dy advancement from one post to another procure him the envy even of the gentlemen of the long robe, who constantly paid him the regard that is due to the greatest merit
In the only character extant of him, it is said that “he
filled up every station of life with the greatest integrity
and most untainted honour; and discharged the duties of
his profession to the general satisfaction of all that had any
opportunity of observing his conduct. Nor did his speedy
advancement from one post to another procure him the
envy even of the gentlemen of the long robe, who constantly paid him the regard that is due to the greatest
merit when he was alive, and by whom the loss of him is
now as generally regretted. The skill and experience he
had in the laws of fads country, and the uncommon penetration he discovered in the decision of such causes of
equity as came before him, were not more known in Westminster-hall, than his unwearied pursuit of mathematical
studies (when his affairs would permit), as well as his fine
taste of the more polite parts of learning, were to men of
the most exalted genius in either.
” He was interred in a
vault built for the purpose in the abbey church at Bath,
in which city he died. A monument was afterwards erected
to his memory in the Temple church, London. His works
are, 1. “Law of Devises, last Wills, and Revocations,
”
Lond. The
Law of Uses and Trusts,
” The Law and Practice of Ejectments,
” Reports of Cases in Equity and Exchequer,
” Law and Practice of Distresses
and Replevins,
” no date, reprinted History and Practice of Civil
Actions in the Common-pleas,
” Treatise of the Court of Exchequer,
” partly printed
in Treatise of
Tenures,
” third edition, Treatise of
Rents,
” 8vo. 10. “History and Practice of the high
court of Chancery,
” Cases in Law and Equity,
”
The Law of Executions,
” &c. Theory or Law of Evidence,
” Abridgment of Locke’s Essay on the Human
Understanding,
” and his argument in a case of homicide.
'The first volume was again reprinted in 1801, by J. Sedg.
wick, esq. Besides these there are in Mr. Hargrave’s collection two manuscripts of lord chief baron Gilbert, the
one a “History of the Feud,
” the other “A Treatise of
Remainders.
”
afii Euclides catholicus,” an ironical work against the Romish church, written by an English convert who chose to conceal his true name. Gilbert translated into Latin
, a nonconformist divine of very
considerable abilities, was the son of William Gilbert of
Priss, in Shropshire, and was born in 1613. In 1629 he
was admitted a student of Edmund-hall, Oxford, where he
took his bachelor’s degree, and after a short residence in
Ireland, returned and took that of master in 1638. By
the favour of Philip lord Wharton, he became minister of
Upper Winchington, in Buckinghamshire; and in 1647,
having taken the covenant, and become a favourite with the
usurping powers, he was appointed vicar of St. Lawrence’s,
Reading, and next year was created B. D. at the parliamentary visitation of the university of Oxford. About the
same time he obtained the rich rectory of Edgemond, in
his native county, where he was commonly called the bishop of Shropshire. In 1654 he was appointed an assistant
to the commissioners of Shropshire, Middlesex, and the
city of Westminster, for the ejection of such as were styled
“scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient ministers and
schoolmasters;
” and according to Wood, was not sparing
of the power which this sweeping commission gave him.
After the restoration, he was ejected for nonconformity,
and, retiring to Oxford, lived there very obscurely, with
his wife, in St. Ebbe’s parish, sometimes preaching in conventicles, and in the family of lord Wharton. Nor was
he without respect from some gentlemen of the university
on account of his talents. Calamy informs us that, in a
conversation with the celebrated Dr. South on the subject
of predestination, he so satisfied him, that South became
ever after an assertor of that doctrine. When a toleration
or temporary indulgence was granted to the nonconformists
in 1671, although a professed independent, he joined with
three presbyterians in establishing a conventicle in Thames
street, in the suburbs of Oxford; but this indulgence was
soon called in. In his last days he was reduced to great
distress, and was supported by the contributions of private
persons, and of several heads of colleges. He died July
15, 1694, and was buried in the church of St. Aldate. He
was esteemed a good philosopher, disputant, and philologist, and a good Latin poet. He published, 1. “Vindicise
supremi Dei dominii,
” against Dr. Owen, Lond. An Assize Sermon,
” ibid. England’s Passing-Bell, a poem written soon after the year of
the plague, the fire of London, and the Dutch war,
” Super auspicatissimo regis Gulielmi in Hiberniam
descensu, et salva ex Hibernia reditu, carmen gratulatorium,
” Epitapbia diversa,
” chiefly on persons not of the church of
England. 6. “Julius Secundus,
” a dialogue, Ox. Jani Alex. Ferrafii Euclides
catholicus,
” an ironical work against the Romish church,
written by an English convert who chose to conceal his
true name. Gilbert translated into Latin a considerable
part of Francis Potter’s book entitled “An interpretation
of the number 666,
” printed at Amsterdam, Anni mirabiles,
” printed in
, a learned physician, who first discovered several of the properties of the load -stone,
, a learned physician, who first discovered several of the properties of the
load -stone, was born at Colchester, where his father was
recorder, in 1540; and after an education at a grammarschool, was sent to Cambridge. Having studied physic
for some time, he went abroad for his farther improvement;
and in one of the foreign universities, had the degree conferred upon him of M. D. He returned to England with a
considerable reputation for his learning in general, and
had especially the character of being deeply skilled in
philosophy and chemistry; and resolving to make his knowledge useful to his country by practising in this faculty,
be presented himself a candidate to the college of physicians in London, and was elected a fellow of that society
about 1573. Thus, every way qualified for it, he practised
in this metropolis with great success and applause; which
being observed by queen Elizabeth, whose talent it was to
distinguish persons of superior merit, she sent for him to
court, and appointed him her physician in ordinary; and
gave him, besides, an annual pension, to encourage him
in his studies. In these, as much as his extensive business in his profession would permit, he applied himself
chiefly to consider and examine the various properties of
the load-stone; and proceeding in the experimental way,
a method not much used at that time, he discovered and
established several qualities of it not observed before.
This occasioned much discourse; and spreading his fame
into foreign countries, great expectations were raised from
his treatise on that subject, which were certainly not disappointed when he printed it, in 1600, under the following
title, “De Magnete, magneticisque Corporibus & de
rnagno magnete Tellure, Physioiogia nova,
” i.e. “Of the
Magnet (or Loadstone) and magnetical Bodies, and of that
great magnet the Earth.
” It contains the history of all
that had been written on that subject before his time, and
is the first regular system on this curious subject, and may
not unjustly be styled the parent of all the improvements
that have been made therein since. In this piece our author
shews the use of the declination of the magnet, which had
been discovered by Norman in finding out the latitude,
for which purpose also he contrived two instruments for
the sea. This invention was published by Thomas Blondeville, in a book entitled “Theoriques of the Planets, together with the making of two Instruments for Seamen,
For finding out the Latitude without Sun, Moon, or Stars,
invented by Dr. Gilbert,
”
t of minerals, to the college of physicians; and this part was punctually performed by his brothers, who inherited his estate, which must have been somewhat considerable.
Besides his principal work printed in his life-time, he
left another treatise in ms. which coming into the hands
of sir William Boswell, was from that copy printed at Amsterdam in 1651, 4to, under this title, “DC mundi nostro
sublunari Philosophia nova.
” As he was never married,
he gave by his last will all his library, consisting of books,
globes, instruments, &c. and a cabinet of minerals, to the
college of physicians; and this part was punctually performed by his brothers, who inherited his estate, which
must have been somewhat considerable. Wood observes,
he was the chief person in hi parish at Colchester.
, the first practical writer on medicine whom this country produced, is placed by Bale ( who calls him Gilbertus Legleus, and says he was physician to Hubert,
, the first practical writer on
medicine whom this country produced, is placed by Bale
(who calls him Gilbertus Legleus, and says he was physician to Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury,) in the reign of
king John, about 1210; but Leland, without stating the
grounds of his opinion, makes him more modern, and Dr.
Freind thinks that he must have lived in the beginning of
the reign of Edward 1.; “for he quotes Averrhoes,
” Dr.
Freind remarks, “who reached the close of the twelfth
century; and whose works could not have been translated
so early, and indeed were not translated till the middle,
at least, of the thirteenth, as Bacon, a good voucher,
informs
” us: and the mention he makes of a book, * de Speculis,' which, without doubt, is that written by Bacon, and
what he transcribes from Theodorick, concerning a leprosy, evidently shews that he lived low in this century,
&c.“According to Leiand, he maintained a high character for his knowledge in philosophy and physic, which he
had acquired by great study and much travelling; and he
was very successful in his practice. His writings are principally compiled from those of the Arabian physicians,
like the works of his contemporaries in other nations;
sometimes, indeed, he transcribes whole chapters word
for word, especially from Rhazes. He is represented as
the first English physician who ventured to expose the
absurd practices of the superstitious monks, who at that
time engrossed much of the treatment of diseases, and is
said to have contrasted with them the methods recommended by the ancients. The principal work of Gilbert,
entitled
” Compendium Medicinse tain morborum universalium quam particularium,“was corrected by Michael Capella, and printed at Lyons in 1510; and afterwards at
Geneva, in 1608, under the title of
” Laurea Anglicana,
seu Compendium totius Medicinse.“His other treatises
were,
” De viribus Aquarum“”De Re Herbaria;“” Thesaurus Pauperum“and
” De tuenda valetudine."
in Boyer’s Political State, vol. XXVII. p. 102, as “a person of great literature, but a mean genius; who, having attempted several kinds of writing, never gained much
He died Jan. 12, 1723-4. His literary character is given
in Boyer’s Political State, vol. XXVII. p. 102, as “a person of great literature, but a mean genius; who, having
attempted several kinds of writing, never gained much
reputation in any. Among other treatises he wrote the
‘ English Art of Poetry,’ which he had practised himself
very unsuccessfully in his dramatic performances. He also
wrote an English grammar; but what he seemed to build
his chief hopes of fame upon was his Critical Commentary
On the duke of Buckingham’s * Essay on Poetry,' which
last piece was perused and highly approved by his grace.
”
2mo, but he has other pieces extant both in Latin and English, some of which are enumerated by Wood, who had seen others in manuscript. When usher of St. Paul’s school,
, son and successor to his father,
the subject of the preceding article, was born in London,
in 1597, and entered of Trinity college, Oxford, in 1612,
on an exhibition from the Mercers’ company. When he
had taken his master’s degree, he became usher under his
father in St. Paul’s school, and under Thomas Farnaby, in
his private school, but succeeded his father in 1635, and
next year took the degree of D. D. He held the school
only five years, being dismissed, as Knight thinks, for
excessive severity. An allowance, however, was made to
him of 25l. yearly, with which he set up a private school
in Aldersgate-street, where he died in 1642, and was buried in the church of St. Botolph, Aldersgate. Wood
speaks of his “unsettled and inconstant temper,
” and of
his “many changes, rambles, and some imprisonments,
”
but upon what account he does not inform us. Some light,
however, is thrown upon the circumstance of imprisonments at least, in a late publication of Aubrey’s Lives. In
his account of Chillingworth he says, “Dr. Gill, films
doctorisGill, schoolmaster of Paules school, and Chillingworth, held weekely intelligence one with another for some
years, wherein they used to nibble at state-matters. Dr.
Gill, in one of his letters, calls king James and his sonne,
the old foole and the young one, which letter Chillingworth communicated to W. Laud, A. B. Cant. The poore
young Dr. Gill was seised, and a terrible storme pointed
towards him, which by the eloquent intercession and
advocation of Edward earle of Dorset, together with the teares
of the poore old doctor, his father, and supplication on his
knees to his majestic, was blowne over.
” Most of his Latin
poetry, in which he excelled, is published in a volume
entitled “Poetici Conatus,
” Faerie
Queene,
” Brayton’s “Polyolbion,
” by Selden; and
Bourdelotius’s “Lucian,
” all having poetical mottos from
the classics in his own hand-writing, which shew his taste
and track of reading; and in the “Lucian
” are the arms
of the Gills elegantly tricked with a pen, and coloured by
him. He had two brothers, George and Nathaniel, who
were both of the same college.
and extracted the variations in them, from the modern printed text, which he sent to Dr. Kennicott, who politely acknowledges the obligation in his “State of his Collation,”
When he first came to settle in London, in 1719, he
became intimately acquainted with Mr. John Skepp, author
of“The Divine Energy,
” and in on account of his
learned defence of the true sense of the holy scriptures
against deists and infidels.
” This diploma was decreed to
him in the handsomest manner, without his knowledge, and
the fees were remitted. His Exposition of the Old Testament was published afterwards in various years, forming,
along with the New, 9 vols. fol. which, becoming of late
years in much demand, and the price being greatly raised,
a new and very neat edition was published in 1810—12, in
10 vols. 4to, by Mr. Bagster, of the Strand. In 1767 Dr.
Gill published a “Dissertation on the Antiquities of the
Hebrew Language, Letters, Vowel-points, and Accents,
”
and in the same year collated the various passages of the
Old Testament quoted in the Mishna, in the Talmuds, both
Jerusalem and Babylonian, and in the Rabbath; and extracted the variations in them, from the modern printed
text, which he sent to Dr. Kennicott, who politely acknowledges the obligation in his “State of his Collation,
” published in Body of
doctrinal Divinity,
” 2 vols. 4to, and in 1770 a “Body of
practical Divinity.
” This was the last of his numerous
publications, in the preparation of which he liad spent
many years of his long life. He died at his house at Camberwell, Oct. 14, 1771; his wife had been dead some years
before, and his only surviving son died in 1804, aged
seventy-seven. Dr. Gill’s private character was so excellent, that the admirers of his writings have said that “his
learning and labours were exceeded only by the invariable
sanctity of his life and conversation.
” His extensive
learning and reading cannot be called in question, but as a
writer he is in general too copious and diffuse.
y, he spent some time, at his return, with George d'Armagnac, bishop of Rhodes, afterwards cardinal, who was his patron; and, at this prelate’s request, wrote his 16
, a distinguished scholar and traveller,
was born 1490, at Albi. After travelling over France, and
into Italy, he spent some time, at his return, with George
d'Armagnac, bishop of Rhodes, afterwards cardinal, who
was his patron; and, at this prelate’s request, wrote his
16 books on the nature of animals, “De vi et natura Animalium,
” Lyons, Elephanti descriptio,
” 8vo; “De
Bosphoro Thracio,
” 24to; “De Topographia Constantinouoleos,
” 24to; and in Banduri’s Imperium Orientate,
editions of Demetrius of Constantinople in “Rei Accipitrariae Auctores,
” Commentary on the Twelve minor Prophets;
” and of the “Hist,
of Ferdinand, king of Arragon,
” by Laurentius Valla.
ublic testimony was given to the reputation he had acquired, by his being one of the first in Oxford who were recommended to cardinal Wolsey for Christ Church college,
If at this time, from perusing the writings of Erasmus, or by any other means, he entertained scruples respecting the religion of the Romish church, in which he had been bred up, he had the discretion to suppress his sentiments, and before he said any thing which might shake the faith of others, he determined to establish his own. He had not been long settled in his fellowship before a very public testimony was given to the reputation he had acquired, by his being one of the first in Oxford who were recommended to cardinal Wolsey for Christ Church college, which he had just founded, and accordingly Mr. Gilpin removed thither from Queen’s, and continued his former studies. From the nature of these, and the ingenuity and honesty of his disposition, it is not improbable that he might in time have been led by his own reasonings to that discovery of truth he aimed at; but Providence rewarded a pious endeavour, by throwing in his way the means of an earlier attainment of it. Under the patronage of Edward VI. who had now succeeded Henry VIII. Peter Martyr went to Oxford, where he read divinity lectures in a strain to which the university had been hitherto little accustomed, and particularly refuted the doctrine of tl^e corporal pretence. This occasioned a controversy of much warmth, such was Mr. Gilpia't credit at the university that the popish party were very solicitous to engage him on theic side. But, although he was as yet but imperfectly acquainted with the arguments of the reformers, he had, it seems, lately discovered, through a dispute he had been engaged in with Dr. Hooper, afterwards bishop of Worcester, that several of the Romish doctrines were not so well supported by Scripture as was commonly imagined; and, with a mind in this unsettled condition, he thought himself but ill qualified to espouse either side publicly. lit consequence, however, of repeated importunities, he ventured to appear in a public disputation against Peter Martyr, the consequence of which was, his ingenuously owning that he could not maintain his opinions, and a determination to enter into no more controversies until he had gained the full information he was in pursuit of. Peter Martyr acknowledged this candid behaviour, so different from that of Gilpin’s fellow disputants, Chedsey, Morgan, Tresham, &c. and often told his friends that it was the subject of his daily prayers that God would be pleased at length to touch the heart of this pious papist with the knowledge of true religion. Nor, says his biographer, did he pray in vain; for Mr. Gilpin from this time became every day more reconciled to the reformers.
nes of the reformers. He also communicated some of his doubts to Cuthbert Tonstal, bishop of Durham, who was his mother’s uncle, and had always expressed a great regard
He now began with great diligence to read over the Scriptures, and the writings of the fathers, the result of which was a more favourable opinion of the doctrines of the reformers. He also communicated some of his doubts to Cuthbert Tonstal, bishop of Durham, who was his mother’s uncle, and had always expressed a great regard for him, and to other learned men of the university, whose answers appear to have had a tendency to increase his scruples, and finally to make him declare himself a protestant; and it is certain, that while at Christ Church, he became fully convinced of the errors of popery. Such, however, was his diffidence in his own acquirements, and such his fear lest protestantism might suffer by the inexperience of its teachers, that he resisted many solicitations to leave the university, and undertake the cure of souls. These scruples detained him at Oxford until the thirty-fifth year of his age; about which time he yielded so far to the earnest solicitations of his friends as to accept the vicarage of Norton, in the diocese of Durham, in Nov. 1552. Before he went to Beside he was appointed to preach before the king, who was at Greenwich, which appears then to have been a custom before being presented to any benefice. On this occasion, with the true spirit of a reformer, he inveighed against the luxurious and corrupt manners of the times among all ranks, and although the king was not then present, delivered what he intended as an address to his majesty, not doubting, as he said, but that it would be carried to him. This courage recommended him to the notice of many persons of the first rank; particularly to sir Francis Russel, and sir Robert Dudley, afterwards earls of Bedford and Leicester, who from that time professed a great regard for him; and, when in power, were always ready to patronize him. Gilpin received their offered friendship with humility and gratitude, but never solicited it on his own account. He sometimes indeed applied to lord Bedford in behalf of his friends, but does not appear to have once asked any favour of the earl of Leicester, whose real character could not be unknown, or agreeable to him. He is likewise said to have been noticed by secretary Cecil, afterwards lord Burleigh, who obtained for him a general licence for preaching, a matter of great favour in those days. This licence he sometimes used in oilier parts of the country, but confined his services chiefly to his parish of Norton.
ascosan, the eminent printer, to whom he had been recommended by his friends in the Netherlands, and who shewed him great regard, introducing him to the most considerable
Gilpin now embarked for Holland, whence he immediately went to Mechlin to visit his brother George, then a
2ealous papist, but afterwards a warm advocate for the
reformation, and the translator from Dutch into English of
that keen satire against popery, entitled “The Beehive of
the Roman church.
” He went afterwards to Louvain,
where he resolved to settle for sometime, making occasional excursions to other placet. Loinrain was then one
of the chief places for students in divinity. Some of the
most eminent divines on both sides of the question resided
there, and the most important topics of religion were discussed with gfeat freedom. Of such opportunities he soon
began to avail himself, and the consequence was his imbibing juster notions of the doctrines of the reformation:
he saw things in a clearer and stronger light, and felt a
satisfaction in the change he Uad made, to whichhe had
hitherto been n stranger.
While thus pursuing his studies, he heard the important
news from England of queen Mary’s accession to the crown,
whose bigotry was well known, and in whom the signs of
a persecuting spirit already appeared; and at the same
time learned that his relation bishop Tonstal was released
from the Tower, and reinstated in his bishopric. The first
consequence of this last event was the offer of a living,
which Mr. Gilpin declined in a long letter, the unaffected
piety of which disarmed all resentment on the part of the
bishop, and led him rather to admire a behaviour, in which
the motives of conscience shewed themselves so superior
to those of interest. After remaining two years in Flanders,
to which his countrymen were daily flocking to escape the
sanguinary laws of queen Mary, he took a journey to Paris, in order to print the bishop of Durham’s book on the
Sacrament, with which that prelate had intrusted him.
This work of Tonstal’s was written so much in a spirit of
moderation respecting the extravagant popish doctrine of
the Sacrament, that Gilpin was generally supposed to have
corrupted it, which he refuted by shewing the bishop’s
letter of thanks for his “care and fidelity
” as an editor.
While Mr. Gilpin staid at Paris, he lodged with Vascosan,
the eminent printer, to whom he had been recommended
by his friends in the Netherlands, and who shewed him
great regard, introducing him to the most considerable
men in that city. Here popery became quite his aversion;
he saw more of its superstition and craft than he had yet
seen; the former among the people, the latter among the
priests, who scrupled not to avow how little truth was their
concern. Here also he found his old acquaintance Mr.
Neat, of New college, who was now become an inflexible
bigot to popery, and resisted all Gilpin’s endeavours to
reclaim him. This was the same Neal, who was afterwards chaplain to bishop Bonner, and distinguished himself by being sole voucher of the very improbable and silly
story of the Nag’s head consecration.
probable, that his purpose to return at this time was in pursuance of the bishop of Durham’s advice; who, rinding the infirmities of age increase upon him, and believing
Mr. Gilpin having spent three years abroad, was now fully satisfied in all his more considerable scruples. He wanted no further conviction of the bad tendency of popery: he saw the necessity of some reformation, and began to think every day more favourably of the present one. The doctrine of the corporal presence indeed he had not yet fully considered; but he looked upon it as a mystery, which it rather became him to acquiesce in than examine. The principal end of his going abroad being thus answered, he was desirous, of return ing iion:eb,ut ap the Marian persecution was still raging, his mends suggested that it was little less than madness to think of going to a place, from whence all of his sentiments were endeavouring to withdraw themselves. But it is most probable, that his purpose to return at this time was in pursuance of the bishop of Durham’s advice; who, rinding the infirmities of age increase upon him, and believing his nephew totally unqualified to advance himself in life, might be desirous of providing for him before l.is death; and hoped that his power, in that remote part of the kingdom, would be a sufficient protection for him against his enemies. It is, however, certain that he came into England during the heat of the persecution, and went immediately to the bishop, who was then in his diocese. Here this humane prelate kept himself withdrawn during most of that violent reign, to avoid having any hand in measures which he abhorred.
was raised against Mr. Gilpin as a heretic, and he was accused in form before the bishop of Durham, who, however, very artfully screened him at this time; but soon
The bishop received him with great friendship, and within a very little time, gave him the archdeaconry of Durham, to which the rectory of Easington was annexed. Upon removing to this parish, he found it in great disorder, and set himself in earnest to reprove vice publicly and privately; and to explain the nature of true religion, with a freedom by no means suited to those dangerous times. In his office of archdeacon he endeavoured to reform the clergy, to discountenance pluralities, and to repress their private vices; and this he persisted in, notwithstanding the bishop hinted to him that more caution would be necessary in such times. It is, however, a little surprising that the bishop had not foreseen how much he must necessarily expose his nephew to the popish party, by placing him in such a station. He knew he could not temporize; and he must know, that without temporizing, he would soon be most obnoxious to those in power; with whose persecuting principles he was well acquainted. The consequence was as might have been expected; a clamour was raised against Mr. Gilpin as a heretic, and he was accused in form before the bishop of Durham, who, however, very artfully screened him at this time; but soon after, Mr. Gilpin finding the duties of his archdeaconry and rectory too nauch for his strength, and that they could not be divided, resigned both, and was for some time without any office in the church, except that of living with the bishop as one of his chaplains.
to have their cause credited by his authority; and among others, the first dissenters, or puritans, who had contracted prejudices against certain church ceremonies,
When in order to enlighten the nation in true learning and religion, public schools began to be recommended, Mr. Gilpin endeavoured to promote the good work with the utmost of his ability. As his manner of living was most affluent and generous, and his hospitality and charities made daily a larger demand upon him, it was thought extraordinary, that, amidst such great expences, he should entertain the design of building and endowing a grammar school; yet his exact ceconomy soon enabled him to accomplish this, and the effects of his endowment were very quickly seen: his school was no sooner opened than it began to flourish, and to afford the agreeable prospect of a succeeding generation rising above the ignorance and errors of their forefathers. He not only placed able masters in his school, whom he procured from Oxford, but himself constantly inspected it, and took an active part in the education of the scholars. Such was his benevolence that whenever he met with a poor boy upon the road, he would make trial of his capacity l)y a few questions; and if he found it such as pleased him, he would provide for his education. From the school also he sent several to the universities, where he maintained them wholly at his own expence. Nor was this munificent and uncommon care unrewarded. Many of his scholars became great ornaments to the church, and exemplary instances of piety, among whom have been particularly mentioned, Henry Ayray, afterwards provost of Queen’s college; George Carleton, bishop of Chichester; and Hugh Broughton. It was also at Mr. Gilpin’s suggestion that his friend bishop Pilkington founded a school at the place of his nativity in Lancashire, the statutes of which he revised and corrected at the bishop’s request. Mr. Gilpin’s general reputation for learning and piety, made it the desire of persons of all religious persuasions to have their cause credited by his authority; and among others, the first dissenters, or puritans, who had contracted prejudices against certain church ceremonies, habits, &c. made early applications to Mr. Gilpin, but without effect. The reformation, he said, was just; essentials were there concerned; hut at present he saw no ground for disaffection. " The church of England, he thought, gave no reasonable offence. Some things there might be in it, which had been perhaps as well avoided (probably meaning the use of the vestments), but to disturb the peace of a nation for such trifles, he thought, was quite unchristian. And what indeed appeared to him chiefly blameable in the dissenters, was, that heat of temper with which they propagated their opinions, and treated those who differed from them. Such was not his practice, for he confined all his dislike to their sentiments, urged with intemperate warmth, but bore not the least ill-will to their persons. One of the most intimate friends he ever had was Mr. Lever, a minister of their persuasion, and a sufferer in their cause. It is almost needless to add, that he found it equally or more easy to resist the solicitations of the papists, who lamented, as they well might, that so good a man had forsaken their communion, and consequently they left no methods untried to bring him back.
r he had left Houghton, Btirleigh eould not help exclaiming, “There is the enjoyment of life indeed! who can blame that man for not accepting of a bishopric! what doth
His hospitable manner of living was the admiration of the
whole country, and strangers and travellers met with a
cheerful reception. Even their beasts had so much care
taken of them, that it was humorously said, “if a horse
was turned loose in any part of the country, it would immediately make its way to the rector of Moughton’s.
” Every
Sunday, from Michaelmas to Easter, was a sort of public
day with him. During this season, he expected to see all
his parishioners and their families, whom he seated, according to their ranks, at three tables; and when absent
from home, the same establishment was kept up. When
lord Burleigh, then lord treasurer, was sent on public
affairs into Scotland, he unexpectedly paid a visit to Mr.
Gilpin, but the reconomy of his house was not easily disconcerted, and he entertained the statesman nnd his retinue in such a manner as made him acknowledge “he
could hardly have expected more at Lambeth.
” On looking back from an eminence, after he had left Houghton,
Btirleigh eould not help exclaiming, “There is the enjoyment of life indeed! who can blame that man for not accepting of a bishopric! what doth he want to make him
greater, or happier, or more useful to mankind!
” Mr.
Gilpin’s labours extended beyond his own parish; he every
year visited divers neglected parishes in Northumberland,
Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmoreland, and Cumberland;
and that his own flock might not suffer, he was at the expence of a constant assistant. In all his journeys he did
not fail to visit the gaols and places of confinement; and
by his labours and affectionate manner of behaviour, he is
said to have reformed many abandoned persons in those
abodes of human misery. He had set places and times
for preaching in the different parts of the country, which
were as regularly attended as the assize towns of a circuit.
If he came to a place in which there was a church, he made
use of it; if not, of barns, or any other large building,
where great crowds of persons were sure to attend him,
some for his instructions, more, perhaps, to partake of
his bounty; but in his discourses he had a sort of enthusiastic warmth, which roused many to a sense of religion
who had never thought of any thing serious before. The
dangers and fatigues attending this employment were, in
his estimation, abundantly compensated by the advantages which he hoped would accrue from them to his uninstructed fellow-creatures. He did not spare the rich;
and in a discourse before Barnes, bishop of Durham, who
had already conceived a prejudice against him, he spoke
with so much freedom, that his best friends dreaded the
result; they rebuked him for giving the prelate a handle
against him, to which he replied, “If the discourse should
do the good he intended by it, he was regardless of the
consequences to himself.
” He then waited on the prelate,
who said, “Sir, I propose to wait upon you home myself.
”
When they arrived at the rectory, and entered the house,
the bishop turned suddenly round, and grasped him eagerly by the hand, saying, “Father Gil pin, I know you
are fitter to be bishop of Durham, than I am to be parson
of this church of yours. I ask forgiveness for past injuries.
Forgive me, father, I know you have enemies, but while
I live bishop of Durham, none of tjiem shall cause you
any further trouble.
”
his bed, addressed himself to them on matters of eternal concern. He also sent for several persons, who had hitherto made no good use of his advice, and upon whom he
For many interesting and honourable anecdotes of the conduct of this extraordinary man we must refer to his life by his descendant the late rev. William Gilpin. The present article has reached its utmost length, but will not be useless it' it direct the attention of the reader to one of the most exemplary pieces of biography in our language. It remains only to notice, that after a life devoted to every virtue that can dignify the character of an ecclesiastic, he found himself in February 1583 so weak, from a fall, and the infirmities of age, as to be sensible that his end wag drawing near. He told his friends of his apprehensions, and spoke of his death with great composure. He was soon confined to his chamber; but retained his senses to the last. A few days before his death, he desired his friends, acquaintance, and dependents, &c. might be called into his chamber; and being raised in his bed, addressed himself to them on matters of eternal concern. He also sent for several persons, who had hitherto made no good use of his advice, and upon whom he imagined his dying words might have a better eftect, but his speech began to faulter before he had finished his exhortations. The remaining hours of his life he spent in prayer, and broken conversation with some select friends, mentioning often the consolations of the gospel, declaring they were the only true ones, and that nothing else could bring a man peace at the last. He died March 4, 15S3, in the sixtysixth year of his age.
Thus died Bernard Gilpin, who, for his exemplary piety, laborious virtue, and unbounded benevolence,
Thus died Bernard Gilpin, who, for his exemplary piety,
laborious virtue, and unbounded benevolence, deserves
to have his name transmitted to posterity with respect and
reverence, and who obtained, and most deservedly, among
his contemporaries, the title of the Northern Apostle. By
his unwearied application he had amassed a great stock of
knowledge, and was indeed ignorant of no part of learning
at that time in esteem. He had given more than common
attention to the study of the dead languages, to history
and divinity; he is said to have excelled in poetry, but
he expended little time in the pursuit of any thing that
was foreign to his profession. His temper was naturally
warm, but, by degrees, he succeeded in obtaining an entire command of himself. His disposition was serious, yet,
among his particular friends, he was cheerful and even
facetious. His severity had no other object but himself:
to others he was mild, candid, and indulgent. His “Sermon preached at the court at Greenwich, before K. Edward VI.
” in 1552, is the only revised composition of Mr.
Gilpin’s that has survived him. It is printed in his Life
by bishop Carleton, 1636, 12mo, fourth edition; and in that
more elaborate and elegant life by his descendant, first
printed in 1753, 8vo.
orn at Carlisle in 1733, from whence, after having acquired some relish for the art from his father, who was a captain in the army, he came to London, and was articled
, a late artist, and a descendant of the Apostle of the North, was born at Carlisle in 1733, from whence, after having acquired some relish for the art from his father, who was a captain in the army, he came to London, and was articled to a ship-painter. His first interesting works were composed of some market groups which struck his eye from his window. Soon after he went to Newmarket, being encouraged by the late William, duke of Cumberland, where he executed many compositions which might have vied with Hogarth in point of character. In the duke’s stud he acquired that knowledge of the horse, which he afterwards displayed with such superior spirit and beauty; and when we see with what felicity he applied it to the higher departments of the art, to historic compositions in the triuiph of Camillas, the election of Darius, the story of Phaeton, we must lament that such talents should have been drawn aside to the meaner employment of horse-portrait painting, which occupied too much of his valuable life.
ended that the ancients wer6 not ignorant of the power of the magnet; but it is certain 'that Pliny, who often speaks of the load-stone, knew nothing of its appropriate
, to whom the invention of the compass has been ascribed, was a Neapolitan, and born about the year 13OO. At that time the sovereigns of Naples were younger branches of the royal family of France; and, to mark the circumstance of this invention of the compass originating with a subject of Naples, Gioia distinguished the north with a fleur de lis, a, particularity which has been adopted by all nations, to whom the use of this instrument is known. Some have pretended that the ancients wer6 not ignorant of the power of the magnet; but it is certain 'that Pliny, who often speaks of the load-stone, knew nothing of its appropriate direction to the pole. Some authors also have conferred the honour of this important discovery on the Chinese, and it has by Dr. Wallis been ascribed to the English. However this may be, the territory of Principato, which is part of the kingdom of Naples, and in which place Gioia was born, bears a compass for its arms. If it be only an improvement of an invention, though but partially known, which may be imputed to Gioia, he is without dispute entitled to a distinguished place in the rank of those who have contributed to the benefit of society.
auchery, and married a young woman without any fortune; and having killed one of his brothersin-law, who reproached him with his indolence and laziness, he entered as
, a skilful mathematician, was
born December 13, 1633, at Bitonto. He spent his youth
in idleness and debauchery, and married a young woman
without any fortune; and having killed one of his brothersin-law, who reproached him with his indolence and laziness, he entered as a soldier in a fleet fitted out by the
pope against the Turks. The admiral, finding that he did
not want genius, gave him a writer’s place which happened
to be vacant; and Giordani, being obliged in consequence
to learn arithmetic, eagerly studied that of Clavius, and
acquired a taste for mathematics. Returning to Rome, in
1659, he was made keeper of the castle of St. Angelo, and
devoted the leisure that office afforded him to mathematical
studies, in which he made so rapid a progress, that queen
Christina chose him for her mathematician during her stay
at Rome; and Louis XIV, appointed him to teach mathematics in the academy of painting and sculpture which he
had founded in that city, 1666. Giordani was made engineer to the castle of St. Angelo by pope Clement X., appointed mathematical professor at the college della Sapienza 1685, and admitted into the academy of the Arcadi,
May 5, 1691. He died November 3, 1711. His principal
works are, “Euclide restitute,
” foiio; “De componendis
gravium momentis,
” folio; “Fundamentum doctrines motus gravium,
” Ad Hyacinthum Christophorum Epistola,
”
had acquired by his expeditious manner of painting, but from the mercenary eagerness of his father, who sold at a high price the designs of Luca, which he m<Cde after
, an eminent artist, was born at
Naples, in 1629, and at first was the disciple of
Spagnoletto, and afterwards of Pietro da Cortona.When. h
quitted the school of the latter, he went to Lonabarcly, to
study Corregio 3 and then travelled to Venice, to improve
himself hy the colouring and compositions of the besi Venetian artists. He had a fruitful imagination, and a surprising readiness and freedom of hand; his tone of colouring is agreeable; and his design, when he chose, correct. He studied the manners and particularities of the
greatest masters with such care and judgment, and possessed so happy a memory, that he not only retained in
his mind a distinct idea of the style of every celebrated
master, but had the skill and power to imitate them with
such a critical exactness, as to deceive even the ablest
connoisseurs. In his early time this might have been the
effect of study, and an attempt to arrive at excellence;
but we may observe the same disposition of mind in those
pictures which he painted in the best periods of his life,
many of them being in the peculiar manner of Titian, Tintoretto, Guido, and Bassan. Some of those paintings are
so like, that it is said there are in the most capital collections in England, some called Titian’s which are incontestably the sportings of Giordano’s pencil. One of his
most considerable productions is the altar-piece of the
church of the Ascension at Naples, representing the fall
of Lucifer. And at Genoa, is a fine picture of Seneca
dying in the Bath; of which, also, there is a duplicate in
the gallery at Dresden. In Spain he executed many compositions at Madrid, Toledo, and at the Escurial; and
employed only two years to paint ten arched ceilings of
the church and staircase of that palace. He was exceedingly industrious, generally painting six or seven hours
every day; and being highly favoured by the king, became exceedingly rich. In 1692 he first arrived at Madrid, and did not return to Italy till 1702, when he accompanied Philip V. to Naples, and in 1704 died there.
The appellation of “Luca fa Presto
” was accidentally applied to Giordano; not on account of the fame he had acquired by his expeditious manner of painting, but from
the mercenary eagerness of his father, who sold at a high
price the designs of Luca, which he m<Cde after the compositions of the great masters, while he pursued his studies.
The father of Luca scarce allowed him time to refresh himself, but still said to him while he was at his meals as well
as at his work, “Lucn, fa presto,
” or, “Luca, make haste;
”
from which expression perpetually uttered, his companions
gave him the nick-name of “Fa Presto.
”
pplause for his ingenuity. This artist is said to have fallen in love with a young beauty at Venice, who was no less charmed with him, and submitted to be his mistress.
, an eminent artist, whose name was
Gioggio Barbarellj, but was generally known by the
appellation of Giorgione, from loftiness of figure and
gait, or the grandeur that stamps his style, was born at
Castelfranco, in Frioul, 1477, and became the scholar of
Giovanni Bellini. Even then he dismissed the minuteness which chained his master, and substituted that freedom, that disdainful superiority of handling, which, if it
be not the result of manner, is the supreme attainment of
execution. Ample outlines, bold fore-shortening, dignity, and vivacity of aspect and attitude, breadth of drapery, richness of accompaniment, more natural and softer
passages from tint to tint, and forcible effects of chiaroscuro, marked the style of Giorgione. This last, the great
want of the Venetian school, had, indeed, already been
discovered to Upper Italy, by Lionardo da Vinci. To
him, or rather to certain pictures and drawings of his, all
unknown to us, Vasari pretends that Giorgione owes his
chiaroscuro; but neither the line and forms peculiar to
Vipci, nor his system of light and shade, seem to countenance this assertion. Gracility and amenity of aspect characterize the lines and fancy of Lionardo; fulness, roundness, those of Giorgione. Fond of a much wider diffusion
of shades, and gradually diminishing their mass, the Tuscan drives light to a single point of dazzling splendour.
Not so the Venetian; more open, less dark, neither brown
nor ferrugineous in his demi-tints, but transparent and
true; to tell the whole, he is nearer to Corregioi He
may, however, have inspected and profited by the example
of Lionardo, the inventor of chiaroscuro; but so as Corregio did by the fore-shortening of Mantegna. His greatest
works were in fresco, of which little but the ruins remain.
His numerous oil-pictures, by rigorous impasto, and fulness of pencil, st^ll preserve their beauty. Of these, his
portraits have every excellence which mind, air, dignity,
truth, freshness, and contrast, can confer; he sometimes
indulged in ruddy, sanguine tints, but, on the whole, simplicity is their standard. His compositions are few; the
most considerable was, perhaps, that of the “Tempest
allayed,
” in the school of St. Marco at Venice. Some consider as his master-piece “Moses taken from the Nile,
and presented to the daughter of Pharaoh,
” in the archiepiscopal palace at Milan, in which a certain austerity of
tone gives zest to sweetness. One large picture of a holy
family is in possession of the marquis of Stafford, which is
highly laboured as to effect. But, perhaps the most perfect work of his in this country, is a small picture in the
collection of the earl of Carlisle, a portrait of Gaston de
Foix, with a servant putting on his armour. We are not
acquainted with any picture that has more truth or beauty
of colour, and style of character. It is told of Giorgione,
that having a dispute concerning the superiority of sculpture or painting; and it being argued, that sculpture had
the advantage, because the figures it produces may be seen
all around; he took the adverse side, maintaining, that
the necessity of moving, in order to see the different sides,
deprived it of its superiority; whereas the whole figure
might be viewed at one glance, in a minute. To prove
his position, he painted a figure, and surrounded it with
mirrors, in which all the various parts were exhibited, and
obtained great applause for his ingenuity. This artist is
said to have fallen in love with a young beauty at Venice,
who was no less charmed with him, and submitted to be
his mistress. She fell ill with the plague; but, not suspecting it to be so, admitted Giorgione to her bed, where,
the infection seizing him, they both died in 1511, he
being no more than 33.
n eminent painter, sculptor, and architect, was born in 1276, at a village near Florence, of parents who were plain country people. When a boy, he was sent out to keep
, an eminent painter, sculptor, and architect,
was born in 1276, at a village near Florence, of parents
who were plain country people. When a boy, he was
sent out to keep sheep in the fields; and, having a natural
inclination for design, he used to amuse himself with
drawing his flock after the life upon sand, in the best manner he could. Cimabue travelling once that way, found
him at this work, and thence conceived so good an opinion of his genius for painting, that he prevailed with his
father to let him go to Florence, and be brought up under
him. He had not applied himself long to designing, before he began to shake off the stiffness of the Grecian
masters. He endeavoured to give a finer air to his heads,
and more of nature to his colouring, with proper actions to
his figures. He attempted likewise to draw after the life,
and to express the different passions of the mind; but
could not come up to the liveliness of the eyes, the tenderness of the flesh, or the strength of the muscles in naked
figures. What he did, however, had not been done in,
two centuries before, with any skill equal to his. Giotto’s
reputation was so far extended, that pope Benedict IX.
sent a gentleman of his court into Tuscany, to bring him
a just report of his talents; and withal to bring him a design from each of the Florentine painters, being desirous
to have some notion of their skill. When he came to
Giotto, he told him of the pope’s intentions, which were
to employ him in St. Peter’s church at Rome; and desired
him to send some design by him to his holiness. Giotto,
who was a pleasant ready man, took a sheet of white paper,
and setting his arm close to his hip to keep it steady, he
drew with one stroke of his pencil a circle so round and so
equal, that “round as Giotto’s O
” afterwards became
proverbial. Then, presenting it to the gentleman, he told
him smiling, that “there was a piece of design, which he
might carry to his holiness.
” The man replied, “I ask
for a design:
” Giotto answered, “Go, sir, I tell you his
holiness asks nothing else of me.
” The pope, who understood something of painting, easily comprehended by this,
how much Giotto in strength of design excelled all the
other painters of his time; and accordingly sent for him
to Rome. Here he painted many pieces, and amongst the
rest a ship of Mosaic work, which is over the three gates
of the portico, in the entrance to St. Peter’s church, and
is known to painters by the name of Giotto’s vessel. Pope
Benedict was succeeded by Clement V. who transferred
the papal court to Avignon; whither, likewise, Giotto was
obliged to go. After some stay there, having perfectly
satisfied the pope by many fine specimens of his art, he
was largely rewarded, and returned to Florence full of
riches and honour in 1316. He was soon invited to Padua,
where he painted a new-built chapel very curiously; thence
he went to Verona, and then to Ferrara. At the same time
the poet Dante, hearing that Giotto was at Ferrara, and
being himself then in exile at Ravenna, got him over to
Ravenna, where he executed several pieces; and perhaps
it might be here that he drew Dante’s picture, though the
friendship between the poet and the painter was previous
to this. In 1322, he was again invited abroad by Castruccio Castrucani, lord of Luca; and, after that, by Robert
king of Naples. Giotto painted much at Naples, and
chiefly the chapel, where the king was so pleased with
him, that he used very often to go and sit by him while he
was at work: for,Giotto was a man of pleasant conversation and wit. One day, it being very hot, the king said
to him, “If I were you, Giotto, I would leave off working
this hot weather
” “and so would I, Sir,
” says Giotto,
“if I were you.
” He returned from Naples to Rome, and
from Rome to Florence, leaving monuments of his art in
almost every place through which he passed. There is a
picture of his in one of the churches of Florence, representing the death of the blessed Virgin, with the apostles
about her: the attitudes of which story, Michael Angelo
used to say, could not be better designed. Giotto, however, did not confine his genius altogether to painting: he
was both a sculptor and architect. In 1327 he formed the
design of a magnificent and beautiful monument for Guido
Tarlati, bishop of Arezzo, who had been the head of the
Ghibeline faction in Tuscany: and in 1334 he undertook
the famous tower of Sancta Maria del Fiore; for which
work, though it was not finished, he was made a citizen of
Florence, and endowed with a considerable yearly pension.
His death happened in 1336: and the city of Florence
erected a marble statue over his tomb. He had the esteem
and friendship of most of the excellent men of the age in
which he lived and among the rest, of Dante and Petrarch.
He drew, as already noticed, the picture of the former
and the latter mentions him in his will, and in one of his
familiar epistles.
bbed him dead, and then fell to drawing when he had finished his picture, he carried it to the pope, who liked it so well, that he was resolved to place it over the
Giotto is said to have been the inventor of Mosaic work,
and of crucifixes. The former has been disproved in our
Archasologia. The latter rests on a story which we hope
has as little foundation. It is thus related: “Giotto, intending one day to draw a crucifix to the life, wheedled a
poor man to suffer himself to be bound to a cross for an
hour, at the end of which he was to be released, and receive a considerable reward for it; but instead of this, as
soons he had fastened him, he stabbed him dead, and
then fell to drawing when he had finished his picture, he
carried it to the pope, who liked it so well, that he was
resolved to place it over the altar of his own chapel:
Giotto told him, as he liked the copy so well, he would
show him the original. What do you mean, said the
pope? Will you show me Jesus Christ on the cross in
person? No, said Giotto, but I will show your holiness
the original from whence I drew this, if you will absolve
me from all punishment. The pope promised this, which
Giotto believing, attended him to the place where it was:
as soon as they were entered, he drew back a curtain,
which hung before the dead man on the cross, and told
him what he had done. The pope, troubled at so barbarous
an action, repealed his promise, and told Giotto, that he
should surely be put to an exemplary death. Giotto, with
a seeming resignation, only begged leave to finish the
piece before he died, which was granted him, and a guard
set upon him to prevent his escape. As soon as the picture was delivered into his hands, he took a brush, and
dipping it into a sort of stuff ready for that purpose, daubed
the picture all over with it, so that nothing of the crucifix
could be seen. This made his holiness stark mad, and he
swore, that Giotto should he put to the most cruel death,
unless he drew another equal to the former; if so, he
would not only give him his life, but also an ample reward
in money. Giotto, as he had reason, desired this under
the pope’s signet, that he might not be in danger of a
second repeal. This was granted to him; and taking a
wet spunge, he wiped off all the varnish he had daubed on
the picture, so that the crucifix appeared the same in all
respects as it did before. Upon this, the pope remitted
his punishment. And they say, that this crucifix is the
original, from which the most famous crucifixes in Europe
are drawn.
”
of Mirandula, a relation of the great Picus, but had the misfortune to lose this protector in 1533, who was assassinated in a conspiracy headed by his nephew. Giraldi
, in Latin Gy raid us, an ingenious and learned Italian critic, was born at Ferrara in 1479, of an ancient and reputaWe-family. He learned the Latin tongue and polite literature under Baptist Guarini; and afterwards the Greek at Milan under Demetrius Chalcondyles. He retired into the neighbourhood of Albert Picus, prince of Carpi, and of John Francis Picus, prince of Mirandula; and, having by their means access to a large and well-furnished library, he applied himself intensely to study. He afterwards went to Modena, and thence to Rome, but being unfortunately in this city when it was plundered by the soldiers of Charles V. in 1527, he lost his all in the general ruin; and soon after his patrou cardinal Rangone, with whom he had lived some time. He was then obliged to shelter himself in the house of the prince of Mirandula, a relation of the great Picus, but had the misfortune to lose this protector in 1533, who was assassinated in a conspiracy headed by his nephew. Giraldi was at that time so afflicted with the gout, that he had great difficulty to save himself from the hands of the conspirators, and lost all which he had acquired since the sacking of Rome. He then returned to his own country, and lived at Ferrara, where he found a refuge from his misfortunes. The gout, which he is said to have heightened by intemperance, tormented him so for the six or seven last years of his life, that, as he speaks of himself, he might be said rather to breathe than to live. He was such a cripple in his hands and feet, that he was incapable of moving himself. He made, however, what use he could of intervals of ease, to read, and even write: and many of his books were composed in those intervals. He died at length of this malady in 1552 and was interred in the cathedral of Ferrara, where an epitaph, composed by himself, was inscribed upon his tomb.
has occasionally interspersed many things, regarding the art of poetry, which may be useful to those who intend to cultivate it. Joseph Scaliger, indeed, would persuade
His works consist of seventeen productions, which were
first printed separately; but afterwards collected and published in 2 vols. folio, at Basil 15SO, and at Leyden 1696.
The most valued pieces among them are, “Historia de
Deis Gentium,
” <( Historian Poetarum tarn Grajcorum, quam Latinorum Dialogi decem,“and,
” Dialogi duo de Poetis nostrorum.“The first of these books is one of the last he composed, and full of profound erudition. The other two, which make up 'the history of the ancient and modern poets, are written with great exactness and judgment. Vossius speaks highly of this work, as the production of great judgment and learning, as well as industry, and observes, that though his professed design is to collect memoirs concerning their persons, characters, and writings in general, yet he has occasionally interspersed many
things, regarding the art of poetry, which may be useful
to those who intend to cultivate it. Joseph Scaliger, indeed, would persuade us, though not very consistently,
that nothing can be more contemptible than the judgment
be passes on the poets he treats of: for in another place he
allows all the works of Giraldus to be very good, and that
no man knew better how to temper learning with judgment.
There is a work also by Giraldus,
” De annis & mensibus, ciEterisque temporis partibus, una cum Kalendario
Romano & Grocco,“written with a view to the reformation
of the kalerular, which was afterwards effected by pope
Gregory XIII. about 1582. There are likewise among his
works a few poems, the principal of which is entitled,
” Epistola in qua agitur de incommodis, quse in direptione
Urbana passus est ubi item est quasi catalogus suorum,
umicorurn Poetarum, & deileaiur interitus Herculis Carclinalis Rangonis.“This poem is annexed to the Florentine
edition of th6 two dialogues concerning his contemporary
poets; and contains a curious literary history of that time.
To other praises bestowed upon Giraldus by authors of the
first name, we may add that of Casaubon, who calls him,
” vir solide doctus, & in scribendo accuratus,“a man
solidly learned and an accurate writer. Thuanus says,
that
” he was excellently skilled in the Greek and Latin
tongues, in polite literature, and in antiquity, which he
has illustrated in several works; and that, though highly
deserving a better fate, he struggled all his life with illhealth and ill-fortune." His books he bequeathed to his
relatives John Baptist Giraldi and Pasetius.
of tragedies: a collection of which was published at Venice 1583, in 8vo, by his son Celso Giraldi; who, in his dedication to the duke of Ferrara, takes occasion to
His works are all written in Italian, except some orations,
spoken upon extraordinary occasions, in Latin. They
consist chiefly of tragedies: a collection of which was published at Venice 1583, in 8vo, by his son Celso Giraldi;
who, in his dedication to the duke of Ferrara, takes occasion to observe, that he was the youngest of five sons, and
the only one who survived his father. There are also some
prose works of Giraldi: one particularly upon comedy,
tragedy, and other kinds of poetry, which was printed at
Venice by himself in 1554, 4to. Some make no scruple
to rank him among the best tragic writers that Italy has
produced; but perhaps the work by which he now is best
known is his “Hecatommiti,
” an hundred novels in the
manner of Boccaccio, which have been frequently printed.
There is a scarce volume of his poems printed at Ferrara
in 1537, at the close of which is a treatise of Cielio Calcagnini, “De Imitatione,
” addressed to Giraldi.
and, in the latter part of his life, he sedulously studied the colouring of Rubens. He was the first who introduced the custom of drawing upon cartridge-paper; by which
, an ingenious young landscapepainter, was born Feb. 18, 1773, and received his first instructions from Mr. Fisher, a drawing-master in Aldt rsgatestreet, and was, for a short time, the pupil of Mr. Daves. He early made nature his model; but the first master that struck his attention forcibly was Canaletti, and, in the latter part of his life, he sedulously studied the colouring of Rubens. He was the first who introduced the custom of drawing upon cartridge-paper; by which means he avoided that spotty, glittering glare so common in drawings made on white paper; and some of his later productions have as forcible and spirited an effect as an oil-picture, and are more clear. In his first manner he made the outline with a pen, but afterwards did away that hard outline, which gives so edgy an effect to drawings that are not, in other respects, destitute of merit; and, having first given his general forms with Indian ink, finished his work by putting on his different tints. This, if judiciously managed, is certainly a great improvement in the art. It has been said, that he made great use of the rule, and produced some of his most forcible effects by trick, but this was not the case. His eye was peculiarly accurate; and by that he formed his judgment of proportions. Whoever inspected his pallet would find it covered with a greater variety of tints than almost any of his contemporaries employed. Mr. Moore was his first patron, and with him he went a tour into Scotland. The prospects he saw in that country gave that wildness of imagery to the scenery of his drawings by which they are so pre-eminently distinguished. He also went with Mr. Moore to Peterborough, Lichfield, and Lincoln; and, indeed, to many other places remarkable for their rich scenery, either in nature or architecture. That gentleman had a drawing that Girtin made of Exeter cathedral, which was principally coloured on the spot where it was drawn; for he was so uncommonly indefatigable, that, when he had made a sketch of any place, he never wished to quit it until he h^d given it all the proper tints. He was early noticed by lord Harewood, Mr. Lascellos^ and Dr. Monro; in whose collections are some of those fine specimens of the arts by the study of which he formed his taste. The doctor has in his possession some of his earliest, and many of his finest, drawings. He painted two pictures in oil; the first was a view in Wales, which was exhibited, and much noticed, in 1801; and the second, the panorama view of London, which was exhibited in Spring-gardens. About twelve months before his death he went to France, where he staid till May. His la:>t, and indeed his best, drawings were the views of Paris, which were purchased by lord Essex, and from which aqun-tinta prints by other artists have since been made. This promising young artist died Nov. 9, 1802, of an astnmatic disorder, which Mr. Edwards seems to attribute to irregularity.
4to.; “Epitres Choisies de St. Augustin,” 5 vols. 12mo. He died in 1665, at Paris. His son, Francis, who was provincial of the Minim order, gained great reputation by
, advocate to the parliament of Paris,
and to the council, and member of the French academy,
was born at Paris in 1596. His abilities an 1 probity recommended him to some very honourable employments, and
he particularly enjoyed the confidence of cardinal Mazarin.
He was author of the following translations “Dialogues
des Orateurs,
” 4to. “l'Apologie de Socrate
” “riiist.
Sacree de Sulpice Severe;
” “I'Apologetique de Tertullien,
” for which he was received into the academy; “la
Cite de Dieu, de St. Augustin,
” I vol, 4to.; “Epitres
Choisies de St. Augustin,
” 5 vols. 12mo. He died in 1665,
at Paris. His son, Francis, who was provincial of the
Minim order, gained great reputation by some devotional
works; but deserves little credit for his principal publication, “Les Vies des Saints,
” fol. which although esteemed
for its piety, is full of fables, and far from accurate as to
facts. P. Raft'ron, of the same order, has written his life,
12mo.
nd devoted himself to philosophy, physic, and chirurgery. He studied four years under Peter Holtzem, who was the elector’s physician, and professor in this city; and
, a German physician, was
born in 1595, at Cologne, where his father was a surgeon.
His first application to letters was at Bremen; whence he
returned to Cologne, and devoted himself to philosophy,
physic, and chirurgery. He studied four years under
Peter Holtzem, who was the elector’s physician, and professor in this city; and he learned the practical part of
surgery from his father. To perfect himself in these
sciences, he went afterwards into Italy, and made some
stay at Padua; where he greatly benefited himself by attending the lectures of Jerome Fabricius ab Aquapendente,
Adrian Spigelius, and Sanctorins. He was here made
M. D. After having visited the principal towns of Italy,
he returned to his country in 1618, and settled at Bremen;
where he practised physic and surgery with so much success, that the archbishop of this place made him his physician in 1628. He was also made physician of the republic of Bremen. The time of his death is not precisely
known; some say 1640, but the dedication of his last work
is dated Oct. 8, 1652. He published at Bremen, “
Speculum Chirurgorum,
” in 1619, 8vo; reprinted in 1628, 4to;
“Methodus Medendse Paronychia?,
” in Tractatus
de Polypo Narium affectu gravissimo,
” in Gazophylacium Polypusium Fonticulorum & Setonum
Reseratum,
” in
, younger son of John Glanvil of Tavistock in Devonshire, one of the justices of the common pleas ( who died in 1600), was educated at Oxford, and after serving for
, younger son of John Glanvil of
Tavistock in Devonshire, one of the justices of the common pleas (who died in 1600), was educated at Oxford,
and after serving for some time in an attorney’s office,
studied law in Lincoln’s-inn, where he preserved the
reputation of legal ability for which his family had long beendistinguished. When he had been a barrister of some
years standing, he was elected recorder of Plymouth, and
burgess for that place in several parliaments. In the 5tU
of Charles I. he was Lent reader of his inn, and in May
1639 was made serjeant at law. Being chosen speaker of
the parliament which assembled in April 1640, he shewed
himself more active in the king’s cause, than formerly,
when he joined in the common clamour against the prerogative. In August 1641, being then one of the king’s
serjeants, he received the honour of knighthood; and
when his majesty was obliged to leave the parliament, sir
John followed him to Oxford. In 1645, being accused as
a delinquent, or adherent to the king, he was deprived of
his seat in parliament, and afterwards committed to prison,
in which he remained until 1648, when he made a composition with the usurping powers. After the restoration
he was made king’s serjeant again, and would have probably
attained promotion had he not died soon after, on Oct. 2,
1661. He was buried in the church of Broad H in ton in
Wiltshire, the manor of which he had bought some years
before. His works consist chiefly of speeches and arguments, most of which are in Rnshworth’s “Collections.
”
His “Reports of Cases of controverted Elections,
” were
published in
subsequent distractions in the state. About this time, he became acquainted with Mr. Richard Baxter, who entertained a great opinion of his genius, and continued his
, a distinguished writer, was born in 1636, at Plymouth in Devonshire, where he probably received the first rudiments of his education, and was entered at Exeter-college, Oxford, April 19, 1652. He was placed under Samuel Conant, an eminent tutor, and having made great proficiency in his studies, he proceeded B. A. Oct. II, 1655. The following year, he removed to Lincoln-college, probably upon some view of preferment. Taking the degree of M. A. June 29, 1658, he assumed the priestly office, according to the forms used by the sectaries at that time, and became chaplain to Francis Rouse, esq. then made provost of Eton-college, by Oliver Cromwell, and designed for one of his house of lords. Had tin* patron lived a little longer, Glanvil’s expectations would, no doubt, have been fully answered; since according to Wood, he entirely complied with the principles of the then prevailing party, to whom his very prompt pen must needs have been serviceable. But Rouse dying the same year, he returned to his college in Oxford, and pursued his studies there during the subsequent distractions in the state. About this time, he became acquainted with Mr. Richard Baxter, who entertained a great opinion of his genius, and continued his respect for him after the restoration; when they espoused different causes. The friendship was equally warm on Glanvil’s side, who, Sept. 15, 1661, addressed an epistle to his friend, professing himself to be an admirer of his preaching and writings; he v also offered to write something in his defence, but yielded to his advice, not to sacrifice his views of preferment to their friendship.
This affair also involved Glanvil in a scurrilous dispute with Henry Stubbe, who was then, as Wood observes, a summer practitioner at Bath; and
This affair also involved Glanvil in a scurrilous dispute
with Henry Stubbe, who was then, as Wood observes, a
summer practitioner at Bath; and bearing no good-will to
the proceedings of Glanvil, took Crosse’s part, and encouraged him to write against the virtuosi, and at the
time entered the lists himself and the follpwing pamphlets
passed between them. I. “The Plus Ultra reduced to a
Nonplus,
” &c. A prefatory Anwer to Mr. HenryStubbe, the doctor of Warwick, wherein the malignity, &c. of his Animadversions are discovered. 1 *
1671, 12mo, Glanvil. 3.
” A Preface against Ecebolius
Glanvil, F. R.S. subjoined to his Reply, &c. Oxford,“167 I,
4to, Stubbe. The doctor also fell upon his antagonist, in
his
” Epistolary Discourse concerning Phlebotomy,“167 t,
4to; upon which Glanvil immediately published
” A farther
Discovery of Mr. Stnbbe, in a brief reply to his last pamphlet,“1671, 8vo, to which was added,
” Ad clerum Somersetensem Epistola Προσφωνησισ.“And the doctor
among other things, having censured the new philosophy, as
tending to encourage atheism our author published his
” Philosophia Pia,“&c. 1671, 8vo, which closed the controversy.
When, however, Dr. Meric Casaubon entered the lists
in his
” Letter to Peter du Moulin," 1663, and managed
the argument with more candour and greater knowledge,
Glanvil chose to be silent; because not willing to appear
in a controversy with a person, as he says, of fame and
learning, who had treated him with so much civility, and
in a way so different from that of his other assailants.
While he was thus pleading the cause of the institution in
general, he shewed himself no unuseful member in respect
to the particular business of it. The society having given
out some queries to be made about mines, our author communicated a paper in relation to those of Mendip hills,
and such as respect the Bath, which was well received,
ordered to be registered, and afterwards printed in their
transactions.
ublished with the title of “Some Discourses, Sermons, and Remains,” 1681, 4to, by Dr. Henry Horneck, who tells us that death snatched him away, when the learned world
He published a great number of tracts besides what have
been mentioned. Among which are, 1. “A Blow at Modern Sadducism,
” &c. A
Relation of the fancied Disturbances at the house of Mr.
Mumpesson;
” as also, 3. “Reflections on Drollery and
Atheism.
” 4. “Palpable Evidence of Spirits and Witchcraft,
” &c. A Whip for the Droll Fidler to
the Atheist,
” Essays on several important
subjects in Philosophy and Religion,
” An
Essuy concerning Preaching,
” A seasonable Defence of Preaching, -and the
plain way of it.
” 9. “Letters to the Duchess of Newcastle.
” 10. Three single Sermons, besides four printed
together, under the title of “Seasonable Reflections and
Discourses, in order to the Conviction and Cure of the
scoffing Infidelity of a degenerate age.
” As he had a
lively imagination, and a flowing style, these came from
him very easily, and he continued the exercise of his pen
to the last; the press having scarcely finished his piece
entitled “The zealous and impartial Protestant,
” &c. Some Discourses, Sermons, and Remains,
”
published in 1 vtol. 4to, “A Decription of Teneriffe, with the Manners and Customs of the Portuguese who are settled there.” In 1763 he went over to the Brazils, taking
, son of the above, was born at Dundee,
in 1725, and brought up a surgeon, in which capacity he
went several voyages to the West Indies, but not liking
his profession, he accepted the command of a merchant’s
ship belonging to London, and engaged in the trade to
the Brazils. Being a man of considerable abilities, he
published in 1 vtol. 4to, “A Decription of Teneriffe, with
the Manners and Customs of the Portuguese who are
settled there.
” In
losopher’s stone, which were at that time objects of pursuit; and the disappointment of many persons who had been seduced by his promises, contributed to bring the art
, a celebrated chemist of Amsterdam, and called the Paracelsus of his age, was born in Germany in the beginning of the sixteenth century. He travelled much in the pursuit of chemical knowledge, and collected many secret processes; and his experiments contributed to throw much light on the composition and analysis of the metals, inflammable substances, and salts. In fact he passed the greater part of his life in the laboratory. He did not always see the proper application of his own experiments, and vainly fancied that he had discovered the panacea, and the philosopher’s stone, which were at that time objects of pursuit; and the disappointment of many persons who had been seduced by his promises, contributed to bring the art of chemistry into contempt. His theory is full of obscurity; but his practice has perhaps been misrepresented by those who listened to his vain and pompous pretensions; and who accuse him of a dishonourable traffick, in first selling his secrets to chemists at an enormous price, of again disposing of them to other persons, and lastly, of making them public in order to extend his reputation. Glauber published about twenty treatises; in some of which he appears in the character of physician, in others in that of an adept or metallurgist; in the latter he most particularly excelled. However, it would be unjust not to give him the praise of acuteness of mind, of facility and address in the prosecution of his experiments, and of extensive chemical knowledge. He was the inventor of a salt which to this day retains his name in the shops of our apothecaries. The works of Glauber have appeared in different languages; the majority of editions are in German, some in Latin, and others in French. A collection of the whole in Latin was published at Francfort in 1658, in 8vo, and again 165y, in 4to. An English translation was published by Christopher Pack, London, 1689, fol.
, and it is certain that he was exceeded in judgment and accuracy by none of the English anatomists, who followed the steps of Harvey. Boerhaave terms him “omnium anatomicorum
Wood observes, that he died much lamented, as a person to whose learned lucubrations and deep disquisitions
in physic not only Great Britain, but remoter kindoms,
owe a particular respect and veneration, and it is certain
that he was exceeded in judgment and accuracy by none of
the English anatomists, who followed the steps of Harvey.
Boerhaave terms him “omnium anatomicorum exactissimus,
” and Haller speaks in praise of all his writings.
Several of his original manuscripts, which were in sir Hans
Sloane’s possession, are now in the British Museum.
tings called to set aside, or censure the conduct of those city magistrates or members of parliament who voted for the court. His speeches at those meetings, if we may
Amidst this high encouragement, the services of Dr.
Pemberton must not be forgotten. Soon after the appearance of “Leonidas,
” this steady friend endeavoured to fix
the public attention on it, by a long pamphlet, entitled
“Observations on Poetry, especially Epic, occasioned by
the late poem upon Leonidas,
” London, or the Progress of Commerce,
” and the more celebrated ballad of “Hosier’s Ghost,
” both written with a
view to rouse the nation to resent the conduct of the Spaniards, and to promote what had seldom been known, a
war called for by the people, and opposed by the ministry. During the same political dissentions, which, as usual,
were warmest in the city of London, Glover presided at
several meetings called to set aside, or censure the conduct
of those city magistrates or members of parliament who
voted for the court. His speeches at those meetings, if
we may trust to the report of them in the periodical journals of 1739 and 1740, were elegant, spirited, and calculated to give him considerable weight in the deliberative
assemblies of his fellow-citizens. The latter were, indeed,
so fully convinced of his talents and zeal, as to appoinfe
him to conduct their application to parliament, on the
subject of the neglect shewn to their trade by the ruling
administration. His services in this last affair may be seen
in a pamphlet published in 1743, under the title of A
short Account of the late application to parliament made
by the merchants of London upon the neglect of their
trade; with the substance of the evidence thereupon, as
summed up by Mr. Glover."
equeathed 500l. to each on this condition, but Glover immediately renounced his share, while Mallet, who had no scruples of any kind where his interest was concerned,
In 1744, he was offered employment of a very different
kind, being nominated in the will of the duchess of Marlborough, to write the duke’s life, in conjunction with
Mallet. Her grace bequeathed 500l. to each on this condition, but Glover immediately renounced his share, while
Mallet, who had no scruples of any kind where his interest was concerned, accepted the legacy, and continued
to receive money from the late duke of Maryborough on
the same account, although after twenty years of talk and
boast, he left nothing behind him that could shew he had
ever seriously begun the work. Glover’s rejection of this
legacy is the more honourable, as at this time his affairs
became embarrassed; from what cause we are not told.
It may be conjectured, however, that he had shared the
usual fate of those who are diverted from their regular
pursuits by the dreams of political patronage. From the
prince he is said to have received at one time a complete
set of the classics, elegantly bound, and at another time,
during his distresses, a present of 500l. But it does not
appear that when the friends of “Leonidas
” came into
power, they made any permanent provision for the author.
emporary controversy. Great expectations were formed of its success from the reputation of an author who had acquired so much praise from his “Leonidas.” At the rehearsal,
In 1753, he began to try his talents in dramatic composition, and produced the tragedy of “Boadicea,
” which
was performed for nine nights at Drury-lane theatre. Dr.
Pemberton, with his accustomed zeal, wrote a pamphlet
to recommend it, and among the inferior critics, it occasioned a temporary controversy. Great expectations were
formed of its success from the reputation of an author
who had acquired so much praise from his “Leonidas.
”
At the rehearsal, he read his < Boadicea“to the actors,
but his manner of conveying the meaning of his poem was
very unhappy; his voice was harsh, and his elocution disagreeable. Mr. Garrick was vexed to see him mangle his
own work, and politely offered to relieve him by reading
an act or two; but the author imagining that he was the
only person lit to unfold his intention to the players, persisted to read the play to the end, to the great mortification of the actors. In 1761 he published his
” Medea," a
tragedy, written on the Greek model, and therefore unfit
for the modern stage. The author, indeed, did not intend
it for representation, but Mrs. Yates considered the experiment as likely to procure a full house at her benefit,
and brought it forward upon that occasion. It was afterwards acted a few nights, but without exciting much interest.
eman’s Magazine, and as far as respects his amiable disposition, was confirmed to us by Dr. VVarton, who knew him well. “Through the whole of his life Mr. Glover was
His character was drawn up by the late Dr. Brocklesby
for the Gentleman’s Magazine, and as far as respects his
amiable disposition, was confirmed to us by Dr. VVarton,
who knew him well. “Through the whole of his life Mr.
Glover was by all good men revered, by the wise esteemed, by the great sometimes caressed and even flattered,
and now his death is sincerely lamented by all who had the
happiness to contemplate the integrity of his character.
Mr. Glover, for upwards of 50 years past through every
vicissitude of fortune, exhibited the most exemplary simplicity of manners; having early attained that perfect
equanimity, which philosophy often recommends in the
closet, but which in experience is too seldom exercised by
other men in the test of trial. In Mr. Glover were united
a wide compass of accurate information in all mercantile
concerns, with high intellectual powers of mind, joined to
a copious flow of eloquence as an orator in the house of
commons. Since Milton he was second to none of our
English poets, in his discriminating judicious acquaintance
with all ancient as well as modern literature witness his
Leon i das, Medea, Boadicea, and London for, having
formed his own character upon the best models of the
Greek writers, he lived as if he had been bred a disciple
of Socrates, or companion of Aristides. Hence his political turn of mind, hence his unwarped affection and active
zeal for the rights and liberties of his country. Hence his
heartfelt exultation whenever he had to paint the impious
designs of tyrants in ancient times frustrated, or in modern
defeated in their nefarious purposes to extirpate liberty, or
to trample on the unalienable rights of man, however remote in time or space from his immediate presence. In a
few words, for the extent of his various erudition, for his
unalloyed patriotism, and for his daily exercise and constant practice of Xenophou’s philosophy, in his private as
well as in public life, Mr. Glover has left none his equal
in the city, and some time, it is feared, may elapse before
such another citizen shall arise, with eloquence, with
character, and with poetry, like his, to assert their rights,
or to vindicate with equal powers the just claims of freeborn men. Suffice this testimony at present, as the wellearned meed of this truly virtuous man, whose conduct was
carefully marked, and narrowly watched by the writer of
the foregoing hasty sketch, for his extraordinary qualities
during the long period in human life of upwards of 40
years and now it is spontaneously offered as a voluntary
tribute, unsolicited and unpurchased but as it appears
justly due to the memory of so excellent a poet, statesman,
and true philosopher, in life and death the same.
”
ched Ireland, where it was reprinted, and became as much in fashion as it had been in England. “Pray who is that Mr. Giover,” says Swift to Pope, in one of his letters,
Glover’s “Leonidas
” amply entitles him to a distinguished place among the poets of his country, but the
public has not held it in uniform estimation. From the time
of its first appearance in 1737, it went through six, if not
seven editions; but for nearly forty years there has not
been a demand for another, although that published in
1770 was highly improved and enlarged. Its history may
probably account in part for this singular fate, and public
taste must explain the rest. On its first publication, it
was read and praised with the utmost avidity. Besides the
encomiums it drew from Lyttelton and Pemberton, its fame
reached Ireland, where it was reprinted, and became as
much in fashion as it had been in England. “Pray who is
that Mr. Giover,
” says Swift to Pope, in one of his letters,
*' who writ the epic poem called Leonidas, which is reprinting here, and hath great vogue“Unfortunately,
however, the whole of this tribute of praise was not paid
to the intrinsic merit of the poem. It became the adopted
favourite of the party in opposition (to sir Robert Walpoie)
who had long endeavoured to persuade the nation that
public liberty was endangered by the measures of that
minister, and that they formed the chosen band who occupied the straits of Thermopylae in defiance of the modern.
Xerxes. Leonidas therefore was recommended, to rouse
an oppressed and enslaved people to the vindication of their
rights. That this should be attempted is less wonderful
than that it should succeed. We find very few passages in
this poem which will apply to the state of public affairs in.
England at that time, if we except the common-place censure of courts and courtiers, and even that is appropriated
with so strict historical fidelity to the court of Xerxes, that
it does not seem easy to borrow it for any other purpose.
” Nothing else,“however, Dr. Warton informs us,
” was
read or talked of at Leicester-house," the illustrious owner
of which extended his patronage to all poets who fanned
the sacred flame of patriotism. The consequence of all
this was, that Leonidas, which might have laid claim to a
considerable rank among English poems of the higher
order, was pushed beyond it, and when the purposes for
which it had been extolled were either answered, or no
longer desirable, it fell lower than it deserved. This is
the more justly to be regretted, as we have no reason to
think the autlior solicited the injudicious praise of his
friends and patrons, or had any hand in building the airyedifice of popular fame. He was, indeed, a lover of liberty,
which has ever been the favourite theme of poets, but he
did not write for a temporary purpose. Leonidas had been
the fruit of very early ambition to be known to posterity,
and when he had outlived the party who pressed his poem,
into their service, he corrected and improved it for a generation that knew nothing of the partialities which first extended its fame. If his object, however, in this epopee,
had been solely to inculcate a love of liberty, a love of our
country, and a resolute determination to perish with its
freedom, he could not have chosen a subject, at least from
ancient times, so happily adapted to elevate the mind.
The example was unparalleled in history, and therefore
the more capable of admitting the embellishments and attractions that belong to the epic province. Nor does it appear that he undertook a task to which his powers were inadequate, when he endeavoured to interest his readers in
the fate of his gallant hero and faithful associates. He is
not deficient either in the sublime or the pathetic, although
in these essentials he may not bear an uniform comparison
with the great masters of the passions. The characters are
varied with much knowledge of the human heart. Each
has his distinctive properties, and no one is raised beyond
the proportion of virtue or talent which may be supposed
to correspond with the age he lived in, or the station he
occupied.
n many respects. Here is no hero in whose fate the mind is exclusively engaged, but a race of heroes who demand our admiration by turns; the events of history, too,
His “Athenaid
” was published in Leonidas,
” in which the Greeks are conducted through the vicissitudes of the war with Xerxes to the final emancipation of their country from his invasions. As an epic it seems defective in many respects. Here is no hero in whose fate the mind is exclusively engaged, but a race of heroes who demand our admiration by turns; the events of history, too, are so closely followed, as to give the whole the air of a poetical chronicle. Of his smaller poems, that on sir Isaac Newton is certainly an extraordinary production from a youth of sixteen, but the theme was probably given to him. Such an acquaintance with the state of philosophy and the improvements of our immortal philosopher, could not have been
acquired at his age. “Hosier’s Ghost
” was long one of
the most popular English ballads; but his “London,
” if
intended for popular influence, was probably read and understood by few. In poetical merit, however, it is not
unworthy of the author of “Leonidas.
” Fielding wrote a
very long encomium on it in his “Champion,
” and predicted rather too rashly, that it would ever continue to be
the delight of all that can feel the exquisite touch of poetry,
or be roused with the divine enthusiasm of public spirit.
l our lovers of English antiquities. His “Ordinary of Arms” was augmented and improved by Edmondson, who published it in the first volume of his Body of Heraldry.
, a herald and heraldic writer, was
the son of Thomas Glover, of Ashford in Kent, the place
of his nativity. He was first made Portcullis Poursuivant,
and afterwards in 1571, Somerset herald. Queen Elizabeth permitted him to travel abroad for improvement. In
1582, he attended lord Willoughby with the order of the
garter, to Frederick II. of Denmark. In 1584, he waited
with Clarenceux on the earl of Derby, with that order to
the king of France. No one was a greater ornament to the
college than this gentleman; the suavity of his manners
was equal to his integrity and skill: he was a most excellent,
and very learned man, with a knowledge in his profession
which has never been exceeded, perhaps been paralleled;
to this, the best writers of his own and more recent time*
bear testimony. He left two treatises, one “I)e Nobilitate politica vel civili
” the other “A Catalogue of Honour
” both of which were published by his nephew, Mr.
Thomas Milles, the former in 1608, the latter in 1610,
both folio, to “revive the name and learned memory of
his deceased friend and uncle, whose private studies for the
public good deserved a remembrance beyond forgetful
time.
” His answer to the bishop of Ross’s book, in which
Mary queen of Scots’ claim to the crown was asserted, was
never published. He made great collections of what had
been written by preceding heralds, and left of his own
labours relative to arms, visitations of twenty-four counties,
and miscellaneous matters belonging to this science, all
written by himself. He assisted Camden in his pedigrees
for his Britannia; communicated to Dr. David Powell, a
copy of the history of Cambria, translated by H. Lloyd;
made a collection of the inscriptions upon the funeral
monuments in Kent; and, in 1584, drew up a most curious
survey of Herewood castle, in Yorkshire. Mr. Thoresby
had his collection of the county of York taken in 1584, and
his catalogue of northern gentry whose surnames ended
in son. He died in London, says Stow, April 14, (Lant and others, 10), 1588, aged only forty-five years, and was
buried in St. Giles’s church, Cripplegate. His loss was
severely felt by all our lovers of English antiquities. His
“Ordinary of Arms
” was augmented and improved by
Edmondson, who published it in the first volume of his
Body of Heraldry.
upporting himself by his talents, till he had worked his way to Vienna, where he met with a nobleman who became his patron, took -him into his service, and carried him
, a musical composer of great
originality, was born in the palatinate, on the frontiers of
Bohemia, in 1712, or as Dr. Bumey says, in 1716. His
father, a man in poor circumstances, removed, during the
infancy of his son, into Bohemia, where he died, leaving
fris offspring in early youth, without any provision, so that
his education was totally neglected. He had, however, an
instinctive love for music, which is taught to all children,
with reading and writing, in the Bohemian schools. Having acquired this knowledge, he travelled about from town
to town, supporting himself by his talents, till he had
worked his way to Vienna, where he met with a nobleman
who became his patron, took -him into his service, and
carried him into Italy, where he procured him lessons in
counterpoint, at Naples, by which he profited so well,
that before he left Italy he composed several dramas for
different theatres. These acquired him reputation sufficient
to be recommended to lord Middlesex as a composer to
the opera house in the Haymarket, then under his lordship’s direction. He arrived in England in 1745, and, in
that year and the following, produced his operas of “Artamene
” and “La Caduta de Giganti,
” with indifferent
success.
asm, or had his pieces so frequently performed, each of them two or three hundred times. The French, who feel very enthusiastically whatever music they like, heard with
From London he returned to Italy, and composed several operas in the style of the times, and afterwards engaged with the Italian poet Calsabigi, with whom he
joined in a conspiracy against the poetry and music of the
melo-drama then in vogue in Italy and all over Europe.
In 1764, when the late emperor Joseph was crowned king
of the Romans, Gluck was the composer, and Guadagni
the principal singer. It was in this year that a species of
dramatic music, different from that which then reigned in
Italy, was attempted by Gluck in his famous opera of
“Orfeo,
” which succeeded so well, that it was soon after
performed in other parts of Europe, particularly at Parma
and Paris, Bologna, Naples, and in 1770 at London. In
1769 he produced “Alceste,
” a second opera on the reformed plan, which received even more applause than the
first; and in 1771 “Paride ed Helena;
” but in
and emperors, and, in a word, a sort of history of the world as far as the emperor Alexis Comnenus, who died in 1118, including many remarks on divinity, philosophy,
, was one of the Byzantine historians, but biographers are not agreed as to the period when
he lived. Some years ago, professor Walchius published
in the Gottingen Transactions an inquiry into this subject,
but was obliged to confess that he could arrive at no probable conclusion. Some place Glycas in the twelfth, and
some in the fifteenth century. No ancient record or writer
mentions even his name, and all that is known of him has
been gleaned from his works. It appears that he was a
native of Constantinople; but passed a great part of his
life in Sicily. Some have thought he was a monk, but this
is uncertain, nor do we know whether he lived in public
life, or in retirement. His letters, however, show that he
was a grammarian, and was acquainted with theology, history sacred and profane, and other branches of knowledge; and such was his reputation that he was frequently
consulted by monks, bishops, and the most celebrated
doctors of his time. His “Annals,
” by which only he is
now known, contain an account of the patriarchs, kings,
and emperors, and, in a word, a sort of history of the
world as far as the emperor Alexis Comnenus, who died in
1118, including many remarks on divinity, philosophy,
physic, astronomy, &c. Leunclavius first translated this
work into Latin, and the whole was published by father
Labbe, Paris, 1660, fol. Some of his letters have been
published in the “Deliciae eruditorum,
” Florence,
turned out by the parliamentary commissioners, Mr. Goad shared their fate; and although Dr. Cheyuel, who was one of the parliamentary visitors, gave him an invitation
, an eminent classical teacher, the son of
John Goad, of Bishopsgate- street, was born there Feb.
15, 1615. He was educated at Merchant Taylors’ school,
and elected thence a scholar of St. John’s college, Oxford,
in 1632. He afterwards received his master’s degree, became fellow of his college, and took orders. In 1643 he
was made vicar of St. Giles’s, Oxford, and continued to
perform his parochial duties, although at the risk of his
life, during the siege of the city by the parliamentary
forces. In June 1646 he was presented by the university
to the vicarage of Yarnton, and the year following was
created B. D. When the loyalists were turned out by the
parliamentary commissioners, Mr. Goad shared their fate;
and although Dr. Cheyuel, who was one of the parliamentary visitors, gave him an invitation to return to his
college, he refused it upon the terms offered. Yet he appears to have been so far connived at, as to be able to
keep his living at Yarnton until the restoration. He also
taught at Tunbridge school until July 1661, when he was
made head master of Merchant Taylors’ school. Over this
seminary he presided for nearly twenty years, with great
success and approbation, and trained for the college many
youths who did honour to their teacher and to their country; but in 1681 a suspicion was entertained that he inclined towards popery; and it was said that the comment
whicli he made on the Church Catechism savoured strongly
of popish tenets. Some particular passages having been
selected from it, and laid before the grand jury of London,
they on March 4 of the above year, presented a complaint
to the Merchant Taylors’ company, respecting the catechism taught in their school. After he had been heard in
his own defence, it was decided that he was “popishly
and erroneously affected,
” and immediately was discharged
from his office; but such was their sense of his past services,
that they voted him a gratuity of 70l. It soon appeared
that the court of the company had not been deceived in
their opinion of his principles. After being dismissed, he
taught a school in Piccadilly, and in 1686, the reign of James
II. openly professed himself a Roman catholic which,
Wood says, he had long been covertly. He died Oct. 28,
1689, and was buried in the church of Great St. Helen’s,
Bishopsgate-street, his memory being honoured by various
elegies. He published, besides some single sermons, 1.
“Genealogicon Latin um,
” a small dictionary for the use
of Merchant Taylors’ school, 8vo, 1676, second edit. 2.
“Declamation, whether Monarchy be the best form of
government
” printed at the end of Richards’s “English
Orator,
” Astro-Meteorologica, or aphorisms and discourses of the Bodies Celestial, their natures
and influences, &c.
” History of the
Air,
” and Dr. Mead’s book * c De Imperio Solis etJLuna.“4.
” Autodidactica, or a practical vocabulary, &c.“1690,
8vo. After his death was published
” Astro-meteorologia
sana, &c." 1690, 4to.
a considerable time at the college of Bois-le-Duc in Louvain, where he died Jan. 25, 1539. Erasmus, who was his intimate friend, highly valued his character, and respected
, a learned philologist, was
born in 1485, in Westphalia. He acquired a high reputation for learning, and taught for a considerable time at the
college of Bois-le-Duc in Louvain, where he died Jan.
25, 1539. Erasmus, who was his intimate friend, highly
valued his character, and respected his erudition. He
wrote notes on Cicero’s Offices, edited a new edition of
Lucan, and published a Latin translation of Lucian’s “Hermotinus,
” a dialogue on the sects of philosophers.
st to Ireland in 1649, and then to Scotland the following year; and returned thence with his master; who, after the battle of Worcester, rode into London in triumph,
, an English physician and chemist, and promoter of the royal society, was the son of a rich ship-builder at Deptford, and born at Greenwich about 16 17. Being industrious and of good parts, he made a quick progress in grammar-learning, and was entered a commoner at Magdalen-hall, Oxford, in 1632. He staid at the university about four years, applying himself to physic; and then left it, without taking a degree, to travel abroad, as was at that time the custom, for farther improvement in his faculty. At his return, not being qualified, according to the statutes, to proceed in physic at Oxford, he went to Cambridge, and took the degree of bachelor in the faculty, as a member of Christ college, in 1638; after which, intending to settle in London, without waiting for another degree, he engaged in a formal promise to obey the laws and statutes of the college of physicians there, Nov. 1640. Having by this means obtained a proper permission, he entered into practice; but being still sensible of the advantage of election into the college, he took the first opportunity of applying for his doctor’s degree at Cambridge, which he obtained, as a member of Catherine-hall, in 1643; and was chosen fellow of the college of physicians in 1646. In the mean time, he had the preceding year engaged in another society, for improving and cultivating experimental philosophy. This society usually met at or near his lodgings in Wood-street, for the convenience of making experiments; in which he was very assiduous, as the reformation and improvement of physic was one principal branch of this design. In 1647, he was appointed lecturer in anatomy at the college; and it was from these lectures that his reputation took its rise. As he, with the rest of the assembly which met at his lodgings, had all along sided with the parliament, he was made head-physician in the army, and was taken, in that station, by Cromwell, first to Ireland in 1649, and then to Scotland the following year; and returned thence with his master; who, after the battle of Worcester, rode into London in triumph, Sept. 12, 1651. He was appointed warden of Merton-college, Oxon, Dec. 9th following, and was incorporated M. D. of the university, Jan. 14th the same year. Cromwell was the chancellor; and returning to Scotland, in order to incorporate that kingdom into one commonwealth with England, he appointed our warden, together with Dr. Wilkins, warden of Wadham, Dr. Goodwin, president of Magdalen, Dr. Owen, dean of Christ Church, and Cromwell’s brother-in-law, Peter French, a canon of Christ Church, to act as his delegates in all matters relating to grants or dispensations that required his assent. This instrument bore date Oct. 16, 1652. His powerful patron dissolving the long parliament, called a new one, named the Little Parliament, in 1653, in which the warden of Merton sat sole representative of the university, and was appointed one of the council of state the same year.
he usurper, whose interest he constantly promoted, naturally incurred the displeasure of Charles II. who removed him from his wardenship, by a letter dated July 3, 1660;
A series of honours and favours bestowed by the usurper,
whose interest he constantly promoted, naturally incurred
the displeasure of Charles II. who removed him from his
wardenship, by a letter dated July 3, 1660; and claiming
the right of nomination, during the vacancy of the see of
Canterbury, appointed another warden in a manner the
most mortifying to our author. The new warden was Dr.
Edw. Reynolds, then king’s chaplain, and soon after bishop
of Norwich, who was appointed successor to sir Nathaniel
Brent, without the least notice being taken of Dr. Goddard. He then removed to Gresham college, where he
had been chosen professor of physic on Nov. 7, 1655, and
continued to frequent those meetings which gave birth to
the royal society; and, upon their establishment by charter in 1663, was nominated one of the first council. This
honour they were induced to confer upon him, both in
regard to his merit in general as a scholar, and to his particular zeal and abilities in promoting the design of their
institution, of which there is full proof in the “Memoirs
”
of that society by Dr. Birch, where there is scarcely a meeting mentioned, in which his name does not occur for some
experiment or observation made by him. At the same time
he carried on his business as a physician, being continued
a fellow of the college by their new charter in 1663. Upon
the conflagration in 1666, which consumed the old Exchange, our professor, with the rest of his brethren, removed from Gresham, to make room for the merchants to
carry on the public affairs of the city; which, however, did
not hinder him from going on with pursuits in natural philosophy and physic. In this last he was not only an able
but a conscientious practitioner; for which reason he continued still to prepare his own medicines. He was so fully
persuaded that this, no less than prescribing them, was
the physician’s duty, that in 1668, whatever offence it
might give the apothecaries, he was not afraid to publish
a treatise, recommending it to general use. This treatise
was received with applause; but as he found the proposal
in it attended with such difficulties and discouragements as
were likely to defeat it, he pursued that subject the follow,
ing year, in “A Discourse, setting forth the unhappy condition of the practice of Physic in London,
”
of learning, made by persons well acquainted with him, such as Dr. Edmund Dickinson and Dr. Wallis, who highly praise his extensive learning, his skill in his profession,
His memory was long preserved by certain drops, which
were his invention, and bore his name; but which, like
all such nostrums, are now forgotten. His receipts “Arcana Goddardiana,
” were published at the end of the
“Pharmacopoeia Bateana,
”
ic. The bishopric of Grasse becoming vacant in 1636, cardinal Richelieu recommended him to the king, who immediately conferred it upon him; and as soon as the ceremony
, a learned French bishop and
writer, was descended from a good family at Dreux, and
born in 1605. Being inclined to poetry from his youth,
he applied himself to it, and so cultivated his genius, that
he made his fortune by it. His first essay was a paraphrase
in verse of the Benedicite, which was much commended.
He was but twenty -four when he became a member of that
society which met at the house of Mr. Conrart, to confer upon subjects of polite learning, and to communicate
their performances. From this society cardinal Richlieu
took the hint, and formed the resolution, of establishing
the French academy for belles lettres; and our author in a
few years obtained the patronage of that powerful ecclesiastic. The bishopric of Grasse becoming vacant in 1636,
cardinal Richelieu recommended him to the king, who immediately conferred it upon him; and as soon as the ceremony of consecration was over, he repaired to his diocese,
and applied himself to the functions of his office. He held
several synods, composed a great number of pastoral instructions for the use of his clergy, and restored ecclesiastical discipline, which had been almost entirely
neglected. He obtained from pope Innocent X. a bull for
uniting the bishopric of Vence to that of Grasse, as his
predecessor William le Blore had before obtained from
Clement VIII. This arrangement, considering the propinquity of the two dioceses, and the small income of both
together (about 450l.) was not unreasonable; but when
Godeau found the people and clergy averse to it, he gave
up his pretensions, and contented himself with the bishopric
of Vence only. He assisted in several general assemblies
of the clergy, held in 1645 and 1655; in which he vigorously maintained the dignity of the episcopal order, and
the system of pure morality, against those who opposed
both. One of his best pieces upon this subject, was published in 1709, with the title of “Christian Morals for the
Instruction of the Clergy of the Diocese of Vence
” and
was afterwards translated into English, by Basil Kennet.
These necessary absences excepted, he constantly resided
upon his diocese, where he was perpetually employed in
visitations, preaching, reading, writing, or attending upon
the ecclesiastical or temporal affairs of his bishopric, till
Easter-day, April 17, 1671; when he was seized with a
fit of an apoplexy, of which he died the 21st.
t as he did not finish the other two, they remained in manuscript. He was, however, the first person who gave a “Church History” in the French language. He was the author
He was a very voluminous author, both in prose and
verse. Moreri, after giving a list of fifty works, adds
many fugitive pieces of devotional poetry. One of his
principal works is his “Ecclesiastical History,
” intended
to be comprized in 3 vols fol. The first appeared in 1653,
containing the “History of the first eight centuries;
” but
as he did not finish the other two, they remained in manuscript. He was, however, the first person who gave a
“Church History
” in the French language. He was the
author also of a “Translation of the Psalms into French
verse,
” which were so well approved, that those of the
reformed religion have not scrupled to use them at home
in their families, instead of the version of Marot, which is
adapted and consecrated to the public service. Of this
work Basil Kennet has given a criticism in the preface to
“An Essay towards a Paraphrase on the Psalms,
”
th there and in some German universities. In 1618 he was sent by the elector palatine to Louis XIII. who, among other marks of favour, presented him with his picture,
, an eminent lawyer, and one of
the most learned men of his age, was born October 17,
1549, at Paris. He was the son of Leon Godefroi, counsellor to the Chatelet. He had acquired a great reputation
in the parliament, but embracing the reformed religion,
was obliged to retire to Geneva, and taught law both
there and in some German universities. In 1618 he was
sent by the elector palatine to Louis XIII. who, among
other marks of favour, presented him with his picture, and
a gold medal. But being again obliged to quit the palatinate, during war, he went to Strasburgh, where he
died September 7, 1622, leaving a great number of valuable works; the principal of which are, 1. “Notae in
quatuor Libros institutionum.
” 2. “Opuscula varia juris.
”
3. “Corpus juris civilis, cum notis.
” These notes are
excellent: the best editions are those by Vitré, 1628, and
by Elzevir, 1683, 2 vols. fol. 4. “Praxis civilis, ex
antiquis et recentioribus scriptoribus.
” 5. “Index Chronologicus legum et novellarum a Justiniano imperatore
compositarum.
” 6. “Consuetudines Civitatum et Provinciarum Galliae, cum notis,
” fol. 7. “Quaestiones politico ex jure communi in Historia desumptae.
” 8. “Dissertatio de nobilitate.
” 9. “Statuta regni Gallise cum
jure communi collata,
” fol. 10. “Synopsis statutorum
municipalium,
” an edition, Greek and Latin, of the
“Promptuarium juris
” of Harmenopules. “Conjectures,
”
and several “Lectures upon Seneca,
” with a defence of
these Conjectures, which had been attacked by Gruter.
“A Collection of the ancient Latin Grammarians,
” &c.
The following works are also ascribed to Denis Godefroi
“Avis pour reduire les Monnoies a leur juste Prix et Valeur,
” 8vo. “Maintenue et Defense des Empereurs, Rois,
Princes, Etats, et Republiques; centre les Censures Monitoires, et Excommunications des Papes,
” 4to. “Fragmenta duodecim Tabularum suis nunc primum Tabulis
restituta,
” Opuscula
” have been collected and printed in Holland, fol.
du Roi,” 1665, fol. which had been attributed to chancellor Seguier, &c. 2 He left several children who were eminent among them.
, son of Theodore, was born August 24, 1615, at Paris. He made use of his father’s Memoirs, and like him studied the History of France. Louis
XIV. appointed him keeper and director of the chamber of
accounts at Lisle, in which city he died June 9, 1681. He
published “Le Ceremonial de France,
” written by his
father and the History of Charles VI. and Charles VII.
printed at the Louvre, each in 1 vol. folio that of the
Crown Officers, from the time at which that of John le
Feron ends; “Memoires et Instructions pour servir dans
les Negociations et les Affaires concernant les Droits du
Roi,
”
, director of the chambre des comptes at Lisle, was another son of the second Denys, who published in 1706 an elegant edition of the “Memoires de Philippe
, director of the chambre des comptes at
Lisle, was another son of the second Denys, who published in 1706 an elegant edition of the “Memoires de
Philippe de Commines;
” and in Satyre Menipee.
” He also left the “Journal de
Henri III.
” with notes, and some new pieces, 2 vols. 8vo;
a very curious book against that by Pere Guyard, a Jacobin, entitled “La Fatalite
” de St. Cloud;“' Mem. de
la Reine Marguerite,
” 8vo, &c. No author has given so clear
an account of the league, nor published so many curious
pieces respecting the parties engaged in it. He died in
February, 1732.
ed, and inheriting the unshaken loyalty of his family, entered early into the service of Charles II. who after his restoration made him one of the grooms of his bed-chamber.
, earl of Godolphin, and lord high treasurer of England, descended from a very ancient family in Cornwall, was the third son of Francis Godolphin, K. B. by Dorothy, second daughter of sir Henry Berkley, of Yarlington in Somersetshire. He had great natural abilities, was liberally educated, and inheriting the unshaken loyalty of his family, entered early into the service of Charles II. who after his restoration made him one of the grooms of his bed-chamber. In 1663, when attending his majesty to the university of Oxford, he had the degree of M. A. conferred upon him. In 1678, he was twice sent envoy to Holland, upon affairs of the greatest importance; and the next year was made one of the commissioners of the treasury, which trust he discharged with integrity, and being considered as a man of great abilities, was sworn of the privy council. In 1680 he openly declared for the bill of exclusion of the duke of York; and in the debate in council, whether the duke should return to Scotland before the parliament met, he joined in the advice for his going away; and though the rest of the council were of the contrary opinion, yet the king acquiesced in his and lord Sunderland’s reasons. In April 1664 he was appointed one of the secretaries of state, which he soon resigned for the office of first commissioner of the treasury, and was created baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall. He had hitherto sat in the house of commons as representative for Helston and for St. Mawe’s.
and pounds out of her civil list towards it. He was also one of those faithful and able counsellors, who advised her majesty to declare in council against the selling
On the accession of James II. he was appointed lord chamberlain to the queen, and on the removal of the earl of Rochester, was again made one of the commissioners of the treasury. On the landing of the prince of Orange, he was one of the commissioners sent by king James to treat with that prince, which employment he discharged with great address and prudence. In the debate concerning the vacancy of the throne, after the abdication of king James, his lordship, out of a regard to the succession, voted for a regency; yet when king William was advanced to the throne, his majesty appointed him one of the lords commissioners of the treasury, and a privy-councillor, and in 1690 he was appointed first lord of the treasury. In 1695, he was one of the seven lords justices for the administration of the government, during the king’s absence, as he was likewise the year following, and again in 1701, when he was restored to the place of first commissioner of the treasury, from which he had been removed in 1697. On the accession of queen Anne, he was constituted lord high treasurer, which post he had long refused to accept, till the earl of Marlboro ugh pressed him in so positive a manner, that he declared, he could not go to the continent to command the armies, unless the treasury was put into his hands; for then he was sure that remittances would be punctually made to him. Under his lordship’s administration of this high office, the public credit was raised, the war carried on with success, and the nation satisfied with his prudent management. He omitted nothing that could engage theteubject to bear the burthen of the war with chearfulness; and it was owing to his advice, that the queen contributed one hundred thousand pounds out of her civil list towards it. He was also one of those faithful and able counsellors, who advised her majesty to declare in council against the selling of offices and places in her household and family, as highly dishonourable to herself, prejudicial to her service, and a discouragement to virtue and true merit, which alone ought and should recommend persons to her royal approbation. And so true a friend was his lordship to the established church, that considering how meanly great numbers of the clergy were provided for, he prevailed upon her majesty to settle her revenue of the first-fruits and tenths for the augmentation of the small vicarages. In July 1704 he was made knight of the garter; and in December 1706, advanced to the dignity of earl of Godolphin and viscount Rialton. But notwithstanding all his great services to the public, on the 8th of August 1710, he was removed from his post of lord high treasurer.
Bishop Burnet says, “that he was the silentest and mojdestest man, who was perhaps ever bred in a court. He had a clear apprehension,
Bishop Burnet says, “that he was the silentest and mojdestest man, who was perhaps ever bred in a court. He
had a clear apprehension, and dispatched business with
great method, and with so much temper, that he had no
personal enemies. But his silence begot a jealousy, which
hung long upon him. His notions were for the court;
but his incorrupt and sincere way of managing the concerns of the treasury created in all people a very high
esteem for him. He had true principles of religion and
virtue, and never heaped up wealth. So that, all things
being laid together, he was one of the worthiest and wisest
men, who was employed in that age.
” In another place
the same historian observes, “that he was a man of the
clearest head, the calmest temper, and the most incorrupt
of all the ministers he had ever known; and that after having been thirty years in the treasury, and during nine of
those lord treasurer, as he was never once suspected of
corruption, ur of suffering his servants to grow rich under
Jiim, so in all that time his estate was not increased by him
to the value of four thousand pounds.
” It is also said, that
he had a penetrating contemplative genius, a slow, but
unerring apprehension, and an exquisite judgment, with
few words, though always to the purpose. He was temperate in his diet. His superior wisdom and spirit made
han despise the low arts of vain-glorious courtiers; for he
never kept suitors unprofitably in suspense, nor promised
any thing, that he was not resolved to perform; but as he
accounted dissimulation the worst of lying, so on the other
hand his denials were softened by frankness and condescension to those whom he could not gratify. His great
abilities and consummate experience qualified him for a
prime minister; and his exact knowledge of all the
branches of the revenue particularly fitted him for the
management of the treasury. He was thrifty without the
least tincture of avarice, being. as good an ceconomist of
the public wealth, as he was of his private fortune. He
had a clear conception of the whole government, both in
church and state; and perfectly knew the temper, genius,
and disposition of the English nation. And though his
stern gravity appeared a little ungracious, yet his steady
and impartial justice recommended him to the esteem of
almost every person; so that no man, in so many different
public stations, and so great a variety of business, ever
had more friends, or fewer enemies. Dean Swift’s character of him is not so favourable, and in our references may
be found many other opposite opinions of his merit and
abilities. He had a brother of some poetical talent, noticed
by Mr. Ellis.
mixture of admiration, pity, and scorn, was born in or near London, April 27, 1759, of poor parents, who then resided at Epping, but afterwards removed to a farm near
, better known by the name of Woollstonecraft, a lady
of very extraordinary genius,
but whose history and opinions are unhappily calculated to
excite a mixture of admiration, pity, and scorn, was born
in or near London, April 27, 1759, of poor parents, who
then resided at Epping, but afterwards removed to a farm
near Beverley in Yorkshire, where this daughter frequented
a day-school in the neighbourhood. From this place her
father again removed to Hoxton near London, and afterwards to Walworth. During all this time, and until Miss
Woollstonecraft arrived at her twenty-fourth year, there
appears little that is interesting, or extraordinary in her
history, unless it may be considered as such that she early
affected an original way of thinking, accompanied with
correspondent actions, and entertained a high and romantic
sense of friendship, which seems greatly to have prevailed
over filial affection. In her twenty-fourth year, she formed
the plan of conducting a school at Islington, in
conjunction with her sisters, which in the course of a few months
she removed to Newington-green, where she was honoured
by the friendship of Dr. Price. Of her opinions on religious subjects at this time, we have the following singular
account from her biographer: “Her religion was, in
reality, little allied to any system of forms, and was rather
founded in taste, than in the niceties of polemical discussion. Her mind constitutionally attached itself to the
sublime and amiable. She found an inexpressible delight
in the beauties of nature, and in the splendid reveries of
the imagination. But nature itself, she thought, would be
no better than a vast blank, if the mind of the observer
did not supply it with an animating soul. When she
walked amidst the wonders of nature, she was accustomed
to converse with her God. To her mind he was pictured
as not less amiable, generous, and kind, than great, wise,
and exalted. In fact she had received few lessons of religion in her youth, and her religion was almost entirely of
her own creation. But she was not on that account the
less attached to it, or the less scrupulous in discharging
what she considered as its duties. She could not recollect
the time when she had believed the doctrine of future
punishments,
” &c.
In 1785, a Mrs. Skeggs, with whom she had contracted an ardent friendship, and who resided at Lisbon, being pregnant, Miss Woollstonecraft, shocked
In 1785, a Mrs. Skeggs, with whom she had contracted
an ardent friendship, and who resided at Lisbon, being
pregnant, Miss Woollstonecraft, shocked with the idea hat
she might die in childbed at a distance from her fri( ds, passed over to Lisbon to attend her, leaving the school under the management of her sisters; an exertion of friendship the more entitled to praise that it proved hurtful to her school, which oon after her return she was compelled to abandon. Perhaps, however, this was not wholly a matter of compulsion, for we are told that “she had a rooted aversion to that sort of cohabitation with her sisters, which the project of the school imposed.
” She now appears to have meditated literary employment as a source of
profit, and exhibited a specimen of her talents in a l'2mo
pamphlet, entitled “Thoughts on the Education of Daughters,
” for the copy-right of which she obtained the sum of
ten guineas from the late Mr. Johnson, bookseller, of St.
Paul’s church-yard, who afterwards proved one of her most
liberal patrons. After this she was employed for some
months, as a governess, in the family o an Irish nobleman, at the end of which she returned again to literary
pursuits, and from 1787, when she came to reside in London, produced “Mary, a Fiction,
” “Original Stories
from real life,
” made some translations from the French,
and compiled “The Female Reader,
” on the model of
Dr. Enfield’s “Speaker.
” She wrote also some articles
in the “Analytical Review,
” which was established by her
publisher, in
ch it will appear soon she determined to introduce in her conduct. She was therefore among the first who attempted to answer Mr. Burke’s celebrated “Reflections on the
In the French revolution which took place in the following year, and which let loose all kinds of principles and
opinions except what had stood the test of experience,
Miss Woollstonecraft found much that was congenial with
her own ways of thinking, and much which it will appear
soon she determined to introduce in her conduct. She
was therefore among the first who attempted to answer Mr.
Burke’s celebrated “Reflections on the French Revolution,
”
and displayed a share of ability which made her reputation
more general than it had yet been. This was followed by
her “Vindication of the Rights of Woman,
” in which she
unfolded many a wild theory on the duties and character of
her sex. How well she was qualified to guide them appeared now in the practical use of her own precepts, of
which the first specimen was the formation of a violent attachment for a very eminent artist, which is thus embellished by her biographer “She saw Mr. Fuseli frequently;
he amused, delighted, and instructed her. As a painter,
it was impossible she should not wish to see his works, and
consequently to frequent his house. She visited him; her
visits were returned. Notwithstanding the inequality of
their years, Mary was not of a temper to live upon terms
of so much intimacy with a man of merit and genius, without loving him. The delight she enjoyed in his society,
she transferred by association to his person. What she experienced in this respect, was no doubt heightened, by the
state of celibacy and restraint in which she had hitherto
lived, and to which the rules of polished society condemn
an unmarried woman. She conceived a personal and ardent affection for him. Mr. Fuseli was a married man, and
his wife the acquaintance of Mary. She readily perceived
the restrictions which this circumstance seemed to impose
upon her, but she made light of any difficulty that might
arise out of them.
” Notwithstanding this contempt for
difficulties, Mr. Fuseli was not to be won, and in order to
get rid of a passion which he would not indulge, she went
ever to France in 1792. Here within a few months she
found a cure in that “species of connection,
” says her
biographer, “for which her heart secretly panted, and
which had the effect of diffusing an immediate tranquillity
and cheerfulness over her manners.
” This was an illicit
connection with a Mr. Imlay, an American, and we are
gravely told, that “she was now arrived at the situation,
which, for two or three preceding years, her reason had
pointed out to her as affording the most substantial prospect of happiness.
” Her reason, however, unfortunately
pointed wrong in this instance, as she was afterwards most
basely and cruelly abandoned by the object of her affections, whose conduct cannot be mentioned in terms of indignation too strong. She now made two attempts at suicide, on which we shall only remark that they were totally
inconsistent with the character given of her by her biographer, as possessing “a firmness of mind, an unconquerable
greatness of soul, by which, after a short internal struggle-,
she was accustomed to rise above difficulties and suffering.
”
Having overcome two ardent passions, she formed a
third, of which her biographer, Mr. William Godwin, was
the object. A period only of six months intervened in
this case; but, says Mr. Godwin, with a curious felicity of
calculation, although “it was only six months since she
had resolutely banished every thought of Mr. Imlay (the former lover), it was at least eighteen that he ought to have
been banished, and would have been banished, had it not
been for her scrupulous pertinacity in determining to leave
no measure untried to regain him.
” This connection,
likewise, was begun without the nuptial ceremonies; but,
after some months, the marriage took place; the principal
reason was that she was pregnant, and “unwilling to incur that seclusion from the society of many valuable and
excellent individuals, which custom awards in cases of this
sort.
” But it did not produce the desired effect. Some
who visited her, or were visited by her, and who regarded
her as the injured object of Mr. Imlay' s indifference, were
not pleased to bestow their countenance on one who was
so eager to run into the arms of another man, and alike
informally. Mr. Godwin takes this opportunity of censuring the prudery of these nice people in terms of severity
with what justice our readers may determine. The happiness of this connection, however, was transient. In August 1797, she was delivered of a daughter, and died Sept.
10, of the same year. From the account given of her, by
her biographer, in which we must condemn the laboured
vindication of principles inconsistent with the delicacy of
the female sex, and the welfare of society, Mrs. Godwin
appears to have been a woman of strong intellect, which
might have elevated her to the highest rank of English female writers, had not her genius run wild for want of cultivation. Her passions were consequently ungovernable,
and she accustomed herself to yield to them without scruple, treating female honour and delicacy as vulgar prejudices. She was therefore a voluptuary and sensualist,
without that refinement for which she seemed to contend
on other subjects. Her history indeed forms entirely a
warning, and in no part an example. Singular she was, it
must be allowed, for it is not easily to be conceived that
such another heroine will ever appear, unless in a novel,
where a latitude is given to that extravagance of character
which she attempted to bring into real life.
the authoress. Much of both had better been suppressed, as ill calculated to excite sympathy for one who seems to have rioted in sentiments alike repugnant to religion,
Besides the works already noticed, she published “A
moral and historical view of the French Revolution,
” of
which one volume only was published, and “Letters from
Norway.
” The latter contains much elegant description
and just remark. The former could be noticed only at the
time of its publication. The gay illusions of the French
revolution soon disappeared. After her death some miscellanies, letters, and an unfinished novel, were published
by her husband, in 4 vols. 12mo, with a Life of the authoress. Much of both had better been suppressed, as ill
calculated to excite sympathy for one who seems to have
rioted in sentiments alike repugnant to religion, sense, and
decency.
not been noticed by Dr. Richard Layton, archdeacon of Bucks, a zealous promoter of the reformation, who, taking him into his house, and instructinghim in classical
, an English prelate, was born in 1517 at Oakingham in Berkshire; and being put to the grammar-school there, quickly made such a progress as discovered him to be endowed with excellent parts. But his parents being low in circumstances, he must have lost the advantage of improving them by a suitable education, had they not been noticed by Dr. Richard Layton, archdeacon of Bucks, a zealous promoter of the reformation, who, taking him into his house, and instructinghim in classical learning, sent him to Oxford, where he was entered of Magdalen college about 1538. Not long after, he lost his worthy patron; but his merit, now become conspicuous in the university, had procured him other friends; so that he was enabled to take the degree of B. A. July 12, 1543. The same merit released his friends from any farther expence, by obtaining him, the year ensuing, a fellowship of his college; and he proceeded M. A. in 1547. But he did not long enjoy the fruits of his merit in a college life; his patron, the archdeacon, had taken care to breed up Godwin in the principles of the reformation, and this irritating some popish members of the college, they made his situation so uneasy, that, the free-school at Brackley in Northamptonshire becoming vacant in 1549, and being in the gift of the college, he resigned his fellowship, and accepted it. In this station, he married the daughter of Nicholas Purefoy, of Shalston, in the county of Bucks, and lived without any new disturbance as long as Edward VI. was at the helm: but, upon the accession of Mary, his religion exposed him to a fresh persecution, and he was obliged to quit his school. In this exigence, although the church was his original intention, and he had read much with that view, yet now it became more safe to apply to the study of physic; and being admitted to his bachelor’s degree in that faculty, at Oxford, July 1555, he practised in it for a support till Elizabeth succeeded to the throne, when he resolved to enter into the church. In this he was encouraged by Bullingham, bishop of Lincoln, who gave him orders, and made him his chaplain; his lordship also introduced him to the queen, and obtained him the favour of preaching before her majesty; who was so much pleased with the propriety of his manner, and the grave turn of his oratory, that she appointed him one of her Lentpreachers. He had discharged this duty by an annual appointment, with much satisfaction to her majesty, for a series of eighteen years. In 1565, on the deprivation of Sampson, he was made dean of Christ church, Oxford, and had also the prebend of Milton-ecclesia in the church of Lincoln conferred on him by his patron bishop Bullingham. This year also he took his degrees of B. and D. D. at Oxford. In 1566, he was promoted to' the deanery of Canterbury, being the second dean of that church: and queen Elizabeth making a visit to Oxford the same year, he attended her majesty, and among others kept an exercise in divinity against Dr. Lawrence Humphries, the professor; in which the famous Dr. Jewel, bishop of Salisbury, was moderator. In June following he was appointed by archbishop Parker, one of his commissioners to visit the diocese of Norwich; and that primate having established a benefaction for a sermon on Rogation Sunday at Thetford in Norfolk and other places, the dean, while engaged in this commission, preached the first sermon of that foundation, on Sunday morning July 20, 1567, in the Green-yard adjoining to the bishop’s palace at Norwich. In 1573 he quitted his prebend of Milton-ecclesia, on being presented by Cooper, then bishop of Lincoln, to that of Leighton-Bosard, the endowment of which is considered the best in the church of Lincoln. In 1576 he was one of the ecclesiastical commissioners, empowered by the queen to take cognizance of all offences against the peace and good order of the church, and to frame such statutes as might conduce to its prosperity.
he death of Dr. Gilbert Berkley in Nov. 1581. To this bishopric the queen now nominated dean Godwin, who accordingly was consecrated Sept. 13, 1584. He immediately resigned
The see of Bath and Wells had in 1584 been vacant
since the death of Dr. Gilbert Berkley in Nov. 1581. To
this bishopric the queen now nominated dean Godwin, who
accordingly was consecrated Sept. 13, 1584. He immediately resigned the deanery of Canterbury; and as he arrived at the episcopal dignity “as well qualified,
” says his
contemporary, sir John Harrington, “for a bishop as might
be, umeproveable, without simony, given to good hospitality, quiet, kind, and affable,
” it is to be lamented that
he was unjustly opposed in the enjoyment of what he deserved. At the time of his promotion there prevailed
among the courtiers no small dislike to the bishops;
prompted by a desire to spoil them of their revenues. To
cover their unjust proceedings, they did not want plausible pretences, the effects of which Godwin too severely
experienced. He was a widower, drawing towards seventy, and much enfeebled by the gout, when he came
to the see; but in order to the management of his family,
and that he might devote his whole time to the discharge
of his high office, he married a second wife, a widow, of
years suitable to his own. An illiberal misrepresentation,
however, of this affair was but too readily believed by the
queen, who had a rooted aversion to the marriages of the
clergy, and the crafty slanderers gratified their aim in the
disgrace of the aged prelate, and in obtaining part of his
property. This unfortunate affair, which affected his
public character as well as his private happiness, contributed not a little to increase his infirmities. He continued,
however, attentive to the duties of his function, and frequently gave proof that neither his diligence nor his observation were inconsiderable. During the two last years
of his life, his health more rapidly declined, and he was
also attacked with a quartan ague. He was now recommended by his physicians to try the benefit of his native
air. Accordingly he came to Oakingham with this intention, but breathed his last there, Nov. 19, 1590. He was
buried in the chancel of Oakingham church, where is a
modest inscription to his memory, written by his son, the
subject of the next article.
rs, by the dedication to lord Buckhurst, that our author was at this time chaplain to this nobleman, who, being in high credit with queen Elizabeth, immediately procured
He became B. D. in 1593, and D. D. in 1595; in which
year, resigning the vicarage of Weston, he was appointed
rector of Bishop’s Liddiard, in the, same county. He
still continued assiduous in pursuing ecclesiastical biography; and, having made an handsome addition to his
former collections, published the whole in 1601, 4to,
tinder the title, “A Catalogue of the Bishops of England, since the first planting of the Christian religion in
this island; together with a brief history of their lives and
memorable actions, so near as can be gathered of antiquity.
” It appears, by the dedication to lord Buckhurst,
that our author was at this time chaplain to this nobleman,
who, being in high credit with queen Elizabeth, immediately procured him the bishopric of Llandaff. This was
said to be a royal reward for his Catalogue, and this success of it encouraged him to proceed. The design was so
much approved, that afterwards he found a patron in James
I.; and sir John Harrington, a favourite of prince Henry,
wrote a treatise by way of supplement to it, for that
prince’s use. This was drawn purely for that purpose,
without any intention to publish it; but it appeared afterwards with the title of “A brief view of the state of the
Church of England.
” It is carried on only to the year
commissioners, and his family reduced to distress: he died in 1645, leaving a son of his own names, who was educated at Oxford, and afterwards became a minister in
In 1616 he published in Latin, “Rerum Anglicarum
Henrico VIII. &c.
” which was translated and published by
his son, Morgan Godwin, under the title of “Annales of
England, containing the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI.
and queen Mary,
” fol. These, as well as his lives of the
bishops, are written in elegant Latin, and with much
impartiality. In 1630, he published a small treatise, entitled “A computation of the value of the Roman Sesterce
and Attic Talent.
” After this he fell into a low and languishing disorder, and died in April 1633. He married,
when a young man, the daughter of Wollton, bishop of
Exeter, by whom he had many children. He appears to
have been a man of great learning and personal worth, and
a zealous champion for the church of England. His son,
Dr. Morgan Godwin, was archdeacon of Shropshire, and
translated, as we have noticed, his father’s “Annales.
”
He was ejected by the parliamentary commissioners, and
his family reduced to distress: he died in 1645, leaving
a son of his own names, who was educated at Oxford, and
afterwards became a minister in Virginia, under the government of sir William Berkeley, but was at last beneficed
near London. When he died is not mentioned. He wrote
some pamphlets, while in Virginia, on the state of religion there, and the education of the negroes. The late
rev. Charles Godwin, an antiquary, and benefactor to Baliol
college, Oxford, who died in 1770, appears to have been
a son of Charles Godwin, of Mon mouth, another son of
bishop Francis Godwin.
ities so much, that he brought the school into a very flourishing condition; and bred up many youths who proved ornaments to their country, both in church and state.
, a learned English writer, and
an excellent schoolmaster, was born in Somersetshire, in
1587; and, after a suitable education in grammar-learning, was sent to Oxford. He was entered of Magdalenhall in 1602; and took the two degrees in arts 1606 and
1609. This last year he removed to Abingdon in Berkshire, having obtained the place of chief master of the freeschool there; and in this employ distinguished himself by
his industry and abilities so much, that he brought the
school into a very flourishing condition; and bred up many
youths who proved ornaments to their country, both in
church and state. To attain this commendable end he
wrote his “Roman Historiae Anthologia,
” an English
exposition of the Roman antiquities, &c. and printed it at
Oxford in 1613, 4to. The second edition was published
in 1623, with considerable additions. He also printed for
the use of his school, a “Florilegium Phrastcon, or a survey of the Latin Tongue.
” However, his inclinations
leading him to divinity, he entered into orders, and became chaplain to Montague bishop of Bath and Wells.
He proceeded B. D. in 1616, in which year he published
at Oxford, “Synopsis Antiquitatum Hebraicarum, &c.
” a
collection of Hebrew antiquities, in three books, 4to. Thi
he dedicated to his patron; and, obtaining some time after from him the rectory of Brightwell in Berkshire, he
resigned his school, the fatigue of which had long been too
great for him. Amidst his parochial duties, he prosecuted
the subject of the Jewish antiquities; and, in 1625, printed
in 4to, “Moses and Aaron, &c.
” which was long esteemed
an useful book for explaining the civil and ecclesiastical
rites of the Hebrews. He took his degree of D. D. in 1637,
but did not enjoy that honour many years; dying upon his
parsonage in 1642-3, and leaving a wife, whom he had
married while he taught school at Abingdon.
iddleburg. Losing Jhis father early in life, he was so unfortunate as to have a harsh father-in-law, who, being no scholar himself, would not permit the young man to
, an eminent and learned bookseller, was born Dec. 11, 1635, at Middleburg. Losing
Jhis father early in life, he was so unfortunate as to have a
harsh father-in-law, who, being no scholar himself, would
not permit the young man to devote his time to study, but
forced him to choose some business. Goere'e fixed on that
of a bookseller, as one which would not wholly exclude
him from the conversation of the learned, nor from the
pursuit of his studies; and he accordingly found time
enough, notwithstanding his necessary occupations, to cultivate his genius, and even to write several valuable books,
in Flemish, on architecture, sculpture, painting, engraving, botany, physic, and antiquities. He died May 3,
1711, at Amsterdam. His principal works are, “Jewish
Antiquities,
” 2 vols. fol. “History of the Jewish Church,
taken from the Writings of Moses,
” 4 vols. fol. “Sacred
and Prophane History,
” 4to “Introduction to the practice of universal Painting,
” 8yo “Of the Knowledge of
Man with respect to his Nature, and Painting,
” 8vo
“Universal Architecture,
” &c.
war breaking out between Charles V. and Henry II. of France, Louvain was besieged in 1542, and Goez, who has written the history of this siege, put himself at the head
, a Portuguese writer of the sixteenth century, was born at Alanquar near Lisbon, of a
noble family, in 1501, and brought upas a domestic in,
the court of king Emanuel, where he was considered both
as a man of letters and of business. Having a strong passion for travelling, he contrived to get a public commission;
and travelled through almost all the countries of Europe,
contracting as he went an acquaintance with all the learned. At Dantzic he became intimate with the brothers
John and Olaus Magnus; and he spent five months at Friburg with Erasmus. He afterwards went to Padua, in
1534, where he resided four years, studying under Lazarus Bonamicus; not, however, without making frequent
excursions into different parts of Italy. Here he obtained
the esteem of Peter, afterwards cardinal Bembus, of Christopher Maclrucius, cardinal of Trent, and of James Sadolet. On his return to Lou vain in 1538, he had recourse
to Conrad Goclenius and Peter Nannius, whose instructions were of great use to him, and applied himself to
music and poetry; in the former of which he made so
happy a progress, that he was qualified to compose for the
churches. He married at Louvain, and his design was to
settle in this city, in order to enjoy a little repose after
fourteen years travelling; but a war breaking out between
Charles V. and Henry II. of France, Louvain was besieged
in 1542, and Goez, who has written the history of this
siege, put himself at the head of the soldiers, and contributed much to the defence of the town against the French,
when the other officers had abandoned it. When he was
old, John III. of Portugal, recalled him into his country,
in order to write the history of it; but as it became first
necessary to arrange the archives of the kingdom, which
he found in the greatest confusion, he had little leisure to
accomplish his work. The favours also which the king
bestowed upon him created him so much envy, that his
tranquillity was at an end, and he came to be accused;
and, though he cleared himself from all imputations, was
confined to the town of Lisbon. Here, it is said that he
was one day found dead in his own house; and in such a
manner as to make it doubted whether he was strangled by
his enemies, or died of an apoplexy; but other accounts
inform us, with more probability, that he fell into the fire
in a fit, and was dead before the accident was discovered.
This happened in 1560, and he was interred in the cburck
of Notre Dame, at Alanquar. Rewrote “Fides, Religio,
Moresque Æthiopum
” “De Imperio et Rebus Lusitanorum
” “Hispania;
” “Urbis OlissiponensisDescriptio;
”
“Chronica do Rey Dom Emanuel
” “Historia do Principe Dom Juao
” and other works, which have been often
printed, and are much esteemed. Antonio says, that,
though he is an exact writer, yet he has not written the
Portuguese language in its purity; which, however, is not
to be wondered at, considering how much time he spent
out of his own country.
some esteemed a woman-hater, he unfortunately tied himself to a wife, the widow of his predecessor, who was aXantippe, and he being naturally of a mild disposition,
, a divine and dramatic writer, was
born in Essex, about 1592, and was educated at Westminster-school, from which, at the age of eighteen, he
entered as a student of Christ Church college, Oxford.
Here he completed his studies, and, by dint of application and industry, became a very able scholar, obtained
the character of a good poet, and, being endowed with
the powers of oratory, was, after his taking orders, esteemed
an excellent preacher. He had the degree of B. D. conferred on him before he quitted the university, and, in
1623, was preferred to the living of East Clandon, in
Surrey. Here, notwithstanding that he had long been a
professed enemy to the female sex, and even by some
esteemed a woman-hater, he unfortunately tied himself to
a wife, the widow of his predecessor, who was aXantippe,
and he being naturally of a mild disposition, became at
last unable to cope with so turbulent a spirit, backed as
she. was by the children she had by her former husband. It
was believed by many, that the uneasiness he met with in
domestic life shortened his days. He died in July 1629,
being then only thirty -five years of age, and was buried on
the 27th of the same month *at his own parish church. He
wrote several pieces on different subjects, among which
are five tragedies; none of which were published till some
years after his death. Philips and Winstanley have ascribed a comedy to this author, called “Cupid’s Whirligig;
” but with no appearance of probability; since the
gravity of his temper was such, that he does not seem to
have been capable of a performance so ludicrous. In the
latter part of his life he forsook the stage for the pulpit,
and wrote sermons, some of which appeared the year he
died. With the quaintness common to the sermons of
James Ist’s time, they have a portion of fancy and vivacity
peculiar to himself. To these works may be added, his
“Latin Oration at the Funeral of sir Henry Savile,
” spoken and printed at Oxford in
er the publication of his work; leaving his Mss. and library to his friend, Alexander Conrad Fugere, who died only three days after him, in consequence of being deeply
, an ingenious French writer, was born at Paris in 1716, where his father was an advocate, and himself became a counsellor to the parliament. By close study, and by great assiduity in his pursuits, he produced in 1758 a work that obtained a temporary reputation, and was translated into English, entitled c< Origine des Loix, des Arts, des Sciences, et de leur Progres chez les anciens Peuples," 3 vols. 4to; reprinted in 1778, in six volumes 12mo. This work treats of the origin and progress of human knowledge, from the creation to the age of Cyrus, but displays more genius than erudition, and is rather an agreeable than a profound work. He died of the small-pox, May 2, 1758, immediately after the publication of his work; leaving his Mss. and library to his friend, Alexander Conrad Fugere, who died only three days after him, in consequence of being deeply affected by the death of Goguet, who was a man of much personal worth. Goguet had begun another work on the origin and progress of the laws, arts, sciences, &c. in France, from the commencement of the monarchy, the loss of which the admirers of his first production much regretted.
in promoting this miserable traffic. In 1599 he lived at St. Gal, in the house of a Mr. Schobinger, who declared himself his patron; but the same year he went to Geneva,
, a laborious
writer in civil law and history, was born at Bischoffsel in
Switzerland, in 1576, and was a protestant of the confes-^
sion of Geneva. He studied the civil law at Altorf under
Conrade Rittershusius, with whom he boarded; and returned in 1598 to Bischoffsel, where for some time he had
no other subsistence but what he acquired by writing
books, of which, at the time of publication he used to send
copies to the magistrates and people of rank, from whom
he received something more than the real value; and some
of his friends imagined they did him service in promoting
this miserable traffic. In 1599 he lived at St. Gal, in the
house of a Mr. Schobinger, who declared himself his patron; but the same year he went to Geneva, and lived at
the house of professor Lectius, with the sons of Vassan,
whose preceptor he was. In 1602 he went to Lausanne,
from a notion that he could live cheaper there than at Geneva. His patron Schobinger, while he advised him to
this step, cautioned him at the same time from such frequent removals as made him suspected of an unsettled
temper. But, notwithstanding Schobinger’s caution, he
returned soon after to Geneva; and, upon the recommendation of Lectius, was appointed secretary to the duke of
Bouillon, which place he quitted with his usual precipitation, and was at Francfort in 1603, and had a settlement
at Forsteg in 1604. In 1605 he lived at Bischoffsel; where
he complained of not being safe on the score of his religion, which rendered him odious even to his relations. He
was at Francfort in 1606, where he married, and continued
till 1610, in very bad circumstances. Little more is known
of his history, unless that he lost his wife in 1630, and
died himself Aug. 11, 1635. He appears to have been
a man of capricious temper, and some have attributed to
him a want of integrity. The greatest part of the writings
published by Goldast are compilations arranged in form, or
published from Mss. in libraries; and by their number he
may be pronounced a man of indefatigable labour. Conringius says he has deserved so well of his country by publishing
the ancient monuments of Germany, that undoubtedly the
Athenians would have maintained him in the Prytaneum,
if he had lived in those times; and adds, that he neither
had, nor perhaps ever will have, an equal in illustrating
the affairs of Germany, and the public law of the empire.
The following are the most considerable among his various works: A collection of different tracts on civil and
ecclesiastical jurisdiction, entitled “Monarcbia Sancti Romani Imperii*
” &c. Alamaniae Scriptores,
” Scriptores
aliquot rerum Suevlearum,
” Commentarius
de Bohemise regno,
” 4to “Informatio de statu Bohemia3
quoad jus,
” 4to “Sybilla Francica,
” 4to which is a collection of pieces relating to the Maid of Orleans “Paraeneticorum veterum pars prima,
” Virorum clarissimorum ad Melchior Goldastum Epistolae,
” 4to, Francfort.
d’s Metamorphoses,” the first four books of which he published in 1565, and the whole in 1567. Pope, who read much in old English translations, used to say “it was a
, a man of some poetical turn,
but principally known as a translator, in the sixteenth century, was a native of London. In 1563 we find him living
with secretary Cecil at his house in the Strand, and in
1577 in the parish of Allhallows, London Wall. Amongst
his patrons, as we may collect from his dedications, were,
sir Walter Mildmay, William lord Cobham, Henry earl of
Huntingdon, lord Leicester, sir Christopher Hatton, lord
Oxford, and Robert earl of Essex. He was connected
with sir Philip Sydney, for he finished an English translation of Philip Mornay’s treatise in French, on the “Truth
of Christianity,
” which had been begun by Sydney, and
was published in 1587. His religious turn appears also
from his translating many of the works of the early reformers and protestant writers, particularly Calvin, Chytraeus,
Beza, Marlorat, Hemingius, &c. He also enlarged our
treasures of antiquity, by publishing translations of Justin
in 1564; and of Csesar in 1565. Of this last, a translation
as far as the middle of the fifth book by John Brend,
had been put into his hands, and he therefore began at
that place, but afterwards, for uniformity, re-translated the
whole himself. He also published translations of Seneca’s
Benefits, in 1577; of the Geography of Pomponius Mela
the Poly history of Solinus, 1587, and of many modern
Latin writers, which were then useful, and suited to the
wants of the times. Warton thinks his only original work
is a “Discourse of the Earthquake that happened in England and other places in 1580,
” 12mo; and of his original
poetry, nothing more appears than an encomiastic copy of
verses prefixed to Baret’s “Alvearie
” in Ovid’s Metamorphoses,
” the
first four books of which he published in it was a pretty good one considering the time when it was written.
” The style is certainly poetical and spirited, and his versification clear; hi
manner ornamental and diffuse; yet with a sufficient observance of the original. He has obtained a niche in the
“Biographia Dramatica
” for having translated a drama of
Beza’s, called “Abraham’s Sacrifice,
”
along with the players to Genoa, he was for the first time seized with an ardent passion for a lady, who soon afterwards became his wife. He then returned with the company
, an eminent modern Italian dramatist, was born at Venice in 1707. In his infancy the
drama was his darling amusement, and all his time was
devoted to the perusing comic writers, among whom was
Cicognini, a Florentine, little known in the dramatic commonwealth. After having well studied these, he ventured
to sketch out the plan of a comedy, even before he went
to school. When he had finished his grammatical studies
at Venice, and his rhetorical studies at the Jesuits’ college
in Perugia, he was sent to a boarding-school at Rimini, to
study philosophy, but he paid far more attention to the
theatres, entered into a familiar acquaintance with the
actors, and when they were to remove to Chiozza, made
his escape in their company. This was the first fault he
committed, which, according to his own confession, drew
a great many others after it. His father had intended him
to be a physician, like himself: the young man, however,
was wholly averse to the study. He proposed afterwards
to make him an advocate, and sent him to be a practitioner
in Modena; but a horrid ceremony of ecclesiastical
jurisdiction, at which he was present, inspired him with a melancholy turn, and he determined to become a Capuchin.
Of this, however, he was cured by a visit to Venice, where
he indulged in all the fashionable dissipation of the place.
He was afterwards prevailed upon by his mother, after the
death of his father, to exercise the profession of a lawyer
in Venice, but by a sudden reverse of fortune he was compelled to quit at once both the bar and Venice. He then
went to Milan, where he was employed by the resident of
Venice in the capacity of secretary, and becoming acquainted with the manager of the theatre, he wrote a farce
entitled “II Gondoliere Veneziano,
” the Venetian Gondolier; which was the first comic production of his that
was performed and printed. Some time after, Goldoni
quitted the Venetian resident, and removed to Verona,
where he got introduced to the manager of the theatre, for
which he composed several pieces. Having removed along
with the players to Genoa, he was for the first time seized
with an ardent passion for a lady, who soon afterwards became his wife. He then returned with the company to
Venice, where he displayed, for the first time, the powers
of his genius, and executed his plan of reforming the Italian stage. He wrote the “Momolo,
” “Courtisan,
” the
“Squanderer,
” and other pieces, which obtained universal admiration. Feeling a strong inclination to reside some
time in Tuscany, he repaired to Florence and Pisa, where
he wrote “The Footman of two Masters,
” and “The Son of
Harlequin lost and found again.
” He returned to Venice,
and set about executing more and more his favourite
scheme of reform. He was now attached to the theatre of
S. Angelo, and employed himself in writing both for the
company, and for his own purposes. The constant toils
he underwent in these engagements impaired his health.
He wrote, in the course of twelve months, sixteen new
comedies, besides forty-two pieces for the theatre; among
these many are considered as the best of his productions.
The first edition of his works was published in 1753, in 10
vols. 8vo. As he wrote afterwards a great number of new
pieces for the theatre of S. Luca, a separate edition of these
was published, under the title of “The New Comic
Theatre:
” among these was the “Terence,
” called by the
author his favourite, and judged to be the master-piece of
his works. He made another journey to Parma, on the
invitation of duke Philip, and from thence he passed t
Rome. He had composed 59 other pieces so late as 1761,
five of which were designed for the particular use of Marque Albergati Capacelli, and consequently adapted to the
theatre of a private company. Here ends the literary life
of Goldoni in Italy, after which he accepted of an engagement of two years in Paris, where he found a select and
numerous company of excellent performers in the Italian
theatre. They were, however, chargeable with the same
faults which he had corrected in Italy; and the French
supported, and even applauded in the Italians, what they
would have reprobated on their own stage. Goldoni wished
to extend, even to that country, his plan of reformation, without considering the extreme difficulty of the undertaking. His first attempt was the piece called “The
Father for Love;
” and its bad success was a sufficient
warning to him to desist from his undertaking. He continued, during the remainder of his engagement, to produce pieces agreeable to the general taste, and published
twenty-four comedies; among which “The Love of Zelinda and Lindor
” is reputed the best. The term of two
years being expired, Goldoni was preparing to return to
Italy, when a lady, reader to the dauphiness, mother to
the late king, introduced him at court, in the capacity of
Italian master to the princesses, aunts to the king. He
did not live in the court, but resorted there, at each summons, in a post-chaise, sent to him for the purpose. These
journeys were the cause of a disorder in the eyes, which
afflicted him the rest of his life; for being accustomed to
read while in the chaise, he lost his sight on a sudden,
and in spite of the most potent remedies, could never afterwards recover it entirely. For about six months lodgings were provided him in the chateau of Versailles. The
death, however, of the dauphin, changed the face of affairs. Goldoni lost his lodgings, and only, at the end of
three years, received a bounty of 100 Louis in a gold box,
and the grant of a pension of four thousand livres a year.
This settlement would not have been sufficient for him, if
he had not gained, by other means, farther sums. He
wrote now and then comedies for the theatres of Italy and
Portugal; and, during these occupations, was desirous to
shew to the French that he merited a high rank among
their dramatic writers. For this purpose, he neglected
nothing which could be of use to render himself master of
the French language. He heard, spoke, and conversed
so much in it, that, in his 62d year, he ventured to write a
comedy in French, and to have it. represented in the court
theatre, on the occasion of the marriage of the king. This
piece was the “Bourru Bienfaisant;
” and it met with so
great success, that the author received a bounty 'of 150
Louis from the king, another gratification from the performers, and considerable sums from the booksellers who
published it. He published soon after, another comedy in
French, called “L'Avare Fastueux.
” After the death of
Lewis XV. Goldoni was appointed Italian teacher to the
princess Clotilde, and after her marriage, he attended the
late unfortunate princess Elizabeth in the same capacity.
His last work was the “Volponi,
” written after he had retired from court. It was nis misfortune to live to see
his pension taken away by the revolution, and, like thousands in a similar situation, he was obliged to pass his old
age in poverty and distress. He died in the beginning of
1793. As a comic poet, Goldoni is reckoned among the
best of the age in which he flourished. His works were
printed at Leghorn in 1788—91, in 31 vols. 8vo. He has
been reckoned the Moliere of Italy, and he is styled by
Voltaire “The Painter of Nature.
” Dr. Burney says that
he is, perhaps, the only author of comic operas in Italy
who has given them a little common sense, by a natural
plot, and natural characters; and his celebrated comic
opera of the “Buona Figliuola,
” set by Piccini, and first
performed in London Dec. 9th, 1766, rendered both the
poet and composer, whose names had scarcely penetrated
into this country before, dear to every lover of the Italian
language and music, in the nation.
ing, and arithmetic, at a common school, the master of which was an old soldier, of a romantic turn, who entertained his pupil with marvellous stories of his travels
, an eminent poet and miscellaneous writer, was born on Nov. 29, 1728, at a place
called Pallas, in the parish of Forney and county of Longford in Ireland. His father, the rev. Charles Goldsmith,
a native of the county of Roscommon, was a clergyman of
the established church, and had been educated at Dublin
college. He afterwards held the living of Kilkenny West
in the county of Westmeath. By his wife, Anne, the
daughter of the rev. Oliver Jones, master of the diocesan
school of Elphin, he had five sons, and two daughters.
His eldest son, Henry, went into the church, and is the
gentleman to whom our poet dedicated his “Traveller.
”
Oliver was the second son, and is supposed to have faithfully represented his father in the character of the Village
Preacher in the “Deserted Village.
” Oliver was originally intended for some mercantile employment, as his
father found his income too scanty for the expences of the
literary education which he had bestowed on his eldest son.
With this view he was instructed in reading, writing, and
arithmetic, at a common school, the master of which was an
old soldier, of a romantic turn, who entertained his pupil
with marvellous stories of his travels and feats, and is supposed to have imparted somewhat of that wandering and
unsettled turn which so much appeared in his pupil’s future life. It is certain that Oliver had not been long at
this humble school before he proved that he was “no vulgar boy.
” He made some attempts in poetry when he was
scarcely eight years old, and by the inequalities of his
temper and conduct, betrayed a disposition more favourable io the flights of genius than the regularity of business.
This after some time became so obvious, that his frfends,
who had at first pleaded for his being sent to the university, now determined to contribute towards the expence,
and by their assistance, he was placed at a school of reputation, where he might be qualified to enter the college
with the advantages of preparatory learning.
reputation of a scholar, but much may likewise be attributed to the unfeeling neglect of his tutor, who contended only for the preservation of certain rules of discipline,
In June 1744, when in his fifteenth year, he was sent to Dublin college, and entered as a sizer, under the rev. Mr. Wilder, one of the fellows, but a man of harsh temper and violent passions, and consequently extremely unfit to win the affections and guide the disposition of a youth simple, ingenuous, thoughtless, and unguarded. His pupil, however, made some progress, although slow, in academical studies. In 1747, he was elected one of the exhibitioners on the foundation of Erasmus Smyth; and in 1749, two years after the regular time, he was admitted to the degree of bachelor of arts. His indolence and irregularities may in part account for this tardy advancement to the reputation of a scholar, but much may likewise be attributed to the unfeeling neglect of his tutor, who contended only for the preservation of certain rules of discipline, while he gave himself little trouble with the cultivation of the mind. On one occasion he thought proper to chastise Oliver before a party of young friends of both sexes, whom, with his usual imprudence, he was entertaining with a supper and dance in his rooms. Oliver immediately disposed of his books and cloaths, left college, and commenced a wanderer, without any prospect, without friends, and without money. At length, after suffering such extremity of hunger, that a handtul of grey peas which a girl gave him at a wake, appeared a luxurious meal, he contrived to acquaint his brother with his situation, who immediately clothed him, and carried him back to college, effecting at the same time a reconciliation between him and his tutor, which, it may be supposed, was more convenient than cordial on either side.
ed to send him to the Temple to study law; but in his way to London, he met at Dublin with a sharper who tempted him to play, and stript him of fifty pounds, with which
Soon after this event, his father died, and his friends
wished him to prepare for holy orders; but to this he declared his dislike; and finding himself equally uncomfortable as tutor in a private family, to which he had been recommended, he again left the country with about thirty
pounds in his pocket. After an absence of six weeks, he
returned to his mother’s house, without a penny, having
expended the whole in a series of whimsical adventures, of
which the reader will find a very entertaining account in
the Life prefixed to his Works. His mother and friends
being reconciled to him, his uncle the rev. Thomas Contarine, resolved to send him to the Temple to study law;
but in his way to London, he met at Dublin with a sharper
who tempted him to play, and stript him of fifty pounds,
with which he had been furnished for his voyage and journey. His youth must furnish the only apology that can be
made for this insensibility to the kindness of his friends,
who could ill afford the money thus wantonly lost. Again,
however, they received him into favour, and it being now
decided that he should study physic, he was sent to Edinburgh, lor that purpose, about 1752 or 1753, but still his
thoughtless and eccentric disposition betrayed him into
many ludicrous situations. He formally, indeed, attended
the lectures of the medical professors, but his studies were
neither regular nor profound. There was always something he liked better than stated application. Among his
fellow-students, he wished to recommend himself, and he
was not unsuccessful, by his stories and songs, as a social
companion, and a man of humour; and this ambition to
shine in company by such means, never wholly left him
when he came to associate with men who are not charmed
by noisy vivacity.
After he had gone through the usual course of lectures,
his uncle, who appears to have borne the principal expences of his education, equipped him for the medical
school of Leyden, at which, however, he did not arrive
without meeting with some of those incidents which have
given an air of romance to his history. At Leyden he studied chemistry and anatomy for about a year; but a taste
tor gaming, which he appears to have caught very early,
frequently plunged him into difficulties, without any of
the benefits of experience. Even the money which he was
compelled to borrow, in order to enable him to leave Holland, was expended on some costly flowers which he bought
of a Dutch florist, as a present to his uncle; and when he
set out on his travels, he “had only one clean shirt, and
no money in his pocket.
” In such a plight any other man
would have laid his account with starving; but Goldsmith
had “a knack at hoping,
” and however miserably provided,
determined to make the tour of Europe on foot. In what
manner he performed this singular undertaking, he is supposed to have informed us in “The History of a Philosophic
Vagabond,
” in chap, xx. of the “Vicar of Wakefield.
”
He had some knowledge of music, and charmed the peasants so much as to procure a lodging and a subsistence.
He also entered the foreign universities and convents, where,
upon certain days, theses are maintained against any adventitious disputant, for which, if the champion opposes
with some dexterity, he may claim a gratuity in money, a
dinner, and a bed for the night. At one time, he is said
to have accompanied a young Englishman as a tutor; but
his biographer doubts whether this part of the Philosophic
Vagabond’s story was not a fiction. It is certain, however,
that in the manner above related, and with some assistance
from his uncle, he contrived to travel through Flanders,
and part of France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. It
was probably at Padua that he took a medical degree, as
he remained here about six months, but one of his earliest
biographers thinks he took the degree of bachelor of medicine at Louvaine. His generous uncle dying while he was
in Italy, he was obliged to travel through France to England on foot, and landed at Dover in 1756.
of a chemist, and while here, was found out by Dr. Sleigh, one of his fellow-students at Edinburgh, who liberally shared his purse with him, and encouraged him to commence
He arrived in London in the extremity of distress, and first tried to be admitted as an usher in a school or academy, and having with some difficulty obtained that situation, he remained for some time in it, submitting to mortifications., of which he has given, probably, an exaggerated account in the story of the philosophic vagabond. He next procured a situation in the shop of a chemist, and while here, was found out by Dr. Sleigh, one of his fellow-students at Edinburgh, who liberally shared his purse with him, and encouraged him to commence practitioner. With this view, he settled, if any measure of our poet deserves that epithet, in Bankside, Southwark; and afterwards removed to the Temple or its neighbourhood. In either place his success as a physician is not much known; his ovyn account was, that he had plenty of patients, but got no fees.
hich he probably never finished. In 1758 he obtained, by means of Dr. Milner, a dissenting minister, who kept a school at Peckham, which our author superintended during
About this time, however, he appears to have had recourse
to his pen. His first attempt was a tragedy, which he
probably never finished. In 1758 he obtained, by means
of Dr. Milner, a dissenting minister, who kept a school at
Peckham, which our author superintended during the doctor’s illness, the appointment to be physician to one of our
factories in India. In order to procure the necessary expences for the voyage, he issued proposals for printing by
subscription “The present state of Polite Literature in
Europe,
” with what success we are not told, nor why he
gave up his appointment in India. In the same year, however, he wrote what he very properly calls a catch-penny
“Life of Voltaire,
” and engaged with Mr. Griffiths as a
critic in the Monthly Review. The terms of this engagement were his board, lodging, and a handsome salary, all
secured by a written agreement. Goldsmith declared he
usually wrote for his employer every day from nine o'clock
till two. But at the end of seven or eight months it was
dissolved by mutual consent, and our poet took lodgings
in Green Arbour court, in the Old Bailey, amidst the dwellings of indigence, where he completed his “Present State
of Polite Literature,
” printed for Dodsley,
f Clare, he obtained an introduction to the earl of Northumberland, then lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who invited our poet to an interview. Goldsmith prepared a complimentary
In 1765 he published “The Traveller,
” which at once
established his fame. The outline of this he formed when
in Switzerland, but polished it with great care, before he
submitted it to the public. It soon made him known and
admired, but his roving disposition had not yet left him.
He had for some time been musing on a design of penetrating into the interior parts of Asia, and investigating
the remains of ancient grandeur, learning, and manners.
When he was told of lord Bute’s liberality to men of
genius, he applied to that nobleman for a salary to enable
him to execute his favourite plan, but his application was
unnoticed, as his name had not then been made known by
his Traveller. This poem, however, having procured him
the unsolicited friendship of lord Nugent, afterwards earl
of Clare, he obtained an introduction to the earl of
Northumberland, then lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who invited our poet to an interview. Goldsmith prepared a
complimentary address for his excellency, which, by mistake, he delivered to the groom of the chambers, and
when the lord lieutenant appeared, was so confused that
he came awa.y without being able to explain the object of
his wishes. Sir John Hawkins relates, that when the lord
lieutenant said he should be glad to do him any kindness,
Goldsmith answered, that “he had a brother in Ireland, a
clergyman, that stood in need of help as for himself, he
had no dependence on the promises of great men he
looked to the booksellers they were his best friends, and
he was not inclined to forsake them for others.
” This was
very characteristic of Goldsmith, who, as sir John Hawkins adds, was “an ideot in the affairs of the world,
” but
yet his affectionate remembrance of his brother on such an
occasion merits a less harsh epithet. Goldsmith was
grateful for the kindness he had received from this brother, and
nothing probably would have given him greater pleasure
than if he had succeeded in transferring the earl’s patronage tp him. From this time, however, although he sometimes talked about it, he appears to have relinquished the
project of going to Asia. “Of all men,
” said Dr. Johnson,
“Goldsmith is the most unfit to go out upon such an inquiry for he is utterly ignorant of such arts as we already
possess, and consequently could not know what would be
accessions to our present stock of mechanical knowledge.
He would bring home a grinding barrow, and think that
he had furnished a wonderful improvement.
”
by one of his countrymen, he waited on Mr. Evans, and stated the nature of his complaint. Mr. Evans, who had no concern in the paper, but as publisher, went to examine
In the month of March 1773, his second comedy, “She
Stoops to Conquer,
” was performed at Covent-garden,
and received with the highest applause, contrary to the
opinion of the manager, Mr. Colman. It is founded upon
an incident which, his biographer informs us, happened
to the author in his younger clays, when he mistook a gentleman’s house for an inn. In the same year he appeared
before the public in a different character. A scurrilous letter, probably written by Kenrick, was inserted in the London Packet, a paper then published by the late Mr. Thomas Evans, bookseller in Paternoster-row. Goldsmith resented no part of the abase in this letter but that which
reflected on a young lady of his acquaintance. Accompanied by one of his countrymen, he waited on Mr. Evans,
and stated the nature of his complaint. Mr. Evans, who
had no concern in the paper, but as publisher, went to
examine the file, and while stooping for it, Goldsmith was
advised by his friend, to take that opportunity of caning
him, which he immediately began to do; but Evans, a
stout and high-blooded Welchman, returned the blows
with so much advantage, that Goldsmith’s friend fled, and
left him in a shocking plight. Dr. Kenrick, who was then
in the house, came forward, and affecting great compassion for Goldsmith, conducted him home in a coach. This
foolish quarrel afforded considerable sport for the newspapers before it was finally made up.
he would proceed to the use of James’s fever-powder, contrary to the advice of the medical gentlemen who attended him. From the application of these powders he had received
“In the spring of 1774, being embarrassed in his circumstances, and attacked with his usual malady, his indisposition, aggravated too by mental distress, terminated
in a fever, which on the 25th of March had become exceedingly violent, when he called in medical assistance. Although he had then taken ipecacuanha to promote a vomit,
he would proceed to the use of James’s fever-powder, contrary to the advice of the medical gentlemen who attended
him. From the application of these powders he had received the greatest benefit in a similar attack nearly two
years before, but then they had been administered by Dr.
James himself in person. This happened in September
1772. But now the progress of the disease was as unfavourable as possible; for, from the time above-mentioned,
every symptom became more and more alarming till Monday April 4th, when he died, aged forty-five.
”
own at midnight to abandon his rest in order to procure relief and an asylum for a poor dying object who was left destitute in the streets. Nor was there ever a mind
“He was,
” adds his biographer, “generous in the extreme, and so strongly affected by compassion, that he has
been known at midnight to abandon his rest in order to
procure relief and an asylum for a poor dying object who
was left destitute in the streets. Nor was there ever a mind
whose general feelings were more benevolent and friendly.
He is, however, supposed to have been often soured by
jealousy or envy, and many little instances are mentioned
of this tendency in his character; but whatever appeared
of this kind was a mere momentary sensation, which he
knew not how like other men to conceal. It was never the
result of principle, or the suggestion of reflection; it never
embittered his heart, nor influenced his conduct. Nothingcould be more amiable than the general features of his
mind; those of his person were not perhaps so engaging.
His stature was under the middle size, his body strongly
built, and his limbs more sturdy than elegant; his complexion was pale, his forehead low, his face almost round,
and pitted with the small-pox; but marked with strong
lines of thinking. His first appearance was not captivating; but when he grew easy and cheerful in company,
he relaxed into.such a display of good-humour, as soon
removed every unfavourable impression. Yet it must be
acknowledged that in company he did not appear to so
much advantage as might have been expected from his
genius and talents. He was too apt to speak without reflection, and without a sufficient knowledge of the subject;
which made Johnson observe of him, * No man was more
foolish when he had not a pen in his hand, or more wise
when he had.' Indeed, with all his defects (to conclude nearly in the words of that great critic), as a writer he was
of the most distinguished abilities. Whatever he composed he did it better than any other man could. And
whether we consider him as a poet, as a comic writer, or
as an historian (so far as regards his powers of composition)
he was one of the first writers of his time, and will ever
stand in the foremost class.
”
n opportunity of attending the Dutch ambassador to the court of Morocco, he consulted with Erpenius, who directed him to observe carefully every production, either of
, professor of Arabic at Leyden, descended from a considerable family in that city, was born
at the Hague, in 1596. At Leyden he made himself
master of all the learned languages, and proceeded to
physic, divinity, and the mathematics. His education
being finished, he took a journey to France with the
duchess de la Tremouille; and was invited to teach the
Greek language at Rochelle, which he continued to do,
until that city was in the following year reduced again to
the dominion of the French king, after which he resolved
to return to Holland. He had early taken a liking to Erpenius, the Arabic professor at Leyden; by the help of
whose lectures he made a great progress in the Arabic
tongue, and having in 1622 an opportunity of attending
the Dutch ambassador to the court of Morocco, he consulted with Erpenius, who directed him to observe carefully every production, either of nature, art, or custom,
which were unknown in Europe; and to describe them,
setting down the proper name of each, and the derivation
of it, if known. He also gave him a letter directed to that
prince, together with a present of a grand atlas, and a
New Testament in Arabic. These procured him a very
gracious reception from Muley Zidan, then king of Morocco, who expressed great satisfaction in the present, and
afterwards read them frequently.
In the mean time Golius made so good use of Erpenius’ s
advice, that tie attained a perfect skill in the Arabic
tongue; and in indulging his curiosity respecting the
customs and learning of that country, contrived to make
himself very agreeable to the doctors and courtiers. By
this means he became particularly serviceable to the ambassador, who growing uneasy because his affairs were not
dispatched, was advised to present to his majesty a petition
written by Golius in the Arabic character and language,
and in the Christian style, both circumstances rather novel
in that country. The king was astonished at the beauty of
the petition, both as to writing and style; and having
learned from the ambassador that it was done by Golius,
desired to see him. At the audience, the king spoke to
him in Arabic, and Golius said in Spanish, that he understood his majesty very well, but could not keep up a conversation in Arabic, by reason of its guttural pronunciation,
to'which his throat was not sufficiently inured. This excuse was accepted by the king, who granted the ambassador’s request, and dispatched him immediately. Before
his departure, Golius had an opportunity of examining the
curiosities of Fez, and took a plan of the royal palace,
which was afterwards communicated to Mr. Windus, and
inserted in his “Journey to Mequinez,
” The Annals of the Ancient
Kingdom of Fez and Morocco,
” which he resolved to
translate. He communicated every thing to Erpenius,
who well knew the value of them, but did not live long
enough to enjoy the treasure; that professor dying in Nov.
1624, after recommending this his best beloved scholar to the
curators of the university for his successor. The request
was complied with, and Golius saw himself immediately
in the Arabic chair, which he filled so ably as to lessen
their sense of the loss of Erpenius. Being, however, still
desirous of cultivating oriental languages and antiquities,
he applied to his superiors for leave to take a journey to
the Levant; and obtained letters patent from the prince of
Orange, dated Nov. 25, 1625. He set out immediately
for Aleppo, where he continued fifteen months; after
which, making excursions into Arabia, towards Mesopotamia, he went by land to Constantinople, in company
with Cornelius Hago, ambassador from Holland to the
Porte. Here the governor of the coast of Propontis gave
him the use of his pleasant gardens and curious library in
which retirement he applied himself wholly to the reading
of the Arabic historians and geographers, whose writings
were till then either unknown to, or had not been perused
by him. Upon his return to the city, discovering occasionally in conversation with the great men there a prodigious memory of what he had read, he excited such admiration, that a principal officer of the empire made him an
offer of a commission from the grand signor to take a survey of the whole empire, in order to describe the situation
of places with more exactness than was done in such maps
as they then had; but he pretended that this would interfere with the oath which he had taken to the States,
although his real fear arose from the danger of such an
undertaking. In this place also he found his skill in physic
of infinite service in procuring him the favour and respect
of the grandees; from whom, as he would take no fees, he
received many valuable and rich presents, and every liberal
offer to induce him to settle among them. But after a residence of four years, having in a great measure satisfied
his thirst of eastern learning, and made himself master of
the Turkish, Persian, and Arabic tongues, he returned in
1629, laden with curious Mss. which have ever since been
valued among the richest treasures of the university library
at Leyden. As soon as he was settled at home, he began
to think of making the best use of some of these manuscripts
by communicating them to the public; but first printed an
“Arabic Lexicon,
” Erpenius’s Grammar, enlarged with notes and additions;
”
to which also he subjoined several pieces of poetry, extracted from the Arabian writers, particularly Tograi and
Ababella. One purpose on which he employed his knowledge and influence cannot be too highly commended. He
had been an eye-witness of the wretched state of Christianity in the Mahometan countries, and with the compassion of a Christian, resolved, therefore, to make his
tfkill in their language serviceable to them. With this
laudable view he procured an edition of the “New Testament
” in the original language, with a translation into
the vulgar Greek by an Archimandrite, which he prevailed
with the States to present to the Greek church, groaning
under the Mahometan tyranny; and, as some of these
Christians use the Arabic tongm? in divine service, he took
care to have dispersed among them an Arabic translation
of the confession of the reformed protestants, together
with the catechism and liturgy .
He married a lady of a very good family, and well allied, with whom he lived twenty-four years, and who survived him, together with two sons, who studied the civil
Amidst all this profound literature, his religion is said to have been plain and practical. He lamented and abhorred the factions and disputes, especially about indifferent matters, which disgraced Christianity, and therefore had no inclination to enter into the controversies of his time. He married a lady of a very good family, and well allied, with whom he lived twenty-four years, and who survived him, together with two sons, who studied the civil law at Leyden, and became considerable men in Holland.
much against his brother’s will, he entered very early, and now was of great service to those monks who were intended to be sent on missions into the east. Being himself
, brother to the preceding, excelled
likewise in the knowledge of the Arabic language, and
taught it in the seminary belonging to the Carmelites at
Rome, into which order, much against his brother’s will,
he entered very early, and now was of great service to
those monks who were intended to be sent on missions
into the east. Being himself appointed to this service, he
visited every part of Syria and Palestine, and founded a
monastery of his order on mount Libanus, over which he
presided till he was recalled to Rome. While abroad he
wrote a letter to his brother, informing him that instead
of the opposition and persecution which he expected, he
had met with nothing but civilities and caresses from persons of distinction, when they found that he was the
brother of James Golius, whom they still remembered with
the highest regard. At Rome he was employed as one of
the principal assistants of Sergius Risius, archbishop of
Damascus, in preparing his edition of the Arabic Bible,
which was published in 1671 by the direction of the college “De Propaganda.
” After it was completed, Colitis
was appointed visitor of the missions of the East Indies,
and died at Surat about 1673. He was author of translations into Arabic of Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Jesus
Christ; of sermons on the Evangelists; an “Historic Discourse of St. Gregory of Decapolis;
” several small devotional pieces, and a translation from Arabic into Latin, of
a “Collection of Parables and Proverbs.
”
y existent, and of undoubted antiquity. A French writer compares him to Pliny the natural historian, who was thought to deal much in falsehood, till time drew the truth
, a German antiquary, was born
at Venloo, in the duchy of Gueldres, in 1526. His father
was a painter, and he was himself bred up in this art,
learning the principles of it from Lambert Lombard; but
he seems to have quitted the pencil early in life, having a
particular turn to antiquity, and especially to the study of
medals, to which he entirely devoted himself. He considered medals as the very foundation of true history;
and travelled through France, Germany, and Italy, in
order to make collections, and to“draw from them what
lights he could. His reputation was so high in this respect,
that the cabinets of the curious were every where open to
him; and on the same account he was honoured with the
freedom of the city of Rome in Io67. He was the author
of several excellent works, in all which he applies medals
to the illustration of ancient history, and for the greater
accuracy, had them printed in his own house, and corrected them himself. He also engraved the plates for the
medals with his own hands. Accordingly, his books were
admired all over Europe, and thought an ornament to any
library; and succeeding antiquaries have bestowed the
highest praises upon them. Lipsius, speaking of the
” Fasti Consulares,“says, that
” he knows not which to
admire most, his diligence in seeking so many coins, his
happiness in finding, or his skill in engraving them."
Some, however, have said that although his works abound
with erudition, they must be read with some caution. The
fact seems to be, that all his works have many coins not yet
found in cabinets, because his own collection was unfortunately lost, yet the medals which he describes, and
which were once looked upon as fictitious, are yearly
found really existent, and of undoubted antiquity. A
French writer compares him to Pliny the natural historian,
who was thought to deal much in falsehood, till time drew
the truth out of the well; so that as knowledge advances,
most of his wonders acquire gradual confirmation. Yet it
is certain that he was often imposed upon, and the caution
above given is not unnecessary. His coins of the Roman
tyrants, for instance, are clearly false; for they bear Pren.
and Cog. on the exergue, which marks never occur on the
real coins. It has been also said that many errors of this
nature must be committed by a man, whose love and veneration for Roman antiquities was such, that he gave to all
his children Roman names, such as Julius, Marcellus, &c.
so that he might easily receive for antiques what were not
so, out of pure fondness for any thing of that kind. Upon
this principle, it is probable, that he took, for his second
wife, the widow of the antiquary Martini us Smetius; whom
he married more for the sake of Smetius 1 s medals and inscriptions than for any thing belonging to herself. She
was his second wife, and a shrew, who made his latter days
unhappy. He died at Bruges March 14, 1583.
A volume of “Letters,” all published before 1652. He was now accounted one of those choice spirits, who make up the ministry in the republic of letters, and form the
In the mean time, he was constantly seen at those meetings of all the persons of quality and merit, which were
kept at the house of Mad. Rambouillet. This was like a
small choice court, less numerous indeed than that of the
Louvre, but, had charms which entirely engaged the
heart of Gombauld; and he frequented it with great pleasure, as well as with more assiduity than any other, the
Louvre not excepted. Thus he passed his time in a way
the most agreeable to a poet, and at length devoted himself entirely to the belles lettres. He published several
things, of which the most admired was his “Endymion,
”
a romance in prose. It was printed in Amarantha, a Pastoral.
” 3. A volume of “Poems.
” 4. A
volume of “Letters,
” all published before Je ne scai quoi,
” which
was the sixth of those that for some years were pronounced
at their meetings the first day of every week.
e il Cariti'e,“” Polexandre,“” Cytherea,“and” La jeune Alcidiane,“published in 1733 by madame Gomez, who says that Gomberville left merely an outline of it. His other
, Sieurde, an ingenious French writer, was born at Chevreuse, in the diocese
of Paris, or as some say in Paris itself, in 1599. He was
early distinguished by some successful publications which
had given him a literary reputation, and made him be enrolled among the number assembled by cardinal Richelieu
for the purpose of founding the French academy in 1635.
His first publications were romances and works of a light
nature, but at the age of forty-five he formed the resolution of consecrating his pen to religion, and adopted a
penitentiary course of life, which some think was more
strict at the commencement than at the termination of it.
He died June 14, 1674. One of the most curious of his
works, “La doctrine des Mceurs, tiree de la philosophic
des Stoiques, representee en cent tableaux,
” and
” La jeune Alcidiane,“published in 1733 by
madame Gomez, who says that Gomberville left merely an
outline of it. His other works were, 1.
” Relation de la
riviere des Amazones,“1632, 2 vols. 12mo. 2.
” Memoires
de Louis de Gonzague, due de Nevers,“1665, 2 vols. fol.
3.
” Discours des vertus et des vices de Phistoire," 1620,
4to, and various pieces of sacred poetry, &c.
cala, where he obtained a high character for diligence and learning. He was patronized by Philip II. who engaged him to prepare an edition of the works of Isidore, which
, was born at St Eulalia,
near Toledo, in 1515, and was educated at Alcala, where
he obtained a high character for diligence and learning.
He was patronized by Philip II. who engaged him to prepare an edition of the works of Isidore, which death prevented him from completing. It was afterwards finished
and published by John Grialus. He was author of many
works; but the most esteemed is a “Life of Cardinal
Ximenes,
”
and was born at Paris in 1684. She was courted by M. de Gomez, a Spanish gentleman of small fortune, who, knowing her talents, foresaw many advantages from an union
, a French
lady, whose romances and tales are known in this country
by translations, was the daughter of Paul Poisson, a player,
and was born at Paris in 1684. She was courted by M. de
Gomez, a Spanish gentleman of small fortune, who, knowing her talents, foresaw many advantages from an union
with her, while she, in accepting him, appears to have
been deceived concerning his circumstances. Her works,
however, procured some pensions, by which she was enabled to live at St. Germain-en-L.aye till 1770, in which
year she died, respected by all who knew her. This lady
left some tragedies, which may be found in her “Miscellaneous Works,
” 12mo, but were all unsuccessful, and a
great number of romances. “Les Journees Amusantes,
”
8 vols. “Crementine,
” 2 vols. “Anecdots Persanes,
” 2
vols. “Hist, du Comte d'Oxford,
” one vol. “La Jeune
Alcidiane,
” 3 vols. (see Gomberville) “Les CentNouvelles Nouvelles,
” 36 parts comprised in 8 vols. These
are all well written, and with great delicacy, and were at
one time very popular in France.
, a noted puritan, who has been sometimes classed among the reformers of religion in
, a noted puritan, who has
been sometimes classed among the reformers of religion in
Scotland, was born at Chester about 1520, and in 1536
entered a student of Brazemiose college, Oxford, where he
took both degrees in arts. In 1547 he was constituted one
of the senior students of Christ church, of the foundation
of Henry VIII. About the end of the reign of king Edward VI. he was admitted to the reading of the sentences,
and chosen divinity lecturer of the university. On the
accession of queen Mary he was obliged to quit the kingdom, with many other protestants, and retire to Francfort.
Here he became involved in the disputes which arose
among the English exiles respecting forms of divine worship, some adhering to the model of the church of England, as far as appeared in the Book of Common Prayer,
and others, among whom was Goodman, contending for a
more simple form. After these disputes had occasioned a
separation among men whose common sufferings might
have made them overlook lesser matters, Goodman went
to Geneva, where he and the celebrated John Knox were
chosen pastors of the English church, and remained there
until the death of queen Mary. While there he assisted
Knox in compiling “The Book of Common Order,
” which
was used as a directory of worship in their congregations,
and he is said to have taken a part in the Geneva translation of the Bible. On the accession of queen Elizabeth,
he went into Scotland, where, in 1560, he was appointed
minister at St. Andrew’s, and in other respects by his public services assisted in establishing the reformation in that
nation. About 1565 he removed to England, and accompanied sir Henry Sidney in his expedition against the rebels
in Ireland, in the character of chaplain. In 1571 he was
cited before archbishop Parker, for having published, during his exile, a book answering the question “How far
superior powers ought to be obeyed of their subjects, and
wherein they may be lawfully, by God’s word, obeyed and
resisted
” This had been written against the tyrannical
proceedings of queen Mary but, as his positions were of a
kind too general not to be applicable to sovereigns of another description, and become an apology for rebellion, he
consented to a recantation, and an avowal of his loyalty to
queen Elizabeth. He lived many years after this, and was
preacher at Chester, where he died in 1601, or 1602.
Besides the above mentioned, he wrote “A Commentary
on Amos,
” but not, as Wood says, “The first blast of the
Trumpet against the monstrous regiment of Women,
”
which was written by Knox.
, an English prelate, and the only one who forsook the church of England for that of Rome since the reformation,
, an English prelate, and the
only one who forsook the church of England for that of
Rome since the reformation, was born at Ruthvyn in Denbighshire, 1583. He was educated at Westminster school,
whence, in 1600, he went to Trinity college, Cambridge.
After taking orders, he got the living of Stapleford Abbots
in Essex in 1607. Becoming acknowledged at court as a
celebrated preacher, he obtained in 1617, a canonry of
Windsor; in 1620, the deanery of Rochester, and in 1625
was consecrated bishop of Gloucester. In 1639, he refused to sign the seventeen canons of doctrine and discipline drawn up in a synod, and enjoined by archbishop
Laud, who, after admonishing him three times, procured
him to be suspended, and it appeared soon after that he
was in all principles a Roman catholic. After this, and
during the rebellion, he lived privately in Westminster,
employing much of his time in researches in the Cottonian
library. He died, in the open profession of popery, Jan.
19, 1655. He wrote, 1. “The Fall of Man, and Corruption
of Nature, proved by reason,
” Arguments and Animadversions on Dr. George Hackwil’s
Apology for Divine Providence.
” 3. “The two mysteries
of Christian Religion, viz. the Trinity and Incarnation,
explicated,
” An Account of his Sufferings,
” The Court of King James by Sir Anthony Weldon reviewed,
” a ms. in the Bodleian.
ng granted his licence to the prior and convent, dated March 6, 1534, to choose themselves a bishop; who immediately elected in their chapter-house the 17th of the same
, an eminent English prelate, was the second son of Edward Goodrich of East Kirby in Lincolnshire. He was admitted pensioner of Bene‘t college, Cambridge, soon after 1500, became fellow of Jesus college in 1510, commenced M. A. in 1514, and the following year was proctor of the university. Being of a studious turn, he made great proficiency in several branches of learning, particularly in the civil and canon laws. In 1529, he was appointed one of the syndics to return an answer from the university of Cambridge, concerning the lawfulness of king Henry VIII.’s marriage with queen Catherine: and from his readiness to oblige the king in that business, was recommended to his royal favour. He was presented to the rectory of St. Peter’s Cheap in London, by cardinal Wolsey, at that time commendatory of the monastery of St. Alban’s; and soon after was made canon of St. Stephen’s, Westminster, and chaplain to the king. On the death of Dr. West, bishop of Ely, his nephew and godson Dr. Nicholas Hawkins, archdeacon of Ely, at that time the king’s ambassador in foreign parts, was designed to succeed him; but he dying before his consecration could be effected, the king granted his licence to the prior and convent, dated March 6, 1534, to choose themselves a bishop; who immediately elected in their chapter-house the 17th of the same month, Thomas Goodrich, S.T.P. which was confirmed by the archbishop April 13th following, in the parish church of Croydon.
carage of the same church. In these employments he was greatly admired and followed by the puritans, who began to look up to him as a leader, but becoming dissatisfied
, a famous nonconformist of the
independent class, was born in 1600 at Rolesby in Norfolk,
and was sent, when he was thirteen years old, to Christ
Church college, Cambridge, where he took his bachelor’s degree in 1617, and applied himself with so much diligence to
his studies, as to attract much notice in the university. In
1619 he was removed to Catherine-hall, of which he became a fellow. Having taken orders, he was elected lecturer of Trinity church, in Cambridge, in 1628; in 1630
he took his degree of B.D. and in 1632 he was presented
by the king to the vicarage of the same church. In these
employments he was greatly admired and followed by the
puritans, who began to look up to him as a leader, but becoming dissatisfied with the terms of conformity, he relinquished his preferments, and quitted the university in
1634, and to avoid the consequences of his nonconformity, went afterwards to Holland, where he was chosen
pastor to an independent congregation at Arnheim. When
the parliament had usurped all church authority, he returned to London, and became a member of the assembly
of divines, with whom, however, he did not always agree.
But his attachment to the independent party contributed
to render him a favourite with Cromwell, through whose
influence he was, in 1649, made one of the commissioner*
for the approbation of public preachers, and also appointed
president of Magdalen college, Oxford. Here he formed
a meeting upon the independent plan, or rather converted
the college into a meeting of that description, but was not
inattentive to the interests of learning. His intimacy and
favour with Cromwell seems to have been fatal to his good
sense, and probably the usurper’s hypocrisy deceived him.
When he attended Cromwell upon his death-bed, he was
overheard to express himself with presumptuous confidence
on the protector’s recovery; and when the event proved
him mistaken, he exclaimed in a subsequent prayer to
God, “thou hast deceived us, and we are deceived.
” But
he was not the only one of the nonconformists of that
age who fancied themselves endued with extraprdinary
powers. After the restoration he was ejected from Oxford, and retired to London, where he was permitted to
continue in the exercise of the ministry till his death in
1679. He was buried in Bunhill-fields, where a monument
was erected to his memory, with a long Latin inscription.
He was certainly a considerable scholar, and a learned and
eminent divine. In the register at Oxford he is described
“in scriptis in re theologica quamplurimis Orbi notus.
”
He-was a high Calvinist; but, while he zealously enforced
what he conceived to be the doctrines of Christianity, he
did not forget to enforce by every incitement in his power
the necessity of pure moral conduct. He was author of
numerous pious and controversial pieces, sermons, expositions, &c. some of which were printed during his life-time,
and inserted, after his death, in a collection of his works
published in five volumes folio.
was a celebrated poet and translator, who lived in the sixteenth century, but of whom little is known,
was a celebrated poet and translator, who lived in the sixteenth century, but of whom little
is known, unless that he was educated at Christ’s College,
Cambridge, whence he removed to Staples Inn. Mr.
Ellis conjectures that he might have been born about 1538.
We have no doubt that he was the same Barnaby Googe
who was a relation and retainer to sir William Cecil, queen
Elizabeth’s minister, and who was gentleman-pensioner t6
the queen. Mr. Churton thinks, with great probability,
that he was the father of Barnaby Googe, master of Magdalen college, Cambridge, who was incorporated at Oxford in August 1605, when king James was there. In 1563
he published a very elegant little volume, now of the
greatest rarity, entitled “Eglogs, Epitaphs, and Sonnetes.
”
One of the sonnets, superior, as the rest are, in point of
harmony, to most of the productions of those days, is addressed to Alexander No well, afterwards the celebrated
dean of St. Paul’s, and reprinted in Mr. Churton’s elaborate life of that divine. It is said there are only two
copies of this volume in existence, one in the possession of
Mr. Heber, who purchased it at George Steevens’s sale, and
the other in the library of Trinity college, Cambridge
Googe’s principal translation was the “Zodiake of Life,
”
from Marcellus Palingenius Stellatus, a very moral, but
tiresome satire, perfectly unconnected with astronomy, the
author merely distinguishing each of the twelve books of
his poem by the name of a celestial sign. The first three
books appeared in 1560, and the first six in 1561; the whole
was printed complete in 1565, 12mo. In 1570 he translated
from Naogeorgus, a poem on Antichrist; in 1577, Herebach’s ceconomical treatise on agriculture; and in 1579,
Lopes de Mendoza’s Spanish proverbs, and afterwards
Aristotle’s “Table of the Ten Categories.
” The few
specins published from these very rare works are highly
favourable to the author’s talents and principles.
, a native of Scotland, was an excellent draughtsman, and a good Grecian, who resided many years in Italy, visited most parts of that country,
, a native of Scotland, was an
excellent draughtsman, and a good Grecian, who resided
many years in Italy, visited most parts of that country, and
had also travelled into France, Germany, &c. In 1736
he was appointed secretary to the society for the encouragement of learning, with an annual salary of 50l. which
he resigned in 1739. In the same year (1736) he succeeded Dr. Stukeley as secretary to the society of antiquaries, which office he resigned in 1741 to Mr. Joseph
Ames, and was for a short time secretary to the Egyptian
club, composed of gentlemen who had visited Egypt, viz.
lord Sandwich, Dr. Shaw, Dr. Pococke, &c. In 1741 he
went to Carolina with governor Glen, where, besides a
grant of land, he had several offices, such as register of
the province, &c. and died about 1750, a justice of the
peace, leaving a handsome estate to his family. He published, 1. “Itinerarium Septentrionale, or a Journey
through most parts of the counties of Scotland, in two
parts, with 66 copper-plates, 1726,
” folio. 2. “Additions and Corrections, by way of supplement, to the Itinerarium Septentrionale; containing several dissertations on,
and descriptions of, Roman antiquities, discovered in Scotland since publishing the said Itinerary. Together with
observations on other ancient monuments found in the
North of England, never before published, 1732,
” folio.
A Latin edition of the “Itinerarium,
” including the Supplement, was printed in Holland, in 1731. 3. “The Lives
of pope Alexander VI. and his son Caesar Borgia, comprehending the wars in the reign of Charles VIII. and Lewis
XII. kings of France; and the chief transactions and revolutions in Italy, from 1492 to 1516. With an appendix of
original pieces referred to in the work, 1729,
” folio. 4.
“A complete History of the ancient Amphitheatres, more
particularly regarding the Architecture of these buildings,
and in particular that of Verona, by the marquis Scipio
Maffei; translated from the Italian, 1730,
” 8vo, afterwards enlarged in a second edition. 5. “An Essay towards explaining the Hieroglyphical Figures on the Coffin of the ancient Mummy belonging to capt. William
Lethieullier, 1737,
” folio, with cuts. 6. “Twenty-five
plates of all the Egyptian Mummies, and other Egyptian
Antiquities in England,
” about
de Gordonio, and not Gordonus, as it is commonly written. According to the accounts of some writers, who place the death of this physician in 1305, he taught at Montpellier
, a French physician of the thirteenth century, is said to have conferred honour on the medical faculty of Montpellier, where he began to teach and to practise in 1285. As was the custom of the time, he took his surname from the place of his birth (Gordon, in Rouvergne), and called himself Bernardus de Gordonio, and not Gordonus, as it is commonly written. According to the accounts of some writers, who place the death of this physician in 1305, he taught at Montpellier only twenty years; but others say that he was living in 1318. He left a considerable number of treatises, which were published together at Eerrara in 1487, at Venice in 1494, at Paris in 1542, and at Lyons in 1550.
d at Cologn in 1620. There was another James Gordon, of the family of Lesmore, also a Scotch Jesuit, who was born at or near Aberdeen in 1553, and died at Paris, Nov.
, a Scotch Jesuit, of the noble family of Gordon, was born in 1543, and educated at Rome,
where he became a Jesuit, Sept. 20, 1563, and was created
D.D. in 1569. He was professor of Hebrew and divinity
for nearly fifty years in several parts of Europe, Rome,
Paris, Bourdeaux, Pont a Mousson, &c. and acquired
great reputation for learning and acuteness. He was employed as a missionary in England and Scotland, and was
twice imprisoned for his zeal in making converts. He was
also frequently employed by the general of his order in
negociating their affairs, for which he had every requisite
talent. Alegambe describes him as a saint, without a particle of human frailty, but Dodd allows that he lived very
much in a state of dissipation, yet was regular in all the
austerities of his profession. He died at Paris, April 16,
1620. His only writings are “Controversiarum Fidei Epitome,
” in three parts or volumes, 8vo, the first printed at
Limoges, 1612, the second at Paris, and the third at Cologn in 1620. There was another James Gordon, of the
family of Lesmore, also a Scotch Jesuit, who was born at
or near Aberdeen in 1553, and died at Paris, Nov. 17,
1641. He wrote a commentary on the Bible, “Biblia
Sacra, cum Commentariis, &c.
” Paris, 3 vols. fol. 1632,
which Dupin seems to think an useful and judicious work.
He wrote also some historical and chronological works,
enumerated by Alegambe, and a system of moral theology, &c.
amphlets in defence of Hoadly, which recommended him to Mr. Tjrenchard, an author of the same stamp, who took him into his house, at first as his amanuensis, and afterwards
, a native of Scotland, and onc
distinguished by his party writings on political and religious
subjects, was born at Kircudbright in Galloway, about th
fend of the seventeenth century. He had an university
education, and went through the common course of aca*
demical studies; but whether at Aberdeen or St. Andrew’s
is uncertain. When a young man he came to London,
and at first supported himself by teaching the languages,
but afterwards commenced party writer, and was employed
by the earl of Oxford in queen Anne’s time; but we know
not in what capacity. He first distinguished himself in the
Bangorian controversy by two pamphlets in defence of
Hoadly, which recommended him to Mr. Tjrenchard, an
author of the same stamp, who took him into his house, at
first as his amanuensis, and afterwards into partnership, as
an author. In 1720, they began to publish, in conjunction, a series of letters, under the name of “Cato,
” upon
various and important subjects relating to the public.
About the same time they published another periodical
paper, under the title of “The Independent Whig,
” which
was continued some years after Trenchard’s death by Gordon alone. The same spirit which appears, with more
decent language, in Cato’s letters against the administration in the state, shews itself in this work in much more
glaring colours against the hierarchy in the church. It is,
in truth, a gross and indecent libel on the established religion, which, however, Gordon was admirably qualified
to write, as he had no religion of his own to check his intemperate sallies. After Trenchard’s death, the minister,
sir Robert Walpole, knowing his popular talents, took him
into pay to defend his measures, for which end he wrote
several pamphlets. At the time of his death, July 28, 1750,
he was first commissioner of the wine-licences, an office which he had enjoyed many years, and which diminished his patriotism surprisingly. He was twice married. His second wife was the widow of his friend Trenchard by whom he had children, and who survived him.
Two collections of his tracts have been preserved the
first entitled, “A Cordial for Low-spirits,
” in three volumes;
and the second, “The Pillars of Priestcraft and
Orthodoxy shaken,
” in two volumes. But these, like many other
posthumous pieces, had better have been suppressed. His
translations of Sallust and Tacitus, now, perhaps, contribute more to preserve his name, although without conferring much reputation on it. His Tacitus appeared in 2
vols. fol. in 1728, with discourses taken from foreign commentators and translators of that historian. Sir Robert
Walpole patronised a subscription for the work, which
was very successful; but no classic was perhaps ever so
miserably mangled. His style is extremely vulgar, yet
affected, and abounds with abrupt and inharmonious periods, totally destitute of any resemblance to the original,
while the translator fancied he was giving a correct imitation.
ed by the communication of state papers, and the correspondence of Washington and the other generals who had made a distinguished figure in the field. In 1786 became
, an Anglo-American divine and
historian, and minister at Roxburg in Massachusetts, was
born at Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, in 1729, and educated
at a dissenting academy in or near London. He was afterwards pastor of an independent congregation at Ipswich,
where he officiated for several years. In 1772 he went to
America, and settled at Roxburg. When the revolution
commenced in America, he took a very active part against
his native country, and was appointed chaplain to the provincial congress of Massachusetts. In 1776 he appears first
to have conceived the design of writing the history of the
revolution and war, and began to collect materials on the
spot, in which he was assisted by the communication of
state papers, and the correspondence of Washington and
the other generals who had made a distinguished figure in
the field. In 1786 became to England, and in 1788 published, in 4 vols. 8vo, “The History of the rise, progress,
and establishment of the Independence of the United States
of America.
” This, however, is rajther a collection of facts,
than a regular history, for the writing of which, indeed,
the author had no talent; his style is vulgar and confused,
and his reflections common-place. The best parts of it
occur where he made most use of Dodsley’s Annual Register. The colouring he attempts to give, as may be
expected, is entirely unfavourable to the English, nor does
he endeavour to disguise his partialities. He is said to
have published also some sermons; a pamphlet
recommending a society for the benefit of widows, another against
the doctrine of universal redemption, and an abridgment
of Edwards, “on religious affections.
” He appears not
to have returned to America after the publication of his
history, but to have resided partly at St. Neots, and partly
at Ipswich, at which last he died in 1807.
events he relates concern the period from 1310 to 1384, and may be consulted with advantage by those who will overlook the badness of the poetry. When he died is not
or Gregorio, the son of Raynier, of the family of Sinigardi, of Arezzo, in Italy, lived in the fourteenth century, and was notary of Arezzo, an office of considerable rank. In his fiftieth year he formed the design of writing the history of his country in Italian verse, and unfortunately took Dante for his model, whom he was unable to follow. The events he relates concern the period from 1310 to 1384, and may be consulted with advantage by those who will overlook the badness of the poetry. When he died is not known. Muratori has inserted his history in his collection of Italian historians.
, a native of Leontium, in Sicity, who flourished in the fifth century B. C. was a celebrated orator
, a native of Leontium, in Sicity, who flourished in the fifth century B. C. was a celebrated orator of the school of Empedocles. He was deputed in the year 427, by his fellow-citizens, to request succour of the Athenians against the people of Syracuse, whom he so charmed with his eloquence that he easily obtained what he required. He also made a display of his eloquence at the Olympic and Pythian games, and with so much success, that a statue of gold was erected to him at Delphi, and money was coined with his name upon it. In the latter part of his life he established himself at Athens, and lived till he had attained the age of one hundred and five years. He is reputed, according to Quintilian, to be the author and inventor of extemporaneous speaking, in which art he exercised his disciples. Hermogenes has preserved a fragment of his, from which we may infer that his manner was quaint and artificial, full of antithesis and pointed expression.
year 847 held a conference with Notingus, or Nothingus, bishop of Vienne, concerning predestination, who prevailed on Rabanus, archbishop of Mentz, to undertake the
, surnamed Fulgentius, and celebrated for propagating and exciting a controversy on
the doctrines of predestination and free grace, was born
in Germany, in the beginning, probably, of the ninth century. From early life he had been a monk, and had devoted himself to theological inquiries. He was peculiarly
fond of the writings of St. Augustine, and entered with
much zeal into his sentiments. About the year 846, he
left his monastery at Fulcla, and went into Dalmatia and
Pannonia, where he spread the doctrines of St. Augustine,
under a pretence, as his enemies said, of preaching the
gospel to the infidels. At his return, he remained some
time in Lombardy, and in the year 847 held a conference
with Notingus, or Nothingus, bishop of Vienne, concerning predestination, who prevailed on Rabanus, archbishop
of Mentz, to undertake the confutation of what was called
a new heresy. This the archbishop undertook, and was
supported by a synod at Mentz, which condemned Gotteschalcus. He was farther prosecuted by Hincmar, archbishop of Rheims, was degraded from the priesthood, and
ordered to be beaten with rods, and imprisoned. But
as nothing was proved against him, except his adherence to the sentiments of Augustine, which were still
held in estimation in the church, this shews, in the opinion
of Dupin, that he was an injured man. He was, however,
so severely whipped in the presence of the emperor Charles
and the bishops, that his resolution failed him, and he
complied with their commands so far as to throw into the
fire a writing in which he had made a collection of scripture texts in order to prove his opinion. After this he
was kept a close prisoner by Hincmar in a monastery,
where he continued to maintain his opinions until his death
in the same prison in the year 870. Hincmar, hearing
that he lay at the point of death, sent him a formulary,
which he was to subscribe, in order to his being received
into the communion of the church; Gotteschalcus, however,
rejected the offer with indignation, and therefore, by orders
of Hincrnar, was denied Christian burial. But even in that
age there were men who loudly remonstrated against the
barbarity with which he had been treated. Remigius, archbishop of Lyons, distinguished himself among these; and,
in a council held at Valence, in Dauphiny, in the year
855, both Gotteschalcus and his doctrine were vindicated
and defended, and two subsequent councils confirmed the
decrees of this council. The churches also of Lyons,
Vienne, and Aries, vigorously supported the sentiments of
Gotteschalcus, whom nothing but the secular influence of
Hincmar could have detained in prison, while his cause
was thus victorious. The only writings of this confessor
that have reached the present times are, two “Confessions
of Faith,
” inserted in archbishop Usher’s “Historia Gotteschalci,
” printed at Dublin in Historia Gotteschalci,
” at
Paris, in Veterum Auctorum
qui nono saeculo de Prasdestinatione et Gratia scripserunt,
&c.
” 2 vols. 4to.
ion of her letters has been published, which is held in high esteem. Frederick the Great of Prussia, who preferred Geliert to Gottsched, speaks with greater respect
, a German poet,
rather, however, in theory than practice, was born at Konigsberg in 1700, and attained the office of professor of
philosophy, logic, and metaphysics at Leipsic, where he
died in 1766. His works, both original and republished,
contributed in a considerable degree to diffuse a taste for
elegant literature in Germany, as well as to refine the
German language. Among these we find, 1. “An Introduction to Dramatic Poetry, or a Review of all the tragedies, comedies, and operas, which have appeared in Germany from 1450 to the middle of the eighteenth century,
”
Leipsic, The German Poets, published by
John Joachim, a Suabian,
” ibid. Rape of the Lock;
” and since her death, in
cal French translations of the psalms for the use of the protestants, was a native of Franche-Comte, who lost his life at Lyons, on the day of the massacre of Paris
, one of the early and most celebrated composers of music to the metrical French translations of the psalms for the use of the protestants, was a
native of Franche-Comte, who lost his life at Lyons, on
the day of the massacre of Paris in 1572, for having set to
music the psalms of Clement Marot. Goudimel has been
much celebrated by the protestants in France for this music, which was never used in the church of Geneva, and by
the catholics in Italy for instructing Palestrina in the art of
composition, though it is doubtful whether this great harmonist and Goudimel had ever the least acquaintance or
intercourse together. He set the “Chansons Spirituelles
”
of the celebrated Marc- Ant. De Muret, in four parts, which
were printed at Paris, 1555. We may suppose Goudimel,
at this time, to have been a catholic, as the learned Muret
is never ranked among heretics by French biographers.
Ten years after, when he set the psalms of Clement Marot r
this version was still regarded with less horror by the catholics than in later times; for the music which Gpudimei had
set to it was printed at Paris by Adrian Le Roy, and Robert
Ballard, with a privilege, 1565. It was reprinted in Holland, in 1607, for the use of the protestants. His works
are become so scarce, that his name and reputation are
preserved by protestant historians, more in pity of his misfortunes, than by any knowledge of their excellence. The
earliest mention of Goudimel, as a composer, is in a work
entitled “Liber quartus Ecclesiasticarum Cantionum quatuor vocum vulgo Motetae vocant,
” printed at Antwerp, by
Susato, Melissi
Schediasmatum Reliquiae,
”
He employed his own fortune, which was considerable, in relieving the wants of his poorer brethren, who, on account of their nonconformity, were deprived of their means
, son of the preceding, was born at
Bow, Sept. 19, 1605, and was educated at Eton school,
whence he was chosen to King’s college, Cambridge, in
1626. Here, after taking his degrees, he was chosen fellow of his college, and afterwards presented with a living
at Colsden near Croydon, in Surrey, where he continued
about three years. In 1638, he was removed to the living
of St. Sepulchre’s, London, and the year after married one
of the daughters of sir Robert Darcy. During a period of
twenty-four years he discharged the duties of his profession
with the most exemplary zeal. Besides preaching twice
every Sunday, and often on week-days, he visited his flock,
catechised their children, inquired into and relieved the
wants of the poor, and devised plans for their employment.
Such of the poor as were able to work, he employed in
spinning flax and hemp, which he bought for the purpose,
and paying them for their work, got it worked into cloth,
which he sold, as well as he could, chiefly among his
friends, bearing himself whatever loss was sustained. By
this wise and humane scheme he diverted many from
begging, and demonstrated to them, that by industry they
might soon become independent of charity; and he thus
is said to have given the hint which produced the humane
and benevolent institutions of Mr. Firmin, which have
been referred to in the memoir of that excellent citizen.
When the act of uniformity took place, he quitted his
living of St. Sepulchre’s, being dissatisfied respecting the
terms of conformity; but after this he forbore preaching,
saying there was no need of him in London, where there
were so many worthy ministers, and that he thought he
might do as much or more good another way, which could
give no offence. Accordingly his time was now zealously
devoted to acts of beneficence and charity. He employed
his own fortune, which was considerable, in relieving the
wants of his poorer brethren, who, on account of their
nonconformity, were deprived of their means of subsistence; and he was a successful applicant to the rich, from
whom he received large sums, which were applied to that
humane purpose. In 1671, he set about a plan for
introducing knowledge and religion mto the different parts of
Wales, which at that period were in the most deplorable
darkness. He established schools in different towns where
the poor were willing that their children should be taught
the elements of learning, and he undertook to pay all the
expences which were incurred in the outset of the business.
By degrees these schools amounted to between three and
four hundred, and they were all annually visited by Mr.
Gouge, when he carefully inquired into the progress made
by the young people, before whom he occasionally
preached in a style adapted to their age and circumstances
in life, for, being in his latter days better satisfied with the
terms of conformity, he had a licence from some of the
bishops to preach in Wales. With the assistance of his
friends, whose purses were ever open at his command, he
printed eight thousand copies of the Bible in the Welsh
language; a thousand of these were distributed freely
among those who could not afford to purchase them, and
the rest were sent to the cities and chief towns in the principality, to be sold at reasonable rates. He procured likewise the English liturgy, the “Practice of Piety,
” the
“Whole Duty of Man,
” the Church Catechism, and other
practical pieces, to be printed in the Welsh language, and
distributed among the poor. During the exercise of this
benevolent disposition, he meddled nothing with the controversies of the times, and partook in no shape of the rancour of many of his ejected brethren against the church of
England, with which he maintained communion to the last,
and, as he told archbishop Tillotson, “thought himself
obliged in conscience so to do.
” He was accustomed to
say with pleasure, “that he had two livings which he would
not exchange for two of the greatest in England.
” These
were Wales, where he travelled every year to diffuse the
principles of knowledge, piety, and charity: and Christ’s
Hospital, where he catechised and instructed the children
in the fundamental principles of religion. He died suddenly Oct. 29, 1681, in the seventy-seventh year of his
age. His death was regarded as a public loss. A funeral
sermon was preached on the occasion by Dr. Tillotson,
afterwards archbishop of Canterbury; who, at the conclusion of an animated eulogium on his piety and virtue, observes, that “all things considered, there have not, since
the primitive times of Christianity, been many among the
sons of men, to whom that glorious character of the Son of
God might be better applied, that
” he went about doing
good.“And Mr. Baxter, in his Narrative of his own Life
and Times, says of Mr. Gouge,
” I never heard any one
person, of whatever rank, sort, or sect soever, speak one
word to his dishonour, or name any fault that they charged
on his life or doctrine; no, not the prelatists themselves,
save only that he conformed not to their impositions; and
that he did so much good with so much industry.“This
eminent divine published a few practical pieces, of which
the following may be mentioned
” The Principles of Religion explained“” A Word to Sinners“” Christian
Directions to walk with God“” The surest and safest
Way of Thriving, viz. by Charity to the Poor;“”The
Young Man’s Guide through the Wilderness of this World."
These were collected in an 8vo volume in 1706, and published at London, with a fine portrait by Van der Gucht,
and archbishop Tillotson’s Funeral Sermon and Life of him
prefixed.
By this lady, who died May 27, 1774, he had an only son, the subject of this article,
By this lady, who died May 27, 1774, he had an only
son, the subject of this article, who was born Oct. 21, 1735,
in a large house in Winchester-street, on the site of the
monastery of the Austin friars. He received the first rudiments of Latin and Greek under the tuition of one Barnewitz, a Courlander; and afterwards, on his death, was
committed to the care of the rev. Roger Pickering, a dissenting minister, a man unfortunate in life, but an accomplished scholar, who. died in 1755*; when Mr. Gough
finished his Greek studies under Mr. Samuel Dyer, the
friend of Dr. Johnson and of the contemporary literati.
Under these instructors, Mr. Gough has not left us to
question his proficiency, nor that early ambition to know
and to communicate, which forms the instructive editor and
author. At the very early age of eleven he commenced a
task which would have reflected credit on any period of
life, and he completed it with a perseverance of which
there is probably no other instance in our literary annals.
This was “The History of the Bible, translated from the
French,
” (of an Amsterdam edition of by II. G.
junior,
” printed at London in 1747. Of this curious
volume, consisting of 160 sheets in folio, his mother,
delighted at such a display of laudable application, bore
the expence of printing twenty-five copies, as presents
to a few friends; and when completed at the press,
it was marked, by way of colophon, “Done at twelve years
and a half old,
” after which, in the copy now before us,
follows, “A short Chronology of the Holy Scripture,
” in
le attention to subjects of theology and sacred criticism; and indeed it was inferred by the friends who kpew his acquisitions most intimately, that he might have passed
It is not difficult to conceive that his parents and friends
would be desirous to encourage a turn of mind which indicated so powerful a sense of the value of time and instruction; and accordingly we find him in about three years
completing a translation of “The Customs of the Israelites,
translated from the French of the abbot Fleury, by R. G.
”
Atlas Renovatus,
or Geography Modernized; being a particular description
f the world as far as known to the ancients, and the present names of such places as now subsist; containing all
the cities, towns, villages, castles, &c. mentioned in ancient authors, with all the remarkable occurrences that
happened at the several places; the birth-places of famous
men, the memorable sieges and battles, &c. the bounds,
soil, air, manners, government, religion of each country.
The whole being the most complete system ever composed before. To which is annexed a list of the Roman ways, and
a copious index to facilitate the whole. Drawn upon the
plans of Hornius’s and Cellarius’s maps.
” This is a folio
volume, dated to whom,
”
says Mr. Gough, “I regularly repeated my lesson, without a grain of instruction on his part.
” To the university
Mr. Gough brought a considerable fund of classical literature, and having already imbibed a curiosity after matters
of antiquity, found his enthusiasm heightened by a connexion with a college eminent for producing a succession
of British antiquaries; and it is certain that he here laid
the plan of his “British Topography*.
” He applied, in
the mean time, to academical studies, with an ardour
which even at this age was become habitual, and the knowledge he acquired in philosophy and the sciences was often
displayed in his future labours; some of which prove that
he had paid no little attention to subjects of theology and
sacred criticism; and indeed it was inferred by the friends
who kpew his acquisitions most intimately, that he might
have passed into any of the learned professions by a very
easy transition. Before he left the university he had prepared for the press, although they all remain still in ms.
the following works: 1. “Notes on Memnon, annexed to
the abbe Gedoyn’s French translation.
” 2. “Astro-mythology; or, a short account of the Constellations, with the
names of the principal stars in each, and their connexion
with mythology.
” 3. The History of Bythynia, translated from the French of the abbe“Sevin.
” 4. “Memoirs
of celebrated Professors of the belles lettres in the academy of inscriptions, &c. at Paris, translated and abridged
from the Elogia, &c.
” 5. “Reflections on the Egyptian
Government; and also on the Jewish, Persian, Cretan,
Carthaginian, Spartan, Athenian, and Roman Governments.
” 6. “Memoirs of the Life and Character of Mithridates, king of Pontus, extracted from various and genuine authors.
” All these, with many voluminous commonplace books, were executed before our author had reached
, interrupted the undertaking. The corrected copy, with the plates, was given by him to Mr. Nichols, who has since relinquished his right; and it is hoped that the delegates
without any view to a degree or a pro- of Memoirs, as above,
fession, I should exc.eed the time
His first regular publication was anonymous, “The
History of Carausius; or an examination of what has been
advanced on that subject by Genebrier and Dr. Stukeley,
”
If,
” as he says himself, “he criticised
with warmth and severity certain innovations attempted in
church and state, he wrote his sentiments with sincerity
and impartiality in the fullness of a heart deeply impressed with a sense of the excellence and happiness of
the English constitution both in church and state.
” Such
indeed were Mr. Gough’s steady principles during that
period of intellectual delusion which followed the French
revolution; and he gave his aid with no mean effect, to
a numerous body of writers and thinkers, many of whom
(and we wish his name could have been added to the number) have lived to enjoy the full gratification of their
hopes. We cannot, however, quit this subject without
noticing that extensive knowledge which Mr. Gough displayed in his critical labours in the Magazine; he seems
never to have undertaken any thing of the kind without
such an acquaintance with the subject as showed that his
studies had been almost universal, and even occasionally
directed to those points of literatare which could be least
expected to demand his attention; we allude to the subjects of theology and criticism, both sacred and classical.
The perusal of the classics in particular appears frequently
to have relieved his more regular labours.
In 1768 he published in 1 vol. 4to, his “Anecdotes of
British Topography,” which was reprinted and enlarged
in 2 vols. 1780. To have published a third edition, with
the improvements of twenty-six years, would have afforded
him a high gratification; and in fact a third edition was
put to press in 1806, and was rapidly advancing, when the
destructive fire (of Feb. 8, 1808,) in Mr. Nichols’s printing-office, and the then declining state of the author’s
health, interrupted the undertaking. The corrected copy,
with the plates, was given by him to Mr. Nichols, who has
since relinquished his right; and it is hoped that the delegates of the Oxford press will speedily undertake a new
edition. On the utility of this work to British antiquaries
it would be unnecessary to make any remark. It points
the way to every future effort to illustrate local history.
his own personal inspection of every county, proof sheets of each were forwarded to those gentlemen who were likely to be most actively useful. Nor could any man be
In 1773 he first formed the design of a new edition of
Camden’s Britannia, which he had partly begun to translate before, and accomplished in about seven years, and
which was at length published in three large folio volumes,
in 1789. Whatever incorrectness may appear in this laborious and extensive undertaking, no trouble or expence
was spared by the liberal editor in obtaining information.
Added to his own personal inspection of every county,
proof sheets of each were forwarded to those gentlemen
who were likely to be most actively useful. Nor could
any man be more fastidious than Mr. Gough in revising
and correcting his labours; and whatever discoveries some
critics may aft'ect to have made, it is certain that he always
found it more difficult to satisfy himself than his readers,
and that a strict scrutiny by any person qualified for the
task was to him the highest obligation. This may be safely
averred, while at the same time it is allowed that he knew
how to repel petulant remarks with a proper sense of what
was due to his character, the extent of his industry, and
the munificence of his expences. Of this valuable work
it may not be superfluous to observe that Mr. Gough translated it from the original, and supplied his additions with
so little interruption of the ordinary intercourse of life,
that none of his family were aware that he was at all engaged in so laborious an undertaking. The copyright he
gave (without any other consideration than a few copies for presents) to his old and worthy friend Mr. Thomas
Payne, who defrayed the expence of engraving the copper plates; and afterwards disposed of the whole of his
interest in the work to Messieurs Robinsons. Mr. Gough
superintended the first volume of a new edition; but in,
1806, finding that the copyright had devolved from Messieurs Robinsons to another person, he declined proceeding any farther than to complete the first volume, which
they had begun to print. Of this he announced his determination in the newspapers, that no improper use might
be made of his name; and added, that it was now “of importance to his health to suspend such pursuits.
”
that express purpose. The genuine personal character of Mr. Gough could only be appreciated by those who witnessed him in his domestic and familiar circle. Though highly
vol. X. n^7; Qn Belatucader, p, 118,- XVII, XXV,
more readily endeavoured to alleviate.“The deep concern which he felt at the dreadful fire that destroyed Mr.
Nichols’s valuable property in 1808, was shewn in a series
of the kindest consolatory letters, which were among the
last he ever wrote. In one, dated September of that year,
he requested Mr. Nichols to execute a confidential commission,
” which,“he emphatically adds,
” may be the
last office you will have to do for your sincere friend.“This was nearly prophetic, for there was little now to be
done that could contribute to his comforts.
” The bright
gem of intellect,“says his affectionate biographer,
” though frequently clouded, had intervals of its former
splendour and the frequent emanations of benevolence
displayed through a long and painful illness, whilst they
comforted and delighted those around him, added poignancy to the regret they experienced for those bitter sufferings which threatened to overwhelm a noble mind with
total imbecility; from which, however, he was mercifully
relieved, without any apparent struggle at the last, on
Feb. 20, 1809, and was buried on the 28th, in the churchyard of Wormley, in Herts, in a vault built for that purpose, on the south side of the chancel, not far from the
altar which for several years he had devoutly frequented.“The funeral, although, in conformity to his own directions,
as little ceremonious as propriety would permit, was followed from Enfield to Wormley by crowds whose lamentations and regrets were unequivocally shown. The poor
and the afflicted had indeed lost in Mr. Gough a father,
protector, and benefactor. Enfield and its neighbourhood
must long cherish a lively and grateful remembrance of his
benevolence, which was at once extensive, judicious, and
unostentatious. It was in him a principle and a system
it began early, and continued to the last it embraced not
only the present, but the future, and he had provided that
his charity should continue to be felt long after the heart
that dictated it had ceased to beat. His faithful domestics,
when unable to continue their services, continued to receive their pay, in the shape of annuities; and as he possessed the attribute ascribed to
” the merciful man," the
generous steed, exempt by age from labour, and the cow
no longer useful in the dairy, were permitted to close their
useful lives in a luxuriant meadow reserved for that express
purpose. The genuine personal character of Mr. Gough
could only be appreciated by those who witnessed him in
his domestic and familiar circle. Though highly and deservedly distinguished as a scholar, the pleasantry and the
easy condescension of his convivial hours still more endeared him, not only to his intimates, hut oven to those
with whom tin- forms and customs of the world rendered it
necessary that he should associate.
ying Aiiih-, fourth daughter of Thomas Hall, esq. of Goldings, Herts; a lady of distinguished merit, who after a long and alVec tionate union, has to lament the loss
In 1774, soon a I'trr tin; death of his mother, an event by which ho oamo in possession of an excellent family residence at Kiiliehl, with tho large estate hequeathed to him in reversion by his father, ho added greatly to all his other comforts, by marrying Aiiih-, fourth daughter of Thomas Hall, esq. of Goldings, Herts; a lady of distinguished merit, who after a long and alVec tionate union, has to lament the loss of him whose object through life was to increase her happiness.
ear, and in full possession of his faculties. He preached but seven days before his death. Scaliger, who had a great esteem for him, says he was an ingenious man, who
, a protestant divine, and voluminous writer, was born at Senlis, Oct. 20, 1543, and studied divinity at Geneva, where he was ordained in October 1566, and was appointed one of the ministers of that city, a situation which he filled for the long space of sixtytwo years. His residence at Geneva was never discontinued but on account of three journies he took to France, on matters relating to the protestant churches, the one in 1576, when he went to Forez; the second in 1582, to Champagne, and the third in 1600, to Grenoble. The rest of his life he devoted to his pastoral duties, and to his numerous works, which prove him one of the most indefatigable writers of his time. He died Feb. 3, 1628, in his eighty-fifth year, and in full possession of his faculties. He preached but seven days before his death. Scaliger, who had a great esteem for him, says he was an ingenious man, who learnt all he knew without the assistance of a master.
er refused to communicate the fact, for fear of exposing the author to serious injury. He had a son, who was a minister of the Walloon church at Amsterdam, and a strenuous
Among the works which he edited and commented upon,
were those of Plutarch, St. Cyprian, Seneca, &c. He
made a collection of “Remarkable Histories,
” in 2 vols.
8vo, and wrote several pieces relating to the history of his
own times, particularly a “Collection of the most memorable events which occurred during the League, with notes
and original documents,
” in 6 vols. 4to. Many of his
pieces were anonymous, but to these he usually affixed the
initials S. G. S. signifying “Simon Goulart Senlisien.
” He
was so well acquainted with the secrets of literary history,
and of anonymous publications, that Henry III. of France,
wishing to know the author of a piece published under the
assumed name of Stephanus Junius Brutus, and intended
to propagate republican doctrines, sent a person to Geneva
to consult Goulart, but the latter refused to communicate
the fact, for fear of exposing the author to serious injury.
He had a son, who was a minister of the Walloon church
at Amsterdam, and a strenuous assertor of Arminian tenets,
but did not attain his father’s reputation.
on college, besides several other donations, which legacies were punctually paid by his widow Ellen, who being possessed of the impropriate parsonage of Bardwell in
, an eminent English physician in the seventeenth century, was born in Northamptonshire, and was son of Mr. William Goulston, rector of Wymondham, in Leicestershire. He became probationer fellow of Merton college, Oxford, in 1596, where he took the degrees of B. and M. A. and afterwards applied himself to the study of physic, which he practised first in Oxford, and afterwards at Wymondham, where he was much resorted to for his advice. On April 30, 1610, he took the degree of doctor of physic, and became candidate of the college of physicians at London, being well approved by the president, censors, and fellows; and the year following he was made a fellow and censor of that college. He was soon introduced into very extensive practice in the city of London, and distinguished him* self likewise to great advantage by his skill in the Latin and Greek languages, and divinity, and by his writings. His affection to the public good and to the advancement of the faculty of physic was such, that by his last will and testament he gave two hundred pounds to purchase a rent-charge for the maintenance of an annual lecture within the college of physicians of London. This lecture was to be read from time to time by one of the foui* youngest doctors in physic of the college, and to be upon two, or three, or more diseases, as the censors should direct; and to be read yearly, at a convenient season betwixt Michaelmas and Easter, upon some dead body (if procurable) on three days successively, in the forenoon and afternoon. He left likewise several books to Merton college, besides several other donations, which legacies were punctually paid by his widow Ellen, who being possessed of the impropriate parsonage of Bardwell in Suffolk, procured leave from the king to annex the same to the vicarage, and gave them both to the college of St. John’s, in Oxford. Our author died at his house within the parish of St. Martin Ludgate, May 4, 1632, and was interred with great solemnity in the church of that parish.
ved an enthusiastic veneration for the author. These declarations soon reached the ears of Montagne, who returned her compliments by corresponding regard for her talents.
, a French female
wit, the daughter of William de Jars, lord of Neufoi and
Gournay, was born either in Paris, or in Gascony, about
1565. From her infancy she had a strong turn to literature; and Montagne publishing his first essays about this
time, she conceived an enthusiastic veneration for the
author. These declarations soon reached the ears of Montagne, who returned her compliments by corresponding
regard for her talents. Her esteem by degrees growing
into a kind of filial affection for Montagne, when her father
died she adopted him in his stead, even before she had
seen him; and, when he was at Paris in 1588, she paid
him a visit, and prevailed upon him to accompany her and
her mother the lady Gournay, to their country mansion,
where he passed two or three months. In short, our
young devotee to the muses was so wedded to books of
polite literature in general, and Montague’s Essays in particular, that she resolved never to have any other associate
to her happiness. Nor was Montagne sparing to pay the
just tribute of his gratitude, and foretold, in the second
book of his Essays, that she would be capable of great
eminence in the republic of letters. Their affectionate
i-egard extended through the family; Montagne’s daughter,
the viscountess de Jamaches, always claimed mademoiselle
de Jars as a sister; and the latter dedicated her piece, “Le
Bouquet de Pinde,
” to this sister. Thus she passed many
years, happy in her new alliance, until she received the
melancholy news of Montagne’s death, whet) she crossed
almost the whole kingdom of France to mingle her tears
and lamentations, which were excessive, with those of his
widow and daughter. Nor did her filial regard stop here.
She revised, corrected, and reprinted an edition of his
“Essays
” in
uently the subject of ridicule among the wits, as of admiration among the courtiers. Those, however, who think her character an object of curiosity, may find ample information
She wrote several things in prose and verse, which were
collected into one volume, and published by herlself in
1636, with this title, “Les avis et les presens de la
Demoiselle de Gournai.
” She died at Paris in
Beja, and appointed principal of the college of St. Barbe at Paris, where he educated three nephews, who became celebrated for their learning. Martial Govea, the eldest,
, in Latin Goveanus, a learned
Portuguese, of the fourteenth century, was born at Beja,
and appointed principal of the college of St. Barbe at Paris,
where he educated three nephews, who became celebrated
for their learning. Martial Govea, the eldest, was a
good Latin poet, and published a “Latin Grammar
” at
Paris. Andrew, his next brother, a priest, born in 1498,
succeeded his uncle as principal of St. Barbe, and gained
so great a reputation there, that he was invited to accept
the same office in the college of Guienne, at Bourdeaux.
This invitation he accepted in 1534, and continued at
Bourdeaux till 1547, when John III. king of Portugal, recalled him to his dominions, to establish a college at Coimbra, similar to that of Guienne; and Govea took with him
into Portugal the celebrated Buchanan, Grouchi, Guerenti,
Fabricius, la Costa, and other men of learning, well qualified to instruct youth. He died June 1S48, at Coimbra,
leaving no printed work. Anthony Govea, the youngest
of these three brothers, and the most eminent of all, wrote
several pieces on philosophy and law, and is mentioned
with great encomiums by Thuanus, Ronsard, and all the
learned. He taught with reputation at Bourdeaux, afterwards at Cahors, and Valence in Dauphiny, and died in
1565, aged sixty, at Turin, to which place Philibert had
invited him. His principal works are, an “Apologetical
Discourse
” against Calvin, who had accused him of atheism
in his treatise on scandal; some works on law, fol.; “
Variarum lectionum Libri duo,
” fol. editions of Virgil and
Terence, with notes “Epigrammatum Libri duo,
” and
“Epistolee.
” The whole was printed at Rotterdam, Consilia;
” “Notes
on Julius Florus;
” some “Poetry,
” and a funeral oration
on the death of Philip II. king of Spain.
, one of the few poets who flourished in the first periods of our poetical history, is
, one of the few poets who flourished
in the first periods of our poetical history, is supposed to
have been born before Chaucer, but of what family, or in
what part of the kingdom is uncertain. Leland was informed that he was of the ancient family of the Gowers of
Stitenham, in Yorkshire, and succeeding biographers appear to have taken for granted what that eminent antiquary
gives only as a report. Other particulars from Leland are
yet more doubtful, as that he was a knight and some time
chief justice of the common pleas; but no information respecting any judge of that name can be collected either in
the reign of Edward II. during which he is said to have
been on the bench, or afterwards. Weever asserts that he
was of a Kentish family and, in Caxton’s edition of the
“Confessio Amantis,
” he is said to have been a native of
Wales.
r. Tyrwhit says,” If the reflection (in the prologue to the Man of Lawes Tale, ver. 4497) upon those who relate such stones as that of Canace, or of Apollonius Tyrius,
He appears, however, to have studied law, and was a
member of the society of the Middle Temple, where it is
supposed he met with, and acquired the friendship of
Chaucer. The similarity of their studies, and their taste
for poetry, were not the only bonds of union. Their political bias was nearly the same. Chaucer attached himself
to John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, and Gower to Thomas
of Woodstock, duke of Gloucester, both uncles to king
Richard II. The tendency of the “Confessio Amantis,
”
in censuring the vices of the clergy, coincides with Chaucer’s sentiments, and although we have no direct proof of
those mutual arguings and disputes between them, which
Leland speaks of, there can be no doubt that their friendship was at one time interrupted. Chaucer concludes his
Troilus and Cressida with recommending it to the corrections of moral Gower,“and
” philosophical Strode;“and
Gower, in the Confessio Amantis, introduces Venus praising Chaucer
” as her disciple and poete.“Such was their
mutual respect; its decline is less intelligible. Mr. Tyrwhit says,
” If the reflection (in the prologue to the Man of
Lawes Tale, ver. 4497) upon those who relate such stones
as that of Canace, or of Apollonius Tyrius, was levelled at
Gower, as I very much suspect, it will be difficult to reconcile such an attack to our notions of the strict friendship which is generally supposed to have subsisted between
the two bards. The attack too at this time must appear
the more extraordinary on the part of our bard, as he is
just going to put into the mouth of his Man of Lawe a tale,
of which almost every circumstance is borrowed from
Gower. The fact is, that the story of Canace is related
by Gower in his Confessio A mantis, B. III. and the story
of Apollonius (or Apollynus, as he is there called) in the
Vlllth book of the same work: so that, if Chaucer really
did not mean to reflect upon his old friend, his choice of
these two instances was rather unlucky."
e composed the Canterbury Tales. It is said to have been begun at the suggestion of king Richard II. who meeting him accidentally on the Thames, called him into the
The “Confessio Amantis,
” which entitles him to a place
among English poets, was finished probably in 1393, after
Chaucer bad written most of his poems, but before he
composed the Canterbury Tales. It is said to have been
begun at the suggestion of king Richard II. who meeting
him accidentally on the Thames, called him into the royal
barge, and enjoined him “to booke some new thing.
” It
was first printed by Caxton in 1493. In 1516, Barclay, the
author of the Ship of Fools, was requested by sir Giles
Alyngton to abridge or modernize the Confessio Amantis.
Barclay was then old and infirm, and declined it, as Mr.
Warton thinks, very prudently, as he was little qualified
to correct Gower. This anecdote, however, shews that
Gower had already become obsolete. Skelton, in the
“Boke of Philip Sparrow,
” says, “Gower’s Englishe is
old.
” Dean Colet studied Gower; as well as Chaucer and
Lydgate, in order to improve his style. In Puttenhani’s
age, about the end of the sixteenth century, their language was out of use. In the mean time a second edition,
of the Confessio Amantis was printed by Barthelet in.
1532, a third in 1544, and a fourth in 1554. At the distance of twocenturies and a half, a fifth was published in
the late edition of the English Poets. The only stain on
his character, which Mr. llitson has urged with asperity,
but which is obscurely discernible, is the alteration he
made in this work on the accession of Henry IV. and his
consequent disrespect for the memory of Richard, to whom
he formerly looked up as to a patron.
me resorted here to study after living models; by which means much improvement was obtained by those who cultivated taste and science in the arts. He died in 1709, aged
,or Graet Barent, was an historical painter, whose name is remembered principally upon account of his close imitation of the works of Bamboccio, and of his having founded an academy at Amsterdam, where he was born. The best artists of his time resorted here to study after living models; by which means much improvement was obtained by those who cultivated taste and science in the arts. He died in 1709, aged eighty-one.
here were presented to him three tracts in answer to his memorial, from the elector of Brandenburgh, who had given immediate orders to three Prussian? divines to write
Being confirmed in this resolution, he gave in to the electoral college at Sambia in Prussia, a memorial, containing the reasons for his change, in 1695; and, leaving Koningsberg, set out in order to put it in execution in some catholic country. He was in the road to Erfurt in this design, when there were presented to him three tracts in answer to his memorial, from the elector of Brandenburgh, who had given immediate orders to three Prussian? divines to write them for the purpose. The names of these divines were Philip James Spener, Bernard Van Sanden, and John William Baier. The first was ecclesiastical counsellor to the elector, and principal minister at Berlin; and the second principal professor at Koningsberg. The three answers were printed the same year: the first at Berlin, the second at Koningsberg, both in 4to, and the third at Jana, in 8vo. Grabe was entirely disposed to pay all due respect to this address from his sovereign; and, having perused the tracts with care, his resolution for embracing popery was so much weakened, that he wrote to one of the divines, Spener, to procure him a safe-conduct, that he might return to Berlin, to confer with him. This favour being easily obtained, he went to that city, where Spener prevailed upon him so far as to change his design, of going among the papists, for another. In England, says this friend, you will meet with the outward and uninterrupted succession which you want take then your route thither this step will give much less dissatisfaction to your friends, and at the same time equally satisfy your conscience. Our divine yielded to the advice; and, arriving in England, was received with all the respect due to his merit, and presently recommended to king William in such terms, that his majesty granted him a pension of 100l. per annum, to enable him to pursue his studies.
e was honoured with the degree of D. D. early the following year, upon which occasion Dr. Smalridge, who then officiated as regius professor, delivered two Latin speeches,
From his first arrival he had resided a great part of his
time in that university, with which he was exceedingly delighted. Besides the Bodleian library there, he met with
several persons of the first class of learning in theological and sacred criticism, among whom he found that freedom of conversation and communication of studies which
is inseparable from true scholars; but still the Alexandrian
ms. was the chief object of his labour. He examined it
with his usual diligence, and coniparing it with a copy
from that of the Vatican at Rome, he found it in so many
places preferable to the other, that he resolved to print it
as soon as possible. With this view, in 170^, he drew up
a particular account of the preferences of this to the Vatican ms. especially in respect to the book of “Judges,
”
and published it, together with three specimens, containing so many different methods of his intended edition,
wishing to be determined in his choice by the learned.
This came out in 1705, with proposals for printing it by
subscription, in a letter addressed to Dr. Mill, principal of
Edmund-hall, Oxford; and that nothing might be wanting
which lay in the power of that learned body to promote the
work, he was honoured with the degree of D. D. early the
following year, upon which occasion Dr. Smalridge, who
then officiated as regius professor, delivered two Latin
speeches, containing the highest compliments to his merit.
The success was abundantly answerable to his fondest
wishes: besides the queen’s bounty, he received another
present from his own sovereign the king of Prussia; and
subscriptions from the principal nobility, clergy, and gentry, crowded daily upon him from all parts.
In the mean time, he fell into a dispute with Whiston, who had not only in private discourses, in order to support iiis
In the mean time, he fell into a dispute with Whiston,
who had not only in private discourses, in order to support
iiis own cause by the strength of our author’s character,
but also in public writings, plainly intimated, “that the
doctor was nearly of his mind about the Constitution of
the Apostles, written by St. Clement, and that he owned
in general the genuine truth and apostolical antiquity of
that collection.
” This calumny was neglected by onr author for some time, till he understood that the story gained
credit, and was actually believed by several persons who
were acquainted with him. For that reason he thought it
necessary to inform the public, that his opinion of the
Apostolical Constitutions was quite different, if not opposite, to Mr. Whiston’s sentiments about them; this he did
in “An Essay upon two Arabic Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, and that ancient book called the Doctrine
of the Apostles, which is said to be extant in them, wherein
Mr. Whiston’s mistakes about both are plainly proved.
”
he published in the English tongue, for the service of the church, He was assisted in it by Gagnier, who, about ten years before, had come over to the church of England
This piece was printed at Oxford, 1711, 8vo. In the
dedication, he observes, that it was the first piece which
he published in the English tongue, for the service of the
church, He was assisted in it by Gagnier, who, about ten
years before, had come over to the church of England from
that of France, and then taught Hebrew at Oxford; and,
being well skilled in most of the Oriental languages, had
been appointed the year before, by Sharp, archbishop of
York, to assist Grabe in perusing these Mss. having engaged the doctor to write this treatise against Whiston’s
notion. But as the result of the inquiry was, that the
Arabic “Didascalia
” were nothing else but a translation of
the first six entire books of the “Clementine Constitutions,
” with only the addition of five or six chapters not in
the Greek, Whiston immediately sent out “Remarks upon
Grabe’s Essay,
” &c.
Thirlby and Le Clerc are the only writers of reputation who have endeavoured to undervalue Grabe’s abilities, which have
Thirlby and Le Clerc are the only writers of reputation
who have endeavoured to undervalue Grabe’s abilities,
which have received due tribute from his other learned
contemporaries. It is, however, with regret we find by a
letter lately published from the Harleian Mss. that the
year before his death, he was sinking under the
complicated load of penury and ill-health. We can only hope
that the lord treasurer, Harley, to whom the letter was addressed, administered such relief as was in his power; and
this is the more probable from his having honoured his remains by a monument in Westminster-abbey. It remains
yet to be noticed that his “Collatio codicis Cottoniani
Geneseos cum eclitione Romana,
” which lay long unnoticed
in the Bodleian library, had ample justice done to it in
1778, by the attention and accuracy of Dr. Henry Owen;
and that the whole of the Alexandrian ms. has since been
very accurately published in fac-simile by the late rev. Dr.
Woide of the British Museum.
tH of Schulting, actually nominated to the professorship of Dnisburg by the elector of Brandenburgh: who at the same time yielded to his desire of visiting Antwerp,
His reputation for literary talents and acquirements was so high before he had reached his twenty-fourth year, that he was judged qualified for the chair; and, upon the deatH of Schulting, actually nominated to the professorship of Dnisburg by the elector of Brandenburgh: who at the same time yielded to his desire of visiting Antwerp, Brussels, Lorrain, and the neighbouring countries; in order to complete the plan he had laid down for finishing his studies before he entered upon the exercise of his office. Young as he was, he appeared every way qualified for this office, but held it no longer than two years; when he closed with an offer of the professorship of Deventer, which, though of less value than Duisburg, was more acceptable to him on many accounts. He had a singular affection for the place where first he indulged his inclination for these studies, and he had the pleasure of succeeding his much-beloved Gronovius, and that too by a particular recommendation, on his removal to Ley den. It must be remembered also, that he was a proselyte to Calvinism, which was the established religion at Deventer, and scarcely tolerated at Duisburg; and in Holland also it might occur to him that there was a fairer prospect of preferment, and in this he was not disappointed, as in 1661, the States of Utrecht made him professor of eloquence in that university, in the room of Paulus JEmilius.
etters were published by Burman in his “Sylloge Epistolarum,” in 5 vols. 4to. And the late Dr. Mead, who had been one of his pupils, was possessed of a collection of
Gruevius did great service to the republic of letters, not
so much by original productions of his own, as by
procuring many editions of authors, which he enriched with notes
and excellent prefaces, as Hesiod, Callimachus, Suetonius,
Cicero, Fiorus, Catullus, Tibiillus, Propertius, Justin, Csesar, Lucian. He published also, of the moderns, Casaubon’s “Letters,
” several pieces of Meursius, Huet’s “Poemata,
” Junius “De pictura veterum,
” Eremita “De Vita
aulica & civili,
” and others of less note. But his chef
d'ceirvre is his “Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romarmrnm,
” in
12 vols. folio; to which he added afterwards “Thesaurus
Antiq. & Histor. Italia?,
” which were printed after his death,
J.
G. Graevii Prselectiones & CXX Epistoloe collects ab Alb*.
Fabricio;
” to which was added “Burmanni Oratio dicta
in Graevii funere,
” to which we are obliged for the particulars of this memoir. In 1717 was printed “J. G. Grsevii Orationes quas Ultrajecti habuit,
” 8vo. A great number of his letters were published by Burman in his “Sylloge Epistolarum,
” in 5 vols. 4to. And the late Dr. Mead,
who had been one of his pupils, was possessed of a collection of original letters in ms. written to Graevius by the
most eminent persons in learning, as Basnage, Bayle, Burman, Le Clerc, Faber, Fabricius, Gronovius, Kuster, Limborch, Puffendorff, Salmasius, Spanheim, Spinosa, Tollius,
Bentley, Dodwell, Locke, Potter, Abbe Bossuet, Bignon,
Harduin, Huet, Menage, Spon, Vaillant, &c. from 1670 to
the year of his death.
t applauded. Having resided for some time at the court of Lorraine, she became known to the emperor, who had read her “Peruvian Letters” with much pleasure, and engaged
, a French lady of literary reputation, was the
daughter of a military officer, and born about the year 1694.
She was married, or rather sacrificed to Francis Hugot de
Grafigny, chamberlain to the duke of Lorraine, a man of
violent passions, from which she was often in danger of her
life; but after some years of patient suffering, she was at
length relieved by a legal separation, and her husband
finished his days in confinement, which his improper
conduct rendered necessary. Madame de Grafigny now
came to Paris, where her merit was soon acknowledged,
although her first performance, a Spanish novel, did not
pass without some unpleasant criticisms, to which, says
our authority, she gave the best of all possible answers, by
writing a better, which was her “Lettres d'une Peruvienne,
”
2 vols. 12mo. This had great success, being written with
spirit, and abounding in those delicate sentiments which
are so much admired in the French school, yet an air
of metaphysical speculation has been justly objected, as
throwing a chill on her descriptions of love. She also
wrote some dramatic pieces, of which the comedies of
“Cenie
” & “La Fille d'Aristide
” were most applauded.
Having resided for some time at the court of Lorraine, she
became known to the emperor, who had read her “Peruvian Letters
” with much pleasure, and engaged her to
write some dramatic pieces proper to be performed before
the empress and the younger branches of the royal family
at court. This she complied with, and sent five or six
such pieces to Vienna, and in return received a pension of
1500 livres, but with the express condition that she was
not to print these dramas, nor give copies to any other
theatre. She long retained the esteem and patronage of
the court of Vienna, and was chosen an associate of the
academy at Florence. She died, much esteemed by all
classes, at Paris in 1758. A complete edition of her works
was published at Paris in 1738, 4 vols. 12mo; and her
“Letters of a Peruvian Princess,
” were published in
English, by F. Ashworth,
had a tolerable education. He tells us himself that he wrote the greatest part of Hall’s chronicle ( who died in 1547), and next year printed that work, entitled “The
, an English printer and historian,
was descended of a good family, and appears to have been
brought up a merchant, and his works, as an author, evince
him to have had a tolerable education. He tells us himself that he wrote the greatest part of Hall’s chronicle
(who died in 1547), and next year printed that work, entitled “The union of the two noble and illustre famelies
of Lancastre and Yorke,
” &c. continued to the end of the
reign of Henry VIII. from Hall’s Mss. according to Ant.
Wood. It had been printed by Berthelet in 1542, but
brought down only to 1532. In 1562 Grafton’s “Abridgment of the Chronicles of England,
” was printed by R.
Tottyl, and reprinted the two succeeding years, and in
1572. And as Stowe had published his “Summarie of the
Englyshe Chronicles
” in A Manuell of the Chronicles of England;
” and Stowe,
not to be behind with him, published in the same year his
“Summarie of Chronicles abridged.
” This rivalship was
accompanied by harsh reflections on each other in their respective prefaces. In 1569 Grafton published his “Chronicle at large, and meere History of the affaires of England,
” &c. some part of which seems to have been unjustly
censured by Buchanan. In the time of Henry VIII. soon
after the death of lord Cromwell, Grafton was imprisoned
six weeks in the Fleet, for printing Matthews’s Bible, and
what was called “The Great Bible
” without notes, and,
before his release, was bound in a penalty of lOOl. that he
should neither sell nor print, or cause to be printed, anymore bibles, until the king and the clergy should agree
upon a translation. As Whitchurch was concerned with
him in printing those Bibles, he very probably shared the
same fate. Grafton was also called before the council, on
a charge of printing a ballad in favour of lord Cromwell;
and his quondam friend bishop Bonner being present, aggravated the cause, by reciting a little chat between them,
in which Grafton had intimated his “being sorry to hear
of Cromwell’s apprehension;
” but the lord chancellor Audley, disgusted probably at this meanness of spirit in Bonner, turned the discourse, and the matter seems to have
ended. In a few years after, Grafton was appointed printer to prince Edward, and he with his associate Whitchurch
had special patents for printing the church-service books,
and also the Primers both in Latin and English.
ter, he was received, purely on account of his merit, into the family of the celebrated Mr. Tompion, who treated him with a kind of parental affection as long as he
, clock and watch maker, the most ingenious and accurate artist in his time, was born at Horsgills, in the parish of Kirklinton in Cumberland, in 1675. In 1688 he came up to London, and was put apprentice to a person in that profession; but after being some time with his master, he was received, purely on account of his merit, into the family of the celebrated Mr. Tompion, who treated him with a kind of parental affection as long as he lived. That Mr. Graham was/ without competition, the most eminent of his profession, is but a small part of his character he was the best general mechanic of his time, and had a complete knowledge of practical astronomy so that he not only gave to various movements for measuring time a degree of perfection which had never before been attained, but invented several astronomical instruments, by which considerable advances have been made in that science he also made great improvements in those which had before been in use and, by a wonderful manual dexterity, constructed them with greater precision and accuracy than any other person in the world.
to supply them withinstruments by which meant they finished their operations in one year while those who went to the south, not being so well furnished, were very much
A great mural arch in the observatory at Greenwich was made for Dr. Halley, under Mr. Graham’s immediate inspection, and divided by his own hand: and from this incomparable original, the best foreign instruments of the kind are copies made by English artists. The sector by which Dr. Bradley first discovered two new motions in the fixed stars, was of his invention and fabric. He comprised the whole planetary system within the compass of a small cabinet; from which, as a model, all the modern orreries have been constructed. And when the French academicians were sent to the north, to make observations for ascertaining the figure of the earth, Mr. Graham was thought the fittest person in Europe to supply them withinstruments by which meant they finished their operations in one year while those who went to the south, not being so well furnished, were very much embarrassed and retarded in their operations.
which were published in /olio, under the title of “Decades.” The former he presented to Lewis XIII. who read it over, and was infinitely charmed with the frankness
, a French historian, was
born in 1565, and, after a liberal education, became counsellor and master of the requests to Mary de Medicis, queen
of France. He frequented the court in his youth, and devoted himself to the service of Henry IV. by whom he was
much esteemed and trusted. Being a man of probity, and
void of ambition, he did not employ his interest with
Henry to obtain dignities, but spent the greatest part of
his life -in literary retirement. Among other works which
he composed, are “The History of Henry IV.
” and “The
History of Lewis XIII. to the death of the Marshal d'Ancre,
” in 1617; both which were published in /olio, under
the title of “Decades.
” The former he presented to
Lewis XIII. who read it over, and was infinitely charmed
with the frankness of the author: but the Jesuits, who
never were friendly to liberality of sentiment, found means
to have this work castrated in several places. They served
“The History of Lewis XIII.
” worse; for, Le Grain having in that performance spoken advantageously of the
prince of Conde, his protector, they had the cunning and
malice to suppress those passages, and to insert others,
where they made him speak of the prince in very indecorous terms. Conde was a dupe to this piece of knavery,
till Le Grain had time to vindicate himself, by restoring
this as well as his former works to their original purity.
He died at Paris in 1643, and ordered in his will, that
none of his descendants should ever trust the education of
their children to the Jesuits; which clause, it is said, has
been punctually observed by his family.
aindorge, a man of wit and taste, and well skilled in antiquities he is highly spoken of by M. Huet, who was his intimate friend. His brother Andrew, also, doctor of
, an ingenious Frenchman,
was a native of Caen in the seventeenth century, and the
discoverer of the art of making figured diaper. He did not,
however, bring it to perfection, for he only wove squares
and flowers; but his son Richard Graindorge, living to
the age of eighty-two, had leisure to complete what his
father had begun, and found a way to represent all sorts
of animals, and other figures. This work he called Hautelice, perhaps because the threads were twisted in the
woof. They are now called damasked cloths, from their
resemblance to white damask. This ingenious workman,
also invented the method of weaving table napkins; and
his son, Michael, established several manufactures in different parts of France, where these damasked cloths are
become very common. The same family has produced several other persons of genius and merit among these is
James Graindorge, a man of wit and taste, and well skilled
in antiquities he is highly spoken of by M. Huet, who
was his intimate friend. His brother Andrew, also,
doctor of physic of the faculty at Montpellier, was a learned
philosopher, who followed the principles of Epicurus and
Gassendi. He died January 13, 1676, aged sixty. He
left, “Traite de la Nature du Feu, de la Lumiere, et des
Couleurs,
” 4to; “Traite de TOrigine des Macreuses,
”
De Interpretatione
” to this gentleman.
enstone, Dr. Percy the late bishop of Dromore, Glover, Dr. Johnson, sir Joshua Reynolds, and others, who by Mr. BoswelPs comprehensive biography, are now known to have
In 1753 he published the result of his experience in
some diseases of the army, in a volume written in Latin,
entitled “Historia Febris Anomalae Batavre annorum 1746,
1747, 1748,
” &c. In this work he appears to advantage
as an acute observer of the phenomena of disease, and as
a man of general learning, but what accession he had
been able to make to the stock of medical knowledge was
unfortunately anticipated in sir John Pringle’s recent and
very valuable work on the diseases of the army. During
his residence in London, “his literary talents introduced
him to the acquaintance of many men of genius, particularly of Shenstone, Dr. Percy the late bishop of Dromore,
Glover, Dr. Johnson, sir Joshua Reynolds, and others,
who by Mr. BoswelPs comprehensive biography, are now
known to have composed Dr. Johnson’s society, and it is
no small praise that every member of it regarded Dr.
Grainger with affection. He was first known as a poet by
his
” Ode on Solitude,“which has been universally praised,
and never beyond its merits; but professional success is
seldom promoted by the reputation of genius. Grainger’s
practice was insufficient to employ his days or to provide
for them, and he is said to have accepted the office of tutor
to a young gentleman who settled an annuity upon him; nor
did he disdain such literary employment as the booksellers
suggested. Smollett, in the course of a controversy which
will be noticed hereafter, accuses him of working for bread
in the lowest employments of literature, and at the lowest
prices. This, if it be not the loose assertion of a calumniator, may perhaps refer to the assistance he gave in preparing the second volume of Maitland’s
” History of Scotland," in which he was employed by Andrew Millar, who
has seldom been accused of bargaining with authors for
the lowest prices. Maitland had left materials for the volume, and as Grainger' s business was to arrange them, and
continue the work as nearly as possible in Maitiand’s manner and style, much fame could not result from his best
endeavours.
letter in January. There was no time to cool, and perhaps no opportunity of consulting his friends, who could have told him that nothing was to be gained by an exchange
But whatever truth may be in all this, the letter was an unwise and hasty production, written in the moment of the strongest irritation. The review appeared in December, and the letter in January. There was no time to cool, and perhaps no opportunity of consulting his friends, who could have told him that nothing was to be gained by an exchange of personalities with Smollett. The latter required no great length of time or consideration to prepare an answer, which appeared accordingly in the review for February, and in which every insinuation or accusation is introduced that could tend to lessen Dr. Grainger in the eyes of the public, both as a writer and as a man. But the objections which Grainger took are by no means satisfactorily answered, and the review is still liable to the suspicion of partiality. No reader of candour or of taste can peruse the Translation, without allowing that the author deserved praise, not only for the attempt, but for the elegant manner in which he has in general transmitted the tender sentiments of Tibullus into our language. But this the Reviewer has wholly overlooked, confining himself to the censure of a few defects, part of which he has not proved to be so, and part were typographical errors.
d Grainger to be one of the Monthly Reviewers, and this was provocation enough to the mind of a man, who from the commencement of the Critical Review took every opportunity,
It has been supposed that some personal animosity prompted Smollett to such hostility, but of what nature, or excited by what provocation, is not known. All we can learn from the Letter and the Answer is, that the parties were once upon friendly terms, but that mutual respect had now ceased. One circumstance, indeed, we find, which may account for much of Smollett’s animosity: he supposed Grainger to be one of the Monthly Reviewers, and this was provocation enough to the mind of a man, who from the commencement of the Critical Review took every opportunity, whether in his way or not, of reviling the proprietor and writers of that journal. As the latter seldom deigned to notice these attacks, no better reason, we are afraid, can be assigned for Smollett’s conduct than the jealousy of rival merit and success, in both which respects the Monthly Review had a decided superiority. Whether Grainger was a Monthly Reviewer is not an unimportant question, in collecting the materials of his literary life; yet his biographers have hastily subscribed to Smollett’s assertion, without examining the Review in question. The article of his Tibullus in the Monthly Review may convince any person that Grainger could have little or no interest or influence with the proprietors. Although written with decency and urbanity, it has nothing of partiality or kindness; the reader is left to, judge from the specimens extracted, and what praise we find is bestowed with that faint reluctance, which is more blasting to the hopes of an author than open hostility. Even the opinion of the Monthly Reviewer on Grainger’s letter to Smollett, is expressed with the brevity of one who wishes not to interfere in the contest.
llus, he insinuates that his acquaintance with the passion of love gives him a preference over Dart, who had attempted to transfuse the tender sentiments of that poet
Soon after the publication of Tibullus, Dr. Grainger embraced the offer of an advantageous settlement as physician on the island of St. Christopher’s. During his passage, a lady on board of one of the merchant-men bound for the same place, was seized with the small-pox, attended with some alarming symptoms. He was sent for, and not only prescribed with success, but took the remainder of his passage in the same ship, partly to promote the recovery of his patient, but principally to have an opportunity of paying his addresses to her daughter, whom he married soon after their arrival at St. Christopher’s. By his union with this lady, whose name was Burt, daughter to Matthew William Burt, esq. governor of St. Christopher’s, he became connected with softie of the principal families on the island, and was enabled to commence the practice of physic with the greatest hopes of success. It is probable, however, that this was not his first attachment. In his preface to the translation of Tibullus, he insinuates that his acquaintance with the passion of love gives him a preference over Dart, who had attempted to transfuse the tender sentiments of that poet into English without the same advantage.
inion and approbation, published it in a handsome quarto volume, in 1764. To the astonishment of all who remembered his dispute with Smollett, the “Sugar Cane” was honoured
The transition from London to a West India island must
have been very striking to a reflecting mind. The scenery
and society of St. Christopher’s was new in every respect,
and Grainger seems to have studied it with those mixed
and not very coherent feelings of the poet and the planter,
which at length produced his principal work, “The Sugar
Cane.
” On his return to England, at the conclusion of the
war, he submitted this poem to his literary friends, and
haying obtained their opinion and approbation, published
it in a handsome quarto volume, in 1764. To the astonishment of all who remembered his dispute with Smollett,
the “Sugar Cane
” was honoured with the highest praise
in the “Critical Review.
” But Smollett was now on his
travels^ and the Review was under the care of Mr. Hamilton, the proprietor and printer, a man who took no pleasure in perpetuating animosities, and who, with great respect for Dr. Smollett’s memory, did not deny that his
vindictive temper was of no great service to the Review.
And what increased the ridicule was, that one of the company, who slyly overlooked the reader, perceived that the word had originally
And what increased the ridicule was, that one of the company, who slyly overlooked the reader, perceived that the
word had originally been mice, and had been altered to rats
as more dignified.“” This passage,“adds Mr. Boswell,
” does not appear in the printed work. Dr. Grainger, or
some of his friends, it should seem, having become sensible
that introducing even rats, in a grave poem, might be
liable to banter. He, however, could not bring himself
to relinquish the idea; for they are thus, in a still more
ludicrous manner, paraphrastically exhibited in his poem
as it now stands:
, antiquary, and historian of Copenhagen, was born at Aalburg in Jutland, Oct. 28, 1685. His father, who was a clergyman, carefully superintended his education until
, a learned philologist, antiquary, and
historian of Copenhagen, was born at Aalburg in Jutland,
Oct. 28, 1685. His father, who was a clergyman, carefully
superintended his education until he was fit to go to the
university. He went accordingly in 1703 to Copenhagen,
where he very soon distinguished himself as a classical
scholar and critic. In 1705 he took his bachelor’s degree
with great credit, and in 1707 published the first specimen of his learned researches, entitled “Archytce Tarentini fragmentum ntp vw pafapalucw, cum disquisitione chronologica de aetate Archytse.
” This was followed by other
dissertations, which raised his fame so highly that he was
made professor of Greek at Copenhagen, and was also
appointed counsellor of justice, archivist, historiographer,
and librarian, to the king, whom he had taught when a
youth. In 1745, he was made counsellor of state, and
died March 19, 1748, leaving an elaborate work, “Corpus
diplomatum ad res Danicas facientium.
” This work, which
he undertook by order of Christian VI. is still in ms. and
probably consists of several folio volumes. Gramm laid
the first foundation of the academy at Copenhagen, and
contributed very frequently to the literary journals of his
time. He was a man of very extensive learning, but particularly skilled in Greek and Latin, and in history, and
of such ready memory that he was never consulted on
books or matters of literature without giving immediate
information. He corresponded with many of the literati of
Germany, England, Italy, and France, but was most admired by those who were witnesses of his amiable private
character, his love of literature, and his generous patronage
of young students.
of the dean of the counsellors to the same parliament, descended from an ancient family in Rouergue, who were long in possession of the estate of Gramont. He wrote in
,
in Latin, Gramondus, president of the parliament of
Toulouse, and son of the dean of the counsellors to the
same parliament, descended from an ancient family in
Rouergue, who were long in possession of the estate of
Gramont. He wrote in Latin a History of the reign of
Louis XIII. from the death of Henry IV. to 1629. This
history, the best edition of which is 1643, fol. may be considered as a supplement to that of the president du Thou,
although much inferior both as to style and fidelity: the
author flatters cardinal de Richelieu because he hoped for
his favour; and abuses Arnauld d'Andilly, and others, from
whom he had no expectations. He died in 1654. In 1623
he published his “Historia prostratae a Ludovico XIII.
Sectariorum in Gallia rebellionis,
” 4to, which contains
some curious and interesting facts, mixed with strong prejudices against the protestants, which lead him to such
excess of bigotry as to vindicate the horrible massacre of
St. Bartholomew.
n, and probably in much the same language in which they are related, by his brother-in-law, Anthony, who, following the fortunes of James II. entered the French service,
, son of Antony
duke of Gramont, served as a volunteer under the prince
of Conde, and Turenne, and came into England about
two years after the restoration. He was under a necessity
of leaving France for having the temerity to pay his
addresses to a lady to whom Lewis XIV. was known to have
a tender attachment. He possessed in a high degree every
qualification that could render him agreeable to the licentious court of Charles II. He was gay, gallant, and perfectly well-bred, had an inexhaustible fund of ready wit,
and told a story with extraordinary humour and effect.
His vivacity infused life wherever he came, and was generally inoffensive. He had also another qualification very
well suited to the company he kept. He had great skiil
and success in play; and seems to have been chiefly indebted to it for support. Several of the ladies engaged
his attention upon his first coming over; but miss Elizabeth Hamilton, whom he afterwards married, seems to
have been his favourite, though some say he endeavoured
to break off the connection. She was the daughter of sir
George Hamilton, fourth son of James first earl of Abercorn. His “Memoirs
” were written from his own information, and probably in much the same language in which
they are related, by his brother-in-law, Anthony, who, following the fortunes of James II. entered the French service, and died at St. Germain’s, April 21, 1720. He was
generally called Count Hamilton. Count Gramont died
Jan. 10, 1707. There have lately been several editions of
the “Memoirs
” printefd here, both in French and English,
and in a splendid form, illustrated with portraits. They
contain many curious particulars respecting the intrigues
and amusements of the court of Charles II. but present
upon the whole a disgusting picture of depraved manners.
residence was chiefly in Oxfordshire, where he led a retired life. He is said to have been the first who reduced the Cartesian system to the method of the schools, and
, a Franciscan friar, was born
at Douay, in the early part of the seventeenth century,
and has been styled the abbreviator of Descartes. He was
an eminent professor both of philosophy and divinity in the
university of Douay, where he associated much' with the
English, and was sent by them as a missionary into England. His residence was chiefly in Oxfordshire, where he
led a retired life. He is said to have been the first who
reduced the Cartesian system to the method of the schools,
and his work on this subject, which was frequently printed
in England, first in 1671, 12mo, and afterwards, much
enlarged in 4to, was also translated and published in folio.
He carried on a controversy for some time with a Mr. John
Serjeant on metaphysical subjects. He was alive in Oxfordshire in 1695, but no farther particulars of his history
are now known. Among his works we find the following
mentioned: 1. “L'homme sans passions, selon les sentimens de Seneque,
” Hague,
Scydromedia, seu Sermo quern Alphonsus de la Vida habtiit, coram Comite de Falmouth, de monarchia,
” 1669, 16mo.
3. “Apologia Renati des Cartes contra Sam. Parkerum,
”
London, Historia naturee variis expe*rimentis elucidata,
” ibid. Compendium rerum
jucundarum, et memorabilium naturae,
” Norimb. Dissertatio de carentia sensus et cognitionis in
Brutis,
” Ley den, L'Epicure Spiritual, ou,
Pempire de la volupte sur les vertus,
” Paris, 8vo, 8. “Historia sacra a mundo condito ad Constantinum magnum,
”
which is said to be his best performance.
nd at the same time applied himself to the study of history under the direction of father Le Cointe, who formed a very high opinion of him. He first appeared as a writer
, a French historical writer, was
born Feb. 6, 1653, at St. Lo, in Normandy. After studying philosophy at Caen, he entered into the congregation
of the oratory in 1671, where he applied to the belles lettres
and theology, but quitted it in 1676, and went to Paris,
where he engaged in the education of two young men of
rank, the marquis de Vins, and the duke cTEstrees, and
at the same time applied himself to the study of history
under the direction of father Le Cointe, who formed a very
high opinion of him. He first appeared as a writer in 1688,
in “A History of the Divorce of Henry VIII. and Catharine of Arragon,
” in three vols. 12mo. The main object
of this work is to refute certain facts and arguments contained in the first two books of Burnet’s History of the Reformation. In 1685, when Burnet was at Paris, he had an
interview with Le Grand in the presence of Messrs. Thevenot and Auzout, in which the latter proposed his doubts,
and the former answered them, both preserving a tone of
elegance and mutual respect. The publication of the
above work, however, produced a controversy, in the
course of which, in 1691, Le Grand addressed three letters
to the bishop, to which he replied. How long the controversy might have continued is uncertain, as Le Grand was
necessarily diverted from it in 1692, when he received the
appointment of secretary to the abbe d'Estrees, in his embassy to Portugal. In this situation he continued till 1697.
The leisure which his diplomatic functions allowed was
employed in translations of voyages and travels from the
Portuguese. In 1702 he accompanied the same minister
in Spain, where he remained about two years as secretary.
Soon after this, the marquis de Torci, minister of state, took
him into his service, and employed his pen in drawing up
several memorials concerning the Spanish monarchy, and
other political topics, in which he acquitted himself with
great ability, but most of them were printed without his
name. He employed much of his time in writing a life of
Louis XL; but, although this was quite finished in 1728, it
still remains in manuscript. In that year, however, hepublished his translation of Lobo’s History of Abyssinia, with
many additions; and about the same time his treatise “De
la succession a la Couroune de France.
” He died of an
apoplectic stroke, April 30, 1733. He had been possessed
of church preferment, and had held, for a time, the office
of censor royal of books.
he visited the preceding year, at the entreaty of his Jesuit brother Peter Theodore Lewis Augustin, who was then prior of the abbey of Saint Andre, in the town of Clermont.
, was born at Amiens, June
3, 1737, and was surnamed d'Aussy, because his father
was a native of Auxy-le-Chateau, in the department of
Pas-de-Calais. He received his education in the college
of the Jesuits at Amiens at the age of eighteen entered
into the society of his preceptors and, a few years afterxvards, had the honour of being elected to the rhetorical
chair at Caen. At the age of twenty-six he was thrown on
the world by the dissolution of the order, and was soon
employed in the elaborate work of the French Glossary,
projected by Lacurne de Sainte-Palaye, and in an examination of the very rich library of the marquis de Paulmy.
In 1770 he was appointed secretary in the direction of the
studies of the military school. He afterwards co-operated,
under the marquis de Paulmy, and again with the count
de Tressan, in the “Bibliotheque des Romans;
” after
which he became still deeper engaged in collecting, translating, extracting, and commenting upon the “Fabliaux,
”
or tales of the old French poets of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In 1782 he published, in three volumes,
8vo, his “Histoire de la Vie privee des Frangais;
” and in
Tour to Auvergne,
” which
province he visited the preceding year, at the entreaty of
his Jesuit brother Peter Theodore Lewis Augustin, who
was then prior of the abbey of Saint Andre, in the town of
Clermont. This Tour he first published in one volume,
ivo; but he afterwards enlarged and republished it in
1795, in three volumes of the same size. His contributions
to the Institute were numerous, and, for the most part,
possessed of merit. For some years before his death, he
had conceived the plan of a complete history of French
poetry, and had even begun to carry it into execution; and
as he stood in need of all the treasures of the national library, he was fortunately nominated, in 1796, conservator
of the French Mss. of this library and he now not only
renewed his intention, but enlarged his scheme he included in it the history of the French tongue that of literature in all its extent, and all its various ramifications as
well as that of science, of arts, and their utility in different
applications a monument too vast for the life and power
of an individual to be able to construct. He had, however,
accomplished some part of his design, when, after a slight
indisposition which caused no alarm, he died suddenly in
1801. He was upon the whole a retired and taciturn scholar. “His life,
” says his biographer, “like that of most
other men of letters, may be comprized in two lines What
were his places of resort The libraries. Among whom did
he live His books. What did he ever produce Books.
What did he ever say? That which appears in his books.
”
authority of cardinal Richlieu. For this purpose, they wrote to father Joseph, their fellowcapuchin, who had great credit with the cardinal, that Grandier was the author
, curate and canon of Loudun in
France, famous for his intrigues and tragical end, was the
son of a notary royal of Sable, and born at Bouvere near
Sable, in the latter part of the fifteenth century, but we
know not in what year. He was a man of reading and
judgment, and a famous preacher; for which the rnonka of
Loudun soon hated him, especially after he had urged the
necessity of confessing sins to the parochial priests at Easter. He was a handsome man, of an agreeable conversation, neat in his dress, and cleanly in his person, which
made him suspected of loving the fair sex, and of being
beloved by them. In 1629, he was accused of having had
a criminal conversation with some women in the very
church of which he was curate on which the official condemned him to resign all his benefices, and to live in
penance. He brought an appeal, this sentence being an
encroachment upon the civil power; and, by a decree of
the parliament of Paris, he was referred to the presidial of
Poitiers, in which he was acquitted. Three years after>
some Ursuline nuns of Loudun were thought, by the vulgar, to he possessed with the devil; and Grandier’s enemies, the capuchins of Loudun, charged him with being
the author of the possession, that is, with witchcraft. They
thought, however, that in order to make the charge succeed
according to their wishes, it was very proper to strengthen
themselves with the authority of cardinal Richlieu. For
this purpose, they wrote to father Joseph, their fellowcapuchin, who had great credit with the cardinal, that
Grandier was the author of the piece entitled “La Cordonnierre de Loudun,
” or “The Woman Shoemaker of
Loudon,' r a severe satire upon the cardinal’s person and
family. This great minister, among many good qualities,
harboured the most bitter resentment against the authors
of libels against him; and father Joseph having persuaded
him that Grandier was the author of
” La Cordonniere de
Loudun," he wrote immediately to De Laubardemont,
counsellor of state, and his creature, to make a diligent inquiry into the affair of the nuns. De Laubardemont
accordingly arrested Grandier in Dec. 1633; and, after he
had thoroughly examined the affair, went to meet the cardinal, and to take proper measures with him. In July
1634, letters patent were drawn up and sealed, to try
Grandier; and were directed to De Laubardemont, and to
twelve judges chosen out of the courts in the neighbourhood of Loudun; all men of honour indeed, but very credulous, and on that account chosen by Grandier’s enemies.
In Aug. 18, upon the evidence of Astaroth, the chief of
possessing devils; of Easas, of Celsus, of Acaos, of Eudon,
&c. that is to say, upon the evidence of the nuns, who asserted that they were possessed with those devils, the commissaries passed judgment, by which Grandier was declared
well and duly attainted, and convicted of the crime of
magic, witchcraft, and possession, which by his means
happened on the bodies of some Ursuline nuns of Loudun,
and of some other lay persons, mentioned in his trial; for
which crimes he was sentenced to make the amende honor'
able, and to be burnt alive with the magical covenants and
characters which were in the register-office, as also with
the ms. written by him against the celibacy of priests;
and his ashes to be thrown up into the air. Grandier heard
this dreadful sentence without any emotion; and, when he
went to the place of execution, suffered his punishment
with great firmness and courage, April 18, 1634.
, wrote Grandier’s eulogium, which was published at Paris in loose sheets. It was taken from Menage, who openly defends the curate of Loudun, and calls the possession
The story of this unhappy person shews how easily an
innocent man may be destroyed by the malice of the few,
working upon the credulity and superstition of the many:
for, Grandier, though certainly a bad man, was as certainly
innocent of the crimes for which he suffered. Renaudot, a
famous physician, and the first author of the French gazette, wrote Grandier’s eulogium, which was published at
Paris in loose sheets. It was taken from Menage, who
openly defends the curate of Loudun, and calls the possession of those nuns chimerical. In 1693 was published
at Amsterdam “Histoire des Diables de Loudun;
” from
which very curious account it appears, that the pretended
possession of the Ursulines was an horrible conspiracy
against Grandier’s life. As an author he is known only for
a funeral oration for Scaevola de St. Martha, which is said
to be an eloquent performafice.
Vivianeorum problematum,” Florence, 1609, 4to. He dedicated this work to the grand duke. Cosmo Til. who appointed the author professor of philosophy in the university
, a philosopher and
mathematician, was born Oct. 1, 1671, at Cremona, where
his father, a branch of a decayed family, carried on the
business of ai> embroiderer. His mother, a woman of considerable talents, taught him Latin, and gave him some
taste for poetry. Being disposed to a studious life, he
cliose the profession of theology, that he might freely indulge his inclination. He entered into the religious order
of Camaldolitesj at Raverrna, in 1687, where he was distinguished for his proficiency in the different branches of
literature and science, but was much dissatisfied with the
Peripatetic philosophy of the schools. He had not been
here long before he established an academy of students of
his own age, which he called the Certanti, in opposition
to another juvenile society called the Concordi. To his
philosophical studies he added those of the belles lettres,
music, and history. It appears to have been his early ambition to introduce a new system in education, and with
that view he obtained the professorship of philosophy at Florence, by the influence of father Caramelli, although not
without some opposition from the adherents to the old
opinions. He now applied himself to the introduction of
the Cartesian philosophy, while, at the same time, he became zealously attached to mathematical studies. The
works of the great Torricelli, of our countryman Wallis,
and of other celebrated mathematicians, were his favourite
companions, and the objects of his familiar intercourse.
His first publication was a treatise to resolve the problems
of Viviani on the construction of arcs, entitled “Geometrica Demonstnuio Vivianeorum problematum,
” Florence,
Geometrica
dernonslratio theorematum Hugenianorum circa logisticam,
seu Logarithmicam lineatn,
” Quadratura
circuii et hyperbola3 per infinitas hyperbolas et parabolas
geometrice exhibita,
” Pisa, Sejani et Rufini dialogus de Laderchiana historia S.
Petri Damiani,
” Paris, Dissertationes Camaldu lenses,
” embracing inquiries into the history of the Camaldolites, both which gave so much offence to the community, that he was deposed from the dignity of abbot of
St. Michael at Pisa; but the grand duke immediately appointed him his professor of mathematics in the university.
He now resolved some curious and difficult problems for
the improvement of acoustics, which had been presented
to the royal society in Dublin, and having accomplished
his objecvt, he transmitted the solutions, by means of the
British minister at the court of Florence, to the Royal
Society at London. This was published under the title of
“Disquisitio geometrica in systema sonorum D. Narcissi
(Marsh) archiepiscopi Armachani,
” in De infinitis infinitorum, et infinite parvorum ordinibus disquisitio geometrica,
” Pisa,
To avoid the punishment this work deserved, he fled to Avignon, in which city was a French officer, who had taken refuge there in consequence of having committed a
, a French satirist and dramatic poet, was born 1676, in Perigord. He
wrote a little comedy in three acts, when but nine years old,
which was performed several days successively in the college of Bourdeaux, where he was a scholar; and at sixteen, produced his tragedy of “Jugurtha;
” but the work
which has made him most known, is a satire against the
duke of Orleans, then regent, entitled, “The Philippicks,
” in which he accused that nobleman of the most
atrocious crimes. To avoid the punishment this work deserved, he fled to Avignon, in which city was a French
officer, who had taken refuge there in consequence of
having committed a murder, and received a promise of
pardon if he could entice the author of the “Philippicks
”
into the French dominions. His attempt succeeded, and
La Grange was conducted to the isle of St. Margaret; but
6nding means to make friends of his keepers, escaped in a
boat to Villa Franca, notwithstanding a violent storm.
The king of Sardinia gave him a considerable sum of money, and he went from thence into Spain; afterwards into
Holland, where he remained till the duke of Orleans was
dead. He was then permitted to end his days in France,where he died in 1758, at the castle of Antoniat, his family
seat. His works have been collected in 5 vols. small 12mo,
and his tragedies have been as much admired, as his lyric
efforts have been depreciated.
, a well-known biographer, but who has been himself left without any memorial, was the son of Mr.
, a well-known biographer, but
who has been himself left without any memorial, was the
son of Mr. William Granger, by Elizabeth Tutt, daughter
of Tracy Tutt. Of the condition of his parents, or the
place of his education, we have not been able to recover
any particulars. He studied, however, for some time at
Christ-church, Oxford, which he probably left without
taking a degree; and having entered into holy orders, was
presented to the vicarage of Shiplake, in Oxfordshire, a
living in the gift of the dean and chapter of Windsor. He
informs us, in the dedication of his “Biographical History,
” that his name and person were known to few at the
time of its publication (1769), as he had “the good fortune to retire early to independence, obscurity, and content.
” He adds, that “if he has an ambition for any
thing, it is to be an honest man and a good parish priest,
”
and in both those characters he was highly esteemed by all
who knew him. To the duties of his sacred office, he attended with the most scrupulous assiduity and zeal, and
died in the performance of the most solemn office of the
church. Such was his pious regard for the day appointed
for religious observances, that he would not read the
proofs of his work while going through the press on that
day; and with such an impression of what was his duty,
found no great difficulty in resisting the arguments of his
bookseller, Tom Davies, who endeavoured to persuade
him that this was a “work of necessity.
” It appears that
some time before his death he was anxious to obtain a
living within a tenable distance of Shiplake, but did not
succeed. In 1773 or 1774 he accompanied lord Mountstuart, now earl of Bute, on a tour to Holland, where his
lordship made an extensive collection of portraits. In
1772 he published a sermon entitled “An Apology for the
Brute Creation, or Abuse of Animals censured.
” This
was preached in his parish^church, Oct. 18, 1772, and, as we
are informed in a postscript, gave almost universal disgust;
“the mention of horses and dogs was censured as a prostitution of the dignity of the pulpit, and considered as a
proof of the author’s growing insanity;
” but more competent judges, and indeed the public at large, applauded
him for exerting his humanity and benevolence in a case
which is so often overlooked, the treatment of the brute
creation. Mr. Granger, who was a man of some humour,
and according to the evidence of his friend and correspondent the rev. Mr. Cole, a frequent retailer of jokes,
dedicated this sermon “To T. B. Drayman,
” for which
he gives as a reason that he had seen this man exercise
the lash with greater rage, and heard him at the same time
swear more roundly and forcibly, than he ever heard or
saw any of his brethren of the whip in London. Mr. Granger appears to have taken some pains with this man, but
to little purpose. He was, however, afterwards killed by
a kick from one of the horses whom he delighted to torment, which gave Mr. Granger an opportunity of strength-.
cning his arguments with his parishioners by a warning
like this, which could not fail, for sorneaime at least, to
make an impression on their minds. In 1773 he printed
another sermon, entitled “The nature and extent of Industry,
” preached before his grace Frederic, archbishop
of Canterbury, July 4, 1775, in the parish church of Shiplake. This was gravely dedicated, “To the inhabitants
of the parish of Shiplake who neglect the service of the
church, and spend the Sabbath in the worst kind of idleness, this plain sermon, which they never heard, and probably will never read, is inscribed by their sincere wellwisher and faithful minister J. G.
” Both these discourses
were favourably received by the public, and many clergymen and others purchased quantities of them for distribution. His memory, however, is best preserved by his
“Biographical History of England from Kgbert the Great
to the Revolution,
” at which he employed himself for
many years, and lived to see two editions sold, and a taste
created for collections of portraits, which is indeed the
principal intention of the author, his biography including
only those persons of whom some engraved portrait is extant. It was first published in 4 thin 4to vols. in 1769, but
the second and subsequent editions have been printed in
8vo. The preparation of such a work could not fail to
yield the author much amusement, and likewise procured
him the correspondence of many eminent scholars and gentlemen who were either collectors of portraits, or conversant in English biography. He had amassed considerable
materials for a continuation of this work, which was prevented by his sudden and much-lamented death. On
Sunday April 14, 1776, he read prayers and preached apparently in good health, but while afterwards at the communion-table, in the act of administering the sacrament,
he was seized with an apoplectic fit, and notwithstanding
immediate medical assistance, died next morning. This
affecting circumstance was happily expressed by a friend
in these lines:
llence consists in the critical accuracy and conciseness with which he has characterized the persons who are included in his plan; but, as he includes all persons without
He was, if we mistake not, about sixty years old. His
brother John died at Basingstoke in 1810, aged 80. His
very numerous collection, of upwards of fourteen thousand
portraits, was sold by Greenwood in 1773, but the sale is
said to have been not very productive. That his celebrated work, the “Biographical History,
” is an amusing
one, cannot well be denied; and its principal excellence
consists in the critical accuracy and conciseness with which
he has characterized the persons who are included in his
plan; but, as he includes all persons without distinction, of
whom any portrait is extant, we find him preserving the
memory of many of the most worthless and insignificant of
mankind, as well as giving a value to specimens of the art
of engraving which are beneath all contempt. Mr. Waipole said that Granger had drowned his taste for portraits
in the ocean of biography; and though he began with elucidating prints, he at last only sought prints that he might
write the lives of those they represented. His work was
grown, and growing so voluminous, that an abridgment
only could have made it useful to collectors. Perhaps a
more serious objection might be offered, which the author
could not hare foreseen. While this work has excited a
taste for collecting portraits not only harmless, but useful,
when confined to men of probity, it has unfortunately at
the same time created a trade very little connected with
the interests of literature or common honesty, a species of
purveyors who have not only lessened the value of books
by robbing them of their portraits, but have carried their
depredations into our public libraries, and have found encouragement where they ought to have met with detection
and punishment.
ch, 1572; about which time he was appointed master of Westminster school, where a great many persons who were afterwards eminent in church and state, were educated under
, a man of eminent
learning in the sixteenth century, was educated at Westminster-school, from whence he was removed either to
Christ-church or Broadgate’s-hall, in the university of Oxford, where he took the degree of B. A. February 27,
1571, and that of master the 27th of March, 1572; about
which time he was appointed master of Westminster school,
where a great many persons who were afterwards eminent
in church and state, were educated under his care. In
1575 he published at London in 4to, “Grcecse Linguse
Spicilegium,
” which was afterwards epitomized by his
learned usher, Mr. William Camden, and printed at London, 1597, in 8vo, under the title of “Institutio Græcæ
Grammatices compendiaria in usum Regiae Scholce Westinonasteriensis.
” In 1577 our author was made prebendary of the twelfth stall in the collegiate church of
Westminster, in the room of Dr. Thomas Watts; and about
that time being admitted B. D. of Cambridge, was incorporated in the same degree at Oxford in May 1579. He
was afterwards doctor of that faculty at Cambridge. He
resigned his mastership of Westminster-school about the
month of February 1591, and was succeeded in March following by Mr. Camdcn; he was then presented to the living
of Barnet, in Middlesex, and to the rectory of Toppersfield, in Essex, in 1598. He died August 4, 1601, and
was interred in St. Peter’s church at Westminster. He
collected and published the Letters and Poems of Roger
Ascham, to which he subjoined a piece of his own, entitled “Oratio de Vita & Obitu Rogeri Aschami, ac dietionis elegantia, cum adhortatione ad adolescentulos,
”
London,
the Grants, of Grant, in iat kingdom; his ancestor in a direct line, being sir John Grant, of Grant, who married lady Margaret Stuart, daughter of the earl of Athol.
, lord Cullen, an eminent lawyer ind judge in Scotland, was descended from a younger >ranch of the ancient family of the Grants, of Grant, in iat kingdom; his ancestor in a direct line, being sir John Grant, of Grant, who married lady Margaret Stuart, daughter of the earl of Athol. He was born about 1660, and received the first part of his education at Aberdeen; but, being intended for the profession of the law, was sent to finish his studies at Leyden, under the celebrated Voet, with whom he became so great a favourite by his singular application, that many years afterwards the professor mentioned him to his pupils, as one that had done honour to the university, and recommended his example to them. On his return to Scotland, he passed through the examination requisite to his being admitted advocate, with such abilities as to attract the particular notice of sir George Mackenzie, then king’s advocate, one of the most ingenious men, as well as one of the ablest and most eminent lawyers, of that age. Being-thus 'qualified for practice, he soon got into full employ, by the distinguishing figure which he made at the Revolution in 1688. He was then only twenty-eight years of age; but, as the measures of the preceding reign had led him to study the constitutional points of law, he discovered a masterly knowledge, when the convention of estates met to debate that important affair concerning the vacancy of the throne, upon the departure of king James to France. Some of the old lawyers, in pursuance of the principles in which they had been bred, argued warmly against those upon which the Revolution, which had taken place in England, was founded; and particularly insisted on the inability of the convention of estates to make any disposition of the crown. Grant opposed these notions with great strength and spirit, and about that time published a treatise, in which he undertook, by the principles of law, to prove that a king might forfeit his crown for himself and his descendants -, and that in such a case the states had a power to dispose of it, and to establish and limit a legal succession, concluding with the warmest recommendations of the prince of Orange to the regal dignity.
ublic resolutions, and certainly recommended him to both parties in the way of his profession. Those who differed from him in opinion admired his courage, and were desirous
This piece, being generally read, was thought to have had considerable influence on the public resolutions, and certainly recommended him to both parties in the way of his profession. Those who differed from him in opinion admired his courage, and were desirous of making use of his abilities; as on the other hand, those who were friends to the revolution were likewise so to him, which brought him into great business, and procured him, by special commissions, frequent employment from the crown. In all these he acquitted himself with so much honour, that, as soon as the union of the two kingdoms came to be seriously considered in the English court, queen Anne unexpectedly, as well as without application, created him a baronet in 1705, in the view of securing his interest towards completing that design; and upon the same principle her majesty about a year after appointed him one of the judges, or (as they are styled in Scotland) one of the senators of the college of justice.
and the money he had acquired by his profession, in a new purchase, there were many decayed families who solicited him to take their lands upon his own terms, relying
In his private character he was as amiable as he was respectable in the public. There were certain circumstances that determined him to part with an estate that was left him by his father; and it being foreseen that he would employ the produce of it, and the money he had acquired by his profession, in a new purchase, there were many decayed families who solicited him to take their lands upon his own terms, relying entirely on that equity which they conceived to be the rule of his actions. It appeared that their opinion of him was perfectly well grounded; for, being at length prevailed upon to lay out his money on the estate of an unfortunate family, who had a debt upon it of more than it was worth, he first put their affairs into order, and by classing the different demands, and compromising a variety of claims, secured some thousand pounds to the heirs, without prejudice to arty, and of which they never could have been possessed but from his interposition and vigilance in their behalf, so far was he either from making any advantage to himself of their necessities, or of his own skill in his profession; a circumstance justly mentioned to his honour, and which is an equal proof of his candour, generosity, and compassion. His piety was sincere and unaffected, and his love for the church of Scotland was shewn in his recommending moderation and charity to the clergy as well as laity, and engaging the former to insist upon moral duties as the clearest and most convincing proofs of men’s acting upon religious principles; and his practice, through his whole life, was the strongest argument of his being thoroughly persuaded of those truths, which, from his love to mankind, he laboured to inculcate. He was charitable without ostentation, disinterested in his friendships, and beneficent to all who had any thing to do with him. He was not only strictly just, but so free from any species of avarice, that his lady, who was a woman of great prudence, finding him more intent on the business committed to him by others than on his own, took the care of placing out his money upon herself; and, to prevent his postponing, as he was apt to do, such kind of affairs, when securities offered, she caused the circumstances of them to be stated in the form of cases, and so procured his opinion upon his own concerns, as if they had been those of a client. These little circumstances are mentioned as more expressive of his temper than actions of another kind could be; because, in matters of importance, men either act from habit, or from motives that the world cannot penetrate; but, in things of a trivial nature, are less upon their guard, shew their true disposition, and stand confessed for what they are. He passed a long life in ease and honour. His sincerity and steady attachment to his principles recommended him to all parties, even to those who differed from him most; and his charity and moderation converted this respect into affection, so that not many of his rank had more friends, and perhaps none could boast of having fewer enemies. He left behind him three sons and five daughters-, his eldest son, Archibald Grant, esq. in his father’s life-time, represented in parliament the shire of Aberdeen; and becoming by his demise sir Archibald Grant, bait, was chosen again for the same county in 1717, His second son, William, followed his father’s profession, was several years lord-advocate for Scotland; and, in 1757, one of the lords of session, by the title of lord Prestongrange. Francis, the third son, was a merchant, and three of the daughters were married to gentlemen of fortune.
loyalty; being second son of Barnard Granville, esq. brother to the first earl of Bath of this name, who had a principal share in bringing about the restoration of Charles
, viscount Lansdowne, an English poet, was descended of a family distinguished for their loyalty; being second son of Barnard Granville, esq. brother to the first earl of Bath of this name, who had a principal share in bringing about the restoration of Charles II. and son of the loyal sir Bevil Greenvile, who lost his life fighting for Charles I. at Lansdowne in 1643. He was born in 1667, and in his infancy was sent to France, under the tuition of sir William Ellys, a gentleman bred up under Dr. Busby, and who was afterwards eminent in many public stations. From this excellent tutor he not only imbibed a taste for classical learning, but was also instructed in all other accomplishments suitable to his birth, in which he made so quick a proficiency, that after he had distinguished himself above all the youths of France in martial exercises, he was sent to Trinity-college, Cambridge, in 1677, at ten years of age; and before he was twelve, spoke some verses of his own composing to the duchess of York, afterwards queen-consort to James II. at her visit to that university in 1679. On account of his extraordinary merit, he was created M. A. at the age of thirteen, and left the college soon after.
mark of his approbation he conferred the honour of knighthood upon our author’s elder brother Bevil, who was a captain, at the head of the regiment. Thus, forbidden
In the first stage of his life, he seems rather to have made his Muse subservient to his ambition and thirst after military glory, in which there appeared such a force of genius as raised the admiration of Mr. Waller. But his ambition shewed itself most active on the duke of Monmouth’s rebellion and he requested his father to let him arm in defence of his sovereign but being then only eighteen years of age, he was thought too young for such an enterprize. It was not without extreme reluctance that he submitted to the tenderness of paternal restraint; which was the more mortifying, as his uncle the earl of Bath had on this occasion raised a regiment of foot for the king’s service; with the behaviour and discipline of which his majesty was so well pleased, that, on reviewing them at Hounslow, as a public mark of his approbation he conferred the honour of knighthood upon our author’s elder brother Bevil, who was a captain, at the head of the regiment. Thus, forbidden to handle his pike on this important occasion, he took up his pen after the rebellion was crushed, and addressed some congratulatory lines to the king.
from those embarrassments, which in more advanced life he is said to have incurred, and his father, who was just dead, had made some provision for him, which was increased
By a laudable oeconomy Granville had hitherto preserved himself from those embarrassments, which in more advanced life he is said to have incurred, and his father, who was just dead, had made some provision for him, which was increased by a small annuity left him by his uncle the earl of Bath, who died not long after. These advantages, added to the favours which his cousin John Grenville had received from her majesty in being raised to the peerage by the title of lord Grenville of Pothericlge, and his brother being made governor of Barbadoes, with a fixed salary of 2000l. the same enabled him to come into the house of commons, as member for Fowey in Cornwall, in the first parliament of the queen. In 1706, his fortune was improved farther by the loss of his eldest brother, sir Bevil, who died that year, in his passage from Barbadoes, in the flower of his age, unmarried, and universally lamented. Hence our younger brother stood now as the head-branch of his family, and he still held his seat in the house of commons, both in the second and third parliaments of the queen. But the administration being taken out of the hands of his friends, with whom he remained steadily connected in the same principles, he was cut off from any prospect of being preferred at court.
that age as he thought deserved any notice, had applied for a character of the former to our author, who, in reply, having done justice to Mr. Wycherley’s merit, concludes
In this situation he diverted himself among his brother
poets; and we find him at this time introducing Wycherley
and Pope to the acquaintance of Henry St. John, esq.
afterwards lord viscount Bolingbroke. This friend, then
displaced, having formed a design of celebrating such of
the poets of that age as he thought deserved any notice,
had applied for a character of the former to our author,
who, in reply, having done justice to Mr. Wycherley’s
merit, concludes his letter thus: “In short, Sir,
” I'll have
you judge for yourself. I am not satisfied with this imperiect sketch name your day, and I will bring you together;
I shall have both your thanks let it be at my lodging. I
can give you no Falernian that has out-lived twenty consulships, but I can promise you a bottle of good claret,
that has seen two reigns. Horatian wit will not be wanting
when you meet. He shall bring with him, if you will, a
youngpoet newly inspired in the neighbourhood of Cooper’shill, whom he and Walsh have taken under their wing.
His name is Pope, he is not above seventeen or eighteen
years of age, and promises miracles. If he goes on as he
has becrun in the pastoral way, as Virgil first tried hu
strength, we may hope to see English poetry vie with the
Roman, and this Swan of Windsor sing as sweetly as the
Mantuan. I expect your answer."
nsdowne, baron of Bideford, in the county of Devon. In this promotion he was one of the twelve peers who were all created at the same time; and so numerous a creation,
SacheverelPs trial, which happened not long after,
brought on that remarkable change in the ministry in 1710,
when Mr. Granville^s friends came again into power. He
was elected for the borough of Helston, but, being returned
at the same time for the county of Cornwall, he chose to
represent the latter; and on September 29, he was declared secretary at war, in the room of Robert Walpole,
esq. afterwards the celebrated minister. He continued in
this office for some time, and discharged it with reputation;
and, towards the close of the next year, 1711, he married
the lady Mary, daughter of Edward Villiers, earl of Jersey,
at that time possessed of a considerable jointure, as widow
of Thomas Thynne, esq. He had just before succeeded to
the estate of the elder branch of his family, at Stow; and
December 31, he was created a peer of Great Britain, by
the title of lord Lansdowne, baron of Bideford, in the
county of Devon. In this promotion he was one of the
twelve peers who were all created at the same time; and so
numerous a creation, being unprecedented, gave much
offence, although but little in his case. His lordship was
now the next male-issue in that noble family, in which two
peerages, that of the earl of Bath, and that of lord Grenville of Potheridge, had been extinguished almost together: his personal merit was universally allowed; and as to
his political sentiments, those who thought him most mistaken, allowed him to be open, candid, and uniform. He
stood always high in the favour of queen Anne; and with
great reason, having upon every occasion testified the
greatest zeal for her government, and the most profound
respect for her person. For these reasons, in the succeeding
year, 1712, he was sworn of her majesty’s privy-council,
made controller of her household, about a year after advanced to the post of treasurer in. the same office; and to
his other honours, says Dr. Johnson, was added the dedication of Pope’s “Windsor Forest.
” His lordship continued in his office of treasurer to the queen, until her
death, when he kept company with his friends in falling a
sacrifice to party-violence, being removed from his treasurer’s place by George I. Oct. 11, 1714.
insurrection in the West of England, and was at the head of it, if we may believe lord Bolingbroke, who represents him possessed now with the same political fire and
His lordship still continued steady to his former connections, and in that spirit entered his protest with them against the bills for attainting lord Bolingbroke and the duke of Ormond, in 1715. He even entered deeply into the scheme for raising an insurrection in the West of England, and was at the head of it, if we may believe lord Bolingbroke, who represents him possessed now with the same political fire and frenzy for the*Pretender as he had shewn in his youth for the father. In consequence, however, of being suspected, he was apprehended September 26, 1715, and committed prisoner to the Tower of London, where he continued until February 8, 1716-17, when he was released without any form of trial or acquittal. However sensible he might be at this time of the mistake in his conduct, which had deprived him of his liberty, yet he was far from running into the other extreme. He seems, indeed, to be one of those tories, who are said to have been driven by the violent persecutions against that party into jacobitism, and who returned to their former principles as soon as that violence ceased. Hence we find him, in 1719, as warm as ever in defence of those principles, the first time of his speaking in the house of lords, in the debates about repealing the act against occasional conformity.
ts of Demosthenes, and his Letter to his father on the Revolution, written in 1688. The same critic, who must have been acquainted with some who knew him intimately,
His character, as drawn by Dr. Johnson, seems now uncontested. He was, says that eminent critic, a man illustrious by birth, and therefore attracted notice; since he is
styled by Pope “the polite,
” he must be supposed elegant
in his manners, and generally loved; he was in times of
contest and turbulence steady to his party, and obtained
that esteem which is always conferred upon firmness and
consistency. As a poet, Dr. Johnson has appreciated his
merit with equal justice. He was indeed but a feeble imitator of the feeblest parts of Waller, and is far more to be
praised for his patronage of poets, and the judgment he
shewed in the case of Pope, than for any pretensions to
rank among them. His prose style, however, is excellent,
ancl far beyond that of his early contemporaries. Dr,
Warton notices, as proofs of this, his “Letter to a young
man on his taking orders;
” his “Observations on Burnet,
”
his “Defence of his relation sir Richard Greenville,
” his
translation of some parts of Demosthenes, and his Letter
to his father on the Revolution, written in 1688. The
same critic, who must have been acquainted with some
who knew him intimately, adds that his conversation was
most pleasing and polite; and his affability, and universal
benevolence and gentleness, captivating.
confute Buchanan’s treatise “De Jure Majestatis,” in a work dedicated to Christina, queen of Sweden, who was known to be a great assertor of regal privileges. Grasswinkel
, a learned
lawyer, was born at Delft in 1600. He wrote various
works upon legal and political subjects, by which he acquired a considerable reputation. Among these are “Libertas Veneta, seu Venetorurn in se et suos imperandi
Jus.
” This was published in De
Jure Majestatis,
” in a work dedicated to Christina, queen
of Sweden, who was known to be a great assertor of regal
privileges. Grasswinkel defended the liberty of the seas
against Selden, and Burgus, a native of Genoa, in his work
“Maris Liberi Vindiciae,
” and with so much judgment, in
their opinion, that the States of Holland gave him a pension of 500 florins, with the title of Advocate-general of
the marine, until an opportunity offered of rewarding his
merit with a more honourable employment; which was
afterwards that of advocate of the exchequer, and register
and secretary of the chambre-mi-partie. He was author,
likewise, of a treatise in two volumes, 4to, “On the Sovereignty of the States of Holland.
” He died of an apoplexy at Mechlin, Oct. 12, 1666.
536 in the little city called Borgodi-san-Sepulcro in Tuscany. He was educated by cardinal Commendo, who trusted him with the most important affairs, and gave him a
, a learned bishop of
Amelia, was born in 1536 in the little city called Borgodi-san-Sepulcro in Tuscany. He was educated by cardinal Commendo, who trusted him with the most important
affairs, and gave him a rich abbey. After this cardinal’s
death, Gratiaiii was secretary to pope Sixtus V. then to
cardinal Montalto and Clement VIII. who was partly indebted to him for his elevation to the papal chair, made
him bishop of Amelia, sent him to Venice as nuncio, and
would have even created him cardinal, but was dissuaded
from it by cardinal Aldobraudino, because Gratiani was
the duke of Florence’s subject. The air of Venice not
agreeing with his health, he retired to Amelia, devoted
himself to the duties of a holy bishop, and died there,
1611. He left “Synodal Ordinances;
” “The Life of
Cardinal Commendo,
” 4to, which has been translated into
French by M. Flechier; “De Bello Cyprio,
” 4to; “De
Casibus adversis illustrium virorum sui oevi,
” 4to, translated into French by le Pelletier. In De Scriptis invita Minerva ad Aloysium fratrem libri viginti,
” 4to.
ed a fragment. The style of this poem is reckoned pure, but without elevation; the poet, like others who have adopted the didactic plan, having been more solicitous
, an eminent Latin poet, is supposed to have been contemporary with Ovid, and pointed
out by him in the last elegy of the fourth book “De
Ponto,
” “Aptaque venanti Gratius anna dedit.
” We
have a poem of his, entitled “Cynogeticon, or, The Art
of hunting with Dogs;
” which in strictness can only be
called a fragment. The style of this poem is reckoned
pure, but without elevation; the poet, like others who
have adopted the didactic plan, having been more solicitous to instruct than to please his reader. He is also
censured by the critics as dwelling too long on fables;
and as he is counted much superior to Nemesianus, who
has treated the same subject, so he is reckoned in all
points inferior to the Greek poet, Oppian, who wrote his
Cynogetics and Halieutics under Severus and Caracalla,
to whom he presented them, and who is said to have rewarded the poet very magnificently. The first edition of
Cynogeticon“was published in 1504, Bonon. folio,
along with Nemesianus, and often reprinted; but the best
edition is that of London, 1690, in 8vo,
” cum Notis perpetuis Thomas Jonson, M. A."
hment to the catholic religion involved him in disputes with Reuchlin, Hutten, and other professors; who, to ridicule the style of the Romish divines, the monks, and
, a native of Holhwic in the diocese of Minister, whose name was Graes, taught ethics
and philosophy at Cologn, in a college of which he became
the head, and died there May 22, 1542. His attachment
to the catholic religion involved him in disputes with
Reuchlin, Hutten, and other professors; who, to ridicule
the style of the Romish divines, the monks, and some religious ceremonies, are supposed to have published “Epistolos obscurorum virorum ad Dominum Magistrum Ortuinum Gratium,
” Lamentationes obscurorum virorum
non prohibits per Sedem Apostolicam,
” Cologn, Triumphus
B. Job,
” in elegiac verse, in three books, Cologn, Fasciculus rerum expetendarum et fugiendarum,
”
Cologn,
author of the " Observations on the Bills of Mortality,' 7 was the son of Henry Graunt of Hampshire, who being afterwards settled in Birchin-lane, London, had this child
, the celebrated author of the " Observations on the Bills of Mortality,' 7 was the son of Henry Graunt of Hampshire, who being afterwards settled in Birchin-lane, London, had this child born there, April 24, 1620. Being a rigid puritan, he bred him up in all the strictness of those principles; and designing him for trade, gave him no more education than was barely necessary for that purpose; so that, with the ordinary qualifications of reading, writing, and arithmetic, he was put apprentice to a haberdasher in the city, which trade he afterwards followed, but became a freeman of the Drapers’ company. He came early into business, and in a short time grew so much into the esteem of his fellow -citizens, that he was frequently chosen arbitrator for composing differences between neighbours, and preventing law-suits. With this reputation he passed through all the offices of his ward, as far as that of a common council-man, which he held two years, and was first captain and then major of the train bands. These distinctions were the effects of a great share of good sense and probity, rendered amiable by a mild and friendly disposition; which was all that was in those days expected from a tradesman of no great birth, and of small breeding. But Graunt’s genius was far from being confined within those limits: it broke through all the disadvantages of his slender education, and enabled him to form a new and noble design, and to execute it with as much spirit as there appeared sagacity in forming it.
ts; and that our author had then communicated some of his thoughts upon this subject to sir William, who, on his part, is likewise said to have repaid the generous confidence
The exact time is not known when he first began to collect and consider the Bills of Mortality but he tells us himself that he had turned his thoughts that way several years, before he had any design of publishing the discoveries he had made. As his character must have been eminently distinguished in 1650, when, though not above thirty years of age, his interest was so extensive, as to procure the music professor’s chair at Gresham, for his friend doctor (afterwards sir William) Petty; so it is more than probable, that his acquaintance and friendship with that gentleman, was the consequence of a similarity of pursuits; and that our author had then communicated some of his thoughts upon this subject to sir William, who, on his part, is likewise said to have repaid the generous confidence with some useful hints towards composing his book. This piece, which contained a new and accurate thesis of policy, built upon a more certain reasoning than was before that time known, was first presented to the public in 1661, 4to, and met with such an extraordinary reception, that another edition was called for in the following year; and our author’s fame, and the usefulness of his book, began to be spoken of both at home and abroad. Immediately after the publication of it, Lewis XIV. of France, or his ministers, provided, by a law, for the most exact register of births and burials, that is any where in Europe; and in England Charles II. conceived such a high esteem for his abilities, that at the first institution of the royal society, his majesty recommended him to their choice for a member; with this charge, that if they found any more such tradesmen, they should be ure to admit them all. He had dedicated the work to sir Robert Moray, president of the royal society, and had sent fifty copies to be dispersed among their members, when he was proposed (though a shopkeeper), and admitted into the society, February 26, 1661-2; and an order of council passed, June 20, 1665, for publishing the third edition, which was executed by the society’s printer, and came out that same year. Alter receiving this honour, he did not long continue a shopkeeper, but left off business; and on September 25, 1666, became a trustee for the management of the New-river, for one of the shares belonging to sir William Backhouse, who dying in 1669, his relict, afterwards countess of Clarendon, appointed Mr. Graunt one of her trustees.
that company, and sufficiently clears him from an imputation thrown upon his memory by bishop Burnet who, having observed that the New-river was brought to a head at
This account of the time of our author’s admission into
the government of the New-river is taken from the minute
books, or register, of the general court of that company,
and sufficiently clears him from an imputation thrown upon
his memory by bishop Burnet who, having observed that
the New-river was brought to a head at Islington, where
there is a great room full of pipes that conveys it through
the streets of London, and that the constant order was to
set all the pipes running on Saturday night, that so the
cisterns might be all full on Sunday morning, there being
a more than ordinary consumption of water on that day,
relates the following story, which he says was told him by
Dr. Lloyd (afterwards bishop of Worcester) and the countess of Clarendon: “There was,
” says he, “one Graunt,
a papist, who under sir William Petty published his Observations an the Bills of Mortality. He had some time
before applied himself to Lloyd, who had great credit with
the countess of Clarendon, and said he could raise that
estate considerably, if she would make him a trustee for
her. His schemes were probable; and he was made one
of the board that governed that matter, and by that he
had a right to come as often as he pleased to view their
works at Islington. He went thither the Saturday before
the fire broke out, and called for the key where the heads
of the pipes were, and turned all the cocks of the pipes
that were then open, stopt the water, and went; away and
carried 'the keys with him; so, when the fire broke out
next morning, they opened the pipes in the streets to find
water, but there was none. Some hours were lost in sending to Islington, where the door was broke open, and the
cocks turned, and it was long before the water got to London. Graunt, indeed, denied that he had turned the
cocks; but the officer of the works affirmed, that he had,
according to order, st them all running, and that no person had got the keys from him besides Graunt, who confessed he had carried away the keys, but said he did it
without design.
” This, indeed, as Burnet observes, is but
a presumption; and, we may add, a groundless calumny;
since it is evident, from the above account, that Graunt
was not admitted into the government of the New-river
company till twenty-three days after the breaking out of
the tire of London, to which may be added a farther proof
that the parliament met September 18, 1666, and, on the
very day that he was admitted a member of the New-river
Company, they appointed a committee to inquire into the
causes of the fire.
y many of the most ingenious and learned persons of the time, and particularly by sir William Petty, who paid his last tribute with tears to his memory. He left his
The report made by sir Robert Brooke, chairman of
that committee, contains abundance of extraordinary relations, but not one word of the cocks being stopped, or
any suspicions of Graunt. It is true, indeed, that he
changed his religion, and was reconciled to the church of
Rome some time before his death; but it is more than
probable he was no papist at this juncture, since, in the
title-page of his book in 1665, he is styled captain, and
Wood informs us, that he had been two or three years a
major when he made this change, which therefore could
not have happened before 1667 or 1668 at soonest. However, the circumstances of the countess of Clarendon’s
saying he was her trustee makes it plain that the story was
not invented till some years after the fire, when Graunt
was known to be a papist. It was apparently not invented
till after his death. The first time of its appearance in
public seems to have been in Echard’s “History of England.' 1 And according to bishop Burnet’s account, the
story could not be told to him till after 1667, when Graunt
was appointed trustee for the countess of Clarendon. The
report, however, never reached his ears, and so could not
disturb him in the prosecution of his studies, which he carried on after this change in his religion with the same assiduity as before, and made some considerable observations
within two years of his death, which happened April 18, 1674,
in the vigour of his age, having not quite completed his 54th
year. He was interred on the 22d of the same month in
St. Dunstan’s church, in Fleet-street, the corpse being at.
tended by many of the most ingenious and learned persons
of the time, and particularly by sir William Petty, who
paid his last tribute with tears to his memory. He left
his papers to this friend, who took care to adjust and insert them in a fifth edition of his work, which he published
in 1676, 8vo, and that with so much care, and so much
improved, that he frequently cites it as his own which
probably gave occasion to bishop Burners mistake, who,
as we have seen, called it sir William’s book, published
under Graunt’s name. It is evident, however, that his
observations were the elements of that useful science,
which was afterwards styled
” Political Arithmetic,“and of
which Graunt must have the honour of being the first
founder; and whatever merit may be ascribed to sir William Petty, Mr. Daniel King, Dr. Davenant, and others,
upon the subject, it is all originally derived from the first
author of the
” Observations on the Bills of Mortality."
ducation in his profession, but soon made some figure as a draughtsman. He accompanied La Rochalard, who was appointed governor-general of St. Domingo, and meeting in
, a French artist, well known in this as well as his own country, was born at Paris March 26, 1699. He does not appear to have had much education in his profession, but soon made some figure as a draughtsman. He accompanied La Rochalard, who was appointed governor-general of St. Domingo, and meeting in that island with the artist Frezier, was employed by him on a map of the country. Gravelot returned to France in 1745, where he applied principally to drawing; but finding himself in the midst of a number of eminent artists, among whom he despaired of distinguishing himself, he came over to London, where he lived thirteen years. He possessed great fertility of invention, and composed, with much judgment, small subjects for vignettes and other book ornaments; he drew also admirably ancient buildings, tombs, and prospects, and was much employed in all these branches by the artists of London. He drew the monuments of the kings for Vertue, and gave the designs, where invention was necessary, for Pine’s plates of the tapestry in the house of lords. He was also for some time employed in Gloucestershire, drawing churches and antiquities. Vertue compares his neat manner to Picart, and owns that in composition and design, he even excelled his favourite Hollar. He sometimes attempted painting small histories and conversations, and he designed as well as engraved some of the prints to sir The* mas Hanmer’s edition of Shakspeare, and those belonging to Theobald’s edition: but the finest specimen of his abilities as an engraver, is his large print of Kirkstall abbey. He returned to France about the beginning of the present reign, and executed for the booksellers of Paris, the beautiful designs with which they ornamented the works of Corneille, Racine, Voltaire, Boccaccio, Ariosto, Marmontel, &c. He died at Paris in 1773. He is said to have been a man of wit and talents, and perfectly acquainted with the history and theory of his art.
son of Richard Graves, esq. of Mickleton, in Gloucestershire, where he was born in 1715. His father, who was an able antiquary, died in 1729. His son, Richard, was educated
, an English divine and miscellaneous writer, was a younger son of Richard Graves, esq. of Mickleton, in Gloucestershire, where he was born in 1715. His father, who was an able antiquary, died in 1729. His son, Richard, was educated partly at home, under the rev. Mr.Smith, curate of the parish in which his father resided, and partly at a public school at Abingdon, in Berkshire, whence, at the age of sixteen, he was chosen a scholar of Pembroke college, Oxford. Soon after his arrival he joined a party of young men who met in the evening to read Epictetus, Theophrastus, and other Greek authors, seldom read at schools; and a short time after became the associate of his contemporaries, Shenstone the poet, and Anthony Whistler, who used to meet to read poetry, plays, and other light works. In 1736 he was elected a fellow of All Souls college, where he acquired the particular intimacy of sir William Blackstone; but instead of pursuing the study of divinity, according to his original intention, he now devoted his attention to physic, and attended in London two courses of anatomy. A severe illness, however, induced him to resume the study of divinity, and in 1740, after taking his master’s degree, he entered into holy orders. About the same time he removed with Mr. Fitzherbert, fatlier of lord St. Helen’s, to the estate of that gentleman at Tissington, in Derbyshire, where he remained three years enjoying in his house the highest pleasures of refined society. At the end of that period, he set off‘ to make the tour of the north, and while at Scarborough, accidentally met with a distant relation, Dr. Samuel Knight, archdeacon of Berkshire, and the author of the Lives of Colet and Erasmus, by whose recommendation he obtained a curacy near Oxford. This was particularly gratifying to Mr. Graves, who was then coming, by turn, into office in the college, and had been for some time desirous of procuring such a situation. He immediately took possession of his curacy, but as the parsonage-house was out of repair, he took a lodging with a gentleman -farmer in the neighbourhood. The attractions of the farmer’s youngest daughter made such a powerful impression on the heart of Mr. Graves that he resigned his fellowship and married her. After residing about two years on his curacy, he was presented by Mr. Skrine to the rectory of Claverton, where he went to reside in 1750, and till his death, was never absent from it a month at a time. As the narrowness of his circumstances obliged him to superintend in person the education of his children, he likewise -resolved to take other pupils under his tuition; and this practice he continued, with great credit to himself, upwards of thirty years. In 1763, through the interest of Ralph Allen, esq. of Prior-Park, he was presented to the living of Kilmersdon, in addition to tbat of Claverton, and that gentleman likewise procured him the appointment of chaplain to lady Chatham. His conversation was rendered highly agreeable by that epigrammatic turn which points his writings of the lighter kind. His constant good humour rendered him an acceptable companion in every society, his colloquial impromptus being frequently as happy as the jeux d’e^prit of his pen, while both were invariably the unmeditated effusions of a sportive fancy and guileless heart. He died at Claverton, Nov. 23, 1804, at the advanced age of ninety.
9, and some years after was made professor of canon law, in the college of Sapieozia, by Innocent XL who esteemed him much; which employment he held as long as he lived.
, an eminent scholar, and
illustrious lawyer of Italy, was born of genteel parents at
Roggiano, February 18, 1664; and educated under Gregory Caloprese, a famous philosopher of that time, and
his cousin-german. He went to Naples at sixteen, and
there applied himself to the Latin and Greek languages,
and to civil law; which application, however, did not
make him neglect to cultivate, with the utmost exactness,
his own native tongue. He was so fond of stu<jy, that he
pursued it ten or twelve hours a day, to the very last years
of his life; and, when his friends remonstrated agakist this
unnecessary labour, he used to tell them that he knew of
nothing which could afford him more pleasure. He went
to Rome in 1689, and some years after was made professor
of canon law, in the college of Sapieozia, by Innocent
XL who esteemed him much; which employment he held
as long as he lived. He does not, however, seem to have
been of an amiable cast; at least he had not the art of
making himself beloved. The free manner in which he
spoke of all mankind, and the contempt with which he
treated the greatest part of the learned, raised him up many
enemies; and among others the famous Settano, who has
made him the subject of some of his satires. It is said that
he missed a cardinal’s hat because of his satirical turn of
mind. When at Rome he used to bow to coach-horses,
“because,
” said he, “were it not for these poor beasts,
these great people would have men, and even philosophers, to draw their coaches.
” There were at one time
doubts of his religious principles, and his pupil Metastasio
seems inclined to justify these, by sinking this part of his
history. Many universities of Germany would have drawn
Gravina to them, and made proposals to him for that purpose; but nothing was able to seduce him from Rome.
That of Turin offered him the first professorship of law, at
the very time that he was attacked by the distemper of
which he died, and which seems to have been a mortification in his bowels. He was troubled with pains in those
parts for many years before; but they did not prove fatal
to him till Jan. 6, 1718. He had made his will in April
1715, in which he ordered his body to be opened and
embalmed.
sture Arcade, con nn Discorso di Bione Crateo,” Rome, 1692, 12mo. The Endymion is Alexander Guidi’s, who, in the academy of the Arcadians, went under the name of Erilo
His first publication was a piece entitled “Prisci Censorini Photistici Hydra Mystica; sive, de corrupta morali
doctrina dialogus,
” Coloniic, L'Endimione di Erilo
Cleoneo, Pasture Arcade, con nn Discorso di Bione Crateo,
” Rome, Delle Antiche Favola,
” Rome, Opuscula,
” at Rome
in lu96, 12mo; containing, first, “An Essay upon an ancient Law;
” secondly, “A Dialogue concerning the excellence of the Latin Tongue,
” thirdly, “A Discourse of
the change which has happened in the Sciences, particularly in Italy;
” fourthly, “A Treatise upon the Contempt
of Death;
” fifthly, upon “Moderation in Mourning;
”
sixthly, “The Laws of the Arcadians.
” A collection of
such of these as regard literary history and study was published in 1792, for the use of young students, by the present learned bishop of St. David’s. But the greatest of all
his works, and for which he will be ever memorable, is,
5. His three books, “De Ortu et Progressu Juris Civiiis;
”
the first of which was printed at Maples, in De Romano Imperio;
” and dedicated to pope
Clement XI. who was much the author’s friend. This is
reckoned the best edition of this famous work; for, when
it was reprinted at Leipsic with the “Opuscula
” abovementioned, in Editio novissima ad nuperam Neapolitanam emt-ndata et aucta.
” Gravina 1 s view, in this
“History of Ancient Law,
” was to induce the Roman
youth to study it in its original records in the Pandects,
the Institutes, and the Code, and not to content themselves, as he often complained they did, with learning it
from modern abridgments, drawn up with great confusion,
and in very barbarous Latin. Such knowledge and such
language, he said, might do well enough for the bar, where
a facility of speaking often supplied the place of learning
and good sense, before judges who had no extraordinary
share of either; but were what a real lawyer should be
greatly above. As to the piece “De Romano Imperio,
”
Le Clerc pronounces it to be a work in which Gravina
has shewn the greatest judgment and knowledge of Roman
antiquity. The next performance we find in the list of his
works is, 6. * c Acta Consistoriaiia creationis Em in. et Rev
Cardinalium institute a S. D. N. Clemente XL P. M. diebus
17 Maii et 7 Junii anno salmis 1706. Accessit eorundem
Cardinalium brevis delineatio,“Colonise, 1707, 4to. 7.
” Delia Ragione Poetica Libri duo,“Rome, 1708, 4to.
To a subsequent edition of this in 1716, was added a letter
” De Poesi,“from which Blackwell, in his Inquiry into
the life and writings of Homer, has taken many observations. Dr. Warton says that Gravina’s remarks have a
novelty and penetration in them. 8. << Tragedie cinque,
”
ISlapofi, 1712, 8vo. These five tragedies are, “II Papimano;
” “II Palamede
” “L'Andromeda
” “L'Appio
Ciaudio;
” “II Servio Tullio.
” Gravina said that he composed these tragedies in three months, without interrupting
l^is lectures; yet declares in his preface, that he should
look upon all those as either ignorant or envious, who
should scruple to prefer them to what Tasso, Bonarelli,
Trissino, and others, had composed of the same kind.
This at least shews that Gravina, great as his talents were,
had too high an opinion of them. They could not, it is
true, have been written by Sophocles himself in a more
Grecian style; but he is entitled to more fame from having
educated and formed the taste of Metastasio, who was his
pupil, and to whom he left a legacy, amounting in our
money to nearly 4000l. with his library, and a small estate
in the kingdom of Naples. 9. “Orationes,
” Nap. in the edition of
61 Origines Juris Civilis,
” printed at Leipsic, in 1717. 10.
<l Delia Tragedia Libro uno,“Napoli, 1715, 410. This work,
his two books
” Delia Ragione Poetica,“his discourse
upon the
” Endymion" of Alexander Guidt, and some
other pieces, were printed together at Venice in 1731,
4to, but a more complete edition of his works was published at Naples by John Antony Sergi, 1756 1758, 3
vols. 4to.
s to a separation. Thomas was born in Cornhill, Dec. 20, 1716, and was the only one of many children who survived. The rest died in their infancy, from suffocation,
, an eminent English poet, was the
fifth child of Mr. Philip Gray, a citizen and money-scrivener of London, and a man of such brutal manners, that
his wife (whose maiden name was Dorothy Antrobus) was
obliged in 1735 to apply to an eminent civilian for his advice as to a separation. Thomas was born in Cornhill,
Dec. 20, 1716, and was the only one of many children who
survived. The rest died in their infancy, from suffocation, produced by a fulness of blood; and he owed his life
to a memorable instance of the love and courage of his
mother, who removed the paroxysm which attacked him,
by opening a vein with her own hand an instance of affection which he long rememhered with filial rev erence.
Indeed it was to her exertions when her home was rendered
unhappy by the cruelty of her husband, that our poet was
indebted for his education, and consequently for the happiness of his life. We may readily, therefore, believe
what Mason has told us, that “Gray seldom mentioned his
mother without a sigh.
”
He was educated at Eton, under the protection of Mr. Antrobus, his maternal uncle, who was at that time assistant to Dr. George, and also a fellow
He was educated at Eton, under the protection of Mr.
Antrobus, his maternal uncle, who was at that time assistant to Dr. George, and also a fellow of Peter-house,
Cambridge, where Gray was admitted as a pensioner in
1734, in his nineteenth year. At Eton his friendship with
Horace Walpole (the late earl of Orford), and more particularly with Richard West, commmenced. In the latter,
who was a son of the Irish lord chancellor West, henet
with one whose proficiency in literature was considerable
for his age, whose mind was amiable and ingenuous, wnose
disposition was similar to his own, but whose loss he had
to deplore, after a strict friendship of eight years. When
Gray removed to Peter-house, West went to Christ church,
Oxford, and Walpole to King’s -college, Cambridge. It
is difficult to trace the line of study which Gray pursued
at college. His correspondence at that time treats chiefly
of his poetry, and other private pursuits; and he seems to
have withdrawn himself entirely from the severity of mathematical studies, while his inquiries centered in classical literature, in the acquisition of modern languages, in
history and other branches of polite literature. During
his residence at college from 1734 to 1738, his poetical
productions were some Latin verses entitled “Luna habitabilis,
” inserted in the “Musae Etonenses;
” a poem “Onthe marriage of the prince of Wales;
” and a “Sapphic
Ode to West,
” both in Latin also a Latin version of the
“Care selve beate
” of the Pastor Fido, and fragments of
translations in English from Statins and Tasso.
written there, but which did not arrive in Hertfordshire till after the death of his beloved friend, who expired June 1, 1742, aged twenty -six. In the autumn of this
Gray returned by himself to England in 1741, in which
year his father died. With a small fortune, which her
feiTsbarvd’s i:n prudence had impaired, Mrs. Gray and a
maiden sister retired to the house of Mrs. Rogers, another
sister, at Sloke, near Windsor; and Gray, thinking his
fortune not sufficient to enable him to prosecute the study
of the law, and yet unwilling to hurt the feelings of his
mother, hy appearing entirely to forsake his profession,
pretended to change the line of study, and went to Cambridge to take his degree in civil law, but had certainly no
thoughts of that as a profession. He went accordingly to
Cambridge, in the winter 1742, where he took his degree
of bachelor of civil law, and employed himself in a perusal
of' the Greek authors with such assiduity, that in the space
of about six years there were hardly any writers of note in
that language, whom he had not only read but digested;
remarking, by the mode of common-place, their contents,
their difficult and corrupt passages, and all this with the
accuracy of a critic, added to the diligence of a student.
In his first year also he translated some parts of Propertins, and selected for his Italian studies the poetry of Petrarch. He wrote a heroic epistle in Latin, in imitation
of the manner of Ovid; and a Greek epigram which he
communicated to West; to whom, also, in the summer,
when he retired to his family at Stoke, he sent his “Ode
to Spring,
” which was written there, but which did not
arrive in Hertfordshire till after the death of his beloved
friend, who expired June 1, 1742, aged twenty -six. In
the autumn of this same year, Gray composed the ode. on
“A distant prospect of Eton College,
” and the “Hymn
to Adversity,
” and began the “Elegy in a Country Church
Yard.
” An affectionate sonnet in English, and an apostrophe which opens the fourth book of his poern “De
principiis cogitandi
” (his last composition in Latin verse)
bear strong marks of the sorrow left on his mind from the
death of West; and of the real affection with which he honoured the memory of his worth and of his talents.
In 1744 the difference between Walpole and Gray was adjusted by the interference of a lady who wished well to both parties. The lapse of years had probably
In 1744 the difference between Walpole and Gray was
adjusted by the interference of a lady who wished well to
both parties. The lapse of years had probably softened
their mutual resentment in a sufficient degree to admit
again of correspondence on amicable terms. About this
time Gray became acquainted with Mr. Mason, then a
scholar of St. John’s college, whose poetical talents he had
noticed, and some of whose poems he revised at the request of a friend. His bequests to Mr. Mason show
that this intimacy was improved into the str.ctest friendship and confidence. He maintained also a
correspondcnce with another friend, Dr. Wharton of Durham, and
seems to have been on familiar terms with the celebrated
Dr. Middleton, whose loss he afterwards laments. “I find
a friend,
” he says, “so uncommon a thing, that I cannot
help regretting even an old acquaintance, which is an indifferent likeness of it.
”
f some incivilities which he met with, which Mason thus mentions. Two or three young men of fortune, who lived on the same staircase, had for some time intentionally
In 1754 and 1755 he appears to have written “An ode
to Vicissitude,
” that “On the progress of Poetry,
” the
“Bard,
” and probably some of those fragments with which
he seems to have amused himself without much design of
completion. About this period he complains of listlessness and depression of spirits, which prevented his application to poetry; and from this time we may trace the
course of that hereditary disease in his constitution which
embittered in a considerable degree the remainder of his
days; and whose fatal strength not even the temperance
and regularity of a whole life could subdue. In 1756 he
left Peter-house, where he had resided above twenty years,
on account of some incivilities which he met with, which
Mason thus mentions. Two or three young men of fortune, who lived on the same staircase, had for some time
intentionally disturbed him with their riots, and carried
their ill-behaviour so far as frequently to awaken him at
midnight. After having borne with their insults longer
than might reasonably have been expected even from a
man of less warmth of temper, Gray complained to the
governing part of the society, and not thinking that his
remonstrance was sufficiently attended to, quitted the college. He now removed to Pembroke-hall, which he describes “as an sera in a life so barren of events as his.
”
ervedness and caprice of temper, and a foppish attention to dress. This was somewhat singular in one who to his other qualities, added a great portion of humour, and
In his private character many virtues were united; benevolence, temperance, integrity, and ceconomy, patience
under the contempt of hypercriticism, and a friendly and
affectionate disposition. He had also some failings, among
which are enumerated a want of personal courage, a reservedness and caprice of temper, and a foppish attention
to dress. This was somewhat singular in one who to his
other qualities, added a great portion of humour, and had a
quick sense of the ridiculous. His sensibility was even morbid, and very often fastidious ancl troublesome to his friends.
He seemed frequently overwhelmed by the ordinary intercourse and ordinary affairs of life. Coarse manners, and
vulgar or unrefined sentiments, overset him. Mason’s excuse for all this will not perhaps be thought the excuse of a
friend; he attributes it rather to “an affectation in delicacy
an.l effeminacy, -than the things themselves,
” and says
that Grav “chose to put on this appearance before persons
whom he did not wish to please.
”
nd of general learning, his reputation in this respect has hitherto stood upon the evidence of those who know him most intimately. He was above fifty years of age before
Gray appears to have written in a desultory manner; his efforts were such as he could accomplish probably at one time, and he had not in many instances affection enough for his subject to return to it. Hence no poet of modern times has left so many specimens or samples, so mueh planned, and so little executed. Activity and labour it appears he could never endure, unless in storing his mind with various knowledge for his own curiosity and satisfaction. Hence, although he read much and read critically, and amassed a vast fund of general learning, his reputation in this respect has hitherto stood upon the evidence of those who know him most intimately. He was above fifty years of age before he became sensible of the necessity of concentrating his knowledge in one pursuit, and as he had never accustomed himself so to regulate his acquisitions as to render them useful to others, he apparently sunk under the task which his professorship imposed; and it is much to the credit of his independent spirit, that when he found it impossible to execute the duties, he determined to resign the emoluments of his place.
ful ally of those whose superior minds know how to feel and how to appreciate the merit of Gray, and who have assigned him one of the highest places among the English
As a poet, it may be sufficient here to refer to our authorities, which are in the hands of every reader, with
perhaps the exception of an excellent edition of his works,
just published, by the rev. John Mitford, which we can
recommend with perfect confidence. Dr. Johnson’s character of his poetry has excited a controversy, from which
it may be truly said that Gray has emerged with additional
lustre, yet if mere popularity were to determine the
question, that critic bas in some instances spoken the sentiments of the majority, as well as his own. It were, however, to be wished for his own sake, that in his general
colouring of Gray’s life and works, he had attended more
to what he calls “the common-sense of readers, uncorrupted with literary prejudices.
” Had this been the case,
while some of his strictures might have been allowed, he
would have been a powerful ally of those whose superior
minds know how to feel and how to appreciate the merit
of Gray, and who have assigned him one of the highest
places among the English poets of the eighteenth century.
an language, to fix a standard for it, to point out such authors as might be always models for those who chose to improve their style, to oppose the progress of false
, an Italian scholar and
poet of considerable eminence, was born at Florence
March 22, 1503, of a noble family, which can be traced as
far as the thirteenth century, but was now decayed, as we
find that Grazzini in his youth was brought up as an apothecary. He had, however, studied philosophy and the
belles lettres, and from the timetliathe acquired some reputation in the literary world, gave up his medical business. In 1540 he became one of the founders of the
academy of Florence, which was first called the academy
of the Humides, and each member distinguishing himself
by some appellation relative to the water, Grazzini adopting that of Lasca, which signifies a roach. From the first
establishment of this academy, he was appointed chancellor,
and when, some months after, the grand duke changed its
name to that of the academy of Florence, he was chosen
overseer, or superintendant, an office which he afterwards
filled three times. As the number of members, however,
increased, the juniors began to make new regulations without consulting the founders, and a schism broke out, attended with so many unpleasant circumstances, that Grazzini withdrew, and became the founder of a new academy,
known still by the name of La Crusca. The object of this
society was to polish the Italian language, to fix a standard
for it, to point out such authors as might be always models
for those who chose to improve their style, to oppose the
progress of false taste; and to sift the flour from the bran
of literature, crusca signifying bran. Grazzini was well
qualified to assist an academy instituted for these purposes.
He hail enriched the language with several choice phrases
and new modes of expression, and the academicians have
very justly ranked him among those authors to whom they
have been obliged for examples, in correcting their great
vocabulary. In the mean time his growing fame induced
his friend Leonard Salviati to endeavour his re-introduction
into the academy of Florence, which was successfully accomplished in 1566, twenty years after he had left it; in
return for which he procured admission for Salviati among
the Cruscanti. Grazzini died at Florence in February
1583. He was a man of unquestionable genius, spirit, and
humour, and wrote with great elegance, and although
there are some indelicate passages in his poems, which
was the vice of the times, he was a man of strict morals,
and even, says his biographer, very religious. Many of
his works are lost, and among these some prose tales, and
many pieces of poetry. There remain, however, twentyone tales, six comedies, a great number of capitoli, or
satirical chapters, and various poems, of which the best
edition is that of Florence, 1741, 2 vols. 8vo. His Tales
or Novels were printed at Paris, 1756, 8vo, from which
some copies have been printed in 4to, under the title of
London. An excellent French translation of them appeared
in 1775, 2 vols. 8vo, in which nine histories wanting in the
third evening are said to be inserted from an old French
translation in ms. He wrote also “La guerra di Mostri,
Poema giocoso,
” Florence, Tutti i trionfi, carri, mascherate o canti carnasciaj^schi
dal tempo di Lorenzo de Medici a questoanno 1559,
” 8vo;
ng examined,” &c. Lond. 1666, 4to. This was written by Mr. David Lloyd, reader to the Charter-house, who treated Greatrakes as a cheat. In answer to this, he published
, an empiric, whose wori r
derful cures have been attested by some of the most eminent men of the seventeenth century, was the son of William Greatrakes, esq. and born at Affane, co. Waterforcl,
in Ireland, Feb. 14, 1628. He was educated a protestant
in the free-school of Lismore, until the age of thirteen,
when his friends intended to have removed him to Trinity
college, Dublin, but the rebellion breaking out, his mother took refuge with him in England, where he was kindly
received by his great uncle Edmund Harris, brother to
sir Edward Harris, knt. his grandfather by the mother’s
side. After his uncle’s death he spent some years in the
study of the classics and divinity under a clergyman in Devonshire, and then returned to Ireland, which was at that
time in so deplorable a state that he retired to the castle of
Caperquin, where he spent a year in contemplation, and
seems to have contracted a species of enthusiasm which
never altogether left him. In 1649 he entered into the
service of the parliament, and continued in the army until
1656, when, a great part of the English being disbanded,
he retired to his native country of Aflfane, and by the interest of the governor there, was made clerk cf the peace
for the county of Cork, register for transplantation, and
justice of the peace. At the Restoration all these places
were taken from him, and his mind being disturbed partly
with this disappointment, and partly for want of any regular and useful occupation, he felt an impulse, as he calls
it, that the gift of curing the king’s evil was bestowed upon
him and accordingly he began his operations, which were
confined to praying, and stroking the part affected and
such wonderful cures were effected, that he determined
not to stop here. Three years after, he had another impulse that he could cure all kinds of diseases, and by
the same simple remedy, which must be administered
by himself. When however he pretended to some supernatural aid, and mentioned the Holy Ghost with irreverent presumption, as his assistant, he was cited to the
bishop’s court, and forbid to take such liberties. This
probably was the cause of his coming to England in January 1665, where he performed many cures, was invited
by the king to Whitehall, and his reputation spread most
extensively. Even Dr. Henry Stubbe, an eminent physician, published a pamphlet in praise of his skill. Having
failed in one instance, that of a Mr. Cresset in Charterhouse square, there appeared a pamphlet entitled “Wonders no miracles: or Mr. Valentine Greatrakes Gift of
Healing examined,
” &c. Lond. A brief account of Mr. Valentine Greatrakes, and
divers of his strange cures,
” &c. ibid.
mpshire, where, his son was born in 1602, and probably instructed in grammar learning by his father, who was the most celebrated school-master in that country. At fi/teen
, an eminent mathematician and antiquary, was eldest son of John Greaves, rector of Colmore, near Alresford, in Hampshire, where, his son was born in 1602, and probably instructed in grammar learning by his father, who was the most celebrated school-master in that country. At fi/teen years of age he was sent to Baliol college, in Oxford, where he proceeded B. A. July 6, 1621. -Three years after, his superiority in classical learning procured him the first place of five in an election to a fellowship of Merton-college. On June 25, 1628, he commenced M. A. and, having completed his fellowship, was more at liberty to pursue the bent of his inclination, which leading him chiefly to oriental learning and the mathematics, he quickly distinguished himself in each of these studies; and his eminent skill in the latter procured him the professorship of geometry in Gresham college, which he obtained February 22^ 1630.
Immediately after his return, he acquainted archbishop. Laud, who was his liberal patron, with his intentions, and, being encouraged
Immediately after his return, he acquainted archbishop. Laud, who was his liberal patron, with his intentions, and, being encouraged by his grace, set about making preparations for it. His primary view was to measure the pyramids with all proper exactness, and also to make astronomical and geographical observations, as opportunities offered, for the improvement of those sciences. A large apparatus of proper mathematical instruments was consequently to be provided; and, as the expence of purchasing these would be considerable, he applied for assistance to the city of London, but mefwith an absolute denial. This he very much resented, and in relating the generosity of his brothers upon his own money falling short, he observes, 44 That they had strained their own occasions, to enable him, in despite of the city, to go on with his designs.* 1 He had been greatly disappointed in his hopes of meeting with curious books in Italy he therefore proposed to make that another principal part of his business and to compass it in the easiest manner, he bought several books before his departure, in order to exchange them with others in the east. Besides his brothers, he had probably some help from Laud, from whom he received a general discretionary commission to purchase for him Arabic and other Mss. and likewise such coins and medals as he could procure. Laud also gave him a letter of recommendation to sir Peter Wyche, the English ambassador at Constantinople.
rable Cyril Lucaris, the Greek patriarch, by whom he was much assisted in purchasing Greek Mss., and who promised to recommend him to the monks of Mount Athps, where
Thus furnished, he embarked in the river Thames for Leghorn, June 1637, in company with his particular friend Mr. Edward Pococke, whom he had earnestly solicited to that voyage. After a short stay in Italy, he arrived at Constantinople before Michaelmas. Here he met with a kind reception from sir Peter Wyche, and became acquainted with the venerable Cyril Lucaris, the Greek patriarch, by whom he was much assisted in purchasing Greek Mss., and who promised to recommend him to the monks of Mount Athps, where he would have the liberty of entering into all the libraries, and of collecting a catalogue of such books as either were not printed, or else, by the help of some there, might be more correctly published. These, by dispensing with the anathemas which former patriarchs had laid upon all Greek libraries, to preserve the books from the Latins, Cyril proposed to present to archbishop Laud, for the better prosecution of his designs in the edition of Greek authors; but all this was frustrated by the death of that patriarch, who was barbarously strangled June 1638, by express command of the grand signior, on pretence of holding a correspondence with the emperor of Muscovy.
Usher, to whom he had been long known; and here he drew a map of Lesser Asia at his grace’s request, who was writing his dissertation of that country, printed in 1641.
But upon his return, the ensuing national troubles proved greatly detrimental to his private affairs, and he suffered much for his loyalty to the king and his gratitude to Laud. After a short stay at Gresham college, which was no longer a place of safety for him, he went to Oxford, and set about digesting his papers, and preparing such of them as might be most useful for the press. In this business he was assisted by archbishop Usher, to whom he had been long known; and here he drew a map of Lesser Asia at his grace’s request, who was writing his dissertation of that country, printed in 1641.
e degree, to surmount his difficulties, there being still left, some members in the house of commons who had a regard for learning, among whom Selden made the greatest
Hitherto he had been able, in a considerable degree, to
surmount his difficulties, there being still left, some members in the house of commons who had a regard for learning, among whom Selden made the greatest figure. That
gentleman was burgess for the university of Oxford; and,
being well known to our author before his travels, he dedicated his “Roman Foot
” to him, under the character of
his noble and learned friend: and his friendship was very
serviceable to Greaves, in a prosecution in the parliament,
in 1647, occasioned by his executorship to Dr. Bainbridge.
This trust had so involved him in law-suits as entirely to
frustrate his design of going to Leyden to consult some
Persian Mss. necessary for publishing some treatises in
that language. Upon the arrival of the parliamentary commissioners at Oxford, several complaints were made to
them against him on the same account; which being sent
by them to the committee of the house of commons, our
author, probably by the interest of Selden (who was a member of that committee), was there acquitted, after
which he applied to the court of aldermen and the committee of Camden-house for restitution. But though he
evaded this farther difficulty by the assistance of some
powerful friends, yet this respite was but short; however,
* The same method had been pro- Greaves is in the Phil. Trans. No. 257. posed to pope Gregory, who rejected } These are the most genrally-seit, as Mr. Greaves
* The same method had been pro- Greaves is in the Phil. Trans. No. 257. posed to pope Gregory, who rejected } These are the most genrally-seit, as Mr. Greaves says, that he migbt ful parts of his -works. Th latter 19
e learned in foreign parts, with many of whom he corresponded. Nor was he less valued at home by all who were judges of his great worth and abilities. He had no issue
But the tyrannical violence of the parliamentary visitors
was now above all restraint, and a fresh charge was drawn
up against Greaves. Dr. Walter Pope informs us, that,
considering the violence of the visitors, Greaves saw it
would be of no service to him to make any defence; and,
finding it impossible to keep his professorship, he made it
his business to procure an able and worthy person to succeed him. By the advice of Dr. Charles Scarborough the
physician, having pitched upon Mr. Seth Ward, he opened
the matter to that gentleman, whom he soon met with
there; and at the same time proposed a method of compassing it, by which Ward not only obtained the place,
but the full arrears of the stipend, amounting to 500l. due
to Greaves, and allowed him a considerable part of his
salary. The murder of the king, which happened soon
after, was a shock to Greaves, and lamented by him in
pathetic terms, in a letter to Dr. Pococke: “O my good
friend, my good friend, never was sorrow like our sorrow;
excuse me now, if I am not able to write to you, and to
answer your questions. O Lord God, avert this great sin
and thy judgments from this nation.
” However, he bore
up against his own injuries with admirable fortitude; and,
fixing his residence in London, he married, and, living
upon his patrimonial estate, went on as before, and produced some other curious Arabic and Persic treatises,
translated by him with notes, every year. Besides which,
he had prepared several others for the public view, and was
meditating more when he was seized by a fatal disorder,
which put a period to his life, Octobers, 1652, before he
was full fifty years of age. He was interred in the church
of St. Bennet Sherehog, in London. His loss was much
lamented by his friends, to whom he was particularly endeared by joining the gentleman to the scholar. He was
endowed with great firmness of mind, steadiness in friendship, and ardent zeal in the interest which he espoused,
though, as he declares himself, not at all inclined to
contenlion. He was highly esteemed by the learned in foreign parts, with many of whom he corresponded. Nor
was he less valued at home by all who were judges of his
great worth and abilities. He had no issue by his wife, to
whom he bequeathed his estate for her life; and having
left his cabinet of coins to his friend sir John Marsham,
author of the “Canon Chronicus,
” he appointed the eldest
of his three younger brothers (Dr. Nicolas Greaves),
his executor, who by will bestowed our author’s astronomical instruments on the Savilian library at Oxford, where
they are reposited, together with several of his papers; but
many others were sold by his widow to a bookseller, and
lost or dispersed.
hire, “which benefice he resigned some years before his death through trouble from his parishioners, who, because of his slowness of speech and bad utterance, held him
Mr. Greaves had three brothers, Nicholas, Thomas,
and Edward, all men of distinguished learning. Dr. Nicholas Greaves was a commoner of St. Mary’s Hall, in
Oxford, whence in 1627 he was elected fellow of All-Souls
college. In 1640 he was proctor of that university. November 1st 1642 he took the degree of B. D. and July 6th
the year following, that of D. D. He was dean of Dromore in Ireland. Dr. Thomas Greaves was admitted a
scholar of Corpus Christi college in Oxford March 15th,
1627, and chosen fellow thereof in 1636, and deputy
reader of the Arabic during the absence of Mr. Edward Pocock in 1637. He took the degree of B. D. October 22,
1641, and was rector of Dunsby in Lincolnshire during the
times preceding the Restoration, and of another living near
London. October I Oth, 1661, he had the degree of D. D.
conferred upon him, and a prebend in the church of
Peterborough in 1666, being then rector of Benefield in Northamptonshire, “which benefice he resigned some years
before his death through trouble from his parishioners, who,
because of his slowness of speech and bad utterance, held
him insufficient for it, notwithstanding he was a man of
great learning.
” In the latter part of his life he retired to
Weldon in Northamptonshire, where he had purchased an
estate, and died there May 22, 1676, in the sixty-fifth
year of his age, and was interred in the chancel of the
church there. His writings are, “De Linguae Arabicae
militate et proestantia, oratio Oxonii habita 19 Julii 1637,
”
Oxford, Observationes qusedam in Persicam
Pentateuchi versionem,
” printed in the sixth volume of the
Polyglot Bible; “Annotationes quaedam in Persicatn interpretationem Evangeliorum,
” printed in the same volume. These annotations were translated into Latin by
Mr. Samuel Clarke. It appears likewise, by a letter of his
to the celebrated nonconformist Baxter, that he had made
considerable progress in a refutation of Mahometanism
from the Alcoran, upon a plan that was likely to have been
useful in opening the eyes of the Mahometans to the impostures of their founder. He corresponded much with
the learned men of his time, particularly Selden, and
Wheelocke, the Arabic professor at Cambridge. Dr. Edward Greaves, the youngest brother of Mr. John Greaves,
was born at or near Croydon in Surrey, and admitted probationer fellow of All-Souls college in Oxford in 1634;
and studying physic, took the degree of doctor of that
faculty July 8, 1641, in which year and afterwards he practised with good success about Oxford. In 1643 he was
elected superior lecturer of physic in Merton college, a
chair founded by Dr. Thomas Linacre. Upon the declining of the king’s cause he retired to London, and practised there, and sometimes at Bath. In March 1652 he
was examined for the first time before the college of physicians at London, and October 1, 1657, was elected
fellow. After the Restoration he was appointed physician
in ordinary to king Charles II. and was created a baronet.
Mr. Wood styles him a pretended baronet; but we find
that he takes this title in his oration before the college of
physicians; and in the sixth edition of Guillim’s Heraldry
are his arms in that rank. He died at his house in Covent
Garden, November 11, 1680, and was interred in the parish church there. He wrote and published Morbus
Epideiw'cus, ann. 1643; or, the New Disease, with signs,
causes, remedies,“&c. Oxford, 1643, 4to, written upon
occasion of a disease called
” Morbus Campestris,“which
raged in Oxford while the king and court were there.
” Oratio habita in >dibus Collegii Medicorum Londinensium, 25 July, 1661, die Hurveii memoriae dicato," Lond.
1667, 4to.
f Marcus Silanus, and suffered death in consequence, in the 40th year of the Christian sera. Seneca, who never speaks of him without admiration, says, that he was put
, a Roman senator, and a man of letters, flourished in the reign of Caligula, and was greatly distinguished for eloquence, and for the study of philosophy, as well as for a moral conduct surpassing that of many of his contemporaries. He refused to obey the command of the emperor to appear as the accuser of Marcus Silanus, and suffered death in consequence, in the 40th year of the Christian sera. Seneca, who never speaks of him without admiration, says, that he was put to death because he was too good a man to be permitted to live under a tyrant. He is said to have written a treatise concerning agriculture and the management of vines. He was the father of the illustrious Cn. Julius Agricola.
ion; and his grace, at the particular request of the duke of Newcastle, recommended professor Green, who was immediately elected. Among the writers on the subject of
, an English prelate, was born about
1706, at Beverly, in Yorkshire, and received the rudiments of his education at a private school. From this he
was admitted a sizar in St. John’s college, Cambridge;
and after taking his degrees in arts, with great credit as a
classical scholar, engaged himself as usher to a school at
Lichfield, before Dr. Johnson and Mr. Garrick had left
that city, with both of whom he was of course acquainted,
but he continued here only one year. In 1730 he was
elected fellow of St. John’s, and soon after the bishop of
Ely procured him the vicarage of Hingeston from Jesus
college, which was tenable with a fellowship of St. John’s,
but could not be held by any fellow of Jesus. In 1744,
Charles duke of Somerset, chancellor of the university,
appointed Mr. Green (then B. D.) his domestic chaplain.
In January 1747, Green was presented by his noble patron
to the rectory of Borough-green, near New-market, which
he held with his fellowship. He then returned to college,
and was appointed bursar. In December 1748, on the
death of Dr. Whalley, he was elected regius professor of
divinity, with which office he held the living of Barrow in
Suffolk, and sodn after was appointed one of his majesty’s
chaplains. In June 170, on the death of dean Castle,
master of Bene't college, a majority of the fellows (after the headship had been declined by their president, Mr. Scottowe) agreed to apply to archbishop Herring for his
recommendation; and his grace, at the particular request
of the duke of Newcastle, recommended professor Green,
who was immediately elected. Among the writers on the
subject of the new regulations proposed by the chancellor,
and established by the senate, Dr. Green took an active
part, in a pamphlet published in the following winter, 1750,
without his name, entitled “The Academic, or a disputation on the state of the university of Cambridge.
” On
March 22, 1751, whenhis friend Dr. Keene, master of
St. Peter’s college, was promoted to the bishopric of Chester, Dr. Green preached the consecration -sermon in Elyhouse chapel, which, by order of the archbishop of York,
was soon after published. In October 1756, on the death
of Dr. George, he was preferred to the deanery of Lincoln,
and resigned his professorship. Being then eligible to the
office of vice-chancellor, he was chosen in November following. In June 1761, the dean exerted his polemical
talents in two letters (published without his name) “on the
principles and practices of the Methodists,
” the first addressed to Mr. Berridge, and the second to Mr. Whitfield.
On the translation of bishop Thomas to the bishopric of
Salisbury, Green was promoted to the see of Lincoln, the
last mark of favour which the duke of Newcastle had it in
his power to shew him. In 1762, archbishop Seeker (who had always a just esteem for his talents and abilities) being indisposed, the bishop of Lincoln visited as his proxy
the diocese of Canterbury. In 1763 he preached the 30th
of January sermon before the house of lords, which was
printed.