, an eminent lexicographer, was born in a small village of Treviso
, an eminent lexicographer, was born in a small village of Treviso in the Venetian territories, August 16, 1688. His family was obscure, and scarcely wealthy enough to afford him a literary education. He went through his studies in the seminary of Padua, where his principal instructor was the celebrated philologist Facciolati, then professor in that place, and only six years older than himself. Evincing an early predilection for the church, he was at a proper age ordained a priest, soon after which he was appointed spiritual director to the seminary in which he had been educated. After having filled that station for nine years, he removed, in 1724, to Ceneda, in the same capacity; but in 1731 he was recalled to Padua, and remained there till 1765, when be retired to his native place, with the design of passing his last years in the bosom of his family.
cturer of Newington-green, and in 1651, vicar of St. Lawrence’s, Reading, where he was considered as an eminent preacher. In 1653 he married Mrs. Anne Thackham. In
About this time he became lecturer of Newington-green, and in 1651, vicar of St. Lawrence’s, Reading, where he was considered as an eminent preacher. In 1653 he married Mrs. Anne Thackham. In July 1659 he was chosen by the corporation of Northampton, the patrons, vicar of All Saints; and, in 1665, he took the degree of D. D. and was appointed chaplain to his majesty. In 1670 he removed to London, became minister of Bridewell chapel, and rector of St. Mary Aldermanbury but finding his health impaired by the air of London, he accepted, in 1677, the rectory of Old Swinford, near Sturbridge, in Worcestershire, on the presentation of Thomas Foley, of Kidderminster. Here he died April 7, 1699, and was buried in the church near his (we presume second) wife, Martha Stampe, who died in 1684. He was accounted an able scholar, an elegant Latin poet, and a preacher of great eminence.
born in that city, in 1711, probably in March, as we find he was baptized on April 1. His father was an eminent merchant, who had a family of twenty children by his
, professor of philosophy in the Marischal college, Aberdeen, and author of several valuable works, was born in that city, in 1711, probably in March, as we find he was baptized on April 1. His father was an eminent merchant, who had a family of twenty children by his wife, a sister to Dr. Thomas Blackwell, of whom we have already given an account. This, their second son, after being educated at the grammar school of his native city, was entered of Marischal college in 1724, where he went through a course of philosophy under professor Daniel Garden, and of mathematics under Mr. John Stewart. He took his degree of M. A. in 1728, when he was but little more than seventeen years old. Being intended for the church, his next application was to the study of divinity, under the professor of that branch, Mr. James Chalmers, a man of great learning and piety, whom the editor of this Dictionary is proud to record as his grandfather. Mr. Fordyce studied divinity with great ardour, the utmost of his ambition being ordination in a church that affords her sons but a moderate emolument. Circumstances with which we are unacquainted, appear to have prevented his full intention, as he never became a settled minister in the establishment of his native country. He was admitted, however, to what may be termed the first degree of orders in the church of Scotland, that is, he was licensed to preach, and continued to preach occasionally for some time. He is said, indeed, to have been once domestic chaplain to John Hopkins, esq. of Bretons, near Rumford, in Essex, who had a regular service every Sunday in the chapel of the house; but there is reason to think he did not continue long in this situation, and that he returned home, as in Sept. 1742 he was appointed one of the professors of philosophy in the Marischal college. The duties of the philosophic professorship at that time included natural history, chronology, Greek and Roman antiquities, mechanics, optics, and astronomy, which were taught during three sessions, or years, to the same pupils. This system is now altered, but that My. Fordyce was well qualified for the above-mentioned laborious task was universally acknowledged.
, or Peter Van Foueest, an eminent physician, was born at Alcmaer in 1522. He was sent
, or Peter Van Foueest, an eminent physician, was born at Alcmaer in 1522. He was sent by his father to Louvain, in order to study with a view to the profession of the law; but, preferring that of medicine, cultivated it in the universities of Bologna, Padua, and Rome; at the former of which he graduated, and afterwards proceeded to complete his studies at Paris. He settled, at the request of his friends, in his native town; but at the end of twelve years removed to Delft, in consequence of a petition from the inhabitants of that place, which was at that time ravaged by a fatal contagious epidemic. Forestus in obeying the call of humanity, not only preserved his own health, but was so successful in his administration of remedies to others, that the town of Delft retained him in the capacity of physician, with a considerable pension, for nearly thirty years; after which he was invited to Leyden, to give the first lectures on medicine at the opening of the university in 1575. He afterwards returned to Delft, and resided there about ten years more, when his attachment to his native city impelled him to visit Alcmaer, where he terminated his life in 1597, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.
, an eminent protestant divine, born 1495, at Augsburg, was among
, an eminent protestant divine, born
1495, at Augsburg, was among the friends of Reuchelinus,
Melanchton, and Luther, and taught Hebrew with reputation at Wittemberg, where he died December 8, 1556,
leaving an excellent “Hebrew Dictionary,
” Basil, De Interpretatione Scripturarum,
” Wittemberg, Commentaries on Exodus, Isaiah, and Jeremiah,
” 3 vols. 4to and from Valentine Forster, who published a “History of the Law,
” in Latin, with the “Lives
of the most eminent Lawyers,
” to
, an eminent naturalist, was the son of a burgomaster at Dirschaw,
, an eminent naturalist,
was the son of a burgomaster at Dirschaw, in Polish Prussia, where he was born Oct. 22, 1729. We learn nothing
of his education until his fifteenth year, when he was admitted into the gymnasium of Joachimsthal at Berlin,
where his application to the study of ancient and modern
languages was incessant and successful. From 1748, when
he went to the university of Halle, he studied theology,
and continued his application to the learned languages,
among which he comprehended the Oriental, and after
three years he removed to Dantzic, and distinguished himself as a preacher, imitating the French rather than the
Dutch manner; and in 1753 he obtained a settlement at
Nassenhuben. In the following year he married his cousin, Elizabeth Nikolai. During his residence in this place
he employed his leisure hours in the study of philosophy,
geography, and the mathematics, still improving his acquaintance with the ancient and modern languages. With
a small income, and increasing family, the difficulties he
experienced induced him to accept the proposal of removing to Russia, in order to superintend the new colonies
at Saratow, but not succeeding in this or any other scheme
of a settlement in that country, he removed to London in
1766, with strong recommendations, but with very little
money. After his arrival, he received from the government of Russia a present of 100 guineas; and he also
made an addition to his stock by the translation of Kalm’s
Travels and Osbeck’s Voyage. At this time lord Baltimore proposed to him a settlement in America, as superintendant of his extensive property in that country; but
he preferred the place of teacher of the French, German,
and natural history in the dissenting academy at Warrington. For the first department he was by no means well
qualified, his extraordinary knowledge of languages being
unaccompanied by a particle of taste, and his use of them
being barbarous, though fluent; and his knowledge of
natural history was of little value in his academical department. This situation, however, for these or other reasons
which we never heard assigned, he soon abandoned; and
returning to London, he was engaged, in 1772, to accompany captain Cook, as a naturalist, in his second voyage
round the world. At this time he was forty-three years of
age, and his son George, who went with him, was seventeen. Upon his return to England in 1775, the university
of Oxford conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. At
this time he was projecting, with the assistance of his son,
a botanical work in Latin, containing the characters of
many new genera of plants, which they had discovered in
the course of their voyage. An account of the voyage
having been published by his son in English and German,
the father was supposed to have had a considerable share
in it; and as he had entered into an engagement not to
publish any thing separately from the authorized narrative,
he thus incurred the displeasure of government, and gave
offence to his friends. Independently of the violation of
his engagement, he was also chargeable with having introduced into his work several reflections on the government
which appointed, and some falsehoods respecting the navigators who conducted the expedition. The father and
son, finding that, in consequence of these circumstances,
their situation in London was become unpleasant, determined to quit EnglaiYd. Before the execution of their
purpose, their condition became embarrassed and distressing; but Mr. Forster was invited, in 1780, to be professor
of natural history at Halle, and inspector of the botanical
garden and in the following year he obtained the degree
of M. D. His health, however, began to decline and the
death of his son George so deeply impressed his mind as
to aggravate his other complaints. Towards the commencement of 1798, his case became desperate; and before the close of this year, viz. on the 9th of December,
he died. Mr. Forster’s disposition was most unamiable,
and extremely irritable and litigious; and his want of prudence involved him in perpetual difficulties. Yet these
seem to have all been virtues in the eyes of the celebrated
Kurt Sprengel of Halle, who thus embellishes his character, which we should not copy if it did not mention some
particulars of his studies and works: “To a knowledge of
books in all branches of science, seldom to be met with,
he joined an uncommon fund of practical observations, of
which he well knew how to avail himself. In natural history, in geography, both physical and moral, and in universal history, he was acquainted with a vast number of
facts, of which he who draws his information from works
only has not even a distant idea. This assertion is proved
in the most striking manner by his ‘ Observations made in
a Voyage round the World.’ Of this book it may be said,
that no traveller ever gathered so rich a treasure on his
tour. What person of any education can read and study
this work, which is unparalleled in its kind, without discovering in it that species of instructive and pleasing information which most interests man, as such The uncommon pains which Forster took in his literary compositions,
and his conscientious accuracy in historical disquisitions,
are best evinced by his * History of Voyages and Discoveries in the North, 7 and likewise by his excellent archaeological dissertation ‘ On the Byssus of the Ancients.’
Researches such as these were his favourite employment,
in which he was greatly assisted by his intimate acquaintance with the classics. Forster had a predilection for the
sublime in natural history, and aimed at general views
ratUer than detail. His favourite author, therefore, was
Buffon, whom he used to recommend as a pattern of style,
especially in his ‘ Epoques de la Nature,’ his description
of the horse, camel, &c. He had enjoyed the friendship
of that distinguished naturalist; and he likewise kept up
an uninterrupted epistolary intercourse with Linna3us, till
the death of the latter. Without being a stickler for the
forms and ceremonies of any particular persuasion, he
adored the eternal Author of all which exists in the great
temple of nature, and venerated his wisdom and goodness
with an ardour and a heart-felt conviction, that, in my
opinion, alone constitute the criterion of true religion.
He held in utter contempt aM those who, to gratify their
passions, or imitate the prevailing fashion, made a jest of
the most sacred and respectable feelings of mankind. His
moral feelings were equally animated: he was attracted
with irresistible force by whatever was true, good, or
excellent. Great characters inspired him with an esteem
which he sometimes expressed with incredible ardour.
”
, an eminent English lawyer in the reign of Henry VI. was descended
, an eminent English lawyer
in the reign of Henry VI. was descended from an ancient
family in Devonshire: but we cannot learn either the
place or time of his birth. It is also uncertain in which
^university he studied, or whether he studied in any. Prince,
in his -Worthies of Devonshire, supposes him to havebeen
educated at Oxford, and bishop Tanner fixes him to Exeter, college: and the great learning every where shewn in
his writings makes these conjectures probable. When he
turned his thoughts to the municipal laws of the land, he
settled at Lincoln’s Inn, where he quickly distinguished
himself by his knowledge of civil as well as common law.
The first date that occurs, with respect to his preferments,
is the fourth year of Henry VI.; when, as Dugdale informs
us, he was made one of the governors of Lincoln’s Inn,
and honoured with the same employment three years after.
In 1430 he was made a serjeant at law; and, as himself tells
us, kept his feast on that occasion with very great splendour,
In 1441 he was made a king’s serjeant at law; and, the year
after, chief justice of the king’s bench. He is highly commended by our most eminent writers, for the wisdom, gravity, and uprightness, with which he presided in that court
for many years. He remained in great favour with the king,
of which he received a signal proof, by an unnsual augmentation of his salary. He held his office through the reign
of Henry VI. to whom he steadily adhered, and served
him faithfully in all his troubles; for which, in the first
parliament of Edward IV. which began at Westminster,
Nov. 1461, he was attainted of high treason, in the same
act by which Henry VI. queen Margaret, Edward their
son, and many persons of the first distinction, were likewise attainted. After this, Henry fled into Scotland, and
it is generally believed, that he then made Fortescne chancellor of England. His name, indeed, upon this occasion,
is not found recorded in the patent rolls; because, as
Selden says, “being with Henry VI. driven into Scotland
by the fortune of the wars wijth the house of York, he was
made chancellor of England while he was there.
” Several
writers have styled him chancellor of England; and, in
his book “De laudibus legum Anglia;,
” he calls himself
“Cancellarius Angliae.
”
, an eminent lawyer, was born at Marlborough in Wiltshire, Dec. 16,
, an eminent lawyer, was born
at Marlborough in Wiltshire, Dec. 16, 1689. His father
Michael, and his grandfather John, were attornies in that
place. After attending the free-school there, Mr. Foster
was matriculated at Oxford May 7, 1705, and studied
about two years at Exeter college, but like many eminent
men in the profession of the law, left it without taking a
degree. On May 23, 1707, he was admitted into the society of the Middle Temple, and in due time was called to
the bar, but not having much success as an advocate,
he retired into the country, and settled in his native town.
Here he contracted an intimacy with Algernon, earl of
Hertford, afterwards duke of Somerset, which continued
many years, and until the death of the noble duke, who
by his will appointed his friend executor in trust with his
son-in-law Hugh, earl (afterwards duke) of Northumberland. In 1725 he married Martha, the eldest daughter of
James Lyde, esq. of Stantonwick in Somersetshire; and
in a few years afterwards he removed to Bristol, where he
exercised his profession with great reputation and considerable success; and in August 1735 he was chosen rer
corder of the city, which office he retained many years.
Soon after accepting this office in Easter term, 1736, he
took on him the degree of serjeant at law. In 1720 he
had published “A Letter of Advice to protestant Dissenters,
” in which he is said to discover the most liberal and
enlarged views; and in 1735 he published a pamphlet
which engaged the public attention very much, entitled
“An Examination of the scheme of Church power laid
down in the Codex juris ecclesiastici Anglicani, &c.
” In
this he controverted the system of church power vested in
the clergy, and which forms the ground-work of bishop
Gibson’s “Codex.
” Several answers, however, were published to Mr. Foster’s pamphlet, the principal one by Dr.
Andrews, a civilian. Mr. Foster seems to have promised
a continuation, in reply to him and others, but did not
pursue the subject. In the postscript, however, to the
third edition of his pamphlet, he adverts to “the personal
severity,
” with which Dr. Andrews had treated him; and
adds, “It is not in my nature to make any return of that
kind. I forgive him with all my heart. If, upon poor
reflection, he can forgive himself, I pity him.
”
and from thence, at sixteen years of age, to Queen’s college in Oxford; where he became fellow, and an eminent tutor. On Oct. 17, 1751, he was elected principal of
, D. D. and principal of St. Edmund Hall in Oxford, was the eldest of seven sons of Henry and Elizabeth Fothergill. He was born on the last day of 1705, N. S. at Lockholme in Ravenstonedale, in the county of Westmorland, where the family had long been situated and possessed of a competent estate, which had descended from father to son for many generations. He received the first part of his education in the place of his nativity, at a free grammar school, founded and endowed by a person of the same name and family. He was afterwards removed to Kendal-school, and from thence, at sixteen years of age, to Queen’s college in Oxford; where he became fellow, and an eminent tutor. On Oct. 17, 1751, he was elected principal of St. Edmund hall, an.d presented to the vicarage of Bramley in Hampshire. After having been long afflicted with an asthma, he died Oct. 5, 1760, and was buried in the chapel of Edmund hall, at the north end of the communion-table; where his modesty forbade any monument to be erected to his memory. He was author of two volumes of sermons, in octavo. The first consists of occasional discourses published by himself; the second was printed from his Mss. and published by his brother: both were reprinted in 1765.
, an eminent physician, son of John and Margaret Fothergill, quakers,
, an eminent physician, son of
John and Margaret Fothergill, quakers, was born March 8,
6r, according to Dr. Thompson’s account, Oct. 12, 1712,
at Carr End in Yorkshire, where his father, who had been
a brewer at Knaresborough (after having travelled from one end of America to the other), lived retired on a small
estate which he cultivated. The eldest son Alexander,
who studied the law, inherited that estate. John was the
second son. Joseph, the third son, was an ironmonger at
Stockport, in Cheshire, where he died a few years ago.
Samuel, the fourth son, went to America, and became a
celebrated preacher among the quakers. There was also a
sister, Anne, who lived with the doctor, and survived him.
John received his education under the kind care of his
grandfather Thomas Hough, a person of fortune in Cheshire (which gave him a predilection for that county), and
at Sedburg in Yorkshire. About 1718 he was put apprentice to Benjamin Bartlett, apothecary, at Bradford, whence
he removed to London, Oct. 20, 1736, and studied two
years as a pupil of doctor (afterwards sir Edward) Wilmot,
at St. Thomas’s hospital. He then went to the university
of Edinburgh, to study physic, and there took his doctor’s
degree. His Thesis was entitled, “De emeticorum usu
in variis morbis tractandis;
” and it has been republished
in a collection of theses by Smellie. From Edinburgh he
went to Leyden, whence, after a short stay, he travelled
through some parts of France and Germany, and, returning to England, began his practice in London about 1740,
in a house in Whitehart-court, Lombard-street (where he resided till his removal to Harpur-street in 1767), and
acquired both reputation and fortune. He was admitted
a licentiate of the college of physicians of London, 1746,
and in 1754, fellow of Edinburgh, to which he was a considerable benefactor. In 1753, he became a member both
of the royal and antiquarian societies; and was at his
death a member of the royal medical society at Paris.
He continued his practice with uninterrupted success till
within the last two years of his life, when an illness, which
he had brought on himself by his unremitted attention,
obliged him greatly to contract it. Besides his occupation
in medical science, he had imbibed an early taste for
natural history, improved by his -friend Peter Collinson,
and employed himself particularly on the study of shells,
and of botany. He was for many years a valuable contributor to the Gentleman’s Magazine; which in return considerably assisted his rising fame. His observations on the
weather and diseases were begun there in April 1751, and
discontinued in the beginning of 1756, as he was disappointed in his views of exciting other experienced physicians in different parts to imitate the example. Though,
his practice was very extensive, he did not add to his art
any great or various improvements. His pamphlet on the
ulcerous sore throat is, on every account, the best of his
publications, and that owes much of its merit to the information of the late doctors Letherland or Sylvester. It was
first printed in 1748, on the re-appearance of that fatal
disorder whick in 1739 had carried off the two only sons of
Mr. Pelham. It may be here added, that 0r. Wilmot
preserved lady Catherine Pelham, after her sons had died
of it, by lancing her throat; a method which, he said, he
had once before pursued with the same success. In 1762,
Dr. Fothergill purchased an estate at Upton in Essex, and
formed an excellent botanic garden, with hot-houses and
green-houses, to the extent of 260 feet. In 1766, he
began regularly to withdraw, from Midsummer to Michaelmas, from the excessive fatigue of his profession, to Lee
Hall, near Middlewich in Cheshire; which, though he
only rented it by the year, he had spared no expence to
improve. During this recess he took no fees, but attended,
to prescribe gratis at an inn at Middlewich once a week.
Some time before his death he had been industrious to
contrive a method of generating and preserving ice in the
West Indies. He was the patron of Sidney Parkinson,
and drew up the preface prefixed to his account of the
voyage to the South Seas. At his expence also was made
and printed an entire new translation of the whole Bible,
from the Hebrew and Greek originals, by Anthony Purver ,
a quaker, in two volumes, 1764, folio, and also, in 1780,
an edition of bishop Percy’s “Key to the New Testament,
”
adapted to the use of a seminary of young quakers, at
Acworth, near Leeds, which the doctor first projected, and
afterwards endowed handsomely by his will. It now contains above 300 children of both sexes, who are clothed
and instructed. Among the other beneficent schemes suggested by Dr. Fothergill, was that of bringing fish to London by land carriage, which, though it did not in every
respect succeed, was supposed to defeat a monopoly; and,
that of rendering bread much cheaper, though equally
wholesome, by making it with one part of potatoes, and
three parts of household flour. But his public benefactions,
his encouragements ef science, the instances of his attention to the health, the police, the convenience of the
metropolis, &c. are too numerous to specify . The fortune which Dr. Fothergill acquired, was computed at
80,000l. His business when he was in "full practice, was
calculated at near 7000l. per annum. In the Influenza of
1775 and 1776*, he is said to have had sixty patients on his
list daily, and his profits were then estimated at 8000l.
The disorder which hastened his death was an obstruction
in the bladder, occasioned by a delicacy which made him
unwilling to alight from his carriage for relief. He died
at his house in Harpur-street, Dec. 26, 1780; and his remains were interred, Jan. 5, in the quakers burying-ground
at Winchmore-hill. The executors, who were his lister,
and Mr. Ghorley, linen-draper, in Gracechurch-street, who
married one of his nieces, intended the burial to be private;
but the desire of the quakers to attend the funeral rendered
it impossible. Only ten coaches were ordered to convey
his relations and friends, but there were more than seventy
coaches and post-chaises attending; and many of the
friends came above 100 miles, to pay their last tribute of
respect. The doctor by his will appointed, that his shells,
and other pieces of natural history, should be offered to
the late Dr. Hunter at 500l. under the valuation he ordered
to be taken of them. Accordingly, Dr. Hunter bought
them for 1200l. The drawings and collections in natural
history, which he had spared no expence to augment, were
also to be offered to Mr. (now sir Joseph) Banks, at a valution. His English portraits and prints, which had been
collected by Mr. John Nickolls of Ware, and purchased
by him for 80 guineas, were bought for 200 guineas by
Mr. Thane. His books were sold by auction, April 30,
1731, and the eight following days. His house and garden,
at Upton, were valued at 10,000l. The person of Dr.
Fothergill was of a delicate rather than an extenuate4
make. His features were all expressive, and his eye had
a peculiar brilliancy. His understanding was comprehensive and quick, and rarely embarrassed on the most sudden
occasions. There was a charm in his conversation and
address that conciliated the regard and confidence of all
who employed him; and so discreet and uniform was his
conduct, that he was not apt to forfeit the esteem which
he had once acquired. At his meals he was uncommonly
abstemious, eating sparingly, and rarely exceeding two
glasses of wine at dinner or supper. By this uniform and
steady temperance, he preserved his mind vigorous and
active, and his constitution equal to all his engagements.
chief of the council to ber royal highness madame, duchess of Orleans, and in the literary world was an eminent antiquary, and an honorary member of the academy of
, born at Paris Jan. 8,
1643, was a man of some political rank, advocate-general
to the grand council, a celebrated intendant, and chief of
the council to ber royal highness madame, duchess of
Orleans, and in the literary world was an eminent antiquary,
and an honorary member of the academy of belles-lettres;
He was successively intendant of Montauban, of Pau, and
of Caen, and within six miles of the latter place, discovered in 1704 the ancient town of the Vinducassians. An
exact account of this discovery is inserted in the first volume of the history of the academy of inscriptions, with an
enumeration of the coins, marbles, and other antiquities
there found. His museum, formed from this and other
sources, was of the most magnificent kind. Some time
before this, he had made a literary discovery also, having
found, in the abbey of Moissac in Querci, a ms. of
“Lactantius de mortibus Persecutorum,
” then only known
by a citation of St. Jerom from it. From this ms. Baluce
published the work. He died Feb. 7, 1721. He was of
gentle manners, though austere virtue; and pleasing,
though deeply learned.
, an eminent French chemist, was born at Paris June 15, 1755, where
, an eminent French
chemist, was born at Paris June 15, 1755, where his father was an apothecary, of the same family with the subject of the succeeding article. In his ninth year he was
sent to the college of Harcourt, and at fourteen he completed the studies which were at that time thought necessary. Having an early attachment to music and lively
poetry, he attempted to write for the theatre, and had no
higher ambition than to become a player, but the bad
success of one of his friends who had encouraged this taste,
cured him of it, and for two years he directed his attention to commerce. At the end of this time an intimate
friend of his father persuaded him to study medicine, and
accordingly he devoted his talents to anatomy, botany,
chemistry, and natural history. About two years after, in.
1776, he published a translation of Ramazzini, “on the
diseases of artisans,
” which he enriched with notes and
illustrations derived from chemical theories which were
then quite new. In 1780, he received the degree of
M. D. and regent of that faculty, in spite of a very considerable opposition from his brethren, and from this time
his chemical opinions and discoveries rendered him universally known and respected. The fertility of his imagination, joined to a style equally easy and elegant, with
great precision, attracted the attention of a numerous
school. In 1784, on the death of Macquer, he obtained
the professorship of chemistry in the Royal Gardens, and
the year following he was admitted into the academy of
sciences, of the section of anatomy, but was afterwards
admitted to that of chemistry, for which he was more eminently qualified. In 1787, he in conjunction with his
countrymen De Morveau, Lavoisier, and Berthollet, proposed the new chemical nomenclature, which after some
opposition, effected a revolution in chemical studies.
(See Lavoisier.) Although constantly occupied in scientific experiments, and in publishing various works on subjects of medicine, chemistry, and natural history, he fell
into the popular delusion about the time of the revolution,
and in 1792 was appointed elector of the city of Paris, and
afterwards provisional deputy to the national convention,
which, however, he did not enter until after the death of
the king.
of the academy of sciences, was born at Paris Jan. 19, 1715. He was the son of Charles de Fourcroy, an eminent counsellor at law, and Elizabeth L'Heritier. Destined
, marechal de camp, grand cross of the order of St. Louis, director of the royal corps of engineers, member of the council at war and of the naval council, and free associate of the academy of sciences, was born at Paris Jan. 19, 1715. He was the son of Charles de Fourcroy, an eminent counsellor at law, and Elizabeth L'Heritier. Destined to the bar as an hereditary profession, his inclination impelled him into the paths of science, and accident led him into the corps of engineers. An officer of that corps was involved in an important law-suit, which he chose M. de Fourcroy to conduct. M. de Fourcroy directed his son to converse with the officer for the purpose of procuring every information necessary to the success of his cause; but the youth, whose thirst of science was already conspicuous, shewed less attention to the particulars of the lawsuit, than desire to be acquainted with what concerned the service of an engineer; and being informed of the preliminary studies requisite to an admission into that body, he was soon enabled to offer himself for examination.
, an eminent statesman, almoner to Henry VIII. and bishop of Hereford,
, an eminent statesman, almoner to
Henry VIII. and bishop of Hereford, was born at Dursley,
in Gloucestershire; but it is not mentioned in what year.
After passing through Eton school he was admitted of
King’s college in Cambridge, 1512, where he was elected
provost in 1528, and continued in that office till his death.
Being recommended to cardinal Wolsey as a man of an
acute spirit and political turn, he was taken into his service; and, according to Lloyd, was the person who encouraged the cardinal to aspire to the papacy. In 1528 he
was sent ambassador to Rome, jointly with Stephen Gardiner, afterwards bishop of Winchester, in order to obtain
bulls from Clement VII. for Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Arragon. He was then almoner to the king;
and reputed, as Burnet says, one of the best diviues ia
England. He was afterwards employed in embassies both
in France and Germany; during which, as he was one day
discoursing upon terms of peace, he said, “honourable
ones last long, but the dishonourable, no longer than till
kings have power to break them the surest?way, therefore,
to peace, is a constant prepared ness for war.
” Two things,
he would say, must support a government, “gold and iron:
gold, to reward its friends; and iron, to keep under its
enemies.
” It was to him that Cranmer owed his first introduction to court, with all its important results.
y learned man, as we are assured by Godwin, who calls him “vir egregie doctus.” Wood also styles him an eminent scholar of his time; and Lloyd represents him as a tine
In 1530 he was employed with Stephen Gardiner at
Cambridge, to obtain the university’s determination in the
matter of Henry VIIL's divorce. In 1531 he was promoted
to the archdeaconry of Leicester, and in 1533 to that of
Dorset It was he that apprized the clergy of their having
fallen into a prawunire, and advised them to make their
submission to the king, by acknowledging him supreme
head of the church, and making him a present of 1 -00,0001.
In 1535 he was promoted to the bishopric of HerefordHe was the principal pillar of the reformation, as to the
politic and prudential part of it; being of more activity,
and no less ability, than Cranmer himself: but he acted
more secretly than Cranmer, and therefore did not bring
himself into danger of suffering on that account. A few
months after his consecration he was sent ambassador to
the protestaut princes in Germany, then assembled at
Smalcald; whom he exhorted to unite, in point of doctrine, with the church of England. He spent the winter
at Wirtemberg, and held several conferences with some of
the German divines, endeavouring to conclude a treaty
with them upon many articles of religion: but nothing was
effected. Burnet has given a particular account of this
negociation in his “History of the Reformation.
” He returned to England in vir egregie doctus.
” Wood also
styles him an eminent scholar of his time; and Lloyd represents him as a tine preacher, but adds, that “his inclination to politics brake through all the ignoble restraints
of pedantique studies, to an eminency, more by observation and travel, than by reading and study, that made him
the wonder of the university, and the darling of the court.
” When he was called,“says he,
” to the pulpit or chair,
he came off not ill, so prudential were his parts in divinity;
when advanced to any office of trust in the university, he
came off very well, so incomparable were his parts for
government."
, an eminent English divine and churchhistorian, was born at Boston
, an eminent English divine and churchhistorian, was born at Boston in Lincolnshire, of honest
and reputable parents in 1517, the very year that Luther
began to oppose the errors of the church of Rome. His
father dying when he was young, and his mother marrying
again, he fell under the tutelage of a father-in-law, with
whom he remained till the age of sixteen. He was then
entered of Brazen Nose college in Oxford, where he had
for his chamber-fellow, the celebrated dean Nowell, and
perhaps the same tutor, Mr. John Hawarden or Harding,
who was afterwards principaj of the college, and to whom
Fox dedicated his work on the Eucharist. In May 1538,
he took, the degree of bachelor of arts. He was soon distinguished for his uncommon abilities and learning; was
chosen fellow of Magdalen college, and became master of
arts in 1543. He discovered in his younger years a genius
for poetry, and wrote in an elegant style several Latin
comedies, the subjects of which were taken from the
scriptures. We have a comedy of his, entitled, “De
Christo Triumphante,
” printed in Christ
Jesus Triumphant, wherein is described the glorious triumph and conquest of Christ over sin, death, and the law,
”
&c.
Monuments of the Church.” Thomas was fellow of King’s college, in Cambridge, and" became afterwards an eminent physician at London.
This excellent man died in 1587, in the 70th year of
his age, and was buried in the chancel of St. Giles, Cripplegate, of which, it is said, he was sometime vicar; but,
as Wood thinks, if he had it at all, he kept it but a little
while, in the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign. He left two
sons, Samuel and Thomas. Samuel became demy, and
afterwards fellow of Magdalen-college, in Oxford. In
1610, he wrote his father’s life, prefixed to his “Acts
and Monuments of the Church.
” Thomas was fellow of
King’s college, in Cambridge, and" became afterwards an
eminent physician at London.
, an eminent prelate, and the munificent founder of Corpus Christi
, an eminent prelate, and the munificent founder of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, was the son of Thomas Fox, and born at Ropesley, near Grantham, in Lincolnshire, about the latter end of the reign of Henry VI. His parents are said to have been in mean circumstances, but they must at least have been able to afford him school education, since the only dispute on this subject between his biographers, is, whether he was educated in grammar learning at Boston, or at Winchester. They all agree that at a proper age he was sent to Magdalen-college, Oxford, where he was acquiring distinction for his extraordinary proficiency, when the plague, which happened to break out about that time, obliged him to go to Cambridge, and continue his studies at Pembrokehall. After remaining some time at Cambridge, he repaired to the university at Paris, and studied divinity and the canon law, and here, probably, he received his doctor’s degree. This visit gave a new and important turn to his life, and introduced him to that eminence which he preserved for many years as a statesman. In Paris he became acquainted with Dr. Morton, bishop of Ely, whom Richard III. had compelled to quit his native country, and by this prelate he was recommended to the earl of Richmond, afterwards Henry VII. who was then providing for a descent upon England. Richmond, to whom he devoted himself, conceived such an opinion of his talents and fidelity, that he entrusted to his care a negotiation with France for supplies of men and money, the issue of which he was not able himself to await; and Fox succeeded to the utmost of his wishes. After the defeat of the usurper at the battle of Bosworth, in 1485, and the establishment of Henry on the throne, the latter immediately appointed Fox to be one of his privy-council, and about the same time bestowed on him the prebends of Bishopston and South Grantham, in the church of Salisbury. In 1487, he was promoted to the see of Exeter, and appointed keeper of the privy seal, with a pension of twenty shillings a day. He was also made principal secretary of state, and master of St. Cross, near Winchester. His employments in. affairs of state both at home and abroad, were very frequent, as he shared the king’s confidence with his early friend Dr. Morton, who was now advanced to the archbishopric of Canterbury. In 1487, Fox was sent ambassador, with sir Richard Edgecombe, comptroller of the household, to James III. of Scotland, where he negociated a prolongation of the truce between England and Scotland, which was to expire July 3, 1488, to Sept. 1, 1489. About the beginning of 1491, he was employed in an embassy to the king of France, and returned to England in November following. In 1494 he went again as ambassador to James IV. of Scotland, to conclude some differences respecting the fishery of the river Esk, in which he was not successful. Having been translated in 1492 from the see of Exeter to that of Bath and Wells, he was in 1494 removed to that of Durham. Jn 1497, the castle of Norham being threatened by the king of Scotland, the bishop caused it to be fortified and supplied with troops, and bravely defended it in person, until it was relieved by Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, who compelled the Scots to retire. Fox was then, a third time, appointed to negociate with Scotland, and signed a, seven years truce between the two kingdoms, Sept. 30, 1497. He soon after negociated a marriage between James IV. and Margaret, king Henry’s eldest daughter, which was, after many delays, fully concluded Jan. 24, 1501-.
an eminent Italian poet and physician, was born at Verona in 1483.
an eminent Italian poet and physician, was born at Verona in 1483. Two singularities are related of him in his infancy; one, that his lips adhered so closely to each other when he came into the world, that a surgeon was obliged to divide them with his knife; the other, that his mother, Camilla Mascarellia, was killed by lightning, while he, though in her arms at the very moment, escaped unhurt. Fracastorio was of parts so exquisite, and made so wonderful a progress in every thing he undertook, that he became eminently skilled, not only in the belles lettres, but in all arts and sciences. He was a poet, a philosopher, a physician, an astronomer, and a mathematician. He was a man also of great political consequence, as appears from pope Paul Ill.'s making use of his authority to remove the council of Trent to Bologna, under the pretext of a contagious distemper, which, as Fracastorio deposed, made it no longer safe for him to continue at Trent. He was intimately acquainted with cardinal Bembo, Julius Scaliger, and all the great men of his time. He died of an apoplexy, at Casi near Verona, in 1553; and in 1559 the town of Verona erected a statue in honour of him.
, an eminent political writer, was a native of Rovigno in Italy,
, an eminent political writer,
was a native of Rovigno in Italy, and spent several years
at Rome, where he was greatly esteemed by Sessa, ambassador of Philip II. king of Spain. He was employed in
civil as well as military affairs, and acquitted himself always
with great applause; yet he had like to have been ruined,
and to have even lost his Hfe, by his enemies. This
obliged him to withdraw to Naples; and still having friends
to protect his innocence, he proved it at length to the
court of Spain, who ordered count de Benevento, viceroy
of Naples, to employ him, and Frachetta lived in a very
honourable manner at Naples, where a handsome pension
was allowed him. He gained great reputation by his political works, the most considerable of which is that entitled
“II Seininario de Governi di Stato, et di Guerra.
” In
this work he has collected, under an hundred and ten
chapters, about eight thousand military and state maxims,
extracted from the best authors; and has added to each
chapter a discourse, which serves as a commentary to it.
This work was printed twice, at least, by the author, reprinted at Venice in 1647, and at Genoa in 1648, 4to;
and there was added to it, “II Principe,
” by the same
writer, which was published in 1597. The dedication
informs us, that Frachetta was prompted to write this book
from a conversation he had with the duke of Sessa; in
which the latter observed, among other particulars, that
he thought it as important as it was a difficult task, to inform princes truly pf such transactions as happen in their
dominions. His other compositions are, “Discorso della
Ragione di Stato: Discorso della Ragione di Guerra:
Esposizione di tutta l'Opera di Lucrezio.
” He died at
Naples in the beginning of the seventeenth century, but
at what age is unknown.
, an eminent German physician, was born at Naumburg, in Upper Saxony,
, an eminent German physician, was born at Naumburg, in Upper Saxony, May 3, 1643. His father, although living as a simple peasant, was of a noble family. After going through his school education, George went to Jena at the age of eighteen, and was crowned a poet by count palatine llichter, in consequence of his extraordinary talent for writing verses in the German, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew Jauguages. But he exhibited still greater talents during his course of medical studies, and the canons of Naumburg, who recognized his merits, afforded him liberal means of subsistence while he applied himself to this science. Before he took his doctor’s degree^(in 1666), he was deemed eligible to give lectures in botany, chemistry, and anatomv, and acquired great reputation. In 1672, the elector palatine appointed him to the vacant professorship of medicine at Heidelberg, and a few years afterwards nominated him his own physician. But the troubles occasioned by the war obliged him in 1688, to retire to Francfort on the Main. John George III. elector of Saxony, then received him into his service, and appointed him professor of medicine at Wittemberg; an office which he filled with so much eclat, that the principal professorship, and the title of dean of the faculty at Leipsic, were soon offered to him. This, however, he refused, by the instigation of his friends, who sought to retain him at Wittemberg. The two succeeding electors likewise loaded this physician with so many favours, that it was supposed he could never dream of quitting Heidelberg. Nevertheless, he was induced by the offers of Christian V. king of Denmark, to remove to Copenhagen, where he was received most graciously by the royal family, and was honoured with the title of Aulic counsellor, which was continued to him by Frederick IV. the successor of Christian. Death, however, terminated his brilliant career on the 16th of June, 1704, in the six-" tieth year of his age.
, a celebrated French poet and painter, was born at Paris in 1611. His father, who was an eminent apothecary in that city, intended him for the medical
, a celebrated French poet and painter, was born at Paris in 1611. His father, who was an eminent apothecary in that city, intended him for the medical profession, and during the first year which he spent at college, he made very considerable progress in his studies; but as soon as he was raised to the highest classes, and began to contract a taste for poetry, his genius for it appeared, and he carried all the prizes of it, which were proposed to excite the emulation of his fellow-students. His inclination for poetry was heightened by exercise; and his earliest performances shewed that he was capable of attaining very considerable fame in this pursuit, if his love of painting, which equally possessed him, had not divided his time and application. At last he laid aside all thoughts of the study of physic, and declared absolutely for that of painting, notwithstanding the opposition of his parents, who by all kinds of severity endeavoured to divert him from pursuing that art, the profession of which they unjustly considered in a very contemptible light. But the strength of his inclination defeating all the measures taken to suppress it, he took the first opportunity of cultivating his favourite study.
, an eminent literary historian, was the son of a learned schoolmaster,
, an eminent literary
historian, was the son of a learned schoolmaster, who is
very highly celebrated by Ernesti, and was born at Schulpforten, in 1723. All we know of his personal history is,
that he studied law, and became a burgomaster of Nuremberg, where he died in 1776. His principal writings are,
1. “Rhinoceros veterum scriptorum monumentis descriptus,
” Leipsic, Analecta literaria de Libris
rarioribus,
” ibid. Oratorum ac Rhetorum
Graecorum, quibus statuse honoris causa positse fuerunt, decas,
” ibid. Adparatus litterarius, ubi libri partim
antiqui partim rari recensentur,
” ibid. Analecta literaria,
”
and both are of the highest value to bibliographers. They
afford a striking proof of assiduity, close application, and
a discriminating judgment in appreciating the value of
what are termed rare and curious books. 5. “Specimen
historic literatae, quo virorum, feminarumque /ttrflpc3i3a*tov
memoria recolitur,
” ibid.
, an eminent scholar, and ingenious philologist, was born 1619, at
, an eminent scholar, and ingenious philologist, was born 1619, at Wertheim, in Franconia. He was teacher and afterwards professor of languages at Jena, in which city he died August 19, 1687, leaving some very excellent explications of several difficult passages in Holy Scripture, and above sixty philological and theological dissertations, all much esteemed; printed at different times at Jena, in 4to.
, an eminent and learned German printer, was a native of Hammelburg,
, an eminent and learned German printer, was a native of Hammelburg, in Franconia, where he was from his childhood trained to literature. Afterwards he went to the university of Basil, where he acquired the reputation of being uncommonly learned. With a view of promoting useful learning, for which he was very zealous, he applied himself to the art of printing; and, becoming a master of it, opened a shop at Basil. He was the first of the German printers who brought the art to any perfection; and, being a man of great probity and piety, as well as skill, he was,' what very few have been, particularly choice in the authors he printed. He would never suffer libels, or any thing that might hurt the reputation of another, to go through his press for the sake of profit; but very justly thought all such practices disgraceful to his art, disgraceful to letters, and infinitely pernicious to religion and society. The great reputation and character of this printer was the principal motive which led Erasmus to fix his residence at Basil, in order to have his own works printed by him. The connection between Erasmus and Frobenius grew very close and intimate; and was a connection of friendship and the sincerest cordiality. Erasmus loved the good qualities of Frobenius, as much as Frobenius could admire the great ones of Erasmus.; There is an epistle of Erasmus extant, which contains so full an account of this printer, that it forms a very curious memorial for his life. It was written in 1527, on the occasion of Frobenius’s death, which happened that year; and which, Erasmus tells us, he bore so extremely ill, that he really began to be ashamed of his grief, since what he felt upon the death of his own brother was not to be compared to it. He says, that he lamented the loss of Froben, not so much because he had a strong affection for him, but because he seemed raised up by Providence for the promoting of liberal studies. Then he proceeds to describe his good qualities, which were indeed very great and numerous; and concludes with a particular account of his death, which was somewhat remarkable. He relates, that about five years before, Frobenius had the misfortune to fall from the top of a pair of stairs, on a brick pavement; which fall, though he then imagined himself not much hurt by it, is thought to have laid the foundation of his subsequent malady. The year before he died, he was seized with most exquisite pains in his right ancle; but was in time so relieved from these, that he was able to go to Francfort on horseback. The malady, however, whatever it was, was not gone, but had settled in the toes of his right foot, of which he had no use. Next, a numbness seized the fingers of his right hand; and then a dead palsy, which taking him when he was reaching something from a high place, he fell with his head upon the ground, and discovered few signs of life afterwards. He died at Basil, in 1527, lamented by all, but by none more than Erasmus, who wrote his epitaph in Greek and Latin. Both these epitaphs are at the end of his epistle.
it is not known in what year. Being brought up to navigation, he very early displayed the talents of an eminent sailor, and was the first Englishman that attempted
, an enterprizing English
navigator, was born near Doncaster, in Yorkshire, of low
parents, but it is not known in what year. Being brought
up to navigation, he very early displayed the talents of an
eminent sailor, and was the first Englishman that attempted
to find out a north-west passage to China. He made offers
of this to several English merchants for fifteen years together; but meeting with no encouragement from them,
he at length obtained recommendations to Dudley earl of
Warwick, and other persons of rank and fortune. Under
their influence and protection he engaged a sufficient
number of adventurers, and collected proper sums of
money. The ships he provided were only three; namely,
two barks of about twenty-five tons each, and a pinnace of
ten tons. With these he sailed from Deptford June 8,
1576; and the court being then at Greenwich, the queen
beheld them as they passed by, “commended them, and
bade them farewell, with shaking her hand at them out of
the window.
”
, an eminent and ancient French historian and poet, was born in
, an eminent and ancient French historian and poet, was born in Valenciennes, about 1337. Of his parents we know only that his father, Thomas Froissart, was a painter of arms, and although our historian is titled knight, at the beginning of a manuscript in the abbey of St. Germain des Prez, it is thought that the copyist had given it to him of his own authority. His infancy announced what he would one day be: he early manifested that eager and inquisitive mind, which during the course of his life never allowed him to remain long attached to the same occupations, and in the same place; and the different games suitable to that age, of which he gives us a picture equally curious and amusing, kept up in his mind a fund of natural dissipation, which during his early studies tried the patience and exercised the severity of his masters. He loved hunting, music, assemblies, feasts, dancing, dress, good living, wine and women; these tastes, which almost all shewed themselves from twelve years of age, being confirmed by habit, were continued even to his old age, and perhaps never left him. The mind and heart of Froissart being not yet sufficiently occupied, his love for history filled up that void, which his passion for pleasure left; and became to him an inexhaustible source of amusement.
, an eminent German physician and botanist, was born at Wembding,
, an eminent German physician and botanist, was born at Wembding, in Bavaria, in 1501. After a classical education at Hailbrun and Erfurt, he went in his nineteenth year to Ingoldstadt, where he pursued the study of the learned languages under Capnius and Ceporinus, two eminent professors, who had embraced the doctrines of the reformation, which they imparted to their pupil. He received the degree of master of arts in 1521, and having also studied medicine, was admitted to his doctor’s degree in 1524. He first practised at Munich, where he married, and had a large family, and in 1526 he removed to Ingoldstadt, and was made professor of medicine; but his religion occasioning some trouble, he settled at Onoltzbach about two years afterwards, under the patronage and protection of George, margrave of Bayreuth. Here he was very successful as a practitioner, and published some treatises on the healing art. In 1533, the management of the university of Ingoldstadt being committed, by William duke of Bavaria, to Leonard Eccius, a celebrated lawyer, acquainted with the merit of Fuchs, he procured his return to his former professorship; but his zeal for the reformed religion was still too prominent not to give offence, especially, we should suppose, to John Eccius (see Eccius), then a professor there, and he returned to Onoltzbach. Two years after, however, he found an honourable asylum in the university of Tubingen, which Ulric, duke of Wirtemberg, had determined to supply with protestant professors, and where he provided Fuchs with an ample salary, and every encouragement. In this place he remained until his death, May 10, 1566. He died in the arms of his wife and children, full of faith and fortitude, having in the course of his illness been observed to experience no relief from his sufferings, but while conversing with his friends on the subjects of religion and a future state, which made him forget every thing else, and he expressed himself with all his usual energy and perspicuity. He was interred, the day after his death, in a burying-ground adjoining to the town, where his first wife had been deposited but little more than three years before.
, an eminent benefactor to literature, was born at Augsburg in 1526,
, an eminent benefactor to literature, was born at Augsburg in 1526, and deserves a place in this work for his affection to learning and learned men. His family was considerable for its antiquity and opulence; and Thuanus informs us, that when Charles V. changed the government of Augsburg, in 1548, he nominated the family of the Fuggers among those who thenceforward were to be raised to the dignity of senators. Yet this illustrious family, as all the genealogical writers of Germany, notice, sprung from a weaver, who, in 1370, was made free of the city of Augsburg. Huldric had been chamberlain to pope Paul III. and afterwards turned protestant. He laid out great sums in purchasing good manuscripts of ancient authors, and getting them printed; and for this purpose he for some time allowed a salary to the famous Henry Stephens. His relations were so incensed at him for the money he expended in this way, that they brought an action against him, in consequence of which he was declared incapable of managing his affairs. Thuanus, and some other writers observe, that this sentence pronounced against Fugger plunged him into a deep melancholy, which accompanied him almost to his grave; but it is asserted in his epitaph, that he was unmoved at the shock, and that he was soon after restored to his estate. He had retired to Heidelberg, where he died in 1584; having bequeathed his library, which was very considerable, to the elector Palatine, with a fund for the maintenance of six scholars.
, an eminent prelate, the descendant of a noble family in Westphalia,
, an eminent prelate,
the descendant of a noble family in Westphalia, was born
at Bilstein in 1626. He studied at Cologne, where he
contracted an intimate friendship with Chigi, who was
then nuncio, and afterwards pope. During the cardinalate of Chigi, he invited f urstemberg to reside with him,
whom he raised to the bishopric of Paderborn in 1661,
when he himself was seated in the papal chair, under the
title of Alexander VII. The high reputation of the bishop
attracted the notice of Vat) Galer:, who appointed him his,
coadjutor, and whom he succeeded in 1678, when he. was
declared by the pope apostolical vicar of all the north of
Kurope. He was. a zealous catholic, and anxious for the
conversion of those who were not already within the pale
of the church; but at the same time he did not neglect
the cultivation of the belles lettres, eitper by his own
efforts or those of many learned men whom he patronized.
He died in 1683, As an author he collected a number of
Mss. and monuments of antiquity, and gave to the world
valuable work relative to those subjects, entitled “Momimenta Paderbornensia.
” He al*o printed at Rome a.
collection of Latin poems, entitled “Septem Virorutn.
illusirium Poemata.
” In this work there were many poems
of his own, written witU much purity. A magnificent
edition of these poems was published in the same year in
which he died, at the Louvre, at the expence of the king
of France.
, an eminent physician, was born at Herforden, in Westphalia, in
, an eminent physician,
was born at Herforden, in Westphalia, in the month of
May, 1688. He began the study of medicine at the age
of eighteen, and attended with diligence the schools of
Wittemberg, Jena, and Halle, and became a licentiate in
medicine in the last-mentioned university. About 1709 he
returned to Herforden, and immediately obtained a considerable share of practice; but having conceived the design of visiting the Low Countries, he commenced his
journey in 1711, in order to hear those great masters of
his art, who at that time flourished so numerously in the
cities of Amsterdam, Leyden, Utrecht, the Hague, Delft,
and Doit. Having profited much by their instructions,
whether in the chair, in hospitals, or in private communication, he returned to his native place at the end of a year,
and recommenced the practice of his profession with the
same ardour as when he quitted Halle, but with more
knowledge and greater resources. Nevertheless he again
interrupted his practice by another journey in 1716. He
tnarried in 1717, with the intention of settling at Herforden; but became a professor in 1720, at Rintlen, where
he died April 7, 1756. He left several works: the first of
these was frequently re-printed, and bears the title of
“Desiderata Medica.
” It includes also “Desiderata Anatomico-Physiologica Desiderata circa morbos et eorum
sig na Quae desiderantur in Praxi Medica Desiderata
Chirurgica.
” 2. “De Fatis Medicorum, Oratio Inauguralis,
” De morbis Jurisconsultorum Epistola,
”
De Dysenteria alba in puerpera Dissertatio,
”
Programmata nonnulla, tempore Magistrates
Academici impressa,
”
, an eminent royal architect of France, built the palace at Choisy,
, an eminent royal architect of France, built the palace at Choisy, and undertook the royal bridge at Paris, but died in 1686, before he had completed this work, which was finished by his son James and Frere Romain. James was born at Paris 1667, became a pupil of the celebrated Mansart, and acquired so great a reputation as to be appointed overseer- general of buildings, gardens, arts and manufactures first architect and engineer of bridges and banks through the kingdom, and knight of St. Michael. He planned the common sewer, and many public buildings, among which are the hotel de Ville, and the presidial court of Paris, &c. He died in that city 1742, leaving a son, first architect to the king, who long supported the reputation of his ancestors, and died in 1782.
, an eminent botanist, was born at Calw, in the duchy of Wirtemberg,
, an eminent botanist, was born at Calw, in the duchy of Wirtemberg, March 12, 1732. His father, physician to the duke of Wirtemberg, and his mother, both died in his early youth. He was at first destined by his surviving relations for the church, and when he disliked that, the law. was recommended; but at length, from an early bias towards the study of natural history, he resorted to physic, as most congenial to his disposition, and removed to the university of Gottingen, in the 19th year of his age. Here the lectures of Halier and others instructed him in anatomy, physiology, and botany, but he studied these rather for his own information and amusement, than as a means of advancement in the practice of physic. After this he undertook a tour through Italy, France, and England, in the pursuit of knowledge in botany. On his return he took the degree of M. D. and published an inaugural dissertation on the urinary secretion, after which he devoted two years to the study of mathematics, optics, and mechanics, constructing with his own hands a telescope, as well as a common and solar microscope. In the summer of 1759 he attended a course of botanical lectures at Leyden, under the celebrated Adrian Van Royen. He had for some time acquired the use of the pencil, in which he eminently excelled, and which subsequently proved of the greatest use to him in enabling him to draw the beautiful and accurate figures of the books he published. Having bestowed great attention upon the obscurer tribes of marine animals and plants, particularly with a view to the mode of propagation of the latter, as well as of, other cryptogamic vegetables, he revisited England, and spent some time here, as well in scrutinizing the productions of our extensive and varied coasts, as in conversing with those able naturalists Ellis, Collinson, Baker, and others, who were assiduously engaged in similar pursuits. He communicated a paper to the royal society on the polype called Urtica marina, and the Actinia of Linnseus, comprehending descriptions and figures of several species, which is printed in the 52d volume of the Philosophical Transactions; and he prepared several essays on the anatomy of fishes, and other obscure matters of animal and vegetable physiology, part of which only has hitherto been made public. Soon afterwards Dr. Gsertner became a member of the royal society of London, and of the imperial academy of sciences at Petersburg. In 1768, he was instituted professor of botany and natural history at Petersburg, and about a year afterwards he began to plan and prepare materials for the great work on which his eminent reputation rests, the object of which was the illustration of fruits and seeds for the purposes above-mentioned. His situation at Petersburg, however, seems not to have suited either his health or disposition. After having performed a journey into the Ukraine, in which he collected many new or obscure plants, he resigned his professorship at the end of two years, steadily refusing the pension ordinarily attached to it, and retired in the autumn of 17 70 -to his native town, where he married. At the end of eight years he found it necessary, for the perfection of his intended work, to re-visit some of the seats of science in which he had formerly studied, in order to re-examine several botanical collections, and to converse again with persons devoted to similar inquiries with his own. Above all, he was anxious to profit by the discoveries of the distinguished voyagers Banks and Solander, who received him with open arms on his arrival at London, in 1778, and, with the liberality which ever distinguished their characters, freely laid before him all their acquisitions, and assisted him with their own observations and discoveries. A new genus was dedicated to Gaertner by his illustrious friends in their manuscripts; but this being his own sphenoclea, has been superseded by another and a finer plant. He visited Thunberg in his return through Amsterdam, that distinguished botanist and traveller being then lately arrived from Japan; nor were the acquisitions of Gartner less considerable from this quarter. He further enriched himself from the treasures at Leyden, laid open to him by his old friend Van lloyen; and arrived at home laden with spoils destined to enrich his intended publication. Here, however, his labours and his darling pursuits were interrupted by a severe disorder in his eyes, which for many months threatened total blindness; nor was it till after an intermission of four or five years that he was able to resume his studies.
, an eminent musical writer, a native of Lodi, born Jan. 14, 1451,
, an eminent musical writer,
a native of Lodi, born Jan. 14, 1451, of obscure parents,
was first intended for priest’s orders, but after studying
music for two years under John Goodenach, a carmelite,
he manifested so much genius for that science, that it was
thought expedient to make it his profession. After learning the rudiments of music at Lodi, he went to Mantua,
where he was patronized by the marquis Lodovico Gonzago; and where, during two years, he pursued his studies
with unwearied assiduity night and day, and acquired
great reputation, both in the speculative and practical
part of his profession. From this city he went to Verona,
where he read public lectures on music for two years more,
and published several works; after which he removed to
Genoa, whither he was invited by the doge Prospero;
there he entered into priest’s orders. From Genoa he
was invited to Milan by the duke and duchess Galeazzo,
but they being soon after expelled that city, he returned
to Naples, where Philip of Bologna, professor- royal, received him as his colleague; and he became so eminent
in the theory of music, that he was thought superior to
many celebrated and learned musicians, his contemporaries, with whom he now conversed and disputed. He
there published his profound <“Treatise on the Theory
of Harmony,
” Theoricum Opus Harmonicae Disciplinse,
” mentioned
above, Neapolis,
Deftnitiones Term. Musicae,
” of John Tinctor. 2. “Practica
Musicse utriusque Cantus,
” Milan, Angelicum ac Divinum
Opus Musicae Materna Lingua Scrip.
” Milan, De Harmonica Musicor. Instrumentorum,
” Milan,
, an eminent orientalist, was a native of Paris, where he was educated;
, an eminent orientalist, was a native of Paris, where he was educated; and, applying himself to study the eastern languages, became a great master in the Hebrew and Arabic. He was trained up in the Roman Catholic religion, and taking orders, was made a canon regular of the abbey of St. Genevieve, but becoming dissatisfied with his religion, and marrying after he had left his convent, he was upon that account obliged to quit his native country, came to England, and embraced the faith and doctrine of that church in the beginning of the eighteenth century. He was well received here, and met with many friends, who gave him handsome encouragement, particularly archbishop Sharp, and the lord chancellor' Macclesfield, to which last he dedicated his edition of Abulfeda. He had a master of arts degree conferred upon him at Cambridge; and going thence to Oxford, for the sake of prosecuting his studies in the Bodleian library, he was admitted to the same degree in that university, where he supported himself by teaching Hebrew. He had previously been made chaplain to Dr. William Lloyd, bishop of Worcester, whom he accompanied to Oxford.
, or Galateus Liciensis, an eminent Italian writer, whose proper name was Ferrari, isgenerally
, or Galateus Liciensis, an eminent Italian writer, whose proper name was Ferrari, isgenerally known by that of Galateo, from his native place,
Galatina, in Otranto, where he was born in 1444. His
father dying in his infancy, he was taken in to the protection of his grandfather, who had him educuted at Nardo.
He afterwards studied medicine, which, after taking his
degrees at Ferrara, he practised at Naples with great reputation, and was appointed physician to the king, in consequence of the recommendation of Sannazarius and Pontanus. The air of Naples, however, not agreeing with
him, he removed to Gailipoli, near Galatina, where he
resumed his practice. He died Nov. 12, 1517. He was
not only eminent as a physician, but his natural and moral
philosophy is said to have risen beyond the level of the age
in which he lived. He is also said to have indicated the
possibility of the navigation to the East by the Cape of
Good Hope, in his treatise “De situ Elementorum,
” published in De situ lapygiae,
” Basil, A Description of Gailipoli.
” 3. “Successi dell‘ armata Turchescanella citta d’Otranto dell' anno 1480,
” 4to,
, a learned divine, and an eminent preacher among the baptists, was born May 26, 1680,
, a learned divine, and an eminent preacher
among the baptists, was born May 26, 1680, at London.
His father was a citizen of good repute; and observing
the natural turn of his son to be from his infancy grave and
composed, he resolved to breed him for the ministry. He
spared no cost jn his education, and the boy’s diligence
was such, that, both in school and out of school, heapplied attentively to his learning, and became not only
master of the Latin and Greek, but of the Hebrew language, at the age of seventeen; when he was sent to
Ley den, to finish what he had so happily begun. Soon
after his arrival there he received the news of his mother’s
death, and, being sensible that this would hasten his return home, he made it a spur to his industry; and so
surprisingiwas.his progress in academical learning, that he
was thought. -worthy of the degrees of master of arts and
doctor of philosophy in his nineteenth year, and accordingly received those honours in 1699, having performed
the usual exercises with universal applause . This extraordinary testimony of his son’s merit could not fail to be
very acceptable to the father; and the rector of the university communicated it, in a strong letter of commendation. Upon this occasion our author published his “Thesis,
” and dedicated it to his father and his two uncles, sir
John and sir Joseph Wolf; and a aioble attestation of his
merit was subjoined by Adrian Ileland in a Latin panegyric.
nctions. He took the degree of M. A. June 18, 1652, and being encouraged to take pupils, soon became an eminent tutor, and had, among other pupils, Ezekiel Hopkins,
, a learned divine among the nonconformists, was born in 1628, at King’s-Teignton in Devonshire, where his father, Dr. Theophilus Gale, was then vicar, with which he likewise held a prebend in the church of Exeter. Being descended of a very good family in the West of England, his education was begun under a private preceptor, in his father’s house, and he was then sent to a school in the neighbourhood, where he made a great proficiency in classical learning, and was removed to Oxford in 1647. He was entered a commoner in Magdalen college, a little after that city, with the university, had been surrendered to the parliament; and their visitors in the general reformation (as they called it) of the university, had put Dr. Wilkinson into the presidentship of Magdalen college, who took particular notice of young Gale, and procured him to be appointed a demy of his college in 1648. But the current of kindness to him was far from stopping here; he was recommended to the degree of bachelor of arts Dec. 1649, by the commissioners, long before the time appointed for taking that degree by the statutes of the university, viz. four years after admission. Of this departure from the usual term of granting a degree they were so sensible, that care was taken by them to have a particular reason set forth, for conferring it so early upon him; expressing, that he was fully ripe for that honour, both in respect of his age. and the excellence of his abilities. It was probably owing to the countenance of the same patrons that he was chosen fellow of his college in 1650, in preference to many of his seniors, who were set aside to make room for him. It is acknowledged, however, that he deserved those distinctions. He took the degree of M. A. June 18, 1652, and being encouraged to take pupils, soon became an eminent tutor, and had, among other pupils, Ezekiel Hopkins, afterwards bishop of Raphoe, in Ireland.
a man endowed with excellent parts, and, baring the advantage of the best education, became not only an eminent physician, but also a great philosopher; and was particularly
He was a man endowed with excellent parts, and, baring the advantage of the best education, became not only an eminent physician, but also a great philosopher; and was particularly happy in a facility of expression, and an unaffected eloquence; but the style of his works is extremely diffuse, his sentences are sometimes perplexed, and sometimes absolutely obscure. The great number of books which we have of his composing, to pass over those we have lost, are a convincing proof how little pains it cost him to write. Suidas tells us that he wrote not only ou physic and philosophy, but also on geometry and grammar. There are reckoned above five hundred books of his upon physic only, and about half that number upon other sciences. He even composed two books, containing a catalogue of his works; shewing the time and place in which some of them were composed, together with the occasion of writing them, and the proper order of reading them.
ek authors. Garamond died in 1561; and all his fine types came into the hands of Fournier the elder, an eminent letter- founder at Paris.
, a French engraver and letter-founder, was a native of Paris, and began to distinguish himself about 1510; when he founded his printing types, clear from all remains of the gothic, or, as it is usually called, the black letter. He brought them to so great a degree of perfection, that he can neither be denied the glory of having surpassed whatever had been done in this way before, nor that of not being excelled by any of his successors in this useful mechanic art. His types were prodigiously multiplied, as well by the great number of matrices which he engraved of every size, as by the letters which were founded from these, so that all parts of Europe were supplied with them; and as often as they were used by foreigners, they took care, by way of recommending their works, to distinguish them by his name, both in Italy, Germany, England, and even in Holland; particucularly the small Roman, by way of excellence, was known among the printers in all these countries, by the name of Garamond’s small Roman. He likewise, by the special command of Francis I. founded three species of Greek tj-pes for the use of Robert Stephens, who printed with them all his beautiful editions, both of the New Testament, and several Greek authors. Garamond died in 1561; and all his fine types came into the hands of Fournier the elder, an eminent letter- founder at Paris.
the 14th of June that year. He is styled by bp. Warburton, in his Commentary on the “Essay on Man,” an eminent casuist.
This sentence was perfectly agreeable to the abbot of
St. Cyran’s critique, which, after many hindrances raised
by the Jesuits, came out the same year, entitled, “A
Collection of the faults and capital falsities contained in the
Theological Summary of F. Francis Garasse .
” In answer
to which, our author wrote, “Avis touchant la refutation,
&c. Advice concerning the refutation of the Theological
Summary of F. Garasse.
” This came out also before the
end of the year, and concluded the dispute between the
two combatants in particular. But the two orders of Jesuits
and Jansenists in general, of whom these were respectively
the champions, grew from the consequences of it, into
such an implacable hatred and animosity against each other,
as seemed not be extinguishable by ordinary means. With
respect to Garasse, the Jesuits used some kind of prudence.
They did not obstinately persist in supporting him, but
banished him to one of their houses at a great distance
from Paris, where he was heard of no more. This punishment, to a man of his ambitious and busy temper, was
worse than death. Accordingly, as if weary of such a life,
when the plague raged violently in Poictiers, in 1631, he
asked earnestly of his superiors to attend those that were
seized with it; leave was granted, and in that charitable
office, catching the contagion, he died among the infected
persons in the hospital, on the 14th of June that year.
He is styled by bp. Warburton, in his Commentary on
the “Essay on Man,
” an eminent casuist.
ry, who on this occasion is said by the writer of his life in the Biog. Britannica, to have afforded an eminent proof of his gratitude, in soliciting his pardon; which
As this step proved the ruin of Wolsey, in his distress
he applied to his old servant the secretary, who on this
occasion is said by the writer of his life in the Biog. Britannica, to have afforded an eminent proof of his gratitude,
in soliciting his pardon; which was followed in three days
by his restoration to his archbishopric, and 6000l. sent
him, besides plate and furniture for his house and chapel.
It is certain, however, that Gardiner did not interpose before Wolsey had supplicated him more than once in the
most humble manner, to intercede for him, and it is equally
certain that Gardiner did not risk much in applying to the
king, who for some time entertained a considerable regard
for the fallen Wolsey. Gardiner also, at the cardinal’s
recommendation, in 1530, introduced the provost of Beverly to the king, who received him graciously, and shewed
him that he was his good and gracious lord, and admitted
and accepted him as his orator and scholar. These were
matters of easy management. But the year had not expired, when the king’s service called the secretary to a
task of another nature, which was to procure from the university of Cambridge their declaration in favour of his majesty’s cause, after Cranmer’s book should appear in support of it. In this most difficult point his old colleague
Fox was joined with him; and they spared no pains, address, or artifice in accomplishing it. To make amends
for such an unreserved compliance with the royal will, a
door was presently opened in the church, through which,
by one single step (the archdeaconry of Leicester, into which he was installed in the spring of 1531), Gardiner
advanced to the rich see of Winchester, and was there
consecrated the November following. Gardiner was
not, at the time, apprized of the king’s design of conferring on him this rich bishopric; for Henry, in his caprice,
would sometimes rate him soundly, and when he bestowed
it on him said, “I have often squared with you, Gardiner,
but I love you never the worse, as the bishopric I give you
will convince you.
” As bishop of Winchester he now assisted in the court when the sentence, declaring Katharine’s
marriage null and void, was passed by Cranmer, May
22, 1533. The same year he went ambassador to the
French king at Marseilles, to discover the designs of the
pope and that monarch in their interview, of which Henry
was very suspicious; and upon his return home, being
called, as other bishops were, to acknowledge and defend
the king’s supremacy, he readily complied, and published
his defence for it, with this title, “De vera Obedientia.
”
His conduct was very uniform in this point, as well as in
that of the divorce and the subsequent marriage, and he
acquired great reputation by his writings in defence of
them.
, an eminent French surgeon, was born at Vitre, a small town in Brittany,
, an eminent French surgeon, was born at Vitre, a small town in
Brittany, on the 13th of July, 1683, where his father practised surgery. In order to improve himself, he spent five
years in the hospital of Angers, and in the great naval hospitals of Brittany; and afterwards made two voyages in the
navy. In 1711 he went to Paris, and studied under Winslow, Thibaut, Meri, &c. and afterwards gave a course of
lectures on anatomy in the medical schools; and henceforth his reputation extended even to foreign countries;
for he was elected a member of the royal society of London. He was also appointed demonstrator royal in the
schools of medicine. On the establishment of the society
of academicians, under the patronage of the king, in 1731,
Garengeot was chosen “Commissaire pour les extraits,
”'
which office he retained until
and of considerable fortune, was Garrick’s friend upon this occasion, recommended him to Mr. Colson, an eminent mathematician, to be boarded and instructed by him in
About the beginning of 1735, Mr. (afterwards Dr.)
Samuel Johnson, undertook to instruct some young gentlemen of Lichfield in the belles lettres; and David Garrick, then turned eighteen, became one of his scholars, or
(to speak more properly) his friend and companion. But
the master, however qualified, was not more disposed to
teach, than Garrick was to learn; and, therefore, both
growing weary, after a trial of six months, agreed to try
the,ir fortunes in the metropolis. Mr. Walmsley, register
of the ecclesiastical court at Lichfield, a gentleman much
respected, and of considerable fortune, was Garrick’s
friend upon this occasion, recommended him to Mr. Colson, an eminent mathematician, to be boarded and instructed by him in mathematics, philosophy, and polite
learning; with a view of being sent within two or tlireft
years to the Temple, and bred to the law. But when
Garrick arrived in London, he found that his finances
would not suffice to put him under Mr. Colson, till the
death of his uncle; who, about 1737, left Portugal, and
died in London soon after. He bequeathed his nephew
1000l. with the interest of which, he prudently embraced
the means of acquiring useful knowledge under Mr. Colson. His proficiency, however, in mathematics and philosophy was not extensive; his mind was still theatrically
disposed; and, both father and mother living but a short
time after, he gave himself up to his darling passion for
acting from which, says his historian, “nothing but his
tenderness for so dear a relation as a mother had hitherto
restrained him.
” During the short interval, however, between his mother’s death and his commencing comedian,
he engaged in the wine trade, with his brother Peter Garrick; and they hired vaults in Durham-yard.
, an eminent physician, and very amiable man, was born at Kircudbright,
, an eminent physician, and very amiable man, was born at Kircudbright, the principal town of the county of that name in Scotland, Oct 28, 1732. He was the son of the rev. George Garthshore, the minister of Kircudbright, and received his early education at home. At the age of fourteen he was placed with a surgeon-apothecary in Edinburgh, where he attended the medical classes of the university, and the infirmary. In his twenty-second year, when he had finished his medical studies, he entered the army, as mate to surgeon Huck (afterwards Dr. Huck Sauntiers) in lord Charles Hay’s regiment. In 1756 he had an opportunity of relinquishing this service for the more advantageous situation of succeeding to the practice of Dr. John Fordyce, a physician at Uppingham, in Rutlandshire, who was about to remove to London. In this place, Dr. Garthshore resided until 1763, giving much satisfaction by his activity, assiduity, and successful practice in physic and midwifery, in a very extensive range of country. Here also he formed some valuable connections, and in 1759 married a young lady heiress to a small estate. This last advantage encouraged him to remove to London in 1763, and after a short residence in Bed ford -street, Coventgarden, he settled in a house in St. Martin’s lane, where he continued nearly fifty years. His professional views in coming to London were amply gratified; but here he was soon assailed by a heavy domestic affliction, the loss of his wife, which took place the 8th of March, 1765. From this calamity Dr. G. sought relief in the practice of his public duties. His natural susceptibility, the instruction of his father, the correspondence of Mr. Maitland, an early friend and patron, had deeply impressed him with devotion to his Maker, and taught him to consider it as inseparable from good-will and beneficence to men. Volumes of his Diary, kept for the whole of his life in London, and amounting to many thousands of close-written pages, in contractions very difficult to decypher, consist of medical, miscellaneous, and eminently pious remarks, meditations, and daily ejaculations of praise and thanksgiving, with fervent prayers to be kept steady in that course of well-doing essential to happiness in the present life and in that which is to come. The tone and temper, elevation and energy, acquired by this sublime heavenly intercourse, appeared indispensable to this good man, not only as the consolation of sorrow, and the disposer to patience and resignation under the ills of life, but as the spring and principle of unwearied perseverance in active virtue; the diligent, liberal, charitable exercise of the profession to which he was devoted. From this time forward he continued for nearly half a century cultivating medicine in all its branches, most attentive to every new improvement in themf, physician to the British lying-in hospital, fellow of the royal and antiquarian societies, rendering his house an asylum for the poor, as well as a centre of communication for the learned; for his connection with the higher orders of men never prevented his habitual attentions and services to the less fortunate: in general, to stand in need of his assistance was the surest recommendation to his partiality.
4j 1574, in the parsonage-house of St. Edmund the King, in Lombardstreet, London, where his father, an eminent Puritan divine (who died in 1593) was then minister.
, a very learned English divine aud critic, descended from a family of that name at Gatacre-hall, in Shropshire, was born Sept. 4j 1574, in the parsonage-house of St. Edmund the King, in Lombardstreet, London, where his father, an eminent Puritan divine (who died in 1593) was then minister. At sixteen years of age he was sent to St. John’s college in Cambridge; where, in due time, he took both the degrees in arts. He was greatly distinguished by his abilities, learning, and piety; insomuch that the foundation of Sidney college being laid about this time, he was, by archbishop Whitgift, and Dr. Goodman dean of Westminster, the trustees of that foundation, appointed a fellow of that society, even before the building was finished. In the mean while he went into Essex, as tutor to the eldest son of Mr. (afterwards sir) William Ayloff, of Berksted, who himself learned Hebrew of him at the same time. During his residence here, he usually expounded a portion of scripture to the family every morning; in this task, after rendering the text into English from the original language, he explained the sense of it, and concluded with some useful observations. In the space of two years he went through all the prophets in the Old Testament, and all the apostolical epistles in the New. Dr. Stern, then suffragan bishop of Colchester, being nearly related to the mistress of the family, happened in a visit to be present at one of these performances; and, being struck with admiration, instantly exhorted the expounder to enter into the priesthood; and Mr. Gataker was ordained by that suffragan.
his new college; and as soon as the building was finished, about 1599, he settled there, and became an eminent tutor. At the same time he engaged with Mr. William
This step was conformable to the statutes of his new college; and as soon as the building was finished, about 1599, he settled there, and became an eminent tutor. At the same time he engaged with Mr. William Bedell, afterwards bishop of Kilmore, in a design, then set on foot, of preaching in such places adjacent to the university as were destitute of ministers. In performing this engagement he preached every Sunday at Everton, a village upon the borders of Cambridge, Bedford, and Huntingdonshires; the vicar of which parish was said to be one hundred and thirty years old. He had not executed this charitable office above six months, when he went to London, and resided as chaplain in the family of sir William Cook, at Charing-cross, to whose lady he was nearly related. This situation made him known to several persons of fashion and fortune, and, among others, to some principal members of Lincoln’s-inn; of which society he was chosen preacher, about 1601. He thought it his duty to reside there during term-time, when he was obliged to attend the chapel; but in the vacations he went down to sir William Cook’s in Northamptonshire, and constantly preached there, either in their private chapel or in the parish-church, without any salary, but afterwards sir William settled on him an annuity of 20l. a year. In 1603 he commenced B. D. and was afterwards often solicited to proceed to doctor; but he declined it. He did not at all approve of pluralities; and upon that principle refused a considerable benefice in Kent, which was offered him by sir William Sedley, while he held the preachership at Lincoln’s-inn. Having married in 1611, he quitted that place for the rectory of Rotherhithe in Surrey: yet yielded to the acceptance of this living, only in the view of keeping it out of the hands of a very unworthy person.
, an eminent German physician, was born at Heidelberg in 1705, and
, an eminent German physician, was born at Heidelberg in 1705, and was educated
partly among the Jesuits, and partly in the orphan-house
at Halle, under the celebrated professor Franke. He became afterwards a pupil of the learned Boerhaave, and a
professor of medicine in the university of Leyden, where
he took the degree of doctor in 1725. He died Nov. 29 r
1780, leaving several works of considerable value. 1.
“Dissertatio Inauguralis de solidis humani corporis partibus,
” Leyden, Libellus de methodo concinnandi formulas medicamentorum,
” ibidem, De
fregimine Mentis, quod Medicorum est,
” Leyden, Institutiones
Pathologiae Medicinalis,
” ibid. Adversariorum varii argument! Liber unus,
” ibid. Oratio Panegyrica in auspicium sseculi tertii Academic
Batavse quae Leidse est,
” &c.
, an eminent French writer of the last century, was born at Lausanne
, an eminent French
writer of the last century, was born at Lausanne in 1727.
His father, who was a protestant clergyman of that place,
took extraordinary pains in cultivating his mind, and at
the age of twelve years, young Gebelin could read German, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; and at fifteen, he spoke
German and Latin with ease, as well as French in compliment to his parents, who were natives of France, but had
left it on account of their religion. His thirst of knowledge
was such as to prevent his hours of rest; and when his parents, in order to break him of the habit of studying at
night, would not allow him candles, he used to pore over
his books as well as he could by moon -light. In 1763,
after the death of his father, he came to Paris, bringing
with him nothing but a great stock of learning, and the
greatest simplicity of manners; and as the persons to whom
he had recommendations happened to be absent, he remained for some time alone and friendless in that great
metropolis. The first acquaintances he made were two ladies who lived opposite to him, and who lived together in
such harmony as to desire no other connections, but were
yet so pleased with Gebelin’s amiable manners, as to admit him into their friendship, and furnish him with every
assistance he could wish in carrying on his great work,
“Le monde primitif,
” in digesting the materials of which
he employed ten years. One of these ladies, mademoiselle Linot, learned engraving solely with the view of being useful to him in his labours, and actually engraved
some of the plates in his work; while the other, mademoiselle Fleury, contributed 5000 livres towards the expences
of the first volume of his work. After his -death they transferred their kindness to his relations, a sister and two
nieces whom he had sent for to reside at Paris, but to
whom he was not able to leave much.
, an eminent Lutheran divine, doctor of divinity, professor of Hebrew,
, an eminent Lutheran divine, doctor
of divinity, professor of Hebrew, minister of St. Thomas,
preacher, confessor, and member of the elector of Saxony’s ecclesiastical councils, was born April 24, 1614, at
Leipsic, and died August 22, 1681. He left valuable
commentaries in Latin on Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Daniel,
and the Psalms a treatise on the “Mourning of the Jews,
”
in the same language and several other works which are
esteemed, and were published at Amsterdam, 1695, 3
vols. fol.
, or, as by some called, Gayler Keiserspergius, an eminent Swiss divine, was born in 1445, at Schaffhausen, where
, or, as by some called, Gayler Keiserspergius, an eminent Swiss divine, was born in 1445,
at Schaffhausen, where his father was a notary, but he
dying about three years afterwards, his son was adopted by
a relation who lived at Keysersberg, and educated there in
his infancy. He afterwards pursued his more serious studies at Fribourg and Basil. When admitted into the church
he was invited to preach at Wurzburgh, where he became
so celebrated for pulpit oratory, that Augsbourg, Basil, and
Strasburgh contended which should persuade him to settle
among them. At length he gave the preference to Strasburgh, where he resided thirty-three years, edifying the
people by his discourses and his example. Here he died
March 10, 1510. He is said to have been the first who
proposed that the sacrament should be administered to
condemned persons. He was much admired by Wimpheliugius, Beatus Rhenanus, and many of the eminent
men of his time. His works, the principal of which are
enumerated by Clement, as books of rare occurrence, are
in German and Latin, and consist principally of “Sermons,
” often surcharged with metaphors and allegories,
and sometimes with facetious remarks, but in general they
are learned, and serve very much to illustrate the manners
of the time, which he had the courage to censure, when
erroneous, before persons of the highest rank or power,
with intrepid boldness. Oberlin published in 1786, a curious life of Geiler, which we have not seen; the preceding
account being taken from the authorities below.
, an eminent German poet and moral writer, was born at Haynichen,
,
an eminent German poet and moral writer, was born at
Haynichen, in Saxony, July 4, 1715. His father was a
clergyman of a small income, who had thirteen children.
Gellert was educated at home, where his poetical powers
first appeared in a poem on the birth-day of his father,
which was succeeded by many others, but all these in his
maturer years he committed to the flames. He was afterwards sent to school at Meissen r where he learned Greek
and Latin, and in 1734 he went to Leipsic, whence, after
studying four years, his father’s narrow income obliged
him to recall him. Gellert wished much to continue at
the university, but he submitted to necessity, and at home
had an opportunity of again turning his attention to those
poetical pursuits for which he had early displayed a predilection; and perhaps it is to his recall from the university
that we owe the beauty and simplicity of his fables. At
this time he occasion-ally composed sermons, which are in
general distinguished both for spirit and sound reasoning,
but they contain several indications of a taste not very
correct, and a judgment not arrived at maturity. In 1741
he again returned to the university of Leipsic, with a nephew of his own, of whose education he had the charge.
Here he met with some friends, from whose conversation
and directions he confesses that he derived very considerable advantage. About this time he published several
tales and fables in a periodical publication. In 1745 he
acquired the right of giving public lessons in the university, particularly on- morals. He had early received an
impression of the importance of Christian morality, and
thought that he could not pass over the subject in silence,
without neglecting one of the most essential duties of his
Situation. Soon after the commencement of his academical labours, he published his “Tales and Fables.
”
Amongst these, the manner in which the character of a
devotee was drawn, was much admired. This suggested
to Gellert the idea of his comedy of the “Devotee,
” which
was first published in the Bremen Magazine, but afterwards caused him much vexation. Many condemned it
because it appeared to them to have a mischievous tendency, by exposing piety and seriousness to ridicule.
But Gellert was not a man who could attempt to sap the
foundations of real religion and morality, though he wished
to expose hypocrisy and affectation to merited contempt.
Among the many flattering instances of public approbation
which the “Tales and Fables
” produced, Gellert was particularly pleased with that of a Saxon peasant. One day,
about the beginning of winter, he saw the man drive up to
his door a cart loaded with fire-wood. Having observed
Gellert, he asked him whether he was the gentleman who
wrote such fine tales? Being answered in the affirmative,
he begged pardon for the liberty which he took, and left
the contents of his cart, being the most valuable present
he could make. At this time the Germans had no original
romances of any merit. In order to give some celebrity
to this species of composition in his own country, he published the “Swedish Countess,
” a work of a melancholy
cast, and containing many indications of that depression
of spirits which embittered the latter days of Gellert. In
1747 he published a book entitled “Consolations for Valetudinarians,
” which was received with as much eagerness
as his other works, and translated into various languages.
It contains a melancholy representation of the sufferings
which he himself endured. Nothing, however, could
overcome his activity, and in 1748 the continuation of hisf
“Tales and Fables
” was published. About this time he
was deprived of the society of several friends who had
often dispersed the gloom that resulted from his disorder. The only intimate friend that remained was
Havener, who persuaded Gellert to give to the public
some of his letters. In 1754 he published his “Didactic
Poems,
” whicu were not so well received as his Tales and
Fables, and he himself seems to have been sensible that
they were not so agreeable, although useful and instructive. He bestowed particular care on some sacred songs,
which were received with great enthusiasm all over
Germany, both in the Roman catholic and protestant states.
About this time he was appointed professor extraordinary
in philosophy, and gave lectures on the Belles Lettres.
From this period Gellert suffered extremely from an hypochondriac affection. His days were spent in melancholy
reflections, and his rights in frightful dreams. But he
made prodigious efforts to resist this malady, and to continue to perform his academical duties; and these efforts
were often successful. The constant testimonies of the
approbation with which his works were received, and the
sympathy of his friends, were never-failing sources of consolation, and served to spread many cheerful moments over
the general languor of his life. The calamities of war
which desolated Germany after 1757, induced Gellert for
some time to quit Leipsic. While in the country, he was
attacked by a severe illness, from which, however, contrary
to all expectation, he recovered. In 1761 the chair of a
professor in ordinary was offered him, but he refused to
accept it, from a persuasion that the state of his health was
such as to render him incapable of discharging the duties
of the situation with that regularity and attention which he
thought necessary. In 1763-4, Gellert went to Carlsbad by
the advice of his physicians to drink the waters, which,
however, seem to have given him little relief. After a few
years more of almost constant suffering, GeHett died at
Leipsic, on the 13th of December. 1769. Some time before his death he revised and corrected his moral lessons,
which he published at the request of the elector of Saxony.
He was a man of the easiest and most conciliating manners; pleasing even to strangers; and of a disposition to
form and preserve the most valuable friendships. He was
open and enthusiastic in his attachments, ready at all times
to givtt his counsel, labour, and money, to serve his
friends. In himself, of a timid and hypochondriac habit,
and disposed to criticise both his own character and works
with a severity of which his friends could not acknowledge
the justice. He had a constitutional fear of death, which,
notwithstanding, receded as the hour of trial approached;
so that he died with calmness and fortitude. In this he is
thought to have resembled our Dr.Johnson, but in other
respects his character and habit seem to approach nearer
to those of Cowper. His works were published in ten vols.
8vo, in 1766; and after his death a more complete edition
at Leipsic, in eight rolumes, with engravings. Kutner
has celebrated his various excellencies; he says, “a century will perhaps elapse, before we have another poet capable of exciting the love and admiration of his contemporaries, in so eminent a degree as Gellert, and of exercising so powerful an influence on the taste and way of thinking of all ranks.
” Though not deserving all this, he was
an agreeable and fertile writer; the poet of religion and
virtue; an able reformer of public morals. His “Moral
Lessons
” were translated into English, and published by
Mrs. Douglas of Eduam house, 1805, 3 vols. 8vo, with an
excellent life of the author, to which this article is chiefly
indebted.
, an eminent Italian writer, and a man of extraordinary qualities,
, an eminent Italian writer, and
a man of extraordinary qualities, was born of mean parents
at Florence in 1498, and was brought up a taylor. Such,
however, was his industry and capacity, that he acquired a
knowledge of languages, and made uncommon progress in
the belles lettres. Thuanus says, that he did not understand Latin, but this must be a mistake, as he translated,
from Latin into Italian, “The Life of Alphonsus duke of
Ferrara,
” by Paul Jovius, and a treatise of iion Porzio,
“De<OolQribus Oculorum,
” at the request of those writers.
His knowledge of Greek, however, was probably limited,
as he translated the “Hecuba
” of Euripides into Italian,
from the Latin version. His principal excellence was in
his native tongue, and he acquired the highest reputation,
by the works he published in it. He was acquainted with
all the wits and learned men of Florence; and his merit
was universally known. He was chosen a member of the
academy there,; and the city made him one of their burgesses. Yet he continued the exercise of his trade as a
taylor, to the end of his life; and he tells us, in a letter
lo F. Melchior, March 3, 1558, that he devoted workingdays to the careof his body, and Sundays and festivals to
the culture of his understanding. The same letter shews
his modesty, as hereproaches his friend for giving him
honourable titles, which did not agree with the lowness of
his condition. He died in 1563.
, an eminent Greek philosopher, palled also Pletho, was born at
, an eminent Greek philosopher,
palled also Pletho, was born at Constantinople, in 1390,
He was a zealous advocate for Platonism, and maintained
a violent controversy with the Aristotelians. He was a
strenuous defender of the Greek church against the Latins,
and was consulted as an oracle on the points in debate,
being unquestionably a man of learning and acuteness.
He is principally noticeable as being the first Greek who
gave occasion to the revival of Platonism in Italy, where
he made many illustrious converts, and was the means of
laying the foundation of a Platonic academy at Florence.
He afterwards returned to Greece, where he died at the
advanced age of nearly one hundred and one years. His
heretical and philosophical writings afford unquestionable
proofs of his learning, and particularly of his intimate
knowledge of the Alexandrian philosophy. In his “Kxplanation of the Magic Oracles of Zoroaster,
” Gr. and Lat.
Paris, On the Virtues,
”
Oxon. On the difference between the Platonic and Aristotelian Philosophy,
” Paris, He had a profound acquaintance with Grecian history, as appears by
his
” De iis qu post pugnam ad Mantinaam gesta sunt,“printed with the Venice edition of
” Herodian,“1503, foL
and with the Aldus
” Xenophon" of the same year.
, an eminent civilian at Oxford, was the son of Matthew Gentilis,
, an eminent civilian at Oxford,
was the son of Matthew Gentilis, an Italian physician, the
descendant of a noble family of the Marcbe of Ancona, who
left his country about the end of the sixteenth century, on
account of his having embraced the protestant religion.
Taking with him his sons Albericus and Scipio, he went
into the province of Carniola, where he received his doctor’s degree, and then into England, after his eldest son
Albericus, who was born in 1550. He was educated chiefly
in the university of Perugia, where, in 1572, he was made
doctor of civil law. He came into England probably about
1580, as in that year he appears to have been kindly received by several persons here; and among others, by
Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, then chancellor of the
university of Oxford, who gave him letters of recommendation to the university, stating that he had left his country
for the sake of his religion, and that it was his desire to
bestow some time in reading, and other exercises of his
profession, at the university, &c. He accordingly went
to Oxford, and by favour of Dr. Donne, principal of New
inn Hall, had rooms allowed him there, and at first was
maintained by contributions from several colleges, but afterwards had an allowance from the common funds of the
university. In the latter end of the same year, 1580, he
was incorporated LL. D. and for some years employed his
time on his writings, most of which were published at
London or Oxford. He resided also some time either in.
Corpus or Christ Church, and, as Wood says, “became
the flower of the university for his profession.
” In 1587
queen Elizabeth gave him the professorship of civil law,
on which he lectured for twenty-four years with great xeputation. Hre he died, in the latter end of March or the
beginning of April 1611, although others say at London,
June 19, 1608, and was buried near his father, who also
died in England, but where is uncertain. Wood’s account
seems most probable. He left a widow, who died at Rickmansworth in 1648, and two sons, one of which will be
noticed in the next article. Wood enumerates twentyseven volumes or tracts written by him, all in Latin, and
mostly on points of jurisprudence, on which, at that time,
his opinion appears to have had great weight. Grotius
praises and acknowledges his obligations to his three books
“De Jure Belli
” and his “Lectiones Virgilianae,
” addressed to his son, prove that he had cultivated polite literature with success.
, an eminent divine of the church of Scotland, eldest son of the
, an eminent divine of the
church of Scotland, eldest son of the rev. Gilbert Gerard,
minister of Chapel-Garioch, in Aberdeenshire, was born
there Feb. 22, 1728; he was educated partly at the parish
school of Foveran, whence he was removed to the grammar-school at Aberdeen, after his father’s death. Here
he made such rapid progress, that he was entered a student in Marischal-college when he was but twelve years
of age. He devoted his first four years to the study of
Greek, Latin, the mathematics, and philosophy, and was
at the close of the course admitted to the degree of M. A.
He now commenced his theological studies, whtch he prosecuted at the universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Immediately on the completion of his twentieth year, in
1748, he was licensed to preach in the church of Scotland, and in 1750 was chosen assistant to Mr. David Fordyce, professor of philosophy in the Marischal college at
Aberdeen, and in two years afterwards, upon the death of
the professor, Gerard was appointed to succeed him.
Here, after a short time, the department assigned to Mr.
Gerard was confined to moral philosophy and logic, the
duties of which he discharged with conscientious and unwearied diligence, and with equal success and reputation.
He was a member of a literary society at Aberdeen, consisting of Drs. Blackwell, Gregory, Reid, Campbell,
Beattie, &c. which met very regularly every fortnight
during the winter, when the members communicated their
sentiments with the utmost freedom, and received mutual
improvement from their literary discussions; and hence originated those well-known works, Reid’s “Inquiry into the
Human Mind
” Gregory’s “Comparative View;
” Gerard’s
“Essay on Genius
” Beattie’s “Essay on Truth
” andCampbell’s “Philosophy of Rhetoric.
” In An Essay
on Taste,
” which was published in Dissertations on the Genius
and Evidences of Christianity,
” published in Essay on Gesius,
” and his sermons in 2 volumes. In 1799
his son and successor, Dr. Gilbert Gerard, gave the world
a posthumous work of much merit, which had been left
among the papers of his father, entitled “The Pastoral
Care,
” which made a part of his theological course of
lectures. As a clergyman the conduct of Dr. Gerard was
marked with prudence, exemplary manners, and the most
punctual and diligent discharge of his ministerial duties;
his sermons were simple and plain, adapted to the common
class of hearers, but so accurate as to secure the approbation of the ablest judges. As a professor of divinity, his
great aim was not to impose by his authority upon his
pupils any favourite system of opinions; but to impress
them with a sense of the importance of the ministerial office; to teach them the proper manner of discharging all
its duties; and to enable them, by the knowledge of the
scriptures, to form a just and impartial judgment on controverted subjects. Possessing large stores of theological
knowledge, he was judicious in selecting his subjects,
happy and successful in his manner of communicating instruction. He had the merit of introducing a new, and in
many respects a better plan of theological education, than
those on which it had formerly been conducted. Having
a constant regard to whatever was practically useful, rather
than to unedifying speculations, he enjoined no duty
which he was unwilling to exemplify in his own conduct.
In domestic life he was amiable and exemplary; in his
friendships steady and disinterested, and in his intercourse with society, hospitable, benevolent, and unassuming; uniting to the decorum of the Christian pastor,
the good breeding of a gentleman, and the cheerfulness,
affability, and ease of an agreeable companion.
, an eminent German lawyer, was a native of Pforzeim. He was a professor
, an eminent German lawyer,
was a native of Pforzeim. He was a professor of law at
Strasburg, where he died very old, Jan. 20, 1560. He
was greatly distinguished and respected in his day. Thuanus
calls him, 4t Virum optimum, & pariter doctrina ac morum suavitate excellentem.“His principal work is an excellent description of Greece, under the title of
” Isagoge
in tabulam Graeciae Nicolai Sophiani,“Basil, 1550, folio.
There are besides of Gerbelius, 1.
” Vita Joh. Cuspixiiani.“2.
” De Anabaptistorum ortu & progressu" a
curious work. He published also a New Testament, in
1521, 4to, an extremely rare edition, printed at Haguenau.
, an eminent German Lutheran divine, was born at Quedlinburgh, in
, an eminent German Lutheran divine, was born at Quedlinburgh, in Saxony, Oct. 17, 1582,
where he was partly educated, but in 1599, was sent to
Wittemberg, and studied philosophy and divinity under
the ablest masters. In 1601, by the advice of Rauchbach,
a counsellor and vice-chancellor of Saxony (for his father died in 1598) he went through a course of medical studies,
but about two years after, recollecting a vow he had made
during a fit of sickness, he returned again to divinity, the
study of which he farther prosecuted at Jena, to which
he first went as tutor to his friend llauchbach’s son. In
1603 he took his master’s degree here, and in 1604 removing with his pupil to Marpurg, he continued his theological studies, and learned Hebrew. In 1605 he returned
to Jena, took his degree in philosophy, and having been
ordained, was appointed by John Casimir, duke of Saxony,
to a church in Franconia, and at the same time to be professor of divinity in the Casimirian college of Cobourg.
In 1616. by consent of his liberal patron, he accepted the
professorship of divinity at Jena, and continued in that office during the remainder of his life. He was four times
chosen rector of the university, and encreased his reputation by a vast variety of publications which made him
known to all the literati of Europe, many of whom, both
protestants and catholics, bore testimony to his extensive
learning, piety, and usefulness, both as a divine and
teacher. He died of a fever, Aug. 17, 1637. His works,
which are written in Latin and German, consist of treatises
on various theological subjects, critical and polemical;
commentaries on various books of the Old and New Testament common-places, &c. &c. One only of these, his
“Meditations,
” is well known in this country, having gone
through many editions, and having also been translated
into most European languages and into Greek. He left a
numerous family, some of whom became distinguished
as divines, particularly his eldest son, John Ernest, who
was born at Jena in 1621, and studied at Altdorf. He was
appointed professor of philosophy at Wittemberg in 1616,
and in 1652 was nominated professor of history at Jena.
Like his father he devoted mucli of his time to biblical and
theological learning. He died in 1688. Among his works
are, “Harmonia Linguarnm Orientalium;
” “Dispurationum theologicarum Fasciculus;
” De F.cclesiae Copticæ
Ortu, Progressu, et Doctrina." There is a very minute
and curious history of this family in the work from which
these particulars have been taken, with much collateral information respecting the theological writers and controversies during the life of the elder Gerhard.
, an eminent lawyer, whose writings are much valued both for matter
, an eminent
lawyer, whose writings are much valued both for matter
and manner, was born at Turin in 1551, of a noble Piedmontese family. For some reasons, not explained, his
education was neglected until he had attained the age of
twenty-two, but he then applied with great diligence to
the study of the law, and after taking his degrees at Turin,
was appointed professor of the canon-law. This was so
much to his inclination, that he continued in the office,
although promoted to be archdeacon of Turin, and apostolical prothonotary. As archdeacon he accompanied the
archbishop of Turin to Rome, and acquired the esteem of
the popes Sixtus V. Urban VII. Gregory XIV. and Clement VIII. By the last he was employed in compiling
part of the Decretals, with notes and illustrations. After
other honours and preferments had been bestowed on him,
he was made archbishop of Tarantesia in Savoy. He died
on an embassy at the court of Madrid in 1627. Besides
his notes on the decretals, and other smaller pieces on the
digest and code, he published “De Sacrorum immunitatibus lib. tres, &c.
” Rome, Pomeiidianae
sessiones in quibus Latin Linguse dignitas defenditur,
”
Turin, Opera
Omnia ab ipso recognita,
” Rome,
, an eminent scholar, philosopher, and naturalist, and called the
, an eminent scholar, philosopher, and naturalist, and called the Pliny of Germany, was the son of Vasa Gesner, and Barbara Friccius, and born at Zurich in Switzerland in 1516, where he received the first rudiments of the Latin and Greek languages. His proficiency was such as to give every hope of his becoming an accomplished scholar, but the poverty of his father, who was a worker in hides, and perhaps wanted his son’s assistance in his trade, threatened a total interruption to his studies, when John James Ammian, professor of rhetoric at Zurich, took him to his house, and offered to defray the expence of his education. Gesner accordingly continued three years with Ammian, and applied to his studies with the utmost diligence. In his fifteenth year his father was killed in the civil wars of Switzerland, and his mother was no longer able to maintain him; and, added to these misfortunes, he fell into a dropsical disorder. On his recovery, finding himself destitute of friends, he determined, young as he was, to travel, in hopes of being able to provide a subsistence by his talents in some foreign country. With this view he first went to Strasburgh, where he entered into the service of Wolfgang Fabricius Capito, the learned Lutheran reformer, with whom he resumed the study of the Hebrew language, of which he had acquired some knowledge when at Zurich. After some months’ stay here he returned to Switzerland, and the public tranquillity being restored, he procured a pension from the academy of Zurich, which enabled him to make the tour of France. He passed a year at Bourges, applying to Greek and Latin with great attention; and finding his pension too scanty to maintain him, improved his finances in some degree by teaching school. Next year, he went to Paris, but is said to have made very little progress in study while there, and returned to Strasburgh in hopes of procuring some employment from the friends he had made, but was very soon recalled by the university of Zurich, and placed at the head of a reputable school. Here he might have maintained himself in the comfortable pursuit of his studies, had he not married, a step which, although he had afterwards no reason to repent of his choice, in his present circumstances was highly injudicious, and involved him in many difficulties.
, a learned critic, was the son of an eminent lawyer, and born at Antwerp, Aug. 6, 1593. Many authors
, a learned critic, was the
son of an eminent lawyer, and born at Antwerp, Aug. 6,
1593. Many authors have called him simply John Caspar,
and sometimes he did this himself, whence he was at one
time better known by the name of Caspar than of Gevartius.
His first application to letters was in the college of Jesuits
at Antwerp, whence he removed to Louvain, and then to
Douay. He went to Paris in 1617, and spent some years
there in the conversation of the learned. Returning to the
Low Countries in 1621, he took the degree of LL. D.
in the university of Douay, and afterwards went to Antwerp,' where he was made town-clerk, a post he held to
the end of his life. He married in 1625, and died in 1666.
He had always a taste for classical learning, and devoted a
great part of his time to literary pursuits. In 1621 he
published at Leyden, in 8vo, “Lectionum Papinianarum
Libri quinque in Statii Papinii Sylvas;
” and, at Paris in
Electorum Libri tres, in quibus plurima veterum Scriptorum loco obscura et controv.ersa explicantur,
illustrantur, et emendantur.
” These, though published
when he was young, have established his reputation as a
critic. He derived also some credit from his poetical attempts, particularly a Latin poem, published at Paris,
1618, on the death of Thuanus. He kept a constant correspondence with the learned of his time, and some of his
letters have been printed in the “Sylloge Epistolarum,
”
by Burman. Our Bentley mentions Caspar Gevartius as a
man famous in his day; and tells us, that “he undertook
an edition of the poet Manilius, but was prevented by
death
” from executing it.
, an eminent musician, and in many respects the greatest performer
, an eminent musician, and in many
respects the greatest performer on the violin during the
last century, was a native of Piedmont; and when a boy,
was a chorister in the Duomo at Milan, under Paladini, of
whom he learned singing, the harpsichord, and composition; but having previously manifested a partiality for the
violin, his father recalled him to Turin, in order to receive
instructions on that instrument of the famous Somis. He
went to Rome early in his life, and afterwards to Naples,
where, having obtained a place among ripienos in the
opera orchestra, he used to flourish and change passages
much more frequently than he ought to have done. “However,
” says Giardini, of whom Dr. Burney had this account,
“I acquired great reputation among the ignorant for my
impertinence yet one night, during the opera, Jomellfc
who had composed it, came into the orchestra, and seating
himself close by, me, I determined to give the maestro di
cappella a touch of my taste and execution; and in the
symphony of the next song, which was in a pathetic style, I
gave loose to my fingers and fancy; for which I was rewarded by the composer with a violent slap in the face;
which,
” adds Giardini, “was the best lesson I ever received from a great master in my life.
” Jomelli, after this,
was however very kind, in a different way, to this young and
wonderful musician.
, an eminent English historian, was descended from an ancient family
, an eminent English historian, was
descended from an ancient family of that name in Kent.
His grandfather, Edward Gibbon, a citizen of London,
was appointed one of the commissioners of customs under
the Tory administration of the last four years of queen
Anne, and was praised by lord Bolingbroke for his knowledge of commerce and finance. He was elected one of
the directors of the unfortunate South-sea company, in
1716, at which time he had acquired an independent fortune of 60,000l. the whole of which he lost when the company failed in 1720. The sum of 10,000l. however, was
allowed for his maintenance, and on this foundation he
reared another fortune, not much inferior to the first, an<,i
secured a part of it in the purchase of landed property.
He died in December 1736, at his house at Putney, and
by his last will enriched two daughters, at the expence of
his son Edward, who had married against his consent.
This son was sent to Cambridge, where at Emanuel college, he “passed through a regular course of academical
discipline,
” but left it without a degree, and afterwards
travelled. On his return to England he was chosen, in
1734, member of parliament for the borough of Petersfield,
and in 1741 for Southampton. In parliament he joined
the party which after a long contest, finally drove sir Robert Walpole and his friends from their places. Our author has not concealed that “in the pursuit of an unpopular minister, he gratified a private revenge against the
oppressor of his family in the South-sea persecution.
”
"Walpole, however, was not that oppressor, for Mr. CoxC
has clearly proved that he frequently endeavoured to stem
the torrent of parliamentary vengeance, and to incline the
sentiments* of the house to terms of moderation.
fected to despise. The truth seems to be, that when he sat down to write his Memoirs, the memoirs of an eminent and accomolisued seholar, he found a blank which is
To Oxford, he informs us, he brought “a stock of
erudition that might have puzzled a doctor, and a degree
of ignorance of which a school-boy would have been
ashamed.
” During the last three years, although sickness interrupted a regular course of instruction, his fondBess for books increased, and he was permitted to indulge it by ranging over the shelves without plan or design. His indiscriminate appetite fixed by degrees in the
historical line, and he perused with greatest avidity such
historical books as came in his way, gratifying a curiosity
of which he could not trace the source, and supplying
wants which he could not express. In this course of desultory reading be seems inconsciously to have been led t6
that particular branch in which he was afterwards to excel.
But whatever connection this had with his more distant life,
it was by no means favourable to his academical pursuits.
He was exceedingly deficient in classical learning, and
went to Oxford without either the taste or preparation
which could enable him to reap the advantages of academical education. This may probably account for the
harshness with which he speaks of the English universities.
He informs us that he spent fourteen months at Magdalencollege, which proved the most idle and unprofitable of
his whole life; but why they were so idle and unprofitable,
we cannot learn from his Memoirs. To the carelessness
of his tutors, indeed, he appears to have had some reason
to object, but he allows that he was disposed to gaiety and
to late hours, and therefore complains with little justice,
that he was not taught what he affected to despise. The
truth seems to be, that when he sat down to write his Memoirs, the memoirs of an eminent and accomolisued
seholar, he found a blank which is seldom found in the bicM
graphy of English scholars; the early displays of genius,
the laudable emulation, and the well-earned honours; he
found that he owed no fame to his academical residence,
and therefore determined that no fame should be derivable
from an univefsity education.
, an eminent composer of church music in the reign of James I. was
, an eminent composer of church
music in the reign of James I. was born in 1583, and at
the age of twenty-one was appointed organist of the chapel-royal. In 1622 he was honoured at Oxford with a
doctor’s degree, in consequence of the strong recommendation of the learned Camden. Previously to this he had
published “Madrigals of five parts for voices and viols,
”
London, Hosanna.
” He also composed the tunes to the
hymns and songs of the church, translated by George Withers, as appears by the dedication to king James I. In
1625, being commanded, ex ojficio, to attend the solemnity
of the marriage of his royal master Charles I. with the
princess Henrietta of France, at Canterbury, for which
occasion he had composed the music, he was seized with
the small-pox, and dying on Whitsunday, in the same
year, was “buried in that cathedral. His son, Dr. Christopher Gibbons, was also honoured with the notice of
Charles I. and was of his chapel. At the restoration, besides being appointed principal organist of the chapel
royal, private organist to his majesty, and organist of
Westminster-abbey, he obtained his doctor’s degree in
music at Oxford, in consequence of a letter written by his
majesty Charles II. himself, in his behalf in 1664. His
compositions, which were not numerous, seem never to
have enjoyed a great degree of favour; and though some
of them are preserved in the Museum collections, they
have long ceased to be performed in our cathedrals. Orlando Gibbons had also two brothers, Edward and Ellis,
the one organist of Bristol, and the other of Salisbury.
Edward was a Cambridge bachelor of music, and incorporated at Oxford, 1592. Besides being organist of Bristol,
he was priest-vicar, sub-chanter, ajid master of the
choiristers in that cathedral. He was sworn a gentleman of the
chapel, March 21, 1604, and was the master of Matthew
Lock 1 In the
” Triumphs of Oriana," there are two madrigals, the one in five, and the other in six parts, composed by Ellis Gibbons. Of Edward Gibbons, it is said,
that in the time of the rebellion he assisted king Charles I.
with the sum of one thousand pounds; for which instance
of his loyalty, he was afterwards very severely treated by
those in power, who deprived him of a considerable estate,
and thrust him and three grand-children out of his house,
though he was more than fourscore years of age.
, an eminent carver in wood, and a statuary, supposed to be of Dutch
, an eminent carver in wood, and a statuary, supposed to be of Dutch parents, was born in Spur-alley in the Strand. He lived afterwards in Bell-savage court, Ludgate-hill, where he carved a pot of flowers, which shook surprizingly with the motion of the coaches that passed by. There, is no instance, says lord Orford, of a man, before Gibbons, who gave to wood the loose and airy lightness of flowers, and chained together the various productions of the elements with a free disorder natural to each species. He lived afterwards at Deptford, where Mr. Evelyn, discovering his wonderful talents, recommended him to Charles II. who gave him a place in the board of works, and employed him in the chapel at Windsor. His carved work here is done in lime-tree, representing a great variety of pelicans, doves, palms, and other allusions to scripture history, with the star and garter, and other ornaments, finished with great perfection. At Windsor too, he carved the beautiful pedestal in marble, for the equestrian statue of the king in the principal court. The fruit, fish, implements of shipping, are all exquisite; the base of the figure at Charing-cross, and the statue of Charles II. in the Royal-exchange, were also his, and probably the brazen statue of James II. in the Privy-garden, for there was no other artist of that time capable of it.
, an eminent architect, was the son of Peter Gibbs of Footdeesmire,
, an eminent architect, was the son of Peter Gibbs of Footdeesmire, merchant in Aberdeen, and Isabel Farquhar, his second wife; he was born about the year 1674, and was educated at the grammar-school and the Marischal college of Aberdeen, where he took the degree of master of arts. Having, however, few friends, he resolved to seek his fortune abroad; and about 1694 left Aberdeen, whither he never returned. As he had always discovered a strong inclination to the mathematics, h spent some years in the service of an architect and masterbuilder in Holland. The earl of Mar happening to be in that country, about 1700, Mr. Gibbs was introduced to him. This noble lord was himself a great architect; and finding his countryman Mr. Gibbs to be a man of genius, he not only favoured him with his countenance and advice, but generously assisted him with money and recommendatory letters, in order, by travelling, to complete himself as an architect.
, an eminent patron of literature, was born at Palermo, and in his
, an eminent patron of literature, was born at Palermo, and in his
youth distinguished himself in the literary court of Leo X.
Clement VII. appointed him bishop of Verona at an early
age; but as he was long resident at Rome, or employed
on missions of the highest importance at the ecclesiastical
state, Caraffi, who was afterwards Paul IV. was deputed
to manage the concerns of his bishopric. At length, in
the pontificate of Paul III. Gibertus returned to his diocese, where his public and private virtues rendered him an
ornament to his station. His palace was always open to
men of learning, whether Italians or strangers; and a considerable part of his great revenues was munificently employed in the encouragement of letters. He was a liberal
patron of Greek literature, and had new Greek types cast
at his own expence. He also employed under his roof,
a number of persons in transcribing Mss. and defrayed the
charge of publishing several excellent editions of the works
of the Greek fathers, particularly a beautiful edition of
Chrysostom’s Homilies on the epistles of St. Paul. He died
Dec. 30, 1543. His works, with his life, were published
at Verona, 1733. He is deservedly celebrated in the
“Galateo
” of Casa, and is the subject of the poem of
Bembus, entitled “Benacus
” and various other contemporary poets have paid him the tribute of praise which he
so well merited; nor is it small praise that he was the firm
opponent of Peter Aretin, and used all h.is efforts to strip
the mask from that shameless impostor.
sex, who were all handsomely provided for by him. In private life he possessed the social virtues in an eminent degree, and hi beneficence was very extensive. Of this
He was very sensible of his decay for some time before
his death, in which he complained of a languor that hung
about him. As, indeed, he had made free with his constitution by incredible industry, in a long course of study
and business of various kinds; he had well nigh exhausted
his spirits, and worn out a constitution which was naturally
so vigorous, that life might, otherwise, have probably been
protracted. He died, however, on September 6, 1748,
with true Christian fortitude, an apparent sense of his approaching dissolution, and in perfect tranquillity of mind,
during the intervals of his last fatal indisposition at Bath,
after a very short continuance there. His lordship was
married, and left several children of each sex, who were
all handsomely provided for by him. In private life he
possessed the social virtues in an eminent degree, and hi
beneficence was very extensive. Of this one remarkable
instance is recorded by Whiston. Dr. Crow had left him
2500l. which our prelate freely gave to Dr. Crow’s relations, who were in indigent circumstances. Recording
this story does Whiston more credit than his foolish ravings against the bishop’s “gross ignorance
” of what he
calls “primitive Christianity.
”
, knt. lord chief baron of the exchequer, and an eminent law writer, was born Oct. 10, 1674. Of his family, education,
, knt. lord chief baron of the
exchequer, and an eminent law writer, was born Oct. 10,
1674. Of his family, education, or early life, it has been
found impossible to recover any information* Either in
1714, or 1715, for even this circumstance is not clearly
ascertained, he was appointed one of the judges of the
court of king’s bench in Ireland, and within a year was
promoted to the dignity of chief baron of the exchequer in
that kingdom, which office he held till the beginning of
1722, when he was recalled. During his residence there,
he was engaged in an arduous and delicate contest concerning the ultimate judicial tribunal to which the inhabitants were to resort, which was disputed between the
English house of lords and the Irish house of lords; and
he appears to have been taken into custody by the order of
the latter, for having enforced an order of the English
house in the case of Annesley versus Sherlock, “contrary
to the final judgment and determination of that house.
”
It appears by the style of this last order of the Irish house
of lords, that he was a privy counsellor of that kingdom;
and it is noticed in his epitaph, that a tender was made to
him of the great seal, which he declining, returned to
England. Here he was first called to the degree of an
English serjeant at law, preparatory, according to ancient usage, to his taking his seat as one of the barons of
the exchequer, in which he succeeded sir James Montague
in June 1722. Having remained in that station for three
years, he was in Jan. 1724 appointed one of the commissioners of the great seal in the room of lord Macclesfield, his
colleagues being sir Joseph Jekyll and sir Robert Raymoqd.
The great seal continued in commission till June 1, 1725,
when sir Peter King was constituted lord keeper, and on the
same day sir Jeffray Gilbert became, on the appointment of
sir Rpbert Eyre to the chief-justiceship of the commonpleas, lord chief baron, which office he filled until his
death, Oct. 14, 1726, at an age which may be called early,
if compared with the multitude and extent of his writings,
which were all left by him in manuscript.
, D. D. an eminent dissenting divine, and the most able and learned baptist
, D. D. an eminent dissenting divine, and
the most able and learned baptist writer of the last century,
was born at Kettering in Northamptonshire, Nov. 23, 1697,
of parents in humble life. His father was a deacon of the
baptist meeting at Kettering; and having, from various
causes, some of which appear rather imaginary, a strong
impression on his mind that this son would become a
preacher, and an eminent character, exerted his utmost to
give him a suitable education. His first attempts were
crowned with such success as to confirm his father’s hopes.
Being sent to the grammar school, he soon exceeded his
equals in age, and even his seniors. At his eleventh year,
he had not only gone through the common school books,
but had read the principal Latin classics, and made considerable proficiency in the Greek language. Such was at
the same time his avidity of knowledge, that he constantly
frequented a bookseller’s shop (which was open only on market-days), where his acquirements became noticed by
some c.f the neighbouring clergy; and he repaired so regularly to this repository of books, that it became a sort of
asseveration, “such a thing is as sure as John Gill is in
the bookseller’s shop.
” Unfortunately, however, his progress at school was interrupted by an edict of the master,
requiring that all his scholars, without exception, should
attend prayers at the church on week-days. This, of
course, amounted to an expulsion of the children of dissenters, and of young Gill among the rest. His parents
not being able to send him to a distant school, some efforts
were made to get him upon one of the dissenting funds of
London, that he might be sent to one of their seminaries.
In order to procure this favour, his progress in literature
was probably stated as very extraordinary, and the application produced an answer fully as extraordinary namely,
“that he was too young and, should he continue, as it
might be supposed he would, to make such rapid advances
in his studies, he would go through the common circle of
learning before he could be capable of taking care of himself, or of being employed in any public service.
” Notwithstanding this illiberal and absurd repulse, young Gill
went on improving himself in Greek and Latin, by eagerly
studying such books in both languages as he could procure, and added to his stock a knowledge of logic, rhetoric, moral and natural philosophy. Without a master
also, he made such progress in the Hebrew as soon to be
able to read the Bible with facility; and ever after this
language was his favourite study. He read much in the
Latin tongue, and studied various systematic works Oh
divinity; but all this appears to have been done at such
hours as he could spare from assisting his father in his
business. In November 1716, he made a public profession of his religious sentiments before the baptist meeting,
and was baptised according to the usual forms; soon after
which he commenced preacher, and officiated first at
Higham Ferrars, where in 1718 he married; he also
preached occasionally at Kettering until the beginning of
1719, when he was invited to become pastor of the baptist
congregation at Horslydovrn, Southwark, and soon became
very popular in the metropolis.
, an eminent English divine, and for his excellent character and
, an eminent English divine, and
for his excellent character and usefulness, called the “Apostle of the North,
” was descended from a good family in
Westmoreland, and born in 1517, at Kentmire in that
county. He was the son of Edwin Gilpin, by Margaret
daughter of William Laton of Delain in Cumberland. From
his earliest youth he was inclined to a contemplative life,
thoughtful, reserved, and serious, which giving his parents
an early presage of his future piety, they determined to
educate him for the church. His first years wete spent at
a public school, whence he was removed to Oxford, and
at the age of sixteen was entered upon the foundation at
Queen’s college. Besides his academical studies, to which
he applied with great industry, he appears to have read
while here some of the works of Erasmus, which at their
first appearance were not very popular, and discovered in
them a treasure of real learning, which he had in vain
sought after in the writings then in most esteem. But as
he had now determined to apply himself to divinity, he
made the Scriptures his chief study; and was particularly
anxious to gain an accurate knowledge of the Greek and
Hebrew languages, in the study of which he was much
assisted by Mr. Neal, a fellow of New college, and afterwards Hebrew professor at Oxford. He had not been long
in the university before he was considered as a young man
of good parts and considerable learning, and admired
and loved for a remarkable sweetness of disposition, and
unaffected sincerity in his manners. At the usual term he
took the degree of M. A. and about the same time was
elected fellow of his college.
, an eminent artist, was born at Naples, in 1629, and at first was
, 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.
”
, an eminent artist, whose name was Gioggio Barbarellj, but was generally
, 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.
, an eminent painter, sculptor, and architect, was born in 1276,
, 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.
ation, 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,
, 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.
, an eminent German divine and critic, was born May 20, 1593, at
, an eminent German divine and
critic, was born May 20, 1593, at Sondershausen, in
Thuringia, and after some education under a private tutor,
was sent in 1612 to Jena, where he was admitted to the
degree of D. D. and was made professor of divinity. He
was also appointed superintendant of the churches and
schools in the duchy of Saxe-Gotha, and exercised the
duties of these offices with great reputation. He died at
Gotha July 27, 1656. His principal work was published
in 1623, 4to, entitled “Philologia Sacra,
” which is pronounced by Mosheim and Buddeus to be extremely useful
for the interpretation of Scripture, as it throws much light
upon the language and phraseology of the inspired writers.
There have been several editions, the last at Leipsic, in
1776, by professor Dathius, under the title “Philologia
Sacra his temporibus accommodata.
” He was author, likewise, of “Onomatologia Messiac Prophetica
” “Christologia Mosaica et Davidica
” “Exegesis Evangeliorum et
Epistolarum,
” and some other pieces.
, an eminent classical teacher, the son of John Goad, of Bishopsgate-
, 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.
, an eminent lawyer, and one of the most learned men of his age,
, 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.
, an eminent civilian, the third son of John Godolphin, esq. was
, an eminent civilian, the third
son of John Godolphin, esq. was descended from an ancient
family of his name in Cornwall, and born Nov. 29, 1617,
at Godolphin, in the island of Scilly. He was sent to
Oxford, and entered a commoner of Gloucester-hall, in
1632; and having laid a good foundation of logic and philosophy, he applied himself particularly to the study of
the civil law, which he chose for his profession; and accordingly took his degrees in that faculty, that of bachelor
in 1636, and of doctor in 1642-3. He has usually been
ranked among puritans for having written two treatises
published by him in 1650 and jL 1651, entitled, 1. “The
Holy Limbec, or an extraction of the spirit from the Letter of certain eminent places in the Holy Scripture.
” Other
copies were printed with this title, “The Holy Limbec,
or a Semicentury of Spiritual Extractions,
” &c. 2. “The
Holy Harbour, containing the whole body of divinity, or
the sum and substance of the Christian Religion.
” But
whatever may be the principles maintained in these works,
which we have not seen, it is certain that when he went to
London afterwards, he sided with the anti-monarchical
party; and, taking the oath called the Engagement, was
by an act passed in Cromwell’s convention, or short parliament, July 153, constituted judge of the admiralty
jointly with William Clarke, LL. D. and Charles George
Cock, esq. In July 1659, upon the death of Clarke, he
and Cock received a new commission to the same place,
to continue in force no longer than December following.
, an eminent and learned bookseller, was born Dec. 11, 1635, at Middleburg.
, 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.
, an eminent modern Italian dramatist, was born at Venice in 1707.
, 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.
, an eminent poet and miscellaneous writer, was born on Nov. 29,
, 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.
, an eminent English prelate, was the second son of Edward Goodrich
, 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.
, an eminent antiquary, was born at Antwerp in 1549, and gained a
, an eminent antiquary, was
born at Antwerp in 1549, and gained a reputation by collecting medals and other antiques. He was chiefly fond of
the rings and seals of the ancients, of which he published
a prodigious number in 1601, under this title, “Dactyliotheca, sive Annulorum Sigillarium, quorum apud priscos
tarn Grsecos quam Romanes usus ex ferro, aere, argento,
& auro, Promptuarium.
” This was the first part of the
work; the second was entitled “Variarum Gemmarum,
quibus Antiquitas in signando uti solita, sculpturae.
” This
work has undergone several editions, the best of which is
that of Leyden, 1625; which not only contains a vast
mumber of cuts, but a short explication of them by Gronovius. In 1608 he published a collection of medals;
which, however, if we may believe the “Scaligerana,
” it
is not safe always to trust. Some have asserted, that
he never studied the Latin tongue, and that the learned
preface prefixed to his “Dactyliotheca,
” was written by
another. Peiresc, as Gassendus relates, used to say, that
“though Gorleeus never studied the Latin tongue, yet he
understood all the books written in Latin concerning medals
and coins;
” but this cannot be reconciled with the accounts
of him in other authors, nor indeed with probability.
Gorlaeus resided principally at Delft, and died there April
15, 1609. His collections of antiques were sold by his
heirs to the pirnce of Wales.
which he purchased in 1723. In 1719 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Morgan Hynde, esq. of London, an eminent brewer.
, the Camden of the eighteenth century, and one of the most illustrious antiquaries England has produced, was the only son of Harry Gough, esq. of Perry-hall. This gentleman, for whom his son ever preserved a reverential affection, was born April 2, 1681, and in his eleventh year, went with his uncle sir Richard Gough, to China, where he kept his accounts. In 1707, he commanded the ship Streatham, of which his younger brother Richard was purser in 1709. He continued to command this ship till 1715, when he retired with a decent competency, and was elected a director of the East India company about 1731. In this situation, his knowledge of the company’s affairs, the result of his many voyages in their service, and his zeal for their interests, joined to habitual activity and integrity, gave him great weight. He became also a representative in parliament in 1734, for the borough of Bramber, for which he sat until his death. His political career was marked by independence of spirit. Although attached to, and in the confidence of, sir Robert Walpole, he refused several offices from that minister, and yet supported him to the last. He died in 1751, and was buried in the rector’s vault in St. Andrew’s church, Holborn. In 1717, he purchased of the lady of sir Richard Shelley, one moiety of the Middlemore estate in Warwickshire (the other moiety of which he before possessed), which afterwards descended to his son and heir Richard, together with the property at Enfield, which he purchased in 1723. In 1719 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Morgan Hynde, esq. of London, an eminent brewer.
, an eminent sculptor and architect of Paris, lived under Francis
, an eminent sculptor and architect of Paris, lived under Francis I. and Henry II. and is supposed to have designed the fronts of the old Louvre. This artist’s figures, in demi -relief, have never been surpassed; nor can any thing of that kind be more beautiful than his Fountain of the Innocents, in the street of St. Denis at Paris. The cariatides which support a tribune in the hall of the Hundred Swiss at the Louvre are no less so. Many more of his works may be seen in that city, which are the admiration of connoisseurs, and remind us of the simple and sublime beauties of the antique style; for which reason he is justly called the Corregio of sculpture.
, an eminent English physician in the seventeenth century, was born
, 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.
, an eminent protestant divine, was born Oct. 7, 1635, of a good
, an eminent protestant divine, was
born Oct. 7, 1635, of a good family at Blois, and was
cousin-german to the celebrated Isaac Papin. He was
appointed minister at Poitiers in 1662, and remained there
till the revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685. He then
went to England, and afterwards to Holland, where he was
chosen minister of the Walloon church at Dort. Five years
after he was appointed professor of Greek and divinity at
Groningen, where he died Nov. 4, 1704, leaving a great
number of works, both printed and in ms.: the principal
are, a Hebrew dictionary, or “Commentarii Lingua? Hebraicce
” a valuable work, the best edition of which is that
of Leipsic, 1743, 4to a refutation, in Latin, of rabbi
Isaac’s “Chizzouck Emounak,
” or Shield of Faith, Dort,
Tela ignea Satanaj.
” He also published “Considerations theologiques et critiques centre le Projet
d'une nouvelle Version de la Bible,
”
, a celebrated physician, was born at Schoonhaven, in Holland, where his father was an eminent architect, July 30, 1641. After having laid a proper
, a celebrated physician, was born
at Schoonhaven, in Holland, where his father was an
eminent architect, July 30, 1641. After having laid a
proper foundation for classical learning, he went to study
physic at Leydtfn; in which science he made so great progress, that in 1663 he published a treatise “De Succo
Pancreatico,
” which did him the highest honour. Two
years after he went to France, and was made M. D. at
Angers; but returned to Holland the year after, and settled
at Delft, where he had very extensive practice, tie married in 1672, and died Aug. 17, 1673, when he was only
thirty-two years of age. He published three pieces upon
the organs of generation both in men and women, upon
which subject he had a very warm controversy with Swammerdam. His works, with his life prefixed, were published in 8vo, at Leyden, in 1677 and 1705; and were
translated into Flemish, and published at Amsterdam in
1686.
, an eminent antiquary, was a native of Antwerp, and born in the
, an eminent antiquary, was a native of Antwerp, and born in the end of the sixteenth century. He studied at Louvain, where he took his master’s degree in 1596, and became professor of rhetoric and law in that university. He was afterwards historiographer to the Low Countries, and for three years employed himself in examining their records. He them travelled through the greater part of Germany and Italy, but, while proceeding from the latter country to Spain, he was unfortunately made captive by an Algerine corsair, and carried to Africa. How he obtained his release does not appear, but upon his return to his native land he was preferred by the archduke Albert to be dean of the collegiate church of Leusa, in Heinault, and afterwards by the same patronage was made president of the college at Louvain. Some years after he travelled into Moravia and Silesia, and
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
, 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.
, lord Cullen, an eminent lawyer ind judge in Scotland, was descended from a younger
, 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.
, an eminent Latin poet, is supposed to have been contemporary with
, 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."
, an eminent Dutch philosopher, was born Sept. 26, 1688, at Bois-le-duc,
, an eminent Dutch
philosopher, was born Sept. 26, 1688, at Bois-le-duc, in
Holland, of an ancient and honourable family. He was
educated with the greatest care, and very early discovered
an extraordinary genius for mathematical learning. He
was sent to the university of Leyden, in 1704, with an intention to study the civil law; but at the same time he
cultivated with the greatest assiduity his favourite science.
Before he was nineteen, he composed his treatise on perspective, which gained him great credit among the most
eminent mathematicians of his time. When he had taken
his doctor’s degree in 1707, he quitted the college, and
settled at the Hague, where he practised at the bar. In
this situation he contracted and cultivated an acquaintance
with learned men; and made one of the principal members
of the society that composed a periodical review, entitled
“Le Journal LitteVaire.
” This journal began in May
Remarks on the construction of
Pneumatical Engines;
” A moral Essay on Lying;“and a celebrated Essay on the Collision of Bodies;
”
which, as it opposed the Newtonian philosophy, was attacked by Dr. Clarke, and many other learned men.
, an eminent scholar, and illustrious lawyer of Italy, was born of
, 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.
, an eminent English poet, was the fifth child of Mr. Philip Gray,
, 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.
”
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.
, 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.
, an eminent mathematician and antiquary, was eldest son of John
, 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.
, an eminent English musician, was the son of the Rev. Thomas Greene,
, an eminent English musician, was the son of the Rev. Thomas Greene, vicar of St. Clave Jewry, in London, and nephew of John Greene, serjeant at law. He was brought up in the choir of St. Paul, and when his voice broke was bound apprentice to
, St., or frequently called Geregius Florentius Gregorius, an eminent bishop and writer of the sixth century, descended from
, St., or frequently called Geregius
Florentius Gregorius, an eminent bishop and writer of
the sixth century, descended from a noble family of AuTergne, was born about the year 544. He was educated
by his uncle Gallus, bishop of Clermont, and became so
eminent for learning and virtue, as to be appointed bishop
of Tours in the year 573. He assisted at the council held
at Paris in the year 577, respecting Pretextat, bishop of
Rouen, and strongly opposed the violence of some of the
members of that assembly, particularly Chilperic and Fredegonde. He went afterwards to visit the tomb of > the
apostles at Rome, where he formed a friendship with St.
Gregory the Great, and died Norember 27, 595. This
bishop wrote a “History of France,
” in ten books; eight
books of “The Miracles, or Lives of the Saints;
” and
other works, in the library of the fathers. The best edition-is that by Dom Ruinart, 1699, fol. His history is very
useful; for though the style is dry and coarse, and the
author extremely simple and credulous, yet an ingenious
critic may easily separate the truths contained in it from
the falsehoods. This work has been translated into French
by the abbeé de Marolles, 1668, 2 vols. 8vo.
, the first of an eminent family of learned men in Scotland, was the son of the
, the first of an eminent family of
learned men in Scotland, was the son of the Rev. Mr. John
Gregory, minister of Drumoak in the county of Aberdeen,
and was born at Aberdeen in November 1638. His mother
was a daughter of Mr. David Anderson of Finzaugh, or
Finshaugh, a gentleman who possessed a singular turn for
mathematical and mechanical knowledge. This mathematical genius was hereditary in the family of the Andersons,
and from them it seems to have been transmitted to their
descendants of the names of Gregory, Reid, &c. Alexander Anderson, cousin -german of the said David, was
professor of mathematics at Paris in the beginning of
the seventeenth century, and published there several valuable and ingenious works; as may be seen in our vol. II.
The mother of James Gregory inherited the genius of her
family; and observing in her son, while yet a child, a
itrong propensity to mathematics, she instructed him
herself in the elements of that science. His education in the
languages he received at the grammar-school of Aberdeen,
and went through the usual course of academical studies at
Marischal college, but was chiefly delighted with philosophical researches, into which a new door had been lately
opened by the key of the mathematics. Galileo, Kepler,
and Des Cartes were the great masters of this new method;
their works, therefore, Gregory made his principal study,
and began early to make improvements upon their discoveries in optics. The first of these improvements was the
invention of the reflecting telescope, which still bears his
name; and which was so happy a thought, that it has
given occasion to the most considerable improvements
made in optics, since the invention of the telescope. He
published the construction of this instrument in his “Optica
promota,
”
d Edinburgh, he was succeeded in the professorship at that university by his brother James, likewise an eminent mathematician; who held that office for thirty-three
When Dr. David Gregory, the Savilian professor, quitted
Edinburgh, he was succeeded in the professorship at that
university by his brother James, likewise an eminent mathematician; who held that office for thirty-three years,
and, retiring in 1725, was succeeded by the celebrated
Maclaurin. A daughter of this professor James Gregory,
a young lady of great beauty and accomplishments, was
the victim of an unfortunate attachment, that furnished the
subject of Mallet’s well-known ballad of “William and
Margaret.
” Another brother, Charles, was created professor of mathematics at St. Andrew’s by queen Anne, in
1707. This office he held with reputation and ability for
thirty-two years; and, resigning in 1739, was succeeded
by his son, who eminently inherited the talents of his family, and died in 1763.
d the esteem and friendship of' some of the most distinguished literati there. Edward Montague, esq. an eminent mathematician, maintained a firm friendship for the
, professor of medicine in the university of Edinburgh, was born at Aberdeen in 1724. He was the third son of James Gregory, M. D. professor of medicine in King’s college, Aberdeen, by Anne, daughter of the rev. George Chalmers, principal of King’s college there. His grandfather was David Gregory of Kinardie, and his grand-uncle the James Gregory, whose life we have first given, the inventor of the reflecting telescope. Though the father of Dr. John Gregory died when he was very young, his education was carefully superintended, and he made a rapid progress in his studies, and like the rest of his ancestors became deeply versed in mathematical knowledge. He also cultivated an elegant and just taste, clearness -and beauty of expression, with precision of judgment, and extensive knowledge. He was the early, intimate, and constant friend and associate of Drs. Gerard, Beattie, and the other eminent men who belonged to the university of Aberdeen. In 1742, he went to Edinburgh, to prosecute the study of medicine, and thence to Leyden in 1745, and to Paris in 1746, for further improvement. On his return he was appointed professor of philosophy in King’s college, Aberdeen, and had at the same time the degree of M. D. conferred upon him. He held this professorship for a few years. In 1754, he went to London, where he. cultivated the acquaintance, and fixed the esteem and friendship of' some of the most distinguished literati there. Edward Montague, esq. an eminent mathematician, maintained a firm friendship for the doctor, founded on a similarity of manners and studies. His, lady the celebrated Mrs. Montague? and George lord Lyttelton, were of the number of his friends; and it is not improbable that he would have continued in London, and practised there in his profession, if the death of his brother Dr. James Gregory, professor of physic in King’s college, Aberdeen, in 1756, had not occasioned his being recalled to his native university to fill that chair. His occupations in physic now began to be active; he gave a course of lectures in physic, and practised in his profession, with great success. In the above-mentioned year, while at London, he was elected a fellow of the royal society. In 1766, on the death of Dr. Robert Whytt, the ingenious professor of the theory of physic at Edinburgh, Dr. Gregory was called to succeed him, as his majesty’s first physician in Scotland; and about the same time he was chosen to fill the chair of professor of the practice of physic, which was just resigned by Dr. Rutherford. Dr. Gregory gave three successive courses of practical lectures. Afterwards by agreement with his ingenious colleague, Dr. Cullen, they lectured alternate sessions, on the practice and institutions of medicine, with just and universal approbation, till the time of Dr. Gregory’s death.
, an eminent professor of law, was born in 1632, at Leipsic. His
, an eminent professor of
law, was born in 1632, at Leipsic. His father, who was
minister in that city, dying in 1685, the celebrated Mencke
married the widow, and took great care of her son’s education. Gribner assisted in the “Leipsic Journal,
” was professor of law at Wittenburgh, then at Dresden, and finally
at Leipsic, where he was chosen to succeed M. Mencke.
He died in 1734. Besides several academical dissertations,
he left < Principia processes Judiciarii“” Principia Juris*
prudentite naturalis;^ a small work much esteemed;
*' Opuscula Juris public! et privatl," He was also a benefactor to the university of Letpsic, by leaving a considerable legacy co the library, a sum of money as a provision
for the widows of the professors, and an annual sum as an
exhibition >Y,r a. law student.
refused, he attended him in prison, and rendered him all the service in his power. Grimani was also an eminent patron of the fine arts: he collected a choice and valuable
, a learned cardinal, was born at
Venice in 1460. His father being procurator of St. Mark,
and afterwards doge of the city, the son was soon brought
into public notice, and employed by the state in important
offices. In 1493 he was raised to the purple by pope
Alexander VI. having previously acquired great fame on
account of the piety which he displayed towards his father, who was commander of a fleet, and being defeated by
the Turks, was imprisoned and treated with great rigour.
The son offered to take his place, which being refused, he
attended him in prison, and rendered him all the service in
his power. Grimani was also an eminent patron of the
fine arts: he collected a choice and valuable library, consisting of eight thousand volumes in all languages, which,
at his decease, in 1523, he bequeathed to the canons regular of St. Salvadore, in Venice. It was afterwards increased by the addition of many valuable works by the cardinal patriarch Marino Grimani, and was preserved until
nearly the end of the seventeenth century, when it was
unfortunately destroyed by fire. Dominick Grimani also
made a fine collection of statues, and other remains of antiquity. In 1509, he was visited by Erasmus, who relates
the particulars of. his reception, in one of his letters, with
interesting minuteness, and afterwards dedicated to him
his “Paraphrasis in hlpistol. Pauli ad Romanes.
” On another occasion we find Erasmus soliciting cardinal Grimani
for a copy of Origen’s commentary on the Psalms, a translation of which he had been urged to undertake by
Warham, archbishop of Canterbury. Grimani is said to have
transiated irom the Greek some homilies of Chrysostom.
, an eminent patron of literature, was born at Lyons in 1479; and
, an eminent patron of literature,
was born at Lyons in 1479; and very early displayed a
propensity towards those elegant and solid pursuits, which
afterwards secured him the admiration and esteem of his
contemporaries. His address was easy, his manners were
frank, yet polished; his demeanour was engaging, and his
liberality knew no bounds. As he advanced in years, he
advanced in reputation; enjoying a princely fortune, the
result, in some measure, of a faithful and honourable discharge of the important diplomatic situations which he
filled. He was grand treasurer to Francis I. and ambassador from that monarch to pope Clement VII. During his
abode at Rome he employed the Alduses to print for him
an edition of Terence in 1521, 8vo, and another of Budaeus’s work “De Asse,
” I dined
along with Aldus, his son Manutius, and other learned men
at Grollier’s table. After dinner, and just as the dessert
had been placed on the table, our host presented each of
his guests with a pair of gloves filled with ducats.
” De
Thou speaks very highly of his character. During his travels he had secured from Basil, Venice, and Rome, the
most precious copies of books that could be purchased,
which he bound in a peculiar style, described in our authority. Every library and every scholar has boasted of a
book from Grollier’s library since it was dispersed, and
during his life-time it was his pride to accommodate his
friends with the use of them. He died at Paris in 1565.
, an eminent civilian, historian, and critic, was born at Hamburgh
, an eminent civilian,
historian, and critic, was born at Hamburgh in 1613. He
had a strong inclination to learning, which induced him
to apply to books with indefatigable diligence from his infancy; and, having made great progress in his studies in
his own country, he travelled into Germany, Italy, and
France, where he searched all the treasures of literature
that could be found in those countries, and was returning
fcome by the way of the United Provinces, when he was
stopt at Deventer in the province of Over-Issel, and there
made professor of polite learning. After acquiring great
reputation in this chair, he was promoted to that of Leyden in 1658, vacant by the death of Daniel Heinsius. He
died at Leyden in 1672, much regretted. By his wife,
whom he married at Deventer, he had two sons that survived him and were both eminent in the republic of letters: James, who is the subject of the ensuing article;
and Theodore Laurent, who died young, having published
“Emendationes Pandectarum, &c. Leyden, 1605,
” 8vo,
and “A Vindication of the Marble Base of the Colossus
erected in honour of Tiberius Caesar, ibid. 1697,
” folio.
, an eminent English antiquary, was the son of Mr. Francis Grose,
, an eminent English antiquary, was the son of Mr. Francis Grose, of Richmond, jeweller, who died in 1769. He was born in 1731, and having a taste for heraldry and antiquities, his father procured him a place in the college of arms, which, however, he resigned in 1763. By his father he was left an independent fortune, which he was not of a disposition to add to, or even to -reserve. He early entered into the Surrey militia, of which he became adjutant and paymaster; but so much had dissipation taken possession of him, that in a situation which above all others required attention, he was so careless as to have for some time (as he used pleasantly to tell) only two books of accounts, viz. his right and left hand pockets. In the one he received, and from the other paid; and this too with a want of circumspection which may be readily supposed from such a mode of book keeping. His losses on this occasion roused his latent talents: with a good classical education he united a fine taste for drawing, which he now began again to cultivate; and encouraged by his friends, he undertook the work from which be derived both profit and reputation: his Views of Antiquities in England and Wales, which he first began to publish in numbers in 1773, and finished in 1776. The next year he added two more volumes to his English views, in which he included the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, which were completed in 1787. This work, which was executed with accuracy and elegance, soon became a favourite with the public at large, as well as with professed antiquaries, from the neatness of the embellishments, and the succinct manner in which he conveyed his information, and therefore answered his most sanguine expectations; and, from the time he began it to the end of his life, he continued without intermission to publish various works, generally to the advantage of his literary reputation, and almost always to the benefit of his finances. His wit and good-humour were the abundant source of satisfaction to himself and entertainment to his friends. He visited almost every part of the kingdom, and was a welcome guest wherever he went. In the summer of 1789 he set out on a tour in Scotland the result of which he began to communicate to the public in 1790, in numbers. Before he had concluded this work, he proceeded to Ireland, intending to furnish that kingdom with views and descriptions of her antiquities, in the same manner he had executed those of Great Britain; but soon after his arrival in Dublin, being at the house of Mr. Hone there, he suddenly was seized at table with an apoplecticfit, on the 6th May 1791, and died immediately. He was interred in Dublin.
e out by subscription his” Posthumous Works,“1740, in 4 vols. 8vo. Gruchius, or Grouciii (Nicholas), an eminent antiquary in the sixteenth century, descended from a
In 1725 he lost his partner in the academy, the rev.
Mr. James; and was now obliged to take the students in,
divinity under his direction. In the execution of this, task
he confined himself to no system in divinity, but directed
his pupils to the best writers on natural and revealed religion, and an impartial consideration of the chief controversies. He likewise succeeded Mr. James in his pastoral
charge at Fullwood^ near Taunton, in which he continued
till his death. In 1730 he published “The Evidence of
our Saviour’s Resurrection considered,
” and the same
year, “Some Thoughts concerning the Proof of a future
State from Reason,
” in answer to the rev. Mr. Hallet, junior, which drew him into a dispute on the point with
that divine. In this controversy he was thought to disparage the necessity of revelation in regard to that proof.
In 1732 he printed “A Discourse concerning the Nature
and Design of the Lord’s Supper,
” where he set that institution in the same light with bishop Hoadly. In 173-1he published, without his name, “Wisdom the first Spring
of Action in the Deity,
” which was animadverted on, as
to some particulars, by Mr. Balguy, who, however, allowed the discourse in general to abound in solid remarks
and sound reasonings. In 1736 he published “A Discourse on saving Faith.
” The same year he met with a heavy
affliction, in the death of his wife; and a little more than
a year after this, he died himself; for, having preached
on February 19, 1737-8, and with such an uncommon flow
of spirits as he said he could hardly govern, he was violentlyseized at night with a fever, which carried him off upon
the 27th. His friends erected a handsome monument over
his grave, on which is a Latin inscription composed by the
late Dr. Ward, rhetoric-professor at Gresham-college, who
has also obliged the world with an English version of it.
Besides the works already mentioned, he published many
sermons upon several occasions, and also a volume of
(i Miscellanies in prose and verse.“After his death came out by subscription his
” Posthumous Works,“1740, in 4 vols. 8vo. Gruchius, or Grouciii (Nicholas), an eminent
antiquary in the sixteenth century, descended from a noble
family of Rouen, was the first who explained Aristotle in
Greek. He taught with reputation at Paris, Bourdeaux,
and Coimbra, and, on his return to France, went to Rochelle, where a college was intended to be established, and
where he died in January 1572, leaving many works. The
most known are, a translation of F. L. de Castagneda’s
” History of the Indies,“Paris, 1554, 4to; a treatise
” De
Comitiis Romanorum," 1555, fol.; and some pieces against
Sigonius, fol. which Sigonius did not answer till he heard
of the author’s death.
, an eminent divine and critical scholar, was born at Cobourg in
, an eminent divine and
critical scholar, was born at Cobourg in 1723, where his
father was aulic counsellor to the duke of Saxe-Cobourg.
He was educated in his infancy at home under private
tutors. In his thirteenth year he was sent to Weisenborn,
and placed under the care of John Faccius, an eminent
classical scholar, and after a year’s residence here went to
the university of Casimir, where he enjoyed the instructions and lectures of Berger, Albrecht, and other eminent
professors. In 1742 he removed to Jena, where he pursued his studies with great diligence and success, and took
his degrees in philosophy, In 1764 he was invited to be
professor of theology at Halle, and died there in 1778.
His talents are represented to have been very various, and
his diligence indefatigable. He published a new edition
of “Cselius Sedulius,
” with various commentaries, “An
Introduction to Roman Antiquities,
” “Miscellanea Sacra,
”
“Various critical Remarks on the Classics,
” new editions
of Eutropius, printed at Cobourg in
, an eminent Orientalist of Italy, was born about 1596, at Magliano.
, an eminent Orientalist of
Italy, was born about 1596, at Magliano. After going
through his studies, he entered among the regular minor
clerks, and made his profession at Rome in 1612. His
genius prompted him to the study of languages, to which
he devoted himself entirely; so that he acquired the Greek,
Hebrew, Chaldean, Syriac, Persian, and Arabic languages,
but excelled chiefly in the Arabic. He spent the greatest
part of his life in translating books from that language,
and in writing books in it, to facilitate the learning of it to
others. He taught it many years in the college della Sapienza at Rome; and was indeed so perfect a master of
it, that he spoke an oration in it before Christina, queen
of Sweden, in 1656. The eastern prelates presented a
petition to Urban VIII. to have the Bible translated into
Arabic; and, the congregation “de propaganda fide
” complying with their desires, Guadagnolo was immediately
selected as the person best qualified to undertake this great
work. He began it in 1622, and finished it in 1649;
having, however, assistants under him, and sometimes only
acting the part of a corrector. During the time that he
was employed in it, he gave an account twice a week of
?vhat progress he had made to a congregation assembled
for that purpose. It was published ai Home, 1671, in 3
vols. folio, with this title, “Biblia Sacra Arabica Sacra?
Congregationis de propaganda fide jussu edita ad usuia
ecclesiarum orientalium. Additis c regione Bibliis Vulgatis Latinis.
” In Apologia pro Christiana Religione, qua responde*
tur ad objectiones Ahmed filii Zin Alabedin Persoe
Asphaensis contetitas in Ifbro inscripto, Politor Speculi,
” 4to.
The history of this work was as follows: A Spaniard had
published a religious book entitled “The true Lookingglass;
” which falling into the hands of a learned Persian,
he wrote an answer to it in his native tongue, entitled
‘.’ The Polisher of the Looking-glass“and added these
words at the end of it
” Let the pope answer it.“This
book being brought to Rome in 1625, Urban VIII. ordered
Guadagnolo to refute it; which he did so effectually, that
the Persian, to whom it was sent, renounced the Mahometan faith, and became as zealous a defender of Christianity as he had before been an opposer of it. Guadagnolo published his apology in Arabic, in 1637, 4to. He
wrote another work in Arabic and Latin, entitled
” Considerations against the Mahometan Religion;“in which he
shews, that the Koran is a mere rhapsody of falsehood and
imposture. He published also at Rome, in 1642,
” Breves
Institutiones Linguae Arabicae," folio; a very methodical
grammar. He had also compiled a dictionary in that language, but the publication of it was prevented by his death,
which happened in 1656. The ms. is preserved in the
convent of San Lorenzo in Lucina.
, an eminent Swiss divine, and one of the first reformers, was born
, an eminent Swiss divine, and one of the first reformers, was born at Zurich in 1529. In his youth he attained an accurate knowledge of Greek and Latin, and acquired much fame as an orator and Latin poet. He married the daughter of Zuinglius, and being admitted into orders, preached at Zurich from 1542 to 1575, when he was chosen to succeed Bullinger, as first minister of the protestant church there. His writings also, which consisted of homilies, or sermons on the prophets, evangelists, and apostles, procured him great fame both at home and abroad, and were long regarded as standard books among the protestant churches. He died Nov. 25, 1586. In the early part of queen Elizabeth’s reign we find him corresponding with the English divines who had been exiles in the preceding reign, and brought over an attachment to the simple forms of the Genevan church, which Elizabeth wished to discourage. His works, as enumerated by Verheiden, consist of Latin poems, commentaries on various books of the Scripture, works on grammar and history, and some translations. His son, of the same names, spent some years in Merton college, Oxford, where he took his degree of M. A. in 1573, and returning to Zurich, became minister of St. Peter’s church there. Wood attributes several Latin poems to him, some of which we suspect were the production of his father: but this young man died in 1577, when oniy twenty five years of age.
, or more commonly Guarini (Battista), an eminent pastoral poet, descended in the fourth degree from Guarino
, or more commonly Guarini (Battista), an eminent pastoral poet, descended in the fourth degree from Guarino Veronese, was born at Ferrara in 1537. We know but little of his early years and studies; but it is said that in the course of his education he spent some time at Pisa, and at Padua, where he was much esteemed by the rector of the university; but at an early age he went to Rome, and was still young when, on his return to Ferrara, he lectured for about a year with great reputation, on Aristotle’s Morals, in the same university in which the memory of his ancestors continued to be highly venerated. He was professor of belles lettres there in 1563, when he sent one of his sonnets to Annibal Caro, who in his answer complimented him as a young man of the greatest hopes. In his twenty-eighth year he was admitted into the academy of the Eterei of Padua, founded by the young prince Scipio of Gonzaga, afterwards cardinal. Tasso was at the same time admitted, and between him and Guarino a friendship commenced, which was afterwards disturbed by rivalship.
, whose proper name was John Francis Barbieri, an eminent artist, was born at Cento, a village subject to Ferrara,
, whose proper name was John Francis Barbieri, an eminent artist, was born at Cento, a village subject to Ferrara, in 1590, and learnt the principles of the art from his countrymen Cremonirii and Benedetto Gennari. Tradition classes him with the disciples of the Carracci but neither his age, his habits, nor his style, make it probable that he ever belonged to that school for of three manners which he successively adopted, it is difficult to say which differs most from its precepts. The first, and least known, is an imitation of Caravagio, abrupt with vivid lights, and deep shades, without much study in faces or extremities; flesh of a yellow cast, and little amenity of colour. From this he passed to the second, his best and most valued manner, gradually improving it by observation, and the help of the Venetian, Bolognese, and Roman schools, by connexion with the best scholars of the Carracci, and the friendship of Caravagio, whose style still forms its basis in bold contrasts of light and shade, but sweetly united, and magically relieved; like Caravagio, he obliterates the outline, but leaves him far behind in elegance and dignity of feature. His females, insidiously charming, dart a sting from their veiled eyes, though his men generally exhibit little more than what the model could afford; youthful vulgarity, emaciated age.
, an eminent Italian mathematician, was born at Bologna, September
, an eminent Italian mathematician, was born at Bologna, September 27, 1655.
The great progress which he had made in mathematics,
was evinced by his publications at the age of twenty-one
years, immediately after which he was admitted doctor of
medicine, and was permitted to teach the mathematics, although he did not obtain the title of professor until 1694.
In 1696 he was elected a member of the principal learned
societies of Europe; and in 1702 the university of Padua
offered him the professorship of the theory of medicine, an
office which he filled with great reputation. He died July
12, 1710. His numerous publications were collected and
edited by Morgagni, under the title of “Opera omnia
Mathematica, Hydraulica, Medica, et Physica. Accessit
vita auctoris a J. B. Morgagni,
” Geneva, Delia Natura de
Fiumi,
” which is esteemed his master-piece a dissertation “de Sanguinis Natura et Constitutione
” a treatise
on comets, written on the appearance of the comet in 1681,
and two Letters on Hydrostatics, occasioned by a dispute
which he had with M. Papin, respecting his work on that
subject.
cient and noble family at Florence, where he was born March 6, 1482. His father, Peter Guicciardini, an eminent lawyer, bred up his son in his own profession; in which
, the celebrated historian of Italy, was descended of an ancient and noble family at Florence, where he was born March 6, 1482. His father, Peter Guicciardini, an eminent lawyer, bred up his son in his own profession; in which design he sent him, in 1498, to attend the lectures of M. Jacobo Modesti, of Carmignano, who read upon Justinian’s Institutes at Florence, but his son submitted to this resolution with some reluctance. He had an uncle who was archdeacon of the metropolitan church of Florence, and bishop of Cortona; and the prospect of succeeding to these benefices, which yielded near 1500 ducats a year, had Bred the ambition of the nephew. He had hopes of rising from such a foundation through richer preferments by degrees to the highest, that of a cardinal; and the reversion of the uncle’s places might have been easily obtained. But, though his father had five sons, he could not think of placing any of them in the church, where he thought there was great neglect in the discipline. Francis proceeded therefore with vigour in the study of the law, and took his degrees at Pisa, in 1505; but, looking upon the canon law as of little importance, he chose to be doctor of the civil law only. The same year he was appointed a professor of the institutes at Florence, with a competent salary for those times. He was now no more than twenty-three years of age, yet soon established a reputation superior to all the lawyers his contemporaries, and had more business than any of them. In 1506 he married Maria, daughter of Everardo Salviati, by far the greatest man in Florence; and, in 1507, was chosen standing counsellor to several cities of the republic. Two years after he was appointed advocate of the Florentine chapter, a post of great honour and dignity, which had been always filled with the most learned counsellors in the city; and, in 1509, he was elected advocate of the order of Calmaldoli.
, an eminent oriental scholar in France, was born at Pointoise, Oct.
, an eminent oriental scholar in
France, was born at Pointoise, Oct. 19, 1721. He studied
the oriental languages under the celebrated Stephen Fourinont, and was appointed king’s interpreter in 1741, and a
member of the academy of belles lettres in 1753. Having
minutely investigated the Chinese characters, and compared them with those of other languages, he fancied he
had discovered that they were only monograms formed of
three Egyptian letters, and deduced from this that China
had been originally peopled by an Egyptian colony. The
same notion had been adopted before his time by Huet,
Kircher, and Moiran; but other learned men, Deshauteraies, Paw, and the Chinese missionaries, have fully refuted it. De Guignes was for thirty-five years engaged in
the “Journal des Sgavans,
” which, as well as the Memoirs
of the academy of belles lettres, he enriched with a great
number of learned papers on the religion, history, and philosophy, of the Egyptians and Chinese Indians, &c. One
very important service he rendered his country by discovering the punches and matrices of the oriental types which
Savary de Breves, ambassador from Henry IV. at Constantinople, had brought into France, but which were now in
such a state that Guignes was the only person who could
put them in order, and give instructions for using them.
From them he was enabled to cast fonts of the Arabic,
Turkish, Persian, Syriac, Armenian, Hebrew, and Chinese,
acquisitions of great consequence to his inquiries. With
their aid he passed the greater part of his life among his
books, without ambition for more than a competence suited
to his literary wants. In his old age, however, the revolution deprived him even of this, but he still preserved his
cheerful temper and independent spirit. Some help he
derived from a legacy of 3000 livres, which Grosley, his
fellow academician, and a distant relation, bequeathed to
him. He died at Paris March 22, 1800, and was said at
that time to be the only person in Europe perfectly acquainted with the Chinese language. His publications
are, 1. “Abrege de la vie d'Etienne Fourmont,
” Paris,
Histoire generale des Huns, des Turcs,
des Mogols, et des antres Tartares occidentaux,
” Memoire,
” already noticed, in which
he attempts to prove that the Chinese were a colony from
Egypt, 1759, 12mo. 4. “Chou-King,
” 4to. 6.
” Essai historiquf*
sur la typographic orientate et Grecque,“1787, 4to. 7.
” Principes de composition typographique," 1790, 4to, for
the use of the compositors who were employed on the oriental types. He wrote also many notices of Arabian manuscripts for the catalogue preserved in the royal library.
, an eminent Scotch divine, the son of an opulent tradesman in Aberdeen,
, an eminent Scotch divine, the son
of an opulent tradesman in Aberdeen, was born in that
city in 1586, and received *a liberal education at Marischal
college, then recently founded, with a view to the church.
Before he took orders, however, he appeared as an autii:>r,
by publishing, when only in his twentieth year, a treatise
entitled “The New Sacrifice of Christian Incense,
” London, The only way to Salvation,
” printed also at London. Immediately after the publication of these, he appears to have taken orders, and was
called to the pastoral charge of the parish of King EJward
in the presbytery of Turriff and synod of Aberdeen. Here
he passed some of the happiest years of his life, in high
favour with Jiis parishioners and here in 1610 he married
Katherine Rowen, daughter of Mr. Rowen or Rolland of
Disblair, by whom he had no issue. In 1617, when king
James I. visited Scotland, with a view to establish episcopacy, and brought bishop Andrews of Ely with him to assist in the management of that very delicate and ultimately
unsuccessful attempt, Dr. Andrews, among other eminent
men of the Scotch clergy whom he consulted, paid great
regard to Mr. Guild; and the following year, when Andrews
was promoted to the see of Winchester, Mr. Guild dedicated to him, one of his most useful works, entitled “Moses
unveiled,
” pointing out those fgures in the Old Testament
which allude to the Messiah. Mr. Guild became, much
about the same time, acquainted with Dr. Young, a countryman of his own, dean of Winchester, who introduced
him to the king, by whom he was appointed one of the
royal chaplains. This obligation he afterwards acknowledged in the dedication to his “Harmony of the Prophets,
” a work which he published in the beginning of the
reign of Charles I. It was afterwards printed with his
“Moses unveiled,
” in an edition now before us, dated
Edinburgh,
fifteen he was removed to Clare-hall, in Cambridge, was promoted to a fellowship in 1633, and became an eminent tutor in the college. Soon after he commenced M. A.
, bishop of Ely, was the son of Peter Gunning, vicar of Hoo, in Kent, and born there in 1613. He had his first education at the king’s school in Canterbury, where he commenced an acquaintance with Somner the antiquary, his school -fellow. At fifteen he was removed to Clare-hall, in Cambridge, was promoted to a fellowship in 1633, and became an eminent tutor in the college. Soon after he commenced M. A. and had taken orders, he had the cure of Little St. Mary’s from the master and fellows of Peter-house. He acquired much fame as a preacher, and was licensed as such by the university in 1641, when he distinguished himself by his zeal for the church and king, particularly by protesting publicly against the faction, when most formidable, and urging the university to publish a formal protestation against the rebellious league, in a sermon at St. Mary’s. About the same time, paying a visit to his mother at Tunbridge, he exhorted the people, in two sermons, to make a charitable contribution for the relief of the king’s forces there; which conduct rendered him obnoxious to the powers then in being, who imprisoned him for a short time, and, on his refusing to take the covenant, deprived him of his fellowship. This obliged him to leave the university, but not before he had drawn up a treatise against the covenant, with the assistance of some of his friends, who took care to publish it.
, an eminent clergyman of the presbyterian church of Scotland, descended
, an eminent clergyman of the
presbyterian church of Scotland, descended from the ancient family of Pitforthy in the shire of Angus, was horn
on his father’s estate of Pitforthy in 1620, and educated at
the university of St. Andrew’s under his cousin, professor
James Guthrie, who was executed at the restoration for
his opposition to episcopal government, although he had
with equal zeal opposed the usurpation of Cromwell.
Under this tutor our author became a very hard student,
well versed in the classical languages; and after taking his
degree of M. A. studied divinity under professor Samuel
Rutherford. He became afterwards private tutor to the
eldest son of the earl of London, chancellor of Scotland,
and in November 1644 was presented to the church of
Finwick, a newly erected parish, and consisting of inhabitants rude and unacquainted with religion. The pains he
bestowed upon them, however, soon produced a favour
able change in their manners, and his easy and affable address and example had a remarkable elfcct upon them.
With this view, as he was fond of fishing, fowling, and
other field sports, he took those opportunities to mix
among his people, and recommend morals and piety. He
was not less happy in curbing the insolence of Cromwell’s
army when in Scotland, by addressing them with an eloquence and air of authority which they could not resist.
In the mean time his great fame as a preacher procured
him invitations from the more eligible churches of Renfrew,
Linlithgow, Stirling, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, to all which
he preferred his humble situation at Finwick, and continued among his parishioners until 1664, when he was
ejected by Burnet, archbishop of Glasgow, notwithstanding
the solicitations of the earl of Glencairn, then chancellor
of Scotland, and other persons of rank, who represented
Mr. Guthrie as an excellent man and well affected to government. He did not long survive this sentence, dying
Oct. Jo, 1665. Some spurious publications were attributed
to him; but the only genuine work extant is his “Christian’s Great Interest,
” which has long been a standard book
in Scotland, and has been translated into Dutch and
French, and, as reported, into one of the Eastern languages, at the expence of the Hon. Robert Boyle.
, an eminent critic, was born of a good family at Angers, in 1575.
, an eminent critic, was born of a good family at Angers, in 1575. He lost his father and mother when a child; and the small estate they left him was wasted by the imprudence of his guardians. He applied himself, however, intensely to books; and, with a view to improve himself by the conversation of learned men, he took a journey to Paris in 1599. The acquaintance he formed with the sons of Claudius du Puy proved very advantageous to him; for, the most learned persons in Paris frequently visited these brothers, and many of them met every day in the house of Thuanus, where Mess, du Puy received company. After the death of that president, they held those conferences in the same place; and Guyet constantly made one. He went to Rome in 1608, and applied himself to the Italian tongue with such success as to be able to write Italian verses. He was much esteemed by cardinal du Perron and several great personages. He returned to Paris by the way of Germany, and was taken into the house of the duke d'Epernon, to teach the abbot de Granselve, who was made cardinal de la V alette in 1621. His noble pupil, who conceived so great an esteem for him as always to entrust him with his most important affairs, took him to Rome, and procured him a good benefice; but Guyet, after his return to Paris, chose to live a private life rather than in the house of the cardinal, and resided in Burgundy college. Here he spent the remainder of his life, employed in his studies; and wrote a dissertation, in which he pretended to shew that the Latin tongue was derived from the Greek, and that all the primitive words of the latter consisted only of one syllable; but of this they found, after his death, only a vast compilation of Greek and Latin words, without any order or coherence, and without any preface to explain his project. But the reading of the ancient authors was his favourite employment, and the margins of his classics were full of notes, many of which have been published. Those upon Hesiod were imparted to Graevius, who inserted them in his edition of that author, 1667. The most complete collection found among his papers was his notes upon Terence; and therefore they were sent to Boeclerus, and afterwards printed. He took great liberties as a critic: for he rejected as supposititious all such verses as seemed to him not to savour of the author’s genius. Thus he struck out many verses of Virgil discarded the first ode in Horace and would not admit the secret history of Procopius. Notwithstanding the boldness of his criticisms, and his free manner of speaking in conversation, he was afraid of the public; and dreaded Salmasius in particular, who threatened to write a book against him if he published hjs thoughts about some passages in ancient authors. He was generally accounted a man of great learning, and is said to have been a sincere and honest man. He was cut for the stone in 1636; excepting which, his long life was hardly attended with any illness. He died of a catarrh, after three days illness, in the arms of James du Puy, and Menage his countryman, April 12, 1655, aged eighty. His life is written in Latin, with great judgment and politeness, by Mr. Portner, a senator of Ratisbon, who took the supposititious name of Antonius Periander Rhaetus; and is prefixed to his notes upon Terence, printed with those of Boeclerus, at Strasburg, in 1657, an edition in no great estimation.
, an eminent dissenting divine, of the independent persuasion, was
, an eminent dissenting divine, of the
independent persuasion, was a native of Hertford, where
he was born in 1680, and having shewn a pious disposition
from his youth, was admitted a member of the dissenting
congregation of that place. He afterwards pursued his
studies, with a view to the ministry, under Mr. Payne of
Saffron Walden, and being admitted to preach at the age
of twenty, became assistant to the rev. Mr. Haworth of
Hertford, whom he afterwards succeeded in that congregation. Here he continued some years, and was very successful in opposing the Arian doctrines which had crept in
among his Hock; and to strengthen his efforts he published
in 1719, a small volume on the divinity of Christ, and in
1721, another on the divinity of the Holy Ghost. In 1727
he was invited to London, and became minister to a congregation in New Broad-street. In 1732 he received the
degree of D. D. from one of the universities of Scotland.
Besides his regular duty at New Broad-street, he was for
niany years a preacher of the Tuesday’s lecture at Pinners*
Hall, and of that at St. Helen’s on a Friday. In his avowal
of his religious principles (those called Calvinistic) he was
open, steady, and consistent, and his character and conduct
were, in every point of view, uniform, and amiable. The
goodness of his natural disposition, heightened by a spirit
of real religion, exerted him to an activity which rendered
his life very important. He was a kind and useful friend
to the young, and extremely liberal to the poor, always
devoting a tenth part of his annual income to charitable
uses. After enjoying a considerable share of health for
many years, he became lame and blind, but was enabled
to continue his public services almost to the time of his
death, which took place Nov. 22, 1761. Jle published a
great variety of occasional sermons, and of pious tracts,
and had a short controversy with Dr. Chandler, in which
the latter is said to have appeared to very little advantage.
But his great work was his “Paraphrase on the New Testament,
”
, an eminent scholar, and one of the revivers of the learned languages
, an eminent scholar, and one
of the revivers of the learned languages in England, was
descended from a good family in Buckinghamshire, and
born in 1516. He was educated at Eton school, under
Dr. Richard Cox, afterwards bishop of Ely, and was thence
elected to King’s college, in Cambridge; where he greatly
distinguished himself by his parts and learning, and particularly by writing Latin in an elegant, but, as Mr. Warton thinks, not a very pure style. He studied also the civil
law, of which he became doctor; and read public lectures
in it in 1547, and the two years following, and was so much
approved, that upon a vacancy in the professor’s chair in
1550, the university employed the celebrated Ascham to
write to king Edward VI. in his favour. He was accordingly appointed professor, and was also for some time professor of rhetoric and orator of the university. During
king Edward’s reign, he was one of the most illustrious
promoters of the reformation; and therefore, upon the
deprivation of Gardiner, was thought a proper person to
succeed him in the mastership of Trinity-hall. In September 1552, through the earnest recommendation of the
court, though not qualified according to the statutes, he
was chosen president of Magdalen college in Oxford; but,
in October 1553, upon the accession of queen Mary, he
quitted the president’s place for fear of being expelled, or
perhaps worse used, at Gardiner’s visitation of the said
college. He is supposed to have lain concealed in England all this reign; but, on the accession of Elizabeth, was
ordered by the privy council to repair to her majesty at
Hatfield in Hertfordshire, and soon after was constituted
by her one of the masters of the court of requests. Archbishop Parker also made him judge of his prerogative-court. In the royal visitation of the university of Cambridge, performed in the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign,
he was one of her majesty’s commissioners, as appears by
the speech he then made, printed among his works. In
1566 he was one of the three agents sent to Bruges to restore commerce between England and the Netherlands
upon the ancient terms. He died Jan. 21, 1571-2, and
was buried in Christ Church, London, where a monument
was erected to his memory, but was destroyed in the great
fire of London. He was engaged, with sir John Cheke,
in turning into Latin and drawing up that useful code of
ecclesiastical law, published in 1571, by the learned John
Fox, under this title, “Reformatio Legum Ecclesiasticarum,
” in 4to. He published, in Admonitio ad
Elizabetham reginam Angliæ,
” in which the English nation, and the reformation of the church, were treated in a
scurrilous manner. His other works were collected and
published in 1567, 4to, under the title of “Lucubrationes.
” This collection contains ten Latin orations, fourteen letters, besides the above-mentioned to Osorio; and
also poems. Several of his original letters are in the Harleian collection; and his poems, “Poemata,
” containing a
great number of metrical epitaphs, were separately published with his life in 1576. Many of our writers speak in
high terms of Haddon, and not without reason; for, through,
every part of his writings, his piety appears equal to his
learning. When queen Elizabeth was asked whether she
preferred him or Buchanan? she replied, “Buchananum
omnibus antepono, Haddonum nemini postpono.
”
, an eminent naval historian, was descended from an ancient family
, an eminent naval historian, was descended from an ancient family at Eyton or Yetton, in Herefordshire, and born about 1553. He was trained up at Westminster school; and, in 1570, removed to Christ church college in Oxford. While he was at school, he used to visit his cousin Richard Hakluyt, of Eyton, esq. at his chambers in the Middle Temple, a gentleman well known and esteemed, not only by some principal ministers of state, but also by the most noted persons among the mercantile and maritime part of the kingdom, as a great encourager of navigation, and the improvement of trade, arts, and manufactures. At this gentleman’s chambers young Hakluyt met with books or' cosmography, voyages, travels, and maps; and was so pleased with them, that he resolved to direct his studies that way, to which he was not a little encouraged by his cousin. For this purpose, as soon as he got to Oxford, he made himself master of the modern as well as ancient languages; and then read over whatever printed or written discourses of voyages and discoveries, naval enterprizes, and adventures of all kinds, he found either extant in Greek^ Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, or English. By such means he became so conspicuous in this new branch of science, that he was chosen to read public lectures on naval matters at Oxford, and was the first who introduced maps, globes, spheres, and other instruments of the art, into the common schools. The: zeal and knowledge he displayed made him acquainted with and respected by the principal sea-commanders, merchants, and manners of our nation; and^ though it was but a few years after that he went beyond sea, yet his fame travelled thither long before him. He held a correspondence with the learned in these matters abroad, as with Ortelius, the king of Spain’s cosmographer, Mercator, &c.
there denominated, on the continent of Greenland, which were formerly discovered, they distinguished an eminent promontory, lying in 80 degrees northward, by the name
In 1605 he was made a prebendary of Westminster;
which, with the rectory of Wetheringset in Suffolk, is all
the ecclesiastical promotion we find he obtained. About
this time the translation of Peter Martyr’s “History of the
West Indies
” was undertaken, and first published by Mr.
Lock, at the request and encouragement of our, author:
for, besides his own publications of naval history, far superior to any thing of the like kind that had ever appeared
in this kingdom, he was no less active in encouraging
others to translate and familiarize among us the conquests
and discoveries of foreign adventurers. This, and the
spirit with which he also animated those of his countrymen
who were engaged in naval eriterprizes, by his useful communications, gained the highest esteem and honour to his
name and memory, from mariners of all ranks, in the most
distant nations no less than his own. Of this there are
several instances; and particularly in those northern discoveries made at the charges of the Muscovy merchants in
1608, under captain W. Hudson: when among other
places there denominated, on the continent of Greenland,
which were formerly discovered, they distinguished an
eminent promontory, lying in 80 degrees northward, by
the name of Hakluyt’s Headland. In 1609 he published a
translation from the Portuguese of an history of Virginia,
entitled “Virginia richly valued, by the description of the
rpaine land of Florida, her next neighbour, &c.
” and dedicated to the right worshipful counsellors, and others the
chearful adventurers for the advancement of that Christian
and noble plantation of Virginia.
, an eminent scholastic divine of the thirteenth century, is supposed
, an eminent scholastic divine of
the thirteenth century, is supposed by some to have been
a native of Gloucestershire, but others think he was a native of Hales in Norfolk. He was educated probably at
Oxford, whence he went to the university of Paris, studied
divinity and the canon law, and excelled so in both as to
be called the “Irrefragable Doctor,
” and the “Fountain
of Life.
” Nothing indeed can exceed the encomiums bestowed upon him in extravagance, although he appears to
have been a good man, and well versed in the learning of
his time. In 1222 he entered into the order of the Friars
Minims, and took up his principal residence at Paris,
where he died August 27, 1245. By order of Innocent
IV. he wrote a commentary on the four books of sentences,
or “Sum of Divinity,
” printed at Nuremberg, Sum of the Virtues,
” Paris, Destructorium Vitiorum,
” Nuremberg,
, an eminent divine and critic, usually distinguished by the appellation
, an eminent divine and critic, usually
distinguished by the appellation of The Ever Memorable,
was the fourth son of John Hales, of High Church, near
Bath, in Somersetshire, by Bridget his wife, one of the
Goldsburghs of Knahill, in Wiltshire. He was born April
19, 1584, at Bath, where his father then resided, but according to his register at Corpus college, Oxford, at Highchurch. His parents, who are stated to have been of
“genteel quality,
” placed him to school at Mells and Killmaston,'in Somersetshire, until fit for the university, in
which he was entered of Corpus college April 16, 1597,
but being then under age, was not sworn till April 17>
1599. He continued at this college until he toolc his bachelor’s degree in arts July 9, 1603, and had distinguished
himself in the interval by equal diligence and proficiency
in his studies. The reputation he thus acquired engaged
the attention of sir Henry Savile, then warden of Mertoncollege, who being always desirous of increasing the number of its learned members, persuaded him to remove;
and accordingly he was chosen probationer of Merton in
September, and admitted fellow Oct. 13, 1606. He proceeded to his master’s degree in 1609. He had not been
long in this station before the warden availed himself of
his assistance in preparing his edition of St. Chrysostom’s
works, and found him a very able coadjutor, as he was an
excellent Greek scholar. His reputation indeed for skill
in this language was such as to procure him the place of
lecturer in Greek in the college.
, an eminent natural philosopher, particularly distinguished by his
, an eminent natural philosopher, particularly distinguished by his experiments on the physiology of plants, was the sixth son of Thomas Hales, esq. of Beakeborn, or Beckesbourn, Kent, and grandson of sir Robert Hales, bart. of Beckesbourn, where he was born, Sept. 17, 1677, and was admitted a pensioner of Bene't college, Cambridge, under the tuition of Mr. Moss, June 19, 1696, where, after taking his first degree in arts, he was admitted a fellow, Fob. 25, 1702-3. He proceeded M. A. at the next commencement, and was admitted B. D. in 1711. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by the university of Oxford in 1733. Botany and anatomy formed his studies of relaxation while at Cambridge, his companion in which was the celebrated antiquary Dr. Stukeley. He was advanced successively to the perpetual curacy of Teddington, Middlesex, and to the livings of Portlock, Somersetshire, and Farringdon, Hampshire. He married Mary, the daughter and heiress of Dr. Henry Newce of Much-Hadham, in the county of Hertford, and rector of Halisham in Sussex. This lady died at the end of two years, leaving no issue, nor did he ever marry strain. He resided to the end of his life at Teddington, wliere he was visited by persons of rank and taste, amongst others by Frederick late prince of Wales, after whose death Dr. Hales was made clerk of the closet to the princess dowager, who always entertained a high respect for him, and after his decease erected a handsome monument to his memory in Westminster-abbey, near that of Handel. On this is liis bust in a large medallion, supported by a female figure representing Botany, accompanied by Religion. The epitaph is in Latin. He refused a canonry 01 Windsor, that he migbt continue to devote himself to his parochial duties, and his favourite scientific pursuits; and as piety, truth, and virtue were the principles of his character, he lived in universal esteem to the age of eighty-four, dying at Teddington, January 4, 1761, where he was buried, under the church tower, which he had rebuilt at his own expence.
, an eminent English philosopher and astronomer, was born at Haggerston,
, an eminent English philosopher and astronomer, was born at Haggerston, in the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, near London, October 29, 1656. His father, a wealthy soap-boiler in Winchester-street, put him to St. Paul’s school, under the learned Dr. Thomas Gale, but his h'rst tutor is said to have been his father’s apprentice, who taught him writing and arithmetic at nine years old. At school he not only excelled in all parts of classical learning, but made such uncommon progress in mathematics, that, as Wood says, he had perfectly learnt the use of the celestial globe, and could make a complete dial; and we are informed by Halley himself, that he observed the change of the variation of the magnetic needle at London, in 1672, that is, one year before he left school. In 1673 he was entered a commoner of Queers-college, in Oxford, where he applied himself to practical and geometrical astronomy, in which he was greatly assisted by a curious apparatus of instruments which his father, willing to encourage his son’s genius, had purchased for him. At nineteen he began to publish new observations and discoveries, and continued to do so to the end of a very long life; nor did he distinguish himself less in the practical part of the science. Several observations made by him concerning a spot in the sun, seen at Oxford in July and August 1676, were published, with others by Flamsteed upon the same subject, in the Philosophical Transactions. By these the motion of the sun round its own axis, a phenomenon till then not well ascertained, was finally determined. The same year he likewise observed there, on Aug. 21, a.n occultation of Mars by the Moon, which he made use of afterwards, with others, in settling the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope against the objections of the French astronomers.
, an eminent French writer on rural ceconomy and vegetable physiology,
, an eminent French writer on rural ceconomy and vegetable physiology, was born at Paris in 1700. Being a member of
the academy of sciences, he published in the memoirs of
that body in 1728, “his first ceconomical essay, on a kind of
parasitical fungus which infests the roots of the cultivated
saffron, and is fatal to them. In the same year he published in that work his first treatise on a much more important subject, the propagation of trees by grafting,
where he hazarded some physiological opinions, and entered on a course of experiment and observation, subsequently pursued to an extent which has been of great service to science, and has justly rendered his name famous.
He continued from time to time to communicate to the
academy various papers relative to these matters. In 1750
he began to publish in 12mo, his
” Traite de la Culture
des Terres,“which was continued in following years till
1761, when the sixth volume came out. Our English
writer Tull was his first guide, but he subsequently profited widely by the experience of himself and of various
other people, aided by his physiological sagacity, of which
he made a far more cautious use than is general with farming philosophers, and deserves to be reckoned the father
of intelligent agriculture in France. His
” Elements d'Agriculture," in 2 vols. 12mo, published in 1764, may be considered as a sequel to the preceding work. These two
volumes have been translated into German, Spanish, and
English. Du. Hamel wrote also on the cultivation and preparation of Madder, in 1757, 4to.
, bishop of Ossory, and an eminent mathematician, was born in the county of Dublin, March
, bishop of Ossory, and an eminent mathematician, was born in the county of Dublin, March 26, 1729. He entered of Trinity-college, Dublin, Dublin, Nov. 17, 1742, and in 1751 was elected a fellow that college. In 1758 he published his treatise on conic ions, < De Sectionibus Conicis," and in 1759 was elected Erasmus Smith’s professor of natural philosophy. In 1764 he resigned his fellowship, having accepted a college living; and in 1767 obtained the living of St. Anne’s, Dublin, which in the following year he resigned at the proposal of the primate Robinson, for the deanery of Armagh. In 1772 he married an Irish lady of good family of the name of Wood. In 1796 he was consecrated 'bishop of Clonfert, having been recommended to that dignity without his solicitation or knowledge; and in 1799 was removed to the see of Ossory, where he continued till his death, Dec. 1, 1805.
born at Halle, in the duchy of Magdeburgh, February 4, 1684, by a second wife of his father, who was an eminent physician and surgeon of the same place, and then above
, the greatest musical composer of his time, or perhaps of any time or country, was born at Halle, in the duchy of Magdeburgh, February 4, 1684, by a second wife of his father, who was an eminent physician and surgeon of the same place, and then above sixty years of age. From his very childhood he discovered such a propensity to music, that his father, who always intended him for the civil law, took every method to oppose this inclination, by keeping him out of the way of, and strictly forbidding him to meddle with, musical instruments of any kind. The son, however, found means to get a little clavicord privately conveyed to a room at the top of the house; and with this he used to amuse himself when the family was asleep. While he was yet under seven years of age, he went with his father to the duke of Saxe Weisenfels, where it was impossible to keep him from harpsichords, and other musical instruments. One morning, while he was playing on the organ, after the service was over, the duke was in the church; and something in his manner of playing affected his highness so strongly, that he asked his valet-de-chambre (who was Handel’s brother-in-law) who it was that he heard at the organ? The valet replied, that it was his brother. The duke demanded to see him; and after making proper inquiries about him, expostulated very seriously with his father, who still retained his prepossessions in favour of the civil law. He allowed that every father had certainly a right to dispose of his children as he should think most expedient; but that in the present instance he could not but consider it as a sort of crime against the public and posterity to rob the world of such a rising genius. The issue of this conversation was, not only a toleration for music, but consent also that a master should be called in to forward and assist him.
, an eminent political writer, was born in January 1611, being the
, an eminent political writer,
was born in January 1611, being the eldest son of sir Sapcote Harrington, and Jane the daughter of sir William
Samuel of Upton, in Northamptonshire, the place of his
nativity. When he had made a progress in classical learning, he was admitted in 1629 a gentleman-commoner of
Trinity college, in Oxford, and placed under Mr. Chillingworth, who had lately been elected fellow of that college;
from whom he might possibly acquire some portion of that
spirit of reasoning and thinking for himself, which afterwards shone forth so conspicuously in his writings.
About three years after, his father died; upon which he
left the university, and commenced travelling, having previously furnished himself with the knowledge of several
foreign languages. His first step was into Holland, then
the principal school of martial discipline; and, what may
be supposed to have affected him more sensibly, a country
wonderfully flourishing, under the auspices of liberty,
commerce, strength, and grandeur. Here it is probable
that he began to make government the subject of his meditations; for, he was often heard to say, that, “before he
left England, he knew no more of anarchy, monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, oligarchy, or the like, than as hard
words, whose signification he found in his dictionary.
” On
coming into the Netherlands, he entered a volunteer, and
remained in that capacity some months, in lord Craven’s
regiment; during which time, being much at the Hague,
he had the farther opportunity of accomplishing himself in
two courts, those of the prince of Orange, and of the queen
of Bohemia, daughter of our James I. who was then a fugitive in Holland. He was taken into great favour by this
princess, and also by the prince elector, whom he attended
to Copenhagen, when his highness paid a visit to the king
of Denmark; and, after his return from travelling, was
entrusted by him with the affairs of the Palatinate, so far
as they were transacted at the British court.
, an eminent mathematician, was born at Oxford, or, as Anthony Wood
, an eminent mathematician, was
born at Oxford, or, as Anthony Wood expresses it, “turn-;
bled out of his mother’s womb in the lap of the Oxonian
Muses,
” in 1560. Having been instructed in grammarlearning in that city, he became a commoner of St. Maryhall, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1579. He had
then so distinguished himself, by his uncommon skill in
mathematics, as to be recommended soon after to sir Walter Raleigh as a proper preceptor to him in that science.
Accordingly, that noble knight became his first patron,
took him into his family, and allowed him a handsome pension. In 1585 he was sent over by sir Walter with his
first colony to Virginia; where, being settled, he was employed in discovering and surveying that country, in observing what commodities it produced, together with the
manners and customs of its inhabitants. He published an
account of it under this title, “A brief and true Report of
the Newfoundland of Virginia;
” which was reprinted in
the third voyage of Hakluyt’s “Voyages.
” Upon his return to England, he was introduced by his patron to the
acquaintance of Henry earl of Northumberland who,
“finding him,
” says Wood, “to be a gentleman of an
affable and peaceable nature, and well read in the obscure
pan of learning,
” allowed him a yearly pension of 120l.
About the same time, Robert Hues, well known by his
' Treatise upon the Globes,“and Walter Warner, who is
said to have communicated to the famous Harvey the first
hint concerning the circulation of the blood, being both of
them mathematicians, received pensions from him of less
value, ^o that in 1606, when the earl was committed to
the Tower for life, Harriot, Hues, and Warner, were his
constant companions, and were usually called the earl of
Northumberland’s Magi. They had a table at the earl’s
charge, who did constantly converse with them, to divert
the melancholy of his confinement; as did also sir Walter
Raleigh, who was then in the Tower. Harriot lived for
some time at Sion-college, and died in London, July 2,
1621, of a cancer in his lip. He was universally esteemed
on account of his learning. When he was but a young
man, he was styled by Mr. Hakluyt
” Juvenis in disciplinis
mathematicis excellens;“and by Camden,
” Mathematicus insignis.“A ms. of his, entitled
” Ephemeris Chryrometrica,“is preserved in Sion-college library and his
” Artis Analytic* Praxis“was printed after his death, in
a thin folio, and dedicated to Henry earl of Northumberland. Des Cartes is said to have been obliged to this
book for a great many improvements in algebra, which he
published to the world as his own, a fact that has been
amply proved, in the astronomical ephemeris for 17vS8,
by Dr. Zach, astronomer to the duke of Saxe Gotha, from
manuscripts which he found in 1784 at the seat of the earl
of Egremont at Petworth, a descendant of the above-mentioned earl of Northumberland. These papers also show
that Mr. Harriot was an astronomer as well as an algebraist,
As to his religion, Wood says, that,
” notwithstanding
his great skill in mathematics, he had strange thoughts of
the Scripture, always undervalued the old story of the
Creation of the World, and could never believe that trite
position, * Ex nihilo nihil fit.‘ He made a Philosophical
Theology, wherein he cast off the Old Testament, so that
consequently the New would have uo foundation. He was
a deist; and his doctrine he did impart to the earl, and to
sir Walter Raleigh, when he was compiling the ’ History
of the World,' and would controvert the matter with eminent divines of those times: who, therefore, having no
good opinion of him, did look on the manner of his death,
as a judgment upon him for those matters, and for nullify,
ing the Scripture.“Wood borrowed all this from Aubrey,
without mentioning his authority; and it has been answered,
that Harriot assures us himself, that when he was with the
first colony settled in Virginia, in every town where he
came,
” he explained to them the contents of the Bible,
&c. And though I told them,“says he,
” the book materially and of itself was not of such virtue as I thought
they did conceive, but only the doctrine therein contained;
yet would many be glad to touch it, to embrace it, to kiss
it, to hold it to their breasts and heads, and stroke over
all their bodies with it, to shew their hungry desires of
that knowledge which was spoken of." To which we may
add, that, if Harriot was reputed a deist, it is by no
means probable that Dr. Corbet, an orthodox divine* and
successively bishop of Oxford and Norwich, sending a
poem, dated December 9, 1618, to sir Thomas Aylesbury,
when the comet appeared, should speak of
n May 1750, in which last year he was admitted into the college of advocates. Here he proved himself an eminent pleader, although not a masterly orator, and enriched
, an English civilian, chancellor of
the dioceses of Durham, Hereford, and Llandaff, and
commissary of Essex, Herts, and Surrey, was the son of
Dr. John Harris, bishop of Llandaff, who died in 1738.
The time of his son’s birth we have not been able to ascertain. He was, however, a member of Oriel college, Oxford, where he took his degree of bachelor of laws in May
1745, and that of doctor in the same faculty in May 1750,
in which last year he was admitted into the college of advocates. Here he proved himself an eminent pleader, although not a masterly orator, and enriched himself by
very extensive practice. He died at his house in Doctors’
Commons, April 19, 1796, leaving his very extensive property mostly to charitable uses. Among the very
munificent items in his will, were 40,000l. to St. George’s hospital; 20,000l. to Hetherington’s charity for the blind;
15,000l. to the Westminster lying-in hospital, and 5000l.
to the Hereford infirmary. He also was in his life-time a
benefactor to the funds of the society of advocates. In
1752 he published a pamphlet, entitled “Observations
upon the English Language, in a letter to a friend,
” 8vo,
relating to the common mistakes in spelling, pronunciation,
and accent. This was anonymous; but he afterwards published with his name, “D. Justiniani Institutionum, Libri
quatuor; and a translation of them into English, with
notes,
”
tory, with a very distinguishing taste in the line arts, in one of which, as before observed, he was an eminent, proficient. His singular industry empowered him to
"The distinction by which he was most generally known, and by which he is likely to survive to posterity, is that of a Man of Learning. His profound knowledge of Greek, which he applied more successfully, perhaps, than any modern writer has done, to the study and explanation of ancient philosophy, arose from an early and intimate acquaintance with the excellent poets and historians in that language. They, and the best writers in the Augustan age, were his constant and never-failing recreation. By his familiarity with them, he was enabled to enliven and to illustrate his deeper and more abstruse speculations, as every page almost (of his works) will abundantly testify. But his attainments were not confined to ancient philosophy and classical learning. He possessed likewise a general knowledge of modern history, with a very distinguishing taste in the line arts, in one of which, as before observed, he was an eminent, proficient. His singular industry empowered him to make these various acquisitions, without neglecting any of the duties which he owed to his family, his friends, or his country. I am in possession of such proofs, besides those already given to the public, of my father’s laborious study and reflection, as I apprehend, are very rarely to be met with. Not only was he accustomed, through a long series of years, to make copious excts from the different books which he read, and to write critical remarks and conjectures on many of the passages extracted, but he was also in the habit of regularly cammuting to writing such reBections as arose out of his study, which evince a mind carefully disciplined, and anxiously bent on the attainment of self-knowledge and self-government. And yet, though habituated to deep thinking and laborious reading, he was generally cheerful even to playfulness. There was no pedantry in his manners or conversation, nor was he ever seen either to display his learning with ostentation, or to treat with slight or superciliousness those less informed than himself. He rather sought to make them appear partakers of what he knew, than to mortify tnern by a parade of his own superiority. Nor had he any of that miserable fastidiousness about him which too often disgraces men of learning, and prevents their being amused or interested, at least their choosing to appear so, by common performances and common events.
, an eminent mathematician, was born at Goud?, in Holland, March
, an eminent mathematician, was born at Goud?, in Holland, March 26, 1656. His father intended him for the ministry, but the young man had an early disposition for contemplating the heavenly bodies, which engrossed his whole attention, and finding, at the age of thirteen or fourteen, that without some knowledge of the mathematics he could make no satisfactory progress in this study, he saved his boyish allowance and presents in money, and applied to a teacher of the mathematics, who promised to be very expeditious, and kept his word. Under him he first learned to grind optic glasses, and at length, partly by accident, was enabled to improve single microscopes by using small globules of glass, melted in the flame of a candle. By these he discovered the animalculse in semine humano, which laid the foundation of a new system of generation.
, an eminent English physician, who first discovered the circulation
, an eminent English physician,
who first discovered the circulation of the blood, was born
of a. good family at Folkstone, in Kent, April 2, 156^.
At ten years of age he was sent to the grammar-school at
Canterbury, and at fourteen removed thence to Caius college, in Cambridge, where he spent about six years in
the study of logic and natural philosophy, as preparatory
to the study of physic. He then travelled through France
and Germany, to Padua in Italy; where, having studied
physic under Minadous, Fabricius ab Aquapendente, and
Casserius, he was created doctor of physic and surgery in
that university, 1602. He had a particular regard for Fabricius, often quotes him in terms of the highest respect;
and declares, that he was the more willing to publish his
book, “De Motu Cordis,
” because Fabricius, who had
learnedly and accurately delineated in a particular treatise
almost all the parts of animals, had left the heart alone
untouched. Soon after, returning to England, he was incorporated M. D. at Cambridge, and went to London to
practise, and married. In 1604, he was admitted candidate of the college of physicians in London; and three
years after fellow, and physician to St. Bartholomew’s hospital. In 1615, he was appointed lecturer of anatomy and
surgery in that college; and the year after read a course of
lectures there, the original ms. of which is extant in the
British Museum, and is entitled, “Prcelectiones anatom.
universal, per me Gulielmum Harvaeiunu medicum Londinensem, anat. & chirurg. professorem.
” This appointment of lecturer was probably the more immediate cause
of the publication of his grand discovery of the circulation
of the I id. The date of this promulgation is not absolutely a -tained: it is commonly said that he first disclosed is opinion on the subject in 1619; but the index
of his ms, containing the propositions on which the doctrine is founded, refers them to April 1616. Yet with a
patience and caution, peculiarly characteristic of the sound
philosopher, he withheld his opinions from the world, until
reiterated experiment had amply confirmed his doctrine,
and had enabled him to demonstrate it in detail, and to
advance every proof of its truth of which the subject is
capable.
, an eminent doctor and minister of Bremen, son of Cornelius de Hase,
, an eminent doctor and minister
of Bremen, son of Cornelius de Hase, minister and professor of divinity at Bremen, and Sarah Wolter, a lady
distinguished by her learning, and her knowledge of Hebrew, was born November 30, 1682, and was appointed
professor of belles-lettres at Hanau, but recalled to Bremen the following year, to be minister and professor of
Hebrew, and admitted D. D. at Francfort upon Oder in
1712, though absent; and member of the royal society at
Berlin in 1718. In 1723 he was made professor of divinity
at, Bremen, and died there April 25, 1731. He left a
volume of “Dissertations,
” which are much esteemed; and
assisted M. Lampe in a journal begun under the title of
“Bibliotheca Historico-Philologico-Theoiogica,
” and continued under that of “Musieum Historico-PhilologicoTheologicum.
” His brother James was also a man of
considerable erudition. He published many classical
tracts, which were well received by the learned. He died
in 1723.
The Royal Humane Society is a shining and an eminent proof of his philanthropy; an institution which has
The Royal Humane Society is a shining and an eminent proof of his philanthropy; an institution which has been found highly useful, and to establish which he employed many years of his life. The moment in which one of the regular anniversaries of the society were at an end, he began to meditate plans for the success of the ensuing year. The nomination of succeeding stewards, the augmentation of the list of regular subscribers, and the obtaining of churches and preachers for the benefit of his favourite institution, were never out of his sight; and so much indeed did the Humane Society engross his attention, that his own immediate interests appeared to him to be subordinate considerations. He was always ready to afford both his pecuniary and his professional assistance to distress; and his name ought to be recorded among those who add to the character of the nation, by the establishment of institutions founded on benevolent principles.
, an eminent naval officer, was the son of Edward Hawke, esq. barrister
, an eminent naval
officer, was the son of Edward Hawke, esq. barrister at law,
by Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Bladen, esq. He was
from his youth brought up to the sea, and passed through
the inferior stations till, in 1713—4, he was appointed captain
of the Wolf. His intrepidity and conduct were first of all
distinguished in the memorable engagement with the combined fleets of France and Spain on Toulon, in 1744, when
the English fleet was commanded by the admirals Matthews, Lestock, and Rowley. If all the English ships had
done their duty on that day as well as the Berwick, which
captain Hawke commanded, the honour and discipline of
the navy would not have been so tarnished. He compelled
the Pader, a Spanish vessel of 60 guns, to strike; and, to
succour the Princessa and Somerset, broke the line without orders, for which act of bravery he lost his commission, but was honourably restored to his rank by the king.
In 1747 he was appointed rear-admiral of the 'white; and
on the 14th of October, in the same year, fell in with a
large French fleet, bound to the West Indies, convoyed
by nine men of war, of which he captured seven. This
was a glorious day for England, and the event taught British commanders to despise the old prejudice of staying
for a line of battle. “Perceiving,
” says the gallant admiral in his letters to the Admiralty, “that we lost time in
forming our line, I made the signal for the whole squadron
to chase, and when within a proper distance to engage.
”
On October the 31st, admiral Hawke arrived at Portsmouth
with his prizes, and as a reward of his bravery, he was
soon afterwards made knight of the bath. In 1748 he was
made vice-admiral of the blue, and elected an elder brother of the Trinity-house; in 1755 he was appointed viceadmiral of the white, and in 1757 commanded the squadron which was sent to co-operate with sir John Mordaunt
in the expedition against Rochfort. In 1759, sir Edward
commanded the grand fleet opposed to that of the French
equipped at Brest, and intended to invade these kingdoms.
He accordingly sailed from Portsmouth, and, arriving off
Brest, so stationed his ships that the French fleet did not
dare to come out, and had the mortification of beholding
their coast insulted, and their merchantmen taken. The
admiral, however, being by a strong westerly wind blown
from his station, the French seized this opportunity, and
steered for Quiberon-bay, where a small English squadron
lay under the command of commodore Duff. Sir Edward
Hawke immediately went in pursuit of them, and on the
20th of November came up with them off Belleisle. The
wind blew exceedingly hard at the time, nevertheless the
French were engaged, and totally defeated, nor was the
navy of France able to undertake any thing of consequence
during the remainder of the war. This service, owing to
the nature of the coast, was peculiarly hazardous; but when
the pilot represented the danger, our gallant admiral only
replied, “You have done your duty in pointing out the
difficulties; you are now to comply with my order, and
lay me along the Soleil Royal.
” For these and similar
services, the king settled a pension of 2000l. per annum
on sif Edward and his two sons, or the survivor of them;
he also received the thanks of the house of commons, and
the freedom of the city of Cork in a gold box. In 1765
he was appointed vice-admiral of Great Britain, and first
lord of the admiralty; and, in 1776, he was made a peer
of England, under the title of Baron Hawke, of Towton, in
the county of York. His lordship married Catharine the
daughter of Walter Brooke, of Burton-hall, in Yorkshire,
esq. by whom he had four children. He was one of the
greatest characters that ever adorned the British navy; but
most of all remarkable for the daring courage which induced him on many occasions to disregard those forms of
conducting or sustaining an attack, which the rules and
ceremonies of service had before considered as indispensable. He died at his seat at Shepperton in Middlesex,
October 14, 1781.
, an eminent musical composer, was born at llhorau, in Lower Austria,
, an eminent musical composer, was born at llhorau, in Lower Austria, in 1733. His father, a wheelwright by trade, played upon the harp without the least knowledge of music, which, however, excited the attention of his son, and first gave birth to his passion for music. In his early childhood he used to sing to his father’s harp the simple tunes which he was able to play, and being sent to a small school in the neighbourhood, he there began to learn music regularly; after which he was placed under Reuter, maestro di capella of the cathedral at Vienna; and having a voice of great compass, was received into the choir, where he was well taught, not only to sing, but to play on the harpsichord and violin. At the age of eighteen, on the breaking of his voice, he was dismissed from the cathedral. After this, he supported himself during eight years as well as he could by his talents; and began to study more seriously than ever. He read the works of Matthcson, lieinichen, and others, on the theory of music; and for the practice, studied with particular attention the pieces of Emanuel Bach, whom he made his model in writing for keyed instruments. At length, he met with Porpora, who was at this time in Vienna; and during five months was so happy as to receive his counsel and instructions in singing and the composition of vocal music.
, an eminent musical composer, was born in 1708, and began his musical
, an eminent musical composer, was born in 1708, and began his musical career as organist of St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury, but quitted that place on being chosen successor to Goodson, organist of Christ Church, Oxford, where he settled. He took his degree of bachelor of music July 8, 17 V 5 and was appointed professor of music Jan. 14, 1741. In April 1749 he was created doctor of music, and was also organist of Magdalen college. For many years he was sole director of the choral meetings, concerts, and encaenia, and every musical exhibition in that university to the time of his death.
, an eminent English antiquary, and indefatigable collector and editor
, an eminent English antiquary,
and indefatigable collector and editor of books and manuscripts, was the son of George Hearne, parish-clerk of
White Waltham, Berkshire, by Edith, daughter of Thomas
Wise. He was born at Littlefteld-green in the above
parish, in 1678, and baptised July 11th of that year. He
appears to have been born with a taste for those researches
which formed afterwards the business of his life; and even
when he had but attained a knowledge of the alphabet,
was seen continually poring over the old tomb-stones in
the church-yard. As to education, he had very little. His
father, who kept a writing-school, and who, as parishclerk, was also a kind of amanuensis to the illiterate part of
his neighbours, could teach him English and writing, in
both which he made considerable proficiency; but he had
other children, and, instead of being able to place Thomas
at any superior school, was obliged to let him earn his
subsistence as a day-labourer. His natural abilities, however,
appeared through this disadvantage, and his being a better
reader and writer than could have been expected from his
scanty opportunities, recommended him to the kind attention of an early patron, whom he calls “that pious and
learned gentleman Francis Cherry, esq.
” By this gentleman, in whose house he was for some time a menial servant, he was placed at the free-school of Bray in Berkshire,
in the beginning of 1693, and rewarded his care by such
diligent application, as to acquire an accurate knowledge
of Greek and Latin. He was on this account much respected both by the master and his fellow-scholars, who
were accustomed to consult him in their little difficulties,
and used to listen to his information respecting English
history, which his original taste had led him to study as
he found opportunity.
, an eminent physician and very accomplished scholar, was born in
, an eminent physician and very accomplished scholar, was born in London in 1710, and received the early part of his education in that city. At the close of 1724, he was sent to St. John’s college, Cambridge, where he proceeded A. B. in 1728, and M. A. in 1732. In 1730 he obtained a fellowship, and directed his attention to the study of medicine, which he pursued, partly at Cambridge, and partly in London. Having taken his degree of M. D. in 1739, he practised physic in the university for about ten years. During that time he read every year a course of lectures on the Materia.Medica, and made for that purpose a valuable collection of specimens, which he presented to St. John’s college in 1750, to which society, about ten years after, he presented soirre astronomical instruments. In 1746 he became a fellow of the royal college of physicians, and two years afterwards leaving Cambridge, he settled in London, and was elected into the royal society in 1749. He very soon got into great business, which he followed with unremitting attention above thirty years, till it seemed prudent to withdraw a little from the fatigues of his profession. He therefore purchased a house at Windsor, to which he used ever afterwards to retire during some of the summer months; but returned to London in the winter, and still continued to visit the sick for many years.
rienced; and after passing an active life with the uniform testimony of a good conscience, he became an eminent example of its in*fluence, in the cheerfulness and
“From his early youth he had always entertained a deep
sense of religion, and a consummate love of virtue, an ardent thirst after knowledge, and an earnest desire to promote the welfare and happiness of all mankind. By these
qualities, accompanied with great sweetness of manners,
he acquired the love and. esteem of all good men, in a degree which perhaps very few have experienced; and after
passing an active life with the uniform testimony of a good
conscience, he became an eminent example of its in*fluence, in the cheerfulness and serenity of his latest age.
”
"a monster of a fowl, an eminent person, who wss a man of
"a monster of a fowl, an eminent person, who wss a man of
, an eminent painter, was a peasant’s son, and born at a village
, an eminent
painter, was a peasant’s son, and born at a village of that
Dame in Holland, in 1498. In his youth he was extremely
dull, and nothing was expected from him; but afterwards
he became a correct painter, easy and fruitful in his inventions. He was the disciple and imitator of Schoreal.
He went to Home, and intended to stay there a long time;
but at the end of three years, returned to his own country,
settled at Haerlem, and lived there the remainder of his
days. Most of his works were engraved. Vasari, who gives
a particular account of them, and commends them, says,
Michael Angelo was so pleased with one of the prints, that
he had a mind to colour it. Mr. Fuseli thinks that he invented with more fertility than taste or propriety; “his
design is ostentatious without style, and his forms long
without elegance. He rather grouped than composed,
and seems to have been unacquainted with chiaroscuro.
His costume is always arbitrary, and often barbarous, and
in the admission of ornaments and the disposition of his
scenery, he oftener consulted the materials which he had
compiled at Rome, than fitness of place, or the demands
of his subject.
” He died in 1574.
, an eminent French writer, and president in parliament, was born
, an eminent French
writer, and president in parliament, was born at Paris,
Feb. 8, 1685. His great grandfather, Remi Henault, used to
be of Lewis XIII.' s party at tennis, and that prince called
him “The Baron,
” because of a fief which he possessed
near Triel. He had three sons, officers of horse, who were
all killed at the siege of Casal. John Remi, his father, an
esquire, and lord of Moussy, counsellor to the king, and
secretary to the council, kept up the honour of the family,
and becoming farmer-general, made his fortune. He was
honoured with the confidence of the count de Pontchartrain; and, being of a poetical turn, had some share in
the criticisms which appeared against Racine’s tragedies.
He married the daughter of a rich merchant at Calais, and
one of her brothers being president of that town, entertained the queen of England on her landing there in 1689.
Another brother, counsellor in the parliament of Metz,
and secretary to the duke of Berry, was associated with
Mr. Crozat in the armaments, and, dying unmarried, left
a great fortune to his sister.
Young Renault early discovered a sprightly, benevolent
disposition, and his penetration and aptness soon distinguished itself by the success of his studies. Claude de
Lisle, father of the celebrated geographer, gave him the
same lessons in geography and history which he had before
given to the duke of Orleans, afterwards regent. These
instructions have been printed in seven volumes, under the
title of “Abridgment of Universal History.
”
, an eminent mineralogist, whose name has unaccountably been omitted
, an eminent mineralogist,
whose name has unaccountably been omitted in all our
English as well as in the French, biographical collections,
was born at Fryberg, or Friburg, in Misnia, in 1679. He
appli himself, in the former part of his life, to physic;
but quitted practice to devote his time entirely to the study
of mineralogy and the various branches connected with it.
The place of his birth afforded many facilities in his researches, being situated among those mountains which have
been rendered famous by their mines, and which have been
wrought with success through a long course of ages. Dr.
He? ^kel, therefore, had the most favourable opportunity
of studying nature, which he did with assiduity and success; and his superior skill gained him so high and so extens.ve a reputation, that his lectures were not only attended by persons who came from all parts of Germany,
but he had also disciples who resorted to him from Sweden
and Russia. Augustus II. king of Poland, and elector of
Saxony, made him counsellor in the mines at Fryberg,
and it was under his direction, that the porcelain manufacture was brought to perfection, which has rendered the
town of Meissen so famous. He died in 1744-at Fryberg.
His fine cabinet of natural rarities was purchased by Mr.
Demidoff, a man of fortune, whose son presented it to the
university of Moscow. Dr. HenckePs “Pyritologia
” is
known in this country by a translation, “History of the
Pyrites,
” published in Henckelius in
Mineralogia redivivus,
” Paris,
, an eminent nonconformist, was born at Whitehall in 1631: his father,
, an eminent nonconformist, was born
at Whitehall in 1631: his father, John Henry, was page
of the back-stairs to the king’s second son, James duke of
York. About twelve years old he was admitted into Westminster-school, under Mr. Thomas Vincent, then usher;
a man very diligent in his business, but who grieved so
anuch at the dulness of many of his scholars, that he fell
into a consumption, and was said to be “killed with false
Latin.
” In the regular time, he was taken into the upper
school under Dr. Busby, with whom he was a great favourite; and was employed by him, xvith some others, in collecting materials for that excellent Greek grammar which
he afterwards published. Soon after the civil wars broke
out, there was a daily morning lecture set up at the abbey
church by the assembly of divines. His pious mother requested Dr. Busby to give her son leave to attend this,
and likewise took him with her every Thursday to Mr.
Case^s lecture, at St. Martin’s: she took him also to the
jnonthly fasts at St. Margaret’s, where the House of commons attended; and where the service was carried on with
great strictness and solemnity, from eight in the morning
till four in the evening: in these, as he himself has expressed it, he had often “sweet meltings of soul.
”
, an eminent dissenting teacher, and a voluminous writer, was the
, an eminent dissenting teacher, and a voluminous writer, was the son of the foregoing, and born in 1662. He continued under his father’s eye and care till about eighteen; and had the greatest advantages of his education from him, both in divine and human literature. He was very expert in the learned languages, especially in the Hebrew, which had been made familiar to him from his childhood; and from first to last, the study of the scriptures was his most delightful employment. For further improvement, he was placed in 16SOat an academy at Islington. He was afterwards entered in Gray’s-inn, for the study of the law where he went on with his usual diligence, and became acquainted with the civil law, and the municipal law of his own country. His proficiency was soon observed; and it was the opinion of those who knew him, that his great industry, quick apprehension, tenacious memory, and ready utterance, would render him very eminent in that profession. But he adhered to his first resolution of making divinity his study and business, and attended the most celebrated preachers in town; and, as an instance of his judgment, was best pleased with Dr. Stillingfleet for his serious practical preaching; and with Dr. Tillotson for his admirable sermons against popery, at his lectures at St. Lawrence Jewry. In 1686, he returned into the country, and preached several times as a candidate for the ministry with such success and approbation, that the congregation at Chester invited him to be their pastor. To this place he was ordained in 1687, where he lived about twenty-five years. He had several calls from London, which he constantly declined but was at last prevailed ou to accept a very important and unanimous one from Hackney. He died in 1714, at Nantwich, of an apoplectic fit, upon a journey, and was interred in Trinity-church, in Chester.
, an eminent linguist, was born at Hamstocks, in Haddingtonshire,
, an eminent linguist, was born at Hamstocks, in Haddingtonshire, Scotland, July 14, 1573. His father, a disciple of John Knox,
was rector of that place. The son was educated at St.
Andrew’s, where, for some reason, he embraced the popisfi
religion, and went to France and Italy. He afterwards
travelled through Turkey, Persia, Syria, and most other
countries of the East, devoting his attention principally to
the study of their languages: on his return he entered into
a convent of Minims in. the neighhourhood of Avignon,
which he exchanged after some time for the monastery of
the Holy Trinity at Rome, belonging to the same order.
His fame as a linguist having reached the ears of pope
Paul V. he appointed him librarian of Oriental books and
Mss. in the Vatican, in which office he remained six years.
He is said to have been at Venice in 1620, whither he had
gone with an intention of translating from Hebrew, Syriac,
and Chaldaic writings, and is supposed to have died there
in that or the following year. Wonders are told of his
proficiency in languages; we may allow that it was great
for his time, but must hesitate in believing that he knew
seventy-two languages. Of his works, Dempster mentions
“A Hebrew and Chaldaic Dictionary, and an Arabic Grammar,
” forming one volume, quarto, printed at Rome in
, an eminent Orientalist of France, was born at Paris Dec. 14, 1625.
, an eminent Orientalist of France, was born at Paris Dec. 14, 1625. When he had gone through classical literature and philosophy, he applied himself to the Oriental languages; and especially to the Hebrew, for the sake of understanding the original text of the Old Testament. After a continual application for several years, he took a journey to Rome, thinking that conversing with Armenians, and other eastern people who frequented that city, would make him perfect in the knowledge of their languages.
, lord Herbert, of Cherbury in Shropshire, an eminent English writer, was descended from a very ancient family,
, lord Herbert, of Cherbury in
Shropshire, an eminent English writer, was descended
from a very ancient family, and born 1581, at Montgomery-castle in Wales. At the age of fourteen he was entered as
a gentleman-commoner at University college, in Oxford,
where he laid, says Wood, the foundation of that admirable learning, of which he was afterwards a complete
master. In 1600 he came to London, and shortly after the
accession of James I. was created knight of the hath. He
served the office of high sheriff for the county of Montgomery, and divided his time between the country and the
court. In 1608, feeling wearied with the sameness of domestic scenes, he visited the continent, carrying with him
some romantic notions on the point of honour, which, in.
such an age, were likely to involve him in perpetual quarrels. His advantageous person and manners, and the reputation for courage which he acquired, gained him many
friends, among whom was the constable Montmorenci. As
a seat of this nobleman he passed several months practising horsemanship, and other manly exercises, in which
he became singularly expert. He returned to England in
1609, and in the following, year he quitted it again, in.
order that he might have the opportunity of serving with
the English forces sent to assist the prince of Orange at
the siege of Juliers. Here he signalised himself by his
valour, which, in some instances, was carried to the extreme of rashness. After the siege he visited Antwerp and
Brussels, and returned to London, where he was looked
now upon as one of the most conspicuous characters of the
time. An attempt was made to assassinate him, in revenge
for some liberties which he took, or was supposed to have
taken, with a married lady. In 1614 he went into the Low.
Countries to serve under the prince of Orange; after this
he engaged with the duke of Savoy, to conduct from France
a body of protestants to Piedmont for his service. In 1616
he was sent ambassador to Louis XIII. of France, to mediate for the relief of the protestants of that realm, but was
recalled in July 1621, on account of a dispute between
him and the constable de Luines. Camden says that he
had treated the constable irreverently; but Walton tells us
that “he could not subject himself to a compliance with
the humours of the duke de Luines, who was then the
great and powerful favourite at court: so that, upon a
complaint to our king, he was called back into England in
some displeasure; but at his return gave such an honourable
account of his employment, and so justified his comportment to the duke and all the court, that he was suddenly
sent back upon the same embassy.
”
, an eminent and exemplary divine, younger brother to the preceding,
, an eminent and exemplary divine, younger brother to the preceding, was born April
3, 1593, at Montgomery castle. His father died when he
was very young; and until the age of twelve, he was educated under private tutors in his mother’s house. He was
then put under the care of Dr. Neale, dean of Westminster, and afterwards archbishop of York, who placed him
at Westminster-school. At the age of fifteen, being then
a king’s scholar, he was elerted to Trinity college, Cambridge, and went thither about 1608, during the mastership of that great benefactor to the college, Dr. Nevil, who,
at his mother’s request, took particular notice of him. At
college he was assiduous in his studies, and virtuous in his
conduct. Here he took his bachelor’s degree in 1612, and
that of master in 1616, before which he had obtained a
fellowship. During his studies, his principal relaxation
was music, for which he had a good taste, and in which,
as Walton says, “he became a great master.
” At this
time, however, he betrayed a little of the vanity of youth
and birth, by affecting great finery of dress, and maintaining a reserved behaviour towards his inferiors. In 1619,
he was chosen university orator, which office he held for
eight years, much to the satisfaction of his hearers, and
particularly of those great personages whom he had occasionally to address. The terms of flattery he appears to
have known how to use with great profusion; and in more
than one instance, pleased king James very much with his
liberal offerings of this kind. He gave no less satisfaction
to his majesty also, by his apt and ingenious replies to
Andrew Melville, a Scotch divine, at the Hampton-court
conference. His talents recommended him to the notice
of Dr. Andrews, bishop of Winchester, and of the great
lord Bacon, who is said to have entertained such a high
opinion of Mr. Herbert, as to consult him in his writings,
before they went to press, and dedicated to him his translation of some ef the Psalms into English verse, as the best
judge of divine poetry. Nor was bishop Andrews less enraptured with his character; for Herbert, having, in consequence of a dispute between them on predestination and
sanctity of life, written a letter to the bishop on the subject in Greek, Andrews used to show it to many scholars,
and always carried it about him. Sir Henry Wotton and
Dr. Donne may also be added to the number of those eminent men of his time whose friendship he shared.
, an eminent person of the Pembroke family, was born at York, where
, an eminent person of the Pembroke family, was born at York, where his grandfather
was an alderman, and admitted of Jesus-college, Oxford,
in 1621: but before he took a degree, removed to Trinity-college in Cambridge. He made a short stay there, and
then went to wait upon William earl of Pembroke, recorded
in the following article; who owning him for his kinsman,
and intending his advancement, sent him in 1626 to travel,
with an allowance to bear his charge. He spent four years
in visiting Asia and Africa; and then returning, waited on
his patron at Baynard’s-castle in London. The earl dying
suddenly, he was disappointed in his expectations of preferment, and left England a second time, and visited several parts of Europe. After his return he married, and now
being settled, devoted much of his time to literary employments. In 1634 he published in folio, “A Relation of
some Years Travels into Africa and the great Asia, especially the territories of the Persian Monarchy, and some
parts of the Oriental Indies, and Isles adjacent.
” The
edition of 1677 is the fourth, and has several additions.
This work was translated by Wiquefort into French, with
“An Account of the Revolutions of Siam in 1647,
” Paris,
, an eminent typographical antiquary, was born Nov. 29, 1718, and
, an eminent typographical antiquary, was born Nov. 29, 1718, and educated at Hitchin in Hertfordshire. He appears to have been originally destined for trade, as he was bound apprentice to a hosier in London, and carried on that business for some time on his own account. It is probable, however, that he did noj succeed, or became desirous of some other means of livelihood, and it is said that one time he studied the art of painting on glass. About his thirtieth year he accepted the situation of purser’s clerk to three East-India ships. He set sail in one of them which was to take in a lading of pepper at Tellicherry: but before she had completed that purpose, an alarm of six French men of war was given. The governor demanded thirty men out of each ship, as he had a power to do, for the defence of the place; and the ship sailed away without lights round the Lucadine islands, and by Mount Delhi, to Bombay. After the alarm was over they returned, and sent Mr. Herbert, in a miserable boat, without change of linen, to demand their men, whom the governor refused to give up, and he returned; but the ships having left their station, the boat could not find them, and the wind being against him, he was obliged to remain at Tellicherry. Being engaged to return to his ship by the middle of July, he was obliged to undertake a journey over land on the sixteenth of that month, with a Portuguese boy, (who understood a little English, Portuguesej and Parriar or Lingua Franca), twelve sepoys, eight porters, in all twenty, besides himself and boy; and went round by sea to Calicut, before he ascended the heights with two bramins, who were bound by their caste to conduct him safe. The anxiety at not meeting the ships at the appointed time, he did not recover for a twelvemonth: though he rejoined them August 8, at Fort St. David, Fort George being in the hands of the French.
, an eminent practical and theoretical German musician, was born
, an eminent practical and
theoretical German musician, was born at Nuremberg. In
1628 he was appointed chapel-master at Francfort on the
Maine, and continued in that station till 1641, when he
was called to the same office at Nuremberg. However,
in 1650 he thought fit to return to Francfort, at the
solicitation of the magistrates and others his friends; and
being by them re-instated in his former dignity, he continued in that station till the time of his death, in
1660. He was excellently skilled in the theory of music,
and in the art of practical composition, and was a sound
and judicious organist. In 1643 he published, in the
German language, a book entitled “Musica Poetica
”
and, ten years after, a translation, either from the Latin or
the Italian, for it is extant in both languages, of the “Arte
prattica e poetica of Giov. Chiodino,
” in ten books. Herbst
was also the author of a tract entitled “Musica njoderna
prattica, overo maniere del buon canto,
” printed at Francfort in a mente non a penna.
” Of his musical compositions, all that are extant in print are, “Meletemata sacra Davidis,
” and “Suspiria S. Gregorii ad
Christum,
” for three voices. These were printed in
academy of Soissons, in Latin, printed at Montauban, 1688, 8vo. He died 1704. M. Lewis de Hericourt, an eminent advocate at Paris, his grandson, who died 1753, was
, an ingenious member of
the academy at Soissons, and that of ^the Ricovrati at Padua, was born at Soissons of a noble family; and the meetings held at his hoTise gave rise to the academy afterwards
established in that place. He was entrusted with some important commissions by the French court, and wrote a history of the academy of Soissons, in Latin, printed at Montauban, 1688, 8vo. He died 1704. M. Lewis de Hericourt, an eminent advocate at Paris, his grandson, who
died 1753, was author of “Traite
” des Loix Ecclesiastiques,
mises dans leur ordre naturel,“1771,fol. an abridgement
of pere Thomassins’s
” Discipline de PEglise,“with remarks, 4to;
” Traite de la Vente des Immeubles," 4to;
and some posthumous works, 4 vols. 4to.
, an eminent French botanist, was born at Paris in 1746. In 1772
, an eminent French botanist, was born at Paris in 1746. In 1772
he was appointed superintendant of the waters and forests
of the generality of Paris, and his active mind being turned
to fulfil the duties of his office, he began to apply to botany, with a particular view to the knowledge of foresttrees. Broussonet, who had studied with sir Joseph Banks,
and was an ardent Linnaean, was the intimate friend of
L'Heritier, and contributed in no small degree to urge
him forward in his career. The first fruits of his labours
was a splendid book, with finely engraved plates, entitled
“Stirpes novae,
” of which the first fasciculus, containing
eleven plates with their descriptions, appeared in J7S4.
Five more followed, amounting to eighty-four platas. To
secure to himself some of his own discoveries, and especially the establishment of certain new genera and their
names, L'Heritier contrived a method of publishing such
in the form of monographs, with one or two plates. Of
these he distributed the copies gratuitously to different
people, so that no individual might be possessed of the
entire collection. A complete set, however, is in the library of sir Joseph Banks, and another in that of the president of the Linnaean society. In 1786 he came over to
England, and collected from the English gardens the materials of his “Sertum Anglicum,
” a Work consisting of
several fasciculi, on a similar plan to his Stirpes Novafe,
but it remains unfinished. In 1775 he became a conseiller
a la cour des aides, was for a long time the dean of that
court, and accepted the office of a judge in the civil tribunals of the department of the Seine, and is recorded to
have fulfilled its duties with the most exemplary rectitude
and incorruptibility. He also sat from time to time as a
member of the representative body. His views were always those of a true patriot, the correction of abuses, the
maintenance of the laws in their genuine force and purity;
and the darling object of his emulation was the uncorrupted British constitution.
, an eminent anatomist, was born at Hexham, in Northumberland, November
, an eminent anatomist, was born
at Hexham, in Northumberland, November 14, 1739. He
attended the grammar school of that town until he was apprenticed to his father, a surgeon and apothecary of reputation; after which he resided some time with Mr. Lambert,
surgeon, at Newcastle. In 1759 he was sent to London,
and resided with that distinguished anatomist, Mr. John
Hunter, attending the lectures of his no less celebrated
brother, Dr. Wm. Hunter. Young Hewson’s assiduity and
skill having attracted the attention of the teachers, he was
appointed to superintend the dissecting room, while Mr.
Hunter went abroad with the army in 1760; and in 1762,
after studying a year at Edinburgh, he became associated
with Dr. Hunter, and occasionally delivered the anatomical
lectures; and when Dr. Hunter’s spacious establishment
was completed in Windmill-street, Mr. Hewson was allotted
an apartment in the house. Here he pursued his anatomical
investigations, and “his experimental inquiries into the
properties of the blood;
” an account of which he published
in 1771, and he communicated to the royal society several
papers containing an account of his discoveries of the lymphatic system in birds and fishes, for which he received
the Copleyan medal, and was soon after elected a fellow
of that body. In 1770, his connection with Dr. Hunter
was dissolved, and he began a course of anatomical lectures alone in September 1772, in Craven-street; and
published a second edition of his “Experimental Inquiry,
”
which he dedicated to sir John Pringle, as a testimony of
gratitude for the undeviating friendship of that illustrious
physician. In the spring of 1774, he published his work
On the “Lymphatic system.
” At this time his anatomical
theatre was crowded with pupils, his practice was daily increasing, and his ardour for experimental research undiminished, when he was seized with a fever, occasioned by
a wound received in dissecting a morbid body, which terminated fatally on the 1st of May 1774, in the thirty-fifth
year of his age. His papers, which were afterwards collected together, were originally published in the 23d, 24th,
25th, and 28th volumes of the Philosophical Transactions,
annis 1768 73.
, an eminent painter, was born in the parish of St. James, Garlickhithe,
, an eminent painter, was born
in the parish of St. James, Garlickhithe, London, June 13,
1692, being the third son of Mr. Edward Hightnore , a
coal-merchant in Thames-street. Having such an early
and strong inclination to painting, that he could think of
nothing else with pleasure', his father endeavoured to gratify him in a proposal to his uncle, who was serjeant-painter to king William, and with whom Mr. (afterward Sir James) Thorn hi 11 f had served his apprenticeship. But
this was afterwards for good reasons declined, and he was
articled as clerk to an attorney, July 18, 1707; but so much
against his own declared inclination, that in about three
years he began to form resolutions of indulging his natural
disposition to his favourite art, having continually employed his leisure hours in designing, and in the study of
geometry, perspective, architecture, and anatomy, but
without any instructors except books. He had afterwards
an opportunity of improving himself in anatomy, by attending the lectures of Mr. Cheselden, besides entering
himself at the Painters’ Academy in Great Queen -street,
where he drew ten years, and had the honour to be particularly noticed by sir Godfrey Kneller, who distinguished
him by the name of “the Young Lawyer.
” On June 13,
1714, his clerkship expired; and on March 26, 1715, he
Linear Perspective: or anew method of representing justly all manner of objects as they appear to the eye, in all situations.” On this complete and universal theory our artist grounded his subsequent practice; and it has been generally allowed, that few, if any, of the profession at that time, were so thoroughly masters of that excellent, but intricate system. In 1716, he married miss Susanna Killer, daughter and heiress of Mr. Anthony Hiller, of Em'ngliam, in Surrey; a young lady in every respect worthy of his choice. For Mr. Cheselden’s “
Anatomy of the Human. Body,” published in
The Conscious Lovers,” written by sir Richard Stecle, Mr. Highmore addressed a letter to the author, (puhlished in 1760 in the Gentleman’s Magazine), on the limits of filial obedience, pointing out a material defect in the character of Bevil, with that clearness and precision for which, in conversation and writing, he was always remarkable, as the pencil by no means engrossed his whole attention. His reputation and business increasing, he took a more conspicuous station, by removing to a house in Lincoln’s-innfields, in March 1723-4; and an opportunity soon offered of introducing him advantageously to the nobility, &c. from his being desired, by Mr. Pine the engraver, to make the drawings for his prints of the Knights of the Bath, on the revival of that order in 1725. In consequence of this, several of the knights had their portraits also by the same hand, some of them whole lengths; and the duke of Kichmond, in particular, was attended by l.is three esquiies, with a perspective view of king Henry the Vilth’s chapel. This capital picture is now at Goodwood. The artist was also sent for to St. James’s, by George I. to paint the portrait of William duke of Cumberland, from which Smith scraped a mezzotinto.
nd in that for 1778, p. 526, his remarks on colouring, suggested by way of a note on the” Epistle to an eminent Painter," will shew that his talents were by no means
iect, but removed, by its perspicuity, the only objection
that can be made to the system of Dr. Taylor. It accordincrly received, from his friends and the intelligent public,
the applauses it deserved. In 1765, he published (without his name) Observations cm a pamphlet intituled,
“Christianity not founded on Argument/ [by Dodwell];
”
in which, after shewing that it is a continued irony, and
lamenting that so ample a field should be offered the author of it for the display of his sophistry, he gives up
creeds, articles, and catechisms, as out-works raised by
fallible men, and, confining himself to the defence of the
Gospel, or citadel, shews, that pure primitive Christianity,
though assaulted by infidels, will ever remain impregnable.
His opinion of Rubens may be seen in the Gent. Mag.
for 1766, p. 353, under the title of “Remarks on some
Passages in Mr.
” NVebb’s ‘ Enquiry into the Beauties of
Painting,’ &c.“In the same year he published, with only
his initials,
” J. H.“two small volumes of
” Essays, moral,
religious, and miscellaneous; with a translation in prose
of Mr. Browne’s Latin poem on the Immortality of the
Soul,“selected from a large number written at his leisure,
at different periods of his life.
” As such,“says Dr.
Hawkesworth, in his review of them in Gent. Mag. vol.
XXXV.
” they do the author great credit. They are not
excursions of fancy, but efforts of f thought, and indubitable
indications of a vigorous and active mind.“In the Gent.
Mag. for 1769, p. 287, he communicated
” A natural and
obvious manner of constructing sun-dials, deduced from
the situation and motion of the earth with respect to the
sun,“explained by a scheme: and in that for 1778, p. 526,
his remarks on colouring, suggested by way of a note on
the
” Epistle to an eminent Painter," will shew that his
talents were by no means impaired at the age of 86. He
retained them indeed to the last, and had even strength
and spirit sufficient to enable him to ride out daily on
horseback, the summer before he died. A strong constitution, habitual temperance, and constant attention to his
health in youth as well as in age, prolonged his life, and
preserved his faculties to his 88th year, when he gradually
ceased to breathe; and, as it were, fell asleep, on March
3, 1780. He was interred in the south aile of Canterbury
cathedral, leaving one son, Anthony, educated in his own
profession; and a daughter, Susanna, mentioned above.
ritten during his peregrination in the North, entitled “The Progress of Wit, a Caveat for the use of an eminent writer,” which he begins with the following eight lines,
This, though far the gentlest piece of satire in the whole
poem, and conveying at the same time a very elegant compliment, roused Hill to the taking some notice of it, which
he did by a poem, written during his peregrination in the
North, entitled “The Progress of Wit, a Caveat for the
use of an eminent writer,
” which he begins with the following eight lines, in which Pope’s too well-known disposition is elegantly, yet very severely characterized:
, was an eminent bishop and martyr, who, after becoming very distinguished
, was an eminent bishop and martyr, who, after becoming very distinguished in the church by his writings, shed his blood for the Christian faith about the year 230, in the reign of Alexander Severus. It is certain that he was author of many works much esteemed by the ancients, but it is by no means certain that what remain under his name, and are ascribed to him, were really written by him. Fabricius has published an elegant edition of them in Greek and Latin, 1716 and 1718, 2 vols. fol. Some may be also found in the library of the Fathers.
, an eminent French mathematician and astronomer, was born at Paris,
, an eminent French mathematician and astronomer, was born at Paris, March 18, 1640. His father Laurence, who was painter in ordinary to dm king, professor in the academy of painting and sculpture, and much celebrated, intended him also for the same occupation; and with that view taught him the principles of design, and some branches of mathematics, but died when Philip was no more than seventeen. Falling afterwards into a bad habit of body, he projected a journey into Italy; which he conceived might contribute not less to the recovery of his health, than to bring him to perfection in his art. He accordingly set out in 1660, and soon found himself well enough to contemplate the remains of antiquity, with which Italy abounds, and also to study geometry, to which he had indeed more propensity than to painting, and which soon afterwards engrossed him entirely. The retired manner in which he spent his time in Italy, very much suited his disposition; and he would willingly have continued longer in that country, but for the importunity of his mother, who prevailed upon him to return, after an absence of about four years.
, an eminent English philosopher and miscellaneous writer, was born
, an eminent English
philosopher and miscellaneous writer, was born at Malmsbury in Wiltshire, April 5, 1588, his father being minister
of that town. The Spanish Armada was then upon the
coast of England; and his mother is said to have been so
alarmed on that occasion, that she was brought to bed of
him before her time. After having made a considerable
progress in the learned languages at school, he was sent, in
1603, to Magdalen hall, Oxford; and, in 1608, by the
recommendation of the principal, taken into the family of
the right honourable William Cavendish lord Hardwicke,
soon after created earl of Devonshire, as tutor to his son
William lord Cavendish. Hobbes ingratiated himself so
effectually with this young nobleman, and with the peer
his father, that he was sent abroad with him on his travels
in 16:0, and made the tour of France and Italy. Upon
his return with lord Cavendish, he became known to persons of the highest rank, and eminently distinguished for
their abilities and learning. The chancellor Bacon admitted him to a great degree of familiarity, and is said to
have made use of his pen for translating some of his works
into Latin. He was likewise much in favour with lord
Herbert of Cherbury; and the celebrated Ben Jonson had
such an esteem for him, that he revised the first work which
he published, viz. his “English Translation of the History
of Thucyciides.
” This Hobbes undertook, as he tells us
himself, “with an honest view of preventing, if possible,
those disturbances in which he was apprehensive his country would be involved, by shewing, in the history of the
Peloponnesian war, the fatal consequences of intestine
troubles.
” This has always been esteemed one of the best
translations that we have of any Greek writer, and the
author himself superintended the maps and indexes. But
while he meditated this design, his patron, the earl of
Devonshire, died in 1626; and in 1628, the year his work
was published, his son died also. This loss affected him
to such a degree, that he very willingly accepted an offer
of going abroad a second time with the son of sir Gervase
Clifton, whom he accordingly accompanied into France,
and staid there some time. But while he continued there
he was solicited to return to England, and to resume his
concern for the hopes of that family, to which he had
attached himself so early, and owed many and great
obligations.
79, he eent another book, entitled “Behemoth, or, A History of the Civil Wars from 1640 to 1660,” to an eminent bookseller, with a letter setting forth the reasons
Such were his occupations till 1660, when upon the king’s
restoration he quitted the country, and came up to London.
He was at Salisbury-house with his patron, when the king
passing by one day accidentally saw him. He sent for
him, gave Kim his hand to kiss, inquired kindly after his
health and circumstances; and some time after directed
Cooper, the celebrated miniature-painter, to take his portrait. His majesty likewise afforded him another private
audience, spoke to him very kindly, assured him of his
protection, and settled a pension upon him of lOOl. per
annum out of his privy purse. Yet this did not render
him entirely safe; for, in 1666, his “Leviathan,
” and
treatise “De Give,
” were censured by parliament, which
alarmed him much; as did also the bringing of a bill into
the Hou^e of commons to punish atheism and profaneness.
When this-stonn was a little blown over, he began to think
of procuring a beautiful edition of his pieces that were in
Latin; but finding this impracticable in England, he
caused it to be undertaken abroad, where they were published in 1668, 4to, from the press of John Bleau. In
1669, he was visited by Cosmo de Medicis, then prince,
afterwards duke of Tuscany, who gave him ample marks
of his esteem; and having received his picture, and a complete collection of his writings, caused them to be deposited, the former among his curiosities, the latter in his
library at Florence. Similar visits he received from several
foreign ambassadors, and other strangers of distinction;
who were curious to see a person, whose singular opinions
and numerous writings had made so much noise all over
Europe. In 1672, he wrote his own Life in Latin verse,
when, as he observes, he had completed his eighty-fourth
year: and, in 1674, he published in English verse four
books of Homer’s “Odyssey,
” which were so well received, that it encouraged him to undertake the whole
“Iliad
” and “Odyssey,
” which he likewise performed,
and published in De Mirabilibus Pecci, or, Of the
Wonders of the Peak.
” But his poetry is below criticism,
and has been long exploded. In 1674, he took his leave
of London, and went to spend the remainder of his days
in Derbyshire; where, however, he did not remain inactive, notwithstanding his advanced age, but published
from time to time several pieces to be found in the collection of his works, namely, in 1676, his “Dispute with
Laney bishop of Ely, concerning Liberty and. Necessity;
”
in Decameron Physiologicum, or, Ten Dialogues of Natural Philosophy;
” to which he added a book,
entitled “A Dialogue between a Philosopher and a Student of the Common Law of England.
” June Behemoth, or, A History of
the Civil Wars from 1640 to 1660,
” to an eminent bookseller, with a letter setting forth the reasons for his communication of it, as well as for the request he then made,
that he would not publish it till a proper occasion offered.
The book, however, was published as soon as he was dead,
and the letter along with it; of which we shall give a curious extract: “I would fain have published my Dialogue of the Civil Wars of England long ago, and to that
end I presented it to his majesty; and some days after,
vrhen I thought he had read it, I humbly besought him to
let me print it. But his majesty, though he heard me graciously, yet he flatly refused to have it published: therefore I brought away the book, and gave you leave to take
a copy of it; which when you had done, I gave the original to an honourable and learned friend, who about a.
year after died. The king knows better, and is more
concerned in publishing of books than lam; and therefore
I dare not venture to appear in the business, lest I should
offend him. Therefore I pray you not to meddle in the
business. Rather than to be thought any way to further
or countenance the printing, I would be content to lose
twenty times the value of what you can expect to gain by
it. I pray do not take it ill; it may be I may live to send
you somewhat else as vendible as that, and without offence.
J am, &c.
” However he did not live to send his bookseller any thing more, this being his last piece. It is in
dialogue, and full of paradoxes, like all his other writings.
More philosophical, political, says Warburton, or any thing
rather than historical, yet full of shrewd observations. In
October following, he was afflicted with a suppression of
urine; and his physician plainly told him, that he had
little hopes of curing him. In November, the earl of Devonshire removing from Chatsvvorth to another seat called
Hardwick, Hobbes obstinately persisted in desiring that he
might be carried too, though this could no way be done
but by laying him upon a feather-bed. He was not much
discomposed with his journey, yet within a week after
lost, by a stroke of the palsy, the use of his speech, and
of his right side entirely; in which condition he remained
for some days, taking little nourishment, and sleeping
much, sometimes endeavouring to speak, but not being
able. He died Dec. 4, 1679, in his ninety-second year.
Wood tells us, that after his physician gave him no hopes
of a cure, he said, “Then I shall be glad to find a hole to
creep out of the world at.
” He observes also, that his not
desiring a minister, to receive the sacrament before he
died, ought in charity to be imputed to his being so suddenly seized, and afterwards deprived of his senses; the
rather, because the earl of Devonshire’s chaplain declared,
that within the two last years of his life he had often received the sacrament from his hands with seeming devotion.
His character and manners are thus described by Dr.
White Kennet, in his “Memoirs of the Cavendish Family;
”
“The earl of Devonshire,
” says he, “for his whole life
entertained Mr. Hobbes in his family, as his old tutor
rather than as his friend or confidant. He let him live
under his roof in ease and plenty, and in his own way,
without making use of him in any public, or so much as
domestic affairs. He would often express an abhorrence
of some of his principles in policy and religion; and both
he and his lady would frequently put off the mention of
his name, and say, ‘ he was a humourist, and nobody could
account for him.’ There is a tradition in the family of the
manners and customs of Mr. Hobbes somewhat observable.
His professed rule of health was to dedicate the morning
to his exercise, and the afternoon to his studies. At his
first rising, therefore, he walked out, and climbed any hill
within his reach; or, if the weather was not dry, he fatigued himself within doors by some exercise or other, to
be in a sweat: recommending that practice tfpon this opinion, that an old man had more moisture than heat, and
therefore by such motion heat was to be acquired, and
moisture expelled. After this he took a comfortable
breakfast; and then went round the lodgings to wait upon
the earl, the countess, and the children, and any considerable strangers, paying some short addresses to all of them.
He kept these rounds till about twelve o‘clock, when he
had a little dinner provided for him, which he eat always
by himself without ceremony. Soon after dinner he retired to his study, and had his candle with ten or twelve
pipes of tobacco laid by him; then shutting his door, he
fell to smoaking, thinking, and writing for several hours.
He retained a friend or two at court, and especially the lord
Arlington, to protect him if occasion should require. He
used to say, that it was lawful to make use of ill instruments to do ourselves good: * If I were cast,’ says he,
‘ into a deep pit, and the devil should put down his cloven
foot, I would take hold of it to be drawn out by it.’ Towards the end of his life he had very few books, and those
he read but very little; thinking he was now able only to
digest what he had formerly fed upon. If company came
to visit him, he would be free in discourse till he was
pressed or contradicted; and then he had the infirmities
of being short and peevish, and referring to his writings
for better satisfaction. His friends, who had the liberty
of introducing strangers to him, made these terms with
them before their admission, that they should not dispute
with the old man, nor contradict him.
”
After mentioning the apprehensions Hobbes was under,
when the parliament censured his book, and the methods
he took to escape persecution, Dr. Kennet adds, “It isnot much to be doubted, that upon this occasion he began
to make a more open shew of religion and church communion. He now frequented the chapel, joined in the service, and was generally a partaker of the holy sacrament:
and whenever any strangers in conversation with him
seemed to question his belief, he would always appeal to
his conformity in divine services, and referred them to the
chaplain for a testimony of it. Others thought it a mere
compliance to the orders of the family, and observed, that
in city and country he never went to any parish church;
and even in the chapel upon Sundays, he went out after
prayers, and turned his back upon the sermon; and when
any friend asked the reason of it, he gave no other but this,
‘ they could teach him nothing, but what he knew.’ He
did not cone‘al his hatred to the clergy but it was visible
that the hatred was owing to his fear of their civil interest
and power. He had often a jealousy, that the bishops
would burn him: and of all the bench he was most afraid
of the bishop of Sarum, because he had most offended him;
thinking every man’s spirit to be remembrance and revenge. After the Restoration, he watched all opportunities to ingratiate himself with the king and his prime ministers; and looked upon his pension to be more valqable,
as an earnest of favour and protection, than upon any other
account. His following course of life was to be free from
danger. He could not endure to be left in an empty
house. Whenever the earl removed, he would go along
with him, even to his last stage, from Chatsworth to Hardwick. When he was in a very weak condition, he dared
not to be left behind, but made his way upon a feather-bed
in a coach, though he survived the journey but a few days.
He could not bear any discourse of death, and seemed to
cast off all thoughts of it: he delighted to reckon upon
longer life. The winter before he died, he made a warm
coat, which he said must last him three years, and then
he would have such another. In his last sickness his frequent questions were, Whether his disease was curable?
and when intimations were given that he might have ease,
but no remedy, he used this expression, ’ I shall be glad
to find a hole to creep out of the world at;' which are reported to have been his last sensible words; and his lying.
some days following in a silent stupefaction, did seem
owing to his mind more than to his body. The only thought
of death that he appeared to entertain in time of health,
was to take care of some inscription on his grave. He
would suffer some friends to dictate an epitaph, among
which he was best pleased with this humour, * This is the
philosopher’s stone'.
” A pun very probably from the hand
which wrote for Dr. Fuller, “Here lies Fuller’s earth.
”
, an eminent English divine, was born Jan. 1, 1659, atOcicombe in
, an eminent English divine, was born
Jan. 1, 1659, atOcicombe in the county of Somerset, of which
place his father was rector. He discovered while a boy, a
great propensity to learning; and, in 1676, was admitted
into Wadham-college, Oxford, of which he was chosen
fellow in 1684. When he was only in his twenty-first year
he published his “Dissertation against Aristeas’ s History of
the Seventy-two Interpreters.
” The substance of that
history of Aristeas, concerning the seventy-two Greek interpreters of the Bible, is this: Ptolemy Philadelphus,
king of Egypt, and founder of the noble library at Alexandria, being desirous of enriching that library with all sorts
of books, committed the care of it to Demetrius Phalereus,
a noble Athenian then living in his court. Demetrius being
informed, in the course of his inquiries, of the Law of
Moses among the Jews, acquainted the king with it; who
signified his pleasure, that a copy of that book, which was
then only in Hebrew, should be sent for from Jerusalem,
with interpreters from the same place to translate it into
Greek. A deputation was accordingly sent to Eleazar the
high-priest of the Jews at Jerusalem; who sent a copy of
the Hebrew original, and seventy-two interpreters, six out
of each of the twelve tribes, to translate it into Greek.
When they were come to Egypt the king caused them to
be conducted into the island of Pharos near Alexandria,
in apartments prepared for them, where they completed
their translation in seventy-two days. Such is the story
told by Aristeas, who is said to be one of king Ptolemy’s
court. Hody shews that it is the invention of some Hellenist Jew; that it is full of anachronisms and gross blunders; and, in short, was written on purpose to recommend
and give greater authority to the Greek version of the Old
Testament, which from this story has received the name of
the Septuagint. This dissertation was received with the
highest applause by all the learned, except Isaac Vossius.
Charles du Fresne spoke highly of it in his observations on
the “Chrouicon Paschale,
” published in Diogenes
Laertius,
” gave Hody the titles of “eruditissimus, doctissimus, elegantissimus, &c.
” but Vossius alone was
greatly dissatisfied with it. He had espoused the contrary
opinion, and could not bear that such a boy as Hody should
presume to contend with one of his age and reputation for
letters. He published therefore an appendix to his “Observations on Pomponius Mela,
” and subjoined an answer
to this dissertation of Hody’s; in which, however, he did
not enter much into the argument, but contents himself
with treating Hody very contemptuously, vouchsafing him
no better title than Juvenis Oxoniensis, and sometimes
using worse language. When Vossius was asked afterwards, what induced him to treat a young man of promising hopes, and who had certainly deserved well of the republic of letters, so very harshly, he answered, that he had
received some time before a rude Latin epistle from Oxford, of which he suspected Hody to be the author; and
that this had made him deal more severely with him than
he should otherwise have done. Vossius had indeed received such a letter; but it was written, according to the
assertion of Creech, the translator of Lucretius, without
Hody’s knowledge or approbation. When Hody published
his “Dissertation, &c.
” he told the reader in his preface,
that he had three other books preparing upon the Hebrew
text, and Greek version but he was now so entirely drawn
away from these studies by other engagements, that he
could not find time to complete his work, and to answer
the objections of Vossius, till more than twenty years after.
In 1704, he published it altogether, with this title, “De
Bibliorum textibns originalibus, versionibus Grsecis, et
Latina Vulgata, libri IV. &c.
” The first book contains
his dissertation against Aristeas’s history, which is here reprinted with improvements, and an answer to Vossius’s
objections. In the second he treats of the true authors of
the Greek version called the Septuagint; of the time
when, and the reasons why, it was undertaken, and of the
manner in which it was performed. The third is a history
of the Hebrew text, the Septuagint version, and of the
Latin Vulgate; shewing the authority of each in different
ages, and that the Hebrew text has been always most
esteemed and valued. In the fourth he gives an account
of the rest of the Greek versions, namely, those of Symmachus, Aquila. and Theodotion; of Origen’s “Hexapla,
”
and other ancient editions; and subjoins lists of the books
of the Bible at different times, which exhibit a concise, but
full and clear view of the canon of Holy Scripture. Upon
the whole, he thinks it probable, that the Greek version,
called the Septuagint, was done in the time of the two
Ptolemies, Lagus and Philadelphus; and that it was not
done by order of king Ptolemy, or under the direction of
Demetrius Phalereus, in order to be deposited in the Alexandrine library, but by Hellenist Jews for the use of their
own countrymen.
, an eminent historical and landscape painter, born at Bommel in
, an eminent historical and landscape painter, born at Bommel in 1648, was a disciple of Warnard van Rysen, an excellent artist, who had been bred in the school of Polemburg. He was at first invited to Cleve, where his paintings procured him very great credit; but he was afterwards prevailed on to visit Paris, where not meeting with encouragement in any degree proportioned to his merit, he turned his attention to England, whither he certainly would have directed his course, had he not been dissuaded by Vosterman. After practising, therefore, for some time at Paris and Cleves, he settled at Utrecht, and in that city and its neighbourhood displayed his abilities, in executing several grand designs for ceilings, saloons, and apartments, and also in finishing a great number of easel pictures for cabinets; and his reputation was so universally established at Utrecht, that he was appointed director of an academy for drawing and painting, which he conducted, with great honour to himself, and remarkable advantage to his pupils. He had a lively imagination, a very ready invention, a talent for composition and correctness in the costume. His manner of painting was clean and neat, and he was thoroughly master of the true principles of the chiaroscuro. His figures in general are designed with elegance, his colouring is vivid, natural, and harmonious, his touch is light and firm, and his pictures have a great deal of transparence. His small easel-paintings are as distinctly touched as highly finished; and yet his larger works are always penciled with a freedom that is suitable to those grander compositions.
n and Beza wrote against each other upon the subject of the Holy Eucharist. Hoffman accused Hunnius, an eminent Lutheran minister, for having misrepresented the book
Hoffman and Beza wrote against each other upon the subject of the Holy Eucharist. Hoffman accused Hunnius, an eminent Lutheran minister, for having misrepresented the book of the Concord; for here, says Hoffman, the cause of election is not made to depend upon the qualifications of the person elected but Hunnius, says he, and Mylius assert, that the decree of election is founded upon the foresight of faith. Hunnius and Mylius caused Hoffman to be condemned at a meeting of their divines in 1593, and threatened him with excommunication, if he did not comply. The year following, Hoffman published an apology against their censure. Hospinian gives the detail of this controversy: he observes, that some divines of Leipsic, Jena, and Wittemburg, would have had Hoffman publicly censured as a Calvinist, and such a heretic as was not fit to be conversed with; others who were more moderate, were for admonishing him by way of letter before they came to extremities: this latter expedient was approved, and Hunnius wrote to him in the name of all his brethren. Hoffman’s apology was an answer to this letter, in which he gives the reasons for refusing to comply with the divines of Wittemburg, and pretends to shew that they were grossly mistaken in several articles of faith. At last he was permitted to keep school at Helmstadt, where he died in 1611. He must not be confounded with Melchior Hoffman, a fanatic of the sixteenth century, who died in prison at Strasburgh. There was also a Gasper Hoffman (the name being common), a celebrated professor of medicine at Altdorf, who was born at Golha in 1572, and died in 1649; and who left behind him many medical works.
overthrew the system of Cornelius Bontekce. In 1689 he married the only daughter of Andrew Herstel, an eminent apothecary, with whom he had lived forty-eight years
, the most eminent physician of his name, was born at Halle, in Saxony, Feb. 19,
1660. He received his early education in his native town,
and had made great progress in philosophy and the mathematics, when, at the age of fifteen, he lost his father and
mother during the prevalence of an epidemic disease. In
1679 he commenced the study of medicine at Jena, and in
the following year attended the chemical lectures of Gaspar Cramer, at Erfurth; and, on his return to Jena, received the degree of M. D. in February 168!. In 1682 he
published an excellent tract “De Cinnabari Antimonii,
”
which gained him great applause, and a crowd of pupils
to the chemical lectures, which he delivered there. He
was then induced to visit Minden, in Westphalia, op the
invitation of a relation, and practised there for two years
with considerable success. He then travelled into Holland
and thence to England, where he was received with distinction by men of science, and particularly by Paul Herman, the botanist, in the former, and Robert Boyle in the
latter. On his return to Minden, in 1685, he was made
physician to the garrison there, and in the following year
was honoured by Frederic William, elector of Brandenburg, with the appointments of physician to his own person, and to the whole principality of Minden. Yet he
quitted that city in 1688, in consequence of an invitation
to settle at Halberstadt, in Lower Saxony, as public physician. Here he published a treatise “De uisufficientia
acidi ct viscidi,
” by which he overthrew the system of
Cornelius Bontekce. In 1689 he married the only daughter of Andrew Herstel, an eminent apothecary, with whom
he had lived forty-eight years in perfect iniion, when she
died. About this time, Frederic III., afterwards first king
of Prussia, founded the university of Halle; and in
Hoffmann was appointed primary professor of medicine,
composed the statutes of that institution, and extended its
fame and elevated its character, while his own reputation
procured him admission into the scientific societies at Berlin, Petershurgh, and London, as well as the honour of
being consulted by persons of the highest rank. He was
called upon to visit many of the German courts in his capacity of physician, and received honours from several
princes; from whom some say that he received ample remuneration in proportion to the rank of his patients; while
others have asserted that he took no fees, but contented
himself with his stipends. Haller asserts that he acquired
great wealth by various chemical nostrums which he
vended. In 1704 he accompanied some of the Prussian ministers to the Caroline warm baths in Bohemia, on which
occasion he examined their nature, and published a dissertation concerning them. On subsequent visits, he became acquainted with the Sedlitz purging waters, which
he first introduced to public notice, having published a
treatise on them in 1717: and he afterwards extended his
inquiries to the other mineral waters of Germany. In 1 708
he was called to Berlin to take care of the declining health
of Frederic, and was honoured with the titles of archiater
and aulic counsellor, together with a liberal salary. After
three years residence at this court he returned to Halle,
and gladly resumed his academical functions. He continued also to labour in the composition of his writings;
and in 1718, at the age of 60, he began the publication
of his “Medicina Rationalis Systematica,
” which was reoeived with great applause by the faculty in various parts
of Europe, and the completion of which occupied him
nearly twenty years. He likewise published two volumes
of “Consultations,
” in which he distributed into three
“centuries,
” the most remarkable cases which had occurred to him; and also “Observationum Physico-Chemicarum Libri tres,
” preternatural affection of the nervous system,
”
rather than to the morbid derangements and qualities of
the fluids, first turned the attention of physicians from the
mere mechanical and chemical operations of the animal
body to those of the primary moving powers of the living
system. To Hoffmann Dr. Cullen acknowledges the obligations we are under for having first put us into the proper
train of investigation; although he himself did not apply
his fundamental doctrine so extensively as he might have
done, and every where mixed with it a humoral pathology
as incorrect and hypothetical as any other. Hoffmann pursued the study of practical chemistry with considerable
ardour, and improved the department of pharmacy by the
addition of some mineral preparations; but on the whole,
and especially in his latter years, his practice was cautious,
and even inert, and he trusted much to vegetable simples.
done in beauty and delicacy by any artist of his time. He had some instructions from Matthew Merian, an eminent engraver, and who is thought to have taught him that
, a most admired engraver, was born at Prague in
Bohemia, in 1607. He was at first instructed in schoollearning, and afterwards put to the profession of the law;
but not relishing that pursuit, and his family being ruined
when Prague was taken and plundered in 1619, so that
they could not provide for him as had been proposed, he
removed from thence in 1627. During his abode in several towns in Germany, he applied hiinselFto drawing and
designing, to copying the pictures of several great artists,
taking geometrical and perspective views and draughts of
cities, towns, and countries, by land and water; in which
at length he grew so excellent, especially for his landscapes in miniature, as not to be outdone in beauty and
delicacy by any artist of his time. He had some instructions from Matthew Merian, an eminent engraver, and
who is thought to have taught him that method of preparing and working on his plates which he constantly used.
He was but eighteen when the first specimens of his art
appeared; and the connoisseurs in his works have observed, that he inscribed the earliest of them with only a
cypher of four letters, which, as they explain it, was intended for the initials of. “Wenceslaus Hollar Pragensis
xcudit.
” He employed himseif chieth in copying heads
and portraits, sometimes from Rembrandt, Henzelman,
Fselix Biler, and other eminent artists; but h ^ uule delicate views of Strasburgh, Cologne, Mentz, Bon>, Francfort, and other towns along the Riiine, Danube, Necker,
&c. got him his greatest reputation; and when Howard
earl of Arundel, was sent ambassador to the emperor Ferdinand II. in 1636, he was so iiighly pleased with his performances, that he admitted him into his retinue. Hollar
attended his lordship froai Cologne to the emperor’s court,
and in this progress made several draughts and prints of the
places through which they travelled. He took that view of
Wurtzburgh under whicn is written, “Hoilar delineavit,
in legatione Arundeliana ad Imperatorem.
” He then made
also a curious large drawing, with the pen and pencil, of
the city of Prague, which gave great satisfaction to his patron, then upon the spot.
7th year of his age. He was also barrack-master of the Tower. He married a daughter of Mr. Marshall, an eminent sword-cutler in Fleet-street, by whom he had an only
, an English antiquary, born in 1662,
at Skipton, in Craven, Yorkshire, became about 1695 clerk
to William Petyt, esq. keeper of the records at the Tower;
and continued near sixty years deputy to Mr. Petyt, Mr.
Topham, and Mr. Polhill. On the death of Mr. Petyt,
which happened Oct. 9, 1707, Mr. Holmes was, on account of his singular abilities and industry, appointed by
lord Halifax (then president of a committee of the House of lords) to methodize and digest the records deposited in
the Tower, at a yearly salary of 200l. which was continued
to his death, Feb. 16, 1748-9, in the 87th year of his age.
He was also barrack-master of the Tower. He married a
daughter of Mr. Marshall, an eminent sword-cutler in
Fleet-street, by whom he had an only son George, who
was bred at Eton, and was clerk under his father, but died,
aged 25, many years before him. Holmes re-published
the first 17 volumes of Rymer’s “Fœdera,
” in —In Strype’s London, 1754, vol. I. p 746,
is a fac-simile of an antique inscription over the little door
ftext to the cloister in the Temple church. It was in old
Saxon capital letters, engraved within an half-circle; denoting the year when the church was dedicated, and by
whom, namely, Heraclius the patriarch of the church of
the Holy Resurrection in Jerusalem; and to whom, namely,
the Blessed Virgin; and the indulgence of forty days pardon to such who, according to the penance enjoined them,
resorted thither yearly. This inscription, which was scarcely
legible, and in 1695 was entirely broken by the workmen,
having been exactly transcribed by Mr. Holmes, was by
him communicated to Strype. Mrs. Holmes out-lived her
husband, and received of government 200l. for his Mss.
about the records, which were deposited and remain in his
office to this day. Few men, in a similar office, were ever
more able or willing to assist the researches of those who
applied to him, than Mr. Holmes; and he received many
handsome acknowledgements of his politeness and abilities,
in that respect, from Browne Willis, Dr. Tovey, principal
of New-Inn-hall, Oxford, Dr. Richardson, editor of
” Godwin de Presulibus," and others.
, usually called Lord Kames, an eminent Scotch lawyer, philosopher, and critic, the son of George
, usually called Lord Kames, an eminent Scotch lawyer, philosopher, and critic, the son of George Home of Kames, in the county of Berwick, was born at Kames in 1696. He was descended from an ancient and honourable family; being on his father’s side, the great grandson of sir John Home of Renton, whose ancestor was a cadet of the family of the earls of Home, who held the office of lord justice-clerk in the reign of king Charles II. His mother was a daughter of Mr. Walkinshaw of Barrowfield, and grand-daughter of Mr. Robert Baillie, principal of the university of Glasgow, of whom an account is given in our third volume. His father having lived beyond his income, and embarrassed his affairs, Henry, on entering the world, had nothing to trust to but his own abilities and exertions, a circumstance which although apparently unfavourable, was always most justly regarded by him as the primary cause of his success in life. The only education he had was from private instructions at home from a tutor of the name of Wingate, of whom he never spoke in commendation.
of earthquakes; and because he speaks of the great bear as never touching the horizon, he makes him an eminent astronomer. The truth is, the knowledge of nature, which
Homer had the most sublime and universal genius that
the world has ever seen; and though it is an extravagance
of enthusiasm to say, as some of the Greeks did, that all
knowledge may be found in his writings, no man penetrated deeper into the feelings and passions of humaa
nature. He represents great things with such sublimity, and
inferior objects with such propriety, that he always makes
the one admirable, and the other pleasing. Strabo, whose
authority in geography is indisputable, assures us, that
Homer has described the places and countries, of which he
gives an account, with such accuracy, that no man can
imagine who has not seen them, and no man can observe
without admiration and astonishment. Nothing, however,
can be more absurd, than the attempts of some critics,
who have possessed more learning and science than taste,
to rest the merit of Homer upon the extent of his knowledge. An ancient encomiast upon Homer proves him to
have possessed a perfect knowledge of nature, and to have
been the author of the doctrine of Thales and Xenophanes,
that water is the first principle of all things, from his having called Oceanus the parent of nature; and infers, that
he was acquainted with Empedocles’ doctrine of friendship
end discord, from the visit which Juno pays to Oceanus
and Thetis to settle their dispute: because Homer represents Neptune as shaking the earth, he concludes him to
have been well acquainted with the causes of earthquakes;
and because he speaks of the great bear as never touching
the horizon, he makes him an eminent astronomer. The
truth is, the knowledge of nature, which poetry describes,
is very different from that which belongs to the philosopher.
It would be easy to prove, from the beautiful similes of
Homer, that he was an accurate observer of natural appearances; and to show from his delineation of characters,
that he was intimately acquainted with human nature. But
he is not, on this account, to be ranked with natural philosophers or moralists. Much pains have been taken to
prove, that Homer expresses just and sublime conceptions
of the divine nature. And it will be acknowledged, that,
in some passages, he speaks of Jupiter in language which
may not improperly be applied to the Supreme Deity. But,
if the whole fable of Jupiter, as it is represented in Homer,
be fairly examined, it will be very evident, either that he
had not just conceptions of the divine nature, or that he
did not mean to express them in the portrait which he has
drawn of the son of Saturn, the husband of Juno, and the
president of the council of Olympus. It would surely have
been too great a monopoly of perfection, if the first poet in
the world had also been the first philosopher.
Homer has had his enemies; and it is certain, that Plato
banished his writings from his commonwealth; but lest this
should be thought a blemish upon the memory of the poet,
we are told that the true reason was, because he did not
esteem the common people to be capable readers of them.
They would be apt to pervert his meaning, and have wrong
notions of God and religion, by taking his bold and beautiful allegories in a literal sense. Plato frequently declares,
that he loves and admires him as the best, the most pleasant, and divine of all poets, and studiously imitates his
figurative and mystical way of writing: and though he
forbad his works to be read in public, yet he would never
be without them in his closet. But the most memorable
enemy to the merits of Homer was Zoilus, a snarling critic, who frequented the court of Ptolemy Philadelphus,
king of Egypt, and wrote ill-natured notes upon his poems,
but received no encouragement from that prince; on the
contrary, he became universally despised for his pains, and
was at length put, as some say, to a most miserable death.
It is said that though Homer’s poems were at first published all in one piece, and not divided into books, yet
every one not being able to purchase them entire, they
were circulated in separate pieces; and each of those
pieces took its name from the contents, as, “The Battle
of the Ships;
” “The Death of Dolon;
” “The Valour of
Agamemnon;
” “The Grot of Calypso;
” “The Slaughter
of the Wooers,
” &c. nor were these entitled books, but
rhapsodies, as they were afterwards called, when they were
divided into books. Homer’s poems were not known entire in Greece before the time of Lycurgus; whither that
law-giver being in Ionia carried them, after he had taken
the pains to transcribe them from perfect copies with his
own hands. This may be called the first edition of Homer
that appeared in Greece, and the time of its appearing
there was about 120 years before Rome was built, that is,
about 200 years after the time of Homer. It has been said,
that the “Iliad
” and “Odyssey
” were not composed by
Homer in their present form, but only in separate little
poems, which being put together and connected afterwards
by some other person, make the entire works they now appear; but this is so extravagant a conceit that it scarceJy
deserves to be mentioned.
, an eminent English mathematician, and one of the most inventive
, an eminent English mathematician,
and one of the most inventive geniuses that the world has
ever seen, was son of Mr. John Hooke, rector of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight, and born there July 18, 1635.
He was designed for the church; but being of a weakly
constitution, and very subject to the head-ache, he was left
to follow the bent of his genius, which led him to mechanics, and first appeared in his making little toys, which
he did with wonderful art and dexterity. Seeing, on one
occasion, an old brass clock taken to pieces, he made a
wooden one that would go: he made likewise a small ship
about a yard long, fitly shaped, masted, and rigged, with
a contrivance to make it fire small guns, as it was sailing
across a haven of some breadth. These indications led his
friends to think of some trade for him in which such talents
might be useful; and after his father’s death in 1648, as he
had also a turn for drawing, he was placed with sir Peter
Lely, but the smell of the oil-colours increased his headaches, and he quitted painting in a very short time. Afterwards he was kindly taken by Dr. Busby into his house,
and supported there while he attended Westminster-school.
Here he not only acquired Greek and Latin, together with
some knowledge of Hebrew and other oriental languages,
but also made himself master of a good part of Euclid’s
Elements; and Wood adds, that while he lived with Dr.
Busby he “learned of his own accord to play twenty
lessons on the organ, and invented thirty several ways of
flying as himself and Dr. Wilkins of Wadham- college
have reported.
”
About 1653 he went to Christ-church, Oxford, and in
1655 was introduced to the philosophical society there;
where, discovering his mechanic genius, he was first employed to assist Dr. Willis in his operations of chemistry,
and afterwards recommended to Mr. Boyle, whom he served
many years in the same capacity. He was also instructed
about this time by Dr. Seth Ward, Savilian professor of
astronomy, in that science; and from henceforward distinguished himself by a greater number of important inventions and improvements of the mechanic kind, than any
one man had ever discovered. Among these were several
astronomical instruments for making observations both at
sea and land; and he was particularly serviceable to Boyle,
in completing the air-pump. Wood tells us, that he also
explained “Euclid’s Elements,
” and “Des Cartes’s Philosophy,
” to Boyle. In Nov. 30l. per annum to sir John Cutler’s
annuity, settled on him
” pro tempore:“and, March folJowing, was elected professor of geometry in Greshamcollege.
In 1665, he published in folio his
” Micrographia, or
some philosophical descriptions of minute bodies, made by
magnifying glasses, with observations and enquiries thereupon:" and the same year, during the recess of the Royal
Society on account of the plague, attended Dr. Wilkins
and other ingenious gentlemen into Surrey, where they
made several experiments. In Sept. 1666, he produced
his plan for rebuilding the city of London, then destroyed
by the great fire; which was approved by the lord -may or
and court of aldermen. According to it, all the chief
streets were to have been built in regular lines; all the
other cross streets to have turned out of them at right
angles; and all the churches, public buildings, marketplacesj &c. to have beetl fixed in proper and convenient
places; but the nature of the property, and the impossibility of raising funds to indemnify the landholders who
would be injured by this scheme, prevented its being carried into execution. The rebuilding of the city, however,
according to the act of parliament, requiring an able person to set out the ground to the several proprietors, Hooke
was appointed one of the city surveyors, and Oliver, a
glass-painter, the other. In this employment he acquired
the greatest part of that estate of which he died possessed;
as appeared sufficiently evident from a large iron chest of
money found after his death, locked down with a key in it,
and a date of the time, which shewed that the contents had
been so shut up for above thirty years, and seldom disturbed, for he almost starved himself and all in his house.
, an eminent English divine, and author of an excellent work, entitled
, an eminent English divine, and
author of an excellent work, entitled “The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, in eight books,
” was born at Heavytree near Exeter, about the end of March 1554. His
parents, not being rich, intended him for a trade; but his
schoolmaster at Exeter prevailed with them to continue
him at school, assuring them, that his natural endowments
and learning were both so remarkable, that he must of
necessity be taken notice of, and that God would provide
him some patron who would free them from any future care
or charge about him. Accordingly his uncle John Hooker,
the subject of the preceding article, who was then chamberlain of the town, began to notice him; and being known
to Jewell, made a visit to that prelate at Salisbury soon
after, and “besought him for charity’s sake to look favourably upon a poor nephew of his, whom nature had fitted
for a scholar; bill the estate of his parents was so narrow,
that they were unable to give him the advantage of
learning; and that the bishop therefore would become his patron, and prevent him from being a tradesman, for he was
a boy of remarkable hopes.
” The bishop examining into
his merits, found him to be what the uncle had represented him, and took him immediately under his protection. He got him admitted, in 1567, one of the clerks of
Corpus-Christi college in Oxford, and settled a pension
on him; which, with the contributions of his uncle, afforded him a very comfortable subsistence. In 1571,
Hooker had the misfortune to lose his patron, together
with his pension. Providence, however, raised him up
two other patrons, in Dr. Cole, then president of the college, and Dr. Edwyn Sandys, bishop of London, and afterwards archbishop of York. To the latter of these Jewell
had recommended him so effectually before his death, that
though of Cambridge himself, he immediately resolved to
send his son Edwyn to Oxford, to be pupil to Hooker, who
yet was not much older; for, said he, “I will have a tutor
for my son, that shall teach him learning by instruction,
and virtue by example.
” Hooker had also another considerable pupil, namely, George Cranmer, grand nephew
to Cranmer the archbishop and martyr; with whom, as
well as with Sandys, he cultivated a strict and lasting
friendship. In 1573, he was chosen scholar of Corpus,
and in 1577, having taken his master’s degree, was elected
fellow of his college; and about two years after, being
well skilled in the Oriental languages, was appointed deputy-professor of Hebrew, in the room of Kingsmill, who
was disordered in his senses. In 1581, he entered into
orders; and soon after, being appointed to preach at St.
Paul’s-cross in London, was so unhappy as to be drawn
into a most unfortunate marriage; of which, as it is one
of the most memorable circumstances of his life, we shall
give the particulars as they are related by Walton. There
was then belonging to the church of St. Paul’s, a house
called the Shunamites house, set apart for the reception
and entertainment of the preachers at St. Paul’s cross, two
days before, and one day after the sermon. That house
was then kept by Mr. John Churchman, formerly a substantial draper in Watluig-sti'eet, but now reduced to poverty. Walton says, that Churchman was a person of virtue, but that he cannot say quite so much of his wife. To
this house Hooker came from Oxford so wet and weary,
that he was afraid he should not be able to perform his
duty the Sunday following: Mrs. Churchman, however,
nursed him so well, mat he presently recovered from the
ill effects of his journey. For this he was very thankful;
so much indeed that, as Walton expresses it, be thought
himself bound in conscience to believe all she said; so
the good man came to be persuaded by her, “that he
had a very tender constitution; and that it was best for
him to have a wife, that might prove a nurse to him; such
a one as might both prolong his life, and make it more
comfortable; and such a one she could and would provide
for him, if he thought fit to marry.
” Hooker, not considering “that the children of this world are wiser in their
generation than the children of light,
” and fearing no
guile, because he meant none, gave her a power to choose
a wife for him; promising, upon a fair summons, to return
to London, and accept of her choice, which he did in that
or the year following. Now, says Walton, the wife provided for him was her daughter Joan, who brought him
neither beauty nor portion; and for her conditions, they
were too like that wife’s which Solomon compares to a
dripping-house; that is, says Wood, she was “a clownish
silly woman, and withal a mere Xantippe.
”
, an eminent English divine, son of George Hooper, gent, was born
, an eminent English divine,
son of George Hooper, gent, was born at Grimley, in
Worcestershire, Nov. 18, 1640, and educated in grammar
and classical learning first at St. Paul’s, and afterwards at
Westminster-school, where he was a king’s scholar. From
thence he was elected to Christ-church in Oxford, in 1657,
where he took his degrees at the regular times and distinguished himself above his contemporaries by his superior knowledge in philosophy, mathematics, Greek and
Roman antiquities, and the oriental languages, in which
last he was assisted by Dr. Pocock. In 1672 he became
chaplain to Morley, bishop of Winchester, who collated
him to the rectory of Havant, in Hampshire, which, the
situation being unhealthy, he resigned for the rectory of
East Woodhay, in the same county. In July 1673 he
took the degree of B. D. and not long afterwards became
chaplain to archbishop Sheldon, who begged that favour
of the bishop of Winchester, and who in 1675 gave him
the rectory of Lambeth, and afterwards the precentorship
of Exeter. In 1677 he commenced D. D. and the same
year, being made almoner to the princess of Orange, he
went over to Holland, where, at the request of her royal
highness, he regulated her chapel according to the usage
of the church of England. After one year’s attendance,
he repassed the sea, in order to complete his marriage to
Abigail, daughter of Richard Guildford, gent, the treaty
for which had been set on foot before his departure. He
then went back to her highness, who had obtained a promise from him to that purpose; but, after a stay of about
eight months, she consented to let him return home. In
1680 he is said to have been offered the divinity-professorship at Oxford, but the succession to that chair had
been secured to Dr. Jane. About the same time, however,
Dr. Hooper was made king’s chaplain. In 1685, by the
king’s command, he attended the duke of Monmouth, and
had much free conversation with him in the Tower, both
the evening before, and the day of his execution, on
which, that unhappy nobleman assured him “be had made
his peace with God,
” the nature of which persuasion Dr.
Hooper solemnly entreated him to consider well, and then
waited on him in his last moments. The following year
he took a share in the popish controversy, and wrote a
treatise, which will be mentioned presently with his works.
In 1691, he succeeded Dr. Sharp in the deanery of Canterbury. As he never made tae least application for preferment, queen Mary surprised him vvitn this offer, when
the king her husband was absent in Holland. With a disinterestedness not very common, he now proposed to resign either of his livings, but the queen observed that
though the king and she never gave two livings to one
man, yet they never took them away,“and ordered him
to keep both. However, he resigned the rectory of Woodhay. He was made chaplain to their majesties the same
year. In 1698, when a preceptor was chosen forttie duke
of Gloucester, though both the royal parents of that prince
pressed earnestly to have Hooper, and no objection was
ever made against him, yet the king named bishop Burnet
for that service. In 1701, he was chosen prolocutor to
the lower house of convocation and the same year was
offered the primacy cf Ireland by the earl of Rochester,
then lord-lieutenant, which he declined. In May 1703,
he was nominated to the bishopric of St. Asaph. This he
accepted, though against his inclination on this occasion
be resigned Lambeth, but retained his other preferments
with this bishopric, in which, indeed, he continued but
a few months, and on that account he generously refused
the usual mortuaries or pensions, then so great a burthen
to the clergy of Wales, saying
” They should never pay
so dear for the sight of him." In March following, being
translated to the bishopric of Bath and Wells, he earnestly requested her majesty to dispense with the order,
not only on account of the sudden charge of such a translation, as well as a reluctance to remove, but aiso in regard to his friend Dr. Ken, the deprived bishop of that
place, for whom he begged the bishopric. The queen,
readily complied vvitb Hooper’s request; but the offer
being declined by Ken, Hooper at his importunity yielded
to become his successor. He now relinquished the deanery
of Canterbury, but wished to have retained the
precentorship of Exeter in commendam, solely for the use of Dr.
Ken. But this was not agreeable to Dr. Trelauney, bishop of Exeter. His intention, however, was supplied by
the bounty of the queen, who conferred an annual pension of 200l. on the deprived prelate. In 1705, bishop
Hooper distinguished himself in the debate on the danger
of the church, which, with many other persons, he apprehended to be more than imaginary. His observation
was candid; he complained with justice of that invidious
distinction which the terms high church and low church occasioned, and of that enmity which they tended to produce. In the debate in 1706, he spoke against the union
between England and Scotland, but grounded his arguments on 'fears which have not been realized. In 1709-10,
when the articles of Sachevereli’s impeachment were
debated, he endeavoured to excuse that divine, and entered his protest against the vote, which he could not
prevent.
, an eminent prelate and martyr, was horn in Somersetshire, in 1495,
, an eminent prelate and martyr, was horn in Somersetshire, in 1495, and entered of Merton college, Oxford, in 1514, under the tuition of his uncle John Hooper, a fellow of that house. In 1518 he was admitted B. A.; the only degree he took in this university. It is supposed that he afterwards became one of the number of Cistercians, or white monks, and contir nued some years, until, becoming averse to a monastic life, he returned to Oxford, where, by the writings of some of the reformers which had reached that place, he was in-r duced to embrace the principles of protestantism. In. 1539, when the statute of the six articles was put in execution, he left Oxford, and got into the service of sir Thomas Arundel, a Devonshire gentleman, to whom he became chaplain, and steward of his estate; but this gentleman discovering his principles, withdrew his protection, and he was then obliged to go to France, where he conti r nued for some time among the reformed, until his dislike of some of their proceedings made him return to England; but, being again in danger here, he in the disguise of a, sailor escaped to Ireland, and thence to Holland and Swisserland. At Zurich be met with Bullinger, himself a refugee from his country for the sake of religion, and who, therefore, gave Hooper a friendly reception. During his residence here, Hooper married a Burgundian lady.
, an eminent professor of botany in the university of Edinburgh,
, an eminent professor of botany in the university of Edinburgh, was the son of Mr. Robert Hope, surgeon, and grandson of lord Rankeilar, one of the sena tors of the college of justice in Scotland. He was bori May 10, 1725, and educated at the university of Edinburgh, where his attention was first directed to the medical art. He afterwards visited other medical schools, particularly Paris, where he studied his favourite science, botany, under the celebrated Bernard Jussien. On hi; return to Scotland, he obtained the degree of M. D. from the university of Glasgow in 1750, and being a few monthi after admitted a member of the royal college of physicians Edinburgh, entered upon the practice of medicine in that city. On the death of Dr. Alston, in 1761, he was appointed king’s botanist in Scotland, superintendant of the royal garden, and professor of botany and materia medic. The latter, the professorship of materia medica, he resignd in 1768, and by a new commission from his majesty, was nominated regius professor of medicine and botany in the university, and had the offices of king’s botanist and supeintendant of the royal gardens conferred upon him for lit;, which till that time had been always granted during pleasnre only. While he thus enjoyed his honours at horn;, he received the most flattering marks of esteem from t/e learned of other countries, having been elected a member not only of the royal society of London, but also of several celebrated foreign societies, and having been enrolledin the first class of botanists even by Linnæus, who denoiiinated a beautiful shrub by the name of Hopea and a time when he might be justly considered as at the very head of his profession in Edinburgh, holding the distingnished office of president of the royal college of pysicians, he was seized with an alarming illness, which in the space of a few days, put a period to his life, Nov. 10, 1786. This gentleman richly deserves to be remembred as one of the earliest lecturers on the vegetable physiology, as well as an experienced practical botanist. Edinbrgli is indebted to his spirit and perseverance, in establihing and providing suitable funds for its botanic garden, one of the first in the kingdom. Besides some useful manuals for facilitating the acquisition of botany by his students, Dr. Hope was long engaged in the composition of an extensive work, on which he bestowed much study and reflection; the object of which was, to increase the advantages which result from the highly ingenious artificial system of Linnæus, by conjoining with it a system of vegetables distributed according to their great natural orders. He had made very considerable progress in this valuable work; and it is much to be regretted by every lover of botany, that it was left imperfect at his death. Two valuable dissertations were published by him in the Philosophical Transactions, one on the Rheum palmatum, and the other on the Femla Assafoetida, in which he demonstrates the practicability of cultivating these two officinal plants in our own country. The true rhubarb has been since extensively and successfully cultivated; but that of the assafaetida plant has not been equally attended to.
unnecessary to say much in this place. Yet we know not how to refrain from adding the sentiments of an eminent living scholar, which cannot easily be rivalled for
Of an author so well known, and whose merits have been so often and so minutely canvassed by classical critics, it would be unnecessary to say much in this place. Yet we know not how to refrain from adding the sentiments of an eminent living scholar, which cannot easily be rivalled for acuteness and elegance. The writings of Horace, says this learned critic, are familiar to us from our earliest boyhood, They carry with them attractions which are felt in every period of life, and almost every rank of society, They charm alike by the harmony of the numbers, and the pttrity of the fiction. They exhilarate the gay, and interest the serious, according to the different kinds of subjects upon which the poet is employed. Professing neither the precision of analysis, nor the copiousness of system, they have advantages, which, among the ordinary class of writers, analysis and system rarely attain. They exhibit human imperfections as they really are, and human excellence as it practically ought to be. They develope every principle of the virtuous in morals, and describe every modification of the decorous in manners. They please without the glare of ornament, and they instruct without the formality of precept. They are the produce of a mind enlightened by study, invigorated by observation; comprehensive, but not visionary; delicate, but not fastidious; too sagacious to be warped by prejudice, and too generous to be cramped by suspicion. They are distinguished by language adapted to the sentiment, and by effort proportioned to the occasion. They contain elegance without affectation, grandeur without bombast, satire without buffoonery, and philosophy without jargon. Hence it is that the writings of Horace are more extensively read, and more clearly understood, than those of almost any other classical author. The explanation of obscure passages, and the discussion of conjectural readings, form a part of the education which is given in our public schools. The merits of commentators, as well as of the poet himself, are the subjects of our conversation; and Horace, like our own countryman Shakspeare, has conferred celebrity upon many a scholar, who has been able to adjust his text, or to unfold his allusions. The works of some Roman and more Greek writers are involved in such obscurity, that no literary adventurer should presume to publish a variorum edition of them, unless he has explored the deepest recesses of criticism. But in respect to Horace, every man of letters knows where information is to be had, and every man of judgment will feel little difficulty in applying it to useful and even ornamental purposes.
The editions of Horace are numerous beyond those of anfy other poet. Dr. Douglas, an eminent physician in the last reign, collected four hundred
The editions of Horace are numerous beyond those of anfy other poet. Dr. Douglas, an eminent physician in the last reign, collected four hundred and fifty. Among these are valuable editions by Baxter, Bentley, Bond, Cruquius, Dacier, Desprez (the Delphin), Gesner, Lambinus, Muretus, Pulman, JSanadon, Zeunius, &c. c. to which may be added the more recent editions of Janus, Combe, Wakefield, Hunter, and Mitscberlichius.
, an eminent physician, was born at Torgau in 1537; and took the
, an eminent physician, was born
at Torgau in 1537; and took the degree of M. D. in the
university of Francfort on the Oder, in 1562. He was
offered the place of public physician in several places; and
he practised successively at Sagan and Suidnitz in Silesia,
and at Iglaw in Moravia, till 1580, when he was made
physician in ordinary to the archduke of Austria; and four
years after, quitting that place, was promoted to the medical professorship in the university of Helmstadt. The
oration he delivered at his installation, “Of the Difficulties which attend the Study of Physic, and the means to
remove them,
” a very good one, is printed with his
“Epistolse Philosophic
” & Medicinales,“Lips. 1596, 8vo.
Upon entering on this post, he distinguished himself by
what was thought a great singularity; he joined devotion
to the practice of physic. He always prayed to God to
bless his prescriptions; and he published a form of prayer
upon this subject, which he presented to the university.
He acquitted himself worthily in his functions, and published some books which kept up the reputation he had
already acquired, but among them was one which produced a contrary effect, his
” Dissertation upon the Golden
Tooth of a child in Silesia;“concerning which he suffered himself to be egregiously imposed upon. Van Dale
has related in what manner this imposture was discovered.
Horstius, in the mean time, took it for a great prodigy,
which ought to be a comfort to those Christians who were
oppressed by the Turks; as certainly foreboding the downfall of the Ottoman empire. Horstius’s dissertation was
published at Leipsic, in 1595, 8vo, with another piece of
his writing,
” De Noctambulis,“or
” Concerning those
who walk in their sleep." He died about 1600.
itary tribune, praetor, and in the year 68 B. C. consul, together with Q. Caecilius Metellus. He was an eminent member of the college of augurs, and was the person
, a Roman orator, was the contemporary and rival of Cicero, and so far his senior, that he
was an established pleader some time before the appearance of the latter. He pleaded his first cause at the age of
nineteen, in the consulship of L. Licinius Crassus, and Q.
Mutius Scevola, ninety-four years before the Christian
aera, Cicero being then in his twelfth year. This early
effort was crowned with great success, and he continued
throughout his life a very favourite orator. His enemies,
however, represented his action as extravagant, and gave
him the name of Hortensia, from a celebrated dancer of
that time. He proceeded also in the line of public honours, was military tribune, praetor, and in the year 68
B. C. consul, together with Q. Caecilius Metellus. He
was an eminent member of the college of augurs, and was
the person who elected Cicero into that body, being sworn
to present a man of proper dignity. By him also Cicero
was there inaugurated, for which reason, says that author,
“it was my duty to regard him as a parent.
” He died in
the year 49 B. C.“; and Cicero, to whom the news of that
event was brought when he was at Rhodes, in his return
from Ciiicia, has left a most eloquent eulogy and lamentation upon him, in the opening of his celebrated treatise
on orators entitled Brutus.
” I considered him,“says that
writer,
” not, as many supposed, in the light of an adversary, or one who robbed me of any praise, but as a
companion and sharer in my glorious labour. It was much
more honourable to have such an opponent, than to stand
unrivalled; more especially as neither his career was impeded by me, nor mine by him, but each, on the contrary,
was always ready to assist the other by communication,
advice, and kindness." If, however, Cicero was sincere
in his attachment, it was surmised that Hortensius was not,
and this is even insinuated in one of the epistles of Cicero.
Hortensius amassed great wealth, but lived at the same
time in a splendid and liberal manner; and it is said that
at his death his cellars were found stocked with 10,000
hogsheads of wine. His orations have all perished; but
it was the opinion of Quintillian, that they did not in perusal answer to the fame he obtained by speaking them.
Hortensius must have been si^ty-four at the time of his
death.
, an eminent engraver, was the son of Arnold Houbraken, a native
, an eminent engraver, was
the son of Arnold Houbraken, a native of Holland, and a
painter, but of no very superior merit. He is known, however, to the literary world, as the author of a work in Dutch,
entitled “The Great Theatre of the Dutch and Flemish
Painters,
” in 3 vols. folio, with their portraits. He came
over into England, to make drawings of the pictures of
Vandyke, which were afterwards engraved by Peter Van
Gunst. He died at Amsterdam in the fifty-ninth year of
his age, 1719.
, earl of Surrey, and duke of Norfolk, an eminent commander in the reign of Henry VIII. was born in 1473,
, earl of Surrey, and duke of Norfolk, an eminent commander in the reign of Henry VIII. was born in 1473, and brought up to arms, and soon after the accession of Henry was decorated with the knighthood of the garter. He served with his brother sir Edward, against sir Andrew Barton, a Scotch free-booter, or pirate, who perished in the action. Wuen his brother, sir Edward, was killed in an action near Brest, in 1513, he was appointed to the office in his stead, and in the capacity of high admiral he effectually cleared the channel of French cruisers. The victory of Flodden-field, in which the king of Scotland was slain, was chiefly owing to his valour and good conduct. For this his father was restored to the title of duke of Norfolk, and the title of earl of Surrey was conferred on him. In 1521 he was sent to Ireland as lordlieutenant, chiefly for the purpose, it was thought, of having him out of the way during the proceedings against his father-in-law, the duke of Buckingham. Here he was very instrumental in suppressing the rebellion, and having served there two years he returned, and had the command of the fleet against France. By the death of his father he succeeded to the title and estates as duke of Norfolk. Notwithstanding his great services, Henry, at the close of his tyrannical life and reign, caused the duke to be sent to the Tower on a charge of high treason, and his son to be beheaded in his presence. The death of the king saved the duke’s life. He was, however, detained prisoner during the whole of the reign of Edward VI. but one of the first acts of Mary, after her accession to the throne, was to liberate him. He was, after this, the principal instrument in suppressing the rebellion excited by sir Thomas Wyatt. He died in August 1554, having passed his eightieth year. He was father to the illustrious subject of our next article.
, was an eminent English navigator, who flourished in high fame in the
, was an eminent English navigator, who flourished in high fame in the beginning of the seventeenth century. Where he was born and educated, we have no certain account; nor have we of any private circumstances of his life. The custom of discovering foreign countries for the benefit of trade not dying with queen Elizabeth, in whose reign it had been zealously pursued, Hudson, among others, attempted to find out a passage by the north to Japan and China. His first voyage was in 1607, at the charge of some London merchants; and his first attempt was for the north-east passage to the Indies. He departed therefore on the 1st of May; and after various adventures through icy seas, and regions intensely cold, returned to England, and arrived in the Thames Sept. 15. The year following he undertook a second voyage for discovering the same passage, and accordingly set sail with fifteen persons only, April 22; but not succeeding, returned homewards, and arrived at Gravesend on Aug. 26.
, an eminent divine in the 12th century, originally of Flanders,
, an eminent divine in the 12th
century, originally of Flanders, devoted himself to religion in the abbey of St. Victor at Paris, at that time governed by its first abbot Gilduin in 1115, and taught theology with so much reputation, that he was called a second
Augustine. He died in 1142, aged 44, after having been
prior to St. Victor, leaving several works, in which he
imitates St. Augustine’s style, and follows his doctrine.
The principal among these is a large treatise “On the Sacraments.
” They have all been printed at Rouen, Thesaurus.
”
re, June 17, 1732, and was taught the rudiments of medical science by his brother, Dr. Joseph Hulme, an eminent physician at Halifax, and afterwards was a pupil at
, an English physician, was born
at Holme Torp in Yorkshire, June 17, 1732, and was
taught the rudiments of medical science by his brother,
Dr. Joseph Hulme, an eminent physician at Halifax, and
afterwards was a pupil at Guy’s hospital. In 1755, he
served in the capacity of surgeon in the navy, and being
stationed at Leith after the peace of 1763, he embraced the
favourable opportunity of prosecuting his medical studies
at Edinburgh, where he took his degree of doctor in 1765.
His inaugural thesis was entitled “Dissertatio Medica
Inauguralis de Scorbuto.
” Soon after his graduation, he
settled in London as a physician, intending to devote his
attention particularly to the practice of midwifery. This,
however, he soon relinquished: and, on the establishment
of the general dispensary (the first institution of the kind in London), he was appointed its first physician. He was
also some time physician to the City of London Lying-in
hospital. About 1774, he was, through the influence of
lord Sandwich, then first lord of the admiralty, elected
physician to the Charter-house His other official situations he resigned many years before his death, and withdrew himself at the same time in a great measure from the
active exercise of his profession; but continued in the
Charter-house during the remainder of his life. In March
1807, he was bruised by a fall, of which he died on the
28th of that month, and was buried at his own desire in
the pensioners’ burial ground, followed by twenty-four
physicians and surgeons, who highly respected his character.
” and 8. “Some Latin pieces against the Papists, Campian in particular.” Wood quotes Tobias Matthew, an eminent archbishop, who knew him well, as declaring, that “Dr.
, a learned English writer, was
born at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, about 1527,
and had his school education at Cambridge; after which
he became first a demy, then a fellow, of Magdalen-college
in Oxford. He took the degree of M. A. in 1552, and
about that time was made Greek reader of his college, and
entered into orders. In June 1555 he had leave from his
college to travel into foreign countries; he went to Zurich,
and associated himself with the English there, who had
fled from their country on account of their religion. After
the death of queen Mary he returned to England, and was
restored to his fellowship in Magdalen college, from which
he had been expelled because he did not return within the
space of a year, which was one condition on which he was
permitted to travel; another was, that he should refrain
from all heretical company. In 1560 he was appointed
the queen’s professor of divinity at Oxford; and the year
after elected president of his college. In 1562 he took
both the degrees in divinity; and, in 1570, was made
dean of Gloucester. In 1580 he was removed to the
deanery of Winchester; and had probably been promoted
to a bishopric if he had not been disaffected to the church
of England. For Wood tells us, that from the city of
Zurich, where the preaching of Zuinglius had fashioned
people’s notions, and from the correspondence he had at
Geneva, he brought back with him so much of the Calvinist both in doctrine and discipline, that the best which
could be said of him was, that he was a moderate and conscientious nonconformist. This was at least the opinion
of several divines, who used to call him and Dr. Fulke of
Cambridge, standard-bearers among the nonconformists;
though others thought they grew more conformable in the
end. Be this as it will, “sure it is,
” says Wood, that
“Humphrey was a great and general scholar, an able
linguist, a deep divine and for his excellency of style,
exactness of method, and substance of matter in his writings, went beyond most of our theologists .
” He died in
Feb. 1590, N. S. leaving a wife, by whom he had twelve
children. His writings are, 1 “Epistola de Graecis literis,
et Homeri lectione et imitatione;
” printed before a book
of Hadrian Junius, entitled “Cornucopias,
” at Basil, De Religionis conservatione et reformatione, deque
primatu regum, Bas. 1559.
” 3. “De ratione interpretandi auctores, Bas. 1559.
” 4. “Optimates: sive de nobilitate, ejusque autiqua origine, &c.
” Bas. Joannis Juelli Angli, Episcopi Sarisburiensis, vita et
mors, ejusque verae doctrinae defensio, &c. Lond. 1573.
”
6. “Two Latin orations spoken before queen Elizabeth;
one in 1572, another in 1575.
” 7. “Sermons;
” and 8.
“Some Latin pieces against the Papists, Campian in particular.
” Wood quotes Tobias Matthew, an eminent archbishop, who knew him well, as declaring, that “Dr.
Humphrey had read more fathers than Campian the Jesuit
ever saw; devoured more than he ever tasted; and taught
more in the university of Oxford, than he had either
learned or heard.
”
, an eminent anatomist and physician, was born at Chateau- Briant,
, an eminent anatomist
and physician, was born at Chateau- Briant, in February
1701. His father was a physician, and practised at St.
Malo. He studied first at Rennes, and afterwards at Angers and Paris, and received the degree of M. D. at Rheims
in 1722. On his return to Paris he studied anatomy and
surgery with great assiduity, under the celebrated teachers
Winslow and Du Verney, and was admitted into the academy of sciences in 1724. Having been honoured with
the appointment of physician to the duke of Richelieu, he
accompanied rliat nobleman in his embassy to the court of
the emperor Charles VI. at Vienna, and ever afterwards
retained his entire confidence, and had apartments in his
house. On the death of Du Verney, in 1730, Hunauld
was appointed his successor, as professor of anatomy in
the king’s garden, where he soon acquired a reputation
little short of that of his predecessor, and found the spacious theatre overflowing with pupils. Having been admitted a member of the faculty of medicine of Paris, he
practised with great success, and attracted the notice of
the court. He took a journey into Holland, where he
became acquainted with the celebrated Boerhaave, with
whom he ever afterwards maintained a friendly correspondence; and, in 1735, he visited London, where he was
elected a member of the royal society, at one of the meetings of which he read some “Reflections on the operation
for Fistula Lacrymalis,
” which were printed in the Transactions. He was cut off in the vigour of life by a putrid fever, in December 1742, being in his forty-second
year. The greater part of his writings consist of papers,
which were published in various volumes of the memoirs
of the academy of sciences, between 1729 and 1742 inclusive. Osteology was a favourite subject of his enquiry,
and some of the most curious of his observations relate to
the formation and growth of the bones of the skull. He
likewise traced with great accuracy the lymphatics of the
lungs to the thoracic duct, and the progress of some of the
nerves of the thoracic viscera. He published anonymously,
in 1726, a critique, in the form of a letter, on the book of
Petit, relative to the diseases of the bones, which occasioned some controversy, and received the formal disapproval of the academy. Hunauld had collected a considerable anatomical museum, which was especially rich in
preparations illustrative of osteology and the diseases of
the bones, and which came into the possession of the academy after his death.
, an eminent physician and antiquary of Durham, was the son of Thomas
, an eminent physician and
antiquary of Durham, was the son of Thomas Hunter,
gent, of Medomsley, in the county of Durham, where he
was born in 1675: he was educated at the free-school of
Houghton-le-Spring, founded by the celebrated Bernard
Gilpin, and was admitted of St. John’s college, Cambridge,
where he continued until he had taken his bachelor’s degree
in 1698. In 1701 he received a faculty or licence from
Dr. John Brookbank, spiritual chancellor at Durham, to
piactice physic through the whole diocese of Durham.
After some years he removed to the city of Durham; and
though he published little, was always ready to assist in any
literary undertaking. He is acknowledged by Mr. Horsley
and Mr. Gordon to be very exact and masterly in the knowledge of antiquities. Dr. Wilkins mentions him with respect in the preface to the first volume of his “Councils,
”
to which he furnished some materials; and Mr. Bourne was
much indebted to him in compiling his “History of Newcastle
” He published a new edition of “The Ancient
Rites and Monuments of the church of Durham,
” An Illustration of Mr. Daniel Neale’s
History of the Puritans, in the article of Peter Smart, M. A.
from original papers, with remarks.
” Antiquitates Parochiales Dioc. Dunelm.
hucusque ineditae,
” but no further progress appears to have
been made. Perhaps this might be owing to an
unfortunate accident he met with, in searching the archives of the
cathedral, where he spilt a bottle of ink on the celebrated
copy of Magna Charta, and was never afterwards permitted
to come there. In 1757 be retired from Durham, with
his family, to Unthank, an estate belonging to his wife, in
Shotley parish, Northumberland, where he died July 13
of that year, and was buried in Shotley church.
, an eminent anatomist and physician, was born May 23, 1718, at Kilbride
, an eminent anatomist and physician, was born May 23, 1718, at Kilbride in the county of Lanark. He was the seventh of ten children of John and Agnes Hunter, who resided on a small estate in that parish, called Long Calderwood, which had long been in the possession of his family. His great grandfather, by iiis fatner’s side, was a youoger son of Hunter of Hunterston, chief of the family of that name. At the age of fourteen, his father sent him to the college of Glasgow; where he passed five years, and by nis prudent behaviour and diligence acquired the esteem of the professors, and the reputation of being a good scholar. His father had designed him for the church, but the necessity of subscribing to articles of faith was to him a strong objection. In this state of mind he happened to become acquainted with Dr Cullen, who was then just established in practice at Hamilton, under the patronage of the duke of Hamilton. By the conversation of Dr. Cullen, ha was soon determined to devote himself to th^ profession of pbysic. His father’s consent having been previously obtained, he went, in 1737. to reside with Dr. Cullen. In the family of this excellent friend and preceptor he passed nearly three years, and these, as he has been often heard to acknowledge, were the happiest years of his life. It was then agreed, that he should prosecute his medical studies at Edinburgh and London, and afterwards return to settle at Hamilton, in partnership with Dr. Cullen.
, an eminent and accomplished prelate, was born at Congreve, in the
, an eminent and accomplished prelate, was born at Congreve, in the parish of Penkrich, in
Staffordshire, Jan. 13, 1720. He was the second of three
children, all sons, of John and Hannah Hurd, whom he
describes as “plain, honest, and good people, farmers, but
of a turn of mind that might have honoured any rank and
any education;
” and they appear to have been solicitous
to give this son the best and most liberal education. They
rented a considerable farm at Congreve, but soon after
removed to a larger at Penford, about half-way between
Brewood and Wolverhampton in the same county. There
being a good grammar-school at Brewood, Mr. Hurd was
educated there under the rev. Mr. Hitman, and upon his
death under his successor the rev. Mr. Budvvorth, whose
memory our author affectionately honoured in a dedication,
in 1757, to sir Edward Littleton, who had also been educated at Brewood school. He continued under this master’s
care until 1733, when he was admitted of Emanuel college,
Cambridge, but did not go to reside there till a year or twa
afterwards.
, as we have already remarked, the production of Dr. Green: Mr. Hurd, however, wrote “The opinion of an eminent lawyer (the earl of Hardwicke) concerning the right
In May 1750, by Warburton’s recommendation to
Dr. Sherlock, bishop of London, Mr. Kurd was appointed
one of the Whitehall preachers. At this period the university of Cambridge was disturbed by internal divisions,
occasioned by an exercise of discipline against some of its
members, who had been wanting in respect to those who
were entrusted with its authority. A punishment having been inflicted on some delinquents, they refused
to submit to it, and appealed from the vice-chancellor’s
jurisdiction. The right of the university, and those to
whom their power was delegated, becoming by this means
the subject of debate, several pamphlets appeared, and
among others who signalised themselves upon this occasion,
Mr. Kurd was generally supposed to have written “The
Academic, or, a disputation on the state of the university
of Cambridge, and the propriety of the regulations made
in it on the 1 Ith day of May and the 26th day of June
1750, 8vo
” but this was, as we have already remarked, the
production of Dr. Green: Mr. Hurd, however, wrote
“The opinion of an eminent lawyer (the earl of Hardwicke)
concerning the right of appeal from the vice-chancellor of
Cambridge to the senate; supported by a short historical
account of the jurisdiction of the university; in answer
to a late pamphlet, intituled * An Inquiry into the right
of appeal from the vice-chancellor, &c.' By a fellow of a
college,
” A Letter to the
Author of a Further Inquiry,
”
lt to account for the eagerness with which it was brought forward again in a new edition in 1788, by an eminent living scholar, in a volume entitled “Tracts by Warburton
In 1751, he published the “Commentary on the Epistle to Augustus;
” and a new edition of both Comments,
with a dedication to Mr. Warburton, in 1753. In 1752
and 1753, he published two occasional sermons, the one
at the assizes at Norwich, on “The Mischiefs of Enthusiasm and Bigotry,
” and the other, for the charity schools
at Cambridge, neither of which has been retained in his
works. The friendship which had already taken place between Warburton and Mr. Kurd had from its commencement continued to increase by the aid of mutual good
offices; and in 1755 an opportunity offered for the latter
to shew the warmth of his attachment, which he did perhaps with too close an imitation of his friend’s manner.
Dr. Jortin having, in his “Dissertations,
” spoken of Warburton with less deference and submission than the claims
of an overbearing and confident superiority seemed to demand, Mr. Hurd wrote a keen satire, entitled “The Delicacy of Friendship, a seventh dissertation; addressed to
the author of the sixth,
” Tracts by Warburton and
a Warburtonian.
” It was this obtrusion, however, for
which it would not be easy to assign the most liberal motives, that probably induced the author in his latter days,
not only to acknowledge the tract, but to include it among
those which he wished to form his collected works.
himself than to his country, has, among other illustrious characters, thought Mr. Hussey entitled to an eminent place in his Elysium, and thus notices him: " Behind
Mr. Barry, that ingenious and liberal artist, whose great work in the paintings which adorn the large room at the Society of Arts in the Adelphi, together with his description of these paintings, do no less honour to himself than to his country, has, among other illustrious characters, thought Mr. Hussey entitled to an eminent place in his Elysium, and thus notices him: " Behind Phidias, I have introdced<Giles Hussey, a name that never occurs to me without fresh grief, shame, and horror, at the mean, wretched cabal of mechanics, for they deserve not the name of artists; and their still meaner runners, and assistants, that could have co-operated to cheat such an artist out of the exercise of abilities, that were so admirably calculated to have raised this country to an immortal reputation, and for the highest, species of excellence. Why will the great, who can have no interest but in the glory of their country, why will they suffer any dirty, whispering medium to interfere between them and siicji characters as Mr. Russey, who appears to have been no less amiable as a man, than he was admirable as an artist?