other instance of his diligence and curiosity Mr. Boyle has recorded in his works (vol. II. p. 206), who received from Mr. Evelyn, whom he consulted on the occasion,
In December 1640, he entered the Middle Temple,
and at this time his father died of the dropsyin his fiftythird year. The ominous appearance of public affairs in
1641 inclined him to pass some time abroad, and accordingly he set out for Holland, after having witnessed the
trial of the earl of Stratford. Having viewed what was
most remarkable in the principal towns of Holland, with
Brussels, Bruges, &c. and paid a visit to the prince of
Orange’s camp before Genap, he returned to Dover by
the way of Dunkirk in October. In 1642 he went to Brentford to offer his services to his majesty Charles I. and was
assigned to ride volunteer in prince Rupert’s troop; but the
king marching to Gloucester, and by that step leaving
Surrey and Sussex, where Mr. Evelyn’s estate lay, exposed to the rebels, he was advised to travel, and having obtained his majesty’s leave, went in July 1643 to France, and
thence to Italy, in which he spe^t above a year. A thirst
of knowledge of every kind was his ruling passion; his
mind too at this early period of life, was not unfurnished
with science, and he could now contemplate, with consequent improvement, the antiquities, arts, religion, laws,
and learning and customs of the countries through which
he passed. He has, accordingly, left a large and minute
account of what he thought worthy of observation, and
nothing seems to have escaped him. At Padua he purchased the rare tables of veins and nerves of Dr. John
Athelsteinus Leonaenas; and caused him to prepare a third
of the lungs, liver, and nervi sextipar with the gastric veins,
which he sent into England, being the first that had been
seen here, and which he afterwards presented to the royal
society. Another instance of his diligence and curiosity
Mr. Boyle has recorded in his works (vol. II. p. 206), who
received from Mr. Evelyn, whom he consulted on the occasion, a valuable and minute account of the method by
which magazines of snow are preserved in Italy, for the
use of the tables of the luxurious. During his stay at
Rome, Mr. Evelyn informs us of his having an opportunity
of learning the true sentiments of the popish party, on the
execution of archbishop Laud, so frequently accused in
this country of an inclination towards popery. “I was at
Rome,
” says he, “in the company of divers of the English fathers, when the news of archbishop Laud’s sufferings,
and a copy of his sermon, came thither. They read the
sermon, and commented upon it, with no small satisfaction and contempt; and looked on him, as one that was a
great enemy to them, and stood in their way, whilst one
of the blackest crimes imputed to him was, his being
popishly affected.
”
re, Mr. Evelyn particularly studied, and seems to have contracted an acquaintance with those persons who were most eminent in each branch of these arts. Nanteuil, the
Mr. Evelyn’s early affection to, and skill in, the fine arts,
appeared during these travels; for we find that he delineated upon the spot, the prospects of several remarkable
places that lie between Rome and Naples, particularly
“The three Taverns or the forum of Appius,
” mentioned
in the twenty-eighth chapter of the Acts “The promontory of Auxur
” “A prospect of Naples from mount Vesuvius;
” “A prospect of Vesuvius, as it appears towards
Naples,
” and “The mouth of mount Vesuvius.
” All these
were engraved from our author’s sketches, by Hoare, an
artist of character at that time, though some have attributed
these engravings to himself. Architecture, painting, and
sculpture, Mr. Evelyn particularly studied, and seems to
have contracted an acquaintance with those persons who
were most eminent in each branch of these arts. Nanteuil, the celebrated French engraver, appears to have
been his particular favourite, who, besides drawing a portrait of him in black and white, with Indian ink, engraved
a print of him in 1650, which is mentioned by Florent Le
Comte in these words, “Yvelin, dit le petit milord Anglois, ou Je portrait Grec; parcequ'il y a du Grec au bas;
ou est ecrit aussi, meliora retinete.
” The Greek is a sentence from Isocrates, to this purpose, “Let your pictures
rather preserve the memory of your virtues, than of your
person.
”
earl of Arundel was, the great collector of pictures, statues, &c. whom he was acquainted with, and who, at his taking leave of him, gave him directions written with
Mr. Evelyn’s tour is thus chronicled by himself: “July
26, 1643, he went to France, and having passed the remainder of the year, with the winter and next spring, at
Paris, ia which time he made an excursion into Normandy,
and saw Rouen, April 25, 1644, he set out for Orleans,
and after visiting Blois, Tours, Anjou, and all the fine
places on the Loire, together with the town and palace
built by the great cardinal Richelieu, and called by his
name, he arrived Sept. 2 at Lyons, and went from thence
by Avignon to Marseilles, and so along the coast to a little
town called Canes, where (in Oct.) he embarked and arrived at Genoa, the curiosities of which having viewed, he
proceeded to Pisa, Leghorn, Florence, Sienna, and so came
(Nov. 4) to Rome, where he spent the winter in seeing all
the antiquities and curiosities of that famous city, making
an excursion (Jan. 27, 1644-5) to Naples, and returning
Feb. 7. May 18 he left Rome, and passing through Bologna
and Ferrara, came (in June) to Venice, where he spent the
remaining part of the year, and sometimes going to Padua,
where the earl of Arundel was, the great collector of pictures, statues, &c. whom he was acquainted with, and who,
at his taking leave of him, gave him directions written
with his own hand, what curiosities to inquire after in his
travels. March 20, 1646, he left Venice in company with
Mr. Waller the poet, and went to Milan, taking Vincenza
and Verona in his way; from hence he passed the Alps,
and came to Geneva. In July he departed from Geneva,
and in October got to Paris again by the way of Orleans.
”
included), though there should no others join capable to alleviate the expence. But, if any of those who desire to be of the society be so well qualified as to support
Being now recommended to sir Richard Brown, bart. the
king’s minister there, he made his addresses to his only
daughter Mary, whom he married June 27, 1647, and in
her right became possessed of Sayes-court near Deptford,
in Kent, where he resided after his return to England,
which was in October of that year. Soon after his arrival
he went to Hampton court, where he had the honour to
kiss his majesty’s hand, and gave him an account of several things he had in charge. On Jan. 21, 1648-9, he published his tract on liberty and servitude, for which he wasseverely threatened, and probably on this account he went
again to France in July 1649, and in November of that
year he attended his father-in-law sir Richard Brown,
when he had his first audience at the French court, after
the death of Charles I. and delivered his credentials from
Charles II. In July 1650 he went again to England, but
returned to Paris in the following month. In Jan. 1651-2
he left France, and returning to England, settled at Sayescourt near Deptford, and in May was joined by his wife
from France. In all he appears to have spent about seven
years in his travels, and with a mind highly improved by
what he had seen and read, he silently pursued his studies
at this retirement (for such it then was), and wrote and
published some of those works which afterwards gave him
a distinguished name in the learned world. It was here
also that he first shewed his skill in planting and gardening,
both then very little understood in England, and rendered
this place the wonder and admiration of the most judicious
men of his time. The situation, indeed, of public affairs
induced him to consider privacy as a very great blessing;
and so fond was he of his rural retreat, that he very rarely
quitted it, though but a young man, with a considerable
fortune, and extremely admired and courted by all his
acquaintance. This studious disposition, together with
his disgust of the world, occasioned by that strange scene
of violence and confusion that was then acted upon the
public stage, was so strong, that he actually proposed to the
honourable Mr. Robert Boyle, the raising of a kind of college for the reception of persons of the same turn of mind,
where they might enjoy the pleasure of agreeable society,
and at the same time pass their days without care or interruption. His plan was thus formed: “I propose the purchasing of thirty or forty acres of land, in some healthy
place, not above twenty-five miles from London, of which
a good part should be tall wood, and the rest upland pastures, or downs sweetly irrigated. If there were not
already an house which might be converted, &c. we wonld
erect, upon the most convenient site of this near the wood,
our building, viz. one handsome pavillion, containing a refectory, library, withdrawing-room, and a closet this the
first story for, we suppose the kitchen, larders, cellars,
and offices, to be contrived in the half-story under ground.
In the second should be a fair lodging-chamber, a palletroom, gallery, and a closet, all which should be well and
very nobly furnished, for any worthy person that might
desire to stay any time, and for the reputation of the college. The half-story above, for servants, wardrobes, and
like conveniences. To the entry fore-front of this court,
and at the other back-front, a plot walled in, of a competent square for the common seraglio, disposed into a garden, or it might be only carpet, kept curiously, and to
serve for bowls, walking, or other recreations, &c. if the
company please. Opposite to the house, towards the
wood, should be erected a pretty chapel, and, at equal
distances, even within the flanking walls of the square, six
apartments or cells for the members of the society, and
not contiguous to the pavillion, each whereof should contain a small bed-chamber, an outward room, a closet, and
a private garden, somewhat after the manner of the Carthusians. There should likewise be an elaboratory, with a
repository for rarities and things of nature; aviary, dovehouse, physic-garden, kitchen-garden, and a plantation of
orchard-fruit, &c. all uniform buildings, but of single stories, or a little elevated. At a convenient distance, towards the olitory garden, should be a stable for two or
three horses, and a lodging for a servant or two. Lastly,
a garden-house and conservatory for tender plants. The
estimate amounts thus the pavillion 400l. the chapel, 150.
apartments, walls, and out-housing, 600l. the purchase
of a fee for thirty acres, at fifteen pounds 1600/, will be
the utmost. Three of the cells, or apartments, that is, one
moiety with the appurtenances, shall be at the disposal of
one of the founders, and the other half at the others. If,
I and my wife take up two apartments (for we are to be decently asunder, however, I stipulate, and her inclination will greatly suit with it, that shall be no impediment to the society, but a considerable advantage to the ceeonomicpart),
a third shall be for some, worthy person; and, to facilitate
the rest, I offer to furnish the whole pavillion completely
to the value of 500l. in goods and moveables, if need be for
seven years, till there shall be a public stock, &c. There
shall be maintained, at the public charge, only a chaplain,
well qualified, an ancient woman to dress the meat, wash,
and do all such offices; a man to buy provision, keep the
garden, horses, &c. a boy to assist him and serve within.
At one meal a day, of two dishes only, unless some little,
extraordinary upon particular days or occasions (then never exceeding three) of plain and wholesome meat a small
refection at night wine, beer, sugar, spice, bread, fish,
fowl, candle, soap, oats, hay, fuel, &c. at four pounds per
week, 200l. per annum; wages, fifteen pounds; keeping
the gardens, twenty pounds; the chaplain, twenty pounds
per annum. Laid up in the treasury 145l. to be employed
for books, instruments, drugs, trials, &c. The. total, 400l.
a year, comprehending the keeping of two horses for the
chariot, or the saddle, and two kine; so that 200l. per annum will be the utmost that the founders shall be at to
maintain the whole society, consisting of nine persons (the servants included), though there should no others join capable to alleviate the expence. But, if any of those who
desire to be of the society be so well qualified as to support their own particulars, and allow for their proportion,
it will yet much diminish the charge; and of such there
cannot want some at all times, as the apartments are
empty. If either of the founders thinks expedient to alter
his condition, or that any thing do humanitus contingere,
he may resign to another, or sell to his colleague, and dispose of it as he pleases, yet so as it still continue the institution. Orders. At six, in summer, prayers in the chapel. To study till half an hour after eleven. Dinner in
the refectory till one. Retire till four. Then called to
conversation (if the weather invite) abroad, else in the refectory. This never omitted but in case of sickness.
Prayers at seven. To bed at nine. In the winter the
same, with some abatements for the hours, because the
nights are tedious, and the evening’s conversation more
agreeable. This in the refectory. All play interdicted,
sans bowls, chess, &c. Every one to cultivate his own
garden. One month in spring a course in the claboratory
on vegetables, &c. In the winter a month on other experiments. Every man to have a key of the elaboratory, pavillion, library, repository, &c. Weekly fast. Communion once every fortnight, or month at least. No stranger
easily admitted to visit any of the society, but upon certain days weekly, and that only after dinner. Any of the
society may have his commons to his apartment, if he will
not meet in the refectory, so it be not above twice a week.
Every Thursday shall be a music-meeting at conversation
hours. Every person of the society shall render some public
account of his studies weekly, if thought fit, and especially
shall be recommended the promotion of experimental
knowledge, as the principal end of the institution. There
shall be a decent habit and uniform used in the college.
One month in the year may be spent in London, or any of
the universities, or in a perambulation for the public
befiefit, &c. with what other orders shall be thought convenient.
”
659, which was in truth the most active in his whole life, is hardly taken notice of by any of those who have undertaken to preserve his memoirs. After the death of
This scheme, which is characteristic of the state of Mr.
Evelyn’s mind, at a time when good men sickened at the
contemplation of successful rebellion, would, in all likelihood, have gradually departed from its principles, and is
perhaps too romantic to have stood the collision of human
passions and human events. But, when a prospect appeared
of better times, it occasioned some change in his sentiments; and, upon an attempt being made to damp the
desires of the people for the king’s return, he drew his pen
in that critical season in defence of his majesty’s character, which, at such a juncture, was both an acceptable
and a very important service. The conduct of Mr. Evelyn
in this critical year, 1659, which was in truth the most active in his whole life, is hardly taken notice of by any of
those who have undertaken to preserve his memoirs. After
the death of Oliver and the deposition of Richard Cromwell, there were many of the commanders in the army that
shewed an inclination to reconcile themselves to the king;
which disposition of theirs was very much encouraged by
such as had his majesty’s interest truly at heart. Amongst
these, Mr. Evelyn had a particular eye upon colonel Herbert Morley, an old experienced officer in the parliament
army, who had two stout regiments entirely at his devotion, was very much esteemed by his party, and had the
general reputation of being a person of probity and honour.
It was a very dangerous step, as things then stood, to make
any advances to one in his situation; yet Mr. Evelyn, considering how much it might be in that gentleman’s power
to facilitate the king’s return, fairly ventured his life, by
advising the colonel freely to make his peace with, and
enter into the service of, the king. The colonel, as might
well be expected, acted coldly and cautiously at first, but
at last accepted Mr. Evelyn’s offer, and desired him to
make use of his interest to procure a pardon for himself,
and some of his relations and friends whom he named, promising in return to give all the assistance in his power to
the royal cause. At the same time that Mr. Evelyn carried
on this dangerous intercourse with colonel Morley, he
formed a resolution of publishing something that might
take off the edge of that inveteracy, expressed by those
who had been deepest in the parliament’s interest, against
such as had always adhered to the king and with this view
he wrote a small treatise, which had the desired effect, and
was so generally well received, that it ran through three
impressions that year. The title of this piece was, “An
Apology for the Royal Party, written in a letter to a person of the late council of state; with a touch at the pretended plea of the army,
” Lond. News from Brussels, in a letter from a near attendant on his majesty’s person, to a person of honour here, dated March 10th, 1659.
”
The design of this pretended letter was to represent the
character of king Charles II. in as bad a light as possible,
in order to destroy the favourable impressions that many
had received of his natural inclination to mildness and clemency. All the king’s friends were extremely alarmed at
this attempt, and saw plainly that it would be attended
with most pernicious consequences; but Mr. Evelyn, who
had as quick a foresight as any of them, resolved to lose no
time in furnishing an antidote against this poison, and with
great diligence and dexterity sent abroad in a week’s time
a complete answer, which bore the following title: “The
late news or message from Brussels unmasked,
” London,
I
riter. It is certain that very few authors of his time deserve this character so well as Mr. Evelyn, who, though he was acquainted wkh most sciences, and wrote upon
Immediately after the king’s return, Mr. Evelyn was introduced, on June 5, 1660, to the king by the duke of York, and very graciously received; nor was it long before be experienced the king’s esteem and confidence, in a remarkable instance. There had been many disputes between the ambassadors of the crowns of France and Spain, for precedence in the courts of foreign princes, and amongst these there was none more remarkable than that upon Tower-hill, on the landing of an ambassador from Sweden, September 30, 1660, which was so premeditated a business on both sides, that the king, foreseeing it would come to a quarrel, and being willing to carry himself with indifference towards both, which could not be otherwise done than leaving them at liberty to adjust their respective pretences, yet for the sake of public tranquillity, orders were given that a strict guard should be kept upon the place, and all his majesty’s subjects were enjoined not to intermeddle, or take part with either side; and the king was farther pleased to command, that Mr. Evelyn should, after diligent inquiry made, draw up and present him a distinct narrative of the whole affair, which he accordingly did, and it is a very curious and remarkable piece. It is inserted in Baker’s Chronicle, Our author began now to enter into the active scenes of life, but yet without bidding adieu entirely to his studies. On the contrary, he published, in the space of a few months, several learned treatises upon different subjects, which met with great applause; the rather because the author expressed in some of. them his intention to prosecute more largely several philosophical subjects, in a manner that might render them conducive to the benefit of society; and of his capacity for performing these promises, some of these pieces were instances sufficient to satisfy every intelligent reader, as well as to justify the character he had already acquired, of being at once an able and agreeable writer. It is certain that very few authors of his time deserve this character so well as Mr. Evelyn, who, though he was acquainted wkh most sciences, and wrote upon many different subjects, yet was tar from being a superficial writer. He had genius, taste, and learning, and he knew how to give all these a proper place in his works, so as never to pass for a pedant, even with such as were least in love with literature, and to be justly esteemed a polite author by those who knew it best.
number, having all the ports between Dover and Portsmouth in his district; and sir Thomas Clifford, who was afterwards a peer, and lord high treasurer of England, was
About the close of 1662, when his majesty was pleased,
by his letters patent, to erect and establish the royal society for the improvement of natural knowledge, John
Evelyn, esq. was appointed one of the first fellows and
council, on June 20. He had given a proof the same year
how well he deserved that distinction, by his “Sculptura.
”
Upon the first appearance of the nation’s being obliged to
engage in a war with the Dutch, the king thought proper
to appoint commissioners, in November 1664, to take care
of the sick and wounded, and Mr. Evelyn was one of the
number, having all the ports between Dover and Portsmouth in his district; and sir Thomas Clifford, who was
afterwards a peer, and lord high treasurer of England, was
another. We find these particulars in a letter from our
author to Mr. Boyle, in which he expresses how great a
satisfaction it would have been to have had that worthy
and charitable person for his colleague. Notwithstanding
the plague which raged in London in 1665, he frequently
went thither on the business of this office, having at one
time no less than 3000 Dutch prisoners under his care. In
January 1665-6, he waited on his majesty at Hamptoncourt, who was newly returned from Oxford, where he had
resided during the plague, and his majesty took this opportunity to thank him for his zeal and fidelity in his service at A time of such danger, when every one was desirous of quitting London, and kindly told him he had often
been alarmed for his safety.
and named several persons of great rank to be members of that council, and amongst them Mr. Evelyn, who had previously (Feb. 1671) been nominated one of the council
and cultivated minds to cherish an affectionate remembrance of the academies where they first pursued their studies, Mr. Evelyn gave a noble testimony of his high respect for his alma mater, Oxford, by using his utmost interest with the lord Henry Howard, in order to prevail upon him to bestow the Arundeliao marbles, then in the garden of Arundel-house in the Strand, upon the university, in which he happily succeeded, and obtained the thanks of that learned body, delivered by Dr. Barlow, and other delegates specially appointed for the purpose. Nor was this the last favour conferred by lord Arundel, at the request of Mr. Evelyn, whom he honoured with his closest friendship, after he arrived at the title of Duke of Norfolk. Of this interest Mr. Evtlyn made no other advantage than giving a right direction to the natural generosity of that excellent person, whence flowed some particular marks of kindness to the royal society, which were very gratefully accepted; and something farther would have been procured, if the duke’s sudden and unexpected death had not frustrated the schemes formed by our author for the service of that learned society, to which, from its very foundation, he was attached with unabated zeal. Mr. Evelyn spent his time, at this juncture, in a manner as pleasing as he could wish. He had great credit at court, and great reputation in the world; was one of the commissioners for rebuilding St. Paul’s, attended the meetings of the royal society with great regularity, undertook readily whatever tasks were assigned him to support that reputation, which, from their first institution, they had acquired, and which, by degrees, triumphed over that envy which it raised. He was punctual in the discharge of his office as a commissioner of the sick and wounded; and when he had leisure retired to his seat at Sayes-court, where the improvement of his garden was his favourite ambition. Yet in the midst of his employments, both public and private, and notwithstanding the continual pains that he bestowed in augmenting and improving the books he hud already published, he found leisure sufficient to undertake fresli labours oi the same kind, without any diminution of the high character he had obtained by his former writings. He made a journey to Oxford in the summer of 1669, where, on the 15th of July, at the opening of the theatre, he was honoured with the degree of doctor of the civil law; at the same time this honour was conferred on the duke of Ormond, their chancellor, and on the earl of Chesterfield. After king Charles II. had tried, with very little effect, to promote trade, according to the advice of persons engaged in it, he thought proper to constitute a particular board for that purpo.se, in Sept. 1672, and named several persons of great rank to be members of that council, and amongst them Mr. Evelyn, who had previously (Feb. 1671) been nominated one of the council of foreign plantations. These preferments were so welcome to a person of his disinterested temper and true public spirit, that he thought he could not express his gratitude better than by digesting, in a short and plain discourse, the chief heads of the history of trade and navigation, dedicated to the king, which was very graciously received, and is allowed to contain as much matter in as small a compass as any that was ever written uprm the topic. Notwithstanding these late auditions to his employments, when the royal society found it requisite to demand the assistance of some of its principal members, and to exact from them the tribute of certain dissertations upon weighty and philosophical subjects, he produced his share with his usual vigour and promptitude, as appears by their TVmisactions. We have now named all the preferments ronferred on him in that reign; and though they were none of them very considerable in respect of profit, yet he was jo easy in his own circumstances, so good an oeconomist, and so true a patriot, that while he daily saw fresh improvements made in every county throughout the kingdom, and the commerce of the nation continually extended, he thought himself amply recompensed, and never failed to express his sentiments in that respect with great cordiality. The severe winter of 1683 gave some interruption to his domestic enjoyments, the frost committing dreadful depredations in his fine gardens at Sayes-court, of which he sent a full and very curious account to the royal society in the beginning of the succeeding spring. After the accession of king James, we find him, in December 1685, appointed with the lord viscount Tiviot of the kingdom of Scotland, and colonel Robert Philips, one of the commissioners for executing the great office of lord privy-seal, in the absence of Henry earl of Clarendon, lord lieutenant of Ireland, which he held till March 11, 1686, when the king was pleased to make Henry baron Arundel of Wardour lord privy seal. While in this office he refused to put the seal to Dr. Obadiah Walker’s licence to print popish books. On May 5, 1695, he was appointed treasurer of Greenwich hospital, and although now much advanced in years, continued his literary labours, with his accustomed zeal, at his leisure hours.
that there is no solid wisdom but in real piety.” By his wife, Mary, daughter of sir Richard Brown, who was the companion of his fortunes, and in some measure also
This learned person’s life and labours terminated together; for, in a short time after he had prepared the
fourth edition of his “Sylva
” for the press, he departed
this life in the eighty-sixth year of his age, Feb. 27, 1705-6,
and was interred at Wotton. His tomb is about three feet
high, of free-stone, shaped like a coffin, with an inscription upon a white marble stone, expressing, according to
his own intention, “That living in an age of extraordinary
events and revolutions, he had learned from thence this
truth, which he desired might be thus communicated to
posterity, That all is vanity which is not honest, and that
there is no solid wisdom but in real piety.
” By his wife,
Mary, daughter of sir Richard Brown, who was the companion of his fortunes, and in some measure also of his
studies, for almost threescore years, he had five sons and
three daughters. Of the former, all died young except
one, of whom we shall speak in the next article; of the
latter, only one survived him, Susannah, married to William Draper, of Adscomb, in the county of Surrey, esq.
His excellent widow did not outlive him quite three years,
but, dying Feb. 9, 1709, was, according to her own desire, deposited in a stone coffin, near the corpse of her
husband. Upon the stone coffin, in which the leaden one
lies that holds her body, a white marble stone is placed of
the same shape, with a very short inscription, which informs us, that, at the time of her demise she was in the
seventy- fourth year of her age, and that she was esteemed,
admired, beloved, and regretted, by all who knew her.
ms. affords many proofs of a kind heart, and a placid, humble temper. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him, and his acquaintance was most extensive. Titles he
Mr. Evelyn’s personal character was truly amiable. In the relative duties of father, husband, and friend, few could exceed him in affection and constancy; and his correspondence, of which a large portion still exists in ms. affords many proofs of a kind heart, and a placid, humble temper. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him, and his acquaintance was most extensive. Titles he never appears to have courted; but it is rather singular, that a monarch like Charles II. by no means a niggard in what cost him nothing, should not have tendered the rank of baronet to a man who was one of the ornaments of his reign. With James, we apprehend, he was not very cordial, and after the revolution, it is probable that he thought the addition of title very insignificant at his time of life.
Wotton: “Never was book so abominably misused by printer; never copy so negligently surveied by one who undertooke to looke over the proofe-sheetes with all exactnesse
As considerable light is thrown on the history and merits
of Mr. Evelyn from the account given of his works, little
apology need be made for the length of the article, taken
principally from the Biographia Britannica. These were,
1. His treatise “Of Liberty and Servitude,
” A Character of England, as it
was lately presented in a letter to a nobleman of France,
with reflections upon Callus Castratus,
” The State of France,
” London, An Essay on the First Book of Titus Lucretius
Carus, de renim natura, interpreted, and made into English verse, by J. Evelyn, esq.
” London, Never
was book so abominably misused by printer; never copy
so negligently surveied by one who undertooke to looke
over the proofe-sheetes with all exactnesse and care, naqely
Dr. Triplet, well knowne for his abiilitie, and who pretended,
to oblige me in Hiv absence, and so readily offer'd himselfe. This good yet I received by it, that publishing it
vaiiu-ly, its ill succese at the printer’s discouraged me with
troubling the world with the rest.
” 5. “The French Gardener, instructing how to cultivate all sorts of fruit-trees
and herbs for the garden, together with directions to dry
and conserve them in their natural,
” &c. Lond. The English Vineyard vindicated, by John Rose,
gardener to his majesty king Charles II. with a' tract of the
making and ordering of wines in France.
” The third edition
of this French Gardener, which came out in 1676, was illustrated with sculptures. 6. “The golden book of St.
Oh ry sos torn, concerning the Education of Children.
” Lond.
An Apology for the Royal Party, c.
” The late News or Message from
Brussels unmasked,
” Instructions concerning the erecting of a Library, written by Gabriel Naude
”, published in
English, with some improvements,“Lond. 1661, 8vo. ll.
” Fumifugium or the inconveniences of the air and the
smoke of London dissipated together with some remedies
humbly proposed,“London, 1661, 4to, in five sheets, addressed to the king and parliament, and published by hisma
jesty’s express command. Of this there was a late edition
in 1772. 12.
” Tyrannies or the Mode in a discourse of
sumptuary laws“Lond. 1661, 8vo. 13.
” Sculptnra; or
the history a-id art of Chalcography and Engraving in Copper, with an ample enumeration of the most renowned
masters and their works; to which is annexed, a new manner of engraving, or mezzo-tinto,. communicated by his
highness prince Rupert to the author of this treatise,“Lond. 1662, 8vo. In the dedication to Mr. Robert Boyle,
dated: at Sayes-court, April 5th, 1662, he observes, that
he wrote this treatise at the reiterated instance of that
gentleman. The first chapter treats of sculpture, howderived and distinguished, with the styles and instruments
belonging to it. The second, of the original of sculpture
in general. la this chapter our author observes, that
letters, and consequently sculpture, were lon.g before the
flood, Suidas ascribing both letters and all the rest of
the sciences to Adam. After the flood, as he supposes,
there were but few who make any considerable question,
that it might not be propagated by Noah to his posterity, though some admit of none before Moses. The
third chapter treats of the reputation and progress of
sculpture among the Greeks and Romans down to the
middle ages, with a discussion of some pretensions to
the invention of copper cuts and their impressions. The
fourth, of the invention and progress of chalcography in particular, together with an ample enumeration of the most renowned masters and their works. The fifth, of drawing and
design previous to the art of chalcography, and of the use
of pictures in order to theeducation of children. In this
chapter, our author, in honour of the art upon which he
writes, discourses thus:
” It was in the former chapter
that we made rehearsal of the most renowned gravers and
their works, not that we had no more to add to that number, but because we would not mingle these illustrious
names and qualities there, which we purposely reserved for
the crown of this discourse. We did, therefore, forbear
to mention what his highness prince Rupert’s own hands
have contributed to the dignity of that art, performing
things in graving, of which some enrich our collection,
comparable to the greatest masters; such a spirit and address there appears in all that he touches, and especially
in that of the mezzotinto, of which we shall speak hereafter more at large, having first enumerated those incomparable gravings of that his new and inimitable style, in
both the great and little decollations of St. John the Baptist, the soldier holding a spear and leaning his hand on a
shield, the two Mary Magdalens, the old man’s head, that
of Titian, &c. after the same Titian, Georgion, and others.
We have also seen a plate etched by the present French
king, and other great persons; the right honourable the
earl of Sandwich, sometimes, as we are told, diverting
himself with the burine, and herein imitating those ancient
and renowned heroes, whose names are loud in the trumpet
of fame for their skill and particular affection to these arts.
For such of old were Lucius Manilius, and Fabius, noble
Romans, Pacuvius, the tragic poet, nephew to Ennius.
Socrates, the wisest of men, and Plato himself, Metrodorus and Pyrrhus the philosopher, did both desigii and
paint and so did Valentinian, Adrian, and Severus, emperors so as the great Paulus ^milius esteemed it of
such high importance, that he would needs have his son to
be instructed in it, as in one of the most worthy and excellent accomplishments belonging to a prince. For the
art of graving, Quintilian likewise celebrates Euphranor,
a polite and rarely endowed person; and Pliny, in that
chapter where he treats of the same art, observes that there
was never any one famous in it, but who was by birth or education a gentleman. Therefore he and Galen in their recension of the liberal arts, mention that of graving in particular,
amongst the most permanent; and in the same catalogue,
number it with rhetoric, geometry, logic, astronomy, yea, r
grammar itself, because there is in these arts, say they,
more of fancy and invention, than strength of hand, more
of the spirit than of the body. Hence Aristotle informs
us, that the Grecians did universally institute their children
in the art of painting and drawing, for an oeconomique
reason there signified, as well as to produce proportions in
the mind. Varro makes it part of the ladies 1 education,
that they might have the better skill in the works of
embroidery, &c. and for this cause is his daughter Martia
celebrated among those of her fair sex. We have already
mentioned the learned Anna Schurman; but the princess
Louisa has done wonders of this kind, and is famous
throughout Europe for the many pieces which enrich our
cabinets, examples sufficient to vindicate its dignity, and
the value that has been set upon it, since both emperors,
kings, and philosophers, the great and the wise, have not
disdained to cultivate and cherish this honourable quality
of old, so nobly reputed, that amongst the Greeks a slave
might not be taught it. How passionately does Pereskius,
that admirable and universal genius, deplore his want of
dexterity in this art Baptista Alberti, Aldus Pomponius,
Guaricus Durer, and Rubens, were politely learned and
knowing men, and it is hardly to be imagined of how great
use and conducible a competent address in this art of
drawing and designing is to the several advantages which
occur, and especially to the more noble mathematical
sciences, as we have already instanced in the lunary works
of Hevelius, and are no less obliged to celebrate some of
ur own countrymen famous for their dexterity in this incomparable art. Such was that Blagrave, who himself cut
those diagrams in his Mathematical Jewel; and such at
present is that rare and early prodigy of universal science,
Dr. Chr. Wren, our worthy and accomplished friend.
For, if the study of eloquence and rhetoric were cultivated
by the greatest geniuses and heroic persons which the
world has produced, and that, by the suffrage of the most
knowing, to be a perfect orator a man ought to be universally instructed, a quality so becoming and useful should
never be neglected.“In the sixth chapter he discourses
of the new way of engraving or mezzotinto, invented and
communicated by prince Rupert and he therein observes,
” that his highness did indulge him the liberty of publishing the whole manner and address of this new way of
engraving; but when I had well considered it, says he (so much having been already expressed, which may suffice to give the hint to all ingenious persons how it is to be performed), I did not think it necessary that an art so curious, and as yet so little vulgar, and which indeed does
not succeed where the workman is not an accomplished
designer, and has a competent talent in painting likewise,
was to be prostituted at so cheap a rate as the more naked
describing of it here would too soon have exposed it to.
Upon these considerations then, it is, that vvg leave it thus
enigmatical; and yet that this may appear no disingenuous
rhodomontade in me, or invidious excuse, I profess myself to be always most ready sub sigillo, and by his highness’s permission, to gratify any curious and worthy person with as full and perfect a demonstration of the entire
art as my talent and address will reach to, if what I am
now preparing to be reserved in the archives of the royal
society concerning it be not sufficiently instructive.“There
came, however, into the hands of the communicative and
learned Richard Micldleton Massey, M. D. and F. 11. S. the
original manuscript, written by Mr. Evelyn, and designed
for the royal society, entitled
” Prince Rupert’s new way
of engraving, communicated by his highness to Mr. Evelyn;“in the margin of which is this note:
” This I prepared to be registered in the royal society, but I have not
yet given it in, so as it still continues a secret.“In this
manuscript he first describes the two instruments employed
in this new manner of engraving, viz. the hatcher and the
style, and then proceeds to explain the method of using
them. He concludes with the following words:
” This
invention, or new manner of chalcography, was the result
of chance, and improved by a German soldier, who,
espying some scrape on the barrel of his musket, and being
of an ingenious spirit, refined upon it, till it produced the
effects you have seen, and which indeed is, for the delicacy thereof, much superior to anyinvention extant of
this art, for the imitation of those masterly drawings, and,
as the Italians call it, that morhidezza expressed in the best
of their designs. I have had the honour to be the first of
the English to whom it has been yet communicated, and
by a special indulgence of his highness, who with his own
hands was pleased to direct me with permission to publish
it to the world; but I have esteemed it a thing so curious,
that I thought it would be to profane it, before I had first
offered it to this illustrious society. There is another way
of engraving, by rowelling a plate with an instrument
made like that which our scriveners and clerks use to direct
their rulers by on parchment, only the points are thicker
set into the rowel. And when the plate is sufficiently
freckled with the frequent reciprocation of it, upon the
polished surface, so as to render the ground dark enough,
it is to be abated with the style, and treated as we have already described. Of this sort I have seen a head of the
queen Christina, graved, if I mistake not, as big as the
life, but not comparable to the mezzotinto of prince Rupert, so deservedly celebrated by J. Evelyn."
6. “A parallel of the antient architecture with the modern, in a collection of ten principal authors who have written upon the five orders, viz. Palladio and Scammozzi,
Mr. Evelyn’s next publication was the most important
of all his works: 15. “Sylva; or, a dicourse of Foresttrees, and the propagation of timber in his majesty’s dominions 5 as it was delivered in the royal society the 15th
of October, 1662, Upon occasion of certain queries propounded to that illustrious assembly by the honourable the
principal officers and commissioners of the navy.
” To
which is annexed, “Pomona, or, an appendix concerning
fruit-trees, in relation to cider, the making and several
ways of ordering it: published by express order of the
royal society,
” Lond. 1664, fol. This was the first work
written by the command, and published in virtue of an
order, of the royal society, signed by the lord viscount
Brouncker, their president, and dedicated to the king.
The second edition of it was published in 1669, with a
new dedication to king Charles II. dated from Sayes-court,
Aug. 24; the first paragraph of which deserves the reader’s
notice. “Sir, This second edition of Sylva, after more
than a thousand copies had been bought up and dispersed
of the first impression, in much less than two years space
(which booksellers assure us is a very extraordinary thing in volumes of this bulk), conies now again to pay its homage
to your serene majesty, to whose auspices alone it owes the
favourable acceptance which it has received in the world.
But it is not that alone which it presumes to tell your majesty, but to acquaint you that it has been the sole occasion for furnishing your almost exhausted dominions with
more, I dare say, than two millions of timber-trees, besides infinite others, which have been propagated within
the three nations at the instigation and by the direction
of this work; and that the author of it is able, if need require, to make it out by a competent volume of letters
and acknowledgments, which are come to his hands, from
several persons of the most eminent quality, many of
them illustrious, and divers of them unknoun to him, in
justification of what he asserts; which he the rather preserves with the more care, because they are testimonials
from so many honourable persons ‘of the benefit they have
received from the endeavours of the royal society, which
now-a-days passes through so many censures; but she has
yet your majesty for her founder and patron, and is therefore
the’ less concerned, since no man of worth can lightly speak
ill of an assembly v.hich your majesty has thought fit to dignify by so signal a relation to it.
” The third edition, with
great additions and improvements, was published in 1G79;
the fourth in 1705, and the fifth in 1729, both very incorrect. In 1776 a new edition of the “Sylva
” was published in
4to, by Dr. Andrew Hunter, of York, a gentleman eminently qualified for the undertaking. Under the care of
this gentleman the work appeared with every possible advantage; and was enriched by the judicious editor with
ample and copious notes, and adorned with a set of fine
engravings. A head of Mr. Evelyn is prefixed, drawn and
engraved by Battolozzi. Dr. Hunter’s edition of the Sylva
has been four times reprinted. The edition of 1812 contains the deceased editor’s last corrections . 16. “A
parallel of the antient architecture with the modern, in a
collection of ten principal authors who have written upon
the five orders, viz. Palladio and Scammozzi, Serlio and
Vignola D. Barbaro and Cataneo L. B. Alberti and
Viola, Bullant and De Lorme compared with one another.
The three Greek orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian,
comprise the first part of this treatise, and the two Latin,
Tuscan and Composite, the latter written in French by
Roland Freart, sieur de Chambray made English for the
benefit, of builders to which is added, an account of architects and architecture^ in an historical and etymological
explanation of certain terms, particularly affected by architects; with Leon Baptista Alberti’s treatise of statues,
”
London, I know none, indeed,
to whom I could more aptly inscribe a discourse of building, than to so royal a builder, whose august attempts
have already given so great a splendour to our imperial
city, and so illustrious an example to the nation It is
from this contemplation, sir, that after I had, by the commands of the royal society, endeavoured the improvement
of timber and the planting of trees, I have advanced to that
of building, as its proper and mutual consequent, not
with a presumption to incite or instruct your majesty, which
were a vanity unpardonable, but, by it, to take occasion
of celebrating your majesty’s great example, who use your
empire and authority so worthily, as fortune seems to have
consulted her reason, when she poured her favours upon
you; so as I never cast my eyes on that generous designation in the epigram, Ut donem pastor K tedificem, without
immediate reflection on your majesty, who seem only to
value those royal advantages you have above others, that
you may oblige, and that you may build. And certainly,
sir, your majesty has consulted the noblest way of establishing your greatness, and of perpetuating your memory,
since, while stones can preserve inscriptions, your name
will be famous to posterity; and, when those materials
fail, the benefits that are engraven in our hearts will outlast those of marble. It will be no paradox, but a truth,
to affirm, that your majesty has already built and repaired
more in three or four years, notwithstanding the difficulties
and the necessity of an extraordinary ceconomy for the
public concernment, than all your enemies have destroyed
in twenty, nay than all your majesty’s predecessors have
advanced in an hundred, as I could easily make out, not
only by what your majesty has so magnificently designed
and carried on at that your ancient honour of Greenwich,
under the conduct of your most industrious and worthy
surveyor, but in those splendid apartments and other useful reformations for security and delight about your majesty’s palace at Whitehall the chargeable covering first,
then paving and reformation of Westminster-hall care and
preparation for rebuilding St. Paul’s, by the impiety and
iniquity of the late confusions almost dilapidated; what her
majesty the queen-mother has added to her palace at Somerset-house, in a structure becoming her royal grandeur,
and the due veneration of all your majesty’s subjects, for
the lioirnir she has done both this your native city, and the
whole nation. Nor may I here omit, what I so much desire to transmit to posterity, those noble and profitable
amoenities of your majesty’s plantations, wherein you most
resemble the divine architect, because your majesty has
proposed in it such a pattern to your subjects, as merit
their imitation and protoundest acknowledgments, in one
of the most worthy and kingly improvements tbat nature is
capable of. 1 know not what they talk of former ages, and
of the now contemporary princes with your majesty these
things are visible and should I here descend to more particulars, which yet were not foreign to the subject of this
discourse, I would provoke the whole world to produce me
an example parallel with your majesty, for your exact
judgment and marvellous ability in all that belongs to the
naval architecture, both as to its proper terms and more
solid use, in which your majesty is master of one of the
most noble and profitable arts that can be wished, in a
prince to whom God has designed the dominion of the
ocean, which renders your majesty’s empire universal;
where, by exercising your royal talent and knowledge that
way, you can bring even the antipodes to meet, and the
poles to kiss each other; for so likewise, not in a metaphorical but natural sense, your equal and prudent government of this nation has made it good, whilst your majesty
has so prosperously guided this giddy bark, through such
a storm, as no hand, save your majesty’s, could touch the
helm, but at the price of their temerity.
” There is also
another dedication to sir John Denham, knight of the bath,
superintendent and surveyor of all his majesty’s buildings
and works, in which there are several matters of fact worth
knowing, as indeed there are in all Mr. Evelyn’s dedications; for, though no man was naturally more civil, or
more capable of making a compliment handsomely, yet his
merit was always conspicuous in his good manners; and he
never thought that the swelling sound of a well-turned
period could atone for want of sense. It appears from the
dedication of the second edition of the Sylva to king
Charles II. that there was a second edition of this work
also in the same year, viz. 1669, as there was a third in
1697, which was the last in the author’s life-time. In this
third edition, which is very much improved, “the account
of Architects and Architecture,
” which is an original work
of Mr. Evelyn’s, and a most excellent one of its kind, is
dedicated to sir Christopher Wren, surveyor to his majesty’s buildings and works; and there is in it another of
those incidental passages that concern the personal history
of our author. Having said in the first paragraph, that, if
the whole art of building were lost, it might be found
again in the noble works of that great architect, which,
though a very high, is no unjust compliment, more especially, continues our author, St. Paul’s church and the
Monument; he then adds, “I have named St. Paul’s,
and truly not without admiration, as oft as I recall to mind,
as frequently I do, the sad and deplorable condition it was
in, when, after it had been made a stable of horses and a
den of thieves, you, with other gentlemen and myself,
were, by the late king Charles, named commissioners to
survey the dilapidations, and to make report to his majesty,
in order to a speedy reparation. You will not, I am sure,
forget the struggle we had with some who were for patching it up any how, so the steeple might stand, instead of
new-building, which it altogether needed: when, to put
an end to the contest, five days after (August 27, Sept. 1666), that dreadful conflagration happened, out of whose
this phoenix is risen, and was by providence designed
for you. The circumstance is too remarkable, that I could
not pass it over without notice. I will now add no more,
but beg your pardon for this confidence of mine, after I
have acquainted you that the parallel to which this was annexed being out of print, I was importuned by the bookseller to add something to a new impression, but to which
I was no way inclined; till, not long since, going to St.
Paul’s, to contemplate that august pile, and the progress
you have made, some of your chief workmen gratefully acknowledging the assistance it had afforded them, I took
this opportunity of doing myself this honour.
” The fourth
edition of this work, printed long after our author’s death,
viz. in 1733, was in folio, as well as the rest; to which is
added “The Elements of Architecture,
” by sir Henry
Wotton, and some other things, of which, however, hints
were met with in our author’s pieces. 17. “Mwrtyj/ov Tjjj
AvaiMos; that is, another part of the mystery of Jesuitism,
or the new heresy of the Jesuits, publicly maintained at
Paris, in the college of Clermont, the twelfth of December,
1661, declared to all the bishops of France, according to
the copy printed at Paris. Together with the imaginary
heresy, in three letters; with divers other particulars relating to this abominable mystery never before published in
English;
” Lond. 1664, 8vo. This, indeed, has not our
author’s name to it; but that it is really his, and that he
had reasons for not owning it more publicly, appears from
a letter from him to Mr. Boyle. 18. “Kalendarium Hortense, or the gardener’s almanac, directing what he is to
do monthly throughout the year, and what fruits and flowers
are in prime,
” Lond. The Garden.
” This passed through at least nine editions.
The author made many additions as long as he lived and
the best was that printed by way of appendix to the fourth
and last edition of the Sylva in his life-time. 19. “The
history of the three late famous impostors, viz. Padre Ottotnano, pretended son and heir to the late grand signior;
Mahomet Bei, a pretended prince of the Ottoman family,
but, in truth, a Wallachian counterfeit: and Sabbatai Sevi,
the supposed Messiah of the Jews, in the year 1666; with
a brief account of the ground and occasion of tjie present
war between the Turk and the Venetian: together with the
cause of the final extirpation, destruction, and exile, of the
Jews out of the empire of Persia,
” Lond. 1668, 8vo. This
piece is dedicated to Henry earl of Arlington, and the dedication is subscribed J. E. and, if Mr. Wood had seen it,
he would not have said, “I know nothing yet to the contrary but this may be a translation.
” The nature and value
of this little piece were much better known abroad: one of
the best literary journals, “Act. Eruditorum Lipsiensiutn,
”
A. D. Public employment and an active life
preferred to solitude, in a reply to a late ingenious essay
of a contrary title,
” Lond. Sylva,
” Philosoph.
Trans. No. 53; and the reader will find some ingenious
strictures on “Public employment, &c.
” in vol. 1. of the
Censura Literaria, by one who knows well how to improve
solitude. 21. “An idea of the perfection of painting,
demonstrated from the principles of art, and by examples
conformable to the observations which Pliny and Quintilian have made upon the most celebrated pieces of the ancient painters, paralleled with some works of the most famous modern painters, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Julio
Romano, and N. Poussin. Written in French by Roland
Freart, Sieur de Cambray, and rendered English by J. E.
esquire, fellow of the royal society;
” Lond. 1668, 8vo,
This translation is dedicated to Henry Howard, of Norfolk,
heir apparent to that dukedom and the dedication is dated
from Say es-court, June the 24th, 1668, 8vo. This piece,
like most of Mr. Evelyn’s works, is now become exceeding
scarce. In the preface he observes, that the reader will
find in this discourse divers useful, remarks, especially
where the author “treats of costume, which we, continues
he, have interpreted decorum, as the nearest expression
our language would bear to it. And I was glad our author
had reproved it in so many instances, because it not only
grows daily more licentious, but even ridiculous and intolerable. But it is hoped this may universally be reformed! when our modern workmen shall consider, that
neither the exactness of their design, nor skilfulness in
colouring, ha.s been able to defend their greatest predecessors from just reproaches, who have been faulty in this
particular. I could exemplify in many others, whom our
author has omitted; and there is none but takes notice
what injury it has done the fame of some of our best reputed painters, and how indecorous it is to introduce circumstances, wholly improper to the usages and genius of
the places where our histories are supposed to. have beeq
acted.
” Mr. Evelyn then remarks, that this was not only
the fault of Bassano, who would be ever bringing in his
wife, children, and servants, his dog and his cat, and very
kitchen-stuff, after the Paduan mode; but of the great
Titian himself, Georgipn, Tintoret, and the rest; as Paulo
Veronese is observed also to have done, in his story of
Pharaoh’s daughter drawing Moses out of the river, attended with a guard of Swisses. Malvogius likewise, in a
picture then in the king’s gallery at Whitehall, not only
represents our first parents with navels upon their bellies,
but has placed an artificial stone fountain, carved with
imagery, in the midst of his paradise. Nor does that excellent and learned painter, Rubens, escape without censure, not only for making most of his figures of the shapes
of brawny Flemings, but for other sphalmata and circumstances of the like nature, though in some he has acquitted
himself to admiration, in the due observation of costume,
particularly in his crucifixes, &c. Raphael Urbino was,
doubtless, one of the first who reformed these inadvertencies; but it was more conspicuous in his latter than in his
former pieces. “As for Michael Angelo,
” continues Mr.
Evelyn, “though I heartily consent with our critic in reproving that almost idolatrous veneration of his works, who
hath certainly prodigiously abused the art, not only in the
table this discourse arraigns him for, but several more
which I have seen; yet I conceive he might have omitted
some of those embittered reproaches he has reviled him
with, who doubtless was one of the greatest masters of his
time, and however he might succeed as to the decorum,
was hardly exceeded for what he performed in sculpture
and the statuary art by many even of the ancients themselves, and haply by none of the moderns: witness his
Moses, Christus in Gremio, and several other figures at
Rome to say nothing of his talent in architecture, and
the obligation the world has to his memory, for recovering
many of its most useful ornaments and members out of the
neglected fragments, which lay so long buried, and for
vindicating that antique and magnificent manner of building from the trifling of Goths and barbarians.
” He observes next, that the usual reproach of painting has been
the want of judgment in perspective, and bringing more
into history than is justifiable upon one aspect, without
turning the eye to each figure in particular, and multiplying the points of sight, which is a point even monsieur
Freart, for all the pains he has taken to magnify that celebrated Decision of Paris, has failed in. For the knowing
in that art easily perceive, that even Raphael himself has
not so exactly observed it, since, instead of one, as monsieur Freart takes it to be, and as indeed it ought to have
been, there are no less than four or five; as du Bosse hath
well observed in his treatise of “The converted painter,
”
where, by the way also, he judiciously numbers amongst
the faults against costume, those landscapes, grotesque
figures, &c. which we frequently find abroad especially
for, in our country, we have few or none of those graceful
supplements of steeples painted, horizontally and vertically
on the vaults and ceilings of cupolas, since we have no
examples for it from the ancients, who allowed no more
than a frett to the most magnificent and costly of those
which they erected. But, would you know whence this
universal caution in most of their works proceeded, and
that the best of our modern painters and architects have
succeeded better than others of that profession, it must be
considered, that they were learned men, good historians,
and generally skilled in the best antiquities; such were
Raphael, and doubtless his scholar Julio; and, if Polydore
arrived not to the glory of letters, he yet attained to a rare
habit of the ancient gusto, as may be interpreted from most
of his designs and paintings. Leon Baptist Alberti was
skilled in all the politer parts of learning to a prodigy, and
has written several curious things in the Latin tongue. We
know that, of later times, Rubens was a person universally
learned, as may be seen in several Latin epistles of his to
the greatest scholars of his age. And Nicholas Poussin, the
Frenchman, who is so much celebrated and so deservedly,
did, it seems, arrive to this by his indefatigable industry
“as the present famous statuary, Bernini, now living,
”
says Mr. Evelyn, “has also done so universal a mastery,
that, not many years since, he is reported to have built a
theatre at Rome, for the adornment whereof he not only
cut the figures and painted the scenes, but wrote the play,
and composed the music, which was all in recitative. And
I am persuaded, that all this is not yet by far so much as
that miracle and ornament of our age and country, Dr.
Christopher Wren, were able to perform, if he were so
disposed, and so encouraged, because he is master of so
many admirable advantages beyond them. I alledge these
examples partly to incite, and partly to shew the dignity
and vast comprehension of this rare art, and that for a man
to arrive to its utmost perfection, he should be almost as
universal as the orator in Cicero, and the architect in Vitruvius. But, certainly, some tincture in history, the optics and anatomy, are absolutely requisite, and more, iri
the opinion of our author, than to be a steady designer,
and skilled in the tempering and applying of colours,
which, amongst most of our modern workmen, go now for
the only accomplishments of a painter.
”
they grew in the marquis’s county in Scotland. He informs us, that it was the lord chancellor Bacon who introduced the true plane tree, which he planted originally
Before concluding our article, it may be necessary to advert to some particulars of Mr. Evelyn’s history, which are
interspersed in his “Sylva,
” and could not well be incorporated in our sketch. From that work we learn, that the
true signification of his surname, Evelyn, written anciently
Avelan or Evelin, was filberd, or rather hazel, which gives
him occasion to remark, that these trees are commonly produced where quarries of free-stone lie underneath, as at Hazelbury in Wiltshire, Haslingfield in Cambridgeshire, and
Haslemere in Surrey. He more than once remarks, that his
grandfather was a great planter and preserver of timber, as
it seems were the ancient possessors of the place where he
lived, whence it acquired its name of Wotton (i. e.) Woodtown, from the groves and plantations that were about it.
He farther remarks, that there was an oak felled by his
grandfather’s order, out of which there was a table made,
measured by himself more than once, of five feet in
breadth, nine and a half in length, and six inches thick,
all entire and clear. It was set up in brick-work for a
pastry-board; and, to fit it for that use, it was shortened
by a foot, being originally ten feet and a half, as appeared
from an inscription cut in one of its sides, whence it appeared to have lain there above one hundred years, when
pur author wrote this description. When his grandfather’s
woods were cut down, which consisted entirely of cak,
they sprang up again, not oaks but beeches; and when
these too in their turn felt the axe, there arose spontaneously a third plantation, not of oak or beech, but of
birch, which he does not set down as a thing singular in
itself, but because it happened under his own eye. He
is a declared enemy to iron works, on account of their destroying woods; yet he observes, from the prudential
maxims prevailing in his own family, they had quite a contrary effect, as being one principal cause of their making
such large plantations, and taking so much pains about
them. It was a relation of his that sold Richmond new
park to kiug Charles I. after planting many fine trees
there. Our author carried this disposition with him to
Sayes-court, where he must have shewn it very early, since
be assures us that the marquis of Argyle presented him
with the cones of a peculiar kind of fir, which he takes to
be the Spanish pinaster, or wild pine, and gives a very
particular account of the manner in which they grew in the
marquis’s county in Scotland. He informs us, that it was
the lord chancellor Bacon who introduced the true plane
tree, which he planted originally about Verulam, whence
he had his title. Mr. Evelyn takes to himself the honour
of having propagated the alaternus from Cheshire to Cumberland, which was before reputed an inhabitant only of
the green-house, but is found very capable not only of
living without doors, but of standing unhurt by the rigour
of our severest winters. He mentions a most glorious and
impenetrable holly-hedge which he had at Sayes-court^
four hundred feet in length, nine feet high, and five in
diameter, which occasions his dropping a hint, that the
fine gardens he had raised there were wholly ruined by the
tzar of Muscovy, who it seems lived there for the sake of
being near the yard. He recommended Mr. Gibbons, the
carver, to king Charles II. by whom some exquisite works
were performed in St. Paul’s cathedral. He was likewise
consulted by the Bedford family about preserving their
fine trees, so long as the gardens were kept up about Bedford-house, which, before the last edition of his book,
were demolished, to make way for the new buildings about
Bloomsbury. He takes notice of an admirable remedy
for a dysentery, which had been otherwise, in all probability, buried in oblivion; and this is the fungous substance
separated from the lobes of walnut kernels, powdered and
given in a glass of wine, which, he affirms, relieved the
English soldiers in the famous Dundalk campaign in Ireland, soon after the revolution, when all other remedies
failed. He was acquainted with the conde Mellor, a Portuguese nobleman, who resided some time at the court of
king Charles II. when an exile from his own, by whom he
was informed, that his father, when prime-minister, as
himself had likewise been, received in a case a collection
of plants of china oranges, of which only one escaped,
and was with difficulty recovered; and yet from this plant
came all the china oranges that ever were seen in Europe,
which, our author observes, is a most noble and wonderful
instance of what industry may do from the slightest and
least promising beginnings. One instance of the vast advantages derived from woods we shall borrow, because the
facts are notorious and indisputable. “Upon the estate of
George Pitt, esq. of Stratfield-Say, in the county of Southampton, a survey of timber being taken in 1659, it came
to ten thousand three hundred pounds, besides near ten
thousand samplers not valued, and growing up naturally.
Since this there hath been made by several sales, five
thousand six hundred pounds, and there has been felled
for repairs, building, and necessary uses, to the value, at
the least, of twelve hundred pounds; so as the whole falls
of timber amount to six thousand eight hundred pounds.
The timber upon the same ground being again surveyed
anno 1677, appears to be worth above twenty-one thousand
pounds, besides eight or nine thousand samplers and young
trees to be left standing, and not reckoned in the survey.
But, what is yet to be observed, most of this timber abovementioned being oak, grows in hedge-rows, and so as
that the standing of it does very little prejudice to the
plough or pasture.
” To conclude: this worthy person,
who was born in a town famous for wood, who derived
from his ancestors an affection for plantations, who wrote
the most correct treatise of forest-trees extant in our own,
or perhaps in any language, and who was himself a most
eminent planter, had a strong desire, after the example
of sir William Temple, who directed his heart to be deposited in his garden, to have his corpse also interred in
the like manner; but very probably he was prevailed upon
to alter his mind afterwards, notwithstanding what he had
expressed upon that subject in his book; which shews how
warm and lasting that passion for improvement was in
his own breast, which, with so much learning, eloquence,
and success, he laboured to excite in the bosoms of his
countrymen.
nd open inquiries; nor was it any wonder that, amongst these, some turned upon those learned persons who first exerted themselves in favour of this method of improving
He was also very assiduous in procuring, as early as possible, from abroad, all new books upon curious and useful
subjects; as also such as, from their universal high character, were become scarce and dear; some of which he communicated to the secretary of the society, and of others he
made large and curious extracts himself; and, as is very
justly observed, his translations were doubly valuable, on
account of that clearness and fidelity with which he expressed the author’s sense, and the improvements that he
added from his own observations, as he rendered no treatises into English, without being perfectly versed in the
subject upon which, as well as the language in which, they
were written. He likewise, in testimony of his respect
and duty to the society, bestowed upon them those curious
tables of veins and arteries, which he brought with him
from Padua, and consequently deserved to be honourably
mentioned in their registers, and to have his picture, as it
is, hung up in their apartments. He might, therefore,
justly style himself, as we have already noticed, a pioneer
in the service of the society. Amongst other advantages
that attended the institution of the royal society, one was
its giving birth to, and the highest encouragement for, free
and open inquiries; nor was it any wonder that, amongst
these, some turned upon those learned persons who first
exerted themselves in favour of this method of improving
knowledge. Amongst, these, Mr. John Houghton, though
with great decency and good manners, censured our author’s great performance, on account of its crossing a notion he had advanced, “that it would be highly advantageous for the nation, if all the timber within twelve miles
of a navigable river were destroyed.
” It is but fair that
he should speak for himself: his words then are these:
Collections on husbandry and trade, vol. IV. p. 273. “I
question not but you eagerly expect to hear what may be
said, in answer to Mr. Evelyn’s Sylva. There he seems to
be quite of another opinion, and to give many instances of
profits from woods, so great that few other parts of husbandry can equal them. 1 must confess Mr. Evelyn is a
great man, one that I have the honour to be acquainted
with, and happy is he that is so he is a gentleman of
great piety, modesty, and. complacency and also endowed
with such an universality of useful learning, that he may
very well be esteemed a darling of mankind. But he is
particularly well versed in the affairs of the woodman; and
his Sylva is so good a book, that I have not heard of any
thing written on the subject like it. To answer it, I will
not pretend; to gainsay what he affirms I cannot, for I believe he loves veracity more than life. I will only make
some observations, and, if my sentiments differ from his, I
know he will pardon me, he being well inclined to allow
freedom of thought, and also well versed in a motto, AwIhis in verba, which is that of the royal society. Now, I
first observe the reason why this Sylva, or discourse of
forest-trees, was delivered to the royal society. It was, as
I am told in the title-page, upon occasion of certain queries propounded to that illustrious assembly, by the honourable the principal officers and commissioners of the
navy. What these queries were, does not altogether appear; but, by the discourse, one of them seems to be hour
timber might be propagated in his majesty’s dominions.
An answer to this our ingenious author hath bravely given.
But my considerations are not how, or how not, to propagate timber; but a query, `Whether it is best, within
certain limits, to propagate it or no?' a thing quite beside
his design. Indeed, in his introduction, he, like a very
good Englishman, laments the notorious decay of our
wooden walls, which he thought likely to follow, when our
then present navy should be worn out or impaired; and I
must confess, when he considered the great destruction of
our wood that had been made in the foregoing twenty
years, by some through necessity, and others through ill
ends and purposes; together with our not being used to
fetch much timber from abroad, and a general cry that
none could furnish us with any for shipping, especially so
good as our own; with the addition of what amounted to a
complaint from the honourable commissioners of his majesty’s navy: when he considered all this, I say, every
good man will rather commend than blame his zeal. But
now since that destruction of our timber hath forced us to
look out for a more convenient supply to London, and
some other places, and our having greater experiences of
sea-fights than ever we had before, other things are known;
and it is believed, to my certain knowledge, by some of the
commissioners of the navy, and others that have been,
greatly concerned in building of ships, that there is some
other timber in the world that will build ships as well as
ours: for instance, the French Ruby that we took from
France, when he joined with Denmark and Holland against
tis, had such good timber in it, that, as I have been told,
England never had better. The bullets that entered this
French ship made only round holes without splinters, the
thing our timber is valued for and it was so hard, that
the carpenters with their tools could hardly cut it it was
like a piece of iron. I fancy it some of that oak Mr. Evelyn
speaks of in his fore-cited Sylva, chap. iii. p. 25. ‘ There
is,’ saith he, `a kind of it so tough, and so extremely compact, that our sharpest tools will hardly enter it, and
scarcely the very fire itself, in which it consumes but
slowly, as seeming to partake of a ferruginous and metal0
line shining nature, proper for sundry robust uses.' These
last thirty ships that were built have a great deal of foreign
timber in them; and, although there is some decay in them
already, yet I am told that the fault is not attributed to the
foreign timber, but rather to the hasty building; the king
having not a stock before-hand, the timber had not time
enough for a seasoning. For these reasons, and what I
said before about the increase of seamen, persuades me to
believe, that such means will never lessen our strength;
and I question not but that, for our money, we may be
furnished sufficiently from abroad.
”
as, because it was unanswerable. His words are these: “Mr. Evelyn tells us of one Mr. Edward Salter, who planted an ash, and before his death sold it for forty shillings.
This paper was published November the 6th, 1683; and
October the 31st, 1701, the same gentleman published
another paper, in which he maintained his former opinion,
and undertakes to refute Mr. Evelyn’s observations, as to;
the profit made by planting, complaining that what he
had before written was never answered; intimating at the
same time, that the reason was, because it was unanswerable. His words are these: “Mr. Evelyn tells us of one
Mr. Edward Salter, who planted an ash, and before his
death sold it for forty shillings. I will not reckon the
ground this ash grew on to be worth any thing; but suppose the ash when planted was worth but one shilling, and
had the man lived but eighty-four years after, the shilling
would have amounted to six pounds eight shillings, which
is far better than forty shillings. Again: three acres of
barren land sown with acorns, in sixty years became a
yery thriving wood, and was worth three hundred pounds.
Being it was barren land, I will suppose it worth but three
shillings the acre, nine shillings the three acres; which
for sixty years was worth, in present money, fifteen pounds,
nine shillings, and seven pence; which, doubled every
twelve years, makes four hundred ninety-five pounds, six
shillings, and eight-pence. Suppose that the tillage, acorns,
and setting, came but to the third part of fifteen pounds;
which together makes above six hundred pounds, for the
three hundred pounds.
”
he whole extent of our author’s project, may consult his extract of the life of signor Giacomo Favi, who had the like, and intended to have travelled over the whole
“I am perfectly ashamed at the remissness of this recognition for your late favours from Oxon, where, though
had you resided, it should have interrupted you before
this time. It was by our common and good friend Mr.
Hartlib, that I came now to know you are retired from
thence, but not from the muses, and the pursuit of your
worthy designs, the result whereof we thirst after with all
impatience, and how fortunate should I esteem myself, if
it were in my power to contribute in the least to that
which I augur of so great and universal a benefit! But so
it is, that nty late inactivity has made so small a progress,
that, in the
” History of Trades,“I am not advanced a
step, finding, to my infinite grief, my great imperfections
for the attempt, and the many subjections which I cannot
support, of conversing with mechanical capricious persons,
and several other discouragements; so that, giving over a
design of that magnitude, I am ready to acknowledge my
fault, if, from any expression of mine, there was any
room to hope for such a production further than by a short
collection of some heads and materials, atrd a continual
propensity of endeavouring, in some particular, to encourage so noble a work as far as I am able; a specimen
whereof I have transmitted to Mr. Hartlib, concerning the
ornaments of gardens, which I have requested him to communicate to you, as one from wlrom I hope to receive my
best and most considerable furniture, which favour I doagain and again humbly supplicate, and especially touching the first chapter of the third book, the eleventh and
twelfth of the first, and indeed on every particular of the
whole.
” Whoever would be better acquainted with the
whole extent of our author’s project, may consult his extract of the life of signor Giacomo Favi, who had the like,
and intended to have travelled over the whole world, in
order to collect proper materials; in which design having
made some progress, he died of a fever at Paris Of this
gentleman Mr. Evelyn speaks in raptures, from the similitude between their tempers; but it seems he had not
altogether the patience of that Italian virtuoso, who could
accommodate himself to the humours of the lowest of the
people, as well as make himself acceptable even to the
greatest monarclis of Europe. But, though our author
desisted from the original plan, yet it was not till he had
finished several parts of it, particularly his Chalcography,
which Mr. Boyle prevailed upon him to publish, and the
following pieces which he never published: “Fire Treatises,
containing a full view of the several arts of painting in oil,
painting in miniature, annealing in glass, enamelling, and
making marble- paper.
” We may form a judgment, fronv
the piece he published, of the great loss the world had
from his not altering his resolution with respect to these,
which no doubt were as thoroughly finished and as perfect
in their kind as that. We may collect from the letter
before mentioned, that a system of gardening made a part
of his great design, which, however, there are some grounds
to believe, he detached thence, and considered as a whole
or distinct system of itself, to the completing of which he
applied himself with great spirit and labour, and intended
to have given it the following title, under which he shewed
part of his collection to his friends: “Elysium Brhannicum.
” We cannot positively affirm, but there are very
probable grounds to believe, that this was the very same
work, of which he has given a plan before his “Acetaria,
”
about which he intimates, in his preface to that treatise,
he had spent upwards of forty years, and his collections
for which had in that time filled several thousand pages.
The title of this vast work, as it is there expressed, is this
“The Plan of a royal Garden describing and shewing
the amplitude of that part of Georgicks which belongs to
Horticulture.
” He proposed to divide this into three
books, the first of which was to consist of six chapters,
wherein he meant to discourse of the principles of things,
the four reputed elements, the celestial influences, the
seasons, the natural soil of a garden, and all the artificial
improvements that could be made therein. The second
book was to contain twenty-four chapters, and of these it
is sufficient to say, that the twentieth chapter seems to
have been executed in his discourse of sallads, and that
the last chapter of this book was no other than his Gardener’s Kalendar. The third book was to be divided into
twelve chapters, and to comprehend all the accessaries, so
as to leave nothing which had so much as any relation to
this favourite subject unexhausted. The cause of his
leaving this work also unfinished, he very freely and plainly
tells us, was his perceiving that it exceeded his whole
power of execution, that is, to come up to the scheme
formed in his own mind, notwithstanding his glorious spirit,
his easy fortune, and indefatigable diligence. This we
may very easily credit, when we consider that his treatise
of sallads could not be above a fortieth, perhaps not above
a fiftieth part of his intended performance. To these his
unpublished works we must add another, mentioned only
by Mr. Wood, who gives us nothing concerning it but the
following title: “A treatise of the Dignity of Man.
”
d in his infancy, being considered (after the death of his brother Richard Evelyn, January 27, 1657, who, though but five years of age, was esteemed a kind of prodigy)
, third son of the former, was born at his
father’s house at Sayes-court, near Deptford, January 14,
1654-5, and was there very tenderly educated in his infancy, being considered (after the death of his brother Richard Evelyn, January 27, 1657, who, though but five years of age, was esteemed a kind of prodigy) as the heir
of the family. He was likewise universally admired for
the pregnancy of his parts, of which he gave a pleasing
proof in a Latin letter written to his father in Dec. 1665,
and which induced his father to send him in 1666 to Oxford, where he remained in the house of the ingenious and
learned Dr. Ralph Bathurst, then president of Trinity-college, before he was admitted a gentleman-commoner, which
was in Easter term 1663. It is not clear at what time he
left Oxford; but Mr. Wood seems to be positive that he took
no degree there, but returned to his father’s house, where
he prosecuted his studies under the directions of that great
man. There is, however, good reason to believe that it
was during his residence in Trinity-college, and when he
was not above fifteen years of age, that he wrote that elegant Greek poem which is prefixed to the second edition
of the Sylva, and is a noble proof of the strength of his
genius, and wonderful progress in learning in the early
part of his life. In Nov. 1675, he set out for Paris with
lord Berkley, ambassador to the French court; and in May
1676, returned to England. He discovered his proficiency
soon afterwards, both in the learned and modern languages,
by his elegant translations, as well as his intimate acquaintance with the muses, in some original poems which were
very justly admired. If we consider the father’s turn of
mind, we need not wonder that he should employ his pen
first upon gardening, especially in the easy way of translation, and from a book so justly as well as generally admired as the French Jesuit’s has ever been. The title of
our author’s little treatise was, 1. “Of gardens, four
books, first written in Latin verse, by Renatus Rapinus;
and now made English by John Evelyn, esq.
” Sylva,
” and it must be allowed that the sense is very
faithfully rendered, and the poetry is more easy and harmonious than could have been expected from a youth of
his age. 2. “The life of Alexander the great,
” translated from the Greek of Plutarch, printed in the fourth
volume of Plutarch’s lives by several hands. 3. “The history of the grand visiers, Mahomet and Achmet Coprogli;
of the three last grand signiors, their sultanas, and chief
favourites; with the most secret intrigues of the seraglio,
”
&c. Lond. 1677, 8vo. This was a translation from the
French, and has been esteemed an entertaining and instructive history. Our author wrote also several poems
occasionally, of which two are printed in Dryden’s Miscellanies, and more are in Nichols’s Collection of Poems.
The one entitled “On virtue,
” has been esteemed excellent in its kind by the best judges and the other, styled
“The remedy of love,
” has been also much admired. On
Feb. 24, 1679-80, he married Martha, daughter and coheiress of Richard Spenser, esq. Turkey merchant, whose
widow married sir John Stonehouse, of Radley, in Berks,
bart. Mr. Evelyn, who had a turn for business as well as
study, and had been introduced to the prince of Orange
in 1688, was in 1690 made one of the chief clerks of the
treasury, and quitting that situation in 1691, became one
of the commissioners of the revenue in Ireland, which
country he visited in 1692. He would probably have been
advanced to higher employments if he had not been cut
off in thd flower of his age, dying at his house in Berkeleystreet, London, March 24, 1698, in the forty-fifth year of
his age. He had by his wife two sons and three daughters.
His eldest son, Richard, -died an infant at Sayes-court, as
did his eldest daughter Martha Mary. His second daughter, Elizabeth, married Simon Harcourt, esq. eldest son
and heir of Simon lord viscount Harcourt, lord high chancellor of Great Britain, by whom she became mother to
the first earl Harcourt. Jane, his third daughter, died an
infant at his house in the parish of St. Martin’s in the fields,
and was interred at Kensington. John Evelyn, his second
and only surviving son, born at Sayes-court, March 2,
1681, succeeded to his grandfather’s estate. He was married at Lambeth chapel, September 18,- 1705, to Anne,
daughter of Edward Boscawen, of Worthivil, co. Cornwall, esq. He was by letters-patent bearing date July 30,
1713, created a baronet. This worthy gentleman, who inherited the virtue and learning as well as the patrimony of
his ancestors, made several alterations and additions to the
family-seat at Wotton, in 1717, one of which was the
erecting a beautiful library, forty-five feet long, fourteen
feet broad, and as many high, for the reception of that
large ajtd curious collection of books made by his grandfather, his father, and himself, and where they still remain. He was long one of the commissioners of the
customs, a fellow of the royal society, and was succeeded by
his eldest son, John, who dying in 1767, was succeeded
by sir Frederick Evelyn, on whose death, in 1812, the
title descended to Mr. John Evelyn, the grandson of
Charles, a younger son of the first baronet of the Wotton
branch.
on, that in 1528, the emperor Charles V. recalled him to Mechlin to exercise the same functions. All who speak of him represent him as a man totally uninfluenced by
, a very eminent lawyer, and
upright magistrate, was born at Gripskerque, in the island
of Walcheren, in 1462, and studied law at Louvain under
Arnold de Bek, and Peter de Themis, whose praises for
profound knowledge he has celebrated in his “Topica
juris.
” In Topica juris, sive loci argumentorum
legales,
” of which he printed the first part or century, at
Louvain, in 1516, fol. This he afterwards reviewed and
enlarged, and it was published by his sons in 1552, at
Louvain, and reprinted in 1568 and 1579, at Lyons, and
in 1591 at Francfort. It was afterwards abridged by Abraham Marconet, and published in that form at Magdeburgh,
1655, 12mo. 2. “Consilia, sive responsa juris,
”
Louvain,
e the important trust that was committed to him; and he certainly gained the affection of his pupil, who, in one of his poems, mentions his death with every appearance
, and more generally
known by these last names, was born at the Hague in 1511,
and received the first impressions of virtue and knowledge
from his father. On what account our author, as he was
not the second son, was called Secundus, is not known.
Perhaps the name was not given him till he became eminent, and was in poetry nemini sccundus. Poetry, however, was not the profession which his father wished him
to follow. He intended him for the law, and when he
could no longer direct his studies himself, placed him under
the care of Jacobus Valcardus, or Volcardus. This gentleman, the author of a treatise “de usu eloquentix in
obeundis muncribus publicis,
” is said to hare been every
way qualified to discharge the important trust that was
committed to him; and he certainly gained the affection
of his pupil, who, in one of his poems, mentions his death
with every appearance of unfeigned sorrow. Another tutor, Stenemola of Mechlin, was soon provided, but it does
not appear that Secundus devoted much of his time to
legal pursuits. Poetry, and the sister arts of painting and
sculpture, had engaged his mind at a very early period. He
is said to have written verses when but ten years old; and
from the vast quantity which he left behind him, we have
reason to conclude that such writing was his principal employment.
at Bourges, a city in the Orleanois, he studied the civil law under the celebrated Andreas Alciatus, who was particularly endeared to our author by his general acquaintance
Secundus having nearly attained the age of twenty-one,
and being determined, as it would seem; to comply as far
as possible with the wishes of his father, quitted Mechlin,
and went to France, where at Bourges, a city in the Orleanois, he studied the civil law under the celebrated Andreas Alciatus, who was particularly endeared to our author
by his general acquaintance with polite literature, and
especially by his taste in poetry. Having studied a year
tinder this eminent civilian, and taken his degrees, he returned to Mechlin, where he remained only a very few
months. In 1533 he went into Spain with warm recommendations to the count of Nassau and other persons of
high rank; and soon afterwards became secretary to the
cardinal archbishop of Toledo, in a department of business
which required no other qualifications than what he possessed in a very eminent degree, a facility in writing with
elegance the Latin language. It was during his residence
with this cardinal that he wrote his “Basia,
” a series of
amatory poems, of which the fitih, seventh, and ninth
carmina of Catullus seem to have given the hint. Secundus
was not, however, a servile imitator of Catullus. His expressions seem to be borrowed rather from Tibullus and
Propertius; and in the warmth of his descriptions he has
the disgrace to exceed all former writers.
, that he was soon called upon to fill the important post of private Latin secretary to the emperor, who was then in Italy. This was the most honourable office to which
In 1535 he accompanied the emperor Charles V. to the siege of Tunis, but gained no laurels as a soldier. The hardships which were endured at that memorable siege were but little suited to the soft disposition of a votary of Venus and the Muses; and upon an enterprise which might have furnished ample matter for an epic poem, it is remarkable that Secundus wrote nothing which has been deemed worthy of preservation. Having returned from his martial expedition, he was sent by the cardinal to Rome to congratulate the pope upon the success of the emperor’s arms; but was taken so ill on the road, that he was not able to complete his journey. But being advised to seek without a moment’s delay, the benefit of his native air, he soon recovered. Having now quitted the service of the archbishop of Toledo, he was employed in the same office of secretary to the bishop of Utrecht; and so much had he jhitherto distinguished himself by the classical elegance of his compositions, that he was soon called upon to fill the important post of private Latin secretary to the emperor, who was then in Italy. This was the most honourable office to which our author was ever appointed; but before he could enter upon it, death put a stop to his labours. Having arrived at St. Arnaud, in the district of Tournay, in order to meet, upon business, with the bishop of Utrecht, he was on Oct. 8, 1536, cut off by a violent fever, in the very flower of his age, not having quite completed his twenty-fifth year. He was interred in the church of the Benedictines, and his relations erected to his memory a marble monument, with a plain Latin inscription.
ished at Leyden, 1631. It consists of the “Basia,” and of epigrams, elegies, &c. &c. A French critic who maintains that the genius of Secundus never p'roduced anything
The works of Secundus have gone through several editions, of which the most copious is that of Scriverius, published at Leyden, 1631. It consists of the “Basia,
” and
of epigrams, elegies, &c. &c. A French critic who maintains that the genius of Secundus never p'roduced anything
that was not excellent in its kind, adds with too much truth,
“Mais sa muse est un peu trop lascive.
” His “Basia
”
were first translated into English by Mr. Stanley,- author
of the “Lives of the Philosophers,
” but he omitted the
8th, loth, llth, 12th, and 14th. In 1731, a translation of
the whole was published by an anonymous writer, who
adopted a poetical version of the first and second by Elijah
l‘enton, and of the I’th and iNsth by Mr. Ward. This
translation is accompanied with the original Latin, and embellished with the cuts of Secundus and Julia from the
Scriverian edition, for Secundus appears to have been
somewhat of an engraver, and the cut of his mistress Julia
is said to have been executed by him. A superior translation appeared at London in 1775, with a life of the author,
of which we have availed ourselves. Secundus excelled
his brothers in the elegance and classical purity of his
Latin poetry, as much as he fell short of them in respect
for decency.
histories, portraits, and landscapes, was born at Alkmaer in 1606, and studied under Van Bronkhorst, who soon observed and encouraged talents which he found superior
, a painter of histories, portraits, and landscapes, was born at Alkmaer in 1606, and studied under Van Bronkhorst, who soon observed and encouraged talents which he found superior to those of the rest of his disciples. He had a lively invention, and painted with freedom and firmness, and a good force of colouring. Many of his pictures are spoken of in terms of praise; but the one selected as his principal performance is the representation of the victory of David over Goliath, executed in 1648. It was painted on the folding doors of the organ in the great church at Alkmaer and the sketch of it was preserved in the council chamber of that city. Everdingen died in 1679, aged 73.
, a writer, who distinguished himself by his talents and productions in polite
, a writer, who distinguished himself by his talents and productions in polite
literature, and who was many years resident in England,.
was born at St. Denis le Guast, in Lower Normandy, April
1, 1613. He was the third son of Charles de St. Denis,
castellan or baron of St. Denis le Guast; and took the
name of St. Evremond from a manor which was part of the
estate of his father, and of which he was sometimes styled
lord. He was intended, by his father, for the profession
of the law; and, when he was nine years of age, he was
sent to Paris to be bred a scholar. He was entered in the
second form in the college of Ciermont; and continued
there four years, during which he went through a course
of grammar learning and rhetoric. He was next sent to
the university of C;ien, in order to study philosophy but
he continued there one year only, and then returned to
Paris, where he pursued the same study a year longer in
the college of Harcourt. He distinguished himself not
only by his application to literature, but by other accomplishments; and he particularly excelled in fencing, so
that “St. Evremond’s pass
” was famous among those who
were skilled in that art. When he had passed through a
course of philosophy, be began to study the law: but
whether his relations had then other views for him, or that
his inclination led him to a military life, he quitted that
study after he had prosecuted it somewhat more than a
jear, and was made an ensign before he hud quite attained
to the age of sixteen. After he had served two or three
campaigns, he obtained a lieutenant’s commission; and,
after the siege of Laiidvecy, in 1637, he had the command
of a company of foot.
schal de Albret, of count Palluau, afterwards marescUal de Clerembaut, and of the marquis de Crequi, who also became a mareschal of France. He had a share in the confidence
M. de St. Evremond distinguished himself in the army
by his politeness and wit, as well as by his bravery; and
his accomplishments procured him the esteem of the
mareschals d'Etrées and Grammont, of viscount Turenne,
of the count de Moissens, afterwards mareschal de Albret,
of count Palluau, afterwards marescUal de Clerembaut, and
of the marquis de Crequi, who also became a mareschal of
France. He had a share in the confidence of these distinguished noblemen, and they always testified their friendship towards him. In 1640, M. de St. Evremond was at
the siege of Arras; and, in the ensuing year, he obtained
a post in the horse, which gave him fresh opportunities of
signalizing himself. Soon after the duke of Enguien, afterwards prince of Condé, became so much pleased with his
conversation, that he made him lieutenant of his guards,
that he might have him constantly near him. He often
read with him and sometimes communicated to him his
most secret projects, and entrusted him with affairs of the
greatest moment. After the campaign of Rocroy, in 1643,
M. de St. Evremond wrote a kind of satire against the
French academy, which was published in 1650, and
entitled, “The Comedy of the Academicians for reforming
the French tongue .
”
s in private, in company with the count de Moissens and M. de St. Evremond. But the prince of Conde, who took great pleasure in ridiculing others, was not fond of being
In 1644 he made the campaign of Fribourg; and the following year he received a dangerous wound at the battle of Notlingen. Being ordered to head a squadron, and to post himself below an eminence which was possessed by the enemy, he was there exposed, for three hours together, to all the fire of their small shot, and a battery of four field-pieces; so that he lost there most of his men, and was himself wounded in the left knee. His wound was so dangerous, that for six weeks he was supposed to be past recovery; but, by the skill of his surgeons, and the excellency of his constitution, his cure was at length effected. Thirty years after, however, his wound opened afresh in, London; but, being properly treated, he felt no inconvenience from it, excepting that his left leg was somewhat weaker than the other. After the taking of Fumes, in 1646, the duke of Enguien appointed M. de St. Evremond to carry the news of it to court; and having, at the same time, opened to him his design of besieging Dunkirk, charged him to propose it to cardinal Mazarin, and to settle with him every thing which was necessary for the execution of that undertaking. M. de St. Evremond managed this business with so much dexterity, that he prevailed on the prime minister to agree to every thing which was required by the duke of Enguien. But, in 1648, he lost the post which he had near that nobleman, now, by the death of his father, become prince of Conde. This prince took great delight in discovering what was ridiculous in the characters of his acquaintance; and often indulged himself in laughing at their foibles in private, in company with the count de Moissens and M. de St. Evremond. But the prince of Conde, who took great pleasure in ridiculing others, was not fond of being ridiculed himself. He was informed, that St. Evremond and the count had found out, that there was somewhat ridiculous even in him; that his extreme solicitude to discover the foibles of others was in itself a species of the ridiculous; and that they sometimes amused themselves with laughing at his highness. This excited in him so much resentment, that he took from M. de St. Evremond the lieutenancy of his guards, and would have no farther correspondence with the count de Moissens. It is, however, supposed, that a reconciliation would have been effected, if they had not been separated by the civil war, which about this time took place in France. When the prince of Conde" returned into France, after the Pyre nean treaty, M. de St. Evremond went to wait upon him, and was very favourably received. The prince offered him his protection; and afterwards, on several occasions, gave him assurances of his affection and esteem.
with St. Evremond’s merit and bravery, and knowing that he had constantly refused to join with those who were in opposition to the court, made him a mareschal de. camp,
When the civil war broke out, the French king, being
acquainted with St. Evremond’s merit and bravery, and
knowing that he had constantly refused to join with those
who were in opposition to the court, made him a mareschal
de. camp, or major-general. His commission was dated
Sept. 6, 1652; and the next day he received a warrant for
a pension of three thousand livres a year. He served afterwards in the war of Guienne, under the duke of Candale;
but, after the reduction of Guienne, he was committed to
the Bastile, where he ivas confined as a prisoner two or
three months. Some jests that had been thrown out relative to cardinal Mazarin, in a company wherein St. Evremond was present, but in which he had no greater share
than the rest, were the pretence for his confinement. But
the true reason of it was supposed to be, a suspicion that
he had given some advice to the duke of Candale, which
was inconsistent with the cardinal’s views. However, when
St. Evremond obtained his liberty, he went to return
thanks to the cardinal for his enlai?gement. Mazarin told
him on this occasion, that “he was persuaded of his innocence, but that a man in his station was obliged to hearken
to so many reports, that it was very difficult for him to
distinguish between truth and falsehood, and not sbmetimes to do injustice to an honest man.
”
ween France and Spain in 1659. The following year, he came over into England with count de Soissons, who was sent on an embassy to congratulate Charles II. on the restoration;
In 1654, M. de St. Evremond served in Flanders; and
about three years after fought a duel with the marquis de
Fore. He continued in the service in Flanders till the suspension of arms, which was agreed upon between France
and Spain in 1659. The following year, he came over into
England with count de Soissons, who was sent on an embassy to congratulate Charles II. on the restoration; and,
when cardinal Mazarin set out from Paris with a great retinue, in order to negociate a treaty with the first minister
of the king of Spain, St. Evremond was one of those who
accompanied him. He afterwards sent a letter concerning
the conferences to the marquis de Crequi, in which he informed him, that the cardinal had sacrificed the honour
and interests of France to his own private views. In one
part of this letter he said, “It is the cardinal’s maxim,
that a minister does not so much belong to the state as the
state to the minister; and, for this reason, if God grant
bim but a few years, he will get all the estates in the kingdom into his own hands.
” This letter of St. Evremond,
concerning the Pyreneau treaty, became the occasion of
his banishment from France. After the death of the cardinal, a copy of the letter fell into the hands of some of
the courtiers who had been connected with him. They
represented to his majesty the danger of allowing private
men to judge of state affairs, and to censure the conduct of
ministers. Their representations made such an impression on the mind of Lewis, that he immediately ordered
M. de St. Evremond to be committed to the Bastile. But
St. Evremoud had no inclination to pay a second visit to
that fortress; and, therefore, having received private information of the design, found means to make his escape
out of France, and arrived in Holland about the end of
the year 1661.
ton, lord D’Aubigny and lord Crofts. He also cultivated the acquaintance of those persons in England who were the most eminent for literature; and often conversed with
He did not continue long in Holland, but went over to
England in 1662, and was well received at the British
court. He particularly numbered among his friends the
dukes of Buckingham and Ormond, the earls of St. Alban‘a
and Arlington, lord D’Aubigny and lord Crofts. He also
cultivated the acquaintance of those persons in England who
were the most eminent for literature; and often conversed
with Hobbes, sir Kenehn Digby, Cowley, and Waller. In
England he wrote many literary pieces, which were afterwards printed. In 1665 he was seized with a disorder,
which threw him into a kind of melancholy, and greatly
weakened him. His physicians told him, that nothing but a
change of air could cure him; and that, if he could not go
to Montpelier, be would at least do well to cross the sea,
^nd make some stay in Holland. He complied with this,
advice; and liked his situation in Holland so well, that he
thought of spending the remainder of his life in that country. In a letter written about this time to the marquis de
Crequi, he says, “After having lived in the constraint of
courts, I console myself with the hope of ending my days,
in the freedom of a republic, where, if nothing is to be
hoped for, there is at least nothing to be feared. It would
be disgraceful to a young man not to enter the world with
a design of making his fortune: but, when we are upon
the decline, nature calls us back to ourselves; and, the sentiments of ambition yielding to the love of our repose, we
find it agreeable to live in a country, where the laws guard
us against any subjection to the will of others; and where,
to be secure of all, we need only be secure of ourselves. To this blessing we may add, that the magistrates
have great authority in their offices for the interests of
the public, but are little distinguished in their persons
by any particular privileges or advantages. You see here
none of those odious distinctions, which are so offensive
to men of real good breeding no useless dignities, or
inconvenient degrees of rank none of that cumbrous
greatness, which restrains liberty, without advancing one’s
fortune. Here the magistrates procure our repose, without expecting any acknowledgment, or even any expressions of respect for the services that they render to us.
They are rigorous in the execution of the orders of the
state firm and unaccommodating in the management of
the interest of their country with foreign nations mild and
tractable with their fellow-citizens and easy with all sorts
of private persons. The foundation of equality remains,
notwithstanding the exercise of authority; and, therefore,
credit never makes a man insolent, nor do the governors
ever bear hard on those that are governed.
”
he foreign ministers and persons of distinction there and also visited several eminent literary men, who happened then to be at the Hague particularly Heinsius, Vossius,
During his stay in Holland, St. Evremond became acquainted with most of the foreign ministers and persons of
distinction there and also visited several eminent literary
men, who happened then to be at the Hague particularly
Heinsius, Vossius, and Spinoza. Of the latter he gave
the following account to Mr. Des Maizeaux: lt He was,“said he,
” of a middle stature, and pleasing countenance.
His learning, modesty, and disinterestedness, made him
esteemed by all the ingenious persons then at the Hague.
It did not appear, from his ordinary conversation, that he
had those sentiments which were afterwards found in his
posthumous works." About 1667, some applications were
made to the French king, by means of M. de St. Evremond’s friends, particularly of the marquis de Lionne, to
induce that monarch to permit him to return to his own
country but these applications were not successful. In
1668, the prince of Tuscany arrived in Holland and, as
he designed to make some stay at the Hague, he hired a
house there: but it happened, that, in the house which
was taken for him, M. de St. Evremond had an apartment,
as had also some other persons of distinction. They were,
therefore, obliged to seek for other lodgings; but, when
St. Evremond was preparing to remove like the rest, the
prince not only desired him to stay, but likewise to use his
table whilst he continued at the Hague. He also ever
afterwards testified his esteem for him, and sent him every
year a present of some of the best Italian wines.
imes passed the summer season with the court at Windsor, where he conversed much with Isaac Vossius, who had been made one of the prebendaries of Windsor by king Charles
St. Evremond now thought of passing the remainder of
his days in Holland but, in 1670, sir William Temple
delivered to him letters from the earl of Arlington, by
which he was informed, that king Charles -II. desired his
return to England. This induced him to change his intentions; and, on his arrival in England, the king conferred
on him a pension o:' three hundred pounds a-year. In
1675, the duchess of Mazarin arrived in England; and we
are told, that “her house was the usual rendezvous of the
politest persons in England; and in these assemblies the
people of fashion found an agreeable amusement, and the
learned an excellent pattern of politeness.
” It is added,
that, in her house, “all manner of subjects were discoursed
upon, as philosophy, religion, history, pieces of wit and
gallantry, plays, and authors ancient and modern.
” St.
Evremond spent much of his time at the house of the duchess of Mazarin, and appears to have had a great friendship for her. He was also on very friendly terms with the
celebrated Ninon de PEnclos, with whom he often corresponded. He sometimes passed the summer season with
the court at Windsor, where he conversed much with Isaac
Vossius, who had been made one of the prebendaries of
Windsor by king Charles II. By the death of that prince,
St. Evremond lost his pension; but, in 1686, the earl of
Sunderland proposed to king James II. to create for him
an office of secretary of the cabinet, whose province should
be to write the king’s private letters to foreign princes.
The king agreed to the proposal, but St. Evremond declined accepting the office. He made his acknowledgments to lord Sunderland, and to the king; and said, “he
should account himself very happy to be able to serve his
majesty; but that a man of his age ought to think of nothing,
but how to husband the little time he had to live, and to
spend it in ease and tranquillity.
” After the Revolution,
he was so well treated in England by king William, that
he declined returning again to his own country, though
the French king now gave him permission, and even promised him a favourable reception. Yet king William’s
characteristic address to him, when first introduced at
court, could not be very acceptable to a man who valued
himself on his literary reputation “I think you was a
major-general in the French service
” About Ovid,
” said he, “was the
most witty and the most unfortunate man of his time. I
am not like him, either as to wit or misfortunes. He was
exiled among barbarians, where he made fine verses; but
so doleful and melancholy, that they excite as much
contempt for his weakness as compassion for his disgrace.
Where I am, I daily see the duchess of Mazarin. I lire
among sociable people, who have a great deal of merit and
a great deal of wit. I make very indifferent verses; but
so gay, that they make my humour to be envied, while
they make my poetry to be laughed at. I have too little
money but I love to be in a country where there is
enough besides, the nse of it ends with our lives and
the consideration of a greater evil is a sort of remedy
against a lesser. Thus you see I have several advantages
over Ovid. It is true, that he was more fortunate at Rome
with Julia than I have been at London with Hortensia: but
the favours of Julia were the occasion of his misfortune;
and the rigours of Hortensia do not make a man of my age
uneasy.
”
death; and that it was said, that the envoy from the court of Florence sent to him an ecclesiastic, who, asking him whether he would be reconciled, received for answer,
St. Evremond was a kind of epicurean philosopher; but
though his speculative morality was too lax, yet in his general conduct he appears to have acted like a man of probity. He preserved his health and his chearfulness to a
very great age. In one of his letters to Ninon de TEnclos
he says, “At eighty-eight years of age, I eat oysters
every morning. I dine heartily, and sup tolerably. Heroes are celebrated for less merit than mine.
” He was at
length afflicted with a strangury, which was attended with
great pain, and by which he was much weakened. Bayle
tells us, in one of his letters, that it was publicly known,
that St. Evremond used no assistance of minister or priest
to prepare him for death; and that it was said, that the
envoy from the court of Florence sent to him an ecclesiastic, who, asking him whether he would be reconciled,
received for answer, “With all my heart: I would fain be
reconciled to my stomach, which no longer performs in
usual functions.
” Bayle also says, “I have seen verses,
which he wrote fifteen days before his death; and his only
regret was, that he was reduced to boiled meats, and could
no longer digest partridges and pheasants.
” He died on
the 9th of Sept. 1703, aged ninety years, five months,
and twenty days. Des Maizeaux says, “He preserved, to
the very last, a lively imagination, a solid judgment, and
a happy memory. The great and acute pains, which he
felt during his sickness, never disturbed his tranquillity.
He bore them with a courage and constancy that may be
envied by philosophers of the first rate.
” The same writer
gives the following description of his person: “M. de St.
Evremond had blue, lively, and sparkling eyes, a large
forehead, thick eye-brows, a handsome mouth, and a sneering physiognomy. Twenty years before his death, a wen
grew between his eye-brows, which in time increased to a
considerable bigness. He once designed to have it cut oft;
but, as it was no ways troublesome to him, and he little
regarded that kind of deformity, Dr. Le Fevre advised him
to let it alone, lest such an operation should be attended
with dangerous symptoms in a man of his age. He would
often make merry with himself on account of his wen, his
great leather cap, and grey hair, which he chose to wear
rather than a periwig .
” Des Maizeaux afterwards adds,
“His behaviour was civil and engaging, his conversation
lively and pleasant, his repartees quick and happy. We
find very few that know how to read well. M. de St. Evre-p
mond told me one day, that he had not known three in
his whole life that could read justly. He had this art in
perfection; and, what is altogether as uncommon, he had
a very happy way of telling a story.
” “His humour was
ever gay and merry; which was so far from declining towards the latter end of his life, that it seemed rather to
gather fresh strength.
” “He was extremely fond of the
company of young people, and delighted to hear the stories
of their adventures.
” “Although he did not pretend to
over-rigid morals, yet he had all the qualities of a man of
honour. He was just, generous, and grateful; and full of
goodness and humanity.
”
s as follows: “He was a philosopher equally removed from superstition and from impiety a voluptuary, who had no less aversion from debauchery than inclination for pleasure
St. Evremond also, drew his own character, in a letter to
the count de Grammont. It is as follows: “He was a
philosopher equally removed from superstition and from
impiety a voluptuary, who had no less aversion from debauchery than inclination for pleasure a man who had
never felt the pressure of indigence, and who had never
been in possession of affluence. He lived in a condition
despised by those who have every thing, envied by those
who have nothing, and relished by those who make their
reason the foundation of their happiness. When he was
young, he hated profusion, being persuaded that some
degree of wealth was necessary for the conveniences of a
long life. When he was old, he could hardly endure ceconomy; being of opinion, that want is little to be dreaded
when a man has but little time left to be miserable. He
was well pleased with nature, and did not complain of fortune. He hated vice, was indulgent to frailties, and lamented misfortunes. He sought not after the failings of
men with a design to expose them; he only found what
was ridiculous in them for his own amusement. He had a
secret pleasure in discovering this himself; and would,
indeed, have had a still greater in discovering this to others^
had he not been checked by discretion. Life, in his opinion, was too short to read all sorts of books, and to burden
one’s memory with a multitude of things at the expence
of one’s judgment. He did not apply himself to the most
learned writings, in order to acquire knowledge; but to
the most rational, to fortify his reason. He sometimes
chose the most delicate, to give delicacy to his own taste;
and sometimes the most agreeable, to give the same turn
to his own genius. It remains that he should be described
such as he was in friendship and in religion. In friendship he was more constant than a philosopher, and more
sincere than a young man of good nature without experience. With regard to religion, his piety consisted more
in justice and charity than in penance or mortification. He
placed his confidence in God, trusting in his goodness,
and hoping, that in the bosom of his providence, he should
find his repose and his felicity.
”
He was interred in Westminster- abbey, in the nave of
the church near the cloister, where a monument was erected to his memory by his friends, with an inscription, in
which he is highly praised. It is said to have been written
by Dr. Garth. Dr. Atterbury, who looked on St. Evreniond as an infidel, appears to have had objections to his
being buried in the abbey, for which he is reflected upon,
with petulant malignity, by one of the editors of the last
edition of the Biographia Brttannica.
By his wiil, St. Evremond, who died worth about 800l. left 20l. to the poor French refugees;
By his wiil, St. Evremond, who died worth about 800l.
left 20l. to the poor French refugees; and the same sura
to “the poor Roman catholics, or of any other religion.
”
His manuscripts he left to Dr. Sylvestre. The earl of Galway was his executor.
, a celebrated rhetorician, of the fourth century, who has frequently been confounded with a bishop of Toulouse, and
, a celebrated rhetorician, of the fourth century, who has frequently been confounded with a bishop of Toulouse, and with another bishop of Cahors of the same name, was a native of Bourdeaux, and taught eloquence at Toulouse and Narbonne. In this last mentioned city he was entrusted with the education of the two princes Dalmatius and Hannibal, nephews of the reigning emperor Constantine. Before this Exuperius had been obliged to leave Toulouse, where the inhabitants set little value on his talents, but at Narbonne he was received with the respect due to him; and when the two princes, his pupils, were advanced to the throne, the one as emperor in the year 335, and the other as king of Pontus and Armenia, they conferred upon him the government of a province in Spain. Here he is said to have amassed great riches, and after holding the situation for many years, returned to his native country, and settled at Cahors, where he died, but at what time is not known. Ausonius bestows high praises on his general character and eloquence.
, bishop of Toulouse, in the latter end of the fourth and beginning of the fifth century, who died in exile for the orthodox faith, is recorded as a model
, bishop of Toulouse, in the latter end of the fourth and beginning of the fifth century, who died in exile for the orthodox faith, is recorded as a model of true Christian charity. During a great famine, after selling the whole of his own property, he disposed of all the rich gold and silver plate belonging to the church, in order to feed the poor; he exerted his charity likewise towards the religious of Palestine and Egypt. St. Jerome speaks much of his bountiful disposition, and compares him to the widovr of Sarepta, whose oil failed not. St. Jerome also dedicated to him his book on the prophet Zecharias. Exuperius changed the temple of Minerva at Toulouse into a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, now the Dorade, and was the means of freeing the people of that city from their fears of the Vandals. We have no farther account of his history, except that he is supposed to have died in the year 417. He certainly was at Home in the year 409, when it was taken by the Goths.
ume, and printed at Strasburgh in 1708. They are all on subjects of law. His son, Christian William, who was born in 1663, and died in 1727, was also a lawyer and classical
, an eminent lawyer, descended
from an ancient and noble family in East Friesland, was
bora at Norden, Nov. 20, 1629. He had the misfortune
to lose his father, when he was in his sixth year, but by
the care of his mother and relations, he was sent to college, where he made great progress in the earlier classical
studies. He then went to Rintelin, and began a course of
law. In 1651 he removed to Marpurg, about the time when
the academy in that city was restored, and here he recounts
among the most fortunate circumstances of his life that he
had au opportunity of studying under Justus Siriold, or
Schutz, and John Helvicus his son, the former of whom
was chancellor of the academy, and the latter was counsellor to the landgrave of Hesse, and afterwards a member
of the imperial aulic council. Under their instructions he
acquired a perfect knowledge of the state of the empire,
and took his doctor’s degree in 1655. Soon after he was
appointed by George II. landgrave of Hesse, to be professor of law, and his lectures were attended by a great
concourse of students from every part of Germany. In
1669 he was invited by the dukes of Brunswick and Lunenburgh to Helmstadt, where he filled the offices of counsellor and assessor with great reputation. He was also appointed by the circle of Lower Saxony a judge of the imperial chamber of Spire, and in 1678 was received among
the number of its assessors. The emperor Leopold, hearing of his eminent character and talents, engaged him to
come to his court in the rank of aulic counsellor, and to
reward his services, restored the rank of nobility which had
been in his family. Eyben died July 25, 1699. His works
were collected into a folio volume, and printed at Strasburgh in 1708. They are all on subjects of law.
His son, Christian William, who was born in 1663, and died in
1727, was also a lawyer and classical antiquary. He published at Strasburgh, in 1684, “Dissertatio de ordine
equestri veterum Romanorum,
” folio, which was afterwards
inserted in Sallengre’s “Thesaurus.
”
s, painted in conjunction with John, was in a chapel of the cathedral of Ghent. Sir Joshua Reynolds, who saw it there, says of it, “it represents the adoration of the
, a painter, born at Maaseyk in
1366, is regarded as the founder of the Flemish school of
painting, the Giotto of Flanders; and exhibited, for that
early period of art, great genius and skill. In concert with
his brother John, he was celebrated for many extraordinary
and curious works, executed in oil, after the latter had
made his discovery of that mode of painting., He painted
well also in distemper, but gave that up after he adopted
the other. One work of his, painted in conjunction with
John, was in a chapel of the cathedral of Ghent. Sir
Joshua Reynolds, who saw it there, says of it, “it represents the adoration of the lamb taken from the Apocalypse:
it contains a great number of figures in a hard manner, but
there is great character of truth and nature in the heads,
and the landscape is well coloured.
” It is now among the
spoils of the French in the gallery of the Louvre; but
whileat Ghent it was held in such estimation as to be shut up
from public view, except on festivals; and at other times
was only shewn to ambassadors or princes themselves who
desired to see it. Philip I. of Spain wished to purchase it;
but that not being practicable, he employed Michael Coxis
to copy it, who spent two whole years about it, and received four thousand florins for his labour from the king,
who placed it in the Escurial. This artist died in 1426,
aged sixty.
, a Roman catholic gentleman of Warkworth castle in Northamptonshire, who died in London, Oct. 7, 1804, was the author of some controversial
, a Roman catholic gentleman of Warkworth castle in Northamptonshire, who died in London,
Oct. 7, 1804, was the author of some controversial pamphlets; 1. “A few Remarks on the History of the Decline
and Fall of the Roman empire, relative chiefly to the two
last chapters. By a gentleman.
” London, A short Appeal to the Public. By th,e gentleman who
is particularly addressed in the Postscript of the Vindication of some passages in the fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of the Decline and Fail of the Roman Empire,
” London, A short Essay on the Christian Religion,
&c. the whole proposed as a preservative against the pernicious doctrines which have overwhelmed France with
misery and desolation. By a sincere friend of mankind,
London,
” A Defence of the Church of England,
” Mr. Eyre,
feeling the strength of his arguments against the religion
of the church of Rome, which he professed, published,
4. “A Letter to the Rev. Mr. Ralph Churton, &c. from
Francis Eyre, of Warkworth, esq.
” London, A Reply to the Rev. Ralph Churton, &c.
” London,
irst professional appearance was as one of the four common pleaders belonging to the city of London, who purchase their situations, and are usually called the city counsel.
, lord chief justice of the court of common pleas, a native of Wiltshire, was born in 1734, and educated, if we mistake not, at Winchester, and afterwards at Merton college, Oxford, where he took his degree of M. A. in 1739, but before that had begun to study Jaw in London. His first professional appearance was as one of the four common pleaders belonging to the city of London, who purchase their situations, and are usually called the city counsel. He is said to have been at this time decent in his manners, grave in his appearance, and regular in his attendance, but was not known beyond the practice of the lord mayor’s and sheriff’s courts, and had displayed no particular tokens of future eminence. An accidental event, however, brought him forward into unexpected notice, and subsequent circumstances led him to distinction. At this period sir William Morton was recorder of London. He had quitted the practice of the bar, and confined himself to the duties of that station. He had been brought into parliament by the influence of the duke of Bedford, and had looked with a natural expectation to a seat in one of the courts of law; but at length, disappointed, and growing old, he applied to the court of aldermen for leave to appoint a deputy to assist him in his official duties.
cially proposed to their consideration, such a coolness had taken place between them, that Mr. Eyre, who had gained the favour of sir William Morton, was proposed by
The common serjeant, the second law-officer in the corporation of London, had an evident claim to such an appointment. Mr. iNugent, an amiable and excellent man, though of no great professional name, and fully equal to any employment connected with the city of London, in whose service he had spent the greater part of his life, now filled that situation. These gentlemen, however, having differed in some points of legal discussion, that had been officially proposed to their consideration, such a coolness had taken place between them, that Mr. Eyre, who had gained the favour of sir William Morton, was proposed by him to be deputy recorder, and his influence in the court of aldermen being superior to that of Mr. Nugent, be obtained the appointment. It soon appeared that he possessed knowledge and abilities fully adequate to his station, and as the recorder’s duty now devolved, in a great measure, upon Mr. Eyre, he had an opportunity of proving his qualifications in such a manner, that on the death of sir William Morton in 176'2, he was elected by the court of aldermen to succeed him. As recorder of London he now enjoyed an office of great honour, as well as emolument, and it also gave him the distinction of a silk gown in Westminster-hall, and precedency after the Serjeants at law.
length subject to the predominating influence. The sheriffs were selected from among those citizens who were the most violent in support of opposition measures; and
He had not, however, proceeded long in the calm exercise of his duties, when he was called upon to encounter
difficulties, and to be involved in circumstances, which
had. not encumbered any of his predecessors. We allude
to the period when the wild delusion of “Wilkes and Liberty
” had in some degree influenced the whole kingdom;
and whose epidemic rage had, in a peculiar manner, infected the metropolis. A very large majority of the livery
espoused every measure that was brought forward in opposition to government. The lower classes, too fond of uproar, supported the same principle; and the corporation
itself became at length subject to the predominating influence. The sheriffs were selected from among those
citizens who were the most violent in support of opposition
measures; and men totally unconnected by their situations
and characters with the city, purchased their freedom, and
took up their livery, in order to take upon themselves these
troublesome and expensive offices. The ordinary rotation
of the court of aldermen was infringed, to elect such of its
members to the chief magistracy as were the partizans
and supporters of Mr. Wilkes and his cause.
he town clerk, supplied the place of the recorder on this occasion. He was a sensible conceited man, who had been a bookseller on London Bridge, and whose oratory in
In this state of civil discord, the recorder gave his opinion with firmness and understanding; but he could only give his counsel, and passively submit tto the majority of the corporation. At length, a remonstrance to the throne was proposed and carried in a court of common council, which contained such opinions, that the recorder peremptorily refused to exercise his official functions on the occasion. He represented it as enforcing doctrines which he should ever oppose, and expressed in a language unfit for the sovereign to hear. He was therefore determined not to be the organ by which his majesty should receive such an insult. Sir James Hodges, the town clerk, supplied the place of the recorder on this occasion. He was a sensible conceited man, who had been a bookseller on London Bridge, and whose oratory in the common council had raised him to his situation. The office gratified his vanity, and has secured to him a renown, Which few booksellers have derived from works not published by themselves: it has caused his name to be recorded in the Letters of Junius.
by pride, but by a conscientious regard for the dignity of the court. That this was the case, those who had the happiness to know him in private life could testify,
His knowledge of the law consisted in a familiar acquaintance with those principles which extensive reading and long experience had impressed upon his mind, rather than in a ready recollection of decided cases. But his application of principles was seldom erroneous; for, as his apprehension was clear, and his judgment strong, he embraced the most complicated variety of facts, and discerned the bearings of the most intricate question. As he comprehended with precision, he explained Vith perspicuity; and, perhaps, no man ever performed the delicate and arduous task of commenting upon evidence to ajury, more usefully to the jury themselves, more satisfactorily to the parties concerned, or more to the advancement of the ends of justice. From his own opinions he was ever ready to recede, when convinced by mature reflection, or the arguments of counsel, that they were ill-founded; and in doing so, he willingly avowed the error he had committed. His judgments displayed great learning, employed by a vigorous understanding; the reasoning cogent, the illustration apposite, the language manly, and not unfrequently eloquent. Perhaps, in no purt of his public duty was he more eminent, though none was more repugnant to his feelings, than in the administration of criminal justice. In this department, though the mildness of his disposition inclined him to mercy, he yielded not to indiscriminate lenity, because he remembered that he was the guardian of the public safety. He was convinced that the observance of solemnity in the courts of justice contributed to excite veneration for their proceedings. His judicial deportment, therefore, was calculated to convey un impression of awe and respect But though his manner was grave and punctilious, it was marked witU great courtesy, for it was not dictated by pride, but by a conscientious regard for the dignity of the court. That this was the case, those who had the happiness to know him in private life could testify, where it seemed as much his aim to draw closer round him by social ease and unaffected pleasantry the circle of his friends, as it was in public to maintain the distance that his situation required. Nor, amidst the amiable qualities which distinguished his private life, should be unrecorded his warm and affectionate attachment to his relations and friends, his prompt and active zeal to promote the welfare of many who were little known to him but by their want of his assistance, his affability and tenderness towards all his dependants and domestics, and the support given to his elevated station by an hospitable and liberal establishment.
, a Jew, was a Greek poet, who wrote tragedies on subjects of the sacred history. Large fragments
, a Jew, was a Greek poet, who wrote tragedies on subjects of the sacred history. Large fragments of a tragedy by him, on the departure of Israel from Egypt, have been preserved by Clemens of Alexandria, and Eusebius. Various opinions are held concerning the time in which he lived. Eusebius introduces a Demetrius as quoting him; and if that was (as an eminent writer of the present day supposes) Demetrius Phalereus, he must have lived near 300 years before the birth of our Saviour. Others bring him down to a century after that period. He must, at all events, have been prior to Clemens, who quotes him; and certain it is, that there are some remarkable expressions concerning the divine Logos in his fragments. 3
e of the anger he felt in being conquered in debate. There was another divine of the same names, and who lived about the same time, and distinguished himself by many
, sirnamed from one of his works, the
Hammer of Heretics, “Malleus Hereticorum,
” was born
in Suabia in Malleus Haereticorum,
” in which he discusses many controversial
points with considerable warmth, and was considered by
those of his persuasion as a formidable enemy to the reformers. Luther having been one of his opponents, Erasmus said, when he was advanced to the episcopacy, “that
Luther, poor as he was, found means to enrich his enemies.
”
He was impetuous in argument, and his enemies attributed
to him many indiscreet expressions, the consequence of
the anger he felt in being conquered in debate. There
was another divine of the same names, and who lived about
the same time, and distinguished himself by many controversial writings against the reformed religion, which are
no longer remembered.
, was a celebrated Roman, who was five times consul, three times dictator, and triumphed twice
, was a celebrated Roman, who was five times consul, three times dictator, and triumphed twice or more, yet was always distinguished by his modesty and equanimity. The first public office in which we trace him, is that of curule aedile, which he bore in the year before Christ 330. In the year 324, he was named master of the horse by the dictator L. Papirius Cursor, in the war against the Samrates; and, having given battle to the enemy in the absence of the dictator, contrary to his express order, though completely victorious, was capitally condemned; and through the strictness of Roman discipline, and the inflexible severity of the dictator, would have been executed bad be not been first rescued by the army, and then strongly interceded for by the senate and people of Rome. His first consulship was three years after, in the year 321 B. C. It was not till the year 303 B. C. when he bore the office of censor, that he acquired the sirname of Maximus, which afterwards was continued in his family, and was given him in consequence of his replacing the low and turbulent mob of Rome in the four urban tribes, and thereby diminishing their authority, which, when they were scattered in the various tribes, had been considerable on account of their numbers. His last consulship was in the year 294 B. C. and it is not likely that he lived many years after that period. We find him, however, three years after, attending the triumph of his son the proconsul, a very old man, and celebrated by the historians for his modest demeanour, and respectful acknowledgment of his son’s public dignity.
econd Punic war. The highest encomiums are bestowed by Cicero upon Fabius, under the person of Cato, who just remembered him, and had treasured many of his sayings.
, a noble Roman, was the fourth in decent from the preceding, and in a very similar career of
honours, obtained yet more glory than his ancestor. He
also was consul five times, in the years 233 Ant. Chr. 228,
C 15, 214, and 210; and dictator in the years 221 and 217.
His life is among those written by Plutarch. In his first
consulship, he obtained the honour of a triumph for a
signal victory over the Ligurians. His second consulship
produced no remarkable event, nor, indeed, his first dictatorship, which seems to have been only a kind of civil
appointment, for the sake of holding comitia, and was
frustrated by some defect in the omens. But in the consternation which followed the defeat at Thrasymene, his
country had recourse to him as the person most able to
retrieve affairs, and he was created dictator a second time.
In this arduous situation he achieved immortal fame, by
his prudence in perceiving that the method of wearing out
an invader was to protract the war, and avoid a general
engagement, and his steady perseverance in preserving
that system. By this conduct he finally attained the
honourable title of Cunctator, or protector. But before
he could obtain the praise he merited, he had to contend
not only with the wiles and abilities of Hannibal, but with
the impatience and imprudence of his countrymen. The
former he was able to baffle, the latter nearly proved fatal
to Rome. “If Fabius,
” said Hannibal, “is so great a
commander as he is reported to be, let him come forth
and give me battle.
” “If Hannibal,
” said Fabius in reply, “is so great a commander as he thinks himself, let
him compel me to it.
” A battle in Apulia, however, was
brought on by the rashness of his master of the horse, Minucius, and it required all the ability of Fabius to prevent
an entire defeat. His moderation towards Minucius afterwards, was equal to his exertions in the contest. After
he had laid down his office, the consul Paulus jEmilius
endeavoured to tread in his steps; but rashness again prevailed over wisdom, and the defeat at Cannae ensued in
the year 215, and then the Romans began to do full justice
to the prudence of Fabius. He was called the ^ield, as
MarcelU is the sword of the republic; and, by an honour
almost unprecedented, was continued in the consulship
for two successive years. He recovered Tarentum before
Hannibal could relieve it, and continued to oppose that
general with great and successful skill. It has been laid
to his charge that when Scipio proposed to carry the war
into Africa, he opposed that measure through envy; and
Plutarch allows that though he was probably led at first to
disapprove, from the cautious nature of his temper, he
afterwards became envious of the rising glory of Scipio.
It is, however, possible, that he might think it more glo
rious to drive the enemy by force out of Italy, than to draw"
him away by a diversion. Whether this were the case or
not, he did not live to see the full result of the measure,
for he died in the year 203, at a very advanced age, being, according to some authors, near a hundred. This was
the very year preceding the decisive battle of Zama, winch
concluded the second Punic war. The highest encomiums
are bestowed by Cicero upon Fabius, under the person of
Cato, who just remembered him, and had treasured many
of his sayings.
historian, the first prose writer on the subject of Roman history, was the son of C. Fabius Pictor, who was consul with Ogulnius Callus in the year 271 B. C. and grandson
, a Roman historian, the first prose writer on the subject of Roman history, was the son of C. Fabius Pictor, who was consul with Ogulnius Callus in the year 271 B. C. and grandson of the Fabius who painted the temple of health, from whom this branch of the family obtained the name of Pictor. He was nearly related to the preceding Fabius, and after the battle of Cannae was sent to the Delphic oracle to inquire by what supplications the gods might be appeased. He wrote the history of this war with Hannibal, and is cited by Livy as authority in it. The fragments of his annals that remain in the works of the ancients, whether in Greek or Latin, for he wrote in both, relate chiefly to the antiquities of Italy, the beginnings of Rome, or the acts of the Romans. He is censured by Polybius, as too partial to the Romans, and not even just to the Carthaginians. His style was doubtless that of his age, unformed, and imperfect. An history, circulated as his, consisting of two books, one on the golden age, the other on the origin of Rome, is now known to have been a forgery of Annius of Viterbo,
55. His father was a surgeon of much reputation, and recommended the medical profession to this son, who after the usual course of studies, took his degree of doctor
, -an Italian physician, was born at Ferrara in 1655. His father was a
surgeon of much reputation, and recommended the medical profession to this son, who after the usual course of
studies, took his degree of doctor at Ferrara, where he
became afterwards first professor of medicine. He died
May 5, 1723, after having published various dissertations
on medical subjects and cases, which were collected in a
quarto volume, and published at Ferrara in 1712 under the
title “Dissertationes Physico-medicae.
” Haller speaks
rather slightingly of this author’s works.
himself, some days afterwards, observed to a friend, that the domineering spirit of the Girondines, who had engrossed all power and office, had induced him and his
He was soon, however, called to perform a more important part on the revolutionary stage, being chosen, in
1792, a deputy to the national convention. For this office he had all the negative qualities that were necessary,
no regard for religion or Civil subordination; and accordingly took a very active part in the insurrection of Aug. 10,
and the prison massacres of the September following; the
latter are called “measures which would save France.
”
After this, it was in character to vote for the death of the
king. It was generally supposed that he contributed with
Danton and Robespierre to the massacre of May 31, 1793,
when the Girondine faction was overthrown by a popular
insurrection. What gives the appearance of authenticity
to this supposition is, that Fabre himself, some days afterwards, observed to a friend, that the domineering spirit of
the Girondines, who had engrossed all power and office,
had induced him and his colleagues, in order to shake off
the yoke, to throw themselves into the hands of the sans
culoterie; but that he could not help, however, foreboding
dangerous consequences from that day, May 31st, as the
same mob which they had taught to despise the legislature,
might, at the instigation of another faction, overthrow him
in his turn.
d to the scaffold in April 1794, where he was executed in the thirty-fifth year of his age. Mercier, who was his colleague, speaks of him thus in his “Tableau de Paris:”
In the winter of 1793, the Sansculoterie became divided
into two parts or factions, the jacobins and cordeliers, or,
in other words, the Robespierrists, and the Dantonists.
Fabre was of the faction of Danton, and was confined with
Danton’s adherents in the prison of the Luxemburgh. After
a month’s imprisonment, Fabre was, with many others,
dragged to the scaffold in April 1794, where he was executed in the thirty-fifth year of his age. Mercier, who
was his colleague, speaks of him thus in his “Tableau de
Paris:
” “He was a promoter and panegyrist of the revolutionary system, the friend, the companion, the adviser of
the pro-consuls, who carried throughout France, fire and
sword, devastation and death.
” In
the education of some children, and had recourse to father Tellier, a Jesuit, the king’s confessor, who twice supplied him with money. In the latter end of 171 Fabre
, a voluminous French writer,
or rather compiler, was born April 25, 1668, at Paris, the
son of an eminent surgeon. He was subdeacon, and bachelor of the Sorbonne, and had been second teacher at
St. Quintin, when he entered the congregation of the oratory at Paris. He rose to be successively professor of philosophy at Itumilly in Savoy, at Toulon, Riom, Mans, and
Nantes; afterwards taught theology three years at Riom,
and during three more at the seminary of the congregation at Lyons. While he lived in the last named city, he
published a small dictionary, Latin and French, 8vo, compiled from the best classical authors, which has passed
through several editions; and he also published at Lyons,
in 1709, a new edition of Richelet’s dictionary, 2 vols. folio,
under the title of Amsterdam, which edition was suppressed
on account of several theological articles respecting the
affairs of the times; and because in his list of authors, he
bestowed great encomiums on Messrs, of Port Royal, but
none on their adversaries. This obliged him to quit the
oratory, and retire to Clermont in Auvergne, where, being
destitute of a maintenance, he undertook the education of
some children, and had recourse to father Tellier, a Jesuit,
the king’s confessor, who twice supplied him with money.
In the latter end of 171 Fabre again entered the congregation of the oratory, and was sent to Douay, where he
wrote a small pamphlet, entitled “Entretigns de Christine^
et de Pelagie, sur la lecture de PEcriture-Sainte
” which
is still in request. Having afterwards preached the Sunday sermons of the oratory of Tragany with great credit (for he had also talents for preaching), he went to reside at
Montmorency, towards the end of 1723, and there began
his “Continuation de l'Histoire Ecclesiastique, de feu M.
TAbbe Fleury;
” and published 16 vols. 4to or 12mb, which
induced his superiors to invite him again to their houses,
Rue St. Honore*, at Paris, where he died, October 22, 1755,
aged eighty-five, much lamented by his brethren and
friends, for his mildness, candour, modesty, and virtue.
The discourse “Sur le renouvellement des etudes ecclesiastiques,
” &c. at the beginning of the thirteenth volume
of the Continuation, is by the abbe Goujet. This Continuation discovers great learning, and facility in writing,
but has neither the wit, penetration, character, style, nor
accuracy of judgment possessed by the abbe Fleury. Fabre
would have carried it on much farther, but was forbidden
to print any new volumes. He made the index to M, de
Thou’s history translated into French, 4to, and had begun
one to the “Journal des Sgavans,
” but soon gave up his
undertaking to the abbe* de Claustre, to whom the public
owes that useful work, 10 vols. 4to. Fabre also left a moderate translation of Virgil, 4 vols. 12mo, and a translation
of the Fables of Phaedrus, Paris, 1728, 12mo, with notes.
sh himself in the law, in which he was admitted doctor at eighteen. Having an elder brother at Rome, who was an eminent advocate, he also went thither, and applied himself
, a very learned antiquary of Italy, was born at Urbino, of a noble family, in 1619. After he had passed through his first studies at Cagli, he returned to Urbino to finish himself in the law, in which he was admitted doctor at eighteen. Having an elder brother at Rome, who was an eminent advocate, he also went thither, and applied himself to the bar; where he soon distinguished himself to such advantage, that he was likely to advance his fortune. Cardinal Imperiali entertained so great an esteem for him, that he sent him into Spain, to negociate several important and difficult affairs; which he did with such success, that the office of the procurator fiscal of that kingdom falling vacant, the cardinal procured it for him. Fabretti continued thirteen years in Spain, where he was for some time auditor general of the Nunciature. These employments, however, did not engage him so much, but that he found time to read the ancients, and apply himself to polite literature. He returned to Rome with cardinal Bonelli, who had been nuncio in Spain; and from his domestic became his most intimate friend. He was appointed judge of the appeals to the Capitol; which post he afterwards quitted for that of auditor of the legation of Urbino, under the cardinal legate Cerri. His residence in his own country gave him an opportunity of settling his own private affairs, which had been greatly disordered during his absence. He continued there three years, which appeared very long to him, because his inclination to study and antiquities made him wish to settle at Rome, where he might easily gratify those desires to the utmost. He readily accepted, therefore, the invitation of cardinal Corpegna, the pope’s vicar, who employed him in drawing up the apostolical briefs, and other dispatches belonging to his office, and gave him the inspection of the reliques found at Rome and parts adjacent. Alexander VIII. whom Fabretti had served as auditor when cardinal, made him secretary of the memorials, when he was advanced to the pontificate; and had so great a value and affection for him, that he would certainly have raised him to higher dignities, if he had lived a little longer.
stle of St. Angelo; a post, which is never given but to men of the most approved integrity, since he who enjoys that place is master of all the secrets of the pope’s
Upon the death of Alexander, Fabretti retired from business, and devoted himself entirely to his favourite amusement. He went to search antiquities in the country about Home, without any other companion than his horse, and without any regard to the heat or inclemency of the weather. As he always made use of the same horse, his friends gave that animal, by way of jest, the name of Marco Polo, the famous traveller; and said, that this horse used to discover ancient monuments by the smell, and to stop of himself immediately when he came to any ruins of an old building. Fabretti was so well pleased with the name given to his horse, that he used it to write a letter to one of his friends in an ironical strain, yet full of learning, upon the study of antiquity: but this letter was never printed. Innocent XII. obliged him to quit his retirement, and made him keeper of the archives of the castle of St. Angelo; a post, which is never given but to men of the most approved integrity, since he who enjoys that place is master of all the secrets of the pope’s temporal estate. All these different employments never interrupted his researches into antiquity; and he collected enough to adorn his paternal house at Urbino, as well as that which he had built at Rome after the death of Alexander VIII. Neither could old age divert him from his studies, nor hinder him from labouring at the edition of his works, which he printed at his own house. He died Jan. 7, 1700. He was a member of the academy of the Assorditi at Urbino, and the Arcadi at Rome.
us Veteris Romae Dissertationes tres,“Romae, 1680, 4to. This book may serve to illustrate Frontinus, who has treated of the aqueducts of Rome, as they were in his time
He was the author of the following works 1 <c De Aquis
& Aquae-ductibus Veteris Romae Dissertationes tres,“Romae, 1680, 4to. This book may serve to illustrate Frontinus, who has treated of the aqueducts of Rome, as they
were in his time under the emperor Trajan. It is inserted
in the fourth volume of Graevius’s
” Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romanarum.“. 2.
” De Columna Trajana Syntagma.
Accesseruntexplicatio Veteris Tabellae Anaglyphae Homeri
Iliadem, atque ex Stesichoro, Arctino, et Lesche Ilii excidium continentis, et emissarii lacus Fucini descriptio,“Romae, 1683, folio. 3.
” Jasithei ad Grunnovium Apologema, in ej usque Titivilitia, sive de Tito Livio somnia,
animadversiones,“Neapol. 1686, 4tp. This work is an
answer to James Gronovius’ s
” Responsio ad Cavillationes
R. Fabretti,“printed at Leyden, 1685. Fabretti had given,
occasion to this dispute, by censuring, in his book
” De
Aquae-ductibus,“some corrections of Gronovius; and thus
had drawn upon himself an adversary, who treated him witk
very little ceremony. Fabretti replied to him here, under
the name Jasitheus, and treated him with equal coarseness.
Gronovius called him Faber fiusticus, which he retorted by
styling his antagonist Grunnovius. 4.
” Inscriptionum Antiquaruni, quae in aedibus paternis asservantur, explicatio et
additamentum,“Romae, 1699, folio. Fabretti had an admirable talent in decyphering the most difficult inscriptions, and discovered a method of making something out
of those which seemed entirely disfigured through age, and
the letters of which were effaced in such a manner as not
to be discernible. He cleaned the surface of the stone,
without touching those places where the letters had been,
engraven. He then laid upon it a piece of thick paper well
moistened, and pressed it with a spunge, or wooden pin
covered with linen; by which means the paper entered
into the cavity of the letters, and, taking up the dust there,
Discovered the traces of the letters. M. Baudelot, in his
book
” De FUtilitc* des Voyages,“informs us of a secret
very like this, in order to read upon medals those letters
which are difficult to be deciphered. 5.
” A Letter to the
abb Nicaise,“containing an inscription remarkable for
the elegance of its style, inserted in the
” Journal des Seavans“of Dec. 1691. He left unfinished
” Latium vetus
illustratum." Fabretti discovers in his writings a lively
genius, a clear and easy conception, and a great deal of
learning.
cture in the great council chamber of the state of Venice, executed by order of the doge and senate, who regarded the work in so extraordinary a degree of esteem, that
, a famous painter, in the early stage of the art after its restoration, was born at Verona in 1332, and was a disciple of Giovanni da Fiesole. His most conspicuous work was a picture in the great council chamber of the state of Venice, executed by order of the doge and senate, who regarded the work in so extraordinary a degree of esteem, that they granted him a pension for life, and conferred upon him the privilege of wearing the habit of a noble Venetian; the highest honour in the power of the state to bestow. Many of his pictures adorn the pope’s palace of St. Giovanni Laterano, and the churches in Florence, Urbino, Perugia, Sienna, and Rome. One of them in the church of Santa Maria Nuova, placed over the tomb of cardinal Adimari, representing the Virgin and child, with St. Joseph and St. Benedict, was highly commended by Michael Angelo; whom Vasari represents as being accustomed to say that in painting the hand of Gentile was correspondent with his name. He died in 1412, 80 years old.
r plate. The war with Pyrrhus was then concluded. St. Evremond, with the contemptible sneer of a man who has no conception of disinterested virtue, insinuates that his
, sirnamed Luscinus, an illustrious Roman, was much and justly celebrated for his inflexible integrity, and contempt of riches. He was twice consul, first in the year before Christ 282, when he obtained
a triumph for his victories over the Samnites, Lucani, and
Bruttii. Two years after this, Pyrrhus invaded Italy; and,
after the defeat of the Romans near Tarentum, Fabricius
was sent to that monarch to treat of the ransom and exchange of prisoners, on which occasion he manifested a,
noble contempt of every endeavour that could be made, in
any shape, to shake his fidelity, and excited the admiration
of Pyrrhus. His second consulship was in the year 273,
when, his refined generosity yet further secured the esteem
of the royal enemy, whom he informed of the treacherous
design of his physician to give him poison. According to
some authors, he again triumphed this year over the allies
of Pyrrhus. It was remarked, that when the comitia were
held for the ensuing consuls, Cornelius Rufinus, a man of
notorious avarice, and detested by Fabricius for that vice,
but an excellent general, obtained the consulship chiefly
by his interest. Being asked the reason of this unexpected
proceeding, he said, “In times of danger it is better that
the public purse should be plundered, than the state betrayed to the enemy.
” But when he became censor in the
year
was only five years old. His education then devolved upon his maternal grandfather, Francis Felbier, who appears to have done ample justice to him, and particularly
, professor of divinity in the university of Leipsic, was born at Amsterdam April 10, 1663.
His father was a divine and pastor of the church of Meurs,
but he had the misfortune to lose both parents when he
was only five years old. His education then devolved upon
his maternal grandfather, Francis Felbier, who appears to
have done ample justice to him, and particularly introduced
him to that intimate acquaintance with the French language
for which he was afterwards distinguished. He began to
be taught Latin in the public school of Amsterdam in 1673;
“but in less than three months his grandfather died, and on
his death-bed advised him to devote himself to the study
of divinity, which was the wish and intention both of himself and of his parents. He accordingly pursued his classical studies with great assiduity; and in 1679, when in his
sixteenth year, was much applauded for a discourse he
pronounced, according to the custom of the school. His
subject was that
” justice elevates a nation.' 7 After this
he remained two more years at Amsterdam, and studied
philosophy and rhetoric under the ablest professors; and
at his leisure hours David Sarphati Pina, a physician and
rabbi, gave him lessons in the Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Syriac languages, and enabled him to read the works of the
Jewish doctors. In Sept. 1681 he removed to Leyden,
where for two years he studied philosophy, Greek and Roman antiquities, and ecclesiastical history and geography,
under the celebrated masters of that day, De Voider, Theodore Ryckius, James Gronovius, and Frederic Spanheim;
and went on also improving himself in the Oriental languages. Such was his proficiency in this last pursuit, that
he already was able to carry on a correspondence with his
master at Amsterdam, the above-mentioned Pina, in the
Hebrew language, and he translated the gospels of St.
Matthew and Mark into that language.
liberties of this sort, which he had taken in his youth; and he exceedingly blamed those Christians who applied themselves for matter to the divinities of Parnassus,
His poems are written with great purity and elegance.
He was particularly careful in the choice of his words; and
he carried his scruples in this respect so far, that he would
not on any account make use of a word in his “Sacred
Poems
” which favoured the least of Paganism. He condemned some liberties of this sort, which he had taken in
his youth; and he exceedingly blamed those Christians
who applied themselves for matter to the divinities of Parnassus, and the fables of the ancients. He wrote also in,
prose, the “Roma,
” already mentipned the “Annals of
Messein,
” in seven books “Origines Saxonies,
” in two
volumes, folio the same quantity on the affairs of Germany and Saxony, &c. His “Roma
” has been greatly
admired by some, by Barthius in particular: and there is,
this singularity in it, that he has so adapted to his descriptions the language of the Latin writers who have described
the same things, as to make some Germans fancy it an
ancient work.
ity. Having taken orders, he was chosen preacher at Coslin, and chaplain to the duke Bogislaus XI V. who five years after recommended him to a doctor’s degree at Gripswald.
, a Lutheran divine, was born at
Coslin, a town of Pomerania, in 15D3. In his youth, as
his parents were poor, he contrived to defray the expences
of his education by instructing a few pupils in what he had
already learned, and having the charge of some of them
to Rostock, he soon distinguished himself among the
learned of that city. Having taken orders, he was chosen
preacher at Coslin, and chaplain to the duke Bogislaus XI V.
who five years after recommended him to a doctor’s degree at Gripswald. About this time the king of Sweden,
Gustavus Adolphus, arriving in Germany, made him his
confessor, and superintendant of his army; and after the
battle of Lutzen, in which that prince lost his life, the duke
Bogislaus recalled Fabricius, and made him superintendant
of Upper Pomerania, in which office he was afterwards continued by queen Christina. He was also appointed minister of the principal church of Stettin, and professor of divinity. He died suddenly of an apoplectic stroke, Aug.
11, 165+. His principal writings are, 1. “Disputationes
in Genesim, et in Kpistolam ad Romanes. 2.
” Probatio
visionum,“a work which involved him in disrepute with
some of his brethren, and obliged him to publish in defence
of it, 'J.
” Invictir visionum probationes.“4.
” JustaGustaviana." He published besides some pieces in German.
on hig death-bed recommended him to the care of Valentine Albert, an eminent divine and philosopher, who employed, as his first master, Wenceslau* Buhl, whom Mayer calls
, one of the most eminenjt
and laborious scholars of his time in Europe, was descended
both by the father’s and mother’s side from a family originally of Holstein. His father, Werner Fabricius, a native
of Itzhoa, in Holstein, was director of the music at St.Paul'p
in Leipsic, organist of the church of St. Nicholas in that
city, and a poet and a man of letters, as appears by a work
be published in 1657, entitled “Delicias Harmonicas.
”
His mother was Martha Corthum, the daughter of John
Corthum, a clergyman of Bergedorff, and the descendant
of a series of protestant clergymen from the time of the
reformation. He was born at Leipsic Nov. 11, 1668. His
mother died in 1674, and his father in 1679; but the latter, while he lived, had begun to instruct him, and on hig
death-bed recommended him to the care of Valentine
Albert, an eminent divine and philosopher, who employed,
as his first master, Wenceslau* Buhl, whom Mayer calls
the common Msecenas of orphans; and he appears to have
been taught by him for about five years. He also received
instructions at the same time under Jo. Goth. Herrichius,
rector of the Nicolaitan school at Leipsic, an able Greek
and Latin scholar, whose services Fabricius amply acknowledges in the preface to Herrichius’s “Poemata Graeca et
Latina,
” which he published in Adversaria,
” and the first edition of Morhoff’s “Polyhistor,
” which he himself informs us, gave the first direction to his mind as to that species of literary history and
research which he afterwards carried beyond all his predecessors, and in which, if we regard the extent and accuracy
of his labours, he has never had an equal. Schmidt had
accidentally shown him Barthius^, and requested him to
look into it; but it seemed to open to him such a wide
field of instruction and pleasure, that he requested to take
it to his room and study it at leisure, and from this he conceived the first thought, although, perhaps, at that timfe,
indistinct, of his celebrated Bibliothecas. After his return,
to Leipsic in 1686, he met with Morhoff, who, he says,
gave his new-formed inclination an additional spur. He
now was matriculated in the college of Leipsic, and was
entirely under the care of his guardian Valentine Albert,
one of the professors, with whom he lodged for seven years.
During this time he attended the lectures of Carpzovius,
Olearius, Feller, Rechenberg, Ittigius, Menckenius, &c.
and other learned professors, and acknowledges hisobligations in particular to Ittigius, who introduced him to a
knowledge of the Christian fathers, and of ecclesiastical
history. It is perhaps unnecessary to add of one who has
given such striking proofs of the fact, that his application
to his various studies was incessant and successful. His
reading was various and extensive, and, like most scholars
of his class, he read with a pen in his hand.
In 1696 he went into Sweden with M. Mayer, who introduced him to Charles XL; and after their return, Mayer
In 1696 he went into Sweden with M. Mayer, who introduced him to Charles XL; and after their return, Mayer
endeavoured to procure for him the professorship of logic
and metaphysics, vacant by the resignation of Gerard Ma'ier.
Fabricius accordingly became a candidate, and sustained
a public cjisputation, without a respondent, the subject of
which was “Specimen elencticum historic logicte, &c.
”
After the other candidates had exhibited their talents, their
number was reduced to Fabricius and another, Sebastian
Edzard. The votes on the election happened to be equal,
and the matter being therefore determined by casting lots,
Edzard was chosen. Fabricius, however, was not long
without a situation befitting his talents. In the same year,
1699, he was unanimously chosen to be professor of eloquence, in the room of Vincent Placcius, who died in April;
and on June 29, Fabricius delivered his inaugural speech
“on the eloquence of Epictetus,
” and he now settled at
Hamburgh for the remainder of his life, having a few
months before taken his degree of doctor in divinity at
Kiel. On this occasion he supported a thesis “De recordatione animae humame post fata superstitis.
” In April
in 4to, and gives an exact account of the Greek authors, their different editions, and of all those who commented, or written notes upon them, and with the” Bibliotheca
1. “Scriptorum recentiorum Decas,
” Hamburgh, Defensio Decadis, &c.
” 4to,
without place or date. 3. tf Decas Decadum, sive plagiariorum et pseudonymorum centuria,“Leipsic, 1689, 4to.
4.
” Grammatica Graeca Welleri,“ibid. 1689, 8vo, often
reprinted, but Fabricius never put his name to it. 5.
” Bibliotheca Latina, sive notitia auctorum veterum Latinorum, quorumcunque scripta ad nos pervenerunt,“Hamburgh, 1697, 8vo, afterwards enlarged in subsequent editions, the best of which is that of 1728, 2 vols. 4to. An
edition of a part of this work has been more recently published by Ernesti, in 3 vols. 8vo, which is not free from
errors. 6.
” Vita Procli Philosophi Platonici scriptore
Marino Neapolitano, quam alteraparte, de virtutibus Procli
theoreticis ac theurgicis auctiorem et nunc demum integram primus edidit, &c.“Hamburgh, 1700, 4to, dedicated
to Dr. Bentley. 7.
” Codex Apocryphus N. T. collectus,
castigatus, &c.“ibid. 1703, 8vo. 8.
” Bibliotheca Graeca,
sive Notitia Scriptorum Veterum Graecorum, quorumcunque Monumenta integra aut fragmenta edita extant: turn
plerorumqtie ex Manuscripts ac Deperditis.“This consists of 14 vols. in 4to, and gives an exact account of the
Greek authors, their different editions, and of all those who
commented, or written notes upon them, and with
the
” Bibliotheca Latina,“exhibits a very complete history
of Greek and Latin learning. Twelve volumes of a new
edition of the
” Bibliotheca Graeca“have been published
by Hades, with great additions, and a new arrangement of
the original matter. 9.
” Centuria Fabriciorum scriptis
clarorum, qui jam diem suum obierunt,“Hamburgh, 1700,
8vo, and
” Fabriciorum centuria secunda,“ibid. 1727, 8vo.
It was his intention to have added a third and fourth century, including the Fabri, Fabretti, Fabrotti, Le Fevre’s,
&c. but a few names only were found after his death among
his manuscripts. 10.
” Memoriae Hamburgenses, sive Hamburgi et virorum de ecclesia, requepublica et scholastica
Hamburgensi bene meritorum, elogia et vitae,“Hamburgh,
1710 1730, 7 vols. 11.
” Codex pseudepigraphus Veteris Testamenti,“as a companion to his preceding account of the apocryphal writers of the New Testament
times; ibid. 1713, 8vo, reprinted with additions in 1722.
12.
” Menologiunj, sive libellusde mensibus, centum circiter populornm menses recensens, atque inter se conferens, cum triplice indice, gentium, mensium et scriptorum,“ibid. 1712, 8vo. 13.
” Bibliographia Antiquaria,
sive introductio in notitiam scriptorum, qui antiquitates
Hebraicas, Graccas, Romanas et Christianas scriptis illustrarunt. Accedit Mauricii Senonensis de S. Missae ritibus
carmen, nunc primum editum,“1713, 4to, and an enlarged edition, in which Mauricius’s poem is omitted, 1710,
4to. 14.
” Mathematische Remonstration, &c.“Hamburgh,
1714, 8vo, a work in German against Sturmius, on the
institution of the Lord’s Supper. J 5.
” S. Hippolyti Opera,
non antea collecta, et pars nunc primum a Mss. in lucem
edita, Gr. et Lat. &c.“ibid. 1716 and 1718, 2 vols. fol.
16.
” Bibliotheca Ecclesiastica,“ibid. 1718, fol. a very
valuable collection of notices of ecclesiastical writers and
their works from various biographers, beginning with
Jerome, who goes to near the end of the fourth century,
and concluding with Miraeus, who ends in 1650. 17.
” Sexti Empirici Opera,“Gr. and, Lat. Leipsic, 1718, fol.
18.
” Anselmi Bandurii Bibliotheca Nummaria,“Hamburgh, 1719, 4to. 19. S. Philastri de Hicresibus Liber,
cum emendationibus et notis, additisque indicibus, ibid.
1721, 8vo. 20.
” Delectus argumentorum et syllabus
scriptorum, qui veritatem religionis Christianas adversus
Atheos, Epiciireos, Deistas seu Naturalistas, Idolatras,
Judaeos, et Mohammedanos lucubrat;onibus suis
asseruerunt,“Hamb. 1725, 4to. This performance, very valuable
in itself, is yet more so, on account of the Proemium and
first chapters of Eusebius’s
” Demonstratio Evangelica,“which are wanting in all the editions of that work, and
were supposed to be lost; but which are here recovered
by Fabricius, and prefixed to the
” Delectus,“with a Latin translation by himself. 21.
” Imp. Caes. Augusti temporum notatio, genus, et scriptorum fragmenta,“ibid.
1727, 4to. 22.
” Centifolium Lutheranum, sive notitia
literaria scriptorum omnis generis de B. D. Luthero, ej usque vita, scriptis et reformatione ecclesiae, &c. digesta,“ibid. 1728 and 1730, 2 parts or volumes, 8vo. 23. A
German translation of Derham’s
” Astro-theology,“and
” Physico-theology,“1728, 1730, 8vo, by Weiner, to
which Fabricius contributed notes, references, an analysis,
preface, &c. 24.
” Votum Davidicum (cor novum crea in me Deus) a centum quinquaginta amplius metaphrasibus
expressum, carmine Hebraico, Graeco, Latino, Germanico, &c.“ibid. 1729, 4to. 25.
” Conspectus Thesauri Literariae Italiae, premissam habens, praeter alia, notitiam
diariorum Italiae literariorum, &c.“ibid, 1730, 8vo. Every
Italian scholar acknowledges the utility of this volume.
26.
” Hydrotheologise Sciagraphia,“in German, ibid, 1730,
4to. 27.
” Salutaris Lux Evangelii, toti orbi per divinam
gratiam exoriens: sive notitia historico-chronologica, literaria, et geographica, propagatorum per orbern totum
Christianorum. Sacrorum,“Hamb. 1731, 4to. This work
is very curious and interesting to the. historian as well as
divine. It contains some epistles of the emperor Julian,
never before published. 28.
” Bibliotheca Mediae et infitnse Latinitatis,“printed in 5 vols. 8vo, 1734, reprinted
at Padua, in 6 vols. 4to, 1754, a work equal, if not superior, to any of Fabricius’s great undertakings, and one
of those, which, like his
” Bibliotheca Graeca,“seems to
set modern industry at defiance. 29.
” Opusculorum Historico-critico-litterariorum sylloge quse sparsim viderant
lucem, nunc recensita denuo et partim aucta," Hamburgh,
1738, 4to.
ry, was born at Schafhousen, July 29, 1639. He began his studies under the inspection of his father, who was rector of thq college; but in 1647 went to Cologne, where
, an eminent protestant divine of the seventeenth century, was born at Schafhousen,
July 29, 1639. He began his studies under the inspection
of his father, who was rector of thq college; but in 1647
went to Cologne, where his brother Sebaldus lived, and
there for about a year studied Greek and Latin. In 1643
he returned to Schafhousen, but left it for Heidelberg in
the following year, where his brother had been appointed
professor of history and Greek. In 1650 he went to
Utrecht, and for about two years was employed in teaching. At the end of that time he visited Paris as tutor of
the son of M. de la Lane, governor of Reez, and remained
in tnis station for three years. Having returned to Heidelberg in 1656, he took his degree of master of arts, and the
following year was admitted into holy orders, and appointed
professor extraordinary of Greek, but was, not long after,
requested by the elector to go again to Paris as tutor to
the baron Rothenschild, and in 1659 he accompanied his
pupil to the Hague, and afterwards into England. On
their return to France they parted, and Fabricius went to
Leyden, where he took his degree of doctor in divinity.
Soon after he was appointed professor of divinity at Heidelr
berg, superintendant of the studies of the electoral prince,
inspector of the college of wisdom, and philosophy professor. In 1664 he was appointed ecclesiastical counsellor
to the elector, who, in 1666, sent him to Schafhousen to
explain to that canton the reasons for the war of Lorraine,
which office Dr. Boeckelman had discharged in the other
cantons. In 1674, when the French army advanced towards Heidelberg, Fabricius retired to Fredericksburgh,
and to Cologne, but returned the same year. In 168O,
although a Calvinist, he was commissioned with a Roman
catholic to open the temple of concord at Manheim. In
1688, the French, who had taken possession of Heidelberg,
showed so much respect for his character as to give him a
passport, which carried him safely to Schafhousen; but
the continuance of the war occasioned him again to shift
his place of residence, and when at Francfort, he was employed by the king of England (William III.) and the
States General to join the English envoy in Swisserland,
and watch the interests of the States General. In the
execution of this commission he acquitted himself with
great ability, and was particularly successful in adjusting
tjbe differences between the Vaudois and the duke of
Savoy, and afterwards in accomplishing an alliance between
the duke and the States General. We find him afterwards
at Heidelberg, and Francfort, at which last he died in
1697. From these various employments it appears that he
was a man of great abilities and political weight, and he
derived likewise considerable reputation from his writings
as a divine. Such was his abhorence of Socinianism that
he opposed the settlement of the Socinian Poles when
driven out of their own country in the Palatinate; in which,
however, at that time he was not singular, as, according
to Mosheim, none of the European nations could be persuaded to grant a public settlement to a sect whose members denied the divinity of Christ. The same historian
informs us that he “was so mild and indulgent
” as to
maintain, that the difference between the Lutherans and
Roman catholics was of so little consequence, that a Lutheran might safely embrace popery; an opinion, which,
mild and indulgent as Mosheim thinks it, appears to us
more in favour of popery than of Lutheranism. His works,
on controversial topics, were collected and published in a
quarto volume, by Heidegger with a life of the author,
printed at Zurich in 1698.
itled “Pransus Paratus,” which he dedicated to Salmasius; and in which he keenly ridiculed the poets who spend their time in making anagrams, or licentious verses, as
, a man eminent for wit and
learning, and for the civil employments with which he was
honoured, was born at Hamburgh in 1613. He was a
good poet, an able physician, a great orator, and a learned
civilian. He gained the esteem of all the learned in Holland while he studied at Leyden; and they liked his Latin
poems so well, that they advised him to print them. He
was for some time counsellor to the bishop of Lubec, and
afterwards syndic of the city of Dantzic. This city also
honoured him with the dignity of burgomaster^ and sent
him thirteen times deputy in Poland. He died at Warsaw,
during the diet of the kingdom, in 1667. The first edition
of his poems, in 1632, was printed upon the encouragement of Daniel Heinsius, at whose house he lodged. He
published a second in 1638, with corrections and additions:
to which he added a satire in prose, entitled “Pransus
Paratus,
” which he dedicated to Salmasius; and in which
he keenly ridiculed the poets who spend their time in
making anagrams, or licentious verses, as also those who
affect to despise poets. The most complete edition of his
poems is that of Leipsic, 1685, published under the direction of his son. It contains also Orations of our author,
made to the kings of Poland; an Oration spoken at Leyden in 1632, concerning the siege and deliverance of that
city and the Medical Theses, which were the subject of
his public disputations at Leyden in 1634, &c.
ed ten years, and in 1615 settled himself at Berne, in consequence of an invitation from the senate, who granted him a pension. Here he enjoyed the universal esteem
, an eminent surgeon and physician, was known also by his surname of Hildanus, from
Hilden, a village of Switzerland, where he was born, July
25 t 1560. Like his predecessor of the same name, Fabricius of Aquapendunte, he became one of the most
eminent surgeons of his age, and contributed not a. little
to the improvement of the art. He repaired to Lausanne
in 1586, where he completed himself in the art of surgery,
under the instruction of Griffon, an intelligent teacher in
that city. Here he pursued his researches with indefatigable industry, and undertook the cure of many difficult
cases, in which he was singularly successful. He combined aknowledge of medicine with that of his own art,
and began to practise both at Payerne in 1605, where he
remained ten years, and in 1615 settled himself at Berne,
in consequence of an invitation from the senate, who
granted him a pension. Here he enjoyed the universal
esteem of the inhabitants. But in the latter period of his
life he was prevented by severe and frequent attacks of
the gout from rendering his services to his fellow-citizens
with his accustomed assiduity. At length, liowever, this
malady left him, and he was seized with an asthma, of
which he died on the 14th of February, 1634, at the age
of seventy-four. His works were written in the German
language, but most of them have been translated into the
Latin. He published five “Centuries of Observations,
”
which were collected after his death, and printed at Lyons
in 1641, and at Strasburgh in 1713 and 1716. These
“Observations
” present a considerable number of curious
facts, as well as descriptions of a great number of instruments of his invention. His collected treatises were published in Latin, at Francfort in 1646, and again in 1682,
in folio, under the title of “Opera Omnia.
” And a German edition appeared at Stutgard in
Germany. His father was president of Zell for George I. as elector of Hanover, and he had a brother who held a considerable office in that prince’s service. The baron,
, known to the public by his letters relating to Charles XII. of Sweden, during his residence in the Ottoman empire, was sprung from a good family in Germany. His father was president of Zell for George I. as elector of Hanover, and he had a brother who held a considerable office in that prince’s service. The baron, of whom we are speaking, as soon as he had finished his studies, went into Holstein, and was early taken into the service of that court, where his talents were much admired. He was sent from thence, by the duke administrator, in a public character, to his Swedish majesty, while he continue at Bender. He was then in the flower of his youth, had a good person, pleasing address, great accomplishments, and no vanity. He soon stood very high in the good graces of that prince; accompanied him in his exercises, was frequently at his table, and spent hours alone with him in his closet. He it was that gave him a turn for reading; and it was out of his hand that monarch snatched the book, when he tore from it the 8th satire of Boileau, in which Alexander the Great is represented as a madman. He had but one enemy in the court, viz. general Daldorff, who was made prisoner by the Tartars, when they stormed the king’s camp at Bender. Fabricius took pains to find him out, released him, and supplied him with money; which so entirely vanquished the general, that he afterwards became a warm friend. This amiable man was likewise in favour with king Stanislaus, and with our own monarch George I. whom he accompanied in his last journey to Hanover, and who may be said to have died in his arms. "A translation of his genuine letters in English, containing the best accounts relating to the Northern Hero during his residence in Turkey, was published in one volume 8vo, Lond. 1761.
and afterwards went to Rome, in 1750, to the college founded by Bandinelli for the youth of Tuscany, who were also required to attend the public schools of the Jesuits.
, an eminent Italian scholar and
biographer, was born Sept. 25, 1732, at Marradi in Tuscany, of a family once so opulent as to be able to assist the
falling fortunes of the Medici. He was the youngest of
the eleven children of Alexander and Hyacinth Fabroni.
He was educated first at home under able masters, and
afterwards went to Rome, in 1750, to the college founded
by Bandinelli for the youth of Tuscany, who were also required to attend the public schools of the Jesuits. Here
he studied rhetoric, logic, geometry, physics, and metaphysics. After he had been here three years, Peter Francis Foggini, who had acted as a second father to him (for his own died in 1750), introduced him to Bottari, as his
assistant in the duties of a canonicate which he held in the
church of St. Mary; and as Bottari was a great favourer
of the Jansenists, Fabroni thought to please him by translating from the French of Quesnel, and publishing “La
preparazione alia morte;
” and “Principi e regale della
vita Cristiana.
” About the same time he published “Ler
Massime della Marchesa di Sable,
” also translated from the
French, with notes. This, he informs us, was a work of
little consequence, yet served to show that he was at this
time tolerably versed in the reading of ancient authors.
e the author a handsome present.‘ Such liberality produced a suitable impression on Fabroni’ s mind, who became in gratitude attached to this patron, and when a female
From his earliest youth he cultivated a pure and ready Latin style, and as a specimen, he now, encouraged by Foggini, published the life of Clement XII. in that language. This however, he allows, was a severe task, and although he re-wrote it twice or thrice, and had the advice of his friend, he did not think it worthy of the illustrious subject. Cardinal Corsini, however, had a higher opinion of its merit, and not only defrayed the expence of printing, but made the author a handsome present.‘ Such liberality produced a suitable impression on Fabroni’ s mind, who became in gratitude attached to this patron, and when a female of the Corsini family married about this time, he, with learned gallantry, invited the most celebrated Italian poets to celebrate the joyous occasion. About this time having presented an oration, which he had delivered in. the pope’s chapel, on the ascension, to Benedict XIV. his holiness received him very graciously, and exhorted him to continue the studies he had begun so well. Among these we find that he had for some time made considerable progress in canon law, and had even defended some causes, but afterwards resigned all this for the more agreeable study of the belles lettres and classics. At the funeral of James III. of England, as he was styled, Fabroni was ordered by his college to compose an oration in praise of that prince, which he accordingly delivered in the presence of the cardinal duke of York, who expressed his sense of its merit not only by tears and kind words, but by a liberal present.
l assistance of other writers, but often entire volumes were from his pen. At length the grand duke, who always had a high regard for Fabroni, furnished him liberally
At Pisa, in 1771, he began a literary journal which extended to 102 parts or volumes; in this he had the occasional assistance of other writers, but often entire volumes
were from his pen. At length the grand duke, who always
had a high regard for Fabroni, furnished him liberally with
the means of visiting the principal cities of Europe.
ing this tour he informs us that he was introduced to, and
lived familiarly with the most eminent characters in France,
with D'Alembert, Conclorcet, La Lande, La Harpe, Mirabeau, Condilliac, Rousseau, Diderot, &c. and laments
that he found them the great leaders of impiety. He then
came to England, where he resided about four months, and
became acquainted with Waring, Maskelyne, Priestley,
and Dr. Franklin, who once invited him to go to America,
which, he informs us, he foolishly refused. With what he
found in England he appears to be little pleased, and could
not be brought to think the universities of Oxford and
Cambridge equal, for the instruction of youth, to those of
Italy. In short he professes to relish neither English diet,
manners, or climate; but perhaps our readers may dispute
his taste, when at the same time he gives the preference
to the manners, &c. of France. In 1773 he returned to
Tuscany, and was desired by the grand duke to draw up a
scheme of instruction for his sons, with which he insinuates
that the duke was less pleased at last than at first, and adds
that this change of opinion might arise from the malevolent
whispers of literary rivals. He now went on to prosecute
various literary undertakings, particularly his “Vitas Italorum,
” and the life of pope Leo, &c. The greater part
were completed before 1800, when the memoirs of his life
written by himself end, and when his health began to be
much affected by attacks of the gout. In 1801 he? desisted
from his accustomed literary employments, and retired to
a Carthusian monastery near Pisa, where he passed his time
in meditation. Among other subjects, he reflected with
regret on any expressions used in his works which might
have given offence, and seemed to set more value on two
small works he wrote of the pious kind at this time, than
on all his past labours. When the incursions of the French
army had put an end to the studies of the youth at Pisa,
Fabroni removed to St. Cerbo, a solitary spot near Lucca,
and resided for a short time with some Franciscans, but
returned to Pisa, where an asthmatic disorder put an end
to his life Sept. 22, 1803. He left the bulk of his property, amounting to about 1500 scudi, to the poor, or to
public charitable institutions; and all the classics in his
library, consisting of the best editions, to his nephew, Raphael Fabroni.
n the institutes of Theophilus, an ancient jurist. This work he dedicated to the chancellor Seguier, who requested him to remain in Paris, and undertake the translation
, a very learned lawyer
and scholar, was born in 1580, at Aix in Provence, whither
his father, a native of Nismes in Languedoc, had retired
during the civil wars. After making very distinguished
progress in Greek and Latin, the belles lettres, and
jurisprudence, he was admitted doctor of laws in 1606, and
then became an advocate in the parliament of Aix. Among
the many friends of distinction to whom his talents recommended him, were M. de Peiresc, a counsellor of that parliament, and William de Vair, first president. By the
interest of this last-mentioned gentleman, he was promoted
to the law-professorship at Aix, which office he filled until
1617, when Du Vair being made keeper of the seals, invited him to Paris. On Du Vair’s death in 1621, Fabrot
resumed his office in the university of Aix, where he was
appointed second professor in 1632, and first professor in
1638. At this time he was absent, having the preceding
year gone to Paris to print his notes on the institutes of
Theophilus, an ancient jurist. This work he dedicated to
the chancellor Seguier, who requested him to remain in
Paris, and undertake the translation of 1 the Basilics, or
Constitutions of the Eastern emperors, and gave him a
pension of 2000 livres. This work, and his editions of
some of the historians of Constantinople, which he published afterwards, procured him from the king the office of
counsellor of the parliamentof Provence, but the intervention
of the civil wars rendered this appointment null. During
his stay at Paris, however, several of the French universities were ambitious to add him to the number of their
teachers, particularly Valence and Bourges, offers which
his engagements prevented his accepting. His death is
said to have been hastened by the rigour of his application
in preparing his new edition of Cujas; but his life had already been lengthened beyond the usual period, as he was
in his seventy-ninth year when he died, Jan. 16, 1659.
His works are: 1. “Antiquite’s de la ville de Marseille,
”
Lyons, Ad tit. Codicis
Theodosiani de Paganis, Sacrificiis, et Templis notae,
”
Paris, Exercitationes duae de tempore
humani partus et de numero puerperii,
” Aix, Car. Ann. Fabroti Exercitationes XII. Accedunt leges XIV. quae in libris digestarum
deerant, Gr. et Lat. mine primum ex Basilicis editnc,
”
Paris, 1639, 4to. 5. rt Thcophili Antecessoris InstituiK-iies,“Gr. et Lat. Paris, 1638 and 1657, 4to. 6.
” Inatiuuiones Justiniani, cum notis Jacobi Cujacii,“ibid.
I, 12mo. 7.
” Epistolae de Mutuo, cum responsionc
Claudii Salmasii ad ^gidium Menagium,“Leyden, 1645,
8vo. 8.
” Replicatio adversus C. Salmasii refutationem,“&c. Paris, 1647, 4to. 9.
” Basilicorum libri sexaginta,“Gr. et Lat. ibid. 1647, 7 vols. folio. The whole of the
translation of this elaborate collection of the laws and constitutions of the Eastern emperors, was performed by Fabrot,
except books 38, 39, and 60, which had been translated
by Cujas, whose version he adopted. 10.
” Nicetae Acominati Choniatoe Historia,“ibid. 1647, fol. 11.
” Georgii
Cedreni Compendium historiarum,“Gr. et Lat. ibid. 1647,
2 vols. fol. 12.
” Theophylacti Simocattse Hist, libri octo,“ibid. 1647, fol. 13.
” Anastasii Bibliothecarii Hist. Ecclesiastica,“ibid. 1649, fol. 14.
” Laonici Chalcondyla? Hist.
de origine ac rebus gestis Turcarum, libri decem,“ibid.
1650. fol. 15.
” Praelectio in tit. Decret. Gregorii IX. de
vitaet honestate Clericorum,“ibid. 1651, 4to. 16.
” Constantini Manassis Breviarium Historicum,“Gr. et Lat. ibid,
1655, fol. 17.
” Cujacii Opera omnia,“ibid. 1658, 10
vols. fol. 15.
” J. P. de Maurize Juris Canonici Selecta,“ibid. 1659, 4to. 19.
” Notae in T. Balsamonis collectionem
constitutionum Ecclesiasticarum." This is inserted in the
second volume of Justel and VoePs Bibliotheca of Canon
law. Ruhnkenius published a supplementary volume to
his edition of Cujas at Leyden in 1765.
hat the expences of the chief magistracy were too great, even at that time, to be sustained by a man who had a family of sixteen children, for such is the number specified
On the 20th of September, 1496, in the mayoralty of
sir Henry Colet, we find him “assigned and chosen,
” with
Mr. Recorder and certain commoners, to ride to the king
“for redress of the new impositions raised and levied upon
English cloths in the archduke’s land.
” This probably alludes to the circumstance of Philip, to whom the emperor
Maximilian had resigned the Low Countries the year before, exacting the duty of a florin upon every piece of
English cloth imported into his dominions; but which he
desisted from in the articles of agreement signed by his
ambassadors in London, July 7, 1497. In the following
year, when the Cornish rebels marched towards London,
alderman Fabyan was appointed with John Brooke, and
John Warner, late sheriff, to keep the gates of Ludgate
and Newgate, the postern of the house of Friars-preachers,
and the Bar of the New Temple. A few months after, in the
thirteenth of Henry VII. we find him an assessor upon the
different wards of London, of the fifteenth which had been
granted to the king for the Scottish war. In 1502, on the
pretext of poverty, he resigned the alderman’s gown, not
willing to take the mayoralty; and probably retired to the
mansion in Essex, mentioned in his will, at Theydon Gernon. That he was opulent at this period cannot be doubted,
but he seems to have considered that the expences of the
chief magistracy were too great, even at that time, to be
sustained by a man who had a family of sixteen children,
for such is the number specified in his will, and whose
figures in brass he ordered to be placed upon his monument. Stowe, in his “Survey of London,
” gives the English part of the epitaph on Fabyan’s tomb, from the church
of St. Michael, Cornhill, and says he died in 1511; adding
that his monument was gone. Bale, who places Fabyan’s
death on February 28, 1512, is probably nearest the truth,
as his will", though dated July ilth, 1511, was not proved
till July 12th, 1513; which, according to the ecclesiastical
computation, would be somewhat less than five months after
the supposed time of his death. His will, which affords a
curious comment on the manners of the time of Henry VIII.
may be seen in Mr. Ellis’ s late excellent edition of his
Chronicle, to the preface to which edition this article is
solely indebted.
irst printed by Pynson, in 1516, the great rarity of which is attributed by Bale to cardinal Wolsey, who ordered some copies “exemplaria nonnulla” to be burnt, because
There have been five editions of Fabyan; the first printed
by Pynson, in 1516, the great rarity of which is attributed
by Bale to cardinal Wolsey, who ordered some copies
“exemplaria nonnulla
” to be burnt, because the author
had made too clear a discovery of the revenues of the
clergy. This obnoxious part, Mr. Ellis thinks, was the abstract of the bill projected by the house of commons in the
eleventh year of Henry IV. for depriving ecclesiastics of
their temporal possessions. Bale’s assertion, however, is
unsupported by any other writer. The second edition was
printed by Rastell in 1533; the third by John Reynes in
1542; the fourth by Kingston in 1559, all in folio; and
the fifth makes part of the series of Chronicles lately reprinted by a society of the most eminent booksellers of
London, and was edited by Henry Ellis, esq. F. R. S. and
F. S. A. with such collations and improvements as give it a
very superior value. It is reprinted from Pynson’s edition
of 1516, the first part collated with the editions of 1533,
1542, and 1559, and the second with a manuscript of the
author’s own time, as well as the subsequent editions including the different continuations.
he following year he returned to Geneva, where he became particularly acquainted with a count Fenil, who formed the design of seizing, if not assassinating the prince
, a man of
considerable learning, but unfortunately connected with
the French prophets, was a native of Switzerland, whither
his family, originally Italians, were obliged to take refuge,
for religion’s sake, in the beginning of the reformation.
He was born Feb. 16, 1664. His father intending him for
the study of divinity, he was regularly instructed in Greek
and Latin, philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy; learned a little of the Hebrew tongue, and began to attend the
lectures of the divinity professors of Geneva: but his mother being averse to this, he was left to pursue his own
course, and appears to have produced the first fruits of his
studies in some letters on subjects of astronomy sent to Cassini, the French king’s astronomer. In 1682 he went to
Paris, where Cassini received him very kindly. In the
following year he returned to Geneva, where he became
particularly acquainted with a count Fenil, who formed the
design of seizing, if not assassinating the prince of Orange,
afterwards William III. This design Faccio having learned
from him communicated it to bishop Burnet about 1686,
who of course imparted it to the prince. Bishop Burnet,
in the first letter of his Travels, dated September 1685,
speaks of him as an incomparable mathematician and philosopher, who, though only twenty-one years old, was
already become one of the greatest men of his age, and
seemed born to carry learning some sizes beyond what it
had hitherto attained. Whilst Dr. Calamy studied at the
university of Utrecht, Faccio resided in that city as tutor
to two young gentlemen, Mr. Ellys and Mr. Thornton, and
conversed freely with the English. At this time he was
generally esteemed to be a Spinozist; and his discourse,
says Dr. Calamy, very much looked that way. Afterwards,
it is probable, that he was professor of mathematics at
Geneva. In 1687 he came into England, and was honoured
with the friendship of the most eminent mathematicians of
that age. Sir Isaac Newton, in particular, was intimately
acquainted with him. Dr. Johnstone of Kidderminster had
in his possession a manuscript, written by Faccio, containing
commentaries and illustrations of different parts of sir
Isaac’s Principia. About 1704 he taught mathematics in
Spitafnelds, and obtained about that time a patent fora
species of jewel-watches. When he unfortunately attached
himself to the new prophets, he became their chief secretary, and committed their warnings to writing, many of
which were published. The connexion of such a man with
these enthusiasts, and their being supported, likewise, by
another person of reputed abilities, Maximilian Misson, a
French refugee, occasioned a suspicion, though without
reason, that there was some deep contrivance and design
in the affair. On the second of December, 1707, Faccio
stood in the pillory at Charing-cross, with the following
words affixed to his hat: “Nicolas Fatio, convicted for
abetting and favouring Elias Marion, in his wicked and
counterfeit prophecies, and causing them to be printed and
published, to terrify the queen’s people.
” Nearly at the
same time, alike sentence was executed upon Elias Marion,
one of the pretended prophets, and John d'Ande, another
of their abettors. This mode of treatment did not convince
Faccio of his error; and, indeed, the delusion of a man of
such abilities, and simplicity of manners, was rather an
object of compassion than of public infamy and punishment. Oppressed with the derision and contempt thrown
upon himself and his party, he retired at last into the
country, and spent the remainder of a long life in silence
and obscurity. He died at Worcester in 1753, about eightynine years old. When he became the dupe of fanaticism,
he seems to have given up his philosophical studies and
connections. Faccio, besides being deeply versed in all
branches of mathematical literature, was a great proficient
in the learned and oriental languages. He had read much,
also, in books of alchymy. To the last, he continued a
firm believer in the reality of the inspiration of the French
prophets. Dr. Wall of Worcester, who was well acquainted
with him, communicated many of the above particulars to
Dr. Johnstone, in whose hands were several of Faccio’s fanatical manuscripts and journals; and one of his letters
giving an account of count Fenil’s conspiracy, and some
particulars of the author’s family was communicated to the
late Mr. Seward, and published in the second volume of
his Anecdotes. In the Republic of Letters, vol. I. we find
a Latin poem by Faccio, in honour of sir Isaac Newton; and
in vol. XVIII. a communication on the rules of the ancient
Hebrew poesy, on which subject he appears to have corresponded with Whiston. There are also many of his original papers and letters in the British Museum; and among
them a Latin poem, entitled “N. Facii Duellerii Auriacus
Throno-Servatus,
” in which he claims to himself the merit
of having saved king William from the above-mentioned
conspiracy.
t Bologna in 1560. He began to paint when already grown up to manhood, at the advice of An. Caracci, who, on seeing a whimsical design of his in charcoal, concluded
, a painter of history, Was born at Bologna in 1560. He began to paint when already grown up to manhood, at the advice of An. Caracci, who, on seeing a whimsical design of his in charcoal, concluded he would be an acquisition to his school. Of this advice he had reason to repent, not only because Facini roused his jealousy by the rapidity of his progress, but because he saw him leave his school, become his rival in the instruction of youth, and even lay snares for his life. Facini had two characteristics of excellence, a vivacity in the attitudes and heads of his figures, that resembled the style of Tintoretto, and a truth of carnation which made Annibal himself declare that his colours seemed to be mixed with human flesh Beyond this he has little to surprise; his design is weak, his bodies vast and undefined, his heads and hands ill set on, nor had he time to correct these faults, as he died young, in 1602. At St. Francesco, in Bologna, is an altar-piece of his, the marriage of St. Catherine, attended by the four tutelary saints of the city, and a number of infant angels, which shews the best of his powers. His children carolling, or at play, in the gallery Matvezzi, and elsewhere at Bologna, are equally admired; they are in the manner of Albani, but with grander proportions.
the Fables of Phaedrus, and asserts that Faeruo dealt unfairly with the public concerning Phoedrus, who was then unknown; having a manuscript of that author, which
, an elegant Latin poet and philologist, was born at Cremona in the early part of the sixteenth century, and by his accomplishments in polite
literature, gained the esteem and friendship of the cardinal de Medicis, afterwards pope Pius IV. and of his nephew the cardinal Borromeo. Having acquired a critical
knowledge of the Latin language, he was enabled to display much judgment in the correction of the Roman classics, and in the collation of ancient manuscripts on which
he was frequently employed, and indeed had an office of
that kind in the Vatican library. Ghilini says that he was
equally learned in the Greek language, but Muret asserts
that he was quite unacquainted with the Greek. That he
was a very elegant Latin poet, however, is amply proved
by his “Fables,
” and perhaps his being accused of stealing from Phgedrus may be regarded as a compliment to his
style. Thuanus appears to have first suggested this
accusation. He says that the learned world was greatly obliged
to him, yet had been more so, if, instead of suppressing,
he had been content with imitating the Fables of Phaedrus,
and asserts that Faeruo dealt unfairly with the public concerning Phoedrus, who was then unknown; having a manuscript of that author, which he concealed from the world
for fear of lessening the value of the Latin fables he had
made in imitation of Æsop. Perrault, however, who published a translation of Faerno’s Fables into French verse at
Paris in 1699, has defended his author from Thuanus’s
imputation. His words in the preface are as follow
“Faerno has been called a second Phsedrus, by reason of
the excellent style of his Fables, though he never saw
Phaedrus, who did not come to our knowledge till above
thirty years after his death; for Pithoeus, having found
that manuscript in the dust of an old library, published it
in the beginning of this century, Thuanus, who makes
very honourable mention of our author in his history, pretends, that Phcedrus was not unknown to him; and even
blames him for having suppressed that author, to conceal
what he had stolen from him. But there is no ground for
what he says; and it is only the effect of the strong persuasion of all those who are so great admirers of antiquity
as to think that a modern author can do nothing that is
excellent, unless he has an ancient author for his model.
Out of the hundred fables which Faerno published in Latin
verse, there are but five that had been treated by Phsedrus $
and out of those five there are but one or two that have
been managed nearly in the same manner: which happened only because it is impossible that two men, who
treat on the same subject, should not agree sometimes in
the same thoughts, or in the same expressions.
”
luable and rare edition. There is no ancient editor to whom Terence is more indebted than to Faerno; who, by a judicious collation of ancient manuscripts and editions,
Faerno died in the prime of life, at Rome, Nov. 17,1561.
Plow much might have been expected from his talents and
habits of study, had he lived longer, ntay appear from,
what he left: 1. “Terentii Comcediae,
” Florence, 15.65, 2
vols. 8vo, a valuable and rare edition. There is no ancient editor to whom Terence is more indebted than to
Faerno; who, by a judicious collation of ancient manuscripts and editions, especially the one belonging to Bembus (examined by Politian, and unknown to all preceding editors), has restored the true reading of his author 4n
many important passages. Faerno’s edition became the
basis of almost every subsequent one, and Dr. Bentley
bad such an opinion of his notes that he reprinted them
entire in his edition. 2. “Ciceronis Orationes Philippicae,
”
Rome, Centum Fabulae ex antiquis Autoribus delectae, et carminibus explicate,
” Rome, Censura emendationum Livianarum Sigonii.
”
Among the collections of Latin poetry written by Italian
scholars are some attributed to Faerno, as “In Lutheranos,
sectam Germanicam
” “Ad Homobonum Hoffredum
”
a Physician of Cremona; “In Maledicum,
” &c.
eminence in that branch as to be complimented upon it by Carlo Marat. He went to visit that painter, who received him with politeness, and offered him his pencil; when
, a self-taught genius, was born
in 1648 at Lisle en Albigeois in Languedoc. He drevr
with the pen, or Indian ink, and arrived at such eminence
in that branch as to be complimented upon it by Carlo
Marat. He went to visit that painter, who received him
with politeness, and offered him his pencil; when he declined using it, saying, that he had never practised painting. “I am glad to hear it,
” said the artist, “for if I
may judge from your drawings of the progress you would
have made in painting, I must certainly have given place
to you.
” Fage lived irregularly, generally drawing at a
public-house, and sometimes paying his bills by a sketch,
produced upon the occasion. He died in 1690; Audran,
Simoneau, and others, engraved a collection of one hundred and twenty-three prints from his designs, and Strutt
mentions some prints engraved by himself.
in Germany, 1504, and laid the foundation of his learning in that town under the care of his father, who was a school-master. He was sent to Heidelberg at eleven, and
, or sometimes Phagius, whose German name was Buchlein, a protestant minister, and one of the early reformers, was born at Rheinzabern in Germany, 1504, and laid the foundation of his learning in that town under the care of his father, who was a school-master. He was sent to Heidelberg at eleven, and at eighteen to Strasburgh; where not being properly supported, he had recourse to teaching others, in order to defray the expence of his own books and necessaries. The study of the Hebrew becoming fashionable in Germany, he applied himself to it; and by the help of Elias Levita, the learned Jew, became a great proficient in it. In 1527 he took upon him the care of a school at Isne, where he married and had a family. Afterwards, quitting the occupation of a schoolmaster, he entered into the ministry, and became a sedulous preacher among those of the reformed religion. Buffler, one of the senators of Isne, being informed of his perfect knowledge in the Hebrew tongue, and of his natural bias to the arts, erected a printing-house at his own charge, that Fagius might publish whatever he should deem useful to religion in that way; but the event did not answer the expence.
His father dying in 1548, and the persecution in Germany rendering that country unsafe to all who did not profess the Romish doctrine, he and Bucer came over
His father dying in 1548, and the persecution in Germany rendering that country unsafe to all who did not profess the Romish doctrine, he and Bucer came over to England in consequence of receiving letters from archbishop Cranmer, in which they had assurances of a kind reception and a handsome stipend, if they would continue here. They arrived in April 15*y, but Strype says in 1548 were entertained some days in the palace at Lambeth, and appointed to reside at Cambridge, where they were to undertake a new translation and illustration of the scriptures, Fagius taking the Old Testament, and Bucer the New, for their several parts. A pension of 100l. a year was settled on Fagius, and the same on Bucer, besides the salary they were to receive from the university. But this was all put an end to, by the sudden illness and death of both these professors. Fagius fell ill at London of a quartan fever, but would be removed to Cambridge, on hopes of receiving benefit from the change of air. He-died there Nov. 12, 1550; and Bucer did not live above a year after. Melcbior Adam and Verheiden suggested that Fagius was poisoned, but for this we find no other authority. By a disgraceful bigotry, both their bodies were dug up and burnt in the reign of queen Mary.
died first in the Sorbonne, under M. Gillot, an eminent doctor, with whom he resided as student, and who persuaded him to chuse the medical profession. M. Fagon never
, an eminent French physician in the reign of Louis XIV. was born at Paris, May
11, 1638. He was the son of Henry Fagon, commissioner
in ordinary of war, and of Louisa de la Brosse, niece of
Guy de la Brosse, physician in ordinary to Louis XIII.
and grandson of a physician in ordinary to Henry IV. He
studied first in the Sorbonne, under M. Gillot, an eminent
doctor, with whom he resided as student, and who persuaded him to chuse the medical profession. M. Fagon
never forgot M. Gillot in his highest prosperity; but, if he
met him in the street, alighted from his coach, and conducted him to the house where he was going. This young
physician had scarcely begun to dispute, when he ventured
to maintain, in a thesis, the circulation of the blood, which
was at that time held as a paradox among the old doctors;
and also another on the use of tobacco, published long
afterwards; “An frequens Nicotian ye usus vitam
abbreviet,
” Paris, 1699, 4to. He took his doctor’s degree 1664,
M. Vallot wishing to repair and replenish the royal garden,
M. Fagon offered his services; and going, at his own
expence, to Auvergne, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps,
and the Pyrenees, returned with an ample collection of
curious and useful plants. He had the principal share in
the catalogue of the plants in that garden, puhlished 1665,
entitled “Hortus Regius,
” to which he prefixed a little
Latin poem of his own. M. Fagon was made professor of
botany and chemistry at the royal garden, and began to
have the plants engraved; but there are only forty -five
plates finished, which are very scarce. The king appointed
bim first physician to the dauphiness in 1680, and to the
queen some months after. In 1693 he was made first physician to the king, and superintendant of the royal garden
in 1698, to which he retired after the king’s death, and,
for the improvement of which, he persuaded Louis XIV.
to send M. de Tournfort into Greece, Asia, and Egypt,
which produced the scientific voyage so well known to the
learned world. Fagon died March 11, 1718, aged near
eighty. The academy of sciences had chosen him an
honorary member in 1699. He left “Les Qualités du
Quinquina,
” Paris,
plan of ornamenting their capitolium, or town -hall, with busts of the most distinguished personages who had filled the offices of magistracy, and they having allowed
, a French topographical
writer, was born at Castelnaudari in Upper Languedoc,
Oct. 30, 1616. after going through a course of studies at
Toulouse, he was in 1638 appointed king’s advocate to
the presidial of his native city, which office he resigned in
1655 on being chosen syndic to the city of Toulouse, and
came to reside in the latter, where he was enabled to cultivate his taste for the belles lettres; and during the discharge of the duties of his office, which he executed with
zeal and disinterestedness, the opportunity he had of inspecting the archives suggested to him the design of writing
the annals of Toulouse. On making known his intentions,
the parliament granted him permission to examine its registers, and the city undertook to defray the expense of
printing his work. Having been advanced to the rank of
capitoul, or alderman of the city, which office he served
for the third time in 1673, he communicated to his brethren
a plan of ornamenting their capitolium, or town -hall, with
busts of the most distinguished personages who had filled
the offices of magistracy, and they having allowed him to
make choice of the proper objects, a gallery was completed
in 1677 with the busts of thirty persons whom he had selected as meriting that honour. This, and other services
which he rendered to the citizens of Toulouse, induced
them to confer a handsome pension on him, and likewise
to bestow the reversion of the place of syndic on his nephew, who dying before La Faille, they gave it to his
grand-nephew. In 1694 the academy of the “Jeux Floraux
” elected him their secretary, a situation which he
filled for sixteen years with much reputation; for, besides
the fame he had acquired as an historian and magistrate,
he possessed considerable literary taste and talents, and
even in his ninetieth year produced some poetical pieces
in which there was more spirit and vivacity than could
have been expected at that very advanced period. He
died at Toulouse Nov. 12, 1711, in his ninety-sixth year.
His “Annales de la ville de Toulouse
” were published
there in 2 vols. fol. 1687 and 1701. The style, although;
somewhat incorrect, is lively and concise. The annals are
brought down only to 1610, the author being afraid, if he
proceeded nearer to his own times, that he might be
tempted to violate the impartiality which he had hitherto
endeavoured to preserve. He published also “Traité de
la noblesse des Capitouls,
” Journal de Verdun,
” for May
, an ingenious poet, who flourished: in the reigns of queen Elizabeth and king James
, an ingenious poet, who flourished: in the reigns of queen Elizabeth and king James the First, was the second son of sir Thomas Fairfax, of Denton, Yorkshire, by Dorothy his wife, daughter of George Gale, of Ascham-Grange, esq. treasurer to the Mint at York. In what year he was born is not related. The family from which he sprang was of a very military turn. His father had passed his youth in the wars of Europe, and was with Charles duke of Bourbon, at the sacking of Rome, in 1527. His engaging in this expedition is said to have g'lYen such offence to sir William Fairfax, that he was disinherited; but this is not reconcileable to the fact of his succeeding to the family estate at Denton, which he transmitted to his descendants. It was in 1577, or, according to Douglas, in 1579, when far advanced in years, that he was knighted by queen Elizabeth. The poet’s eldest brother, Thomas, who in process of time became the first lord Fairfax of Cameron, received the honour of knighthood before Rouen in Normandy, in 1591, for his bravery in the army sent to the assistance of Henry the Fourth of France; and he afterwards signalized himself on many occasions in Germany against the house of Austria. A younger brother of Edward Fairfax, sir Charles, was a captain under sir Francis Vere, at the battle of Newport, fought in 1600; and in the famous three years’ siege of Ostend, commanded al) the English in that town for some time before it surrendered. Here he received a wound in his face, from the piece of a skull of a marshal of France, killed near him by a cannon-ball, and was himself killed in 1604.
poetry; and king Charles used to divert himself with reading it in the time of his confinement. All who mention Fairfax, do him the justice to allow that he was an
Such are the few particulars that are related concerning
the private life of Fairfax. But it is as a poet that he is
principally entitled to attention; and in this respect he is
held in jqst reputation, and deserves to have his name
transmitted with honour to posterity. His principal work
was his translation of Tasso’s heroic poem of “Godfrey of
Bologne
” out of Italian into English verse; and what adds
to the merit of the work is, that it was his first essay in
poetry, and executed when he was very young. On its
appearance, it was dedicated to queen Elizabeth. The
book was highly commended by the best judges and wits
of the age in which it was written, and their judgment has
been sanctioned by the approbation of succeeding critics.
King James valued it above all other English poetry; and
king Charles used to divert himself with reading it in the time
of his confinement. All who mention Fairfax, do him the
justice to allow that he was an accomplished genius. Dryden introduces Spenser and Fairfax almost on the level, as
the leading authors of their times, and Waller confessed
that he owed the music of his numbers to Fairfax’s Godfrey
of Bologne. “The truth is,
” says the author of Cibber’s
Lives, “this gentleman is, perhaps, the only writer down
to sir William Davenant, who needs no apology to be made
for him on account of the age in which he lived. His diction is so pure, elegant, and full of graces, and the turn of
his lines so perfectly melodious, that one cannot read it
without rapture; and we can scarcely imagine the original
Italian has greatly the advantage in either: nor is it very
probable, that while Fairfax can be read, any author will
attempt a new translation of Tasso with success.
” Without disputing the general truth of this eulogium (which, however, might somewhat have been softened), it cannot
fail to be observed, how much the biographer has been
mistaken in his concluding conjecture. A new translation
of Tasso has not only been attempted, but executed, by
Mr. Hoole, with remarkable success and with distinguished
excellence; and indeed in such a manner, that in the opinion of Dr. Johnson, Fairfax’s work will perhaps not soon
be reprinted. Of Fairfax, it has been justly said that he
had the powers of genius and fancy, and broke through
that servile custom of translation which prevailed in his
time. His liberal elegance rendered his versions more
agreeable than the dry ness of Jonson, and the dull fidelity
of Sandys and May; and he would have translated Tasso
with success, had he not unhappily chosen a species of versification which was ill adapted to the English language.
Mr. Hoole, in assigning the reasons for his giving a new
version of Tasso’s “Jerusalem Delivered,
” remarks that
Fairfax’s stanzas cannot be read with pleasure by the generality of those who have a taste for English poetry: of which
no other proof is necessary than that it appears scarcely to
have been read at all. It is not only unpleasant, but irksome, in such a degree as to surmount curiosity, and more
than counterbalance all the beauty of expression and sentiment, which is to be found in that work. He does not,
however, flatter himself that he has excelled Fairfax, except in measure and versification; and, even of these, the
principal recommendation is, that they are more modern, and
better adapted to the ear of all readers of English poetry,
except of the very few vtho have acquired a taste for the
phrases and cadencies of those times, when our verse, if
not our language, was in its rudiments.“The author of iris
life in the Biog. Britannica, however, is of opinion that it
was not necessary to the justification of Mr. Hoole’s new
version, that he should pass so severe a censure on Fairfax’s measure. To say that
” it is not only unpleasant, but
irksome, in such a degree as to surmount curiosity, and
more than counterbalance all the beauty of expression
which is to be found in the work,“appears to be very unjust The perspicuity and harmony of Fairfax’s ver>ification are indeed extraordinary, considering the time in
which he wrote; and in this respect he ranks nearly with
Spenser. Nothing but a fine fancy and an elegant mind
could have enabled him, in that period, to have made such
advances towards perfection. Hume seems to be nearly
of the same opinion.
” Fairfax,“says that historian,
” has
translated Tasso with an elegance and ease, and at the
same time with an exactness, which for that age are surprising. Each line in the original-is faithfully rendered by
a correspondent line in the translation. Harrington’s translation of Ariosto is not likewise without its merit. It is to
be regretted, that these poets should have imitated the
Italians in their stanza, which has a prolixity and uniformity in it that displeases in long performances. They had
otherwise, as well as Spenser, contributed much to the polishing and refining of English versification.
he learning they contained was so various and extensive, that, according to the evidence of his son, who wrote large annotations on each, no man’s reading beside the
Mr. Fairfax’s poetical exertions did not end with his
translation of Tasso. He wrote the history of Edward the
black prince, and a number of eclogues. No part of the
history of Edward the black prince has, we believe, ever
been laid before the public; which is the rather to be regretted as it might hence have more distinctly been discerned what were our poet’s powers of original invention.
The eclogues were composed in the first year of the reiga
of king James, and, after their being finished, lay neglected ten years in the author’s study, until Lodowic, duke
of Richmond and Lenox, desired a sight of them, which
occasioned Mr. Fairfax to transcribe them for his grace’s use.
That copy was seen and approved by many learned men;
and Dr. Field, afterwards bishop of Hereford, wrote verses
upon it. But the book itself, and Dr. Field’s encomium,
perished in the fire, when the banqueiing-house at Whitehall was burnt, and with it part of the duke of Richmond’s
lodgings. Mr. William Fairfax, however, our author’s son,
recovered the eclogues out of his father’s loose papers.
These eclogues were twelve in number, and were composed on important subjects, relating to the manners, characters, and incidents of the times. They were pointed
with many fine strokes of satire; dignified with wholesome
lessons of morality and policy to those of the highest ranks;
and some modest hints were given even to majesty itself.
With respect to poetry, they were entitled to high commendation; and the learning they contained was so various
and extensive, that, according to the evidence of his son,
who wrote large annotations on each, no man’s reading
beside the author’s own was sufficient to explain his references effectually. The fourth eclogue was printed, by
Mrs. Cooper, in “The Muses Library,
” published in
ord Vere. Here he contracted a strong aversion for the court; either by the instigation of his wife, who was a zealous presbyterian, or eLe by the persuasions and example
, a very active man in the
parliaments service during the civil wars, and at length
general of their armies, was the eldest son of Ferdinando,
lord Fairfax, by Mary his wife, daughter of Edmund Sheffield earl of Mulgrave. He was born at Denton within the
parish of Otley, in Yorkshire, in January, 1611. After a
proper school education, he studied sometime in St. John’s
college, in Cambridge, to. which, in his latter days, he
became a benefactor. He appears to have been a lover of
learning, though he did not excel in any branch, except
it was in the history and antiquities of Britain, as will appear in the sequel. Being of a martial disposition even in
his younger years, but finding no employment at home,
he went and served in Holland as a volunteer under the
command of Horatio lord Vere, in order to learn the art of
war. After some stay there (but how long we cannot learn)
he came back to England; and, retiring to his father’s
house, married Anne, fourth daughter of lord Vere. Here
he contracted a strong aversion for the court; either by
the instigation of his wife, who was a zealous presbyterian,
or eLe by the persuasions and example of his father, who,
as Clarendon says, grew “actively and factiously disaffected to the king.
” When the king first endeavoured to
raise a guard at York for his own person, he was entrusted
by his party to prefer a petition to the king, beseeching
him to hearken to his parliament, and not to take that
course of raising forces, and when his majesty seemed to
shun receiving it, Fairfax followed him with it, on Heyworth-moor, in the presence of near 100,000 people, and
presented it upon the pommel of his saddle. Shortly after,
upon the actual breaking out of the civil wars, in 1642, his
father having received a commission from the parliament
to be general of the forces in the North, he had a commission under him to be general of the horse. His first exploit was at Bradford in Yorkshire, which he obliged a
body of royalists to quit, and to retire to Leeds. A few
days after, he and captain Hotham, with some horse and
dragoons marching thither, the royalists* fled in haste to
York. And the former having advanced to Tadcaster, resolved to keep the pass at Wetherby, for securing the
West Riding of Yorkshire, whence their chief supplies
came. Sir Thomas Glemham attempted to dislodge them
thence; but, after a short and sharp encounter, retired.
On this, Will, am Cavendish earl of Newcastle, and Henry
Clifford earl of Cumberland, united their forces at York,
amounting to 9000 men, and resolved to fall upon Tadcaster: which being judged untenable, the lord Fairfax,
and his son sir Thomas, drew out to an advantageous piece
of ground near the town: but, alter a six hours fight, were
beaten, and withdrew in the night to Selby. Three days
after, sir Thomas marched in the night by several towns
Inch the royalists lay, and came to Bradford, where
he entrenched himself. But having too many soldiers to
lie idle, and too few to be upon constant duty, he resolved
to attack his enemies in their garrisons. Accordingly,
coming before Leeds, he carried that town (Jan. 23, 1642-3)
after a hot dispute, and found a good store of ammunition, of which he stood in great want. He next defeated
a party of 700 horse and foot at Gisborough, under the
command of colonel Slingsby; and then Wakefield and
Doncaster yielded themselves to the parliament. But, For
these overt acts, William earl of Newcastle, the king’s
general, proclaimed sir Thomas and his father traitors, and
the parliament did the like for the earl. In the mean time,
the lord Fairfax, being denied succour from Hull and the
East Riding, was forced to forsake Selby, and retire to
Leeds: of which the earl of Newcastle having intelligence,
lay with his army on Clifford-moor, to intercept him in
his way to Leeds. On this sir Thomas was ordered, by
his father, to bring what men he could to join with him at
Sherburne, on purpose to secure his retreat. To amuse
the earl, sir Thomas made a diversion at Tadcaster, which
'the garrison immediately quitted, but lord Goring marching to its relief, with twenty troops of horse and dragoons,
defeated sir Thomas upon Bramham-moor: who also received a second defeat upon Seacroft-moor, where some
of his men were slain, and many taken prisoners, and himself made his retreat with much difficulty to Leeds, about
an hour after his father was safely come thither. Leeds
and Bradford being all the garrisons the parliament had in
the North, sir Thomas thought it necessary to possess some
other place: therefore with about 1100 horse and foot, he
drove, on the 21st of May, the royalists out of Wakefield,
which they had seized again; and took 1400 prisoners, 80
officers, and great store of ammunition. But, shortly
after, the earl of Newcastle coming to besiege Bradford,
and sir Thomas and his father having the boldness, with
about 3000 men, to go and attack his whole army, which
consisted of 10,000, on Adderton-moor; they were entirely routed by the earl r on the 30th of June, with a considerable loss. Upon that, Halifax and Beverly being
abandoned by the parliamentarians, and the lord Fairfax
having neither a place of strength to defend himself in, nor
a garrison in Yorkshire to retire to, withdrew the same
night to Leeds, to secure that town. By his order, sir
Thomas stayed in Bradford with 800 foot, and 60 horse,
but being surrounded, he was obliged to force his way
through: in which desperate attempt, hjs lady, and many
Bothers, were taken prisoners. At his coming to Leeds, he
found things in great distraction; the council of war having resolved to quit the town, and retreat to Hull, which
was sixty miles off; with many of the "king’s garrison in the
way, but he got safely to Selby, where there was a ferry,
and hard by one of the parliament’s garrisons at Cawood.
Immediately after his coming to Selby, being attacked by
a party of horse which pursued him, he received a shot in
the wrist of his left arm, which made the bridle fall out of
liis hand, and occasioned such an effusion of blood, that
he was ready to fall from his horse. But, taking the reins
in the other hand in which he had his sword, he withdrew
himself out of the crowd; and after a very troublesome and
dangerous passage, he came to Hull. Upon these repeated disasters, the Scots were hastily solicited to send
20,000 men to the assistance of the parliamentarians, who
were thus likely to be overpowered. Lord Fairfax, after
his coming to Hull, made it his first business to raise new
forces, and, in a short time, had about 1500 foot, and 700
horse. The town being little, sir Thomas was sent to Beverly, with the horse and 600 foot: for, the marquis of
Newcastle looking upon them as inconsiderable, and leaving only a few garrisons, was marched with his whole army
into Lincolnshire; having orders to go into Essex, and
t>lock up London on that side. But he was hastily recalled
northward, upon lord Fairfax’s sending out a large party
to make an attempt upon Stanford-bridge near York. The
marquis, at his return into Yorkshire, first dislodged, from
Beverly, sir Thomas, who retreated into Hull, to which
the marquis laid siege, but could not carry the place.
During the siege, the horse being useless, and many dying
every day, sir Thomas was sent with them over into Lincolnshire, to join the earl of Manchester’s forces, then
commanded by major-general Cromwell. At Horncastle,
or Winsby, they routed a party of 5000 men, commanded
by sir John Henderson: and, at the same time, the besieged in Hull making a sally upon the besiegers, obliged
them to retire. These two defeats together, the one falling heavy upon the horse, the other upon the foot, kept
the royalists all that winter from attempting any thing;
and the parliamentarians, after the taking of Lincoln, settled themselves in winter quarters. But sir Thomas had
not long the benefit of them; for, in the coldest season of
the year, he was commanded by the parliament to go and
raise the siege of Nantwich in Cheshire, which lord Byron,
with an army from Ireland, had reduced to great extremity. He set forward from Lincolnshire, December 29,
and, being joined by sir William Brereton, entirely routed,
911 the 21st of January, lord Byron, who was drawn out to
meet them. After that, they took in several garrisons in
Cheshire, particularly Crew-house, &c. Sir Thomas, having stayed in those parts till the middle of March, was ordered back by his father into Yorkshire, that by the conjunction of their forces he might be abler to take the field.
They met about Ferry-bridge; and colonel Bellasis, governor of York, having advanced to Selby to hinder their
junction, they found means, notwithstanding, to join, and
entirely defeated him, on the llth of April, 1644. This
good success rendered sir Thomas master of the field in
Yorkshire, and nothing then hindered him from marching
into Northumberland, as he had been ordered by the parliament, to join the Scots, which were kept from advancing
southward by the superior forces of the marquis of Newcastle, quartered at Durham. But that stroke having
thrown York into the utmost distraction, the inhabitants
speedily sent to the marquis to haste back thither; by which
means a way was left open for the Scots, who, with cold,
and frequent alarms, were reduced to great extremity.
They joined the lord Fairfax at Wetherby, on the 20th of
April, and, marching on to York, laid siege to that city *,
wherein the marquis of Newcastle had shut himself up,
being closely pursued, on the way thither, by sir Thomas,
and major-general Desley. And, when prince Rupert was
advancing out of Lancashire to the relief of that place,
they marched with 6000 horse and dragoons, and 5000
foot, to stop his progress: but he, eluding their vigilance,
and bringing round his army, which consisted of above
20,000 men, got into York. Whereupon the parliamentarians raised the siege, and retired to Hessey-moor. The
English were for fighting, and the Scots for retreating;
which last opinion prevailing, they both marched away to
Tadcaster, there being great differences and jealousies between the two nations. But the rash and haughty prince,
instead of harassing and wearing them out by prudent delays, resolved, without consulting the marquis of New* fa our account cf Dodsworth (vol. XII. p. 181), will be found some circumstances favourable to sir Thomas Fairfax’s character in the conduct of this.
castle, or any of his officers, to engage them, on Marstonmoor, eight miles from York, on the 2d of July: where
that bloody battle was fought which entirely ruined the
king’s affairs in the north. In this battle, sir Thomas Fairfax commanded the right wing of the horse. The prince,
after his defeat, retiring towards Lancashire, and the marquis, in discontent, sailing away to Hamburgh, the three
parliament-generals came and sat down again before York,
which surrendered the 15th of July: and the North was
now wholly reduced by the parliament’s forces, except
some garrisons. In September following, sir Thomas was
sent to take Helmesley-castle, where he received a dangerous shot in one of his shoulders, and was brought back
to York, all being doubtful of his recovery for some time.
Some time after, he was more nearly killed by a cannonshot before Pomfret-castle.
e (which was more than once), he might have been honourably ranked among the rest of those patriots, who took up arms only for the redress of grievances. But his boundless
Hitherto he had acquitted himself with undaunted bravery, and with great and deserved applause from his party. Had he stopped here, or at such times at least as the king’s concessions were in reason and equity a just ground for peace (which was more than once), he might have been honourably ranked among the rest of those patriots, who took up arms only for the redress of grievances. But his boundless ambition, and his great desire to rule, made him weakly engage, with the utmost zeal, in the worst and most exceptionable parts of the rebellion. When the parliamentarians thought fit to new-model their army, and to lay aside the earl of Essex, they unanimously voted sir Thomas Fairfax to be their general in his room, he being ready to undertake or execute any thing that he was ordered. To him Oliver Cromwell was joined with the title of lieutenant-general, but with intention of being his governor, exercising the superiority of deep art over a comparatively weak mind. Sir Thomas, being thus voted commander-in-chief of the parliament’s army on the 21st of January, 1644-5, received orders from the parliament speedily to come up from the north to London, where he arrived privatcsly, Feb. 18, and, the next day, was brought by four of the members into the house of commons, where he was highly complimented by the speaker, and received his commission of general. The 15th of the same month, an ordinance was made, for raising and maintaining of forces under his command: it having been voted, a few days before, that he should nominate all the commanders in his army, to be taken out of any of the other armies, with the approbation of both houses. March 25, the parliament ordered him 1500l. The 3d of April, he went from London to Windsor, where he appointed the general rendezvous and continued there till the last day of that month, new-framing and modelling the army or rather Cromwell doing it in his name. April 16, he was appointed, by both houses, governor of Hull. In the mean time, Taupton, in Somersetshire, one of the parliament’s garrisons, being closely besieged by the royalists, sir Thomas Fairfax received orders to hasten to its relief, with 8000 horse and foot. He began his march May 1, and by the 7th had reached Blandford in Dorsetshire: but, the king taking the field from Oxford, with strong reinforcements brought by the princes Rupert and Maurice, sir Thomas was ordered by the parliament to send 3000 foot and 1500 horse to relieve Taunton, and himself to return, with the rest of Juis forces, to join Oliver Cromwell and major-general Browne, and attend the king’s motions. The 14th of May he was come back as far as Newbury; where having rested three nights, he went and faced Dennington-castle, and took a few prisoners. Thence he proceeded to lay siege to Oxford, as he was directed by the committee of both kingdoms, and sat down before it the 22d. But, before he had made any progress in this siege, he received orders to draw near the king, who had taken Leicester by storm, May 31, and was threatening the eastern associated counties. Sir Thomas therefore rising from before Oxford, June 5, arrived the same day at Marsh-Gibbon, in Buckinghamshire on the llth he was at Wootton, and the next day at Gilsborough, in Northamptonshire where he kept his head-quarters till the 14th, when he engaged the king’s forces, at the fatal and decisive battle of Naseby, and obtained a complete victory. The king, after that, retiring into Wales, sir Thomas went and laid siege on the 16th to Leicester, which surrendered on the 18th. He proceeded, on the 22d, to Warwick; and thence (with 'a disposition either to go over the Severn towards the king, or to move westward as he should be ordered) he marched on through Gloucestershire towards Marlborough, where he arrived the 28th. Here he received orders from the parliament, to hasten to the relief of Taunton, which was besieged again by the royalists; letters being sent at the same time into the associated comities for recruits, and tfce arrears of pay for his army; but on his arrival at Bland ford, he was informed, that lord Goring had drawn off his horse from before Taunton, and left his foot in the passage to block up that place, marching himself with the horse towards Langport. Sir Thomas Fairfax, therefore, advancing against him, defeated him there on the 10th of July; and the next day^ went and summoned Bridgewater, which was taken by storm on the 22d. He became also master of Bath the 30th of the same month; and then laid close siege to Sherborne-castle, which was likewise taken by storm August 15. And, having besieged the city of Bristol from the 22d of August to the 10th of September, it was surrendered to him by prince Rupert. After this laborious expedition, the general rested some days at Bath, having sent out parties to reduce the castles of the Devises and Berkley, and other garrisons between the west and London; and on the 23d moved from Bath to the Devises, and thence to Warminster on the 27th, where he stayed till October 8, when he went to Lyme in Dorsetshire. From this place he came to Tiverton, of which he became master on the 19th; and then, as he could not undertake a formal siege in the winter season, he blocked up the strong city of Exeter, which did not surrender till the 13th of April following: in the mean time, he took Dartmouth by storm, January 18, 1645-6; and several forts and garrisons at different times. Feb. 16, he defeated thelord Hopton near Torrington. This nobleman retreating with his broken forces into Cornwall, sir Thomas followed him: in pursuit of whom he came to Launceston Feb. 25, and to Bodmin March 2. On the 4th, Mount Edgecornbe was surrendered to him; and Fowey about the same time. At last the parliament army approaching Truro, where lord Hopton had his head-quarters, and he being so hemmed in as to remain without a possibility of escaping, sir Thomas, on the 5th of March, sent and offered him honourable terms of capitulation, which after some delays, lord Hoptoit accepted, and a treaty was signed by commissioners on both sides, March 14 in pursuance of which, the royalists, consisting of above 5000 horse, were disbanded and took an oath never to bear arms against the parliament. But, before the treaty was signed, lord Hopton, and Arthur lord Capel, retired to Scilly, whence they passed into Jersey, April 17, with Charles prince of Wales, sir Kdtvard Hyde, and other persons of distinction. Thus the king’s army in the west being entirely dispersed by the vigilance and wonderful success of general Fairfax, he returned, March 31, to the siege of Exeter, which surrendered to him upon articles, the 13th of April, as already observed: and with the taking of this city ended his western expedition. He then marched, with wonderful speed, towards Oxford, the most considerable garrison remaining in the king’s hands, and arriving on the 1st of May, with his army, began to lay siege to it. The king, who was there, afraid of being enclosed, privately, and in disguise, departed thence on the 27th of April; and Oxford surrendered upon articles, June 24, as did Wallingford, July 22. After the reduction of these places, sir Thomas went and besieged Ragland-castle, in Monmouthshire, the property of Henry Somerset, marquis of Worcester, which yielded Aug. 19. His next employment was to disband major-general Massey’s brigade, which he did at the Devises. About that time he was seized with a violent fit of the ston, unjder which he laboured many days. As soon as he was recovered, he took a journey to London; where he arrived November 12, being met some miles off by great crowds of people, and the city militia. The next day, both houses of parliament agreed to congratulate his coming to town, and to give him thanks for his faithful services and wise conduct: which they did the day following, waiting upon him at his house in Queen-street*. Hardly had he had time to rest, when he was called upon to convoy the two hundred thousand pounds that had been granted to the Scotish army; the price of their delivering up their sovereign king Charles. For that purpose he set out from London, December 18, with a sufficient force, carrying at the same time 50,000l. for his own army. The king being delivered by the Scots to the parliament’s commissioners at Newcastle, Jan. 30, 1646-7, sir Thomas went and met him, Feb. 15, beyond Nottingham, in his way to Holmby; and his majesty stopping his horse, sir Thomas alighted, and kissed his hand; and afterwards mounted, and discoursed with him as they rode along. The 5th of March following, after long debate in parliament, he was toted general of the forces that were to be continued. He came to Cambridge the 12th of the same month, where he was highly caressed and complimented, and created master of arts.
rmy, and to assist at the council of war, and advise for the peace and safety of the kingdom. These, who were called adjutators, or agitators, were wholly under Cromwell’s
Hitherto, the crafty and ambitious Cromwell had permitted him to enjoy in all respects the supreme command,
at least to outward appearance. And, under his conduct,
the army’s rapid success, after their new model, had much
surpassed the expectation of the most sanguine of their
masters, the parliament* The question now was, to disband the majority of them after their work was done, and
to employ a part of the rest in the reduction of Ireland.
But either of the two appeared to all of them intolerable.
For, many having, from the dregs of the people, risen to
the highest commands, and by plunderings and violence
amassing daily great treasures, they could not bear the
thoughts of losing such great advantages. To maintain
themselves therefore in the possession of them, Cromwell,
and his son-in-law Ireton, as good a contriver as himself,
but a much better writer and speaker, devised how to raise
a mutiny in the army against the parliament. To this end
they spread a whisper among the soldiery, “that the parliament, now they had the king, intended to disband
them; to cheat them of their arrears; and to send them,
into Ireland, to be destroyed by the Irish.
” The army,
enraged at this, were taught by Ireton to erect a council
among themselves, of two soldiers out of every troop and
every company, to consult for the good of the army, and
to assist at the council of war, and advise for the peace and
safety of the kingdom. These, who were called adjutators,
or agitators, were wholly under Cromwell’s influence and
direction, the most active of them being his avowed creatures. Sir Thomas saw with uneasiness his power on the
army usurped by these agitators, the forerunners of confusion and anarchy, whose design (as he observes) was to
raise their own fortunes upon the public ruin; and that
made him resolve to lay down his commission. But he
was over-persuaded by the heads of the Independent faction to hold it till he had accomplished their desperate
projects, of rendering themselves masters not only of the
parliament, but of the whole kingdom; for, he joined in
the several petitions and proceedings of the army that
tended to destroy the parliament’s power. About the beginning of June, he advanced towards London, to awe the
parliament, though both houses desired his army might not
come within fifteen miles of the same; June 15, he was a
party in the charge against eleven of the members of the
house of commons; in August, he espoused the speakers
of both houses, and the sixty -six members that had fled to
the army, and betrayed the privileges of parliament: and,
entering London, August 6, restored them in a kind of
triumph; for which he received the thanks of both
houses, and was appointed constable of the Tower. On
the other hand it is said that he was no way concerned in,
the violent removal of the king from Holmby, by cornet
Joyce, on the 3d of June; and waited with great respect
upon his majesty at sir John Cutts’s house near Cambridge.
Being ordered, on the 15th of the same month, by the
parliament, to deliver the person of the king to such persons as both houses should appoint; that he might be brought
to Richmond, where propositions were to be presented to
him for a safe and well-grounded peace; instead of complying (though he seemed to do so) he carried his majesty
from place to place, according to the several motions of
the army, outwardly expressing, upon most occasions, a
due respect for him, but, not having the will or resolution
to oppose what he had not power enough to prevent, he
resigned himself entirely to Cromwell. It was this undoubtedly that made him concur, Jan. 9, 1647-8, in that
infamous declaration of the army, of “No further addresses or application to the king; and resolved to stand by
the parliament, in what should be further necessary for
settling and securing the parliament and kingdom, without
the king and against him.
” His father dying at York,
March 13, he became possessed of his title and estate
and was appointed keeper of Pontefract-castle, custos
rotulorum of Yorkshire, &c. in his room. But his father’s
death made no alteration in his conduct, he remaining
the same servile or deluded tool to Cromwell’s ambition.
He not only sent extraordinary supplies, and took all
pains imaginable for reducing colonel Poyer in Wales, but
also quelled, with the utmost zeal and industry, an insurrection of apprentices and others in London, April 9, who
had declared for God and king Charles. The 1st of the
same month he removed his head-quarters to St. EdmundV
bury; and, upon the royalists seizing Berwick and Carlisle,
and the apprehension of the Scots entering England, he
was desired, May 9, by the parliament, to advance in person into the North, to reduce those places, and to prevent
any danger from the threatened invasion. Accordingly
he began to march that way the 20th. But he was soon
recalled to quell an insurrection in Kent, headed by George
Goring, earl of Norwich, and sir William Waller. Advancing therefore against them from London in the latter
end of May, he defeated a considerable party of them at
Maidstone, June 2, with his usual valour. But the earl
and about 500 of the royalists, getting over the Thames at
Greenwich into Essex, June 3, they were joined by several
parties brought by sir Charles Lucas, and Arthur lord
Capel, which made up their numbers about 400; and went
and shut themselves up in Colchester on the 12th of June.
Lord Fairfax, informed of their motions, passed over with
his forces at Gravesend with so much expedition, that he
arrived before Colchester June 13. Immediately he summons the royalists to surrender; which they refusing, he
attacks them the same afternoon with the utmost fury,
but, being repulsed, he resolved, June 14, to block up
the place in order to starve the royalists into a compliance.
These endured a severe and tedious siege of eleven weeks,
not surrendering till August 28, and feeding for about five
weeks chiefly on horse-flesh; all their endeavours for obtaining peace on honourable terms being ineffectual. This
affair is the most exceptionable part in lord Fairfax’s
conduct, if it admits of degrees, for he granted worse
terms to that poor town than to any other in the whole
course of the war he endeavoured to destroy it as much
as possible he laid an exorbitant fine, or ransom, of
J2,000l. upon the inhabitants, to excuse them from being
plundered; and he vented his revenge and fury upon sir
Charles Lucas and sir George Lisle, who had behaved in
the most inoffensive manner during the siege, sparing that
buffoon the earl of Norwich, whose behaviour had been
quite different: so that his name and memory there ought
to be for ever detestable. After these mighty exploits
against a poor and unfortified town, he made a kind of
triumphant progress to Ipswich, Yarmouth, Norwich, St.
Edmund’s-bui y, Harwich, Mersey, and Maldon. About
the beginning of December he came to London, to awe
thatcity and the parliament, and to forward the proceedings against the king quartering himself in the royal
palace of Whitehall: and it was by especial order from
him and the council of the army, that several members of
the house of commons were secluded and imprisoned, the
6th and 7th of that month; he being, as Wood expresses
it, lulled in a kind of stupidity. Yet, although his name
stood foremost in the list of the king’s judges, he refused
to act, probably by his lady’s persuasion. Feb. 14, 1648-9,
he was voted to be one of the new council of state, but
on the 19th he refused to subscribe the test, appointed
by parliament, for approving all that was done concerning
the king and kingship. March 31 he was voted general
of all the forces in England and Ireland; and in May he
inarched against the levellers, who were grown very numerous, and began to be troublesome and formidable in
Oxfordshire, and utterly routed them atBurford. Thence,
on the 22d of the same month, he repaired to Oxford with
Oliver Cromwell, and other officers, where he was highly
feasted, and created LL.D. Next, upon apprehension of
the like risings in other places, he went and viewed the
castles and fortifications in the Isle of Wight, and at Southampton, and Portsmouth; and near Guildford had a rendezvous of the army, which he exhorted to obedience.
June 4, he was entertained, with other officers, &c. by the
city of London, and presented with a large and weighty
bason and ewer of beaten gold. In June 1650, upon the
Scots declaring for king Charles II. the juncto of the
council of state having taken a resolution to be beforehand,
and not to stay to be invaded from Scotland, but to carry
first the war into that kingdom; general Fairfax, being
consulted, seemed to approve of the design: but afterwards,
by the persuasions of his lady, and of the presbyterian
ministers, he declared himself unsatisfied that there was a
just ground for the parliament of England to send their
army to invade Scotland and resolved to lay down his
commission rather than engage in that affair and on the
26th that high trust was immediately committed to Oliver
Cromwell, who was glad to see him removed, as being no
longer necessary, but rather an obstacle to his farther ambitious designs. Being thus released from all public employment, he went and lived quietly at his own house in
Nun-Appleton in Yorkshire; always earnestly wishing and
praying (as we are assured) for the restitution of the royal
family, and fully resolved to lay hold on the first opportunity to contribute his part towards it, which made him
always looked upon with a jealous eye by the usurpers of
that time. As soon as he was invited by general Monk to
assist him against Lambert’s army, he cheerfully embraced
the occasion, and appeared, on the 3d of December 1659,
at the head of a body of gentlemen of Yorkshire and,
upon the reputation and authority of his name, the Irish
brigade of 1200 horse forsook Lambert’s army, and joined
him. The consequence was, the immediate breaking of
all Lambert’s forces, which gave general Monk an easy
inarch into England. The 1st of January 1659-60, his
lordship made himself master of York; and, on the 2d of
the same month, was chosen by the rump parliament one
of the council of state, as he was again on the 23d of February ensuing. March '29 he was elected one of the
knights for the county of York, in the healing parliament;
and was at the head of the committee appointed May 3,
by the house of commons, to go and attend king Charles
II. at the Hague, to desire him to make a speedy return
to his parliament, and to the exercise of his kingly office.
May 16 he waited upon his majesty with the rest, and
endeavoured to atone in some measure for all past offences,
by readily concurring and assisting in his restoration. After
the dissolution of the short healing parliament, he retired
again to his seat in the country, where he lived in a private
manner till his death, which happened November 12, 1671,
in the sixtieth year of his age. Several letters,
remonstrances, and other papers, subscribed with his name, are
preserved in Rushworth and other collections, being published during the time he was general; but he disowned
most of them. After his decease, some “short memorials,
written by himself,
” were published in 1699, 8vo, by
Brian Fairfax, esq. but do his lordship no great honour,
either as to principle, style, or accuracy. Lord Fairfax,
as to his person, was tall, but not above the just proportion,
and of a gloomy and melancholy disposition. He stammered a little, and was a bad orator ou the most plausible
occasions. As to the qualities of his mind, he was of a
good natural disposition; a great lover of learning, having
contributed to the edition of the Polygiott, and other large
works; and a particular admirer of the History and Antiquities of Great Britain, as appears by the encouragement
he gave to Mr. Dodsvrorth. In religion he professed Presbyterianismn, but where he first learned that, unless ia
the army, does not appear. He was of a meek and humble
carriage, and but of few words in discourse and council;
yet, when his judgment and reason were satisfied, he was
unalterable; and often ordered things expressly contrary
to the judgment of all his council. His valour was unquestionable. He was daring, and regardless of self-interest, and, we are told, in the field he appeared so highly
transported, that scarcely any durst speak a word to him,
and he would seem like a man distracted and furious. Had
not the more successful ambition and progress of Cromwell
eclipsed lord Fairfax’s exploits, he would have been considered as the greatest of the parliamentary commanders;
and one of the greatest heroes of the rebellion, had not
the extreme narrowness of his genius, in every thing but
war, obstructed his shining as a statesman. We have already noticed that he had some taste for literature, and
that both at York and at Oxford he endeavoured to
preserve the libraries from being pillaged. He also presented
twenty-nine ancient Mss. to the Bodleian library, one of
which is a beautiful ms. of -Cower' s “Confessio Amantis.
”
When at Oxford we do not find that he countenanced any
of the outrages committed there, but on the contrary,
exerted his utmost diligence in preserving the Bodleian
from pillage; and, in fact, as Mr. Warton observes, that
valuable repository suffered less than when the city was in'
the possession of the royalists. Lord Orford has introduced lord Fairfax among his “Royal and Noble Authors,
”
“not only as an historian, but a poet. In Mr. Thoresby’s museum were preserved in manuscript the following
pieces:
” The Psalms of David;“”The Song of Solomon“” The Canticles;“and
” Songs of Moses, Exod.
15. and Deut. 32.“and other parts of scripture versified.
” Poem on Solitude.“Besides which, in the same collection were preserved
” Notes of Sermons by his lordship, by his lady, and by their daughter Mary,“the wife
of the second duke of Buckingham; and
” A Treatise on
the Shortness of Life.“But, of all lord Fairfax’s works,
by far the most remarkable were some verses which he
wrote on the horse on which Charles the Second rode to
liis coronation, and which had been bred and presented to
the king by his lordship. How must that merry monarch,
not apt to keep his countenance on more serious occasions,
have smiled at this awkward homage from the old victorious
hero of republicanism and the covenant
” Besides these,
several of his Mss. are preserved in the library at Denton,
of which Mr. Park has given a list in his new edition of the
“Royal and Noble Authors.
”
nd remained in it, as is supposed, till the death of the survivor of the two ladies above mentioned; who had usually resided at Leeds Castle. Some time before their
Lord Fairfax, at the usual age, was sent to the university of Oxford to complete his education, and was highly esteemed there for his learning and accomplishments. His judgment upon literary subjects was then, and at other times, frequently appealed to; and his biographer informs us he was one of the writers of the Spectator, but the annotators on that work have not been able to ascertain any of his papers. After some years’ residence in the university, he took a commission in the regiment of horse called the Blues, and remained in it, as is supposed, till the death of the survivor of the two ladies above mentioned; who had usually resided at Leeds Castle. Some time before their decease, a circumstance happened, that eventually occasioned him much uneasiness. He had been persuaded, upon his brother Henry’s arriving at the age of twenty-one, or rather compelled by the ladies Culpepper and Fairfax, under a menace, in case of refusal, of never inheriting the Northern Neck, to cut off the intail, and to sell Denton Hall, and the Yorkshire estates, belonging to this branch of the Fairfax family, which had been in their possession for five or six centuries, in order to redeem those of the late lord Culpepper, that had descended to his heiress, exceedingly encumbered, and deeply mortgaged. This circumstance happened while lord Fairfax was at Oxford, and is said to have occasioned him the greater vexation, as it appeared afterwards, that the estates had been disposed of, through the treachery of a steward, for considerably less than their value; less even than what the timber that was cut down to discharge the purchase money, before the stipulated day of payment came, was sold for. He conceived, therefore, a violent disgust against the -ladies, who, as he used to say, had treated him with such unparalleled cruelty; and ever afterwards expressed the keenest sense of the injury that had been done, as he thought, to the Fairfax family. After entering into possession, he began to inquire into the value and situation of his estates; and he soon discovered that the proprietary lands in Virginia had been extremely mismanaged and under-let. An agent, who at the same time was a tenant, had been employed by the dowager lady Fairfax, to superintend her concerns in that quarter of the world; and he is said to have abused her confidence, and to have enriched himself and family, as is too frequently the case, at the expence of his employer. Lord Fairfax therefore wrote to William Fairfax, esq. his father’s brother’s second son, who held, at that time, a place of considerable trust and emolument under the government in New England; requesting him to remove to Virginia, and to take upon himself the agency of the Northern Neck. With this request Mr. Fairfax readily complied; and as soon as he conveniently could, he removed with his family to Virginia, and settled in Westmoreland county. He there opened an agencyoffice for the granting of the proprietary lands; and as the quit-rent demanded was only after the rate of two shillings for every hundred acres, the vacant lands were rapidly let, and a considerable and permanent income was soon derived from them.
granted him fresh lands of a more favourable and promising nature. He was a friend and father to all who held and lived under him; and as the great object of his ambition
On his return at this time, he went to Belvoir, the seat of his friend and relation Mr. William Fairfax, and remained several years in his family, undertaking and directing the management of his farms and plantations, and amusing himself with hunting and the pleasures of the field. At length, the lands about Belvoir not answering his expectation, and the foxes becoming less numerous, he determined to remove to a fine tract of land on the western side of the Blue Ridge, or Apalachian mountains, in Frederic county, about eighty miles from Belvoir where he built a small neat house, which he called Greenway-court; and laid out one of the most beautiful farms, consisting of arable and grazing lands, and of meadows two or three miles in length, that had ever been seen in that quarter of the world. He there lived the remainder of his life, in the style of a gentleman farmer, or rather of an English country gentleman. He kept many servants, white and black; several hunters; a plentiful, but plain table, entirely in the English fashion; and his mansion was the mansion of hospitality. His dress corresponded with his mode of life, and notwithstanding he had every year new suits of clothes, of the most fashionable and expensive kind, sent out to him from England, which he never put on, was plain in the extreme. His manners were humble, modest, and unaffected; not tinctured in the smallest degree with arrogance, pride, or self-conceit. He was free from the selfish passions, and liberal almost to excess. The produce of his farms, after the deduction of what was necessary for the consumption of his own family, was distributed and given away to the poor planters and settlers in his neighbourhood. To these he frequently advanced money, to enable them to go on with their improvements; to clear away the woods, and cultivate the ground; and where the lands proved unfavourable, and not likely to answer the labour and expectation of the planter or husbandman, he usually indemnified him for the expence he had been at in the attempt, and gratuitously granted him fresh lands of a more favourable and promising nature. He was a friend and father to all who held and lived under him; and as the great object of his ambition was the peopling and cultivating of that beautiful country of which he was the proprietor, he sacrificed every other pursuit, and made every other consideration subordinate, to this great point
stant parts of the country; and entertained every gentleman of good character and decent appearance, who attended him in the field, at the inn or ordinary, where he
Lord Fairfax had been brought up in revolution principles, and had early imbibed high notions of liberty, and of the excellence of the British constitution. He devoted a considerable part of his time to the public service. He was lord lieutenant and custos rotulprum of the county of Frederic; presided at the county courts held at Winchester, where during the sessions he always kept open table: and acted as surveyor and overseer of the highways and public roads. His chief if not sole amusement was hunting and in pursuit of this exercise he frequently carried his hounds to distant parts of the country; and entertained every gentleman of good character and decent appearance, who attended him in the field, at the inn or ordinary, where he took up his residence for the hunting season. So unexceptionable and disinterested was his behaviour, both public and private, and so generally was he beloved and respected, that during the late contest between Great Britain and America, he never met with the least insult or molestation from either party, but was suffered to go on in his improvement and cultivation of the Northern Neck; a pursuit equally calculated for the comfort and happiness of individuals, and for the general good of mankind.
of the colony to retire to the inner settlements for security, is said to have addressed his nephew, who now bore the commission of colonel of militia, nearly in the
In 1751, Thomas Martin, esq. second son of his sister
Frances, came over to Virginia to live with his lordship;
and a circumstance happened, a few years after his arrival, too characteristic of lord Fairfax not to be recorded.
After general Braddock’s defeat in 1755, the Indians in
the interest of the French committed the most dreadful
massacres upon all our back settlements. Their incursions
were every where stained with blood; and slaughter and
devastation marked the inroads of these cruel and merciless
savages. Every planter of name or reputation became an
object of their insidious designs; and as lord Fairfax had
been pointed out to them as a captain or chief of great
renown, the possession of his scalp became an object of
their sanguinary ambition, and what they would have regarded as a trophy of inestimable value. With this view
they made daily inroads into the vicinage of Greenwaycourt; and it is said that not less than 3000 lives were sacrificed to their cruel barbarity between the Apalachian
and Alleghenny mountains. The most serious apprehensions were entertained for the safety of lord Fairfax and
the family at Greenway-court. In this crisis of danger his
lordship, importuned by his friends and the principal gentry of the colony to retire to the inner settlements for security, is said to have addressed his nephew, who now
bore the commission of colonel of militia, nearly in the following manner: “Colonel Martin, the danger we are
exposed to, which is undoubtedly great, may possibly excite in your mind apprehension and anxiety. If so, I am
ready to take any step that you may judge expedient for
our common safety. I myself am an old man, and it is of
little importance whether 1 fall by the tomahawk of an Intlian, or by disease and old age: but you are young, and,
it is to be hoped, may have many years before you. I will
therefore submit it to your decision, whether we shall remain where we are, taking every precaution to secure ourselves against the ravages of the enemy, or abandon our
habitation, and retire within the mountains, that we may
be sheltered from the danger to which we are at present
exposed. If we determine to remain, it is possible, notwithstanding our utmost care and vigilance, that we may
both fall victims if we retire, the whole district will immediately break up and all the trouble and solicitude which
1 have undergone to settle this fine country will be frustrated, and the occasion perhaps irrecoverably lost.
” Colonel Martin, after a short deliberation, determined to remain, and as affairs in that quarter soon took a more favourable turn, the danger gradually diminished, and at length,
entirely disappeared.
791, and bequeathed that noble mansion, and its appendages, to his nephew the reverend Denny Martin, who has since taken the name of Fairfax. The barony or title, by
Lord Fairfax lived to extreme old age at Greenwaycourt, universally beloved, and died as universally lamented, in January or February 1782, in the ninety-second year of his age. He was buried at Winchester, where he had so often and so honourably presided as judge of the court. He bequeathed Greenway-court to his nephew colonel Martin; and his barony descended to his only surviving brother Robert Fairfax, to whom he had before consigned Leeds Castle, and his other English estates. This Robert, seventh lord Fairfax, died at Leeds Castle in 1791, and bequeathed that noble mansion, and its appendages, to his nephew the reverend Denny Martin, who has since taken the name of Fairfax. The barony or title, by regular descent, is now vested in the reverend Bryan Fairfax, the present and eighth lord Fairfax, third son of William Fairfax, esq. above mentioned. His claim on the barony was confirmed, in 1800, by the house of peers.
n the early part of the seventeenth century. He was the pupil of Peake, the printer and printseller, who was afterwards knighted, and worked with him three or four years.
, a very celebrated engraver,
was born in London in the early part of the seventeenth
century. He was the pupil of Peake, the printer and
printseller, who was afterwards knighted, and worked with
him three or four years. At the breaking out of the civil
war, Peake espoused the cause of Charles I.; and Faithorne,
who accompanied his master, was taken prisoner by the
rebels at Basing-house, whence he was sent to London,
and confined in Aldersgate. In this uncomfortable situation he exercised his graver; and a small head of the first
Villiers, duke of Buckingham, in the style of Mallan, was
one of his first performances. The solicitations of his
friends in his favour at last prevailed; and he was released
from prison, with permission to retire on the continent.
The story of his banishment for refusing to take the oath
to Oliver Cromwell, would have done him no discredit,
had it been properly authenticated, but that does not appear to be the case. Soon after his arrival in France, he
found protection and encouragement from the abbe* de
Marolles, and formed an acquaintance with the celebrated
Nanteuil, from whose instructions he derived very considerable advantages. About 1650, he returned to England, and soon after married the sister of a person who is
called “the famous
” captain Ground. By her he had two
sons, Henry, who was a bookseller, and William, an engraver in mezzotinto.
during the aera which it comprises; and the chronological tables will be highly acceptable to those who adhere to archbishop Usher’s mode of computation. His very learned
As Mr. Falconer had little ambition to appear often in
the character of an author, his works bear small proportion
to the extent of his knowledge. The only publications
from his pen were, “Devotions for the Sacrament of the
Lord’s Supper, with an Appendix containing a method of
digesting the book of Psalms, so as to be applicable to the
common occurrences of life. By a Layman,
” 1786, which
has often been reprinted; “Observations on Pliny’s Account of the Temple of Diana at Ephesus,
” inserted in the
Archaeologia, vol. XI. of which a very close examination
and analysis may be seen in the British Critic, vol. VII.;
and “Chronological Tables from the reign of Solomon to
the death of Alexander the Great,
” Clarendon press,
It must indeed have been with reluctance that a boy who had begun to taste the sweets of literature, consented to serve
It must indeed have been with reluctance that a boy who had begun to taste the sweets of literature, consented to serve an apprenticeship on board a merchant vessel at Leith, which we are told he did when very young. He was afterwards in the capacity of a servant to Campbell, the author of Lexiphanes, when purser of a ship. Campbell is said to have discovered in Falconer talents worthy of cultivation; and when the latter distinguished himself as a poet, used to repeat with some pride, that he had once been his scholar.
In 1751 he appeared among the poets who lamented the death of Frederick prince of Wales, in a poem published
In 1751 he appeared among the poets who lamented the
death of Frederick prince of Wales, in a poem published
at Edinburgh, which probably gratified the humble expectations of a friendly circle, without procuring him much
encouragement. He is said, however, to have followed up
his first effort, by some small pieces sen to that accustomed repository of early talent, the Gentleman’s Magazine. Mr. Clarke has pointed out “The Chaplain’s petition to the Lieutenants in the ward-room,
” the “Description of a ninety-gun Ship,
” and some lines “On the uncommon scarcity of Poetry.
” Mr. Clarke has likewise presented his readers with a whimsical little poem, descriptive of the abode and sentiments of a midshipman, which
was one of Falconer’s early productions; and offers some
reasons for being of opinion that he was the author of the
popular song “Cease, rude Boreas.
”
ed a young lady of the name of Hicks, the daughter of the surgeon of Sheerness Yard. With this lady, who had considerable taste, he appears to have lived happily, although
As Falconer wanted much of that complementary time of
service, which might enable him to arrive at the commission of Lieutenant, his friends advised him to exchange the
military for the civil department of the royal navy; and
accordingly, in the course of 1763, he was appointed purser
of the Glory frigate of 32 guns. Soon after he married a
young lady of the name of Hicks, the daughter of the surgeon of Sheerness Yard. With this lady, who had considerable taste, he appears to have lived happily, although
his circumstances were reduced for want of employment.
That this was the case appears from a whimsical incident
related by his biographer. “When the Glory was laid up
in ordinary at Chatham, commissioner Hanway, brother to
the benevolent Jonas Hanway, became delighted with the
genius of its purser. The captain’s cabin was ordered to
be fitted up with a stove, and with every addition of comfort that could be procured; in order that Falconer might
thus be enabled to enjoy his favourite propensity, without
either molestation or expence.
”
ge which is uncouth only where it is not understood, and which as being the language of those heroes who have elevated the character of their country beyond all precedent
With such views it was impossible to exclude a language
which is uncouth only where it is not understood, and
which as being the language of those heroes who have
elevated the character of their country beyond all precedent and all comparison, merits higher veneration than the
technical terms of common mechanics; nor, upon this account, ought the Shipwreck to involve the blame which
attaches to the “Cyder
” of Philips, or the “Fleece
” of
Dyer. No art can give dignity to such subjects, nor did
they demand the aid of poetry to render them more useful
or more pleasing. Falconer’s subject was one of the most
sublime inflictions of Providence. He described it for
those who might be destined to behold it, and he knew
that if among sailors he found no acute critics, he would
find intelligent and sympathizing readers. When therefore we consider his whole design, the objection may admit of some apology even from those who will yet regret
that a poet of such genuine skill should have narrowed his
fame by writing for a class.
, a Roman poetess, who flourished about 395, under the emperor Honorius, was a native
, a Roman poetess, who flourished
about 395, under the emperor Honorius, was a native of
Horta, or Hortanum, in Etruria. There is still extant by
her, a cento from Virgil, giving the sacred history from
the creation to the deluge; and the history of Christ, in
verses selected from that poet, introduced by a few lines
of her own. Authors have sometimes confounded her with
Anicia Falconia Proba, the mother of three consuls: and
some have said she was that Valeria Proba, who was the
wife of Adelfius, a proconsul. Her poem was first published with Ausonius, at Venice, 1472, under the title
“Probae Falconiae, cento ^Virgilianus, seu Centimetrum
de Christo, versibus Virgilianis compaginatum.
” The
last edition is that of Wolfius in the “Mulierum Grxcarum
Frag.
” Hamb.
n account, and executed a great number of excellent medals illustrative of the history of Louis XIV. who was so well pleased with his performances as to settle a pension
, a celebrated medallist, was the son of a jeweller, and born at Stockholm in 1658. His father dying in his infancy, he was sent to Stettin to the care of his maternal uncle, and afterwards being brought back to Stockholm, employed himself in goldsmith’s work, painting, and modelling in wax. In 1680 he went to Copenhagen, and thence to Lubeck, Hamburgh, and many other places, for the sake of improvement in his art. At Augsburgh he learned to work on steel. In 1683, after studying the French language, he went to Paris, and was employed by Cheron the French king’s medallist, and having acquired a very high reputation for his workmanship, he began business on his own account, and executed a great number of excellent medals illustrative of the history of Louis XIV. who was so well pleased with his performances as to settle a pension of 1200 livres upon him, besides paying him liberal prices for his works. In 1686 he took a trip to the Netherlands, and thence into England. After returning to the continent, he re-visited his native country, Sweden, where the king gave him an handsome pension; and in 1688, Frederic, elector of Brandenburgh, invited Falz to his court, and appointed him his medallist. After increasing his fame in Sweden, at Berlin, and at Hanover, he died at Berlin May 26, 1703.
, a native of the West of England, who may be termed the inventor of circulating libraries, was, at
, a native of the West of England, who may be termed the inventor of circulating libraries, was, at the beginning of the last century, pastor of a congregation of protestant dissenters in Salisbury, where he had a number of pupils for near twenty years. Professing a creed very different from, the opinions of Calvin, as appears by his numerous publications, he incurred the displeasure of persons of that persuasion, and a controversy arose in which clergymen of the establishment and the dissenters had an equal share. It turned on the divine prescience, the freedom of the human will, the greatness of the divine love, and the doctrine of reprobation. Driven from a comfortable settlement to the great metropolis, where he acquired no new one as a teacher, Mr. Fancourt, about 1740 or 1745, established the first circulating library for gentlemen and ladies, at a subscription of a guinea a year for reading; but in 1748 extended it to a guinea in all, for the purchase of a better library, half to be paid at the time of subscribing, the other half at the delivery of a new catalogue then in the press, and twelve pence a quarter beside, to begin from Michaelmas 1754, to the librarian. Subscriptions were to be paid without further charge to the proprietors, but to pay only from the time of subscribing; out of which quarterly payments were to be deducted the rent of the rooms to receive the books, and accommodate subscribers, a salary to the librarian to keep an open account, and to circulate the books; a stock to buy new books and duplicates as there was occasion; the expence of providing catalogues, and drawing up writings for settling the trust. This trust was to be vested in twelve or thirteen persons chosen by ballot out of the body of proprietors; and the proposer, Mr. Fancourt himself, was to be the first librarian, and to continue so as long as he discharged his office with diligence and fidelity. Every single subscriptionentitled the subscriber to one book and one pamphlet at a time, to be changed ad libitum for others, and kept ad Libitum, if not wanted by other subscribers. Mr. Fancourt advertised himself also in these proposals as a teacher of Latin, to read, write, and speak it with fluency in a year’s time or less, at twelve guineas a year, one guinea a month, or twelve pence an hour, allowing five or six hours in a week. The great hypercritic of Mr. Fancourt’s design was the late Dr. C. Mortimer. Not to trace the poor librarian through every shifting of his quarters, he fixed at last at the corner of one of the streets in the Strand, where, encumbered with a helpless and sick wife, turned out of fashion, and outplanned by a variety of imitators, and entangled with a variety of plans, not one of which could extricate him from perplexities, this poor man, who may be said to have first circulated knowledge among us, sunk under a load of debt, unmerited reproach, and a failure of his faculties, brought on by the decay of age, precipitated by misfortunes. His library became the property of creditors, and he retired in humble poverty to Hoxton-square, where some of his brethren relieved his necessities till the close of his life, in his ninetieth year, June 8, 1768. As a preacher, though neither what is now called popular, nor pastor of a London congregation, he was occasionally called upon to fill up vacancies, and is said to have preached with a considerable degree of manly eloquence.
ng only seven years of age when his father died, the care of his education devolved upon his mother, who placed him under the famous schoolmaster Thomas Farnaby. November
, a statesman, negociator, and poet of the last century, was the youngest son, and tenth child, of sir Henry Fanshawe, knt. remembrancer of the exchequer, and brother of lord viscount Fanshawe, of Dromore, in the kingdom of Ireland, and was born at Ware-park in Hertfordshire, in the month of June 1608. Being only seven years of age when his father died, the care of his education devolved upon his mother, who placed him under the famous schoolmaster Thomas Farnaby. November 12, 1623, he was admitted a fellow-commoner of Jesus college, Cambridge, under the tuition of Dr. Beale, where he prosecuted his studies with success, and discovered a genius for classical learning. Thence he was removed to the Inner Temple, Jan. 22, 1626; but at his mother’s death he resolved to pursue a line of life better adapted to his genius and inclination, and accordingly he travelled to France and Spain, for the purpose of acquiring the languages, and studying the manners of those countries. On his return home he was appointed secretary to the embassy at Madrid, under lord Aston, and was left resident there from the time of lord Aston’s resignation to the appointment of sir Arthur Hopton in 1638.
neither covenant nor engagement . About this time he was recommended by the king to the York party, who received him with great kindness, and entrusted him with the
Being in England at the breaking-out of the civil war,
he declared early for the crown, and was employed in
several important matters of state. In 1644, attending the
court at Oxford, he had the degree of D. C. L. conferred
upon him, and was appointed secretary at war to the prince
of Wales, whom he attended into the western parts of
England, and thence into the islands of Scilly and Jersey.
In 1648 he was appointed treasurer to the navy under
prince Rupert, which office he held till 1650, when he was
created a baronet, and sent to Madrid to represent the
necessitous situation of his master, and to beg a temporary
assistance from Philip IV. He was then sent for to Scotland, and served there in the capacity of secretary of state
to the great satisfaction of all parties, although he took
neither covenant nor engagement . About this time he was
recommended by the king to the York party, who received
him with great kindness, and entrusted him with the broad
seal and signet. In 1651 he was taken prisoner at the
battle of Worcester, and committed to close custody in
London; but, having contracted a dangerous sickness, he
had liberty allowed him, upon giving bail, to go for the
recovery of his health to any place he should chtise, provided he stirred not five miles thence without leave from
the parliament. In 1654 he was at Tankersley park in
Yorkshire, which place he hired of his friend lord Sirafford, to whom he dedicated his translation of the “Lusiad
of Camoens,
” written during his residence there. In February
d placed Mr. Morrice, a poor country gentleman of about 200l. a year, a fierce presbyterian, and one who never saw the king’s face; but still promises were made of the
Upon his majesty’s restoration he expected to be appointed secretary of state, from a promise wfoich had formerly been made him of that office; but to his great disappointment, it was, at the instance of the duke of Albemarle, given to sir William Morrice, which circumstance
lady Fanshawe states thus: “The king promised sir Richard
that he should be one of the secretaries of state (at the Restotion), and both the duke of Ormond and lord chancellor
Clarendon were witnesses of it; yet that false man made
the king break his word for his own accommodation, and
placed Mr. Morrice, a poor country gentleman of about
200l. a year, a fierce presbyterian, and one who never saw
the king’s face; but still promises were made of the reversion to sir Richard.
”
ose three crowns.” The publisher received these letters from the hands of a daughter of sir Richard, who had them in her possession. He also composed other things, remaining
Although much of his life was spent in active business,
he found leisure to produce the following works: 1. An
English translation in rhyme of Guarini’s “II Pastor Fido,
or the Faithful Shepherd,
” 1646, 4to. 2. A translation from,
English into Latin verse of Fletcher’s “Faithful Shepherdess,
” The Faithful Shepherd,
” are inserted the following poems of our
author; An Ode on his majesty’s Proclamation in 1630,
commanding the gentry to reside upon their estates in the
country; an English translation of the fourth book of Virgil’s Aneid Odes of Horace, translated into English;
and a summary Discourse of the Civil Wars of Rome.
4. He translated from Portuguese into English, Canpens’
“Lusiad, or Portugal’s Historical Poem,
” luerer per solo querer,
” “To love only for love’s sake,
”
a dramatical romance, represented before the king and
queen of Spain and “Fiestas de Aranjeuz,
” Festival at
Aranjeuz. Both written in Spanish by Antonio de Mendoza, upon celebrating the birth-day of Philip VI. in 1623,
at Aranjuez; and translated by our author in 1654, during
his confinement. 6. His correspondence was published in
1701, in one volume, 8vo, under this title: “'Original
Letters of his excellency sir Richard Fanshawe during his
embassy in Spain and Portugal; which, together with divers letters and answers from the chief ministers of state in
England, Spain, and Portugal, contain the whole negotiations of the treaty of peace between those three crowns.
”
The publisher received these letters from the hands of a
daughter of sir Richard, who had them in her possession.
He also composed other things, remaining in manuscript,
which he wrote in his younger years, but had not tha
leisure to complete. Even some of the preceding printed
pieces have not all the perfection which our ingenious
author could have given them: for, as his biographer observes, “being, for his loyalty and zeal to his master’s
service, tossed from place to place, and from country to
country, during the unsettled times of our anarchy, some
of his manuscripts falling by misfortune into unskilful
hands, were printed and published without his consent or
knowledge, and before he could give them his last finishing strokes.
” But that was not the case with his translation of “II Pastor Fido,
” which was published by himself,
and procured him much reputation.
cular account of their sufferings in the royal cause, in which she and her sister Margaret Harrison ( who in 1654 married sir Edmund Tumor, of StokeRochford, co. Lincoln,
His lady, by whom he had six sons and eight daughters,
of whom one son and four daughters survived him, was the
daughter of sir John Harrison by Margaret his wife, daughter of Robert Fanshawe, of Fanshawe-gate, esq. great uncle
to si* Richard, to whom she was married in Wolvercot
church, near Oxford, May 18, 1644. She compiled, for
the use of her only son, “Memoirs of the Fanshawe Family,
” containing a particular account of their sufferings in
the royal cause, in which she and her sister Margaret Harrison (who in 1654 married sir Edmund Tumor, of StokeRochford, co. Lincoln, knt.) bore a considerable share, being the constant companions of sir Richard in those perilous times. The description of her and her husband’s
taking leave of Charles 1. when he was a prisoner at Hampton-court, is a very affecting specimen of these Memoirs,
and is told with great simplicity. During the king’s stay
at Hampton-court, I went three times to pay my duty to
him, both as I was the daughter of his servant, and the wife
of his servant; the last time I ever saw him I could not
refrain from weeping. When I took my leave of the king,
he saluted me, and I prayed God to preserve his majesty
with long life and happy years. The king stroked me on
the cbeek, and said, “Child, if God pleaseth it shall be
so, but both you and I must submit to God’s will; and you
know in what hands I am in.‘ Then turning to my husband, he said, ’ Be sure, Dick, to tell my son all that I
have said, and deliver these letters to my wife. Pray God
bless her; and I hope 1 shall do well.
” Then taking my
husband in his arms, he said, “Thou hast ever been an
honest man; I hope God will bless thee, and make thee a
happy servant to my son, whom I have charged in my letter to continue his love and trust to you;‘ adding, ’ And
I do promise you, if I am ever restored to my dignity, I
will bountifully reward you both for your services and sufferings.' Thus did we part from that glorious sun, that
within a few months afterwards was extinguished, to the
grief of all Christians, who are not forsaken of their God.
”
e castle of Valgorge, in Vivarais. He was captain of the guards to the duke of Orleans, and his son, who was regent. His gaiety, and sprightly wit, made him the delight
, was born
in 1644, at the castle of Valgorge, in Vivarais. He was
captain of the guards to the duke of Orleans, and his son,
who was regent. His gaiety, and sprightly wit, made him
the delight of the best companies. He left a few songs,
and other poetical pieces, which have been printed with
those of his friend the abb de Chaulieu, and separately,
with his Memoirs, 2 vols. small 12mo. They are full of
wit and delicacy; but we are told he had attained the age
of sixty before he made any poetical etibrt, and that then
his inspirer was rather Cupid or Bacchus than Apollo, He
also wrote the words of an opera, called “Panthea.
” His
“Memoirs
” are written with great freedom and openness,
and show the dislike which their author, and all his party,
had to the government. We do not find when they were
first published, but an English edition bears date 1719.
The Author died at Paris, 1712.
him to preach in his diocese in 1521; but the persecution raised there against the early protestants who were styled heretics, in 1523, obliged him to provide for his
, a learned minister of the church,
and most intrepid reformer, was the son of a gentleman of
Dauphine in France, and born at Gap in 1489. He studied philosophy, and Greek and Hebrew, at Paris with great
success, and was for some time a teacher in the college of
cardinal le Moine. Briyonnet, bishop of Meaux, hem.; inclined to the reformed religion, invited him to preach in
his diocese in 1521; but the persecution raised there
against the early protestants who were styled heretics, in
1523, obliged him to provide for his security out of France.
He then retired to Strasburgh, where Bucer and Capito
admitted him as a. brother; and he was afterwards received
as such by Zwinglius at Zurich, by Haller at Berne, and
by Oecolampadius at Basil. As he was thought well qualified by zeal and knowledge for such a task, he was advised to undertake the reformation of religion at Montbeliard, in which design he was supported by the duke of
Wittenberg, who was lord of that place; and he succeeded
in it most happily. He was a man on some occasions of
too much warmth and enthusiasm against popery, which,
however, he tempered a little, by the advice of Oecolampadius. Once on a procession-day, he pulled out of the
priest’s hand the image of St. Antony, and threw it from a
bridge into the river, a boldness and imprudence which
was unnecessary, and might have cost him his life. Erasmus by no means liked Farel’s temper, as appears from
what he wrote of him to the official of Besancon. “You,
have,
” says he, “in your neighbourhood the new evangelist, Farel; than whom I never saw a man more false,
more virulent, more seditious.
” Erasmus has also given a
very unfavourable character of him elsewhere: but he
thought Farel had censured him in some of his writings,
and therefore is not to be altogether believed in every
thing he says of him; nor indeed was a man of decision
and intrepidity likely to be a favourite with the timid and
time-serving Erasmus.
him with so much fury, that he was obliged to retire. He was called back in 1534 by the inhabitants, who had renounced the Roman catholic religion; and was the chief
In 1528, he had the same success in promoting the reformation in the city of Aigle, and soon after in the bailU wick of Morat. He went afterwards to Neufchatel in 1529, and disputed against the Roman catholic party with so much strength, that this city embraced the reformed religion, and established it entirely Nov. 4, 1530. He was sent a deputy to the synod of the Waldenses, held in the valley of Angrogne. Hence he went to Geneva, where he laboured against popery: but the grand vicar and the other clergy resisted him with so much fury, that he was obliged to retire. He was called back in 1534 by the inhabitants, who had renounced the Roman catholic religion; and was the chief person that procured the perfect abolition of it the next year. He was banished from Geneva with Calvin in 1533, and retired to Basil, and afterwards to Neufchatel, where there was great probability of a large evangelical harvest. From thence he went to Metz, but had a thousand difficulties to encounter; and was obliged to retire into the abbey of Gorze, where the count of Jurstemberg protected him and the new converts. But they could not continue there long; for they were besieged in the abbey, and obliged at last to surrender, after a capitulation. F. rel very happily escaped, though strict search was made alter him, having been put in a cart among the sick and infirm. He took upon him his former functions of a minister at Neufchatel, whence he took now and then a journey to Geneva. When he went thither in 1553, he was present at Servetus’s execution. He went again to Geneva in 1564, to^take his last leave of Calvin, who was dangerously ill. He took a second journey to Metz in 1565, being invited by his ancient flock, to witness the success of his lubours, but returned to Neufchatel, and died there Sept. 13, or, as Dupin says, Dec. 3, in the same year.
He married at the age of sixty-nine, and left a son, who survived him but three years. Though he was far better qualified
He married at the age of sixty-nine, and left a son, who
survived him but three years. Though he was far better
qualified to preach than to write books, yet he was the
author of some few publications of the controversial kind,
among which are a treatise “Upon the true use of the
Cross,
” Paris, Upon the authority of
the Word of God, and human traditions.
”
ers of the French academy, and employed to settle its statutes. He was very intimate with St. Amand, who celebrates him in his verses, as an illustrious debauchee, inertly
, a French wit and poet, was born
in 1600 at Bourg en Bresse, and going very young to Paris,
attached himself to Vaugeias, Boisrobert, and Coeffetau;
and was afterwards made secretary to the count d'Harcourt,
and then steward of his house. Faret was one of the first
members of the French academy, and employed to settle
its statutes. He was very intimate with St. Amand, who
celebrates him in his verses, as an illustrious debauchee,
inertly to furnish a rhyme to Cabaret. He was at length
appointed secretary to the king, and died at Paris in September 1640, leaving several children by two marriages.
His works are, a translation of Eutropius; “L'Honnete
Homme,
” taken from the Italian of Castiglione, J2mo;
“Vertus necessaires a un Prince;
” and several poems in
the collections of his time. He also left a life of Rene II.
dhke of Lorraine, and Memoirs of the famous count d'Harcourt, ms.
was received in the Tank of gentleman into the household of don Gonzalez de Moraes, bishop of Porto, who was his relation, and afterwards made him his secretary; and
, one of the most celebrated historians and poets of his nation in the seventeenth
century, was born March 18, 1590, at Sonto near Caravilla in Portugal, of a noble family, both by his father’s
and mother’s side. His father’s name was Arnador Perez
d'Eiro, and his mother’s Louisa Faria, but authors are not
agreed in their conjectures why he did not take his father’s
name, but preferred Faria, that of his mother, and Sousa,
which is thought to have been his grandmother’s name.
In his infancy he was very infirm, yet made considerable
progress, even when a puny child, in writing, drawing, and
painting. At the age of ten, his father sent him to school
to learn Latin, in which his proficiency by no means answered his expectations, owing to the boy’s giving the preference to the Portuguese and Spanish poets. These he
read incessantly, and composed several pieces in verse and
prose in both languages, but he had afterwards the good
sense to destroy his premature effusions, as well as to perceive that the Greek and Roman classics are the foundation
of a true style, and accordingly he endeavoured to repair
his error by a careful study of them. In 1604, when only
in his fourteenth year, he was received in the Tank of gentleman into the household of don Gonzalez de Moraes,
bishop of Porto, who was his relation, and afterwards made
him his secretary; and during his residence with this prelate, which lasted ten years, he applied himself indefatigably to his studies, and composed some works, the best
of which was an abridgment of the historians of Portugal,
“Epitome de las historias Portuguesas, desde il diluyio
hasta el anno 1628,
” Madrid, Noches claras,
” a collection of moral and political discourses, Madrid, 1623 and 1626, 2 vols. 12mo. 2.
“Fuente de Aganipr, o Rimes varias,
” a collection of his
poems, in 7 vols. Madrid, 1644, &c. 3. “Commentarios
sobra las Lusiadas de Luis de Camoens,
” an immense
commentary on the Lusiad, ibid. Madrid, 1640 or 1645, folio. 5.
” Imperio de la China, &e.“and an account of the propagation of religion by the Jeuits, written by Semedo: Faria was only editor of this
work, Madrid, 1643, 4to. 6.
” Nobiliario del Concle D.
Petro de Barcelos,“&c. a translation from the Portuguese,
with notes, ibid. 1646, folio. 7.
” A Life of Don Martin
Bapt. de Lanuza,“grand justiciary of Arragon,
” ibid. 1650,
4to. 8. “Asia Portuguesa,
” Lisbon, Europa Portuguesa,
” ibid. Africa Portuguesa,
” ibid. America Portuguesa.
” All these" historical and geographical works have been considered as correct and valuable. Faria appears to have published some
other pieces of less importance, noticed by Antonio.
drew him into very disagreeable situations, and would have proved his ruin, had not some cardinals, who admired his wit and genius, interceded for him with Clement
, an eminent lawyer, was born
October 30, 1554, at Rome. He was a Roman advocate,
and fiscal procurator ^ took pleasure in defending the least
supportable causes, and is said to have acted with extreme
rigour and severity in his office of fiscal procurator. This
conduct drew him into very disagreeable situations, and
would have proved his ruin, had not some cardinals, who
admired his wit and genius, interceded for him with Clement VIII. who said, alluding to the name of Farinaccio,
that “the farina was excellent, but the sack which contained it was good for nothing.
” Farinaccio died at Rome
October 30, 1618, aged sixty-four. His works have been
printed at Antwerp, 1620 and the following make 13 vols.'
folio “Decisiones Rotse,
” 2 vols. “Decisiones Rotas
novissimse,
” 1 vol. “Decisiones Rotae recentissimae,
” 1
vol.; “Repertorium Judiciale,
” 1 vol.; “De Haeresi,
” i
Tol.; “Consilia,
” 2 vols. “Praxis Criminalis,
” 4 vols.
“Succus praxis criminalis,
” 1 vol. All these were considered as valuable works by the Roman lawyers.
t, on account of the death of his nearest relation. He lay upon his death-bed in 1606; and his wife, who was sick in the same room, hearing him cry out r 4< He was going,“told
, an Italian painter, was born at
Verona in 1522; his mother dying in labour of him. He
was a disciple of Nicolo Golfino, and an admirable designer, but not altogether so happy in his colouring:
though there is a piece of his painting in St. George’s
church at Verona, 50 well performed in both respects, that
it does not seem inferior to one of Paul Veronese, which
is placed next to it. He was famous also for being an excellent swordsman, and a very good orator, and Strutt
mentions some engravings by him. He had considerable
knowledge in sculpture and architecture, especially that
part of it which relates to fortifications. His last moments
are said to have been as remarkable as his first, on account
of the death of his nearest relation. He lay upon his
death-bed in 1606; and his wife, who was sick in the same
room, hearing him cry out r 4< He was going,“told him,
” She would bear him company; and actually did so, as
they both expired at the same minute.
This was a posthumous piece, which had been written before Mr. Farmer’s work appeared, by Mr. Dixon, who had been a dissenting minister, first at Norwich, and afterwards
Mr. Farmer’s first appearance as an author was in a discourse on the suppression of the rebellion of 1745. It was
preached on the day of public thanksgiving appointed upon
that occasion in 1746, and printed in the same year. This
was the only sermon that we recollect his having ever committed to the press. His abilities, though they might have
been usefully displayed in that way, led him to those novel
opinions on which his temporary fame was founded. Iiv
1761, he published “An Inquiry into the nature and design of Christ’s Temptation in the Wilderness
” the general intention of which is to show, that this part of the evangelical history is not only to be understood as a recital of
visionary representations, but that the whole was a divine
vision, premonitory of the labours and offices of our Lord’s
future ministry. An interpretation so new and singular,
could not pass unnoticed. In 1762 there appeared a
pamphlet against the Inquiry, entitled “Christ’s Temptations, real facts: or, a Defence of the Evangelic History;
shewing that our Lord’s temptations may be fairly and reasonably understood as a narrative of what was really transacted.
” A second edition of Mr. Farmer’s treatise was
soon called for; in which the subject received additional
illustration from a considerable number of new notes. Besides this, he published in 1764, an appendix to the “Inquiry,
” containing some farther observations on the point
in debate, and an answer to objections. Another tract, the
publication of which was occasioned by the “Inquiry,
” was
entitled “The Sovereignty of the Divine Administration
vindicated, or a rational Account of our blessed Saviour’s
remarkable Temptation in the Wilderness; the Possessed
at Capernaum, the Demoniacs at Gadara, and the Destruction of the Swine: with free Remarks on several other important passages in the New Testament.
” This was a posthumous piece, which had been written before Mr. Farmer’s
work appeared, by Mr. Dixon, who had been a dissenting
minister, first at Norwich, and afterwards at Bolton in
Lancashire. Mr. Dixon proposes a figurative or allegorical interpretation of our Lord’s temptation. A third edition, with large additions, of Mr. Farmer’s “Inquiry
” was
published in A Dissertation on Miracles, designed to shew that they are arguments
of a divine interposition, and absolute proofs of the mission
and doctrine of a Prophet,
” 8vo. Not long -after the appearance of the “Dissertation,
” a notion was propagated,
that Mr. Farmer had made considerable use of a treatise of
Le Moine l s on the same subject, without acknowledging it;
and it was asserted, that his book had the very same view
with Mr. Le Moine’s, and was a copy of his work.Mr.
Farmer therefore endeavoured to vindicate himself in a
pamphlet, published in 1772, entitled “An Examination
of the late rev. Mr. Le Moine’s Treatise on Miracles,
” in
which he enters into a particular discussion of that performance, and a defence of himself; but the accusation
continued to be repeated, particularly by a writer in th?
London Magazine.
stian world to give much satisfaction. It was ably attacked by Dr. Worthington, a learned clergyman, who had already favoured the public with some pious and valuable
In 1775, Mr. Farmer gave to the world “Essay on the
Demoniacs of the New Testament,
” in which his opinions were too far remote from those of the Christian world
to give much satisfaction. It was ably attacked by Dr.
Worthington, a learned clergyman, who had already favoured the public with some pious and valuable writings,
in “An impartial Inquiry into the case of the Gospel Demoniacs, with an Appendix, consisting of an essay on
Scripture Demonology,
” Letters to the
rev. Dr. Worthington, in answer to his late publication,
entitled An impartial Inquiry into the case of the Gospel
Demoniacs.
” Another of Mr. Fanner’s antagonists was
the late rev. Mr. Fell, a dissenting minister, at that time of
Thaxted in Essex, and afterwards one of the tutors of the
dissenting academy at Homerton. This gentleman pubJished in 177l>, a treatise, entitled “Demoniacs an inquiry into the lieathen and the Scripture doctrine of Daemons; in which the hypotheses of the rev. Mr. Farmer, and
others, on this subject, are particularly considered,
” In
this Mr. Fell deduces the injurious consequences to natural and revealed religion which he apprehends to result
from the doctrines advanced in the “Dissertation on Miracles,
” and the “Essay on the Demoniacs,
” but acquits
Mr. Farmer of any evil design, and allows “that he really
meant to serve the cause of virtue, which he thought could
not be more effectually done than by removing every thing
which appeared to him in the light of superstition.
”
r author bequeathed his library, with the exception of such classic books as Mr. Snell might select; who also was a residuary legatee, in conjunction with his sister,
As a minister Mr. Farmer received every mark of honour from the dissenters which it was in their power to bestow. For a great number of years he preached twice a day at Walthamstow: but, an associate being at length provided for him at that place, he became in 1761 afternoonpreacher to the congregation of Salters-hall, and some time after was chosen one of the Tuesday-lecturers at Salters-hall. He was also a trustee of the rev. Dr. Daniel Williams’ s various bequests; and he was likewise one of Mr. Coward’s trustees; in which capacity he became a dispenser of the large charities that had been left by the gentleman with whom he had been connected in early life. As Mr. Farmer advanced in years, he gradually remitted of his employments as a divine. He resigned first, in 1772, the being afternoon-preacher at Salters-hall; after which, in 1780, he gave up the Tuesday lectureship of the same place. In his pastoral relation at Walthamstow he continued a few years longer, when he quitted the pulpit entirely. In these several cases his resignations were accepted with peculiar regret. After he had ceased to be a preacher, it was his general custom to spend part of the winter at Bath. Early in 1785, Mr. Farmer was afflicted with almost a total failure of sight, which, however, was restored by the skill, first of Baron Wenzel, and afterwards of Mr. Wathen. Infirmities, however, growing upon him, he departed this life on the 6th of February, 1787, in the seventy-third year of his age, and was buried in Walthamstow church-yard, in the same grave with his friends Mr. and Mrs. Snell. On Sunday, the 18th, his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Urvvick, of Clapham, whose discourse was printed. In his last will, besides providing handsomely for his relations, and remembering his servants, he left a hundred pounds to the fund for the widows of dissenting ministers, and forty pounds to the poor of Walthamstow parish. His regard to the family with which he had so long been connected, and to which he had been so peculiarly obliged, was testified by his bequeathing pecuniary legacies to every member of that family. Smaller legacies were left by him to others of his friends. His executors were William Snell, esq. of Clapham, and William Hood, esq. of Chancery-lane, barrister; the first the son, and the second one of the grandsons of Mr. Farmer’s great patron. To another grandson, the rev. Robert Jacomb, our author bequeathed his library, with the exception of such classic books as Mr. Snell might select; who also was a residuary legatee, in conjunction with his sister, Mrs. Hood. In this will he also made his request (for that is the term used), that his executors would burn his sermons and manuscripts, unless he should direct otherwise by a separate paper; and, in case they should not do it, the legacies of a hundred pounds each, which he had left them, were to be null and void. He had nearly completed a second volume on the demonology of the ancients; a curious dissertation on the story of Balaam, which he had transcribed for the press, and for the printing of which he had given his directions, and had made preparations for a second edition of his Treatise on Miracles, by which it would have been considerably enlarged, and highly improved; all which were destroyed, as, in the opinion of the executors, coming within the intent of his will. His biographer laments bitterly this undistinguishing destruction, which, indeed, seems rather too much to resemble what happened in Don Quixote’s library.
Ratcliffe Culey. a hamlet within the parish of Shepey, in the county of Leicester. His grandfather ( who died in 1727, aged sixty-three) is described on his tomb in
, D. D. a learned critic and distinguished scholar, was the descendant of a family long
seated at Ratcliffe Culey. a hamlet within the parish of
Shepey, in the county of Leicester. His grandfather
(who died in 1727, aged sixty-three) is described on his
tomb in St. Mary’s church at. Leicester as “John Farmer
of Nuneaton, gent.
” His father, who was largely engaged in Leicester in the business of a maltster, married in
1732-3, Hannah Knibb, by whom he had five sons and
four daughters. He died in 1778, at the age of eighty,
and his widow in 1808, at the advanced age of ninetyseven. The subject of this article was their second son,
and was born in Leicester, Aug. 23, 1735. He received
the early part of his education under the rev. Gerrard
Andrewes (father of the present dean of Canterbury) in the
free grammar-school of Leicester, a seminary in which
many eminent persons were his contemporaries. About
1753 he left the school with an excellent character for
temper and talents, and was entered a pensioner at Emamiei college, Cambridge, when Dr. Richardson, the biographer or the English prelates, was master, and Mr,
Bickham and Mr. Hubbard were tutors. Here Mr. Farmer
applied himself chiefly to classical learning and the belles
lettres, with a predilection for the latter, in which, in truth,
he was best qualified to shine. He took his degree of
B. A. in 1757, ranked as a senior optime, and gained the
silver cup given by Ernanuel college to the best graduate
of that year, which honorary reward is still preserved with
great care in his family. His only Cambridge' verses were
a poem on laying the foundation-stone of the public library
in 1755, and a sonnet on the late king’s death in 1760.
In 1760 he proceeded M. A. and succeeded as classical tutor to Mr. Bickham, who was at that time presented to the college-rectory of Loughborough,
In 1760 he proceeded M. A. and succeeded as classical
tutor to Mr. Bickham, who was at that time presented to the
college-rectory of Loughborough, in Leicestershire. He
proved an excellent classical tutor, and had the art of
gaining the esteem of his pupils; but, having less attachment to theology and mathematics, he is thought to have
been less zealous in recommending those studies, although
he never remitted what was necessary for the purposes of
initiation, and more can perhaps seldom be achieved by
any tutor in the short time he has to direct the pursuits of
his scholars. At what time he took orders is not mentioned,
but during his being tutor he served the curacy of Swavesey, a village about eight miles from Cambridge. The
bent of his private studies being to ancient literature and
antiquities, he was in 1763 recommended to, and elected
a fellow of, the society of antiquaries. In 1765 he served
the office of junior proctor of the university. In May of
the following year he published, from the university press,
proposals for a history of the town of Leicester, “originally
collected by William Staveley, esq. barrister at Jaw, now
first offered to the public from the author’s ms. with very
large additions and improvements, &c.
” It is somewhat
singular that Mr. Farmer should mistake the name of
Staveley, which was Thomas, both in these proposals and
in the imprimatur which he obtained for it in 1767. That
however he set about this work with full intention of
pursuing it with diligence, is evident from the tenour of
many of the letters which he addressed at that period to
some eminent antiquaries, his friends; but, in a very few
months, he began to perceive that the task he had undertaken was much more lahorious than he had at first imagined. He. clung to it, however, through many delays,
sometimes flattering himself, and sometimes his subscribers,
that it would be completed, until, at length, when he had
actually begun to print it, he took the advantage of his
promotion to the mastership of Emanuel college, and
urging that as an excuse for discontinuing his labours, advertised to return the subscription-money, which was punctually done when called for. He then presented the Mss.
and plates to Mr. Nichols, who has since completed the
history both of the town and county of Leicester, with a
degree of spirit, ability, and industry, perhaps unprecedented in this department of literature.
o the opinions of many eminent writers, in a manner that carried conviction to the mind of every one who had either carefully or carelessly reflected on the subject.
In 1766 Mr. Farmer published his justly celebrated
“Essay on the Learning of Shakspeare,
” a thin octavo
volume, which completely settled a much litigated question,
contrary to the opinions of many eminent writers, in a
manner that carried conviction to the mind of every one
who had either carefully or carelessly reflected on the
subject. It may in truth be pointed out as a masterpiece,
whether we consider the sprightliness and vivacity with
xvliich it is written, the clearness of the arrangement, the
force and variety of the evidence, or the compression of
scattered materials into a narrow com pass; materials which
inferior writers would have expanded into a large volume.
A second edition of this valuable performance was called
for in 1767, in which are a few corrections of style; and a
third was printed in 1789, without any additions, except a
note at the end, accounting for his finally abandoning his
intended publication of the Antiquities of Leicester. It
was afterwards added to the prolegomena of Steevens’s
Shakspeare, 1793, 15 vols. and in the two subsequent editions
of 21 vols. by Mr. Reed in 1803, and Mr. Harris in 1812.
he death of Dr. Richardson, he was chosen master of Emanuel college; Mr. Hubbard, the senior fellow, who had been chosen, declining it, with, says Mr. Cole, “his wonted
In 1767 Mr. Farmer took the degree of B. D. and in
1769 was appointed by Dr. Terrick, then bishop of London, to be one of the preachers at the chapel royal, Whitehall. During the residence in London which this office
required, he lodged with the celebrated Dr. Askew, in
Queen’s Square, Bloomsbury, and became himself a collector of books at a time when such as are now thought
invaluable could be picked up at stalls at the most trifling
prices. In 1775, on the death of Dr. Richardson, he was
chosen master of Emanuel college; Mr. Hubbard, the senior fellow, who had been chosen, declining it, with, says
Mr. Cole, “his wonted moderation and disinterestedness,
and giving his full suffrage to his friend Mr. Farmer.
”
He now took the degree of D. D. and was very soon succeeded in his tutorship by Dr. William Bennet, the present very learned and amiable bishop of Cloyne. In
1775-6, Dr. Farmer served, in his turn, the office of vicechancellor. During his holding this office an event occurred, which would scarcely be worth mentioning in a
life of Dr. Farmer, had it not been grossly misrepresented.
When the disturbances in America had become serious,
the university of Cambridge, with numberless other loyal
bodies, voted an address to the king, approving of the
measures adopted by government to reduce the colonies
to their duty; the address, however, was not carried unanimously, and was, in particular, opposed by Dr. John
Jebb, so well known for his free opinions in politics and
religion, and by some others, of whom, one man, a member of the caput, carried his opposition so far, as actually
to refuse the key of the place which contained the seal
necessary on such occasions. In this emergency the
vicechancellor, Dr. Farmer, is said to have forced open the
door with a sledge-hammer; and this act of violence is
called courtly zeal, and all his subsequent preferments are
attributed to it. But the fact'is, that the opening of this
door (of a chest) was not an act of intemperate zeal. The
sense of the university had been taken; the senate, by its
vote, had given its sanction to the measure before the vicechancellor exerted his authority, and gave his servant his
official orders to break open the chest.
ch some have not repaid by the kindest regard for his memory. Not so the late Mr. Gilbert Wakefield, who, besides other grateful notices, says, in p. 94 95 of his Life,
On the death of Dr. Barnardiston, master of Bene't
college, Dr. Farmer was, on June 27, 1778, unanimously
elected proto-bibliothecarius, or principal librarian of the
university, to which he was well entitled from his literary
character, and in which office he afforded easy access to
the public library to men of learning of all parties, an
obligation which some have not repaid by the kindest regard for his memory. Not so the late Mr. Gilbert Wakefield, who, besides other grateful notices, says, in p. 94
95 of his Life, that he is “acquainted with striking instances
of liberality in Dr. Farmer towards those of whose integrity
he was convinced, however opposite their sentiments
” a
character, which, although Mr. Wakefield is here speaking
of the mastership of the college, may be applied to Dr.
Farmer throughout the whole progress of his life.
more beloved by an extensive circle of friends than Dr. Farmer, there was not, perhaps, one of them who did not applaud his declining that station, or who did not think,
Dr. Farmer had now attained the utmost of his wishes;
and although both an English and an Irish bishoprick were
offered to him, he declined them, for which various reasons
have been assigned. One is certainly erroneous. It has
been said “that in early life he had felt the power of love,
and had suffered such a disappointment as had sunk deep
in his mind, and for a time threatened his understanding.
From that period, though he retained his faculties entire,
he acquired some peculiarities of manner, of which he was
so far conscious, as to be sensible that they would hardly
become the character of a bishop; being likewise strongly
attached to dramatic entertainments (which, if we mistake net, the English bishops never witness), and delighting in
clubs where he could have rational conversation without
state or ceremony of any kind, he very wisely preferred
his residentiaryship to the highest dignity in the church.
”
What is here said as to his habits being incompatible with
the character of a bishop, cannot be denied; but these
habits were partly natural, from indolence and a love of
ease, and partly acquired by a seclusion from polished
society. The lady to whom Dr. Farmer is said to have
been attached, was the eldest daughter of sir Thomas’
Hatton, with whom he became acquainted while curate of
Swavesey. Cole says, sir Thomas refused his consent, and
this refusal appears to have been given in 1782, when Dr.
Farmer was in his forty-seventh year, and if, as Cole affirms, the lady was then only twenty-seven or twenty-eight
years of age, she must have been an infant when Dr.
Farmer became acquainted with her father. The whole,
however, may be only one of Cole’s gossiping stories; and
whether so or not, Dr. Farmer, neither at this or any
previous time, exhibited any symptoms of-“disappointed
love.
” It is more rational to suppose, with his last biographer (Mr. Nichols), that when he arrived at that situation, as to fortune, which gave him a claim to the object
of his affections, he found, on mature reflection, that his
habits of life were then too deeply rooted to be changed
into those of domestic arrangements with any probable
chance of perfect happiness to either party. As to his
promotion to a bishopric, it may yet be added, that
although few men have been more beloved by an extensive
circle of friends than Dr. Farmer, there was not, perhaps,
one of them who did not applaud his declining that station,
or who did not think, with all their respect for him, that
he would not have appeared to advantage in it. It is not
as a Divine that Dr. Farmer was admired by his contemporaries, or can be known to posterity.
, Sept. 8, 17^7, and was buried in the chapel. His epitaph in the cloisters was written by Dr. Parr, who, in another place, and while he was living, said of him, “His
Few circumstances of Dr. Farmer’s life remain to be
noticed. His latter years were nearly equally divided
between Emanuel college and the residentiary-house in
Ameu Corner. His town residence was highly favourable
to his love of literary society, and for many years he was a
member of different clubs composed of men of letters, by
whom he was much esteemed. He died, after a long and
painful illness, at the lodge of Emanuel college, Sept.
8, 17^7, and was buried in the chapel. His epitaph in the
cloisters was written by Dr. Parr, who, in another place,
and while he was living, said of him, “His knowledge
is various, extensive, and recondite, with much seeming
negligence, and perhaps in later years some real relaxation;
he understands more, and remembers more, about common and uncommon subjects of literature, than many of
those who would be thought to read all the day, and meditate half the night. In quickness of apprehension, and
acuteuess of discrimination, I have not often seen his equal.
Through many a convivial hour have I been charmed with
his vivacity and upon his genius I have reflected in many
a serious moment with pleasure, with admiration but not
without regret, that he has never concentrated and exerted
all the great powers of his mind in some great work, upon
some great subject. Of his liberality in patronizing learned
men 1 could point out numerous instances. Without the
smallest propensities to avarice, he possesses a large income; and without the mean submissions of dependence,
he is risen to high station. His ambition, if he has any,
is without insolence his munificence is without ostentation his wit is without acrimony and his learning without
pedantry.
” The value of this elegant character is its liberality, for Dr. Parr avows that “upon some ecclesiastical, and many political matters,
” there could be no coincidence of opinion. From rooted principle and ancient
habit, Dr. Fanner was a tory, and Dr. Parr is a whig; it
must be a third character, grown out of the corruption of
all principle, that would injure the fair fame of Dr. farmer
by attributing his rise in the world to clerical or political
Subserviency.
he bequeathed to his brother Joseph, a gentleman many years a much respected resident at Leicester, who died in 1813. Such was his indifference to money matters, that
His library, which was particularly rich in scarce tracts and old English literature, was sold by Mr. King in 1798, a sale of thirty-five days, which produced 2,210l. although the books are supposed to have cost him less than 500l. This and his other property he bequeathed to his brother Joseph, a gentleman many years a much respected resident at Leicester, who died in 1813. Such was his indifference to money matters, that his accounts with some of his pupils were never settled to the day of his death. Under such circumstances, it became necessary to remind them of the debts they had early contracted with their worthy tutor, and which still remained uncancelled. The application was in most instances attended with the desired success. The debt was no sooner stated than discharged. The mention of Dr. Farmer’s name precluded the necessity of further inquiry. His life, they knew, was distinguished by the most disinterested acts of generosity and friendship. Some names might indeed be mentioned of persons who were disposed to controvert the justice of these claims, and to prevaricate rather than to settle; but they were few.
s grandfather had been mayor of Truro in Cornwall and his great-grandfather was an Italian musician, who had settled in England. After having received a proper grammatical
, a learned grammarian, was born in London about 1575. His father was a carpenter in that city his grandfather had been mayor of Truro in Cornwall and his great-grandfather was an Italian musician, who had settled in England. After having received a proper grammatical education, he was admitted of Merton-college, Oxford, in the beginning of 1590, where he became servitor to Mr. Thomas French, fellow of that college, and soon distinguished himself as a youth of lively parts and great hopes. Being, however, of an unsettled disposition, he abruptly quitted the university, and, abandoning both his religion and his country, passed over to Spain, and was for some time educated there in a college belonging to the Jesuits. At length, growing weary of the severe discipline of the institution, he found a way to leave it, and went with sir Francis Drake and sir John Hawkins in their last voyage, in 15^5. By the former of these great naval commanders he is said to have been held in some esteem. Mr. Farnabie is afterwards reported to have served as a soldier in the Low Countries. No advantage was gained by him in these expeditions; for, having been reduced to much distress, he landed in Cornwall, and from the urgency of his necessities was obliged to descend to the humble employment of teaching children their horn-book. Whilst he was in this low situation he did not cbuse to go by his own name, but changed it to Thomas Baimafe, the anagram of Farnabie. By degrees he rose to those higher occupations of a school-master for which he was so well qualified, and after some lime, he fixed at Martock in Somersetshire, where he taught a grammarschool with great success. In 1646, when Mr. Charles Darby was called to teach the same school, he found in that town, and the neighbourhood, many persons who had been Mr. Farnahie’s scholars, and who, in their grey hairs, were ingenious men and good grammarians. From Martock Mr. Farnabie removed to London, and opened a school in Goldsmiths’-rents, behind Red-Cross-street, near Cripplegate, where were large gardens and handsome houses, together with all the accommodations proper for the young noblemen and gentlemen committed to his care. So established was his reputation, that at one time the number of his scholars amounted to more than three hundred. Whilst he was at the head of this school, he was created master of arts in the university of Cambridge, and on the 24th of April, 1616, was incorporated to the same degree at Oxford.
tate. Here he renewed his former occupation, and, from the number of noblemen’s and gentlemen’s sons who boarded with him, grew o rich as to add considerably to his
After a course of years, on account of some differences
with his landlords, and the frequent sicknesses which occurred in the city, Mr. Farnabie determined, in 1636, to
quit London, and reside at Sevenoaks in Kent, in the
neighbourhood of which town (at Otford) he had purchased
an estate. Here he renewed his former occupation, and,
from the number of noblemen’s and gentlemen’s sons who
boarded with him, grew o rich as to add considerably to his
landed property. One of the estates purchased by him was
near Horsham in Sussex. His works, which have transmitted
his name with honour to posterity, were not only well received at home, but abroad, and have been applauded by
several eminent foreign scholars. When the civil commotions broke out, in 1641, our author was esteemed to be
ill-affected to the parliament, because, on occasion of the
protestation’s being urged that year, he had said, that “it
was better to have one king than five hundred.
” Being
afterwards suspected of having favoured the rising of the
county for the king about Tunbridge, in 1643, he was
imprisoned in Newgate, and thence carried on shipboard.
It was even debated in the house of commons whether he
should be sent to America; but this motion being rejected,
he was removed to Ely-house in Holborn, where he remained for a considerable time. It is insinuated by Anthony Wood, that some of the members of both houses,
who had been his scholars, were amongst those who urged
his being treated with severity. Mr. Farnabie departed
this life on the twelfth of June, 1647, aged seventy-two,
and was interred in the chancel of the church ut Sevenoaks.
He was twice married. His first wife was Susanna, daughter of John Pierce, of Launcells, in Cornwall, gent. By
her he had a son named John, who becaoie a captain in
king Charles’s army, and inherited his father’s estate in
Sussex, where he lived in good esteem, and died about
the beginning of 1673. Mr. Farnabie’s second wife was
Anne, the daughter of Dr. John Howson, bishop of Durham, by whom he had several children. One of them,
Francis", succeeded to his father’s estate at Kippington, in
the parish of Sevenoaks. From this gentleman Anthony
Wood derived his information concerning the particulars
of our famous school-master’s life, and asserts that he was
the chief grammarian, rhetorician, poet, Latinist, and Grecian, of his time. Wood adds, that his school was so
much frequented, that more churchmen and statesmen
issued from it, than from any school taught by one man in
England.1
. Tertia Editio, prioribus multo emendatior et auctior.” book is dedicated to Henry prince of Wales, who received the author very kindly, and in some measure commanded
His works are: 1. “Notse ad Juveualis et Persu Satyras,
” Lond. Junii Juvenalis et Auli Persii Flacci Satyrse cum annotationibus ad
marginem, quse obscurissima quseque dilucidare possint.
Tertia Editio, prioribus multo emendatior et auctior.
”
book is dedicated to Henry prince of Wales, who received
the author very kindly, and in some measure commanded
him to write such comments on all the Latin poets. 2.
“Notae ad Seneca? Tragcedias,
” Lond. L. et M, Annaei Senecte Trngccdisc.
Post omnes omnium editiones recensionesque editio tertia
auctior et emendatior, opera et studio Thorn te Farnabii.
”
To this edition is prefixed a privilege granted him from the
king, dated October 1634, for the sole printing of that,
and several other of his works, for one-and-twenty years.
The book is accompanied with commendatory verses, by
Daniel Heinsius, Richard Andrews, M. D. Hugh Holland,
Laurence Whitaker, and Na, Tomkins. 3. “Notrc ad
Martialis Epigrammata,
” Lond. Lucani Pharsalia, sive de Bello Civili Caesaris
et Pompeii Libri X. Adjeclis ad marginem notis T. Farnabii, quae loca obscuriora illustrent,
” London, Index Rhetoricus Scholis et Institutioni tenerioris
Ætatis accommodatus,
” Lond. Formulae Oratoriae et Index Poeticus.
” The fifth edition was
printed at London, in Index Rhetoricus et Oratorius, Scholis et Institutioni
tenerioris Ætatis accommodatus. Cui adjiciuntur Formula;
Oratoriae et Index Poeticus. Opera et studio Thomae Farnabii. Editio quinta, prioribus emendation
” This book
is dedicated to Dominico Molino, Senator of Venice. The
Index Poeticus, annexed to this, was first printed at London in 1634. In the preface to the “Index Rhetoricus,
”
Mr. Farnabie informs his readers, that he had published,
about twenty years before, his Scheme of Tropes, in verse,
without his nume which, meeting with success, was
claimed by a certain plagiary upon which our author
composed his “Index Rhetoricus.
” Mons. Gibert speaks
of this work with commendation, and observes that Mons.
BaiHet has passed a favourable judgment upon it. Father
Vavasseur, though he afiirms that Mr. Farnabie' s Latin is
sometimes exceptionable, allows him, nevertheless, to have
been a diligent and learned writer. 6. “Florilcgium Epigrammatum Graecorum, eorumque Latino versu a variis
redditorum,
” London, Notae ad
Virgilium,
” London, 1634, 8vo. 8. Ci Systeraa Grammaticum,“London, 1641, 8vo. King Charles the First ordered
Mr. Farnabie to write a Latin grammar, for the use of all
the schools, when that which had been established by law,
and against which many complaints had been made, was to
be reformed. 9.
” Notae in Ovidii Metamorphoses,“Paris,
1637, folio; and London, in 12mo, 1677, &c. 10.
” Phrasiologia Anglo-Latina,“London, 8vo. 11.
” Tabula? Graeca? Linguae,“London, 4to. 12.
” Syntaxis,“London, 8vo.
13.
” Notse in Terentium.“Our author had finished his
notes upon Terence only as far as the fourth comedy,
when he died. But Dr. Meric Casaubon completed the
two last comedies, and published the whole at London,
1651, 12mo. Anthony Wood hath added to the catalogue,
” Epistolac variae ad doctissimos Viros." But this article
does not refer to a distinct publication, but to the letters
occasionally written by Farnabie to learned men, and particularly to Vossius.
been attributed to him, but it was his only by the kindness of Mr. Thomas Bedford (son of Hilkiah), who gave him the translation, in hopes that he might raise some
, distinguished by translating
some capital authors, was born (as is presumed) at Bonteshall in Derbyshire, where his father, of the same names,
was rector. He was bred first at Chesterfield school under
Mr. William Burrow, a celebrated master, and afterwards
removed to Eton. He was admitted of Jesus college,
Cambridge; and matriculated Dec. 17, 1730. In 1734 he
took his degree of B. A, and in 1738 that of M. A. In
1762 he was presented by Dr. James Yorke, dean of Lincoln, to the rectory of Carsington in Derbyshire; but did
not enjoy it long, as he died March 25, 1763, His publications were, 1. “The life of Pope Sixtus V. translated
from the Italian of Gregorio Leti, with a preface, prolegomena, notes, and appendix, 1754,
” folio. 2. “Davila’s
History of France,
” A translation
of the works of Machiavel, illustrated with annotations,
dissertations, and several new plans on the art of war,
”
A
short history of the Israelites, from the French of the -abbe
”
de Fleury,“1756, 8vo, has been attributed to him, but it
was his only by the kindness of Mr. Thomas Bedford (son of Hilkiah), who gave him the translation, in hopes that he
might raise some money by it, as he was then poor. None
indeed of his works appear to have been profitable* although his translation of Maehiavel, which he literally
” hawked round the town/' nowsells at a very high price.
On one occasion Dr. Addenbroke, dean of Lichfield, recommended him to translate Spelman’s Life of Alfred from
the Latin into English, and Farneworth was about to have
begun, when Dr. Pegge luckily informed him that the Life
of Alfred was originally written in English, and thence
translated into Latin. Mr. Farneworth is supposed to have
been the author of a ludicrous and pleasant account of
Powell, the fire-eater, in Gent. Mag. 1755, signed Philopyrphagus Asliburniensis. He was at that time curate to
the rev. John Fitzherbert, vicar of Ashbourne.
should offer. But his resolution was soon broken by an accident: being to play the part of Guyomar, who kills Vasquez, in Dryden’s “Indian Emperor,” and forgetting
, an ingenious comic writer,
was the son of a clergyman in Ireland, and born at Londonderry in 1678, where he received the rudiments of
education, and discovered a genius early devoted to the
muses. When he was very young, he gave specimens of
his poetry; and discovered a force of thinking, and turn
of expression, much beyond his years. His parents, having a numerous issue, could bestow on him no other fortune than a liberal education therefore, when he was
qualified for the university, he was sent in 1694 to Trinitycollege, in Dublin. He made great progress in his studies,
and acquired a considerable reputation: but his gay and
volatile disposition could not long relish the gravity and
retirement of a college life, and therefore, soon quitting
it, he betook himself to the diversions of the stage, and
got admitted into the company of the Dublin theatre. He
had the advantage of a good person, and was well received
as an actor, though his voice was somewhat weak: for
which reason he resolved to continue on the stage, till
something better should offer. But his resolution was soon
broken by an accident: being to play the part of Guyomar, who kills Vasquez, in Dryden’s “Indian Emperor,
”
and forgetting to exchange his sword for a foil, in the engagement he wounded his brother tragedian, who represented Vasquez, very dangerously; and though the wound
did not prove mortal, yet he was so shocked at it, that he
determined never more to appear on the stage.
rcise his genius at leisure, he owed to the earl of Orrery, a patron as well as a master of letters, who conferred a lieutenant’s commission upon him in his own regiment
Soon after this, having now no inducement to remain at
Dublin, he went to London, where, in 1696, the
celebrated actor Wilks prevailed upon him to write a play, and,
knowing his humour and abilities, assured him, that he
was considered by all as fitter to furnish compositions for
the stage, than to act those of other writers. Another encouragement, which suffered him to exercise his genius at
leisure, he owed to the earl of Orrery, a patron as well as
a master of letters, who conferred a lieutenant’s commission upon him in his own regiment in Ireland, which Farquhar held several years, and gave several proofs both of
courage and conduct. In 1698, his first comedy, called
“Love in a Bottle,
” appeared on the stage; and for its
sprightly dialogue and busy scenes, was well received
by the audience. In 1700 he produced his “Constant
Couple, or, Trip to the Jubilee,
” it being then the jubilee
year at Rome, when persons of all countries flocked
thither, for pardons or amusements. In the character of
sir Harry Wildair, our author drew so gay and airy a character, so suited to Wilks’s talents, and so animated by his
gesture and vivacity of spirit, that the player gained almost
as much reputation as the poet. Towards the end of this
year, Farquhar was in Holland, probably upon his military
duty: and he has given a very facetious description of
those places and people, in two of his letters, dated from
the Brill and from Leyden: in a third, dated from the
Hague, he very humourously relates how merry he was
there, at a treat made by the earl of Westmoreland; while
not only himself, but king William, and others of his subjects, were detained there by a violent storm. There is
also among his poems, an ingenious copy of verses to his
mistress upon the same subject. This mistress is supposed
to have been Mrs. Oldfield, whom he first recommended
to the stage. In 1701 he was a spectator, if not a mourner,
at Dryden’s, funeral; for the description he has given of it
in one of his letters, affords little indication of sorrow.
life, he was unhappily oppressed some debts; and this obliged him to make application to a courtier, who had formerly made him many professions of friendship. His pretended
Very early in 1704, a farce called “The Stage-coach,
”
in the composition of which he was jointly concerned with
another, made its first appearance, and was well received.
His next comedy, named “The Twin-Rivals,
” was played
in The Recruiting Officer.
” ' He dedicated this “to all friends round the
Wrekin,
” a noted hill near Shrewsbury, where he had
been to recruit for his company; and where, from his observations on country life, the manner in which Serjeants
inveigle clowns to enlist, and the loose behaviour of the
officers towards the milk-maids and country girls, he collected matter sufficient to form a comedy which still holds
its place on the stage. His last comedy was “The Beaux
Stratagem,
” of which he did not live to enjoy the full success. The characters in this play were all said to have
been taken from originals then living in or near the city of
Litchfield; and the last of them, Thomas Bond, a servant
in the family of sir Theophilus Biddulph, died in 1759.
He was the Scrub. This perhaps of all his pieces has remained longest, and is oftenest acted on the stage. Towards the close of his short life, he was unhappily oppressed
some debts; and this obliged him to make application
to a courtier, who had formerly made him many professions
of friendship. His pretended patron advised him to convert his commission into the money he wanted, and
pledged his honour that in a short time he would provide
him another. This circumstance appearing favourable,
and unable to bear the thoughts of want, he sold his
commission: but when he renewed his application, and
represented his distressed situation, his noble patron had
forgot his promise, or rather, perhaps, had never the least
intention to fulfil it. This distracting disappointment so
preyed upon his mind, as to occasion his death, April, 1707,
before he was thirty years of age. Soon after, the following letter to Mr. Wilks was found among his papers:
“Dear Bob, I have not any thing to leave thee to perpetuate my memory but two helpless girls look upon them
sometimes, and think of him that was to the last moment
of his life, thine, George Farquhan
” This recommendation, which resembled the celebrated testament of Eudamidas, was duly regarded by Wilks; and when the girls
became of an age to be put out into the world in business,
he procured a benefit for each of them, to supply the necessary resources.
, an eminent physician at Taunton, was born in 1741, of parents who were protestant dissenters, and was first educated at the dissenting
, an eminent physician at Taunton, was
born in 1741, of parents who were protestant dissenters,
and was first educated at the dissenting academy at Warrington, from whence he removed to Edinburgh, and there
and at Leyden pursued his medical studies, taking his
degree at the latter university* He afterwards settled at
Taunton, where he was highly esteemed for his skill and
personal character. To the learning which peculiarly
qualified him for his profession, he united a considerable
acquaintance with general literature and science; and with
medical knowledge and judgment, he possessed the powers
of instructing and entertaining, as the lively and sensible
companion of the social hour. He died March 11, 1795,
at the house of John Fisher, esq. Upcott, near Taunton.
His publications, in most of which he discovers much
original observation, extensive experience, and correct
theory, were, 1. “An Essay on the medical virtues of
Acids,
” Aphorismi de Marasmo, ex
summis medicis collecti,
” Inquiry
into the propriety of Blood-letting in Consumption,
” The History of Epidemics; by Hippocrates,
in seven books, translated into English from the Greek,
with notes and observations, and a preliminary dissertation on the nature and cause of infection,
” The Elements of Medical Jurisprudence;
to which are added, directions for preserving the Public
Health,
”
, of Pavia, an artist who flourished about 1518, was a pupil or imitator of Lionardo da
, of Pavia, an artist who
flourished about 1518, was a pupil or imitator of Lionardo
da Vinci, and the most successful of all his imitators, Luino
perhaps excepted, if he be judged by the only picture,
which, without hesitation, may be ascribed to him. This
picture, which belonged to the gallery of prince Braschi,
was carried by the French to that of the Louvre, and represents, in a groupe of natural size, the Madonna with the.
infant on her lap: the mother in quiet repose, with bent
eyes, and absorbed in meditation; her simple attitude is
contrasted by the lively one of the child, who seems to
take refuge at her neck and breast from some external
object. The picture is inscribed “Bernardinus Faxolus
de Papia fecit, 1518.
”
ying before he was of age, the care of his person and estate were committed to John duke of Bedford, who was afterwards the most wise and able regent of France we ever
, knight, and knight-banneret, a
valiant and renowned general, governor, and nobleman in
France, during our conquests in that kingdom, under king
Henry IV. V. and VI. of England, and knight-companion
of the most noble order of the garter, has been supposed,
from the title of his French barony, and from his name
being so often corruptly mentioned in the French histories^
owing to his long residence, and many engagements in
the wars there, to have been born in France, at least of
French extraction. Others, allowing him to have been
a native of England, have no less erroneously fixed hist
birth-place in Bedfordshire; but it is well known that he
was descended of an ancient and famous English family in
the county of Norfolk, which had flourished there and in
other parts of the kingdom, in very honourable distinction,
before the conquest: and from a train of illustrious ancestors, many of them dignified with the honour of knighthood, invested with very eminent employments, and possessed of extensive patrimonies. But one of the principal
branches being seated at Castre in Fleg near Great Yarmouth in that county, which estate descending to these
ancestors, he afterwards adorned with a noble family seat,
it is presumed he was born therej or in Yarmouth. His
father was John Fastolff, esq. of that town, a man of considerable account, especially for his public benefactions,
pious foundations, &c. His mother was Mary, daughter
of Nicholas Park, esq. and married to sir Richard Mortimer,
of Attleburgh; and this their son was born in the latter
end of king Edward the Illd’s reign. As he died at the
age of eighty, in 1459, his birth could not happen later
than 1378. It may fairly be presumed he was grounded
as well in that learning and other accomplishments which
afterwards, improved by his experience and sagacity, rendered him so famous in war and peace, as in those virtuous
and religious principles which governed his actions to the
last. His father dying before he was of age, the care of
his person and estate were committed to John duke of
Bedford, who was afterwards the most wise and able regent
of France we ever had there; and he was the last ward
which that duke had: others, indeed, say that he was
trained up in the Norfolk family, which will not appear
improbable when we consider that it was not unusual in
those times for young noblemen whilst under wardship to
be trained under others, especially ministers of state, in
their houses and families, as in academies of behaviour, and
to qualify them for the service of their country at home
pr abroad. But if he was under Thomas Mowbray duke
pf Norfolk, while he enjoyed that title, it could be but
one year, that duke being banished the kingdom by king
Richard II. in 1398, though his younger son, who was
restored to that title many years after, might be one of sir
John FastoltFs feoffees. And it is pretty evident that he
was, but a few years after the banishment of that duke, in
some considerable post under Thomas of Lancaster, after^
wards duke of Clarence, and second son of the succeeding
king Henry IV. This Thomas was sent by his father so
early, according to some writers, as the second year of his
reign, which was in 1401, lord lieutenant of Ireland. And
it is not improbable that Fastolff was then with him; for
we are informed by William of Wyrcestre, that in the sixth,
and seventh years of the said king Henry, that is, in 1405
and 1406, this John Fastolff, esq. was continually with,
him. And the same lord lieutenant of Ireland was again
there in 1408, 10 Henry IV. and almost to the beginning
of the next year, when it is no less probable that Fastolff
was still with him; for, in the year last mentioned, we
find that he was married in that kingdom to a rich
young widow of quality, named Milicent, lady Castlecomb,
daughter of Robert lord Tibetot, and relict of sir Stephen
Scrope, knight; the same, perhaps, who is mentioned,
though not with the title of knighthood, by sir P. Leycester, to have been the said lord lieutenant’s deputy of
Ireland, during most of the intervals of his return to England; which deputy-lieutenant died in his office the same
year. This marriage was solemnized in Ireland on the
feast of St. Hilary, 1408, and Fastolff bound himself in
the sum of 1000l. to pay her 100l. a year, for pin-money
during life; and she received the same to the 24th year of
king Henry VI. The lands in Wiltshire and Yorkshire
which came to Fastolff by this marriage with the said lady,
descended to Stephen Le Scrope, her son and heir. We
may reasonably believe that this marriage in Ireland engaged his settlement in that kingdom, or upon his estate
in Norfolk, till his appointment to the command of some
forces, or to some post of trust under the English regency
in France, soon after required his residence in that kingdom. For, according to the strictest calculation we can
make from the accounts of his early engagements in
France, the many years he was there, and the time of his
final return, it must be not long after his marriage that he
left either England or Ireland for that foreign service;
being employed abroad by Henry IV. V. and VI. in the
wars in France, Normandy, Anjou, Mayne, and Guyenne,
upwards of forty years; which agrees very well with what
Caxton has published, in his concise, yet comprehensive
character of him, little more than twenty years after his
death, where he speaks of his “exercisyng the warrys in
the royame of Fraunce and other countrees, &c. by fourty
yeres enduryng.
” So that, we cannot see any room, either
in the time or the temper, in the fortunes or employments
of this knight, for him to have been a companion with, or
follower and corrupter of prince Henry, in his juvenile
and dissolute courses; nor, that Shakspeare had any view
of drawing his sir John Falstaff from any part of this sir
John Fastolff’s character; or so much as pointing at any
indifferent circumstance in it that can reflect upon his
memory, with readers conversant in the true history of
him. The one is an old, humourous, vapouring, and
cowardly, lewd, lying, and drunken debauchee, about the
prince’s court when the other was a young and grave,
discreet and valiant, chaste and sober, commander abroad
continually advanced to honours and places of profit, for
his brave and politic atchievements, military and civil;
continually preferred to the trust of one government or
other of countries, cities, towns, &c. or as a genera^
and commander of armies in martial expeditions while
abroad; made knight-banneret in the field of battle; baron,
in France, and knight of the garter in England and, particularly, when finally settled at home, constantly exercised
in acts of hospitality, munificence, and chanty; a founder
of religious buildings, and other stately edifices ornamental
to his country, as their remains still testify; a generous
patron of worthy and learned men, and a public benefactor
to the pious and the poor. In short, the more we
compare the circumstances in this historical character, with
those in that poetical one, we can find nothing discreditable in the latter, that has any relation to the former, or
that would mislead an ignorant reader to mistake or confound them, but a little quibble, which makes some conformity in their names, and a short degree in the time
wherein the one did really, and the other is feigned to live.
And, in regard to the prince of Wales, or our knight’s
being engaged in any wild or riotous practices of his youth,
the improbabilities may also appear from the comparison of
their age, and a view of this prince’s commendable engagements till that space of time in which he indulged his
interval of irregularities, when the distance of our knight
will clear him from being a promoter of, or partaker in
them. For it is apparent, that he had been intrusted with
a command in France some time before the death of king
Henry IV. because, in 1413, the rery first year of his son,
who was now grown the reformed, and soon after proved
the renowned, Henry V. it appears that Fastolff had the
castle and dominion of Veires in Gascoigne committed to
his custody and defence: whence it is very reasonably inferred, that he then resided in the said duchy, which at
that time was possessed by the English. In June 1415,
Fastolff, then only an esquire, was returned, by indenture,
with ten men of arms, and thirty archers, to serve the king
at his arrival in France. Soon after king Henry was arrived in Normandy, in August following, with above 30,000
men, the English army having made themselves masters of
Harfleur, the most considerable port in that duchy, Fastolff
was constituted lieutenant thereof, with 1500 men, by the
earl of Derby, as Basset in his ms history informs us;
but, as we find it in others, the king, upon this conquest,
constituted his said uncle Thomas Beaufort, earl of Dorset
and duke of Exeter, governor of Harfleur, in conjunction
sir John Fastolff; and, having repaired the fortificaplaced therein a garrison of two thousand select
men, as Titus Livius numbers them; or of fifteen hundred
ien at arms, and thirty-five knights, according to Hall’s
account; to which number Monstrelet also adds a thousand
archers. Towards the latter end of October, in the year
last mentioned, he was dangerously engaged in the evermemorable battle of Agincourt, where it is said that Fastolff, among others, signalized himself most gallantly by
taking the duke of Alengon prisoner; though other
historians say that duke was slain after a desperate encounter
with king Henry himself, in which he cut off the crowned
crest of the king’s helmet. The fact is, that, in a succeeding battle, Fastolff did take this duke’s son and successor prisoner. In the same year, 1415, he, with the
duke and 3000 English, invaded Normandy, and penetrated almost to Rouen; but on their return, loaded with
booty, they were surprised, and forced to retreat towards
Harfleur, whither the enemy pursuing them, were totally
defeated. The constable of France, to recover his credit,
laid siege to Harfleur, which made a vigorous defence
under sir John Fastolff and others till relieved by the fleet
under the duke of Bedford. He was at the taking of the
castle of Tonque, the city of Caen, the castle of Courcy,
the city of Sees, and town of Falaise, and at the great
siege at Rouen, 1417. For his services at the latter he
was made governor of Conde Noreau; and for his eminent
services in those victories, he received, before the 29th of
January following, the honour of knighthood, and had the
manor and demesne of Fritense near Harfleur bestowed
upon him during life. In 1418 he was ordered to seize
upon the castle and dominion of Bee Crispin, and other
manors, which were held by James D'Auricher, and several
other knights; and had the said castle, with those lands,
granted him in special tail, to the yearly value of 2000
scutes. In 1420 he was at the siege of Monsterau, as Peter
Basset has recorded; and, in the next year, at that of
Meaulx-en-Brie. About five months after the decease of
king Henry V. the town of Meulent having been surprized
in January 1422, John duke of Bedford, regent of France,
and sir John Fastolff, then grand master of his household,
and seneschal of Normandy, laid siege to the same, and
re-took it. In 1423, after the castle of Craven t was relieved, our knight was constituted lieutenant for the king
and regent in Normandy, in the jurisdictions of Rouen,
Evreux, Alengon, and the countries beyond the river
Seine: also governor of the countries of Anjou and Maine,
and before the battle of Verneuil was created banneret,
About three months after, being then captain of Alengon,
and governor of the marches thereof, he laid siege to the
castle of Tenuye in Maine, as a French historian informs
us, which was surrendered to him; and, in 1424, he was
sent to oppose the delivery of Alenon to the French, upon
a discovery made that a Gascoigner had secretly contracted
to betray the same. In September 1425, he laid siege to
Beaumont le Vicompt, which surrendered to him. Then
also he took the castle of Sillie-Je-Guillem, from which he
was dignified with the title of baron: but this, revolting
afterwards again to the French, was assaulted by the earl
of Arundel, and retaken about seven years after. In the
year last mentioned, our active warrior took also St. Ouen
D'Estrais, near Laval, as likewise the castle of Gravelle,
with other places of strength, from the enemy; for which
dangerous and indefatigable service in France he was about
the same time elected in England, with extraordinary
deference to his merits, knight companion of the order of
the garter. In 1426 John lord Talbot was appointed
governor of Anjou and Maine, and sir John Fastolff was
removed to another place of command, which, in all probability, might be the foundation of that jealousy, emulation, or competition, between them, which never was cordially reconciled. In October 1428, he had a protection
granted him, being then going into France; and there he
performed an enterprise of such bravery and conduct as is
scarcely thought to have been paralleled in ancient or
modern history. The English army, at the siege of Orleans, being in great want of provisions, artillery, and
other necessaries, sir John Fastolff, with some other approved commanders, was dispatched for supplies by William de la Pole duke of Suffolk, to the regent at Paris;
who not only provided him plentifully therewith, but allowed him a strong guard at his return, that he might convey the same safely to the siege. The French, knowing
the importance of this succour, united two armies of very
superior numbers and force to meet him; but, either in
different encounters, or in a pitched battle, as the French
thetnselv es allow, he totally overthrew them; slew greater
numbers than he had under his command, not to mention
the wounded and the prisoners; and conducted his convoy
safe to the English camp. And because it was in the time
of Lent, and he had, among his other provision, several
of his carriages laden with many barrels of herrings, which
he applied to form a fortification, the French have ever
since called this victory “The battle of herrings.
” But
as the fortune of war is precarious, the English army was
soon after obliged to raise the siege of Orleans, and though
they received recruits from the duke of Bedford, they were
in no degree strong enough to encounter the French army
at Patay. At the battle which happened there in June
1429, many of the English, who were of most experienced
and approved valour, seeing themselves so unequal, and
the onset of the French so unexpected, made the best
retreat they could and, among them who saved themselves, as it is said, was sir John Fastolff vfho, with such
as could escape, retired to Corbeil thus avoiding being
killed, or, with the great lord Talbot, lord Hungerford,
and sir Thomas Ramps ton, taken prisoner of war. Here
the French tales, which some English historians have inconsiderately credited, contradict or invalidate themselves;
for, after having made the regent most improbably, and
without any examination, or defence, divest Fastolff of his
honours, they no less suddenly restore him to them, for,
as they phrase it, “apparent causes of good excuse;
though against the mind of the lord Talbot;
” between
whom there had been, it seems, some emulous contests,
and therefore it is no wonder that Fastolff found him upon
this occasion an adversary. It is not likely that the regent
ever conceived any displeasure at this conduct, because
Fastolff was not only continued in military and civil employments of the greatest concern, but appears more in
favour with the regent after the battle of Patay than before. So that, rather than any dishonour here can be
allowed, the retreat itself, as it is told, must be doubted.
It was but in 1430 that he preferred him to the lieutenancy
of Caen in Normandy. In 1432 he accompanied him into
France, and was soon after sent ambassador to the council
of Basil, and chosen, in the like capacity, to negociate
a final or temporary peace with France. And that year,
Fastolff, with the lord Willoughby, commanded the army
which assisted the duke of Bretagne against the duke of
Alen^on. Soon after this he was for a short space in England; for, in 1433, going abroad again, he constituted
John Fastolff, of Olton, probably a near relation, his general attorney. In 1434, or the beginning of the year
after, sir John was again with the regent of France;'and,
in 1435, he was again one of the ambassadors to conclude
a peace with France. Towards the latter end of this year
the regent died at Rouen, and, as the greatest proof he
could give of his confidence in the honour and integrity of
sir John Fastolff, he made him one of the executors of his.
last will. Richard, duke of York, who succeeded in the
regency of France, made Fastolff a grant of an annuity of
twenty pounds a year of his own estate, “pro notabili et
landdbili servicio, ac bono consilio;
” which is sufficient to
shew this duke’s sentiments also of his merits. In 1436,
and for about four years longer, he seems to have been
well settled at his government in Normandy; after which,
in 1440, he made his final return home, and, loaclen
with the laurels he had gathered in France, became as illustrious in his domestic as he had been in his foreign
character. The late Mr. Gough, by whom this article was
much enlarged, had an inventory of all the rich jewels,
plate, furniture, &c. that he either had, or left in France,
at his return to England. In 1450 he conveyed to John
Kemp, cardinal archbishop of York, and others, his manor
of Castre in Fleg, and several other lands specified in the
deed of conveyance. The same year, Nov. 8, the king
by writ directed Richard Waller, esq. David John William
Needham, and John Ingoldsby, to cause Thomas Danyell,
esq. to pay to sir John FastolfF, knight, the lOOl. that he
was indebted to him for provisions, and for his ship called
the George of Prussia, alias Danyell’s Hulk, which ship
the said Danyell took on the sea as a prize, and never had
it condemned; so that the king seized it, ordered it to be
sold, and sir John to be paid out of it. At length being
arrived, in 1459, beyond the age of fourscore years, he
says of himself, that he was “in good remembrance, albeit
I am gretly vexed with sickenesse, and thurgh age infebelyd.
” He lingered under an hectic fever and asthma
for an hundred and forty-eight days; but before he departed he made his will on the fifth of November in that
year, and died at his seat at Castre the next day after,
being the festival of St. Leonard, or the eve before, as
appears in the escheats, in the 39th or last year of king
Henry the Vlth’s reign, and no less than thirty-six years
beyond the extravagant period assigned by Fuller. He
was buried with great solemnity under an arch, in a chapel
of our lady of his own building, on the south side of the
choir at the abbey-church of St. Bennet in the Holm, in
Norfolk, which was ruined at the dissolution; and so much
was he respected after his decease, that John Beauchamp,
lord of Powyke, in his last will dated the 15th of Edward
IV. appointed a chantry, more especially for the soul of
sir John Fastolff.
e of his mansion-houses. The current tradition is, that this house was erected by a French nobleman, who was taken prisoner by our famous knight, according to the model
The ruins of his house at Castre still remaining, shew it to have been alike capacious and strong. It was moate4 round, but the moat is now for the most part filled up. The grand entrance was on the West. The house formed a rectangled parallelogram the south and north sides longer than east and west the stables in front the best rooms on the right hand of the square, under which side is a noble vault, and over it probably the hall. The embattled brick tower at the north west corner is standing, above one hundred feet high; and over one of the windows were carved his arms in the garter as above described, supported by angels, now removed; on one of the doors a saltire engrailed. To it adjoined a dining-parlour, fifty-nine feet long, and twenty-eight broad. East from the castle stood the college, forming three sides of a square larger than the former, with two round towers; the whole converted into barns and stables. The castle moat is said to have communicated with a navigable creek, and in a farm housa north west of the mansion, called the barge-house, is shewn a large arch, capable of receiving a boat of considerable burthen. Weever says he had licence from Henry VI. to build his house castle-wise as a fortification on that side of Yarmouth, to which perhaps relates the licence granted him 1443, 22 Hen. VI. to employ some of the king’s ships to carry materials for building and furnishing one of his mansion-houses. The current tradition is, that this house was erected by a French nobleman, who was taken prisoner by our famous knight, according to the model and architecture of his own castle in France, as the price of his ransom.
other places in Surrey, late sir John’s, to perform his last will, and also> receiver of the rents; who was to have six marks per annum, and to be allowed, besides
February 10, 1474, 13 Edw. IV. an indenture was made between sir William Yelverton, William Jenny, serjeant at law, and William Worcester, executors of sir John on one part, and Thomas Cager and Robert Kytton on the other, whereby the said Robert was appointed surveyor of the lands and tenements in Southwark, and other places in Surrey, late sir John’s, to perform his last will, and also> receiver of the rents; who was to have six marks per annum, and to be allowed, besides all reasonable costs, that he shall do in the defence and keeping out John Paston, esq. and of all others claiming by him. Anthony lord Scales, at another time, took possession of it in the name of king Edward IV. under pretence that Paston was the king’s villan (though absolutely false), all which proved a great destruction to the goods and effects in the same; but sir John Paston, through the favour and protection of king Edward IV. had afterwards possession. Another misfortune also happened to this seat or castle about the same time, owing to the negligence of a girl, who in making a bed set fire to it by her candle, and did considerable damage. Sir John Fastolff had a house at Norwich in Pokethorp opposite St. James’s church, called Fastolff’s place; in the windows of which Mr. Blomefield saw several paintings of saints and scripture worthies, and two knights fighting, which he imagined represented sir John and his French prisoner. He likewise built a splendid seat in Yarmouth, and a palace in Southwark.
duels in so persuasive and forcible a style, and with so much energy, that the marechal de la Force, who was present, declared to some brave officers who were near him,
, a French protestant preacher
of the highest estimation in his time. He preached originally at Montpellier, then at Charenton, and afterwards at
Paris; where his eloquence was not less admired than in
the provinces. He preached one day against duels in so
persuasive and forcible a style, and with so much energy,
that the marechal de la Force, who was present, declared
to some brave officers who were near him, that should a
challenge be sent him, he would not accept it. Le Faucheur was not less esteemed for his integrity than for his
extraordinary talents as a preacher. He died at Paris in a
very advanced age, April 1, 1657, leaving several volumes
of sermons, 8vo; “Traité de l‘Action de l’Orateur,
” Leyden, Recueil de Prieres et de
Meditations Chrétiennes,
” and a “Traite
” sur l'Eucharistie,"
Geneva, 1635, folio, against cardinal du Perron. This
work was so much admired by the protestant churches,
that it was printed at their expence, by order of a national
synod.
nce as an author. It is, however, no small degree of praise to say of him, that he was the first man who carried his profession to a high degree of credit in Ireland.
, a worthy printer of no mean
celebrity, is rather recorded in this work for the goodness
of his heart, than from his excellence as an author. It is,
however, no small degree of praise to say of him, that he
was the first man who carried his profession to a high degree of credit in Ireland. He was the confidential printer
of dean Swift; and enjoyed the friendship and patronage
of the earl of Chesterfield, whose ironical letters to Faulkner, comparing him to Atticus, are perhaps the finest parts
of his writings. He settled at Dublin as a printer and
bookseller, soon after 1726 (in which year we find him in London under the tuition of the celebrated Bowyer), &nd
raised there a very comfortable fortune by his well-known
44 Journal,“and other laudable undertakings. In 1735, he
was ordered into custody by the house of commons in Ireland, for having published
” A proposal for the better regulation and improvement of quadrille;“an ingenious treatise
by bishop Hort; which produced from Swift
” The 4egion
club.“Having had the misfortune to break his leg, he was
satirically introduced by Foote, who spared nobody, in the
character of
” Peter Paragraph,“in
” The Orators, 1762.“He commenced a suit against the mimic; and had the honour of lord Townshend’s interference to arbitrate the difference. He died an alderman of Dublin, Aug. 28, 1775.
His style and manner were finely ridiculed in
” An Epistle
to Gorges Edmund Howard, esq. with notes, explanatory,
critical, and historical, by George Faulkner, esq. and alderman,“reprinted in Dilly’s
” Reppsitory,“vol. IV. p. 175.
But a fairer specimen of his real talents at epistle-writing
may be seen in the
” Anecdotes of Mr. Bowyer,“or in the
second volume of the
” Supplement to Swift;" whence it
appears that, if vanity was a prominent feature in his character, his gratitude was no less conspicuous.
lege, in 1568, under the tuition of John Potts, whom Wood calls a noted philosopher. In 1570, Potts, who was a concealed papist, being detected, conducted his young
,
an English Jesuit, was born in 1554, at Foston in Leicestershire, and entered a student in Merton college, in 1568,
under the tuition of John Potts, whom Wood calls a noted
philosopher. In 1570, Potts, who was a concealed papist,
being detected, conducted his young pupil, whose parents
were of that persuasion, to the Jesuits’ college at Louvain.
In this seminary he continued till he had taken a bachelor
of arts degree, and then went to Paris. From thence he
travelled to Munich in Bavaria, where duke William allowed him a handsome salary to prosecute his studies, and
Ivhere he took the degree of M. A. In 1575 he proceeded
to Rome, and became a member of the English Jesuits’
college, of which he was soon after appointed divinityreader. He was much distinguished and favoured by several princes, and particularly by pope Gregory XIII. who,
as a token of his affection and confidence, gave him a seal
which empowered him to grant a pass to any of his countrymen travelling through the catholic dominions. In 1581
he was appointed president of the Jesuits’ college at Posna
in Poland, in which country he spent the remainder of his
life. He died at Ulna, in the province of Lithuania, Feb.
18, 1591, much regretted by his fraternity, amongst whom
he had the character of a prudent, learned, and ^pious divine. His works are: 1. “.De Christi in terris ecclesia,
”
Posna, 1584, 4to. 2. “Contra Antonium Sadeelem Calv:nistam, libri III.
” 3. “Theses de variis fidei eontroversiis,
”
Posna, Doctrina catholica de Sanctorum
Invocatione, &c.
” ibid. Apologia Libri
sui de Invocatione, &c. contra Danielem Tossanum,
” Colon.
Coenae Lutherana? et Calvinistee oppu<rnatio,
” Posna, Apologia Thesium de CcBUtt
Lutherana, &o.
” ibid. Oratio de causis
Haeresis, &c.
” 9. “Tractatus de Controversiis inter ordinem Eccles. et Secularem in Polonia,
”
in love with Margaret wife of Henry IV. is supposed to be chiefly owing to the vanity of that lady, who wished to have the credit of such a conquest. Pibrac published,
, lord of Pibrac, by which name he is
much better known, was born at Toulouse in 1528, and
distinguished himself at the bar in that city. He perfected
his knowledge of jurisprudence in Italy, and then returned
to be advanced to honours in his own country. In 1560 he
was deputed by his native city to the states-general held
at Orleans, and there presented to the king its petition of
grievances, which he had himself drawn up. By Charles
IX. he was sent as one of his ambassadors to the council of
Trent, where he eloquently supported the interests of the
crown, and the liberties of the Gallican church. In 1565
the chancellor de PHopital, appointed him advocate-general in the parliament of Paris, where he revived the influence of reason and eloquence. In 1570, he was, made
a counsellor of state, and two years afterwards, probably
constrained by his superiors, wrote his defence of the massacre of St. Bartholomew, published in 4to, and entitled
“Ornatissimi cujusdam viri, de rebus Gallicis, epistola, et
ad hanc de iisdem rebus responsio
” but this barbarous
measure was too repugnant to the mildness of Pibrac’s character to be approved by him. For this, after the accession of Henry III. he made the best amends in his power,
by proposing and bringing to a conclusion, a treaty of
peace between the court and the protestants. While that
prince was duke of Anjou, and was elected king of Poland, he attended him as minister in that country; but
when the succession to the crown of France, on the death
of his brother, tempted Henry to quit that kingdom
clandestinely, Pibrac was in danger of falling a sacrifice to
the resentment of the people. He afterwards tried in vain
to preserve that crown to his master. His services were
rewarded by being created one of the chief presidents of
the courts of law. He died in 1584, at the age of fifty-six.
The story of his falling in love with Margaret wife of
Henry IV. is supposed to be chiefly owing to the vanity of
that lady, who wished to have the credit of such a conquest. Pibrac published, besides his letter on the massacre, which was in Latin, pleadings and speeches, “Les
plaisirs de la vie rustique,
” Paris, Quatrains,
” or moral
stanzas of four lines, which were first published in 1574.
The last edition we know of, is that of 1746. They have
been extravagantly admired, and translated into almost all
languages, even Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian.
They were rendered into English by Sylvester, the translator of du Bartas, in a manner not likely to give an advantageous notion of the original, which, though now antiquated, stiil preserves graces that recommend it to readers
of taste. Pibrac was a classical scholar; and to the taste
he drew from that source, his “Quatrains
” owe much of
their excellence. The subjects of some of them he took
from the book of Proverbs, which he used to say contained
all the good sense in the world.
all the reward of our lahour is the gift of God. In a disputation, likewise, with Lucidus, a priest, who was very tenacious of the sentiments of Augustine, Faustus endeavoured
, an English monk of the fifth century, was created abbot of a monastery in the Lerin islands about the year 433, and afterwards bishop of Riez in Provence, about the year 466. The time of his death is uncertain. He wrote a homily on the life of his predecessor in the see, Maximus; which is extant among those attributed to Eusebius Emisenus. He governed his diocese unblamcably, led a holy life, and died regretted and esteemed by the church. In the grand controversy of the fifth century, he rather favoured the Semi-Pelagians, which a recent historian attributes to his fear of the abuses of predestination, and a misunderstanding of the consequences of Augustine’s doctrine. It is certain that in a treatise which he wrote on saving grace, he shewed that grace always allures, precedes, and resists the human will, and that all the reward of our lahour is the gift of God. In a disputation, likewise, with Lucidus, a priest, who was very tenacious of the sentiments of Augustine, Faustus endeavoured to correct his ideas by suggesting, that we must not separate grace and human industry; that we must abhor Pelagius, and yet detest those who believe, that a man may be of the number of the elect, without labouring for salvation.
s friends objected to, “Shall not I easily suffer him,” says he, “to be the most learned of all men, who has thirty legions at his command” This philosopher is said
, an ancient philosopher and orator, was
born at Aries in Gaul, flourished under the emperor Adrian,
in the second century, and taught both at Athens and
Home with high reputation. Adrian had no kindness for
him; for such was the nature and temper of this emperor,
that, not content with being the first in dignity and power,
he would needs be the first in every thing else. This pedantic affectation led him, as Spartian relates, to deride, to
contemn, to trample upon the professors of all arts and
sciences, whom he took a pleasure in contradicting upon
all occasions, right or wrong. Thus one day he reproved
Favorinus, with an air of great superiority, for using a
certain word; which, however, was a good word, and frequently used by the best authors. Favorinus submitted
patiently to the emperor, without making any reply, though
he knew himself to be perfectly right: which when his
friends objected to, “Shall not I easily suffer him,
” says
he, “to be the most learned of all men, who has thirty
legions at his command
” This philosopher is said to
have wondered at three things first, that being a Gaul he
should speak Greek so well; secondly, that being an
eunuch he should be accused of adultery; and thirdly,
that being envied and hated by the emperor he should be
permitted to live. Many works are attributed to him;
among the rest a Greek work of “Miscellaneous History,
”
often quoted by Diogenes Lærtius, but none of them are
now extant.
, who, according to a tradition still current at Halifax, was a good
, who, according to a tradition still current at Halifax, was a good divine, a good physician, and
a good lawyer, was born at Southampton, and was prepared for the university, partly there and partly at Winchester-school. From this seminary he was elected
probationer fellow of New-college, Oxford, in 1576, and two
years afterwards was made complete fellow. On June 5,
1592, he proceeded LL. D. and, as Wood says, was made
vicar of Halifax in Yorkshire, Jan. 4, 1593. In August
1608, according to Thoresby, but in March 1618, according to Wood, he was made warden or master of St. Mary
Magdalen’s hospital at Ripon. In March 1616, he was
collated to the prebend of Driffield, and to the chantership of the church of York. He was also chaplain to the
archbishop, and residentiary. He appears to have spent
much of his time in the discharge of the duties of the three
learned professions. In an epistle to the reader, prefixed
to a work we are about to mention, he gives as impediments
to its progress, “preaching every Sabbath-day, lecturing
every day in the week, exercising justice in the commonwealth, and practising physic and chirurgery.
” Amidst
all these engagements, however, he produced a large 4to
volume, printed at London in 1619, entitled “Antiquitie
triumphing over Noveltie; whereby it is proved, that Antiquitie is a true and certain note of the Christian catholicke church and veritie, against all new and upstart heresies, advancing themselves against the religious honour of
Old Rome, &g.
” This is dedicated to archbishop Matthews, and it appears that it was begun by the author,
when he was sixty years old, at the desire, and carried on
under the encouragement of the archbishop. Dr. Favour
died March 10, 1623, probably at an advanced age, and
was buried in Halifax church, where there is an inscription
to his memory.
n chief, and the late marquis of Granby, to be appointed aid-de-camp. By the advice of a noble earl ( who hinted to him that the German war would not last for ever) he
, a brave English officer, the descendant of a very ancient family, was born
in 1728 at Shipdenhall, near Halifax, in Yorkshire, which,
for many centuries, had been in the possession of his ancestors, and is now the property and residence of their
lineal descendant. His father dying when he was very
young, his education was superintended by an uncle, a very
worthy clergyman. He was brought up at a free school in
Lancashire, where he was well grounded in classical learning, and became also a remarkable proficient in mathematics. He has very frequently been heard to declare,
that, from his earliest youth, he always felt the strongest
predilection for the army, which his mother and nearest
relations constantly^ endeavoured to dissuade him from;
but, finding all their arguments ineffectual, they either
bought, or he had an ensigncy given him, in general Oglethorpe’s regiment, then in Georgia; but the war being then
going on in Flanders, he gave up his ensigncy, and went
there as a volunteer, furnished with letters from the late
marquis of Rockingham and Mr. Lascelles (afterwards lord Harewood) to the commander and several others of the
officers. This step was at the time frequently taken
by young men of spirit of the first rank and fortune, fte
entered as a volunteer, but messed with the officers, and
was very soon presented with a pair of colours. Some
time after, he married a lady of good fortune and family,
and, at the pressing entreaties df her friends, he most reluctantly resigned his commission; which he had no sooner
done, than he felt himself miserable, and his new relations
finding that his propensity to a military life was invincible,
agreed to his purchasing an ensigncy in the third regiment
of guards. Having now obtained the object of his most
anxious wishes, he determined to lose no opportunity of
qualifying himself for the highest situations in his favourite
profession. With this view he paid the most unremitting
attention to his duty, and every hour he could command
was given up to the study of the French and German languages, in which (by the assistance of his classical learning) he soon became such a proficient as not only to understand and write both, grammatically and elegantly, but
to speak them fluently. When he was a lieutenant in the
guards, he translated from the French, “The Reveries;
Memoirs upon the Art of War, by field-marshal count
Saxe,
” which was published in To the general officers.
” He also translated from the
German, “Regulations for the Prussian cavalry,
” which
was also published in llegulations for the Prussian Infantry,
” to which
was gelded “The Prussian Tactics,
” which was published
in
racy of Croydon in Surrey, where he had an opportunity of courting the notice of archbishop Herring, who resided there at that time, and to whom, among other complimentary
, a poetical and miscellaneous writer,
was born in Yorkshire about 1721. He was educated at
Leeds, under the care of the rev. Mr. Cookson, vicar of
that parish, from whence he went to Jesus college, Cambridge, and took his bachelor’s degree in 1741, and his
master’s in 1745. After being admitted into holy orders,
he settled at Bramham in Yorkshire, near the elegant seat
of that name belonging to Robert Lane, esq. the beauties
of which afforded him the first subject for his muse. He
published his “Bramham Park,
” in Descriptions of
May and Winter,
” from Gawen Douglas, the former ia
1752, the latter in 1754: these brought him into considerable notice as a poetical antiquary, and it was hoped that
he would have been encouraged to modernize the whole of
that author’s works. About the year last mentioned, he
removed to the curacy of Croydon in Surrey, where he had
an opportunity of courting the notice of archbishop Herring, who resided there at that time, and to whom, among
other complimentary verses, he addressed an “Ode on
his Grace’s recovery,
” which was printed in Dodsley’s Collection. These attentions, and his general merit as a
scholar, induced the archbishop to collate him, in 1755, to
the vicarage of Orpington, with St. Mary Cray in Kent.
In 1757 he had occasion to lament his patron’s death in a
pathetic elegy, styled Aurelius, printed with his grace’s
sermons in 1763, but previously in our author’s volume of
poems in 17-61. About the same time he married miss
Furrier of Leeds. In April 1774, by the late Dr. Plumptre’s favour, he exchanged his vicarage for the rectory of
Hayes, This, except the office of chaplain to the princess
dowager of Wales, was the only ecclesiastical promotion
he obtained.
uished contemporaries, particularly by Doctors Pearce, Jortin, Johnson, Warton, Plumptre, and Askew, who contributed critical assistance to his translation of Theocritus.
His translations of Anacreon, Sappho, Bion, Moschus, and Musieus, appeared in 1760, and his Theocritus, encouraged by another liberal subscription, in 1767. His Apollonius Rhodius, a posthumous publication, completed by the rev. Mr. Meen, of Emanuel college, Cambridge, made its appearance in 1780, when Mr. Fawkes’s widow was enabled, by the kindness of the editor, to avail herself of the subscriptions, contributed as usual very liberally. Mr. Fawkes died August 20, 1777. These scanty materials are taken chiefly from Mr. Nichols’s Life of Bowyer, and little can now be added to them. Mr. Fawkes was a man of a social disposition, with much of the imprudence which adheres to it. Although a profound classical scholar, and accounted an excellent translator, he was unable to publish any of his works without the previous aid of a subscription; and his Bible was a paltry job which necessity only could have induced him to undertake. With all his failings, however, it appears that he was held in esteem by many distinguished contemporaries, particularly by Doctors Pearce, Jortin, Johnson, Warton, Plumptre, and Askew, who contributed critical assistance to his translation of Theocritus.
keep. From a miserable state of poverty he was relieved by the liberality of Richard Cacur de Lion, who had a strong taste for the Provencal poetry. After the death
was one of the most
celebrated of the Provengal poets or troubadours. He had
a fine figure, abundance of wit, and a pleasing address,
and was much encouraged by the princes o his time. By
representing his comedies, he soon acquired considerable
riches, which his vanity and his love of debauchery
and expence did not suffer him to keep. From a miserable state of poverty he was relieved by the liberality
of Richard Cacur de Lion, who had a strong taste for the
Provencal poetry. After the death of this protector, he
returned to Aix, where he married a young woman of distinguished wit and beauty; but she did not long survive
her marriage with this profligate husband. He died soon
after, in 1220, at what age is not exactly known, but certainly early in life. Among the many pieces which he
wrote, the following are mentioned: I. A poem on the
death of his benefactor, Richard I. 2. “The palace of
Love,
” imitated afterwards by Petrarch. 3. Several comedies, one of which, entitled “Heregia dels Prestes,
” the
heresy of the priests, a satirical production against the corruptions of the church, was publicly acted at the castle of
Boniface, marquis of Montserrat.
Mss. bequeathed to that library by the queen of Sweden, with the original music by the bard himself, who was as much admired by his contemporaries for setting his poems
Dr. Burney informs us that he found his poem on the death of Richard I. in the Vatican, among the Mss. bequeathed to that library by the queen of Sweden, with the original music by the bard himself, who was as much admired by his contemporaries for setting his poems to music, as writing them. A translation of the poem, and the music itself, may be seen in Dr. Barney’s History.
d died in lt'i.93. She cultivated letters and the fine arts; and her hotel uas the rendezvous of all who were most distinguished for literary taste. The duke de la
, a French lady, daughter of Aymar de la
Vergne, marechal-de-camp, and governor of
Havre-deGrace, bat more distinguished by her wit and literary productions than by her family, was married to the count de
Fayette in 1655, and died in lt'i.93. She cultivated letters
and the fine arts; and her hotel uas the rendezvous of all
who were most distinguished for literary taste. The duke
de la Rochefuucault, Huetius, Mennge, La Fontaine, Segrais, were those she saw most frequently. The last, when
obliged to quit the house of Mad. de Montpensier, found
an honourable retreat with her. The author of “The Memoirs of madame de Maintenon,
” has not spoken favourably of this lady, nor represented her manners to be such
as from her connections we should suppose. But madame
de Sevigne, who had better opportunities of knowing her,
and is more to be relied on than the author of the memoirs,
has painted her very differently. This lady says, in a letter to her daughter, “Mad. la Fayette is a very amiable
and a very estimable woman; and whom yon will love
when you shall have time to be with her, and to enjoy the
benefit of her sense and wit; the better you luiow her, the
more you will like her.
”
The principal works of this lady are, 1. “Zaide,” a romance, often printed, and read by persons who do not usually read romances. 2. “La princesse de Cleves,” a
The principal works of this lady are, 1. “Zaide,
” a romance, often printed, and read by persons who do not
usually read romances. 2. “La princesse de Cleves,
” a
romance also, which Fontenelle professed to have read
four times. Mad. la Fayette was so regardless of fame,
that she published these works under the name of Segrais,
who, however, is supposed to have been no farther concerned than in aiding a little in the design of them. 3.
“La princesse de Montpensier,
” another romance. Voltaire says, that the romances of Fayette were the first
which exhibited the manners of people of fashion in a
graceful, easy, and natural way; all before having been
pompous bombast, and swelling every thing beyond nature
and life. 4. “Memoires de la cour de France pour lea
annles 1688 & 1689.
” This work is written with address
and spirit, and abounds with striking pictures and curious
anecdotes. 5. “Histoire d‘Henriette d’Angleterre.
” 6.
“Divers portraits de quelques personnes de la cour.
” All
these works are still esteemed and she drew up also other
memoirs of the history of her times, which were lent to
every body, and lost, by her son the abbe de la Fayette.
She understood Latin, which she learned in a very short
time.
ther of particular colours, and after a new process. It appears that the Maroquoniers in the Levant ( who are called so from dressing the skin of this goat, named the
Amidst Mr. Fearne’s various pursuits of knowledge, he
had always a particular attachment to experimental philosophy, which, both at school and at the Temple, he practised occasionally. In this employment, he fancied that
he had discdvered the art of dying Morocco leather of particular colours, and after a new process. It appears that
the Maroquoniers in the Levant (who are called so from dressing the skin of this goat, named the Maroquiu) keep
secret the ingredients which they put into the liquor,
which gives it that fine red colour. This secret, or what
would answer equally as well, Fearne thought he had discovered, and, like most projectors, saw great profits arising
from the discovery. It was his misfortune, however, to
form a connection in this scheme, with a needy and expensive partner, which opened his eyes to the fallacy of
his hopes; and at the suggestion of his friends, he reverted
to his original profession, or what his father intended for
such, and sat down to the study of the law with unremitting diligence. He had not been long in chambers, when
his habits of study, diligence, and sobriety, were observed
by an eminent attorney in the Temple, who wanted an
abstract to be made of a voluminous body of papers, so as
to bring the matter clearly before counsel. The papers
were so intricate, and of such various references, that they
required a very clear head, and a man not much taken up
with other business, to arrange them. He saw Fearne answered this last description very well; and told him, “That
having a great body of papers to arrange, he should be
glad to employ him.
” Fearne accepted the offer, and
performed his task so ably, that his employer not only rewarded him handsomely for his trouble, but from that time
gave him a considerable part of his business.
f Mansfield.” This appeared about 1780, and is said to have afforded lord Mansfield some uneasiness, who, however, took no notice of it.
While thus employed, an occasion presented itself, which
called forth his talents in a new way. Lord Mansfield,
when solicitor-general in 1747, having given an opinion in.
the state of a case on the will of William Williams (afterwards the subject of the celebrated case of Perrin v. Blake),
which Mr. Fearne, on the authority of his friend the late
James Booth, esq. of Lincoln’s-inn, quoted in the first
edition of his “Essay on the Learning of Contingent Remainders, &c.
” his lordship afterwards disavowed that opinion on the bench, insinuating at the same time that Mr,
Fearne was under some mistake in reporting it. Fearne,
all alive to the delicacy of his character, and knowing the
strong ground he proceeded upon (which was a copy of that opinion given him by Mr. Booth, from a manuscript collection of cases, taken from the originals), took this
opportunity to publish a letter, entitled “Copies of Opinions ascribed to eminent counsel on the will which was
the subject of the case of Perrin v. Blake, before the court
of king’s bench, 1769, addressed to the right hon. William
earl of Mansfield.
” This appeared about
erhaps of much consequence. That the family were reduced, appears from the occupation of his father, who was cook to Dr. Laurence Humphrey, president of Magdalen, and
, a learned controversial divine of the church of England, was born at Charlton upon Otmore, near Oxford, March 15, 1582. Fairclough was the name of his ancestors, so spelt by his grandfather, father, and eldest brother, and it appears that he was ordained by the same. Why he afterwards preferred Featley, which is a corruption of Fairclough (or, Faircliff, a place in Lancashire, where the family were originally seated), we know not, nor is it perhaps of much consequence. That the family were reduced, appears from the occupation of his father, who was cook to Dr. Laurence Humphrey, president of Magdalen, and served Corpus Christi college, Oxford, in the same capacity. He had interest enough, however, with his employers, to obtain a good education for the subject of this memoir, who was his second son, and whom we find mentioned first as a chorister of Magdalen college. After having made considerable progress in the school belonging to that college, where, even at twelve years old, his Latin and Greek exercises were noted for their excellence, he was admitted scholar of Corpus Christi college, Dec. 13, 1594, and Sept. 20, 1602, when B. A. was chosen probationer fellow. He commenced M. A. at the usual time, and was always eminent for his academical exercises, nor was he less noted as a disputant and preacher. In 1607 he delivered an oration at the death of Dr. Reinold, president of Corpus, who had been one of his earliest patrons.
have been very successful both in converting some catholics, and in confirming the opinions of those who had before embraced. the doctrines of the reformation. He had
In 1610, and the two following years, we find him in
attendance upon sir Thomas Edmondes, the king’s minister
at the court of France. Several of the sermons he preached,
during this time, in the ambassador’s chapel, are collected
in his “Clavis Mystica,
” and those which were levelled at
the errors of popery are said to have been very successful
both in converting some catholics, and in confirming the
opinions of those who had before embraced. the doctrines
of the reformation. He had also very frequent conferences
in the Cleremont with the Jesuits, and with the members
of the Sorboane, but especially with fathers Sirmund and
Petau, who, although they at first ridiculed his figure, for
he was low of stature, yet afterwards were impressed with
a regard for his controversial talents, and treated his memory with respect. His three disputations at Paris are
confessed by Holden, an eminent English catholic writer,
to have done more harm to the popish cause than thirtythree he had read of before. By most of the foreign universities he was held in such honour as a disputant, that in
the tables of the celebrated schoolmen, whom they honoured with the epithets of resolute, subtle, angelic, &c.
he was called acutissimus et acerrimus. According to
Wood, he commenced B. D. in 1613, and was the preacher
at the act of that year. His sermon on this occasion is
said to have been No. 37. in the “Clavis Mystica;
” but,
according to the evidence of his nephew John Featley, he
did not take that degree until 1615, and the sermon he delivered was a Latin concio ad clerum, dated March 25. In
1610 he had preached the rehearsal sermon at Oxford, and
by the bishop of London’s appointment he discharged the
same duty at St. Paul’s cross in 1613. By invitation from
Mr. Ezekiel Ascot, who had been his pupil, he accepted
the rectory of Northill in Cornwall, which he vacated on
his institution to the rectory of Lambeth in 1618. a change
which, if not more profitable, was certainly highly agrees
ahle to him, as he became now, by the recommendation
of the university, domestic chaplain to Abbot, archbishop
of Canterbury.
freedom of spirit, which appears to have been habitual to him. By the direction of archbishop Abbot, who was desirous that De Dominis, archbishop of Spalato, should
In 1619 he preached at Lambeth church, or in the chapel of the palace, seven of the sermons in the “Clavis Mystica,
” before the king’s commissioners in ecclesiastical
causes^ and on other occasions, and delivered his sentiments
with uncommon freedom of spirit, which appears to have
been habitual to him. By the direction of archbishop Abbot,
who was desirous that De Dominis, archbishop of Spalato,
should be gratified with the hearing of a complete divinityact, Mr. Featley, in 1617, kept his exercise for the degree of D. D. under Dr. Prideaux, the regius professor;
and many other foreigners were present, with the flower of
the English nobility and gentry. The Italian primate was
so highly pleased with the performance, that he not only
thanked his grace for the entertainment he had procured
for him; but, being soon after appointed master of the
Savoy, he gave Dr. Featley a brother’s place in that hospital. In the course of this exercise Dr. Prideaux, apprehensive for his reputation before such an auditory, felt the
sharpness and acuteness of Featley’s replies, almost to a
degree of resentment, but the archbishop effected a reconciliation between two men whose agreement in more important points was of such consequence in those days.
Chelsea college, an institution which did not last long. In 1622 he had married Mrs. Joyce Holloway, who was his parishioner, and resided in Kennington-lane. This lady
Hitherto the archbishop had bestowed no preferment on.
his chaplain; but in 1627, as we are told, “urged by hearing the discontents of the court and city, because his chaplain was kept behind the hangings,
” he bestowed on him
the rectory of Allhallows, Bread-street, and afterwards the
rectory of Acton. Much about the same time, but the year
not known, he was appointed provost of Chelsea college,
an institution which did not last long. In 1622 he had
married Mrs. Joyce Holloway, who was his parishioner,
and resided in Kennington-lane. This lady appears to
have been considerably older than Dr. Featley, but was a
woman of great piety and accomplishments. He concealed
his marriage for some time, lest it should interfere with his
residence at Lambeth palace; but in 1625 he ceased to be
chaplain to the archbishop, and concealment was no longer
necessary. The cause of his quitting the archbishop’s service has been represented as “the unfeeling treatment
” of
that prelate. But of this, his biographers have made too
much. The story, in short, is, that Dr. Featley fell sick
at Oxford, supposed of the plague, and was obliged to
leave the place and go to Lambeth; and when he found
that the archbishop had removed to Croydon for fear of
the plague, he followed him thither, and the archbishop
refused him entrance, and was surely justifiable in every
endeavour to prevent the disorder from extending to the
place he had chosen as a refuge. The story is told with
some confusion of circumstances, but the above is probably
the truth. Dr. Featley, however, on recovering from his
disorder, which, after all, happened not to be the plague,
quitted the archbishop’s service, and removed his books
from the palace. It was during the raging of the plague in
1625, or 1626, when the churches were deserted, that he
wrote his “Ancilla Pietatis, or Hand-maid to private devotion,
” which became very popular; and before
t to every clause in the solemn league and covenant, and that he corresponded with archbishop Usher, who was with the king at Oxford. During his imprisonment, he amused
While the ecclesiastical constitution stood, Dr. Featley
was member of several of the convocations; and upon account, as is supposed, of his being a Calvinist, he was in
1642 appointed by the parliament one of the Assembly of
Divines. He is said to have continued longer with them
than any other member of the episcopal persuasion; but
this was no longer than he discovered the drift of their
proceedings. That he was not acceptable to the ruling
party, appears from his becoming in the same year, a victim to their revenge. In November, the soldiers sacked
his church at Acton, and at Lambeth would have murdered him, had he not made his escape. These outrages
were followed Sept. 30, 1643, by his imprisonment in
Peter-house, in Aldersgate-street, the seizure of his library
and goods, and the sequestration of his estate. Charges
were preferred against him of the most absurd and contradictory kind, which it was to little purpose to answer.
He was voted out of his living. Among his pretended
offences were, that he refused to assent to every clause in
the solemn league and covenant, and that he corresponded
with archbishop Usher, who was with the king at Oxford.
During his imprisonment, he amused himself by writing
his celebrated treatise, entitled “The Dippers dipt, or the
Anabaptists ducked and plunged over head and ears, at a
disputation in Southwark.
” It is, however, a striking
proof of that anarchy of sentiment which disgraced the
nation at this period, that he not only dedicates this book
to the parliament which had imprisoned him, but exhorts
them to employ the sword of justice against “heretics and
schismatics,
” although himself was n'ow suffering under the
latter description by that very parliament. He was better
employed soon after in an able vindication of the church
of England against the innovators who now bore rule; but
his long confinement of eighteen months impaired his
health and shortened his days. His situation appears to
have been represented to his persecutors, but it was not
until six weeks before his death that he obtained leave
from the parliament to remove to Chelsea for the benefit
of the air. Here he died April 17, 1645, on the very day
that he was bound to have returned to his confinement at
Peter-house. It was reported that a few hours before his
deaih, he prayed for destruction to the enemies of the
church and state, in expressions which have been called
“irascible and resentful.
” How far they were used by
him seems doubtful but had he prayed only for the restoration of the constitution in church and state, it might have
still, in those times, been imputed to him that the destruction of their enemies was a necessary preliminary and a
fair innuendo. He was buried in the chancel of Lambeth
church, where his funeral sermon was preached by Dr.
Leo or Loe, who had been in habits of intimacy with him
for thirty-seven years. Dr. Leo represents him as being
“in his nature, meek, gracious, affable, and merciful:
” as
a writer he was esteemed in his time one of the ablest defenders of the doctrines of the reformation against the papists, and one of the ablest opponents of the anabaptists.
appears that he returned about the time of the restoration, and was appointed chaplain to the king, who also in August 1660 presented him to the precentorship of Lincoln,
, nephew to the preceding, son of
John Fairclough, was a native of Northamptonshire, and
educated at All Souls’ college, Oxford, which he is said to
have left after taking his first degree in arts, probably to
become his uncle’s assistant at Lambeth or Acton. During
the rebellion he went to St. Christopher’s in the West Indies, where he arrived in 1643, and had the honour of
being the first preacher of the gospel in the infancy of that
colony. It appears that he returned about the time of the
restoration, and was appointed chaplain to the king, who
also in August 1660 presented him to the precentorship of
Lincoln, and in September following to the prebend of
Milton Ross, in that cathedral. In 1662, he was created
D. D. and had from the dean and chapter of Lincoln the
vicarage of Edwinton in Nottinghamshire, worth about
sixty pounds a year. He died at Lincoln in 1666, and was
interred in a chapel in the cathedral. He published one
or two of his uncle’s tracts, particularly “Dr. Featley revived, &c.
” in which, as already noticed, there is a life of
his uncle. Of his own were only published two occasional
sermons, and “A divine antidote against the Plague, contained in Soliloquies and Prayers,
” London,
a celebrated Lutheran divine and historian, author of several learned works in Latin and in German, who was settled first at Dourlach, and afterwards at Rostock, was
, of Brisgaw, a celebrated Lutheran divine and historian, author of several
learned works in Latin and in German, who was settled first
at Dourlach, and afterwards at Rostock, was born in 1636,
and died in 1716. Among his works are a “History of
Cain and Abel,
” with notes critical, philological, historical,
and theological, published at Rostock, in 8vo a “Treatise on the Religion of the modern Greeks
” another
against the “Superstitions of the Mass,
” &c.
dversaries to benevolence.” Fuller styles him, “a man cruel to none; courteous and charitable to all who needed his help or liberality.” Burnet says, “he was a charitable
Upon the death of Mary, in 1558, her successor
Elizabeth, not unmindful of her obligations to Feckenham, sent
for him before her coronation, to consult and reward him;
and, as it is said, offered him the archbishopric of Canterbury, provided he would conform to the laws; but this he
refused. He appeared, however, in her first parliament,
taking the lowest place on the bishop’s form; and was the
last mitred abbot that sat in the house of peers. During
his attendance there he spoke and protested against every
thing tending towards the reformation; and the strong
opposition which he could not be restrained from making,
occasioned his commitment to the tower in 1560. After
nearly three years confinement there, he was committed
to the custody of Home bishop of Winchester: but having
been old antagonists on the subject of the oath of supremacy, their present connection was mutually irksome, and
Feckenham was remanded to the Tower in 1564. Afterwards he was removed to the Marshalsea, and then to
a private house in Holborn. In 1571, he attended Dr.
John Storie before his execution. In 1578 we find him in
free custody with Cox bishop of Ely, whom the queen had
requested to use his endeavours to induce Feckenham to
acknowledge her supremacy, and come over to the church:
and he was at length prevailed on to allow her supremacy,
but could never be brought to a thorough conformity.
Soon after, the restless spirit of some Roman catholics,
and their frequent attempts upon the queen’s life, obliged
her to imprison the most considerable among them: upon
which Feckenham was sent to Wisbich-castle in the Isle of
Ely, where he continued a prisoner to the time of his
death, which happened in 1585. As to his character,
Camden calls him “a learned and good man, that lived
long, did a great-deal of good to the poor, and always
solicited the minds of his adversaries to benevolence.
”
Fuller styles him, “a man cruel to none; courteous and
charitable to all who needed his help or liberality.
” Burnet says, “he was a charitable and generous man, who
lived in great esteem in England.
” And Dart concludes
his account of him in these words: “though I cannot go
so far as Reyner, to call him a martyr; yet I cannot gather
but that he was a good, mild, modest, charitable man, and
a devout Christian.
”
Rome, his fondness for the liberal arts made him spend all the time he could spare in visiting those who excelled in them; and especially the celebrated Poussin, from
, Sieur des Avaux et de Javerci, counsellor and historiographer to the king of France, was born at Chartres in 1619. He finished his first studies there at the age of fourteen, and then was sent to Paris to improve himself in the sciences, and in the management of affairs: but his inclination soon made him devote himself entirely to the muses, and he gained a great reputation by his knowledge in the fine arts. The marquis de Fontenay-Mareuil, being chosen for the second time ambassador extraordinary to the court of Rome in 1647, Felibien was made secretary to the embassy, and perfectly answered the hopes which that minister had conceived of him. During his stay at Rome, his fondness for the liberal arts made him spend all the time he could spare in visiting those who excelled in them; and especially the celebrated Poussin, from whose conversation he learned to understand all that is most beautiful in statues and pictures: and it was according to the exalted notions he then formed to himself of the excellence and perfection of painting, that he wrote those valuable works which established his reputation. On his return from Italy he went to Chartres; and, as he designed to settle himself, he married a lady of considerable family. His friends introduced him afterwards to Fouquet, who would have done something for him had he not soon after lost the king’s favour: but Colbert, who loved the arts and sciences, did not suffer him to be useless. After he had desired him to make some draughts for his majesty, in order to engage him to complete the works he had begun, he procured him a commission of historiographer of the king’s buildings, superintendant of them, and of the arts and manufactures in France: this commission was delivered to him March 10, 1666. The royal academy of architecture having been established in 1671, he was made secretary to it. The king made him afterwards keeper of his cabinet of antiques, in 1673, and gave him an apartment in the palace of Brion. He was also one of the first members of the academy of inscriptions and medals, and became afterwards deputy comptroller general of the bridges and dykes of the kingdom. He died June 11, 1695, aged seventy-six; and left five children.
y fault is, that he is sometimes prolix and immethodical. Voltaire informs us, that he was the first who gave Lewis XIV. the surname of Great, in the inscriptions in
In all that he has written there appears sound judgment
and good taste, but his “Dialogues upon the Lives of the
Painters’ 7 is the work which has done him the greatest
honour. His only fault is, that he is sometimes prolix and
immethodical. Voltaire informs us, that he was the first
who gave Lewis XIV. the surname of Great, in the inscriptions in the hotel-de-ville. Felibien had many good
qualities, and, free from ambition, was moderate in his
desires, and of a contented disposition. He was a man of
probity, of honour, of piety, Though he was naturally
grave and serious, and of a hasty and somewhat severe
temper, yet his conversation was generally chearful and
lively. He was a steady advocate for truth; and he used
to encourage himself in it by this motto, which he caused
to be engraved on his seal,
” Bene facere, et vera dicere,“that is,
” To do good, and speak the truth." His biographers seem agreed that he lived in a constant practice
of these two duties.
on of the Church of the Invalids,” 1706, fol. reprinted in 1756. There were also two more Felibiens, who were authors: James, brother of Andrew, a canon and archdeacon
, son of the preceding, succeeded his father in all his places, and seemed to inherit
his taste in the fine arts. He died in 1733. Some works
written by him must not be confounded with those of his
father: namely, 1. “An historical Collection of the Lives
and Works of the most celebrated Architects,
” Paris, Description of Versailles, ancient and modern,
” 12mo. 3. “Description of the Church of the Invalids,
” Pentateuchus Historicus,
”
, a native of Venice, who flourished about the middle of the sixteenth century, established
, a native of Venice,
who flourished about the middle of the sixteenth century,
established a great reputation at that time by his translations from Greek authors, a task which few, comparatively, were then able to perform. He translated, among
others, the sixth book of Paul ^gineta, 1533 Aristotle’s
Ethics, Venice, 1541, fol.; “Alexandri Aphrodisiensis Commentarius in primum priorum Analyticbrum Aristotelis,
”
ibid. Ammonii Hermeae Comment, in Isagogen
Porphyrii,
” ibid. Porphyrius de abstinentia
animalium,
” ibid. Oecumenius in Acta et
Epistolas Catholicas,
” Basil,
ted vice-chancellor, which office he served also in 1647, in contempt of the parliamentary visitors, who at length ejected him from that and his deanery, and their minions
a learned divine, was born in
the parish of St. Clement Danes, London, 1594; elected
student of Christ Church from Westminster school in
1601; took a master of arts degree in 1608, served the
office of proctor in 1614, and the year following was admitted bachelor of divinity; and about that time became
minister of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight. In May 1619,
he was installed canon of Christ Church, and the same
year proceeded doctor in divinity, being about that time
domestic chaplain to James I. In 1626, he was made
Margaret professor of divinity, and consequently had a
prebend of Worcester, which was about that time annexed
to the professorship. He was then a Calvinist, but at
length, renouncing the opinions so called, he was, through
Laud’s interest, made dean of Lichfield in 1637; and the
year following, dean of Christ Church. In 1645, he was
appointed vice-chancellor, which office he served also in
1647, in contempt of the parliamentary visitors, who at
length ejected him from that and his deanery, and their
minions were so exasperated at him for his loyalty to the
king, and zeal for the church, that they actually sought
his life: and being threatened to be murdered, he was
forced to abscond. He died broken-hearted, Feb. 1, 1648-9;
that being the very day he was made acquainted with the
murder of his royal master king Charles. He was buried
in the chancel of Sunning-well church, near Abingdon, in
Berkshire (where he had been rector, and built the front of the parsonage-house) with only this short memorial, on a
small lozenge of marble laid over his grave, “Depositum
S. F. February 1648.
” He was a public-spirited man, and
had the character of a scholar. Wood, though he supposes
there were more, only mentions these two Small productions of his; viz. “Primitiae; sive Oratio habita Oxoniae in
Schola TheologiiE, 9 Nov. 1626,
” and, “Concio Latina
ad Baccalaureos die cinerum in Coloss. ii. 8.
” They were
both printed at Oxford in
tired and studious manner, partly in the lodgings, at Christ Church, of the famous physician Willis, who was his brother-in-law, and partly in his own house opposite
, an eminently learned divine, was the son of the preceding, by Margaret his wife, daughter of Thomas Wyld, of Worcester, esq. and was born at Longworth in Berkshire, June 23, 1625. He was educated mostly at the free-school of Thame in Oxfordshire; and in 1636, when he was only eleven years of age, was admitted student of Christ Church in Oxford. In Oct. 1640 he took the degree of B. A. and that of M. A. in June 1643j about which time he was in arms for Charles I. within the garrison of Oxford, and afterwards became an ensign. In 1648 he was turned out of his place by the parliamentarian visitors, being then in holy orders; and from that time till the restoration of Charles II. lived in a retired and studious manner, partly in the lodgings, at Christ Church, of the famous physician Willis, who was his brother-in-law, and partly in his own house opposite Merton college, wherein he and others kept up the devotions and discipline of the church of England.
up the exercises with great strictness, and, aware of the importance of the best education to those who were destined for public life, it was his practice, several
In 1666, 1667, 1668, and part of 1669, Dr. Fell was
vice-chancellor of the university: during which time he
used all possible means to restore the discipline and credit
of the place; and such was his indefatigable spirit, that he
succeeded beyond all expectation. Among his other injunctions was, that persons of all degrees should appear in
their proper habits; he likewise looked narrowly to the
due performance of the public exercises in the schools,
and reformed several abuses that had crept in during a long
period of relaxation. He frequently attended in person
the disputations in the schools, the examinations for degrees, and the public lectures, and gave additional weight
and stimulus to the due performance of these duties. In
his own college he kept up the exercises with great strictness, and, aware of the importance of the best education to
those who were destined for public life, it was his practice,
several mornings in the week, to visit the chambers of the
noblemen and gentlemen commoners, and examine their
progress in study. No one in his time was more zealous
in promoting learning in the university, or in raising its
reputation by the noblest foundations. The Sheldonian
theatre was built chiefly by his solicitation; and he likewise advanced the press and improving printing in Oxford,
according to the public-spirited design of archbishop Laud.
He was likewise an eager defender of the privileges of the
university, especially while vice-chancellor. In 1675-6 he
was advanced to the bishopric of Oxford, with leave to
hold his deanery of Christ Church in commendarn, that he
might continue his services to his college and the university: and he was no sooner settled in his see, than he
began to rebuild the episcopal palace of Cuddesden in Oxfordshire. Holding also the mastership of St. Oswald’s
hospital, at Worcester, he re-built that in a sumptuous
manner, bestowing all the profits of his income there in
augmenting and recovering its estates: and, part of the
revenues of his bishopric arising from the impropriation
of the dissolved prebend of Banbury, he liberally gave
500l. to repair that church. He likewise established daily
prayers at St. Martin’s, or Carfax church, in Oxford, both
morning and evening. In a word, he devoted almost his
whole substance to works of piety and charity. Among
his other benefactions to his college, it must not be forgot, that the best rectories belonging to it were bought
with his money: and as he had been so bountiful a patron
to it while he lived, and, in a manner, a second founder,
so he left to it at his death an estate, for ten or more exhibitions for ever. It is said that he brought his body to an ill
habit, and wasted his spirits, by too much zeal for the
public, and by forming too many noble designs; and that
all these things, together with the unhappy turn of religion
which he dreaded under James II. contributed to shorten
his life. He.died July 10, 1686, to the great loss of learning, of the whole university, and of the church of England:
for he was, as Wood has observed of him, “the most
zealous man of his time for the church of England; a
great encourager and promoter of learning in the university, and of all public works belonging thereunto of great
resolution and exemplary charity; of strict integrity; a
learned divine; and excellently skilled in the Latin and
Greek languages.
” Wood relates one singularity of him,
which is unquestionably a great and unaccountable failing,
that he was not at all well-atfected to the royal society, and
that the noted Stubbes attacked that body under his sanction and encouragement. He was buried in Christ Church
cathedral; and over his tomb, which is a plain marble, is
an elegant inscription, composed by Aldrich, his successor.
He was never married.
tor of the following works: 1. “The Life of the most reverend, learned, and pious Dr. Henry Hammond, who died April 25, 1660,” 1660, reprinted afterwards with additions
It may easily be imagined, that so active and zealous a
man as Fell had not much time to write books: yet we find
him the author and editor of the following works: 1. “The
Life of the most reverend, learned, and pious Dr. Henry
Hammond, who died April 25, 1660,
” Alcinoi in Platonicam Philosophiam Introductio, 1667.
”
3. “In lauclem Musices Carmen Sapphicum.
” Designed
probably for some of the public exercises in the university,
as it was set to music. 4. “Historia et -Antiquitates Universitatis Oxoniensis,
” &c. taking to himself,
” says Wood, “the
liberty of putting in and out several things according to his
own judgment, and those that he employed being not
careful enough to carry the whole design in their head, it
is desired that the author may not be accountable for any
thing which was inserted by him, or be censured for any
useless repetitions or omissions of his agents under him.
”
At the end of it, there is a Latin advertisement to the
reader, containing an answer to a letter of Hobbes; in
which that author had complained of Fell’s having caused
several things to be omitted or altered, which Wood had
written in that book in his praise. More of this, however,
will occur to be noticed in our life of Wood. 5. “The
Vanity of Scoffing: in a letter to a gentleman,
” St. Clement’s two epistles to the Corinthians in Greek
and Latin, with notes at the end,
” Account of
Dr. Richard Allestree’s life:
” being the preface to the
doctor’s sermons, published by our author. 8. “Of the
Unity of the Church:
” translated from the original of St.
Cyprian, A beautiful edition of St. Cyprian’s
Works, revised and illustrated with notes,
” Several Sermons,
” on public occasions, 11. The following
pieces written by the author of the “Whole Duty of Man,
”
with prefaces, contents, and marginal abbreviations, by
him, viz. “The Lady’s Calling; the Government of the
Tongue; the Art of Contentment; the Lively Oracles,
”
&c. He also wrote the general preface before the folio
edition of that unknown author’s works. 12. “Artis. Logicae Compendium.
” 13. “The Paraphrase of St. Paul’s
Epistles.
” There is another piece, which was ascribed to
him, with this title; *“The Interest of England stated or,
a faithful and just account of the aims of all parties nowprevailing; distinctly treating of the designments of the
Roman Catholic, Royalist, Presbyterian, Anabaptist,
” &c.
from 1661, to the time of his death, viz. while he was
dean of Christ-church, he published or reprinted every
year a bookjf commonly a classical author, against newyear’s tide, to distribute among the students of his house;
to which books he either put an epistle, or running notes,
or corrections. These,
” says Wood, “I have endeavoured
to recover, that the titles might be known and set down,
but in vain.
” But one of Dr. Fell’s publications, unaccountably omitted in former editions of this work, still remains to be noticed; his edition of the Greek Testament,
of which Michaelis has given a particular account. Dr. Fell
was the next after Walton, who published a critical edition
of the New Testament, which, although eclipsed since by
that of Mill, has at least the merit of giving birth to Mill’s
edition. It was published in small octavo, at the Sheldon
theatre, 1675. It appears from the preface, that the great
number of various readings which are printed in the sixth
volume of the London Polyglot, apart from the text, had
given alarm to many persons, who were ignorant of criticism, and had induced them to suspect, that the New Testament was attended with so much uncertainty, as to be a
very imperfect standard of faith. In order to convince
such persons of their error, and to shew how little the sense
of the New Testament was altered by them, Fell printed
them under the text, that the reader might the more easily
compare them. This edition was twice reprinted at Leipsic,
in 1697 and 1702, and at Oxford in a splendid folio, by
John Gregory, in 1703, but without any additions, which
might have easily been procured from t'he bishop’s papers;
nor are even those which Fell had been obliged to print in
an appendix, transferred to their proper places, an instance
of very gross neglect. We learn also from Fabricius in his
Bibl. Graeca that the excellent edition of Aratus, Oxford,
1672, 8vo, was published by Dr. Fell.
no ordinary size a Christian minister, well furnished with gifts and graces for that office a tutor, who for biblical knowledge, general history, and classic taste,
, a dissenting minister of considerable
learning, was born, Aug. 22, 1735, at Cockermouth in
Cumberland, of poor parents, and was at first brought up
to the business of a taylor. He was pursuing this employment in London, when some discerning friends perceived
in him a taste for literature, and an avidity of knowledge,
which they thought worthy of encouragement; and finding
that his principal wish was directed to the means of procuring such education as might qualify him for the ministry
among the dissenters, they stepped forward to his assistance, and placed him at the dissenting academy at Mileend, then superintended by Dr. Conder, Dr. Gibbons, and
Dr. Walker. Mr. Fell was at this time in the nineteenth
year of his age; but, by abridging the hours usually allotted to rest and amusement, and praportionably extending
those of application to his studies, and by the assiduous
exercise of a quick, vigorous, and comprehensive mind, he
made rapid advances in learning, gave his tutors and patrons the utmost satisfaction; and in due time, was appointed to preach to a congregation at Beccles, near Yarmouth. He was afterwards invited to take upon himself
the pastoral office in a congregation of Protestant dissenters, at Thaxted, in Essex, where he was greatly beloved
by his congregation, and his amiable deportment, and diligence in all the duties of his station, attracted the regard
even of his neighbours of the established church. At
Thaxted, Mr. Fell boarded and educated a few young gentlemen, and it was also during his residence there, that he
distinguished himself by the rapid production of some wellwritten publications, which conduced to establish his character as a scholar. After he had thus happily resided several years at Thaxted, he was unfortunately prevailed
upon 'to be the resident tutor at the academy, formerly at
Mile-end, when he was educated there, but now removed
to Homerton, near London. The trustees and supporters
of this academy appear to have been at first very happy
that they had procured a tutor peculiarly calculated for
the situation; but he had not been there long before differences arose between him and the students, of what nature his biographers have not informed us; but they represent that he was dismissed from his situation without a
fair trial and complain that this severity was exerted in
the case of “a character of no common excellence a
genius of no ordinary size a Christian minister, well furnished with gifts and graces for that office a tutor, who
for biblical knowledge, general history, and classic taste,
had no superior, perhaps no equal, among any class of
dissenters.
” This affair happened in 1796, and Mr. Fell’s
friends lost no time in testifying their unaltered regard for
his character. An annuity of 100l. was almost immediately
procured for him, and he was invited to deliver a course
of lectures on the evidences of Christianity, for which he
was to be remunerated by a very liberal subscription. But
these testimonies of affection came too late for his enjoyment of them. Four of his lectures had been delivered to
crowded congregations at the Scotch church at Londonwall, when sickness interrupted him, and on Wednesday
Sept. 6, 1797, death put a period to his labours. The four
lectures he delivered were published in 1798, with eight
by Dr. Henry Hunter, who concluded the course, but who
does not appear well qualified to fill up Mr. FelPs outline.
Mr. Fell’s previous publications, which show that the character given of him by his friends is not overcharged, were
1. “Genuine Protestantism, or the unalienable Rights of
Conscience defended: in opposition to the late and new
mode of Subscription proposed by some dissenting ministers, in three Letters to Mr. Pickard,
” A
Fourth Letter to Mr. Pickard on genuine Protestantism;
being a full Reply to the rev. Mr. Toulmin’s Defence of
the Dissenters’ new mode of Subscription,
” The justice and utility of Penal Laws for the Direction of Conscience examined; in reference to the Dissenters’ late application to parliament. Addressed to a
member of the house of commons,
” Daemoniacs. An enquiry into the Heathen and the Scripture
doctrine of Daemons, in which the hypothesis of the rev.
Mr. Farmer and others on the subject are particularly considered,
” Remarks on
the Appendix of the Editor of Rowley’s Poems, printed at
the end of Observations on the Poem attributed to Rowley
by Rayner Hickford, esq.
” 8vo, no date (1784, 12mo. 7.
” The Idolatry of Greece and Rome distinguished from that of other
Heathen Nations, in a Letter to the rev. Hugh Farmer,"
1785, 8vo. Mr. Fell ranks among the orthodox, or calvinistic dissenters; but how far, or whether this had any
share in the animosity exerted against him, we are unable
to discover, from the obscure manner in which his biographers advert to the disputes in the Homerton academy.
ote a poem on “The Passion,” which was much applauded. He was educated under the celebrated Daumius, who prided himself on the great proficiency of his pupil, and when
, a licentiate in theology, and professor of poetry at Leipsic, was born at Zwickau in 1638,
and distinguished from his infancy for uncommon talents.
In his thirteenth year he wrote a poem on “The Passion,
”
which was much applauded. He was educated under the
celebrated Daumius, who prided himself on the great proficiency of his pupil, and when Feller went to Leipsic, recommended him to the principal literati of that city, who
found him deserving of every encouragement. Thomasius,
one of them, engaged him as tutor to his children, and
enhanced the favour by giving him free access to his curious and valuable library. In 1660 Feller took his master’s
degree, and with such display of talents, that he was soon
after made professor of poetry, and in 1676 was appointed
librarian to the university. On this last preferment, he
employed much of his time in arranging the library, published a catalogue of the Mss. in 1686, 12mo, and procured that the library should be open one day in every
week for the use of the public. His Latin poetry, which
he wrote with great facility, recommended him to the notice and esteem of the emperor, of the electors of Saxony
and Brandenburgh, the duke of Florence, and other princes.
He also wrote many papers in the “Acta Lipsiensia,
”
and the freedom of some of his criticisms in one or two instances involved him in a controversy with James Gronovius, Eggelingen, Patin, and others. He was unfortunately
killed by a fall from a window, which he had approached
in his sleep, being as this would imply, a somnambulist.
This happened April 4, 1691. Besides the works already
mentioned, he published, 1. “Cygni quasimodo geniti,
sanctae vitae virorum celebrium Cygnese (Zwickau) natorum.
” 2. “Supplementum ad Rappolti commentarium in Horatium.
” 3. “Flores philosophici ex Virgilio
collecti,
” Leipsic, Notae in Lotichicii
eclogatn de origine domus Saxonicae et Palatinae.
”
in 1696 set out a second time on his travels, and at Wolfenbuttel, became acquainted with Leibnitz, who conceiving a friendship for him, detained him here for three
, the son of the preceding, was born at Leipsic, Dec. 26, 1673, and imbibed a similar taste with his father for the belles lettres, bibliography, and general literature. In 1688 he received his degree
of doctor in philosophy, and two years after set out on what
may be called his literary travels. He remained some
time with Kirchmaier at Wittemberg, and with Bayer at
Fribourg, whose library he carefully inspected. Going
thence to Zwickau, the senate of that city appointed him
to make a catalogue of the library of Daumius, which had
come into their possession by the death of that scholar.
Feller was very agreeably employed on this task, when the
news of the death of his father obliged him to pay a visit
to Leipsic, but as soon as he had settled his family affairs,
he returned to Zwickau, and completed the catalogue. He
then went again to Leipsic, and studied law, but in 1696
set out a second time on his travels, and at Wolfenbuttel,
became acquainted with Leibnitz, who conceiving a friendship for him, detained him here for three years, and assisted him in all his literary undertakings, especially his
history of the house of Brunswick, for which Feller was
enabled to collect a number of very curious documents of
the middle ages. At Francfort, we find him assisting Ludolf
in his historical works, but Ludolf is thought to have
availed himself too little of this assistance. After extending his acquaintance among learned men in various parts,
in 1706 the duke of Weimar appointed him his secretary,
and he appears to have died in his service Feb. 15, 1726.
His principal works were, 1. “Monumenta varia inedita,
variisque linguis conscripta, nunc singulis trimestribus prodeuntia; e museo Joach. F. Felleri secretarii Wimariensis,
”
Jena,
was a very pious, learned, and judicious man, and deserves some notice in this work, as one of those who was employed by king James I. in the new translation of the
, an English prelate, was born at Yarmouth in Norfolk, and admitted of Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, of which college he was chosen fellow Nov. 27, 15H3 Archbishop Whitgift collated him to the rectory of St. Mary le Bow, Jan. 17, 1595-6, being then B. D. and he was some time also rector of St. Antholin’s, London. He was elected master of Pembroke-hall, June 29, 1616; admitted rector of Easton-Magna in Essex, Oct. 23, the same year; and collated to a prebend in St. Paul’s, being then D. D. March 4 following. In 1617, he was promoted to the see of Bristol, to which he was consecrated, Dec. 14. The next year he resigned his mastership, and was nominated to the bishopric of Coventry and Lichfield, but was translated to Ely, March 11, 1618-19. He died Oct. 5, 1626, in the sixty-third year of his age, and was buried under the communion-table in St. Antholin’s church, London; but without any memorial or inscription. He was a very pious, learned, and judicious man, and deserves some notice in this work, as one of those who was employed by king James I. in the new translation of the Bible. There is an excellent picture of him in the gallery of the palace at Ely, which was presented for that purpose to the late bishop Gooch, by Mr. Cole of Milton.
made himself known at Paris, and at nineteen preached there with general applause: but the marquis, who was a very wise and good man, fearing that the good disposition
, archbishop of Cambray, and author of Telemachus, was of an ancient and illustrious family, and born at the castle of Fenelon, in the province of Perigord, August 6, 1651. At twelve years of age, he was sent to the university of Cabors; and afterwards went to finish his studies at Paris, under the care of his uncle Anthony marquis of Fenelon, lieutenant-general of the king’s armies. He soon made himself known at Paris, and at nineteen preached there with general applause: but the marquis, who was a very wise and good man, fearing that the good disposition of his nephew might be corrupted by this early applause, persuaded him to be silent for some years. At twenty-four be entered into holy orders, and commenced the functions of his ministry in the parish of St. Sulpice, under the abbe Tron^on, the superior of that district, to whose care he had been committed by his uncle. Three years after, he was chosen by the archbishop of Paris, to be superior to the newly-converted women in that city. In 1686, which was the year after the edict of Nantes was revoked, the king named him to be at the head of those missionaries, who were sent along the coast of Saintonge, and the Pais de Aunis, to convert the protestants. These conversions had been hitherto carried on by the terrors of the sword, but Fenelon declared against this mode, but said, that if allowed to proceed by more rational and gentle means, he would cheerfully become a missionary; and after some hesitation, his request was granted, but his success was not remarkable.
interior life.” This book was published in 1697, and was occasioned by the writings of madam Guyon, who pretended to a very high and exalted devotion. She explained
But a storm now arose against him, which obliged him
to leave the court for ever; and was occasioned by his
book, entitled “An Explication of the Maxims of the
Saints concerning the interior life.
” This book was published in Peccavit excessu amoris divini, sed vos peceastis defectu amoris proximi.
” Some of Fenelon’s friends
have pretended, that there was in this affair more courtpolicy than zeal for religion. They have observed, that
this storm was raised against him at a time when the king
thought of choosing an almoner for the duchess of Burgundy; and that there was no way of preventing him, who
had been tutor to the duke her husband, and who had
acquitted himself perfectly well in the functions of that
post, from being made her almoner, but by raising suspicions of heresy against him. They think themselves
sufficiently justified in this opinion, by Bossuet’s being
made almoner after Fenelon was disgraced and removed.
Be this as it will, he submitted patiently to the pope’s
determination, and read his sentence, with his own recantation, publicly in his diocese of Cambray, where he led a
most exemplary life, acquitting himself punctually in all
the duties of his station. Yet he was not so much taken
up with them, nor so deeply engaged in his contemplative
devotion, but he found time to enter into the controversy with the Jansenists. He laboured not only to confute them by his writings, but also to oppress them, by
procuring a bull from Rome against a book which the cardinal de Noailles, their chief support, had approved:
namely, father Quesnel’s “Reflections upon the New Testament.
” The Jesuits, who were resolved to humble that
prelate, had formed a great party against him, and prevailed with the archbishop of Cambray to assist them in
the affair. He accordingly engaged himself: wrote many
pieces against the Jansenists, the chief of which is the
“Four Pastoral Letters,
” printed in
y for himself, and had proceeded in having it printed, to about 200 pages, when the king, Louis XIV. who was prejudiced against the author, ordered the work to be stopped,
But the work that has gained him the greatest reputation, and will render his name immortal, is his “Telemachus,
” written, according to some, at court; according to others, in his retreat at Cambray. A servant whom
Fenelon employed to transcribe it, took a copy for himself,
and had proceeded in having it printed, to about 200 pages,
when the king, Louis XIV. who was prejudiced against
the author, ordered the work to be stopped, nor was it
allowed to be printed in France while he lived. It was
published, however, by Moetjons, a bookseller, in 1699,
though prohibited at Paris; but the first correct edition
appeared at the Hague in 1701. This elegant work completely ruined the credit of Fenelon at the court of France.
The king considered it as a satire against his government;
the malignant found in it allusions which the author probably had never intended. Calypso, they said, was madam de Montespan Eucharis, mademoiselle de Fontanges Antiope, the duchess of Burgundy Protesilaus,
Louvois; Idomeneus, king James II. Sesostris, Louis XIV.
The world, however, admired the flowing elegance of the
style, the sublimity of the moral, and the happy adoption
and embellishments of ancient stories; and critics were
long divided, whether it might not be allowed the title of
an epic poem, though written in prose. It is certain that
few works have ever had a greater reputation. Editions
have been multiplied in every country of Europe; but the
most esteemed for correctness is that published from his
papers by his family in 1717, 2 vols. 12mo. Splendid
editions have been published in various places, and translations in all modern languages of Europe, modern Greek
not excepted.
be inclined to acquit him of the charge. He had said to these persons in that very book, “that those who had erred in fundamental doctrines, should not be contented
He was a man of great learning, great genius, fine taste,
and exemplary manners: yet many have suspected that he
was not entirely sincere in his recantation of his “Maxims
of the Saints;
” a work composed by him with great care,
and consisting, in great part, of extracts from the fathers.
Yet, if we consider the profound veneration of a pious
catholic bishop for the decisions of the church, the modesty
and candour of his character, and even his precepts to the
mystics, we shall be inclined to acquit him of the charge.
He had said to these persons in that very book, “that
those who had erred in fundamental doctrines, should not
be contented to condemn their error, but should confess
it, and give glory to Gocl; that they should have no shame
at having erred, which is the common lot of humanity,
but should humbly acknowledge their errors, which would
be no longer such when they had been humbly confessed.
”
He has also been accused of ambition for his conduct in.
the controversy, with the Jansenists, but the charge rests
only on presumptive evidence, and is equally refuted by
his general character. In his theology, he seems to give
greater scope to feeling than to reason; but if he inclined
to mysticism, and thus seemed to deviate from the established system of his church, he does not appear to have
made the least approach to protestantism. On the contrary, no one has more forcibly inculcated the danger of
putting the scriptures into the hands of the people (a fundamental tenet of popery), than Fenelon has done in his
“Letter to the archbishop of Arras.
” Submission to the
decisions of the holy see is likewise exemplified in his
whole conduct as well as in his writings. Indeed, Fenelon seems to have been one of those, who, either from
early prepossessions, or from false reasonings upon human
nature, or from an observation of the powerful impressions
made by authority on the credulity, and a pompous ritual
on the senses of the multitude, imagine, that Christianity,
in its native form, is too pure and elevated for vulgar souls,
and, therefore, countenance and maintain the absurdities
of popery, from a notion of their utility.
, a Roman historian, who died in the year 20, at the age of seventy, is mentioned by
, a Roman historian, who died
in the year 20, at the age of seventy, is mentioned by
Pliny, Gellius, and many other ancient authors. He wrote
annals in many books, the twenty-second book being cited
by Nonius; also Archaics, and other works. A book on
the magistrates of Rome, falsely attributed to him, is now
known to be the production of Dominic Floccus, a Florentine, in the fifteenth century. It was published about
1480, 4to. FenestelJa’s “Fragmenta,
” with notes, were
published with Wasse’s Sallust, Cambridge, 1710.
college, till (in 1562) for his popish activity, he was ejected by the queen’s commissioners. Wood, who mentions this in his Annals, although not in his “Athens,” leaves
, an eminent scholar and translator, was
born at Montacute, in Somersetshire in his youth he was
for some time a chorister, which gave him an opportunity
of being instructed in Latin as well as music. Being
afterwards sent to Winchester school for academical education, he was admitted of New college, Oxford, and
chosen fellow in 1552, studying chiefly the civil law. In
queen Mary’s reign he was made chief master of a noted
free-school at St. Edmundsbury, in Suffolk, where he acquired great reputation as a teacher. This station he retained for some part of queen Elizabeth’s reign, but an
information having been laid against him, as unqualified
by the laws of the reformation, he was obliged to quit it.
Some time after he went to Flanders, and afterwards to
Rome, where he was admitted into the English college,
studied theology for four years, and took orders. Returning afterwards to Flanders, he became confessor to
the English nuns at Louvain, where he lived forty years,
employing his leisure hours in translating several books favourable to the Roman catholic religion. He died at an
advanced age, Dec. 27, 1615, with an excellent character
from those of his persuasion, for learning and piety. His
publications are, 1. “Vitae quorundam martyrum in Anglia,
”
which is inserted in Bridgwater’s “Concertatio Ecclesise Catholicae in Anglia.
” 2. Several of bishop Fisher’s English
works, translated into Latin. 3. “Catechismus Tridentinus,
”
translated into English. 4. Osorius’s treatise against Walter Haddon, translated into English, Louvain, 1568, 8vo.
5. “The Life of St. Catherine of Sienna,
” from the Italian,
A Treatise on Tribulation,
” from the
Italian of Caccia Guerra. 7. “Mysteries of the Rosary,
”
from Caspar Loartes. Fuller says that he proceeded Bachelor of Laws at New college, till (in 1562) for his popish
activity, he was ejected by the queen’s commissioners.
Wood, who mentions this in his Annals, although not in
his “Athens,
” leaves it doubtful whether he did not resign it of his own accord.
reigns of Henry VI. Edward IV. Richard III. and Henry VII. by such of the Paston family and others, who were personally present in court and camp, and were, in those
Sir John Fenn distinguished himself early by his application to the study of our national history and antiquities,
for which he had formed great collections, particularly
that of Peter Le Neve, for the contiguous counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, from the wreck of that of Thomas Martin, to erect a monument to whose memory in the church
where he was buried, he left a large sum of money. Among
the rest was a large collection of original letters, written
during the reigns of Henry VI. Edward IV. Richard III.
and Henry VII. by such of the Paston family and others,
who were personally present in court and camp, and were,
in those times, persons of great consequence in the county
of Norfolk. These letters contain many curious and authentic state anecdotes, relating not only to Norfolk, but
to the kingdom in general. Two volumes of them were
published in 1787, 4to, and dedicated by permission to
his majesty, who rewarded the merit of the editor with the
honour of knighthood. Two more volumes appeared in
1789, with notes and illustrations by sir John and a fifth
was left nearly ready for the press, which, however, if we
mistake not, has not yet been published. Though he
contributed nothing to the “Archaeologia
” of the Society
of Antiquaries, of which he was a fellow, he was a benefactor to them, by drawing up “Three Chronological
Tables
” of their members, which were printed in a 4to
pamphlet, 1734, for the use of the society. His biographer concludes his character with observing, that “if the
inquisitive antiquary, the clear, faithful, and accurate
writer, be justly valued by literary characters; the intelligent and upright magistrate, by the inhabitants of the
county in which he resided; the informing and pleasing
companion, the warm and steady friend, the honest and
worthy man, the good and exemplary Christian, by those
with whom he was cpnnected; the death of few individuals
will be more sensibly felt, more generally regretted, or
more sincerely lamented.
”
me appears to have officiated from place to place, without any promotion, until the earl of Warwick, who was his great friend and patron, presented him to the rectory
, an eminent puritan divine, was born in 1660, and educated at Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, where he took his degree of M. A. and in 1622 was admitted to the same at Oxford. He afterwards took his degree of B. D. and became a preacher at Sedgeley, in Staffordshire. Here he continued for four years, and theu for some time appears to have officiated from place to place, without any promotion, until the earl of Warwick, who was his great friend and patron, presented him to the rectory of Rochford, in Essex, in 1629, which he held until his death, about 1640. Besides his popularity as a preacher, and as a casuist, which was very great, he derived no small posthumous reputation from the sermons and pious tracts which he wrote, none of which appear to have been published in his life-time. They were collected in 1658, in 1 vol. fol.
slender patrimony descended to them from their ancestors; and they were among the very few of those who take such daring resolutions in their youth, without living
, an English navigator in the reign
of Elizabeth, was descended from an ancient family in
Nottinghamshire, where he had some property. This he
sold, as did also his brother Geoffrey, being, it is said,
more inclined to trust to their abilities, than the slender
patrimony descended to them from their ancestors; and
they were among the very few of those who take such
daring resolutions in their youth, without living to repent
of them in their old age. The inclination of Edward leading him to the choice of a military life, he served some
time with reputation in Ireland; but upon sir Martin Frobisher’s report of the probability of discovering a northwest passage into the South seas, he resolved to embark
with him in his second voyage, and was accordingly appointed captain of the Gabriel, a bark of twenty-five tons,
in which he accompanied sir Martin in the summer of
1577, to the straits that now bear his name, but in their
return he was separated from him in a storm, and arrived safely at Bristol, in a third expedition, which proved
unsuccessful, he commanded the Judith, one of fifteen
sail, and had the title of rear-admiral. The miscarriage of
this voyage had not convinced Fenton of the impracticability of the project; he solicited another trial, and it was,
after much application, granted him, though the particular object of this voyage is not easily discovered; his
instructions from the privy-council, which are still preserved, say, that he should endeavour the discovery of a
north-west passage, and yet he is told to go by the Cape
of Good Hope to the East Indies, thence to the South seas,
and to attempt his return by the supposed north-west passage, and not by any means to think of passing the Straits
of Magellan, except in case of absolute necessity. The
truth appears to be, he had interest enough to be allowed
to try his fortune in the South-seas. He sailed in the
spring 1582, with four vessels, and was making to Africa;
thence he intended to sail to Brazil, in his course to the
straits of Magellan, but having learnt that there was already
a strong Spanish fleet there, he put into a Portuguese
settlement, where he met with three of the Spanish squadron, gave them battle, and after a severe engagement,
sunk their vice-admiral, and returned home in May 1583.
Here he was well received, and appointed to the command
of a ship sent out against the famous armada in 1588. In
some accounts of this action he is said to have commanded
the Antelope, in others, the Mary Rose; but his talents
and bravery in the action are universally acknowledged,
and it is certain he had a very distinguished share in those
actions, the fame of which can never be forgotten. Little
more is recorded of him, than that he spent the remainder
of his days at or near Deptford, where he died in 1603.
A monument was erected to his memory in the parish
church of Deptford, at the expence of Richard earl of
Cork, who had married his niece. According to Fuller,
he died within a few days oi' his mistress, queen Elizabeth,
and he remarks, “Observe how God set up a generation
of military men both by sea and land, which began and
expired with the reign of queen Elizabeth, like a suit of
clothes made for her, and worn out with her; for providence designing a peaceable prince to succeed her, in
whose time martial men would be rendered useless, so ordered the matter, that they all, almost, attended their
mistress, before or after, within some short distance, unto
her grave.
” This, however, was not strictly true, for the
celebrated earl of Nottingham, sir Charles Blount, sir
George Carew, sir Walter Raleigh, sir William Monson,
sir Robert Mansel, and other great officers by sea and
land, survived queen Elizabeth.
, some time lord chancellor of Ireland, and dean of the arches in England, a man of great parts, and who had no small credit with the earl of Leicester, and other statesmen
"What the inducements were, which engaged him to leave his own country, in order to serve the queen in Irelaud, cannot easily be discovered; it is, however, certain that he went thither well recommended, and that being in particular favour with Arthur lord Grey, then lord deputy in that kingdom, he was sworn of the privy-council about 1581. It is more than probable that his interest might be considerably strengthened by his marriage with Alice, the daughter of Dr. Robert Weston, some time lord chancellor of Ireland, and dean of the arches in England, a man of great parts, and who had no small credit with the earl of Leicester, and other statesmen in the court of Elizabeth; and when he was once fixed in the office of secretary, his own great abilities and superior understanding made him so useful to succeeding governors, that none of the changes to which that government was too much subject in those days, wrought any alteration in his fortune. One thing, indeed, might greatly contribute to this, which was the stron<r interest he found means to raise, and never was at a loss to maintain, in England; so that whoever was lord lieutenant in Ireland, sir Geoffrey Fenton continued the queen’s counsellor there, as a man upon whom she depended, from whom she took her notions of state affairs in that island, and whose credit with her was not to be shaken by the artifices of any faction whatever. He took every opportunity of persuading the queen that the Irish were to be governed only by the rules of strict justice, and that the safety and glory of her government in that island depended on her subjects enjoying equal laws and protection of their property. The queen frequently sent for her secretary Fenton, to consult with him on her Irish affairs, which shews the high opinion she entertained of his understanding, though it often happened that when he was returned to his duty, the advisers of Elizabeth persuaded her to adopt measures the reverse of what Fenton had recommended. He was the means of extinguishing more than one rebellion, and of totally reducing the kingdom to submit to English government.
sh poet, was born at Shelton, near Newcastle-under-Line, in Staffordshire, May 20, 1683. His father, who was possessed of a competent estate, was of an ancient family
, an ingenious English poet, was born at Shelton, near Newcastle-under-Line, in Staffordshire, May 20, 1683. His father, who was possessed of a competent estate, was of an ancient family in that county, an attorney at. law, and one of the coroners for the county of Stafford. He died in 1691, aged fifty-six. His mother is said to have descended in a direct line from one Mare, an officer irv the army of William the Conqueror. Being the youngest of twelve children, he was necessarily destined to some lucrative employment, and the church was fixed upon for his future profession. Accordingly, after going through a proper course of grammatical education, he was, July 1, 1700, admitted a pensioner of Jesus college, Cambridge, where he prosecuted his studies with remarkable diligence and assiduity; but after taking his bachelor’s degree, in 1704, he inclined to the sentiments of the nonjurors of that time, and consequently refusing to take the oaths to government, was obliged to quit the university, which, however, he is said to have done without separating from the church.
e. When Steele resigned his place of commissioner in the stamp-office, Fenton applied to his patron, who told him that it was beneath his merit, and promised him a superior
He was now induced to trust to his abilities for a subsistence, but whatever his difficulties or discouragements, he kept his name unsullied, and never descended to any mean or dishonourable shifts. Indeed, whoever mentioned him, mentioned him with honour, in every period of his life. His first employ he owed to a recommendation to Charles earl of Orrery, whom he accompanied to Flanders, in quality of secretary, and returned with his lordship to England in 1705. Being then out of employment, he became assistant in the school of Mr. Bonwicke, (see Bo?7Wicki:), at Headley, near Leatherhead, in Surrey; after which he was invited to the mastership of the free grammar school at Sevenoaks, in Kent, and in a few years brought that seminary into much reputation, while he enjoyed the advantage of making easy and frequent excursions to visit his friends in London. In 1710 he was prevailed upon by Mr. St. John (lord Bolingbrokt ) to give up what was called the drudgery of a school, for the worse drudgery of dependence on a political patron, from whom, after all, he derived no advantage. When Steele resigned his place of commissioner in the stamp-office, Fenton applied to his patron, who told him that it was beneath his merit, and promised him a superior appointment; but this, the subsequent change of administration prevented him from fulfilling, and left Fenton disappointed, and in debt. Not long after, however, his old friend the earl of Orrery appointed him tutor to his son, lord Broghill, a boy of seven years old, whom he taught English and Latin until he was thirteen. About the time this engagement was about to expire, Craggs, secretary of state, feeling his own want of literature, desired Pope to procure him an instructor, by whose help he might supply the deficiencies of his education. Pope recommended Fenton, but Craggs’s sudden death disappointed the pleasing expectations formed from this connection.
His next engagement was with Pope himself, who after the great success of his translation of the Iliad, undertook
His next engagement was with Pope himself, who after
the great success of his translation of the Iliad, undertook
that of the Odyssey, and determined to engage auxiliaries.
Twelve books he took to himself, and twelve he distributed
between Broome and Fenton. According to Johnson and
Warton, Fenton translated the first, fourth, nineteenth
and twentieth. But John, earl of Orrery, in a letter to
Mr. Duncombe, asserts that Fenton translated double the
number of books in the Odyssey that Pope has owned.
“His reward,
” adds the noble writer, “was a trifle, an
arrant trifle. He has even told me, that he thought Pope
feared him more than he loved him. He had no opinion
of Pope’s heart, and declared him, in the words of bishop
Atterbury, Mens curia in corpore curvo.
” It is, however,
no small praise to both Fen tun and Broome, that the readers
of poetry have never been able to distinguish their books
from those of Pope. In 1723, Fenton’s tragedy of “Mariamne
” was brought on the stage in Lincoln’s-inn-fields,
and was performed with such success, that the profits of
the author are said to have amounted to nearly a thousand
pounds, with which he very honourably discharged the
debts contracted by his fruitless attendance on Mr. St.
John. The poetical merit of this tragedy is confessedly
great, but the diction is too figurative and ornamental.
Colley Cibber has been termed insolent for advising Fenton to relinquish poetry, by which we presume he meant
dramatic poetry; but Cibber, if insolent, was not injudicious, for Mariamne has not held its place on the stage,
In 1 1727, Fenton revised a new edition of Milton’s Poems,
and prefixed to it a short but elegant and impartial life of
the author. In 1729 he published a very splendid edition
of Waller, with notes, which is still a book of considerable
value.
sluggish and sedentary, rose late, and when he had risen, sat down to his book or papers. By a woman who once waited on him in a lodging, he was told, that he would
The latter part of Mr. Fenton' s life was passed in a manner agreeable to his wishes. By the recommendation of
Pope to the widow of sir William Trumbull, that lady invited him to be tutor to her son, first at home, and afterwards at Cambridge; and when disengaged from this attendance on her son, lady Trumbull retained Fenton in
her family, as auditor of her accounts, an office which was
probably easy, as he had leisure to make frequent excursions to visit his literary friends in London. He died July
13, 1730, at East-Hampstead, in Berkshire, lady Trumbull’s seat, and was interred in the parish-church, and his
tomb was honoured with an epitaph by Pope. In person,
Fenton was tall and bulky, inclined to corpulence, which
he did not lessen by much exercise, as he was sluggish
and sedentary, rose late, and when he had risen, sat down
to his book or papers. By a woman who once waited on
him in a lodging, he was told, that he would “lie a-bed,
and be fed with a spoon.
” Pope says in one of his letters,
that he died of indolence and inactivity; others attribute
his death to the gout; to which lord Orrery adds, “a great
chair, and two bottles of port in a day.
” Dr. Johnson
observes, that “Of his morals and his conversation, the
account is uniform. He was never named but with praise
and fondness, as a man in the highest degree amiable and
excellent. Such was the character given him by the earl
of Orrery, his pupil such is the testimony of Pope; and
such were the suffrages of all who could boast of his acquaintance.
” There is a story relating to him, which reflects too much honour upon his memory to be omitted.
It was his custom in the latter part of his life, to pay a
yearly visit to his relations in the country. An entertainment being made for the family by Jiis elder brother, he
observed that one of his sisters, who had been unfortunate
in her marriage, was absent; and, upon inquiry, he found
that distress had made her thought unworthy of an invitation; but he refused to sit at the table until she was sent
for and, when she had taken her place, he was careful to
shew her particular attention.
ms,” printed in 1717, have procured him a place among the English Poets in Dr. Johnson’s collection, who has, upon the whole, a less favourable opinion of them than
Fenton’s principal reputation as a poet rests on his “Mariamne,
” and his share in the Odyssey; but his “Miscellaneous Poems,
” printed in
asant, but his talents procuring him distinction, he was admitted to the court of the sultan Mahmud, who reigned in the city of Gazna, at the close of the tenth and
, a celebrated Persian poet, and, according
to sir William Jones, at the head of all Persian poets, was
a native of Tus or Meshed. He was originally a peasant,
but his talents procuring him distinction, he was admitted
to the court of the sultan Mahmud, who reigned in the
city of Gazna, at the close of the tenth and the beginning
of the eleventh centuries, and entertained several poets in
his palace. Ferdusi, happening to find a copy of an old
Persian history, read it with great eagerness, and found it
involved in fables, but bearing the marks of high antiquity.
The most ancient part of it, and principally the war of
Afrasiab and Kosru, or Cyrus, seemed to afford an excellent subject for an heroic poem, which he accordingly began to compose. Some of his episodes and descriptions
were shewn to the sultan, who commended them exceedingly, and ordered him to comprize the whole history of
Persia in a series of epic poems. The poet obeyed, and
after the happiest exertion of his fancy and art for near“thirty years, finished his work, which contained sixty thousand couplets in rhyme, all highly polished, with the spirit
of our Dryden, and the sweetness of Pope. He presented
an elegant transcript of his hook to Mahmud, who coldly
applauded his diligence, and dismissed him. Many months
elapsed, and Ferdusi heard no more of his work: he then
took occasion to remind the king of it by some little epigrams, which he contrived to let fall in the palace; but,
says sir William Jones,
” where an epic poem had failed,
what effect could be expected from an epigram“At
length the reward came, which consisted only of as many
small pieces of money, as there were couplets in the volume. The high-minded poet could not brook this insult;
he retired to his closet with bitterness in his heart, where
he wrote a most noble and animated invective against the
sultan, which he sealed up, and delivered to a courtier,
who, as he had reason to suspect, was his greatest enemy,
assuring him that it was
” a diverting tale,“and requesting
him to give it to Mahmud,
” when any affair of state or
bad success in war should make him more uneasy and
splenetic than usual." Having thus given vent to his indignation, he left Gazna in the night, and took refuge in
Bagdad, where the calif protected him from the sultan
Mahmud, who demanded him in a furious and menacing
letter. Ferdusi is supposed to have died in the 411th year
of the Hegira, or A. D. 1020.
ely the delivery of Persia by Cyrus from the oppressions of Afrasiab, king of the Transoxan Tartary, who, being assisted by the emperors of India and China, had carried
The work of Ferdusi remains entire, a glorious monument of eastern genius and learning; which, if ever it
should be understood in its original language, will contest
the merit of invention with Homer himself, whatever be
thought of its subject, or the arrangement of the incidents.
The whole collection of his works is called “Shahnama,
”
and contains the history of Persia, from the earliest times
to the invasion of the Arabs, in a series of very noble
poems; the longest and most regular of which is an heroic
poem of one great and interesting action, namely the delivery of Persia by Cyrus from the oppressions of Afrasiab,
king of the Transoxan Tartary, who, being assisted by the
emperors of India and China, had carried his conquests
very far, and had become exceeding formidable to the
Persians. The poem is longer than the Iliad the characters in it are various and striking the figures bold and
animated; and the diction every where sonorous, yet noble;
polished, yet full of fire. Of Ferdusi’s satire against the
sultan, there is a translation in a “Treatise on Oriental
Poetry,
” added to the Life of Nader-Shah in French. Sir
William Jones said it is not unlike the XagiTts of Theocritus, who, like the impetuous Ferdusi, had dared to expose the vices of a low-minded king.
, who at an early period of life obtained a considerable degree of
, who at an early period of
life obtained a considerable degree of celebrity as a Scotch
poet, was born at Edinburgh Sept. 5, 1750, or 1751, and
was educated partly in his native city, and partly at Dundee, from whence he was sent to the university of St. Andrew’s, where his diligent application, and probably his
turn for poetry, obtained him the patronage of Dr. Wilkie,
himself a poet, and author of the “Epigoniad,
” but some
gross irregularities having procured him to be expelled, he
returned to Edinburgh, without resolving on any permanent employment. Having an opulent relation, he visited
him in hopes, by his interest, to procure some sinecure
place, but at the end of six months, this relation ordered
him abruptly to leave his house, and Fergusson returned to
Edinburgh, stung with indignation; and as soon as he recovered from a severe illness, brought on by disappointment and the fatigue of his journey, he composed two
elegies, one on “The Decay of Friendship,
” and the other
“Against repining at Fortune.
” He was now so destitute,
that he submitted to copy papers in a public office, but
not liking the employment, and quarrelling with his employer, he soon left the office in disgust.
powers of song, and almost unrivalled talent for mimicry, led him oftener into the company of those who wished for him merely to enliven a social hour, than of such
Hitherto he had lived rather in obscurity; and happy
had it been for him, if he had been suffered to remain in
that obscurity; but, possessing an inexhaustible fund of
wit and good nature, he was viewed with affection by all
to whom he was known; and his powers of song, and almost unrivalled talent for mimicry, led him oftener into
the company of those who wished for him merely to enliven
a social hour, than of such as by their virtue were inclined,
or by their influence were able, to procure him a competent
settlement for life. The consequence of this was great
laxity of manners, and much of his life was disgraced by
actions which, in his cooler moments, he reflected on with
abhorrence. His conscience indeed was frequently roused,
and once so powerfully that all his vivacity forsook him.
From this state of gloom, however, he gradually recovered,
and, except that a settled melancholy was visible in his
countenance, had apparently recovered his health, when
one evening befell, and received a violent contusion on the
head, which was followed by a delirium that rendered it
necessary for his friends to remove him to the lunatic hospital of Edinburgh, where, after two months’ confinement,
he died Oct. 16, 1774. He was interred in the Canongate
church-yard, where his friends erected a monument to his
memory that was afterwards removed to make way for a
ipore elegant monument, by his enthusiastic admirer Robert Burns, who resembled him in too many features. Most
of Fergusson’s poems were originally published in the
“Weekly Magazine,
” but have since been collected in a
volume, and often printed. The subjects of them are
sometimes uncommon, and generally local or temporary.
They are of course very unequal. Those in the English
language are scarcely above mediocrity; but those in the
Scottish dialect have been universally admired by his countrymen; and when it is considered that they were composed amidst a round of dissipation, they may be allowed
to furnish complete evidence of his genius and taste.
chool of Uppingham in Rutlandshire, to which he was sent by sir Thomas Nevill of Holt in Lancashire, who had married his mother. He was afterwards, in 1618, admitted
, D. D. bishop of Chester, the youngest
son of the preceding sir John Feme, was born at York in
1603, and educated at the free-school of Uppingham in
Rutlandshire, to which he was sent by sir Thomas Nevill
of Holt in Lancashire, who had married his mother. He
was afterwards, in 1618, admitted commoner of St. Maryhall, Oxford, but after two years 1 residence there, was removed to Trinity college, Cambridge, of which he became
fellow; apd when he had taken his degree of bachelor of
divinity, was domestic chaplain to Dr. Morton, bishop of
Durham. The year after he was presented to the college
living of Masham in Yorkshire, and his brother-in-law Mr.
Nevill gave him that of Medborn in Leicestershire. The?bishop of Lincoln afterwards preferred him to the archdeaconry of Leicester. In 1642 he took his doctor’s degree, and kept the act at the commencement. Thence
he went into Leicestershire, where he had an opportunity
of waiting on the king, and preaching before him as ho
was going to Nottingham to setup his standard. The king
made him his chaplain extraordinary, and he preached
before his majesty again at Nottingham. In 1642 he published his “Case of Conscience touching rebellion,
” and
is said to have been the first that wrote openly in his majesty’s cause, but this probably obliged him to leave Medborn, and take shelter in Oxford, where he preached,
without any emolument, at St. Aldate’s church. Here he
was incorporated doctor in divinity, and was made chaplain in ordinary to the king, who at the same time sent him
a message, that he was sorry he could confer nothing else
with it. He was afterwards appointed chaplain to one of
the lords commissioners at the treaty of Uxbridge, where
at the request of some of them, he stated the case between
piscopary and presbytery, and was not answered by the
parliamentary commissioners, although one of them, the
earl of London, lord chancellor of Scotland, declared that
he should. Dr. Feme attended the king at Oxford until
he had taken Leicester, and was present at the unfortunate
battle of Naseby, after which he went to Newark, and continued preaching until the king ordered the garrison to surrender. His next retreat was to Yorkshire, where he remained with his relations, until his majesty sent for him to
the treaty of the Isle of Wight. His majesty had so much
respect for him, as to desire a copy of the last sermon he
preached there.
learning, piety, and loyalty, and of singular candour and modesty. The character given of him by one who knew him from his youth, was, that if he had any fault, it was
During the usurpation, Dr. Feme appears to have lived in privacy, but, as the only privilege now left to him, as a clergyman, he carried on disputes with the Roman catholics, which occasioned some of his publications. On the restoration, Charles II. as his royal father had promised Dr. Feme the reversion of the mastership of Trinity college, Cambridge, now conferred that office upon him, which he kept a year and a half, and was twice chosen vicechancellor. He was also promoted to the deanery of Ely; and upon Dr. Walton’s death, he was made bishop of Chester, and consecrated at Ely house chapel, Feb. 9, 1661, but held it only ahout five weeks, dying March 16, 1661, at his relation Mr. Nevill’s house, in St. Paul’s churchyard, London, and was buried in Westminster-abbey. He was a man of great learning, piety, and loyalty, and of singular candour and modesty. The character given of him by one who knew him from his youth, was, that if he had any fault, it was that he could not be angry.
at, having been admitted master of arts after two years’ time, the principals of the colleges strove who should have him to teach logic, and offered him a considerable
, or Fernelius, physician to Henry II. of France, was born at Mont-Didier in Picardy, in 1506, or as some say in 1497. He was not very young when he was sent to Paris, to study rhetoric and philosophy; but made so quick a progress, that, having been admitted master of arts after two years’ time, the principals of the colleges strove who should have him to teach logic, and offered him a considerable stipend. He would not accept their offers; but chose to render himself worthy of a public professor’s chair by private studies and lectures. He applied himself therefore in a most intense manner, all other pleasure being insipid to him. He cared neither for play, nor for walking, nor for entertainment, nor even for conversation. He read Cicero, Plato, and Aristotle, and the perusal of Cicero procured him this advantage, that the lectures he read on philosophical subjects were as eloquent as those of the other masters of that time were barbarous. He also applied himself very earnestly to the mathematics.
, by which even a part of her fortune was wasted. She murmured, cried, and complained to her father, who was a counsellor at Paris. Fernet submitted at last, sent all
In the course of these studies, he contrived mathematical instruments, and was at great expence in having them
made. His wife, however, was alarmed at those expences,
by which even a part of her fortune was wasted. She murmured, cried, and complained to her father, who was a
counsellor at Paris. Fernet submitted at last, sent all his
instrument-makers away s and applied himself seriously to
the practice of physic. But, as visiting patients did not
employ his whole time, he resumed the same office in
which he had been engaged already, of reading public lectures upon Hippocrates and Galen. This soon gained him
a great reputation through France, and in foreign countries. His business increasing, he left off reading lectures;
but as nothing could make him cease to study in private,
he spent all the hours he could spare in composing a work
of physic, entitled “Physiologia,
” which was soon after
published. He was prevailed upon to read lectures on thii
new work, which he did for three years; and undertaking
another work, which he published, “De vensesectione,
”
he laid himself under a necessity of reading lectures some
years longer; for it was passionately desired that he would
also explain this new book to the young students.
very was despaired of; and having succeeded, this was the first cause of that esteem which Henry II. who was then, dauphin, and was in love with that lady, conceived
While he was thus employed, he was sent for to court, in order to try whether he could cure a lady, whose recovery was despaired of; and having succeeded, this was the first cause of that esteem which Henry II. who was then, dauphin, and was in love with that lady, conceived for him. This prince offered him even then the place of first physician to him; but Fernel, who infinitely preferred his studies to the hurry of a court, would not accept the employment, and had even recourse to artifice, in order to, obtain the liberty of returning to Paris. He represented first, that he was not learned enough to deserve to be entrusted with the health of the princes; but that, if he were permitted to return to Paris, he would zealously employ all means to become more learned, and more capable of serving the dauphin. This excuse not being admitted, he pretended, in the next place, to be sick, and sent to the prince a surgeon, who was accustomed to speak familiarly to him, and who told him, that Fernel had a pleurisy, which grief would certainly render mortal; and that his grief was occasioned by being absent from his books and from his family, and by being obliged to discontinue his lectures, and lead a tumultuous life. The prince, giving credit to this story, permitted Fernel to retire. A man, Bayle observes, must be excessively in love with his studies, and a philosophical life, when he employs such tricks to avoid what all others are desirous to obtain.
under 10,000. He is considered as one of the great restorers of medicine, and the first after Galen who wrote ably on the nature and cause of diseases. His posterity
When Henry came to the throne, he renewed his offer; but Fernel represented, that the honour was due, for several reasons, and as an hereditary right, to the late king’s physician; and that, as for himself, he wanted some time for experiments concerning several discoveries he had made relating to physic. The king admitted this: but as soon as Francis the First’s physician died, Fernel was obliged to fill his place at Henry the Second’s court. Here just the contrary to what he dreaded came to pass: for he enjoyed more rest and more leisure at court than he had done at Paris; and he might have considered the court as an agreeable retirement, had it not been for the journeys which the new civil war obliged the king to take. Being returned from the expedition of Calais, he made his wife come to Fontainbleau: but this good woman was so afflicted at being obliged to leave her relations, that she fell sick soon after, and died delirious; and her death grieved Fernel to such a degree, that he died within a month after she was buried, in 1558. Fernel acquired a vast estate by his business. Plantius, his disciple and biographer, tells us, that while he was with him, his gains amounted often to above 12,000 livres a year, and seldom under 10,000. He is considered as one of the great restorers of medicine, and the first after Galen who wrote ably on the nature and cause of diseases. His posterity were long respected on his account.