nd published at London, 1624, 4to, by Thomas Vicars, B. D. who had married the author’s daughter. It was reprinted at London, 1651. 9. “Examination of those things wherein
He perhaps wrote upon a greater variety of subjects
than any other clergyman of his time. Among his works
are enumerated: 1. “Heroici characteres, ad illustriss.
equitem Henricum Nevillum,
” Oxon. Bodleiomnema,
” and in other books. 2. “Tithes examined, and
proved to be due to the Clergy by a Divine Right,
”- Lond.
Jurisdiction Regal, Episcopal,
Papal: Wherein is declared how the Pope hath intruded upon
the jurisdiction of Temporal Princes,and of the Church, &c.
”
Lond. Consensus Ecclesiae Catholicse contra Tridentinos, de Scripturis, Ecclesia, fide, & gratia,
”
&c. Lond. A thankful! Remembrance of
God’s Mercy. In an Historicall Collection of the great
and mercifull Deliverances of the Church and State of
England, since the Gospel began ne here to flourish, from
the beginning of queene Elizabeth,
” Loud. 1614; the
third edition came out in 1627, and the fourth in 16 Jo.
The historical part is chiefly extracted from Camden’s
Annals of queen Elizabeth; and the latter editions are
adorned at the beginning of each chapter, with figures engraved in copper, representing the most material things
contained in the ensuing description. 6. “Short Directions to know the true Church,
” Loud. Oration made at the Hague before the prince of
Orange, and the Assembly of the high and mighty lords,
the States General,
” Lond. Astrologimania or, the Madness of Astrologers or, an Examination of sir Christopher Heydon’s
book entitled ' A Defence of judicial Astrology 1
” written
about the year Examination of those things wherein the Author of the late
Appeal (Montague afterwards bishop of Chichester)
holdeth the Doctrine of Pelagians and Arminians, to be
the Doctrines of the Church of England,
” Lond. A joynt Attestation, avowing that
the Discipline of the Church of England was not impeached by the Synod of Dort,
” Lond. Vita Bernardi Gilpini, viri sanctiss. farnaque apud Anglos
aquilonares celeberrimi,
” Lond. The Life of
Bernard Gilpin, a man most holy and renowned amongthe Northerne English,
” Lond. Testimony concerning the Presbyterian discipline
in the Low-countries, and Episcopal government in England,
” printed several times in 4to and- 8vo, and at London in particular, in 1642, in one sheet. 13. Latin Letter
to Mr. Camden, containing some Notes and Observations
on his Britannia. Printed by Dr. Smith amongst “Camdeni Epistolae,
” N 80. 14-. Several Sermons. 15. He
had also a hand in the Dutch Annotations, and in the new
translation of the Bible, undertaken by order of the Synod
of Dort, but not completed and published till 1637. Two
of hU letters to sir Dudley Carleton, are in lord
Hardwicke’s publication of sir Dudley’s correspondence. By
his first wife, Anne, daughter of sir Henry Killegrew, knt.
and widow of sir Henry Neville, of Billingbere, in Berkshire, he had a son, Henry, who was chosen representative
for Arundel, in Sussex, in the short parliament which met
at Westminster on the 13th -of April 1640. Mr. Henry
Carleton embraced the cause of the house of commons in
the civil war with king Charles the First, accepted a captain’s commission in the parliamentary army, and in other
respects did no honour to his father.
, late lord Dorchester, descended from an ancient northern family, which removed to Ireland, was the third son of Christopher Carleton, of Newry, co. Down, esq.
, late lord Dorchester, descended from an ancient northern family, which removed to Ireland, was the third son of Christopher Carleton, of Newry, co. Down, esq. who died in Ireland about 1738, leaving a widow who became the third wife of the rev. Thomas Skelton, brother to the late rev. Philip Skelton, and died in 1757. Mr. Carleton was born at Strabane, in Ireland, Sept. 3, 1724, and, according to the biographer of Philip Skelton, owed his futureeminence in a great degree to the care which his step-father took of his education. Having embraced a military life, he entered into the guards, in which corps he continued until the year 1748, when he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the 72d regiment. In 1758 he embarked with general Amherst for the siege of Louisburg, where, and at the siege of Quebec, in the following year, he was distinguished for his bravery and good conduct. He was afterwards wounded for the first time, at the siege of Belleisle, where he acted as brigadier- general. In Feb. 1762, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the army, and soon after embarked for the siege of the Havannah, where he was likewise distinguished for his bravery, and was wounded in investing the Moro castle. In Nov. 1766 he was appointed colonel of the 47th regiment of foot. In April 1772 he arrived at the rank of major-general, and in May following was appointed governor of Quebec, and was supposed to have been instrumental in passing the celebrated Quebec bill, for the government of that settlement.
were disaffected to the framers of their new constitution, and particularly to general Carleton, who was supposed to have had a chief hand in that measure. While he
In 1775, when the American war broke out, general Carleton had an ample field for the display of his military talents. The American congress, having resolved to resort to arms, began soon to turn their eyes to Canada, where they knew the late acts were very unpopular, not only among the British settlers, but the French Canadians themsi-lvrs, who having experienced the difference between a French and British constitution, gave the preference to the latter. To co-operate with the disaffected in Canada, and to anticipate the probable and suspected designs of general Carleton, the congress formed the bold project of invading this province. General Montgomery, their commander, headed the expedition, and proceeded with such vigour, that he compelled the fort of St. John’s to surrender at discretion on the 2d of November. Hence, crossing St. Laurence, he proceeded to Montreal, which being incapable of defence against the American force, general Carleton evacuated ir, and retired to" Quebec. Having taken possession of Montreal, Montgomery made dispositions for advancing to besiege the capital of Canada, and there were several circumstances favourable to his hopes of success. The works of the town had been neglected for a long time of peace; the garrison did not exceed 1100, of which few were regulars, and the majority of the inhabitants were disaffected to the framers of their new constitution, and particularly to general Carleton, who was supposed to have had a chief hand in that measure. While he was endeavouring to defend Quebec amidst all these disadvantages, the American generals Montgomery and Arnold summoned him to surrender, which he treated with contempt, and refused to hold any correspondence with rebels. The inhabitants too, displeased as they were with their new constitution, joined the British troops with cordial unanimity, and the American commander, unprepared for a regular siege, endeavoured to take the place by storm. In this attempt Montgomery fell at the head of his troops, whom the garrison, after an obstinate resistance, drove from the town with great loss; and although Arnold encamped on the heights of Abraham, where he fortified himself, and continued the siege of Quebec in the following year, 1776, he thought proper to retire on the arrival of an English squadron. General Carleton being now reinforced by troops, which, added to what he had, formed a body of 13,Ooo, prepared for offensive operations, and the Amer cans evacuated their conquests, stationing themselves at Crown Point, whither the British commander did not follow them for the present. An armament was now prepared for crossing Lake Champlain, in order to besiege Crown Point and Ticonderago. The Americans had a considerable fleet on Lake Champlain, whereas the British had not a single vessel. The general, therefore, used every effort to procure the requisite naval force; but October was begun before this was ready to oppose the enemy. On Oct. 11, the British fleet, commanded by capt. Pringle, and under the general direction of Carleton, discovered the American armament; and engaging them, the conflict continued on both sides for several hours with great intrepidity, but a contrary wind preventing the chief British ships from taking a part, and night coming on, it was thought prudent to discontinue the action, and Arnold took advantage of the night to retreat. The British pursued them the next day and the following, and overtook them a few leagues from Crown Point; where, after a furious battle of two hours, they yielded to our superior force and skill. General Carleton remained at Crown Point till Nov. 3, and as the winter was commencing, did not think proper to besiege Ticonderago. He returned therefore to St. John’s, whence he distributed his army into winter quarters.
from Canada, to effect a co-operation with the principal British force, the command of the armament was conferred on general Burgoyne. Sir Guy Carleton (for he had
In the following year, 1777, an expedition being planned from Canada, to effect a co-operation with the principal British force, the command of the armament was conferred on general Burgoyne. Sir Guy Carleton (for he had been made knight of the Bath in July 1776), from his official situation in Canada, his conduct, and especially his defence of Quebec, might have reasonably expected this appointment; he was an older general, of more military experience, and better acquainted with the country, its inhabitants, and resources. His character commanded greater authority than Burgoyne’s had hitherto established, and as no military grounds could be alleged for superseding Carleton to make room for Burgoyne, his promotion was imputed to parliamentary influence more than to his official talents. Carleton, disgusted with a preference by no means merited, as soon as he heard- of the appointment, resigned his government, in which he was succeeded by general Haldimand, but before he departed, exerted himself to the utmost to enable Burgoyne to take the field with advantage.
In August 1777, sir Guy was made a lieutenant-general in the army, and in 1781 was appointed
In August 1777, sir Guy was made a lieutenant-general in the army, and in 1781 was appointed to succeed sir Henry Clinton as commander in chief in America, where he remained until the termination of the contest, when, after an interview with general Washington, he evacuated New-York, and returned to England. In April 176, he was once more appointed governor of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and, as a reward for his long services, was in August following raised to the peerage, by the title of lord Dorchester, of Dorchester in the county of Oxford. His lordship remained in this extensive government for several years; and returning at length to England, passed his old age in the bosom of his family; first at Kempshot, near Basingstoke, in Hampshire, and afterwards at his seat near Maidenhead. He died Nov. 10, 1808, aged eightyfive, at which time he was colonel of the fourth regiment of dragoons, and a general in the army. In 1772 his lordship married lady Maria, third daughter of Thomas Howard earl of Effingham, by whom he had a numerous issue, and was succeeded in titles and estate by his grandson Arthur Henry Carleton, a minor.
, an eminent painter of history, was a native of Genoa, and having prosecuted the study of his art
, an eminent painter of history, was a native of Genoa, and having prosecuted the study of his art at Rome, and in the school of Passignano at Florence, he became one of the most fertile, original, and seducing machinists of Italy. The most splendid works of this artist, and of his brother John, are the frescoes of the cathedral del Guastato at Genoa, which exhibit a wonderful effect of colouring. He survived his brother 50 years, and distinguished himself by this novel style in the churches and collections of Liguria and Lombardy. It is not easy to conceive why a painter should not have acquired greater celebrity, who united with so many opportunities so many diverging powers; who had equal felicity in oil and fresco, colour and design, velocity and correctness, and had incessant employment, and unrivalled diligence and perseverance. After a prolonged life of 86 years, he died in 1680.
rofessor of Arabic in the university of Cambridge, chaplain to the bishop of Durham, and F. R. S. E. was born at Carlisle in 1759, where his father was a physician,
, B. D. vicar of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, chancellor of Carlisle, professor of Arabic in the university of Cambridge, chaplain to the bishop of Durham, and F. R. S. E. was born at Carlisle in 1759, where his father was a physician, and after receiving his early education at the grammar-school of his native city, was in 1775 entered of Christ’s-col'ege, Cambridge, whence after two years he removed to Queen’s, took his bachelor’s degree in 1779, and was elected a fellow. Besides an industrious and successful application to the usual branches of study, he entefed upon that of the Arabic language with unusual avidity, availing himself of a very fine collection of Arabic writings in the university library, and assisted by David Zamio, who, Mr. Carlyle informs us, was born at Bagdad, and resided with him some time at Cambridge. Mr. Carlyle, after taking his master’s degree in 1783, left college, married, and obtained some church preferment in his native city. In 1793 he took his degree of B. D. and succeeded Dr. Paley (by resignation) in the chancellorship of Carlisle. In 1794 he was elected Arabic professor in the university of Cambridge.
In 1799, he was appointed chaplain of lord Elgin’s embassy to Constantinople,
In 1799, he was appointed chaplain of lord Elgin’s embassy to Constantinople, an office which afforded him an
opportunity of inspecting the libraries of that city, and
afterwards of travelling through Asia Minor, and through
countries generally unknown to Europeans; and before
his return he made a tour through the principal parts of
Italy, and through Tyrol and part of Germany, and landed
in England in Sept. 1801. After his return he was presented by the bishop of Carlisle to the living of Newcastleupon-Tyne, which he did not long enjoy. His health had
probably been injured by the fatigues of his travels, and
he laboured for a considerable time under a painful and
distressing malady, which proved fatal April 12, 1804.
He was known to the learned world by, 1. “Maured Allatafet Jemaleddini Filii Togri-^ardii, seu rerum Ægyptiacarum Annales, ab anno Christi 971 usque ad annum
1453. E codice ms Bibliothecae Acad. Cantab.
” Arab, et
Lat. 4to, 1792, a work which unquestionably evinced a
laudable desire in Mr. Carlyle to revive the study of Arabic
literature, but in itself contains little information, and
throws very little light on a period darkened by ignorance
and superstition. 2. “Specimens of Arabic poetry, from
the earliest time to the extinction of the Khalifs; with
some account of the authors,
” 4to. In this too the commendable industry of the author is perhaps more apparent than his
success, in persuading his readers to an equal admiration
of Arabic poetry. The work, however, is amusing, the
accounts of the authors constitute a very useful part, and
the translator’s skill in selection has been allowed by those
who are acquainted with the original. Since his death has
been published, “Poems, suggested chiefly by scenes in
Asia-Minor, Syria, and Greece; with prefaces extracted
from the author’s journal, embellished with two views of
the source of the Scamander, and the aqueduct over the
Simois,
”
was born at Glasgow in 1682, and educated in the university of that
was born at Glasgow in 1682, and educated in the university of that city,
where he took his degrees, and was ordained minister at
Monimail in Fifcshire. In 1722 he was promoted to be
professor of moral philosophy in the university of Glasgow;
and for the use of his students wrote some learned notes
on “PufYendorfi de officiis hominis.
” He intended to
have published a system of moral philosophy on a new
plan, but did not live to see it completed, as he died at
Glasgow in 1738, aged 56. His son Frederick Carmichael was born at Monimail i<i 1708. He received his
education in the Marischal college, Aberdeen, where he
took his degrees, and was ordained minister at Monimail
in 1737, on the presentation of the earl of Leven. In
1743 he was translated to Inveresk; and in 1747 he was
elected one of the ministers of Edinburgh, having previously declined an offer made him of the divinity chair in
the Marischal college, Aberdeen. In 1751 he was seized i
with a fever, which put an end to his life, aged 45. He
has left one volume of sermons, which in justness of sentiment and elegance of expression are equal to the best discourses in the English language.
, an eminent civilian of the sixteenth century, was of a Glamorganshire family, and educated at Oxford. Here he
, an
eminent civilian of the sixteenth century, was of a Glamorganshire family, and educated at Oxford. Here he
chiefly studied the civil law, of which he took the degree
of doctor in June 1524, being about that time principal of
Greek-hall in St. Edward’s parish. He was admitted at
Doctors’ Commons Nov. 13, 1625, and his talents being
known at court, he was sent abroad on public affairs, and
received the honour of knighthood from the emperor
Charles V. In 1530 he was joined in a commission with
archbishop Cranmer and others, the purpose of which was
to argue the matter of king Henry VIII.'s memorable divorce at the courts of France, Italy, and Germany. Sir
Edward Carne afterwards remained at Rome as “a sort of
standing agent for Henry, and appears likewise to have
continued there during the reign of Edward VI. and had
no concern in the reformation. During queen Mary’s
reign, he was her agent in the same situation; but on the
accession of Elizabeth, the pope ordered him to relinquish
that employment. When he was recalled by the queen,
with offers of preferment, he thought proper to remain at
Rome, and was employed by the pope as director of the
English hospital in that city. He was so far a patriot as
to inform Elizabeth of the machinations of the catholic
powers against her, but he continued inflexible in his attachment to popery, and died in that communion Jan. 18,
1561. Several of his letters relating to the divorce are in
Burnet’s
” History of the Reformation." Wood remarks
that sir Edward Carne was accounted the last ambassador
of the kings of England to the pope, until Roger earl of
Castlemain was sent to him by king James II.
, a celebrated Greek philosopher, was an African, a native of Gyrene, and is supposed to have been
, a celebrated Greek philosopher, was an African, a native of Gyrene, and is supposed to have been born in the third year of the 141st olympiad, or B. C. 214. He was first instructed by Diogenes the stoic, and afterwards becoming a member of the academy, he attended upon the lectures of Egesinus, and by assiduous study acquired great skill and readiness in the method of disputing, which Arcesilaus had introduced. He succeeded Egesinus in the chair, and restored the declining reputation of the academy. With Diogenes the stoic, and Critolaus the peripatetic, he was sent on an embassy from Athens to Rome, complaining of the severity of a fine inflicted upon the Athenians, under the authority of the Romans, by their neighbours the Sicyonians, for having laid waste Oropus, a town in Bceotia. The three philosophers whom they entrusted with their embassy, whilst they were in Rome, gave the Roman people many specimens of Grecian learning and eloquence, with which till then they had been unacquainted. Carneades excelled in the vehement and rapid, Critolaus in the correct and elegant, and Diogenes in the simple and modest kind of eloquence. Carneades particularly attracted the attention and admiration of his new auditors, by the subtlety of his reasoning, and the fluency of his language. Before Galba, and Cato the censor, he harangued, with great variety of thought, and copiousness of diction, in praise of justice. The next day, to establish his doctrine of the uncertainty of human knowledge, he undertook to refute all his former arguments. Many were captivated by his eloquence; but Cato, apprehensive lest the Roman youth should lose their military character in the pursuit of Grecian learning, persuaded the senate to send back these philosophers, without further delay, to their own schools.
ers, when they had dismissed their scholars, frequently came to hear him. In application to study he was indefatigable. So intensely did he fix his thgughts upon the
Carneades obtained such high -reputation in his school, that other philosophers, when they had dismissed their scholars, frequently came to hear him. In application to study he was indefatigable. So intensely did he fix his thgughts upon the subject of his meditations, that even at meals he frequently forgot to take the food which was set before him. He strenuously opposed the stoic Chrvsippus, but was always ready to do justice to his merit. He used to say, that if there were no Chrysippus, there would be no Carneades; intimating, that he derived much of his reputation as a disputant from the abilities of his opponent. His voice was remarkably strong, and he had such a habit of vociferation, that the master of the gymnastic exercises. in the public field, desired him not to speak so loud: in return, he requested some measure to regulate his voice; to which the master very judiciously replied, you have a measure, the number of your hearers. As Carneades grew old, he discovered strong apprehensions of dying; and frequently lamented, that the same nature which had composed the human frame could dissolve it. He paid the last debt to nature in the eighty-fifth, or, according to Cicero and Valerius Maximus, in the ninetieth year of his age.
It was the doctrine of the new academy, that the senses, the understanding,
It was the doctrine of the new academy, that the senses, the understanding, and the imagination, frequently deceive us, and therefore cannot be infallible judges of truth; but that, from the impressions which we perceive to be produced on the mind, by means of the senses, we infer appearances of truth, or probabilities. These impressions Carneades called phantasies, or images. He maintained, that they do not always correspond to the real nature of things, and that there is no infallible method of determining when they are true or false, and consequently that they afford no certain criterion of truth. Nevertheless, with respect to the conduct of life, and the pursuit of happiness, Carneades held, that probable appearances are a sufficient guide, because it is unreasonable not to allow some degree of credit to those witnesses who commonly give a true report. Probabilities he divided into three classes; simple, uncontradicted, and confirmed by accurate examination. The lowest degree of probability takes place, where the mind, in -the casual occurrence of any single image, perceives in it nothing contrary to truth and nature; the second degree of probability arises, when contemplating any object in connection with all the circumstances associated with it, we discover no appearance of inconsistency, or incongruity, to lead us to suspect that our senses have given a false report; as, when we conclude, from comparing the image of any individual man with our remembrance of that man, that he is the person we supposed him to be. The highest degree of probability is produced, when, after an accurate examination of every circumstance which might be supposed to create uncertainty, we are able to discover no fallacy in the report of our senses. The judgments arising from this operation of the mind are, according to the doctrine of the new academy, not science, but opinion, which is all the knowledge that the human mind is capable of attaining. Carneades, as Cicero has related at large, strenuously opposed the doctrine of the Stoics concerning the gods, and was likewise desirous of refuting their doctrine concerning fate. On this subject, he assumed on the ground of experience, the existence of a self-determining power in man, and hence inferred that all things did not happen, as the stoics maintained, in a necessary series of causes and effects, and consequently, that it is impossible for the gods to predict events dependent on the will of man. As" the foundation of morals, he taught, that the ultimate end of life is the enjoyment of those things, towards which we are directed by the principles of nature. Such, according to Brucker, is the general idea which the ancients have left us concerning the doctrine of Carneades: but after all, it must be owned, that his real tenets are not certainly known. Even his immediate successor, Clitomachus, confessed that he was never able to discover them.
, an Italian poet, was born in 1507, at Civita Nova, in the march of Ancona, of poor
, an Italian poet, was born in 1507,
at Civita Nova, in the march of Ancona, of poor parents.
After his first studies he obtained the patronage of the
illustrious house of Gaddi in Florence, a branch of which,
John Gaddi, legate of Romania, appointed him secretary
of legation, and retained him in his service, with some
interval, until his death. On this event Caro determined
on a life of independence; but unable to resist the liberal
offers of Peter Louis Farnese, accepted the place of confidential secretary in 1543. While with him, Caro had an
opportunity of forming a very fine collection of medals,
and wrote a treatise on the subject. Such was his reputation at this time that Onufrius Pauvinius dedicated his
work “De Antiquis Romanorum nominibus
” to him, as the
ablest antiquary in Italy. With the study of medals, Caro
united that of the sciences, the belles lettres, languages,
and the Italian particularly, which owes great obligations to
him. He composed in that language several works of the
light kind, such as the “Ficheide del P. Siceo (i. e Francis Maria Molza) col Commento dr Ser Agresto (Annibal Caro)
sopra la prima Ficata,
” La diceria de nasi;
”
and a prose comedy, “Gli Straccioni,
” Venice, Letters
” were reprinted at Padua, with a life
of the author, by Alexander Zalioli, and notes by the
editor, 2 vols. 8vo; but the most complete edition is in 6 vols.
Padua, 1765. Caro also translated the Pastorals of Longus, of which Bodoni printed a fine edition at Parma in
1786, 4to. Among his unpublished works are a translation
of Aristotle’s “History of Animals,
” and his treatise above
mentioned on medals.
, one of the reformers, was born at Carlolostadt, a town in Franconia, founded by Charles
, one of the reformers, was born at Carlolostadt, a town in Franconia, founded by Charles the Bald in the year 875. The time of his birth is not stated. He was partly educated at home, but studied afterwards in various celebrated schools, and after going through his divinity course at Rome, was admitted doctor of divinity at Wittemberg in 1502, and was appointed professor of the same, and held a canonry and archdeaconry. In 1512, while he was dean of the college, Luther was admitted to his doctor’s degree, which appears to have led to their intimacy, as in 1517, we find Carolostadt one of Luther’s most zealous adherents in opposing the corruptions of popery. In 1519, he held a disputation at Leipsic with Eckius, on free will, in the presence of George duke of Saxony, Luther, and Melancthon, and acquitted himself with so much credit, that Eckius could think of no other retaliation than by applying to the court of Rome, which suspended Carolostadt from all communion with the church.
Thus far Carolostadt appears in a light which was acceptable at least to the friends of the reformation; but about
Thus far Carolostadt appears in a light which was acceptable at least to the friends of the reformation; but about 1521, when Luther was in retirement, he betrayed a violence of temper which has been equally censured by catholics and protestants. Not content with promoting in a legal and quiet way the auspicious beginnings of reformation which had already appeared at Wittemberg, in the gradual omission and rejection of the private mass and other popish superstitions, he headed a multitude of unthinking impetuous youths, inflamed their minds by popular harangues, and led them on to actions the most extravagant and indefensible. They entered the great church of All Saints, broke in pieces the crucifixes and other images, and threw down the altars. He also went so far as to assert that human learning was useless, if not injurious to a student of the scriptures; frequented the shops of the lowest mechanics, and consulted them about the meaning of the scriptures. He would be called no longer by the appellation of Doctor, or any other honourable title, but employed himself in rustic occupations, and maintained that thinking persons stood in no need of learning, and had better labour with their hands. In consequence of such example and conversation, the young academics of Wittemberg left the university, and ceased to pursue their studies, and even the schools of the boys were deserted. Such was his pride at the same time, that he avowed to Melancthon that he wished to be as great and as much thought of as Luther.
mages. He appears also to have boasted of having been favoured with supernatural communications, and was represented as a partizan of the turbulent fanatic Thomas Munzer.
In 1524, when the controversy took place among the
friends of the reformation respecting the body and blood
of Christ in the eucharist, Carolostadt became the open
antagonist of Luther, and approached nearer to the sentiments held now by the majority of protestants; but his
previous intemperate conduct at Wittemberg had so lowered his reputation, that he found it expedient to retire to
Orlamund, a small town of Thuringia in the electorate of
Saxony, where, without legitimate appointment, though
with the consent of the inhabitants, he became their spiritual pastor. Here he not only soon broached his opinion
of the eucharist, but raised new disturbances by his furious
discourses concerning the abolition of images. He appears
also to have boasted of having been favoured with supernatural communications, and was represented as a partizan
of the turbulent fanatic Thomas Munzer. The university
of Wittemberg summoned him to return back, and discharge in person the ordinary duties enjoined him by the
statutes in their school and church. Carolostadt promised
to obey, provided he could ‘obtain the leave of his parishioners of Orlamund, whom, however, at the same time
he is said to have excited to arrogate to themselves the
divine right of appointing their own pastor. The elector
of Saxony was so disgusted with the insolent letters which
they wrote on this occasion, treating the academical claim
as a papistical encroachment, that he peremptorily commanded both them and their teacher to submit to the legal
authority of the university and the chapter. Luther was
also sent to Orlamund; but this appears to have only inflamed Carolostadt’ s zeal to a greater height of imprudence,
and his violent proceedings at last provoked the elector
and his brother to expel Carolostadt from their territories.
Carolostadt, after his departure, wrote letters to his
people.which were read in full congregation upon the toll of the
bell, and were suhscrihed thus, “Andreas Bodenstenius
Carolostadt, unheard, unconvicted, banished by Martin
Luther.
” Mosheim and his translator have yielded too
easily to this calumny against Luther, which appears to
have been wholly unmerited on the part of that great reformer, who about five months afterwards interceded,
although ineffectually, for him.
the statues and paintings. When the seditious faction of the peasants, with Munzer their ringleader, was effectually suppressed, he became in the greatest difficulties,
Carolostadt now wandered from place to place through the higher Germany, and at length made a pause at Rotenburgh, where, as usual, he soon raised tumults, and incited the people to pull down the statues and paintings. When the seditious faction of the peasants, with Munzer their ringleader, was effectually suppressed, he became in the greatest difficulties, and even in danger of his life from his supposed connection with these enthusiastic rebels, and he narrowly escaped, through being let down by the wall of the town in a basket. Thus reduced to the last extremities, he and his wife incessantly intreatedboth the elector and Luther that they might be allowed to return into their own country. He said, he could clear himself of having had any concern in the rebellion; and if not, he would cheerfully undergo any punishment that could be inflicted upon him. With this view he wrote a little tract, in which he takes much pains to justify himself from the charge of sedition: and he sent a letter likewise to Luther, in which he earnestly begs his assistance in the publishing of the tract, as well as in the more general design of establishing his innocence. Luther immediately published Carolostadt’s letter, and called on the magistrates and on the people to give him a fair hearing. In this he succeeded; and Carolostadt was recalled about -the autumn of 1525, and then made a public recantation of what he had advanced on the sacrament, a condescension which did not procure a complete reconciliation between him and the other reformers, and indeed affords but a sorry proof of his consistency. We find Carolostadt, after this, at Zurich and at Basil, where he was appointed pastor and professor of divinity, and where he died with the warmest effusions of piety and resignation, ijec. 25, 1541, or 1543. He was a man of considerable learning, hut his usefulness both as a reformer and writer was perpetually obstructed by the turbulence of his temper, and his misguided zeal in endeavouring to promote that by violence which the other reformers projected only through the medium of reason and argument. That he should be censured by Moreri, Bossuet, and other Roman catholic writers, is not surprising, for he afforded too much ground of accusation; but it is more inexcusable in Mosheim, Beausobre, and some other ecclesiastical historians, to throw the blame of his banishment and restless life on Luther, and highly absurd to insinuate that the latter was jealous of his fame. The comparative merits of the conduct of Luther and Carolostadt throughout their whole connection, have been examined with great candour and perspicuity by Milner. One singularity in Carolostadt’s character still remains to be noticed, namely, that he was the first protestant divine who took a wife. His works were numerous, but are now fallen into oblivion. His followers, who for some time retained the name of Carolostadtians, were also denominated Sacramentarians and agree in most things with the Zuinglians.
n of Killaghy in the kingdom of Ireland, descended from an ancient and good family in Herefordshire, was born at Pitchers Ocul in that county, February 10, 1657. His
, baron of Killaghy in the kingdom of Ireland, descended from an ancient and good family in Herefordshire, was born at Pitchers Ocul in that county, February 10, 1657. His father was Mr. Warncomb Carpenter, sixth son of Thomas Carpenter, esq, of the Homme or Holme, in the parish of Dilwyn in Herefordshire. His mother was daughter to Mr. Taylor of the same county, and widow to Mr. John Hill, by whom she had one son. George lord Carpenter was the youngest of seven children, whom his father left at his death, and was educated at a private school in the country. In 1672 he went into the third troop of guards as a private gentleman, and was afterwards appointed quarter-master to the regiment of horse commanded by the earl of Peterborough, and went through the several posts of cornet, lieutenant, captain, &c. till he was advanced to that of lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, in which commission he continued thirteen years, though the regiment was almost coastantly in service. In 1693 he married Alice, daughter of William lord viscount Charlemont, who having a considerable jointure from her first husband James Margetson, esq. by the sale of part of it for her life he was enabled to purchase the regiment of dragoons which he commanded till his death. He served in all the first wars in Ireland and Flanders, and the last in Spain, with unblemished honour and reputation, and distinguished himself to great advantage by his courage, conduct, and humanity. At the unfortunate battle of Almanza in Spain he commanded the rear, and brought up the last squadron in the retreat, which saved the baggage of the army. At the battle of Almenara he was wounded, but received the compliments of Charles then king of Spain, and afterwards emperor of Germany, for his conduct in the engagement. He was again desperately wounded in defending the breach at Britmega against the whole French and Spanish army, where they "were at last taken prisoners. In 1705 he was made a brigadier-general; in 1708 major-general; and in 1710 lieutenant-general. In 1714 he was chosen member of parliament for Whitchurch in Hampshire; and the year following was appointed envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the emperor, whose personal regard and esteem he had gained while he served under that prince in Spain. But the rebellion breaking out that year, he was sent into the North, where he not only prevented the rebels from seizing Newcastle, and marching into Yorkshire, but having overtaken them at Preston, where they were invested by major-general Wills, he, by altering the disposition which that general had made, cut off entirely both their escape and their receiving any supplies, which immediately reduced them to a capitulation. In the beginning of February 1715-16 he sent a challenge to general Wills, but they were prevented from fighting by the interposition of the dukes of Marlborough and Montague. In 1716 he was appointed governor of 'Minorca, and commander in chief of his majesty’s forces in Scotland; and in 1719 was created baron Carpenter of Killaghy in the kingdom of Ireland. In 1722 he was chosen member of parliament for the city of Westminster, and upon all occasions voted for what he thought to be the real good of his country, without any regard to party. In October 1731 being near seventy-four years of age, he began to labour under the failure of appetite, and having had a fall, by which his teeth were loosened on that side which had not been wounded, he was capable of taking but little nourishment, which together with old age, and a decay of nature, put an end to his life February 10, 1731-2. He was interred near his beloved wife in the chancel of the parish church of Owselbury in Hampshire, where a monument of marble was erected to his memory by his son, the late lord Carpenter, who was the only issue he left.
nd to put him in mind particularly of his horse Crop, which he rode in that battle, and his lordship was not a little pleased with being reminded of a circumstance that
General Guest used to flatter lord Carpenter on account of his conduct at the battle of Almanza, and to put him in mind particularly of his horse Crop, which he rode in that battle, and his lordship was not a little pleased with being reminded of a circumstance that brought fully to his recollection an event which he regarded as one of the most glorious actions of his life. It has been said, that lord Carpenter’s chief merit consisted in his skill as a quartermaster-general, and in his industry in providing for the subsistence of the troops.
ast of power, relates that lord Carpenter, at a Westminster election, where the event of the contest was very doubtful, could not prevail on four sturdy butchers to
Mr. Jonathan Richardson, jun. as an instance that the poor never fairly forgive the rich their conveniencies and superiority, but seize every opportunity of exerting their own pride, and little temporary boast of power, relates that lord Carpenter, at a Westminster election, where the event of the contest was very doubtful, could not prevail on four sturdy butchers to poll as he would have them, but by letting them ride in his coach, whilst he himself walked at the horses’ heads and led them.
, an English clergyman o great learning and parts, was born in the parsonage-house of North- Lew (not Northlegh, as
, an English clergyman o great learning and parts, was born in the parsonage-house of North- Lew (not Northlegh, as Wood says), near Hatherlegh, in Devonshire, Feb. 7, 1588. His father, John Carpenter, a native of Cornwall, was at that time rector of this place, and author of some sermons enumerated by Wood. His son, after a private education, was entered of Edmund hall, Oxford; and in 1607, by the casting vote of the vice-chancellor, was elected fellow of Exeter college, to which he removed, and became distinguished as a logician, mathematician, and philosopher.- He took his degree of B. A. in 1610, of M. A. in 1613, and of B. D. in 1620, and soon after completing his master’s degree, entered into holy orders, and had the reputation of a very popular divine. About 1626 he became acquainted with
atholics who had fled for their religion, leaving them in their minority; and Mr. Carpenter’s charge was to bring them up in the protestant religion. Soon after he came
1 Gen. Diet. Biog. Brit. Richardsoniana, p. 259. See also an account of
his conduct in Scotland in “A true relation of the Pursuit of the Rebels in the
North, and of their Surrender at Preston to lieutenant-general Carpenter, commanding in chief his majesty’s forces there,
” joined to a plan published under
this title, “An exact Plan of the Town of Preston, with the barricades of the
Rebels, and the disposition of the king’s forces, under the command of lieutenant-general Carpenter and major-general Wills.
” See likewise “The
Poltarchbishop Usher, then at Oxford, who admired his talents
and piety, took him with him to Ireland, and made him
one of his chaplains, and tutor to the king’s wards in
Dublin. These king’s wards were the sons of Roman catholics who had fled for their religion, leaving them in
their minority; and Mr. Carpenter’s charge was to bring
them up in the protestant religion. Soon after he came
to Ireland he was advanced to a deanery, but what deanery
is not mentioned. He died at Dublin in 1635, according
to Fuller, or in 1628, according to Wood. Dr. Robert
Usher, afterwards bishop of Kildare, and brother to the
archbishop, preached his funeral sermon, and gave a high
character of him, which seems to be confirmed by all his
contemporaries. He published, 1.
” Philosophia libera,
triplici exercitationum decade proposita,“Francfort, 1621,
under the name of Cosmopolitanus London, 1622, 8vo,
with additions, Oxford, 1636, 1675. This was considered
as a very ingenious work, and one of the earliest attacks
on the Aristotelian philosophy. Brucker, who has given
our author a place among the
” modern attempters to
improve natural philosophy/* adds, that he has advanced
many paradoxical notions, sufficiently remote from the received doctrines of the schools. 2. “Geography,
” in
two books, Oxford, Achitophel or the picture of a wicked Politician, in three parts,
”
Dublin, The scene,
” says the
writer in a dedication to archbishop Usher, “wherein I
have bounded my discourse, presents unto your grace a
sacred tragedy, consisting of four chief actors, viz. David,
an anointed king; Absalom, an ambitious prince Achitophel, a wicked politician and Cushay, a loyal subject
a passage of history, for variety pleasant, for instruction
useful* for event admirable.
” He inveighs in general
against the inordinate ambition and subtle practices of
courts and courtiers. Mr. Malone takes more pains than
necessary to prove that Dry den adopted no hint from it
for his “Absalom and Achitophel.
” 4. “Chorazin and
Bethsaida’s woe and warning,
” Oxford, Treatise of Optics,
” of which there were some
imperfect copies in Mss. but the original was by some
means lost.
, a divine and poet of the seventeenth century, was educated at Eton college, and thence elected scholar of King’s
, 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.
,“Lond. 16'I2, 8vo, dedicated to the parliament then, sitting; with his picture before it. This book was republished in 1648, under the title of” The Downfall of An
He published the following sermons: 1. “The perfect
Law of God, being a sermon and no sermon, preached
and yet not preached,
” Astrology proved
harmless, useful, pious; on Gen. i. 14. 'And let them be
for signs’,
” Lond. 1657, 4to; dedicated to Elias Ashmole.
At the end of the epistle dedicatory is Richard Carpenter’s
picture, with a face looking towards him, out of the mouth
of which issues a serpent, and out of the serpent’s mouth
fire. Underneath are written these words: “Ricardus
Carpenterus porcello cuidam Gerasenorum, scilicet in omnia præcipiti, fluctibusque devoto, eidem porco loquaci
pariter et minaci mendacique indicit silentium, et obmutescit.
” 3. “Rome in her fruits,
” preached the 1st of
November 1662, near the Standard in Cheapside; in ansuer to a pamphlet entitled Reasons why the Roman Catholics should not be persecuted,“Lond. 1663, 4to, on
Matth. vii. 16. There is extant by the same author, a treatise entitled
” Experience, History, and Divinity, in five
books,“Lond. 16'I2, 8vo, dedicated to the parliament then,
sitting; with his picture before it. This book was republished in 1648, under the title of
” The Downfall of Antichrist.“It contains several particulars of his personal
history, and exposes many of the practices of the Romish
missionaries, but the style, as in all his works, is quaint
and extravagant. Granger thinks he must have studied the
Spanish romances to produce the following beauty, prefixed to the list of errata:
” I humbly desire all cleanhearted and right-spirited people, who shall readc this
book (which because the prosse was oppressed, seems to have been suppressed, when it was by little and little impressed; but now at least hath pressed through the presse into the publicke) first to restore it by correcting the following errata.“His comedy, called
” The pragmatical
Jesuit,“came out after the Restoration. The picture before it represents him in.a very genteel lay-habit; whereas
that before his
” Experience," &c. exhibits him in the dress
of a formal clergyman, with a mortified countenance. Mr.
Langbainc speaks with some commendation of this play.
y Langbaine with the former, but a divine of a very different character, and prior in order of time, was a Cornish man, and became a batler in, Exeter college in Oxford,
, confounded by Langbaine
with the former, but a divine of a very different character,
and prior in order of time, was a Cornish man, and became
a batler in, Exeter college in Oxford, in 1592, and four
years after fellow of that house, being then B. A. By
the advice and direction of the rector, Dr. Holland, he applied himself to theological studies, and, in a few years,
proved a learned divine and an excellent preacher. In
1611 he was admitted to the reading of the sentences; and
about that time was made rector of Slierwill, and of Loxhore adjoining, in Devonshire; and afterwards obtained
the benefice “of Ham near Sberwill. He died Dec. 18,
1627, aged fifty-two, and was bnried in the chancel of the
church of Loxbore. He published some sermons 1.
” “The
Soul’s Centinel,
” preached at the funeral of sir Arthur
Acland, knt. Jan. 9, loll, on Job xiv. 14.“Lomi. 1612, 8vo.
2.
” A Pastoral Charge, faithfully given and discharged at
the triennial visitation of W. Bishop of Exon, at Barnstaple, Sept. 7, 1616, on Acts xx. 28.“London, 1616, 8vo.
3.
” Christ’s Larum-bell of Love resounded,“&c. on John
xv. 12. Lond. 1616,8vo. 4.
” The conscionable Christian,"
&c. being three assize sermons at Tan n ton aud Chard in
Somersetshire, 162O, on Acts xxiv. 16. Lond. 1623, 4to.
, a native of Abscons in Ostrevant, was a regular cauon in the abbey of St. Aubert at Cambray, but retired
, a native of Abscons in Ostrevant, was a regular cauon in the abbey of St. Aubert at
Cambray, but retired into Holland with a lady by whom he
had several children, according to Foppen, in his Bibl.
Belgica, and died there at an advanced age, about 1670.
He maintained himself by drawing up genealogies, which
are in his “Histoire de Cambray et du Cambresis,
” Leyden,
, prior of Doncheri, was bora at Charleville in 1697, and entered early into the congregation
, prior of Doncheri, was bora
at Charleville in 1697, and entered early into the congregation of St. Maur, where he acquired great esteem for his
learning; but being presented to a rich benefice by the
abbe de Pompone, and patronized by the ministry, he
went into the order of Cluni. He passed his time at Paris
without attaching himself to any reli-ious house, cultivating literature, and examining the archives and libraries.
He died in Dec. 1767, aged seventy. He is partly author
of the edition of the glossary of Du Cange, 6 vols. folio,
and entirely of the “Supplement
” in 4 vols. fol. 1766,
sometimes bound in two, which in point of learned research
places him on an equality with his predecessor. He compiled also “Alphabetnm Tironianum, seu Notas Tironis
expiicandi methodus, cum pluribus Ludovici Pii chartis
quae notis iisdem exaratoe sunt.
” Paris,
, a native of Italy, who flourished about the beginning of the sixteenth century, was not in any degree considerable as a painter, but is justly entitled
, a native of Italy, who flourished about
the beginning of the sixteenth century, was not in any
degree considerable as a painter, but is justly entitled to
fame as an engraver on wood. He was not, however, the
first engraver on that material, as some have asserted, but
certainly invented that species distinguished by the name
of chiaro-scuro, in imitation of drawing. This he performed by using three blocks the first for the outline and
dark shadows the second for the lighter shadows and the
third for the half tint. His prints, though slight, are usually very spirited, and in a masterly style. They preserve,
at least, a bold, striking resemblance of the sketches of the
great painters from whose designs they are taken. Strutt,
and, before him, Vasari, mention the following viz. “A
Sibyl reading in a book, with an infant holding a flambeau
to light her
” “The burning of Troy, with Æneas saving
his father Anchises
” “A descent from the cross
” “David cutting off the head of'Goliah;
” all from Raphael;
and a “Magician seated on the ground, with a book open
before him, and in the back-ground a bird with its feathers
plucked off,
” from Parmigiano. This species of engraving
was carried to great perfection by Andrea Andriani, and
also by Balthasar Perezzi of Siena, and Parmigiano
, an artist, who was born at Ferrara, in 1501, became a disciple of Garofalo, and
, an artist, who was born at Ferrara, in 1501, became a disciple of Garofalo, and proved the best artist of all those who studied in that academy; but when he quitted that master, he devoted his whole time, thoughts, and attention, to study the works of Correggio, and to copy them with a critical care and observation. Jn that labour he spent several years at Parma, Modena, and other cities of Italy, where the best works of that exquisite painter were preserved. He succeeded to admiration, and acquired such an excellence in the imitation of Correggio’s style, and copying his pictures, that many paintings finished by him were taken for originals, and were eagerly purchased by the connoisseurs of that time. Nor is it improbable, that several of the paintings of Girolamo da Carpi pass at this day for the genuine works of Correggio. He died in 1556.
ave carried the Gnostic blasphemies to an enormous degree of extravagance. He maintained that matter was eternal; that the world was created by angels; that God formed
, or Carpocras, of Alexandria, a famous heretic of the second century, is reported to have carried the Gnostic blasphemies to an enormous degree of extravagance. He maintained that matter was eternal; that the world was created by angels; that God formed human souls, which were imprisoned in bodies of malignant matter; that Jesus was but a mere man, the son of Joseph and Mary, and distinguished from others by his superior greatness of soul; that none can obtain everlasting salvation by him, unless, by committing all manner of crimes, they fill up the measure of their wickedness; that human lusts and passions, being implanted by God, ought to be gratified; that all actions are in themselves indifferent, and become good or evil, only by the opinions of men, or the laws of the state; and that women, and every thing else, ought to be common property. Such are the opinions imputed to him by ecclesiastical historians, which are said to have produced a corresponding practice among his followers. Dr. Lardner only has taken considerable pains to defend Carpocrates; and his conjectures are at least inr genious, although he has not been able to render this heretic an object of much interest or admiration.
, the first of a learned family in Germany, was born in 1565 in the marquisate of Brandenburgh. As he excelled
, the first of a learned family in Germany, was born in 1565 in the marquisate of Brandenburgh. As he excelled in the study of jurisprudence, he was enrolled among the number of lawyers at Wittemberg in 1592, where he lectured on the institutes in 1599 and 1601. He was afterwards appointed chancellor and assessor of appeals to Sophia, the widow of Christian I. elector of Saxony, and after residing some years at that court, obtained permission to return to Wittemberg, where he died in 1624.
, one of the sons of the preceding, was born in 1595, succeeded to his father’s employments, which he
, 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,
”
, a clergyman of the episcopal church in Scotland, was born at Newcastle, Feb. 16, 1704, and educated at St. John’s
, a clergyman of the episcopal church
in Scotland, was born at Newcastle, Feb. 16, 1704, and
educated at St. John’s college, Cambridge, where he took
the degree of bachelor of arts. Soon after his return to
Newcastle he went into orders, and in 1737 was appointed
senior clergyman of the episcopal chapel at Edinburgh,
where he spent the remainder of his days, and officiated
for the space of thirty-nine years. On the morning of
Sunday, August 18, 1776, as he was preparing to go to the
chapel, he suddenly expired. Three volumes of his “Sermons
” were published in the following year, 12mo, by sir
William Forbes, bart. who undertook the task of selecting
these from his numerous manuscripts. On his private and
public character, sir William lived to express himself with
zeal and affection thirty years after the decease of his
friend, and says of his “Sermons,
” that although they do
not contain the profound reasonings of Butler, nor the
elegant discussions of Sherlock; neither the learning of
Tillotson, nor the declamation of Seed, they exhibit the
most useful and important truths of the gospel, not only
with plainness and perspicuity, but in language always
elegant and seldom incorrect. Dr. Beattie, on the occasion
of his death, said, that “to his merits as a preacher, great
as they were, the lustre of his private character was still
superior,
” and that " the death of such a man was a real
loss to society.
rs an eminent schoolmaster at Hertford, and known to the literary world as the translator of Lucian, was born at Muggleswick, in the county of Durham, in 1722. His father
, LL. D. many years an eminent schoolmaster at Hertford, and known to the literary world as the
translator of Lucian, was born at Muggleswick, in the
county of Durham, in 1722. His father was a fanner, and
had a small estate of his own, which the doctor possessed
at his death. He was first educated at the village school,
and privately by the rev. Daniel Watson, who was then a
young man, and curate of that place. Afterwards he was
sent to St. Paul’s school, where he continued longer than
boys usually do, as his father could not afford to send him
to either of the universities. He is supposed to have been
once a candidate for the mastership of St. Paul’s, but the
want of a degree was fatal to his application. When still
young, however, he became usher to Dr. Hurst, who was
master of the grammar-school at Hertford, and succeeded
him in that situation, which he held for many years with
the highest credit. He was honoured with the degree o/
LL. D. from the Marischal college, Aberdeen, by the influence of Dr. Beattie. He died June 6, 1807, after experiencing a gradual decay for nearly a year before, but on
the day of his death was, as he supposed, in much better
health than usual. He was buried in St. John’s church,
Hertford, with an epitaph in Latin, written by himself, in
which he seems to reflect a little on time lost, “studits
inanibus.-
” This may probably allude to his “Translation
of Lucian,
” on which he employed many of his leisure
hours, and which was published in 5 vols. 8vo. from 1773
to 1798. It procured him considerable fame, which, however, lias been diminished, in the opinion of many, since
the appearance of Dr. Francklin’s more classical translation.
Dr. Carr’s other publications were trifles, on which himself
perhaps set no very high value “Vol. III. of Tristram
Shandy,
” in imitation of Sterne, but soon detected, 1760
“Filial Piety,
” a mock heroic, 1764, fol. and
” Eponi-na, a
Dramatic Essay, addressed to the ladies," 1765.
one of those French philosophers and statesmen to whom the revolution gave a shortlived importance, was born at Pont-de-Vesle in Dombes, of poor parents. He early discovered
, one of those French philosophers and statesmen to whom the revolution gave a shortlived importance, was born at Pont-de-Vesle in Dombes,
of poor parents. He early discovered an impetuous and
ungovernable temper, and even his youth is said to have
been stained with crimes. He travelled into Moldavia and
Walachia, and wrote an account of those countries, which
is the most unexceptionable of his works. On the commencement of the revolution he came to Paris, with all
the talents requisite to give him consequence, a violent
hatred of the royal family, and confused and ill-digested
notions of political freedom. Mirabeau, during his short
life, appears to have discerned and despised his character;
but in 1792 he acted without controul, and was one of the
chiefs of the revolt on the 10th of August, and gloried in
having laid the plan of that fatal day. When the unhappy
king was brought to trial, he was among the most active in
preventing any change in the sentence, or any access to
the voice of clemency. His triumph, however, was very
short. Having fallen out with Robespierre and his colleagues, he joined the party of the Gironde, was implicated in their fate, and guillotined Nov. 1, 1793. The
convention afterwards honoured him as a martyr to liberty,
but his countrymen now seem disposed to revive his real
character. As a writer, they tell us, he first acquired
notice by some bad articles in the Encyclopaedia. His
separate publications were, 1. “Systeme de la Raison,
” a
declamation against royalty; said to have been printed at
London in 1773. 2. “Esprit de la Morale et de la Philosophic,
” Histoire de la
Moldavie et de la Valachie,
” Nouveaux
principes de Physique,
” Essai sur la nautique
aerienneV' 1784, in which he assumes the merit of a plan.
to guide air-balloons with safety and speed which in point
of utility may be classed with the following 6.
” Examen
physique du magnetisme animal,“1785, 8vo. 7.
” Dissertation elementaire sur la nature de la lumiere, de la
chaleur, du feu, et de Pelectricite,“1787, 8vo. 8.
” Un
mot de reponse a M. de Calonne, sur s;i Kcquete au roi.“9.
” L'Orateur des Etats-Generawx,“1781;, 8vo. 10.
” Annales politiques,“a sort of newspaper, if we mistake
not, at the time when every party had its newspaper.
1.
” Mernoires historiques sur la Bastille," 1790, 3 vols.
8vo; and many anonymous pamphlets.
nd pleased Philip so much, that he appointed him archbishop of Toledo 1557. This illustrious prelate was, however, accused before the Inquisition, 1559, and carried
, a Dominican, born in
1504 at Miranda in Navarre, appeared with great distinction at the council of Trent, where he composed a treatise
on trie residence of bishops, which he held to be of divine
right, treating the contrary opinion as diabolical. Philip II.
king of Spain, having married queen Mary in 1554, took
Carranza with him into England, who laboured to restore
the Catholic religion there, and pleased Philip so much,
that he appointed him archbishop of Toledo 1557. This
illustrious prelate was, however, accused before the Inquisition, 1559, and carried as a heretic to Rome, where he
was thrown into prison, and suffered greatly during ten
years, notwithstanding the solicitations of his friend Navarre, who openly undertook his defence. At length the
Inquisition declared by a sentence passed 1576, that there
was not any certain proof that Carranza was a heretic.
They condemned him nevertheless to abjure the errors
which had been imputed to him, and confined him to la
Minerve, a monastery of his order, where he died the same
year, aged 72. His principal works are, 1. “Summary
of the Councils
” in Latin, A Treatise on the residence of Bishops,
” A Catechism
” in Spanish,
, was born in 1663, in the province of Brie in France. His father,
, was born in 1663, in the province of Brie in France. His father, a substantial farmer, intended him for the church. But young Carre, after going through, the usual course of education for that purpose, having an utter aversion to it, refused to enter upon that function; by which he incurred his father’s displeasure. His resources being thus cut off, he was obliged to quit the university, and look out into the world for some employment. In this exigency he had the good fortune to be engaged as an amanuensis by the celebrated father Malebranche; by which he found himself transported at once from the mazes of scholastic darkness, to the source of the most brilliant and enlightened philosophy. Under this great master he studied mathematics and metaphysics, and after seven years spent in this excellent school, M. Carré found it necessary, in order to procure himself some less precarious establishment, to teach mathematics and philosophy in Paris; but especially that philosophy which, on account of its tendency to improve our morals, he valued more than all the mathematics in the world. And accordingly his greatest care was to make geometry serve as an introduction to his well-beloved metaphysics. Most of M. Carrels pupils were of the fair sex. The first of these, who soon perceived that his language was rather the reverse of elegant and correct, told him pleasantly, that, as an acknowledgment for the pains he took to teach her philosophy, she would teach him French; and he ever after owned that her lessons were of great service to him. In general he seemed to set more value upon the genius of women than that of men.
aught both, he took care to make himself acquainted with all the new discoveries in the latter. This was all that his constant attendance on his pupils would allow him
M. Carré, although he gave the preference to metaphysics, did not neglect mathematics and while he taught
both, he took care to make himself acquainted with all
the new discoveries in the latter. This was all that his
constant attendance on his pupils would allow him to do,
till the year 1697, when M. Varignon, so remarkable for
his extreme scrupulousness in the choice of his eleves,
took M. Carre* to him in that station. Soon after, viz. in
1700, our author thinking himself bound to do something
that might render him worthy of that title, published the
first complete work on the integral calculus, under the
title of “A method of measuring surfaces and solids, and
finding their centres of gravity, percussion, and oscillation.
” He afterwards discovered some errors in the work,
and was candid enough to own and correct them in a subsequent edition. In a little time M. Carre became associate, and at length one of the pensioners of the academy.
And as this was a sufficient establishment for one who
knew so well how to keep his desires within just bounds,
he gave himself up entirely to study; and as he enjoyed
the appointment of Mechanician, he applied himself more
particularly to mechanics. He took also a survey of every
branch relating to music; such as the doctrine of sounds, the
description of musical instruments; though he despised the
practice of music, as a mere sensual pleasure. Some sketches
of his ingenuity and industry in this way may be seen in the
Memoirs of the French Academy of Sciences. M. Carre
also composed some treatises on other branches of natural
philosophy, and some on mathematical subjects all which
he bequeathed to that illustrious body; though it does not
appear that any of them have yet been published. It is
not unlikely that he was hindered from putting the last
hand to them by a train of disorders proceeding from a
bad digestion, which, after harassing him during the space
of five or six years, at length brought him to the grave in
1711, at forty-eight years of age.
, an eminent Spanish painter, descended from an ancient family, was born at Aviles, in 1614; and learnt the elements of art at Madrid,
, an eminent Spanish painter, descended from an ancient family, was born at Aviles, in 1614; and learnt the elements of art at Madrid, in the school of Pedro de las Cuevas. He afterwards finished his studies with such success under Bartolome Roman, that he was soon considered as one of the best Spanish painters, and charged with decorating some apartments of the royal palace in frescos, which pleased Philip IV. so much, that he nominated him painter to the court, about 1651. In society with Francisco Rizi, he acquired a surprising facility of execution; hu design is tolerably correct, his colour brilliant and seducing; it resembles the tones of Vandyke; his conception was vigorous, and his composition rich. Madrid, Toledo, Alcala de Henares, and Pamplona, possess the best of Miranda’s works; the patronage of Philip IV. was continued to him by Charles II., and he died at the head of a large school, about 1685.
, an eminent female artist, was born at Chiozza, in 1675, and having shown an early taste for
, an eminent female artist, was born at Chiozza, in 1675, and having shown an early taste for painting, her father placed her with an artist from whom she learned to paint in oil, but she afterwards practised, and carried crayon-painting to a high degree of perfection. Orlandi celebrates her miniatures. Her crayon painting arrives not seldom at the strength of pictures in oil. Her portraits, spread over all Europe, are as elegant and graceful in conception and attitude, as fresh, neat, and alluring in colour. Her Madonnas, and other sacred subjects, rise from grace to dignity, and even majesty. Equal and incessant application deprived her of sight during the last ten years of her life. She died at the advanced age of eighty-two, in 1757.
, a learned critic, was of a Spanish family, but born at Bruges, in Flanders. He began
, a learned critic, was
of a Spanish family, but born at Bruges, in Flanders. He
began to study at Louvain, where he had Lipsius for his
school-fellow, of whom he often speaks with respect in
various parts of his “Antiquae lectiones,
” and his “Ernendationes,
” although it has been insinuated that he felt some
degree of jealousy of the fame of Lipsius. He prosecuted
his studies at Doway and at Paris, and returning to Louvain, was made doctor of laws in 1586, and about the same
time lectured on the Institutes of Justinian. He was afterwards appointed royal professor of law, and had some
church preferment, but he died young at Louvaine, June
23, 1595, being then president of the college of St. Ives.
His classical and critical taste is displayed in 1. “Histojriarum Sallustii fragmenta,
” with notes, Antwerp, Censorinus de die natali,
” with the fragment
of an unknown author on the same subject, attributed to
Censorinus, but which Carrio proves was not his, Paris,
1583, 8vo. Lindenbrog, in his own edition of Censorinus,
Leyden, 1642, 8vo, bestows high praise on Carrio, and
adopts most of his readings. 3. “M. A. Cassiodori de ortographia libellus,
” Antwerp, V. Flacci
Argonautica, cum castigationibus,
” Antwerp, 8vo, and
16mo, and Lyons, 1617, 8vo. 5. “Antiquarum lectionum libri tres,
” Antwerp, Thesaurus
” as is his other work, 6. “Emendationum et observationum libri duo,
” Paris, 4to.
, an artist who from the place of his nativity was called Pontormo, had great natural ingenuity, and was in his
, 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.
, a political character of considerable fame in Scotland, was the descendant of an ancient family, and born in 1649 at Cathcart
, a political character of considerable fame in Scotland, was the descendant of an ancient family, and born in 1649 at Cathcart in Glasgow.
He was educated in divinity and philosophy at Edinburgh
and Utrecht, to which his father sent him that he might
avoid the political contests which disturbed the reign of
Charles II. but he had a zeal which prompted him to interfere in what regarded his country, although removed
from it, and he must have given some proofs of a talent
for political affairs at a very early period. When England
was alarmed about the popish succession, Carstares was
introduced to the pensionary Fagel, and afterwards to the
prince of Orange, and entrusted with his designs relating
to British affairs. During his residence in Holland, his
principles both in religion and politics, were strongly confirmed; and upon his return to his native country he entered with zeal into the counsels and schemes of those noblemen and gentlemen who opposed the tyrannical measures of government; and although about this time he took
orders in the Scotch church, his mind seemed to have acquired such a decided bias towards towards politics, that
he determined to revisit Holland. On his way thither he
passed through London, and was employed by Argyle, and
the other Scots patriots, in treating with the English, who
were for excluding the duke of York from succession to the
crown. Towards the close of 1682, he held various conferences with the heads of that party, which terminated in
his being privy to what has been called the “Rye-house
plot.
” Accordingly, he was committed to close custody
in the Gate-house, Westminster. After several examinations before the privy council, he was sent for trial to Scotland; and as he refused to give any information respecting
the authors of the exclusion scheme, he was put to the
torture, which he endured with invincible firmness, but
yielded to milder methods of a more insidious nature, and
when a pardon was proposed, with an assurance that no
advantage should be taken of his answers as evidence
against any person, he consented to answer their interrogatories. The privy-council immediately caused to be
printed a paper, entitled, “Mr. Carstares’s Confession,
”
which contained, as he said, a false and mutilated account
of the whole transaction; and in direct violation of their
promise, they produced this evidence in open court against
one of his most intimate friends. This treachery and its conquences very deeply affected him; but as soon as he was
cleared, he obtained permission to retire to Holland, towards the close of 1684, or the beginning of 1685, where
he was kindly received by the prince of Orange, who appointed him one of his chaplains, caused him to be elected
minister of the English protestant congregation at Leyden;
and when the prince determined to transport an army to
England, Carstares accompanied him as his chaplain, and
continued about his person till the settlement of the crown.
During the whole of this reign he was the chief agent between the church of Scotland and the court, and contributed by his influence with the king to the establishment
of presbytery in Scotland, to which his majesty was disinclined, and to a degree of coalescence or accommodation
on the part of the presbyterian clergy with the episcopalians. When an act was passed in 1693, by the Scots
parliament, obliging all officers, civil and ecclesiastical, to
take an oath of allegiance, and also to sign an assurance
(as it was called) declaring William to be king dejure, as
well as de facto, the ministers refused to sign the declaration,
and appealed to the privy council, who recommended to
the king to enforce the obligation. Accordingly, measures were adopted for this purpose; and the body of the
clergy applied to Carstares, requesting his interference in
their favour. The king persisted in his resolution; orders
were renewed in peremptory terms, and dispatches were
actually delivered to the messenger to be forwarded next
morning. In these critical circumstances Carstares hastened to the messenger at night, demanded the dispatches,
which had been delivered to him in the king’s name, and
instantly repaired to Kensington, where he found his
majesty gone to bed. Having obtained admission into his
chamber, he gently waked him, fell on his knees, and asked
pardon for the intrusion, and the daring act of disobedience of which he had been guilty. The king at first
expressed his displeasure; but when Carstares further
stated the case, his majesty caused the dispatches to be
thrown into the fire, and directed him to send such instructions to the royal commissioners of the general assembly as he thought most conducive to the public good.
In consequence of this seasonable interposition, the oath
and assurance were dispensed with on the part of the
clergy. By this timely service Carstares acquired the
confidence of the presbyterian party to such a degree, and
so successfully cultivated the friendship of the earl of Portland, and other men of influence about the court, that he
was regarded in the management of Scotch affairs, as a kind
of viceroy for Scotland, though he possessed no public
character. All applications passed through his hands, all
employments, honours, and offices of state, were left to his
disposal; and without public responsibility, he engrossed
the secret direction of public affairs. Few Scotchmen obtained access to the king, unless through his intervention;
and in his correspondence with every department, says a
late historian, it is curious to remark how the haughty nobility condescended to stoop and truckle to a presbyterianx
clergyman, whom their predecessors in office had tortured
and deceived. His moderation, secrecy, and a prudence
apparently disinterested, recommended him to king William, who once said of him, in the presence of several of
his courtiers, “that he had long known Mr. Carstares;
that he knew him well, and knew him to be an honest man
”
He is represented on the other hand, as a cunning, subtle,
insinuating priest, whose dissimulation was impenetrable;
an useful friend when sincere; but, from an air of smiling
sincerity, a dangerous enemy.
Although, after the death of king William, Carstares was not much employed in public affairs, queen Anne continued him
Although, after the death of king William, Carstares was
not much employed in public affairs, queen Anne continued him in the office of royal chaplain for Scotland, and
obtained for him the offer of an appointment to the vacant
place of principal of the university of Edinburgh; which
he accepted in 1704, with the first professorship of divinity. After this appointment, whilst he refused any
addition to his own salary, he used his influence at courtfor
augmenting the very small salaries pertaining to the regents in the several universities of Scotland; and in the
execution of his office, as principal, he secured the affection and respect of those that were subject to his authority,
by the dignified affability and gentleness of his deportment.
In the year of his appointment to the principalship of the
university, he was unanimously invited to the pastoral
office in one of the parishes of Edinburgh, which he performed with exemplary diligence; and as moderator of the
general assembly, which post he occupied four times in
eleven years, he maintained great weight in its debates.
When the union of the two kingdoms was agitated, it engaged his cordial concurrence, and he was the principal
instrument of preventing any public opposition from the
presbyterian clergy. His efforts to controul the opinions
of this body rendered him unpopular; and with a view
of gaining their assistance, he accepted the office of one
of the agents sent to London to oppose the bills for the
restoration of patronage in Scotland, and for the toleration
of the episcopal clergy; though in the latter instance, at
least, his opposition must have counteracted his principles.
His excuse seems to have been an apprehension that the
Scots episcopalians wished the exiled family to be restored.
His efforts, however, whether they were sincere or not,
proved unsuccessful. To the succession of the house of
Hanover hegave his active support and he obtained from
the general assembly an address of congratulation to
George I. on his accession to the throne and in return
for this service his office of royal chaplain was continued.
His death happened soon after this event, in December
1715. Some years ago was published a volume, entitled
“State papers and letters addressed to William Carstares,
confidential secretary to king William during the whole of
his reign, afterwards principal of the university of Edinburgh, relating to public affairs in Great Britain, but
more particularly in Scotland, during the reign of king
William and queen Anne; to which is prefixed the life
of Mr. Carstares, published from the originals by Joseph
M'Connick, D. D. minister at Preston-pans,
”
, an English divine, was the son of Thomas Carte, a clothier at Coventry, where he was
, an English divine, was the son of
Thomas Carte, a clothier at Coventry, where he was born.
October 21, 1652, or 1653, and in the free-school of which
place he received his grammatical education. He was afterwards removed to Magdalen college, Oxford, where he
took his degree of B. A. 1672; and M. A. 1675. After he
entered into holy orders he had several preferments, the
chief of which were, a prebend in the cathedral church of
Litchfield, the rectory of Eastwell in Leicestershire, and,
last of all, the vicarage of St. Martin’s, in the town of Leicester. It has been supposed that he resigned his preferments
at the accession of king George the First, and that at one
time he assisted the celebrated Jeremiah Collier, in preaching to a nonjuring congregation in Broad-street, London;
but this belongs to his son. It is certain that Mr. Samuel
Carte spent the latter part of his life on his living at Leicester, where he died on the 16th of April, 1740, in the eightyseventh year of his age. A high, and, we doubt not, a
just character is given of him, in an inscription to his memory in the chancel of St. Martin’s church. He published
two sermons, and “Tabula Chronologica Archiepiscopatuum
et Episcopatuum in Anglia et Wallia, Ortus, Divisiories,
TransUuiones, &c. breviter exhibens; una cum Indice alphabetioo Nominum, quibus apucl Authores insigniuntur,
”
folio, without date. Part of a letter of his on a tesselated
pavement at Leicester is in Phil. Trans. No. 331, and his
account of Leicester is in the Bib]. Top. Britannica. Those
eminent antiquaries, Dr. Willis and Mr. Stukeley, acknowledged his assistance and correspondence.
, a very learned English historian, was born at Chiton, in Warwickshire ', at which place his father,
, a very learned English historian, was born at Chiton, in Warwickshire ', at which place his father, the subject of the preceding article, at that time resided as vicar and was baptized there by immersion, on April 23, 1686. If this account be exact, his progress in grammatical learning must have been very rapid and extraordinary; for it appears that he was admitted a member of University-college, in Oxford, and matriculated on July 4, 1698, having then not long entered into the thirteenth year of his age. He took his degree of B.A. in 1702 after which he was incorporated at Cambridge, where he became M. A. in 1705.
In 1712 be made the tour of Europe with a nobleman, and on his return entered into orders, and was appointed render of the Abbey-church at Bath; where he preached
In 1712 be made the tour of Europe with a nobleman,
and on his return entered into orders, and was appointed
render of the Abbey-church at Bath; where he preached
a sermon on Jan. 30, 171 J-, in which he took occasion to
vindicate Charles I. from aspersions cast upon his memory
with regard to the Irish rebellion. This drew Mr. Carte
into a controversy with Mr. (afterwards the celebrated Dr.)
Chandler, and gave rise to our historian’s first publication,
entitled “The Irish Massacre sot in a clear light,
” &c.
which is inserted in lord Sotners’s Tracts. ‘ Upon the accession of George I. Mr. Carte’s principles not permitting
him to take the oaths to the new government, he assumed a
lay-habit, and at one time assisted the celebrated Jeremiah
Collier, who preached to a non’} tiring congregation in a
house in Broad-street, London, and on a Sunday he used
to put on his gown and cassock, and perform divine service
in his own family. What particular concern he had in the
rebellion of 1715 does not appear; but that he had some
degree of guilt in this respect, or, at least, that he was
strongly suspected of it by administration, is evident, from
the king’s troops having orders to discover and apprehend
him. He had the good fortune to elude their search, by
concealing himself at Coleshili, Warwickshire, in the house
of Mr. Badger, then curate of that town. Mr. Carte himself officiated for a time as curate of the same place;
after which, he was some time secretary to bishop Atterbury. This connexion threw him into fresh difficulties:
so deeply was he thought to he engaged in the conspiracy
ascribed to that eminent prelate, that a charge of high
treason was brought against him; and a proclamation was
issued, Aug. 13, 1722, offering a reward of 1000l. for
seizing his person. He was again successful in making his
escape, and fled into France, where he resided several
years, under the borrowed name of Philips. Whilst Mr.
Carte continued in that country, he was introduced to the
principal men of learning and family, and gained access to
the most eminent libraries, public and private, by which
means he was enabled to collect large materials for illustrating an English edition of Thuanus. The collection was
in such forwardness in 1724, that he consulted Dr. Mead r
at that time the great patron of literary undertakings, on the
mode of publication. The doctor, who perceived that the
plan might he rendered more extensively useful, obtained
Mr. Carte’s materials at a very considerable price, and engaged Mr. Buckley in the noble edition completed in 17^3,
in 7 vols. fol. Mr. Carte would probably himself have
been the principal editor, if he had not been an exile
at the time the undertaking commenced, but we find that
the Latin address to Dr. Mead, prefixed to that work, and
dated from the Inner-temple, Jan. 1733, is signed Thomas
Carte. Whilst this grand work was carrying on, queen
Caroline, whose regard to men of letters is well known,
received such favourable impressions of Mr. Carte, that
she obtained permission for his returning to England in
security; which he did some time between the years 1728
and 1730. He had not long been restored to his own country
before he engaged in one of the most important of his
works, “The history of the life of James duke of Ormonde,
from his birth, in 1610, to his death, in 1688,
” 3 vols. fol.
The third volume, which was published first, came out in
1735, and the first and second volumes in 1736. From a
letter of Mr. Carte’s to Dr. Swift, dated Aug. 11, 1736, it
appears, that in writing the life of the duke of Ormonde,
he had availed himself of some instructions which he had
derived from the dean . In the same letter he mentions
his design of composing a general history of England and
finds great fault, not only with Rapin, but with Ilymer’s
Fcedera; but his accusations of that noble collection are in
several respects erroneous and groundless.
and which brought a charge of forgery against that nobleman, but in this it has since been proved he was mistaken. Some booksellers of Dublin having formed a design
It is highly probable that the success and popularity of
Kapin’s History gave considerable disgust to Mr. Carte,
and other gentlemen of the same principles, and suggested
the scheme of a new undertaking. It is evident, from
some letters written about this time to Dr. Z. Grey by
our author, that he laid a great stress upon that part of his
Life of the duke of Ormonde which vindicated Charles I.
in his transactions with the earl of Glamorgan, and which
brought a charge of forgery against that nobleman, but in
this it has since been proved he was mistaken. Some booksellers of Dublin having formed a design of printing in Ireland a piratical edition of the “History of the duke of
Ormonde,
” Mr. Carte recollected an order of the house of
lords, made in 1721, which was full to his purpose. By
this order, which had been issued upon occasion of Curll’s
publication of the duke of Buckingham’s writings, it was
declared that whoever should presume to print any account
of the life, the letters, or other works of any deceased
peer, without the consent of his heirs or executors, should
be punished as guilty of a breach of privilege of that house.
An attested copy of the order was carried by our historian
to the earl of Arran, and his lordship sent it to his agent
in Dublin, to serve upon the booksellers concerned in the
pirated impression, and to discharge them in his name from
proceeding in the design. But as this was a remedy only
in Mr. Carte’s case, and arising from the particular naiure
of his work, he was very solicitous that a new act of parliament should be passed, to secure the property of authors in their writings, and. drew up a paper recommending
such an act. Lord Cornbury, at the instance of the university of Oxford, had procured the draught of a bill to
be prepared, which was approved by the speaker of the
house of commons but we do not find that any farther
measures were pursued in the affair. In April 1738, Mr.
Carte published on a separate sheet, “A general account
of the necessary materials for a history of England, of the
society and subscriptions proposed for defraying the expences of it, and the method in which he intended to proceed in carrying on the work.
” In the following October
he had obtained subscriptions, or the promise of subscriptions, to the amount of 600l. a year. Not long after, he
was at Cambridge, collecting materials for his history, from
the university and other libraries. Whilst he was thus
employed, his head quarters were at Madingly, the seat
of sir John Hinde Cotton, bart. whose large collection of
old pamphlets and journals, published during the civil war
between 1639 and 1660, he methodized, and procured to
be bound in a great number of volumes now in the library
there. March 8, 1744, a cause in chancery was determined in his favour against his brother Samuel and his
sister Sarah, with regard to a doubt concerning their father’s will. Not many weeks after, our author fell under
the suspicions of administration, and was taken into custody, together with a Mr. Garth, at a time when the
habeas-corpus act was suspended, in consequence of some
apprehended designs in favour of the pretender. It is certain that nothing material was discovered against him, for
he was soon discharged out of custody, May 9, 1744- *. This
event did not detract from his popularity, or prevent his
receiving such encouragement in his historical design, as
never before or since has been afforded, or expected in
any literary undertaking. On July 18, the court of common-council of the city of London agreed to subscribe 5()l.
a year for seven years to Mr, Carte, towards defraying the
expence of his writing the history of England. In the
next month was printed, in an 8vo pamphlet, “A collection of the several papers that had been published by him
relative to his rgreat work.
” Oct. 18, the company of
goldsmiths voted 2 5l. a year for seven years, towards de* Whilst under examination, the walking in a heavy shower, he wa
duke of Newcastle asked him if he was plied with “A Coach, your Revenot a bishop?” No, my Lord Duke,“rence!”
duke of Newcastle asked him if he was plied with “A Coach, your Revenot a bishop?
” No, my Lord Duke,“rence!
” “No, honest friend,
” anreplied Mr. Carte, “there are no hi- swered Carte,
” this is not a reign for
rst volume. Pro^ posals for printing the history were circulated in 1746, and the first volume of it was completed in December 1747; when the credit of a work which
no reason to expect that honour.“Daniel Purcell, another nonjuror.
Soon after the accession of George I.,
fraying the expences of transcribing letters, negotiations,
and other materials of the like nature; and, in the December following, the companies of grocers and vintners
subscribed 25l. a year each to the same purpose; and the
chapter of Durham, 2 1l. The university of Oxford, and
the societies of New-college, Magdalen, Brazen-nose, and
Trinity, were contributors, but no mention is made of
Cambridge in the dedication of the first volume. Pro^
posals for printing the history were circulated in 1746, and
the first volume of it was completed in December 1747;
when the credit of a work which had been ushered into the
world with so much preparation and expectation, and
which had been supported by such ample subscriptions, was
almost wholly overturned by a remarkable act of literary indiscretion. Mr. Carte, having taken occasion to speak of
the unction of our kings, and of the great effects annexed
to it, introduced in a note a story of one Christopher
JLovel, a native of Wells, in Somersetshire, who is represented as having been healed of the evil, at Avignon, in
1716, by application to the pretender. The indiscretion
he had been guilty of was hurtful to his interest, and produced the three following pamphlets: 1.
” Remarks on
Mr. Carte’s General History of England;“2.
” A letter
to the Jacobite Journalist, concerning Mr. Carte’s History, by Duncan Mac Carte, a Highlander; 11 and 3. “Some
Specimens of Mr. Carte’s History of England, with Remarks thereon, by Donald Mac Carte.
” But this was not
all: the corporation of London unanimously resolved, in
April 1748, to withdraw their subscription; and the
history fell into very general neglect . It is to the honour
of Mr. Carte’s fortitude, that he was not discouraged from
prosecuting his undertaking; and perhaps he might receive private aid and support, though public assistance
was withdrawn. Whatever may have been the case in that
respect, his second volume, containing an account of all
public transactions, from the accession of Henry III. in
1216, to the death of Henry VII. in 1509, appeared in
1750. The third volume, which extended to the marriage
of the elector palatine with the princess Elizabeth, daughter
of James I. in 1613, was published in 1752. The fourth
volume, which Mr. Carte did not live to complete, appeared in 1755. It was intended to have been carried on
to the restoration, but concludes with the year 1654. It
was his design to have brought the narration down to the
revolution, for which purpose he had been at uncommon
pains to cpllect materials wherever they could be found.
Notwithstanding our author’s peculiar opinions and prejudices, his general history is undoubtedly a work of great
merit in point of information. It is written with eminent
exactness and diligence, and with a perfect knowledge of
original authors; and has of late years risen considerably
in reputation, as well as in price, especially since it was
discovered how much Hume was indebted to it. Mr. Carte
died at Caldecot-house, near Abingdon, Berkshire, April
2 S 1754, and was buried at Yattenden church, in a vault
on the north side of the chancel. The disorder which carried him off, was a diabetes. At his decease, all his papers came into the hands of his widow, daughter of colonel
Brett, who afterwards married Mr. Jernegan, a gentleman
intended for orders in the church of Rome. Mrs. Carte
left the papers to her second husband for life, and after
his death to the university of Oxford. They are now deposited in the Bodleian library, having been delivered by
Mr. Jernegan to the university, 1778, for a valuable consideration. Whilst they were in this gentleman’s possession, the earl of Hardwicke paid 200l. for the perusal of
them, and, it is said, might have purchased them for
1500/, but we do not see how this can be reconciled with
the terms of the will. It is certain, however, that as late
as 1775, Mr. Jernegan advertised the use of them. For a
consideration of 300l. Mr. Macpherson had the use of them;
who, from these and other materials, compiled his history
and state papers. Mr. Carte was a man of a strong constitution, and indefatigable application. When the studies
of the day were over, he would eat heartily; and in conversation was cheerful and entertaining; but his external
appearance was slovenly and uninviting.
Besides the works mentioned, he was the author of the following publications: 1. “A collection of
Besides the works mentioned, he was the author of the
following publications: 1. “A collection of original letters
and papers, concerning the affairs of England, from 1641
to 1660,
” The History of the Revolutions of Portugal, from the foundation of that kingdom
to the year 1567, with letters of sir Robert Southwell,
during his embassy there, to the duke of Ormonde; giving
a particular account of the deposing don Alphonso, and
placing don Pedro on the throne,
” A full
Answer to the Letter from a bystander,
” a pamphlet, A full and clear vindication of the full answer
to a Letter from a bystander,
” ditto, Catalogue des rolles Gascons, Normans, et
Francois, conserves dans les archives de la Tour de Londres;
tire* d‘apres celui du Garde* desdites archives; & contenant
la precis & le sommaire de tous les titres qui s’y trouvent
concernant la Guienne, la Normandie, & les autres provinces de la France, sujettes autres fois auX rois d’Angleterre, &c.
” Paris, A preface to a translation, by Mrs. Thompson, of the
history of the memorable and extraordinary calamities of
Margaret of Anjou, queen of England, &c. by the chevalier
Michael Baudier,
” London, Advice of
a Mother to her son and daughter,
” translated from the
French of the marchioness de Lambert. This has gone
through several editions. 8. “Farther reasons, addressed
to parliament, for rendering more effectual an act of queen
Anne, relating to the vesting in authors the right of copies,
for the encouragement of learning, by R. H.
” about The case of the royal martyr considered with candour,
” in 2 vols. 8vo, the author of which acknowledges
his obligations to Mr. Carte. It was written by the rev.
J. Boswell, M. A. a clergyman and a schoolmaster, at
Taunton, in Somersetshire, and the author of a “Method
of Study, or a useful library,
” printed in Remarks on the Free and Candid Disquisitions,
”
which appeared in
e latter year, of which ten months were elapsed when the resolution of withdrawing that subscription was taken; and it was agreed that the chamberlain should pay him
A singular circumstance yet remains to be noticed respecting the conduct of the city of London towards our author. At a court of common council held Oct. 11, 1750, he petitioned that the subscription of 50l. per annum, towards compiling a history of England, voted to him by that court in 1744, and taken off in 1748, might be paid him for the latter year, of which ten months were elapsed when the resolution of withdrawing that subscription was taken; and it was agreed that the chamberlain should pay him the 50l. for that year!
was admitted a scholar of Trinity-hall, Cambridge, on the 5th of
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.
Mr. John Carte was entered at Trinity-hall, Cambridge, Jan. 9, 1707, where he was
Mr. John Carte was entered at Trinity-hall, Cambridge, Jan. 9, 1707, where he was admitted to the degree of LL. B. Having taken holy orders, he became first vicar ofTachbroke, in the county of Warwick, and was afterwards promoted, by the dean and chapter of Westminster, to the vicarage of Hinckley, in Leicestershire, with the rectory of Stoke annexed. At this place he resided, from the year 1720, till his death, which was on the 17th of December, 1735. Mr. John Carte was very remarkable for his absence of mind. Some years before his decease, he paid his addresses to Miss Dugdale, a descendant of the illustrious antiquary, and the wedding-day was fixed. But he forgot to go to the place appointed for the celebration of the marriage, till the day after the time agreed upon; which the lady, as might justly be expected, resented so much, that she absolutely refused him her hand. Being perpetually absorbed in thought, he was careless in his dress, and destitute of oeconomy. His inattention to money matters he carried to such an excess, that, when the inhabitants of Stoke have brought to him the tithes, which he never took the trouble to ask for, it was not unusual with him, if he chanced to be engaged with a book, to request that they would come at a future time, though perhaps he was the next hour obliged to borrow a guinea for his subsistence. The parsonage-house adjoins to the churchyard; and yet he was frequently so engaged in study, that the sermon -bell used to ring till the congregation were weary of waiting, and the clerk was obliged to remind him of his duty. During the fifteen years in which he was vicar of Hinckley, he neglected to make any demand for tithes of the hamlet of The Hide, belonging to that parish, which afterwards involved the parish in a tedious law-suit. Mr. John Carte’s unaffected piety, his learning, his integrity, his simplicity of manners, and we may probably add, his avoiding to insist upon his legal dues, are still remembered with veneration by his surviving parishioners. He was a most zealous assertor of the rites and ceremonies of the church of England, which, he justly observed, were equally remote from the extremes of popery and fanaticism, and his opinions were founded on the firm basis of scripture, with which he was so intimately acquainted, as to be, able to repeat the greater part of the Bible.
, an English lady of profound learning and genius, was the eldest daughter of the rev. Dr. Nicholas Carter, a clergyman
, an English lady of profound
learning and genius, was the eldest daughter of the rev.
Dr. Nicholas Carter, a clergyman in Kent, who, with
other preferment, held the cure of the chapel of Deal,
where this daughter was born, Dec. 16, 1717, and educated by her father. At first she discovered such a slowness of faculties, as to make him despair of her progress ia
intellectual attainment, even with the aid of the greatest
industry, and the most ardent desire, which characterized
her efforts. She herself, however, though mortified and
sorrowful at her own difficulties, resolved to persevere, and
her perseverance was crowned with unexampled success.
She early became mistress of Latin, Greek, French, German, and afterwards understood Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew, and last of all acquired something of
Arabic. Before she was seventeen years of age, many of
her poetical attempts had appeared, particularly in the
Gentleman’s Magazine for 1734, with the signature of
Eliza. This extraordinary display of genius and acquirements procured her immediate celebrity, and the learned
flocked about her with admiration. In 1738, when she
was about twenty, Cave, the proprietor of the Gentleman’s
Magazine, published some of her poems in a quarto
pamphlet, now little known, as it was published without
her name. It is probable she did not think many of these
worthy of her; as in 1762, when she published a small collection with her name, she admitted only two from the former publication, the “Lines on her birth-day,
” and the
“Ode of Anacreon.
”
e lord chancellor Talbot, and a young lady of considerable genius and most amiable disposition. This was an important event of Miss Carter’s life on many accounts. The
In 1739, she translated “The Critique of Crousaz on
Pope’s Essay on Man;
” and in the same year gave a translation of “Algarotti’s Explanation of Newton’s Philosophy
for the use of the Ladies.
” These publications extended
her acquaintance among the literati of her own country
and her fame reached the continent, where Baratier bestowed high praises on her talents and genius. In 1741
she formed an intimacy with Miss Catherine Talbot, niece
to the lord chancellor Talbot, and a young lady of considerable genius and most amiable disposition. This was an
important event of Miss Carter’s life on many accounts.
The intimacy of their friendship, the importance of their
correspondence, and the exalted piety of both, made it the
main ingredient of their mutual happiness: and in addition
to this, it procured a friendship with Dr. Seeker, then
bishop of Oxford, and afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, with whom Miss Talbot resided, which extended
her knowledge of the world, cherished her profound learning, and exercised the piety of her thoughts. To this
event is to be traced her undertaking and completing the
work by which her fame has been most known abroad, and
will longest be remembered by scholars at home, her
“Translation of Epictetus.
” It was not, however, till the
beginning of
at at Horton near Hythe, where she passed many of her juvenile years. From 1754 their correspondence was regular and uninterrupted; and MrsCarter’s visits to Mrs. Montague
Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Montague had been acquainted from their earliest years. The latter, though not born in Kent, had an early connection with it, by her father’s succession to the estate and seat at Horton near Hythe, where she passed many of her juvenile years. From 1754 their correspondence was regular and uninterrupted; and MrsCarter’s visits to Mrs. Montague at her house in London, where she met an union of rank and talent, were constant, and at her seat at Sandleford in the summer or autumn, not unfrequent. The epistolary communication between these two celebrated women would unquestionably be highly acceptable to the public, and we trust it will not be long withheld. In 1756, sir George Lyttelton, afterwards lord Lyttelton, visited Mrs. Carter at Deal; and from thence a gradual intimacy grew up between them, which ended only with his life. About the same time she became acquainted with the celebrated William Pulteney, earl of Bath, who delighted in her society, and regarded her intellectual powers and acquisitions with unfeigned admiration. By his persuasion she published the volume of her poems, already noticed, 1762, 8vo, and dedicated them to him. They are introduced by some poetical compliments from the pen of lord Lyttelton.
end Miss Talbot, of whom, among other praises dictated by sense and feeling, she says, “Never surely was there a more perfect pattern of evangelical goodness, decorated
In 1763, Mrs. Carter accompanied lord Bath, and Mr.
and Mrs. Montague, with Dr. Douglas (afterwards bishop of Salisbury, but then lord Bath’s chaplain) to Spa. They
landed at Calais June 4; and after visiting Spa, made a
short tour in Germany; and then proceeded down the
Rhine into Holland; whence through Brussels, Ghent,
Bruges, and Dunkirk, they came again to Calais, and returned to Dover Sept. 19. Lord Bath’s health seemed
improved by this tour; but appearances were fallacious,
for he died in the summer of 1764. His death gave Mrs.
Carter deep concern. In August 1768, she had an additional loss in the death of her revered friend and patron
archbishop Seeker. Two years after she sustained a more
severe deprivation in the loss of her bosom friend Miss
Talbot, of whom, among other praises dictated by sense
and feeling, she says, “Never surely was there a more
perfect pattern of evangelical goodness, decorated by all
the ornaments of a highly-improved understanding; and
recommended by a sweetness of temper, and an elegance
and politeness of manners, of a peculiar and more engaging kind than in any other character I ever knew.
”
She was indeed now arrived at a time of life when every year was stealing
She was indeed now arrived at a time of life when every year was stealing from her some intimate friend or dear relation. In 1774, she lost her father, in his eightyseventh year, to which late period he had preserved all his faculties unimpaired, except that his hearing was a little difficult. She had passed the greater part of her life with him. The house in which they latterly resided was bought by her; and their affection had been uninterrupted. Half the year she was in the habit of passing in London; the other half was spent together in this house.
uld have done. She therefore complied with his wishes to accompany his daughter to Paris, though she was now in her sixty-fifth year. She was only absent sixteen days,
In 1782 an event occurred, which once more disturbed the uniformity of Mrs. Carter’s life: she had been under great obligations to sir William Pulteney, who very liberally settled on her an annuity of 150l. a year, which it had been expected by her friends that lord Bath would have done. She therefore complied with his wishes to accompany his daughter to Paris, though she was now in her sixty-fifth year. She was only absent sixteen days, of which one week was spent at Paris. Mrs. Carter was not insensible to the fatigues and inconveniencies of her journey, but her sense of them yielded to her friendship. At home, however, she was able to enjoy summer tours, which doubtless contributed to her health and amusement. In 1791, she had the honour, by the queen’s express desire, of being introduced to her majesty at lord Cremorne’s house at Chelsea, an incident which naturally reminds us of a similar honour paid to her friends, Dr. Johnson at Buckingham-house, and Dr. Beattie at Kew. Afterwards, when the princess of Wales occupied lord Keith’s house in the Isle of Thanet, she called on Mrs. Carter at her house at Deal and the duke of Cumberland, when attending his regiment at Deal, also paid her a visit. Such was her reputation many years after she had ceased to attract public notice as an author, and when the common mass of readers scarcely knew whether such a person existed.
e effects in bodily strength, but the faculties of her mind remained unimpaired; lt;nd and her heart was as warm as ever. In the summer of 1805, her weakness evidently
About nine years before her death, she experienced an alarming illness, of which she never recovered the effects in bodily strength, but the faculties of her mind remained unimpaired; lt;nd and her heart was as warm as ever. In the summer of 1805, her weakness evidently increased. As the winter approached, and the time of her annual journey to London, which she never omitted, drew near, her strength and spirits appeared to revive. On the 23d of December, she left Deal for the last time, having six days before completed her eighty-eighth year, and on the 24th arrived at her old lodgings in Clarges-street. For some days she seemed better, and visited some of her old friends, particularly her very intimate friend Lady Cremorne. On Jan. 4, she exhibited symptoms of alarming weakness, after which all her strength gradually ebbed away, till about 3 o'clock in the morning of Feb. 19, 1806, when she expired without a struggle or groan. She lies interred in the burial-ground of Grosvenor chapel, under a stone on which is a plain prose epitaph, reciting the dates of birth, &c. A mural monument was afterwards erected to her memory in the chapel of the town of Deal.
nto any of those dazzling productions which are admired even for their faults. What she accomplished was the fruit of labour, but it was labour which amply made up for
In this interesting volume a more perfect portrait is exhibited of Mrs. Carter than can be admitted in any sketch like the present. With respect to genius, she had unquestionably a considerable portion, but she had it not easily at command; it did not precipitate her into any of those dazzling productions which are admired even for their faults. What she accomplished was the fruit of labour, but it was labour which amply made up for the time it consumed. Her poems, the only productions which can be considered under this head, are distinguished for elegance of style and sentiment, often for sublimity and a peculiar vigour of thought. Her versification is harmonious, and her language pure* and forcible. But the more remarkable qualities of her character must be sought in a mind cultivated with the highest degree of care, and enriched with a greater fund of various learning than fell to the lot of many of her contemporaries of the other sex. Mrs. Carter was a learned lady in the most honourable sense, and appears uniformly to have applied it to the most valuable purposes. In the sexual rivalship she was not ambitious to attain either equality or superiority by affecting new discoveries in religion, morals, or politics, yet attained a higher and more enviable rank in tke literary world than any of those unsexed females, in whose case the world has lately been obliged to add pity to its admiration, and to withhold esteem. Her principles, on all the great leading topics that are interesting to human beings, were sound, the result of examination and conviction; and while, by adhering to them, she secured her own happiness, she added to that of others by example and precept.
, F. S. A. Of this gentleman we have litde information. He was author of a “Journey from Malaga to Gibraltar/ 1 1776, 2 vols.
, F. S. A. Of this gentleman we
have litde information. He was author of a “Journey
from Malaga to Gibraltar/ 1 1776, 2 vols. 8vo, with piatts
$<ld separately reprinted in 2 vols. 8vo, 1778, with the
plates inserted. The many coins engraved in this work
were from the collection of the celebrated Spanish medallist
Fiores, whose cabinet Mr. Carter had purchased on his
death, a?>d disposed of the duplicates to Dr. Hunter.
Mr. Carter died August 1, 178'i, when he had just completed (and had actually printed the first sheet of)
” An
historical and critical account of early printed Spanish
books;“in which, to use his own words, his intent was
*
” 10 write an historical and critical account of the
mOft early printed volumes in the Spanish language,
wnith had fallen into my possession during thirty years
dil gently collecting them, both in Spain, France, and
England." Of the lives of the authors he proposed to give
a summary account, with occasional specimens of the style
and manner of their writings, and strictures on the state
and progress of learning and poetry, from the days of
John II. king of Castile down to the present age: to appearance an humble and easy task, but which will be found
in the execution to require no small labour, judgment,
and experience, and be evidently of great advantage to
those who wish to enrich their libraries with the best Spanish works, and be informed of the reputation, merit, and
rank, each author holds in the literary world. We have
to lament that this was never finished. A specimen of it
may be seen in our authority.
ndant of an ancient family, originally from Normandy, but afterwards settled at Guernsey and Jersey, was born at Jersey in 1599, his father Ilelier Carteret, esq. being
, a loyalist in the time of
Charles f. of uncommon firmness and bravery, the descendant of an ancient family, originally from Normandy,
but afterwards settled at Guernsey and Jersey, was born
at Jersey in 1599, his father Ilelier Carteret, esq. being
at that time deputy governor of the island. He entered
early into the sea service, and had acquired the character
of an experienced officer, when king Charles I. ascended
the throne. This circumstance recommending him to the
notice and esteem of the duke of Buckingham, he was
appointed, in 1626, joint governor of Jersey, with Henry,
afterwards lord Jermyn and, in 1C '6 9, he obtained a grant
of the office and place of comptroller of all his Majesty’s
ships. At the commencement of the civil war, when the
parliament resolved to send out the earl of Warwick as
admiral of the fleet, they also resolved, that captain Carteret should be vice-ad miral. But he, thinking that he
ought not to accept the command without knowing the
royal pleasure, addressed himself to the king for direction,
who ordered him to decline the employment; and captain,
Batten, surveyor-general, was substituted in his place.
His Majesty was probably mistaken in this advice; for, if
captain Carteret had accepted of the charge, he might
probably have prevented the greater part of the fleet from
engaging in the cause of the parliament. Captain Carteret, however, likewise quitted the post of comptroller, and
retired, with his family, to the island of Jersey, the inhabitants of which were confirmed by him in their adherence
to the king; and desirous of more active service, he transported himself into Cornwall, with the purpose of raising a
troop of horse. When he arrived in that country, finding
there was a great want of powder, he went into France to
procure that and other necessary supplies; and was so successful, that, through the remainder of the war, the Cornish army was never destitute of ammunition. This was so
important and seasonable a service, that the king acknowledged it by particular approbation; and by conferring
upon him, at Oxford, the honour of knighthood, which
was speedily followed by his being advanced, on the 9th
of May 1645, to the dignity, of a baronet. Returning the
same year into Jersey, he found that several of the inhabitants had been induced to embrace the cause of the parliament, on which account he threw some of them into
confinement. This was so alarming and offensive to the
members at Westminster, that an order was made, that if,
for the future, he should put to death any of the island
whom he should take prisoners, for every one so slain,
three of the king’s men should be hung up. From the
words here used, it seems implied that sir George Carteret
had actually executed some one or more of the people of
Jersey who had appeared for the Parliament; a step highly
injudicious, whence, in all the subsequent propositions for
peace with the king, sir George was excepted from pardon.
When the prince of Wales, and many persons of distinction with him, came into Jersey in 1646, and brought with
them very little for their subsistence, they were all chear
fully entertained, and at a large expence, by sir George
Carteret who, being sensible how much it behoved him
to take care for supplies, equipped about half a score small
frigates and privateers, which soon struck a terror through
the whole channel, and made a number of captures. Upon
the prince’s leaving the island, at the positive command of
the queen, several of the council chose to stay with sir
George; au<=! the chancellor of the exchequer (afterwards earl of Clarendon) resided with him above two years.
After the death of the king, sir George Carteret, though
the republican party was completely triumphant, and
though Charles II. was at the Hague in a very destitute condition, immediately proclaimed him at Jersey, with all
his titles. Some months afterwards his Majesty determined
to pay a second visit to the island of Jersey, and arrived
in the latter end of September 1649, accompanied by his
brother the duke of York, with several of the nobility.
Here they were supplied by sir George with all necessaries.
The king, when prince of Wales, had procured his father’s
leave for making sir George Carteret his vice-chamberlain,
and he now appointed him treasurer of his navy; which however, at this time, chiefly consisted of the privateers that sir
George hue! provided, and of the men of war with prince Rupert. Charles II. staid in the island till the latter end of March
1650, when he embarked for Holland, in order to be more
commodiously situated for treating with the Scots, who had
invited him into that kingdom. This defiance of sir George
Carteret in harbouring the king, and taking many of their
trading vessels, enraged the republicans so much, that they
determined to exert every nerve for the reduction of Jersey.
A formidable armament being prepared, it put to sea in
October 1651, under the command of admiral Blake, and
major-general Holmes, to the last of whom the charge of
the forces for the descent was committed. In this crisis,
sir George Carteret prevented the landing of the republican army as long as possible; and when that was effected,
and the remaining forts of the island were taken, he retired
into Elizabeth castle, resolving to hold it out to the last extremity. The king being safely arrived in France, after the,
fatal battle of Worcester, sir George informed him of the
state of the garrison, but the king not being able to assist
him, he advised sir George Carteret, rather to accept of a
reasonable composition, than, by too obstinate a defence,
to bring himself and the loyal gentlemen who were with
him into danger of being made prisoners of war. Sir
George was ambitious that Elizabeth castle should be the
last of the king’s garrisons (as was in fact the case) which
should yield to the prevailing powers. He determined,
therefore, to conceal his majesty’s permission to treat, that
the knowledge of it might not renew the cry for a surrender. But, at length, provisions growing scarce, the
number of defenders lessening daily by death and desertion, and there being no possibility of supplies or recruits,
Elizabeth castle was surrendered in the? latter end of December, and sir George went first to St. Maloes, and
afterwards travelled through several parts of Europe. To
facilitate his reception at the different courts and places he
might be disposed to visit, he obtained from his royal
master a very honourable and remarkable certificate of recommendation. In 1657, sir George had given such offence
to Oliver Cromwell, by some hostile design or attempt
against the English vessels trading to the French ports,
that, by the Protector’s interest with cardinal Mazarine, he
was committed prisoner to the Bastile from which he was,
after some time, released by the intercession of his friends,
upon condition of his quitting France. In 1659, however,
we find him at Rheims, from whence, he repaired to the
king at Brussels, and followed him to Breda. Upon his
majesty’s being restored to his kingdoms, sir George Carteret rode, with him in his triumphant entry into the city of
London, on the 2<nh of May 1660, and next day he was
declared vice-chamberlain of the hoiishold, an-d sworn of
the privy council. He was also constituted treasurer of
the navy; and at the coronation of the king, he had the
honour of being almoner for the day. In the first parliament called by Charles II. in May, 1661, sir George Carteret
was elected representative for the corporation of Portsmouth; and it appears, that he was au active member of
the house. When the duke of York, 1673, resigned the
office of high admiral of England, sir George was constituted one of the commissioners of the admiralty; and“in
1676, he was appointed one of the lords of the committee
of trade. He was also vice-treasurer of Ireland, and
treasurer of the military forces there. At length, in consequence of his merit and services, the king determined
to raise him to the dignity of a peerage; but before the
design could be accomplished, he departed this life, on the
14th of January, 1679, being nearly eighty years of age.
On the 11th of February following, a royal warrant was
issued, in which it is recited,
” That whereas sir George
Carteret died before his patent for his barony was sued out,
liis Majesty authorizes Elizabeth, his widow, and her
youngest children, James Carteret, Caroline, wife of sir
Thomas S<:ot, kut. and Louisa, wife of sir Robert Atkins,
knt. to enjoy their precedency and pre-eminency, as if the
said sir George Carterei hail actually been created a baron."
Sir George’s rldest son, by his jady Elizabeth, who was his
cousin-gr nnan, being the daughter of sir PhiUp Carteret,
was ijained Philip after his grandfather. This gentleman
eminently distinguished himself in the civil wars, and was
khighted by Charles II on his arrival in Jersey. After the
king’s restoration, sir Philip Carteret married Jemima,
daughter of Edward Montague, the first earl of Sandwich,
and perished with that illustrious nobleman, in the great
sea-fight with the Dutch, in Solbay, on the 28th of May,
1672. Sir Philip determined, whilst many others left the
ship, to share the fate of his father-in-law. His eldest son
George was the first lord Carteret, and father to the subject
of the following article.
, earl Granville, one of the most distinguished orators and statesmen of the last century, was born on the 22d of April, 1690. His father was George lord Carteret,
, earl Granville, one of the most distinguished orators and statesmen of the last century, was born on the 22d of April, 1690. His father was George lord Carteret, baron Carteret, of Hawnes in the county of Bedford, having been so created on the 19th of October 1681, when he was only fifteen years of age and his mother was lady Grace, youngest daughter of John earl of Bath. He succeeded his father when only in his fifth year. He was educated at Westminster school, from which he was removed to Christ-church Oxford in both which places he made such extraordinary improvements, that he became one of the most learned young noblemen of his time; and he retained to the last his knowledge and love of literature. Dr. Swift humorously asserts, that he carried away from Oxford, with a singularity scarcely to be justified, more Greek, Latin, and philosophy, than properly became a person of his rank; indeed, much more of each, than most of those who are forced to live by their learning will be at the unnecessary pains to load their heads with. Being thus accomplished, lord Carteret was qualified to make an early figure in life. As soon as he was introduced into the house of peers, which was on the 25th of May, 1711, he distinguished himself by his ardent zeal for the protestant succession, which procured him the eariy notice of king George 1. by whom he was appointed, in 1714, one of the lords of the bed-chamber in 1715, bailiff of the island of Jersey and in 1716, lord lieutenant and custis rotulorum of the county of Devon which last office he held till August 1721, when he resigned it in favour of Hugh lord Clinton. His mother also, lady Grace, was created viscountess Carteret and countess Grai>ville, by letters patent, bearing date on the first of January, 1714-15, with limitation of these honours to her son John lord Carteret. His lordship, though still young, became, from the ea.ly part of king George the First’s reign, an eminent speaker in the house of peers. The first instance of the display of his eloquence, was in the famous debate on the bill for lengthening the duration of Parliaments, in which he supported the duke of Devonshire’s motion for the repeal of the triennial act. On the 18th of February, 17 t 7- 18, he spoke in behalf of the bill for punishing mutiny and desertion; and in the session of parliament which met on the llth of November following, he moved, for the address of thanks to the king, to congratulate his majesty on the seasonable success of his naval forces; and to assume him, that the house would support him in the pursuit of those prudent and necessary measures he had taken to secure the trade and quiet of his dominions, and the tranquillity of Europe. In Jan. 1718-19 he was appointed ambassador extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the queen of Sweden, with whom his first business was to, remove the difficulties which the British subjects had met with* Jo their commerce in the Baltic, and to procure satisfaction for the losses they had sustained; and in both he completely succeeded. On the 6th of November, 1719, lord Carteret first took upon him the character of ambassador extraordinary ana plenipotentiary; at which time, in a private audience, he offered his royal master’s mediation t<v make peace between Sweden and Denmark, and between Sweden and the Czar; both of which were readily accepted by the queen. A peace between Sweden, Prussia, and Hanover, having been concluded by lord Carteret, it was proclaimed at Stockholm on the 9th of March, 1719-L'O. This was the prelude to a reconciliation between Sweden and Denmark, which he also effected, and the treaty was signed July 3, 1720. In August his lordship was appointed, together with earl Stanhope and sir Robert Siutcm, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary at the congress of Cambray but whether he acted in this capacity does not appear. From Denmark, however, he arrived in England Dec. 5, and a few weeks after took a share in the debates on the state of the national credit, occasioned by the unfortunate and iniquitous effects of the South-Sea scheme, maintaining that the estates of the criminals, whether directors or not directors, ought to be confiscated. Whilst this affair was in agitation, he was appointed ambassador extraordinary to the court of France, and was on the point of setting out, when the death of secretary Craggs induced his majesty to appoint lord Carteret his successor, May 4, 1721, and next day he was admitted into office, and sworn of his majesty’s most honourable privy council. Whilst lord Carteret was secretary of state, he not only discharged the general duties of his employment to the satisfaction of his royal master, but ably defended in parliament the measures of administration. This he did in the debate concerning Mr. Law, the famous projector of the Mississippi scheme, whose arrival in England, in 1721, by the connivance, as it was thought, and even under the sanction of the ministry, excited no small degree of disgust; and he also took a part on the side of government, in th debate on the navy debt, and with regard to the various other motions and bills of the session. In the new parliament, which met on the llth of October, 1722, his lordship, on occasion of Layer’s plot, spoke in favour of suspending the habeas corpus act for one year; acquainted the house with the bishop of Rochester’s, lord NortU and Grey’s, and the earl of Orrery’s commitment to the Tower; and defended the motion for the imprisonment of the duke of Norfolk. In all the debates concerning this conspiracy, and particularly with regard to Atterbury, lord Carteret vindicated the proceedings of the tectart; as he did, likewise, in the case of the act for laying an extraordinary tax upon papists. On the 26th of May, 1723, when the king’s affairs called him abroad, his lordship was appointed one of the lords justices of the kingdom; but notwithstanding this, he went to Hanover, in conjunction with lord Townshend, the other secretary; and both these noblemen, in their return to England, had several conferences at the Hague, with the principal persons of the Dutch administration, on subjects of importance. In the session of parliament, January, 1723-4, lord Carteret, in the debate on the mutiny bill, supported the necessity of eighteen thousand men being kept up, as the number of land- forces, in opposition to lord Trevor, who had moved that the four thousand additional men, who had been raised the year before, should be discontinued., Not many days after this debate, several alterations took place at court. Lord Carteret quitted the office of secretary of state, in which he was succeeded by the duke of Newcastle; and on the same day, being the third of April, 1724, he was constituted lord -lieutenant of Ireland, and in October arrived at Dublin, where he was received with the usual solemnity. The Irish were at that time in a great ferment about the patent for Wood’s halfpence, which makes so signal a figure in the life and writings of Dr. Swift. One of the first things done by the lord-lieutenant was to publish a proclamation, offering a reward of three hundred pounds for a discovery of the author of the Drapier’s Letters. When he was asked, by Dr. Swift, howhe could concur in the prosecution of a poor honest fellow, who had been guilty of no other crime than that of writing three or four letters for the good of his country, his excellency replied, in the words of Virgil,
r, could have no sincere wish that he might be discovered. Notwithstanding the measures his lordship was obliged officially to pursue, he was sensible that Wood’s patent
Lord Carteret lived at that very time in great friendship
with the dean; and, therefore, if he suspected the real
author, could have no sincere wish that he might be discovered. Notwithstanding the measures his lordship was
obliged officially to pursue, he was sensible that Wood’s
patent ought not to be supported; and, accordingly, procured its being revoked; by which means, one of the most
universal and remarkable ferments 1 ever raised in Ireland
speedily subsided. The lord-lieutenant used sometimes to
converse with Dr. Swift on public affairs. The deau, on
some occasion, happening to dispute with him concerning
the grievances suffered by the Irish, and the folly and nonsense of the English government in the management of
Ireland, his excellency replied with such mastery and
strength of reason, that Swift was incapable of supporting
his argument. Being displeased at this, he cried out in a
violent passion, “What the vengeance brought you among
us; get you gone, get you gone; pray God Almighty
us our boobies back again.
” At another tune, Dr. Suiit
having written two lines on a window of the castle, in
which his pride affected an absolute independence, lord
Carteret gently rebuked his haughtiness, by inscribing
under them the following couplet:
high opinion of the lord- lieutenant. Besides revoking Wood’s patent, lord Carteret’s administration was, in other respects, very acceptable and beneficial to the Irish.
His lordship, however, kept on good terms with Swift,
and obliged him by conferring preferment on Dr. Sheridan,
and others of his friends. Even in the Drapier’s Letters,
the dean expressed a very high opinion of the lord- lieutenant. Besides revoking Wood’s patent, lord Carteret’s
administration was, in other respects, very acceptable and
beneficial to the Irish. He discharged the duties of his
high station, in general, with wisdom and fidelity, and the
people were happy under his government. After the close
of the session in March, 1725-6, his lordship having constituted lords justices during his absence, embarked for
England, where he arrived in May, 1726, and received
his majesty’s approbation of his prudent conduct. On the
24th of January, 1726-7, lord Carteret ably defended
the king’s speech, which had been warmly animadverted
upon by the opposition. On the 31st of May, 1727, he
was appointed one of the chief justices during his majesty’s
absence, and upon the decease of George I. who died
suddenly at Osnabrug, in his way to Hanover, on the
llth of June, 1727, lord Carteret was one of the old
privy council who assembled at Leicester house, where the
new king was proclaimed. This was on the 14th of June,
and the same day he was sworn of his majesty’s privy
council. On the 29th of July following, he was again appointed lord lieutenant and chief governor of the kingdom
of Ireland, and having arrived there, the parliament was
opened, by his excellency, Nov. 28, and the session continued till the 6th of May, 1728, when he gave the royal
assent to twenty public acts, and concluded with a speech,
expressive of his high regard for the welfare of the kingdom. After this, he embarked for England, but in 1729,
returned again to Ireland, and held another session of parliament, which began on the 23d of September, and
on the 15th of April, 1730. His lordship’s second
vicegerency over the Irish nation was as popular, if not
more so, as the first. His polite and sociable manners
were highly acceptable to all ranks of people. What particularly recommended him was, his being above the little
distinctions of party. He maintained a good correspondence with several of those who were called or reputed
tories, and occasionally distributed a few preferments, of
no great significance, in that line. This having excited
the complaint of some of the bigotted whigs, gave occasion to a facetious and sensible tract of Dr. Swift’s, entitled, “A Vindication of his excellency John lord Carteret,
from the charge of favouring none but Tories, Highchurch-men, and Jacobites.
” With Dr. Swift the lordlieutenant appears to have maintained a strict friendship;
and he was solicitous to act agreeably to the dean’s views
of the interest of the kingdom. In one of his letters,
written to the dean some years afterwards, he thus expresses himself; “When people ask me how I governed
Ireland? I say, that I pleased Dr. Swift.
” The preferments which his excellency bestowed, at the instance of
the dean of St. Patrick’s, were conferred on learned and
worthy men, who did not disgrace their recommender;
and whatever may be thought of the pride, petulance, and
peculiarities of Swift} it cannot rationally be denied, that
he was sincerely devoted to the welfare of the Irish nation.
His lordship, having continued the usual time allotted to
his high office, quitted it in 1730, and was succeeded by
the duke of Dorset.
luding nearly twelve years, from 1730 to 1742, during which he engaged in the grand opposition, that was carried on so long, and with so much pertinacity, against sir
We now come to a part of lord Carteret’s life, including
nearly twelve years, from 1730 to 1742, during which he
engaged in the grand opposition, that was carried on so
long, and with so much pertinacity, against sir Robert
Walpole. In this opposition he took a very distinguished
part, and was one of its ablest and most spirited leaders.
There was scarcely any motion or question on which his
eloquence was not displayed. His powers of oratory are
allowed to have been eminently great; and it is highly
probable, that they were invigorated and increased by
that superior ardour which naturally accompanies an attack
upon the measures of government. In the session of parliament, 1730-1, he supported the bill against pensioners
being permitted to sit in that house; and the motion for
discharging the twelve thousand Hessian forces in the pay
of Great Britain. In the subsequent session, which opened
on the 13th of January, 1731-2, besides speaking in
favour of the pension bill, lord Carteret exerted his whole
ability against the passing of the act for reviving the salt
duty. This tax he asserted to be grievous, pernicious,
and insupportable; oppressive to the lower part of the
people; and dangerous to public liberty, by the numerous
dependents it would create upon the crown. In the next
year, the grand objects that engaged the attention of the
minority were, the motion for the reduction of the land
forces; the produce of the forfeited estates of the SouthSea directors in 1720; and the bill for granting eightythousand pounds for the princess-royal’s marriage settlement, and a sum out of the sinking fund; on which occasions lord Carteret displayed his usual energy and eloquence. In the session which began on the 17th of January, 1733-4, his lordship made the motion for an address
to the king, to know who had advised the removal of the
duke of Bolton and lord Cobham from their regiments;
and took the lead in the memorable debate which arose
upon that question, and an, active part in the other matters that were agitated in this and the following sessions.
It is observable that, about this time, Dr. Swift had some
doubts concerning lord Carteret’s steadiness in the cause
of opposition, yet, in the session>f parliament which
opened on the 1st of February, 1736-7, his lordship distinguished himself greatly in the several question-s concerning the riots at Edinburgh, and the affair of captain
Porteus; and he was the mover, in the house of peers,
for the settlement of an hundred thousand pounds a year,
out of the civil list, upon the prince of Wales; a matter
which excited a very long and violent debate. He exercised the same vigour with regard to all the motions and
questions of that busy session; and it is evident, from the
records of the times, that he was the prime leader of opposition in the upper house. This character was preserved
by lord Carteret in the parliament which met on the 15th
of November, 1739; and in the following session, when
the minority exerted their whole strength to overturn the
administration, he made the motion in the house of peers,
Feb. 13, 1740-1, to address his majesty, that he would
graciously be pleased to remove sir Robert Walpole from
his presence and councils for ever, and prefaced his proposal with the longest, as well as the ablest speech that, he
ever appears to have delivered. A year after, when
views of opposition were attained, so far as related to the
displacing of sir Robert Walpole, lord Carteret, Feb. 12>
1741-42, was appointed one of his majesty’s principal secretaries of state, and then began to change his parliamentary language, opposing the motion for the commitment of the pension -bill, and the bill to indemnify
evidences against Robert earl of Orford, not consistently,
although with some reason. In September 1742, he was
sent to the States General, to concert measures with them,
for the maintenance of the liberties of the United Provinces, and the benefit of the common cause and soon
after his return, he opposed the motion for discharging the
Hanoverian troops in British pay and distinguished himself in favour of the bill for retailing spirituous liquors. In
1743 he waited upon his majesty at Hanover, and attended
him through the whole interesting campaign of that year;
and the king placed the greatest confidence in his counsels,
to which he was the more entitled, as he was eminently
^killed in foreign affairs. On the death of his mother,
upon the 18th of October, 1744, he succeeded to the titles
of viscount Carteret and earl Granville, and, a few weeks
after, resigned the seals as secretary of state, unable to
oppose the patriotic party, whom he had suddenly forsaken, and the duke of Newcastle and his brother, Mr.
Pelham, who formed analliance with them against him.
George II. however, with reluctance parted with a minister who had gained his personal affection by his great
knowledge of the affairs of Europe, by his enterprizing
genius, and, above all, by his ready compliance with the
king’s favourite views. In the beginning of 1746, his
lordship made an effort to retrieve his influence in the cabinet, but the duke of Newcastle and Mr. Pelham, who
knew his aspiring disposition, refused to admit him into
administration, yet mismanaged their intrigues so much,
that at first they were themselves obliged to resign, and
earl Granvilie was appointed secretary of state, and resumed the reins of administration, in February 1745-6:
finding, however, that he could not counteract the accumulated opposition that preponderated against him, he resigned the seals four days after they had' been put into his
hands. Still lord Granville’s political antagonists were not
able to prevent his receiving,. personal marks of royal favour. On the 22d of June, 1749J he was elected at Kensington, one of the knights companions of the most noble
order of the garter, and next year was again brought into
the ministry, in connection with the very men by whom
he had been so long and so warmly opposed. He was
then constituted president of the council, and notwithstanding the various revolutions of administration, was continued in this high post till his decease. When his majesty went to Hanover, in 17- r >2, earl Granville was appointed
one of the lords justices of the kingdom and he was in
the commissions for opening and concluding the session of
parliament, which began on the 31st of May, 1754, and
ended on the 5th of June following. The Ifist time in
which he spoke in the house of peers, was in opposition to
the third reading of the militia-bill, on the 24th of May,
1756, but not with his usual effect. When, in October
1761, Mr. Pitt proposed in council, an immediate declaration of war with Spain, and urged the measure with his
usual energy, threatening a resignation, if his advice should
not be adopted; lord Granville is said to have replied to
him in terms both pointed and personal. Mr. Wood, in
the preface to his “Essay on the original Genius and
Writings of Homer,
” informs us, that “being directed to
wait upon his lordship, a few days before he died, with
the preliminary articles of the treaty of Paris, he found
him so languid, that he proposed postponing his business
for another time; but earl Granville insisted that he should
stay, saying, it could not prolong his life to neglect his
duty; and repeating a passage out of Sarpedon’s speech
in Homer, he dwelled with particular emphasis on one of
the lines which recalled to his mind the distinguishing part
he had taken in public affairs.
” After a pause he desired
to hear the treaty read and gave it the approbation of a
“dying statesman (his own words) on the most glorious
war, and most honourable peace, this nation ever saw.
”
In other respects, lord Granville so much retained his vivacity to the close of his life, as to be able to break out
into sallies of wit and humour. He died Jan. 2, 1763, in.
the seventy-third year of his age. He was twice married;
first at Long-Leat, on the 17th of October, 1710, to
Frances, only daughter of sir Robert Worsley, bart.; and
secondly, on the 14th of April, 1744, to lady Sophia,
daughter of Thomas earl of Pomfret. By his former wife
he had three sons and five daughters; by the latter, only
one daughter.
Lord Granville’s character has been drawn as follows,
by the late earl of Chesterfield: “Lord Granville had
great parts, and a most uncommon share of learning for a
man of quality. He was one of the best speakers in the
house of lords, both in the declamatory and the argumentative way. He had a wonderful quickness and precision
in seizing the stress of a question, which no art, no sophistry, could disguise in him. In business he was bold,
enterprizing, and overbearing. He had been bred up in
high monarchical, that is, tyrannical principles of government, which his ardent and impetuous temper made him
think were the only rational and practicable ones. He
would have been a great first minister in France, little inferior, perhaps, to Richelieu; in this government, which is
yet free, he would have been a dangerous one, little less
so, perhaps, than lord Strafford. He was neither ill-natured nor vindictive, and had a great contempt for money.
His ideas were all above it. In social life he was an agreeable, good-humoured, and instructive companion; a great
but entertaining talker. He degraded himself by the vice
of drinking, which, together with a great stock of Greek
and Latin, he brought away with him from Oxford, and
retained and practised ever afterwards. By his own industry, he had made himself master of all the modern languages, and had acquired a great knowledge of the law.
His political knowledge of the interest of princes and of
commerce was extensive, and his notions were just and
great. His character may be summed up, in nice precision, quick decision, and unbounded presumption.
”
The late duke of Newcastle used to say of lord Granville, that he was a man who never doubted. From his lordship’s acknowledged literature,
The late duke of Newcastle used to say of lord Granville, that he was a man who never doubted. From his lordship’s acknowledged literature, it may naturally be supposed that he patronized learned men and learned undertakings. His regard for Dr. Swift, and his attention to the dean’s recommendations, we have already mentioned. He assisted and encouraged Mr. Lye, in his edition of Junius’s Etymologicon, and the learned Mrs. Grierson of Dublin, when he was lord lieutenant of Ireland. Of Dr. Taylor, the celebrated Grecian, he was the particular patron. The doctor owed his principal preferments to lord Granville; and has testified his gratitude, in the dedication of his Demosthenes, by warmly celebrating his lordship’s excellencies, and especially his eloquence, and his eminent skill in the ancient and modern languages. Our learned peer engaged Dr. Bentley to undertake an edition of Homer, and was very active in procuring the doctor the use of manuscripts, and- other necessary aids, for that purpose. Dr, Bentley, when he came to town, was accustomed, in his visits to lord Carteret, sometimes to spend the evenings with his lordship. One day ojjl lady Granville reproached her son with keeping the country tler^yman, who was with him the night before, till he was intoxicated. Lord Carteret denied the charge; upon which the lady replied, that the clergyman could not have sung in so ridiculous a manner, unless he had been in liquor. The truth was, that the singing thus mistaken by her ladyship, was Dr. Bentley’s endeavour to instruct and entertain his noble friend, by reciting Terence according to the? true cantilena of the ancients.
s struggles for place and power, had an affectation of saying, “I love my fire-side; 11 which humour was vrell exposed, by Mr. Hawkins Browne, in a copy of verses, entitled”
Earl Granville, amidst all his struggles for place and
power, had an affectation of saying, “I love my fire-side; 11
which humour was vrell exposed, by Mr. Hawkins Browne,
in a copy of verses, entitled
” The Fire-side, a pastoral
soliloquy.“Lord Carteret’s letter on the battle at Dettingen was much ridiculed at the time, and the only excuse
for it was his lordship’s intoxication not merely with joy,
In giving his judgment concerning men of high office in
the state, earl Grauville sometimes spoke too incautiously
for a politician. Having been asked who wrote the king’s
speech in a certain year, he said,
” Do you not see the
blunt pen of the old attorney?“meaning lord Hardwicke.
It was not always in his power to conceal the pangs of disappointed ambition. He made a present of a copy of the
Polyglot Bible, which the owner got bound in an elegant
manner. When lord Granville saw the book in its newdress, he said,
” You have done with it as the king has done
with me he made me fine, and he laid me by. "
In lord Egmont’s manuscripts are some curious traits of earl Granville' s character. He was one of those politicians who make religion subservient to the
In lord Egmont’s manuscripts are some curious traits of earl Granville' s character. He was one of those politicians who make religion subservient to the state. The considering the kingdom of Christ as a separate kingdom from those of this world he counted absurd. On the contrary, be maintained that Christianity is incorporated with civil government as sand with lime, each of which by itself makes no mortar. Where he imagined that the public interest might receive prejudice by Christianity, he was against its being taught. He hoped, therefore, never to see our negroes in America become Christians, because he believed that this would render them less laborious slaves. On the same principle, he was against any attempts to convert the American savages. In learning Christianity, they would fall into the use of letters, and a skill in the arts being the consequence, they would become more formidable to the plantations. Pursuing a similar train of reasoning, lord Granville wished to God that the pope might never turn protestant, or the Italians cease to be papists, for then we should sell them no fish. He was glad % N that the clergy sent abroad to our plantations were immoral and ignorant wretches, because they could have no influence over the inhabitants, as better and wiser men would have, and who would use that influence for the purpose of inspiring the planters with a spirit of iadependence on their mother country. He was hostile to the scheme of sending bishops to America. These, he thought, would labour to bring the several sects to one religion; whereas the security of that people’s dependence on England he conceived to arise from their mutual divisions. He was an enemy likewise to the improvement of our colonies in learning. This he said would take off their youth from wholly attending to trade, fill them with speculative notions of government and liberty, and prevent the education of the sons of rich planters in England, where they contract a love to this kingdom, and when grown old, come back and settle, to the great increase of our wealth. Even" at home he was against charity-schools, and was not for having the vulgar taught to read, that they might think of nothing but the plow, and their other low avocations. However unsound some of these opinions may appear, most readers may recollect that they did not die with his lordship.
, whose proper name was Forteguerra, an eminent Italian scholar, was born of a good
, 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.
, a puritan divine of great learning and eminence, was born in Hertfordshire, about the year 1535. Having been kept
, a puritan divine of great learning and eminence, was born in Hertfordshire, about the year 1535. Having been kept at a grammar-school till he was fit for the university, he was sent to Cambridge, where he was admitted into St. John’s college in 155O. He applied himself to his studies with uncommon assiduity; and being possessed of excellent natural parts, he made great proficiency in learning, in acquiring which, it is said, that he allowed himself no more than five hours sleep in the night, and that he adhered to this custom to the end of his life. Upon the death of Edward VI, when he had been about three years at the university, he quitted it, and became clerk to a counsellor at law: but this did not prevent him from continuing to prosecute his former studies, in which he took more delight than in the profession of the law. He remained in this situation till the beginning of the reign of queen Elizabeth; when the gentleman under whom he was placed as a clerk, having met with Dr. Pilkington, master of St. John college, Cambridge, he made him acquainted with his strong attachment to literature. In consequence of this the doctor desired to have some conversation with Mr. Cartwright; when, being convinced of his great abilities and attainments, he offered to take him back again to St. John’s, to which his master consented. He accordingly returned to the university; and in 1560 was chosen fellow of that college. About three years after he was removed to a fellowship in Trinity college; where, on account of his great merit, he was shortly after made one of the eight senior fellows. In 1564 queen Elizabeth visited the university of Cambridge, and remained there five days, viewing the several colleges, and hearing public speeches and disputations. Mr. Strype says, that the ripest and most learned men were selected for the disputants, and Mr. Cartwright being one of these, appears on this occasion to have greatly distinguished himself. In 1567 he commenced bachelor of divinity; and, three years after, was chosen to be lady Margaret’s divinity-reader. It is particularly mentioned, that he read upon the first and second chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, and performed it with such acuteness of wit, and such solidity of judgment, as excited the admiration of his hearers. He also became so famous as a preacher, that when it came to his turn to preach at St. Mary’s church, the sexton was obliged to take down the windows, on account of the multitudes that came to bear him.
William Cecil, dated the 9th of July; in which he declared his extreme aversion to every thing that was seditious and contentious, and affirmed that he had taught nothing
Mr. Cartwright vindicated his conduct in a letter to sir
William Cecil, dated the 9th of July; in which he declared his extreme aversion to every thing that was seditious and contentious, and affirmed that he had taught
nothing but what naturally flowed from the text concerning
which he had treated. He observed, that when an occasion offered itself of speaking concerning the habits, he
had waved it: though he acknowledged that he had
taught, that the ministry of the church of England had
declined from the ministry of the ancient and apostolical
church, and that he wished it to be restored to greater
purity. But these sentiments, he said, he had delivered
calmly and sedately, and in such a manner as could give
offence to none but the ignorant or the malignant, and
those who were eager to catch at something to calumniate
him. He asserted, that he had the utmost reason to believe that he should have obtained the testimony of the
university in favour of his innocence, had not the vicechancellor denied him a congregation. He solicited the
protection of the chancellor, so far as his cause was just;
and transmitted to him a testimonial of his innocence,
signed by several learned members of the university, and
in which his abilities, learning, and integrity, were spoken
of in very high terms. After this he was cited to appear
before Dr. Mey, the vice-chancellor of the university, and
some of the heads of houses, and examined upon sundry
articles of doctrine said to be delivered by him in his public
lectures, and which were affirmed to be contrary to the religion received and allowed by public authority in the realm of
England; and it was demanded of him, whether he would
stand to those opinions and doctrines, or whether Le wuuid
renounce them. Mr. Cartwright desired that he might be
permitted to commit to writing what his judgment was
upon the points in controversy; which being assented to,
he drew up six propositions to the following purport, and
which he subscribed with his own hand: “I. The names
and functions of archbishops and archdeacons ought to be
abolished. II. The offices of the lawful ministers of the
church, viz. bishops and deacons, ought to be reduced to
the apostolical institution: bishops to preach the word of
God and pray, and deacons to be employed in taking care
of the poor. III. The government of the church ought
not to be entrusted to bishops chancellors, or the officials
of archdeacons; but every church should be governed by
its own minister and presbyters. IV. Ministers ought not
to be at large, but every one should have the charge of a
certain flock. V. No man should solicit, or stand as a
candidate for the Ministry. VI. Bishops should not be
created by civil authority, but ought to be openly and fairly
chosen by the church.
” Propositions also which were said
to be dangerous and seditious were collected out of
Mr. Cartwright’s lectures, and sent to court by Dr. Whitgift, to incense the queen and chancellor against him; and
he was forbidden by the vice-chancellor and heads of the
university to read any more lectures till they should receive
some satisfaction that he would not continue to propagate
the same opinions. He was also prevented from taking
his doctor’s degree by the authority of the vice-chancellor:
which appears to have given great umbrage to many in the
university, and to have occasioned a considerable disturbance. In 1571 Dr. Whitgift became vice-chancellor of the
university; and by his influence more rigorous statutes
were procured for its government; and Mr. Cartwright was
deprived of his place of Margaret- professor. But he still
continued senior tellow of Trinity-college; though the following year he was also deprived of his fellowship; it being
alleged that he had forfeited it by not entering into priest’s
orders in due time, in conformity to the statutes. Being
thus driven from the university, and out of all employment,
he travelled beyond sea, where he became acquainted with
the most celebrated divines in the several protestant
universities of Europe, with many of whom he established a
correspondence. They appear to have entertained a very
high esteem for him; and the celebrated Beza, in a letter
to one of his English correspondents, expressed himself
thus concerning him: “Here is now with us your countryman, Thomas Cartwright, than whom I think the sun
doth not see a more learned man.
” While he was abroad,
he was chosen minister to the English merchants at Antwerp, and afterwards at Middleburgh, where he continued
two years, with little or no profit to himself; though his
labours as a preacher are said to have been extremely acceptable and successful. But the importunity of his friends
in England at length prevailed on him to return again to
his native country.
severe measures had now been adopted for several years against the puritans; on whose behalf a piece was published, intituled, “An admonition to the parliament;” to
Very severe measures had now been adopted for several
years against the puritans; on whose behalf a piece was
published, intituled, “An admonition to the parliament;
”
to which were annexed, A letter from Beza to the earl of
Leicester, and another from Gualter to bishop Parkhurst,
recommending a reformation of church discipline. This
work contained what was called the “platform of a
church;
” the manner of electing ministers; their several
duties; and arguments to prove their equality in government. It also attacked the hierarchy, and the proceedings
of the bishops, with much severity of language. The admonition was concluded with a petition to the two houses,
that a discipline more consonant to the word of God, and
agreeing with the foreign reformed churches, might be established by law. Mr. Field and Mr. Wilcox, authors of the
admonition, and who attempted to present it to parliament,
were committed to Newgate on the second of October
1572. Notwithstanding which, Mr. Cartwright, after his
return to England,“wrote
” a second admonition to the
parliament,“with an humble petition to the two houses,
for relief against the subscription required by the ecclesiastical commissioners. The same year Dr. Whitgift published
an answer to the admonition: to which Mr. Cartwright
published a reply in 1573; and aboat this time a proclamation was issued for apprehending him. In 1574 Dr.
Whitgift published, in folio,
” A defence of the answer to
the admonition, against the reply of T. C.“In 1575
Mr. Cartwright published a second reply to Dr. Whitgift;
and in 1577 appeared,
” the rest of the second reply of
Thomas Cartwright, against master Doctor Whitgift’s
answer, touching the church discipline.“This seems to have
been printed in Scotland; and it is certain, that before its
publication Mr. Cartwright had found it necessary to leave
the kingdom, whilst his opponent was raised to the bishopric
of Worcester. Mr. Cartwright continued abroad about
five years, during which time he officiated as a minister to
some of the English factories. About the year 1580
James VI. king of Scotland, having a high opinion of his
learning and abilities, sent to him, and offered him a professorship in the university of St. Andrew’s; but this he
'thought proper to decline. Upon his return to England,
officers w.e re sent to apprehend him, as a promoter of sedition,
and he was thrown into prison. He probably obtained his li* berty through the interest of the lord treasurer Burleigh, and
the earl of Leicester, by both of whom he was favoured: and
the latter conferred upon him the mastership of the hospital
which he had founded in Warwick. In 1583 he was earnestly persuaded, by several learned protestant divines, to
write against the Rhemish translation of the New Testament.
He was likewise encouraged in this design by the earl of
Leicester and sir Francis Walsingham: and the latter sent
him a hundred pounds towards the expences of the work.
He accordingly engaged in it; but after some time received
a mandate from archbishop Whitgift, prohibiting him from
prosecuting the work any farther. Though he was much
discouraged by this, he nearly completed the performance;
but it was not published till many years after his death in
1618, fol. under the title
” A Confutation of the Rhemish
Translation, Glosses, and Annotations on the New Testament.“It is said, that queen Elizabeth sent to Beza,
requesting him to undertake a work of this kind; but he
declined it, declaring that Cartwright was much more capable of the task than himself. Notwithstanding the high
estimation in which he was held, and his many admirers,
in the year 1585 he was again committed to prison by
Dr. Aylmer, bfshop of London; and that prelate gave some
offence to the queen by making use of her majesty’s name
on the occasion. When he obtained his liberty is not
mentioned: but we find that in 1590, when he was at
Warwick, he received a citation to appear in the starchamber, together with Edmund Snape, and some other
puritan ministers, being charged with setting up a new
discipline, and a new form of worship, and subscribing
their names to stand to it. This was interpreted an
opposition and disobedience to the established laws. Mr. Cartwright was also called upon to take the oath ex officio; but
this he refused, and was committed to the Fleet. In May
1591 ije was sent for by bishop Ay liner to appear before
him, and some others of the ecclesiastical commissioners,
at that prelate’s house. He had no previous notice given
him, to prevent any concourse of his adherents upon the
occasion. The bishop threw out some reproaches against
him, and again required him to take the oath ex officio.
The attorney general did the same, and represented to him
” how dangerous a thing it was that men should, upon the
conceits of their own heads, and yet under colour of conscience, refuse the things that had been received for laws
for a long time.“Mr. Cartwright assigned sundry reasons
for refusing to take the oath; and afterwards desired to be
permitted to vindicate himself from some reflections that
had been thrown out against him by the bishop and the
attorney general. But to this bishop Aylmer would not
consent, alleging,
” that he had no leisure to hear his
answer,“but that he might defend himself from the public
charges that he had brought against him, by a private letter
to his lordship. With this Mr. Cartwright was obliged to
be contented, and was immediately after again committed
to the Fleet. In August 1591 he wrote a letter to lady
Russel, stating some of the grievances under which he
laboured, and soliciting her interest with lord Burleigh to
procure him better treatment. The same year king James
wrote a letter to queen Elizabeth, requesting her majesty
to shew favour to Mr. Cartwright and his brethren, on account of their great learning and faithful labours in the
gospel. But he did not obtain his liberty till about the
middle of the year 1592, when he was restored to his
hospital at Warwick, and was again permitted to preach:
but his health appears to have been much impaired by his
long confinement and close application to study. He died
on the 27th of December 1603, in the 68th year of his age,
having preached a sermon ou mortality but two days before.
He was buried in the hospital at Warwick. He was pious,
learned, and laborious; an acute disputant, and an admired
preacher; of a disinterested disposition, generous and
charitable, and particularly liberal to poor scholars. It is
much to be regretted that such a man should have incurred
the censure of the superiors either in church or state; but
inuovations like those he proposed, and adhered to with
obstinacy, could not be tolerated in the case of a church
establishment so recently formed, and which required every
effort bf its supporters to maintain it. How far, therefore,
the reflections which have been cast on a the prelates who
prosecuted him are just, may be safely left to the consideration of the reader. There is reason also to think,
that before his death Cartwright himself thought differently
of his past conduct. Sir Henry Yelverton, in his epistle to
the reader, prefixed to bishop Moreton’s
” Episcopacy justified,“says that the last words of Thomas Cartwright, on his
death-bed, were, that he sorely lamented the unnecessary
troubles he had caused in the church, by the schism, of
which he had been the great fomenter; and that be wished
he was to begin his life again, that he might testify to the
world the dislike he had of his former ways In tnis opinion, says sir Henry, he died; and it appears certain, that
he abated something of the warmth of his spirit towards
the close of his days. When he had obtained his pardon,
of the queen, which, as sir George Paule asserts, was at
the instance of aichbishop Whitgilt, Cartwright, in his
letters of acknowledgment to that prelate, vouchsafed to
stile him a
” Right Reverend Fatner in God, and his Lord
the Archbishop’s Grace of Canterbury.“This title of
Grace he often yielded to Whitgift in the course of their
correspondence. Nay, the archbishop was heard to say,
that if Mr. Cartwright had not so far engaged himself as
he did in the beginning, he verily thought tnat he would,
in his letter time, have been drawn to conformity: for
when he was freed from his troubles, he often repaired to
the archbishop, who used him kindly, and was contented
to tolerate his preaching at Warwick for several years,
upon his promise that he would not impugn the laws, orders,
and government of the church of England, but persuade
and procure, as much as he could, both publicly and privately, the estimation and peace of the same. With these
terms he complied; notwithstanding which, when queen
Elizabeth understood that he preached again, though in
the temperate manner which had been prescribed, she
would not permit him to do it any longer without subscription; and was not a little displeased with the archbishop,
for his having connived at his so doing. Sir George Paule
farther adds, that, by the benevolence and bounty of his
followers, Mr Cartwright was said to have died rich. Besides the pieces already mentioned, Mr. Cartwright was
author of the following works: 1.
” Commentaria practica
in totam historiam evangelicam, ex quatuor evangelistis
harmonice concinnatam,“1630, 4to. An elegant edition
of this was printed at Amsterdam, by Lewis Elzevir, in
1647, under the following title:
” Harmonia evangelica
commentario analytico, metaphrastico, practice, illustrata,“&c. 2.
” Commentarii succincti & dilucidi in proverbia
Salomonis,“Amst. 1638, 4to. 3.
” Metaphrasis & homiliae in librum Salomonis qui inscribitur Ecclesiastes,“Amst. 1647, 4to. 4.
” A Directory of Church Government,“1644, 4to. 5.
” A Body of Divinity," Lond. 1616,
4to.
, bishop of Chester, and supposed to be grandson to the preceding, was born at Northampton, Sept. 1, 1634. His father was for some
, bishop of Chester, and
supposed to be grandson to the preceding, was born at
Northampton, Sept. 1, 1634. His father was for some
time master of the endowed school of Brentwood, in Essex,
and he appears to have been educated in the religious principles which prevailed among the anti-episcopal party.
He was entered of Magdalen hall, Oxford, but was soon
removed to Queen’s college by the power of the parliamentary visitors in 1649; and after taking orders, became
chaplain of that college, and vicar of Walthamstow in
Essex. In 1659, he was preacher at St. Mary Magdalen’s,
Fish-street. After the restoration, he recommended himself so powerfully by professions of loyalty, as to be made
domestic chaplain to Henry duke of Gloucester, prebendary of Twyford, in the church of St. Paul; of Chalford,
in the church of Wells; a chaplain in ordinary to the
king, and rector of St. Thomas Apostle, London, and was
created D. D. although not of standing for it. To these,
in 1672, was added a prebend of Durham; and in 1677,
he was made dean of Rippon. He had likewise a hard
struggle with Dr. Womack for the bishopric of St. David’s;
but in the reign of James II. in 1686, he succeeded to
that of Chester, for boldly asserting in one of his sermons,
that the king’s promises to parliament were not binding.
The most remarkable event of his life, was his acting as
one of the commissioners in the memorable attempt which
his infatuated master made to controul the president and
fellows of Magdalen college, Oxford, when they rejected
a popish president intruded upon them by the king. Upon
the revolution he fled to France, where he officiated as
minister to the protestant part of the king’s household;
and upon the death of Dr. Seth Ward, became titular
bishop of Salisbury. He afterwards accompanied the abdicated monarch to Ireland, where he died of a dysentery,
April 15, 1689, and was sumptuously interred in the choir
of Christ-church, Dublin. The report by Richardson, in
his edition of Godwin, of his having died in the communion of the church of Rome, seems doubtful; but on his
death-bed his expressions were certainly equivocal. His
“Speech spoken to the society of Magdalen college,
” his
examination of Dr. Hough, and several occasional sermons,
enumerated by Wood, are in print. He appears to have
been a man too subservient to the will of James, to act
with more prudence or principle than his master, who, it
is said, looked upon him as neither protestant nor papist,
and had little or no esteem for him.
, an English poet of the seventeenth century, was born at Northway near Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, Sept.
, 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.
time, and all in a most laboured style of panegyric. His other encomiasts inform us that his person was as handsome as his mind, and that he not only understood Greek
Few men have ever been so praised and regretted by
their contemporaries, who have left so little to perpetuate
their fame. During his sickness, the king and queen,
who were then at Oxford, made anxious inquiries about
the progress of his disorder. His majesty wore black on
the day of his funeral, and being asked the reason, answered that since the muses had so much mourned for the
loss of such a son, it had been a shame that he should not
appear in mourning for the loss of such a subject. His
poems and plays, which were published in 1651, are preceded by fifty copies of verses by the wits of the time, and
all in a most laboured style of panegyric. His other encomiasts inform us that his person was as handsome as his
mind, and that he not only understood Greek and Latin,
but French and Italian, as perfectly as his mother tongue.
Dr. Fell, bishop of Oxford, said of him, “Cartwright is
the utmost man can come to;
” and Ben Jonson used to
say, “My son Cartwright writes all like a man.
”
, a native of Lisbon, where he was born in 1650, addicted himself to the study of mathematics,
, a native of Lisbon, where he was born in 1650, addicted himself to the
study of mathematics, astronomy, and hydrography, and
undertook the topographical description of his native country. He made the tour of Portugal with great care, following the courses of the rivers, climbing the mountains,
and examining every thing with his own eyes. This work,
by far the best upon the subject, is in 3 vols. folio, published from 1706 to 1712, under the title of “Geographia
Portugueza.
” It contains the history of the principal
places, of the illustrious persons who were born in them,
the genealogies of the most considerable families, with the
natural curiosities, &c. of every place he visited. There
is also by this author a compendium of geography, and a
method of studying astronomy. He died in 1715, at the
age of 65, and so poor that the parish was obliged to bury
him.
, another unfortunate author in our own country, was a native of America. His grandfather, William Joseph Carver,
, another unfortunate author in
our own country, was a native of America. His grandfather, William Joseph Carver, of Wigan in Lancashire,
a captain in king William’s army, was rewarded for his
services in Ireland with the government of Connecticut in
New England, in which province our author was born in.
1732, and where his father, a justice of the peace, died
in 1747. Soon after, being designed for the study of physic, he was placed with a practitioner at Elizabeth-town;
but this not suiting his enterprising spirit, he purchased, in.
1750, an ensigncy in the Connecticut regiment, and behaved so well as to obtain the command of a company.
Nothing more is known of him till 1757, when being in
general Webb’s army, he fortunately escaped the dreadful
massacre at Fort William Henry, an instance of Indian
ferocity and French perfidy which he has pathetically described in his “Travels.
” In the five succeeding campaigns he served also, first as lieutenant and afterwards as
captain of provincials, with a high reputation, not only for
bravery, but also for piety and morals. On the conclusion of the peace in 1763, captain Carver, with a view
to make that vast acquisition of territory gained by Great
Britain advantageous to her, determined to explore the
most unknown parts of North America, particularly the
vast continent which extends from the Atlantic to the
Pacific ocean. His failure in this is now less to be regretted, as captain Cook has since shewn the impracticability of a north-west passage in those parts. Captain Carver, however, penetrated farther north-westward
than any other European, except father Hennepin in 1680,
viz. to the river St. Francis. The utmost extent of his
travels to the west was towards the head of the river St.
Pierre, in the country of the Naudowessies of the plains,
whose language he learned, and among whom he wintered
in 1766, and resided seven months. In 1769 he came
over to England, in hopes of a reimbursement from government for the sums he had expended in their service;
but in this he was disappointed, and reduced to great difficulties. In 1778, he published “Travels through the
interior parts of North America in the years 1766, 1767,
and 1768,
” 8vo, a work considered as peculiarly interesting. In the following year, he published also “A Treatise on the Culture of the Tobacco Plant.
” Both these
ought unquestionably to have procured him employment as
a man of talents, but unfortunately no notice was taken of
him. About this time he was induced to lend his name
to a compilation entitled “The New Universal Traveller,
”
published in weekly numbers, but this afforded a scanty
supply. Through the winter of 1779, he preserved his
existence by acting as a clerk in a lottery office until Jan.
31, 1780, a putrid fever supervening a long-continued
dysentery, brought on by mere want, put an end to the
life of a man whose public services and character deserved
a better fate. We know not, however, that he perished
in vain. His case attracted the notice of Dr. Lettsom,
who, in some excellent letters in the Gentleman’s Magazine, recommended it to the public attention with such
effect, that while a temporary provision was made for
captain Carver’s widow and children, by the publication.
of a new edition of his “Travels,
” a salutary impression
was made on the public mind, to which, strengthened by
other instances, we now owe that excellent institution,
“The Literary Fund.
”
, a learned historiographer of Palermo, where he was born in 1673, devoted his life to the history and antiquities
, a learned
historiographer of Palermo, where he was born in 1673,
devoted his life to the history and antiquities of Sicily;
and first published “Memorie Istoriche della Sicilia,
”
Palermo, Bibliotheca Historica Regni Siciliae,
” Bibliotheca
” was translated into Italian,
and published in
reated viscount Falkland, and descended from the family of the Gary’s, of Cockington, in Devonshire, was the son of sir Edward Gary, of Betkhamsted and Aldenham, in
, afterwards created viscount Falkland,
and descended from the family of the Gary’s, of Cockington, in Devonshire, was the son of sir Edward Gary, of
Betkhamsted and Aldenham, in the county of Hertford,
knight, master of the Jewel-office to queen Elizabeth and
king James I. by Catherine his wife, daughter of sir Henry
Knevet, knight, and widow of Henry lord Paget. He was
born at Aldenham; and, when about sixteen years of age,
was sent to Exeter-college in Oxford, where it does not
appear he took any degree: but when he quitted the university, he left behind a celebrated name. Soon after, he
was introduced to court; and in 1608, made one of the
knights of the bath at the creation of Henry prince of
Wales. In 1617, he was sworn in comptroller of his majesty’s houshold, and one of his privy-council: and on
the 10th of November, 1620, was created viscount of Falkland, in the county of Fife, in Scotland. King James I.
knowing his great abilities and experience, constituted
him lord deputy of Ireland; into which high office he was
sworn, September 18, 1622; and continued in it till 1629.
During his administration, he kept a strict hand over. the
Roman catholics in that kingdom; who sent frequent complaints to the court of England against him, and though
he proceeded very honourably and justly, yet by the clamour of the Irish, and the prevailing power of his Popish
enemies, he was removed in disgrace; but his innocence
being afterwards vindicated, this affront was in some measure atoned for by the subsequent t'avour of the king. At
his return to England, he lived in honour and esteem, till
1633; when having the misfortune to break one of his
legs, on a stand in TheobaldVpark, he died in September and was buried at Aldenham. He married Elizabeth,
sole daughter andheir of sir Laurence Tanfield, chief
baron of the exchequer, with whom he had the manor of
Great Tew, Burford, and other estates in Oxfordshire.
He is said to have written many things, which never were
published, except, 1. “The History of the most unfortunate prince, king Edward II.
” found among his papers,
and printed in 1680, fol. and 8vo, with a preface of sir
James Harrington; at a time, says Wood, “when the
press was open for all books that could make any thing
against the then government.
” 2. “A Letter to James I.
”
and an “Epitaph on Elizabeth countess of Huntingdon,
”
which is in Wilford’s Memorials. The letter to the king
was in behalf of his son, the subject of the following article; who, for challenging sir Francis Willoughby, had
been thrown into the Meet. It was printed in the “Cabala.
” In the Harl. ms. 1581, there are four original
letters from lord Falkland to the duke of Buckingham.
stinguished by his rectitude than abilities. In a government which required vigour and austerity, he was indolent and gentle; courting, rather than terrifying the factious.
Leland, in his History of Ireland, says, that “Lord
Falkland seems to have been more distinguished by his
rectitude than abilities. In a government which required
vigour and austerity, he was indolent and gentle; courting, rather than terrifying the factious. He was harrassed
by the intrigues and clamours of the king’s ministers,
whom he could not always gratify to the full extent of their
desires; his actions were severely maligned at the court of
England; his administration of consequence was cautious
and embarrassed. Such a governor was little qualified to
awe the numerous and powerful body of recusants, relying
on their merits, and stimulated by their ecclesiastics to the
most imprudent excesses.
”
, eldest son of the preceding, was born, as is supposed, at Burford in Oxfordshire, about 1610.
, eldest son of the preceding, was born, as is supposed, at Burford in Oxfordshire, about 1610. He received his academical learning at Trinity college in Dublin, and St. John’s college in Cambridge* Before he came to be twenty years of age, he was muster of an ample fortune, which descended to him by the gift of a grandfather, without passing through his father and mother, who were then alive. Shortly after that, and before he was of age, he went into the Low Countries, with a resolution of procuring a command; but was diverted from it by the complete inactivity of that summer. On his return to England, he entered upon a very strict course of study. We are informed by lord Clarendon, that his house being within a little more than ten miles of Oxford, he contracted familiarity and friendship with the most polite and accurate men of that university, who found such an immenseness of wit, and such a solidity of judgment in him, so infinite a fancy, bound in by most exact reasoning, such a vast knowledge, that he was not ignorant in any thing, yet. such an excessive humility, as if he had known nothing, that they frequently resorted, and dwelt with him, as in a college situated in a purer air; so that his house was a university in a less volume, whither they came, not so much for repose, as study; and to examine and refute those grosser propositions which laziness and consent made current in vulgar conversation. Before he was twenty-three years of age, he had read over all the Greek and Latin fathers, and was indefatigable in looking over all books, which with great expence he caused to be transmitted to him from all parts. About the time of his father’s death, in 1633, he was made one of the gentlemen of the privy-chamber to Charles I. In 1639 he was in the expedition against the Scots, and afterwards went a volunteer with the earl of Essex. He was chosen, in 1640, a member of the house of commons for Newport in the isle of Wight, in the parliament which began at Westminster April 13, the same year. The debates being there managed with all imaginable gravity and sobriety, he contracted such a reverence for parliaments, that he thought it really impossible they could ever procjiice mischief or inconvenience to the kingdom, or that the kingdom could be tolerably happy in the intermission of them. From the unhappy and unseasonable dissolution of that parliament, he probably harboured some jealousy and prejudice to the court, towards which he was not before immoderately inclined. He was chosen again for the same place in that parliament which began the 3d of November following;, and in the beginning of it declared himself very sharply and severely against those exorbitances of the court, which Vo*. Viij, Z had been most grievous to the state. He was so rigid an observer of established laws and rules, that he could not endure a breach or deviation from them; and thought no mischief so intolerable, as the presumption of ministers of state to break positive rules for reasons of state, or judges to transgress known laws upon the plea of conveniency or necessity. This made him so severe against the earl of Strafford and the lord Finch, contrary to his natural gentleness and temper. He likewise concurred in the first bill to take away the votes of bishops in the house of lords. This gave occasion to some to believe that he was no friend to the church, and the established government of it; it also caused many in the house of commons to imagine and hope that he might be brought to a further compliance with their designs. Indeed the great opinion he had of the uprightness and integrity of those persons who appeared most active against the court, kept him longer from suspecting any design against the peace of the kingdom; and though he differed from them commonly in conclusions, he believed their purposes were honest. When better informed what was law, and discerning in them a desire to controul that law by a vote of one or both houses, no man more opposed those attempts, and gave the adverse party more trouble, by reason and argumentation. About six months after passing the above-mentioned bill for taking away the bishops’ votes, when the same argument came again into debate, he changed his opinion, and gave the house all the opposition he could, insomuch that he was by degrees looked upon as an advocate for the court; to which he contributed so little, that he declined those addresses, and even those invitations which he was obliged almost by civility to entertain. He was so jealous of the least imagination of his inclining to preferment, that he affected even a moroseness to the court and to the courtiers, and left nothing undone which might prevent and divert the king’s or queen’s favour towards him, but the deserving it. When the king sent for him once or twice to speak to him, and to give him thanks for his excellent comportment in those councils which his majesty termed doing him service, his answers were more negligent, and Jess satisfactory, than might be expected; as if he cared only that his actions should be just, not that they should be acceptable: and he took more pains, and more forced his nature to actions unagreeable and unpleasant to it, that he might not be thought to incline to the court, than most men have done to procure an office there: not that he was in truth averse from receiving public employment, for he had a great devotion to the king’s person* and had before used some small endeavour to be recommended to him for a foreign negotiation, and had once a desire to be sent ambassador into France; but he abhorred an imagination or doubt should sink into the thoughts of any man, that in the discharge of his trust and duty in parliament he had any bias to the court; or that the king himself should apprehend that he looked for a reward for being honest. For this reason, when he heard it first whispered, that the king had a purpose to make him a privy-counsellor, for which there was in the beginning no other ground but because he was known to be well qualified, he resolved to decline it, and at last suffered himself to be over-ruled by the advice and persuasion of his friends to submit to it. Afterwards, when he found that the king intended to make him secretary of state, he was positive to refuse it, declaring to his friends that he was most unfit for it, and that he must either do that which would be great disquiet to his own nature, or leave that undone which was most necessary to be done by one that was honoured with that place; for the most just and honest men did, every day, that which he could not give himself leave to do. He was so exact and strict an observer of justice and truth, that he believed those necessary condescensions and applications to the weakness of other men, and those arts and insinuations which are necessary for discoveries and prevention of ill, would be in him a declension from his own rules of life, though he acknowledged them fit, and absolutely necessary to be practised in those employments. However, he was at last prevailed upon to submit to the king’s command, and became his secretary: but two things he could never bring himself to whilst he continued in that office (which was to his death), for which he was contented to be reproached, as for omissions in a most necessary part of his place. The one, employing of spies, or giving any countenance or entertainment to them; not such emissaries, as with danger would venture to view the enemy’s camp, and bring intelligence of their number* or quartering, or any particulars that such an observation can comprehend; but those who, by communication of guilt, or dissimulation of manners, wind themselves into such trusts and secrets, as enable them to make discoveries. The other, the liberty of opening letters, upon a suspicion that they might contain matter of dangerous consequence. For the first, he would say such instruments must be void of all ingenuity and common honesty, before they could be of use and afterwards they could never be fit to be credited and that no single preservation could be worth so general a wound and corruption of human society, as the cherishing such persons would carry with it. The last he thought such a violation of the law of nature, that no qualification by office could justify him in the trespass; and though he was convinced by the necessity and iniquity of the time, that those advantages of information were not to be declined, and were necessarily to be practised, he found means to put it off from himself, whilst he confessed he needed excuse and pardon for the omission. In all other particulars he filled his place with great sufficiency, being well versed in languages, and with the utmost integrity, being above corruption of any kind.
He was one of the lords, who, June 5, 1642, signed a declaration, wherein
He was one of the lords, who, June 5, 1642, signed a declaration, wherein they professed they were fully persuaded that his majesty had no intention to raise war upon his parliament. About the same time he subscribed to levy twenty horse for his majesty’s service. Upon which, and other accounts, he was excepted from the parliament’s favour in the instructions given by the two houses to their general the earl of Essex. Whilst he was with the king at Oxford, his majesty went one day to see the public library, where he was shewed among other books a Virgil, nobly printed and exquisitely bound. The lord Falkland, to divert the king, would have his majesty make a trial of his fortune by the Sortes Virgiliana?, an usual kind of divination in ages past, made by opening a Virgil. The king opening the book, the passage which happened to come up, was that part of Dido’s imprecation against ^Lneas, iv. 615, &c. which is thus translated by Dryden
houghts from any impression the other might make upon him: but the place lord Falkland stumbled upon was yet more suited to his destiny, than the other had been to the
King Charles seeming concerned at this accident, the lord Falkland, who observed it, would likewise try his own fortune in the same manner; hoping he might fall upon some passage that could have no relation to his case, and thereby divert the king’s thoughts from any impression the other might make upon him: but the place lord Falkland stumbled upon was yet more suited to his destiny, than the other had been to the king’s; being the following expressions of Evander, upon the untimely death of his son Pallas, JEn. xi. 152.
inded before always with more neatness and industry and expence than is usual to so great a soul, he was now not only incurious, but too negligent; and in his reception
From the beginning of the civil war his natural cheerfulness and vivacity greW clouded, and a kind of sadness
and dejection of spirit stole upon him, which he had never
been used to: yet being among those who believed that
one battle would end all differences, and that there would
be so great a victory on one side, that the other would be
compelled to submit to any conditions from the victor
(which supposition and conclusion generally sunk into the minds of most men, and prevented the looking after many advantages that might then have been laid hold of), he re
sisted those indispositions, “et in luctu bellum inter remedia erat.
” But after the resolution of the two houses,
not to admit any treaty for peace, those indispositions,
which had before touched him, grew into a perfect habit
of uncheerfulness; and he, who had been so exactly easy
and affable to all men, became on a sudden less communicable, sad, pale, and exceedingly affected with the
spleen. In his clothes and habit, which he had minded
before always with more neatness and industry and expence than is usual to so great a soul, he was now not only
incurious, but too negligent; and in his reception of suitors, and the necessary or casual addresses to his place, so
quick and sharp, and severe, that there wanted not some
men (strangers to his nature and disposition) who believed
him proud and imperious. When there was any overture
or hope of peace, he would be more erect and vigorous,
and exceedingly solicitous to press any thing which he
thought might promote it: and sitting among his friends,
often, after a deep silence and frequent sighs, would, with
a shrill and sad accent, repeat the word Peace, Peace;
and'would passionately profess, that the very agony of the
war, and the view of the calamities and desolation the kingdom did and must endure, took his sleep from him, and
would shortly break his heart. This made some think, or
pretend to think, that he was so much enamoured of peace,
that he would have been glad the king should have bought
it at any price; which was a most unreasonable calumny
yet it made some impression on him, or at least he used it
for an excuse of the daringness of his spirit; for at the
siege of Gloucester, when his friend passionately reprehended him for exposing his person unnecessarily to danger (for he delighted to visit the trenches and nearest approaches, and to discover what the enemy did) as being so.
much beside the duty of his place, that it might be understood rather to be against it, he would say merrily, “That
his office could not take away the privilege of his age;
and that a secretary in war might be present at the greatest
secret of danger:
” but withal alleged seriously, “That it
concerned him to be more active in enterprises of hazard
than other men, that all might see that his impatience for
peace proceeded not from pusillanimity, or tear to adventure his own person.
” In the morning before the first
battle of Newbury *, as always upon action, he was very
cheerful; and putting himselt into the first rank of the lord
Byron? s regiment, advanced upon the enemy, who had
lined the hedges on both sides with musqueteers; from
whence he was shot with a musquet in the lower part of
the belly, and in the instant falling from his horse, his
body was not found till the next morning. Thus fell that
incomparable young man, Sept. 20, 1643, in the 34th
year of his age, having so much dispatched the true business of life, that the eldest rarely attain to that immense
knowledge, and the youngest enter not into the world with
more innocency.
lord Clarendon, from whom, and in whose words, most of the preceding account is given, assure us, he was a man of prodigious parts, both natural and acquired, of a wit
His contemporaries, particularly lord Clarendon, from whom, and in whose words, most of the preceding account is given, assure us, he was a man of prodigious parts, both natural and acquired, of a wit so sharp, and a nature so sincere, that nothing could be more lovely; of great inWhitelock says, that in the morn- friends to go intp the fight, as haying
Clean shirt, and being asked the reason officer, he said, "He was weary of
Clean shirt, and being asked the reason officer, he said, "He was weary of
iging a humanity and goodness to mankind, and of that primitive simplicity and integrity of life, as was scarce ever equalled. His familiarity and friendship, for the
in foul linen.“Being dissuaded by his should be out of it ere night.' 7
genuity and honour, of the most exemplary manners, and
singular good nature, and of the most unblemished integrity; of that inimitable sweetness and delight in conversation, of so flowing and obliging a humanity and goodness
to mankind, and of that primitive simplicity and integrity
of life, as was scarce ever equalled. His familiarity and
friendship, for the most part, was with men of the most
eminent and sublime parts, and of untouched reputation
in point of integrity. He was a great cherisher of wit and
ianc}', and good parts, in any man; and, if he found them
clouded with poverty or want, a most liberal and bountiful
patron towards them, even above his fortune. As he was
of a most incomparable gentleness, application, and even
submission, to good and worthy, and entire men, so he
was naturally (which could not but be more evident in his place of secretary of state, which subjected him- to another conversation and intermixture than his own election would have done) adversus malos injucundus, unpleasant to bad
men; and was so ill a dissembler of his dislike and disinclination to ill men, that it was not possible for such not to
discern it. There was once in the house of commons such
a declared acceptation of the good service an eminent
member had done to them, and, as they said, to the whole
kingdom, that it was moved, he being present,
” That the
speaker might, in the name of the whole house, give him,
thanks; and then, that every member might, as a testimony of his particular acknowledgement, stir or move his
hat towards him:“the which (though not ordered) when
very many did, the lord Falkland, who believed the service
itself not to be of that moment, and that an honourable
and generous person could not have stooped to it for any
recompense, instead of moving his hat, stretched both his
arms out, and clasped his hands together upon the crown
of his hat, and held it close down to his head, that all men
might see how odious that flattery was to him, and the
very approbation of the person, though at that time most
popular. He was constant and pertinacious in whatsoever
he resolved to do, and not to be wearied by any pains that
were necessary to that end. And therefore having once
resolved not to see London, which he loved above all
places, till he had perfectly learned the Greek tongue, he
went to his own house in the country, and pursued it with
that indefatigable industry, that it will not be believed in
how short a time he was r master of it, and accurately react
all the Greek historians. He had a courage of the most
clear and keen temper, and so far from fear, that he
seemed not without some appetite of danger; and therefore, upon any occasion of action, he always engaged his
person in those troops which he thought, by the forwardness of the commanders, to be most like to he farthest engaged; and in all such encounters he had about him an
extraordinary cheerfulness, without at all affecting the execution that usually attended them; in which he took no
delight, but took pains to prevent it, where it was not by
resistance made necessary. At Edge-hill, when the enemy
was routed, he was like to have incurred great peril, by
interposing to save those who had thrown away their arms,
and against whom, it may be, others were more fierce for
their having thrown them away: so that a man might
think he came into the field, chiefly out of curiosity to see
the face of danger, and charity to prevent the shedding of
blood. Yet in his natural inclination, he acknowledged
he was addicted to the profession of a soldier. Many attempts were made upon him, by the instigation of his mother (who was a lady of another persuasion in religion, and of a most masculine understanding, allayed with the passion and infirmities of her own sex) to pervert him in his
piety to the church of England, and to reconcile him to
that of Rome; which they prosecuted with the more confidence, because he declined no opportunity or occasion of
conference with those of that religion, whether priests or
laics; diligently studied the controversies, and, as was
observed before, exactly read all, or the choicest of the
Greek and Latin fathers; and having a memory so stupendous, that he remembered, on all occasions, whatsoever
he read. He was so great an enemy to that passion and
uncharitableness which he saw produced by difference of
opinion in matters of religion, that in all those disputations
with priests and others of the Roman church, he affected
to manifest all possible civility to their persons, and estimation of their parts but this charity towards them was
much lessened, and any correspondence with them quite
declined, when by sinister arts they had corrupted his two
younger brothers, being both children, and stolen them
from his house, and transported them beyond seas, and
perverted his sisters: upon which occasion he wrote two
large discourses against the principal positions of that religion, with that sharpness of wit and full weight of reason,
that the church, says lord Clarendon, is deprived of great
jewels in the concealment of them, and that they are not
published to the world. As to his person he was little, and
of no great strength: his hair was blackish, and somewhat
flaggy; and his eye black and lively. His body was buried in the church of Great Tew. His usual saying was,
” I pity unlearned gentlemen in a rainy day."
bably saw the errors of both, and hovered between fluctuating principles in an age when no principle was settled, and when his honesty made him unserviceable to his
Lord Orford, in his “Royal and Noble Authors,
” is the
only writer of any credit that has ventured to attack the
character of lord Falkland, and that with as much confidence as if he had not only witnessed his actions, but had
known his motives. The opinion of lord Orford, however,
cannot be expected to weigh much against that of Clarendon, and almost every writer who lived in those times.
Lord Falkland’s failing appears to have been timidity and
irresolution; he loved both his country and his king he
probably saw the errors of both, and hovered between fluctuating principles in an age when no principle was settled,
and when his honesty made him unserviceable to his friends,
and the dupe of his enemies.
ord were perfectly intelligible, used to consult one of his lady’s chambermaids, and by her judgment was guided whether to receive or reject it. 6. “A View of some exceptions
Lord Falkland wrote, 1. “A Speech on ill Counsellors
about the king.
” 2. “Speech against the Lord Keeper
Finch and the Judges.
” 3. “A Speech against the Bishops,
Feb. 9, 1640.
” 4. “A draught of a speech concerning
Episcopacy,
” found among his papers, printed at Oxford
A Discourse on the Infallibility of the Church
of Rome,
” Letter to a young gentleman lately entered into holy
orders,
” informs us, that lord Falkland, in some of his
writings, when he doubted whether a word were perfectly
intelligible, used to consult one of his lady’s chambermaids, and by her judgment was guided whether to receive
or reject it. 6. “A View of some exceptions made against
the preceding discourse,
” A Letter to F. M.
anno 1636,
” printed at the end of Charles Gataker’s (his chaplain’s) “Answer to five captious questions, propounded
by a factor for the Papacy,
” &c. A Letter to Dr. Beale, master of St. John’s College, Cambridge.
”
From bishop Barlow’s Remains, p. Religion of Protestants;
”
and he wrote some verses on the death of Ben Jonson,
published in the collection called “Jonsonus Virbius.
”
Some other verses are mentioned by Mr. Park, but they
cannot be allowed much praise.
Something yet remains to be said of lady Falkland, who was the daughter of sir Richard Morison, of Tooley Park, in Lei
Something yet remains to be said of lady Falkland, who
was the daughter of sir Richard Morison, of Tooley Park,
in Leicestershire, knt. When her husband was killed,
she sought relief in the consolations of religion. After the
tumults of her grief had subsided, and her mind was restored to its former tranquillity, she began to experience
that happiness to which all are strangers but the truly religious. She was constant in the public and private exercises of devotion, spent much of her time in family prayer,
in singing psalms, and catechising her children and domestics. She frequently visited her poor neighbours, especially in their sickness, and would sometimes condescend
to read religious books to them, while they were employed
in spinning. She distributed a great many pious tracts.
Lord Falkland left her all that he was possessed of by will;
and committed his three sons, the only children he had,
to her care. She died Feb. 1646, in her thirty-fifth year.
In 1648 was published, “The holy Life and Death of the
lady Lettice, viscountess Falkland, &c.
” By John Duncon, 12mo. Of this a third edition appeared in 1653;
and it has since been reprinted in Gibbons’ s “Memoirs of
Pious Women.
”
r; having rendered himself eminent at court, in the senate, and in the county of Oxford, of which he was lord lieutenant. Being brought early into the house of commons,
Henry Lucius, eldest son of lord Falkland, and third of
the title, is said to have inherited the virtues of his father;
having rendered himself eminent at court, in the senate,
and in the county of Oxford, of which he was lord lieutenant. Being brought early into the house of commons, and
a grave senator objecting to his youth, “and to liis not
looking as if he had sowed his wild oats;
” he replied with
great quickness, “If I have not, I may sow them in the
house, where are geese enow to pick them up.
” He was
cut off in the prime of his years. One play was written by
him, entitled, “The Marriage Night.
” Mr. Walpole
styles ifc a comedy; but Langbaine, the “Poetical Register,
” and the “Companion to the Playhouse,
” represent
it as a tragedy; and yet, at the same time, the authors of
the two last publications say, that it contains a great deal
of true wit and satire.
Anthony Cary, the fourth lord Falkland, was the author of a prologue, “intended for the” Old Batchelor;“but
Anthony Cary, the fourth lord Falkland, was the author
of a prologue, “intended for the
” Old Batchelor;“but
which seems to have had too little delicacy even for that
play, and that age. He wrote likewise, a prologue to Otway’s
” Soldier’s Fortune."
entury, 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;
, 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.
, probably a native of Sussex, was of the Roman catholic persuasion, being secretary to queen Mary,
, probably a native of Sussex, was of the
Roman catholic persuasion, being secretary to queen Mary,
the wife of James II. and one who followed the fortunes of
his abdicating master; who rewarded him first with knighthood, and then with the honorary titles of earl Caryl and
baron Dartford. How long he continued in that service is
not known: but he was in England in the reign of queen
Anne, and was the intimate friend of Pope, to whom he
recommended the subject of the “Rape of the Lock,
” and
who at its publication addressed it to him. From some of his
letters in the last edition of Pope’s Works, he appears to
have been living in 1717; but he was not the intimate
friend of Pope’s unfortunate lady, as asserted in the last
edition of this Dictionary. It is plain from one of his letters, dated July 1717, that he had no knowledge of her, and
asks Pope “who was the unfortunate lady you address a
copy of verses to?
” to which Pope does not appear to have
returned any answer.
Mr. Caryl was the author of two plays: 1. “The English Princess; or, the death
Mr. Caryl was the author of two plays: 1. “The English
Princess; or, the death of Richard III.
” 1667, 4to. 2.
“Sir Salomon, or the cautious coxcomb,
” 'The Psalms of David, translated
from the Vulgate,
” 12mo. In Tonson’s edition of Ovid’s
epistles, that of Briseis to Achilles is said to be by sir John
Caryl; and in Nichols’s select collection of miscellany
poems, vol. II. p. 1, the first eclogue of Virgil is translated
by the same ingenious poet.
, author of the well-known “Commentary on Job,” and an eminent nonconformist divine, was born in London in 1602; He was a moderate independent, and Wood
, author of the well-known “Commentary on Job,
” and an eminent nonconformist divine,
was born in London in 1602; He was a moderate independent, and Wood mentions him as a noted disputant.
He was some time a commoner at Exeter college in Oxford, and preached several years with applause before the
hon. society of Lincoln’s-inn. In 1653 he was appointed
one of the triers for the approbation of ministers, and was
sent by the parliament to attend Charles I. at Holmbyhouse: he was also one of the commissioners in the treaty
of the Isle of Wight. He and Dr. Owen were by order of
parliament sent in 1650, to attend on Cromwell in Scotland, and to officiate as ministers. Soon after his ejectment in 1662, he gathered a congregation in the neighbourhood of St. Magnus, by London-bridge, to which he
preached as the times would permit, until his death, Feb.
7, 1673. He was a man of parts, learning, and of indefatigable industry. He has left behind him a considerable
number of sermons and pious tracts, but his principal work
is his “Commentary on Job,
” first printed in 12 vols. 4to,
and afterwards in two largp folios. Of late years it has
risen very considerably in price, which we can remember
to have been once that of waste-paper. The late Dr.
Lyndford Caryl, master of Jesus college, Cambridge, was
great grand-nephew to this Mr. Caryl.
, an eminent Italian writer, was born at Florence in 1503, and educated at Bologna, and at Florence
, an eminent Italian writer, was
born at Florence in 1503, and educated at Bologna, and at
Florence under Ubaldino Bandinelli. In 153S he became
clerk of the apostolic chamber, and was in his youth distinguished for the elegance of his writings, and the licentiousness of his morals. In 1544 he was promoted to the
archbishopric of Benevento, and sent as pope’s nuncio to
Venice, and it is thought would have been made a cardinal,
but for some indecent writings which he had published in
his youth: but there must have been some other reason
than this for his not obtaining that honour, as these writings had been no obstruction to his advancement to the
archbishopric. He was engaged, however, in several political negociations, until he became involved in the disgrace of the cardinal Alexander Farnese, and retired to
Venice. Upon the accession of pope Paul IV. who had an
esteem for him, he returned to Rome, where he amused
himself with literary pursuits, and where he died in 1556
or 1557. He was considered as one of the most elegant
writers of his time, both in Latin and Italian; of the former we have sufficient proof in his “Latina Monimenta,
”
Florence, Galateo,
” or art of living in the world, which is a system
of politeness, and has been translated into most European
languages. In 1774, it was published in an English translation, 12mo. There are complete editions of Casa’s works,
Venice, 1752, 3 vols. and 5 vols. and Naples, 6 vols. 4to.
Some of his Italian poems are sufficiently licentious, but
the authenticity of other works of that description attributed to him has been questioned, particularly by Marchand,
and by other authorities specified by Saxius.
, a learned cardinal, was born at Naples, June 13, 1620, and at first, in compliance with
, a learned cardinal, was born at
Naples, June 13, 1620, and at first, in compliance with
his father’s wishes, studied the law; but afterwards
his father was induced, at the request of cardinal Pamphili,
to allow him to go into the church. This cardinal, as sooa
as he became pope, by the name of Innocent X. made
Casanata one of his chamberlains of honour, and bestowed
on him several governments. In 1658 he was sent to Malta
as inquisitor by pope Alexander VII. and after residing
there four years and a half, was recalled to Rome, and employed in several congregations. He was promoted to be
cardinal by Clement X. in 1673, and was again employed
in public affairs of importance, during all which he retained a love of letters, accumulated an immense library,
and corresponded with many of the literati of Europe, whom
he encouraged in the publication of their works. In 1693,
pope Innocent XII. chose him librarian to the Vatican. As
it was his ambition to promote literature, he employed the
deputy librarian, the abbé Zacagni, to publish some curious
works that were in manuscript. Of these one volume in
quarto was. printed, and more would have followed if Casanata had not been prevented by death in March 1700.
He left his library 10 the church and Dominican convent
of St. Maria sopra Minerva, with a legacy of 80,000 ducats, destined partly for purchasing books, and partly for
salaries to ten learned monks, of whom two were to act as
librarians, two to expound the doctrine of St. Thomas, and
the six others to defend the doctrines of the church. This
establishment appears to have continued until within these
few years, as in 1776, the two librarians published “Bibliothecae Casanatensis Catalogus librorum typis impressorum,
” Rome, 3 vols. folio. This catalogue, which was
probably continued (although we have heard of only these three volumes), reaches to letter G. Most of the books in
this extensive library were published in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries, but there are neither English nor
German works among them. The Italian books, however,
are very numerous; and the catalogue, on account of the
great number of anecdotes and notices interspersed, may
be considered as an important acquisition to bibliography.
, a Latin poet of the sixteenth century, was a native of Rome, and gained a reputation in the epigrammatic
, a Latin poet of the
sixteenth century, was a native of Rome, and gained a reputation in the epigrammatic species of poetry, for which
he had a natural bent. He imitated Martial, particularly
in his lively style, and was master of the art of pointing his
terminations, which he exercised with the greatest ease.
In the verses he composed for the illustrious characters of
antient Rome he proposed Catullus for his model; but he
is far from attaining to that purity and delicacy which
charm us in the Latin poet; and though he sometimes
comes up to him in elegance, yet his diction is more strong
than mellow. His poems are to be found in the “Delicise
Poetaruin Italorum.
” Having exercised his wit at the expence of pope Clement VII. to please the Colonna family,
he was imprisoned and condemned to death, but received
a pardon. When Rome was taken by the Imperialists in
1527, he was stripped of all, reduced to beggary, and died
in that year, either of famine or the plague.
, a Spaniard, and the illustrious bishop of Chiapa, was born at Seville in 1474; and, at the age of nineteen, attended
, a Spaniard, and the illustrious bishop of Chiapa, was born at Seville in 1474;
and, at the age of nineteen, attended his father, who went
with Christopher Columbus to the Indies in 1493. Upon
his return he became an ecclesiastic, and a curate in the
isle of Cuba; but quitted his cure and his country -in order
to devote himself to the service of the Indians, who were
then enslaved to the most ridiculous superstitions, as well
as the most barbarous tyranny. The Spanish governors
had long since made Christianity detested by their unheardof cruelties, and the Indians trembled at the very name of
Christian. This humane and pious missionary resolved to
cross the seas, and to lay their cries and their miseries at
the feet of Charles V. The affair was discussed in council;
and the representations of Casas so sensibly affected the
emperor, that he made ordinances, as severe to the persecutors as favourable to the persecuted. But these ordinances were never executed the Spanish governors, or
rather tyrants, continued to plunder and murder; and
they had a doctor, one Sepulveda, who undertook even to
justify these outrages by human and divine laws, and by
the examples of the Israelites who conquered the people
of Canaan. This horrible book was printed at Rome, but
proscribed in Spain; and Casas, now become bishop of
Chiapa, refuted this apology for tyranny and murder. His
treatise, entitled, “The Destruction of the Indians,
” and
translated into most European languages, is full of details
which shock humanity. Soto, the emperor’s confessor,
was appointed arbiter of the difference between Casas, a
bishop worthy of the first ages of the church, and Sepulveda, a doctor and advocate for principles which would
not have been adopted by an heathen: and the result of
all this was laid before Charles V. who, however, had too
many affairs upon his hands to pay a due attention to it;
and the governors continued to tyrannize as usual. Casas
employed above fifty years in America, labouring with
incessant zeal, that the Indians might be treated with
mildness, equity, and humanity: but, instead of succeeding, he drew upon himself endless persecutions from the
Spaniards; and, though he escaped with his life, might
properly enough be called a martyr to the liberty of the
Indians. After refusing several bishoprics in America, he
was constrained to accept that of Chiapa in 1544. He reided there till 1551, when the infirm state of his health
obliged him to return to his native country; and he died
at Madrid in 156G, aged ninety-two. Besides his “Destruction of the Indians,
” and other pieces on the same
subject, there is a very curious Latin work of his upon
this question “Whether kings or princes can in conscience, by any right, or by virtue of any title, alienate
citizens and subjects from their natural allegiance, and
subject them to a new and foreign jurisdiction?
” Ail his
writings shew a solid judgment, and profound learning and
piety.
, a learned Jesuit, of a distinguished family in Placentia, was born there in 1617, and became professor of mathematics and
, a learned Jesuit, of a distinguished
family in Placentia, was born there in 1617, and became
professor of mathematics and theology at Rome. He was
one of the two ecclesiastics who contributed to convert
Christina, queen of Sweden, to the popish faith. She had
desired that two Jesuits might be sent to confer with her
on the subject. In 1652 he returned to Italy, and, as he
had considerable political talents, was appointed superior
to several houses belonging to the society of Jesuits: and
he presided over the university of Parma for thirty years,
and acted as confessor to two successive duchesses of
Parma. Amidst all these occupations he had leisure for
his mathematical studies and publications. He died at
Parma, Dec. 22, 1707. His principal works are, 1. “Vacuum proscriptum,
” Genoa, Terra machinis
mota,
” Rome, Mechanicorum libri octo,
”
De igne dissertationes,
” De angelis disputatio theologica,
” Placentia, Hydrostaticse dissertationes,
” Parma, Opticae disputationes,
” Parma,
, a very learned critic, was born at Geneva, February 18, 1559, being the son of Arnold Casaubon,
, a very learned critic, was born at
Geneva, February 18, 1559, being the son of Arnold Casaubon, a minister of the reformed church, who had taken
refuge in Geneva, by his wife Jane Rosseau. He was
educated at first by his father, and made so quick a progress in his studies, that at the age of nine he could speak
and write Latin with great ease and correctness. But his
father being obliged, for three years together, to be absent
from home, on account of business, his education was
neglected, and at twelve years of age he was forced to
begin his studies again by himself, but as he could not by
this method make any considerable progress, he was sent
in 1578 to Geneva, to complete his studies under the professors there, and by indefatigable application, quickly
recovered the time he had lost. He learned the Greek
tongue of Francis Portus, the Cretan, and soon became so
great a master of that language, that this famous man
thought him worthy to be his successor in the professor’s
chair in 1582, when he was but three and twenty years of
age. In 1586, Feb. 1, he had the misfortune to lose his
father, who died at Dil, aged sixty- three. The 28th of
April following he married Florence, daughter of Henry
Stephens the celebrated printer, by whom he had twenty
children. For fourteen years he continued professor of
the Greek tongue at Geneva; and in that time studied
philosophy and the civil law under Julius Pacius. He also
learned Hebrew, and some other of the Oriental languages,
but not enough to be able to make use of them afterwards.
In the mean time he began to be weary of Geneva; either
because he could not agree with his father-in-law, Henry
Stephens, who is said to have been morose and peevish;
or that his salary was not sufficient for his maintenance;
or because he was of a rambling and unsettled disposition.
He resolved therefore, after a great deal of uncertainty, to
accept the place of professor of the Greek tongue and polite literature, which was offered him at Montpelier, with
a more considerable salary than he had at Geneva. To
Montpelier he removed about the end of 1596, and began,
his lectures in the February following. About the same
time, the city of Nismes invited him to come and restore
their university, but he excused himself, and some say he
had an invitation from the university of Franeker. At his
first coming to Montpelier, he was much esteemed and
followed, and seemed to be pleased with his station. But
this pleasure did not last long; for what had been promised
him was not performed; abatements were made in his
salary, which also was not regularly paid, and upon the
whole, he met there with so much uneasiness that he was
upon the point of returning to Geneva, when a journey he
took to Lyons in 1598, gave him an opportunity of taking
another, that proved extremely advantageous to him. Having been recommended by some gentlemen of Montpelier
to M. de Vicq, a considerable man at Lyons, this gentleman took him into his house, and carried him along with
him to Paris, where he caused him to be introduced to the
first- president de Harlay, the president de Thou, Mr.
Gillot, and Nicolas le Fevre, by whom he was very civilly
received . He was also presented to king Henry IV.
who being informed of his merit, requested him to leave
Montpelier for a professor’s place at Paris. Casaubon
having remained for some time in suspense which course
to take, went back to Montpelier, and resumed his lectures. Not long after, he received a letter from the king,
dated January 3, 1599, by which he was invited to Paris
in order to be professor of polite literature, and he set out
the 26th of February following. When he came to Lyons,
M. de Vicq advised him to stay there till the king’s coming,
who was expected in that place. In the mean while, some
domestic affairs obliged him to go to Geneva, where he
complains that justice was not done him with regard to the
estate of his father-in-law. Upon his return to Lyons,
having waited a long while in vain for the king’s arrival, he
took a second journey to Geneva, and then went to Paris;
though he foresaw, as M. de Vicq and Scaliger had told
him, he should not meet there with all the satisfaction he
at first imagined. The king gave him, indeed, a gracious
reception; but the jealousy of some of the other professors,
and his being a protestant, procured him a great deal of
trouble and vexation, and were the cause of his losing
the professorship, of which he had the promise. Some
time after, he was appointed one of the judges on the
protestants’ side, at the conference between James Davy
du Perron, bishop of Evreux, afterwards cardinal, and
Philip du Plessis-Mornay f. As Casaubon was not favourable to the latter, who, some think, did not acquit himself
well in that conference, it was reported that he would
soon change his religion; but the event showed that this
report was groundless. When Casaubon came back to
Paris, he found it very difficult to get his pension paid, and
the charges of removing from Lyons to Paris, because M.
de Rosny was not his friend; and it was only by an express
order from the king that he obtained the payment even of
three hundred crowns. The 30th of May 1600, he returned to Lyons, to hasten the impression of his “Athenseus,
” which was printing there; but he had the misfortune of incurring the displeasure of his great friend M. de
Vicq, who had all along entertained him and his whole
family in his own house when they were in that city, because he refused to accompany him into Switzerland. The
reason of this refusal was, his being afraid of losing in the
mean time the place of library-keeper to the king, of
which he had a promise, and that was likely soon to become vacant, on account of the librarian’s illness. He
returned to Paris with his wife and family the September
following, and was well received by the king, and by many
persons of distinction. There he read private lectures,
published several works of the ancients, and learned Arabic; in which he made so great a progress, that he undertook to compile a dictionary, and translated some books
of that language into Latin. In 1601 he was obliged, as
he tells us himself, to write against his will to James VI.
king of Scotland, afterwards king of England, but does
not mention the occasion of it. That prince answered him
with great civility, which obliged our author to write to
him a second time. In the mean time, the many affronts
and uneasinesses he received from time to time at Paris,
made him think of leaving that city, and retiring to some
quieter place, but king Henry IV. in order to fix him,
made an augmentation of two hundred crowns to his pension: and granted him the reversion of the place of his
library-keeper. He took a journey to Dauphine in May
1603, and from thence to Geneva about his private affairs;
returning to Paris on the 12th of July. Towards the end
of the same year he came into possession of the place of
king’s library-keeper, vacant by the death of Gosselin.
His friends of the Roman catholic persuasion made now
frequent attempts to induce him to forsake the protestant
religion. Cardinal du Perron, in particular, had several
disputes with him, after one of which a report was spread
that he had then promised the cardinal he would turn Roman catholic: so that, in order to stifle that rumour, the
ministers of Charenton, who were alarmed at it, obliged
him to write a letter to the cardinal to contradict what was
so confidently reported, and took care to have it printed.
About this time the magistrates of Nismes gave him a second invitation to their city, offering him a house, and a
salary of six hundred crowns of gold a year, but he durst
not accept of it for fear of offending the king. In 1609
he had, by that prince’s order, who was desirous of gaining
him over to the catholic religion, a conference with cardinal du Perron, but it had no effect upon him.
bout it, had he lived longer in France. He greatly respected the opinions of the ancient church, and was persuaded that its sentiments were more sound than those of
Casaubon is to be ranked amongst those learned men
who, in the beginning of the last century, were very solicitous to have an union formed between the popish and
protestant religions. This is expressly asserted by Burigny, in his life of Grotius. According to that biographer, Casaubon, who wished to see all Christians united in
one faith, ardently desired a re-union of the protestants
with the Roman catholics, and would have set about it,
had he lived longer in France. He greatly respected the
opinions of the ancient church, and was persuaded that its
sentiments were more sound than those of the ministers of,
Charentou. Grotius and he had imparted their sentiments
to each other before the voyage to England, which we are
to mention, and Arminius had a project of the same kind,
which he communicated to Casaubon, by whom it was approved. In the year 1610 two things happened that afflicted Casaubou extremely; one was the murder of king
Henry IV. which deprived him of all hopes of keeping his
place; the other, his eldest son’s embracing popery. This
made him resolve to come over into England, where he
had often been invited by king James I.; and having obtained leave of absence from the queen-regent of France,
he arrived in England October 1610,along with sir Henry
Wotton, ambassador-extraordinary from king James I. and
was received with the utmost civility, by most persons of
learning and distinction, although he complains of being
ill used by the rabble in the streets. He waited upon
the king, who took great pleasure in discoursing with him,
and even did him the honour of admitting him several times
to eat at his own table. His majesty likewise made him a
present of a hundred and fifty pounds, to enable him to
visit the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. On the
Christmas day after he arrived in England, he received
the communion in the king’s chapel, though he did not
understand the language. In his diary he says, that he had
carefully considered the office for the sacrament the day
before, and preferred it and the manner of receiving to that
of other churches. The 3d ofJanuary, 1611, he was naturalized, and the 19th of the same month, the king
granted him a pension of three hundred pounds; as also
two prebends, one at Canterbury, and the other at Westminster. He likewise wrote to the queen regent of Franc*-,
to desire Casaubon might stay longer in England than she
had at first allowed him. But Casaubon did not long enjoy
these great advantages, as a painful distemper in the bladder proved fatal July 1, 1614, in the 55th year of his
age. He was buried in Westminster-abbey, where a monument was erected to his memory, with a Latin epitaph
in a high style of panegyric. Of his twenty children, John,
the eldest, turned Roman catholic, as has been mentioned
above. Another, named Augustin, became a capuchin,
at Calais, where he was poisoned, with eleven oihers of
the same order. Mr. Dupin relates, upon the authority
of Mr. Cotelier, that before he took the vow of capuchiu,
/he went to ask his father’s blessing, which the father readily
granted him; adding, “My son, I do not condemn thee;
nor do thou condemn me; we shall both appear before the
tribunal of Jesus Christ.
” What became of the rest of his
children (except Meric, mentioned in the next article),
is not known. In 1612, he had a son born in England,
to which the king and the archbishop of Canterbury were
godfathers, and sir George Gary’s lady, godmother. This
great man received the highest encomiums from persons
of learning in his time, which he amply deserved by his
extensive knowledge, modesty, sincerity, and probity.
His writings are 1 “In Diogenem Laertium Notae Isaaci Hortiboni,” Morgiis, 1583, 8vo. He was but twenty-five years old when he made these notes, and intended
His writings are 1 “In Diogenem Laertium Notae
Isaaci Hortiboni,
” Morgiis, He should like better one note of his upon the holy Scriptures, than all the
pains he could bestow upon profane authors.
” These
potes of Casaubon were inserted in the editions of Diogenes
Laertius, printed by H. Stephens in 15l>4 and 1598, in
8vo, and in all the editions published since. The name of
Hortibonus, which Casaubon took, is of the same import
as Casaubon, i. e. a good garden; Casait, in the language
of Dauphiné, signifying a garden, and bon, good. 2.
“Lectiones Theocriticæ,
” in Crispinus’s edition of Theocritus, Genev. 1S84, 12mo, reprinted several times since.
3. “Strabonis Geographiae Libri XVII. Grsece & Latine,
ex Guil. Xylandri Interpretatione,
” Genevae, 1587, fol.
Casaubon’s notes were reprinted, with additions, in the
Paris edition of Strabo in 1620, and have been inserted
in all other editions since. 4. “Novurn Testamentum.
Grace urn,
” Geneva;, Critici
Sacri.
” V. “Animadversiones in Dionysium Halicarnassensem,
” in the edition of Dionysius Halicarnassensis,
published by our author with Æmilius Portus’s Latin version, Genev. 1588, fol. These were written in haste, and
are of no great value. 6. “Polyseni Stratagematum,
”
Libri VIII.“Lugduni, 1589, 16to. Casaubon was the
first who published the Greek text of this author. The
Latin version, joined to it, was done by Justus Vulteius,
and first published in 1550. 7.
” Dicsearchi Geographica
quaedam, sive de Statu Grascise; ejusdem descriptio
Grrcciae versibus Greeds jambicis, ad Theophrastum; cum
Isaaci Casauboni & Henrici Stephani nods,“Genevac,
1589, 8vo. 8.
” Aristotelis Opera Grasce, cum variorum
Interpretatione Latina, & variis Lectionibus & Castigationibus Isaaci Casauboni,“Lugduni, 1590, fol.; Genevae,
1605, fol. These notes are only marginal, and were composed at leisure hours. 9.
” C. Plinii Caec. Sec. Epist.
Lib. IX. Ejusdem & Trajani imp. Epist. amcebaea?. Ejus* clem Pi. & Pacati, Mamertini, Nazarii Panegyrici. Item
Claudiani Panegyrici. Adjunctae sunt Isaaci Casauboni
Notae in Epist.“Geneva, 1591, 12mo; ibid. 1599, 1605,
1610, and 1611, 12mo. These notes are but very short.
10.
” Theophrasti Characteres Ethici Grasce & Latine,“Lugduni, 1592, 12mo, and 1612, 12mo. This latter edition is the most exact of the two, being revised by the
author. Casaubon’s edition of Theophrastus is still highly
esteemed, and was one of those works which procured him
most reputation. Joseph Scaliger highly extols it. 11.
” L. Apuleii Apologia,“Typis Commeiini 1593, 4to. In
this edition he shewed himself as able a critic in the
Latin, as he had done before in the Greek tongue. It is
dedicated to Joseph Scaliger. 12.
” C. Suetonii Tranquilli Opera,“Genevas, 1595, 4to, and Paris, 1610, an
enlarged edition. 13.
” Publii Syri Mimi, sive sententiae
selectae, Latine, Graece versas, & Notis illustrate per Jos.
Scaligerum; cum prefatione Isaaci Casaubon i,“Lugd.
Batav. 1598, 8vo. 14.
” Athenaei Deipnosophistarmn,
LibriXV. Graece Latine, Interprete JacoboDalechampio,
cum Isaaci Casauboni Animadversion um Libris XV.“Geneva, 1597, 2 vols. fol.; ibid. 1612, 2 vols. fol Casaubon’s notes take up the second volume, and are copious and learned, and constitute the most valuable part
of this edition. 15.
” Historiae Augustae Scriptures, “Paris,
1603, 4to, reprinted at Paris in 1620, with Saiivmsius’s
Commentaries on the same autnors, fol. and at Leyden,
in 1670, 2 vols. 8vo. 16.
” Diatnba ad Dionis Chrysostomi Orationes,“published in the edition of that author
by Frederick Morel, at Paris, 1604, fol. 17.
” Persii
Satyrae ex recensione &- cum Commentar.“Pans, 1605,
8vo; Lond. 1647, 8vo. These notes upon Persius ar
Lectures he had formerly read at Geneva. They were
enlarged in the edition of 1647. Scaliger used to say of
them,
” That the sauce was better than the fish.“18.
” De Satyrica Graecorum Poesi, & llomanorum Satyra
Libri duo,“Paris, 1605, 8vo. In this work Casaubon
affirms, that the satire of the Latins was very different from
that of the Greeks, which Daniel Heinsius contradicts in
his two books,
” De Satyra Horatiana,“Lugd. Batava.
1629, 12mo. But the learned Ezekiel Spanheim, after
having examined the arguments of these two learned men,
declares for Casaubon. Crenius has inserted this tract
of Casaubon, in his
” Musceum Philologicum & Historicom,“Ludg. Batav. 1699, 8vo; and also the following
” piece, which was published by our author at the end of
his two books, “De Satyrica Poesi,
” &c. 19. “Cyclops
Euripidis Latinitate donata a Q. Septimio Florente.
” 20.
“Gregorii Nysseni Epistola ad Eustathiam, Ambrosiam, &
Basilissam, Gr. & Lat.
” Paris, De
Libertate Ecclesiastica Liber,
” Collectanea de Monarchia S. Imperil,
” torn. I. p. Inscriptio vetus dedicationem fundi continens, ab Herode
rege facta, cum notis.
” This small piece, published in
Musoeum.
Phiiologicum.
” Casaubon’s notes are short, but learned;
however, he appears to have been mistaken in ascribing
the inscription on which they were made to Herod king
of Judaea, instead of Herodes the Athenian. 23. “Polybii Opera Gr. & Lat. Accedit Æneas Tracticus detoleranda obsidione, Gr. & Lat.
” Paris, Josephi Scaligeri Opusculavaria,
” Paris, Ad Frontonem Ducseum
Epistola, de Apologia, Jesuitarum nomine, Parisiis edita,
”
Londini, la Reponse Apologetique a I'Anti-coton, par Francois Bonald.
” Au Pont,
1611, 8vo. 26. “Epistola ad Georgium Michaelem Lingelshemium de quodam libello Sciopii,
” Epistola ad Cardinalem Perronium,
” Londini, Ad Isaacum Casaubonum Paraenesis,
”
Racoviae, De Rebus sacris & Ecclesiasticis Exercitationes xvi. Ad Cardinalis Baronii Prolegomena in
Annales, & primam eorum partem, de Domini nostri Jesu
Christi Nativitate, Vita, Passione, Assumtione,
” Londini,
that he had materials ready for that purpose.
” Accordingly, king James
employed him in that work, which was finished in eighteen
months’ time. Niceron thinks that Casaubon was not equal
to this work, because he had not sufficiently studied divinity, chronology, and history, and was not conversant
enough in the fathers, and is charged with having committed more errors than Baronius in a less compass. Besides, as he comes no lower than the year 34 after Christ,
he is said to have pulled down only the pinnacles of Baronius’ s great building. It appears from letter 1059th of
our author, that Dr. Richard Montague, afterwards bishop
of Norwich, had undertaken to write against Baronius at
the same time with himself; and he threatens to complain
of him to the king, who had engaged him in that work.
29. “Ad Polybii Historiarum Libruni primum Commentarius,
” Paris, Isaaci Casauboni Epistohp,
” Hagie Comin. Is. Casauboni Epistolae,
” &c. Curante
Theodore Janson ab Almeloveen,“Roterodami, 1709, foL
The letters in this volume are 1059 in number, placed
according to the order of the time in which they were
written; and 5 1 without dates. Niceron finds in them
neither elegant style, nor fine thoughts; and censures, as
very disagreeable, the mixture of Greek words and expressions that are dispersed throughout; affirming besides,
that they contain no particulars tending to the advancement of learning, or that are of any great importance. In
the
” Sorberiana“it is said that there is in them the history of a man of probity and learning; but nothing otherwise very remarkable, excepting the purity of the language,
and the marks of a frank and sincere mind. Argonne,
however, in his
” Melanges d'Histoire,“assures us that
they are all perfectly beautiful; and makes no scruple to
compare them to those of Grotius and Scaligerwith regard to
learning; and to assert that they exceed them for the easiness and purity of the style, which is entirely epistolary,
and not at all affected. 31.
” Casauboniana," Hamburg!,
1710, 8vo. There is nothing very material in this collection.
, son of the preceding, was born at Geneva, August 14, 1599, and had the name of Meric from
, 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 .
He tells us, that these observations were extorted from him, by the importunity of printers, when he was not very well furnished either with books or leisure; but, worst
His works, besides his two vindications already mentioned, are, 1. “Optati Libri vii. de Schismate Donatistarum, cum Notis & Emendationibus,
” Lond. M. Aurelius Antoninus’s Meditations concerning himself, with
notes,
” Lond. A Treatise of
Use and Custom,
” Lond. The Use of
daily public Prayers in three positions,
” Lond. 1641, 4to.
5. “Marci Antonini Imperatoris de Seipso & ad Seipsum
libri xii. Guil. Xylander Augustanus Graece &, Latine primus edidit: nunc vero, Xylandri versionem locis plurimis
etnendavit, & novam fecit in Antonini libros Notas &
Emendationes adjecit Mericus Casaubonus, Is. F. In eosdem Xylandri Annotationes,
” Lond. The original of Temporal
Evils; the opinions of the most ancient Heathens concerning it examined by the Sacred Scriptures, and referred
unto them, as unto the source and fountain, from whence
they spring,
” Lond. A discourse concerning Christ his Incarnation and Exinanition. With an
introduction concerning the principles of Christianity and
Divinity,
” Lond. De verborum usu, &
accuratse eorum cognitionis utilitate Diatriba,
” Lond. Persii Satyrse cum
notis Isaaci Casaubon,
” Lond. De quatuor Linguis Commentationis, Pars I. Quse de Lingua
Hebraica & de Lingua Saxonica. Accesserunt Gulielmi
Somneri ad verba vetera Germanica Lipsiana Notae,
”
Lond. Terentius, cum notis Thomoe Farnabii in quatuor priores Comoedias, & Merici Casauboni in Phormionem & Hecyram,
”
Lond. Some Annotations on the Psalms
and Proverbs.
” He tells us, that these observations
were extorted from him, by the importunity of printers,
when he was not very well furnished either with books or
leisure; but, worst of all, of will, when nothing could be
expected to be acceptable and welcome, but what relished
of schism and rebellion. These Annotations were inserted
in one of the latter editions of the “Assembly’s Annotations on the Bible.
” 13. “In Hieroclis commentarium de
Providentia & Fato, notae & emendationes,
” Lond. A Treatise
concerning Enthusiasm, as it is an effect of Nature; but is
mistaken by many for either divine inspiration, or diabolical possession,
” Lond.- De nupera
Homeri editione Lugduno-Batavica Hackiana, cum 'Latina
versione, & Didymi Scholiis sed & Eustathio, & locis
aliquot insignioribus ad Odysseam pertinentibus. Item
super loco Homerico dubise apud antiques interpretations,
quo Dei in hominum tarn mentes quam fortunas imperium
asseritur, binse dissertationes,
” Lond. 1659, 8vo, reprinted
in Almeloveen’s edition of Casaubon’s Letters. 16. “Epicteti Enchiridion, Graere & Latine, cum notis Merici Casauboni & Cebetis Tabula, cum notis ejusdem,
” Lond.
Lucius FJorus’s History of the Romans,
” Lond.
e, to confirm the truth of what is said in that relation concerning Spirits, Lond. Io59, fol. 19. He was author of, 44 A Vindication of the Lord’s Prayer as a formal
1659, 8vo. 18. “A true and faithful relation of what
passed for many years between Dr. John Dee and some
Spirits,
” &c. And put in the beginning a long preface,
to confirm the truth of what is said in that relation concerning Spirits, Lond. Io59, fol. 19. He was author of,
44 A Vindication of the Lord’s Prayer as a formal prayer,
and by Christ’s institution to be used by Christians as a
prayer. Against the antichristian practice and opinion of
some men. Wherein also their private and ungrounded
zeal is discovered, who are so strict for the observation of
the Lord’s-day, and make so light of the Lord’s- prayer,“Lond. 1660. The first occasion of this treatise, as the
author tells us in the preface, was a strange report that in
St. Mary’s church in Oxford, Dr. John Owen, dean of
Christ-church, who had the chief government of that university from 1652 to 1657, put on his hat when the Lord’s
prayer was repeating by the preacher. This Dr. Owen
denied afterwards. 20.
” A King and his Subjects unhappily fallen out, and happily reconciled, in a sermon
preached at Canterbury,“on Hosea iii. ver. 4, 5,
” Lond.
(i, e. John Sarjeant, the author of Sure-footing, &c. so learnedly confuted by archbishop Tillotson) was a sort of an answer to some passages in Dr. Casaubon’s book
1660, 4to. 21. “The Question to whom it belonged anciently to preach? And whether all priests might or did?
Discussed out of antiquity. Occasioned by the late directions concerning preachers,
” Lond. Notse & emendationes in Diogenem Laertium de
Vitis, &c. Philosophorum
” added to those of his father,
in the editions of Laertius printed at London 1664, fol.
and Amsterdam in 1692, 4to. 23. “Of the necessity of
Reformation in and before Luther’s time, and what visibly
hath most hindered the progress of it Occasioned by some
late virulent books written by papists, but especially by
that, entitled, Labyrinthus Cantuariensis,
” Lond. 1664, 4to.
This is chiefly an answer to “Labyrinthus Cantuariensis,
”
printed at Paris in Archbishop Laud’s relation of a conference with Fisher
the Jesuit.
” 24. “An answer concerning the new way of
Infallibility lately devised to uphold the Roman cause; the
ancient fathers and councils laid aside, against J. S. (the author of Sure-footing) his Letter lately published,
” Lond.
Of the necessity of Reformation,
” &c. and was printed at the end of Sarjeant’s Surefooting in Christianity. 25. “A Letter of Meric Casaubon, D.D. &c. to Peter du Moulin, I). D. &c. concerning
natural experimental philosophy, and some books lately
set out about it,
” Cambridge, Of Credulity and Incredulity in things natural, civil, and divine;
wherein, among other things, the sadducism of these
times in denying spirits, witches, and supernatural operations, by pregnant instances and evidences is fully
confuted; Epicurus his cause discussed, and the juggling and false dealing lately used to bring him and
atheism into credit, clearly discovered; the use and necessity of ancient learning against the innovating humour
all along proved and asserted^
” Lond. Of Credulity and Incredulity in things divine
and spiritual: wherein (among other things) a true and
faithful account is given of the Platonic philosophy, as it
hath reference to Christianity: as also the business of
witches and witchcraft, against a late writer, fully argued
and disputed.
” The late writer, attacked only in the two
last sheets of this book, was Mr. John Wag-staff, who published “The question of Witchcraft debated; or a discourse
against their opinion, that affirm witches,
” Lond. A treatise proving Spirits, Witches, and supernatural
operations by pregnant instances and evidences, &c.
”
London, Notse in Polybium,
” printed for the
first time in Gronovius’s edition, Amsterdam, 1670, 8vo.
28. “Epistolae, Dedicationes, Prsefationes, Prolegomena,
& Tractatus quidam rariores. Curante Theodore Janson
ab Almeloveen;
” printed at the end of Isaac Casaubon’s
Letters, Roterodami, 1709. 29. “De Jure concionandi
apud antiques.
” This seems to be the same as the treatise
mentioned above No. 22, or perhaps it was a Latin translation of it.
Sosiah,” of the practices and mode of speaking of the sophis, or monks of the mussulmans, of whom he was one of the chiefs. That which bears the title of “Menazel ai
, the surname of Kemaleddin Abulganem Abdalrazzak ben Yemaleddin, a famous doctor, classed by
Yafei among the mussulman saints, is the author of several
works, and among them one entitled “Esthelahah al Sosiah,
” of the practices and mode of speaking of the sophis,
or monks of the mussulmans, of whom he was one of the
chiefs. That which bears the title of “Menazel ai sairin,
”
the lodgings for travellers, is another spiritual book of the
same author. “Tavilat al Koran al hakim,
” commentaries
on the Koran, are likewise by him, and were in the French
king’s library, number 641. The Rabi al Abrar relates,
that this doctor, who was the oracle of his time, preaching
one day at Medina, a contemplative person retired to a
corner of the mosque for the purpose of meditation, without paying any attention to the discourse of Caschi. One
of the audience asking him why he did not hearken like the
rest, this spiritual man replied: “When the master speaks,
it is not reasonable to listen to what the servant says.
”
The two following lines of Persian poetry are quoted from
Caschi:
omplained, that for having only tempted Adam with the desire of a knowledge equal to that of God, he was plunged into his present unhappy condition; and that Pharaoh,
, or Cascheri, is the surname of Imam
Abul Hassan, who wrote the lives of the mussulman saint*.
Yafei makes mention of this book in the work he composed
on the same subject: he is likewise author of the book entitled “Lathaif,
” which is highly esteemed for its ingenious fictions and its spiritual allegories. On the words
that Mohammed puts into the mouth of Pharaoh, in the
Chapter of the Koran entitled Nazeat: “I am thy master
and thy God,
” he says that the devil, having heard them,
complained, that for having only tempted Adam with the
desire of a knowledge equal to that of God, he was plunged
into his present unhappy condition; and that Pharaoh, who
wanted to pass himself for God, had only incurred the
same punishment. This Imam is in universal esteem as
one of the greatest divines of Mohammedanism; it is he
who explains the right way, spoken of in the first chapter
of the Koran in these terms: “That man walks in the
right way who never stops till he is arrived at the end of
his journey, which is the union with God.
” He likewise
makes this reflection on the chapter in the same book, entitled Anaam, where it is said that we must avoid both
inward and outward sins: the reason, he says, is presently
subjoined in these words: “God has loaded you with benefits both within and without: therefore, adds he, these
benefits ought to be not only the motive to the keeping of
the commandments and the avoiding of sin, but they
should teach us also that the best means of obtaining the
pardon of our transgressions is to be continually thanking
God for his favours.
” This Imam has made an abridgement of the book of Takieddin, entitled “Sahih.
” There
is another Caschiri, whose proper name is Mossalem ben
Hegiage al Nischaburi, a native of Nischabur, a city of
Khorassan, who died in the year of the hegira 261.
, M. D. a physician and philosopher of Oxford, was born at Woodstock in that county, and educated in New college,
, 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.
vo. 3. “Sphaera civitatis, sive de politica,” Oxon. 1588, 4to; Francf. 1616, 8vo. The former edition was printed by Barnes, and having been pirated on the continent,
He wrote, 1. “Summa veterum interpretum in universam dialecticam Aristotelis,
” London, Speculum moralium questionum in
universam ethicam Aristotelis,
” Oxon. Sphaera civitatis, sive de politica,
” Oxon.
Apologia musices, tarn vocalis, quam instrumentalis, et mixtae,
” Oxon. The Praise of Music, &c.
” Thesaurus ceconomiae, seu commentarius in ceconomia Aristotelis,
” Oxon. Appendix Theium ceconomicarum,
” ibid. 7. “lleflexus speculi moralis, seu comment, in magna moralia Arist.
” Oxon. 1596.
8. “Lapis Philosophicus, seu comment, in octo libros phisicorum Arist.
” Oxon. Ancilla philosophise, seu Epit. in 8 lib. Arist.
” Oxon.
, M. D. among Granger’s heroes, was a noted astrologer in the time of queen Anne, and succeeded
, M. D. among Granger’s heroes, was a
noted astrologer in the time of queen Anne, and succeeded
Lilly, who left him possessed of his apparatus, particularly his darkened chamber, and pictures, with which he
pretended to shew his customers their absent friends. Case
used to exhibit these to his intimates, in the hours of conviviality, laughing at the folly and credulity of the people.
Over his door was written,
“Within this place
Lives Dr. Case.
”
, an eminent nonconformist divine, the son of George Case, vicar of Boxley in Kent, was born there in 1598 or 1599, and became student of Christ church,
, an eminent nonconformist divine, the
son of George Case, vicar of Boxley in Kent, was born
there in 1598 or 1599, and became student of Christ church,
Oxford, upon the recommendation of Toby Mathew, archbishop of York, in 1616. After taking his degrees in arts,
he went into the church, and preached for some time in
Oxfordshire and Kent, and held the living of Erpingham in
Norfolk, from which he was ejected for nonconformity. In
1641, he joined in principle and practice with the parliament, and about that time was minister of St. Mary Magdalen, Milk-street, London, in the room of a sequestered
loyalist. One of the party jour nafs of the time informs us
that in administering the sacrament, he used to say, instead
of “Ye that do truly and earnestly repent, &c.
” “Ye that
have freely and liberally contributed to the parliament,
&c.;
” but this was probably the squib of the day. Case,
with all his republican zeal, was a man of real piety but
the former certainly betrayed him into extreme violence in
his discourses, which is poorly excused by his biographer
telling us of his having been ejected from his living by
bishop Wren. When in London he wasthe institutor of
the Morning Exercise, which was kept up in the city many
years after, and produced some of the ablest sermons of
the nonconformist clergy. From the living of Milk-street
he was turned out, for refusing the engagement, and was
afterwards lecturer at Aldermanbury and St. Giles’s Cripplegate. He was imprisoned six months in the Tower,
for being implicated in Love’s plot, but Love only was
made a sacrifice, and Mr. Case and his fellow-prisoners
Mr. Jenkyn, Mr. Watson, &c. were released and restored
to their livings. He was afterwards rector of St. Giles’s in
the Fields. In 1660, he was one of the ministers deputed
to wait on the king at the Hague; and in 1661, one of the
commissioners at the fruitless Savoy conference. He appears to have retained his living in Milk-street after the
restoration, as it was from that he was finally ejected. He
died May 30, 1682, and was buried in Christ church, Newgate-street. Dr. Jacomb, who preached his funeral sermon, gives him an excellent and probably a just character:
and it is certain that he lived to repent of the intemperance
of his harangues at the commencement of the rebellion.
This led him to subscribe the two papers declaring against
the proceedings of the parliament in 1648, and the bringing king Charles to a trial. His works consist chiefly of
sermons preached on public occasions, before the parliament and at funerals, enumerated by Calamy.
, a German divine, was originally of the Netherlands, but born at Gottingen in the
, a German divine, was originally of the
Netherlands, but born at Gottingen in the duchy of Brunswick, May 18, 1533, of a family that had been ruined in
the wars for religion. His father, who had embraced the
principles of the reformers, taught and preached in England, Scotland, and Spain. The son studied at various academies, and had, among his other masters, Melancthon and
Camerarius. In 1563 he was invited to the chair of philosophy and eloquence at Rostock, and in a tour to Italy
received the degree of doctor of laws in the university of
Pisa. He was afterwards professor of philosophy at Helmstadt, where he died April 9, 1613. He carried on a correspondence with most of the learned men of his time. He
was particularly conversant in the Greek fathers. Along
with Dr. Duncan Liddel and Cornelius Martin, he opposed
the opinion of Daniel Hoffman, and some others, who
maintained that philosophy was irreconcileable with theology, and that there are many things true in the latter
which are false in the former. He wrote a great many
works in verse and prose, and in Greek and Latin, principally annotations on Cebes’ Table, Epictetus, Xenophon’s
Cyropsedia, Demetrius Phalereus, Xenophon’s Memorabilia, &c. and a collection of letters, Francfort, 1687, 8vo.
Many of his letters also occur in the writings of his contemporaries. His life is in “Vitæ eruditissimorum in re
litteraria virorum,
” Leipsic,
, a painter, was born at Paris in 1676, where he also died in the month of June
, 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.
, eminent in an art of the greatest consequence to literature, that of letter-founding, was born in 1692, in the part of the town of Hales-Owen which is
, eminent in an art of the greatest consequence to literature, that of letter-founding, was born in 1692, in the part of the town of Hales-Owen which is situated in Shropshire. Though he justly attained the character of being the Coryphaeus in letter-founding, he was not brought up to the business; and it is observed by Mr. Mores, that this handiwork is so concealed among the artificers of it, that he could not discover that any one had taught it to another; but every person who had used it had acquired it by his own ingenuity. Mr. Caslon served a regular apprenticeship to an engraver of ornaments on gun-barrels, and, after the expiration of his term, carried on this trade in Vine-street, near the Minories. He did not, however, solely confine his ingenuity to that instrument, but employed himself likewise in making tools for the book-binders, and for the chasing of silver plate. Whilst he was engaged in this business, the elder Mr. Bowyer accidentally saw in a bookseller’s shop, the lettering of a book uncommonly neat; and inquiring who the artist was by whom the letters were made, was thence induced to seek an acquaintance with Mr. Caslon. Not long after, Mr. Bowyer took Mr. Caslon to Mr. James’s foundery, in Bartholomew-close. Caslon had never before that time seen any part of the business; and being asked by his friend if he thought he could undertake to cut types, he requested a single day to consider the matter, and then replied that he had no doubt but he could. Upon this answer, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Bettenham, and Mr. Watts, then eminent printers, had such a confidence in his abilities, that they lent him 500l. to begin the undertaking, and he applied himself to it with equal assiduity and success. In 1720, the society for promoting Christian knowledge, in consequence of a representation from Mr. Solomon Negri, a native of Damascus, in Syria, who was well skilled in the Oriental tongues, and had been professor of Arabic, in places of note, deemed it expedient to print, for the use of the eastern churches, the NVw Testament and Psalter in the Arabic language. These were intended for the benefit of the poor Christians in Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Arabia, and vEgypt, the constitution of which countries did not permit the exercise of the art of printing. Upon this occasion, Mr. Caslon was pitched upon to cut the fount; in his specimens of which he distinguished it by the name of English Arabic. After he had finished this fount, he cut the letters of his own name in pica Roman, and placed them at the bottom of one of the Arabic specimens. The name being seen by Mr. Palmer (the reputed author of a history of printing, which was, in fact, written by Psalmanaazar), he advised our artist to cut the whole fount of pica. This was accordingly done, and the performance exceeded the letter of the other founders of the time. But Mr. Palmer, whose circumstances required credit with those whose business would have been hurt by Mr. Caslon’s superior execution, repented of the advice he had given him, and endeavoured to discourage him from any farther progress. Mr. Caslon, being justly disgusted at such treatment, applied to Mr. Bowyer, under whose inspection he cut, in 1722, the beautiful fount of English which was used in printing Selden’s works, and the Coptic types that were employed in Dr. Wilkins’s edition of the Pentateuch. Under the farther encouragement of Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Bettenham, and Mr. Watts, he proceeded with vigour in his employment, and Mr. Bowyer was always acknowledged by him to be his master, from whom he had learned his art. In letter-founding he arrived at length to such perfection, that he not only relieved his country from the necessity of importing types from Holland, but in the beauty and elegance of those made by him, he so far exceeded the productions of the best artificers, that his workmanship was frequently exported to the continent. Indeed, it may with great justice and confidence be asserted, that a more? beautiful specimen than his is not to be found in any part of the world. Mr. Caslon’s first foundery was in a small house in Helmet-row, Old-street. He afterwards removed into Ironmonger-row; and about 1735, into Chiswell-street, where his foundery became, in process of time, the most capital one that exists in this or in foreign countries. Having acquired opulence in the course of his employment, he was put into the commission of the peace for the county of Middlesex. Towards the latter end of his life, his eldest son, William, being in partnership with him, he retired in a great measure from the active execution of business. His last country residence was at Bethnal-green, where he died Jan. 23, 1766, aged seventy-four. He was interred in the church-yard of St. Luke, Middlesex, in which parish all his different founderies were situated, and where they are still carried on by one of his descendants, under the firm of Caslon and Cattierwood. Mr. Caslon was universally esteemed as a fist-rate artist, a tender master, and an nonest, friendly, and benevolent man and sir John Hawkins has particularly celebrated his hospitality, his social qualities, and his love of music.
, a German divine, who flourished in the sixteenth century, and died Aug. 1, 1607, aged fortyfive, was president of the college of Stade, and one of the first of those
, a German divine, who flourished in
the sixteenth century, and died Aug. 1, 1607, aged fortyfive, was president of the college of Stade, and one of
the first of those writers who were called Scriptural philosophers. They supposed all philosophy to be derived from
divine revelation, and despairing of being able to arrive at
any true knowledge of nature, by the light of reason, had
recourse to the sacred oracles, and particularly to the
Mosaic history of the creation, and endeavoured upon this
foundation to raise a new structure of philosophy. Gasman
was also dissatisfied with the unprofitable subtleties of the
Aristotelian philosophy, and determined, in the study of nature, rather to rely upon the decision of the sacred writings,
than upon the doctrine of the ancient heathen philosophers.
Even in his explanation of scripture he refused to call in
the assistance of philosophical rules of interpretation. In
a work entitled “Cosmopceia,
” on the formation of the
world, he derives his physical doctrine from the scriptures;
ard in his “Modesta Assertio Philosophise et Christianas
et Verae,
” he professes to write Christian institutes of
grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, &c. Henry Alsted,
Dr. Dickinson, and Dr. Burnett, &c. are also ranked among
scriptural philosophers.
, a doctor of divinity, born at Nismes in 1633, was son of Michael Cassagnes, master of the requests to the duke
, a doctor of divinity, born at Nismes in 1633, was son of Michael Cassagnes, master of the requests to the duke of Orleans, afterwards treasurer to the demesne of the Seneschally of Nismes. He was admitted into the French academy at the age of twenty-seven, in consequence of an ode written in its praise, 1660; and the poem he published the year following, in which he introduces Henry IV. giving instructions to Louis XIV. gained him the friendship of M. Colbert. This minister procured him a pension from the court, appointed him keeper of the king’s library, and nominated him one of the first four academicians, who originally composed the academy of inscriptions. The abbe Cassagnes was preparing to preach at court, when Boileau placed his name by that of Cotin in his third satire: this satirical stroke made him renounce the pulpit, and preyed on a mind probably vain and weak. Imagining, afterwards, that he had entirely lost the esteem of the public, he thought to recover his reputation by publishing a multiplicity of works; but too great application, joined to a morose temper, and many disappointments, impaired his understanding, and his friends were obliged to place him at St. Lazare, where he died, May 19, 1675, aged 46. He left odes, which are printed separately, and in collections a translation of Cicero’s Rhetoric, 12mo, and of Sallust, 12mo, and other forgotten works.
, called Nicoletto, a Venetian, artist, was born at Venice in 1659, and was the eldest son, and disciple
, called Nicoletto, a Venetian, artist, was born at Venice in 1659, and was the eldest son, and disciple of John Francis Cassana, a Genoese, who had been taught the art of painting by Bernardino Strozzi, and under his direction became an eminent portraiupainter; and the grand duke of Tuscany invited him to his court, where he painted the portraits of that prince and the princess Violante his consort. Of the historical subjects painted by this master while he resided at Florence, perhaps the most considerable was the Conspiracy of Catiline it consisted of nine figures as large as life, down to the knees; and the two principal figures were represented, as with one hand joined in the presence of their companions, and in their other hand holding a cup of blood. Nicoletto was invited to England, with strong assurances of a generous reception; and on his arrival, painted the portrait of queen Anne, in which he succeeded so happily, that the queen distinguished him by many marks of favour and of honour; but he had not the happiness to enjoy his good fortune for any length of time, dying in London, universally regretted, in the year 1713. He had a younger brother, G. Augustine Cassana, who, though a good portrait- painter, preferred the representation of animals and various fruits his pictures of that class are frequent in the collections of Italy, and sometimes ascribed to Castiglione. He had a sister, Maria Vittoria Cassana, who painted images of devotion for private amateurs, and died at Venice in the beginning of the last century.
, a learned popish divine of conciliatory principles, was born in 1515, in the isle of Cadsand, near Bruges, whence he
, a learned popish divine of
conciliatory principles, was born in 1515, in the isle of
Cadsand, near Bruges, whence he took his name. He was
deeply skilled in the languages, polite literature, civil law,
and divinity; and taught the belles lettres at Ghent, Bruges,
and other places with great reputation. He afterwards directed almost his sole attention to theological studies, and
retiring to Cologne, prosecuted his favourite idea of forming an union and reconciliation between the Roman catholics and protestants. With this view he published without
his name in 1562, a small work, entitled “De Officio Viri
pii, &c.
” which favouring the Roman catholic church, on
the general ground of authority, engaged him in a controversy with Calvin, who thought that it was written by Baudouin, a celebrated lawyer; and although the true author
was discovered, the controversy went on. The sentiments
of Cassander, however, appeared in so favourable a light to
the German princes, that they fixed upon him as a mediator in the religious disputes. Under this character he composed his famous piece entitled “Consultatio Cassandri,
”
in which he discusses the several articles of the Augsburg
confession, stating their difference from the doctrines of
the catholic church, and the concessions that might be
safely made with respect to them. This work, which was
written with great liberality, was much applauded by those
who were desirous of a coalition, but who were soon convinced that every attempt of this kind was nugatory. Cassander died in 1566. M. De Thou represents him as modest, void of arrogance and acrimony; and he was as ardent
in his wishes for a religious union, and made as many
concessions for the accomplishment of this object, as could be
expected from a person who continued in the catholic
communion. Others, his contemporaries, speak highly of
him, but many of his works were censured or condemned
by the council of Trent. His works were first printed separately, and afterwards collected in a folio volume, Paris,
1616. Dupin bestows a prolix, but interesting article on
Cassander.
, a distinguished anatomist, of humble parentage, but of great talents, was born at Placentia in1545. His genius leading him to the study
, a distinguished anatomist, of
humble parentage, but of great talents, was born at Placentia in1545. His genius leading him to the study of
anatomy, he went to Padua, and became a servant to Fabricius, who made him his pupil and assistant, and at length,
coadjutor in the professorship of anatomy. This office, to
which he was preferred in 1609, he continued to fill with
credit until 1616, when he died. As his diligence and
industry equalled his genius, he became in a few years
more knowing and skilful in his profession than his preceptor. Fabricius, in the opinion of Douglas, excelled
in philosophy, Casserius in anatomy. This excited, however, no jealousy. Fabricius, who was far advanced in
years, was well pleased with the prospect of leaving a successor so well qualified to advance the knowledge of the
art; but in this he was disappointed, as he survived his
pupil by more than three years. Of Casserius’s anxious
desire to leave behind him a name, we have numerous
proofs. Almost the whole of the revenue he obtained by
teaching anatomy was expended in procuring subjects for
dissection, and in paying draughtsmen and engravers to
delineate figures of such parts of the body as he either
discovered, or thought he had juster conceptions of than
his predecessors. In the prefaces to his anatomical works
he is not backward in affirming that he has furnished future anatomists with delineations of the parts of human
and animal bodies, exceeding in elegance, perspicuity,
and correctness, all that had preceded them. It will be
observed he made use of animals, not as succedanea, but
only to enable him to discover minute parts which were
not easily distinguishable in the human body. The title
of his first work, published in 1600, is “De Vocis
Auditusque Organis Historia Anatomica, &c. Tractatibus duobus explicata,
” Ferrara, fol. He here lays claim to the
discovery of a muscle, moving the malleus, one of the
ossiculae auditus. He also improved, Haller says, the
anatomy of the larynx. “Pentaesthesejon, id est, de quinque Sensibus Liber, Organorum Fabricam, Actionem, et
Usum continens,
” Venet. De Formato Fcetu,
”
, was a celebrated solitary, a native of Scythia, of the fifth century,
, was a celebrated solitary, a native
of Scythia, of the fifth century, who spent part of his life
in the monastery of Bethlehem with the monk Germain,
his friend. They engaged openly in the defence of St.
Chrysostom, against Theophilus, patriarch of Alexandria.
Cassian went to Rome, and from thence to Marseilles,
where he founded two monasteries, one of men, the other
of virgins. He ranks among the greatest masters of the
monastic life, and died about the year 448. He left
“Collations,
” or conferences of the fathers of the desert,
and “Institutions,
” in 12 books, translated iHto French by
Nic. Fontaine, 1663, 2 vols. 8vo; and seven books upon
the Incarnation. These are all written in Latin, with a
clearness and simplicity of style excellently calculated to
inspire the heart with virtuous dispositions. They were
printed at Paris, 1642, and at Leipsic, 1722, folio, and are
in the library of the fathers. St. Prosper has written
against the “Conferences.
” Cassian is reckoned among
the first of the Semi-Pelagians, of which sect Faustus of
Riez, Vincent of Lerins, Gennadius of Marseilles, Hilerias
of Aries, and Arnobius the younger, were the principal
defenders. The semi-pelagians were opposed by the whole
united forces of St. Augustin and Prosper, without being
extirpated, or overcome by them. This sect was condemned by some synods, and was rejected by the church.
, an eminent astronomer, was born of noble parents, at a town in Piedmont in Italy, June
, an eminent astronomer, was born of noble parents, at a town in Piedmont in Italy, June 8, 1635. After he had laid a proper foundation in his studies at home, he was sent to continue them in a college of Jesuits at Genoa. He had an uncommon turn for Latin poetry, which he exercised so very early, that poems of his were published when he was but eleven years old. At length he fell in with books of astronomy, which he read with great eagerness; and feeling a strong propensity to proceed farther in that science, in a short time he made so amazing a progress, that, in 1650, the senate of Bologna invited him to be their public methematical professor. He was not more than fifteen years of age when he went to Bologna, where he taught mathematics, and made observations upon the heavens with great care and assiduity. In 1652 a comet appeared, which he observed with great accuracy; and discovered, that comets were not bodies accidentally generated in the atmosphere, as had usually been supposed, but of the same nature, and probably governed by the same laws, as the planets. The same year he solved an astronomical problem, which Kepler and Bullialdus had given up as insolvable; viz. to determine geometrically the apogee and eccentricity of a planet from its true and mean place. In 1653, when a church of Bologna was repaired and enlarged, he obtained leave of the senate to correct and settle a meridian line, which had been drawn by an astronomer in 1575. These were circumstances very remarkable in one who had not yet attained his twentieth year. In 1657 he attended, as an assistant, a nobleman, who was sent to Rome to compose some differences which had arisen between Bologna and Ferrara, from the inundations of the Po; and shewed so much skill and judgment in the management of that affair, that in 1663, Marius Chigi, brother of pope Alexander VII. appointed him inspector-general of the fortifications of the castle of Urbino; and he had afterwards committed to him the care of all the rivers in the ecclesiastical state.
lanets Mars and Venus, especially the revolution of Mars upon his own axis; but his principal object was to settle an accurate theory of Jupiter’s satellites, which
Meanwhile he did not neglect his astronomical studies, but cultivated them with great care. He made many discoveries relative to the planets Mars and Venus, especially the revolution of Mars upon his own axis; but his principal object was to settle an accurate theory of Jupiter’s satellites, which after much labour and watching he happily effected, and published it at Rome, among other astronomical pieces, in 1666. Picard, the French astronomer, getting Cassini’s tables of Jupiter’s satellites, found them so very exact, that he conceived the highest opinion of his skill; and from that time his fame increased so fast in France, that Lewis XIV. desired to have him a member of the academy. Cassini, however, could not leave his station, without leave of his superiors; and therefore Lewis requested of pope Clement IX. and of the senate of Bologna, that Cassini might be permitted to come into France. Leave was granted for six years; and he came to Paris in the beginning of 1669, where he was immediately made the king’s astronomer. When this term was near expiring, the pope and the senate of Bologna insisted upon his return, on pain of forfeiting his revenues and emoluments, which had hitherto been remitted to him; but the minister Colbert prevailed on him to stay, and he was naturalized in the latter end of 1673, in which same year also he married.
The royal observatory of Paris had been finished some time. The occasion of its being built was this: In 1638, the famous minim Mersenne was the author and
The royal observatory of Paris had been finished some
time. The occasion of its being built was this: In 1638,
the famous minim Mersenne was the author and institutor
of a society, where several ingenious and learned men met
together to talk upon physical and astronomical subjects;
among whom were Gassendi, Descartes, Monmort, Thevenot, Bulliald, our countryman Hobbes, &c. and this
society was kept up by a succession of such men for many
years. At length Lewis XIV. considering that a number
of learned men acting in a body would succeed abundantly
better in the promotion of science, than if they acted separately, each in his particular art or province, established
under the direction of Colbert, in 1666, the royal academy of sciences: and for the advancement of astronomy
in particular, erected the royal observatory at Paris, and
furnished it with all kinds of instruments that were necessary to make observations. The foundation of this noble
pile was laid in 1667, and the building completed in 1670.
Cassini was appointed to be the first inhabiter of the observatory; and he took possession of it Sept. 1671, when he
applied himself with fresh alacrity to the business of his
profession. In 1672 he endeavoured to determine the
parallax of Mars and the sun, by comparing some observations which he made at Paris, with some which were
made at the same time in America* In 1677 he demonstrated the diurnal revolution of Jupiter round his axis, to
be performed in nine hours and fifty-eight minutes, from
the motion of a spot in one of his larger belts. In 1684
he discovered four satellites of Saturn, besides that which
Huygens had found out. In 1693 he published a new
edition of his “Tables of Jupiter’s Satellites,
” corrected
by later observations. In
stronomer, and member of the several academies of sciences of France, England, Prussia, and Bologna, was born at Paris Feb. 18, 1677, being the younger son of the preceding,
, a celebrated French astronomer, and member of the several academies of sciences of France, England, Prussia, and Bologna, was born at Paris Feb. 18, 1677, being the younger son of the preceding, whom he succeeded as astronomer at the royal observatory, the elder son having lost his life at the battle of La Hogue.
After some education in his father’s house he was sent to study philosophy at the Mazarine college, where the
After some education in his father’s house he was sent to study philosophy at the Mazarine college, where the celebrated Varignon was then professor of mathematics; from whose assistance young Cassini profited so well, that at fifteen years of age he supported a mathematical thesis with great honour. At the age of seventeen he was admitted a member of the academy of sciences; and the same year he accompanied his father in his journey to Italy, where he assisted him in the verification of the meridian at Bologna, and other measurement* On his return he made other similar operations in a journey into Holland, where he discovered some errors in the measure of the earth by Snell, the result of which was communicated to the academy in 1702. He made also a visit to England in 1696, where he was made r a member of the royal society. In 1712 he succeeded his father as astronomer royal at the observatory. In 17 17 he gave to the academy his researches on the distance of the fixed stars, in which he shewed that the whole annual orbit, of near 200 million of miles diameter, is but as a point in comparison of that distance. The same year he communicated also his discoveries concerning the inclination of the orbits of the satellites in general, and especially of those of Saturn’s satellites and ring. In 1723 he undertook to determine the cause of the moon’s libration, by which she shews sometimes a little towards one side, and sometimes a little on the other, of that half which is commonly behind or hid from our view.
Although astronomy was the principal object of our author’s consideration, he made
Although astronomy was the principal object of our author’s consideration, he made occasional excursions into other fields. We owe also to him, for example, Experiments on Electricity, or the light produced by bodies by friction; Experiments on the recoil of fire-arms; Researches on the rise of the mercury in the barometer at different heights above the level of the sea; Reflections on the perfecting of burning-glasses; and other memoirs. The French academy had properly judged that one of its most important objects was the measurement of the earth. In 1669, Picard measured a little more than a degree of latitude to the north of Paris; but as that extent appeared too small from which to conclude the whole circumference with sufficient accuracy, it was resolved to continue that measurement on the meridian of Paris to the north and south, through the whole extent of the country. Accordingly, in 1683, the late M. de la Hire continued that on the north side of Paris, and the older Cassini that on the south side. The latter was assisted in 1700 in the continuation of this operation by his son, our author. The same work was farther continued by the same academicians; and finally the part left unfinished by de la Hire in the north, was finished in 1718 by our author, with the late Maraldi, and de la Hire the younger.
7 18^ that they decreased more and more towards the pole, and that therefore the figure of the earth was that of an oblong spheroid, or having its axe longer than the
These operations produced a considerable degree of precision. It appeared also, from this measured extent of six degrees, that the degrees were of different lengths in different parts of the meridian; and in such sort that our author concluded, in the volume published for 17 18^ that they decreased more and more towards the pole, and that therefore the figure of the earth was that of an oblong spheroid, or having its axe longer than the equatorial diameter. He also measured the perpendicular to the same meridian, and compared the measured distance with the differences of longitude as before determined by the eclipses of Jupiter’s satellites; from whence he concluded that the length of the degrees of longitude was smaller than it would be on a sphere, and that therefore again the figure of the earth was an oblong spheroid; contrary to the determination of Newton by the theory of gravity. In consequence of these assertions of our author, the French government sent two different sets of measurers, the one to measure a degree at the equator, the other at the polar circle; and the comparison of the whole determined the figure to be an oblate spheroid, contrary to Cassini’s determination.
author, James Cassini, lost his life by a fall, in April 1756, in the eightieth year of his age, and was succeeded in the academy and observatory, by his second son,
After a long and laborious life, our author, James Cassini, lost his life by a fall, in April 1756, in the eightieth
year of his age, and was succeeded in the academy and
observatory, by his second son, Cæsar- Francois de Thury.
He published '5 A Treatise on the Magnitude and Figure
of the Earth“as also
” The Elements or Theory of “the
Planets, with Tables
” beside an infinite number of papers
in the Memoirs of the Academy, from 1699 to 1755.
tor of the observatory, pensioner astronomer, and member of most of the learned societies of Europe, was born at Paris, June 17, 1714, being the second son of the preceding,
, a celebrated French astronomer, director of the observatory, pensioner astronomer, and member of most of the learned societies of Europe, was born at Paris, June 17, 1714, being the second son of the preceding, whose occupations and talents our author inherited and supported with great honour. He received his first lessons in astronomy and mathematics from Messieurs Maraldi and Camus. He was hardly ten years of age when he calculated the phases of the total eclipse of the sun of 1727. At the age of eighteen he accompanied his father in his two journeys undertaken for drawing the perpendicular to the observatory meridian from Strasbourg to Brest. From that time a general chart of France was devised; for which purpose it was necessary to traverse the country by several lines parallel and perpendicular to the meridian of Paris, and our author was charged with the conduct of this business. He did not content himself with the measure of a degree by Picard; suspecting even that the measures which had been taken by his father and grandfather were not exempt from some errors, which the imperfections of their instruments at least would be liable to, he again undertook to measure the meridian of Paris, by means of a new series of triangles, of a smaller number, and more advantageously disposed. This great work was published in 1740, with a chart shewing the new meridian of Paris, by two different series of triangles, passing along the sea-coasts to Bayonne, traversing the frontiers of Spain to the Mediterranean and Antibes, and thence along the eastern limits of France to Dunkirk, with parallel and perpendicular lines described at the distance of 6000 toises from one another, from side to side of the country. Jn 1735 he had been received into the academy as adjoint supernumerary, at twenty-one years of age.
as in France; and thus to establish successively for all Europe a most useful uniformity. Our author was at Vienna the 6th of June, 1761, the day of the transit of the
A tour which our author made in Flanders, in company
with the king, about 1741, gave rise to the particular
chart of France, at the instance of the king. Cassini
published different works relative to these charts, and a great
number of the sheets of the charts themselves. In 1761,
Cassini undertook an expedition into Germany; for the
purpose of continuing to Vienna the perpendicular of the
Paris meridian; to unite the triangles of the chart of France
with the points taken in Germany; to prepare the means
of extending into this country the same plan as in France;
and thus to establish successively for all Europe a most
useful uniformity. Our author was at Vienna the 6th of
June, 1761, the day of the transit of the planet Venus over
the sun, of which he observed as much as the state of the
weather would permit him to do, and published the account
of it in his “Voyage en Allemagne.
” M. Cassini, always
meditating the perfection of his grand design, profited of
the peace of 1762, to propose the joining of certain points
taken upon the English coast with those which had been
determined on the coast of France, and thus to connect
the general chart of the latter with that of the British isles,
like as he had before united it with those of Flanders and
Germany. The proposal was favourably received by the
English government, and presently carried into effect,
under the direction of the royal society, the execution
being committed to the late general Roy after whose
death the business was for some time suspended but it
was afterwards revived under the auspices of the duke
of Richmond, master-general of the ordnance, and the
execution committed to the care of col. Edward Williams
and capt. William Mudge, both respectable officers of the
artillery, and Mr. Isaac Dalby, who had before accompanied and assisted general Roy.
r the magnitude and variety of objects, in which he commonly sustained a principal share. M. Cassini was of a very strong and vigorous constitution, which carried him
M. Cassini published in the volumes of Memoirs of the French academy a prodigious number of pieces, chiefly astronomical, too numerous to particularize in this place, between the years 1735 and 1770; consisting of astronomical observations and questions; among which are observable, Researches concerning the parallax of the Sun, the Moon, Mars, and Venus; on astronomical refractions, and the effect caused in their quantity and laws by the weather; numerous observations on the obliquity of the ecliptic, and on the law of its variations. In short, he cultivated astronomy for fifty years, of the most important for that science that ever elapsed, for the magnitude and variety of objects, in which he commonly sustained a principal share. M. Cassini was of a very strong and vigorous constitution, which carried him through the many laborious operations in geography and astronomy which he conducted. An habitual retention of urine, however, rendered the last twelve years of his life very painful and distressing, till it was at length terminated by the small-pox, the 4th of September, 178*, in the seventy-first year of his age; being succeeded in the academy, and as director of the observatory, by his only son, the present count John Dominic Cassini who is the fourth in order by direct descent in that honourable station.
, a man of eminence in many respects, and called by way of distinction “the senator,” was born at Squillace, in Calabria, about the year 4i>7. He had
, a man of eminence in many respects, and called by way of distinction
“the senator,
” was born at Squillace, in Calabria, about
the year 4i>7. He had as liberal an education as the
growing barbarism of his times afforded; and soon recommended himself by his eloquence, his learning, and his
wisdom, to Theodoric king of the Goths in Italy. Theodoric first made him governor of Sicily; and when he had
Sufficiently proved his abilities and prudence in the administration of that province, admitted him afterwards to
his cabinet-councils, and appointed him to be his secretary. After this he had all the places and honours at his
command, which Theodoric had to bestow; and, having
passed through all the employments of the government,
was raised to the consulate, which he administered alone,
in the year 514. He was continued in the same degree of
confidence and favour by Athalaric, who succeeded Theodoric, about the year 524; but afterwards, in the year 537,
being discarded from all his offices by king Vitiges, he renounced a secular life, and retired into a monastery of his
own founding in the extreme parts of Calabria. Here he
led the life of a man of letters, a philosopher, and a Christian. He entertained himself with forming and improving
several curious pieces of mechanism, such as sun-dials,
water clocks, perpetual lamps, &c. He collected a very
noble and curious library, which he enlarged and improved
by several books of his own composing. About the year
556, he wrote two books “De Divinis Lectionibus;
” and
afterwards a book “De Orthographia,
” in the preface to
which he tells us, that he was then in his ninety-third year.
There are extant of his twelve books of letters, ten of
which he wrote as secretary of state, in the name of kings
Theodoric and Athalaric, and two in his own. He composed also twelve books “De rebus gestis Gothorum,
”
which are only extant in the abridgment of Jornandes;
though it has been surmised that a manuscript of Cassiodorus is still remaining in some of the libraries in France.
He wrote also a commentary upon the Psalms, and several
other pieces, theological and critical. Father Simon has
?poken of him thus “There is no need,
” says he, “of
examining Cassiodorus’s Commentaries on the Psalms,
which is almost but an abridgment of St. Augustin’s Commentaries, as he owns in his preface. But besides these
commentaries, we have an excellent treatise of this author’s, entitled < De institutione ad Divinas Lectiones,'
which shews, that he understood the criticism of the scriptures, and that he had marked out what were the best
things of this nature in the ancient doctors of the church.
In the same book Cassiodorus gives many useful rules for
the criticism of the scriptures; and he takes particular
notice of those fathers who have made commentaries upon
the Bible, &c.
” It seems generally agreed that he was
in all views a very extraordinary man; and we think that
those have done him no more than justice, who have considered him as a star, which shone out amidst the darkness
of a barbarous age. When he died we cannot precisely
determine, but most writers seem to be of opinion this
happened in the year 575. His works have been collected
and printed several times; the best edition is that of Rohan, 1679, 2 vols. fol. with the notes and dissertations of
John Garret, a Benedictine monk. In 1721, Signer
Scipio Maffei published a work of Cassiodorus, which had
long been missing; and in the following year the same was
published at London, by Mr. Samuel Chandler, entitled
“Complexions, or short Commentaries upon the Epistles,
the Acts, and the Revelation,
” which Dr. Lardner has
enumerated among the testimonies to the credibility of the
gospel history.
, an eminent historical painter, was born at a small village called Castagno, belonging to Tuscany,
, an eminent historical painter, was born at a small village called Castagno, belonging to Tuscany, in 1409, and being deprived of his parents when young, was employed by his uncle to attend the herds of cattle in the fields. His singular talents, which were first manifested in surprising efforts to imitate an ordinary painter, whom he accidentally observed at work, became the common topic of discourse in Florence, and excited the curiosity of Bernardetto de Medici, who perceiving that he had promising talents, placed him under the tuition of the best masters at that time in Florence. Andrea, assiduously improving his advantages, became particularly eminent in design, and found full employment. At first he painted only in distemper and fresco, with a manner of colouring that was not very agreeable, being rather hard and dry; but at length he learned the secret of painting in oil from Domenico Venetiano, who had derived his knowledge of it from Antonella da Messina. He was the first of the Florentine artists who painted in oil but envying the merit of Domenico, from whom he obtained the secret, and whose works were more admired than his own, he determined, with the basest ingratitude, to assassinate his friend and benefactor. At this time Domenico and Andrea lived together, and were partners in business. Insensible, however, of every obligation, and combining treachery with ingratitude, he way -laid Domenico in the corner of a street, and stabbed him with such secrecy, that he escaped unobserved and unsuspected to Jiis own house, where he sat down with apparent composure to work; soon after Domenico was conveyed thither to die in the arms of his assassin. The real author of this atrocious act was never discovered, till Andrea, through remorse of conscience, disclosed it on his death-bed, in 1480. Andrea finished several considerable works at Florence, by which he gained great wealth and reputation; but as soon as his complicated villainy became public, his memory was afterwards held in the utmost detestation. The most noted of his works is in the hall of justice at Florence, and represents the execution of the conspirators against the house of Medici.
considerable reputation in the sixteenth century, by his poetical compositions in Latin and Italian, was born at Feltri about 1480, of a noble family. He studied philosophy
, a lawyer of Italy, who acquired considerable reputation in the sixteenth century,
by his poetical compositions in Latin and Italian, was born
at Feltri about 1480, of a noble family. He studied philosophy ai>d the arts at Padua, where he received his doctor’s degree in 1503. He afterwards studied law, and
amidst the fatigues of his profession, found leisure to
cultivate the muses. The town of Feltri employed him as
their agent at Venice, where, as well as at Padua, he
formed an intimacy with many eminent scholars and persons of rank. He died in 1537, lamented by his friends
and by his country, to which he had rendered important
services. Both during his life and after his death, he was
celebrated by the contemporary poets, and a medal was
struck to his memory. He was married, but having no
children, he founded a college or academy at Padua, with
three scholarships, one of civil and canon law, another of
medicine, and the third of arts; and whoever enjoyed these
was obliged to teach poor scholars gratis for a certain
period. His poetical works remained unpublished, and
indeed unknown until 1757, when they were printed in a
small quarto volume, “Poesi volgari e Latine di Cornelio
Castaldi,
” &c. with his life by Thomas Joseph Farsetti, a
patrician of Venice. His Italian poems are written with
ease, and abound in imagery, and in his Latin ' efforts he
has imitated the ancients with success. M. Conti was the
editor of the collection.
, was born in 1515, in Dauphmy, according to some authors, but according
, was born in 1515, in Dauphmy, according to some authors, but according to others in Savoy. Spon and Leti mention Chatillon as the place of his birth; of his early life we have little information. We are told that Calvin conceived such an esteem and friendship for him, during the stay he made at Strasbourg in 154-0 and 1541, that he lodged him for some days at his house, and procured him a regent’s place in the college of Geneva. Castalio, after continuing in this office near three years, was forced to quit it in 1544, on account of some peculiar opinions which he held concerning Solomon’s song and Christ’s descent into hell. He retired to Basil, where he was made Greek professor, and died in that place, Dec. 29, 1563, in extreme poverty. He incurred the displeasure of Calvin and Theodore Beza, from whom he differed concerning predestination and the punishment of heretics, and they called him a papist, which appears to have been an unreasonable accusation, although it is certain he did not embrace the opinions of the reformers on many points. Beza is accused of having said that he had translated the Bible into Latin at the instigation of the devil. Another story is his stealing wood, which is thus related: when rivers overflow, they frequently carry down several pieces of wood, which any body may lawfully get and keep for his own use. Castalio, who was very poor, and had a wife and eight children, got with a harping-iron some wood floating upon the Rhine. When Calvin and Beza heard of it, they proclaimed every where that he had stolen some wood belonging to his neighbour.
Castalio’s learning has been highly extolled. He was undoubtedly an able Latin, Greek, and Hebrew scholar, but aiming
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.
bylline verses into Latin heroic verse, and of the books of Moses into Latin prose, with notes. This was followed, in 1547, by his Latin version of the psalms of David,
He published in 1546, a translation of the Sibylline verses into Latin heroic verse, and of the books of Moses into Latin prose, with notes. This was followed, in 1547, by his Latin version of the psalms of David, and of all the other songs found in scripture. In 1548, he printed a Greek poem on the life of John the baptist, and a paraphrase on the prophecy of Jonah, in Latin verse. He translated some passages of Homer, and some books of Xenophon and St. Cyril. He also turned into Latin several treatises of the famous Ochinus, particularly the thirty dialogues, some of which seem to favour polygamy. He advanced some singular notions in his notes on the books of Moses; as for instance, that the bodies of malefactors ought not to be left on the gibbets; and that they ought not to be punished with death, but with slavery. His reason for these opinions was, that the political laws of Moses bind all nations. His notes on the Epistle to the Romans were condemned by the church of Basil, because they opposed the doctrine of predestination and efficacious grace. He began his Latin translation of the Bible at Geneva in 1542, and finished it at Basil in 1550. It was printed at Basil in 1551, and dedicated by the author to Edward VI. king of England. He published a second edition of it in 1554, and another in 1556. The edition of 157& is most esteemed. The French version was dedicated to Henry II. of France, and printed at Basil in 1555, and in this he is accused of having made use of low and vulgar terms. Those who have indulged their invectives against- Calvin and Beza for their dislike of Castalio’s translations, do not seem to advert to the serious consequences of exhibiting bad translations to the people, who had but just been admitted to the privilege of reading the scriptures in any shape.
ometrician and philosopher, born at Montpellier in 1688, entered himself of the Jesuits in 1703, and was noticed by Fontenelle and by Tournemine for the specimens he
, a geometrician and philosopher, born at Montpellier in 1688, entered himself of
the Jesuits in 1703, and was noticed by Fontenelle and
by Tournemine for the specimens he gave of his early
proficiency, and as he was then in the country, they invited him to the capital, where he arrived towards the end
of 1720, and supported the character which his first essays
promised. The first work he published was his treatise of
“Universal Gravity,
” Abridged system of Mathematics,
” Paris, Universal system of Mathematics,
”
dy and harmony of colours, as the ear received from the succession and combination of musical tones, was published in 1725. Sir Isaac Newton, having discovered (Optics,
His “Clavecin Oculaire,
” or ocular harpsichord, though
silent, made a considerable noise in the world, and excited
much curiosity and considerable expectation among opticians as well as musicians. His idea of producing the same
pleasure to the eye by the melody and harmony of colours,
as the ear received from the succession and combination of
musical tones, was published in 1725. Sir Isaac Newton,
having discovered (Optics, book i. p. 2, prop. 3.) that the
breadths of the seven primary colours in the sun’s image,
produced by the refraction of his rays through a prism,
are proportional to the seven differences of the lengths of
the eight musical strings, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, when
the intervals of their sounds are T, H, t, T, t, T, t, H:
which order is remarkably regular. Smith’s Harmonies.
From this analogy, Pere Castel sets off by telling us that
there is a fundamental and primitive sound in nature to
which we may give the name of ret, or C. There is also
a primitive and original tone which serves for base and
fundamental to all colours, which is blue.
bout 1756, when the plan and pretended effects were published in an English pamphlet, its exhibition was soon neglected and forgotten, and has been scarcely heard of
It would be useless to analyse and critically examine this plan, which is truly visionary, false in its ratios, and incapable of producing the promised effects. After being tried in all parts of Europe, particularly in London, about 1756, when the plan and pretended effects were published in an English pamphlet, its exhibition was soon neglected and forgotten, and has been scarcely heard of since.
erate de Newton,” 1743, 4to, did him more honour in the opinion of several of the learned, though it was displeasing to others. He reverenced the English philosopher,
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.
deserves to be recorded as a remarkable example of literary generosity, joined to literary industry, was born in 1606, at Hatley in Cambridgeshire. After going through
, a divine of the seventeenth century, who deserves to be recorded as a remarkable example
of literary generosity, joined to literary industry, was born
in 1606, at Hatley in Cambridgeshire. After going
through a course of grammatical education, he became a
member in 1621, of Emanuel college, in Cambridge, in
which he continued many years. Afterwards he removed
to St. John’s college for the convenience of the library
there, which was of great service to him in compiling his
grand work, his “Lexicon Heptaglotton.
” In due course
he took the several degrees of bachelor and master of arts,
and of bachelor and doctor in divinity; and the fame of his
learning occasioned his being chosen a member of the
royal society. His “Lexicon Heptaglotton
” cost him the
assiduous labour of eighteen years, but his unwearied diligence in this undertaking, injured his health, and impaired
his constitution. Besides this, the work was the entire
ruin of his fortune; for he spent upon it upwards of twelve
thousand pounds. The truth of the fact is positively asserted by Mr. Hearne, whose authority for it was a letter
which he had under Dr. Castell’s own hand; and Hearne
pathetically and justly complains, that our author should
meet with so very poor a reward for his incredible and indeed Herculean labours. The doctor, in 1666, having
wasted his patrimony, and incurred heavy debts, was reduced to extreme distress; when, probably in consideration of his learned labours and disinterested generosity,
he was in that year made king’s chaplain, and Arabic professor at Cambridge; and in 1668, he obtained a prebend
of Canterbury. In the next year he published his “Lexicon Heptaglotton;
” but the publication procured him no
compensation for his large expences and his indefatigable
diligence. The copies of the book lay almost entirely unsold upon his hands. He received, indeed, some additional
preferments; but they were by no means sufficient to recompense him for his great losses. The small vicarage of
Hatfield Peverell in Essex was bestowed upon him; and he
was afterwards presented to the rectory of Wodeham Walter in the same county. His last preferment, which was
towards the close of his life, was the rectory of Higharn
Gobion in Bedfordshire.
Dr. Castell’s industry and liberality were not confined to his Lexicon. He was eminently assistant to Dr. Walton, in the celebrated edition
Dr. Castell’s industry and liberality were not confined to
his Lexicon. He was eminently assistant to Dr. Walton,
in the celebrated edition of the Polyglott Bible. This is
acknowledged by Walton, who, after complimenting our
author’s erudition and modesty, mentions the diligence he
employed upon the Samaritan, the Syriac, the Arabic, and
the Ethiopia versions; his having given a Latin translation
of the Canticles, under the last version; and his adding to
all of them learned notes. These acknowledgments, however, were by no means equal to Casteli’s merit and services; for he translated several books of the New Testament, and the Syriac version of Job where it differs from the
Arabic. Greater justice ought, likewise, to have been
done to his generosity. Dr. Walton mentions the gratuities which he bestowed on the learned men who assisted
him in his undertaking: But he forgot to mention that
Castell not only spent his whole gratuity upon the work, but
a thousand pounds besides; partly from his own private fortune, and partly from money which he had solicited from
others. We know of nothing farther published by Dr.
Castell, excepting a thin quarto pamphlet, in 1660, entitled “Sol Angliae Oriens Auspiciis Carolill. Regum Gloriosissimi,
” and adorned with an admirable head of that
monarch. From a letter of our author’s, which is still $xtant, and was written in 1674, it appears, that the many
discouragements he had met with, had not extinguished
his ardour for the promotion of oriental literature. The
same letter shews, that in his application to the learned
languages, he had forgotten the cultivation of his native
tongue; and that even his orthography did not keep pace
with the improvements of the time. Dr. Castell died at
Higham Gobion, in 1685, being about seventy-nine years
of age. All his oriental manuscripts were bequeathed by
him to the university of Cambridge, on condition that his
name should be written on every copy in the collection,
Jt is supposed that about five hundred of his “Lexicons
”
were unsold at the time of his death. These were placed
by Mrs. Crisp, Dr. Casti'lTs niece and executrix, in a room
of one of her tenant’s houses at Martin in Surrey, where,
for many years they lay at the mercy of the rats; and
when they came into the possession of this lady’s executors,
scarcely one complete volume could be formed out of the
remainder, and the whole load of learned rags sold only
for seven pounds. Dr. Castell was buried in the church
of Higham Gobion, where, in his life-time, he erected a
monument, being a tablet of black marble in a white stone
frame, on which there is an inscription, that neither by its
Latinity nor by its execution, reflects much honour on his
taste.
, an Italian mathematician, the particular friend of Galileo, was born of an ancient and noble family at Brescia, in the year
, an Italian mathematician, the
particular friend of Galileo, was born of an ancient and
noble family at Brescia, in the year 1577. In 1595, he
entered into a monastery of the order of St. Benedict in his
native city, but afterwards studied at Padua and at Florence,
where he became a disciple of Galileo, and assisted him in
his astronomical observations, and afterwards maintained a
regular correspondence with him. Galileo, not only had
the highest esteem for his talents, but reposed the utmost
confidence in his friendship. Under his name the apology
of Galileo against the censures of Ludovico delle Colombe
and Vincent di Grazia appeared, though it was principally
written by Galileo himself. From 1615 to 1625, he occupied the mathematical chair at Pisa. In 1625, Castelli
was invited to Rome by pope Urban VIII. and made mathematical professor in the college della Sapienza. The
subject of his particular attention, and in the investigation
of which he chiefly excelled, was the motion of water, on
which subject as connected with the health of the cities of
Venice, &c. he was frequently consulted, and suggested
many important improvements. In 1628, he published on
the mensuration of running waters, “Delia misura dell'
acque correnti,
” Rome, 4to, and “Dimostrazioni geometriche clella misura dell acque correnti,
” ibid. 4to. These
have been inserted in the collection of the author’s works
on similar topics, printed at Florence, with other treatises,
on the laguna of Venice, on the improvement of the Pontine, Bolognese, Ferrarese, and Romagnese marshes, &c.
in 1766. Guglielrnini, though in other things he impugns
Castelli, allows him the honour of having first applied geometry to the motion of water; and Montucla calls him
“The Creator of a new part of Hydraulics.
” His defence of
Galileo, “Riposta alle opposizioni del Sig. Ludovico delle
Colombe, &c.
” was published at Florence,
, an eminent painter of history and portrait, was born at Genoa in 1557, and studied under Andrea Semini ancT
, an eminent painter of history
and portrait, was born at Genoa in 1557, and studied under
Andrea Semini ancT Luca Cambiaso, preferring the principles of the first, though in his practice he imitated both, and
afterwards visited Rome for farther improvement. He
invented with facility, and when he chose to exert himself,
he had sufficient correctness and grace; but he became a
mannerist, and frequently adopted the colour and dispatch
of Vasari and Zucchari. The most distinguished poets of
his time, whose portraits he painted, and who celebrated
him in their verses, particularly Marino and Tasso, were
his intimate friends; and he made designs for the “Jerusalem
” of the latter. The subject of his altar-piece for
St. Peter’s at Rome was the call of St. Peter to the apostleship; which was afterwards removed to make room for one
executed by Lanfranco. As an engraver, Strutt says, his
style somewhat resembled that of Cornelius Bus. Among
other works in this department is the set of prints for Tasso’s Jerusalem. He died in 1629.
, son of the preceding, was born, at Genoa, in 1625, and studied in the school of Doineniqo
, son of the preceding, was born, at Genoa, in 1625, and studied in the school of Doineniqo Fiasella; but he owed his principal knowledge in the art of painting to studying the works of the most celebrated masters at Milan and Parma, by which he improved his taste of design, composition, and colouring. His reputation for drawing, colouring, and the elegant turn of his figures, placed him in a rank far superior to his father. His most favourite subjects were battles, which he composed with spirit, and executed with a pleasing variety; and his horses are drawn in an admirable style, full of motion, action, and life. In this style of painting he is said to have united the fire of Tintoretto with the fine taste and composition of Paolo Veronese. With respect to historical subjects, he possessed great merit both in easel pictures and in those of larger dimensions; and his works, although not frequent, are held in great estimation. Among those of the great style, the cupola of the church, and the Annunciation at Genoa, which is described as a noble composition, was painted by this master; and at Florence, in the palace of the grand duke, there is another excellent painting, the Rape of the Sabines. His pictifre, representing Christ taken down from the cross, is in the collection of the earl of Pembroke at Wilton; and it is said that more of the easel pictures of Castelli are to be found in the collections of England than in any other part of Europe. His health was injured by his assiduous labour; and he died at Genoa at the early age of 34, in 1659.
is, 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
, 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.
ife at Madrid, as painter to the court. After his death in 1570, or, as some say 1580, Luca Cambiaso was sent for to finish the larger historic subjects; but the ornamental
This artist passed the last years of his life at Madrid, as painter to the court. After his death in 1570, or, as some say 1580, Luca Cambiaso was sent for to finish the larger historic subjects; but the ornamental parts and the grotesques interspersed with figures remained to his two sons^ Fabrizio and Granello, whom he had carried with him to Spain as his assistants. Palomino, and the writers on the Escurial, enumerate these works, with praise of their variety, singularity, and beauty of colour.
, an eminent Italian antiquary, was born at Palermo, Feb. 18, 1727, of a noble family, and was placed
, an eminent Italian
antiquary, was born at Palermo, Feb. 18, 1727, of a noble
family, and was placed under a private tutor, with a view
to study botany, chemistry, &c. but an accident gave. a
new and decided turn to his pursuits. Not far from Motta
where he lived, stood the ancient Halesa, or Alesa (Tosa),
a colony of Nicosia, celebrated by the Greek and Latin
poets, which was swallowed up by an earthquake in the
year 828, leaving scarcely a \estige of its former state.
One day a ploughman dug up a quantity of coins, which,
he brought to Castello, who conceived an uncommon desire to decypher them, that he might not seem a stranger
to the ancient history of his own country: and applying
himself for instructions to the literati of Palermo, they recommended the study of antiquities as found in the Greek
and Roman authors; and Castello engaged in this pursuit
with such avidity and success, as within three years to be
able to draw up a very learned paper on the subject of a statue which had been dug up, which he published under the
title of “Dissertazione sopra una statua cli marmo trovata
nelle campagne di Alesa,
” Palermo, Osservazioni critiche
sopra un libro stampato in Catania nel 1747, esposta in
una lettera da un Pastor Arcade acl un Accademico Etrnsco,
” Rome, Storia di Alesa antica citta di
Sicilia col rapporto de' suoi pin insigni monumenti, ike.
”
Palermo, Inscrizioni Palermitane,
” Palermo, Sicilise et objacentium Insularum
veterum inscriptionum nova collectio, cum prolegomenis
et notis illustrata,
” ibid. Sicilian Populorum et
Urbium, Regum quoque et Tyrannorum veteres nummi
Saracenorum epocham antecedentes,
” Palermo, Storia
Letteraria della Sicilia,
” and other works. There was
another of the same name, Ignatius Paterno Castello, a
contemporary, and likewise an able antiquary, who died in
1776, and published among other works, “Descrizione
del terribile Terremoto de' 5. Febraro 1783, che afflisse la
Sicilia, distrtisse Messina, e gran parte della Calabria, diretta alle Reale Accademia di Bordeaux, Poesia del Pensante Peloritano,
” Naples,
th, published two works which have been often reprinted, and long held in high estimation; the first was “Totius artis medicae, methodo divisa, compendium et synopsis,”
, an
Italian physician, who flourished about the end of the sixteenth century and the commencement of the seventeenth,
published two works which have been often reprinted, and
long held in high estimation; the first was “Totius artis
medicae, methodo divisa, compendium et synopsis,
” Messana, Lexicon medicum Groeco-Latinum,
” first published at Venice in
, a French nobleman of high character and abilities, was frequently employed in the sixteenth century by Charles IX.
, a French nobleman of high
character and abilities, was frequently employed in the
sixteenth century by Charles IX. and Henry III. of France
in negociations of great importance; and among other
destinations, he was five times ambassador in England, and
the first time resided above ten years. The “Memoirs of
his Negociations
” published by Le Laboreur in
, an Italian critic, celebrated for his parts, but more for the seventy of his criticisms, was born at Modena in 1505. Being despised for his poverty by the
, an Italian critic, celebrated for his parts, but more for the seventy of his criticisms, was born at Modena in 1505. Being despised for his poverty by the ignorant part of mankind, and hated for his knowledge by the learned, says Moreri, he left his own country, and went into Germany, where he resided at the court of the emperor Maximilian II. After six years’ absence he returned to Modena, and distinguished himself chiefly by his Commentary upon Aristotle’s Poetics; in which, Rapin assures us, he always made it a rule to find something to except against in the text of Aristotle. He attacked his contemporary and rival in polite literature, Hannibal Caro, as we have observed under his article; and the quarrel did not end without many satirical pieces written on both sides in verse and prose. Castelvetro, however, was assisted here by his friends; for though he knew how to lay down rules for writing poetry, yet he was not a poet himself. His rival 'Hannibal Caro at length brought him under the cognisance of the inquisition at Rome, by which he was accused of paying too much deference 1 to the new opinions, and not enough to the old. It is probable that during his travels into Germany, win -re Lutheranism was established, he had imbibed the principles of the reformation, which appeared in his conversation and writings. He wished to be tried at a distance, as he then was, before a council; but the pope acquainted the cardinal of Mantua, his legate, that since Castelvetro had been accused before the inquisition at Rome, it was necessary for him to appear there, under the character of a person accused. Upon the pope’s assuring him of* high honours if he was found innocent, and of clemency if guilty, he appeared before the inquisition, and was examined in October 1560: but, finding himself embarrassed by the questions put to him, and especially in regard to a bouk of Melancthon, which he had translated into Italian, he fled to Basil in Switzerland, where he pursued the study of the belles lettres to the time of his death, which happened Feb. 20, 1571.
, an eminent Italian nobleman, was descended from an illustrious and ancient family, and born in
, an eminent Italian nobleman, was descended from an illustrious and ancient family, and born in his own villa at Casatico, in the durhy of Mantua, Dec. 6, 1478. Oncoming to a proper age, he had masters appointed him, under whom he acquired a, knowledge of the Greek and Latin tongues; in the latter of which he was instructed by Demetrius Chalcondylas, of Constantinople, who then resided at Milan; and in the former, by George Merula. He likewise applied himself to the study of painting, sculpture, and architecture, as appears from the book he wrote in favour of those arts; and he made so great a progress in them, that Raphael Urbino and Michael Angela, though incomparable artists, never thought their works perfect, unless they had the approbation of Castiglione.
When Castiglione was eighteen years of age, he went into military service, under
When Castiglione was eighteen years of age, he went
into military service, under Lewis Sforza, duke of Milan;
but his father dying soon after, and some disastrous circumstances overtaking that state, he was obliged to quit
the camp, and return to Mantua. He engaged a second
time in the service of the duke, and distinguished himself
much by his bravery and conduct; but returning soon
after, and being desirous to see other courts, particularly
that of Rome, he went thither at the very time that Julius II. obtained the popedom. His fame was not unknown
to this pontiff; and the high opinion he had of his abilities
and merit, made him write to Guido Ubaldo, duke of Urbino, his cousin, that if he would send him to the court
of Rome, in his own name, with the character of a public
minister, he should take it as a singular obligation. Castiglione was twenty-six years of age; and Guido Ubaldo
sent him ambassador to pope Julius, to transact affairs of
the highest importance. He was sent upon a second embassy to Lewis XII. of France, and upon a third to Henry
VII. of England; whither he went to be invested with the
order of the garter, as proxy for the duke his master. On
his arrival in England he was received with every mark of
honour and esteem, being met at the port where he landed
by the earl of Huntingdon, who was then lord of the bedchamber, accompanied by many other lords, and a king at
arms. After he had dispatched his business here, and was
returned home, to gratify the importunities of Alfonso
Ariosto, his particular friend, he began his celebrated
work, “The Courtier,
” which in a small space of time he
completed at Rome, in March 1516. From this work we
may perceive how intimate he was with the Greek and
Latin authors, having here gleaned together the first flowers
of their wit, and treasured up, as it were, in a single cabinet, the richest jewels of antiquity. The book has been
universally well received, both in Italy, and abroad; often
reprinted, and translated into several languages. It is lull
of moral and political instructions; and, it' we wish to
study the Italian tongue, it is said that it can no where be
found in more purity.
Castiglione was highly esteemed and favoured by the duke Francisco Maria, who
Castiglione was highly esteemed and favoured by the duke Francisco Maria, who constituted him his first minister of state, as well in civil as military affairs; and for his services, particularly at the siege of Mirandola, at which pope Julius was present, made him a free gift of the castle of Nuvolara, in the county of Pesaro, with the most ample privileges to himself, and to his heirs and successors for ever. This was in 1513. Not long after, Leo X. confirmed it to him by two briefs; the one written to him by Peter Bembo, and dated March 14, 1514; the other by Jacomus Sadolet, in May following. Having now reached his thirty-sixth year, he married a noble lady, who was the daughter of the famous Bentivoglio, and very remarkable for her wit and beauty. She brought him a son and two daughters, and then died; having lived no more than four years with him.
ot only answered the pope’s expectations, but also acquired the good-will of the emperor, by whom he was soon received as a favourite counsellor and friend, as well
A little before this misfortune, the marquis of Mantua sent him to Leo X. as his ambassador; and after the death of Leo he continued at Rome in that capacity, under Hadrian VI. and Clement VII. Clement sent him to the emperor Charles the Fifth’s court in quality of legate; where affairs were to be transacted of the highest importance, not only to the pontifical see, but to all Italy. He went into Spain, Oct. 1524; and in his negotiations and transactions not only answered the pope’s expectations, but also acquired the good-will of the emperor, by whom he was soon received as a favourite counsellor and friend, as well as an ambassador. Among other marks of affection which the emperor shewed Castiglione, one was rather singular, that being then at war with Francis I. of FVance, he always desired him to be present at the military councils of that war and, when it was supposed that the war would be ended by a single combat between Charles V. and Francis I. with only three knights attending them, the emperor chose Castiglione to be one of the number. He also made him 'a free denizen of Spain; and soon alter nominated him to the bishopric of Avila. And because this happeped at the juncture of the sacking of Rome, some took occasion to reflect upon Castiglicwie, as if he had neglected the affairs of the court of Rome, for the sake of gratifying the inclinations of the emperor; at least such was indeed the current opinion at Rome; but Castiglione defended himself from the imputation in his letter to Clement VII. It is probable that there were no real grounds for it, since Clement himself does not appear to have given the least credit to it. Paul Jovius says, that if Castiglione had lived, the pope intended to have made him a cardinal; and after his death, in two of his holiness" briefs, both of condolence to his mother, there are the strongest expressions of his unblemished fidelity and devotion to the see of Rome. The imputation, however, affected Castiglione so sensibly, that it was supposed in some measure to have contributed to his death. His constitution was already impaired with the continual fatigues, civil as well as military, in which he had always been engaged; and falling at length sick at Toledo, he died Feb. 2, 1529. The emperor, who was then at Toledo, was extremely grieved, and commanded all the prelates and lords of his court to attend his corpse to the principal church there; and the funeral offices were celebrated by the archbishop with such solemnity and pomp as was never permitted to any one before, the princes of the blood excepted. Sixteen months after, his body was removed by his mother from Toledo to Mantua, and interred in a church of her own building; where a sumptuous monument was raised, and a Latin epitaph inscribed, which was written by cardinal Bern bo.
which sells for a trifle, although it forms a very handsome 4to, printed by Bowyer. The translation was made by A. P. Castiglione, a gentle^ man of the same family,
Besides his incomparable book the “Courtier,
” he
composed many Latin and Tuscan poems; which, with some
of his letters, are placed at the end of the English version
of the “Courtier,
” published at London in
The first edition of this “Libro del Cortegiano” was published at Venice, in 1528, and has been since translated
The first edition of this “Libro del Cortegiano
” was published at Venice, in II libro d'oro,
” and it has been characterised as always
new, always interesting and instructive. It now, however,
is chiefly interesting to persons of curiosity, as the speakers
introduced in it are the same eminent characters who actually belonged to the court in his time. Castiglione’s
Letters were published at Padua, by Sarassi, 1769, 2 vols.
8vo, with a lite.
, called Grechktto, an admired artist, was born at Genoa, in 161h, and in that city was at Hrst a disciple
, called Grechktto, an admired artist, was born at Genoa, in 161h, and in that city was at Hrst a disciple of Battisca Pagi, and afterwards studied in the academy of Joan Andrea de Ferrara; but his principal improvement was derived from the instructions of Vandyck, who at that time came to reside in Genoa. He formed to himself a very grand manner of design in every branch of his art, and succeeded equally well in all; in sacred and profane history, landscape, cattle, and portrait; executing every one of them with an equal degree of truth, freedom, and spirit. But, although his genius was so universal, his predominant turn was to rural scenes and pastoral subjects, markets, and animals, in which he had no superior. He had great readiness of invention, a bold and noble tint of colouring, and abundance of nature in all his compositions. His drawing is elegant, and generally correct, his touch judicious, and his pencil free and firm. And still to add to his accomplishments, he had a thorough knowledge of the chiaroscuro, which he very happily applied through all his works. In a chapel of St. Luke’s church at Genoa, is an excellent picture by this master. The composition and design are good, the heads of the figures extremely fine, the draperies well chosen and judiciously cast, the animals lively and correct; and the manner through the whole is grand, and yet delicate; though it must be observed, that the colouring is a little too red. In the Palazzo Brignole* is a grand composition, the figures being eighteen or twenty inches high, which is admirably finished, though perhaps a little too dark. And at the Palazzo Caregha, in the same city, is an historical picture of Rachel concealing the Teraphim from Luba*i, in which the figures and animals are exceedingly fine.
rma, and Venice, in which cities, although he left very striking instances of his skill, his fortune was not equal to his reputation. He found liberal patrons, however,
He painted a considerable time at Rome, Naples, Florence, Parma, and Venice, in which cities, although he left very striking instances of his skill, his fortune was not equal to his reputation. He found liberal patrons, however, in the Venetian senator Sacredo, and in the duke of Mantua, in whose service he lived and died in 1670.
His son, Francesco Castiglione, was the disciple of his father, and was born at Genoa. He inherited
His son, Francesco Castiglione, was the disciple of his father, and was born at Genoa. He inherited in a very considerable degree the talents of his father, and imitated his style and manner exactly in composition, handling, and design. Many pictures ascribed to Benedetto, and occurring in sales and collections, are thought to be copies after him by his son Francesco, or perhaps originals of the younger Castiglione.
, a Spanish painter, was born at Cordova, in 1603, and after the death of his father,
, a Spanish
painter, was born at Cordova, in 1603, and after the death
of his father, Augustine Castillo, whose disciple he was,
repaired to Seville for the purpose of improving himself
in the school of Francis Zurbaran. Being returned to his
native country, he acquired great reputation by his works;
which was so well established, that even at this day no one
is considered as a man of taste who does not possess some
piece by this great artist. He treated history, landscape,
and portrait, with equal success. His drawing is excellent; but his colouring is deficient in graces and taste. It
is said, that, on his return to Seville, he was seized with
such a fit of jealousy at seeing the pictures of the young
Murello of a freshness and colouring much superior to his,
that he died of vexation shortly after his return to Cordova,
in 1667. He once marked one of his pictures with the
whimsical inscription: “Non pinxit Alfaro,
” to ridicule
the vanity of that pupil, noted as the most conceited artist
of his day, who nerer suffered a picture to escape his hand
without stamping it with the words “Alfaro pinxit.
” The
best works of Castillo are at Cordova.
, a celebrated Italian general, was born at Lucca, in Tuscany, in 1284; where, it is said, he was
, a celebrated Italian general, was born at Lucca, in Tuscany, in 1284; where,
it is said, he was taken up one morning accidentally in a
vineyard, where he had been laid and covered with leaves;
but others deduce him from an ancient and great family.
The former account, however, goes on to inform us that
he was found by Dianora, a wi.iow lady, and sister of Antonio, a canon ot rft Michael in Lucca, who was descended
from the illustrious family of the Castracani. Antonio be ing
priest, and Dianora having no children, they determined
to bring him up, christened him Castruccio, by the name
of their father, and educated him as carefully as if he had
been their own. Antonio designed him for a priest, and
accordingly trained him to letters; but Castruccio was
scarcely fourteen years old when he began to neglect his
books, and to devote himself to military exercises, to
wrestling, running, and other athletic sports, which very
well suited his great strength of body. At that time the
two great factions, the Guelfs and Ghibilins, shared all
Italy between them, divided the popes and the emperors,
and engaged in their different interests, not only the members of the same town, but even the members of the same
family. Francisco, a considerable man on the side of the
Ghibilins, observing one day in the market-place, the uncommon spirit and qualities of Castruccio, prevailed with
Antonio to let him turn soldier. As nothing could be more
agreeable to the inclination of Castruccio, he presently
became accomplished in every thing which could adorn his
profession. He was eighteen years old when the faction
of the Guelfs drove the Ghibilins out of Pavia, and was
then made a lieutenant of a company of foot, by Francisco
Guinigi, of whom the prince of Milan had solicited succours. The first campaign this new lieutenant made, he
gave such proofs of his courage and conduct, as spread
his fame all over Lombardy; and Guinigi conceived such
an opinion of him, and had so much confidence in him,
that, dying soon after, he committed the care of his son
and the management of his estate to him. So great a trust
and administration made Castruccio more considerable than
before but at the same time created him many enemies,
and lost him some friends for, knowing him to be of an
high and enterprising spirit, many began to fancy his
views were to empire, and to oppress the liberty of his
country. He went on still, however, to distinguish himself by military exploits, and at last raised so much jealousy in his chief commander, that he was imprisoned by
stratagem, with a view of being put to death; but the
people of Lucca soon released him, and in a short time
after, solemnly chose him their sovereign prince, and there
were not then, either in Lombardy or Tuscany, any of the
Ghibilins who did not look upon Castruccio as the true
head of their faction. Those who were banished their
country upon that account fled to him for protection, and
promised unanimously, that if he could restore them to
their estates, they would serve him so effectually, that
the sovereignty of their country should be his reward.
Flattered by these promises, and encouraged by the
strength of his forces, he entertained a design of making
himself master of Tuscany; and to give more reputation
to his affairs, he entered into a league with the prince of
Milan. He kept his army constantly on foot, and employed
it as suited best with his own designs. For the services he
did the pope he was made senator of Rome with more than
ordinary ceremony. The day of his promotion, he came
forth in a habit suitable to his dignity, but enriched with
a delicate embroidery, and with two devices artificially
wrought in, one before, the other behind. The former
was in these words, “He is as it pleases God
” the latter,
“And shall be what God will have him.
” While Castruccio was at Rome, news was brought him which obliged
him to return in all haste to Lucca. The Florentines were
making war upon him, and had already done him some
damage; and conspiracies were forming against him as an
usurper, at Pisa and in several places; but Castruccio
surmounted all these difficulties, and the supreme authority of Tuscany was just falling into his hands, when a
period was put to his progress and his life. An army of
30,000 foot and 10,000 horse appeared against him in
May 1328. Of these he destroyed 22,000, with the loss
of not quite 1600 of his own men, and was returning from
the field of battle; but, happening to halt a little for the
sake of thanking and caressing his soldiers as they passed
fi,red with an action as fatiguing as glorious, and covered
with sweat, a north wind blew upon him, and affected him
so, that he fell immediately into a fit of ague. At first he
neglected it, believing himself sufficiently hardened against
such attacks; but the fit increasing, and with it the fever,
his physicians gave him over, and he died in a few days.
He was in his forty-fourth year; and from the time he
came to appear first in the world, he always, as well in his
good as bad fortune, expressed the same steadiness and
equality of spirit. As he left several monuments of his
good fortune behind him, so he was not ashamed to leave
some memorials of his adversity. Thus, when he was delivered from the imprisonment above-mentioned, he caused
the irons with which he was loaded, to be hung in the most
public room of his palace, where they were to be seen
many years after.
s written the Life of Castruccio, and from whom we have extracted this account of him, says, that he was not only an extraordinary man in his own age, but would have
Machiavel, who has written the Life of Castruccio, and
from whom we have extracted this account of him, says,
that he was not only an extraordinary man in his own age,
but would have been so in any other. He was tall and
well-made, of a noble aspect, and so winning an address,
that all men went away from him satisfied. His hair was
inclining to red; and he wore it above his ears. Whereever he went, snow, hail, or rain, his head was always uncovered. He had all the qualities that make a man great;
was grateful to his friends, terrible to his enemies, just
with his subjects, subtle with strangers; and, where stratagem would do the business, he never had recourse to
force. No man was more forward to encounter dangers,
no man more careful to escape them. He had an uncommon presence of mind, and often made repartees with
great smartness. Machiavel’s Life, however, abounds in
fiction. The younger Aldus published a better at Lucca,
1590, 4to. Castracani’s Life was also written in Latin by
Nicolas Tegrimo, and printed at Modena, 1496, 4to, and
Paris, 1546; and Muratori has inserted it in vol. XL of his
“Script. Italic.
”
, a Spanish divine, was a native of Zamora, and of the order of St. Francis. He flourished
, a Spanish divine, was a native of Zamora, and of the order of St. Francis. He flourished in the sixteenth century, under the reigns of the
emperor Charles V. and Philip II. and accompanied the
latter into England when his majesty married queen Mary.
De Castro after this appears to have resided in the
Netherlands, and was there promoted to the archbishopric of
Compostella; but before he could receive the necessary
documents from the pope, he died at Brussels, Feb. 13,
1558, in the sixty-third year of his age. His works were
printed at Paris in 1578, folio. The principal and most
valued was his “Treatise against Heresies,
” a work partly
historical, and partly controversial.
, one of the most eminent lawyers of the fifteenth century, was so called from Castro his native place. He taught law at Florence,
, one of the most eminent lawyers
of the fifteenth century, was so called from Castro his native place. He taught law at Florence, Bologna, Sienna,
and JPadua, with such high reputation, that it was commonly said of him, “Si Bartolus non esset, esset Paulus.
”
He died in a very advanced age,
, an eminent French physician and surgeon, was born at Blerancourt, between Noyon and Coucy, Sept. 6, 1700.
, an eminent French physician and surgeon, was born at Blerancourt, between Noyon and Coucy, Sept. 6, 1700. If chirurgical skill be hereditary, his claims were considerable, as he was descended both by the father’s and mother’s side from eminent practitioners. His parents, however, first intended him for the church; but after completing his philosophy course, he applied himself to the study of medicine, not altogether with his inclination. From his infancy he had amused himself with making geometrical figures, and without the aid of a master, used to make drawings of military architecture with considerable accuracy, and at one time seems to have had an inclination for the bar, but at last he had no alternative but the church, or the profession of his ancestors, and having determined in favour of the latter, he went to Paris for education in the different branches of the healing art. The first publication by which he was known, was a curious dissertation, which he printed in his twenty-fourth year, on the mechanism of the buttresses of the church of St. Nicaise at Rheuns: these buttresses have always been an object of curiosity, as a motion is perceptible in them, which has never affected their solidity. la 1729, he was appointed surgeon and physician to M. de Tressan, archbishop of Rouen. He did not take his degree, however, until 1732, when he took it at Rheims, to avoid the heavy expence of 6000 livres, which it would have cost at Paris. In 1733, he settled at Rouen, and began to give a course of anatomical lectures, and there first he established a high reputation for his dextrous method of operation for the stone. In 1731 he obtained the reversion of the place of surgeon-major to the hospital at Rouen; and when the royal academy of surgery was established, he gained the first prize, and continued to gain all the prizes of that academy to the year 17:58 inclusive, when they paid him the high compliment of requesting that he would no longer become a candidate, but leave to others a chance of obtaining these rewards. Flattering as this seemed, M. Le Cat was aware that the academicians had it in their power to prevent his contending for prizes in a more effectual way, by electing him one of their body, and accordingly stood for the prize of 1739 with his usual success: about the end of the year, however, he was elected into the academy, and pursued his career of fame by those numerous publications on which it was so justly founded.
the course of time, arose a literary association, which is now the academy of Rouen, and of which he was many years secretary; and the parliament, to testify their respect
In 1736, he established at Rouen a public school of surgery and anatomy, built an ample theatre at his own expence, and gave lectures for ten or twelve years gratis, at the end of which time he received a pension from the king. From this school, in the course of time, arose a literary association, which is now the academy of Rouen, and of which he was many years secretary; and the parliament, to testify their respect for the zeal and patriotism he had displayed, allowed him a pension of 1000 livres for some years. In 1739, he published a dissertation on solvents for the stone, and particularly on that sold in this country by Mrs. Stephens, which was once thought infallible. In December of that year, he was admitted a corresponding member of the royal academy of sciences at Paris, to whose memoirs he had contributed many curious papers; and in 1740, a similar honour was paid to him by the Royal Society of London. About the same time, he refused the most liberal offers made him to remove to Paris; his attachment to the city of Rou^n, and the regard paid him by all classes there, inducing him to prefer residing among them. In 1741 the academy of Madrid elected him one of their body; and the year following he exhibited another proof of his attachment to the promotion of science, by establishing a school for design at Rouen, for which purpose he accommodated M. Descarnp, a Flemish artist, with the use of his amphitheatre. In 1746 he began a course of experimental philosophy at Rouen, which he continued as well as his ordinary lectures on surgery and anatomy; and in 1749 he founded three anatomical prizes. In this last year^ he published various papers on the operation for the stone in the female subject; and in 1750> his love for the arts and sciences induced him to publish an energetic refutation of Rousseau’s famous discourse which had received the prize of the academy of Dijon* In the course of his progress he was honoured by admission into most of the learned societies in Europe, and contributed papers to their various memoirs.
In 1755 he was at Paris during the months of February and Marchj attending
In 1755 he was at Paris during the months of February
and Marchj attending a general meeting of lithotomists
to determine on the superiority of his method of operation,
and the decision was in his favour. In the spring of the
same year^ he was invited to Lisle and the Netherlands to
attend some persons of the first rank afflicted with cataracts >
and he effected some cures so remarkable that the populace considered them as miracles. The last years of his
life were employed on an edition of the first volumes of the
Memoirs of the Academy of Rouen, and a treatise on osteology. He died at Rouen Aug. 20, 1768, and was interred
in the new church of the Hotel-Dieu. Haller characterises
Le Cat as an ingenious man, distinguished for some real
discoveries in anatomy, but inaccurate with respect to
others, and prone to new hypotheses. His principal writings are 1 “Traite des sensations et des passions en
general,
” Dissertation sur Pexistence
et la nature du fluide des nerfs,
” La Theorie
de Pouie,
” Paris, Eloge de Fontenelle,
”
Traite
de la couieur de la peau humaine,
” Nouveau sy steme sur la cause de P evacuation periodique du
sexe,
” Cours abrege d'osteologie,
”
ral history very early allured from the interesting pursuits of domestic life to cross the Atlantic, was born about the latter end of 1679, or the beginning of 1680;
, one of those men whom a passion for natural history very early allured from the interesting pursuits of domestic life to cross the Atlantic, was born about the latter end of 1679, or the beginning of 1680; He acquaints us himself that he had very early a propensity to the study of nature, and that his wish for higher gratifications in this way first led him to London, and afterwards to distant parts of the globe. The residence of some relations in Virginia favouring this latter design, he went thither in 1712, and staid seven years, admiring and collecting the various productions of the country, without having laid any direct plan for the work which he afterwards accomplished. On his return to England in 1719, he was encouraged by the assistance of several of the nobility, of sir Hans Sloane, Dr. Sherard, and other naturalists, whose names he has recorded, to return to America, with the professed design of describing, delineating, and painting the most curious objects of nature. Carolina was fixed on, as the place of his residence, where he arrived in May 1722. He first examined the lower parts of the country, making excursions from Charles Town; and afterwards sojourned, for some time, among the Indians in the mountainous regions at and about Fort Moore, He then extended his researches through Georgia and Florida; and having spent nearly three years on the continent, he visited the Bahama islands, taking his residence in the Isle of Providence; carrying on his plan, and particularly making collections of fishes and submarine productions.
appeared in the latter end of the year 1730; and the first Tolume, consisting of an hundred plates, was finished in 173i; the second in 1743; and the Appendix of twenty
On his return to England in 1726, his labours having
met with the approbation of his patrons, Mr. Catesby made
himself master of the art of etching; and, retiring to Hoxton, employed himself in carrying on his great work, which
he published in numbers of twenty plants each. The first
appeared in the latter end of the year 1730; and the first
Tolume, consisting of an hundred plates, was finished in
173i; the second in 1743; and the Appendix of twenty
plates, in 1748: the whole under the title “The Natural
History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, &c.
”
folio. In this splendid performance, the curious are gratified with the figures of many of the most beautiful trees,
shrubs, and herbaceous plants, that adorn the gardens of
the present time. Many also of the most useful in the
arts, and conveniencies of life, and several of those used
in medicine, are here for the first time exhibited in the
true proportion and natural colours. It is only to be regretted, that in this work, a separate exhibition of the
flower in all its parts should be wanting; in defect of which,
several curious articles have not been ascertained. As,
however, Mr. Catesby etched all the figures himself, from
his own paintings, and the coloured copies were at first
done under his own inspection, and wherever it was possible, every subject in its natural size; this work was the
most splendid of its kind that England ever produced.
Mr. Catesby was also author of a paper in the Phil. Trans,
vol. XLIV. “on birds of passage,
” in which, in opposition to the opinion that birds lie torpid in caverns, and at
the bottom of waters, he produces a variety of reasons, and
several facts, which his residence in America afforded, in
support of their migration in search of proper food.
Mr. Catesby was elected a fellow of the royal society soon after his second
Mr. Catesby was elected a fellow of the royal society soon after his second return from America, and lived in acquaintance and friendship with many of the most respectable members of that body, being " greatly esteemed for his modesty, ingenuity, and upright behaviour.' 7 Before his death he removed from Hoxton to Fulham, and afterwards to London, and died at his house in Old-street, behind St. Luke’s church, Dec. 23, 1749, aged seventy, leaving a wiclow and two children. Dr. Gronovius gave his name to a thorny shrub of the tetrandrous class, Catcsbea. Mr. Catesby’s work was republished in 1754 and 1771, and to the last edition a Linnaean index, but not sufficiently copious, was annexed.
, Queen Of England, and first consort of Henry VIII. was the fourth daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen
, Queen Of England, and first consort of Henry VIII. was the fourth daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Castile and Arragon. She was born in 1485. In the sixteenth year of her age, Nov. 14, 1501, she was married to Arthur, prince of Wales, son of Henry VII. who died a few months after. The king, either from political reasons, or, as some think, because he was unwilling to restore Catherine’s dowry, which was 200,000 ducats, obliged his second son Henry, whom he created prince of Wales, and who was then in his twelfth year, to be contracted to the infanta. The prince resisted this injunction to the utmost of his power; but the king was invincible, and the espousals were at length, by means of the pope’s dispensation, contracted between the parties. Immediately after the accession of Henry VIII. to the crown, in 1509, the king began to deliberate on his former engagements, to which he had many objections, but his privy council, though contrary to the opinion of the primate, gave him their advice for celebrating the marriage. Even the prejudices of the people were averse to an union betwixt such near relations as Henry and his brother’s widow; and the late king is thought to have had an intention to avail himself of a proper opportunity of annulling the contract. In 1527 several circumstances occurred which combined to excite scruples in the king’s mind concerning the lawfulness of his marriage, but probably the chief were what arose from his own passions. The queen was six years older than the king; and the decay of her beauty, together with particular infn-mities and diseases, had contributed, notwithstanding her blameless character and deportment, to render her person unacceptable to him. Though she had borne him several children, they all died in early infancy, except one daughter, Mary; and it was apprehended, that if doubts of Mary’s legitimacy concurred with the weakness of her sex, the king of Scots, the next heir, would advance his pretensions, and might throw the kingdom into confusion. But most of all, Anne Boleyn had acquired an entire ascendant over his affections, and he was now determined on a divorce, and upon consulting them, all the prelates of England, except Fisher, bishop of Rochester, unanimously declared that they deemed his marriage unlawful. In this they were supported by cardinal Wolsey, who had political purposes to answer in breaking off the match with Catherine, although he was no friend to Anne Boleyn. Accordingly Henry determined to apply to the pope, Clement VII. for a divorce, who, though at first disposed to favour Henry’s application, and had actually concerted measures for its successful issue, was overawed by the interference of the emperor, Charles V. Catherine’s nephew; and when the negociation was protracted to such a length as to tire Henry’s patience, the pope, importuned by the English ministers, put into their hands a commission to Wolsey, as legate, in conjunction with the archbishop of Canterbury, or any other English prelate, to examine the validity of the king’s marriage, and of the late pope’s dispensation. He also granted them a provisional dispensation for the king’s marriage with any other person; and promised to issue a decretal bull, annulling the marriage with Catherine; but he enjoined secrecy, and conjured them not to publish these papers, or to make any farther use of them, till his afflxirs with regard to the emperor were in such a train as to secure his liberty and independence. After considerable hesitation and delay, the legates, Campeggio and Wolsey, to whom the pope had granted a new commission for the trial of the king’s marriage, opened their court in London, May 31, 1529, and cited the king and queen to appear before it. They both presented themselves, and the king answered to his name, when called; but the queen, instead of answering to her’s, threw herself at the king’s feet, and appealed to his justice, declaring that she would not submit her cause to be tried by the members of a court who depended on her enemies; and making the king a low reverence, she departed, and never would again appear in that court.
hstanding her appeal to Rome, and then proceeded to the examination of the cause; but while the king was all impatience for a sentence, Campeggio suddenly prorogued
Upon her departure, the king, after acknowledging that she had ever been a dutiful and affectionate wife, and that the whole tenor of her behaviour had been conformable to the strictest rules of probity and honour, insisted on his own scruples with regard to the lawfulness of their marriage; and craved a sentence of the court agreeable to the justice of his cause. The legates, after citing the queen anew, declared her contumacious, notwithstanding her appeal to Rome, and then proceeded to the examination of the cause; but while the king was all impatience for a sentence, Campeggio suddenly prorogued the court to a future day. This threw the king into the utmost perplexity, from which he was relieved by Dr. Cranaaer, who suggested, that the readiest way, either to quiet Henry’s conscience, or to extort the pope’s consent, would be to consult all the universities of Europe. If they agreed to approve of the king’s marriage with Catherine, his remorse would naturally cease; if they condemned it, the pope would find it difficult to resist his majesty’s solicitations. In consequence of this application several of the foreign universities gave an opinion in the king’s favour; as did Oxford and Cambridge, although subsequently, and with more reluctance; and the convocations both of Canterbury and York, pronounced the king’s marriage invalid, and contrary to the law of God. But pope Clement, still subject to the influence of the emperor, continued to summon the king to appear, either by himself or proxy, before his tribunal at Rome; and the king, apprized that no fair trial could be expected there, refused to submit to such a condition, and would not admit of any citation, which he regarded as a high insult, and a violation of his royal prerogative. In the progress of this business, the queen’s appeal was received at Rome. The king was cited to appear; and several consistories were held to examine the validity of their marriage. The king retained his purpose of not sending any proxy to plead his cause before this court, and alleged, that the prerogatives of his crown must be sacrificed if he allowed appeals from his own kingdom. For the purpose of adding greater security to his intended defection from Rome, he procured an interview with Francis at Boulogne and Calais, and renewed his alliance with that monarch; and it is said that he even persuaded Francis to follow his example, in withdrawing his obedience from the bishop of Rome, and administering ecclesiastical affairs without having further recourse to that see. In the mean time he privately celebrated his marriage with Anne Boleyn, Nov. 14, 1532; and in April of the following year he publicly owned it, and prepared measures for declaring, by a formal sentence, the invalidity of his marriage with Catherine. Catherine, however, did not quit the kingdom; but fixed her abode for some time at Ampthill, in Bedfordshire, where, after several preliminary steps, Cranmer pronounced a sentence which annulled the king’s marriage with her. Catherine still continued obstinate in maintaining the validity of her marriage; and she would admit no person to her presence who did not approach her with the customary formalities. Although Henry employed menaces against such of her servants as complied with her commands in this particular, he was never able to make her relinquish her title and pretensions.
in regard to her servants; but would not permit her remains to be buried as she desired. The corpse was interred in the abbey church at Peterborough, with the honours
This letter is said to have drawn tears from the king.
In a few days after, she died at Kimbolton. In her will,
she appointed her interment to be private, in a convent of
Observant friars, who had done and suffered much for her:
the king complied with her request in regard to her servants; but would not permit her remains to be buried as
she desired. The corpse was interred in the abbey church
at Peterborough, with the honours due to the birth of Catherine, between two pillars, on the north side the choir,
near the great altar. Her hearse was covered with a pall
of black velvet, crossed with cloth of silver, which was
afterwards exchanged for one of black say. It is recorded
by lord Herbert, in his “History of Henry VIII.
” that,
from respect to the memory of Catherine, Henry not only
spared the abbey church at the general dissolution of religious houses, but advanced it to be a cathedral.
so addressed to his patroness a work entitled “De Institutione Feminæ Christianæ, lib. 3.” The queen was one of his auditors when he read the cardinal’s lecture on humanity,
All historians seem to agree in their praises of the personal character of Catherine. Notwithstanding her subsequent fate, she by her sweetness of manners, good sense,
and superior endowments, engaged the affections of her
husband, and contrived to retain the heart of this fickle
and capricious monarch for near twenty years. Catherine,
devoted to literature, became the patroness of learned
men: the celebrated Erasmus and Ludovicus Vives were
more particularly distinguished by her favour. She engaged the latter to draw up instructions for the assistance
of her daughter in the study of the Latin. This essay,
written by her command, is dedicated to the queen, by an
epistle, dated from Oxford, 1523, under the title of “De
Ratione Studii Puerilis.
” The same year Ludovicus also
addressed to his patroness a work entitled “De Institutione Feminæ Christianæ, lib. 3.
” The queen was one of
his auditors when he read the cardinal’s lecture on humanity, in the hall at Christ-church college, which she had
recently founded. Ludovicus Vives was also appointed by
her, Latin tutor to her daughter, the lady Mary. Several
foreign authors have asserted that Catherine composed
“Meditations upon the Psalms
” also a book entitled
“The Lamentation of a Sinner
” but these productions
belong to Catherine Parr. In “Burnet’s History of the
Reformation,
” are two letters from Catherine of Arragon
to her husband; and, in “The Life of Henry V.
” by
Livy, one addressed to the king, then in France, on a
victory gained over the Scots, 1513; and another, requesting permission to see her daughter, the princess
Mary.
, queen of England, and fifth wife of Henry VIII. was daughter of lord Edmund Howard (third son of Thomas duke of
, queen of England, and fifth wife of Henry VIII. was daughter of lord Edmund Howard (third son of Thomas duke of Norfolk, and grandson of John first duke of Norfolk), by Joyce, daughter of sir Richard Culpepper, of Holingbourne in Kent, knight. Her mother dying while she was young, she was educated under the care of her grandmother, the duchess dowager of Norfolk; and when she grew up, the charms of her person soon captivated the affections of Henry VIII, who, upon his divorce from Anne of Cleves, married her, and shewed her publicly as queen, Aug. 8, 1540, But this marriage proved of the utmost prejudice to the cause of the reformation, which had begun to spread itself in the kingdom. ' The queen being absolutely guided by the counsels of the duke of Norfolk, her uncle, and Gardiner bishop of Winchester, used all the power she had over the king to support the credit of the enemies of the protestants, In the summer of 1541, she attended his majesty to York, to meet his nephew the king of Scotland, who had promised to give him an interview in that city, but was diverted by his clergy, and a message from the court of France, from that resolution; and during that progress she gained so entire an ascendant over the king’s heart, that at his return to London, on All-Saints day, when he received the sacrament, he gave public thanks to God for the happiness which he enjoyed by her means and desired his confessor, the bishop of Lincoln, to join with him in the like thanksgiving. But this proved a very short-lived satisfaction, for the jiext clay, archbishop Cranmer came to him with information that the queen had been unfaithful to his bed. By the advice of the lord chancellor and other privy counsellors, the archbishop wrote the particulars on a paper, which he delivered to the king, being at a loss how to open so delicate a matter in conversation. When the king read it, he was much confounded, and his attachment to the queen made him at first consider the story as a forgery, but having full proof, the persons with whom the queen Jiad been guilty, Dierham and Mannoch, two of the duchess dowager of Norfolk’s domestics, were apprehended, and not only confessed what was laid to their charge, but revealed some other circumstances, which placed the guilt of the queen in a most heinous light. The report of this struck the king so forcibly, that he lamented his misfortune with a flood of tears. The archbishop and some other counsellors were sent to examine the queen, who at first denied every thing, but finding that her crime was known, confessed all, and subscribed the paper. It appeared likewise, that she had intended to continue in that scandalous course of life; for as she had brought Dierham into her service, she had also retained one of the women, who had formerly been privy to their familiarities, to attend upon her in her bed-chamber; and while the king was at Lincoln, by the lady Rochford’s means, one Culpepper was brought to her at eleven at night, and stayed with her till four next morning; and at his departure received from her a gold chain. Culpepper being examined, confessed the crime: for which he, with Dierham, suffered death on the 1 Oth of December.
duchess of Norfolk and the countess of Bridgwater), might be attainted of misprision of treason. It was enacted also, that whoever knew any thing of the incontinence
This unfortunate affair occasioned a new parliament to be summoned on Jan. 16, 1541-2, in which the archbishop, the duke of Suffolk, the earl of Southampton, and the bishop of Winchester, were appointed to examine the queen; which they did on the 28th of that month. Their report is recorded only in general, that she confessed; but no particulars are mentioned. Upon this the parliament passed an act in the form of a petition, in which, after desiring the king not to be grieved at this misfortune, they requested, that the queen and her accomplices, with her procuress the lady Rochford, might be attainted of high treason; and that all those, who knew of the queen’s Vicious course before her marriage, and had concealed it, as the duchess dowager of Norfolk her grandmother, the countess of Bridgwater, the lord William Howard her uncle, and his kidy, with the four other men and five women, who were already attainted by the course of common law (except the duchess of Norfolk and the countess of Bridgwater), might be attainted of misprision of treason. It was enacted also, that whoever knew any thing of the incontinence of the queen for the time being, should reveal it with all possible speed, under the pains of treason: and that if the king, or his successors, should incline to marry any woman, whom they took to be a virgin, if she, not being so, did not declare the same to the king, it should be high treason; and all, who knew it, and did not reveal it, were guilty of misprision of treason: and if the queen, or the prince’s wife, should procure any person, by messages or words, to have criminal conversation with her; or any other, by messages or words, should solicit them; they, their counsellors and abettors, were to be adjudged guilty of high treason.
ster, that she took God and his angels to be her witnesses, upon the salvation of her soul, that she was guiltless of the charge of defiling her sovereign’s bed. Yet
This remarkable act being passed, the queen and the
lady llochford were beheaded on Tower-hill on the 12tli
of February, about seventeen months after she had been
married to the king. The queen confessed the miscarriages of her former life before marriage, which had
brought her to this fatal end; but protested to Dr. White,
afterwards bishop of Winchester, that she took God and
his angels to be her witnesses, upon the salvation of her
soul, that she was guiltless of the charge of defiling her
sovereign’s bed. Yet the unbounded looseness of her
former course of living inclined the world to believe the
most scandalous things that could be reported. But all
observed the judgment of Heaven upon the lady Rochford, who had been the principal instrument in the death
of queen Anne Boleyn, her sister-in-law, and that of her
own husband; and her appearing now so enormously profligate tended much to raise their reputations again, in
whose fall her malice and artifices had so great a share. It
was thought, however, extremely cruel to shew such extraordinary severity against the queen’s kindred for not
discovering her former ill life, since the making such a
discovery would have been a very hard instance of duty.
The duchess dowager of Norfolk being her grandmother,
had educated her from a child; and it was said, that for
her to have acquainted the king with her grand-daughter’s
lewd behaviour, when he intended to marry her, as it was
an unheard-of thing, so the not doing it could not have
drawn so high a punishment from any but a prince of the
king’s temper. However he pardoned her, and most of
the rest, though some continued in prison after others
were discharged. That other proviso, which obliged a
young lady to discover her own frailties, if his majesty
should please to make love to her, seemed likewise a
strange piece of tyranny; since if a king, especially one
of so imperious a disposition as Henry VIII, should design
such an honour to any of his subjects, who had failed in,
their former life, they must either disgrace themselves by
publishing so odious a secret, or run the hazard of being
afterwards attainted of high treason. Upon this, some
persons, who were inclined to rally the sex, took occasion
to say, “that after such a regulation, no one, reputed a
virgin, could be induced to marry the king; and therefore
it was not so much choice as necessity, that caused him to
marry a widow two years after.
” But this part of the act
was afterwards repealed in the first parliament of king Edward VI.
heart of this monarch, and whose prudence preserved her from the effects of his cruelty and caprice, was the daughter of sir Thomas Parr, and was married first to Edward
, sixth and last queen to Henry
VIII. celebrated for her learning, whose perfections,
though a widow, attracted the heart of this monarch, and
whose prudence preserved her from the effects of his
cruelty and caprice, was the daughter of sir Thomas Parr,
and was married first to Edward Burghe, and secondly to
John Neville, lord Latimer, whose widow she was when
king Henry cast his affections on her. She was early educated in polite literature, as was the fashion of noble
women at that time in England, and in her riper years was
much given to reading and studying the Holy Scriptures.
Several learned men were retained as her chaplains, who
preached to her every day in her privy chamber, and often
touched such abuses as were common in the church. The
king approved of this practice, and often permitted her to
confer with him on religious subjects. But when disease
and confinement added to his natural impatience of contradiction, and when in the presence of the bishop of Winchester and others of the popish faction, she had been
urging her old topic of perfecting the reformation, the
king broke out into this expression after she was retired,
“A good hearing it is, when women become such clerks
and a thing much to mycomfort, to come in mine old age to
be taught by my wife
” Winchester failed not to improve
this opportunity to aggravate the queen’s insolence, to
insinuate the danger of cherishing such a serpent in his
bosom, and to accuse her of treason cloaked with heresy;
and the king was prevailed upon to give a warrant to draw
lip articles to touch her life. The day and hour was appointed, when she was to be seized: but the design being
accidentally discovered to her, she waited upon the king,
who received her kindly, and purposely began a discourse
about religion. She answered, <* That women by -their
creation at first were made subject to men; that they,
being made after the image of God, as the women were
after their image, ought to instruct their wives, who were
to learn of them: and she much more was to be taught of
his majesty, who was a prince of such excellent learning
and wisdom.*' “Not so, by St. Mary,
” said the king,
“you are become a doctor, Kate, able to instruct us and
not to be instructed by us.
” To which she replied, “that
it seemed he had much mistaken her freedom in arguing
with him, since she did it to ejigage him in discourse, to
amuse this painful time of his infirmity, and that she might
receive profit by his learned discourse; in which last point
she had not missed of her aim, always referring herself in
these matters, as she ought to do, to his majesty.
” “And
is it even so, sweetheart?
” said the king, “then we are
perfect friends again.
”
g took a walk in the garden, and sent for the queen. As they were together, the lord chancellor, who was ignorant of the reconciliation, came with the guards. The king
The day which had been appointed for carrying her to
the Tower being fine, the king took a walk in the garden,
and sent for the queen. As they were together, the lord
chancellor, who was ignorant of the reconciliation, came
with the guards. The king stepped aside to him, and
after a little discourse, was heard to call him “Knave, aye,
errant knave, a fool, and beast;
” and bid him presently
avaunt out of his sight. The queen, not knowing on
Tvhat errand they came, endeavoured with gentle words to
qualify the king’s anger. “Ah! poor soul,
” said the
king, “thou little knowest how ill he deserves this at thy
hands: on my word, sweetheart, he hath been toward thee
an errant knave; and so let him go.
” The king, as a
mark of his affection, left her a legacy of 4000l. besides
her jointure. She was afterwards married to sir Thomas
Seymour, lord-admiral of England, and uncle to Edward
VI. but she lived a very short time, and that unhappily,
with this gentleman. She died, in 1548, in child-bed;
though, as some writers observe, not without a suspicion
of poison, to make way for Seymour’s marriage with the
princess Elizabeth. She was buried in the chapel of Sudley-castle. Her leaden coffin having been explored by
female curiosity in 1782, her features, and particularly
her eyes, are said to have appeared in a state of perfect
preservation.
e, “Queen Catherine Parr’s Lamentation of a Sinner, bewailing the Ignorance of her blind life.” This was a contrite meditation on the years she had passed in popery,
Her majesty wrote, “Queen Catherine Parr’s Lamentation of a Sinner, bewailing the Ignorance of her blind
life.
” This was a contrite meditation on the years she had
passed in popery, in fasts, and pilgrimages; and, being
found among her papers after her death, was published with
a preface, by the great lord Burleigh, in 1548, 8vo, and
afterwards, in 1563. In her life-time she published a volume of psalms, prayers, and pious discourses, with this
title; “Prayers or Meditations, wherein the mind is stirred patiently to suffer all afflictions here, and to set at
nought the vain prosperitie of this worlde, and always to
long for the everlasting felicitee,
” Strype’s Annals,
”
in “Haynes’s collection of State Papers,
” in the “Ashmoiean Collection,
” and in the library of C. C. C. Cambridge.
ch she changed for Catherine when she embraced the Greek religion, and came to be empress of Russia, was born in 1688, of very indigent parents, who lived at Ringen,
, a country girl of the name of Martha, which she changed for Catherine when she embraced the Greek religion, and came to be empress of Russia, was born in 1688, of very indigent parents, who lived at Ringen, a small village not far from Dorpat, on the lake Vitcherve, in Livonia. While yet only three years old, she lost her father, who left her with no other support than what an infirm and sickly mother could afford her; whose labour was barely sufficient to procure them a scanty maintenance. She was handsome, of a good figure, and gave intimations of a quick understanding. Her mother had taught hereto read, and an old Lutheran clergyman, of the name of Gluck, instructed her in the principles of that persuasion. Scarcely had she attained her fifteenth year, when she lost her mother. The good pastor took her home to him, and employed her in attending his children. Catherine availed herself of the lessons in music and dancing that were given them by their masters; but the death of her benefactor, which happened not long after her reception into his family, plunged her once more into the extremity of indigence; and her country being now become the seat of vv.-r between Sweden and Russia, she went to seek an asylum at Marienburg. In 1701 she espoused a dragoon of the Swedish garrison of that fortress. If we are to believe some authors, the very day that these two lovers had fixed on for plighting their faith at the altar, Marienburg was besieged by the Russians; the lover, who was on duty, was obliged to march with his troop to repel the attack, and perished in the action, before the marriage was consummated. Marienburg was at last carried by assault; when general Bauer, seeing Catherine among the prisoners, a'nd being smitten with her youth and beauty, took her to his house, where she superintended his domestic affairs, and was supposed to be his mistress. Soon afterwards she was removed into the family of prince Menzicof, who was no less struck with the attractions of the fair captive: with him she lived till 1704, when, in the seventeenth year of her age, she became the mistress of Peter the Great, and won so much upon his affections, that he espoused her on the 29th of May, 1711. The ceremony was secretly performed at Yaverhof, in Poland, in the presence of general Bruce; and on the 20th of February, 1712, it was publicly solemnized with great pomp at Petersburg; on which occasion she received the diadem and the sceptre from the hands of her husband. After the death of that prince, in 1725, she was proclaimed sovereign empress of all the Russias. In this high station she shewed herself not unworthy of reigning, by endeavouring to complete some of the grand designs which the tzar had begun. The first thing she did on her accession to the imperial dignity, was to cause all the gibbets to be taken down, and all the implements of torture to be destroyed. She instituted a new order of knighthood, in honour of St. Alexander Nefski; and performed some other actions that bespoke a greatness of mind not to be expected from her, although some of these have been rather exaggerated. She attended Peter the Great in his expeditions, and rendered him essential services in the unfortunate affair of Pruth; it was she who advised the tzar to tempt the vizir by presents; which succeeded beyond expectation. It cannot, however, be dissembled, that she had an attachment which excited the jealousy of the tzar. The favoured object was a chamberlain of the court, originally from France, named mons. de la Croix. The tzar Peter caused him to be decapitated, under pretence of some treasonable correspondence; after which he had his head stuck on a pike, and placed in one of the public places of Petersburg. In order that his empress might contemplate at leisure the view of the mangled carcase of her lover, he drove her across this place in all directions, and even conducted her to the foot of the scaffold. Catherine had address or firmness enough to restrain her tears. This princess has been suspected of not being favourably disposed towards the tzarevitsh Alexius, who died under the displeasure of his father. As the eldest born, and sprung from the first marriage, he excluded from the succession the children of Catherine: this is perhaps the sole foundation on which that reproach has been built.
Her private life during her short reign was very irregular; averse from business, she frequently passed
Her private life during her short reign was very irregular;
averse from business, she frequently passed whole nights
in the open air, and indulged to excess in the use of
Tokay wine and strong liquors. These irregularities,
joined to a cancer and a dropsy, hastened her end. She
died May 17, 1727, in the thirty-ninth year of “her age.
The personal attractions and mental abilities of this empress
have been much exaggerated by her panegyrists. In her
person she was under the middle size, and in her youth
delicate and well-formed; but as she advanced in years, inclined to corpulency. She had a fair complexion, dark
eyes, and light hair, which she was accustomed to dye
black. She could neither read nor write with facility, yet
is said to have maintained the pomp of majesty, united with
an air of ease and grandeur; and Peter himself frequently
expressed his admiration at the propriety with which she
occupied her high station, without forgetting that she was
not born to that dignity. Her estimable qualities, after
all the abatements of panegyric, were generally acknowledged. She was humane in an exemplary degree, goodhumoured and obliging in her temper and manners, and
duly mindful of the good offices which had been performed
for her in her low condition. She availed herself of her
ascendancy over Peter, in softening the asperity of his
passions, and restraining their violence; insomuch, that a
word from her, in behalf of a wretch who was about to be
sacrificed to his anger, would instantly disarm him; and if
be determined to indulge his resentment, he would
orders for the execution when she was absent, for fear sh<i
should plead for the victim. Upon the whole, she merited
the honourable title bestowed upon her by the celebrated
Munic, of
” the Mediatrix between the monarch and his
subjects."
late empress of Russia, whose original name was Sophia Augusta Fredeiuca, the daughter of Christian Augustus,
late empress of Russia, whose original name was Sophia Augusta Fredeiuca, the daughter of Christian Augustus, prince of Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, and of the princess of Holstein, was born at Stettin, in Prussian Pomerania, May 2, 1729. In early life she was distinguished by her good humour, intelligence, and spirit, and was fond of reading, reflection, learning, and employment. About the beginning of the year 1744, she was introduced at the court of Petersburg!], where the empress Elizabeth received her very graciously, and formed the scheme of a matrimonial union between her nephew, the grand-duke, afterwards Peter III. and Sophia; who, though instructed under the tuition of her mother in the Lutheran doctrines, embraced the religion of the Greek church, and on this occasion changed her name to that of Catherine Alcxievna. Before the nuptials were celebrated, the grand duke was seized with the small-pox, which so much deformed his face, as to render it for a time almost hideous. This metamorphosis produced a horror in the mind of the young princess at the first Interview, which, however, she had sufficient art to disguise, and which proved no impediment to their marriage, which took place in 1745. At first their attachment appeared to be mutual, but their dispositions and accomplishments were soon discovered to be different. Catherine displayed a superior understanding, which in time Peter felt, and thus the seeds of mutual dislike were very early sown. Their consolations were now also different. Peter had recourse to drinking and gaming, while Catherine entered into all the arcana of political measures, and began to form a party. She also now formed the first of those personal attachments for which she has been so remarkable, with Soltikof, the prince’s chamberlain; and although, when accused, she defended her character with some address and spirit, her intercourse with Soltikof was renewed, and became less secret. At length, the grand chancellor Bestuchef prevailed with the empress to appoint Soltikof minister plenipotentiary from the court of Russia to Hamburgh. For some time Catherine corresponded with him, but in 1755 formed a new connection of the same kind with Stanislaus Poniatowsky, the late king of Poland, and he being appointed plenipotentiary from Poland at the court of Russia, their intimacy was long visible to all, except the grand duke Peter. His jealousy being at length roused, he forbade the grand duchess to be seen with Poniatowsky, and prevailed on the empress to banish Bestuchef, who had been the means of Poniatowski’s mission to the court of Russia, and incensed her majesty against Catherine to such a degree, that it required her utmost cunning to effect a reconciliation, which was however at length brought about, and on the death of the empress Elizabeth, Dec. 25, 1761, Peter III. ascended the throne.
For some time his conduct was at least blameless, and he even discovered more wisdom and talent
For some time his conduct was at least blameless, and he even discovered more wisdom and talent than had been attributed to him. He seemed also to live in harmony with Catherine, who was congratulated on the prudent and improved state of her husband’s actions. But these appearances, we are taught to think, were delusive; his uatural weakness and versatility returned, and whatever his intentions, many of his measures created enemies without, as well as within his court. His alienating the church revenues, and assigning to the clergy yearly salaries, rendered him very unpopular among that numerous body; and his attachment to the Greek church began to be questioned. Many of his expressions, very probably unguarded and weak, were circulated abroad to render him obnoxious, and alarm the pride of his subjects; and in the mean time his sensual habits of drinking and smoking rendered him an easyprey to the courtiers, who were meditating his ruin. With respect to his empress, he sometimes affected to honour her, but this in a way too capricious to impose upon her, and at length, when he thought himself secure on the throne, insulted her by introducing his mistress, the countess Woronzoff, at a public exhibition. Catherine despised him, but her pride was hurt, and when she saw that her tears gained her that popularity which he was losing, she was not sparing of them, nor of a wonderful shew of humility and circumspection, and even of piety, performing all the public ceremonies of religion with great apparent devotion and she also kept her court with a mixture of dignity and affability which charmed all who approached her.
Peter’s conduct, on the other hand, was mere infatuation. He permitted his mistress the countess Woronzoff
Peter’s conduct, on the other hand, was mere infatuation.
He permitted his mistress the countess Woronzoff to have
the most complete ascendancy over him, and this woman
had the hardihood to claim the performance of a promise
which he had made when grand duke, to marry her, place
her, in the room of Catherine, on the throne, and bastardize his son Paul, whose place he was to supply by
adopting prince Ivan, who had been dethroned by the empress Elizabeth. Whatever ground he might have for
expecting success to this wild project, he had not the sense
to conceal it; and his mistress openly made her boast of it.
Such indiscretion was, no doubt, in favour of Catherine^
but still the part she had to play required all her skill. It
was no less than a plot to counteract that of her husband,
and dethrone him. The minute details of this would extend too far in a sketch like the present; her conspirators
were numerous, secret, and well prepared, and by their
means she, who had been confined at Peterhof by her husband, was enabled to enter Petersburgh July 9, 1762,
where she was received as empress, and where, while the
enthusiasm was fresh in the minds of her troops and subjects, she was crowned in the church of Kazan, by the
archbishop of Novogorod, who proclaimed her with a loud
voice, sovereign of all the Russias, by the title of Catherine II. and declared at the same time the young grand
duke, Paul Petrovitch, her successor. But of all this
Peter III. had yet no suspicion. Such was his security,
that he set out, after having received some intimations of
the conspiracy, from Oranienbaum in a calash with his
mistress, his favourites, and the women of his court, for
Peterhof; but in the way, Gudovitch, the general aidede-camp, met one of the chamberlains of the empress, by
whom he was informed of her escape from Peterhof; and
upon his communicating the intelligence to Peter, he
turned pale, and appeared much agitated. On his arrival
at Peterhof, his agitation and confusion increased, when
he found that the empress had actually left the palace,
and he soon received the certain tidings of the revolution
that had been accomplished; and the chancellor Worouzof
offered his services to hasten to Petersburgh, engaging to
bring the empress back. The chancellor, on entering the
palace, found Catherine surrounded by a multitude of
people in the act of doing homage; and forgetting his
duty, he took the oath with the rest. He was permitted,
however, at his earnest request, to return to his house,
under the guard of some trusty officers; and thus secured
himself from the vindictive spirit of the partisans of Catherine, and from the suspicions of the czar. After the departure of the chancellor, Peter became a prey to the most
distressing anxieties, and he every instant received some
fresh intelligence of the progress of the revolution, but
knew not what steps to pursue. Although his Holstein
guards were firmly attached to him, and the veteran marshal Munich offered to risk every thing for his service, he
remained hesitating and undetermined; and after some
fruitless attempts, he found it absolutely necessary to submit unconditionally to her will, in consequence of which
he was compelled to sign a most humiliating act of abdication, in which he declared his conviction of his inability
to govern the empire, either as a sovereign, or in any other
capacity, and his sense of the distress in which his continuance at the head of affairs would inevitably involve it,
and in the evening an officer with a strong escort came
and conveyed him prisoner to Ropscha, a small imperial
palace, at the distance of about 20 versts from Peterhof.
He now sent a message to Catherine, requesting, that he
might retain in his service the negro who had been attached
to him, and who amused him with his singularities, together with a dog, of which he was fond, his violin, a Bible,
and a few romances; assuring her, that, disgusted at the
wickedness of mankind, he would henceforward devote
himself to a philosophical life. Not one of these requests
was granted. After he had been at Ropscha six days without the knowledge of any persons besides the chiefs of the
conspirators, and the soldiers by whom he was guarded,
Alexius Orlof, accompanied by Teplof, came to him with
the news of his speedy deliverance, and asked permission
to dine with him. While the officer amused the czar with
some trifling discourse, his chief rilled the wine-glasses,
which are usually brought in the northern countries before
dinner, and poured a poisonous mixture into that which
he intended for the prince. The czar, without distrust,
swallowed the potion; on which he was seized with the
most excruciating pains; and on his being offered a second glass, on pretence of its giving him relief, he refused
it with reproaches on him that offered it. Being pressed
to take another glass, when he called for milk, a French
valet-de-chamhre, who was greatly attached to him, ran
in; and throwing himself into his arms, he said in a faint
tone of \oice, “It was not enough, then, to prevent me
from reigning in Sweden, and to deprive me of the crown
of Russia! I must also be put to death.
” The valet-dechamhre interceded in his behalf; but the two miscreant
forced him out of the room, and continued their ill treatment of him. In the midst of the tumult, the younger of
the princes Baratinsky, who commanded the guard, entered; Orlof, who in a struggle had thrown down the emperor, was pressing upon his breast with both his knees,
and firmly griping his throat with his hand. In this situation the two other assassins threw a napkin with a running knot round his neck, and put an end to his life by
suffocation, July 17th, just one week after the revolution;
and it was announced to the nation, that Peter had died
of an haemorrhoidal colic. When Catherine received the
news of Peter’s death, she appeared at court, whither she
was going, with a tranquil air; and afterwards shut herself
up with Orlof, Panin, Rasumofsky, and others who had
been concerned in her counterplot, and resolved to inform
the senate and people next day of the death of the emperor. On this occasion she did not forget her part, but
rose from her seat with her eyes full of tears, and for some
days exhibited all the marks of profound grief. The best
part of her conduct was, that she showed no resentment to
the adherents of Peter, and even pardoned the countess
Woronzoff.
ancient capital of the empire, for the purpose of celebrating her coronation; but her reception here was so cool on the part of her subjects, that she hastened her departure
In September, having had her title acknowledged by the sovereigns of Europe, she took a journey to Moscow, the ancient capital of the empire, for the purpose of celebrating her coronation; but her reception here was so cool on the part of her subjects, that she hastened her departure after the ceremony, and went back to Petersburgh. Being now securely established on the throne, she meditated a variety of enterprises and plans of improvement, which might in the mean time divert the people from contemplating 'the late revolution too closely, and hereafter redound to her glory and their benefit. She consulted in particular the advancement of commerce, the augmentation of the marine, and devised proper means for recovering the national finances. After engaging in business with her ministers, she would frequently converse in private with Bestuchef and Munich. With the one she studied politics and the resources of the several courts of Europe, and the other communicated to her a plan for driving the Turks from Constantinople, which was ever after a favourite object with Catherine. In her internal policy she introduced those changes which could not fail to be popular, abolishing the secret-inquisition-chancery, and the use of the torture, and rendering her criminal laws so mild, that during her long reign, a sentence of death was extremely rare. She also held out liberal encouragement to foreigners to settle in her empire, either as agriculturists, artificers, or merchants. In order to eradicate a physical and moral cause of depopulation, the empress laid the foundation of the foundling and lying-in hospital at Moscow, and afterwards of another at St. Petersburgh. She also founded the medicinal college of the empire in the latter city, an:l colleges and hospitals in every part of her empire. She encouraged commerce and industry; and ordered new ships of war to be put upon the stocks. The beneficial consequence of the spirit she manifested, and of the regulations she adopted, have been since manifest in a variety of instances. Courland, on the Baltic, with its havens, was subjected by her to the Russian sceptre; and on the opposite side of Europe the Euxine laves her extensive conquests; Otchakow, the Cherson, the Crim, and the Cuban, bear witness to the force of her arms. The sails of her ships of commerce and of war are spread even in the Mediterranean. Qn the Greek islands the Russian banners are displayed. Her troops opened a road into Egypt, and there, in 1772, fought in support of Ali Bey, against the Turks. The free inhabitants of the extreme north-eastern point of Asia, the Tschuktsches, were at length obliged to submit; and a channel of no great width (the straits of Behring) there only divides the empire from America. A multitude of Russian islands in the northern part of the southern ocean, the Kuriles and several additional acquisitions, connect it with other islands, and even with the continent of the fourth quarter of the world; and there also the Russians have got a firm footing. The differences" that arose with China in 1778, were at length compromised; and if no caravans go from Moscow to Pekin, yet the merchants of these two great empires prosecute their trade together, and perhaps better, in the frontier towns of Kiachta and Maimatshin. Orenburg, in Asiatic Russia, is excellently situated for commercial intercourse with the East Indies; the caravans require only three months for the whole journey; accordingly, at the half-way thither, at Balk, a town in Bactriana, or Khorasan, Russian and East Indian caravans already meet together. Towards the end of 1763, Catherine gave a proper form to the supreme college of the empire, the directing senate, which had been instituted by Peter I. She divided it into six departments, of which the four former should have their seat in St. Pete rsburo'n, and the two latter in Moscow.
out in the prison of the dethroned Ivan, which threatened the stability of her own throne. But this was soon quelled by the murder of that unhappy prince. What share
In 1764, when the throne of Poland had become vacant by the death of Augustus III. in the October of the preceding year, Catherine displayed her political talents and influence in the advancement of her early favourite count Poiu'atowsky to that dignity. At this time she made a tour through Esthonia, Livonia, and Courland; but during her absence on this expedition, an insurrection broke out in the prison of the dethroned Ivan, which threatened the stability of her own throne. But this was soon quelled by the murder of that unhappy prince. What share the empress had in this affair is not very clear, but the event was certainly in her favour, and she now proceeded in her improvements, and in the establishment of useful institutions, endeavouring to soften the manners of her subjects by instruction. She also seemed determined to be at once both conqueror and legislatrix, and it is certain that the laws of the Russian empire were much simplified under her reign, and the administration of justice rendered milder and more impartial. Her purpose was to form a solid, and not an arbitrary legislation. Her whole plan was directed to prevent all those who governed under her from exercising a capricious and cruel authority, by subjecting them to invariable laws, which no authority should be able to infringe, but in this, when they were at a distance, she was not always successful. She also continued to cultivate and encourage the arts and sciences; to make her empire an asylum to the learned and ingenious and the transit of Vqihis, which happened in 1769, afforded an opportunity of exhibiting as well the munificence of Catherine as the attention she paid to astronomy. About the middle of the year 1767, the empress conceived the useful project of sending several learned men to travel into the interior of her immense territories, for the purpose of determining the geographical position of the principal places, of marking their temperature, and of examining into the nature of their soil, their productions, their wealth, as well as the manners and characters of the several people by whom they are inhabited. The selection of the learned travellers destined for this expedition, the helps that were granted them, and the excellent instructions that were given them, will be a lasting honour to the academy of sciences, by which they were appointed. About this time, viz. in 1768, the court of Catherine became the asylum of the sciences, to which she invited learned men from every part of Europe. She encouraged artists and scholars of all denominations; she granted new privileges to the academy of sciences, and exhorted the members to add the names of several celebrated foreigners to those which already conferred a lustre on their society. Nor was she less attentive to the academy of arts, by increasing the number of its pupils, and adding such regulations as tended more than ever to the attainment of the end for which it was endowed. For the further encouragement of the fine arts in her dominions, the empress assigned an annual sum of 5000 rubles for the translation of foreign works into the Russian language. The improvement of the state of physic was another important object of her concern; and in order to give the highest possible sanction to the salutary practice of inoculating for the small pox, she herself submitted to the operation under the care of an English practitioner, and she persuaded the grand duke to follow her example. In 1768, Dr. T Dimsdale, of Hertford, was invited to Russia for the purpose of introducing inoculation:. upon the recovery of trie grand duke, Catherine rewarded his services by creating him a baron of the Russian empire, and appointed him counsellor of state and physician to her imperial majesty, with a pension of 500l. a year, to be paid him in England; besides 10,000l. sterling, which he immediately received; and she also presented him with a miniatnre picture of herself, and another of the grand duke, as a memorial of his services. Her majesty likewise expressed her approbation of the conduct of his son, by conferring on him the same title, and ordering him to be presented with a superb gold snuff-box, richly set with diamonds. On December 3, 1768, a thanksgiving service was performed in the chapel of the palace on account of her majesty’s recovery and that of the grand duke from the small-pox: and the senate decreed, that this event should be solemnized by an anniversary festival, which has been regularly observed ever since.
Mainots, descendants *f the ancient Lacedaemonians, were the first that took up arms; their example was soon followed by their neighbours; and the Turks were massacred
Her schemes of foreign aggrandisement, which compose so great a part of her history, commenced with her violent and arbitrary interference in the affairs of Poland, which in 1768 caused the Ottoman Porte to declare war against her; but the Turks were very unequal to the contest, which in its progress brought on a series of disasters, and they lost several battles on the Pruth, Dniester, and Danube, with the towns of Bender and Ackcrman, the capital of Bessarabia. The provinces also of Walachia, Moldavia, and Bessarabia, submitting to the Russian arms, sent deputies to Petersburg!! to do homage to the empress. In September 1769, two squadron of Russian men of war sailed from Archangel and Revel, which were soon followed by others from the Baltic, and steered for the first time for the Mediterranean, an expedition which forms a remarkable aera in the history of marine tactics. Before the arrival of this fleet, some secret agents had been disposing the Greeks to expect the Russians as their deliverers; and at the instant when their squadron had gained the height of Cape Matapan (formerly the promontory of Tenaros), the whole Archipelago thought itself free. The Mainots, descendants *f the ancient Lacedaemonians, were the first that took up arms; their example was soon followed by their neighbours; and the Turks were massacred in several of the Slands. But the latter cruelly revenged themselves for cne insurrection of the Greeks. Some thousands of these miserable people were exterminated by the sabre of the Janizaries.
The squadron of Spiridof was soon joined by that of Elphinston, a native of England, vice-admiral
The squadron of Spiridof was soon joined by that of Elphinston, a native of England, vice-admiral in the Russian service, and the Turks, though possessing a superior navy, were compelled to shelter themselves in the narrow bay of Tschesme, near Lemnos, where some of them ran aground, and the others were so pressed for room, that it was impossible for them to act. The Russians, perceiving their disadvantageous situation, sent among them some fire-ships, commanded by British officers, and destroyed their whole fleet. This war,however, was not terminated till 1774, when the grand vizir, being invested on all sides by the Russian armies, was reduced to the necessity of si^ninjr a peace, by which were secured the independence of the Crimea, the free navigation of the Russians on the Euxine, and through the Dardanelles, with the stipulation that they should never have more than one armed vessel in the seas of Constantinople, and a cession to them of that tract of land that lies on the Euxine between the Bog and the Danube. Russia, retaining Azof, Togaurok, Kertsch, and Kinburn, restored the rest of her conquests. These terms were undoubtedly favourable to Russia, but various circumstances at home rendered peace peculiarly desirable. The disordered state of the finances, the ravages of the plague, and a spirit of revolt in certain provinces, and above all, the rebellion of Pugatshef, afforded ample employment to the empress’s resources. This Pugatshef was a Cossack, and from some resemblance of features to Peter III. was encouraged to assume his name, and raise a revolt, which for some time threatened serious consequences, but about the end of 1774 it was terminated by the capture of Pugatshef, who was put to death.
he victims to justice numerous. As a general famine prevailed in the desolated countries, government was at great expence and trouble in supplying them with corn and
During this tumultuous state of affairs, Catherine prosecuted her designs for encouraging the sciences and the arts of peace, and improved the finances so far as to be able to take off the war-taxes, and others which were unfavourable to agriculture, or oppressive to particular provinces or orders of the people. She also lent large sums of money, free of interest, and for a specified term of years, to those provinces which were ruined by the late rebellion. She likewise established a number of other salutary regulations, abolishing pernicious distinctions, destroying numerous monopolies, restraining the cruelty of punishment, and removing oppressive or impolitic restrictions or prohibitions. Imprisoned debtors were, under certain circumstances, released from confinement; and all the heirs of the debtors to the crown were discharged from their bonds and obligations. The insurgents every where returned to their duty; nor were the victims to justice numerous. As a general famine prevailed in the desolated countries, government was at great expence and trouble in supplying them with corn and meal from the magazines at Moscow and other places; and various methods were clevised for preventing th progress of famine.
er these powers little more than dependencies on her crown; however, in 1780 her influence over them was employed in establishing the famous “armed neutrality,” the
The independence of Cam Tartary, however, soon occasioned an open rupture between the Turkish and Russian
parties; and in 1778 it produced a declaration of war.
From the measures that were pursued, it sufficiently appeared, that the ambition of the empress would not be
satisfied till she had gained entire possession of that peninsula. Her intrigues in the neighbouring courts of Denmark
and Sweden tended to render these powers little more than
dependencies on her crown; however, in 1780 her influence
over them was employed in establishing the famous “armed
neutrality,
” the purpose of which was to protect the commercial rights of neutral states, then continually violated
by the belligerent powers, and particularly by England,
which availed itself of its superiority at sea, in preventing
France and Spain from receiving naval stores from the
Baltic. In this year Catherine had an interview at Mohilow with the emperor of Germany, Joseph II. and they
travelled together in familiar intercourse into Russia; the
prince of Prussia (afterwards Frederic William II.) also
visited her court; and it was customary for the neighbouring princes to make visits of policy or curiosity to Petersburgh, where they were always treated with extraordinary
magnificence. In 1782, Catherine, with a view of affording an asylum to the proscribed order of Jesuits, and probably imagining that all the Jesuits of Europe and America
would bring into White Russia their treasures and their industry, erected a Roman catholic archbishopric at Mohilow,
for the spiritual government of her subjects of that persuasion, and also gave him a Jesuit coadjutor. But the spoils
of Paraguay never found their way to Mohilow. This
year was marked by an event which indicated Catherine’s
respect for the memory of Peter the Great, whom she affected to imitate: it was the erection at Petersburgh of his
famous equestrian statue, which was executed by Stephen
Falconet of Paris. This, artist conceived the design of
having for the pedestal of his statue a huge and rugged
rock, in order to indicate to posterity, whence the heroic
legislator had set out and what obstacles he surmounted.
This rock, the height of which from the horizontal line
was 21 feet by 42 in length, and 34 in breadth, was conveyed, with great labour, from a bay on the gulf of Finland
to Petersburgh, through the distance of 11 versts, or about
41,250 English feet. On the side next the senate it has
this Latin inscription, which is in a style of sublime and
proud simplicity: “Petro primo, Catharina secunda;
”
“Catherine the second to Peter the first.
”