of Luca Cambiaso, is commonly
called il Bergamasco, in contradistinction of Gio. Bat.
Castelli a Genoese, scholar of Cambiaso, and -the most
celebrated miniature-painter of his time. This, born at
Bergamo in 1500, and conducted to Genoa by Aurelio
Buso of Crema, a scholar of Polidoro, was at his sudden
departure left by him in that city. In this forlorn state,
he found a Maecenas in the Pallavicini family, who assisted
him, sent him to Rome, and received in him at his return
an architect, sculptor, and painter not inferior to Cambiaso. At Rome, Palomino numbers him with the scholars of Michael Angelo. Whatever master he may have
had, his technic principles were those of Luca; which is
evident on comparison in the church of S. Matteo, where
they painted together. We discover the style of Raffaello verging already to practice, but not so mannered as
that which prevailed at Rome under Gregory and Sixtus.
We recognize in Cambiaso a greater genius and more elegance of design, in Castello more diligence, deeper knowledge, a better colour, a colour nearer allied to the Venetian than the Roman school. It may however be supposed^
that in such fraternal harmony each assisted the other, even
in those places where they acted as competitors, where
each claimed his work, and distinguished it by his name.
Thus at the Nunziata di Portoria, Luca on the panneis
represented the final doom of the blessed and the rejected
in the last judgment; whilst G. Batista on the ceiling, expressed the judge in an angelic circle, receiving the elect.
His attitude and semblance speak the celestial welcome
with greater energy than the adjoined capitals of the words,
“Venite Benedicti.
” It is a picture studied in all its
parts, of a vivacity, a composition, and expression, which
give to the pannels of Luca, the air of a work done by a
man half asleep. Frequently he painted alone; such are
the S. Jerome surrounded by monks frightened at a lion,
in S. Francesco di Castello, and the crowning of St, Sebastian after martyrdom, in his own church, a picture as rich
in composition as studied in execution, and superior to all
praise. That a man of such powers should have been so
little known in Italy, rouses equal indignation and pity,
unless we suppose that his numerous works in fresco at
Genoa prevented him from painting for galleries.
, an Italian scholar of the thirteenth century, was born of one of the most illustrious
, an Italian scholar of the thirteenth century, was born of one of the most illustrious and
powerful families in Florence. He was a zealous Ghibelin,
and became more so by marrying the daughter of Farinara
Uherti, then at the head of that faction. Curso Donati,
chief of the Guelphs, a man in much credit then at Florence, and the bitter personal enemy of Guido, formed a
plan to assassinate him, and although Guido got notice of
this, and made preparations for defence, he saved his life
only by flight. The state of Florence, tired with such disgraceful dissentions, banished the chiefs of both parties.
Guido was sent to Sarzana, or Serezano, where the bad
air affecting his health, he obtained leave to return to
Florence, and died there in 1300, of the disorder he had
contracted in his exile. His father, Cavalcante de' Cavalcanti, passed for an Epicurean philosopher, and an atheist,
and was therefore placed by Dante, in his Inferno, among
that class of the condemned. The son, however, although
likewise a philosopher, appears not to have belonged to the
same sect. On one occasion, when the attempt was made
to assassinate him, he made a pilgrimage to St. James of
Galicia: but of this, whatever might be the motive, love
was the consequence, for at Toulouse he met with his
Mandetta, a lady whom he has made the subject of his
love verses. His poems, elegant, correct, and occasionally
tinged with a tender melancholy, consist of sonnets and
canzones, and compose the sixth book of the collection of
ancient Italian poets, printed by the Giuuti, 1527, 8vo, a
rare book. His “Canzone d'Amore
” was often printed with
the comments of his countrymen, particularly at Florence,
1568, 8vo; Venice, 1585, 4to; and Sienna, 1602, 8vo.
d in Islington church, where a monument was erected to his memory. He was an excellent pud universal scholar, an elegant and polite writer, and a florid and very eloquent
, a very learned divine, was born at
Pickwell, in Leicestershire, of which parish his father was
rector, Dec. 30, 1637. On the 9th of May, 1653, he was
admitted into St. JohnVcollege, in Cambridge, where he
took the degree of B. A. in 1656, and that of M. A. in 1660.
In August 1662, he was admitted to the vicarage of Islington, in Middlesex-, and some time after became chaplain
in ordinary to king Charles 11. He took the degree of
D. D. in 1672, and on the 16th of September, 1679, was
collated by the archbishop of Canterbury to the rectory of
Allhallows the Great, in Thames-street, London. In July
1681, he was incorporated D. D. at Oxford, and in
November 1684, he was installed canon of Windsor, upon
the death of Mr. John Rosewell; about which time, as
Mr. Wood tells us r he became rector of Hasely, in Oxfordshire; but that seems to be a mistake, as the rectory
of Hasely is annexed to the deanery of Windsor. He
resigned his rectory of Allhallows in 1689, and the vicarage of Islington in 1691; but on the 19th of November
before, namely, in 1690, he was admitted to the vicarage
of Isleworth, in Middlesex, which being a quiet and retired place, probably suited best his most studious temper.
He published: 1. “Primitive Christianity; or the Religion of the ancient Christians in the first ages of the Gospel,
” London, Tabulae Ecclesiastics,
” tables of the ecclesiastical
writers, Lond. Antiquitates Apostolicae:
or the history of the lives, acts, and martyrdoms of the
holy apostles of our Saviour, and the two evangelists, St.
Mark and St. Luke. To which is added an introductory
Discourse concerning the three great dispensations of the
church, Patriarchal, Mosaical, and Evangelical. Being a
continuation of `Antiquitates Christianas,' or the Life and
Death of Holy Jesus,
” written by Jeremy Taylor, afterward bishop of Down and Connor, Lond. 1676, fol. 4.
“Apostolici, or the History of the lives, acts, deaths, and
martyrdomsof those who were contemporaries with or
immediately succeeded the Apostles as also of the
most eminent of the primitive fathers for the first three
hundred years. To which is added, a Chronology of the
three first ages of the Church,
” Lond. A
Sermon preached before the right honourable the lordmayor, aldermen, and citizens of London, at St. Mary-leBuw, on the fifth of November, M.DC.LXXX.
” London,
1680, 4to. 6. “A Dissertation concerning the Government of the Ancient Church, by bishops, metropolitans,
and patriarchs. More particularly concerning the ancient
power and jurisdiction of the bishops of Rome, and the
encroachments of that upon other sees, especially the see
of Constantinople;
” Lond. Ecclesiastic!,
or the History of the lives, acts, deaths, and writings of
the most eminent Fathers of the Church that flourished in
the fourth century. Wherein, among other things, an
account is given of the rise, growth, and progress of
Arianism, and all other sects of that age descending from
it. Together with an Introduction, containing an historical account of the state of Paganism under the first
Christian emperor,
” Lond. 1682, fol. 8. “A Sermon
preached before the king at Whitehall, on Sunday, January 18, 1684-5, on Psalm iv. 7. Publisheo 1 by his majesties special command,
” Lond. Chartopbylax Ecclesiasticus,
” Lond. Tabulae Ecclesiastics,
” above-mentioned, and a kind of abridgment of the “Historia Literaria,
” and contams a short account of most of the ecclesiastical writers from the birth of Christ to 1517. 1O.
“Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Historia Literaria i. e. A
Literary History of Ecclesiastical Writers, in two parts,
”
fol. the first printed at Lond. A Serious Exhortation, with some important advices
relating to the late cases about Conformity, recommended
to the present dissenters from the Church of England.
” It
is the twenty-second in the “London Cases.
” This very
learned person died at Windsor, on the 4th of August,
1713, and was buried in Islington church, where a monument was erected to his memory. He was an excellent
pud universal scholar, an elegant and polite writer, and a
florid and very eloquent preacher. He was thoroughly
acquainted with the history and constitution of the Christian church. His works, particularly his Lives of the
apostles, Lives of the fathers, and Primitive Christianity,
evince his great knowledge of antiquity, and are justly esteemed the best books written upon those important subjects. Yet the “Historia Literaria
” is perhaps the work
on which his fume will now be thought principally to depend. This very useful work was reprinted at Geneva, in
1705 and 1720, but the best edition is that printed at the
Clarendon press, by subscription, in 2 vols. fol, 1740—
1743, which contains the author’s last corrections and additions, and additions by other hands. What share Mr.
Henry Wharton had in this work will be noticed in our life
of that writer. From a manuscript letter of Cave’s in our
possession, it appears that he had much reason to complain
of Wharton. During the last twelve years of his life Cave
had repeatedly revised this history, and made alterations
and additions equal to one third part of the work, all which
were carefully incorporated in the new edition. The copy
thus improved, he left in the hands of his executors, the
lord chief justice Reeve, and the rev. Dr. Jones, canon of
Windsor, but they both dying soon after the work went
to press, Dr. Daniel Waterland undertook the care of it.
The venerable Dr. Watson, bishop of Llandaff, observes,
that “Casimiri Oudini Commentarius de Scriptoribus Ecclesix, &c.
” Leipsic, Historia Literaria,
” and other works of
the same kind.
, a very accomplished Italian scholar, was born at Rome in Oct. 1595, the son of Julian Cesarini,
, a very accomplished Italian
scholar, was born at Rome in Oct. 1595, the son of Julian
Cesarini, duke of Citta Nuova, and of Livia Ursini. Such
was his application to study, that at an age when most
scholars are but beginning, he was acquainted with languages, philosophy, theology, law, medicine, mathematics,
and sacred and profane history. Cardinal Bellarmin compared him in knowledge, personal character, and accomplishments, to Picus de Mirandula, and such was the general esteem in which he was held, that a medal was struck
with the heads of Cesarini and Picus crowned with laurel,
and on the reverse two phenixes. His modesty and probity were not less conspicuous than his learning. Pope
Urban VIII. intended to have made him a cardinal, but he
died in the flower of his age, in 1624, then a member of
the academy of the Lyncei. His Latin and Italian poems
were printed in the collection entitled “Septem illustrium
virorum poemata,
” Antwerp, Memoria philosophorum,
&c. curante Henningo Witten, decas prima,
” Francfort,
, a native of Athens, of the fifteenth century, and the scholar of Theodore Gaza, was one of those Greeks who about the time
, a native of Athens,
of the fifteenth century, and the scholar of Theodore
Gaza, was one of those Greeks who about the time of the
taking of Constantinople went into the west. At the invitation of Lorenzo de Medici, he became professor of the
Greek language at Florence in 1479; where he had for
his rival Angelus Politianus, to whom Laurence had committed the tuition of one of his sons. After the death of
Laurence, Chalcondyles was invited to Milan by Lewis
Sfortia; which invitation he accepted, either because he
was tired of contending with Politian, or because he was
hurt with Politian’s acknowledged superiority in Latin
learning. Such is the usually-received account, which
rests only on the authority of Paul Jovius, who was always
hostile to the character of Politian; but Mr. Roscoe in his
life of Lorenzo has proved that the story is without foundation. At Milan, however, Chalcondyles taught Greek
a long time with great reputation; and did not die before
1510, when there is reason to think he was above 80 years
of age. Among the learned Greeks whom pope Nicolas V.
sent to Rome to translate the Greek authors into Latin,
Chalcondyles was one; from which we may collect, that
he probably travelled into the west before the taking of
Constantinople in 1453, since Nicolas died in 1455. He
published a grammar, of which we shall presently take
notice; and under his inspection and care was first published at Florence, in 1499, the Greek Lexicon of Suidas.
Pierius Valerianus, in his book “De infelicitate literatorum,
” says, that Chalcondyles, though a deserving man
in his moral as well as literary character, led nevertheless
a very unhappy life; and reckons perpetual banishment
from his country among the chief of his misfortunes.
Others have mentioned domestic evils that have attended
him. The particulars of his life are very imperfectly
given. Dr. Hody has probably collected all that now can
be found, but he has merely given the notices from various
authors, without attempting a regular narrative. Some
have thought that he was at one time a printer, and that
he printed the folio Homer of Florence, which goes by his
name, and which was executed in 1488; but this report
no doubt arose from the care he took in correcting the
press, as the printers’ names are given in that rare edition.
The “domestic evils
” above alluded to have a better foundation, as he was unhappy in his wife, whose chastity was
suspected, and in his sons: Theophilus, the eldest, who
taught Greek at Paris, was assassinated in the streets in a
riotous squabble; and two others, Saleucus and Basil, both
of promising talents, died young.
also be remembered how difficult technical expression is, which must be accommodated at once to the scholar and the artificer. In his epistolary correspondence, some specimens
His writings were those of a man who had a sound judgment, a clear and strong memory, a ready invention, an easy method of arranging his ideas, and who neither spared time nor trouble. His life was spent rather in the company of books than men, and his pen was oftener employed than his tongue: his style is in general good, and his definitions clear and unaffected. In language he applied rather to the judgment than to the ear; and if he deserves to be censured for baldness, it should also be remembered how difficult technical expression is, which must be accommodated at once to the scholar and the artificer. In his epistolary correspondence, some specimens of which may be seen in the Gentleman’s Magazine, he was lively and easy.
rom his “Miscellanies in prose and verse, English and Latin,” it is discernible that he was a polite scholar, and had many qualities of a poet, but not unmixed with a love
, a miscellaneous writer, was
the son of Peter Champion, a gentleman of an ancient and
respectable family, seated at St. Columb in Cornwall, who
Acquired a considerable fortune as a merchant at Leghorn
he was born February 5, 1724-5, at Croydon, in Surrey,
and received his first instruction in the Greek and Latin
languages at Cheani school in that county; from whence,
in 173y, he was removed to Eton, and in February 1742,
became a member of the university of Oxford having
been placed at St. Mary-hall, under the care of the rev.
Walter Harte, a celebrated tutor, who was selected at a
later period by the earl of Chesterfield to finish his son
Mr. Stanhope’s education in classical literature. After
having passed two years at Oxford, he was entered as a
student of law at the Middle Temple, where he continued
to reside to the day of his decease; and was a bencher of
that society, to which he bequeathed one thousand pounds.
He served in two parliaments, having been elected in
1754 for the borough of St. Germain’s, and in 1761 for
Liskard in Cornwall; but the same great modesty and reserve restrained him from displaying the powers of his very
discerning and enlightened mind in that illustrious assembly, which prevented him also from communicating to the
world his poetical effusions, a collection of which was
published in an elegant volume in 1801, by William Henry
lord Lyttelton, who prefixed a biographical article, from
which the above account is taken. He died Feb. 22, 1801,
beloved and lamented, as his noble friend says, by all
who were acquainted with the brightness of his genius, his
taste for the finer arts, his various and extensive learning,
and the still more valuable qualities of his warm and benevolent heart. From his “Miscellanies in prose and verse,
English and Latin,
” it is discernible that he was a polite
scholar, and had many qualities of a poet, but not unmixed
with a love for those disgusting images in which Swift
delighted.
, D. D.an eminent scholar and antiquary, was born in 1738, and educated at Magdalencollege,
, D. D.an eminent scholar and
antiquary, was born in 1738, and educated at Magdalencollege, Oxford, of which he was some time fellow. He
took his degree of M. A. Oct. 15, 1761, that of B. D. April
23, 1773, and in December of the same year that of D.D.
Having entered into holy orders, he had the college living
of Worldlyham, in Hampshire, and was afterwards rector
of Tilehurst, in Berkshire. His first appearance in the
republic of letters was as editor of the “Oxford Marbles,
”
in which capacity he was employed by the university. The
“Marmora Oxoniensia
” were accordingly printed at the
Clarendon press, in a magnificent folio, in 1763, with an
elegant Latin preface by the editor, and a very copious
index by his friend Mr. Loveday. Mr. Chandler also corrected the mistakes of the former editors, and in some of
the inscriptions, particularly that of the Parian Chronicle,
supplied the lacuna by many ingenious conjectures.
ences he made a rapid progress; for the zeal of the master was well seconded by the diligence of the scholar, who followed his literary pursuits with the same ardour and
His active genius discovered to him in the silence and solitude of the cloister resources which he had little expected. During his course of philosophy, he formed an acquaintance with a carthusian, named Dom Germain, from whom he learned the elements of the mathematics and of astronomy. In these two sciences he made a rapid progress; for the zeal of the master was well seconded by the diligence of the scholar, who followed his literary pursuits with the same ardour and enthusiasm as the generality of young men follow dissipation and pleasure. So singular a phenomenon could not long remain unknown. Father de la Tour, then principal of the college, being struck with young Chappe, mentioned him to M. Cassini, and spoke of the progress he had made in such high terms, that the latter became very desirous to see some of his works. After causing him to make a few experiments in his presence, that celebrated academician could not help admiring his happy disposition; but he did not confine himself to praises only. Being a warm patron and protector of merit, he from that moment resolved to cultivate young Chappe' s talents, and to endeavour to render them useful to society. With this view he employed him in taking plans of several of the royal buildings, and made him assist in delineating the general map of France.
, an eminent oriental scholar, of whom we regret that our information is so scanty, was born
, an eminent oriental scholar,
of whom we regret that our information is so scanty, was
born in 1683, and educated at St. John’s college, Cambridge, where he took his bachelor’s degree in 1712, his
master’s in 1716, and that of B. D. in 1723. To his other
studies he united an uncommon application to oriental
languages, in which such was his reputation, that he was
chosen to succeed the learned Simon Ockley in 1720, as
Arabic professor. He held also a fellowship in his college,
until they bestowed on him the livings of Great and Little
Hormead, in Hertfordshire. To this fellowship he was
chosen in 1717, in the room of a Mr. Tomkinson, one of
the nonjuror-fellows ejected at that time by act of parliament. The celebrated Mr. Baker was another, and always
afterwards designated himself “Socius ejectus.
” In February De Legibus Hebraeorum Ritualibus.
” Spencer, after the first publication of this capital
work in 1685, had continued to make improvements in it,
and by will left such of his papers and writings as were
perfect, to be added in their proper places, if ever there
should be occasion to reprint it with the full right and
property of them to his executor, bishop (afterwards archbishop) Tenison, who bequeathed them to the university of
Cambridge, after having caused them to be prepared for
the press, with fifty pounds towards the expences of
printing. These the senate, by grace, gave leave to Mr.
Chappelow to publish, and as an encouragement, bestowed
upon him the archbishop’s benefaction likewise. The work
was accordingly executed in 1727, 2 vols. fol. by a subscription of two guineas the small, and three guineas the
large paper, begun in 1725. B en e't college, on this occasion, was at the expence of prefixing an elegant engraving of the author, as a small testimony of gratitude to
their munificent benefactor. In 1730, he published “Elementa Linguae Arabicae,
” chiefly from Erpenius.
plication and extensive capacity, which encouraged him to aim at the accomplishments of an universal scholar. But as his circumstances confined him to some particular profession,
, a very learned physician,
and voluminous writer, the son of the rev. Walter Charleton, M. A. some time vicar of Ilminster, and afterwards
rector of Shepton Mallet, in the county of Somerset,
was born at Shepton Mallet, February 2, 1619, and was
first educated by his father, a man of extensive capacity,
though but indifferently furnished with the goods of fortune. He was afterwards sent to Oxford, and entered of
Magdalen Hall in Lent term 1635, where he became the
pupil of the famous Dr. John Wilkins, afterwards bishop
of Chester, under whom he made great progress in logic
and philosophy, and was noted for assiduous application
and extensive capacity, which encouraged him to aim at
the accomplishments of an universal scholar. But as his
circumstances confined him to some particular profession,
he made choice of physic, and in a short time made as
great a progress in that as he had done in his former studies.
On the breaking out of the civil war, which brought the
king to Oxford, Mr. Charleton, by the favour of the king,
had the degree of doctor of physic conferred upon him in
February 1642, and was soon after made one of the physicians in ordinary to his majesty. These honours made
him be considered as a rising character, and exposed him
to that envy and resentment which he could never entirely
conquer. Upon the declension of the royal cause, he came
up to London, was admitted of the college of physicians,
acquired considerable practice, and lived in much esteem
with the ablest and most learned men of the profession;
such as sir Francis Prujean, sir George Ent, Dr. William
Harvey, and others. In the space of ten years before the
Restoration, he wrote and published several very ingenious
and learned treatises, as well on physical as other subjects,
by which he gained great reputation abroad as well as at
home; and though they are now less regarded than perhaps they deserve, yet they were then received with almost universal approbation. He became, as Wood tells
us, physician in ordinary to king Charles II. while in exile,
which honour he retained after the king’s return; and,
upon the founding of the royal society, was chosen one of
the first members. Among other patrons and friends were
William Cavendish, duke of Newcastle, whose life Dr.
Cliarleton translated into Latin in a very clear and elegant
style, and the celebrated Hobbes, but this intimacy, with:
his avowed respect for the Epicurean philosophy, drew
some suspicions upon him in regard to his religion, notwithstanding the pains he had taken to distinguish between
the religious and philosophical opinions of Epicurus in his
own writings against infidelity. Few circumstances seem
to have drawn more censure on him than his venturing to
differ in opinion from the celebrated Inigo Jones respecting
Stonehenge, which Jones attributed to the Romans, and
asserted to be a temple dedicated by them to the god Coelus, or Coelum; Dr. Charleton referred this antiquity to
later and more barbarous times, and transmitted Jones’s
book, which was not published till after its author’s death,
to Olaus Wormius, who wrote him several letters, tending
to fortify him in his own sentiment, by proving that this
work ought rather to be attributed to his countrymen the
Danes. With this assistance Dr. Charleton drew up a
treatise, offering many strong arguments to shew, that this
could not be a Roman temple, and several plausible reasons why it ought rather to be considered as a Danish monument; but his book, though learned, and enriched with
a great variety of curious observations, was but indifferently
received, and but coldly defended by his friends. Jones’s
son-in-law answered it with intemperate warmth, and many
liberties were taken by others with Dr. Charleton’s character, although sir William Dugdale and some other eminent antiquaries owned themselves to be of our author’s
opinion; but it is now supposed that both are wrong.
Notwithstanding this clamour, Dr. Charleton’s fame was
advanced by his anatomical prelections in the college
theatre, in the spring of 1683, and his satisfactory defence
of the immortal Harvey’s claim to the discovery of the
circulation of the blood, against the pretence that was set
up in favour of father Paul. In 1689 he was chosen president of the college of physicians, in which office he continued to the year 1691. A little after this, his circumstances becoming narrow, he found it necessary to seek a
retreat in the island of Jersey; but the causes of this are not
explained, nor have we been able to discover how long he
continued in Jersey, or whether he returned afterwards to
London. All that is known with certainty is, that he died
in the latter end of 1707, and in the eighty-eighth year
of his age. He appears from his writings to have been a
man of extensive learning, a lover of the constitution in
church and state, and so much a lover of his country as to
refuse a professor’s chair in the university of Padua. In
his junior years he dedicated much of his time to the study
of philosophy and polite literature, was as well read in
the Greek and Roman authors as any man of his time, and
he was taught very early by his excellent tutor, bishop
Wilkins, to digest his knowledge so as to command it readily
when occasion required. In every branch of his own
profession he has left testimonies of his diligence and his
capacity; and whoever considers the plainness and perspicuity of his language, the pains he has taken to collect
and produce the opinions of the old physicians, in order
to compare them with the moderns, the just remarks with
which these collections and comparisons are attended, the
succinctness with which all this is dispatched, and the
great accuracy of that method in which his books are
written, will readily agree that he was equal to most of his
contemporaries. As an antiquary, he had taken much pains
in perusing our ancient historians, and in observing their
excellencies as well as their defects. But, above all, he
was studious of connecting the sciences with each other,
and thereby rendering them severally more perfect; in
which, if he did not absolutely succeed himself, he had at
least the satisfaction of opening the way to others, of showing the true road to perfection, and pointing out the
means of applying and making those discoveries useful,
which have followed in succeeding times. There is also
good reason to believe, that though we have few or none
of his writings extant that were composed during the last
twenty years of his life, yet he was not idle during that
space, but committed many things to paper, as materials
at least for other works that he designed. There is now a
large collection of his ms papers and letters on subjects of
philosophy and natural history in the British Museum.
(Ayscough’s Catalogue.) His printed works are, 1 . “Spiritus
Gorgonicus vi sua saxipara exutus, sive de causis, signis,
et sanatione Lithiaseos,
” Leyden, The darkness
of Atheism discovered by the light of nature, a physicotheological treatise,
” London, The Ephesian and Cimmerian Matrons, two remarkable examples of
the power of Love and Wit/ 7 London, 1653 and 1658, 8vo.
4.
” Physiologia Epicuro-Gassendo-Charletoniana: or a
fabric of natural science erected upon the most ancient
hypothesis of atoms,“London, 1654, in fol. 5.
” The Immortality of the human Soul demonstrated by reasons natural,“London, 1657, 4to. 6.
” Oeconomia Animalis novis Anatomicorum inventis, indeque desumptis modernorum Medicorum Hypothesibus Physicis superstructa et
mechanice explicata,“London, 1658, 12mo; Amsterdam,
1659, 12mo; Leyden, 1678, 12mO; Hague, 1681, 12mo.
It is likewise added to the last edition of
” Gulielmi Cole
de secretione animali cogitata.“7.
” Natural history of
nutrition, life, and voluntary motion, containing all the
new discoveries of anatomists,“&c. London, 1658, 4to.
8.
” Exercitationes Physico-Anatomicse de Oeconomia Animali,“London, 1659, 8vo printed afterwards several
times abroad. 9.
” Exercitationes Pathologicæ, in quibus
morborum pene omnium natura, generatio, et causae ex
novis Anatomicorum inventis sedulo inquiruntur,“London,
160, and 1661, 4to. 10.
” Character of his most sacred
Majesty Charles II. King of Great Britain, France, and
Ireland,“London, 1660, one sheet, 4to. 11.
” Disquisitiones duae Anatomico-Physica? altera Anatome pueri de
ccelo tacti, altera de Proprietatibus Cerebri humani,“London, 1664, 8vo. 12.
” Chorea Gigantum, or the most
famous antiquity of Great Britain, vulgarly called Stonehenge, standing on Salisbury Plain, restored to the Danes,“London, 1663, 4to. 13.
” Onomasticon Zoicon, plerorumque animalium differentias et nomina propria pluribus
linguis exponens. Cui accedunt Mantissa Anatomice, et
quiedam de variis Fossilium generibus,“London, 1668 and
1671, 4to; Oxon. 1677, fol. 14.
” Two Philosophical
Discourses the first concerning the different wits of men
the second concerning the mystery of Vintners, or a discourse of the various sicknesses of wines, and their respective remedies at this day commonly used, &c. London, 1663, 1675, 1692, 8vo. 15. “De Scorbuto Liber
singularis. Cui accessit Epiphonema in Medicastros,
”
London, Natural
History of the Passions,
” London, Enquiries into Humane Nature, in six Anatomy-prelections in
the new theatre of the royal college of physicians in London,
” London, Oratio Anniversaria habita in Theatro inclyti Collegii Medicorum Londinensis 5to
Augusti 1680, in commemorationem Beneficiorum a
Doctore Harvey aliisque præstitorum,
” London, 1680, 4to.
19. “The harmony of natural and positive Divine Laws,
”
London, Three Anatomic Lectures concerning, l.The motion of the blood through the veins and
arteries. 2. The organic structure of the heart. 3. The
efficient cause of the heart’s pulsation. Read in the 19th,
20th, and 21st day of March 1682, in the anatomic theatre
of his majesty’s royal college of Physicians in London,
”
London, Inquisitio Physlca de causis
Catameniorum, et Uteri Rheumatismo, in quo probatur
sanguinem in animali fermentescere nunquam,
” London,
Gulielmi Ducis Novicastrensis vita,
”
London, A Ternary of Paradoxes, of the
magnetic cure of wounds, nativity of tartar in wine, and
image of God in man,
” London, The
errors of physicians concerning Defluxions called Deliramenta Catarrhi,
” London, Epicurus his Morals,
” London, The Life
of Marcellus,
” translated from Plutarch, and printed in the
second volume of “Plutarch’s Lives translated from the
Greek by several hands,
” London,
eglected. Being recommended as such, by Dr. Butts, to king Henry VIII. he was soon after made kind’s scholar, and supplied by his majesty with money for his education, and
, a learned writer of the sixteenth
century, descended from an ancient family in the Isle of
Wight, was born at Cambridge, June 16, 1514, being the
son of Peter Cheke, gent, and Agnes, daughter of Mr.
Dufford of Cambridgeshire. After receiving his grammatical education under Mr. John Morgan, he was admitted
into St. John’s college, Cambridge, in 1531, where he
became very eminent for his knowledge in the learned
languages, particularly the Greek tongue, which was then
almost universally neglected. Being recommended as such,
by Dr. Butts, to king Henry VIII. he was soon after made
kind’s scholar, and supplied by his majesty with money
for his education, and for his charges in travelling into
foreign countries. While he continued in college he introduced a more substantial and useful kind of learning
than what had been received for some years; and encouraged especially the study of the Greek and Latin languages, and of divinity. After having taken his degrees
in arts he was chosen Greek lecturer of the university.
There was no salary belonging to tnat place: but king
Henry having founded, about the year 1540, a professorship of the Greek tongue in the university of Cambridge,
with a stipend oi forty pounds a year, Mr. Cheke, though
but twenty-six years of age, was chosen the first professor.
This place he held long after he left the university, namely,
till October 1551, and was highly instrumental in bringing
the Greek language into repute. He endeavoured
particularly to reform and restore the original pronunciation of
it, but met with great opposition from Stephen Gardiner,
bishop of Winchester, chancellor of the university, and
their correspondence on the subject was published. Cheke,
however, in the course of his lectures,- went through all
Homer, all Euripides, part of Herodotus, and through
Sophocles twice, to the advantage of his hearers and his
own credit. He was also at the same time universityorator. About the year 1543 he was incorporated master
of arts at Oxford, where he had studied some time. On
the 10th of July 1544 he was sent for to court, in order to
be school- master, or tutor, for the Latin tongue, jointly
with sir Anthony Cooke, to prince Edward and, about
the same time, as an encouragement, the king granted
him, being then, as it is supposed, in orders, one of the
canonries in his new- founded college at Oxford, now Christ
Church but that college being dissolved in the beginning
of 1545, a pension was allowed him in the room of his
canonry. While he was entrusted with the prince’s education, he made use of all the interest he had in promoting
men of learning and probity. He seems also to have
sometimes had the lady Elizabeth under his care. In
1547, he married Mary, daughter of Richard Hill, serjeant of the wine-cellar to king Henry VIII. When his
royal pupil, king Edward VI. came to the crown, he rewarded him for his care and pains with an annuity of one
hundred marks; and also made him a grant of several
lands and manors . He likewise caused him, by a mandamus, to be elected provost of King’s college, Cambridge,
vacant by the deprivation of George Day, bishop of Chichester. In May 1549, he retired to Cambridge, upon
some disgust he had taken at the court, but was the same
Summer appointed one of the king’s commissioners for
visiting that university. The October following, he was one
of the thirty-two commissioners appointed to examine the
old ecclesiastical law books, and to compile from thence a
body of ecclesiastical laws for the government of the
church; and again, three years after, he was put in a new
commission issued out for the same purpose. He returned
to court in the winter of 1549, but met there with great
uneasiness on account of some offence given by his wife
to Anne, duchess of Somerset, whose dependent she was.
Mr. Cheke himself was not exempt from trouble, being of
the number of those who were charged with having suggested bad counsels to the duke of Somerset, and afterwards betrayed him. But having recovered from these
imputations, his interest and authority daily increased, and
he became the liberal patron of religious and learned men,
both English and foreigners. In 1550 he was made chief
gentleman of the king’s privy -chamber, whose tutor he
still continued to be, and who made a wonderful progress
through his instructions. Mr. Cheke, to ground him well
in morality, read to him Cicero’s philosophical works, and
Aristotle’s Ethics; but what was of greater importance, instructed him in the general history, the state and interest,
the laws and customs of England. He likewise directed
him to keep a diary of all the remarkable occurrences that
happened, to which, probably, we are indebted for the
king’s Journal (printed from the original in the Cottonian library) in Burnett’s History of the Reformation. In October, 1551, his majesty conferred on him the honour of
knighthood; and to enuhle him the better to support that
rank, made him a grant, or gift in fee simple (upon consideration of his surrender of the hundred marks abovementioned), of the whole manor of Stoke, near Clare, exclusively of the college before granted him, and the appurtenances in Suffolk and Essex, with divers other lands,
tenements, &c. all to the yearly value of 145l. 19$. 3d.
And a pasture, with other premises, in Spalding; and the
rectory, and other premises, in Sandon. The same year
he held two private conferences with some other learned
persons upon the subject of the sacrament, or transubstantiation. The first on November the 25th, in -secretary
Cecil’s house, and the second December 3d the same year,
at sir Richard Morison’s. The auditors were, the lord
Russel, sir Thomas Wroth of the bed-chamber, sir Anthony Cooke, one of the king’s tutors, Throgmorton,
chamberlain of the exchequer, Mr. Knolles, and Mr. Harrington, with whom were joined the marquis of Northampton, and the earl of Rutland, in the second conference.
The popish disputants for the real presence were, Feckenham, afterwards dean of St. Paul’s, and Yong; and at the
second disputation, Watson. The disputants on the other
side were, sir John Cheke, sir William Cecil, Horn, dean
of Durham, Whitehead, and Grindal. Some account of
these disputations is still extant in Latin, in the library of
Mss. belonging to Bene't college, Cambridge and from
thence published in English by Mr. Strypein his interesting
Life of sir John Cheke. Sir John also procured Bucer’s
Mss. and the illustrious Leland’s valuable, collections for
the king’s library but either owing to sir John’s misfortunes, or through some other accident, they never reached
their destination. Four volumes of these collections were
given by his son Henry Cheke, to Humphrey Purefoy, esq.
one of queen Elizabeth’s council in the north, whose son,
Thomas Purefoy, of Barvvell in Leicestershire, gave them
to the famous antiquary, William Burton, in 1612 and he
made use of them in his description of Leicestershire.
Many years after, he presented them to the Bodleian library at Oxford, where they now are. Some other of these
collections, after Cheke’s death, came into the hands of
William lord Paget, and sir William Cecil. The original
of the “Itinerary,
” in five volumes, 4to, is in the Bodleian library; and two volumes of collections, relating to
Britain, are in the Cottonian.
. After he had been educated in grammar learning at a private school in that city, he was admitted a scholar of Trinity-college, June 2, 1618, and elected fellow June 10,
, a divine of the church of England, celebrated for his controversial talents, was the son of William Chillingworth, citizen, afterwards mayor of Oxford, and born there October 1602. He was baptized on the last of that month, Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, but then fellow of St. John’s -college, being his godfather. After he had been educated in grammar learning at a private school in that city, he was admitted a scholar of Trinity-college, June 2, 1618, and elected fellow June 10, 1628; after having taken his degrees of B A. and M. A. in the regular way. He did not confine his studies to divinity: he applied himself with great success to mathematics; and, what shews the extent of his genius, he was also accounted a good poet. Accordingly, sir John Suckling has mentioned him in his Session of the Poets"
, an excellent Greek and Latin scholar and mathematician, was born in 1610 at Slow in the Wold, in
, an excellent Greek and Latin
scholar and mathematician, was born in 1610 at Slow in
the Wold, in Gloucestershire, and became one of the clerks
of Magdalen college, Oxford; and in 1632, one of the petty
canons or chaplains of Christ church. Being ejected from
this by the parliamentary visitors in 1648, he came to
London in great necessity, and took lodgings in the house
of Thomas Est, a musician and music printer, in Aldersgate street. There being a large room in this house, Chilmead made use of it for a weekly music meeting, from the
profits of which he derived a slender subsistence, and probably improved it by being employed as translator. He
died in 1653, having for some years received relief from
Edward Bysshe, esq. garter king at arms, and sir Henry
Hoibrook, the translator of Procopius. He was interred in
the church of St. Botolph without Aldersgate. Among
his works, our musical historians notice his tract “De
musica antiqua Graeca,
” printed in Versio Latina et Annotationes in Joan. Malalae Chronographiam,
” Oxf. A Treatise on Love, or Erotic
Melancholy,
” Unheard-of Curiosities.
” 4. Campanella’s “Discourse touching the
Spanish monarchy,
” which not selling, Prynne prefixed an
epistle and a new title, “Thomas Campanella’s advice to
the king of Spain, for obtaining the universal monarchy of
the world,
” Lond. Treatise of the
Globes,
” ibid. History
of the Rites, Customs, &c. of the Jews,
” ibid. Catalogus Mss. Grsecorum in Bibl.
Bodl.
” 1636, a manuscript for the use of the Bodleian,
and the most complete of its time.
ber of Pembroke college, Oxford. His son being intended for the church, was sent to Oxford, became a scholar of Corpus Christi college, and received the degree of master
, a learned divine and antiquary,
was born at Ey worth, in Bedfordshire, and was the son of
Paul Chishull, formerly bible clerk of Queen’s college,
Cambridge, and master of arts, as a member of Pembroke
college, Oxford. His son being intended for the church,
was sent to Oxford, became a scholar of Corpus Christi
college, and received the degree of master of arts in
February 1693; and he was chosen, likewise, a fellow of
his college. Previously to his commencing master of arts,
he had published in 1692, a Latin poem, inquarto, on
occasion of the famous battle of La Hogue, entitled, “Gulielmo Tertio terra manque principi invictissimo in Gallos
pugna navali nuperrime devictos, ' carmen heroic urn,
”
Oxon. When queen Mary died, on the 28th of December 1694, Mr. Chishull was one of the Oxford gentlemen
who exerted their poetical talents in deploring that melancholy event, and his tribute of loyalty is preserved in
the third volume of the Musse Anglicans, but is rather a
school exercise, than a production of genius. In 1698,
having obtained a grant of the traveller’s place, from the
society of Corpus Christi college, he sailed from England
on the 12th of September, and arrived on the 19th of November following at Smyrna. Before he set out on his
voyage, he preached a sermon to the Levant company,
which was published, and probably procured him to be
appointed chaplain to the English factory at Smyrna, in.
which station he continued till the 12th of February,
1701-2. On the 16th of June, 1705, he was admitted to
the degree of bachelor in divinity. In the next year he
engaged in a controversy, which at that time excited
considerable attention, by publishing “A charge of Heresy maintained against Mr. Dodwell’s late Epistolary Discourse concerning the Mortality of the Soul,
” London,
8vo. This was one of the principal books written in
answer to Dodwell on that subject. In 1707, Chishull
exerted his endeavours in opposing the absurdities and
enthusiasm of the French prophets, and their followers, in
a sermon, on the 23d of November, at Serjeant’s-inn
chapel, in Chancery-lane, which was published in the
beginning of 1708, and was entitled, “The great Danger
and Mistake of all new uninspired Prophecies relating to
the End of the World,
” with an appendix of historical
collections applicable to subject. On the 1st of September, in the same year, he was presented to the vicarage of
Walthamstow, in Essex; and in 1711, he had the honour
of being appointed one of the chaplains in ordinary to the
queen. About the same time, he published a visitation
and a few other occasional sermons, preached on public
occasions, all which were favourably received. But he,
soon became more distinguished for his researches in ancient literature and history.
Chrysippus aimed at being an universal scholar; and wrote upon almost every subject, and even condescended
Chrysippus aimed at being an universal scholar; and wrote upon almost every subject, and even condescended to give rules for the education of children. Quintilian has preserved some of his maxims upon this point. He ordered the nurses to sing a certain kind of songs, and advised them to choose the most modest. He wished, that, if it were possible, children might be nursed by none but learned women. He would have children be three years under the care of their nurses; and that the nurses should begin to instruct them without waiting till they were older; for he was not of the opinion of those who thought the age of seven years soon enough to begin. He died in the 143d olympiad, eighty-three years of age, B. C. 208, and had a monument erected to him among those of the illustrious Athenians. His statue was to be seen in the Ceramicus, a place near Athens, where they who had been killed in the war were buried at the expence of the public. He accepted the freedom of the city of Athens, which neither Zeno nor Cleanthes had done and is censured for it, but without much reason, by Plutarch.
ek language. With this he complied, and taught there for three years, and had Leonard Aretin for his scholar. From Florence he went to Milan, at the command of his emperor,
, the principal of those learned men who brought the Greek language and literature into the West, was born at Constantinople, as it is supposed, about 1355. He was of considerable rank, and descended from so ancient a family that his ancestors are said to have removed with Constantine from Rome to Byzantium. He was sent ambassador to the sovereigns of Europe by the emperor John Palseologus in 1387, to solicit assistance against the Turks, and was here in England in the reign of Richard II. In an epistle which he wrote at Rome to the emperor, containing a comparison of ancient and modern Rome, he says that he was two years before at London with his retinue. When he had finished this embassy in somewhat more than three years, he returned to Constantinople; but afterwards, whether through fear of the Turks, or for the sake of propagating the Greek learning, left it again, and came back into Italy about 1396, by invitation from the city of Florence, with the promise of a salary, to open a school there for the Greek language. With this he complied, and taught there for three years, and had Leonard Aretin for his scholar. From Florence he went to Milan, at the command of his emperor, who was come into Italy, and resided in that city; and while he was here, Galeazzo, duke of Milan, prevailed with him to accept the Greek professorship in the university of Pavia, which had lately been founded by his father. This he held till the death of Galeazzo, and then removed to Venice on account of the wars which immediately followed. Between 1406 and 1409 he went to Rome upon an invitation from Leonard Aretin, who had formerly been his scholar, but was then secretary to pope Gregory XII. In this city his talents and virtues procured him the honour of being sent, in 1413, into Germany by pope Martin V. as ambassador to the emperor Sigismund, along with cardinal Zarabella, in order to fix upon a place for holding a general council; and Chrysoloras and the cardinal fixed upon Constance. Afterwards he returned to his own emperor at Constantinople, by whom he was sent ambassador with others as representatives of the Greek church, to the council of Constance; but a few days after the opening of the council he died, April 15, 1415. He was buried at Constance and a handsome monument was erected over him, with an inscription upon it by Peter Paul Vergerio. His scholar Poggio also honoured his memory with an elegant epitaph, and a volume of eulogies upon him lately existed in the monastery at Camaldoli, justly due to one who contributed so essentially to revive Grecian literature, which had lain dormant in the West for seven hundred years. Emanuel had a nephew, John Chrysoloras, who likewise taught Greek in Italy, and died in 1425. Emanuel’s. Greek Grammar was published soon after the invention of printing, and there are a great many editions from 1480 to 1550, 4to and 8vo, almost all of which are very scarce.
he afterwards condemned in his advanced age, as unworthy of his maturer judgment. He also became the scholar of Philo the academic; studied logic with Diodorus the stoic;
The peace of Rome being now disturbed by a domestic war, which writers call the Italic, Social, or Marsic, Cicero served as a volunteer under Sylla. For though his natural inclination was not much bent on military renown, yet even those who applied themselves to studies and civil affairs at Rome, found it necessary to acquire a competent share of military skill, that they might be qualified to govern provinces and command armies, to which they all succeeded of course in the administration of the great offices of state. Cicero’s natural disposition, however, led him chiefly to improve himself in those studies which conduced eventually to the establishment of his high fame He was constant in his attendance upon orators and philosophers; resumed his oratorial studies under Molo the Rbodian, one of the ablest of that profession, and is supposed to have written those rhetorical pieces on the subject of invention, which he afterwards condemned in his advanced age, as unworthy of his maturer judgment. He also became the scholar of Philo the academic; studied logic with Diodorus the stoic; and declaimed daily in Latin and Greek with his fellow students M. Piso and Q. Pompeius, both somewhat older than himself, with whom he had contracted an intimate friendship. And that he might neglect nothing which could any ways contribute to his perfection, he spent the intervals of his leisure with such ladies as were remarkable for their politeness and knowledge of the fine arts, and in whose company his manners acquired a polish. Having now run through all his course of oratory, he offered himself to the bar at the age of twenty-six, and pleaded some causes in a manner which gained him the applause of the whole city, thus beginning his career at the same age in which Demosthenes first began to distinguish himself in Athens. Three years afterwards he travelled to Greece and Asia, then the fashionable tour either for curiosity or improvement. His first visit was to Athens, the seat of arts and sciences, where he met with his school-fellow T. Pomponius, who, from his love to and long residence in Athens, obtained the surname of Atticus: and here they revived and confirmed that memorable friendship which subsisted between them through life, with exemplary constancy. From Athens he passed into Asia, and after an excursion of two years, came back again to Italy.
ch he had been educated, but paid a constant attention to every thing which deserved the notice of a scholar and a man of taste. Even at this very juncture, though his ambition
After the expiration of his ædileship, his cousin L. Cicero, the late companion of his journey to Sicily, died an event the more unfortunate at this juncture, because he wanted his help in making interest for the prsetorship, for which he now offered himself a candidate. However, such was the people’s regard for him, that in three different assemhlies convened for the choice of praetors, two of which were dissolved without effect, he was declared every time the first proctor, by the suffrages of all the centuries. This year a law was proposed by Manilius, one of the tribunes, that Pompey, who was then in Cilicia, extinguishing the remains of the piratic war, should have the government of Asia added to his commission, with the command of the Mithridatic war, and of all the Roman armies in those parts. Cicero supported this law with all his eloquence in a speech still extant, from the rostra, which he never mounted till this occasion; where, in displaying the character of Pompey, he drew the picture of a consummate general, with great strength and beauty. He was now in sight of the consulship, the grand object of his ambition; and therefore, when his praetorship was at an end, he would not accept any foreign province, the usual reward of that magistracy, and the usual object with those who held it. So attached indeed was he to a certain path to renown, that amidst all the hurry and noise of his busy life, he never neglected those arts and studies in which he had been educated, but paid a constant attention to every thing which deserved the notice of a scholar and a man of taste. Even at this very juncture, though his ambition was eagerly fixed on the consulship, he could find time to write to Atticus about statues and books. Atticus resided many. years at Athens, where Cicero employed him to buy statues for the ornament of his several villas; especially his favourite Tusculum, his usual retreat from the hurry and fatigues of the city. Here he had built several rooms and galleries, in imitation of the schools and porticos of Athens; which he called likewise by their Attic names of the Academy and Gymnasium, and designed for the same use, of philosophical conferences with his learned friends. He had given Atticus a general commission to purchase for him any piece of Grecian art or sculpture, that was elegant and curious, illustrative of literature, or proper for the furniture of his academy; which Atticus executed to his great satisfaction. Nor was he less eager in collecting Greek books, and forming a library, by the assistance of Atticus, who, having the same taste and free access to all the libraries of Athens, procured copies of the works of their best writers, not only for his own use, but for sale also. Having with much pains made a very large collection of choice and curious books, he signified to Cicero his design of selling them; yet seems to have intimated that he expected a larger sum for them than Cicero could easily spare; which induced Cicero to beg of him to reserve the whole number for him, till he could raise money enough for the purchase.
s, author of the notes on Statius’s Sylvse, who took very early notice of the promising parts of his scholar. Before he was full thirteen years of age, he was admitted a
, eldest son of the preceding,
was born at St. Edmundsbury, in Suffolk, September 14,
1646, and educated in the free-school there, under the
care of Dr. Thomas Stephens, author of the notes on Statius’s Sylvse, who took very early notice of the promising
parts of his scholar. Before he was full thirteen years of
age, he was admitted a pensioner in Emanuel-college, in
Cambridge, September 5, 1659, under the tuition of Mr.
Thomas Jackson, where he took his degree of A. B. 1663,
A.M. 1667, and commenced D. D. in 1683. He was
then chosen one of the preachers of St. Edmundsbury,
which office he discharged for seven years with universal
reputation. From thence, at the instance of some considerable men of the long robe, whose business at the assizes there gave them opportunities of being acquainted
with his great worth and abilities, he was thought worthy
by the society of Gray’s-inn, to succeed the eminent Dr.
Cradock, as their preacher, which he continued to be all
the remaining part of his life, much to the satisfaction of
the society. He was also presented by the lord keeper
North (who was his wife’s kinsman) to the rectory of Farnham-royal, in Buckinghamshire, into which he was instituted May 14, 1683; but what he most valued next to his
preacher’s place at Gray’s-inn, was the lectureship of St.
Michael Bassishaw, to which he was elected by that parish
about two years before his death. He was also chaplain in
ordinary to his majesty. He was cut off, however, in the
prime of life. He was seized with the small-pox on a
Sunday evening, March the 16th, after having preached
at St. Martin in the Fields, in his Lent course there; and
died March 28, 1638. He was buried in a vault under part
of the church of St. Michael Bassishaw, in the grave
with his wife, Mrs. Thornasin North, a most virtuous and
accomplished woman, who died eighteen days after him,
of the same disease. We are assured by the testimony of
Dr. Sharp, that no man of a private condition, in the last
age, died more lamented, and his private virtuesand
public services are spoken of by all his contemporaries in
the highest terms. Bishop Burnet ranks him among those
worthy and eminent men whose lives and labours in a great
measure rescued the church from those reproaches that
the follies of others drew upon it; nor ought it to be forgotten, that he was one of those excellent divines who
made that noble stand against popery in the reign of king
James II. which will redound to their immortal honour.
The several things published by Dr. Clagett, are as follows: 1. “A Discourse concerning the Operations of the
Holy Spirit; with a confutation of some part of Dr. Owen’s
book upon that subject,
” Part I. Lond. A Reply to a pamphlet called
The Mischief of Impositions, by Mr. Alsop, which pretends to answer the dean of St. Paul’s (Dr. Stillingfleet’s)
Sermon concerning the Mischief of Separation,
” Lond.
An Answer to the Dissenters’ Objections
against the Common Prayers, and some other parts of the
divine service prescribed in the Liturgy of the Church of
England,
” Lond. The Difference of the
Case between the Separation of Protestants fromthe
Church of Rome, and the Separation of Dissenters from
the Church of England,
” Lond. The
State of the Church of Rome when the Reformation began, as it appears by the advices given to pope Paul III.
and Julius III. by creatures of their own.
” 6. “A Discourse concerning the Invocation of the Blessed Virgin
and the Saints,
” Lond. A Paraphrase,
with notes, upon the sixth Chapter of St. John, shewing
that there is neither good reason, nor sufficient authority
to suppose that the Eucharist is discoursed of in that
chapter, much less to infer the doctrine of Transubstantiation from it.
” Lond. 1686, 4to. Reprinted in 1689,
8vo, at the end of his second volume of sermons. 8. “Of
the Humanity and Chanty of Christians. A Sermon
preached at the Suffolk Feast, at St. Michael, Cornhill,
London, November 30, 1686.
” 9. “A Discourse concerning the pretended Sacrament of Extreme Unction,
&.c.
” in three parts. “With a letter to the Vindicator of
the bishop of Condom,
” Lond. A second letter to the Vindicator of the bishop of Condom,
”
Lond. Authority of Councils, and the
Rule of Faith, with an answer to the Eight Theses laid
down for the Trial of the English Reformation.
” The first
part, about Councils, by Hutchinson, esq. the rest
by Dr. Clagett, 4to. 12. “Notion of Idolatry considered
and confuted,
” Lond. Cardinal Bellarmine’s
seventh note, of the Union of the Members among themselves, and with the Head.
” 14. “His twelfth note, Of
the Light of Prophecy, examined and confuted.
” 15. “A
View of the whole Controversy between the Representer
and the Answerer; in which are laid open some of the
methods by which Protestants are misrepresented by Papists,
” Lond. An Answer to the Representer’s Reflections upon the State and View of the Controversy. With a Reply to the Vindicator’s full Answer;
shewing that the Vindicator has utterly ruined the new
design of expounding and representing Popery,
” London,
Several captious Queries concerning
the English Reformation, first in Latin, and afterwards by
T. W. in English, briefly and fully answered,
” Lond.
A Preface concerning the Testimony of
Miracles, prefixed to The School of the Eucharist established upon the miraculous respects and acknowledgements,
which Beasts, Birds, and Insects, upon several occasions,
have rendered to the Sacrament of the Altar.
” Translated
by another hand, from the original French of F. Toussain
Bridoul, a Jesuit," Lond. 1687, 4to. Besides these, after
his decease, his brother, Mr. Nicolas Clagett, published
four volumes of his sermons: the first in 1689, contained seventeen sermons; one of which was greatly admired by
queen Mary, who desired to have it read more than once
during her last illness: Text, Job ii. 10. The second
volume, printed in 1693, contained eleven sermons; a Paraphrase and Notes upon the first, second, third, fourth, fifth,
seventh, and eighth Chapters of the Gospel of St. John.
The Paraphrase, and Notes on the sixth Chapter, which had
been published before: A Discourse of Church- Unity, with
Directions now, in this divided State of Christendom, to keep
within the Unity of the Church A Discourse of Humanity
and Charity And a Letter concerning Protestants Charity
to Papists published by Dr. Clagett. The third and fourth
volumes did not come out till 1720, at so great a distance
of tune from the two former volumes, that the booksellers
would not call them the third and fourth volumes, but the
first and second volumes, as well as the former; only notice was given, that they were never before published.
rn in May 1654, and educated in the freeschool of Bury St. Edmund’s, under Mr. Edward Leeds, a Greek scholar of considerable eminence. He was admitted of Ciirist’s-college,
, younger brother to the preceding, was born in May 1654, and educated in the freeschool of Bury St. Edmund’s, under Mr. Edward Leeds,
a Greek scholar of considerable eminence. He was admitted of Ciirist’s-college, Cambridge, January 12, 1671,
under the tuition of Dr. Widdrington, and regularly took
his degrees in arts, and in 1704 commenced D. D. Upon
his brother’s removal to Gray’s- inn, he was elected in his
room, March 21, 1680, preacher at St. Mary’s, in St. Edmundsbury. In this station, which he held near forty-six
years, he was a constant preacher, and diligent in every
other part of his ministry. On the first of February, 1683,
he was instituted to the rectory of Thurlo parva. Dr. John
Moore, then bishop of Norwich, who was well acquainted
with his merit and abilities, collated him on the 14th of
June, 1693, to the archdeaconry of Sudbtfry; and in March
1707, he was instituted to the rectory of Hitchain, in Suffolk. This eminent divine, extremely valued and respected on account of his exemplary charity and other
virtues, died January 27, 1726-7, in the seventy-third
year of his age, and was buried in the chancel of the
parish church of St. Mary’s, in St. Edmundsbury. Among
other children, he had Nicolas, afterwards bishop of Si.
David’s, and of Exeter, who died Dec. 8, 1746. Dr.
Clagett published some occasional sermons, a pamphlet
entitled “A Persuasive to an ingenuous Trial of Opinions
in Religion,
” Lond. Truth defended, and Boldness in Error rebuked or,
a Vindication of those Christian Commentators who have
expounded some Prophecies of the Messias not to be meant
only of him. Being a Confutation of part of Mr. Whiston’s
book, entitled, The Accomplishment of Scripture Prophecies; wherein he pretends to disprove all duplicity of
sense in prophecy. To which is subjoined, an Examination of his hypothesis, That our Saviour ascended up into
Heaven several times after his Resurrection. And in both,
there ar,e some remarks upon other Essays of the said
author, as likewise an Appendix and a Postscript. With
a large Preface,
” Lond. 1710, 8vo.
wn hotise in St. Paul’s church -yard; the late Mr. John Reading, organist of St. Dunstan’s church, a scholar of Dr. Blow, and master of Mr. Stanley, intimately acquainted
, an English organist and composer of church music, was educated in the Chapel Royal,
under Dr. Blow, who seems to have had a paternal
affection for hir. In 1693 he resigned, in his favour,
the place of master of the children and almoner of
St. Paul’s, of which cathedral Clarke was soon after
likewise appointed organist. In 1700 Dr. Blow and his
pupil were appointed gentlemen extraordinary in the
King’s chapel; of which, in 1704, on the death of Mr.
Francis Pigoot, they were jointly admitted to the place of
organist. The compositions of Clarke are not numerous,
as an untimely aud melancholy end was put to his life
before his genius had been allowed time to expand.
Early in life he was so unfortunate as to conceive a violent
and hopeless passion for a very beautiful lady of a rank far
superior to his own; and his sufferings, under these circumstances, became at length so intolerable, that he resolved to terminate them by suicide. The late Mr. Samuel
Wiley, one of the lay-vicars of St. Paul’s, who was very
intimate with him, related the following extraordinary
story. “Being at the house of a friend in the country, he
found himself so miserable, that he suddenly determined
to return to London: his friend, observing in his behaviour
great marks of dejection, furnished him with a horse, and
a servant to attend him. In his way to town, a fit of melancholy and despair having seized him, he alighted, and
giving his horse to the servant, went into a field, in the
corner of which there was a pond surrounded with trees,
which pointed out to his choice two ways of getting rid of
life; but not being more inclined to the one than the other,
he left it to the determination of chance; and taking a
piece of money out of his pocket, and tossing it in the air,
determined to abide by its decision; but the money falling
on its edge in the clay, seemed to prohibit both these
means of destruction. His mind was too much disordered
to receive comfort, or take advantage of this delay; he
therefore mounted his horse and rode to London, determined to find some other means of getting rid of life. And
in July 1707, not many weeks after his return, he shot
himself in his own hotise in St. Paul’s church -yard; the
late Mr. John Reading, organist of St. Dunstan’s church,
a scholar of Dr. Blow, and master of Mr. Stanley, intimately acquainted with Clarke, happening to go by the
door at the instant the pistol went off, upon entering the
house, found his friend and fellow-student in the agonies
of death.
”
ther persons, by Mr. Clarke, which exhibit him to great advantage as a man of piety, a friend, and a scholar. Besides the writings already mentioned, Mr. Clarke joined with
In 1768 Mr. Clarke obtained from archbishop Cornwallis
permission to resign the rectory of Buxted (after having held it more than thirty-four years), to his son Edward,
through the unsolicited interest of the late marquis Cornwallis, who recollected on this occasion the intimacy that
had subsisted between himself and the rev. Edward Clarke
in the island of Minorca. In June 1770, he was installed
chancellor of the church of Chichester, to which office the
rectories of Chittingley and Pevensey are annexed; and in
August that year was presented to the vicarage of Amport.
These preferments he did not long enjoy, as he died Oct. 21,
1771. In the “Anecdotes of Bowyer
” are many letters
and extracts of letters, written to that learned printer and
other persons, by Mr. Clarke, which exhibit him to great
advantage as a man of piety, a friend, and a scholar. Besides the writings already mentioned, Mr. Clarke joined
with Mr. Bowyer in the translation of Trapp’s Lectures on
poetry, and in annotations on the Greek Testament; and
was the author of several of the notes subjoined to the
English version of Bleterie’s Life of the Emperor Julian.
He left behind him a considerable number of manuscripts,
among which are some volumes of excellent sermons, the
best of which were given to the late Ashburnham, bishop
of Chichester, and at his death were inadvertently burnt
with some other papers. Bishop Bagot had strongly recommended the publication of a selection of Mr. Clarke’s
sermons.
to the rectory of Pepperharrow, in Surrey. He was, like his father, a man of genius and an excellent scholar. His taste and wit gave peculiar charms to his conversation,
, son to the preceding, was born at
Btixted, March 16, 1730, and was educated at St. John’s
college, Cambridge, where he took his degree of B. A,.
1752, and after being elected a fellow, proceeded M. A.
1755. In 1758 he was presented to the rectory of Pepperharrow, in Surrey. He was, like his father, a man of genius
and an excellent scholar. His taste and wit gave peculiar
charms to his conversation, in which he particularly excelled. His first publication, we believe, was a copy of
Greek hexameters on the death of Frederic prince of Wales,
in the “Luctus Academias Cantabrigiensis,
” A Letter to a Friend in Italy, and
verses on reading Montfaucon.
” In concert with Mr.
Itowyer, he projected the improvement of a Latin dictionary, by reducing that of Faber from its present radical
to a regular form. One single sheet of this work was completed, when the design dropped for want of due encouragement. In 1759, he published a thanksgiving sermon,
for the victory over the French fleet; and the following
year, went as chaplain to the embassy at Madrid, and during
a residence there of two years, collected the materials of a
very curious work which he published on his return, entitled
“Letters concerning the Spanish nation, written at Madrid
during the years 1760 and 1761,
” A defence of the conduct of the lieutenantgovernor, in reply to a printed libel.
” On his return from
Minorca, about Greek Testament,
” with a
selection of notes from the most eminent critics and commentators, but sufficient encouragement was not given.
The copy, however, is in the possession of his son the rev.
James Stanier Clarke, with another that was interleaved
and filled with notes by his grandfather Mr. William Clarke.
He died November 1786, and was buried at Buxted. He
left three sons, and a daughter married to capt. Parkinson
of the royal navy. Of his sons, the youngest, capt. George
Clarke of the royal navy, a brave and skilful officer, was
unfortunately drowned by the upsetting 1 of a pleasure-boat
in the Thames, Oct. 1, 1805. It would be unnecessary to
add how much the literary honours of this family are likely
to be perpetuated by his other sons, the rev. James Stanier
Clarke, LL. B. and F. K. S. the biographer of Nelson, and
the rev. Edward Daniel Clarke, LL. D. a gentleman of
consummate abilities in the antiquities of literature, and
author of two volumes of “Travels
” just published, which
have interested the public in no common degree.
s are, when a man is reduced to my situation.' 7 These words made so deep an impression on the young scholar, that he determined from that time to make divinity his chief
, son of Isaac Claude, pastor at
the Hague, and grandson of the celebrated minister of that
name, was born January 16, 1684, in that city, and from
his infancy displayed a taste for reading and literary research. At fifteen he wrote a curious Latin dissertation
on the manner of saluting among the ancients, and published it at eighteen, with another dissertation, in the
same language, on nurses and paedagogues, under the title
“J. J. Claudii Dissertatio de Salutationibus Veterum, cui
addita est Diatribe de Nutricibus et Paedagogis,
” Utrecht,
Behold,
my dear child, of what use the belles lettres are, when a
man is reduced to my situation.' 7 These words made so
deep an impression on the young scholar, that he determined from that time to make divinity his chief study. He
afterwards came over to England, and became pastor of the
Drench church in London, 1710, where he died of the
small-pox, March 7, 1712, lamented by the friends of
learning and piety. A volume of his
” Sermons" was
published by his brother in 1713. They are only ten in
number, but were highly praised in the literary journals of
the time, and occasioned redoubled regret that the world
had been so soon deprived of his talents
e appears from his manuscripts, some of which are in the library of Corpus, to have been a classical scholar, and acquainted with natural history, his works consisting of
, one of the presidents of Magdalen college, Oxford, and nr>t president of Corpus Christ! college, in that university, was born at Frampton, in Lincolnshire, of parents who, although not opulent, were enabled to afford him a liberal education. He was first sent to a grammar-school in Oxford, and then entered of Magdalen college, where he became fellow, D, D. about 1507, and held several valuable benefices. In 1516-17, bishop Fox, the founder of Corpus Christi college, requested him to become president of that new foundation, and, as it was inferior in value to that of Magdalen, bestowed on him the rectory of Cleeve, in Gloucestershire, Claymond presided above twenty years, and died in 1537, and was buried in the chapel of Corpus. He left a considerable part of his property, in scholarships and other benefactions, to Brazen-nose, Magdalen, and Corpus Christi colleges He appears from his manuscripts, some of which are in the library of Corpus, to have been a classical scholar, and acquainted with natural history, his works consisting of commentaries on Aulua Gellius and Plautus, and notes and observations on Pliny. From these, likewise, we learn that he was the correspondent of Grynaeus, Erasmus, and other learned men of his time. With Erasmui he became personally acquainted at Oxford, and Erasmus afterwards dedicated to him some tracts of Chrysostom.
o his own country, and practised physic with great success. He was also an excellent Greek and Latin scholar and antiquary, and distinguished for his knowledge of medals.
, the son of Stephen Le Clerc, a
physician and Greek professor at Geneva, was born Feb. 4,
1652, at that place, and educated in his father’s profession.
After studying at Montpellier and Paris, he took his doctor’s degree at Valentia in 1672, then returned to his own
country, and practised physic with great success. He was
also an excellent Greek and Latin scholar and antiquary,
and distinguished for his knowledge of medals. He published a “Bibliotheque Anatomique
” in conjunction with
Manget, in History of Medicine,
” which extends to the time of
Galen, was published at Geneva in 1696, but the best edition is that of Amsterdam, 1723, 4to. This work is much
praised by Dr. Freind, except the continuation to the sixteenth century. In 1704 he succeeded his father as counsellor of state in the republic of Geneva, after which he
practised very little. In 1715, the king of Sardinia, then
king of Sicily, being at Thonon in Savoy, consulted him
on his own health and that of his queen. The same year
he published his “Historia latorum lumbricorum,
” which
was afterwards published in English, 8vo. He died June
8, 1728.
, brother to the preceding, a celebrated writer, and universal scholar, was born at Geneva, March 19, 1657. He was sent to a grammar-school
, brother to the preceding, a celebrated writer, and universal scholar, was born at Geneva, March 19, 1657. He was sent to a grammar-school at eight years of age; where he soon discovered an insatiable inclination to books, and such a genius for poetry, that he flattered himself, if he had duly cultivated it, he would probably have gained no small reputation. But the more serious studies, to which he applied himself, made him entirely neglect poetry, and he never wrote verses but on particular occasions. Thus, in 1689, having translated into French two sermons of bishop Burnet, preached before king William, on account, he says, of the friendship which subsisted between himself and that prelate, he subjoined to the one a small poem in heroic, and to the other an epigram in elegiac verse, upon England restored to liberty.
of genius and learning, who was afterwards as much distinguished among the presbyterian party as his scholar was among the cavaliers. In his fifteenth year our poet was
, or rather Cleiveland (for so he and his family spelt their name) (John), a noted loyalist
and popular poet in the reign of Charles I. was the eldest
son of the rev. Thomas Cleiveland, M. A. some time vicar
of Hinckley, and rector of Stoke, in the county of Leicester. He was born in 1613, at Loughborough, where his
father was then assistant to the rector; but educated at
Hinckley, under the rev. Richard Vynes, a man of genius
and learning, who was afterwards as much distinguished
among the presbyterian party as his scholar was among the
cavaliers. In his fifteenth year our poet was removed to
Cambridge, and admitted of Christ’s college, Sept. 4,
1627, where he took the degree of B. A. in 163 1 He was
thence transplanted to the sister foundation of St. John’s
college in the same university, of which he was elected
fellow March 27, 1634, and proceeded to the degree of
M. A. in 1635. Of this society he continued many years a
principal ornament, being one of the tutors, and highly
respected by his pupils, some of -whom afterwards attained
to eminence. By the statutes of that college, he should
have taken orders within six years after his being elected
fellow: but he uas admitted on the law line (as the phrase there is) November 2, 1640, and afterwards on that of
physic, January 31, 1642, which excused him from complying with this obligation; though it does not appear that
he made either law or physic his profession: for, remaining at
college, he became the rhetoric reader there, and was usually
employed by the society in composing their speeches and
epistles to eminent persons (of which specimens may be seen in his works), being in high repute at that time for
the purity and terseness of his Latin style. He also became celebrated for his occasional poems in English, and,
at the breaking out of the civil wars, is said to have been
the first champion that appeared in verse for the royal
cause; which he also supported by all his personal influence: particularly by exerting his interest in the town of
Cambridge, to prevent Oliver Cromwell (then an obscure candidate, but strongly supported by the puritan partv)
from being elected one of its members. Cromwell’s
stronger genius in this, as hi every other pursuit, prevailing, Cleveland is said to have shown great discernment,
by predicting at so early a period, the fatal consequences
that long after ensued to the cause of royalty. Cromwell
got his election by a single vote, which Cleveland declared
“had ruined both church and kingdom.
” The parliament
party carrying all before them in the eastern counties,
Cleveland retired to the royal army, and with it to the
king’s head quarters at Oxford, where he was much admired and caressed for his satirical poems on the opposite
faction, especially for his satire on the Scottish covenanters, entitled “The Rebel Scot.
” In his absence he was
deprived of his fellowship, Feb. 13, 1644, by the earl of
Manchester, who, under the authority of an ordinance of
parliament, for regulating and reforming the university of
Cambridge, ejected such fellows of colleges, &c. as refused to take the solemn league and covenant. From Oxford Cleveland was appointed to be judge-advocate in the
garrison at Newark, under sir Richard Willis the governor,
and has been commended for his skilful and upright conduct in this difficult office, where he also distinguished his
pen occasionally, by returning smart answers to the
summons, and other addresses to the garrison. Newark, after
holding out the last of all the royal fortresses, was at
length, in 1646, by the express command of the king
(then a prisoner in the Scots army), surrendered upon
terms, which left Cleveland in possession of his liberty,
but destitute of all means of support, except what he derived from the hospitality and generosity of his brother
loyalists, among whom he lived some years, obscure and
unnoticed by the ruling party, till, in November 1655,
he was seized at Norwich, as “a person of great abilities,
”
adverse and dangerous to the reigning government; and
being sent to Yarmouth, he was there imprisoned for some
time, till he sent a petition to the lord-protector, wherein
the address of the writer has been much admired, who,
while he honestly avows his principles, has recourse to
such moving topics, as might sooth his oppressor, and procure his enlargement: in which he was not disappointed,
for the protector generously set him at liberty, disdaining
to remember on the throne the opposition he had received
in his canvass for parliament as a private burgess. Cleveland thence retired to London, where he is said to have
found a generous Maecenas; and, being much admired
among all persons of his own party, became member of a
club of wits and loyalists, which Butler, the author of Hiir
dibras, also frequented. Cleveland then lived in chambers
at Gray’s-inn (of which Butler is said to have been a member), and, being seized with an epidemic intermitting
fever, died there on Thursday morning, April 29, 1659.
His friends paid the last honours to his remains by a splendid funeral: for his body was removed to Hunsdon -house,
and thence carried for interment, on Saturday May 1, to
the parish church of St. Michael Royal, on College-hill,
London, followed by a numerous attendance of persons
eminent for their loyalty or learning: to whom his funeral
sermon was preached by his intimate friend Dr. John Pearson, afterwards bishop of Chester, author of the Exposition of the Creed.
education to a private school at Lostock in Cheshire. The master, Dr. Eaton, soon discovered in his scholar a superior courage and sagacity which prognosticated the future
, son of Richard Clive, esq. was born
on the 29th of September 1725, at Styche, the seat of his
ancestors, in the parish of Moreton-Say, near Market Drayton. His father, who possessed but a small estate by inheritance, had, to increase his income, engaged in the
profession of the law. At an early period of his youth,
Robert was sent for his education to a private school at
Lostock in Cheshire. The master, Dr. Eaton, soon discovered in his scholar a superior courage and sagacity which
prognosticated the future hero. “If this lad,
” he would
say, “should live to be a man, and an opportunity be
given for the exertion of his talents, few names wdi be
greater than his.
” At the age of eleven he was removed
from Lostock to a school at Market Drayton, of which the
reverend Mr. Burslem was the master. On the side of a high
hill in that town is an ancient church, with a lofty steeple,
from nearly the top of which is an old stone spout, projecting in the form of a dragon’s head. Young Clive
ascended this steeple, and, to the astonishment of the
spectators below, seated himself on the spout. Having remained a short time at Mr. Burslem’s school, he was placed
in that of Merchant Taylors’ at London, which, however,
did not long retain him as a scholar. His father having
reverted to what seems to have been a predilection for private schools, committed him to the care of Mr. Sterling,
at Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire, with whom he continued till, in 1743, he received an appointment as a
writer to the East India company. From the frequency of
his removals, to which perhaps was added an intractable
disposition, he obtained no applause, but rather the reverse, from the several masters to whom the care of his
education had been entrusted.
hree years, employed in making careful pen-drawings from the finest medals. He afterwards became the scholar of Julio Romano, and made considerable advancement in oil-painting;
, justly celebrated for his astonishing miniatures and illuminations in missals and other religious books, was born in Sclavonia in the year 1498. He was originally educated for the church, and took orders, but was afterwards suffered to relinquish the sacerdotal habit by a dispensation from the pope. Soon after the age of eighteen, his love of painting prompted him to travel to Rome, where he was taken into the service of the cardinal Grimani, by whom he was, for the space of three years, employed in making careful pen-drawings from the finest medals. He afterwards became the scholar of Julio Romano, and made considerable advancement in oil-painting; but his master, perceiving the extraordinary talent which he evinced for miniature, succeeded in persuading him to apply himself entirely to that branch of the art; and' it may with justice be said, that we owe to the sagacity of Julio Romano, and the unexampled assiduity of Clovio, the most exquisite and delicately finished performances of that kind in the known world; since he not only far surpassed all who went before him, but to this day stands unrivalled, by all those who have since attempted to walk in his footsteps. In addition to the instruction which our artist received from the favourite scholar of Raffaele, he derived great benefit from the works of Buonarotti, many of which he copied in a most beautiful and finished manner; and he afterwards reaped great advantage from the friendship and experience of Girolamo da 1 Libri, a miniature painter of great note at Verona: the result of all these studies was a style of drawing, partaking of the purity of the Roman, and the grandeur of the Florentine school; united, not unfrequently, to the rich colouring of Titian or the ambient hue of Correggio.
n Dec. 12, 1738, at Strathaven in Clydesdale, Having early shewn a genius in design, he was put as a scholar to the academy ofpainting in the college of Glasgow in 1754
, a Scotch artist, was born Dec.
12, 1738, at Strathaven in Clydesdale, Having early
shewn a genius in design, he was put as a scholar to the
academy ofpainting in the college of Glasgow in 1754
then chiefly under the inspection of those eminent printers
Messrs. Robert and Andrew Fonlis. After some time spent
there, he went to Italy about the end of 1764, where he
studied for five years, mostly at Rome, under the celebrated Mr. Gavin Hamilton; since which time he followed
his profession in Glasgow, with honour and advantage to
himself, and satisfaction to his friends. In portrait painting of a large size he excelled, and in miniature and other
sizes he had great merit; his drawing was correct, and he
seldom failed of producing a most striking likeness. In
history, some pieces done by him are now in Glasgow,
particularly “Daedalus and Icarus,
” “Diana and Endymion,
” both essay pieces executed at Rome, that would do
credit to any pencil; yet, from an unusual modesty and
diffidence, he never could be prevailed upon to put his
name to his works. A dutiful attachment to an aged mother and other relations fixed him in Glasgow: ambition
with him was no ruling passion, nor was he eager after
riches; but a natural philanthropic disposition, and an
assiduity to please, were conspicuous traits of his character.
By permission 1 of the lord provost and magistrates, he was
buried in the choir of the cathedral church, where a neat
marble is erected to his memory, with this inscription
“In memory of Mr. William Cochran, portrait painter in
Glasgow, who died October 23, 1785, aged 47 years. The
works of his pencil and this marble bear record of an eminent artist, and a virtuous man.
”
but without quitting his fellowship; and being a well-bred and accomplished gentleman, as well as a scholar, he soon recommended himself to the favour of king William.
, a brave soldier and a
distinguished benefactor to All Souls college, Oxford, was
born at Barbadoes in 1668, and had part of his education
in that island. He afterwards came over to England, and
was admitted a gentleman-commoner of Christ-church in
Oxford, 1685; where having taken a degree in arts, he
was elected a probationer fellow of All Souls college in
1639. He became perfect, it is said, not only in logic,
history, and the ancient and modern languages, but likewise in poetry, physic, and divinity. Thus qualified, he
went into the army, but without quitting his fellowship;
and being a well-bred and accomplished gentleman, as
well as a scholar, he soon recommended himself to the
favour of king William. He was made captain in the first
regiment of foot guards, and seems to have'been instrumental in driving the French out of the island of St. Christopher’s, which they had seized at the breaking out of the
war between France and England: but it is more certain
that he was at the siege of Namur in 1695. Upon the
conclusion of the peace of Ryswick, he was made captaingeneral and governor in chief of the Leeward Caribhee
Islands, in which office he met with some trouble: for in
1701 several articles were exhibited against him to the
house of commons in England, but he was honourably acquitted from all imputations. In 1703 he was at the attack upon Guadaloupe, belonging to the French, in which
he shewed great bravery, though that enterprise happened
to be unsuccessful. Some time after, he resigned his government of the Leeward islands, and led a studious and
retired life. For a few years before his death, he chiefly
applied himself to church history and metaphysics; and
his eulogist tells us, that “if he excelled in any thing, it
was in metaphysical learning, of which he was perhaps the
greatest master in the world.
” He died in Barbadoes, April
7, 1701, and was buried there the day following; but his
body was afterwards brought over to England, and interred,
June 19, 1716, in All Souls chapel, Oxford. Two Latin
orations to his memory were spoken there by two fellows of
that college; one by Digby Cotes, M. A. the university
orator, at his interment; the other the next day by Edward Young, LL. B. at the laying the foundation stone of
his library. Over his grave a black marble stone was soon
after laid, with no other inscription on it but Codrington.
e one,” and he held the living of Bletchley, both together surely adequate to the wants of a retired scholar, a man of little personal expence, and who had determined never
Having been an early and intimate acquaintance of Mr.
Horace Walpole, the late earl of Orford, they went to
France together in 1765, Mr. Walpole to enjoy the gaieties
of that country, but Mr. Cole to seek a cheap residence,
to which he might retire altogether. From the whole
tenour of Mr. Cole’s sentiments, and a partiality, which
in his Mss. he takes little pains to disguise, in favour of
the Roman catholic religion and ceremonies, we suspect
that cheapness was not the only motive for thi* intended
removal. He had at this time his personal estate, which
he tells us was a “handsome one,
” and he held the living
of Bletchley, both together surely adequate to the wants
of a retired scholar, a man of little personal expence, and
who had determined never to marry. He was, however,
diverted from residing in France by the laws of that country, particularly the Droit d'Aubaine, by which the property of a stranger dying in France becomes the king’s,
and which had not at that time been revoked. Mr. Cole
at first supposed this could be no obstacle to his settling in
Normandy; but his friend Mr. Walpole represented to him
that his Mss. on which he set a high value, would infallibly become the property of the king of France, and probably be destroyed. This had a persuasive effect; and in
addition to it, we have his own authority that this visit
impressed his mind so strongly with the certainty of an
impending revolution, that upon that account he preferred
remaining in England. His expressions on this subject
are remarkable, but not uncharacteristic “I did not like
the plan of settling in France at that time, when the Jesuits
were expelled, and the philosophic deists were so powerful
as to threaten the destruction, not only of all the religious
orders, but of Christianity itself.
” There is a journal of
this tour in vol. XXXIV. of his collections.
history of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” Lond. 1679, 8vo, reprinted afterwards. 9. “The Young Scholar’s best Companion: or an exact guide or directory for children
, author of a Dictionary once in much
reputation, was born in Northamptonshire about 1640.
Towards the end of 1658, he was entered of Magdalencollege, in Oxford, but left it without taking a degree;
and retiring to London, taught Latin there to youths, and
English to foreigners, about 1663, with good success in
Russel-street, near Covent-garden, and at length became
one of the ushers in merchant-taylors’ school. But being
there guilty of some offence, he was forced to withdraw
into Ireland, from whence he never returned. He was,
says Wood, a curious and critical person in the English
and Latin tongues, did much good in his profession, and
wrote several useful and necessary books for the instruction of beginners. The titles of them are as follows: 1.
“The Complete English Schoolmaster or, the most natural and easy method of spelling and reading English, according to the present proper pronunciation of the language
in Oxford and London, &c.
” Lond. The
newest, plainest, and shortest Short-hand; containing,
first, a brief account of the short-hand already extant, with their alphabets and fundamental rules. Secondly, a plain and easy method for beginners, less
burdensome to the memory than any other. Thirdly, a v
new invention for contracting words, with special rules for
contracting sentences, and other ingenious fancies, &c.
”
Lond. Nolens Volens or, you shall
make Latin, whether you will or no; containing the plainest
directions that have been yet given upon that subject,
”
Lond. The Youth’s
visible Bible, being an alphabetical collection (from the whole Bible) of such general heads as were judged most
capable of Hieroglyphics; illustrated with twenty-four
copper-plates, &c.
” 5. “An English Dictionary, explaining the difficult terms that are used in divinity, husbandry, physic, philosophy, law, navigation, mathematics,
and other arts and sciences,
” Lond. A Dictionary, English-Latin,
and Latin-English; containing all things necessary for the
translating of either language into the other,
” Lond. The most natural and easy Method of
learning Latin, by comparing it with English: Together
with the Holy History of Scripture-War, or the sacred art
military, c.
” Lond. The Harmony of
the Four Evangelists, in a metrical paraphrase on the history of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
” Lond. The Young Scholar’s best
Companion: or an exact guide or directory for children
and youth, from the A B C, to the Latin Grammar, comprehending the whole body of the English learning, &c.
”
Lond. 12mo. Cole’s Dictionary continued to be a schoolbook in very general use, for some time after the publication of Ainswdrth’s Thesaurus. But it has fallen almost
into total neglect, since other abridgments of Ainsworth
have appeared, by Young, Thomas, and other persons.
The men, however, who have been benefactors to the cause
of learning, ought to be remembered with graiitude, though
their writings may happen to be superseded by more perfeet productions. It is no small point of honour to be the
means of paving the way for superior works.
k. He was educated under his father at Ipswich, whence he was sent to Cambridge, and admitted a poor scholar of Caius college under the tuition of John Ellys, in April 1669.
, an eminent English divine, was born at Stow Qui in Cambridgeshire, Sept. 23, 1650. His father Jeremy Collier was a divine and a considerable linguist; and some time master of the free-school at Ipswich, in Suffolk. He was educated under his father at Ipswich, whence he was sent to Cambridge, and admitted a poor scholar of Caius college under the tuition of John Ellys, in April 1669. He took the degree of B. A. in 1673, and that of M. A. in 1676; being ordained deacon the same year by Gunning, bishop of Ely, and priest the year after by Compton bishop of London. He officiated for some time at the countess dowager of Dorset’s at Knowle in Kent, whence he removed to a small rectory at Ampton near St. Edmund’s Bury in Suffolk, to which he was presented by James Calthorpe, esq. in 1679. After he had held this benefice six years, he resigned it, came to London in 1685, and was some little time after made lecturer of Gray’s Inn. But the revolution coming on, the public exercise of his function became impracticable.
Chichester, Dec. 25, about 1720, the son of a reputable hatter in that city. In 1733 he was admitted scholar of Winchester college under Dr. Burton, and at nineteen was
, an unfortunate but excellent
English poet, was born at Chichester, Dec. 25, about 1720,
the son of a reputable hatter in that city. In 1733 he was
admitted scholar of Winchester college under Dr. Burton,
and at nineteen was elected upon the foundation to Newcollege in Oxford. He was first upon the list; and, in
order to wait for a vacancy in that society, was admitted a
commoner of Queen’s college in the same university; but
no such vacancy occurring, his tutor, very sensible of his
desert, recommended him to the society of Magdalen; and
this recommendation, backed by an uncommon display of
genius and learning in the exercises performed on the occasion, procured him to be elected a demy of that college
in July 1741. During his residence in this place, which
was till he had taken a bachelor’s degree, he applied himself to poetry, and published an epistle to sir Thomas Hanmer on his edition of Shakspeare, and the “Persian,
” or, as
they have been since entitled, “Oriental Eclogues,
” which,
notwithstanding their merit, were not attended with any
great success; and it was objected to them, that though
the scenery and subjects are oriental, the style and colouring are purely European. Of the force of this objection,
Mr. Collins himself became sensible in the latter part of
his life. Yet their poetical merit is very great and Dr.
Langhorne has not scrupled to assert, “that in simplicity
of description and expression, in delicacy and softness of
numbers, and in natural and unaffected tenderness, they
are not to be equalled by any thing of the pastoral kind in
the English language.
”
the conduct of the theatre was vested in his son. He died the 14th of August 1794. Mr. Colman, as a scholar, holds a very respectable rank, as may be seen by his translations
Some time about the year 1790 Mr. Colman had a stroke
of the palsy, which nearly deprived him of the use of one
side of his body; and in a short time afterwards he gave
evident signs of mental derangement; in consequence of
which, he was placed under proper management at Paddington, and the conduct of the theatre was vested in
his son. He died the 14th of August 1794. Mr. Colman,
as a scholar, holds a very respectable rank, as may be seen
by his translations of Horace’s Art of Poetry, and of the
comedies of Terence; and his manners were as pleasing as
his talents were respectable. His various dramatic pieces
have been published in 4 vols. 8vo.
The year after his death appeared a pamphlet, entitled
“Some Particulars of the Life of the late George Colman,
esq. written by himself, and delivered by him to Richard
Jackson, esq. one of his executors, for publication after
his decease.
” The object of this pamphlet was to contradict two reports which had long been current. The one,
that by his literary pursuits and dramatic compositions, he
lost the favour and affection of the earl of Bath; the other,
that by his purchase of a fourth of the patent of Coventgarden theatre, he knowingly and voluntarily forfeited the
intended bequest of a certain estate under the will of general Pulteney. In opposition to these reports, he proves
very clearly that he did not lose the favour of the earl of
Bath, and that general Pulteney, while he did not openly
resist his becoming a manager of the theatre, but rather
consented to it, changed his intentions towards him, and
left him, in lieu of the estate, an annuity of four hundred
pounds. The general appears, however, to have considered the family as disgraced by Mr. Colman’s becoming
a manager, for the latter is obliged to remind him of gentlemen who had been managers, of sir William Davenant,
sir Richard Steele, sir John Vanburgh, and Mr. Congreve.
, in Latin Angelus Colotius, an elegant Italian scholar, descended of an ancient and noble family, was born at Jesi,
, in Latin Angelus Colotius, an elegant Italian scholar, descended of an ancient and noble family, was born at Jesi, in 1467. He obtained in his youth the honour of knighthood, which was conferred upon him by the hands of Andreas Palaeologus Despota, when, then a refugee at Rome, he was recognized as the legitimate heir to the imperial diadem of Constantinople. Colocci was a disciple of Georgius Valla, under whom he made great progress in philosophy, but particularly in polite literature. For political reasons, which are detailed J>y Ubaldinus, in his life of this illustrious scholar, the family of Colocci were obliged, in the pontificate of Innocent VIII. to abandon the city of Rome where they had taken up their residence. Angelo, in consequence, repaired to Naples, where he became a member of the Pontana academy, under the assumed name of Angelus Colotius Bassus, and acquired an intimacy with the most eminent poets and wits of his time. Six years afterwards, Raving been permitted to return to his country, he divided his time betwixt his literary pursuits and the official duties entrusted to him by his countrymen, who sent him as ambassador to Alexander VI. in 1498. He then took up his residence at Rome, where his hause became an elegant and liberal resort for men of learning and genius, and where the academy of Rome, which after the death of Pomponius Laetus had fallen into decay, was again revived under his care. Here also his extensive gardens, which, in addition to the most captivating scenery resulting from a happy combination of nature and art, were adorned with a profusion of statues, inscriptions, and other elegant remains of classic antiquity, revived Uie magnificence and amenity of the celebrated gardens of Saliust, of which they were supposed to occupy the actual site. On such objects, and on the patronage of learning and learned men, he employed his riches. The senate of Rome, struck with his liberality, bestowed on him the title of patrician, which extended to his family; and he was held in the highest estimation by the popes Leo X. Clement VII. and Paul III. Leo, independently of 4000 crowns with which he rewarded him for some verses in his praise, made him his secretary, and gave him the reversion of the bishopric of Nocera in 1521, Colocci having at that time survived two wives. This gift was afterwards confirmed to him by Clement VII. who also appointed him governor of Ascoli. These favours, however, were insufficient to secure him when Rome was sacked in 1527. On that occasion, his house was burnt, his gardens pillaged, and he was obliged to pay a large sum for his life and liberty. He then went for some time to his country, and on coming back to Rome, his first care was to invite together the members of the academy who had been dispersed. In 1537 he took possession of the bishopric of Nocera, and died at Rome in 1549. His Latin and Italian poems were published in 1772, but our authority does not mention where or in what shape. Most of them had, however, previously appeared in his life by Ubaldinus, Rome, 1673, 8vo.
to no other expence, but that of providing him his clothes and books.” In January 1662 he was chosen scholar of the house, with another pension of five pounds per annum
In 1659 he was admitted of Sidney-Sussex college, Cam-,
bridge, April 18, after having completed his fourteenth
year. Here he was under the care of the rev. Edmund
Matthews, B. D. senior fellow and president of the college.
To this gentleman he acknowledges his obligations for the
pains he took in teaching him experimental philosophy,
geometry, astronomy, and other parts of the mathematics,
music, painting, and even the oriental languages, and the
elements of philosophy and divinity. His family having been
sufferers by the rebellion, he was obliged to husband his little
property with the utmost care, and seems to have considered
an exhibition of ten pounds annually as a very important
acquisition; because with the addition of five pounds from
a private benefactor, he informs us, “it enabled him to live
very well, and from that time, he put his parents to no
other expence, but that of providing him his clothes and
books.
” In January 1662 he was chosen scholar of the
house, with another pension of five pounds per annum %
which cheered an ceconomist of such humble expectations
with the prospect of absolute plenty. Having been admitted to the degree of A. B. Jan. 21, 1662, he now indulged the natural wish of a young scholar, to continue in
the university, and was led to entertain hopes of obtaining
a fellowship, either in his own college, or in St. John’s, the
master of which, Dr. Gunning, had made him many promises; but these proving abortive, and the ten pound exhibition being withdrawn (which did not come from the college, but from a fund raised by certain Kentish men resident in London) he was obliged to leave the university, and retire to his father’s house. In this situation,
however, he was not without friends; a Mr. John Holney
of Eden-bridge, a pious old gentleman, and his father’s
particular friend, found out his merit, and made him a
handsome present, with a request that he would draw upon
him at any time for any sum he might want; and so many
other friends from other quarters appeared, that Mr. Comber never found it necessary to avail himself of Mr. Holney’s munificence in the future periods of his life.
me century, and was of Trinity college in Cambridge. He was born -in Sussex, Jan. 1, 1575 5 admitted scholar of Trinity college, May 1593; chosen fellow of the same, October
There was also another Thomas Comber, D. D. who lived in the same century, and was of Trinity college in Cambridge. He was born -in Sussex, Jan. 1, 1575 5 admitted scholar of Trinity college, May 1593; chosen fellow of the same, October 1597; preferred to the deanery of Carlisle, August 1630; and sworn in master of Trinity college, Oct. 1631. In 1642, he was imprisoned, plundered, and deprived of all his preferments; and died February 1653, at Cambridge. He was a man of very extensive learning, particularly in the classical and oriental languages; and Neal, the historian of his persecutors, bears testimony to the excellence of his character in this and other respects. He is here however noticed, chiefly to correct the mistakes of the Biog. Britannica, Wood’s Athenas, &c. in which he is confounded with the dean of Durham, and said to have entered into a controversy with Selden on the subject of tithes. He was, however, related to him, the dean’s grandfather John Comber, esq. being his uncle.
uav, settled first at Geneva, afterwards at Heidelberg, where he died in 1598. He was a very learned scholar, as appears by all the editions of the Greek and Latin fathers
, a celebrated French printer, native of Douav, settled first at Geneva, afterwards at Heidelberg, where he died in 1598. He was a very learned scholar, as appears by all the editions of the Greek and Latin fathers which he corrected, and to which he added notes that are much esteemed. He printed since 1560, in Switzerland, S. Chrysostomus in Nov. Testarnentum, 1596, 4 vols. fol. This edition, with that of the Old Testament printed at Paris, makes this work complete, and the best edition. He took up his residence at Heidelberg for the convenience of consulting the Mss. in the Palatine library. He printed many other books; those without his name are known by his mark, which represents Truth sitting in a chair. His edition of Apollodorus is well known in classical libraries, but unfortunately he did not live to finish it, which was accomplished in 1599 by his assistant Bonutius.
the strong to the weak, it was protection; it extended to Antonio Mini of Florence, another obscure scholar of his, to Giuliano Bugiardini, to Jacopo L'Indaco: all men
, of Ripa Transona, the most obscure of modern artists, though a biographer of some celebrity, owes that and a place here to his connexion with
Michael Angelo, whose life he published in 1553. If we
believe Vasari, his imbecility was at least equal to his assiduity in study and desire of excelling, which were extreme. No work of his exists in painting or in sculpture.
Hence Gori, the modern editor of his book, is at a loss to
decide on his claim to either, though from the qualities of
the writer, and the familiarity of M. Angelo, he surmises
that Condivi must have had merit as an artist. From the
last no conclusion can be formed; the attachment of M.
Angelo, seldom founded in congeniality, was the attachment of the strong to the weak, it was protection; it extended to Antonio Mini of Florence, another obscure scholar
of his, to Giuliano Bugiardini, to Jacopo L'Indaco: all
men unable to penetrate the grand motives of his art, and
more astonished at the excrescences of his learning in design, than elevated by his genius. Condivi intended to
publish a system of rules and precepts on design, dictated
by Michael Angelo, a work, if ever he did compose it,
now perhaps irretrievably lost; from that, had destiny
granted it to us, we might probably have formed a better
notion of his powers as an artist, than we can from a biographic account, of which simplicity and truth constitute
the principal merit. Condivi published this life, consisting
of fifty pages, under the title “Vita de Michelagnolo
Buonarroti, raccolta per Ascanio Condivi da la Ilipa Transone. In Roma appresso Antonio Blado Stampatore Canierale nel M. D. LIII. alii XVI. di Luglio.
” According
to Beyero, in his “Memoriae Historico-criticae, lib. rariorum,
” this is one of the scarcest books in Europe. In
hich office he served in conjunction with Mr. Barnaby Smyth, fellow of Corpus-Christi college, and a scholar of eminence. In the same year, Mr. Conybeare was called upon
, a learned divine and prelate of
the church of England, was born at Pinhoe, near Exeter,
on the 31st of January, 1691-2. His father was the rev.
John Conybeare, vicar of Pinhoe; and his mother, Grace
Wilcocks, was the daughter of a substantial gentleman
farmer of that place. At a proper age, he was sent to the
free-school of Exeter for grammatical education, where
Hallet and Foster, afterwards two eminent dissenting divines, were his contemporaries. On the 23d of February,
1707-8, Mr. Conybeare was admitted a battler of Exeter
college, Oxford, under the tuition of Mr. Thomas Kennel,
afterwards Dr. Kennel, many years rector of Drew’s
Teington, Pevon. Mr. Conybeare, on his coming to the
university, was, according to the language of that place,
chum with Mr. Richard Harding, who was elected fellow of
Exeter college in 1709, and died rector of Marwood in
Devonshire, in 1782, in the ninety-fifth year of his age.
How early our young student obtained the esteem of the
learned society with which he was connected, appears from
his having been chosen on the 30th of June, 1710, and
admitted on the 8th of July following, a probationary fellow of his college, upon sir William Petre’s foundation, in
the room of Mr. Daniel Osborrie. When he was proposed
as a candidate, it was only with the design of recommending him to future notice; but such was the sense entertained of his extraordinary merit, that he was made the
object of immediate election. Mr. Harding used to say, that
Mr. Conybeare had every way the advantage of him, excepting in seniority; and that he should have had no
chance in a competition with him, if they had both been
eligible at the same time. The patronage of Dr. Ilennel,
Mr. Conybeare' s worthy tutor, concurred with his own
desert, in bringing him forward thus early to academical
advantages. On the 17th of July, 1713, he was admitted
to the degree of bachelor of arts; and at the next election
of college officers, upon the 30th of June, 1714, he was
appointed praelector, or moderator, in philosophy. On
the 19th of December following, he received deacon’s
orders from the hanclaof Dr. William Talbot, bishop of
Oxford; and on the 2rikof May, 1716, he was ordained
priest by sir Jonathan Trelawny, bishop of Winchester.
On the 16th of April, 1716, he proceeded to the degree of
master of arts; soon after which he entered upon the curacy of Fetcham, in Surry, where he continued about a
year. He was advised to this change of scene for the
benefit of his health, which was always delicate, and had
been greatly impaired by the intenseness of his application.
Upon his return from Fetcham to Oxford, he became a
tutor in his own college, and was much noticed in the university as a preacher. In the beginning of the year 1722,
he published a sermon, which he had delivered before the
university, on the 24th of December preceding, from
Hebrews ii. 4, entitled “The nature, possibility, and certainty of Miracles, &c.
” This discourse was so well received, that it went through four editions. Mr. Conybeare was hence encouraged to commit to the press a second sermon, from 1 Corinthians xiii. 12, which he had
preached before the university, on the 21st of October,
1724, and the title of which was, “The Mysteries of the
Christian Religion credible.
” It is probable, that the
reputation our author gained by these discourses, recommended him to the notice of the bishop of London (Dr. Gibson), who appointed him one of his majesty’s preachers
at Whitehall, upon the first establishment of that institution. The esteem in which his abilities and character were
held, procured him, also, the favour of the lord chancellor
Macclesfield, who, in May 1724, presented him to the
rectory of St. Clement’s in Oxford; a preferment of no
great value, but which was convenient to iiim from his constant residence at that place, and from its being compatible
with his fellowship. In 1725, he was chosen senior proctor of the university, which office he served in conjunction
with Mr. Barnaby Smyth, fellow of Corpus-Christi college,
and a scholar of eminence. In the same year, Mr. Conybeare was called upon to preach a visitation sermon before
the bishop of Oxford, at whose request it was published,
under the title of “The Case of Subscription to Articles
of Religion considered,
” and obtained no small degree of
celebrity, being referred to in the controversy relating to
subscription. The position of Mr. Conybeare is, that
“every one who subscribes the articles of religion, does
thereby engage, not only not to dispute or contradict
them; but his subscription amounts to an approbation of,
and an assent to, the truth of the doctrines therein contained, in the very sense in which the compilers are supposed to have understood them.
” Mr. Conybeare’s next
publication was an assize sermon, preached at St. Mary’s,
Oxford, in 1727, from Ezra vii. 26, and entitled “The
Penal sanctions of laws considered.
” This discourse was
dedicated by him to the honourable Charles Talbot, at
that time solicitor-general, afterwards lord high chancellor
of Great Britain, who had honoured our author with the
care of his two eldest sons, Mr. Charles Talbot, celebrated
by the poet Thomson, and the late earl Talbot, steward
of his majesty’s household. On the llth of July, 1728,
Mr. Conybeare was admitted to the degree of bachelor of
divinity; and on the 24th of January following, he took
his doctor’s degree. In the year 1729, he again appeared
from the press, in a sermon that had been preached before
the lord mayor and aldermen at St. Paul’s cathedral, and
which was entitled ^The Expediency of a Divine Revelation represented.“It was accompanied with a dedication
to bishop Talbot, father of the solicitor-general. From
Dr. Conybeare’s introduction to this family, and the reputation he had acquired as a divine, it was expected that
he would soon have been promoted to some dignity in the
church. But the good bishop was taken off before he had
a proper opportunity of carrying his benevolent intentions
in our author’s favour into execution. In 1730, the headship of Exeter college becoming vacant, by the death of
Dr. Hole, Dr. Conybeare was chosen to succeed him. His
competitor, on this occasion, was the rev. Mr. Stephens,
vicar of St. Andrew’s, Plymouth, a truly worthy clergyxpan, and the author of several ingenious discourses,
Nevertheless, as he had retired early from the society, he
could not be supposed to carry such weight with him as
Dr. Conybeare, who had resided constantly in the college.
In this year Dr. Tindal’s famous deistical book had appeared, entitled
” Christianity as old as the Creation, or
the Gospel a Republication of the Law of Nature.“This
work excited the greatest attention, and drew forth the
pens of some of the ablest divines of the kingdom, both in
the church of PZngland, and among the protestant dissenters. Bishop Gibson, who had himself engaged in the
controversy in his
” Pastoral Letters,“encouraged Dr.
Conybeare to undertake the task of giving a full and particular answer to Tindal’s production. Accordingly, he
published in 1732, his
” Defence of Revealed Religion,“Londoq, 8vo, by which he gained great credit to himself,
and performed an eminent service to the cause of Christianity. In his dedication to the learned prelate now mentioned, he observes, that if he has not succeeded in his
book according to his wishes, he may plead that it was
drawn up amidst a variety of interruptions, and under a
bad state of health.
” This,“says he,
” will in some sort
excuse the author, though it may detract from the performance.“But Dr. Conybeare’s work did not stand in
need of an apology. It is distinguished by the perspicuity of its method, and the strength of its reasoning; and
is, indeed, one of the ablest vindications of revelation
which England has produced. So well was the work received, that the third edition of it was published in 1733.
Dr. Warburton justly styles it one of the best reasoned
books in the world. It is likewise recommended by the
temper and candour with which it is composed. Dr. Conybeare' s Defence will always maintain its rank, and perhaps
be thought to sustain the first place among the four capital
answers which Tindal received. The other three were,
Foster’s
” Usefulness, Truth, and Excellency of the
Christian Revelation;“Leland’s
” Answer to a late book,
entitled Christianity as old as the Creation;“and Mr. Simon Browne’s
” Defence of the Religion of Nature and
the Christian Revelation."
e attacked Pope from political principles, but it is fully as probable, that, as he was a good Greek scholar, he wished to derive some reputation from proving that Pope,
, a poet and miscellaneous writer,
was born at Braintree in Essex, in 1702 or 1703, where
his father was an inn-keeper, and as Pope used to say, a
Muggletonian. He was educated at Felsted school, where
he made considerable proficiency, but how long he remained here, or what was his destination in life is not
known. For some time he appears to have been domesticated in the family of lord Pembroke, who died in 1733,
and who probably suggested to him a translation of Hesiod,
to which his lordship contributed some notes. Before this
nobleman’s death, he came to London in 1722, and became a writer by profession, and a strenuous supporter
of revolution-principles, which formed a bond of union
between him and Tickell, Philips, Welsted, Steele, Dennis,
and others, whose political opinions agreed with his own.
He wrote in some of the weekly journals of the time, and
was considered as a man of learning and abilities. He is
supposed to have attacked Pope from political principles,
but it is fully as probable, that, as he was a good Greek
scholar, he wished to derive some reputation from proving
that Pope, in his translation of Homer, was deficient in
that language. In 1725 he published a poem entitled
“The Battle of the Poets,
” in which Pope, Swift, and
some others were treated with much freedom and translated and published in the Daily Journal, 1727, the episode
of Thersites, from the second book of the Iliad, to show
how much Pope had mistaken his author. For this attack
Pope gave him a place in the “Dunciad,
” and notices
him with equal contempt in his Epistle to Dr. Arbutlmot.
In a note likewise he informs us that Cooke “wrote letters
at the same time to him, protesting his innocence;
” but
Cooke’s late biographer, sir Joseph Mawbey, is inclined
to doubt this, and rather to believe that he was regardless
of Pope’s enmity. In a subsequent edition of “The Battle of the Poets
” Cooke notices the Dunciad with becoming spirit, and speaks with little respect of Pope’s
“philosophy or dignity of mind, who could be provoked
by what a boy writ concerning his translation of Homer,
and in verses which gave no long promise of duration.
”
In 1725 or 172G, Cooke published “The Knights of
the Bath,
” and “Philander and Cydippe,
” both poetical
tales; and several other pieces of poetry the former evidently meant to attract the public attention, on the revival,
about that time, of the order of the Bath. He wrote soon
after “The Triumphs of Love and Honour,
” a play; “The
Eunuch,
” a farce; and “The Mournful Nuptials,
” a tragedy; all performed at Drury-lane theatre, but with little
success. In 1726 he published an account of the “Life
and Writings of Andrew Marvell, esq.
” prefixed to an
edition of the poetical works of that celebrated politician,
2 vols. 12mo, and in 1728 his translation of “Hesiod.
”
In A Translation of Cicero on the Nature of the Gods,
” with philosophical, critical, and explanatory notes, to which is added
an examination into the astronomy of the ancients, 8vo.
In 1741 he encreased his classical reputation by an edition
of Virgil, with an interpretation in Latin, and notes in
English. In 1742 he published a volume of his original
“Poems,
” with imitations and translations, and in
itophel. Nevertheless, soon after that fine satire appeared, his lordship having the nomination of a scholar, as governor of the Charter-house, gave it to one of the poet’s
For the loss which was occasioned by Mr. Locke’s timidity
or prudence, he was solicitous to make some degree of
reparation. Accordingly, he formed an intention of writing, at large, the history of his noble friend; and if he
had accomplished his intention, his work would undoubtedly
have been a very valuable present to the public. But
there was another biographer, who wrote a life of the earl,
soon after his decease. This was Thomas Stringer, esq. of
Ivy church, near Salisbury, a gentleman of great integrity
and excellent character; who had held, we believe, under
his lordship, when high-chancellor of England, the office
of clerk of the presentations; and who was much esteemed
by some of the principal persons of the age. With Mr.
Locke in particular, he maintained an intimate friendship
to the time of his death, which happened in 1702. Mr.
Stringer’s account has been the ground-work on which the
narrative intended for the public eye, by the noble family,
has been built. It contained a valuable history of the earl’s
life; but was probably much inferior in composition to
what Mr. Locke’s would have been; and indeed, in its
original form, it was too imperfect for publication. Sometime about the year 1732, this manuscript, together with
the rest of the Shaftesbury papers, was put into the hands
of Mr. Benjamin Marty n, a gentleman who was then known
in the literary world, in consequence of having written a
tragedy, entitled “Timoleoh,
” which had been acted with
success at the theatre royal in Drury-lane. Mr. Martyn
made Mr. Stringer’s manuscript the basis of his own work,
which he enriched with such speeches of the earl as are
yet remaining, and with several particulars drawn from
some loose papers left by his lordship. He availed himself, likewise, of other means of information, which more
recent publications had afforded; and prefixed to the
whole an introduction of considerable length, wherein he
passed very high encomiums on our great statesman, and
strengthened them by the testimonies of Mr. Locke and
Mons. Le Clerc. He added, also, strictures on L' Estrange,
sir William Temple, bishop Burnet, and others, who had
written to his lordship’s disadvantage. One anecdote,
which we well remember, it cannot but be agreeable to
the public and to the noble family to see related. It is
well known with what severity the earl of Shaftesbury’s
character is treated by Dryden, in his Absalom and Achitophel. Nevertheless, soon after that fine satire appeared,
his lordship having the nomination of a scholar, as governor
of the Charter-house, gave it to one of the poet’s sons,
without any solicitation on the part of the father, or of any
other person. This act of generosity had such an effect
upon IXryden, that, to testify his gratitude, he added, in
the second edition of the poem, the four following lines,
in celebration of the earl’s conduct as lord chancellor.
functions of a grammarian. He had taught at Nevers in 1534, 1535, and 1536. Calvin, who had been his scholar at Paris in the college de la Marche, dedicated his Commentary
, in Latin Corderius, lived in
the sixteenth century, and was an eminent teacher. He
understood the Latin tongue critically, was a man of virtue, and performed his functions with the utmost diligence,
mixing moral with literary instruction. He spent his long
life in teaching children at Paris, Nevers, Bordeaux, Geneva, Neufchastel, Lausanne, and lastly again at Geneva,
where he died September the 8th, 1564, at the age of
eighty-five, having continued his labours until three or
four days before his death. He studied divinity for some
time at Paris in the college of Navarre, about the year 1528,
after he had taught a form in the same college but he left
off that study in order to apply himself to his former functions of a grammarian. He had taught at Nevers in 1534,
1535, and 1536. Calvin, who had been his scholar at
Paris in the college de la Marche, dedicated his Commentary on the 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians to him. It is
not exactly known of what province Mathurin Cordier was;
some say he was born in Normandy; others pretend he
was born in the earldom of Perche. He published several
books for the use of schools, among which were, 1. “Epistres Chrestiennes,
” Lyons, Sentences
extraictes de la Saincte Escriture pour Tinstruction des
Enfans,
” Latin and French, Cantiques spirituels en nombre 26,
” Le Miroir de la Jeunesse,
pour la former a bonnes mceurs, et civilite de la vie,
” Paris,
16to. 5. “L‘ Interpretation et construction en Francois
des distiques Latins, qu’on attribue a Caton,
” Lyons, 8vo,
and since, perhaps, above an hundred times. His “Colloquia
” have long been used in schools, and have been
printed, says Bayle, a thousand times.
ut the assistance of the point. It is no small honour to this artist, that Agostino Carracci was his scholar, and imitated his style of engraving rather than that of any
, a celebrated engraver, was born at
Hoorn in Holland in 1536. After having learned the-first
principles of drawing and engraving, he went to Italy to
complete his studies, and visited all the places famous for
the works of the great masters. At Venice he was courteously received by Titian; and engraved several plates
from the pictures of that admirable painter. He at last
settled at Rome, where he died, 1578, aged forty -two.
According to Basan, he was the best engraver with the
burin or graver only that Holland ever produced. “We
find in his prints,
” adds he, “correctness of drawing, and
an exquisite taste.
” He praises also the taste and lightness of touch with which he engraved landscapes, and that
without the assistance of the point. It is no small honour
to this artist, that Agostino Carracci was his scholar, and
imitated his style of engraving rather than that of any
other master. His engravings are very numerous (151 according to abbe Marolles), and by no means uncommon.
Bologna. He died in 1676, leaving a brother William Cortesi, like him called Borgognone, who was the scholar of Pietro da Cortona, though not his imitator. He adhered to
, called Borgognone,
was a Jesuit, born in Franche Comte, 1621, who carried the art of battle-painting to a degree unknown before or
after him. M. A. Cerquozzi himself did justice to his power,
and dissuading him from the pursuit of other branches of
painting, fixed him to that in which he could not but perceive that Cortesi would be his superior rather than his
rival. The great model on which he formed himself was the
“Battle of Constantine
” in the Vatican. He had been a
soldier, and neither the silence of Rome, nor the repose
of the convent, could lay his military ardour, He has
personified courage in attack or defence, and it has been
said that his pictures sound with the shouts of war, the
neighing of horses, the cries of the wounded His manner
pf painting was rapid, in strokes, and full of colour; hence
its effect is improved by distance. His style was his own,
though it may have been invigorated by his attention to
the works of Paolo at Venice, and his intercourse with
Gnido at Bologna. He died in 1676, leaving a brother
William Cortesi, like him called Borgognone, who was
the scholar of Pietro da Cortona, though not his imitator.
He adhered to Maratta in the choice and variety of his
heads, and a certain modesty of composition, but differed
from him in his style of drapery and colour, which has
something of Flemish transparence his brother, whom he
often assisted, likewise contributed to form his manner.
A Crucifixion in the church of St. Andrea on Monte Cavallo, and the Battle of Joshua in the palace of the Q.uirinal, by his hand, deserve to be seen.* He died in 1679,
aged 51. The brothers are both mentioned by Strutt as
having etched some pieces.
, till 14 years of age; and then removed to Caius college in Cambridge, of which he was successively scholar and fellow. Being at length distinguished for his ingenuity
, an English prelate, was the son of Giles
Cosin, a rich citizen of Norwich, and born in that city
Nov. 30, 1594. He was educated in the free-school there,
till 14 years of age; and then removed to Caius college in
Cambridge, of which he was successively scholar and fellow. Being at length distinguished for his ingenuity and
learning, he had, in 1616, an offer of a librarian’s place
from Overall bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, and Andrews bishop of Ely, and accepted the invitation of the
former; who dying in 1619, he became domestic chaplain
to Neil bishop of Durham. He was made a prebendary of
Durham in 1624; and the year following collated to the
archdeaconry of the east riding in the church of York,
vacant by the resignation of Marmaduke Blakestone, whose
daughter he had married that year. July 1626, Neil presented him to the rich rectory of Branspeth, in the diocese
of Durham; the parochial church of which he beautified in
an extraordinary manner. About that time, having frequent meetings at the bishop of Durham’s house in London, with Laud and other divines of that party, he began
to be obnoxious to the puritans, who suspected him to be
popishly affected; grounding their suspicion on his “Collection of Private Devotions,
” published in
cted; and about the same time he was put under restraint, upon a surmise that he had enticed a young scholar to popery: of all which charges he fully cleared himself, and
About 1628 he took the degree of D. D. and the same
year was concerned, with his brethren of the church of
Durham, in a prosecution against Peter Smart, a prebeiidary there, for a seditious sermon preached in that cathedral, npon Psalm xxxi. 7. “I hate them that hold of superstitious vanities.
” Smart was degraded, and dispossessed of his preferments; but, as we shall perceive, afterwards amply revenged of Cosin for his share in the prosecution. In 163 4 Cosin was elected master of Peterhouse
in Cambridge; and in 1640 made dean of Peterborough
by Charles I, whose chaplain he then was; but on Nov. 10,
three days after his installation into that deanry, a petition
from Peter Smart against him was read in the house of
commons; wherein complaint was made of his superstition,
innovations in the church of Durham, and severe prosecution of himself in the high commission-court. This
ended in his being, Jan. 22, 1642, sequestered by a vote
of the whole house from his ecclesiastical benefices; and
he is remarkable for having been the first clergyman in
those times who was treated in that manner. March 15th
ensuing, the commons sent twenty -one articles of impeachment against him to the house of lords, tending to prove
him popishly affected; and about the same time he was
put under restraint, upon a surmise that he had enticed a
young scholar to popery: of all which charges he fully
cleared himself, and was indeed acquitted; but in those
days of tyrannical oppression, this availed him little, nor
was any recompense made him for his expences. In 1642,
being concerned with others in sending the plate of the
university of Cambridge to the king, who was then at York,
he was ejected from his mastership of Peter-house; so that,
as he was the first who was sequestered from his ecclesiastical benefices, he was also the first that was displaced in
the university. Thus deprived of all his preferments, and
not without fears of something worse, he resolved to leave
the kingdom, and retire to Paris; which accordingly he
did in 1643.
Mr. Whiston was one of the electors. Besides Mr. Cotes, there was another candidate, who had been a scholar of Dr. Harris’s. As Mr. Whiston was the only professor of mathematics
When Dr. Plume’s professorship for astronomy and experimental philosophy was contended for, Mr. Whiston
was one of the electors. Besides Mr. Cotes, there was
another candidate, who had been a scholar of Dr. Harris’s.
As Mr. Whiston was the only professor of mathematics
who was directly concerned in the choice, the rest of the
electors naturally paid a great regard to his judgment. At
the time of election, Mr. Whiston said, that he pretended
himself to be not much inferior to the other candidate’s
master, Dr. Harris; but he confessed “that he was but a
child to Mr. Cotes.
” The votes were unanimous for Mr.
Cotes, who was then onJy in the twenty-fourth year of his
age.
es in a manner that forms a noble tribute to his memory: and Mr. Hayley says, that Dr. Cotton was “a scholar and a poet, who added to many accomplishments, a peculiar sweetness
If we have few particulars of the life of Dr. Cotton, we
have many testimonies to the excellence of his character.
We find from Mr. Hayley’s Life of Cowper, that he had at
one time among his patients, that amiable and interesting
poet, who speaks of Dr. Cotton’s services in a manner that
forms a noble tribute to his memory: and Mr. Hayley says,
that Dr. Cotton was “a scholar and a poet, who added to
many accomplishments, a peculiar sweetness of manners,
in very advanced life,
” when Mr. Hayley had the pleasure
of a personal acquaintance with him. In a subsequent part
of his Life of Cowper, the latter, alluding to an inquiry
respecting Dr. Cotton’s works, pays the following compliment to his abilities: “I did not know that he had written
any thing newer than his Visions: 1 have no doubt that it
is so far worthy of him as to be pious and sensible, and I
believe no man living is better qualified to write on such
subjects as his title seems to announce. Some years have
passed since I heard from him, and considering his great
age, it is probable that I shall hear from him no more:
but I shall always respect him. He is truly a philosopher,
according to my judgment of the character, every tittle of
his knowledge in natural subjects being connected in his
mind with the firm belief of an omnipotent agent.
” His
writings, indeed, are uniformly in favour of piety and benevolence, and his correspondence, from which many extracts are given in the lute edition of his Works, justifies
the high respect in which he was held by his numerous
friends. His prose pieces consist of reflections on some
parts of scripture, which he has entitled “Sermons;
” and
various essays on health, husbandry, zeal, marriage, and
other miscellaneous topics. One of these, entitled “Mirza
to Selim
” (an imitation of Lyttelton’s Persian Letters) is
said to relate to the death of the Rev. Robert Romney, D, D.
vicar of St. Alban’s, which happened in 1743. When
dying, this gentleman prophesied that his brother and
heir would not long enjoy his inheritance, which proved
true, as he died in June 1746. Some of these essays were
probably written for the periodical journals, and others
for the amusement of private friends. As a poet, he wrote
with ease, and had a happy turn for decorating his reflections in familiar verse: but we find very little that is original, fanciful, or vigorous. He scarcely ever attempts
imagery, or description, and nowhere rises beyond a certain level diction adapted to the class of readers whom he
was most anxious to please. Yet his “Visions
” have been
popular, and deserve to continue so. Every sensible and
virtuous mind acquiesces in the truth and propriety of his
moral reflections, and will love the poems for the sake of
the writer.
Ewes gives a very severe character money, to any that would be his cusof him; an atheistical profane scholar, tomers; which,” says sir Symonds, “I but otherwise witty and
It may be necessary, in order to elucidate this matter
still farther, to take notice, that one of the articles in the
attorney-general’s information against sir Robert Cotton
was, “that the discourse or project was framed and con* This was Richard James, fellow of three years before hi* death, he beCorpus Christ! college, in Oxford, born stowed the custody of his whole library
at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, and on him and he being a needy sharkauthor of several sermons, both in La- ing companion, and very expensive,
tin and English. H-- died at the house like old sir Ralph Starkie when he
of sir Thomas Cotton, bart. in the be- lived, let out, or lent out, sir Robert
ginning of Dec. 1636. Sir Symcmds Cotton’s most precious manuscripts for
D'Ewes gives a very severe character money, to any that would be his cusof him; an atheistical profane scholar, tomers; which,
” says sir Symonds, “I
but otherwise witty and moderately once made known to sir Robert Cotton,
learned; and he adds, that he had so before the said James’s face.
” But this
screwed himself info the good opinion appears to be in some essential points
of srt- Robert Cotton, “that whereas incorrect, as will be shewn when we
at first he had only permitted him the come to the article of Richard James,
use of his books, at last, some two or
trived within five or six months past here in England;
”
but sir David Foulis testified upon oath, being thereunto
required, that it was contrived at Florence seventeen years
before, by sir Robert Dudley; upon which most of the
parties were released, and sir Robert Cotton had his library
restored to him soon after.
ontroversial pieces, which were afterwards collected by Elzevir in 1675, fol. He was a capital Greek scholar, and paid great attention to different Greek copies of the New
, descended from a family in Picardy, was born at Geneva in 1586. He officiated many years among the reformed in France, till he became a follower of Arminius, when he was obliged to retire into Holland, where he succeeded the celebrated Episcopius as professor of theology at Amsterdam, and published his works with a life of the author. He was also the author of many theological and controversial pieces, which were afterwards collected by Elzevir in 1675, fol. He was a capital Greek scholar, and paid great attention to different Greek copies of the New Testament, of which he gave a new edition, with various readings; and a preface, to shew that those various readings, though numerous, do not tend in the least to affect the credit and authenticity of the work itself.
ys of the world, torn from darling studies, and under the influence of the indolent habits of a mere scholar, this youth was ill qualified to be a principal agent for himself
Immediately on the expiration of his minority, William Courten left Montpellier for some time, being obliged to repair to London, by the exigency of his own and his sister’s affairs, in order to procure their final settlement, and to secure to himself and her the best provision for the future that could be collected from the wide-spread ruins of their family. Yet with a turn of mind that biassed him strongly to a contemplative life, unexperienced in the ways of the world, torn from darling studies, and under the influence of the indolent habits of a mere scholar, this youth was ill qualified to be a principal agent for himself and his sister in a business so perplexed, so laborious, and so unpromising.
given of them. It appears likewise from many of his papers in the same repository, that as a general scholar he was far from being contemptible, and that he was not unskilled
It appears that Mr. Courten was one of the select friends
among whom Locke practised physic, of which he had
taken a bachelor’s degree at Oxford. That Mr. Courten
attended particularly to Locke’s prescription, and derived
benefit from it, is evident from his answer, and from the
following entries in a Saunders’s almanac for 1698, in
which there is a ms diary, not by Dr. Walter Charleton, as it is entitled in the Museum, and the catalogue of
Mss. but relative solely to Mr. William Courten, being
his own hand-writing, which is sufficiently distinguishable,
and moreover vouched as his by the information itself.
“July 27, 1698, being distressed with my headach and
giddiness, I left off entirely taking tobacco in snuff, having
only taken it but four times a day, for several days before,
and never after seven at night.
” “Aug. 20, 1698, must
shew my things [meaning his Museum] but seldom, never
two days consecutively for the future.
” Certainly Mr.
Courten cultivated medallic science with pleasure, avidity,
and considerable success, as is evident in the British Museum, both in the coins he collected, and in the accounts
he has given of them. It appears likewise from many of
his papers in the same repository, that as a general scholar
he was far from being contemptible, and that he was not
unskilled in making experiments. Mr. Courten’s intimacies, correspondences and friendships, with doctor, afterwards sir Hans Sloane, with doctor, afterwards sir Tancred
Robinson, physician in ordinary to George I. with doctor
Martin Lister, with Mr. L. Plukenet, with Mr. Edward
Llwyd, &c. were certainly founded on congenial taste, and
argue no inferior degrees of proficiency in the various
branches of natural history. Mr. Courten' s own museum
remains to this day, though improved, as may well be supposed, and now arranged for the most part to greater advantage, according to the Linnaean system. Of his curious collection it is now impossible to ascertain the exact
catalogues or precise value. Swelled with short histories
and accounts of their contents, they amount, it is said, in
all, to thirty-eight volumes in folio, and eight volumes in
quarto. It remained for about half a century after the
death of Mr. Courten, in the possession of his executor
and residuary legatee, who certainly added very much to
it, and was then purchased in 1753, for the use of the
public, without so much as the mention of the name of its
first and most scientific collector and proprietor, so far as
appears in the whole course of the transaction, for 20,000l.
though the coins and precious stones alone were said to be
of that value. It is now preserved in the British Museum.
Mr. Courten passed the last fourteen or fifteen years of
his life in chambers at the Temple, promoting the knowledge of natural history, and exhibiting his collection gratis in an instructive way. Latterly the declining state of
his health obliged him to practise more abstemiousness than
was agreeable to his convivial turn; and for several years
he was^ under the necessity of abstaining almost entirely
from wine and all spirituous liquors, in which, from a companionable disposition, and in compliance with a fashion
then much more prevalent than at present, it seems that
he indulged at times rather too freely. He died at Kensington gravel-pits, on the 26th of March 1702, aged 63,
and was buried in the church-yard of that parish.
that seminary. However, he did not long continue there; for in the year following he was admitted a scholar of Wadham college. On the 27th of June, 1677, betook the degree
, a medical and metaphysical
writer, was the son of Mr. William Coward of Winchester,
where he was born in the year 1656 or 1657. It is not
certain where young Coward received his grammatical
education; but it was probably at Winchester-school. In
his eighteenth year he was removed to Oxford, and in May
1674 became a commoner of Hart-hall; the inducement to
which might probably be, that his uncle was at the head of
that seminary. However, he did not long continue there;
for in the year following he was admitted a scholar of
Wadham college. On the 27th of June, 1677, betook
the degree of B. A. and in January 1680 he was chosen
probationer fellow of Merton college. In the year 1681,
was published Mr. Dvyden’s Absalom and Achitophel, a
production on the celebrity of which we need not expatiate.
At Oxford it could not fail to be greatly admired for its
poetical merit; besjde which, it might be the better received
on account of its containing a severe satire on the duke of
Monmouth and the earl of Sbftftesboryj two men who were
certainly no favourites with tnat loyal university. Accordingly, the admiration of the poem produced two Latin
versions of it, both of which were written and printed at Oxford; one by Mr. Francis Atterbury (afterwards the celebrated bishop of Rochester), who was assisted in it by Mr.
Francis Hickman, a student of Christchurch; and the
other by Mr. Coward. These translations were published
in quarto, in 1682. Whatever proof Mr. Coward’s version
of the Absalom and Achitophel might afford oi“his progress
in classical literature, he was not very fortunate in this first
publication. It was compared with Mr. Atterbury’s production, not a little to its disadvantage. According to
Anthony Wood, he was schooled for it in the college; it
was not well received in the university; and Atterbury’s
poem was extolled as greatly superior. To conceal, in
some degree, Mr. Coward’s mortification, a friend of his,
in a public paper, advertised the translation, as written by
a Walter Curie, of Hertford, gentleman; yet Coward’s
version was generally mistaken for Atterbury’s, and a specimen given of it in Stackhouse’s life of that prelate. On
the 13th of December, 1683, Mr. Coward was admitted to
the degree of M.A. Having determined to apply himself
to the practice of medicine, he prosecuted his studies in
that science, and took the degree of bachelor of physic on
the 23d of June 1685, and of doctor on the 2,d of July 1687.
After his quitting Oxford he exercised his profession at
Northampton, from which place he removed to London in 1693
or 1694, and settled in Lombard-street. In 1695 he published
a tract in 8vo, entitled
” De fermento volatili nutritio conjectura rationis, qua ostenditur spiritum volatilemoleosum, e
sanguine suffusurn, esse verum ac genuinum concoctionis ac
nutritionis instrumentum.“For this work he^iad an honourable approbation from the president and censors of the
college of physicians. But it was not to medical studies
only that Dr. Coward confined his attention. Besides being fond of polite learning, he entered deeply into metaphysical speculations, especially with regard to the nature
of the soul, and the natural immortality of man. The result of his inquiries was his publication, in 1702, under the
fictitious name of Estibius Psycalethes, entitled
” Second
Thoughts concerning Human Soul, demonstrating the notion
of human soul, as believed to be a spiritual immortal substance united to a human body, to be a plain heathenish
invention, and not consonant to the principles of philosophy, reason, or religion; but the ground only of many
absurd and superstitious opinions, abominable to the
reformed church, and derogatory in general to true Christianity.“This work was dedicated by the doctor to the
clergy of the church of England; and he professes at his
setting out,
” that the main stress of arguments, either to
confound or support his opinion, must be drawn from those
only credentials of true and orthodox divinity, the lively
oracles of God, the Holy Scriptures.“In another part, in
answer to the question, Does man die like a brute beast?
he says,
” Yes, in respect to their end in this life; both
their deaths consist in a privation of life.“” But then,“he adds,
” man has this prerogative or pre-eminence above
a brute, that he will be raised to life again, and be made
partaker of eternal happiness in the world to come.“Notwithstanding these professions to the authority of the Christian Scriptures, Dr. Coward has commonly been ranked
with those who have been reputed to be the most rancorous
and determined adversaries of Christianity. Swift has
ranked him with Toland, Tindal, and Gildon; and passages to the like purpose are not unfrequent among controversial writers, especially during the former part of the
last century. His denial of the immateriality and natural
immortality of the soul, and of a separate state of existence
between the time of death and the general resurrection, was
so contrary to universal opinion, that it is not very surprising that he should be considered as an enemy to revelation. It might be expected that he would immediately
meet with opponents; and accordingly he was attacked by
various writers of different complexions and abilities;
among whom were Dr. Nichols, Mr. John Broughton, and.
Mr. John Turner. Dr. Nichols took up the argument in
his
” Conference with a Theist.“Mr. Broughton wrote a
treatise entitled
” Psychologia, or, an Account of the nature of the rational Soul, in two parts;“and Mr. Turner
published a
” Vindication of the separate existence of the
Soul from a late author’s Second Thoughts.“Both these
pieces appeared in 1703. Mr. Turner’s publication was
answered by Dr. Coward, in a pamphlet called
” Farther
Thoughts upon Second Thoughts,“in which he acknowledges, that in Mr. Turner he had a rational and candid
adversary. He had not the same opinion of Mr. Broughton who therefore was treated by him with severity, in
” An Epistolary Reply to Mr. Broughton’s Psychologia;“which reply was not separately printed, but annexed to a
work of the doctor’s, published in the beginning of the
year 1704, and entitled,
” The Grand Essay or, a Vindication of Reason and Religion against the impostures of
Philosophy." In this last production, the idea of the human soul’s being an immaterial substance was again vigorously attacked.
civilian, was born at Ernsborough, in Devonshire, about 1554; educated at Eton school; and elected a scholar of King’s college in Cambridge, in 1570. He was afterwards chosen
, a learned and eminent civilian,
was born at Ernsborough, in Devonshire, about 1554;
educated at Eton school; and elected a scholar of King’s
college in Cambridge, in 1570. He was afterwards chosen
fellow of that college; and, by the advice of Bancroft
bishop of London, applied himself particularly to the study
of ci-vil law. He was regularly admitted to the degree of
LL.D. in his own university; and, in 1600, was incorporated into the same degree at Oxford. Soon after he was
made the king’s professor of civil law in Cambridge, and
about the same time master of Trinity-hall. His patron,
Bancroft, being advanced to the see of Canterbury in
1604, and beginning to project many things for the service of the church and state, put him upon that laborious,
work the “Interpreter,
” or an explanation of law-terms,
which he published at Cambridge in 1607, 4to. It was
reprinted in 1609, and several times since, particularly in
1638, for which archbishop Laud was reflected upon; and
it was made an article against him at his trial, as if the impression of that book had been done by his authority, or at
least with his connivance, in order to countenance king
Charles’s arbitrary measures. In 1677 and 1684 it was
published with large additions by Thomas Manley of the
Middle Temple, esq. and again in 1708, with very considerable improvements, by another hand: in all which later
editions the exceptionable passages have been corrected or
omitted.
eft to the care of his mother, who, by the interest of friends, procured him to be admitted a king’s scholar in Westminster school. The occasion of his first inclination
, an eminent English poet, was
born in London, 1618. His father, who was a grocer,
dying before his birth, he was left to the care of his mother, who, by the interest of friends, procured him to be
admitted a king’s scholar in Westminster school. The
occasion of his first inclination to poetry, was his casual
meeting with Spenser’s Fairy Queen. “I believe,
” says
he, in his essay on himself, “I can tell the particular
little chance that filled my head first with such chimes of
verses as have never since left ringing there. For I remember, when I began to read, and to take some pleasure
in it, there was wont to lie in my mother’s parlour—I
know not by what accident, for she herself never in her
life read any book but of devotion; but there was wont to
lie—Spenser’s Works. This I happened to fall upon, and
was infinitely delighted with the stones of the knights and
giants, and monsters, and brave houses, which I found
every-where, though my understanding had little to do
with all this, and by degrees with the tinkling of the
rhyme, and dance of the numbers; so that I think I had
read him all over before I was twelve years old.
”
ired to Oxford, settled in St. John’s college there, and that same year, under the name of an Oxford Scholar, published a satire entitled “The Puritan and the Papist.” His
The first occasion of his entering into business, was an
elegy he wrote on the death of Mr. William Hervey. This
brought him into the acquaintance of John Hervey, the
brother of his deceased friend, from whom he received
many offices of kindness, and principally this, that by his
means he came into the service of the lord St. Alban’s. la
1643, being then M. A. he was, among many others,
ejected his college and the university, by the prevalence
f parliament; upon which, he retired to Oxford, settled
in St. John’s college there, and that same year, under
the name of an Oxford Scholar, published a satire entitled
“The Puritan and the Papist.
” His affection to the royal
cause engaged him in the service of the king and he attended in several of his majesty’s journies and expeditions.
Here he became intimately acquainted with lord Falkland,
and other great men, whom the fortune of the war had drawn
together. During the heat of the civil war, he was settled
in the family of the earl of St. Alban’s, and attended the
queen mother when she was forced to retire into France.
He was absent from England about ten years, says Wood;
about twelve, says Sprat; which, be they more or less,
were wholly spent, either in bearing a share in the distresses of the royal family, or in labouring in their affairs.
To this purpose he performed several dangerous journies
into Jersey, Scotland, Flanders, Holland, and elsewhere;
and was the principal instrument in maintaining a correspondence between the king and his royal consort, whose
letters he cyphered and decyphered with his own hand, an
employment of the highest confidence and honour.
e corporation of Tiverton, and was very highly respected as a man of talents and probity, and a good scholar. He was not very distantly related to the poet Gay, who recordshis
, an ingenious and popular dramatic writer, the daughter of Mr. Philip Parkhouse, of
Tiverton, in Devonshire, was born at that place in 1743.
Her father was educated for holy orders, but a family loss
depriving him of a certainty of provision in the church, he
desisted from his first intention, and became a bookseller,
as the nearest approach he could then prudently make to a
life of some degree of literary enjoyment. He afterwards
rose to be a member of the corporation of Tiverton, and
was very highly respected as a man of talents and probity,
and a good scholar. He was not very distantly related to
the poet Gay, who recordshis visit to his relations in Devonshire in his “Journey to Exeter,
” inscribed to the earl
of Burlington. It was Mr. Parkhouse’s favourite aim to
cultivate the promising talents of his daughter, and he
lived to witness the reputation she acquired almost to the
last period of her literary career. In her twenty -fifth year
she was married to Mr. Cowley, a man of very considerable
talents, who died in 1797, a captain in the East India company’s service. It was when he was with his regiment in
India that she dedicated her comedy of “More Ways than
One
” to him, in the affectionate lines prefixed to it; and
it was to this gentleman’s brother, an eminent merchant
of London, now living, that “The Fate of Sparta
” is dedicated with so much feeling.
ensive as it is, arose from gradual conviction, and gratitude for pleasure received. The genius, the scholar, the critic, the man of the world, and the man of piety, each
To add much to this sketch respecting the merit of Cowper as a poet, would be superfluous. After passing through the many trials which criticism has instituted, he remains, by universal acknowledgment, one of the first poets of the eighteenth century. Even without awaiting the issue of such trials, he attained a degree of popularity which is almost without a precedent, while the species of popularity which he has acquired is yet more honourable than the extent of it. No man’s works ever appeared with less of artificial preparation; no venal heralds proclaimed the approach of a new poet, nor told the world what it was to admire. He emerged from obscurity, the object of no patronage, and the adherent of no party. His fame, great and extensive as it is, arose from gradual conviction, and gratitude for pleasure received. The genius, the scholar, the critic, the man of the world, and the man of piety, each found in Cowper' s works something to excite their surprize and their admiration, something congenial with their habits and feelings, something which taste readily selected, and judgment decidedly confirmed. Cowper was found to possess that combination of energies which marks the comprehensive mind of a great and inventive genius, and to furnish examples of the sublime, the pathetic, the descriptive, the moral, and the satirical, so numerous, that nothing seemed beyond his grasp, and so original, that nothing reminds us of any former poet.
ntance, but pleasant to those who knew him, beloved by many, and esteemed by all.” He was admitted a scholar at Westminster in 1742, and in 1746 was elected to Christ-church,
, an eminent
benefactor to the taste, elegance, and literature of his
time, was the son of col. Mordaunt Cracherode, who sailed
with lord Anson, and in 1753 was appointed lieut. governor of Fort St. Philip, in Minorca. His mother was Mary,
the daughter of Thomas Morice, esq. paymaster of the
British forces in Portugal in queen Anne’s time, and
brother to William Morice, esq. who married bishop Atterbury’s daughter. The colonel died June 20, 1773, and
his widow Dec. 27, 1784, at their house in Queen’s-square,
Westminster, which was afterwards inhabited by their son,
the subject of the present article. Mr. Cracherode was
born in 1729, and educated at Westminster school, where
his contemporary the late Mr. Cumberland says, he was
“as grave, studious, and reserved as he was through life;
but correct in morals and elegant in manners, not courting
a promiscuous acquaintance, but pleasant to those who
knew him, beloved by many, and esteemed by all.
” He
was admitted a scholar at Westminster in 1742, and in 1746
was elected to Christ-church, Oxford, where he took his
degree of B. A. and M.A. at the usual periods: the latter,
April 5, 1753. He entered into holy orders, and atone
time held the curacy of Binsey, a donative, near Oxford,
but accepted no preferment afterwards. At the same time,
he maintained that simplicity and purity in his appearance, manners, and sentiments, which belong to the character he professed. The tenor of Mr. Cracherode’s life,
after he came to reside in London, that of a man of literary
taste and research, was even and uniform: his principal
object was the collection of a library and museum, and
while his thoughts were confined to it, his associations
were necessarily with men of similar pursuits. He employed a considerable part of a large revenue in making
collections of what was best and most curious in literature,
and certain branches of the arts. His library soon became
unrivalled in its kind; and his cabinet of prints, drawings,
and medals, was considered as among the most select and
valuable in a country that possesses so many of them. He
was an exquisite judge of art, both ancient and modern,
particularly of sculpture, painting, and music, and
collected the choicest'of early printed books, drawings, coins,
and gems. Many of hisarticles were unique for their
beauty, their preservation, or the rarity of their occurrence: such, for instance, as his cameo of a lion on a
sardonyx, and intaglio of the discobolos; his Tyndale’s
New Testament on vellum, that formerly belonged to Anne
Boleyn; his lord Finch, with wings on his head, by Marshal; his Olbiopolis, and his Dichalcos, the first and
smallest coin, being the fourth part of an obolus. Of these,
and every other curiosity in his possession, he was, at all
times, most obligingly communicative. His books, which
he used modestly to call a specimen collection, particularly
books of the fifteenth century, form perhaps the most perfect series ever brought together by one man. His passion
for collecting was strong in death, and while he was at the
last extremity, his agents were buying prints for him. In
his farewell visit to Payne’s shop he put an Edinburgh
Terence in one pocket, and a large paper Cebes in another, and expressed an earnest desire to carry away “Triveti Annales,
” and Henry Stephens’s “Pindar
” in old binding, both beautiful copies, and, as he thought, finer than
his own, but which Mr. Payne had destined for lord Spencer.
presented to the rectory of Black Notley, near Braintry in Essex. He had the reputation of a general scholar, was a considerable canonist, and perfectly acquainted with
, originated from a gentleman’s family at Strickland in Westmoreland, where he
was born in 1567, and in 1583 was admitted in Queen’s
college in Oxford, of which he obtained a fellowship in
1598. He was esteemed a celebrated preacher and a
deep controversial divine, and was particularly admired by
the puritans. When king James 1. sent the lord Evers ambassador to the emperor, Mr. Crakanthorpe went along with
him in 1603 as chaplain; and upon his return he was chaplain to Dr. Ravis, bishop of London, and presented to the
rectory of Black Notley, near Braintry in Essex. He had
the reputation of a general scholar, was a considerable
canonist, and perfectly acquainted with ecclesiastical antiquity and scholastic divinity. He died in 1624, at his
rectory of Black-Notley. His works are, 1. “Justinian
the emperor defended against cardinal Baronius,
” Introductio in Metaphysicam, lib. 4.
” Oxon. A Defence of Constanthie,
with a treatise of the pope’s Temporal Monarchy,
” Lond.
Pefensio ecclesiae Anglicanse contra M.
Anton, cle Dominis archiepisc. Spalatensis injurias,
” Lond.
Vigilius dormitans; or, a treatise of the 5th general council held at Constantinople, ann.
553,
” Lond. Logicae libri quinque,
” Lond.
Tractatus de providentia,
”
Camb.
will scarcely at present be deemed an object which calls for much criticism, as he is rather a good scholar than a good poet; and in the instance of Lucretius, a most judicious
The following is a list of his translations; for we do not
find him to have been the author of any original works.
1. A translation of “Lucretius,
” printed in 8vo, at Oxford, Miscellany
Poems,
” which were published by him, speaks of this
translation in the highest terms of approbation, calling
Creech “the ingenious and learned translator of Lucretius
” and every body else entertained the same opinion of
it.' In the edition of 1714, in 2 vols. 8vo, all the verses of
the text, which Creech had left untranslated, particularly
those in the fourth book about the nature of love, are supplied; and many new notes added and intermixed by another hand, by way of forming a complete system of the
Epicurean philosophy. Creech had published in 1695 an
edition of Lucretius in Latin, with notes, which were
afterwards printed at the end of the English translation.
Another edition of this, much enlarged, but very incorrect,
was published in 1717 in 8vo. The best is that of Glasow, 1759, 12 mo. He will perhaps be far longer rememred as the editor than the translator of Lucretius. 2. In
1684 he published a translation of “Horace
” in which,
however, he has omitted some few odes. As to the satires,
he was advised, as he tells us in the preface, “to turn them
to our own time; since Rome was now rivalled in her vices;
and parallels for hypocrisy, profaneness, avarice, and the
like, were easy to be found.
” But those crimes,“he declares,
” were out of his acquaintance; and since the character is the same whoever the person is, he was not so
fond of being hated, as to make any disobliging application.
Such pains,“says he,
” would look like an impertinent
labour to find a dunghill.“3. The
” Idylliums“of Theocritus, with Rapin’s discourse of pastorals, 1684,- 8vo. 4.
The second elegy of Ovid’s first book of elegies the sixth,
seventh, eighth, and twelfth of the second book; the story
of Lucretia, out of the Fasti; and the second and third of
Virgil’s eclogues; printed in a collection of miscellany
poems, 1684. 5. The thirteenth satire of Juvenal, with
notes. Printed in the English translation of the satires,
1693, in folio. 6. A translation into English of the verses
prefixed to Quintinie’s Complete Gardener. 7. The Lives
of Solon, Pelopidas, and Cleomenes, from Plutarch. 8.
The Life of Pelopidas, from Cornelius Nepos. 9. Laconic apophthegms, or remarkable sayings of the Spartans, from Plutarch. 10. A discourse concerning Socrates’s da3mon, and the two first books of the Symposiacs,
from Plutarch. These translations from Plutarch were
published in the English translations of his
” Lives“and
” Morals.“11. A translation of Manilius’s Astronomicon,
dated from All-Souls, Oct. 10, 1696. On his father’s
monument he is called
” the learned, much admired, and
much envied Mr. Creech.“By whom he could have been
envied, we know not, yet there is a ridiculous story that
Dryden became so jealous of him, as to incite him to
translate Horace that he might lose as much reputation by
that poet, as he had gained by Lucretius. His poetry will
scarcely at present be deemed an object which calls for
much criticism, as he is rather a good scholar than a
good poet; and in the instance of Lucretius, a most judicious editor. Dr. Warton, however, who will be allowed
Jto be an admirable judge, has spoken of him in terms of
applause.
” Creech,“says the doctor,
” in truth, is a
much better translator than he is usually supposed and
allowed to be. He is a nervous and vigorous writer: and
many parts, not only of his Lucretius, but of his
Theocritus and Horace (though now decried) have not been
excelled by other translators. One of his pieces may be
pronounced excellent; his translation of the thirteenth
satire of Juvenal; equal to any that Dryden has given us
of that author.“Pope certainly paid him no small compliment by beginning his epistle to Mr. Murray (afterwards lord Mansfield) with two lines from Creech’s Horace. Pope
used to say that
” he hurt his translation of Lucretius very
much by imitating Cowley, and bringing in turns even
into some of the most grand parts. He has done more
justice to Manilius."
to 6 vols. 4to, Venice, 1731, with the addition of the preceding history. In 1803, the first Italian scholar in this country, T. J. Matthias, esq. published the commentaries
His works are very numerous, and of various merits:
1. “Canzone per la nascita del seren. real principe de
Y^llia, cji Variinaco Cognimembresi,
” Rome, L'Elvio, favola pastorale,
” Rome, Rime
di Alfesibeo Carlo 7 ' (his Arcadian name), 8vo, ibid. 1695,
1704, and 1723. 4.
” L' Istoria della volgar poesia,“ibid.
1698, 4to, enlarged and corrected, 1714. 5.
” Commentarii intorno alia sua Istoria della volgar poesia,“ibid.
1702, 1710, 2 vols. 4to, but reprinted and enlarged to
6 vols. 4to, Venice, 1731, with the addition of the preceding history. In 1803, the first Italian scholar in this country, T. J. Matthias, esq. published the commentaries detached from the historical part, in 3 vols. 12mo, a work
highly interesting and entertaining to the students of Italian poetry, yet as it finishes, where Crescimbeni did, no
notice is taken of the progress made in the eighteenth century. On the merits of the original work critics differ.
Baretti, a native of Italy, and no contemptible critic, says
that although Crescimbeni
” tells many things that deserve
the notice of the studious, he lavishes such epithets of
praise on a great many ancient and modern bad versemakers, his style has such a laxity, and is so full of verbosity about every trifle, that he could not hold up the
book in his hands for ten minutes together.“It is certainly inferior to Tiraboschi’s work, and we know not
whether rescimbeni’s Arcadian academy may not have
made him partial to frivolities which sober criticism would
have discarded. 6.
” Corona rinterzata in lode di N. S.
pape Clemente XI.“ibid. 1701, 4to. 7.
” Noticie istoriche di diversi capitani illustri,“ibid. 1704, 4to. 8.
” Racconto di tutta Poperazione per Pelevazione e abbazamento
della colonna Antonina,“ibid, 1705, 4to. 9.
” I Givochi
Olimpici en lode de gli Arcadi defunte,“ibid. 1705, 4to,
and continued in subsequent volumes. 10.
” Le vite de
gli Arcadi illustri," ibid. 7 vols. 4to, 1705, &c. He published also collections of the poems of the Arcadians, and
some other original works and translations which are not
held in much estimation.
, or more properly Peter Ricci, an Italian scholar, whose memory Mr. Roscoe has rescued from the misrepresentations
, or more properly Peter Ricci,
an Italian scholar, whose memory Mr. Roscoe has rescued
from the misrepresentations of his biographers, was descended from the noble family of the Ricci, of Florence,
and, when young, was instructed by, and obtained the
friendship of Politian. He afterwards became an associate
in the literary and convivial meetings at the palace of the
Medici at Florence, and after the death of Lorenzo still
continued to enjoy the society of Picus and Politian till
the death of these distinguished scholars, in 1494. After
this it is probable that he quitted his native place, and took
an active part in the political commotions which soon occurred, as he frequently refers in his writings to the labours and misfortunes which he sustained, and avows his
determination to return to his literary studies. Some part
of his time he appears to have passed at Naples, and at
Ferrara. He died, according to Negri, about the close of
the fifteenth century, at the age of thirty-nine years; but
his writings refer to many events beyond that period; and
his dedication of his treatise “De Poetis Latinis
” to Cosmo
de Pazzi, is dated in De Honesta Disciplina,
” as well as his treatise on the Latin poets, before
mentioned, Paris, 1520, fol. demonstrates the extent of
his learning, and the accuracy of his critical taste. His
poetry, all of which is in the Latin language, is also entitled to commendation, and is frequently introduced by
Mr. Roscoe, as illustrating the public transactions of the
times in which he lived.
bled to take a distinguished part, being a man of extensive learning, a critic, and an able Oriental scholar. He died Aug. 31, 1659. He wrote many controversial pieces in
, a learned protestant
clergyman in France, in the seventeenth century, was born
at Usez, and being educated to the church, was appointed
pastor, first of Beziers, and afterwards of Usez. His life
appears to have been spent in the exercise of his duties as
a clergyman, and in writing on the controversies of the
times, in which he was enabled to take a distinguished
part, being a man of extensive learning, a critic, and an
able Oriental scholar. He died Aug. 31, 1659. He wrote
many controversial pieces in French, particularly a defence
of the Geneva confession of Faith, 1645, 8vo, and “Augustin suppose,
” &c. proving that the four books on the
creed in St. Augustine’s works are not the production of
that author; but his Latin works gained him greater reputation, particularly his “Specimen Conjecturarum in qusedam Origenis, Ireneei, et Tertulliani Loca,
” Observationes Sacræ et Historicæ in Nov. Test.
” chiefly
against Heinsius,
s, one of the revivers of classical learning, was a native of London, educated at Eton, and admitted scholar of King’s college, Cambridge, April 4, 1506. During the time
, in Latin Crocus, one of the revivers of classical learning, was a native of London, educated at Eton, and admitted scholar of King’s college, Cambridge, April 4, 1506. During the time of his scholarship he went to Oxford, and was instructed in the Greek language by Grocyn. He then went to Paris and some other parts of Europe for further improvement, and continued abroad about twelve years, supported chiefly by the liberality of Warham, archbishop of Canterbury. During his residence there he received a very high honour, that of being chosen Greek professor at Leipsic, being the fiirt that ever taught Greek in that university. Camerarius was one of his pupils here. He resided at Leipsic from 1514 to 1517, and afterwards for some time at Louvain in the same capacity. But as now the study of the Greek language began to be encouraged in our own universities, and as they could ill spare a scholar of Croke’s accomplishments, he was invited home, and in 1519, by the interest of Fisher, bishop of Rochester, was chosen public orator, and lecturer or teacher of Greek in that university. Here, likewise, as well as at Leipsic, he was the first who publicly and by authority taught Greek, Erasmus, who preceded him, having only made some private attempts; yet, in some respect he may be said to have succeeded that eminent scholar, as in his oration in praise of Greek learning, he makes honourable mention of Erasmus, and speaks modestly of himself as unworthy to succeed him. Erasmus had so good an opinion of him, that knowing he was poor, he desired dean Colet to assist him. In 1524, having proceeded in divinity, he became doctor in that faculty, and Henry VIII. being informed of his abilities, employed him as tutor to his natural son, the duke of Richmond. This promotion led to higher; for, being introduced at court when the question respecting the king’s divorce was agitated, Dr. Croke was thought a proper person to be sent abroad, in order to influence the university of Padua to the king’s side; which he successfully accomplished, although the enemies of that divorce say, not in the most honourable manner. From Collier we learn that Croke owns, in a letter to his royal master, that he had paid various sums to at least five of the members of the universities of Padua and Bologna, in order to keep them steady to the cause. But Burnet appears to explain this matter more to Croke’s honour.
losely confined to his studies, yet left school at the age of thirteen with the reputation of a good scholar. His father, who intended him for the army, had him educated
, an eminent philosopher
and mathematician, descended from a noble family, was
born at Lausanne, April 13, 1663. His father was Abraham de Crousaz, colonel of a regiment of fusileers: in his
youth being of a very delicate habit, he was not too closely
confined to his studies, yet left school at the age of thirteen with the reputation of a good scholar. His father,
who intended him for the army, had him educated in the
branches of knowledge necessary for that profession; but
finding him averse to any pursuit unless that of literature, he
allowed him to follow his inclination. In his fifteenth year
he completed his course of philosophy, and distinguished
himself by his theses, but being dissatisfied with the philosophy then taught, he had recourse to the writings of
Des Cartes, which he studied with avidity, and applied at
the same time to mathematics, but scholastic theology had
no more charms for him than the philosophy he had been
taught. In his sixteenth year, however, he entered as a
student of divinity, attended the best professors, both at
Geneva and Lausanne, and read the opinions of other
eminent divines on the subjects most involved in controversy. In March 1682 he went to Lcyden, made himself
acquainted with the theological disputes, and endeavoured
to investigate how far they could be determined by the
sacred scriptures. Leaving Holland, he entered France,
became acquainted with those celebrated protestant divines Claude and Menard, at Charenton, and fathers
Malebranche and le Vassor at Paris, who in vain endeavoured to bring him over to the Roman catholic church,
which Vassor himself forsook some years after. On his
return to his native country, in J 684, Crousaz married the
daughter of John Lewis Loys, comptroller-general, and
soon after was ordained, and made honorary professor.
He officiated as pastor in the church of Lausanne for fourteen years. During this time, in 1691, he was appointed
to dispute for the professorship of Hebrew at Berne, which
he performed with great credit. In 1699 he was made
professor of Greek and philosophy, and although also nominated to the chair of divinity in 1700, he preferred that
of philosophy. In 1706 he was appointed rector of the
college, which office he held three years, and was again
appointed in 1722, but held it then only two years, as it
interfered too much with his literary engagements. It was
during this second rectorate, that contests arose at Lausanne respecting the obligation of signing the Consensus,
a formulary of faith and doctrine maintained in the protestant churches of Swisserland, an account of which may
be seen in “Memoires pour servir a l‘histoire des troubles
arrives en Suisse a I’occasion du Consensus,
” Amst. Systeme de reflexions qui peuvent coutribuer a la netteté et a Petude de
nos connoissances,
” Amst. 2 vols. 8vo, reprinted there in
1720, 3 vols. 12mo; in 1725, in 4 vols. and in 1741, in
6 vols. In 1724 he published an abridgment of it in Latin,
at Geneva, “Systema Logicæ, juxta principia ab autore
in Gallico opere posita.
” Some conversations on the subject of beauty in art, led him to an investigation of the
subject, and produced in 1715, his “Traité du Beau, ou
Ton montre en quoi consiste ce que l'on nomnie ainsi, par
des examples tirés de la plupart des arts et des sciences,
”
reprinted at Amst. 2 vols. 12mo. In 1718, he published
an ironical work, “Nouvelles maximes sur l'Education des
enfans,
” Amst. 8vo; but in Examen du traite de la Hberté
de penser,
” Amst. 8vo. In the same year he published
his first mathematical work, “Geometric des lignes et des
surfaces rectilignes et circulaires,
” Arnst. 2 vols. 8vo.
, a learned German scholar and antiquary, was born at Grebern, in the bishopric of Bamberg,
, a learned German
scholar and antiquary, was born at Grebern, in the bishopric of Bamberg, Sept. 19, 1526, and after some elementary instruction from his father, a minister of the
Lutheran church, was sent to Dim, where he studied
Greek and Latin under Gregory Leonard, and by his diligence and progress obtained a pension from the senators
of UJm, which enabled him to pursue his studies without
expense to his father. In 1545 he went to Strasburgh,
where, after applying for some time to polite literature,
he learned Hebrew, and went through a course of divinity,
Still liberally maintained by the city of Ulm; and in 1547
was appointed tutor to a person of rank. Some years after,
he presided over the school at Memmingen, and raised its
reputation very considerably. In 1559 he was chosen professor of moral philosophy and Greek at Tubingen; but
in 1566 was obliged to leave it on account of the plague,
and did not return, along with the other professors, until
1568. At the age of eighty -one, perceiving that he was
near his end, he assembled the whole university, with the
rector at its head, and after entertaining them sumptuously, gave them a goblet worth an hundred florins.
He died Feb. 25, 1607, leaving a library which was valued
at 2000 florins. Besides the learned languages, he was a
good French scholar, but was most distinguished for his
acquairt nee with the modern Greek, and was the first
who taught it in Germany. Of his numerous works, the
following are the most important: 1. “Turco-Graecias
libri octo, utraque lingua edita. Quibus Graecorum status
sub imperio Turcico, in politia et ecclesia, ceconomia et
scholis, jam hide ab amissa Constantinopoli, ad haec usque
tempora, luculenter describitur,
” Basil, Acta et Scripta Theologorum Wirtembergensium, et
Patriarchs Constantinopolitani D. Hieremiae quas utrique
ab anno 1576 usque ad annum 1581 de Augustana Confessione inter se miserunt,
” Gr. & Lat.
Germano-Graeciae libri sex > in quorum prioribus tribus, Orationes, in reliquis Carmina, Gr. & Lat. continentur,
” fol.
without date, but from the dedication, probably 1585.
4. “Annales Suevici, sive Chronica rerum gestarum antiquissimae et inclytae Suevicas Gentis quibus quicquid fere
de ea haberi potuit, ex Lat. & Graec. aliarumque linguarum auctoribus, scriptisque plurimis, non editis, comprehenditur, &c.
” Corona Anni, hoc est, explicatio
Evangeliorum et Epistolarum quae diebus dominicis et
festis in ecclesia proponuntur; e Tubingeiisium, et aliorum
Theologorum eonckmibus, conscripta,
” Wittemberg,
rintended by his father-in-law, Dr. Stoughton, who was very attentive to the promising genius of his scholar. In 1630, he was admitted pensioner of Emanuel college, Cambridge;
, a learned English divine and
philosopher, was son of Dr. Ralph Cudworth, and born
at Alley, in Somersetshire, of which place his father
was rector. His mother was of the family of Machell, and
had been nurse to prince Henry, eldest son of James I.
His father dying when he was only seven yeaVs of age,
and his mother marrying again, his education was superintended by his father-in-law, Dr. Stoughton, who was
very attentive to the promising genius of his scholar. In
1630, he was admitted pensioner of Emanuel college,
Cambridge; of which, after taking the degrees of B. A.
and M. A. he was chosen fellow, and became an eminent
tutor. Among his pupils, who were numerous, was Mr.
William Temple, afterwards the celebrated baronet, statesman, and writer. About 1641 he was presented to the
rectory of North Cadbury, in Somersetshire. In 1642 he
published “A discourse concerning the true notion of the
Lord’s Supper,
” printed at London, in 4to, with only the
initial letters of his name. In this he contends that the
Lord’s supper is not a sacrifice, but a feast upon a sacrifice; and endeavours to demonstrate, that “the Lord’s
supper in the Christian church, in reference to the true
sacrifice of Christ, is a parallel to the feasts upon sacrifices, both in the Jewish religion and heathenish superstition.
” Bochart, Spencer, Selden, and other eminent
writers, quote this discourse with great commendations,
but his opinions have been controverted by the majority
of divines. The same year likewise appeared his treatise
entitled “The Union of Christ and the Church, in a
shadow, by R. C.
” printed at London, in 4to.
, a celebrated wit and scholar, but memorable chiefly for the peculiarity of his fate, was
, a celebrated wit and scholar, but
memorable chiefly for the peculiarity of his fate, was descended from a good family, though some have insinuated
the contrary, and born at Hinton St. George in Somerset-'
shire about 1560. He gave early marks of genius and application, and in 1576 was admitted of Trinity college in
Oxford; where he soon distinguished himself by his knowledge of the Greek tongue, and an admirable faculty in
disputing. He was elected scholar in May 1578, and was
admitted fellow in May 1583, but had the misfortune to
lose his fellowship for a witticism, which, either in jest or
malice, he levelled at sir Thomas Pope, the founder of
his college. Sir Thomas, we are told, had a singular
whim, upon visiting some persons, of seizing whatever he
could lay his hands on, and carrying it off under his gown
or in his pocket; which, however, was not imputed to dishonesty, but to humour. This induced Cuff in one of his
merry moments to say, “A pox! this is a poor beggarly
college indeed: the plate that our founder stole, would
build such another.
” The president, hearing of this,
ejected Cuff from his fellowship; not suffering prophane
wit to be thus exercised within his walls, for fear perhaps
that it should become contagious. Such is the story, as
told by Wood, who says he had it from Dr. Bathurst; but
Mr. Warton has proved that he has misrepresented it, nor
was Cuff removed by the president, but by a mandate from
lady Powlett, the foundress, who first placed him there.
Cuff’s merit, however, was so great, and his reputation for
foaming so extraordinary, that he was, in 1586, elected
probationer of Merton college by sir Henry Savile, then
warden; and two years after made fellow. He was considered as a man capable of making a shining figure in
life; and that he was much esteemed by sir Henry Savile,
appears not only from the instance of kindness just mentioned, but also from a letter of his to the learned Camden,
in which he gives him the highest character, and styles
him his own and Camden’s intimate friend. He wrote a
Greek epigram in commendation of Camden’s Britannia,
which is prefixed to all the Latin editions, and to some of
the English translations of it; and which has been much
admired. He was afterwards promoted to the Greek professorship, and chosen proctor of the university in 1594.
While Greek professor, he assisted Columbanius in the
first edition of Longus’s elegant pastoral romance, printed
at Florence in 1598.
cientific arrangement which he gave to his subject, by which there was a hicidus ordo to the dullest scholar. He was the first person in this country who made chemistry
According to a man who knew him well, there were three
things which eminently distinguished Culien as a professor.
“The energy of his mind, by which he viewed every subject with ardour, and combined it immediately with the
whole of his knowledge. The scientific arrangement which
he gave to his subject, by which there was a hicidus ordo
to the dullest scholar. He was the first person in this
country who made chemistry cease to be a chaos. A wonderful art ftf interesting the students in every thing which he
taught, and of raising an emulative enthusiasm among
them.
”
That sir John Cullum was a profound antiquary, a good natural historian, and an elegant scholar, the “History of Hawsted” sufficiently evinces. That he most
That sir John Cullum was a profound antiquary, a good
natural historian, and an elegant scholar, the “History of
Hawsted
” sufficiently evinces. That he most punctually
and conscientiously discharged the proper duties of his
profession as a divine, has been testified by the grateful recollection of his parishioners. His discourses in the pulpit
were plain, unaffected, and rarely in any degree controversial; adapted to the village congregation which he
gladdened by residing very near them. His attention to
their truest interest was unremitted, and his example their
best guide. His friendships in private life were amiable;
and in his general commerce with the world, the uniform
placidity of his manners, and his extensive literary
acquirements, secured to him universal esteem. He was
among the most valued correspondents of Mr. Gough, who
sincerely lamented his loss. A specimen of his familiar
letters will be found in the Gentleman’s Magazine for 1797,
vol. LXVII. p. 995.
ghly acquainted with all the branches of philosophy, medicine, and anatomy, and was a good classical scholar. He was so thoroughly conversant in Scripture, that no difficult
The high fame and repeated praises of this work did
not divert the author from his studies or his duties; and in
his station of a private clergyman, so great was his reputation, that he was importuned by the university, and by
other acquaintance, to take upon him the weighty exercise of responding at the public commencement. Nothing but the earnest solicitation of his friends could have
prevailed with a man void not only of ambition, but of
even the desire of applause, to appear so publicly. This
he did in 1680, in so masterly a manner, as to be remembered for many years after. The next specimen of his
abilities was his “Essay on Jewish Measures and Weights,
”
I love always to make my clergy easy.
” This was
his rule in all applications made to him by them, and if he
erred, it was always on this side. When the duties of his
office required it, he never spared himself. To the last
month of his life it was impossible to dissuade him from
undertaking fatigues that every body about him feared
were superior to his strength. He was inflexible to their
intreaties, and his answer and resolution was, “I will do
my duty as long as I can.
” He had acted by a maxim
like this in his vigour. When his friends represented to
him, that by his studies and labours he would injure his
health, his usual reply was, “A man had better wear out
than rust out.
” The last time he visited his diocese, he
was in the eightieth year of his age; and at his next triennial, when he was in the eighty-third year of his age, it
was with the utmost difficulty that he could be dissuaded
from undertaking again the visitation of his diocese. To
draw the clergy nearer than the usual decanal meetings,
to make his visitations easier to himself, was a thing he
would not hear of. Such were the public acts of this
great prelate in the discharge of his duty as a father of the
church. In respect to his temporal concerns, and his management of the revenue arising from his see, he was not
less liberal and munificent. His natural parts were not
quick, but strong and retentive. He was a perfect master
of every subject he studied. Eyery thing he read staid
with him. The impressions on his mind were some time
in forming, but they were clear, distinct, and durable.
The things he had chiefly studied, were researches into
the most ancient times; mathematics in all its parts and
the Scripture in its original languages but he was also
thoroughly acquainted with all the branches of philosophy,
medicine, and anatomy, and was a good classical scholar.
He was so thoroughly conversant in Scripture, that no difficult passage ever occurred, either occasionally, or in reading,
but he could readily give the meaning of it, and the several interpretations, without needing to consult his books.
He sometimes had thoughts of writing an exposition of
the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians, with a view to
set the doctrine of justification in a light very different
from that in which it has been hitherto considered by most
divines, but what that light was we are not told. One of
his chief objects was the examination of Sanchoniatho’s
Phoenician History, about which the greatest men had
been most mistaken, and in relation to which none had
entered into so strict an examination as our learned prelate thought it deserved. He spent many years in these
speculations; for he began to write several years before
the revolution, and he continued improving his design
down to 1702. Jt may be justly wondered, that, after
taking so mnch pains, and carrying a work of such difficulty to so high a degree of perfection, he should
never judge it expedient to publish it; for though his
bookseller refused to print the first part at a critical season, yet afterwards both might have seen the light; and
for this the most probable reason that can be assigned
is, that thorough dislike he had to controversy. His
son-in-law, however, the rev. Mr. Payne, has done justice
to his memory, and published it under the title of“Sanchoniatho’s Phoenician History, translated from the first
book of Eusebius de Preparatione Evangelica,
” &c. Lond.
d years ago; yet why so good a Latin writer, who might have gained the reputation of the first Latin scholar of his time, should have been willing to sacrifice his glory
, is the name, or assumed name,
of a Latin historian, who has written the actions of Alexander the Great, in ten books; the two first of which are
indeed not extant, but yet are so well supplied by Freinshemius, as to be thought equal to the others. Where
this author was born, and when he lived, are disputed
points among the learned, and never likely to be settled.
Some have fancied, from the elegant style of his history,
that he must have lived in or near the Augustan age; but
there are no explicit testimonies to confirm this opinion;
'and a judgment formed upon the single circumstance of
style will always be found precarious. Others place him
in the reign of Vespasian, and others have brought him
down so low as to Trajan’s: Gibbon is inclined to place
him in the time of Gordian, in the middle of the third
century; and some have imagined that the name of Quintus
Curtius was forged by an Italian, who composed that history, or romance as it has been called, about three hundred
years ago; yet why so good a Latin writer, who might have
gained the reputation of the first Latin scholar of his time,
should have been willing to sacrifice his glory to that of an
imaginary Quintus Curtius, is a question yet to be resolved. On the other hand it is certain that Quintus Curtius was an admired historian of the romantic ages. He is
quoted in the “Policraticon
” of John of Salisbury, who
died in the year he profited much by frequently looking into this author.
” All
this is decidedly against the opinion that Quintus Curtiuis a forgery of only three hundred years old.
that he might finish his classical studies under Tannegui le Fevre, or Tanaquil Faber. This eminent scholar was so pleased with Dacier’s inclination for learning, that
, a French critic and philologer,
was born of protestant parents at Castres in Upper Languedoc April 6, 1651, and began to be educated in the
college there; but, when by a decree of the council the
direction of it was given, in 1664, to the Jesuits alone,
his father sent him to the university of Puylaurens, and
afterwards to that of Saumur, that he might finish his classical studies under Tannegui le Fevre, or Tanaquil Faber.
This eminent scholar was so pleased with Dacier’s inclination for learning, that he kept him alone in his house, after
he had dismissed the rest of the pupils; and here he conceived that affection for le Fevre’s celebrated daughter,
which ended at length in marriage. On le Fevre’s death
in 1672, Dacier returned to his father; and after some
time went to Paris, in order to gain a settlement, and cultivate the acquaintance and friendship of the learned: in
the former of these objects he did not at first succeed; but
on a second visit to Paris, he procured an introduction to
the duke of Montausier, governor to the dauphin, who put
him on the list of the commentators for the use of the dauphin, and engaged him in the edition of Pompeius Festus,
and Marcus Verrius Flaccus. This he published at Paris,
1681, in 4to; and it was again published at Amsterdam,
1699, in 4to, which edition is preferable to that of Paris,
because there are added to it the entire notes of Joseph
Scaliger, Fulvius Ursinus, and Anthony Augustinus, and
the new fragments of Festus. His Horace, with a French
translation, and notes critical and historical, came out at
Paris, 1681, in 10 vols. 12mo, and has often been printed
since. The best edition of this work is that of Amsterdam,
1726, consisting of the same number of volumes in the
same size. Another edition was printed at Amsterdam in
8 vols. 12mo, to which were added the translation and
notes of father Sanadon, published at Paris, 1728, in 2 vols.
4to, Mr. John Masson, a refugee minister in England,
made several animadversions upon Dacier’s notes on Horace, in his life of that poet, printed at Leyden in 1708;
which occasioned Dacier to publish new explications upon
the works of Horace, with an answer to the criticisms of
Mr. Masson, in which he treats Masson’s book with great
contempt; and, speaking of verbal criticism, styles it
“the last effort of reflection and judgment.
” These were
afterwards added to Sanadon’s edition of Dacier’s Horace.
t puzzled him. This induced her father to give her a regular course of lessons, and educate her as a scholar, in which character she soon excelled the youths under his care,
, the learned wife of the preceding, was born at Saumur, about the end of 1651. She was only eleven years old when her father resolved to give her a learned education; which is said to have been owing to the following circumstance, that while he was teaching one of his sons the rudiments of grammar, in the same room where mademoiselle le Fevre was employed with her needle, she, with every appearance of unconcern, now and then supplied her brother with answers to questions that puzzled him. This induced her father to give her a regular course of lessons, and educate her as a scholar, in which character she soon excelled the youths under his care, and became her father’s associate in some of his publications. We are told that when she had learned Latin enough to read Phaedrus and Terence, he began to instruct her in the Greek, which she was so much pleased with, that in a short time she was capable of reading Anacreon, Callimachus, Homer, and the Greek Tragic Poets. As she read them, she shewed so much taste of the beauties of those admirable writers, that all the fatigue of her father in his professorship was softened by the pleasure which he found in teaching her. To divert her in her more serious studies, he taught "her the Italian language, and read over with her several poets of that nation, and particularly Tasso, in the perusal of whom she very acutely remarked the difference between that poet and Virgil and Homer. She sometimes took the liberty of disputing with her father, particularly, on one occasion, respecting Vaugelas’s translation of Quintus Curtius. Her father was charmed with it, but mademoiselle le Fevre ventured to point out some negligences of style, errors in language, and passages ill translated; and he was frequently obliged to own himself of the same opinion with her. These little contests, however, gave him great satisfaction, and he was extremely surprized to find so delicate a taste, and so uncommon a penetration, in so young a person.
thampton, and bred a bible-clerk in Corpus Christi college, Cambridge: but Wood has made him a Greek scholar in Pembroke-hall. As a confirmation, however, of the former,
, as Fuller informs us,
was born at Geddington, in the county of Northampton,
and bred a bible-clerk in Corpus Christi college, Cambridge: but Wood has made him a Greek scholar in Pembroke-hall. As a confirmation, however, of the former,
he published “A Book of Epitaphs, made upon the death
of the right worshipful sir William Buttes, knt.
” in Survey of the Great Duke’s State of
Tuscany in the year 1596,
” which was inscribed to him by
the publisher, Edward Blount, in 1605, 4to; and in the
same year appeared his “Method of Travel, shewed bjjj
taking a view of France as it stood in 1598,
” 4to. In
the preface he says that he was at the last jubilee at Rome,
and that “this discourse was written long since, when the
now lord secretary was then lord ambassador, and intended
for the private use of an hon. gent.
” The second edition,
published in 162y, contains the clause of Guicciardini defaced by the inquisition, consisting of sixty-one pages.
After his return he became secretary to Francis earl of
Rutland, then one of the privy chamber to prince Charles,
and master of the Charter-house, where he introduced i:ito
the school the custom of versifying on passages of the holy
scripture; about which time he had also the honour of
knighthood conferred upon him. He was incorporated
A.M. at Oxford in 1601, and published “Aphorismes,
Civil and Military; amplified with authorities, and exemplified with history out of the first quaterne of Fr. Guicciardini/' Lond. 1615, fol. in which he is said to have
” shown both wit and judgment." He died in the latter
end of the year 1637, upwards of seventy-six years old,
and was buried in the Charter-house chapel.
university, his scholastic endowments were very limited. At school he had the credit of being a good scholar; and, after he left school, his eldest hrother was wont to make
, an eminent hydrographer, F. R. S. and F. S. A. was born July 24, 1737, at New Hailes, near Edinburgh, the seat of his fattier sir James Dalrymple, bait, of Hailes. His mother, lady Christian, daughter of the earl of Haddington, a very amiable and accomplished woman, bore sixteen children, all of whom Alexander, who was the seventh son, survived. He was educated at the school of Haddington, under Mr. David Young; but as he left school before he was fourteen years of age, and never was at the university, his scholastic endowments were very limited. At school he had the credit of being a good scholar; and, after he left school, his eldest hrother was wont to make him translate, off hand, some of the odes of Horace; so that he was, for his years, a tolerable proficient in Latin: but going abroad, entirely his own master, before he was sixteen years of age, he neglected his Latin; and, as he says, never found so much use for it as to induce him to take any pains to recover it.
ous as an able and upright judge, and a sound lawyer; he was also eminent as a profound and accurate scholar; being a thorough master of classical learning, the belles lettres,
As a judge of the supreme, civil, and criminal courts, he acted in the view of his country; from which he merited and obtained high confidence and approbation. But he was not only conspicuous as an able and upright judge, and a sound lawyer; he was also eminent as a profound and accurate scholar; being a thorough master of classical learning, the belles lettres, and historical antiquities particularly of his own country, to the study of which he was led by his profession. Indefatigable in the prosecution of these studies, his time was sedulously devoted tq the promotion of useful learning, piety, and virtue. Numerous are the works that have issued from his pen, ali of them distinguished by uncommon accuracy, taste, and learning. Besides some occasional papers, both serious and humorous, of his composing, that appeared in the World , and a variety, of communications, critical and biographical, in the Gentleman’s Magazine , and other publications of like nature, he allotted some part of his time to the illustration and defence of primitive Christianity.
him as one of the best moral writers England had produced. Johnson praised him as “a man of worth, a scholar, and a wit.” His minute accuracy, and acuteness in detecting
Lord Hailes was for some years the correspondent of Dr.
Johnson, to whose inspection he submitted much of his
“Annals
” in manuscript. He had early formed a high
opinion of the author of the Rambler, and considered him
as one of the best moral writers England had produced.
Johnson praised him as “a man of worth, a scholar, and
a wit.
” His minute accuracy, and acuteness in detecting
error, were in unison with Johnson’s love of truth. “The
exactness of his dates,
” said he on one occasion, “raises
my wonder. He seems to have the closeness of Renault,
without his constraint;
” and this opinion he takes a pleasure in repeating in a subsequent letter to Mr. Bosvvell
“Be so kind as to return lord Hailes my most respectful
thanks for his first volume his accuracy strikes me with
wonder his narrative is far superior to that of Henault, as
I have formerly mentioned.
” “Lord Hailes’s Annals of
Scotland have not that pointed form which is the taste of
this age; but it is a book which will always sell it has
such a stability of dates, such a certainty of facts, and
such a punctuality of citation. I never before read Scotch
history with certainty.
”
mascus, and flourished about 540, when the Goths reigned in Italy. If great masters can make a great scholar or philosopher, Damascius had every advantage of this kind.
, a celebrated heathen philosopher and writer, of the stoic school as some say, of the peripatetic according to others, was born at Damascus, and flourished about 540, when the Goths reigned in Italy. If great masters can make a great scholar or philosopher, Damascius had every advantage of this kind. Theon, we are told, was his preceptor in rhetoric; Isidorus in logic; Mavinus, the successor of Proclus in the school of Athens, in geometry and arithmetic; Zenodotus, the successor of Marinus, in philosophy ', and Ammonias in astronomy, and the doctrines of Plato. He wrote the life of his master Isidorus, and dedicated it to Theodora, a very learned and philosophic lady, who had been a pupil of Isidorus. In this Life, which was copiously written, Damascius frequently attacked the Christian religion; yet obliquely, it is said, and with some reserve and timidity: for Christianity was then too firmly established, and protected by its numbers, to endure any open attacks with impunity, especially in a work so remarkable for obscurity, fanaticism, and imposture. Of this Life, however, we have nothing remaining, but some extracts which Photius has preserved; who also acquaints us with another work of Damascius, of the philosophic or the theologic kind. This was divided into four books; 1. De admirandis operibus; 2. Admirandae narrationes de daemonibus; 3. De animarum apparitionibus post obitum admirandae narrationes. The title of the fourth has not been preserved. Damascius succeeded Theon in the rhetorical school, over which he presided nine years: and afterwards Isidorus in that of philosophy at Athens, in which situation it is supposed that he spent the latter part of his life.
of his revenues among the poor, which he now thought he might increase. With the erudition of a true scholar he had the talent of speaking well, integrity of character,
, born in 1497, at Paris, of a noble
family, studied at the college of Navarre, and was the
pupil of Budeus and of John Lascaris. Being appointed
by Francis I. to open the Greek school at the college-royal,
he was professor there for five years, and had scholars that
afterwards signalized themselves. He next became preceptor and confessor to the dauphin, afterwards Francis If.
He was sent to the council of Trent, where he delivered a
very celebrated speech in 1546, which was afterwards published; and during the session of this council he was made
bishop of Lavaur. Sponde and de Thou have handed down
to us an ingenious answer of this prelate. Nicholas
Pseaume, bishop of Verdun, speaking very freely one day
in the council, the bishop of Orvietta looking at the
French, said to them with a sarcastic smile, “Gallus cantat,
” (the cock crows), “Utinam,
” replied Danes, “ad
istud Gallicinium Petrus resipisceret!
” (I wish that Peter would repent at this cock’s crowing.) This prelate died at
Paris the 23d of April, 1577, at the age of 80. He had
been married. When news was brought him of the death
of his only son, he retired for a moment into his closet;
and, on rejoining the company, “Let us be comforted,
”
said he, “the poor have gained their cause,
” alluding to
his being wont to distribute a part of his revenues among
the poor, which he now thought he might increase. With
the erudition of a true scholar he had the talent of speaking
well, integrity of character, and a great simplicity of manners. His custom was to write much, and almost always
to conceal his name. It has been suspected by some
critics that the tenth book of the history of France, by
Paulus Æmilius, is his. At least it was Danes who sent it
from Venice to the printer Vascosan. His “Opuscula
”
were collected and printed in Disquisitiones Pliniani,
” is to be found amongour author’s
“Opuscula.
” This edition is so rare on the continent that
Rezzonicus was able to find only two copies of it in Spain,
and not a single one in Italy; and Ernesti pronounces it
as valuable as it is rare.
learning were invited to assemble once a week for conversation. The abbe Dangeau was an accomplished scholar: besides the sciences we have mentioned, he knew Greek, Latin,
, a French abbe,
and a man of family, was the son of Louis cle Courcillon,
lord oi' Dangeau, &c. by a daughter of the celebrated Plessis-Mornay. He was born in January 1643, and educated
in the protestant religion, which was that of his family, and
which he professed in 1667, when envoy extraordinary in
Poland but he was afterwards induced to become a Roman catholic, and entered into the church, in which he
held some benefices, although none of such importance as
might have been expected from his merits and family interest. In 1671 he purchased the office of reader to the
king, which he sold again in 1685. In 1680 the king
gave him the abbey of Fontaine-Daniel, and in 1710 that
of Clermont, and he was also prior of Gournay and St.
Arnoul. He devoted himself, however, principally to the
belles lettres, the study of which he endeavoured to facilitate by various new modes of instruction, some of which
were successful, and others rather whimsical. In the sme
way, by some new expedients, he endeavoured to increase
the knowledge of history, geography, heraldry, grammar,
&c. and his services were so highly esteemed, that in 1682
he was admitted into the French academy, and in 1698
into that of the Ilicovrati of Padua. His own house, indeed, was a species of academy, where men of taste and
learning were invited to assemble once a week for conversation. The abbe Dangeau was an accomplished scholar:
besides the sciences we have mentioned, he knew Greek,
Latin, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, &c. Being
admitted into the confidence of his sovereign, he took frequent opportunities to promote learning and learned men,
and along with his brother the marquis Dangeau established a school for the education of voung men of family,
the superintendance of which he took upon himself; but
this did not last above ten years, the wars having obliged
the king to withdraw the pecuniary assistance he had given^
a striking proof of the necessities to which Louis XIV. was
sometimes driven by his ambition. He died Jan. 1, 1723,
leaving the character of a man whose virtues were superior to
his knowledge, extensive us the latter was. “His humanity
towards the sons and daughters of misfortune was such,
(says his eulogist M. d'Alembert), that, with but a moderate fortune, he was lavish of his bounty towards the poor,
and added to his benefits the more uncommon benefit of
Concealing them. He possessed that prudent œconomy,
without which there can be no generosity; and which,
never dissipating for the sake of giving continually, is
always giving with propriety. His heart was formed for
friendship, and for that reason he was not careless in bestowing it; but when once it was obtained, it was settled
for ever. If he had any defect, it was perhaps too much
indulgence for the faults and weaknesses of mankind; a
defect, which by its scarceness is almost a virtue, and of
which few persons have to reproach themselves, even in
regard to their friends. He possessed in the highest degree that knowledge of the world and of man, which neither books nor genius ever gave the philosopher, while
neglecting the commerce of his fellow creatures. Enjoying the esteem and the confidence of all the great men in
the kingdom, no one had better advice to give in the most
important affairs. He kept inviolably the secrets of others
as well as his own. Yet his generous, delicate, and honest
soul disdained dissimulation, and his prudence was too enlightened to be mistaken for artifice. Easy and affable in
company, but preferring truth in all things, he never disputed except in its defence: accordingly the lively interest he shewed for truth on all such occasions gave him in
the eyes of the generality an air of obstinacy, which truth
is much less likely to find among mankind than a cold and
criminal indifference.
”
, a scholar and antiquary of the sixteenth century, was an advocate at Orleans,
, a scholar and antiquary of the sixteenth century, was an advocate at Orleans, where he
mostly resided, and assessor to the abbey of St. Benoitsur-Loire, which he was frequently obliged to visit, in the
discharge of his office. His taste for polite literature, and
general reputation for such learning as was not very common in his time, recommended him to the esteem of the
cardinal de Chatillon, a liberal Maecenas of that age. The
abbey of St. Benoit having been pillaged during the war
in 1562, Daniel with great difficulty saved some manuscripts, and purchased others from the soldiers, and removed them to Orleans. Among these was the Commentary of Servius on Virgil, which he published in 1600
and the “Aulularia
” of Plautus, which he had printed immediately after rescuing these Mss. in 1564. He prepared also an edition of Petronius, but it was not published
until 1629, after his death. This event took place at
Paris, in 1603, when his friends Paul Petau, and James
Bongars, purchased his library for 15OO livres, and divided the Mss. between them. Among other eminent men,
Daniel was particularly intimate with Buchanan, and has
been highly praised by Scioppius, Scaliger, and Turnebus.
, and 1634, folio, continued to the end of king Richard III. by John Trussel, some time a Winchester scholar, afterwards a trader and alderman of that city. 14. “The Queen’s
His works consist of: 1. “The Complaint of Rosamond,
” Lond. Sonnets
” to Delia. 3. “Tragedy of Cleopatra,
”
Lond. Of the
” Civil Wars between
the houses of Lancaster and York,“Lond. 1604, 1609,
8vo, and 1623, 4to. 5.
” The Vision of the Twelve Goddesses, presented in a Mask,“&c. London, 1604, 8vo,
and 1623, 4to. 6.
” Panegyric congratulatory,“delivered
to king James at Burleigh Harrington, in Rutlandshire,
Lond. 1604 and 1623, 4to. 7.
” Epistles“to various
great personages, in verse, Lond. 1601 and 1623, 4to. 8.
” Musophilus, containing a general Defence of Learning,“printed with the former. 9.
” Tragedy of “Philotas,
”
Lond. Hymen’s Triumph; a pastoral
tragi-comedy,
” at the nuptials of lord Roxborough, Lond.
Musa,
” or a Defence of Rhyme,
Lond. Epistle of Octavia to M. Antoiiius,
” Lond. History
of England,
” in three books, Lond. The Queen’s Arcadia,
” a pastoral tragicomedy, Funeral poem
on the Death of the earl of Devon,
” Lond.
as well acquainted with the ancient church discipline, and a very useful compiler, if not a profound scholar. He published some separate tracts besides those included in
, a learned lawyer, was born 1572, at Cahors, and after studying there, at Rhodez, and Toulouse, went to Paris with the president de Verdun, and succeeded Nicholas Oudin as professor of law, 1618. He was afterwards professor of common law at the royal college, and died April 2, 1651. It appears from his works, which were published at Paris, 1656, fol. that he was well acquainted with the ancient church discipline, and a very useful compiler, if not a profound scholar. He published some separate tracts besides those included in the above volume, which are enumerated in our authorities.
ancis Philelphus, an eminent teacher at Sienna, who at the end of two years declared he was his best scholar. Dati, however, at this time suffered not a little from the
, a learned Italian writer, the son of
a lawyer at Sienna, was born at that place in 1420, and
after acquiring some knowledge of the Latin language,
was put under the care of Francis Philelphus, an eminent
teacher at Sienna, who at the end of two years declared
he was his best scholar. Dati, however, at this time suffered not a little from the ridicule of his schoolfellows,
owing to a hesitation in his speech, which he is said to
have cured by the means which Demosthenes adopted, that
of speaking with small pebbles in his mouth. After
finishing his classical studies, he learned Hebrew of some
Jews, and then entered on a course of philosophy, jurisprudence, and theology. During his application to these
branches, Odo Anthony, duke of Urbino, from the very
favourable account he had of him, invited him to Urbino
to teach the belles lettres. Dati accordingly set out for
that city in April 1442, where he was received with every
mark of honour and friendship by the duke, but this prosperity was not of long duration. He had not enjoyed it
above a year and a half, when the duke, whose excesses
and tyranny had rendered him odious, was assassinated in
a public tumult, with two of his favourites; and Dati, who
was hated by the populace merely because he was respected
by the duke, was obliged to take refuge for his life in a
church, while the mob pillaged his house. The successor
of Odo, prince Frederick, endeavoured to console Dati for
this misfortune, and offered him a pension, besides recompense for all he had lost; but Dati could not be reconciled
to a residence so liable to interruption, and in 1444 returned to Sienna. Here, after refusing the place of secretary of the briefs, offered to him by pope Nicholas V. he
opened a school for rhetoric and the classics, and acquired
so much reputation, that the cardinal of Sienna, Francis
Piccolomini, formally granted him permission to lecture on
the Holy Scriptures, although he was a married man; and
at the same time gave him a similar licence to teach and
lecture on any subject, not only in his college, but in all
public places, and even in the church, where, his son informs us, he once preached during Lent. He was also
much employed in pronouncing harangues on public
occasions in Latin, many of which are among his works.
Nor were his talents confined to literature, but were the
means of advancing him to the first offices of the magistracy, and the republic of Sienna entrusted him with the
negociation of various affairs of importance at Rome and
elsewhere. In 1 J-57 he was appointed secretary to the republic, which he held for two years. Towards the close
of his life he laid aside the study of profane authors for
that of the Scriptures and ecclesiastical historians. He
died of the plague at Sienna, April 6, 1478. His son
Nicolas collected his works for publication, “Augustini
Dathi, Senensis, opera,
” of which there are two editions,
that printed at Sienna, 1503, fol. and an inferior in correctness, printed at Venice, 1516. They consist of treatises on the immortality of the soul letters; three books
on the history of Sienna; a history of Piombinoj on grammar, &c. &c.
in Whiteford parish, Flintshire. Of his personal history little is known, except that he was a good scholar, very conversant in the literary history of his country, and
, a Welsh clergyman, was born in
Tre'r-Abbot, in Whiteford parish, Flintshire. Of his personal history little is known, except that he was a good
scholar, very conversant in the literary history of his country, and very unfortunate in attempting to turn his knowlege to advantage. He was a vehement foe to Popery,
Arianism, and Socinianism, and of the most fervent loyalty.
to George I. and the Hanoverian succession. Owing to
some disgust, he quitted his native place, and probably his
profession when he came to London, as he subscribes himself “counsellor-at-law;
” and in one of his volumes has a
long digression on law and law-writers. Here he commenced author in the humblest form, not content with
dedicating to the great, but hawking his books in person
from door to door, where he was often repulsed with rudeness, and seldom appears to have been treated with kindness or liberality. How long he carried on this unprosperous business, or when he died, we have not been able
to discover. Mr. D'Israeli, who has taken much pains to
rescue his name from oblivion, suspects that his mind became disordered from poverty and disappointment. He
appears to have courted the Muses, who certainly were
not very favourable to his addresses. The most curious of
his works consist of some volumes under the general title
of “Athenæ Britannicæ,
” 8vo, the greatest
part (says Baker, the antiquary) borrowed from modern
historians, but containing some things more uncommon,
and not easily to be met with.
” The first of these volumes, printed in In
this he styles himself
” a gentleman of the inns of, court.“The others are entitled
” Athenæ Britannicæ, or a Critical
History of the Oxford and Cambridge Writers and Writings, &c. by M. D.“London, 1716, 8vo. They are all of
so great rarity, that Dr. Farmer never saw but one volume,
the first, nor Baker but three, which were sent to him as a
great curiosity by the earl of Oxford, and are now deposited in St. John’s college, Cambridge. In the British
Museum there are seven. From the
” Icon Libellorum,"
the only volume we have had an opportunity of perusing
attentively, the author appears to have been well acquainted
with English authors, their works and editions, and to have
occasionally looked into the works of foreign bibliographers.
, an eminent classical and philological scholar, was born March 29, 1612, at Zwickau, became regent of the college
, an eminent classical and philological scholar, was born March 29, 1612, at Zwickau,
became regent of the college in that place 1642, and
rector of the same 1662, which office he discharged with
great credit till his death, December 26, 1687. He was
one of the most learned men of his age he understood
Latin, Greek, Hebrew, the Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish, and Bohemian languages, and had a complete knowledge of Arabic. Besides editions of several works, which
afford a testimony of his industry and superior talents, he
left “Letters,
” Jena, Tractatus de causis amissarum Linguae
Latince radicum,
” Systema Dissert, rar.
” of Grævius, Utrecht,
to instruct this young pupil in the college of Coqueret; and he had also the famous Ronsard for his scholar there, during the space of seven years. His highest praise is,
, an.
eminent French poet, was born near the head of the
Vienne, in the Limousin, about 1507. Removing to the
capital of the kingdom to finish his studies, he distinguished
himself in such a manner by his skill in Greek, and his
talent at poetry, that he became one of the professors of
the university of Paris. In 1560 he succeeded John Stracellus in the post of king’s reader and professor of Greek;
but before this he had been principal of the college of
Coqueret, and tutor to John Antony de Baif, in the house
of his father Lazarus de Baif, who was master of the requests. He continued to instruct this young pupil in the
college of Coqueret; and he had also the famous Ronsard
for his scholar there, during the space of seven years. His
highest praise is, that his school produced a great number of
able men; but imprudent generosity and want of management reduced him to poverty, and procured him a place in
the list of those learned men, whose talents have been of
little benefit to themselves. In the reign of Henry II. he had
been preceptor to the king’s pages and Charles IX. honoured him with the title of his poet, took great delight in
conversing with him, and endeavoured to support him in his
old age. It will not now be thought much in his favour that
Daurat had an uncommon partiality for anagrams, of which
he was the first restorer. It is pretended, that he found the
model of them in Lycophron, and brought them so much into
vogue, that several illustrious persons gave him their names
to anagrammatise. He undertook also to explain the centuries of Nostradamus, and with such imposing plausibility
as to be considered in the light of his interpreter or subprophet. When he was near 80, having lost his first wife,
he married a young girl; and by her had a son, for whom
he shewed his fondness by a thousand ridiculous actions.
In excuse for this marriage, he said that he would rather
die by a bright sword than a rusty one. He had by his
first wife, among other children, a son, who was the author
of some French verses, printed in a collection of his own
poems; and a daughter, whom he married to a learned
man, named Nicolas Goulu, in whose favour he resigned
his place of regius professor of Greek. He wrote a great
many verses in Latin, Greek, and French, in some of which
he attacked the protestants; and no book was printed, nor
did any person of consequence die, without his producing
some verses on the subject; as if he had been poet in
ordinary to the kingdom, or his muse had been a general
mourner. The odes, epigrams, hymns, and other poems
in Greek and Latin, composed by Daurat, have been estimated at the gross sum of 50,000 verses; Scaliger had
such an opinion of him as a critic, that he said he knew
none but him and Cujacius, who had abilities sufficient to
restore ancient authors; but he has presented the public
with no specimen of that talent, except some remarks on
the Sybilline verses in Opsopseus’s edition. Scaliger tells
us, with some ridicule, however, that he spent the latter
part of his life in endeavouring to find all the Bible in
Homer. He died at Paris, Nov. 1, 1588, aged Si. His
principal collection of verses is entitled “Joannis Aurati,
Lemovicis, Poetse et interprets regii, Poematia, hoc est,
Poematum libri quinque; Epigrammatum libri tres; Anagrammatum liber unus; Funerum liber unus; Odarum libri
duo; Epithalamiorum liber unus; Eclogarum libri duo;
Variarum rerum liber unus,
” Paris, 1586, 8vo, a very singular collection, although of no great merit as to taste or
versification. He deserves more praise as one of the revivers of Greek literature in France, and in that character
his memory was honoured, in 1775, hy an eloge, written
by the abbe Vitrac, professor of humanity at Limoges.
1566, and became canon, of Tournay, where he died Jan. 17, 1644. He was an excellent Greek and Latin scholar, and a good critic, but wrote in an affected and obscure style.
, a learned
Jesuit, was born at St. Omer’s in 1566, and became canon,
of Tournay, where he died Jan. 17, 1644. He was an excellent Greek and Latin scholar, and a good critic, but
wrote in an affected and obscure style. Some of his works
are still valued, although their rarity prevents their being
generally known. Among these are, 1. “Antiqui novique Latii Orthographies,
” Tournay, Terra
et aqua, seu terrae fiuctuantes,
” Tournay, Orations of St. Basil of Seleucia,
” with notes,
place. There was a Dr. Dawes, who, early in the last century, resided at Stapleton, and was a great scholar, and a searcher after the philosopher’s stone. It has been supposed,
, a learned critic, especially in the Greek tongue, was born in 1708. A respectable family of the name of Dawes had long been situated at Stapleton, between Market-Bosworth and Hinckley in Leicestershire, and our critic was probably of the same family, but it does not appear, from the register of the parish, that he was born at that place. There was a Dr. Dawes, who, early in the last century, resided at Stapleton, and was a great scholar, and a searcher after the philosopher’s stone. It has been supposed, that he might be father to the subject of the present article; but of this fact no decisive evidence can be produced. All the traditions concerning Richard Dawes are, that the place of his birth was either MarketBosworth, or the vicinity of that town. Whoever his parents were, or whatever was their condition in life, it is probable that they perceived such marks of capacity in their son, as determined them to devote him to a literary profession; and accordingly he was put to the free grammar-school at Bosworth, where he had the happiness of receiving part of his education under the care of Mr. Anthony Blackwall. Here he laid the foundation of that critical knowledge of the Greek language which he afterwards displayed so conspicuously. In 1725, he was admitted a sizar of Emanuel college, in the university of Cambridge, where he proceeded bachelor of arts in 1729. On the 2d of October, 1731, he became a fellow of the college on the nomination of sir Wolston Dixie, bart. In 1733, he took the degree of master of arts. The next year he was a candidate for the place of esquire beadle of the university, but his application was not crowned with success. Whilst Mr. Dawes was at Cambridge, he distinguished himself by some peculiarities of conduct, which probably arose from a mixture of insanity in his constitution; and in his conversation he occasionally took such liberties on certain topics as gave great offence to those about him. Having indulged himself too much, at college, in an indolent sedentary way of life, he, at length, found it absolutely necessary to have recourse to some kind of exercise. In this case, being of a strong athletic frame of body, and not over-delicate in the choice of his company, he took to the practice of ringing; and, as such a genius could not stop at mediocrity, he quickly became the leader of the band, and carried the art to the highest perfection.
-yard of that place; where a common head-stone, little suited to the just reputation of so eminent a scholar, continues to mark his grave with the words, “In memory of Richard
Mr. Dawes, after his resignation of the above two offices,
retired to Heworth-shore, about three miles below Newcastle, on the south side of the Tyne, where his favourite
amusement was the exercise of rowing in a boat. In his
conversation, he preserved, to the last, his splenetic humour; abusing every thing, and every person that he had
formerly regarded. He departed this life, at Heworth,
on the 21st of March, 17G6, and, agreeably to his own
desire, was buried in the church-yard of that place; where
a common head-stone, little suited to the just reputation
of so eminent a scholar, continues to mark his grave with
the words, “In memory of Richard Dawes, late headmaster of the grammar (sic) school at Newcastle; who died
the 21st of March, 1766. Aged 57 years.
”
r. Kidder, afterwards bishop of Bath and Wells, took of his education. In act term 1687, he became a scholar of St. John’s college in Oxford, and after his continuance there
, archbishop of York, the youngest son of sir John Dawes, baronet, by Jane his wife, the daughter and only child of Richard Hawkins, of Braintree, in the county of Essex, gent, was born Sept. 12, 1671, at Lyons, (a seat which came by his mother) near Braintree, and received the first rudiments of learning at Merchant-taylors’-school in London, from Mr. John Hartcliffe, and Mr. Ambr. Bonwicke, successively masters of that school; under whose care he made great proficiency in the knowledge of the classics, and was a tolerable master of the Hebrew tongue, even before he was fifteen years of age; which was chiefly owing to the additional care that Dr. Kidder, afterwards bishop of Bath and Wells, took of his education. In act term 1687, he became a scholar of St. John’s college in Oxford, and after his continuance there two years or upwards, was made fellow. But his father’s title and estate descending to him, upon the death of his two brothers, which happened about the same time, he left Oxford, and entering himself a nobleman in Catherine-hall, Cambridge, lived in his eldest brother’s chambers; and, as soon as he was of fit standing, took the degree of master of arts. His intention, from the very first, was to enter into holy orders; and therefore to qualify himself for that purpose, among other introductory works, he seems to have made some of our late eminent divines a considerable branch of his study, even before he was eighteen years of age: and he shewed always a serious and devout temper of mind, and a true sense and love of piety and religion. After he had taken his master of arts’ degree, not being of age to enter into holy orders, he thought it proper to visit the estate he was now become owner of, and to make a short tour into some other parts of the kingdom, which he had not yet seen. But his intended progress was, in some measure, stopped by Ims happening to meet with Frances, the eldest daughter of sir Thomas Darcy, of Braxstead-lodge, in Essex, baronet, a fine and accomplished woman, to whom he paid his addresses, and, not long after, married. As soon as he came to a competent -age, he was ordained deacon and priest by Dr. Compton, bishop of London. Shortly after, he was created doctor in divinity, by a royal mandate, in order to be qualified for the mastership of Catherine-hall; to which he was unanimously elected, in 1696, upon the death of Dr. John Echard. At his coming thither he found the bare case of a new chapel, begun by his predecessor; to the completion of which he contributed very liberally, and, among other beneficial acts to his college, he obtained, through his interest with queen Anne, and her chief ministers, an act of parliament for annexing the first prebend of Norwich which should become vacant, to the mastership of Catherine-hall for ever. Not long after his election, he became vice-chancellor of Cambridge, and discharged that dignity with universal applause. In 1696, he was made one of the chaplains in ordinary to king William; and, shortly after, was presented by his majesty without interest or solicitation, and merely, as the king said, by way of pledge of his future favour, to a prebend of Worcester, in which he was installed August 26, 1698, On the 10th of November 1698, he was collated by archbishop Tenison to the rectory, and, the 19th of December following, to the deanery, of Bocking in Essex, and behaved in that parish in a very charitable and exemplary manner. After queen Anne’s accession to the throne, he was made one of her majesty’s chaplains, and became so great a favourite with her, that he had a reasonable expectation of being advanced to some of the highest dignities in the church. Accordingly, though he happened accidentally to miss of the bishopric of Lincoln , which became vacant in 1705; yet her majesty, of her own accord, named him to the see of Chester, in 1707, upon the death of Dr. Nicholas Stratford: and he was consecrated February 8, 1707-8. In 1713-4, he was, by the recommendation of his worthy predecessor Dr. John Sharp, translated to the archiepiscopal see of York, being elected thereto February 26, and enthroned by proxy the 24th of March following. He continued above ten years in this eminent station, honoured and respected by all. At length a diarrhoea, to which he had been subject several times before, ending in an inflammation of his bowels, put a period to his life April 30, 1724, in the fifty-third year of his age. He was buried in the chapel of Catherine-hall, Cambridge, near his lady, who died December 22, 1705, in the twenty-ninth year of her age. By her he had seven children, William, Francis, William, Thomas, who all died young; and Elizabeth, Jane, and Darcy, who survived him. In person he was tall, proportionable, and beautiful. There was in his look and gesture something easier to be conceived than described, that gained every one’s favour, even before he spoke. His behaviour was easy and courteous to all; his civility free from formality; his conversation lively and cheerful, but without any tincture of levity. He had a genius well fitted for a scholar, a lively imagination, a strong memory, and a sound judgment. He was a kind and loving husband, a tender and indulgent parent, and so extraordinary good a master, that he never was observed to be in a passion; and took care of the spiritual as well as the temporal welfare of his domestics. In his episcopal capacity, he visited his large diocese with great diligence and constancy, Nottinghamshire one year, and Yorkshire another; but every third year he did not hold any visitation. He performed all the offices of his function with becoming seriousness and gravity. He took great care and caution, to admit none but sufficient labourers into the Lord’s harvest; and when admitted, to appoint them stipends adequate to their labour. He administered justice to all with an equal and impartial hand; being no respecter of persons, and making no difference between the poor and rich, but espousing all into the intimacy of his bosom, his care, his affability, his provision, and his prayers.
her, and an illustrious ornament of that school, lived in the time of Alexander the Great, and was a scholar of Theophrastus. He is represented as a flowery, rather than
, a peripatetic philosopher, and an illustrious ornament of that school, lived in
the time of Alexander the Great, and was a scholar of
Theophrastus. He is represented as a flowery, rather than
a persuasive speaker, and as one who aimed at grace rather
than manner. Cicero says he amused the Athenians rather
than warmed them; yet such was the influence of his
harangues, that at Athens he was almost absolute for ten
years. Three hundred and sixty statues were erected in
his honour; and not undeservedly, since he is said to have
augmented the revenues of it, as well as to have improved
and polished its buildings. But envy at length conspiring
against him, his statues were pulled down, and himself
threatened with death; but he escaped into Egypt, and
was protected by Ptolemy Soter. This king, it is said,
asked his advice concerning the succession of his children
to the throne, viz. whether he ought to prefer those he had
by Eurydice to Ptolemy Philadelphus, whom he had by
Berenice; and Demetrius advised him to leave his crown
to the former. This displeased Philadelphia so much,
that, his father being dead, he banished Demetrius, who,
unable to support the repeated misfortunes he had met
with, put an end to his life, by the bite of an asp. Demetrius composed more works in prose and verse, than any
other peripatetic of his time; and his writings consisted of
poetry, history, politics, rhetoric, harangues, and embassies. None of his works are extant for as to the piece
“De Interpretatione,
” which goes under his name, and
is usually printed with the “Rhetores Selecti,
” there are
several internal marks, which shew that it is probably of a
later date. He is supposed to be the same with him that
collected together 200,000 volumes into the library of
Ptolemy Philadelphus, who, to make it complete, caused
that translation of the Bible out of Hebrew into Greek to
be made, which is commonly called the Septuagint. And
if it should be objected, that Demetrius could not possibly be the manager of this affair, since he was banished by
Philadelphus as soon as he came to the crown, it has generally been thought sufficient to say, that these books were
collected, and this translation made, while Ptolemy Philadelphus reigned with his father Ptolemy Soter. But this
story is now generally discredited, and the Septuagint is
ascribed to the private labour of the Jews, who were at this
time resident in Egypt. When Demetrius was born, and
when he died, we know not; but his disgrace at Athens is
said to have happened about the year of Rome 436, that is,
somewhat about 300 years before Christ.
less and malicious, and the rather because he was not allowed to justify himself'. That accomplished scholar and lawyer, Mr. Charles Yorke, is said to have written a dissertation
With respect to his character as a man of integrity and a patriot, Philip was not wanting in endeavours to corrupt him, as he had endeavoured to corrupt, and with success, most of the other leading men in Greece; but Demosthenes withstood all his offers; and Plutarch says, that all the gold of Macedonia could not bribe him. And yet, as inflexible as he was to Philip, he became more pliable in the reign of his successor, and gave occasion to his enemies to accuse him of bribery; for which he was fined and imprisoned, and afterwards banished; but the charge has by some been thought groundless and malicious, and the rather because he was not allowed to justify himself'. That accomplished scholar and lawyer, Mr. Charles Yorke, is said to have written a dissertation upon this subject, in which all the evidence supplied by the writers of antiquity is carefully collected, and judiciously examined, and in which Mr. Yorke’s decision is in favour of Demosthenes. It is to be regretted that this curious dissertation is still allowed to remain unpublished. Another circumstance in. the character of Demosthenes is more singular. He who with such constancy and intrepidity opposed all the measures of the foreign and domestic enemies of his country, and who so often at the hazard of his life braved the madness of the people in their assemblies, was yet unable to stand an enemy in the field. He chose, says Plutarch, to swear by those who fell at Marathon, though he could not follow their example; yet he afterwards refused life when it was offered him, and died with great fortitude. With all this mixture of character, however, Demosthenes did more service to the state than any of his contemporaries, and was the chief bulwark, not only of Athens, but of Greece in general, and almost the only obstacle to Philip’s designs of enslaving it.
Corpus Christi college, under the tuition of Mr. Robert Dannye, Feb. 25, 1708; and was afterwards a scholar of the house upon archbishop Parker’s foundation. He proceeded
, D. D. an eminent divine and antiquary, descended from a family of good note in the county of Kent, was the eldest son of John Denne, gent, who had the place of woodreve to the see of Canterbury, by a patent for life from archbishop Tenison. He was born at Littlebourne, May 25, 1693, and brought up in the freeschools of Sandwich and Canterbury. He went thence to Cambridge, and was admitted of Corpus Christi college, under the tuition of Mr. Robert Dannye, Feb. 25, 1708; and was afterwards a scholar of the house upon archbishop Parker’s foundation. He proceeded B. A. in 1712; M. A. in 1716; and was elected fellow April 20, in the same year. Soon after, he took upon him the office of tutor, jointly with Mr. Thomas Herring, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury; and was ordained deacon on Trinity Sunday 1716, by bishop Trimnell; and priest Sept. 21, 1718. Not long afterwards he was nominated by the college to the perpetual cure of St. Benedict’s church, in Cambridge; whence he was preferred in 1721, to the rectory of Norton-Davy, alias Green’s Norton, in Northamptonshire, upon a presentation from the king; but this he exchanged, Sept. 30, 1723, for the vicarage of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, in London. In 1725 he was appointed preacher of Mr. Boyle’s lecture, and continued so for three years. His next promotion, immediately after taking the degree of D. D. was to the archdeaconry of Rochester, with the prebend annexed, being collated thereto July 22, 1728, by bishop Bradford, to whom he had been domestic chaplain for many years, and whose youngest daughter Susanna he married in 1724. He was instituted July 24, 1729, to the vicarage of St. Margaret’s, Rochester, but this he resigned, on taking possession of the rectory of Lambeth, Nov. 27, 1731, through the patronage of archbishop Wake. He died August 5, 1767, and was buried in the south transept of Rochester cathedral. His widow survived him upwards of thirteen years, dying on the 3d of December, 1780.
an uncommon degree of application, to acquit himself with credit in each station. His abilities as a scholar and divine maybe estimated from his printed sermons, amounting
The historian of his college says very justly, that whether
Dr. Denne is to be considered as the minister of a parish,
or as a governor in the church, he never failed, by an uncommon degree of application, to acquit himself with credit
in each station. His abilities as a scholar and divine maybe
estimated from his printed sermons, amounting to sixteen,
preached on occasional subjects; a “Concio ad Clerum,
”
Articlesof inquiry for a parochial Visitation,
” The State of Bromley College, in Kent
” and “A Register of Benefactions to the parish of Shoreditch,
” drawn up
in
John’s college, Cambridge; in both which places he so improved himself, that he became an excellent scholar, as well as a person of great worth. His merit having made him
, knt. one of the gentlemen of the privy chamber to king Henry VIII., was the second son of Thomas Denny, of Cheshunt, in the county of Hertford, esq. by Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Mannock. He had his education in St. Paul’s school, London, under the celebrated grammarian Lilly; and afterwards in St. John’s college, Cambridge; in both which places he so improved himself, that he became an excellent scholar, as well as a person of great worth. His merit having made him known at court, he was constituted by Henry VIII. one of the gentlemen of the bed-chamber, groom of the stole, and a privy counsellor; and likewise received the honour of knighthood from that prince; with whom being in great favour, he raised a considerable estate on the ruins of the dissolved monasteries. In 1537, Henry gave him the priory of Hertford, together with divers other lands and manors; and in 1539, Dec. 15, the office of steward of the manor of Bedwell and Little Berkhamstead, in Herts; besides which sir Anthony also obtained the manor of Buttenvick, in the parish of St. Peter in St. Alban’s, the manors of the rectory and of the nunnery, in the parish of Cheshunt; and of Great Amwell, all in the county of Hertford. In 1541, there was a large grant made to him by act of parliament, of several lands that had belonged to the abbey of St. Alban’s, lately dissolved; and not content with all this, he found means to procure a thirty-one years’ lease of the many large and rich demesnes that had been possessed by Waltham-abbey, in Essex; of which his lady purchased aftenvards the reversion. In 1544 the king gave him the advantageous wardship of Margaret, the only daughter and heir of Thomas lord Audley, deceased. On the 31st of August, 1546, he was commissioned, with John Gate and William Clerk, esquires, to sign all warrants in the king’s name. Though somewhat rapacious, he was liberal; in this reign he did eminent service to the great school of Sedberg in Yorkshire, belonging to the college wherein he had received his education; the building being fallen to decay, and the lands appropriated thereto sold and embezzled, he caused the school to be repaired, and not only recovered, but also settled the estate so firmly, as to prevent all future alienations. He was also a more faithful servant than his brother courtiers, for when Henry VIII. was on his death-bed, he had the courage to put him in mind of his approaching end, and desired him to raise his thoughts to heaven, to think of his past life, and to call on God for mercy through Jesus Christ. So great an opinion had that capricious monarch of him, that he appointed him one of the executors of his will, and one of the counsellors to his son and successor Edward VI. and hequeathed him a legacy of 300l. He did not live long after this; for he died in 1.550. By his wife Joan, daughter of sir Philip Champeruon, of Modbury, in Devonshire, a lady of great beauty and parts, he had six children; of whom, Henry, the eldest, was father of Edward Denny, knighted in 1589, summoned to parliament in 1605, and advanced Oct. 24, 1626, to the dignity of earl of Norwich. Of sir Anthony Denny’s personal character, one of his contemporaries informs us, that his whole time and cares were employed about religion, learning, and the care of the public, and has highly commended him for his prudence and humanity. He was the early friend and patron of Matthew Parker, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury. The learned Henry Howard, earl of Surrey, wrote an excellent epitaph for him some years before his decease; tfnd sir John Cheke, who had a great esteem for him, honoured his memory with an elegant heroic poem.
or the more strange conduct of the court of France. The chevalier D’Eon, who was distinguished as a scholar, and was well acquainted with the ancient and most of the modern
In 1785 he returned to England, where he continued to
reside till his death. He was deprived of his pension in
consequence of the French revolution, although in June
1792, he presented a petition to the national assembly (as madame D‘Eon) desiring to be employed in their service as a
soldier, to have his seniority in the army, and permission to
raise a legion of volunteers for the service of his country.
This petition was probably disregarded, as he remained in
England, where his circumstances became embarrassed. For
a few years he gained a subsistence by the sale of part of
his effects, and by a public exhibition of his skill in fencing,
which was the greater object of curiosity, from the general
belief that it was a female performance. When incapable of
these exertions by years and infirmities, ho was relieved by
occasional contributions. For the two last years, he scarcely
ever quitted his bed, his health gradually declined, and at
length an extreme state of debility ensued, which terminated
in his death, May 21, 1810. Immediately after, the corpse
being examined by professional gentlemen and others, was
discovered to be that of a man, yet it is said that there
were peculiarities in his person which rendered the doubts
that had so long subsisted respecting his sex the less extraordinary, and appeared to have given facility to his occasional assumption of the female character before his final
adoption of it. He had assumed the female character at
Petersburg!! for the purposes of political intrigue about the
year 1750, when only twenty-two years of age, and had
occasionally adopted it during his first residence in England; but it may be doubted whether all this will be sufficient to explain the mysteries of the chevalier’s conduct,
or the more strange conduct of the court of France. The
chevalier D’Eon, who was distinguished as a scholar, and
was well acquainted with the ancient and most of the modern
languages, had a very valuable library, part of which he
sold for the roller' of his necessities, and part has been sold
since his death. His works according to the Diet. Historique are: l. “JMemoires,
” 8vo and 4to, relative to his
disputes with the count de Guerchy. 2. “Histoire des
Papes.
” 3. “Histoire politique.de la Pologne.
” 4. “Recherches sur les royaumesde Naples etdeSicile.
” 5. “Recherches sur le Commerce et la Navigation.
” 6. “Pensees
sur le Celibat, et les maux qu'il cause a la France,
”
against the celibacy of the French clergy. 7. “Memoires
sur la Rus-sie ct son Commerce avcc les Anglois.
”
8. “Histoire d'Eudoxie Feeclerona.
” 9. “Observations
sur le royaimie d'Angleterre, son government, ses grands
officiers,
” &c. 10. “Details sur l‘Ecosse, sur les possessions de l’Angleterre en Amerique.
” 11. “Sur la regie
de bles en France, les mendians, les domains des rois,
”
c. 12. “Details sur toutes les Parties des Finances de
France.
” 13. “Situation de la France dans Plnde avant
la paix de 1763.
” 14. “Loisirs du Chevalier D'Eon,
”
In religion, Mons. D‘Eon was a sincere catholic,
but divested of all bigotry: few were so well acquainted
with the biblical writings, or devoted more time to the
study of religious subjects. The shades in his character
were, the most inflexible tenacity of disposition, and a
great degree of pride and self-opinion; a general distrust
and suspicion of others; and a violence of temper which
could brook no opposition. To these ’failings may be
traced the principal misfortunes of his life; a life in which
there was much labour and suffering, mixed with very little repose.
” The French editor of his life, in noticing the
poverty in which he died, adds, that it does him the more honour as he had refused the offers of the English government
to turn their manifestoes against his country into French.
, a learned Greek scholar of the sixteenth century, was born in the island of Corfou,
, a learned Greek scholar of
the sixteenth century, was born in the island of Corfou, of
a catholic family. At the age of eight he was taken to
Rome by John Lascaris, and placed with other eastern
youths in the Greek college, which had been just established. Having made great progress in this language,
cardinal Rodolphi gave him the care of his library, which
office he held for fifteen years, and in that time he compiled an index to Eustathius’s commentary on Homer, for
which pope Paul III. gave him a pension; and Paul IV.
who continued this pension, made him corrector of the
Greek Mss. in the Vatican. On the death of cardinal
Rodolphi, Marc -Antony Colonna, who was afterwards
cardinal, became scholar to Devarius for three years in
the Greek language. He was afterwards patronized by
the cardinal Farnese; and died in his service, about the
end of the sixteenth century, in the seventieth year of his
age. By order of pope Pius V. he translated the catechism of the council of Trent into Greek; but the work
for which he is best known is entitled “De Particulis
Graecae linguae liber particularis,
” of which there have
been many editions, the first published by his nephew,
Peter Devarius, at Rome, in 1558, 4to, and reprinted at
London, 1657, 12mo Amsterdam, 1700 and 1718, &c. &c.
ondon and then travelling beyond sea, studied in foreign universities: i'rcm whence returning a good scholar, and an accomplished person, he was created M. A. in 1626. His
Learning was long hereditary in this family. Sir Dudley
had a brother, Leonard, and a son Dudley, who were both
learned men and authors. His brother Leonard, born in
1588, was educated in University-college, Oxford, took
the degree of B. A. in 1606, removed to London and then
travelling beyond sea, studied in foreign universities: i'rcm
whence returning a good scholar, and an accomplished
person, he was created M. A. in 1626. His commendatory
verses to Shakspeare are prefixed to that poet’s works. He
also translated from Spanish into English “Gerardo the
unfortunate Spaniard, 1622,
” 4to, written by Goncalo de
Cespades and from Latin into English verse, “Clauclian’s Rape of Proserpine, 1617,
” 4to. He died April
7, 1635, being accounted a good poet and orator; and a
great master of the English, French, and Spanish languages.
ouls’ college. He took a master’s degree in 1635; and became a good poet and linguist, and a general scholar. He died October 1, 1643; having distinguished himself only
His son Dudley, who was his third son, was born about
1612, and educated at Oxford, where he took the degree
of B. A. in 1632; and the year after was elected a fellow
of All-souls’ college. He took a master’s degree in 1635;
and became a good poet and linguist, and a general
scholar. He died October 1, 1643; having distinguished
himself only by the two following productions: 1. “An
answer to a printed book entitled * Observations upon some
of his majesty’s late answers and expresses, 1
” Oxon. The unlawfulness of subjects taking up arms against
their sovereign in what case soever; with answers to all
objections,
” Lond. 1643, 4to.
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
, 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.
ted up his staff to drive him away; upon which Diogenes said, “Beat me as you please; I will be your scholar.” Antisthenes, overcome by his perseverance, received him, and
, a celebrated Cynic philosopher, was born
in the third year of the ninety-first olympiad, or 413 B.C.
at Sinope, a city of Pont us. His father, who was a banker,
was convicted of debasing the public coin, and was obliged
to leave his country. This circumstance gave the sou
an opportunity of visiting Athens, where he offered himself as a pupil of Aniisthenes; but that philosopher happening to be in a peevish humour, refused to receive him.
Diogenes still importuning him for admission, Antistheues
lifted up his staff to drive him away; upon which Diogenes
said, “Beat me as you please; I will be your scholar.
”
Antisthenes, overcome by his perseverance, received him,
and afterwards made him his intimate companion and
friend. Diogenes perfectly adopted the principles and
character of his master, and renouncing every other object
of ambition, he determined to distinguish himself by his
contempt of riches and honours, and by his indignation
against luxury. He wore a coarse cloak; carried a wallet
and a staff; made the porticoes and other public places
his habitation; and depended upon casual contributions
for his daily bread. A friend, whom he had desired to
procure him a cell, not executing his order so soon as he
expected, he took up his abode in a tub, or large open
vessel, in the Metro urn. It is probable, however, Brucker
thinks, that this was only a temporary expression of indignation and contempt, and that he did not make a tub
the settled place of residence, although it is mentioned
by Juvenal and Seneca. Whether true or not, there is
no doubt of his practising rigid abstinence,and depending
upon casual charity nor is it less certain that he reproved
the luxurious manners of the Athenians with great freedom; and yet his reproofs, though very pungent, manifested so much ingenuity, as to excite even the admiration
of those against whom they were directed. He uniformly
inculcated patience of labour and pain, frugality, temperance, and an entire contempt of pleasure; and whether praised or blamed, appeared equally indifferent, and
preserved on all occasions a perfect self-command.
rt therewith, under which learning and religion had so manifest an improvement.” He was an excellent scholar, particularly in the Hebrew language, which he taught to the
, usually styled the Decalogist, from his
Commentary on the commandments, and called by Fuller,
the “last of the Puritans,
” was a native of Shotledge, in.
Cheshire; in which county there were several ancient families of the Dods; but to which of them he belonged, we
have not been able to ascertain. He was born, the youngest
of seventeen children, in 1547, and sent to school at WestChester, but Mr. Cole says he was educated at Winchester,
a name which he probably transcribed hastily for the other.
In 1561, when he was fourteen years of age, he was entered of Jesus college, Cambridge, of which he was chosen
fellow in 1585, according to a ms note of Mr. Baker;
and Mr. Cole adds, that he was junior proctor in 1614;
both which dates must belong to some other person, as it
does not appear that he remained in all more than sixteen years at college. At what time he took his master’s
degree is uncertain, but a few years after, being appointed
to oppose in the philosophy act at the commencement, he
exhibited such a display of talents, as highly gratified his
hearers, and in consequence, he had liberal offers to remove to Oxford. These he declined, but was incorporated M. A. in that university in 1585. Associating much
with Drs. Fulke, Chaclerton, and Whitaker, he imbibed
the principles and strictness for which they were famous,
and conceived an early dislike to some of the ceremonies
or discipline of the church, but to what we are not told.
After taking orders, he first preached a weekly lecture at
Ely, until invited by sir Anthony Cope to be minister of
Hanwell, in Oxfordshire, in 1577, where he became a
constant and diligent preacher, and highly popular. Nor
was his hospitality Jess conspicuous, as he kept an open
table on Sundays and Wednesdays lecture days, generally entertaining on these occasions from eight to twelve
persons at dinner. At Hanwell he remained twenty years,
in the course cf which he married, and had a large family;
but, owing to his nonconformity in some points, he was
suspended by Dr. Bridges, bishop of Oxford. After this,
he preached for some time at Fenny-Compton, in Warwickshire, and from thence was called to Cannons Ashby,
in Northamptonshire, where he was patronized by sir Erasmus Dryden but here again he was silenced, in consequence of a complaint made by bishop Neale to king
James, who commanded archbishop Abbot to pronounce
that sentence. During this suspension of his public services, he appears to have written his Commentary on the
Decalogue and Proverbs, which he published in conjunction with one Robert Cleaver, probably another silenced
puritan, of whom we can find no account. At length, by
the interest of the family of Knightley, of Northamptonshire, after the death of king James, he was presented in
1624, to the living of Fawesley, in that county. Here he
recommended himself as before, not more by his earnest
and affectionate services in the pulpit, than by his charity
and hospitality, and particularly by his frequent visits and
advice which last he delivered in a manner peculiarly
striking. A great many of his sayings became almost proverbial, and remained so for above a century, being, as
may yet be remembered, frequently printed in a small
tract, or on a broad sheet, and suspended in every cottage.
On the commencement of the rebellion he suffered considerably, his house being plundered, as the house of a
puritan, although he was a decided enemy to the proceedings of the republicans. When they were about to
abolish the order of bishops, &c. Dr. Brownrig sent to Mr.
Dod, for his opinion, who answered, that “he had been
scandalized with the proud and tyrannical practises of the
Marian bishops; but now, after more than sixty years’ experience of many protestant bishops, that had been worthy
preachers, learned and orthodox writers, great champions
for the protestant cause, he wished all his friends not to
be any impediment to them, and exhorted all men not to
take up arms against the king; which was his doctrine, he
said, upon the fifth commandment, and he would never
depart from it.
” He died in August, 1645, at the very
advanced age of ninety-seven, and was buried on the I9th
of that month, at Fawesley, in Northamptonshire. Fuller
says, “with him the Old Puritan seemed to expire, and
in his grave to be interred. Humble, meek, patient,
charitable as in his censures of, so in his alms to others.
Would I could truly say but half so much of the next generation!
” “He was,
” says the same author, “a passive
nonconformist, not loving any one the worse for difference
in judgment about ceremonies, but all the better for their
unity of affections in grace and goodness. He used to
retrench some hot spirits when inveighing against bishops,
telling them how God under that government had given a
marvellous increase to the gospel, and that godly men
might comfortably comport therewith, under which learning
and religion had so manifest an improvement.
” He was
an excellent scholar, particularly in the Hebrew language,
which he taught to the celebrated John Gregory, of Christchurch, Oxford. The no less celebrated Dr. Wilkins was
his grandson, and born in his house at Fawesley, in 1614,
a date which seems to interfere with that given above as
the date of Mr. Dod’s presentation to Fawesley, which we
have taken from the register in Bridges’s Northamptonshire, but he might probably have resided there previous
to the living becoming vacant. Of his works we know
only that which conferred on him the name of the Decalogist, “A plain and familiar Exposition of the Ten Commandments,
” London, A plain and
familiar Exposition
” of certain chapters of the Book of
Proverbs, not far off ninety-five years old,
”
which has enabled us to ascertain his age, hitherto incorrectly given by his biographers.
ppy education, accompanied with excellent natural parts and unremitted industry, became so general a scholar, that it was said of him, that it was difficult to determine
index. Faulkner’s Hist, of Fulham. Park’s Royal and Noble Authors. Cumberland’s Life. Some account of his uncle, Knight’s Life ofColet. Hawkins’s
Life of Johnson. Dodsley’s, Pcareh’s, and NiclioU's Poems. Bowles’s edition
of Pope’s Works, Louoj^r’s Common-place li^ok, vol. 1. Cose’s Life of
purity of his own character in the following terms: “It is
no more fit for a judge to decline to give an account of his
doings than for a Christian of his faith. God knoweth I
have endeavoured always to keep a good conscience; for
a troubled one who can bear? I have now sat in this court
fifteen years, and I should know something. Surely, if I
had gone in a mill so long, dust would cleave to my clothes.
I am old, and have one foot in the grave; therefore I will
look to the better part as near as 1 can. But omnia haberc
in memoria, et in nullo errarc, divinum potius est quain
human um.
” He died Sept. 13, 1628, in the seventy-third
year of his age, and was buried in the ambulatory before
the door of the library, formerly called Lady Mary’s Chapel, in the cathedral church of Exeter. Within that
library is a very sumptuous monument erected to his memory, containing his figure and that of his wife, cut in
alabaster, under a stately arch supported by marble pillars.
This learned judge, by his happy education, accompanied
with excellent natural parts and unremitted industry, became so general a scholar, that it was said of him, that it
was difficult to determine whether he were the better
artist, divine, civil or common lawyer. Among his other
studies, he was a great lover of antiquities, and attained
to such an eminence of knowledge and skill in that department of literature, that he was regarded as one of the
ablest members of the famous society of antiquaries, which
may be said to have begun in 1571, but which more particularly flourished from 1590 to 1614. Rewrote, I. “The
Lawyer’s Light; or, due direction for the study of the
Law,
” London, A complete Parson, or a
description of advowsons and church livings, delivered in
several readings, in an inn of chancery called the New
Inn,
” printed The History
of the ancient and modern estate of the principality of
Wales, duchy of Cornwall, and earldom of Chester,
” The English Lawyer, a treatise describing a method for the managing of the Laws of this Land, and expressing the best qualities requisite in the student, practiser, judges, &c.
” London, Opinion
touching the antiquity, power, order, state, manner, persons, and proceedings, of the High Courts of Parliament
in England,
” London, A Treatise of
particular Estates,
” London, The Ground and Maxims of the Law.
” 7. “A
true representation of forepassed Parliaments to the view
of the present times and posterity.
” This still remains in
manuscript. Sir John Doddridge also enlarged a book
called “The Magazine of Honour,
” London, The Law of Nobility and Peerage,
” Lond. 16S7,
1658, 8vo. In the Collection of curious Discourses, written by eminent antiquaries, are two dissertations by our
judge; one of which is on the dimensions of the land of
England, and the other on the office and duty of heralds
in this country. Mr. Bridgman, in his “Legal Bibliography,
” informs us that many valuable works have been
attributed to sir John Doddridge, which in their title-pages
have borne the names of others. He mentions particularly
Sheppard’s “Law of Common Assurances touching Deeds
in general,
” and “Wentworth’s office and dutie of Executors;
” both which are said to have been written by
Doddridge.
learning. His acquaintance with books, ancient and modern, was very extensive and if not a profound scholar, he was sufficiently acquainted with the learned languages to
From the course of Dr. Doddridge’s life, and the multiplicity of his labours, his application must have been incessant, and with little time for exercise and recreation.
His constitution was always feeble, and his friends deprecated the injurious effects of his unintermitting assiduity and
exertion. By degrees, however, his delicate frame was so
impaired, that it could not bear the attack of disease. In
December 1750, he went to St. Alban’s to preach the funeral sermon of his friend Dr. Clark, and in the course of
his journey he caught a cold, which brought on a pulmonary complaint, that resisted every remedy. But notwithstanding the advice and remonstrances of those who
apprehended his death, and wished to prolong his usefulness, he would not decline or diminish the employments
in the academy, and with his congregation, in which he*
took great delight. At length he was obliged to submit;
and to withdraw from all public services to the house of
his friend Mr. Orton, at Shrewsbury. Notwithstanding
some relief which his recess from business afforded him,
his disorder gained ground; and his medical friends
advised him to make trial of the Bristol waters. The physicians of this place afforded him little hope of lasting
benefit; and he received their report of his case with
Christian fortitude and resignation. As the last resort in
his case, he was advised to pass the winter in a warmer
climate; and at length he was prevailed upon to go to
Lisbon, where he met with every attention which friendship and medical skill could afford him. But his case was
hopeless. Arriving at Lisbon on the 13th of October, the
rainy season came on, and prevented his deriving any benefit from air and exercise, and in a few days he was seized
with a colliquative diarrhoea, which rapidly exhausted his
remaining strength. He preserved, however, to the last
the same calmness, vigour, and joy of mind, which he
had felt and expressed through the whole of his disease. The only anxiety he seemed to feel was occasioned
by the situation in which Mrs. Doddridge would be left
upon his removal. To his children, his congregation, and
his friends in general, he desired to be remembered in the
most affectionate manner; nor did he forget a single person, not even his servant, in the effusions of his benevolence. Many devout sentiments and aspirations were
uttered by him on the last day but one preceding that of
his death. At length, his release took place on the 26th
of October, O. S. about 3 o'clock in the morning; and
though he died in a foreign land, and in a certain sense
among strangers, his decease was embalmed with many
tears, nor was he molested, in his last moments, by the
officious zeal of any of the priests of the church of Rome.
His body was opened, and his lungs were found to be in
a very ulcerated state. His remains were deposited in the
most respectful manner in the burying-ground belonging
to the British factory at Lisbon. His congregation erected
in his meeting-house a handsome monument to his memory, on which is an inscription drawn up by his much
esteemed and ingenious friend, Gilbert West, esq. Dr.
Doddridge left four children, one son and three daughters,
and his widow survived him more than forty years. His funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Orton from I Cor. xv. 54;
and it was extensively circulated under the title of “The
Christian’s triumph over death.
” His character stands high
among the dissenters, no man with equal powers and equal
popularity having appeared among them in the course of
last century, Dr. Watts excepied. Dr. Doddridge was
an indefatigable student, and his mind was furnished with
a rich stock of various learning. His acquaintance with
books, ancient and modern, was very extensive and if
not a profound scholar, he was sufficiently acquainted with
the learned languages to make a considerable figure as a
critic and commentator. To history, ecclesiastical as well
as civil, he had paid no small degree of attention; and
while from his disposition he was led to cultivate a taste
for polite literature in general, more than for the abstruser
parts of science, he was far from being a stranger to mathematical and philosophical studies. But the favourite
object of his pursuit, and that in which his chief excellence lay, was divinity, taking that word in its largest
sense. As a preacher. Dr. Doddridge was much esteemed
and very popular. But his biographers have had some
difficulty in vindicating him from the charge of being what
is called a trimmer^ that is, accommodating his discourses
to congregations of different sentiments nor do we think
they have succeeded in proving him exempt from the appearance at least of inconsistency, or obsequious timidity.
We are informed, however, that his piety was ardent, unaffected, and cheerful, and particularly displayed in the
resignation and serenity with which he bore his affliction.
His moral conduct was not only irreproachable, but in
every respect exemplary. To his piety he joined the
warmest benevolence towards his fellow- creatures, which
was manifested in the most active exertions for their welfare within the compass of his abilities or influence. His
private manners were polite, affable, and engaging; which
rendered him the delight of those who had the happii.
of his acquaintance. No man exercised more candour and
moderation towards those who differed from him in religious opinions. Of these qualities there are abundant
proofs in the extensive correspondence he carried on with
many eminent divines in the establishment, and of other
persuasions.
nger. In 1656 he was admitted into Trinity-college in that city, of which he was successively chosen scholar and fellow. But in 1666 he quitted his fellowship, in order
* In this more liberal age it will iise of charcoal, instead of pen and
Scarcely be credited that this youth ink, which he had not money to purwas forced to use such pape< as yeung chase; and then, when h^ came to
gentlewomen had covered their work school, to borrow pen and ink of his
with, and thrown away as no longer fit school-fellows to tit his exercises for
for their use, he having no other to his master’s sight.
write his exercises on and to make
and Hemley in Suffolk, sent for him, discharged his debts,
and assisted him in his studies. With him he remained
about a year, and then went to Dublin, where he was at
school for a year longer. In 1656 he was admitted into
Trinity-college in that city, of which he was successively
chosen scholar and fellow. But in 1666 he quitted his fellowship, in order to avoid going into holy orders, for by
the statutes of that college, the fellows are obliged to take
orders when they are masters of arts of three years standing. The learned bishop Jer. Taylor offered to use his interest to procure a dispensation of the statute, but Mr,
Dodwell refused to accept of it, lest it should be construed
into a precedent injurious afterwards to the college. The
reasons given for his declining the ministerial function
were, 1. The great weight of that office, and the severe
account which the ministers of Christ have to give to their
Lord and Master. 2. His natural bashfulness, and humble
opinion, and diffidence of himself; though he was, unquestionably, very well qualified in point of learning.
3. That he thought he could do more service to religion,
and the church, by his writings, whilst he continued a layman, than if he took orders; for then the usual objections
made against clergymen’s writings on those subjects, viz.
“That they plead their own cause, and are biassed by
self-interest,
” would be entirely removed.
hn Dolben, afterwards archbishop, was educated at Westminster-school, where he was admitted a king’s scholar in 1636; and in 1640 was elected to Christ church, Oxford, where
John Dolben, afterwards archbishop, was educated at Westminster-school, where he was admitted a king’s scholar in 1636; and in 1640 was elected to Christ church, Oxford, where he was admitted, in the same year, a student on queen Elizabeth’s foundation. It has been thought worthy of remark, as a strong instance of hereditary attachment to those seminaries, that he was the second in order, of six succeeding generations, which have passed through the same steps of education, and it has been remarked that since his time, Westminster-school has rarely been without a Dolben.
, a very learned scholar of the sixteenth century, was born at Zano, a seat belonging
, a very learned scholar of the
sixteenth century, was born at Zano, a seat belonging to
the family of Nogarola, in the diocese of Verona in Italy.
He became professor of Greek and Latin at Padua, whence
he went to teach the same languages at Capo d'Istria, as
mentioned by Bembo in his letters. He taught also at
Parma, and there printed a Latin oration in 1532 on the
praises of Parma, and the study of classical literature,
“De laudibus Parmae et de studiis humanioribus.
” After
this he appears to have given lessons in the duchy of Ferrara, whence he returned and died in his own country,
much regretted as an accomplished scholar. He made the
Latin translation of the Evangelical Demonstration of Eusebius, which was magnificently printed, and afterwards used
in a Paris edition, Greek and Latin, but without noticing that
it was his. He translated also some pieces of Galen, Xenophon, and Aristotle; and was editor of the first Greek
edition of Chrysostom the first edition of Œcumenius
of Aretas on the Apocalypse two books of John Damascenus on Faith; and superintended an edition of Macrobius and Censorinus. In 1540 he published “De Pldtonicae, et Aristotelicae philosophise, differentia,
” Venice, 8vo,
but this was a posthumous work, if according to Saxius, he
died in 1540.
n by our countryman Mr. Greswell, who says that “he united in his character whatever could adorn the scholar and the gentleman;” and that “with a well-cultivated understanding,
Much additional information respecting Donato is given
by our countryman Mr. Greswell, who says that “he
united in his character whatever could adorn the scholar
and the gentleman;
” and that “with a well-cultivated
understanding, great political experience, and a profound
knowledge of the interests of the state, he combined very
elegant manners, and the most captivating address; all
which advantages were heightened by a majestic stature
and deportment, and every personal accomplishment.
”
ious to see him exhibit in a new character, with the abilities which had been so much admired in the scholar, and the man of the world. But at first, we are told, he confined
Those who had been the occasion of Mr. Donne’s entering into orders, were anxious to see him exhibit in a new character, with the abilities which had been so much admired in the scholar, and the man of the world. But at first, we are told, he confined his public services to the churches in the vicinity of London, and it was not until his majesty required his attendance at Whitehall on an appointed day, that he appeared before an auditory capable of appreciating his talents. Their report is stated to have been highly favourable. His biographer, indeed, seems to be at a loss for words to express the pathos, dignity, and effect of his preaching, but in what he has advanced he no doubt spoke the sentiments of Donne’s learned contemporaries. Still the excellence of the pulpit oratory of that age will not bear the test of modern criticism, and those who now consult Mr. Donne’s sermons, if they expect gratification, must be more attentive to the matter than the manner. That he was a popular and useful preacher, is universally acknowledged, and he performed the more private duties of his function with humility, kindness, zeal, and assiduity.
in the kingdom, and the range of his information was most extensive. Nor was he more an enlightened scholar, than a warm friend to men of learning and genius; in private
This learned prelate enjoyed a very high share of reputation during a very long life. He was, if not one of the
most profound, one of the most general scholars in the
kingdom, and the range of his information was most extensive. Nor was he more an enlightened scholar, than a
warm friend to men of learning and genius; in private life,
he was amiable, communicative, and interesting in his
conversation and correspondence. As a divine, if he took
no distinguished part in the controversies of the times, he
evinced by his “Criterion,
” his detection of Lauder, and
his controversy with Bower, what a formidable antagonist
he could have proved, and what an unanswerable assertor
of truth. His character likewise stood high for fidelity and
a conscientious discharge of the public duties of his station.,
and when not employed in the pulpit, for always countenancing public worship by his presence. His punctuality
in this last respect is still remembered by the congregations
of St. Faith’s and St. Paul’s. In a word, as his talents recommended him in early life to patronage, so he soon demonstrated that he wanted only to be better known to be
thought deserving of the highest preferments.
, a learned French advocate and classical scholar, was born in 1609 at Toulouse, of a family distinguished by
, a learned French advocate and classical scholar, was born in 1609 at Toulouse, of a family
distinguished by their talents. After having studied classics and philosophy with great success, he went through a
course of law, and was admitted an advocate of the parliament of Toulouse in 1637. Removing afterwards with a
view to settle in Paris, he was admitted to the same rank
in the parliament of that city in 1639. Here his reputation
for knowledge and eloquence became soon acknowledged,
and in 1650, on the death of Balthazar Baro, he was chosen
into the French academy in his place. The following
year, according to the “Menagiana,
” he went to Bourges
as candidate for a law professorship, but we are not told
whether he succeeded; in the same year, however, he
was appointed professor of the canon law in the royal college; and four years after, in 1655, had the appointment
of regent doctor of the faculty of the law, and filled both
offices with the highest reputation, nor did their laborious
duties prevent him from finding sufficient leisure to write
many of his published works. He was also appointed preceptor to the dauphin in history, and became one of the
learned editors of the Dauphin classics. He died Oct. 27,
1688, in his 79th year, being then dean of the French
academy, of the royal college, and of the faculty of law.
He had an extensive knowledge of languages, wrote fluently in Latin and French, and spoke Italian, Spanish,
Greek, Hebrew, and even the Turkish, and understood
English, German, and Sclavonic. With all these accomplishments, he was a man of singular modesty, probity,
and disinterestedness. His talents having procured him
what he thought a competent maintenance, he had no ambition for riches, and employed what was not necessary for
his own moderate wants, upon the poor.
His works are numerous, and justify the fame he acquired. 1. “Dictionnaire de la' langue Toulousaine,
”
lt)38, 8vo. This, which is without Doujat’s name, was
printed at the end of Goudelin’s works, which are in that
language. 2. “Grammaire Espagnole abregee,
” Paris,
Moyen aise
d'apprendre les langues mis en pratique sur la langue
Espagnole,
” ibid. Joannis Dartis opera
Canonica, edente J. Doujatio,
” ibid. De
Pace a Ludovico XIV. constituta, oratio panegyrica,
” ibid.
1660, 12mo. 6. “Historica juris Pontificii Synopsis,
”
added afterwards to his edition of Lancelot’s Institutions,
ibid. 1670, 12mo. 7. “Synopsis Conciliorum et Chrono*
logia Patrum, Pontificum, Imperatorum,
” &c. ibid. Panegyrique duRoy,
” by M. Pellison, ibid. La Clef du
grand Pouille de France,
” ibid. Specimen Juris Canonici apud Gallos usu recepti,
”
&c. ibid. Histoire du droit Canonique,
” ibid. Historia Juris Civilis Romanorum,
” ibid. Francisci Florentii
opera Canonica et Juridica,
” with additions, ibid. Livy,
” ibid. Theophili Antecessoris Institutionum lib. quatuor,
” with notes, &c. ibid. Institutiones Juris Canonici a J. P. Lancelotto Perusino conscriptae,
” with notes, ibid. Pra?notionum canonicarum libri quinque,
” ibid. Paris, Eloges des personnes illustres de l‘Ancient
Testament^ pour donner quelque teinture de l’Histoire Sacree, a I‘usage de monseigneur le due de Bourgogne,’
”
ibid. Reponse a M. Furetiere,
” Hague, Lettre
touchant un passage conteste de Tite Live,
” printed in the
Journal des Savans, Dec. Martini Bracarensis
episcopi Collectio Canonum Orientalium.
” This Doujat
revised and corrected, for insertion in the “Bibl. Juris
Canon, veteris,
” by Justell, Paris, Supplementa Lacunarum Livianarum,
” 4to, without date, and
probably part of his edition of Livy.
s and ditches, which post he held above twenty years, and then resigned it. But Dousa was not only a scholar and a statesman, but likewise a soldier; and he behaved himself
, a very learned man, was born of a
noble family at Nortwick in Holland, 1545. He lost his
parents when very young, and was sent to several schools;
and to one at Paris among the rest, where he made a great
progress in Greek and Latin. When he had finished his
education, he returned to his own country, and married;
and though he was scarcely grown up, he applied himself
to affairs of state, and was soon made a curator of the
banks and ditches, which post he held above twenty years,
and then resigned it. But Dousa was not only a scholar
and a statesman, but likewise a soldier; and he behaved
himself so well in that capacity at the siege of Leyden in
1574, that the prince of Orange thought he could commit
the government of the town to none so properly as to him.
In 1575 the university was founded there, and Dousa made
first curator of it; for which place he was well fitted, as
well on account of his learning as by his other deserts.
His learning was indeed prodigious and he had such a
memory, that he could at once give an answer to any
thing that was asked him, relating to ancient or modern
history, or, in short, to any branch of literature. He was,
says Melchior Adam, and, after him, Thuanus, a kind of
living library; the Varro of Holland, and the oracle of the
university of Leyden. His genius lay principally towards
poetry, and his various productions in verse were numerous: he even composed the annals of his own country,
which he had collected from the public archives, in verse,
which was published at Leyden 1601, 4to, and reprinted
in 1617 with a commentary by Grotius. He wrote also
critical notes upon Horace, Sallust, Plautus, Petronius,
Catullus, Tibullus, &c. His moral qualities are said to
have been no less meritorious than his intellectual and
literary; for he was modest, humane, benevolentj and
affable. He was admitted into the supreme assembly of the
nation, where he kept his seat, and discharged his office
worthily, for the last thirteen years of his life. He died
Oct. 12, 1604, and his funeral oration was made by Daniel
Heinsius. Of his works, we have seen, 1. “Couiin. in
Catullum, Tibullum, et Horatium,
” Antwerp, Libri tres Prascidaneorum in Petronium Arbitrmn,
”
Leyden, Epodon ex puris lambis,
” Ant.
Plautinae Explicationes,
” Leyden, Poemata,
” ibid. Odarum
Britannicarum liber, ad Elizabetham reginam, et Jani
Dousae filii Britannicorum carminum silva,
” Leyden,
the seventh edition of “Infancy.” He died at Exeter, Sept 23, 1809, deeply lamented as an ingenious scholar, an able and humane physician, and an amiable man.
About the same period a literary society was established
at Exeter, consisting at first of nine, afterwards augmented
to twelve members. The design of this meeting was, to
unite talents of different descriptions, and genius directed
to different pursuits. In a society thus formed, conversation would probably rise superior to the usual discussion of
the topics of the day, and by talents thus combined or
contrasted each might improve with the assistance of another. An essay on any subject, except a strictly professional one, was read by every member in his turn, which
might suggest a subject of discussion, if no more interesting one occurred. This society for nearly twelve years
was conducted with equal spirit and good humour. A
volume of its essays has been published, and materials for
another have been preserved; but, in a later period, the
communications were less numerous, thon;h the society
was supported with equal harmony till 1808, when the
impaired health of Dr. Downman, its firs: founder and
chief promoter, damped its spirit, and the meetings were
discontinued. In the collections of this s )cirty are the
few prose compositions of the subject of this memoir,
though generally united with poetry. The very judicious
address to the members, on their first meeting, was from
his pen; and the defence of Pindar from the imputation,
of writing for hire, supposed to be countenanced by passages in the 11th Pythian, and the 2d Isthmean odes,
accompanied by a new translation of each, displays equally
his learning and the acuteness of his critical talents. la
the same volume is an essay “on the origin and mythology
of the Serpent Worship,
” tracing this superstition to its
earliest periods, in Judea, ^gypt, and Greece, a subject
which he afterwards pursued with respect to the worship
of the sun and fire, in an exclusive essay, not published,
in which, pursuing the track of Mr. Bryant, he chiefly
rests on the insecure and delusive basis of etymology.
His other contributions were an essay on the shields of
Hercules and Achilles, and various poetical pieces. But
his chief reputation is founded on his excellent didactic
poem of “Infancy,
” first published in Poems sacred to Love and Beauty,
” appear to be some
of these early efforts and he published with his last corrections, the seventh edition of “Infancy.
” He died at
Exeter, Sept 23, 1809, deeply lamented as an ingenious
scholar, an able and humane physician, and an amiable
man.
en him a high character. As a man he describes him benevolent, friendly, pious, and charitable; as a scholar, versed in the Greek and Latin tongues, and in all polite literature
, the third son of the preceding, was born at Paris in 1633, and after studying
some years at Saumur, he went to Montpellier, where he
completed his medical course, and took his doctor’s degree. He afterwards attended the marshal Turenne in
his campaigns, and was by him appointed physician to the
army. The skill and ability he had shewn in this situation,
occasioned his being nominated to succeed Vander Linden,
in 168S, as professor of medicine at Leyden, whither he
obtained permission to go, though he had been made, several years before, one of the physicians to Lewis the
Fourteenth. Two years after, he was advanced to the chair
of anatomy in the same university. He was also made
physician to William, prince of Orange, and to his princess,
Mary. As rector of the university of Leyden, he spoke
the congratulatory oration to the prince and princess, on
their accession to the throne of England. He continued
to hold his professorships, the offices of which he filled
so as to give universal satisfaction, to the time of his
death, which happened on the last day of May, 1697.
He was a voluminous and learned writer; his works, which
were much read in his time, and passed through several
editions, were collected and published together in 1671,
and again in 1680, in 4 vols. 12mo. But the most complete edition of them is that published at the Hague, in
1727, in 4to. In one of his orations he has been careful
to exculpate professors of medicine from the charge of impiety, so frequently thrown upon them. “Oratio Doctoralis Monspessula, qufi Medicos Dei operum consideratione atque contemplatione permotos, caeteris hominibus
Religioni astrictiores esse demons tratur: atque adeo impietatis crimen in ipsos jactatum diluitur.
” He also, in
his “Apologia Medica,
” refutes the idea of physicians
having been banished from, and not allowed to settle in
Rome for the space of six hundred years. He was a lover
of Greek literature, and like his countryman, Guy Patin,
an enemy to the introduction of chemical preparations into
medicine, which were much used in his time. He was
also a strong opponent to his colleague Sylvius Bayle
has given him a high character. As a man he describes
him benevolent, friendly, pious, and charitable; as a
scholar, versed in the Greek and Latin tongues, and in all
polite literature in as high a degree as if he had never applied himself to any thing else; as a professor of physic,
clear and exact in his method of reading lectures, and of
a skill in anatomy universally admired; as an author, one
whose writings are of an original and inimitable characier.
ope Hadrian VI. performed the ceremony of promoting him to that degree; and having observed that his scholar had applied himself too much to human learning, he put him in
, in low Dutch Dridoens, was born at
Turnhout in Brabant, studied at Louvain, and took there the
degree of doctor of divinity in August 1512. Hadrian
Florent, who was afterwards pope Hadrian VI. performed
the ceremony of promoting him to that degree; and having observed that his scholar had applied himself too much
to human learning, he put him in mind of the distinction
which ought to be made between the mistress-science, and
those which are her hand-maids. After this advice Driedo
directed his chief application to the study of divinity. He
became professor of that science in the university of Louvain, and was also curate of St. James, and canon of St.
Peter in that city. He opposed Lutlieranism with great
vigour; but if we judge of him by a letter of Erasmus, his
zeal was moderate. He died at Louvain in 1535, though
those who have published his epitaph, have represented it
as affirming that he died August 4, 1555. His works were
published in 4 vols. 4to and folio, by Gravius, at Louvain.
They relate to the disputes between the Roman catholics
and protestants and the principal titles are, “De gratia &
libero arbitrio
” “De concordia liberi arbitrii & proedestinationis
” “De captivitate &. redemptione generis humani
” “De Jibertate Christiana;
” “De Scripturis &.
dogmatibus Ecclesiasticis.
”
ithout blemish. Unambitious of riches or honours, he appears to have projected the life of a retired scholar, from which he was diverted only by the commotions that robbed
His character has descended to us without blemish. Unambitious of riches or honours, he appears to have projected the life of a retired scholar, from which he was diverted only by the commotions that robbed his country of its tranquillity. He was highly accomplished in ancient and modern languages, and in the amusements which became a man of his rank. Among his intimate friends and learned contemporaries, he seems to have been mostly connected with the earl of Stirling, and the celebrated English poets Drayton and Ben Jonson. The latter paid him a visit at Hawthornden, and communicated to him without reserve, many particulars of his life and opinions, which Drummond committed to writing, with a sketch of Jonson’s character and habits, which has not been thought very liberal. This charge of illiberality, however, is considerably lessened when we reflect that Drummond appears to have had no intention of publishing what he had collected from Jonson, and that the manuscript did not appear until many years after Jonson was beyond all censure or praise. An edition of Drummond’s poems was printed at London, 1656, 8vo, with a preface by Philips. The Edinburgh edition in folio, 1711, includes the whole of his works, both in verse and prose, his political papers, familiar letters, and the history of the James’s; with an account of his life, which, however unsatisfactory, is all that can now be relied on . A recent edition of his poems was printed at London in 1791, but somewhat differently arranged from that of 1656. A more correct arrangement is still wanting, if his numerous admirers shall succeed in procuring that attention of which he has been hitherto deprived.
ve his birth to a prior year. He was educated in grammarlearning at Westminster-school, being king’s scholar there, under Dr. Busby; and was thence elected, May II, 1650,
, an illustrious English poet, was son
of Erasmus Dryden, of Tichmersh, in Northamptonshire,
third son of Erasmus Dryden, of Cannons-Ashbv, in the
same county, baronet; and born at Aldwincle, near Oundle,
in that county, according to the general opinion, August
9, 1631, although Mr. Malone seems inclined to remove
his birth to a prior year. He was educated in grammarlearning at Westminster-school, being king’s scholar there,
under Dr. Busby; and was thence elected, May II, 1650,
a scholar of Trinity-college, Cambridge. During his stay
at school, he translated the third satire of Persius for a
Thursday night’s exercise, as he tells us himself, in an
advertisement at the head of that satire and the year before
he left it, wrote a poem on the death of the lord Hastings
which however was but an indifferent performance, and particularly defective in point of harmony. He had before this,
in 1649, wrote some verses, which have been preserved. In
1652 he was slightly punished for disobedience and contumacy. In January 1654, he took his degree of B. A. but
not that of M. A. until June 17, 1668, and then by a dispensation from the archbishop of Canterbury, in consequence of a letter from Charles II. By the death of his
father in 1654, he inherited a small estate in Northamptonshire, and after residing seven years at Cambridge, removed to London in 1657. In consequence of his kinsman, sir Gilbert Pickering, being a favourite of Oliver and
Richard Cromwell, Dryden in 1658 published “Heroic
Stanzas on the late lord Protector,
” written after his funeral: and in Astraea Redux,
” a poem on the
happy restoration and return of his sacred majesty Charles
the Second. A remarkable distich in this piece exposed
our poet to the ridicule of the wits:
ion, more complete, was published in 1579, under the inspection of Nicholas Cisner, who had been his scholar, and was afterwards professor of civil law at Heidelberg. Whether
A collection of his won.s was made in his life-time, and
printed at Lyons in 1554; but after his death, another
edition, more complete, was published in 1579, under the
inspection of Nicholas Cisner, who had been his scholar, and
was afterwards professor of civil law at Heidelberg. Whether this, or the edition afterwards printed in 1592, contains the same number of pieces, we have not an opportunity of examining. His principal works are: 1. “Commentaria in varies titulos digesti &. codicis.
” 2. “Disputation um anniversariarum libri dno.
” 3. “De jure
accrescendi libri duo.
” 4. “De ratione docendi discendique juris.
” 5. “De jurisdictione & imperio.
” 6. “Apologia adversus Eguinarium Baronem.
” 7. “De plagiariis.
”
This Bayle calls “a curious treatise, but too short for so
copious a subject.
” 8. “In consuetudines feudorum commentarius.
” 9. “De sacris ecclesiae ministeriis ac beneficiis.
” 10. “Pro libertate ecclesiae Gallicanrc adversus
artes Romanas defensio.
” This piece prejudiced the court
of Rome against him, and procured it a place in the Index
Expurgatorius. II. “Epistola ad Sebast. Albespinam,
regis Gallise oratorem.
” 12. “Epistola de Francisco BaU
duino.
” 13. “Defensio adversus Balduini sycophante
maledicta.
”
arly rudiments of instruction he probably received in his own country. In 1729, being at that time a scholar at Eton, he was three months under the care of sir Hans Sloane,
, an eminent English civilian and antiquary, was born in 1713 in Normandy; whence his father, who was descended from an ancient family at Caen in that province, came to England, soon after the birth of his second son James, and resided at Greenwich. The early rudiments of instruction he probably received in his own country. In 1729, being at that time a scholar at Eton, he was three months under the care of sir Hans Sloane, on account of an accident which deprived him of the sight of one eye. In 1731, he was admitted a gentleman-commoner of St. John’s college, Oxford; proceeded LL. B. June 1, 1738, and LL. D. Oct. 21, 1742; became a member of the college of Doctors Commons in November, 1743; and married, in 1749, Susanna a worthy woman, who had been his servant; and who survived him till Oct. 6, 1791, when she died in an advanced age.
re those thoughts a little upon paper. The thing took air; and Stephen, who had before the name of a scholar among the country people, was said now to be able to write verses
With these helps Stephen grew something of a poet, and something of a philosopher. He had from his infancy a cast in his mind towards poetry, as appeared from several little circumstances; but what gave him a higher taste of it than he had been used to, was Milton’s Paradise Lost. This he read over twice or thrice with a dictionary before he could understand the language of it thoroughly; and this, with a sort of English grammar he had, is said to have been of the greatest use to him. It was his friend that helped him to the Spectators; which, as he himself owned, improved his understanding more than any thing. The pieces of poetry scattered in those papers helped on his natural bent that way; and made him willing to try whether he could not do something like them. He sometimes turned his own thoughts into verse, while he was at wo;k and at la>-t bo;,an to venture those thoughts a little upon paper. The thing took air; and Stephen, who had before the name of a scholar among the country people, was said now to be able to write verses too. This was mentioned accidentally, about 1729, before a gentleman of Oxford, who sent for Stephen and, after some talk with him, desired him to write him a letter in verse. He did so; and that letter is the epistle which stands the last in his poems, though the first whole copy of verses that ever he wrote.