ontemporaries, one of whom was a commoner of Gloucester-hall in 1581, aged eighteen, and the other a student of Magdalen-hall in 1595, aged seventeen. Wood was not able
Our author was living in 1594, and in great esteem, but
we have no account of his death. There appear to have
tieen two other persons of both his names, both natives of
Dorsetshire and nearly contemporaries, one of whom was
a commoner of Gloucester-hall in 1581, aged eighteen,
and the other a student of Magdalen-hall in 1595, aged
seventeen. Wood was not able to tell which of the three
was the author of“Essays, politic and moral,
” which were
published in Booke of Falconrye and
Hawking, heretofore published by G. Turbervile, gent,
and now revived, corrected, and augmented by another
hand,
” Lond. loll. But the intelligent editor of “Phillips’s Theatrum
” is of opinion that this work was the production of our poet, from its having commendatory verses
prefixed by Gascoigne; and the curious biographical tract
of Whetstone, lately reprinted in the edition of the English
Poets, before Gascoigne’s works, notices a production of
that author on hunting, which Mr. Park thinks is the one
printed with the above “Booke of Falconrye,
” and usually
attributed to Turbervile. Besides these, our poet wrote
commendatory verses to the works of several of his contemporaries.
the ancients. He complains of the little assistance he could receive in these pursuits. “Being yet a student of Pembroke Hall, where I could learn never one Greke, neither
, a very eminent naturalist and divine, was born at Morpeth, in Northumberland, and was
educated under the patronage of sir Thomas Wentworth,
at the university of Cambridge, where he was chosen a fellow of Pembroke Hall, about 1531. He acquired great
reputation for his learning, and about 1536 was admitted
to deacon’s orders, at which time he was master of arts.
He applied himself also to philosophy and physic, and
early discovered an inclination to the study of plants, and
a wish to be well acquainted with the materia medico, of the
ancients. He complains of the little assistance he could
receive in these pursuits. “Being yet a student of Pembroke Hall, where I could learn never one Greke, neither
Latin, nor English name, even amongst the physicians, of
any herhe or tree such was the ignorance of that time;
and as yet there was no English herbal, but one all full of
unlearned cacographies and falsely naming of herbes.
”
celebrated Calvinistic professors, John Diodati, Theodore Tronchin, Frederick Spanheim, &c. While a student he supported in 1640 and 1644, two theses, “De felicitate morali
, son to the preceding, was born
at Geneva, Oct. 17, 1623. After pursuing his studies in
the classics and philosophy with great credit, he entered
on the study of divinity, under the celebrated Calvinistic
professors, John Diodati, Theodore Tronchin, Frederick
Spanheim, &c. While a student he supported in 1640
and 1644, two theses, “De felicitate morali et politica,
”
and “De necessaria Dei gratia.
” He afterwards went to
Leyden, and formed an acquaintance with the most eminent scholars there; and afterwards to Paris, where he
lodged with the celebrated Daille", and studied geography
under Gassendi, whose philosophical lectures he also attended. He then visited the schools of Saumur and Montauban, and on his return to Geneva in 1647 was ordained,
and in the following year served both in the French and
Italian churches of that city. In 1650 he refused the professorship of philosophy, which was offered to him more
than once, but accepted an invitation to the pastoral office
at Lyons, where he succeeded Aaron Morus, the brother
of Alexander. In 1653 he was recalled to Geneva to be
professor of divinity, an office which Theodore Tronchin
was now about to resign from age, and Turretin continued in
it during the rest of his life. In 1661 he was employed on
a similar business as his father, being sent to Holland to
obtain assistance from the States General to fortify the city
of Geneva. Having represented the case, he obtained the
sum of 75,000 florins, with which a bastion was built, called
the Dutch bastion. He had an interview with the prince
and princess dowager of Orange at Turnhout in Brabant;
a.nd having often preached while in Holland, he was so
much admired, that the Walloon church of Leyden, and
the French church at the Hague, sent him invitations to
settle with them; but this he declined, and returned to Geneva in 1662. He had not been here long before the
states general of Holland wrote most pressingly to the republic, requesting that Turretin might be permitted to
settle in Holland and similar applications were made
from Leyden, &c. in 1666 and 1672 but he could not be
reconciled to the change, and resuming his functions, acquired the greatest fame, both as a divine and professor.
He died Sept. 28, 1687.
In 1792 Mr. Tweddell was elected fellow of Trinity college; and, soon afterwards, entered himself a student of the Middle-Temple. By those who were acquainted with the
In 1792 Mr. Tweddell was elected fellow of Trinity college; and, soon afterwards, entered himself a student of the Middle-Temple. By those who were acquainted with the vivacity and playfulness of his mind, and who remember with what an exquisite feeling he relished the beauties of poetic fiction and the graces of classical composition, it will not be thought surprising that the study of the law should be in a more than common degree distasteful; yet, such was his deference to the wishes of his father, that, although he could never overcome the prevailing aversion of his mind, he paid considerable attention to his professional studies. It appears, both from the records of his private sentiments, as well as from his large and constant intercourse with the best sources of English history, and his predilection for political economy, that he would have wished to employ his talents and cultivated address in diplomacy at the courts of foreign powers.
t of master of arts he completed in April 1745, when he was only nineteen. In 1753 he was admitted a student of the Inner Temple, and became, after he had kept his terms,
, a miscellaneous writer of considerable talents, was one of the two sons of Mr. Jonathan
Tyers, the original embellisher of Vauxhall gardens, of
which he was himself a joint proprietor till the end of the
season of 1785, when he sold his share to his brother’s family. He was born in 1726, and being intended for one
of the learned professions, was sent very early in life to the
university of Oxford, where he entered of Exeter college,
and was so young when he took his bachelor’s degree that
he was called the boy bachelor. That of master of arts he
completed in April 1745, when he was only nineteen. In
1753 he was admitted a student of the Inner Temple, and
became, after he had kept his terms, a barrister in that
house; but he tells us that, although his father hoped he
would apply to the law, take notes, and make a figure in
Westminster-hall, he never undertook any causes, nor
went a single circuit. He loved his ease too much to acquire a character in that or any other profession. It is
said that the character of Tom Restless (in the Idler, N 8 48)
was intended by Dr. Johnson for Mr. Tyers, but he was
certainly a man of superior cast to the person described
under that name. It could not be said of Mr. Tyers that
he sought wisdom more in conversation than in his library,
for few men read more, and he was heard to say, not long
before his death, that for the last forty years, he had not
been a single day, when in health, without a book or a
pen in his hand, “nulla dies sine linea.
”
t; and a translation of “A collection of learned Discourses,” 1600, &c. Ursinus was a very laborious student; and, that no interruption might be given, he caused the following
Ursinus was not unknown to our English divines, and
some of his works were translated into English as, his
“Catechism,
” or rather, his lectures upon the catechism,
entitled “The Summe of the Christian Religion,
” translated by Henry Parrie, A collection of learned Discourses,
”
ed his studies at Lou vain, and formed a strict friendship with the celebrated Jansenius, his fellow student. In 1610 he was made abbot of St. Cyran, on the resignation
, abbot of St. Cyran,
famous in the seventeenth century as a controversial writer,
was born in 1581, at Bayonne, of a good family. He pursued his studies at Lou vain, and formed a strict friendship
with the celebrated Jansenius, his fellow student. In 1610
he was made abbot of St. Cyran, on the resignation ( of Henry Lewis Chateignier de la Roche-Posai, bishop of Poitiers. The new abbot read the fathers and the councils with Jansenius, and took great pains to impress him with his sentiments and opinions, as well as a number of divines with whom he corresponded; nor did he leave any means untried to inspire M. le Maitre, M. Arnauld, M. d'Andilly, and several more disciples whom he had gained, with the
same opinions. This conduct making much noise, cardinal
Richelieu, who was besides piqued that the abbot of St.
Cyran refused to declare himself for the nullity of the marriage between Gaston, duke of Orleans, the brother of
Louis the thirteenth, and Margaret of Lorraine, confined
him at Vincennes, May 11, 1638. After this minister’s
death, the abbot regained his liberty, but did not enjoy it
long, for he died at Paris, October 18, 1643, aged sixtytwo, and was buried at St. Jacques du Haut-Pas, where
his epitaph may be seen on one side of the high altar. His
works are, 1. “Lettres Spirituelles,
” 2 vols. 4to, or 8vo,
reprinted at Lyons, 1679, 3 vols. 12mo, to which a fourth
has been added, containing several small tracts written by
M. de St. Cyran, and printed separately. 2. “Question
Royale,
” in which he examines in what extremity a subject
might be obliged to save the life of his prince at the expence of his own, 1609, 12mo. This last was much talked
of, and his enemies drew inferences and consequences
from it, which neither he nor his disciples by any means
approved 3. “L‘Aumône Chrétienne, ou Tradition de
l’Eglise touchant la charité envers les Pauvres,
” 2 vols.
12mo. The second part of this work is entitled “L'Aumône ecclesiastique.
” M. Anthony le Maitre had a greater
share in the last-mentioned book than the abbot of St.
Cyran. He published some other works of a similar cast,
but his last appears to deserve most notice. It is entitled
“Petrus Aurelius,
” -and is a defence of the ecclesiastical
hierarchy against the Jesuits. He was assisted in this book
by his nephew, the abbé de Baicos, and it seems to have
done him the most honour of all his works, though it must
be acknowledged, says the abbé L'Avocat, that if all the
abuse of the Jesuits, and the invectives against their order,
were taken from this great volume, very little would remain. L'Avocat is also of opinion that M. Hallier’s small
tract on the same subject, occasioned by the censure of the
clergy in 1635, is more solid, much deeper, and contains
better arguments, than any that are to be found in the
great volume of “Petrus Aurelius.
” The first edition of
this book is the collection of different parts, printed between 1632 and 1635, for which the printer Morel was
paid by the clergy, though it was done without their order.
The assembly held in 1641 caused an edition to be published in 1642, which the Jesuits seized; but it was nevertheless dispersed on the remonstrances of the clergy. This
edition contains two pieces, “Confutatio collections locorum quos Jesuits compilarunt, &c.
” that are not in the
third edition, which was also published at the clergy’s expence in 1646. But to this third edition is prefixed the
eulogy, written by M. Godeau on the author, by order of
the clergy, and the verbal process which orders it; whence
it appears that their sentiments respecting him, differed
widely from those of the Jesuits and their adherents. The
abbot de St. Cyran was a man of much simplicity in his
manners and practice: he told his beads; he exorcised
heretical books before he read them: this simplicity, however, concealed a great fund of learning, and great talents
for persuasion, without which he could never have gained
so many illustrious and distinguished disciples, as Mess.
Arnauld, le Maltre de Sacy, Arnauld d'Andilly, and the
other literati of Port Royal, who all had the highest veneration for him, and placed the most unbounded confidence
in him. But whatever talents he might have for speaking,
persuading, and directing, he certainly had none for writing; nor are his books answerable to his high reputation.
and to promote domestic happiness. Easy of access, friendly, social, without any of the reserve of a student, or any of the pride of wisdom, real or assumed, he was always
No man could be better qualified to enjoy and to promote
domestic happiness. Easy of access, friendly, social, without any of the reserve of a student, or any of the pride of
wisdom, real or assumed, he was always ready to take an
active part in the innocent gratifications of society. With
the learned, equally ready to inquire and to communicate,
but never ostentatious of knowledge; with the ignorant and
even the weak, so very indulgent that they hardly suspected
their inferiority; certainly were never made to feel it painfully. Never ashamed to ask for information, when he
found he wanted it; and most frankly ready to confess ignorance, if consulted upon any subject to which his mind had
not been particularly applied. Never, perhaps, was “I
know nothing of it,
” so often said by one who knew so
much. His entire contempt for every species of affectation
produced these sometimes too sweeping declarations, in
which he was hardly just to himself.
is learning and virtue: his acquaintance with Varus, his first patron, commenced by his being fellow- student with him under this philosopher. After Virgil had completed
the most excellent of all the ancient Roman poets, was born Oct. 15, U. C. 684, B. C. 70, in the consulship of Pompey and Crassus, at a village called Andes, not far from Mantua. His father was undoubtedly a man of low birth and mean circumstances; but by his industry so much recommended himself to his master, that he gave him his daughter, named Maia, in marriage, as a reward of his fidelity. Our poet, discovering early marks of a very fine genius, was sent at twelve years old to study at Cremona, where he continued till his seventeenth year. He was then removed to Milan, and from thence to Naples, then the residence of several teachers in philosophy and polite learning; and applied himself heartily to the study of the best Greek and Roman writers. But physic and mathematics were his favourite sciences, which he cultivated with much care; and to this early tincture of geometrical learning were owing probably that regularity of thought, propriety of expression, and exactness in conducting all subjects, for which he is so remarkable. He learned the Epicurean philosophy under the celebrated Syro, of whom Cicero speaks twice with the greatest encomiums both of his learning and virtue: his acquaintance with Varus, his first patron, commenced by his being fellow-student with him under this philosopher. After Virgil had completed his studies at Naples, Donatus affirms, that he made a journey to Rome; and relates some marvellous circumstances concerning his being made known to Augustus, which, like many other particulars in his account of this poet, breathe very much the air of fable. The truth is, we have no certain knowledge of the time and occasion of Virgil’s going to Rome, how his connexions with the wits and men of quality began, nor how he was introduced to the court of Augustus.
ians, poets, have always been considered as works of authority and accuracy. He was an indefatigable student, and wrote with considerable rapidity. Granger, in an anecdote
But of whatever detriment his Pelagian history might be
to him in Holland, it procured him both honour and profit
from England, where it was by some exceedingly well received. Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, whose great object was to establish Arminianism, admired Vossius’s work
so much, that he procured him a prebend in the church of
Canterbury, while he resided at Leyden; but he afterwards, in 1629, came over to be installed, took a doctor of
law’s degree at Oxford, and then returned. While at Oxford he discovered and encouraged the talents of Dr. Pocock, as we have already noticed in our account of that
celebrated orientalist. In 1630, the town of Amsterdam
having projected the foundation of an university, cast their
eyes upon Vossius, as one likely to promote its reputation
and credit. The literati, magistrates, and inhabitants of
Leyden, complained loudly of this design, as injurious to
their own university; which, they said, 'had had the preference assigned to it above all the other towns of Holland,
because Leyden had sustained in 1574 a long siege against
the Spaniards; and they were still more averse to it, on
account of their being likely to lose so great an ornament
as Vossius. Amsterdam, however, carried its purpose into
execution; and Vossius went thither, in 1633, to be professor of history. He died there in 1649, aged seventy-two
years; after having written and published as many works
as, when they came to be collected and printed at Amsterdam in 1695 and the five following years, amounted to 6
vols. in folio. The principal of them are, “Etymologicon
Linguae Latinae;
” “De Origine & Progressu Idololatriae;
”
“De Historicis Græcis;
” “De Historicis Latinis;
” “De
Arte Grammatica;
” “De vitiis sermonis & glossematis Latino-Barbaris;
” “Institutiones Oratoriae;
” “Institutiones
Poetica;
” “Ars Historica,
” the first book of the kind ever
published; “De quatuor artibus popularibus, Grammatice,
Gymnastice, Musice, & Graphice;
” “De Philologia;
”
“De universa Matheseos natura & constitutione;
” “De
Philosophia;
” “De Philosophorum sectis;
” “De veterum
Poetarum temporibus.
” Most of these, particularly his account of the Greek and Latin historians, poets, have always been considered as works of authority and accuracy.
He was an indefatigable student, and wrote with considerable rapidity. Granger, in an anecdote perhaps not worth
repeating, says that our wonder at the number of Vossius’s
works will be somewhat abated when we consider the following circumstance in a ms. of Mr. Ashmole, in his own
museum. He says he had it from Dr. John Pell. “Gerard Vossius wrote his Adversaria on one side of a sheet of
paper, and joined them together, and would so send them
to the press, without transcribing.
” Our wonder may
be more rationally abated by considering that he employed
the greater part of the day and even of the night in study,
and was a most scrupulous ceconomist of time. When his
friends came to pay him visits, he never allowed any of them
more than a quarter of an hour. On one occasion, when
Christopher Schrader, who knew his custom, had staid out
his quarter, and was about to leave him, Vossius kept him
another quarter, after which he pointed to the hour-glass
which was always before him, and said, “You see how
much time I have given you.
”
n of Christ Church, determined him in favour of that college, of which he was accordingly admitted a student in 1672. Having taken his degree of A. B. in 1676, and that
, an eminent English prelate, descended from an ancient family, was born in 1657, at Blandford, in Dorsetshire, where his father, of the same names, was a gentleman of considerable property. He was probably educated at first at home, whence his father carried him to Oxford, with a view to place him in Trinity college, but an accidental interview with Dr. Fell, dean of Christ Church, determined him in favour of that college, of which he was accordingly admitted a student in 1672. Having taken his degree of A. B. in 1676, and that of A. M. in 1679, he fixed his choice on divinity as a profession, rather against the intention of his father, who wished to provide for him in the clothing business. He then entered into holy orders, and in 1682 accompanied, in quality of chaplain, lord viscount Preston, also of Christ Church, who was appointed envoy extraordinary to the court of France.
In 1750, our author contributed a few small pieces to the “ Student, or Oxford and Cambridge Miscellany,” then published by Newbery.
In 1750, our author contributed a few small pieces to
the “Student, or Oxford and Cambridge Miscellany,
”
then published by Newbery. Among these was the “Progress of Discontent,
” which had been written in
r to have been bent. How much it is to be regretted that he did not live to complete his plan, every student in ancient literature must be deeply sensible. He intended to
ver, one of Mr. Warton’s pupils, who could not write for themselves.
Kiddington, Oxon. on the presentation of George Henry
earl of Litchfield, then chancellor of the university, a nobleman whose memory he afterwards honoured by an epitaph.
In 1774 he published the first volume of his “History of
English Poetry,
” the most important of all his works, and
to the completion of which the studies of his whole life
appear to have been bent. How much it is to be regretted
that he did not live to complete his plan, every student in
ancient literature must be deeply sensible. He intended
to have carried the history down to the commencement 6f
the eighteenth century. A second volume accordingly
appeared in 1778, and a third in 1781, after which he probably relaxed from his pursuit, as at the period of his
death in 1.790, a few sheets only of the fourth volume were
printed, and no part left in a state for printing. His original intention was to have comprised the whole in two or
three volumes, but it is now evident, and he probably soon
became aware, that five would have scarcely been sufficient
if he continued to write on the same scale, and to deviate
occasionally into notices of manners, laws, customs, &c.
that had either a remote, or an immediate connection with
his principal subject. What his reasons were for discontinuing his labours, cannot now be ascertained. It is well
known to every writer that a work of great magnitude requires temporary relaxation, or a change of employment,
and may admit of both without injury; but he might probably find that it was now less easy to return with spirit to
his magnum opus, than in the days of more vigour and activity. It is certain that he wished the public to think that
he was making his usual progress, for in 1785, when he
published “Milton’s Juvenile Poems,
” he announced the
speedy publication of the fourth volume of the history, of
which, from that time to his death, ten sheets only were
finished. His brother, Dr. Joseph, was long supposed to
be engaged in completing this fourth volume. In one of
his letters lately published by Mr. Wooll, and dated 1792,
he says, “At any leisure I get busied in finishing the last
volume of Mr. Warton’s History of Poetry, which I have
engaged to do, for the booksellers are clamorous to have
the book finished (though the ground I am to go over is so beaten) that it may be a complete work.
” Yet on his death
in
st Pope, Gray, and others of acknowledged eminence. We cannot be surprized that the memory of such a student as Warton should be familiar with the choicest language of poetry,
The “Triumph of Isis
” was written in his twenty-first
year, and exhibiis the same beauties and faults which are
to be found in his more mature productions. Among these
last, is a redundancy of epithet which is more frequently a
proof of labour than of taste. The “Pleasures of Melancholy
” appears to be & more genuine specimen of early
talent. He was only in his seventeenth year, when his
mind was so richly stored with striking and elegant imageryIn general he seems to have taken Milton for his model,
and throughout his poems we find expressions borrowed
with as much freedom from Milton, as he has proved that
Milton borrowed from others. One piece only, “Newmarket,
” is an imitation of Pope, and is certainly one of
the finest satires in our language. In this he has not only
adopted the versification of Pope, and emulated his wit and
point, but many of his lines are parodies on what he recollected in Pope’s Satires. This freedom of borrowing,
however, seems so generally allowed, that it can form no
higher objection against Warton than against Pope, Gray,
and others of acknowledged eminence. We cannot be
surprized that the memory of such a student as Warton
should be familiar with the choicest language of poetry,
and that he should often adopt it unconscious of its being
the property of another. The frequent use of alliteration is
a more striking defect; but perhaps these are strictures
which ought not to interfere with the general merit of
Warton as a poet of original genius. His descriptive
pieces, had he written nothing else, would have proved his
claim to that title. Nothing can be more natural, just, or
delightful than his pictures of rural life. The “First of
April
” and the “Approach of Summer
” have seldom been
rivalled, and cannot perhaps be exceeded. The only objection which some critics have started is, that his descriptions are not varied by reflection. He gives an exquisite
landscape, but does not always express the feelings it
creates. His brother, speaking of Thomson, observes that
the unexpected insertion of reflections “imparts to us the
same pleasure that we feel, when, in wandering through
a wilderness or grove, we suddenly behold in the turning
of the walk a statue of some Virtue or Muse.
” Yet in
Warton’s descriptive poetry, it is no small merit to have
produced so much effect, and so many exquisite pictures
without this aid.
llege, where he still continued to take pupils, and for their advantage wrote his “Advice to a young student, with a method of study for the first four years,” which went
, a learned English divine, and
able assertor of the doctrine of the Trinity, was born Feb.
34, 1683, at Waseley, or Walesiy, in the Lindsey division
of Lincolnshire, of which parish his father, the rev. Henry
Waterland, was rector. He received his early education
partly at Flixborough, of which also his father was rector,
under his curate Mr. Sykes, and partly under his father,
until he was fit to be sent to the free-school at Lincoln,
then in great reputation. His uncommon diligence and
talents recommended him to the notice of Mr. Samuel
Garmstone and Mr. Antony Read, the two successive
masters of that school, at whose request, besides the ordinary exercises, he frequently performed others, which were
so excellent as to be handed about for the honour of the
school. In 1699, he went to Cambridge, and on March
30, was admitted of Magdalen college, under the tuition of
Mr. Samuel Barker. In December 1702 he obtained a
scholarship, and proceeding A. B. in Lent term following,
was elected fellow in Feb. 1703-4. He then took pupils,
and was esteemed a good teacher. In 1706 he commenced
A.M. In February 1713, on the death of Dr. Gabriel
Quadrin, master of the college, the earl of Suffolk and
Binden, in whose family the right is vested, conferred the
mastership upon Mr. Waterland, who having taken holy
orders, was also presented by that nobleman to the rectory
of Ellingham in Norfolk. But this made little or no addition to his finances, as he gave almost the whole revenue
of it to his curate, his own residence being necessary at
college, where he still continued to take pupils, and for
their advantage wrote his “Advice to a young student,
with a method of study for the first four years,
” which went
through several editions.
rable eminence, was educated at Emmanuel college, Cambridge, where he was remarked to be a very hard student. In 1646, he became rector of St. Stephen’s, W r albrook, by
, a nonconformist divine of considerable eminence, was educated at Emmanuel college,
Cambridge, where he was remarked to be a very hard student. In 1646, he became rector of St. Stephen’s, W r albrook, by the sequestration of his predecessor, and was a
preacher of great fame and popularity until the restoration,
when he was ejected for nonconformity. In other respects
he was a man rather of loyal principles, and besides a vigorous opposition to the measures adopted against the life
of Charles 1. and a remonstrance to Cromweli r against the
murder of that sovereign, he was concerned in what was
called Love’s plot to bring in Charles II. and was for some
time imprisoned in the Tower on that account. After his
ejectment from St. Stephen’s, Walbrook, he occasionally
preached where he could with safety, until undulgence
being granted in 1672, he fitted up the great hall in Crosby
House, Bishopsgate-street, which then belonged to sir John
Langham, a nonconformist, and preached there several
years. At length he retired to Essex, where he died sud*
denly, as is supposed about 1689 or 1690. The time,
either of his birth or death, is no where mentioned. He
published a variety of small works on practical subjects,
particularly “The Art of Divine Contentment,
” which
has gone through several editions; but his greatest work is
his “Body of Divinity,
”
laborious divine, grandson to bishop Sparrow, was born in December 1689,. and having been admitted a student of Caius-college, Cambridge, there took his degrees of B. A.
, ar learned and laborious divine,
grandson to bishop Sparrow, was born in December 1689,.
and having been admitted a student of Caius-college,
Cambridge, there took his degrees of B. A. 1711, M. A. 1716,
and D. D. 1752. In 1715 he was made curate of St. Dunstan in the West, London; and in 1725, edited the “Life
of General Monk,
” from the original manuscript of Dr.
Skinner. This volume he Dedicated to the countess Granville, and to John lord Gower, who were descended from
the family of Monk. His next production was, “The
Clergy’s Right of Maintenance vindicated,
” 8vo, which is
also inscribed to lord Gower, who was afterwards his patron.
nt nonconformist, and appears to have been a woman of uncommon mental acquirements, and a very early student of religious controversies. At the age of thirteen she became
, the most celebrated of the family, and the founder of the society of Methodists, was the second son of the rev. Samuel Wesley, and was born at Epworth in Lincolnshire, June 17, 1703, O. S. His mother was the youngest daughter of Dr. Samuel Annesley, an eminent nonconformist, and appears to have been a woman of uncommon mental acquirements, and a very early student of religious controversies. At the age of thirteen she became attached to the church of England, from an examination of the points in dispute betwixt it and the dissenters; but when her husband was detained from his charge at Epworth by his attendance on the convocation in London, she used to admit as many of his flock as his house could hold, and read a sermon, prayed, &c. with them. Her husband, who thought this not quite regular, objected to it, and she repelled his objections with considerable ingenuity. It is not surprising, therefore, that she afterwards approved of her sons’ extraordinary services in the cause of religion.
7, by virtue of the letters of general Fairfax to the university, which said that “he was sometime a student in that university, and afterwards improved his time in London
, an eminent English physician,
was descended from an ancient and genteel family of that
name in Yorkshire. He was educated in Pembroke college, Cambridge, whence he removed to Trinity college,
Oxford, being then tutor to John Scrope, the natural and
only son of Emanuel earl of Sunderland. Upon the breaking out of the civil wars he retired to London, where he
practised physic under Dr. John Bathurst, a noted physician of that city. After the garrison at Oxford had surrendered to the parliament in 1646, he returned to Trinity
college, and as a member of it was actually created doctor
of physic May 8, 1647, by virtue of the letters of general
Fairfax to the university, which said that “he was sometime a student in that university, and afterwards improved
his time in London in the study of all parts of physic.
”
He then retired to London, and was admitted a candidate
of the college of physicians the same year, and fellow in
1650, and for five or six years was chosen censor of the
college, he being then a person of great esteem and practice in the city, and one of the lecturers in Gresham college. In 1656 he published at London, in 8vo, his “Adenographia, seu Descriptio Glandular.um totius Corporis,
”
which was reprinted at Amsterdam,
sed the number as well as quality of his hearers. While in this office he remained the indefatigable student, making himself acquainted with the writings of the fathers,
He also, as just noticed, translated NowelPs Catechisms into Greek, the larger of which was printed in 1573, and dedicated to the lord treasurer, sir William Cecil, and the smaller in 1575, dedicated to Nowell. He also translated into Latin, bishop Jewel’s reply to Harding. These increased his reputation, extending it to Oxford, where he wa incorporated doctor of divinity. On the preferment of Dr. William Chaderton to the bishoprick of Chester, Dr. Whitaker succeeded him in 1579 in the office of regius professor at Cambridge. Although considered by many as rather too young for a place to which many of his seniors had pretensions, he proved, by his course of lectures, that he was deficient in none of the qualities of an able divine and accomplished professor. He soon displayed copious reading, sound judgment, and an eloquence and vigour which greatly increased the number as well as quality of his hearers. While in this office he remained the indefatigable student, making himself acquainted with the writings of the fathers, both Greek and Latin, and of the eminent divines and ecclesiastical historians. In his lectures, he began with various select parts of the New Testament, and then entered upon the controversies between the papists and protestants. The latter were matters of the first importance at that time, and Whitaker accordingly took an ample share in confirming the protestant establishment, and carried on a successful controversy with some of the champions of the Romish church, particularly Campian, Dury, Saunders, &c. Cardinal Bellarmine, though often foiled by his pen, honoured his picture with a place in his library; aud said, he was the most learned heretic he had ever read.
In this pursuit the authors of some of the ministerial journals published a letter from a Cambridge student who had been expelled for atheism, in which it was intimated
No farther steps were taken against the author of “Man-r
ners;
” the whole process, indeed, was supposed to be intended rather to intimidate Pope than to punish Whitehead;
and it answered that purpose: Pope became cautious,
“willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike,
” and Whitehead for some years remained quiet. The noise, however,
which this prosecution occasioned, and its failure as to the
main object, induced Whitehead’s enemies to try whether
he might not be assailed in another way, and rendered the
subject of odium, if not of punishment. In this pursuit
the authors of some of the ministerial journals published a
letter from a Cambridge student who had been expelled
for atheism, in which it was intimated that Whitehead belonged to a club of young men who assembled to encourage
one another in shaking off what they termed the prejudices
of education. But Whitehead did not suffer this to disturb
the retirement so necessary in his present circumstances,
and as the accusation had no connection with his politics or
his poetry, he was content to sacrifice his character with
respect to religion, which he did not value, in support of
the cause he had espoused. That he was an infidel seems
generally acknowledged by all his biographers; and when
he joined the club at Mednam Abbey, it mustbe confessed
that his practices did not disgrace his profession.
g the publication of Gaubius as a text, he delivered a comment, which was heard by every intelligent student with the most unfeigned satisfaction. For a period of more than
From the time that he first entered upon an academical
appointment, till 1756, his prelections were confined to the
institutions of medicine alone. But at that period his
learned colleague, Dr. Rutherford, who was then professor
of the practice of medicine, found it necessary to retire;
and on this occasion, Dr.Whytt, Dr. Monro senior, and
Dr. Cullen, each agreed to take a share in an appointment
in which their united exertions promised the highest advantages to the university. By this arrangement, students
who had an opportunity of daily witnessing the practice of
three such teachers, and of hearing the grounds of that
practice explained, could not fail to derive the most solid
advantages. In these two departments the institutions of
medicine in the university, and the clinical lectures in
the royal infirmary (which were first begun by Dr. Rutherford) Dr. Whytt’s academical labours were attended
with the most beneficial consquences both to the students,
and to the university. But not long after the period we
have last mentioned, his lectures on the former of these
subjects underwent a very considerable change. About
this time the illustrious Gaubius, who had succeeded to the
chair of Boerhaave, published his “Institutiones Pathologiae.
” This branch of medicine had indeed a place in the
text which Dr.Whytt formerly followed, but, without detracting from the character of Boerhaave, it may justly be
said, that the attention he had bestowed upon it was not
equal to its importance. Dr T Whytt was sensible of the improved state in which pathology now appeared in the writings of Boerhaave’s successor; and he made no delay in
availing himself of the advantages which were then afforded.
Accordingly, in 1762, his pathological lectures were entirely new modelled. Following the publication of Gaubius as a text, he delivered a comment, which was heard by
every intelligent student with the most unfeigned satisfaction. For a period of more than twenty years, during which
he was justly held in the highest esteem as a lecturer at
Edinburgh, it may readily be supposed that the extent of
his practice corresponded to his reputation. In fact he received both the first emoluments, and the highest honours,
which could there be obtained. With extensive practice
in Edinburgh, he had numerous consultations from other
places. His opinions on medical subjects were daily requested by his most eminent contemporaries in every part
of Britain. Foreigners of the first distinction, and celebrated physicians in the most remote parts of the British
empire, courted an intercourse with him by letter. Besides private testimonies of esteem, many public marks of
honour were conferred upon him both at home and abroad.
In 1752, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of
London; in 176!, he was appointed first physician to the
king in Scotland; and in 1764, he was chosen president of
the royal college of physicians at Edinburgh.
fur whom the work was chiefly calculated; yet it is a work which cannot fail to be perused by every student of Roman history with the greatest advantage. It is calculated
These, and many other acts of beneficence, both of a
public and private nature, the latter always performed
with the utmost delicacy, are specified at large in the very
interesting memoirs prefixed to the last edition of his
“Roman Conversations,
” by Mr. Bickerstaff, the successor
of Mr. Brown, the bookseller, to whom he bequeathed that
edition, with an express provision, “to indemnify him
from any loss which might be incurred by the expences of
the first edition.
” His classical taste, contracted by long
reading, led him to Italy, and it appears to have been in
the once “metropolis of the world,
” that he laid the foundation of the “Roman Conversations,
” his principal work,
which may justly be recommended to the young, and indeed to readers in general. In it he separates the truth of
Roman history from the errors which disfigure it, bestowing just praise on the real patriots of Rome, and equally
just censure on those whose patriotism was only feigned;
and distinguishing between the insidious arts of demagogues, and the integrity of true friends to the public. In
nice investigations of character, he appears to be free
from prejudice, attentive to truth, and often strikingly
original in his remarks. The chief defect is a want of regard to style, and a prolixity of remark and digression,
which perhaps will be more easily pardoned by the old
than the young, fur whom the work was chiefly calculated;
yet it is a work which cannot fail to be perused by every
student of Roman history with the greatest advantage. It
is calculated to excite religious and moral reflections on
that history, and to adapt and direct the study of it to the,
best and wisest purposes of a Christian education.
orcestershire. He was of Baliol college, Oxford, and in 1610, when he took his degree of M. A. was a student in the Inner Temple. Of this society he became Lent reader 6
, a lawyer, and a very prominent character during the usurpation, was the eldest son
of a lawyer, as his father is said to have been serjeant George
Wilde of Droitwich, in Worcestershire. He was of Baliol
college, Oxford, and in 1610, when he took his degree of
M. A. was a student in the Inner Temple. Of this society
he became Lent reader 6 Car. I. afterwards a serjeant at
law, one of the commissioners of the great seal in 1643,
and in Oct. 1648, chief baron of the exchequer, and one
of the council of state. In 1641 he drew up the impeachment against the bishops, and presented it to the House
of Lords, and was prime manager not only in that, but on
the trial of archbishop Laud. “He was the same also,
”
says Wood, “who, upon the command, or rather desire,
of the great men sitting at Westminster, did condemn to
death at Winchester one captain John Bucley, for causing
a drum to be beat uf) for God and king Charles, at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, in order to rescue his captive
king in 1647.
” Wood adds, that after the execution of
Burley, Wilde was rewarded with 1000l. out of the privy
purse at Derby-house, and had the same sum for saving
the life of major Edmund Rolph, who had a design to have
murdered the king. When Oliver became protector “he
retired and acted not,” but after Richard Cromwell had
been deposed he was restored to the exchequer. On the
restoration he was of course obliged to resign again, and
lived in retirement at Hampstead, where he died about
1669, and was buried at VVherwill, in Hampshire, the
seat of Charles lord Delawar, who had married his daughter.
Wilde married Anne, daughter of sir Thomas Harry, of
Tonge castle, serjeant at law and baronet, who died in.
1624, aged only sixteen, “being newly delivered of her
first born.
” She lies buried in Tonge church, in Staffordshire.
ol in the parish of All-Saints in Oxford and his proficiency was such, that at thirteen he entered a student of New-innhall, in 1627. He made no long stay there, but was
, an ingenious and learned English
bishop, was the son of Mr. Walter Wilkins, citizen and
goldsmith of Oxford, and was born in 1614, at Fawsley,
near Daventry, in Northanvptonshire, in the house of his
mother’s father, the celebrated dissenter Mr. John Dod.
He was taught Latin and Greek by Edward Sylvester, a
teacher of much reputation, who kept a private school in
the parish of All-Saints in Oxford and his proficiency
was such, that at thirteen he entered a student of New-innhall, in 1627. He made no long stay there, but was removed to Magdalen-hall, under the tuition of Mr. John
Tombes, and there took the degrees in arts. He afterwards entered into orders; and was first chaplain to William lord Say, and then to Charles count Palatine of the
Khine, and prince elector of the empire, with whom he continued some time. To this last patron, his skill in the mathematics was a very great recommendation. Upon the
breaking out of the civil war, he joined with the parliament,
and took the solemn league and covenant. He was afterwards made warden of Wadham-college by the committee
of parliament, appointed for reforming the university; and,
being created bachelor of divinity the 12th of April, 1648,
was the day following put into possession of his wardenship. Next year he was created D. D. and about that time
took the engagement then enjoined by the powers in being.
In 1656, he married Robina, the widow of Peter French,
formerly canon of Christ-church, and sister to Oliver Cromwell, then lord-protector of England: which marriage being
contrary to the statutes of Wadham-college, because they
prohibit the warden from marrying, he procured a dispensation from Oliver, to retain the wardenship notwithstanding. In 1659, he was by Richard Cromwell made master
of Trinity-college in Cambridge; but ejected thence the
year following upon the restoration. Then he became
preacher to the honourable society of Gray’s-inn, and rector of St. Lawrence-Jewry, London, upon the promotion
Dr. Seth Ward to the bishopric of Exeter. About this
time, he became a member of the Royal Society, was
chosen of their council, and proved one of their most eminent members. Soon after this, he was made dean of Rippon; and, in 1668, bishop of Chester, Dr. Tillotson, who
had married his daughter-in-law, preaching his consecration sermon. Wood and Burnet both inform us, that he
obtained this bishopric by the interest of Villiers duke of
Buckingham; and the latter adds, that it was no stnall prejudice against him to be raised by so bad a man. Dr. Walter Pope observes, that Wilkins, for some time after the
restoration, was out of favour both at Whitehall and Lambeth, on account of his marriage with Oliver Cromwell’s
sister; and that archbishop Sheldon, who then disposed of
almost all ecclesiastical preferments, opposed his
promotion; that, however, when bishop Ward introduced him
afterwards to the archbishop, he was very obligingly received, and treated kindly by him ever after. He did not
enjoy his preferment long; for he died of a suppression of
urine, which was mistaken for the stone, at Dr. Tiilotson’s
house, in Chancery-lane, London, Nov. 19, 1672. He was
buried in the chancel of the church of St. Lawrence Jewry;
and his funeral sermon was preached by Dr. William Lloyd,
then dean of Bangor, who, although Wilkins had been
abused and vilified perhaps beyond any man of his time,
thought it no shame to say every thing that was good of
him. Wood also, different as his complexion and principles were from those of Wilkins, has been candid enough
to give him the following character “He was,
” says he,
“a person endowed with rare gifts he was a noted theologist and preacher, a curious critic in several matters, an
excellent mathematician and experimentist, and one as well
seen in mechanisms and new philosophy, of which he was
3 great promoter, as any man of his time. He also highly
advanced the study and perfecting, of astronomy, both at
Oxford while he was warden of Wadham-college, and at
London while he was fellow of the Royal Society; and I
cannot say that there was any thing deficient in him, but a
constant mind and settled principles.
”
seem to confirm part of the character Wood gives of him, that “he was a good scholar, always a close student, an excellent preacher (though his voice was shrill and whining),”
With this encouragement Wilkinson went on preaching
what he pleased without fear, but removed to London, as
the better scene of action, where he was made minister of
St. Faith’s, under St. Paul’s, and one of the assembly of
divines. He was also a frequent preacher before the parliament on their monthly fasts, or on thanksgiving days. In
1645 he was promoted to the rectory of St. Dunstan’s in
the West. Soon after he was constituted one of the six
ministers appointed to go to Oxford (then in the power of parliament), and to establish preachings and lectures upon
presbyterian principles and forms. He was also made one
of the visitors for the ejection of all heads of houses, fellows, students, &c. who refused compliance with the now
predominant party. For these services he was made a
senior fellow of Magdalen college (which, Wood says, he kept till he married a holy woman called the Lady Carr),
a canon of Christ church, doctor of divinity, and, after
Cheynel’s departure, Margaret professor. Of all this he
was deprived at the restoration, but occasionally preached
in or about London, as opportunity offered, particularly
at Clapham, where he died in September 1675, and his
body, after lying in state in Drapers’ hall, London, was
buried with great solemnity in the church of St. Dunstan’s.
His printed works are entirely “Sermons
” preached before
the parliament, or in the “Morning Exercise
” at Cripplegate and Southwark, and seem to confirm part of the character Wood gives of him, that “he was a good scholar,
always a close student, an excellent preacher (though his voice was shrill and whining),
” yet, adds Wood, “his sermons were commonly full of dire and confusion, especially
while the rebellion lasted.
”
rdshire, and to a prebend in the church of Ely. His son, who had been a very diligent and successful student while at school, was sent in his fourteenth year to Peter-house,
, a learned divine, was born in the city of Ely in 1562. His father, Mr. Thomas Willet, was sub-almoner to Edward VI. and a sufferer during the persecutions in queen Mary’s reign; but in that of queen Elizabeth, was preferred to the rectory of Barley in Hertfordshire, and to a prebend in the church of Ely. His son, who had been a very diligent and successful student while at school, was sent in his fourteenth year to Peter-house, Cambridge, whence he afterwards removed to Christ’s college, and obtained a fellowship. After passing thirteen years in the university, during which he afforded many proofs of extraordinary application and talents, queen, Elizabeth gave him his father’s prebend in Ely, about 1598, the year his father died. One of his name was also rector of Reed, in Middlesex, in 1613, and of Chishall Parva$ in Essex, in 1620, but it is doubtful whether this was the same person. It seems more certain, however, that he had the rectory of Childerley, in Cambridgeshire, and in 1597 that of Little Grantesden, in the same county, for which he took in exchange the rectory of Barley, vacant by his father’s death. He was also chaplain to prince Henry. About this time he married a relation to Dr. Goad, by whom he had eleven sons and seven daughters.
ove mentioned, was born at Oxford in Jan. 1657-8, educated some time in Westminster-school, became a student a Christ church, and died in 1699. He was buried in Bletcbley
Dr. Willis was one of the first members of the Royal Society, and soon made his name as illustrious by his writings
as it was already by his practice. In 1666, after the fire
of London, he removed to Westminster, upon an invitation
from archbishop Sheldon, and took a house in St. Martin’slane. As he rose early in the morning, that he might be
present at divine service, which he constantly frequented
before he visited his patients, he procured prayers to be
read out of the accustomed times while he lived, and at his
death settled a stipend of 20l. per annum to continue them,
He was a liberal benefactor to the poor wherever he came,
having from his early practice allotted part of his profits
to charitable uses. He was a fellow of the college of physicians, and refused the honour of knighthood. He was
regular and exact in his hours; and his table was the resort of most of the great men in London. After his settlement there, his only son Thomas falling into a consumption, he sent him to Montpellier in France for the recovery of his health, which proved successful. His wife also
labouring under the same disorder, he offered to leave the
town; but she, not suffering him to neglect the means of
providing for his family, died in 1670. He died, at his
house in St. Martin’s, Nov. 11, 1675, and was buried near
her in Westminster-abbey. His son Thomas, above mentioned, was born at Oxford in Jan. 1657-8, educated some
time in Westminster-school, became a student a Christ
church, and died in 1699. He was buried in Bletcbley
church, near Fenny-Stratford, the manors of which places
his father had purchased of the duke of Buckingham, and
which descended to his eldest son Browne Willis of Whaddon-hall, esq. eminent for his knowledge in antiquities, and
of whom some memoirs will be given. Wood tells us, that
“though Dr. Willis was a plain man, a man of no carriage,
little discourse, complaisance, or society, yet for his deep
insight, happy researches in natural and experimental philosophy, anatomy, and chemistry, for his wonderful success and repute in his practice, the natural smoothness,
pure elegancy, delightful unaffected neatness of Latin
style, none scarce hath equalled, much less outdone, him,
how great soever. When at any time he is mentioned by
authors, as he is very often, it is done in words expressing
their highest esteem of his great worth and excellency, and
placed still as first in rank among physicians. And, further, also, he hath laid a lasting founJation of a body of
physic, chiefly on hypotheses of his own framing.
” These
hypotheses, by far too numerous and fanciful for his reputation, are contained in the following works: 1. “Diatribse
duae Medico-philosophicae de ft-rmentatione, altera de febribus,
” Hague, Diatribse Thomas
Wiilisii Med. Doct. & Profess. Oxon de Febribus Vindicatio contra Edm. de Meara,
” London, Dissertatio Epistolica de Uriuis
” printed with the Diatribes
above mentioned. 3. “Cerebri Anatome,
” London, De ratione motus
musculorum,
” printed with the “Cerebri Anatome.
” 5.
“Pathologise Cerebri & nervosi generis specimina, in quo
agiiur de morbis convulsivis & descorbuto,
” Oxford, Affectionum quae dicuntur hystericae & hypochondriacae Pathologia spasmodica, vindicata contra responsionem Epistolarem Nath. Highmore, M. D.
” London, Exercitationes Medico-physicae
duae, 1. De sanguinis accensione. 2.
” De motu musculari,“printed with the preceding book. 8.
” De anim&
Brutorum, quag hominis vitalis ac sensativa est, exercitationes duac, &c.“London, 1672, 4to and 8vo, Amsterdam,
1674, 12mo, All these books, except
” Affection um quae
dicuntur hystericae, &c.“and that
” de am ma Brutorum,“were translated into English by S. Pordage, esq. and printed
at London, 1681, folio. 9.
” Pharmaceutice Rationalis:
sive Diatriba de medicamentorum operationibus in humano
corpore." In two parts, Oxford, 1674 and 1675, 12mo,
4to. Published by Dr. John Fell. In the postscript to the
second part is the following imprimatur put to it by Dr.
Ralph Bathurst, the author dying the day before.
admired characters of the age that is just gone by. He had been in his earlier years a very diligent student, and was an excellent Greek and Latin scholar. In his latter
* When about to visit that country in perhaps I make the time shorter than
his official capacity, he called on Dr. it was. Such conversation I shall not
Johnson and in the course of con- have again till I come back to the reversation lamented that he should be gions of Literature, and there Windunder the necessity of sanctioning ham is inter stellas luna. minores.“Alpractices of which he could not ap- though e have said that illness was
prove.
” Don't be afraid, sir,“said the cause of Mr. Windham’s resignathe tioctor, with a pleasant smile, tion, his biographer affords some rea
”you will soon in -ke a very pretty son to think that it really arose from
rascal.“Dr. Johnson in a letter to the conscientious scruples which Dr.
Dr. Bruckle.-'by, written an Ashbourne Johnson thought might soon vanish,
in 1784 says:
” Mr. Wjiuiham has and that it was owing to his being
been here to see me he came, [ dissatisfied with some part of the lord
think, forty miles ou of his Vay, lieutenaut’s conduct,
and staid about a day aud a half;
Although from the time of his coming into parliament,
he usually voted with the opposition of that day, he never
was what is called a thorough party-man, frequently deviating from those to whom he was in general attached,
when, in matters of importance, his conscience directed
him to take a different course from them; on which account his virtues and talents were never rightly appreciated
by persons of that description, who frequently on this
ground vainly attempted to undervalue him. After thq
rupture between Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke, in consequence
of the French revolution, Mr. Windham attached himself
wholly to the latter, with whom he had for many years
lived in the closest intimacy; and of whose genius and
virtues he had always the highest admiration. Being with
him thoroughly convinced of the danger then impending
over his country from the measures adopted by certain
classes of Englishmen, in consequence of that tremendous
convulsion, he did not hesitate to unite with the duke of
Portland, lord Spencer, and others, in accepting offices
under the administration in which Mr. Pitt then presided.
On this arrangement Mr. Windham was appointed secretary at war, with a seat in the cabinet, an honourable distinction which had never before been annexed to that
office. This station he continued to fill with the highest
reputation from that time (17S4) till 1801, when he, lord
Spencer, lord Grenville, and Mr. Pitt, resigned their offi-r
ces; and shortly afterwards Mr. Addington (now lord viscount Sidmouth) was appointed chancellor of the exchequer
and first lord of the treasury. On the preliminaries of
peace with France being acceded to by that statesman aod
his coadjutors, in 1801, Mr. Windham made his celebrated
speech in parliament, which was afterwards (April 1802)
published, with an Appendix, containing a character of
the Usurper of the French throne, which will transmit to
posterity the principal passages of his life up to that period,
in the most lively colours. On Mr. Addington being driven
from the helm, in 1805, principally by the battery of Mr,
Windham’s eloquence, a new administration was again
formed by Mr. Pitt, which was dissolved by his death, in
1806; and shortly afterwards, on lord Grenville’s accepting the office of first lord of the Treasury, Mr. Windham
was appointed secretary of state for the war department,
which he held till his majesty in the following year thought
fit to constitute a new administration. During this period
he carried into a law his bill for the limited service of those
who enlist in our regular army; a measure which will ever
endear his name to the English soldiery. But it is not our
purpose to detail the particular measures which either
originated from him, or in which he took a part. This indeed would be impossible within any prescribed limits;
and would involve the history of perhaps the whole of the
war. It may suffice to notice that his genius and talents
were universally acknoxvledged. He was unquestionably
not inferior, in many respects, to the most admired characters of the age that is just gone by. He had been in
his earlier years a very diligent student, and was an excellent Greek and Latin scholar. In his latter years, like
Burke and Johnson, he was an excursive reader, but gathered a great variety of knowledge from different books,
and from occasionally mixing, like them, with very various
classes and descriptions of men. His memory was most
tenacious. In his parliamentary speeches his principal
object always was to convince the understanding by irrefragable argument, which he at the same time enlivened
by a profusion of imagery, drawn sometimes from the most
abstruse parts of science, but oftener from the most familiar
objects of common life. But what gave a peculiar lustre
to whatever he urged, was his known and uniform integrity,
and a firm conviction in the breasts of his hearers, that he
always uttered the genuine and disinterested sentiments of
his heart. His language, both in writing and speaking,
was always simple, and he was extremely fond of idiomatic
phrases, which he thought greatly contributed to preserve
the purity of our language. He surveyed every subject of
importance with a philosophic eye, and was thence enabled
to discover and detect latent mischief, concealed under the
plausible appearance of public advantage. Hence all the
clarnourers for undefined and imaginary liberty, and all
those who meditate the subversion of the constitution under
the pretext of Reform, shrunk from his grasp; and persons
of this description were his only enemies. But his dauntless intrepidity, and his noble disdain of vulgar popularity,
held up a shield against their malice; and no fear of consequences ever drove him from that manly and honourable
course, which the rectitude and purity of his mind induced
him to pursue. As an orator, he was simple, elegant,
prompt, and graceful. His genius was so fertile, and his
reading so extensive, that there were few subjects on which
he could not instruct, amuse, and persuade. He was frequently (as has justly been observed) “at once entertaining and abstruse, drawing illustrations promiscuously from
familiar life, and the recondite parts of science; nor was
it unusual to hear him through three adjoining sentences,
in the first witty, in the second metaphysical, and in the
last scholastic.
” But his eloquence derived its principal
power from the quickness of his apprehension, and the
philosophical profundity of his mind. In private life no
man perhaps of any age had a greater number of zealous
friends and admirers. In addition to his extraordinary ta-^
lents and accomplishments, the grace and happiness of his
address and manner gave an irresistible charm to his conversation; and few, it is believed, of either sex (for his address to ladies was inimitably elegant and graceful) ever
partook of his society without pleasure and admiration, or
quitted it without regret. His brilliant imagination, his
various knowledge, his acuteness, his good taste, his wit,
his dignity of sentiment, and his gentleness of manner (for he never was loud or intemperate) made him universally
admired and respected. To crown all these virtues and
accomplishments, it mav be added, that he fulfilled all the
duties. of life, the lesser as well as the greatest, with the
most scrupulous attention; and was always particularly ardent in vindicating the cause of oppressed merit. But his
best eulogy is the general sentiment of sorrow which agitated every bosom on the sudden s and unexpected stroke
which terminated in his death. During the nineteen days
of his sickness, his hall was daily visited by several hundred
successive inquirers concerning the state of his health; and
that part of Pall Mall in which his house was situated, was
thronged with carriages filled with ladies, whom a similar
anxiety brought to his door. Every morning, and also at a
late hour every evening, when his physicians and surgeons
attended, several apartments in his house were filled with
friends, who anxiously waited to receive the latest and
most accurate accounts of the progress or abatement of
his disorder. This sympathetic feeling extended almost
through every class, and even reached the throiio, for his
majesty frequently inquired concerning the state of his
health, pronouncing on him this high eulogy, that “he
was a genuine patriot, and a truly honest man.
” Of the
fatal malady which put an end to his invaluable life, erroneous accounts have been published, but the fact was, that
on the 8th of July 1809, Mr. Windham, returningon foot
at twelve o'clock at niiht from the house of a friend, as he
passed by the end of Conduit-street, saw a house on fire,
and instantly hastened to the spot, with a view to assist the
sufferers; and soon observed that the house of the Hon.
Mr. Frederic North was not far distant from that which was
then on fire. He therefore immediately undertook to
save his friend’s library, which he knew to be very valuable. With the most strenuous activity he exerted himself for four hours, in the midst of rain and the playing of
the fire-engines, with such effect that, with the assistance
of two or three persons whom he had selected from the
crowd assembled on this occasion, he saved four parts out
of five of the library; and before they could empty the
fifth book room, the house took fire. The books were immediately removed, not to Mr. Windham’s house, but to
the houses of the opposite neighbours, who cook great care
of them. In removing same heavy volumes he accidentally
fell, and suffered a slight contusion on his hip, of which,
however, he unfortunately took no notice for some months,
when an indolent encysted tumour was formed, which,
after due consultation, it was judged proper to cut out.
The operation was accordingly performed apparently with
success on May 17, 1810, but soon after unfavourable
symptoms came on, and terminated fatally June 4, to the
unspeakable regret of all who knew him.
refined and elegant, in its manner so affectionate and animating, that I would recommend it to every student in divinity. I would not scruple to risk all my reputation upon
, a very learned and
eminent divine of North Holland, was born at Enckhuisen,
Feb. 12, 1636. He was trained to the study of divinity,
and so distinguished himself by his uncommon abilities and
learning, that he was chosen theological professor, first at
Franeker, afterwards at Utrecht, and lastly at Leyden. He
applied himself successfully to the study of the Oriental
tongues, and was not ignorant in any branch of learning
which is necessary to form a good divine. He died Oct.
82, 1708, in the seventy-third year of his age, after having
published several important works, which shew great judg^
ment, learning, and piety. One of the principal of these
is “Egyptiaca;
” the best edition of which, at Amsterdam,
Ægyptiaca, et Decaphylon
sive, de Jigyptiacorum Sacrorum cum Hebraicis collatione
Libri tres. Et de decem tribubus Israelis Liber singularis.
Accessit Diatribe de Legione Fulminatrice Christianorum,
&ub Icnperatore Marco Aurelio Antonino,
” Amst. 1683, and
1696, 4to. Witsius, in this work, not only compares the
religious rites and ceremonies of the Jews and Egyptians,
but he maintains particularly, against our sir John Marsham
and Dr. Spencer, that the former did not borrow theirs,
or any part of them, from the latter, as these learned and
eminent writers had asserted in their respective works,
“Canon Chronicus,
” and “De Legibus Hebrseorum.
”
“The Oetionomy of the Covenants between God and Man
”
is another work of Witsius, and the best known in this country, having been often printed in English, 3 vols. 8vo. Of
this and its author, Hervey, in his “Theron and Aspasia,
”
has taken occasion to speak in the following terms: “The
Oeconomy of the Covenants,
” says he, “is a body of divinity, in its method so well digested, in its doctrine so
truly evangelical, and, what is not very usual with our
systematic writers, in its language so refined and elegant,
in its manner so affectionate and animating, that I would
recommend it to every student in divinity. I would not
scruple to risk all my reputation upon the merits of this
performance; and I cannot but lament it, as one of my
greatest losses, that I was no sooner acquainted with this
most excellent author, all whose works have such a delicacy of composition, and such a sweet savour of holiness,
that I know not any comparison more proper to represent
their true character than the golden pot which had manna,
and was outwardly bright with burnished gold, inwardly
rich with heavenly food.
”
is preceptor had three sons, William, bishop of St. Asaph, Eusebius, archbishop of Dublin, and John, student of Christ Church, Oxford, who were all attached to Mr. Wodhull
, the first translator into English verse of all the tragedies and fragments of Euripides which are extant, was born Aug. 15, 1740, at Then ford, in Northamptonshire, and was sent first to Twyford, in Buckinghamshire, to the school of the rev. William Cleaver. This preceptor had three sons, William, bishop of St. Asaph, Eusebius, archbishop of Dublin, and John, student of Christ Church, Oxford, who were all attached to Mr. Wodhull with the sincerest friendship through life. To John, one of his poetical epistles (the ninth) is addressed, in which honourable mention is made of the father.
was born at Wigan in Lancashire, in 1535; he was nephew to the celebrated dean Nowell. He entered a student of Brasen-nose college, Oxford, in 1553, whence in 1555 he fled
, bishop of Exeter in queen Elizabeth’s reign', was born at Wigan in Lancashire, in 1535; he was nephew to the celebrated dean Nowell. He entered a student of Brasen-nose college, Oxford, in 1553, whence in 1555 he fled to his uncle and the other exiles in Germany. On Iris return in the- beginning of queen Elizabeth’s reign, he was made canon residentiary of Exeter, where he read a divinity lecture twice a week, and preached twice every Lord’s day; and in the time of the great plague, he only with one more remained in the city, preaching publicly as before, and comforting privately such as were infected with the disease. Besides his residentiaryship, he had the living of Spaxton in the diocese of Wells, and in 1575 became Warden of Manchester college. In 1579 he was consecrated bishop of Exeter, and, as he had been before esteemed a pious, painful, and skilful divine, he was now a vigilant and exemplary prelate. His character in this last respect excited some animosity, and a long string of accusations was presented against him to archbishop Parker, which Strype has recorded at length in his appendix to the life of that celebrated primate, all which bishop Woolton satisfactorily answered.
ncerning the Confusion of Languages at Babel,“1730, 8vo; as did the same year his” Advice to a young Student, with a method of study. for the four first years.“He was likewise
After his return from Wales he preached a sermon in
Welsh before the British Society in 1722; and was, perhaps, the only Englishman who ever attempted to preach
in that language. The same year, his account of the life and
writings of Mr. Thomas Stanley was published at Eysenach,
at the end of Scaevola Sammartbanus’s “Elogia Gallorum.
”
In Bibliotheca Literaria
” an account
of the “Caernarvon Record, 7 ' a manuscript in the Harleian
library. This manuscript is an account of several ancient
Welsh tenures, and had some relation to the Welsh laws,
which he was busy in translating. He undertook that laborious work at the instance of Wake, who knew that the
trouble of learning a new and very difficult language would
be no discouragemen t to Dr. Wotton. It was published in
1730, under this title,
” Cysreithjeu Hywel Dda, ac erail;
ceu, Leges Wallicae Ecclesiasticae et Civiles Hoeli Boni,
et aliorum Walliae princjpum, quas ex variis Codicibus
Manuscriptis eruit, interpretatione Latina, notis et glossario illustravit Gulielmus Wottonus,“in foijo. But this way
a posthumous work, for he died at Buxted, in Essex, Feb.
13,1726. He left a daughter, who was the wife of the
late Mr. William Clarke, canon-residentiary of Chichester.
After his death came out his
” Discourse concerning the
Confusion of Languages at Babel,“1730, 8vo; as did the
same year his
” Advice to a young Student, with a method
of study. for the four first years.“He was likewise the author of five anonymous pamphlets: 1.
” A Letter to Eusebia,“1707. 2.
” The case of the present Convocation
considered,“1711. 3.
” Reflections on the present posture of Affairs, 1712. 4. “Observations on the State of
the Nation,
” A Vindication of the Earl of Nottingham,
”
iversity, heing admitted of St. Peter’s-college in 1642, whence he removed to Oxford, where he was a student, not in a college or hall, but in a private house, as he could
, eldest son of the preceding,
was born Aug. 20, 1629, at Peter- house, Cambridge, ut
which time his father was master of that college. His first
education was in that university, heing admitted of St.
Peter’s-college in 1642, whence he removed to Oxford,
where he was a student, not in a college or hall, but in a
private house, as he could not conform to the principles or
practises of the persons who then had the government of
the university. At the restoration' he was elected burgess
of St. Michael in Cornwall, in the parliament which began
May8, 1661, and was appointed secretary to the earl of
Clarendon, lord high chancellor of England, who visiting
the university of Oxford, of which he was chancellor, in
Sept. 1661, Mr. Wren was there created master of arts.
He was one of the first members of the Royal Society,
when they began their weekly meetings at London, in
166O. After the fall of his patron, the earl of Clarendon,
he became secretary to James duke of York, in whose service he continued till his death, June 11, 1672, in the fortythird year of his age. He was interred in the same vault
with his father, in the chapel of Pembroke- hall, Cambridge.
He wrote, 1. “Considerations on Mr. Harrington’s Commonwealth of Oceana, restrained to the first part of the
preliminaries, London, 1657,
” in 8vo. To this book is prefixed a long letter of our author to Dr. John Wilkins, warden of Wadham-college in Oxford, who had desired him
to give his judgment concerning Mr. Harrington’s “Oceana.
” Harrington answered this work in the first book of
his “Prerogative of popular government,
” had an excellent fcculty of mag^
nifying a louse, and diminishing a commonwealth.
” Mr.
Wren replied in 2, “Monarchy asserted; or, the State of
Monarchical and Popular Government, in vindication of
the considerations on Mr. Harrington’s * Oceana,' London,
1659,
” in 8vo. Harrington’s rejoinder was an indecent
piece of buffoonery, entitled “Politicaster i or, a Comical
Discourse in^answer to Mr. Wren’s book, entitled ‘ Monarchy asserted, &c.’
” Life,
” was very solicitous, that
Mr. Wren should undertake a confutation of Hobbes’s “Leviathan:
” “I hope,
” says he, “it is only modesty in Mr.
Wren, that makes hirn pause upon undertaking the work
you have recommended to him; for I dare swear, by what
I have seen of him, he is very equal to answer every part of
it: I mean, every part that requires an answer. Nor is
there need of a professed divine to vindicate the Creator
from making man a verier beast than any of those of the
field, or to vindicate scripture from his licentious interpretation. I dare say, he will find somewhat in Mr. Hobbes
himself, I mean, in his former books, that contradicts what
he sets forth in this, in that part in which he takes himself
to be most exact, his beloved philosophy. And sure there
is somewhat due to Aristotle and Tuily, and to our
universities, to free them from his reproaches; and it is high
time, if what I hear be true, that some tutors read his Leviathan, instead of the others, to their pupils. Mr. Hobbes
is my old friend, yet I cannot absolve him from the mischiefs he hath done to the king, the church, the laws, and
the nation; and surely there should be enough to be said
to the politics of that man, who, having resolved all religion, wisdom, and honesty, into an implicit obedience to
the laws established, writes a book of policy, which, I may
be bold to say, must be, by the established laws of any
kingdom or province in Europe, condemned for impious
and seditious: and therefore it will be very hard if the
fundamentals of it be not overthrown. But I must ask
both yours and Mr. Wren’s pardon for enlarging so much,
and antedating those animadversions he will make upon it.
”
probably educated at Merchant Taylors’ school, but was not of either university. In 1666 be became a student of New Inn, and in three years removed to the Middle Temple,
Wright, who was born about 1644, was probably educated at Merchant Taylors’ school, but was not of either university. In 1666 be became a student of New Inn, and in three years removed to the Middle Temple, and was at length called to the bar. He died about 1715.
the architectural glories of the West, the fallen temples of the World’s fallen mistress, our young student stored up that transcendant knowledge of the rules of his profession,
, an eminent modern architect, was born at Burton, in the county of Stafford, about 1743, of a respectable family, which is now become perfectly patriarchal in its numerous and extensive branches. His education, till the age of fourteen, was such as a country town afforded, but having at that period, exhibited a fondness for architectural design, though in humble and rude atlempts, his friends had the happiness to succeed in introducing him into the suite of lord Bagot, then about to depart for Rome as the ambassador of Great Britain at the Ecclesiastical States. That genius which first budded spontaneously in its own obscure, native territory, could hardly fail to shoot forth in strength and beauty when transplanted to the classic and congenial soil of Italy. Amid the architectural glories of the West, the fallen temples of the World’s fallen mistress, our young student stored up that transcendant knowledge of the rules of his profession, and that exquisite taste for the developement of those rules, which, in after-years, placed him without a professional rival in his own country. Brilliant, quick, and intuitive, a2 was his genius, he was never remiss in investigating and making himself master of the details and practical causes by which the great effective results of architecture are produced. He has been heard frequently to state that he measured with his own hand every part of the dome of St. Peter’s, and this too at the imminent danger of his life, being under the necessity of lying on his back on a ladder slung horizontally, without cradle or side-rail, over a frightful void of 300 feet. From Rome he departed for Venice, where he remained above two years a pupil of the celebrated Viscentini, an architect and painter. Under this master he acquired a very unusual perfection in architectural painting; and he has executed a few, and but a few, paintings in that line, which equal any by Panini. At the unripe age of twenty, when few young men have even commenced their pupilage to a profession of so much science and taste, Mr. Wyatt arrived in London with a taste formed by the finest models of ancient Rome, and the instruction of the best living masters in Italy. To him then nothing was wanting but an opportunity to call forth his powers into action, nor was that long withheld. He was employed to build the Pantheon in Oxford-street, a specimen of architecture which attracted the attention and commanded the admiration of all persons of taste in Europe, by its grandeur of symmetry, and its lavish but tasteful richness of decoration. Never, perhaps, was so high a reputation in the arts obtained by a first effort. Applications now poured in upon Mr. Wyatt, not only from all parts of England, Ireland, and Scotland, but also from the Continent. The empress of Russia, that investigator and patron of talent in all departments, desirous to possess the architect of the Pantheon, and to exercise his genius in a projected palace, offered him (through her ambassador at London) a carte blanche, as to remuneration, if he would settle at St. Petersburg; but he was recommended by his friends to decline the offer of the munificent Catherine. From this period it may well be supposed that he ranked foremost in his profession, and executed most of the important and costly works of architecture which were undertaken. On the death of sir William Chambers he received the most flattering and substantial proof of the king’s great estimation, by being appointed surveyor-general to the Board of Works, which was followed by appointments to almost all the important offices connected with his profession in the government departments; and a dispute having arisen in the Royal Academy, which induced Mr. West to relinquish the president’s chair, Mr. Wyatt was elected, and reluctantly obeyed his majesty’s command to accept the vacant office, which he restored to Mr. West the ensuing year. From the building of the Pantheon to the period of his death, this classical architect erected or embellished some of the most considerable mansions, palaces, and other buildings, in the United Kingdom; among which are, the palace at Kew, Fonthili abbey, Hanworth church, House of Lords, Henry the Seventh’s chapel, Windsor castle, Buistrode, Doddington hall, Cashiobury, Ashridge hall, &c. &c. The writer of his life says, that although Mr. Wyatt was educated a Roman architect, and made his grand and successful debut in England in that character, yet his genius was not to be bounded in a single sphere, and it afterwards revived in this country the long- forgotten beauties of Gothic architecture. It is, however, a more general opinion that Mr. Wyatt was far from successful either in his original attempts, or in his restorations of the pure Gothic.
is more likely that he was born there, where his father, sir Christopher (then Mr. Yelverton, and a student at Gray’s Inn) had, it is probable, country lodgings. He was
, a distinguished lawyer, is said
to have been born at Easton Mauduit, in Northamptonshire, June 29, 1566, but as the register of his baptism,
July 5, of that year, occurs at Islington, it is more likely
that he was born there, where his father, sir Christopher
(then Mr. Yelverton, and a student at Gray’s Inn) had, it
is probable, country lodgings. He was educated for some
time at Oxford, but removed afterwards to Gray’s Inn for
the study of the law. In 1606 he was elected Lent-reader,
being then, Wood says, “accounted a religious gentleman, and a person well read in the municipal laws.
” In
1613 he wasappointed solicitor-general, and received the
honour of knighthood by the interest of Carr, earl of Somerset, and on March 17, 1616, was advanced to the higher
office of attorney general; but having given offence, as it
is said, to the favourite Buckingham, he was accused in
the star-chamber of illegal proceedings in his office, and
by a sentence of that court deprived of his place, imprisoned in the Tower, and heavily fined. Being afterwards
brought before the lords, he made a speech which was so
offensive to the king and his favourite, that he was fined
10.000 marks for the reflections which he had cast on his
majesty, and 5000 for the insult offered to Buckingham.
But by one of those unaccountable changes which occur
among politicians of all ages, he became soon afterwards
in great favour with the very man whose enmity had cost
him so dear, and was, through his interest, made one of
the justices of the king’s bench, and afterwards of the
common pleas, which last place he retained till his death;
and had not the duke been untimely cut off, he would in all
probability have been made lord-keeper of the great seal,
as he was esteemed one of the first lawyers of his time.
He died Jan. 24, 1630, at his house in Aldersgate-street,
and was interred in the parish church of Easton Mauduit.
n schools, and though with the disadvantage of having but one eye, was a very arduous and successful student, and wrote many works; the most esteemed among which are those
, an indefatigable German geographer, was born in Stiria in 1589. His father had been pupil of Melanctbon, and minister at Uim. He was appointed
inspector of the German schools, and though with the disadvantage of having but one eye, was a very arduous and
successful student, and wrote many works; the most esteemed among which are those relative to the modern geography of Germany, viz. “The Itinerary of Germany;
”
“The Topography of Bavaria;
” “The Topography of
Suabia,
” which is very accurate; “The Topography of
Alsace;
” “of the States of Brunswick;
” and “of the
Country of Hamburgh;
” The “Itinerary of Italy,
” which
is much esteemed; and a pretty good “Description of
Hungary,
” &c. These compose almost all the whole topography of Merian, in 31 vols. folio. Zeiler also left two
volumes of Historians, Geographers, and Chronologers, in
which he has copied the whole of Vossius, and other authors, but without correcting their mistakes. He died
Oct. 6, 1661, at Ulm, aged seventy- three.