In 1755, general Braddock, with some regiments of regular troops and provincial levies, was sent to dispossess the French of the
In 1755, general Braddock, with some regiments of regular troops and provincial levies, was sent to dispossess the French of the posts upon which they had seized in the back settlements. After the men were all ready, a- difficulty occurred, which had nearly prevented the expedition this was the want of waggons. Franklin now step-: ped forward, and, with the assistance of his son, in a little time procured 150. After the defeat of Braddock, Franklin introduced into the assembly a bill for organizing a militia, and had the dexterity to get it passed. In consequence of this act, a very respectable militia was formed; and Franklin was appointed colonel of a regiment in Philadelphia, which consisted of 1200 men; in which capacity he acquitted himself with much propriety, and was of singular service, though this militia was soon after disbanded by order of the English ministry.
In 1757 he was sent to England, with a petition to the king and council, against the proprietaries, who refused to bear any
In 1757 he was sent to England, with a petition to the king and council, against the proprietaries, who refused to bear any share in the public expences and assessments; which he got settled to the satisfaction of the state. After the completion of this business, Franklin remained at the court of Great Britain for some time, as agent for the pn>vince of Pennsylvania; and also for those of Massachusetts, Maryland, and Georgia. Soon after this, he published his Canada pamphlet, in which he pointed out, in a very forcible manner, the advantages that would result from the conquest of this province from the French. An expedition was accordingly planned, and the command given to general Wolfe; the success of which is well known. He now divided his time indeed between philosophy and politics, rendering many services to both. Whilst here, he invented the elegant musical instrument called the Armonica, formed of glasses played on by the fingers. In the summer of 1762 he returned to America; on the passage to which he observed the singular effect produced by the agitation of a vessel containing oil, floating on water; the upper surface of the oil remained smooth and undisturbed, whilst the water was agitated with the utmost commotion. On his return he received the thanks of the assembly of Pennsylvania; which having annually elected him a member in his absence, he again took his seat in this body, and continued a steady defender of the liberties of the people.
lative to the stamp-act; which was soon after repealed. The same year he made a journey into Holland and Germany; and another into France; being everywhere received
In 1764, by the intrigues of the proprietaries, Franklin
lost his seat in the assembly, which he had possessed for
fourteen years; but was immediately appointed provincial
agent to England, for which country he presently set out.
In 1766 he was examined before the parliament, relative to
the stamp-act; which was soon after repealed. The same
year he made a journey into Holland and Germany; and
another into France; being everywhere received with the
greatest respect by the literati of all nations. In 1773 he
attracted the public attention by a letter on the duel between Mr. Whateley and Mr. Temple, concerning the
publication of governor Hutchinson’s letters, declaring
that he was the person who had discovered those letters. On
the 29th of January next year, he was examined before
the privy-council, on a petition he had presented long before as agent for Massachusetts Bay against Mr. Hutchinson: but this petition being disagreeable to ministry,
it was precipitately rejected, and Dr. Franklin was soon
after removed from his office of postmaster-general for
America. Finding now all efforts to restore harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies useless, he returned
to America in 1775, just after the commencement of
hostilities. Being named orie of the delegates to the Continental congress, he had a principal share in bringing about
the revolution and declaration of independency on the part
of the Colonies. In 1776 he was deputed by congress to
Canada, to negociate with the people of that country, and
to persuade them to throw off the British yoke; but the
Canadians had been so much disgusted with the hot-headed
zeal of the New Englanders, who had burnt some of their
chapels, that they refused to listen to the proposals, though
enforced by all the arguments Dr. Franklin could make
use of. On the arrival of lord Howe in America, in 1776,
he entered upon a correspondence with him on the subject
of reconciliation. He was afterwards appointed, with
two others, to wait upon the English commissioners, and
learn the extent of their powers; but as these only went to
the granting pardon upon submission, he joined his colleagues in considering them as insufficient. Dr. Franklin
was decidedly in favour of a declaration of independence,
and was appointed president of the convention assembled
for the purpose of establishing a new government for the
state of Pennsylvania. When it was determined by congress to open a public negociation with Francej Dr. Franklin was fixed upon to go to that country; and he brought
about the treaty of alliance offensive and defensive, which
produced an immediate war between England and France.
Dr. Franklin was one of the commissioners, who, on ths
part of the United States, signed the provisional articles of
peace in 1782, and the definitive treaty in the following
year. Before he left Europe, he, concluded a treaty with
Sweden and Prussia. Having seen the accomplishment of
his wishes in the independence of his country, he requested to be recalled, and after repeated solicitations
Mr. Jefferson was appointed in his stead. On the arrival
of his successor, he repaired to Havre de Grace, and
crossing the English channel, landed at Newport, in the
Isle of Wight, from whence, after a favourable passage,
he arrived safe at Philadelphia in Sept. 1785. Here he
was received amidst the acclamations of a vast and almost
innumerable multitude, who had flocked from all parts to see
him, and who conducted him in triumph to his own house,
where in a few days he was visited by the members of congress, and the principal inhabitants of Philadelphia. He
was afterwards twice chosen president of the assembly of
Philadelphia; but in 1788 the increasing infirmities of his
age obliged him to ask and obtain permission to retire and
spend the remainder of his lite in tranquillity; and on the37th of April, 1790, he died at the great age of eightyfour years and three months. He left behind him one son,
a zealous loyalist, and a daughter married to a merchant
in Philadelphia. Dr. Franklin was author of many tracts
on electricity, and other branches of natural philosophy,
as well as on political and miscellaneous subjects. Many
of his papers are inserted in the Philosophical Transactions
of London: and his essays have been frequently reprinted
in this country as well as in America, and have, in common with his other works, been translated into several
modern languages. A complete edition of all these was
printed in London in 18Q3, in 3 vols. 8vo, with “Memoirs of his early life, written by himself,
” to which the
preceding article is in a considerable degree indebted.
Some of his political writings are said to be still withheld
on political grounds, but it is difficult to suppose that they
can now be of much importance,;.s they relate to a contest which no longer agitates the minds of the public.
hey have been appreciated by a very judicious writer, seem to have been a clearness of apprehension, and a steady undeviating common sense. We do not rind him taking
As a philosopher the distinguishing characteristics of Franklin’s mind, as they have been appreciated by a very judicious writer, seem to have been a clearness of apprehension, and a steady undeviating common sense. We do not rind him taking unrestrained excursions into the more difficult labyrinths of philosophical inquiry, or indulging in conjecture and hypothesis. He is in the constant habit of referring to acknowledged facts and observations, and suggests the trials by which his speculative opinions may be put to the teat. He does not seek for extraordinary occasions of trying his philosophical acumen, nor sjts down with the preconceived intention of constructing a philosophical system. It is in the course of his familiar correspondence that he proposes his new explanations of phenomena, and brings into notice his new discoveries. A question put by a friend, or an accidental occurrence of the day, generally form the ground-work of these speculations. They are taken up by the author as the ordinary topics of friendly intercourse; they appear to cost him no Jahour; and are discussed without any parade. If an ingenious solution of a phenomenon is suggested, it is introduced with as much simplicity as if it were the most natural and obvious explanation that could be offered; and the author seems to value himself so little upon it, that the reader is in danger of estimating it below its real importance: If a mere hypothesis be proposed, the author himself is the first to point out its insufficiency, and abandons it with more facility than he had constructed it. Even the letters on electricity, which are by far the most finished of Franklin’s performances, are distinctly characterized by all these peculiarities. They are at first suggested by the accidental present of an electrical tube from a correspondent in London; Franklin and his friends are insensibly engaged in a course of electrical experiments; the results are from time to time communicated to the London correspondent; several important discoveries are made; and at length there arises a finished and ingenious theory of electricity. On this account the writings of Franklin possess a peculiar charm. They excite a favourable disposition and a friendly interest in the reader. The author never betrays any exertion, nor displays an. unwarrantable partiality for his own speculations; he assumes no superiority over his readers, nor seeks to elevate the importance of his conceptions, by the adventitious aid of declamation, or rhetorical flourishes. He exhibits no false zeal, no enthusiasm, but calmly and modestly seeks after truth; and if he fails to find it, has no desire to impose a counterfeit in its stead. He makes a familiar amusement of philosophical speculation; and while the reader thinks he has before him an ordinary and unstudied Jetter to a friend, he is insensibly engaged in deep disqu*sitions of science, and made acquainted with the ingenious solutions of difficult phenomena. Of Franklin’s more private and personal character, we have few particulars; but it is to be regretted that in his religious principles he was early, and all his life, one of the class of free-thinkers.
, a Lutheran divine, was born in 1564 at Plawen, in the circle of Voightland, and was educated at Francfort on the Oder. He then removed to Wittetnberg,
, a Lutheran divine, was
born in 1564 at Plawen, in the circle of Voightland, and
was educated at Francfort on the Oder. He then removed
to Wittetnberg, where in 1598, he was appointed professor
of history, and took his doctor’s degree in divinity. Three
years after, he was invited to be superintendant at Kemsperg, and remained there until 1605, when he was chosen
divinity professor at Wittemberg. He died suddenly ia
1628, of a second attack of apoplexy. Among his numerous works are, 1. “Syntagma controversiarum
theologicarum.
” 2. “Historia animalium,
” Francfort, Historia animal iura sacra.
”“It was afterwards reprinted often with improvements, the
last of which editions appeared at Francibrt, 1712, 4 vols.
4to. There is also an English translation of the original
work, Lond. 1674, 8vo. 3.
” Schola sacrificiorum patriarchalium sacra, hoc est, assertio satisfactionis a Domino
nostro J. C. pro peccatis totius mundi prcestitse, in sacrificiorum veterum typis fundata?, et recentibus Arianis et
Photinianis oppositae,“Wittemberg, 1654, 4to. This has
been sometimes sold in two parts; the one entitled
” Schola sacrificiorum,“and the other
” Assertio satisfactionis,“but it is the same work. 4.
” Tractatus theologrcus de interpretatione scripturarnm maxime legitima,
duabus constans regulis, a Luthero ad papatns Komani destructionem in versione Biblioruni Germanica usitatis, et
152 exemplis elucidatus," Wittemberg, 1634, 4to. Of
this there have been several editions. Frantzius is also the
author of various dissertations and disputations on subjects
of theological controversy.
, a learned Franciscan, was born at Peronne in 1620, and admitted doctor of the Sorbonne in 1662. He afterwards taught
, a learned Franciscan, was born
at Peronne in 1620, and admitted doctor of the Sorbonne
in 1662. He afterwards taught theology in his convent,
was elected definitor-general of the whole Franciscan order
in 1682, and acquired great reputation by his writings,
and the various commissions he was entrusted with. He
died February 26, 1711, at Paris. His most esteemed
works are, “A System of Divinity,
” Paris, Disquisitiones Biblicae,
” 2 vols. 4to.; the best edition of the first volume is
that of Paris, 1711, but the work has been much enlarged,
and reprinted at Lucca, 1764, 2 vols. folio. He also published a “System of Philosophy,
” which has gone through
several editions.
e ex pence of air Philip Sydney at St. John’s college, Cambridge, where he took his master’s degree, and afterwards went to Gray’s-lnn, where be remained till he was
, an English versifier in queert
Elizabeth’s time, whose works are still an object of some
curiosity, was educated at the ex pence of air Philip Sydney at St. John’s college, Cambridge, where he took his
master’s degree, and afterwards went to Gray’s-lnn, where
be remained till he was called to the bar of the court of the
Marches in Wales. In August 1590, he was recommended
by Henry earl of Pembroke, to lord treasurer Burleigh,
as 41 man in every respect qualified for the place of her
majesty’s solicitor in that court, but his history cannot
Ixe traced any farther. He wrote, 1 “The Lamentations
of Amituas for the death of Phillis, in English hexameters,
” London, The countess of Pembroke’s Ivy-church and Emamiel,
” in English hexameters, London, The Lamentations of Corydon,
”
&c. Fraunce also translated the beginning of “Heliodorns’s Ethiopics,
” Lond. Tke Lawier’s Logike, exemplifying the
precepts of Logike by the practice of the Common Lawe.
”
Of this last, as well as of his “Sheapheardes Logike,
” a
ms., an account is givenin the “Bibliographer,
” and a
few particulars of the authors other writings may be found
in our authorities.
h name he is classed in some biographical works, was a learned architect of the seventeenth century, and a native of Chambrai. He was connected by relationship, as well
, sieur de Chambrai, under which
name he is classed in some biographical works, was a
learned architect of the seventeenth century, and a native
of Chambrai. He was connected by relationship, as well
as love of the art, with Sublet des Noyers, secretary of
state and superintend ant of the buildings under Louis XIII.
About 1640, Freart was sent, with one of his brothers, to
Italy, on an important mission to the pope, and he was
also ordered to collect antiquities, &c. and engage the
ablest artists to reside in France. Among the latter he
brought Poussin to Paris. Freart died in iv76. He published a French translation of Da Vinci on painting, Paris,
1651, fol. and another of Palladia’s Architecture, Paris,
1650. Of this a fine edition was printed by Nicolas du
Bois at the Hague in 1726, with engravings by Piea*t, but
he has strangely divided the translator into two persons,
asserting that Freart published one edition of Palladio, and
the sieur de Chambrai another. But the work by which
Freart is best known is his “Parallele de l'architecture
antique avec la rooderne,
” Paris,
cholastic, the earliest French historian except Gregory of Tours, flourished in the seventh century, and was living in 658. By order of Childebrand, brother of Charles
, called the scholastic, the earliest French historian except Gregory of Tours, flourished in the seventh century, and was living in 658. By order of Childebrand, brother of Charles Martel, he wrote a chronicle, which extends as far as the year 64-1. His style is barbarous, his arrangement defective, and his whole narrative too concise and rapid, but he is the only original historian of a part of that period. His chronicle is to be found in the collection of French historians, published by Duchesne and Bouquet.
surnamed the Great, the third king of Prussia, son of Frederic William I. was born Jan. 24, 1712, and educated in some measure in adversity; for when he began to
surnamed the Great, the third king of Prussia, son of Frederic William I. was born Jan. 24, 1712, and educated in some measure in adversity; for when he began to grow up, and discovered talents for poetry, music, and the fine arts in general, his father, fearing lest this taste should seduce him from studies more necessary to him as a king, opposed his inclinations, and treated him with considerable harshness. In 1730, when the prince was eighteen, this disagreement broke out; he endeavoured to escape, was discovered, and thrown into prison, and Kat, a young officer who was to have attended his flight, was executed before his eyes. His marriage in 1733, with the princess of Brunswick Wolfenbuttel, restored at least apparent harmony in the family. But in his forced retirement, young Frederic had eagerly cultivated his favourite sciences, which continued to divert his cares in the most stormy and anxious periods of his life. He ascended the throne in May 1740, and almost immediately displayed his ambitious and military dispositions, by demanding Silesia from Maria Theresa, heiress of the emperor Charles VI. in his Austrian and Hungarian dominions, and pursuing his claim by force of arms. The emperor died October 20, 1740, and Lower Silesia had submitted to Frederic in November 1741. France stepped forward to support his pretensions; but in June 1742, he had signed a treaty at Breslaw, with the queen of Hungary, which left him in possession of Silesia and the county of Glatz. In the spring of 1744, either suspecting that the treaty of Breslaw would be broken, or moved again by ambition, betook arms under pretence of supporting the election of the emperor Charles VII. and declared war against Maria Theresa, who refused to acknowledge that prince. The war was continued with various success, but on the whole very gloriously for Frederic, till the latter end of 1745. It was concluded by a treaty signed at Dresden on Christmas day, by which the court of Vienna left him in possession of Upper and Lower Silesia (excepting some districts, and the whole county of Glatz) on condition that he should acknowledge Francis I. of Lorraine as emperor.
In 1755, the contegt between England and France, concerning their American possessions, led those powers
In 1755, the contegt between England and France, concerning their American possessions, led those powers to eekallies. England made alliance with Prussia, and France with Austria. The boldness and decision of Frederick’s character were now remarkably displayed. Suspecting a design against him among the continental powers, and having even gained intelligence of a secret treaty, in which the king of Poland, elector of Saxony, was concerned, he published a strong manifesto, and marched at once with a powerful army into Saxony. But the states of the empire, not satisfied with the reasons he alleged, declared war against him, as a disturber of the public peace. In 1757, he found himself obliged to contend at once with Russia, the German empire, the house of Austria, Saxony, Sweden, and France. The numerous armies of his enemies overran his whole dominions; yet his activity and courage were ready in every quarter to give them battle. He was defeated by the Russians, had gained a battle against the Austrians, and had lost another in Bohemia, by the 18th of June, 1757. But on the 5th of November the same year, he met the Austrians and the French at Rosbach, on the frontiers of Saxony, and repaired his former losses by a signal victory. His genius had invented a new species of military exercise, and his enemies probably owed their defeat to their imperfect attempts to imitate what his soldiers had completely learned. Within a month he had gained another victory over the Austrians near Breslaw, in consequence of which he took that city, with 15,000 prisoners, and recovered all Silesia. Throughout the war, with an ability almost incredible, he gained so many advantages, and recovered with 'such promptitude the losses he sustained, that the prodigious force combined against him was rendered ineffectual. Peace was at length concluded, Feb. 15, 1763, when the possession of Silesia was confirmed to him, and he, on his part, promised his suffrage to the election of Joseph, son of the emperor, as king of the Romans. This was the most splendid military period of his life.
onsiderable territories belonging to Poland, of which the king of Prussia had his stare with Austria and Russia. The remainder of his reign, with very little exception,
The year 1772 was remarkable for giving a proof of the insecurity of a small country situated between powerful neighbours, in the seizure of considerable territories belonging to Poland, of which the king of Prussia had his stare with Austria and Russia. The remainder of his reign, with very little exception, was devoted to the arts of peace; and his attention was diligently employed to give his subjects every advantage, consistent with a despotic government, of just laws, improving commerce, and the cultivation of the arts. Whatever were his errors in opinion or practice, which were both of the worst kind, or his offences against other powers, he sought and obtained the attachment of his subjects, by exemplary beneficence, and many truly royal virtues, mixed, however, with acts of extraordinary caprice and cruelty. He died August 17, 1786, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.
Frederic, like Cesar, united the talents of a writer with those of a warrior. He wrote in French, and was a tolerable poet; but his abilities are more displayed in
Frederic, like Cesar, united the talents of a writer with
those of a warrior. He wrote in French, and was a tolerable poet; but his abilities are more displayed in history.
His poem on the art of war is, however, valuable, both
from his deep knowledge of the subject, ^and the traits of
genius it displays. His works compose altogether nineteen volumes, 8vo. His poetical compositions, which, excepting his poem on the Art of War, consist chiefly of
odes and epistles, passed through many editions under the
title of “Oeuvres melees du Philosophe de Sans Souci.
”
But all the works published in his life, both in prose and
verse, were collected in four vols. 8vo, in 1790, under the
title of “Oeuvres primitives de Frederic II. Roi de Prusse,
ou collection desouvragesqu'il publia pendant son regne.
”
Of this publication, the first volume contains his “AntiMachiuvel; military instructions for the general of his
army; and his correspondence with M. de la Motte Fouquei.
” TJie second, his “Memoirs of the House of Branden burgh.
” In the third volume are his poems; and in
the fourth, a variety of pieces in prose, philosophical,
moral, historical, critical, and literary; particularly “Reflections on the military talents and character of Charles
XII. king of Sweden; a discourse on war; letters on education, and on the love of our country; and a discourse on
German literature.
” His posthumous works hud been published stiil earlier. They appeare4 at Berlin in 1788, in
15 vols. 8vo. The two first of these contain the “History
of his own Time, to the year 1745.
” The third and fourth,
his “History of the Seven Years’ War.
” The fifth contains “Memoirs from the Peace of Hubertsbourg in 1763,
to the Partition of Poland in 1775.
” The sixth is filled
with miscellaneous matter, particularly “Considerations
on the present state of the political powers of Europe,
”
and “an Essay on Forms of Government, and on the
duties of Sovereigns.
” The seventh and eighth volumes
contain poetical pieces, and some letters to Jordan and
Voltaire. The remaining seven volumes continue his correspondence, including letters to and from Fontenelle,
Rollin, Voltaire, D‘Argens, D’Alembert, Condorcet, and
others. Of these productions many are valuable, more
especially his “History of his own Times,
” where, however, he is more impartial in his accounts of his campaigns,
than in assigning the motives for his wars, or estimating
the merits of his antagonists.
ished by his correctness in facts, the liveliness of his portraits, the justness of his reflections, and the vigour of his style. The “Frederician Code” displays him
His “Memoirs of the House of Brandenburg
” are distinguished by his correctness in facts, the liveliness of his
portraits, the justness of his reflections, and the vigour of
his style. The “Frederician Code
” displays him in the
light of an able legislator, copying the Roman law, but
adapting it with skill to the nature and circumstances of
his own dominions. In his lighter productions he was an
imitator of Voltaire,* whose friendship he long cultivated,
and whose irreligious opinions unhappily he too completely
imbibed. The activity of his mind was easily discerned in
the vivacity of his eyes and countenance: and he was one
of those extraordinary men who by an adroit and regular
partition of their time, accompanied with strong spirits and
perseverance, can pursue a variety of occupations which
common mortals must contemplate with astonishment.
Had he not been a king, he would in any situation have
been a very distinguished man: being a king, he displayed those talents which usually require the retirement
of private life for their cultivation, in a degree of excellence which his situation and mode of life rendered not
less extraordinary than those qualities which he possessed
in the highest perfection.
s habitual mode of life, as it is given by the best authorities. His dress was plain in the extreme, and always military; a few minutes early in the morning served him
As all particulars respecting a man so eminent are objects of attention, we shall subjoin the account of his habitual mode of life, as it is given by the best authorities.
His dress was plain in the extreme, and always military;
a few minutes early in the morning served him to arrange
it, and it was never altered in the <lay boots always made
a part of it. Every moment, from five o‘clock in the morning to ten at night, had its regular allotment. His first
employment when he arose, was tr> peruse all the papers
that were addressed to him from all parts of his dominions,
the lowest of his subjects being allowed to write to him,
and certain of an answer. Every proposal was to be made,
and every favour to be asked in writing; and a single word
written with a pencil in the margin, informed his secretaries what answer to return. This expeditions method,
excluding all verbal discussion, saved abundance of time,
and enabled the king so well to weigh his favours, that he
was seldom deceived by his ministers, and seldom assented
or denied improperly. About eleven o’clock the king appeared in his garden, and reviewed his regiment of guards,
which was done at the same hour by all the colonels in his
provinces. At twelve precisely, he dined; and usually
invited eight or nine officers. At table he discarded all
etiquette, in hopes of making conversation free and equal;
but, though his own bons-mots and liveliness offered all the
encouragement in his power, this is an advantage that an
absolute monarch cannot easily obtain. Two hours after
dinner Frederic retired to his study, where he amused himself in composing verse or prose, or in the cultivation of
some branch of literature. At seven commenced a private
concert, in which he played upon the flute with the skill
of a professor; and frequently had pieces rehearsed which
he had composed himself. The concert was followed by a
supper, to which few were admitted except literary men
and philosophers; and the topics of conversation were
suited to such a party. As he sacrificed many of his own
gratifications to the duties of royalty, he exacted a severe
account from officers, and all who held any places under
htm. But in many things he was indulgent, and particularly held all calumny in so much contempt, that he suffered some of the most scurrilous writers to vent their
malice with impunity. “It is my business,
” said he, “to
do the duties of my station, and to let malevolence say
what it will.
”
the ancient family of Fregoso, was the son of Peter Fregoso, who was elected doge of Genoa in 1450, and arrived himself at that honour in Nov. 1473. His arbitrary conduct,
, of the ancient
family of Fregoso, was the son of Peter Fregoso, who was
elected doge of Genoa in 1450, and arrived himself at
that honour in Nov. 1473. His arbitrary conduct, however, assisted the ambitious designs of his uncle Paul,
archbishop of Genoa, who procured him to be deposed in
1483, and himself to be elected in his stead. Baptist was
then banished to Tregui. When he died is not known.
He amused himself in his exile by writing various works,
among which was a collection of “Memorable Actions
and Sayings,
” addressed to his son Peter, and containing some particulars of his own life. Vossius has improperly classed him among Latin historians, on account
of this work, which was written in Italian, but he had probably seen only Ghilini’s translation, published under the
title “Batistte Fulgosi de dictis factisque memorabilibus
collectanea a Camillo Ghilino Latina facta, libri novem,
”
Milan, La vita di Martino V.
” pope, bnt it
tioes not appear whether it was published; and *' De Foeminis quae doctrina excelluerunt,“which appears to have
been taken from his
” Dicta,“and inserted in a collection
respecting learned ladies by Ravisius Textor, Paris, 1521,
fol. The only remaining publication of his was a treatise
against love, entitled
” Anteros." This is one of the
earliest printed books, bearing date Milan, 1496, according to Clement, but Niceron says 1469.
, a German, was descended from a learned family, and born at Augsburg, July 26, 1565. He went into France very young,
, a German, was descended from
a learned family, and born at Augsburg, July 26, 1565.
He went into France very young, to study the civil law
under Cujacius; yet paid so much attention to history and
criticism, that he became eminent in both. When he was
scarcely three and twenty, he was chosen among the counsellors of Casimir, prince of Palatine, and the year after
made professor of law at Heidelberg, where he lived in
friendship with Leunclavius, Sylburgius, Opsoprcus, the
younger Douza, and other learned men of his time. Some
little time after, he resigned his professor’s chair, and was
taken into the most important employments by the elector
Frederic IV. This prince made him vice-president of his
court, and sent him in quality of ambassador to several
places. In the midst of these occupations he never
intermitted his usual method of studying; and wrote a great
many works upon criticism, law, and history, the history
of his own country in particular. When we view the catalogue of them given by Melchior Adam, we are ready to
imagine that he must have lived a very long life, and
hardly have done any thing but write books; yet he died
in his forty-ninth year, May 13, 1614. Oouza says that
he seems to have been born for the advancement of polite
literature: and Thuanus acknowledges that it would be
difficult to find his equal in all Germany. Casaubon calls
him a man of profound and universal knowledge; and
Scioppius says that he joined great acuteness to an incredible depth of learning. Add to this, that he was perfectly skilled in coins, medals, statues, antiques of all
sorts, and could paint very well. His moral qualities are
described as not inferior to his intellectual; so that Melchior Adam seems justly to have lamented, that a man who
deserved so much to be immortal, should have died so
soon. His principal works are, 1. “Origines Palatinae,
”
fol. 2. “De Inquisitionis processu,
” De
re monetaria veterum Romanorum, &c.
” Leyden, Rerum Bohemicarum scriptores,
” Hanau,
Rerum Germanic-arum scriptores,
” fol.
S vols. Corpus historia Francia,
” fol. &c.
y. Of him we have no account, except that he was a physician of Noriberg, where he was born in 1611, and died in 1682. The work was prepared for the press by a nephew.
, author of the very useful “Theatrum
Virorum eruditione singulari clarorum,
” Norib. 1688, 2
vols. fol. was of this family. Of him we have no account,
except that he was a physician of Noriberg, where he was
born in 1611, and died in 1682. The work was prepared
for the press by a nephew.
her being a husbandman, who lived near Basil. He studied the law in his native country under Za&ius, and had likewise Henry Glarean and Peter Ramus for his masters.
, a German, who
acquired great reputation by his learned labours, was born
at Friburg in the 16th century; his father being a husbandman, who lived near Basil. He studied the law in
his native country under Za&ius, and had likewise Henry
Glarean and Peter Ramus for his masters. He was strongly
attached to the principles and method of Ramus. He first
taught at Friburg, and afterwards at Basil but, finding
himself not favoured by fortune, he was going to disengage
himself from the republic of letters, and to turn peasant.
While he was meditating upon this plan, the senate of Nuremberg, at the desire of Jerom Wolfius, offered him the
rectorship of the new college at Altorf; of which place he
took possession in November 1575. He discharged the
duties of it with great zeal, explaining the historians, poets,
Justinian’s institutes, c. He returned to Basil, and died
there of the plague in 1583, which disorder had a little
before deprived him of a very promising son and two
daughters. One of the latter was, it seems, a very extraordinary young lady; for, as he tells us in the dedication to his elegies, or “Liber Tristium,
” though scarce
twelve years old, she had yet made such a progress in the
Latin and Greek grammars, and the rudiments of other
sciences, that she could translate out of her mother tongue
into Latin, decline and conjugate Greek, repeat the Lord’s
Prayer in Hebrew, and scan verses: she understood addition and subtraction in arithmetic, could sing by note,
and play on the lute. And lest his reader should conclude
from hence, that she had none of those qualities which
make her sex useful as well as accomplished, he calls her
in the same place, “Oeconomise meae fidelem administrain
et dispensatricem,
” that is, a very notable housewife.
g the rest, “Quastiones Geometricae et Stereometricae” a supplement to the history of Paulus Æmil'ms and Ferron, as far as the year 1596. “Logica Consultorum” a Latin
Freigius published a great number of books among the
rest, “Quastiones Geometricae et Stereometricae
” a supplement to the history of Paulus Æmil'ms and Ferron, as
far as the year 1596. “Logica Consultorum
” a Latin
translation of Frobisher’s voyages, and of the African wars,
in which Don Sebastian, king of Portugal, lost his life.
“Ciceronis Orationes perpetuis notis logicis, arithmeticis, ethicis, politicis, historicis, illustratte,
” 3 vols. 8vo,
at Basil, 1583.
ton in Northamptonshire, of which parish his father, William Freind, a man of great learning, piety, and integrity, was rector, and where he died in 1663. He was sent
, a learned English physician, was born
in 1675, at Croton in Northamptonshire, of which parish
his father, William Freind, a man of great learning, piety,
and integrity, was rector, and where he died in 1663. He
was sent to Westminster school, with his elder brother
Robert, and put under the care of the celebrated Dr.
Busby. He was thence elected to Christ Church, Oxford,
in 1690, over which Dr. Aldrich at that time presided;
and under his auspices undertook, in conjunction with
another young man, Mr. Foulkes, to publish an edition of
Æschines, and Demosthenes, “de Corona,
” which was
well received, andhas since been reprinted. About the
same time he was prevailed upon to revise the Delphin
edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, reprinted in 8vo, at
Oxford, in 1696, which Dr. Bentley has severely criticised.
Mr. Freind was director of Mr. Boyle’s studies, and wrote
the Examination of Dr. Bentley’s Dissertation on jEsop,
which may account for that great critic’s speaking more
disrespectfully of his talents than justice required.
Hitherto he had been employed in reading the poets, orators, and historians of antiquity, by which he had made himself a perfect
Hitherto he had been employed in reading the poets,
orators, and historians of antiquity, by which he had made
himself a perfect master in the Greek language, and had
acquired a great facility of writing elegant Latin, in verse
as well as prose. He now began to apply himself to physic; and his first care, as we are told, was to digest
thoroughly the true and rational principles of natural philosophy, chemistry, and anatomy, to which he add.ed a
sufficient acquaintance with the mathematics. The first
public specimen that he gave of his abilities in the way of
his profession was in 1699, when he wrote a letter to Dr.
(afterwards sir) HansSloane, concerning an hydrocephalus,
or watery head; and, in 1701, another letter in Latin to
the same gentleman, “De Spasmi rarioris Historia,
” or
concerning some extraordinary cases of persons afflicted
with convulsions in Oxfordshire, which at that time made
a very great noise, and might probably have been magnified into something supernatural, if our author had not
taken great pains to set them in a true light. It seems a
little strange that these letters should not have been
thought worthy of a place in the collection of his medical
works; they may be found, however, in the “Philosophical Transactions,
” the former being No.
Being nw well known and distinguished, Freind began to meditate larger works. He observed
Being nw well known and distinguished, Freind began
to meditate larger works. He observed that Sanctorius,
Borelli, and Baglivi, in Italy, and Pitcairne and Keil here
at home, had introduced a new and more certain method
of investigating medical truths than had been formerly
known; and he resolved to apply this way of reasoning,
in order to set a certain subject of great importance, of
daily use, and general concern, about which the learned
have always been divided, in such a light as might put an
end to disputes. This he did by publishing, in 1703,
“Emmenologia in qua fluxus muliebris menstrui phaenomena, periodi, vitia, cum medendi methodo, ad rationed
mechanicas exiguntur,
” 8vp. This work, which is founded
on the principles of the mechanic sect of physicians, who
then flourished under the auspices of Baglivi and others,
though at first it met some opposition, and was then and
afterwards animadverted upon by several writers, has always been reckoned an excellent performance; and is, as
all our author’s writings are, admirable for the beauty of
its style, the elegant disposition of its parts, its wonderful
succinctness, and at the same time perspicuity, and for
the happy concurrence of learning and penetration visibie
through the whole.
In 1704- he was chosen professor of chemistry at Oxford; and, the year after, attended the earl of Peterborough in his Spanish
In 1704- he was chosen professor of chemistry at Oxford;
and, the year after, attended the earl of Peterborough in
his Spanish expedition, as physician to the army there, in
which post he continued near two years. From thence he
made the tour of Italy, and went to Rome, as well for tho
sake of seeing the antiquities of that city, as for the
pleasure of visiting and conversing with Baglivi and Lancisi, physicians then in the zenith of their reputation. On
his return to England in 1707, he found the character of
his patron very rudely treated; and, from a spirit of gra*titucie, published a defence of him, entitled “An Account
of the earl of Peterborough’s Conduct in Spain, chiefly
since the raising the siege of Barcelona, 1706;
” to which
is added, “The Campaign of Valencia. With original
papers, 1707,
” 8vo. This piece, relating to party-matters, made a great noise, some loudly commending, others
as loudly condemning it; so that a third edition of it was
published in 1708.
anno 1704, Oxonii, in Musceo Ashmoleano habitce.” These lectures are dedicated to sir Isaac Newton, and are nine in number, besides three tables. They were attacked
In 1707 he was created doctor of physic by diploma.
Jn 1709 he published his “Praelectiones Chymicae: in
quibus omnes fere operationes chymicas ad vera principia
et ipsius naturae leges rediguntur; anno 1704, Oxonii, in
Musceo Ashmoleano habitce.
” These lectures are dedicated to sir Isaac Newton, and are nine in number, besides
three tables. They were attacked by the German philosophers, who w^re greatly alarmed at the new principles;
and therefore the authors of “Acta Eruditorum,
” in 171O,
prefixed to their account of them a censure, in which they
treated the principles of the Newtonian philosophy as figments, and the method of arguing made use of in thes&
lectures as absurd; because, in their opinion, it tended
to recall occult qualities in philosophy. To this groundless
charge an answer was given by Freind, which was published
in Latin, in the “Philosophical Transactions,
” and added,
by way of appendix, to the second edition of the “Prælectiones Chymicse.
” Both the answer and the book have
been translated, and printed together in English.
In 1711 Dr. Freind was elected a member of the royal society, and the same year attended the duke of Ormond into Flanders, as
In 1711 Dr. Freind was elected a member of the royal
society, and the same year attended the duke of Ormond
into Flanders, as his physician. He resided mostly after
his return, at London, and gave himself up wholly to the
cares of his profession*. In 1716 he was chosen a fellow
of the college of physicians, and the same year published
the first and third books of “Hippocrates de morbis popularibus,
” to which he added, a “Commentary upon Fevers/* divided into nine short dissertations. This very
learned work was indecently attacked by Dr. Woodward,
professor of physic in Gresham college, in his
” State of
Physic and of Diseases, with an enquiry into the causes of
the late increase of them, but more particularly of the
Small-pox, &c. 1718,“8vo and here was laid the foundation of a dispute, which was carried on with great acrimony and violence on both sides. Parties were formed
under these leaders, and several pamphlets were written.
Freind supported his opinion *' concerning the advantage
of purging in the second fever of the confluent kind of
small-pox
” (for it was on this single point that the dispute chiefly turned) in a Latin letter addressed to Dr. Mead
in 1719, and since printed among his works. He was
likewise supposed to be the author of a pamphlet, entitled
* A Letter to the learned Dr. Woodward, by Dr. By field,"
in 1719, in which Woodward is rallied with great spirit
and address; for Freind made no serious answer to Woodward’s book, but contented himself with ridiculing his antagonist under the name of a celebrated empyric. In 1717
bury, was then lord lieutenant, and had, to reside, or what he intends to do, not
bury, was then lord lieutenant, and had, to reside, or what he intends to do, not
that year, " At to Dr. Freind, I have hear again that it is your gract- % s |>leaknown him long, and cannot be with' sure 1 should do so, I will not fail
that year, " At to Dr. Freind, I have hear again that it is your gract- % s |>leaknown him long, and cannot be with' sure 1 should do so, I will not fail
leut paru, a a tnorouf h scholar, and Bolingbroke’s Letter*, by Parke. he read theGulstonian lecture
leut paru, a a tnorouf h scholar, and Bolingbroke’s Letter*, by Parke. he read theGulstonian lecture in the college of physicians; and, in 1720, spoke the Harveian oration, which was afterwards published. In 1722 he was elected into parliament for Launceston in Cornwall; and acting in his station as a senator with that warmth and freedom which was natural to him, he distinguished himself by some able speeches against measures which he disapproved. He was supposed to have a hand in Atterbury’s plot, as it was then called, for the restoration of the Stuart family; and having been also one of the speakers in favour of A tterbury, this drew upon him so much resentment, that the Habeas Corpus act being at that time suspended, he was, March 15, 1722-3, committed to the Tower. He continued a prisoner there till June 21, when he was admitted to bail, his sureties being Dr. Mead, Dr. Hulse, Dr. Levet, and Dr. Hale; and afterwards, in November, was discharged from his recognizance. Dr. Mead’s princely conduct on this occasion must not be forgotten. When called to attend sir Robert Walpole in sickness, he refused to prescribe until Dr. Freind was set at liberty, and afterwards presented Dr. Freind with 5000 guineas, which he had received in fees from his (Dr. Freind’s) patients.
The leisure afforded him by this confinement was not so much disturbed by uneasy thoughts and apprehensions, but that he could employ himself in a manner
The leisure afforded him by this confinement was not so
much disturbed by uneasy thoughts and apprehensions,
but that he could employ himself in a manner suitable to
his abilities and profession; and accordingly he wrote
another letter in Latin to Dr. Mead, “concerning some
particular kind of Small-pox.
” Here also he laid the plan
of his last and most elaborate work, “The History of
Physic, from the time of Galen to the beginning of the
sixteenth century, chiefly with regard to practice: in a
discourse written to Dr. Mead.
” The first part was published in Observations on Dr. Freind’s History of Physic, &c.
” Bibliotheque Ancienne et Moderne,
” but its reputation suffered very little by either.
Soon after he obtained his liberty he was made physician to the prince of Wales; and, on that prince’s accession to the throne as George II. became
Soon after he obtained his liberty he was made physician
to the prince of Wales; and, on that prince’s accession to
the throne as George II. became physician to the queen,
who honoured him with a share of her confidence and
esteem. Very early in 1727-8, bishop Atterbury addressed to Dr. Freind his celebrated “Letter on the Character of Japis,
” of whom he justly considered this learned
physician to be the modern prototype. But whatever
opinion he entertained of his professional abilities, it appears from “Atterbury’s Correspondence
” that he had
some reason to regret, if not resent, Dr. Freind’s becoming a favourite at court, and as Mr. Morice informs us,
“an absolute courtier.
” Dr. Freind did not, however,
long enjoy this favour, but died of a fever, July 26, 1728,
in his fifty-second year. Their majesties expressed the
utmost concern at his death, and settled a pension upon
his widow, Anne, eldest daughter of Thooias Morice, esq.
paymaster of the forces in Portugal. Dr. Freind married
this lady in 1709, and by her had an only son, John, who
was educated at Westminster school, and became afterwards a student at Christ Church in Oxford. He died in
1752, unmarried. Dr. Freind was buried at Hitcham in
Buckinghamshire, near which he had a seat; but there is
a monument erected to him in Westminster-abbey, with a
suitable inscription. He had himself rendered the like
kind office to more than one of his friends, being peculiarly
happy in this sort of composition; for the inscription on
the monument of Sprat, bishop of Rochester, was from
his pen; but that on Philips, which had been ascribed to
him, is since ascertained to be by Atterbury. Dr. Wigan
published his Latin works together at London, in 1733,
in folio, adding to them a translation of his “History of
Physic
” into the same language, with an excellent historical preface; and to the whole is prefixed an elegant dedication to his royal patroness the late queen, by his brother Dr. Robert Freind. His works were reprinted at
Paris in 1735, 4to.
727, directs all his pictures to be sold (except those of his wife, his son, the bishop of Rochester and his son, and his own brother). He gives 100l. a year to his
Dr. Freind, in his last will, dated March 12, 1727, directs all his pictures to be sold (except those of his wife, his son, the bishop of Rochester and his son, and his own brother). He gives 100l. a year to his brother William, and lOOOl. to Christ Church, Oxford, to found an anatomical lecture. The greater part of his fortune he bequeathed to his nephew William, son to his brother Robert. His widow died in Sept, 1737. The manor of Hitcham was purchased by the Freinds in 1700, and continued in that family until the death of Robert Freind, e*q. Jan. 26, 1780, soon after which it was purchased by the present lord Grenville, who has a house in that neighbourhood.
on. He was not only venerated in this country, but on the continent, by Hoffman, Helvetius, Hecquet, and Boerhaave. His character is perhaps drawn with most fidelity
There is little occasion to quote authorities in praise of Dr. Freind, whose works are a lasting testimony of his uncommon abilities in his profession. He was not only venerated in this country, but on the continent, by Hoffman, Helvetius, Hecquet, and Boerhaave. His character is perhaps drawn with most fidelity and elegance by Dr. Edward Wilmot in the Harveian oration of 1735.
, eldest brother of the preceding, was born in 16'67, and admitted in 1680 at Westminster school, whence he was elected
, eldest brother of the preceding,
was born in 16'67, and admitted in 1680 at Westminster
school, whence he was elected to Christ Church, Oxford,
in. 1686. While a student there he wrote some good
verses on the inauguration of king William and queen
Mary, which were printed in the Oxford collection. In,
the celebrated dispute between Bentley and Boyle, Mr.
Freind was a warm partizan for the honour of his college,
but was eventually more lucky with Bentley than his brother, Dr. John. A neice of our author’s was married to
a son of Dr. Bentley, who, after that event, conceived a
better opinion of the Christ Church men, and declared
that “Freind had more good learning in him than ever he
had imagined.
” Mr. Freind proceeded M. A. June I, In 1724 he published Cicero’s
” Orator,“and in 1728 Mr. Bowyer, the celebrated
printer, was indebted to him for the Westminster verses
on the coronation of George II. In April 1729, Dr. Freind
obtained a canonry of Windsor, which in 173l i he exchanged for a prebend of Westminster, and in 1733 he
quitted Westminster school. In 1734 he was desirous of
resigning Witney to his son (afterwards dean of
Canterbury); but could not do it without the permission of bishop
Hoadly, which he had little reason to expect. On application, however, to that prelate, through queen Caroline
and lady Sundon, he received this laconic answer,
” If
Dr. Freind can ask it, I can grant it." Dr. Freind’s letters
to lady Sundon are still existing, and prove that he had as
little scruple in asking, as bishop Hoadly had in flattering
a lady, who, by her influence with queen Caroline, became for a considerable time the sole arbitress of churchpreferments. In 1744 Dr. Freind resigned his stall at
Westminster in favour of his son, and died August 9, 1751.
By Jane his wife, one of the two daughters of Dr. Samuel
Delangle, a prebendary of Westminster, he had two sons,
Charles, who died in 1736, and William, his successor at
Witney, and afterwards dean of Canterbury.
Dr. Freind wrote a good deal of poetry, Latin and English, the former thought preferable. His various pieces are
Dr. Freind wrote a good deal of poetry, Latin and English, the former thought preferable. His various pieces are inserted in Mr. Nichols’s collection. He was a man of unquestionable learning, but held in less estimation than his brother the physician, on the score of personal character. His son, Dr. William Freind, dean of Canterbury, some particulars of whom may be found in our authority, died in 1766.
, a learned classical editor, was born in 1608, in the city of Dim in Swabia, and after studying law in the universities of Marpurg and Giessen,
, a learned classical editor, was born in 1608, in the city of Dim in Swabia, and after studying law in the universities of Marpurg and Giessen, came to Strasburgh, where some poetical attempts in the German language recommended him to Matthias Bernegger, who made him his librarian. With this advantage, he applied to those classical pursuits on which his fame rests. He came afterwards to France, where he was admitted among the king’s interpreters, but did not remain here above three years, returning in 1637 to Strasburgh, where he married the daughter of his patron Bernegger. The university of Upsal making him very liberal offers, he accepted the professorship of eloquence, and filled that office for five years. Queen Christina then invited him to her court, appointed him her librarian and historiographer, with 2000 crowns salary, and a table; but the air of the country not agreeing with him, he was obliged to quit this profitable situation in 1655, and return home. Freinshewas a man of extensive learning; for, besides Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, he was familiar with almost all the living languages of Europe, and his fame induced the elector Palatine, when he projected the restoration of the university of Heidelberg, to appoint him honorary professor, and electoral counsellor. He accordingly removed with his family to Heidelberg in 1656, and died there in 1660.
rendered many services to the republic of letters, first by his edition of Florus, whom he corrected and explained very happily. His father in-law, Bernegger, engaged
Freinshemius rendered many services to the republic of letters, first by his edition of Florus, whom he corrected and explained very happily. His father in-law, Bernegger, engaged him in this work; and was afterwards surprised at the great penetration and judgment which Freinshemius had shewn in discovering what had escaped all the learned before him. This was first published when he was a very young man, in 1632, 8vo, and his notes have been printed entire in the best editions of this author. So have his notes upon Tacitus; which, though short, are very judicious, relating to such particulars as Lipsius and the other critics either knew not or omitted. This was published in 1638 and 1664, with an admirable index.
But the works by which he has been most distinguished, are his famous supplements to Quintus Curtius and Livy. There was a supplement, indeed, to Quintus Curtius before;
But the works by which he has been most distinguished, are his famous supplements to Quintus Curtius and Livy. There was a supplement, indeed, to Quintus Curtius before; but as that was nothing more than a miserable compilation from Justin and Arrian, without either judgment or order, Freinshemius thought it expedient to draw up a new one. For this purpose he consulted every author, Greek and Latin, ancient and modern, which could be of the least use, and executed his task so much to the approbation and satisfaction of the public, that they almost ceased to deplore the loss of the two first books of this entertaining historian. His edition appeared at Strasburgh, 1640, 2 vols. Some, however, have still more admired his supplement to Livy, which is composed with equal judgment and learning, and must have been a Herculean labour. Le Clerc has printed this supplement with his inaccurate edition of Livy at Amsterdam, 1710. He declares the whole to be very ingenious and learned, but thinks that there is most purity and elegance in the first ten books of it; some speeches in which are incomparable. The fact is, that these ten books were published in the author’s life time; the others after his death. Besides what has been mentioned above, Freinshemius wrote noies upon Phadrus, inserted in Holstius’s edit. Amst. 1664, and other philological performances.
, an elegant Portuguese writer in prose and verse, was born in 1597, at Beja in Portugal, and became abbé
, an elegant Portuguese writer in prose and verse, was born in 1597, at Beja
in Portugal, and became abbé of St. Mary de Chans. He
appeared at first with some distinction at the court of
Spain, but his attachment to the house of Braganza impeded his advancement. In 1640, when John IV. was
proclaimed king of Portugal, he went to his court, and
was well received. Yet it was found difficult to advance
him, for he was of too light and careless a character to be
employed in diplomatic business; and though the king
would have gone so far as to make him bishop of Visieu,
this dignity he had the wisdom to refuse, well-knowing
that the pope who did not acknowledge his master as king,
would never confirm his appointment as bishop. He did
not choose, he said, merely to personate a bishop, like an
actor on a stage. He died at Lisbon in 1657. Notwithstanding the levity of his character, he had a generous
heart, and was a firm and active friend. He wrote with
much success; his “Life of Don Juan de Castro,
” is
esteemed one of the best written books in the Portuguese
language. It was published in folio, and was translated
into Latin by Rotto, an Italian Jesuit. He wrote also a
small number of poems in the same language, which have
considerable elegance, and are to be found in a collection
published at Lisbon in 1718, under the title of “Fenix
Renacida.
”
retire to Osnaburg, he began his classical studies there. He was afterwards sent to Cologne, Wesel, and Helmstadt; but his disposition being early turned to medicine,
, a learned physician, was born at Nieder Wesel, in the duchy of Cleves, Oct. 30, 1581 but his relations being compelled, by the troubles of the times, to retire to Osnaburg, he began his classical studies there. He was afterwards sent to Cologne, Wesel, and Helmstadt; but his disposition being early turned to medicine, as a profession, he studied at Rostock, afterwards returned to Helmstadt to attend the lectures of Duncan Liddell and of Francis Parcovius; he likewise derived much advantage from the lectures of the celebrated Meibomius, in whose house he resided in the capacity of tutor to his son, and was soon thought fit to give private lectures to the younger students on the practice of physic. He afterwards lectured in public as professor extraordinary; and in 1604, at the age of twenty-three, he obtained the ordinary professorship in the university, which office he filled during four years. He then took his degree of doctor, and went to the court of Philip Sigismund, duke of Brunswick Lunenburg, and bishop of Osnaburg, who had appointed him his principal physician. About 1622, Ernest, duke of Holstein and earl of Schawenburg, offered him the same office, with the addition of the chief medical professorship in the university which he had lately founded at Rinteln; but his patron would not permit him. to accept it. This prince-bishop dying in 1623, his nephew, duke Frederic Ulric, gave Freitag the option of being his chief physician, or of resuming his professorship at Helmstadt. He con*tinued at Osnaburg, where the new bishop retained him as his physician, and also appointed him one of his chamberlains. He also served his successor in the same capacity, but was dismissed in 1631, on account of his refusal to become a catholic. He found protection and patronage, however, under Ernest Cassimir, count of Nassau, and. the counts of Bettheim, who procured for him the vacant professorship in the university of Groningen. He fulfilled this new appointment with great reputation, and continued to distinguish himself by the success of his practice till the decline of his life, which was accelerated by a complication of maladies. Dropsy, gout, gravel, aud fever, terminated his life Feb. 8, 1641.
Freitag was a follower of the chemical sect, and also a partisan of the philosophy of the ancients, to which
Freitag was a follower of the chemical sect, and also a
partisan of the philosophy of the ancients, to which indeed he retained his attachment with so much bigotry, that
no efforts of hjs friends could ever prevail upon him to
change his opinion. He published several works. 1 “Noctes
Medicæ, sive de Abusu Medicinæ Tractatus,
” Francfort,
Aurora Medicorum Galeno-chernicorum, seu
de rectâ purgandi methodo è priscis sapientiæ decretis
postliminio in lucem redacta,
” ibid. Disputatio Medica de morbis substantiæ et cognatis quæstionibus,
contra hujus temporis Novatores et Paradoxologos,
” Groningen, Disputatio Medica calidi innati essentiam juxta veteris Medicinæ & Philosophiæ decreta explicans, opposita Neotericorum et Novatorum Paradoxis,
”
ibid. De Ossis natura et medicamentis opiatis
Liber singularis, &c.
” Groningen, Disputatio
Medico-philosophica de Formarum origine,
” Groningen,
Oratio panegyrica de persona et officio
Pharmacopæi,
” &c. ibid. 1633. 8. “Detectio et solida Refutatio novæ Sectæ Sennerto-Paracelsicæ,
” Amsterdam,
he was studying at Rome, the suffrages of that place were divided between Michael Angelo Caravaggio, and Joseph of Arpino, called Giuseppino; and he succeeded in imitating
, a celebrated French painter; was born at Paris in 1567. When he was studying at Rome, the suffrages of that place were divided between Michael Angelo Caravaggio, and Joseph of Arpino, called Giuseppino; and he succeeded in imitating the excellencies of both. He was a great master of design, and of the sciences connected with his art, perspective and architecture; but there is a boldness in his manner, approaching to hardness, which is not always approved. Henry IV. however, appointed him his chief painter, and Louis XIII. honoured him with the order of St. Michael. He painted the cieling in the chapel at Fontainbleau, and died at Paris, June 18, 1619.
hysician, the son of John French, of Broughton, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, was born there in 1616, and entered New-Inn-hall, Oxford, in 1633, when he took his degrees
, an English physician, the son of John
French, of Broughton, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, was
born there in 1616, and entered New-Inn-hall, Oxford, in
1633, when he took his degrees in arts. He afterwards
studied medicine, and acted as physician to the parliamentary army, by the patronage of the Fiennes, men of
great influence at that time; he was also one of the two
physicians to the whole army under general Fairfax. In
1648, when the earl of Pembroke visited the university of
Oxford, he was created M. D. and was about the same
time physician to the Savoy, and one of the college. He
went abroad afterwards as physician to the English army at
Bulloigne, and died there in Oct. or Nov. 1657. Besides
translations of some medical works from Paracelsus and
Glauber, he published “The An of Distillation,
” Lond.
The Yorkshire Spaw, or a Treatise of
Four famous medicinal wells: viz. the spaw, or vitrioline
well; the stinking or sulphur well; the dropping or petrifying well; and St. Magnus-well, near Knaresborow in
Yorkshire. Together with the causes, vertues, and use
thereof,
” Lond.
, a celebrated French mathematician of the seventeenth century, was the contemporary and companion of Des Cartes, Fermat, and the other learned mathematicians
, a celebrated French
mathematician of the seventeenth century, was the contemporary and companion of Des Cartes, Fermat, and the
other learned mathematicians of their time. He was admitted geometrician of the French academy in 1666; and
died in 1675. He had many papers inserted in the ancient
memoirs of the academy, of 1666, particularly in vol. V.
of that collection, viz. 1. “A method of resolving problems by Exclusions.
” 2. “Treatise of right-angled Triangles in Numbers.
” 3. “Short tract on Combinations.
”
4. “Tables of Magic Squares.
” 5. “General method of
making Tables of Magic Squares.
” His brother Nicolas
, a poet of the seventeenth century, born 160O, at Paris, was counsellor to the court of the mint, and died dean of the same court, after the year 1661, leaving several
, a poet of the seventeenth century, born 160O,
at Paris, was counsellor to the court of the mint, and died
dean of the same court, after the year 1661, leaving several children. Freriicle wrote many theatrical pieces as
“Palemon,
” a pastoral, 8vo; “Niobe,
” 8vo; “L'Entretien des Bergers,
” a pastoral, which is contained in
“Les Illustres Bergers,
” 8vo. Also a poem, entitled,
“Jesus crucifiej
” a “Paraphrase on the Psalms,
” in
verse, &c.
, an author of profound learning and considerable abilities, grossly misapplied, was born at Paris
, an author of profound learning
and considerable abilities, grossly misapplied, was born at
Paris in 1688. He was bred nominally to the law, but his
inclinations and talents not being suited to that profession,
he devoted himself, from an early period, to his favourite
studies of chronology and history. At twenty-five he was
admitted into the academy of inscriptions, where he produced at the same time “A Discourse on the Origin of
the French.
” This treatise, at once bold and learned,
added to some indiscreet conversations, occasioned his
being confined in the Bastille. In his confinement, he
could obtain no book but the dictionary of Bayle, which
he consequently read so earnestly as almost to learn it by
heart. He imbibed, at the same time, the scepticism of
Bayle, and even went beyond him in the grpssness and
impudence of his infidel sentiments, as clearly appears by
some of his writings. These were, 1. “Letters of Thrasybulus to Leucippe,
” in which atheism is reduced to a system. 2. “Examination of the Apologists for Christianity,
”
a posthumous work (not published till
stant object of the satire of Voltaire, was born at Quimper, in 1719. His talents were considerable, and he cultivated them in the society of the Jesuits, under fathers
, a French journalist, generally known for having been the constant object of the
satire of Voltaire, was born at Quimper, in 1719. His
talents were considerable, and he cultivated them in the
society of the Jesuits, under fathers Brumoy and Bougeant.
In 1739, on some disgust, he quitted the Jesuits, and for
a time assisted the abbé des Fontaines in his periodical
publications. He then published several critical works on
his own account, which were generally admired, but sometimes suppressed by authority. His “Letters on certain
writings of the time
” began to be published in Anne Litie>aire,
” and published
in that year 7 volumes of it; and afterwards 8 volumes
every year as long as he lived, which was till 1776. In
this work, FreVon, who was a zealous enemy of the modern
philosophy, attacked Voltaire with spirit. He represented
him as a skilful plagiary; as a poet, brilliant indeed, but
inferior to Corneille, Racine, and Boileau; as an elegant,
but inaccurate historian; and rather the tyrant than the
king of literature. A great part of this Voltaire could bear
with fortitude; but a very skilful and victorious attack
upon a bad comedy, “La Femme qui a raison,
” drove
him beyond all bounds of patience; and henceforward his
pen was constantly in motion against Fre>on, whose very
name at any time would put him in a rage, nor was Freron
more a favourite with the encyclopedists, whose principles
he exposed.
Frron, though very skilful in his criticisms, and of uncommon abilities (as Voltaire himself confessed before
Frron, though very skilful in his criticisms, and of uncommon abilities (as Voltaire himself confessed before he was irreconcileably provoked) suffered by the perpetual hostilities of an antagonist so high in reputation. His <* Anne'e Litte>aire," being constantly accused by Voltaire of partiality, began to be suspected, and the sale in some measure decreased. In foreign countries his talents were not well understood. He is the hero of Voltaire’s Dunchid, and nothing more is known about him. He was, in truth, a man of great natural genius and liveliness, with a correct taste, acute powers of discrimination, and a pecwliar talent of entertaining his reader, while he pointed out the faults of a work. He had an active zeal against false philosophy, innovation, and affectation, and was steadily attached to what he considered as sound principles. In private life he was easy and entertaining. Such were the real talents of this formidable journalist. It must be owned, also, that he had his partialities; that he was sometimes too precipitate in his judgments, and too severe in his censures. Too strong a resentment of injustice sometimes rendered him unjust. His language also was sometimes over-refined, though always perfectly pure. The academies of Angers, Montauban, Nancy, Marseilles, Caen, Arrai, and the Arcadi at Rome, were eager to have him enrolled among their members. He died in March 1776, at the age of fifty-seven.
only been objected that they are gather over-polished. 2. “Les VraisPlaisirs,” or the loves of Venus and Adonis; elegantly translated from Marino. 3. Part of a translation
Besides his periodical publications, Freron left several
works, l. “Miscellanies,
” in 3 vols. comprising several
poems, to which it has only been objected that they are
gather over-polished. 2. “Les VraisPlaisirs,
” or the loves
of Venus and Adonis; elegantly translated from Marino. 3.
Part of a translation of Lucretius. He also superintended
and retouched Beaumelle’s critical commentary on the
Henriade, and assisted in several literary works.
His son, Stanislaus Freron, was one of the most active accomplices in the atrocities which disgraced the French revolution, and appears to have had no higher ambition than
to rival Marat and Robespierre in cruelty. He died at St.
Domingo in 1802.
, an early poet of France, father of the celebrated Iveteaux, and the first who wrote satires in French, and an Art of Poetry,
, an early poet of
France, father of the celebrated Iveteaux, and the first
who wrote satires in French, and an Art of Poetry, was
born of a noble family at Fresnaye, near Falaise, iiv
1534-. He was bred a lawyer, and became the king’s advocate for the bailliage of Caen, and afterwards lieutenantgeneral and president of that city, where he died at the
age of seventy-two, in 1606. He wrote, 1. “Satires,
”
which though esteemed less strong than those of Regnier,
and less witty than those of Boileau, have truth and nature, and contain simple narratives, the style of which has,
something pleasing. 2. “The Art of Poetry.
” Copious
specimens of this performance may be seen in the notes
of St. Marc, on Boileau’s Art of Poetry. It has
considerable merit, but a merit which haa been superseded by later
efforts. 3. Two books of Idyllia, and three of epigrams,
epitaphs, and sonnets. 4. A poem on the monarchy. All
these were collected by himself in an edition of poems,
published at Caen in 1605.
, commonly called Du Cange, a learned Frenchman, was descended from a good family, and born at Amiens in 1610. After being taught polite literature
, commonly called
Du Cange, a learned Frenchman, was descended from a
good family, and born at Amiens in 1610. After being
taught polite literature in the Jesuits college there, he went
to study the Jaw at Orleans, and was sworn advocate to the
parliament of Paris in 1631. He practised some time at
the bar, but without intending to make it the business of
his life. He then returned to Amiens, where be devoted
himself to study, and ran through all sorts of learning,
languages and philosophy, law, physic, divinity, and history. In 1668, he went and settled at Paris; and soon
after a proposal was laid before Colbert, to collect all the
authors who at different times had written the history of
France, and to form a body out of them. This minister
liking the proposal, and believing Du Fresne the best
qualified for the undertaking, furnished him with memoirs
and manuscripts for this purpose. Du Fresne wrought
upon these materials, and drew up a large preface, containing the names of the authors, their character and manner, the time in which they lived, and the order in which
they ought to be arranged. Being informed from the
minister that his plan was not approved, and that he must
adopt another, and convinced that if he followed the order
prescribed, the whole work would be spoiled, he frankly
told his employers that since he had not been happy enough
to please those in authority, his advice was, that they
should look out some of the best hands in the kingdom;
and at the same time he returned them all their memoirs.
(See Bouquet). Being thus disengaged from a tedious
and laborious undertaking, he finished his Glossary of low
Latin, or “Glossarium Mediæ et infimæ Latinitatis,
”
which was received with general commendation; and though
Hadrian Valesius, in his preface to the Valesiana, notes
everal mistakes in it, it is nevertheless a very excellent
and useful work. It was afterwards enlarged by the addition
of more volumes; and the edition of Paris, by Carpentier,
in 1733, makes no less than six in folio; to which Carpentier afterwards added four of supplement. Both have
been since excellently abridged, consolidated, and improved, in 6 vols. 8vo, published at Halle, 1772 1784.
His next performance was a “Greek Glossary of the middle
age,
” consisting of curious passages and remarks, most
of which are drawn from manuscripts very little known.
This work is in 2 vols. folio. He was the author and editor
also of several other performances. He drew a genealogical map of the kings of France. He wrote the history
of Constantinople under the French emperors, which was
printed at the Louvre, and dedicated to the king. H
published an historical tract concerning John Baptist’s
head, some relics of which are supposed to be at Amiens.
He published, lastly, editions of Cinnamus, Nicephorus,
Anna Commena, Zonaras, and the Alexandrian Chronicon, with learned dissertations and notes.
Du Cange, as he is more commonly called, died in 1688, aged seventy-eight; and left four children, on whom Louis XIV. settled good pensions,
Du Cange, as he is more commonly called, died in 1688, aged seventy-eight; and left four children, on whom Louis XIV. settled good pensions, in consideration of their father’s merit.
Though the general merits and abilities of this profound and accurate etymologist have been
Though the general merits and abilities of this profound and accurate etymologist have been often recorded, Dr. Burney pays tribute to his memory for the assistance which he has frequently afforded musical historians, when all other resources failed. In the slow progress of the art of music from the time of Guido, whose labours were wholly devoted to the facilitating the study of canto fermo by the monks and choristers; in the glossary " De la Basse Latinitey 6 volumes folio, we find the derivation and early use of musical terms and phrases, particularly in France and neighbouring states; and there is scarcely term connected with the music of the church, of which an early use may not be found, either in this Glossary, or in its continuation by Carpentier, 4 vols. folio.
, a celebrated French poet and painter, was born at Paris in 1611. His father, who was an eminent
, 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.
He was nineteen or twenty years of age when he began to learn to design under Francis Perier, and having spent two years in the school of that painter, and of
He was nineteen or twenty years of age when he began to learn to design under Francis Perier, and having spent two years in the school of that painter, and of Simon Vouet, he thought proper to take a journey into Italy, where he arrived at the end of 1633, or the beginning of 1634. As he had di.ring his studies, applied himself very much to that of geometry, he began upon his coming to Rome to paint landscapes, buildings, and ancient ruins. But, for the first two years residence in that city, he had the utmost difficulty to support himself, being abandoned by his parents, who resented his having rejected their advice in the choice of his profession; and the little stock of money which he had provided before he left France, proving scarce sufficient for the expences of his journey to Italy. 3eing destitute therefore of friends and acquaintance at Rome, he was reduced to such distress, that his chief subsistence for the greatest part of that time was bread, and a small quantity of cheese. But he diverted the sense of uneasy circumstances by an intense and indefatigable application to painting, until the arrival of the celebrated Peter Mignard, who had been the companion of his studies under Vouet, set him more at ease. They immediately engaged in the strictest friendship, living together in the same house, and being commonly known at Rome by the name of the Inseparables. They were employed by the cardinal of Lyons in copying all the best pieces in the Farnese palace. But their principal study was the works of Raffaelle and other great masters, and the antiques; and they were constant in their attendance every evening at the academy, in designing after models. Mignard had superior talents in practice; but Du Fresnoy was a great master of the rules, history, and theory of his profession. They communicated to each other their remarks and sentiments; Du Fresnoy furnishing his friend with noble and excellent ideas, and the latter instructing the former to paint with greater expedition and ease.
Poetry shared with painting the time and thoughts of Du Fresnoy, who, as he penetrated into the secrets
Poetry shared with painting the time and thoughts of
Du Fresnoy, who, as he penetrated into the secrets of
the latter art, wrote down his observations; and having
at last acquired a full knowledge of the subject, formed a
design of writing a poem upon it, which he did not finish
till many years afterwards, when he had consulted the best
writers, and examined with the utmost care the most admired pictures in Italy. While he resided there he painted
several pictures, particularly the “Ruins of the Campo
Vaccino,
” with the city of Rome in the figure of a woman:
a young woman of Athens going to see the monument of
Jher lover, &c. One of his best pieces is “Mars finding
Lavinia sleeping.
” He had a peculiar esteem for the
works of Titian, several of which he copied, imitating that
xcellent painfer in his colouring, as he did Caracci in his
designs. About 1653 he went to Venice, and travelled
through Lombardy, after which he returned to France.
He had read his poem to the best painters in all places
through which he passed, and particularly to Albano and
Guercino, then at Bologna, and he consulted several men
famous for their skill in polite literature. He arrived at
Paris in 1656, where he painted several pictures, and continued to revi&e his poem, on which he bestowed so much
attention as frequently to interrupt his professional
labours. But, though he was desirous to see his work published, he thought it improper to print the Latin without
a French translation, which was at length made by De
Piles. Du Fresrioy had just begun a commentary upon it,
when he was seized with a palsy; and after languishing
four or five months under it, died at the house of one of
his brothers, at Villiers-le-bel, four leagues from Paris,
in 1665. From the time of Mignard’s return to Paris in
1658, the two friends continued to live together uutil death
separated them.
is poem was not published till three years after his death, at Paris, 12mo, with the French version, and remarks of Mons. Du Piles, and it has been justly admired for
His poem was not published till three years after his death, at Paris, 12mo, with the French version, and remarks of Mons. Du Piles, and it has been justly admired for its elegance, perspicuity, and the utility of the instruction it contains. In 1694, Dryden made a prose translation of it into English, which he accompanied with his ingenious parallel between poetry and painting. It was again translated into English by Mr. Wills, a painter, who gave it in metre without rhyme. He attempted to produce the sense of his author in an equal number of lines, and thus cramped his own skill; and produced a work unequal in itself, in which, however well he appears to hare understood the original text, he fails to impress it on his reader. It is now almost totally forgotten. More ample justice has been done in our language to the talents of Du Fresnoy, by our late skilful poet, William Mason, M. A.; by whom, in 1782, he was first clothed in an English dress suited to his elevated pretensions. And still greater honour was done to him by the hand of that extraordinary genius of our isle in the art of painting, sir Joshua Reynolds, for whose more valuable remarks upon the most important points in the poem, Mr. Mason was induced to discard those of Mons. Du Piles. By the union of the talents of two men so renowned in the arts of poetry and painting, Du Fresnoy is rendered for ever dear to the English reader; and the thorough knowledge he has exhibited of the best principles of the art of painting, is become more agreeably and more extensively diffused.
was born at Paris in 1648. He had a good natural taste for music, painting, sculpture, architecture, and all the fine arts. He had also a taste for laying-out gardens,
, a French poet, chiefly
celebrated for his dramatic writings, was born at Paris in
1648. He had a good natural taste for music, painting,
sculpture, architecture, and all the fine arts. He had
also a taste for laying-out gardens, and this procured him
the place of overseer of gardens to the king, which he sold
for a moderate sum, as a supply to his extravagance,
which was unbounded. He was valet-de-chambre to Louis
XIV. and highly in favour with him; but his love of expence outwent even the bounty of his master. “There
are two men,
” said Louis, “whom I shall never enrich,
Fresny and Bontems.
” These were his two valets-dechambre, who were well matched in extravagance. At
length, Fresny sold all his appointments at court, and flew
from the constraint of Versailles to the liberty of Paris,
where he became a writer for the stage. He is the person
who is humourously represented by Le Sage in his “Diable
Boiteux,
” as marrying his laundress by way of paying her
bill. He was twice married, and both times, it is said, in
a similar way. He wrote many dramatic pieces, some of
which were long established on the stage. These were,
“La Reconciliation Normande, Le Double Voyage, La
Coquette de Village, Le Marriage rompu, L'Esprit de
Contradiction, Le Dedit.
” He was also the author of
cantatas, which he set to music himself; several songs,
some of which were famous; a little work often reprinted,
called “Les Amusements serieux et comiques,
” and
“Nouvelles Historiques
” all enlivened by a singular and
gay fancy. He died, aged seventy-six, in
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
, 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.
rps of engineer! in 1707. He was sent by the court, in 1711, to examine the Spanish colonies at Peru and Chili; and employed his talents for fortifications at St. Malo,
, or probably Frazer, (Amadeus Francis),
was born at Chamberri, 1682, descended from a distinguished family of the robe, originally of Scotland. He
was intended for the office of magistrate, but his family,
in compliance with his inclination, permitted him to go
into the military service, from which he entered the corps
of engineer! in 1707. He was sent by the court, in 1711,
to examine the Spanish colonies at Peru and Chili; and
employed his talents for fortifications at St. Malo, at St.
Domingo 1719, and at Landau 1728, in which year he
also received the cross of St. Louis, and married. Frezier
was afterwards employed in Bretany, but rose no higher
than the rank of lieutenant-colonel, the various commissions in which he had been engaged having prevented his
being present at more than two sieges; and the number of
sieges at which the officers of engineers have been present, are the steps by which they rise to superior stations.
He died October 16, 1772, leaving two daughters married, and a grandson, his son’s child. This son died before Frezier, on board a king’s ship, in the storm of 1768,
which sunk him with all his property. His works are,
“Tr. des Feux d‘ Artifice/’ 1747, 8vo.
” Voyage de la
Mer du Sud,“1716, 4to.
” Theorie et Pratique de la
Coupe des Pierres et des Bois,“Strasburg, 1769, 3 vols.
4 to; an abridgment of this work, by the title of
” Eleinens
de Stereotomie," Paris, 1759, 2 vols. 8vo.
, a learned critical and poetical writer of Germany, was born at Baling, in Suabia, in
, a learned critical and poetical writer of Germany, was born at Baling, in Suabia, in 1547. His father being a minister and a man of letters, taught him the rudiments of learning, and then sent him to Tubingen, where he made so amazing a progress in the Greek and Latin tongues, that he is said to have written poetry in both when he was no more than thirteen years of age. He continued to improve himself in compositions of several kinds, as well prose as verse; and at twenty years old was made a professor in the university of Tubingen. Though his turn lay principally towards poetry, insomuch, that as Melchior Adam tells us, he really could make verses as, fast as he wanted them, yet he was acquainted with every part of science and learning. He used to moderate in philosophical disputes; and to read public lectures in mathematics and astronomy, before he had reached his twenty-fifth year. In 1579, his reputation being much extended, he had a mind to try his fortune abroad, and therefore prepared to go to the ancient university of Friburg, where he had promised to read lectures. But he was obliged to desist from this purpose, partly because his wife refused to accompany him, and partly because the duke of Wirtemberg would not consent to his going thither, or any where else.
n 1580 he published an oration in praise of a country life, with a paraphrase upon Virgil’s Eclogues and Georgics. Here he compared the lives of modern courtiers with
Hitherto Frischlin had been prosperous; but now an affair happened which laid the foundation of troubles that
did not end but with his life. In 1580 he published an
oration in praise of a country life, with a paraphrase upon
Virgil’s Eclogues and Georgics. Here he compared the
lives of modern courtiers with those of ancient husbandmen; and noticing some with great severity, who had degenerated from the virtue and simplicity of their ancestors,
made himself so obnoxious, that even his life was in danger.
He made many public apologies for himself; his prince
even interceded for him, but he could not continue safe
any longer at home. With his prince’s leave, therefore,
he went to Laubach, a town of Carniola, in the remote
part of Germany, and kept a school there; but the air
not agreeing with his wife and children, he returned in
about two years, to his own country. He met with a very
ungracious reception; and therefore, after staying a little
while, he went to Francfort, from Francfort into Saxony,
and from thence to Brunswick, where he became a schoolmaster again. There he did not continue long, but passed
from place to place, till at length, being reduced to necessity, he applied to the prince of Wirtemberg for relief.
His application was disregarded, which he supposing to
proceed from the malice of his enemies, wrote severely
against them. He was imprisoned at last in Wirtemberg
castle; whence attempting to escape by ropes not strong
enough to support him, he fell down a prodigious precipice, and was dashed to pieces among the rocks.
His death happened in 1590, and was universally and
justly lamented; for he was certainly ingenious and learned
in a great degree. He left a great many works of various
kinds, as tragedies, comedies, elegies, translations of
Latin and Greek authors, with notes upon them, orations,
&c. These were published 1598 1607, in 4 vols. 8vo.
He had also written a translation of Oppian, but this was
never published. His scholia and version of “Callimachus,
”
with his Greek life of that poet, are in Stephens’ s edition
of Strigil Grammatica,
” in which he disputes with some
little acrimony against all other grammarians; and this, as
was natural, increased the number of his enemies. With
all his parts and learning, he seems not a little to have
wanted prudence.
, an eminent scholar, and ingenious philologist, was born 1619, at Wertheim, in Franconia.
, 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.
, a very eminent philosopher and mathematician, was born in Milan, April 13, 1727. He was first
, a very eminent philosopher and mathematician, was born in Milan, April 13, 1727. He was first educated in the schools of the Barnabite fathers in that metropolis; and so uncommon was his progress in the classes, that it was soon predicted by his teachers and schoolfellows, that he would one day excel in polite literature, in poetry, and in pulpit eloquence; nature, however, had more unequivocally designed him to be what he really proved, a philosopher and a mathematician. In 1743, (the sixteenth of his age) he embraced the monastic life among the Barnabites of Lombardy, where he passed so rapidly through all the remainder of his studies, that he had the honour of being appointed, while still in the inferior orders, to the professorship of philosophy in the college of Lodi, and afterwards promoted, in the same capacity, to the royal school of Casale, in Monferrat, as a successor to the late celebrated cardinal Gerdil.,
Frisi unfortunately possessed a violent and atrabilarious temper, and a lofty, disdainful, and independent
Frisi unfortunately possessed a violent and atrabilarious
temper, and a lofty, disdainful, and independent character;
and hence he was never raised to eminent stations in church
or state, but was perpetually involved in the most disagreeable contests with every person with whom he happened to be connected. Even as soon as he had taken
possession of his chair in Casale, he quarrelled with his
colleagues, and was compelled by his Sardinian majesty to
withdraw. His superiors, not choosing to employ father
Frisi any more in the scholastic department, sent him to
Novara, in the capacity of annual preacher. His merit,
however, as a scientific man, had already become so conspicuous, that in 1755, (the twenty-eighth of his age) he
was requested by the superintendant of the university of
Pisa to fill the vacant chair of metaphysics and ethics in
that literary corporation, then in the zenith of its glory.
He had indeed given some specimens of his knowledge in
the philosophy of the human mind by his essays on moral
philosophy, published at Lugano in 1753; but he had exhibited before that time still greater proofs of his superior
abilities in mathematics and natural philosophy, by his
two excellent works “Disquisitio Mathematica in causam
physicam figurse et magnitudinis telluris nostrue,
” and the
“Nova Electricitatis theoria,
” &c. which were published
at Milan, the former in
It is, perhaps, equally curious, that even when metaphysics and ethics had become his professed avocations, he never so much
It is, perhaps, equally curious, that even when metaphysics and ethics had become his professed avocations,
he never so much indulged in the study of them as to produce any other work in their several departments. He
rather availed himself of his situation at Pisa, in cultivating
natural science with greater ardour than before; and he
seemed to have the best opportunity for the purpose.
The veteran professor Perelli was still alive, and still retained his amiable disposition of communicating to his
friends those valuable discoveries which were the fruits of
his long meditations, and which, from his great modesty,
had never been published under his own name. By this
powerful assistance, and by his own extensive learning,
Frisi, whilst at Pisa, was enabled to publish the two volumes of dissertations which appeared at Lucca under the
title of “Dissertationum Variarum,
” &c. De Atmosphaera Ccelestium corporuro,
” which in De intequalitate
MoiCls Planetarum,
” which in
The Milanese government, duly sensible of the superior merit of Mr. Frisi, and most likely jealous of so many honours received by him in Tuscany,
The Milanese government, duly sensible of the superior
merit of Mr. Frisi, and most likely jealous of so many honours received by him in Tuscany, induced him to return
to his native place, by tendering him the chair of mathematics in the Palatine schools of that metropolis. This
offer was made in 1764, and was soon accepted by Mr.
Frisi, who flattered himself that he should there be of
greater assistance to his family than he had been in a foreign place; it was here he wrote his two capital works,
“De gravitate universali,
” in three books, and the “Cosmographia Physica et Mathematica,
” in 2 vols. both of
which were afterwards published at Milan, in 1768 and
1774. Many years had now elapsed without his being involved in any of those quarrels which were the result of
his temper; but as he was threatened with an event of this
kind soon after his return to Milan, he was advised by
his friends to escape the storm by a temporary peregrination. He consequently made the tour of several European
countries; and it was during this excursion, that he attained the friendship of some of the greatest characters in
those times, especially in England and France, and acquired many literary honours; but the danger of incurring
new evils was inherent to his nature. The famous periodical work entitled “The Coffee-house,
” was at that time
publishing by some of the most eminent Milanese literati,
among whom was Mr. Frisi himself, who had already been
appointed royal censor of new literary publications. In
this capacity he did not scruple to give his approbation to
a pernicious work which was supposed to have issued from
the above-mentioned society, and when the book was
afterwards suppressed by ecclesiastical and civil authority,
he had the imprudence, or rather the effrontery, to become its apologist. Sensible, perhaps at last, of the dangers to which he had exposed himself, he resolved to
spend some years in retirement. A new field of exertions,
however, was opened to him in his retreat, which proved
more beneficial to society, and more honourable to himself, than any he had before cultivated. His uncommon
talents in hydrpnymics were already celebrated in Italy,
and as many hydrostatical operations had been projected
at the time by the several Italian governments, he became
the chief director, and almost the oracle of such undertakings. The Venetian senate, and the late Pius VI. also,
wished in latter times to have his opinion on the projects
which they had respectively adopted for the course of the
river Brenta, and for the draining of the Pontine marshes.
But even in these honourable commissions, he disgusted
every person in power with whom he had to deal, and the
necessity of applying to a man of his temper was frequently
the subject of regret. In 1777, the Milanese government
recalled him from obscurity, and appointed him director
of the newly-founded school of architecture; and from this
period he became as active in the republic of letters as
ever. He published in the same year, 1777, his “Course
of Mechanics,
” for the use of the royal school; in Philosophical Tracts,
” and from Opera Varia,
” 3 vols. 4to and in the interval from 1778
to 1783, he wrote the eulogies of Galileo, Cavalieri, Newton, the empress Maria Theresa, and of count Firmian.
His eulogies on Galileo and Cavalieri have been pronounced
by Montuclas “two finished specimens of scientific biography.
” Frisi died Nov. 22, 1784, a man of unquestionable learning, but, unhappily for himself, of an impetuous
and turbulent disposition.
, a learned preacher and martyr, was the son of an inn-keeper at Sevenoaks, in Kent,
, a learned preacher and
martyr, was the son of an inn-keeper at Sevenoaks, in
Kent, wher he was born (or as Fuller says, at Westerham, in the same county). He was educated at
King’scollege, Cambridge, where he proceeded B. A. but afterwards went to Oxford, was admitted ad eundem, and upon
account of his extraordinary learning, was chosen one of
the junior canons of cardinal Wolsey’s new college, now
Christ church. About 1525 he was instructed in the principles of the reformation, according to the Lutheran system, by the celebrated Tyndale. These he openly professed, and with some other young men of the same persuasion and boldness, was imprisoned by the commissary
of the university. The hardships of this imprisonment
proved fatal to some of his companions, but he obtained
his release, and about 1528 went abroad, where he remained about two years, and became more seriously coufirmed in his new opinions. On his return, he was narrowly watched by the lord chancellor, sir Thomas More,
whose resentment was said to have been occasioned by a
treatise which Fryth wrote against him. Simon Fish, of
Gray’s-inn, had written his “Supplication of the Beggars,
”
against the begging friars, and against indulgences, &c.
(See art. Fish ) This work was highly acceptable to Henry
VIII. as favouring his quarrel with the pope. The lord
chancellor, however, who was a more consistent catholic
than his majesty, answered it, and Fryth answered More,
denying the doctrine of purgatory. His opinions on the
sacrament were also highly obnoxious, and after a strict
search, he was betrayed into the hands of the civil power
by a treacherous friend, and sent prisoner to the Tower.
He was several times examined by the lord chancellor,
who uniformly treated him with contempt and cruelty, but
refusing to recant, he was ordered to be burnt, which sentence was executed in Smithfield, July 4, 1533, in the
prime of his life. He had a very remarkable opportunity,
some time before, of making his escape, the servants who
were to convey him to the archbishop’s palace at Croydon,
offering to let him go. But this he refused, with more zeal
than prudence. He was, according to all accounts, a scholar of great eminence, and well acquainted with the learned
languages.
His works are these: “Treatise of Purgatory; Antithesis between Christ and the Pope; Letters unto the faithful followers of Christ’s Gospel,
His works are these: “Treatise of Purgatory; Antithesis
between Christ and the Pope; Letters unto the faithful
followers of Christ’s Gospel, written in the Tower, 1532;
Mirror, or Glass to know thyself, written in the Tower,
1532; Mirror or Looking-glass, wherein you may behold
the Sacrament of Baptism; Articles, for which he died,
written in Newgate-prison, June 23, 1533; Answer to
Sir Thomas More’s Dialogues concerning Heresies; Answer to John Fisher, bishop of Rochester, &c.
” all which
treatises were reprinted at London, 1573, in folio, with the
works of Tyndale and Barnes. He also wrote some translations.
, a doctor of the Sorbonne, born in the diocese of Rheims, was penitentiary of that church, and afterwards grand -master of the college of Navarre at Paris.
, a doctor of the Sorbonne, born in
the diocese of Rheims, was penitentiary of that church,
and afterwards grand -master of the college of Navarre at
Paris. He died in 1651. He published in 1629 a history
of the French cardinals, entitled “Gallia Purpurata,
” Antifrizonius,
”and his “History
of the Popes of Avignon.
” Frizon also published an edition of the Bible of Louvain, with a method of distinguishing the Catholic French translations of the Bible from the
Protestant, 121, fol.
, an eminent and learned German printer, was a native of Hammelburg, in Franconia,
, 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.
A great number of valuable authors were printed by Frobenius with great care and accuracy, among which were the works of Jerome, Augustin, and
A great number of valuable authors were printed by Frobenius with great care and accuracy, among which were the works of Jerome, Augustin, and Erasmus. He had formed a design to print the Greek fathers, which had not yet been done; but death prevented him. That work, however, was carried on by his son Jerome Frobenius and his son-in-law Nicolas Episcopius, who, joining in partnership, carried on the business with the same reputation, and gave very correct editions of those fathers.
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
, 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.
”
their course northward, they came on the 24th within sight of Fara, one of the islands of Shetland; and on the llth of July discovered Friezeland r which stood high,
Bending their course northward, they came on the 24th
within sight of Fara, one of the islands of Shetland; and
on the llth of July discovered Friezeland r which stood
high, and was all covered with snow. They could not
land by reason of the ice and great depth of water near
the shore; the east point of this island, however, they
named “Queen Elizabeth’s Foreland.
” On the 28th they
had sight of Meta Incognita, being part of New Greenland; on which also they could not land, for the reasons
just mentioned. August the 10th, he went on a desert
island three miles from the continent, but staid there only
a few hours. The next day he entered into a strait which
he called “Frobisher’s Strait;
” and the name is still retained. On the J2th, sailing to Gabriel’s Island, they
came to a sound, which they named Prior’s Sound, and
anchored in a sandy bay there. The 15th they sailed to
Prior’s Bay, the 17th to Thomas Williams’s Island, and
the 18th came to an anchor under Burcher’s Island. Here
they went on shore, and had some communication with the
natives; but he was so unfortunate as to have five of his
men and a boat taken by those barbarians. They were
like the Tartars, or Samoeids, with long black hair, broad
faces, flat noses, and tawny; the garments both of men
and women were made of seal-skins, and did not differ in
fashion; but the women were marked in the face with blue
streaks down the cheeks, and round the eyes. Having
endeavoured in vain to recover hit men, he set sail again
for England the 26th of August; and, notwithstanding a
terrible "storm on the 7th, arrived safe at Harwich on the
2d of October.
He took possession of that country in the queen of England’s name; and, in token of such possession, ordered his men to bring whatever
He took possession of that country in the queen of England’s name; and, in token of such possession, ordered his men to bring whatever they could first find. ( One among the rest brought a piece of black stone, much like seacoal, but very heavy. Having at his return distributed fragments of it among his friends, one of the adventurer’s wives threw a fragment into the fire; which being taken out again, and quenched in vinegar, glittered like gold; and, being tried by some refiners in London, was found to contain a portion of that rich metal. This circumstance raising prodigious expectations of gold, great numbers earnestly pressed Frobisher to undertake a second voyage the next spring. The queen lent him a ship of the royal navy of 200 tons; with which, and two barks of about 30 tons each, they fell down to Gravesend May 26, 1577, and there received the sacrament together; an act of religion not so frequently performed as it ought to be, among men exposed to so many perils, and more particularly under the protection of heaven. They sailed from Harwich on the 3 1st of May, and arrived in St. Magnus Sound at the Orkney Islands, upon the 7th of June; from whence they kept their course for the space of twenty-six days, without seeing any land. They met, however, with great drifts of wood, and whole bodies of trees; which were either blown off the cliffs of the nearest lands by violent storms, or rooted up and carried by floods into the sea. At length, on the 4th of July, they discovered Friezeland; along the coasts of which they found islands of ice of incredible bigness, some being 70 or 80 fathoms under water, besides the part that stood above water, and more than half a mile in circuit. Not having been able safely to land in this place, they proceeded for Frobisher’s Straits; and on the 17th of the same month made the North Foreland in them, otherwise called Hall’s Island; as also a smaller island of the same name, where they had in their last voyage found the ore, but could not now get a piece so large as a walnut. They met with some of it, however, in other adjacent islands, but not enough to merit their attention. They sailed about to make what discoveries they could, and gave names to several bays and isles; as Tackman’s Sound, Smith’s Island, Beare’s Sound, Leicester’s Isle, Anne countess of Warwick’s Sound and Island, York Sound, &c.
The captain’s commission directed him in this voyage only to search for ore, and to leave the further discovery of the north-west passage till
The captain’s commission directed him in this voyage only to search for ore, and to leave the further discovery of the north-west passage till another time. Having, therefore, in the countess of Warwick’s Island, found a good quantity, he took a lading of it; intending the first opportunity to return home. He set sail the 23d of August, and arrived in England about the end of September. He was most graciously received by the queen; and, as the gold ore he brought had an appearance of riches and profit, and the hope of a north-west passage to China was greafcly increased by this second voyage, her majesty appointed commissioners to make trial of the ore, and examine thoroughly into the whole affair. The commissioners did so, and reported the great value of the undertaking, and the expediency of further carrying on the discovery of the north-west passage. Upon this, suitable preparations were made with all possible dispatch; and, because the mines newly found out were sufficient to defray the adventurers charges, it was thought necessary to send a select number of soldiers, to secure the places already discovered, to make further discoveries into the inland parts, and to search again for the passage to China. Besides three ships as before, twelve others were fitted out for this voyage, which were to return at the end of the summer with a lading of gold ore. They assembled at Harwich the 27th of May, and sailing thence the 31st, they came within sight of Friezeland on the 20th of June; when the general, going on shore, took possession of the country in the queen of England’s name, and called it West-England. They met with many storms and difficulties in this voyage, which retarded them so much, that the season was too far advanced to undertake discoveries; so that, after getting as much ore as they could, they sailed for England, where, after a stormy and dangerous voyage, they arrived about the beginning of October.
against the Spanish Armada, commanding the Triumph, one of the three largest ships in that service, and which had on board the greatest number pf men of any in the
It does not appear how captain Frobisher employed himself from this time to 1585, when he commanded the Aid, in sir Francis Drake’s expedition to the West Indies. In 1588, he bravely exerted himself against the Spanish Armada, commanding the Triumph, one of the three largest ships in that service, and which had on board the greatest number pf men of any in the whole English fleet. July 26th, he received the honour of knighthood, from the hand of the lord high admiral, at sea, on board his own ship and when afterwards the queen thought it necessary to keep a fleet on the- Spanish coast, he was employed in that service, particularly in 1590, when he commanded one squadron, as sir John Hawkins did another. In 1594, he was sent with four men of war, to assist Henry the Fourth of France, against a body of leaguers and Spaniards then in possession of part of Bretagne, who had fortified themselves very strongly at Croyzon near Brest. But in an assault upon that fort, Nov. 7, he was wounded with a ball in the hip, of which he died Soob after he had brought the fleet safely back to Plymouth; and was buried in that town. Stow tells us, the wound was not mortal in itself, but became so through the negligence of his surgeon, who only extracted the bullet, without duly searching the wound and taking out the wadding, which caused it to fester.
He was a man of great courage, experience, and conduct, but accused by some of having been harsh and violent.
He was a man of great courage, experience, and conduct, but accused by some of having been harsh and violent. There is a good painting of him in the picture gallery at Oxford.
, a learned medallist, was born at Gratz in Stiria in 1700, and entered the society of the Jesuits in 1716. His reputation afterwards
, a learned medallist, was born
at Gratz in Stiria in 1700, and entered the society of the
Jesuits in 1716. His reputation afterwards procured him.
the professorship of belles lettres and mathematics at
Vienna, where he employed his leisure hours in the pursuit of medallic history. He died in 1758. His works are,
1. “Utilitas rei nummariae, et Appendiculse ad numos
coloniarum per Cl. Vaillantium editse,
” Vienna, Quatuor Tentamina in re numaria vetere,
” ibid. Animadversiones in quosdam numos veteres urbium,
” ibid. Appendiculae duae novae ad numismata antiqua a Cl.
Vaillantio edita,
” ibid. Opusculum posthumum de familia Vaballathi,
” where
there is also an eulogium on Froelich. 5. “Annales compend. regum et rerum Syriae,
” ibid. Regum veterum numismata,
” ibid. Dubia de
Minnisari, aliorumque Armenias regum numis et Arsacidarum epocha nuper vulgatis proposita,
” ibid. Diplomatorium Garstensium emendatum, auctum, et
illustratum,
” ibid. Casulse S. Stephani,
regis Hungariae, vera imago et expositio,
” ibid. Ad numismata regum veterum anecdota aut rariora
accessio nova,
” ibid. Notitia elementaria
antiquorum illorum, quse urbium liberarum, regum et
principum, ac personarum illustrium, appellantur,
” ibid.
most
excellent and useful,
” although not altogether without
faults. He particularly mentions that the list of Greek
cities of which we have coins is defective in about a third
of the number; and he censures, in strong terms, the
plan of splitting the series of kings of every realm into
different epochs. After Froelich’s death was published,
as already mentioned, the “Opusculum posthumum de familia Vaballathi numis illustrata,
” with an appendix to the
“Numismata antiqua,
” edited by Joseph Khell, Specimen Archontologiae Carinthiae.
”
, an eminent and ancient French historian and poet, was born in Valenciennes,
, 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.
He had but just left school, and was scarcely twenty years ol i, when at the intreaty of “his
He had but just left school, and was scarcely twenty
years ol i, when at the intreaty of “his dear lord and master sir Robert de Namur, lord of Beaufort,
” he undertook
to write the history of the wars of his own time, more particularly of those which ensued after the battle of Poitiers.
Four years afterwards, having gone to England, he presented a part of this history to queen Philippa of Hainault,
the wife of Edward III. However young he might then
be, he had already travelled into the most distant provinces
of France. The object of his visit to England was to tear
himself from the pains of an attachment which had tormented him for a long time. This passion took possession
of his heart from his infancy; it lasted ten years, and
sparks of it were again rekindled in a more advanced age.
The history of this attachment may be seen in our authority. It appears to have been first childish, and then romantic, and for his feelings in either state, we have only
poetical evidence, and from that we learn that he had
more mistresses than one. He had made two journies to
England, but on which occasion he presented his history
to queen Philippa is not certain. It was well received,
however, and probably gained him the title of Clerk (secretary or writer) of the chamber to that princess, which
he was in possession of from 1361. She is said frequently
to have amused herself, in that age of romantic gallantry,
by making Froissart compose amorous ditties; but this
occupation must be considered solely as a relaxation that
no way impeded more serious works, since during the five
years he was attached to the service of queen Philippa, he
travelled at her expence to various parts of Europe, the
object of which seems to be a research after whatever
might enrich his history.
life during his residence in England, we only know that he was present at the separation of the king and queen in 1361, with their son the prince of Wales and the princess
Of all the particulars of Froissart’s life during his residence in England, we only know that he was present at the separation of the king and queen in 1361, with their son the prince of Wales and the princess his lady, who were going to take possession of the government of Acquitaine; and that he was between Eltham and Westminster in 1363, when king John passed on his return to England. There is in his poems a pastoral which seems to allude only to that event. With regard to his travels during the time he was attached to the service of the queen, he' employed six months in Scotland, and penetrated as far as the Highlands. He travelled on horseback with his portmanteau behind him, and followed by a greyhound. The king of Scotland, and many lords whose names he has preserved to us, treated him so handsomely, that he could have wished tq have returned thither. William earl of Douglas lodged him during fifteen days in his castle of Dalkeith, near Edinburgh; but we are ignorant of the date of this journey, and of another which he made into North Wales. It may be inferred, however, that he was at this time no ordinary character, and that he must have possessed talents and accomplishments to entitle him, to so much respect.
during the continuance of this grand expedition; but the prince would not permit him to go farther; and shortly after his arrival, sent him back to the queen his mother.
He was in France, at Melun sur Seine, about April 20, 1366; perhaps private reasons might have induced him to take that road to Bourdeaux, where he was on All Saints’ day of that year, when the princess of Wales was brought to bed of a son, who was afterwards Richard II. The prince of Wales setting out a few days afterwards for the war in Spain, Froissart accompanied him to Dax, where the prince resided some time. He had expected to have attended him during the continuance of this grand expedition; but the prince would not permit him to go farther; and shortly after his arrival, sent him back to the queen his mother. Froissart could not have made any long stay in England, since in the following year, 1368," he was at different Italian courts. It was this same year, that Lionel duke of Clarence, son of the king of England, espoused Joland, daughter of Galeas II. duke of Milan. Froissart, who probably was in his suite, was present at the magnificent reeeption which Amadeus count of Savoy, surnamed the count Verd, gave him on his return: he describes the feasts on this occasion, which lasted three days; and does not forget to tell us that they danced a virelay of his composition. From the court of Savoy he returned to Milan, where the same count Amadeus gave him a good cotardie, a sort of coat, with twenty florins of gold; and from thence to Bologna and Ferrara, where he Feceived f forty ducats from the king of Cyprus, and then to Rome. Instead of the modest equipage he travelled with into Scotland, he was now like a man of importance, travelling on a handsome horse attended by a hackney.
nother place, that in 1395 it was twenty-seven years since he had seen England. According to Vossius and Bullart he wrote the life of queen Philippa; but this assertion
It was about this time that Froissart experienced a loss
which nothing could recompense, the death of
Philippa, which took place in 1369. He composed a lay
on this melancholy event, of which, however, he was not
a witness; for he says, in another place, that in 1395 it
was twenty-seven years since he had seen England. According to Vossius and Bullart he wrote the life of queen
Philippa; but this assertion is not founded on any proofs.
Independently of the employment of clerk of the chamber
to the queen of England, which Froissart had held, he had
been also of the household of Edward III. and even of that
of John, king of France. Having, however, lost his patroness, he did not return to England, but went into his
own country, where he obtained the living of Lestines. Of
all that he performed during the time he exercised this
ministry, he tells us nothing moiv than that the tavernkeepers of Lestines had live hundred francs of his money
in ike short space of liuwj he was their rector. It is mentioned in a ms journal of the bishop of Chartres, chunceHor to the duke of Anjou, that according to letters sealed
Dec. 12, 138 >, this prince caused to be seized fifty-six
quires of the Chronicle of Froissart, rector of the parish
church of Lestines, which the historian had sent to be
illuminated, and then to be forwarded to the king of England., the enemy of France. Froissart attached himself
afterwards to Winceslaus of Luxembourg, duke of Brabant, perhaps in quality of secretary. This prince had a
taste for poetry; he had made by Froissart a collection of
his songs, rondeaus, and virrlays, and Froissart adding
s-nne of his own pieces to those of the prince, formed a
soft of romance, under the title of “Meliador, or the
Kujght of the Sun;
” hut the duke did not live to see the
completion of the work, for he died in 1334.
this event Froissart found another patron in Guy count de 3lojis, who made him clerk oJ' his chapel; and he testified his gratitude by a pastoral, and epithalamium on
Almost immediately after this event Froissart found another patron in Guy count de 3lojis, who made him clerk
oJ' his chapel; and he testified his gratitude by a pastoral,
and epithalamium on a marriage in the family. He passed
the years 1385, 1386, and 1387, sometimes in the Blaisois,
sometimes in Touraine; but the count de Blois having
engaged him to continue his history, which he left unfinished, he determined in 1388 to take advantage of the
peace which was just concluded, to visit the court of Gaston Phoebus count de Foix, in order to gain full information in whatever related to foreign countries, and the more
distant provinces of the kingdom-. His health and age still
allowed him to bear great fatigue; his memory was
suifrciently strong to retain whatever he should hear; and his
judgment clear enough, to point out to him the use he
should make of it. In his journey to the count de Foix,
he met on the road with sir Espaing du Lyon, a gallant
knight who had served in the wars, and was able to give
him much information. At length they arrived at Ortez
in Beam, the ordinary residence of the count de Foix,
where Froissart met with a society suited to. his views,
composed of brave captains who had distinguished themselves in combats or tournaments. Here Froissart used to
entertain Gaston, after supper, by reading to him the romance of “Meliador,
” which he had brought with him.
After a considerable residence at this court, he left it in
the suite of the young duchess of Berry, whom he accorupanied to Avignon. His stay here, however, was unfortunate, as he was robbed; which incident he made the subject of a long poem, representing his loss, and his expensive turn. Among other things he says that the composition of his works had cost him 700 francs, but he regretted,
not this expence, for he adds, “I have composed many a
history which will be spoken of by posterity.
”
aris. From the year 1378 he had obtained from pope Clement VII. the reversion of a canonry at Lille, and in the collection of his poetry, which was completed in 1393,
After a series of travels into different countries, for the
sake of obtaining information, we find him in 1390 in his
own country, solely occupied in the completion of his
history, at least until 1392, when he was again at Paris.
From the year 1378 he had obtained from pope Clement
VII. the reversion of a canonry at Lille, and in the collection of his poetry, which was completed in 1393, and
elsewhere, he calls himself canon of Lille; but pope Clement dying in 1394, he gave up his expectations of the.
reversion, and began to qualify himself as canon and treasurer of the collegiate church of Chirnay, which he probably owedi to the friendship of the count de Blois. In
1395, after an absence of twenty-seven years, he returned
to England, where he was received with marks of high
favour and affection by Richard II. and the royal family;
and here he went on collecting information for his history,
and had the honour to present his “Meliador
” to the king,
who was much delighted with it. After a residence of three
mouths, he was dismissed with marks of princely favour,
which he endeavoured to return by his affectionate and
grateful' lamentation on the death of his royal patron, at
the end of the fourth volume of his history.
death of Froissart has not been decided by his biographers. He relates some events of the year 1400, and by some is thought to have lived considerably beyond that period,
The time of the death of Froissart has not been decided
by his biographers. He relates some events of the year
1400, and by some is thought to have lived considerably
beyond that period, but nothing certain can be affirmed.
He probably ended his days ii> his own chapter, and was
interred in tlje chapel of St. Anne in the coHegiate church.
Although he was the author of 30,000 verses, his poetical
character is forgotten, and he is now celebrated, and most
justly, as a historian. His Chronicle, which is divided
into four books, comprehends the period between 1326
and 1400, and relates the events which took place not only
hi France, btrt in Flanders, Scotland, and Ireland, with
numerous details respecting the papal courts of Rome and
Avignon, and collateral particulars of the transactions in
the rest of Europe, in Turkey, and even in Africa. His
reputation stands high as a faithful and diligent narrator of
what he saw and heard. By the French he has been
charged with gross partiality towards the English; they
bring against him the crime of making Edward, and his
son, the Black Prince, the heroes of his history. But it
tfannot be denied that they were the heroes of the age in
which they flourished, and therefore an impartial historian
was obliged to represent them in their true colours, and to
make them the teading characters of the day. Mr. Johnes-,
to whom the public is indebted for an admirable edition of
Froissart’s Chronicles, has successfully vindicated the character of the historian from the charge of partiaFrty: throughout the whole work, he says, there is an evident disposition to give praise to valour on whatever side it was employed. The historian mourns over the death of each
valiant knight, exults in the success of every hardy enterprize, and seems carried away almost by his chivalrous
feelings, independently of party considerations. Till the
publication of Mr. Johnes’s translation, the best edition of
the “Chronicles
” was that of Lyons in four volumes folio,
, canon regular of the congregation of St. Genevieve, and chancellor of the university of Paris, was born at Angers in
, canon regular of the congregation of St. Genevieve, and chancellor of the university of
Paris, was born at Angers in 1614. His father was a notstry of that place. He was first educated under a private
ecclesiastic in the neighbourhood of Angers, and is said to
have made such rapid progress in these his early studies,
that in less than five years he could readily translate into
Latin and Greek. On his return to Angers he studied
three years in the college of the oratory there, and was
afterwards sent to that of La Fleche, where he completed
his classical course. In 1630 he took the habit of a canon
regular of the abbey of Toussaint, at Augers, and made
profession the year following. Having dedicated his philosophical thesis to father Favre, this led to an acquaintance with the latter, by whose orders he came to Paris in
1636, and in 1637 was chosen professor of philosophy in
the abbey of iSt. Genevieve. His first course of philosophical lectures being finished in 1639, he was employed
to lecture on divinity, which he did with equal reputation,
following the principles of St. Thomas, to which he was
much attached; but his lectures were not dry and scholastic, but enlivened by references to the fathers, and to
ecclesiastical history, a knowledge of which he thought
would render them more useful to young students: and
besides his regular lectures on theology, he held every
week a conference on some subject of morals, or some part
of the scriptures. Jansenius having published his “Augustinus,
” he read it with attention, and thought he discovered in it the true sentiments of St. Augustine. Some
time after, the Jesuits having invited him to be present at
the theological theses of the college of Clermont, and
having requested him to open the ceremony, he delivered
a very learned and eloquent discourse, which was at first
well received, but having attacked a proposition concerning predestination, he was suspected of inclining towards
innovation. In a conference, however, with two fathers
of the congregation, he explained his sentiments in such a
manner as to satisfy them. In 1648 he was made chancellor of the university of Paris, although with some opposition from the members of the university, not upon his
own account, but that of the fathers of the congregation
in general, who had rendered themselves obnoxious to the
university by the erection of a number of independent
seminaries.
countered some opposition in consequence of the five propositions condemned by the popes Innocent X. and Alexander VII. He was now suspected of favouring the Jansenists,
After passing some years in the quiet prosecution of his studies, he encountered some opposition in consequence of the five propositions condemned by the popes Innocent X. and Alexander VII. He was now suspected of favouring the Jansenists, and of asserting that no one could sign the formulary without distinguishing the fact from the right. This induced him to quit his office of regent in 1654, and accept of the conventual priory of Betiay, in the diocese of Angers. Here, however, he did not constantly reside, but preached frequently in some cathedrals, and performed the duties of his office as chancellor of the university, until 1661, when happening to be at Benay, he received an order from the court to remain there until farther orders. This was occasioned by the approbation he had given to a French translation of the Missal of M. Voisin, which at first he did not choose to revoke. It does not appear, however, that while he ventured to express liberal notions, he had the courage to maintain them against the authority of his superiors, for he soon conceded every point, and offered to sign the formulary abovementioned, which he had hitherto refused, and accordingly was permitted to return to Paris in 1662, where the archbishop of Sens bestowed on him the office of priorcur6 of St. Mary Magdalen of Montargis; but this he enjoyed but a very few days, being seized with a disorder which carried him off, April 17, 1662, when only fortyeight years of age. He was a man of extensive reading in ecclesiastical and profane history; and as a preacher was lively and eloquent. He obtained much reputation for his discourses when bestowing the degree of master of arts, which was his province for fifteen years. He was an able linguist, not only in the modern, but ancient, and particularly the Eastern languages. Dupin, who gives him in other respects a very high character, observes, that he never attached himself so closely to any subject as to handle it thoroughly, but was always making discoveries, starting conjectures, and forming new ideas, and giving his subject a turn altogether uncommon.
congregationis Gallicanae,” Paris, 1641, 8vo. The purpose of this is to prove that Thomas a Kempis, and not Gerson, was the author of the celebrated “Imitation,” &c.
His works were, 1. “Sumtna totins philosophise e D.
Thomae Aquinatis doctrina,
” Paris, Thomas a Kempis vindicatus per unuin e Canonicis regularibus congregationis Gallicanae,
” Paris, Imitation,
” &c.
and it produced a controversy, of which some notice will
be taken in our article on that writer. 3. “Ivonis Carnotens-is Episcopi opera,
” Paris, I Dissertatio philologiea de virginhate honorata, erudita,
adornata, fnecunda,
” ibid. Antitheses Angustini et Calvini,
” ibid. Kalendarinm Romanum,
” taken
from an ancient ms. and illustrated by a preface and two
dissertations, on festival days, and saints’ days, ibid. 1652,
8vo. 7. “O ratio in obitum Matthoei Mole
”,“ibid. 1656,
4to. Mole was keeper of the seals. He published also
various epistles and tracts on subjects of ecclesiastical history. His own life was published in 1663, 4to, under the
title
” Joan. Frontonis Memoria disertis per amicos virosque
clarissimos encomiis celebrata."
, a Roman writer, who flourished in the first century, and was in high repute under Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, Nerva,
, a Roman writer, who
flourished in the first century, and was in high repute
under Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan,
was a man of consular dignity, a great officer who commanded the Roman armies in England, and elsewhere, with
success; and he is mentioned in high terms of panegyric
by all the writers of his time. He was city-prgetor when
Vespasian and Titus were consuls. Nerva made him crfrtitor of the aquasducts, which occasioned him to write his
treatise, “De Aquaeductibus Urbis Romse.
” He wrote
also “Tres libros’ Stratagematum,
” or, concerning the
stratagems used in war by the most eminent Greek and
Roman commanders; and afterwards added a fourth, coritaining examples of those arts and maxims, discoursed of
in the former. These two works are still extant, together
with a piece “De Re Agraria;
” and another, “De Limitibus.
” They have been often printed separately, but
were all published together in a neat edition at Amsterdam
in 1661, with notes by Robertus Keuchenius, who has
placed at the end the fragments of several works of Frontinus that are lost. This eminent man died in the year
106, under Trajan, and was succeeded as augur by the
younger Pliny, who mentions him with honour. He forbade any monument to be erected to him after his death,
declaring, that every man was sure to be remembered
without any such testimonial, if he had lived so as to deserve it. His words, as Pliny has preserved them, were
these: “Impensa monument! supervacua est memoria
nostri durabit, si vita meruimus.
”
onto Duc.Eus, a learned Jesuit, was the son of a counsellor of Bourdeaux, where he was born in 1558, and made a Jesuit in 1577. He studied with unwearied application
, known by the name of Fronto Duc.Eus, a learned Jesuit, was the son of a counsellor of Bourdeaux, where he was born in 1558, and made a Jesuit in 1577. He studied with unwearied application the Greek tongue, and became one of the ablest translators and editors of Greek works in his time. He published notes and corrections, both on the text and on the translations of many of the works of the Greek and Latin fathers, particularly St. Clemens Alexandrinus, St. Basil, St. Gregory de Nazianzen, and St. Gregory of Nyssa, Zonaras, Bulsamon, &c. But his principal work is his edition of the works of St. Chrysostom, 6 vols. fol. Paris, 1609 1624, and reprinted there in 1636, and at Francfort in 1698. He was also engaged in controversy, and wrote against Philip du Plessis Mornay. He died at Paris, Dec. 12, 1624. Dupin informs us that he was as much esteemed for his prudence and modesty as for his learning and judgment, that his merit was equally acknowledged by catholics and protestants, and that there was scarcely a learned man in either communion with whom he did not correspond.
, an English poet, was the son of a gentleman, who had been post-master in the reign of queen Anne, and the grandson of sir Philip Frowde,a loyal officer in king Charles
, an English poet, was the son of a
gentleman, who had been post-master in the reign of queen
Anne, and the grandson of sir Philip Frowde,a loyal officer
in king Charles I.'s army. He was sent to the university of
Oxford, where he had the honour of being distinguished
by Addison, who took him under his protection. While
be remained there be became the author of several pieces
of poetry, some of which, in Latin, were pure and elegant
enough to entitle them to a place in the “Muse Anglicanae.
” He wrote likewise two tragedies: “The Fall of
Saguntum,
” dedicated to sir Robert Walpole; and “Philotas,
” addressed to the earl of Chesterfield. Neither of
these were very successful on the stage, to which they were
thought less adapted than to the closet. He died at his
lodgings in Cecil-street in the Strand, Dec. 19, 1738; and
in the London Daily-Post had the following character
given him': “Though the elegance of Mr. Frowde’s writings has recommended him to the general public esteem,
the politeness of his genius is the least amiable part of his
character; for he esteemed the talents of wit and learning,
only as they were conducive to the excitement and practice
of honour and humanity. Therefore, with a soul chearful,
benevolent, and virtuous, he was in conversation genteelly
delightful, in friendship punctually sincere, in death Chnstianly resigned. No man could live more beloved; no
private man could die more lamented.
”
r the order of regular clerks of Somasquo; but that confined life was so contrary to his gay temper, and fondness for pleasure, that he obtained leave from the pope
, an Italian poet, was born November 21, 1692, at Genoa, of a noble family, which ended in him. He was persuaded by his tutors to enter the order of regular clerks of Somasquo; but that confined life was so contrary to his gay temper, and fondness for pleasure, that he obtained leave from the pope to quit the order, and remain a secular priest. Frugoni then settled at Parma, where the different sovereigns procured him all the conveniences of life; but the infant don Philip showed yet greater attention to him than the rest. He gave him the titles of court poet, inspector of the theatres, and secretary of the fine arts. He died at Parma, December 20, 1768. His poems are much esteemed by the Italians, and his songs, in particular, were the delight of his contemporaries. An edition of this author’s works was published at Parma in 1779, in 10 vols. 8vo. They consist of every species of minor poems.
opher of Tyre, who being induced to travel to Ethiopia, carried with him his two nephews, Frumentius and Edesius, with whose education he had been entrusted. In the
, a Romish saint, is usually called the Apostle of Ethiopia, on account of his having first propagated Christianity in that country, in the fourth century. He was the nephew of one Meropius, a philosopher of Tyre, who being induced to travel to Ethiopia, carried with him his two nephews, Frumentius and Edesius, with whose education he had been entrusted. In the course of their voyage homewards, the vessel touched at a certain port to take in provisions and fresh water, and the whole of the passengers were murdered by the barbarians of the country, except the two children, whom they presented to the king, who resided at Axuma, formerly one of the greatest cities of the East. The king, being charmed with the wit and sprightliness of the two boys, had them carefully educated, and when grown up, made Edesius his cup-bearer, and Frumentius, who was the elder, his treasurer and secretary of state, entrusting him with all the public writings and accounts. Nor were they less highly honoured after the king’s death by the queen, who was regent during her son’s minority. Frumentius had the principal management of affairs, and soon turned his attention to higher objects than the politics of the country. He met with some Roman merchants who traded there, and having by their means discovered some Christians who were in the kingdom, he encouraged them to associate for the purposes of religious worship; and at length erected a church for their use; and certain natives, instructed in the gospel, were converted. On the young king’s accession to the government, Frumentius, though with much reluctance on the part of the king and his mother, obtained leave to return to his own country. Edesius accordingly returned to Tyre; but Frumentius, on his arrival at Alexandria, communicated his adventures to Athanasius the bishop, and informed him of the probability of converting the country to Christianity, if missionaries were sent thither. On mature consideration, Athanasius told him, that none was so fit for the office as himself. He consecrated him therefore first bishop of the Indians, and Frumentius returning to a people who had been acquainted with his integrity and capacity, preached the gospel with much success, and erected many churches, although the emperor Constantius endeavoured to introduce Arianism, and actually ordered that Frumentius should be deposed, and an Arian bishop appointed; but the country was happily out of his reach. Frumentius is supposed to have died about the year 360. The Abyssinians honour him as the apostle of the country of the Axumites, which is the most considerable part of their empire.
was born in 1710. He came very early to London, when he practised portrait-painting in oil, crayons, and in miniature. In 1734 he had the honour of painting his royal
, an ingenious artist, was a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1710. He came very early to London, when he practised portrait-painting in oil, crayons, and in miniature. In 1734 he had the honour of painting his royal highness, Frederick prince of Wales, a full length, now in Sadler’s-hall, Cheapside. But his genius was not confined to this art, and it is said that he was the inventor and first manufacturer of porcelain in England, and that he spent fifteen years of his life in bringing this to perfection at a manufactory at Bow, during which, his constitution being impaired by constantly working in furnaces, he retired into Wales, with little hope of recovery. Here, however, his health was perfectly restored, and he returned again to London, and resumed his profession, to which he now added the art of mezzotinto engraving, and had considerable employment and success, both as a painter and engraver, tie died of a decline, brought on by intense application, April 2, 1762.
in 1760 there was a half-length portrait of the famous singer, Leveridge, which was painted by Frye, and possessed very considerable merit; and in the exhibition of
In the first exhibition in 1760 there was a half-length portrait of the famous singer, Leveridge, which was painted by Frye, and possessed very considerable merit; and in the exhibition of the following year he also had pictures in all the different processes of oil-colours, crayons, and miniature. 'Of his mezzotinto productions, there are six heads as large as life; one of them the portrait of the artist himself; to which may be added two other portraits of their majesties, the same size with the former, but inferior in execution. He had issued proposals in 1760 for twelve heads in the above manner, but we presume his illness and subsequent death prevented his completing more than six; in these, however, he shewed rather more industry than judgment; for no branch of engraving, whether in mezzotinto, or in strokes, can be suited to the display of portraits of such magnitude.
, an eminent German physician and botanist, was born at Wembding, in Bavaria, in 1501. After a
, 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.
red the following year. In this work he chiefly copies Dioscorides, adding a few remarks of his own, and falling, as Haller observes, into the common error of the writers
Some botanical remarks of Fuchs, relating principally
to the Arabian writers, are found in the 2d volume of the
“Herbarium
” of Brunfelsius. But the work on which
his reputation in this study chit-fly rests, is his “Historia Plantarum,
” published at Basil in Bibliotheca Botanica,
” though indeed he there properly
stands amongst the usitatissimi with respect to h>s original
edition. By some of his writings, especially his “Cornarus furens,
” published in Historia Plantarum
” in a work entitled
“Vulpecula excoriata,
” he appears to have been vehement
in controversy, but in his general character and deportment he is said to have been dignified and amiable, with a
fine manly person, and a clear sonorous voice. His piety y
temperance, and indefatigable desire to be useful, were
alike exemplary. As a lecturer he was peculiarly admired
and followed, especially in his anatomical courses. The
famous Vesalius was present at one of his lectures, in which
he found himself criticized. He afterwards familiarly addressed the professor, saying, “why do you attack me
who never injured you?
” “Are you Vesalius
” exclaimed
Fuchs. “You see him before you,
” replied the former.
On which great mutual congratulations ensued, and a
strict friendship wag formed between these learned men.
Fuchs was so famous throughout Europe, that the great
Cosmo duke of Tuscany invited him, with the offer of a
salary of 600 crowns, to become professor of medicine at
Pisa, which he declined. The emperor Charles V. also
bore testimony to his merit, by sending him letters with
the insignia of nobility, which honour also Fuchs for
some time declined. He was indifferent to money, as well
as to all other than literary fame. His great ambition was,
whenever he undertook in his turn the rectorship of the
university, to promote good order, industry, and improvement among the students, whom he governed with paternal
assiduity and affection. Two colleges were always under
his immediate care, one of them founded by duke Ulrie
for students of divinity alone, and more amply endowed
by his son and successor.
, a Swiss artist, and a man of considerable learning, was born at Zurich in 1706.
, a Swiss artist, and a man of considerable learning, was born at Zurich in 1706. After acquiring the elements of painting from a very indifferent artist, he left his country in the eighteenth year of his age, and going to Vienna, associated himself with Sedelmeier. Gran and Meitens were his principal guides, if he could be said to have any other guide than his own genius. He became well known at court, but his love of independence induced him to refuse very advantageous offers. He would not, however, have probably ever left Vienna, had not the prince of Schwarzeuburg persuaded him to go to Kadstadt, where he became the favourite of the court. Among others whose portraits he painted was the margrave of Dourlach, who had a great affection for him, and advised him to go to Ludwigsbourg, which he did with letters of recommendation to the duke of Wirtemberg, who immediately took him into his service. Here he passed his time very agreeably, making occasional excursions to paint the portraits of persons of distinction, until the war of Poland, when the entrance of the French into Germany threw every thing into confusion. The duke his patron at the same time fell sick, and was removed to Stutgard, but on Fuessli’s leaving him to go to Nuremberg, his highness presented him with a gold watch, and requested him to return when the state of public affairs was changed. At Nuremberg he had a strong desire to see the celebrated artist Kupezki, of whose manners he had imbibed an unfavourable impression, but he was agreeably disappointed, and they became friends from their first interview. After remaining six months at Nuremberg, the duke of Wirtemberg died, and there being no immediate prospect of peace, Fuessli returned to his own country, and in 1740 married. Although his wife was a very amiable woman, he used to say that marriage was incompatible with the cultivation of the fine arts: if, however, he felt himself occasionally disturbed by domestic cares, he had the happiness to communicate his art to his three sons, Rodolph, who settled at Vienna; Henry, at present so well known in England; and Caspar, who died in the vigour of life, an entomologist of fidelity, discrimination, and taste.
Fuessli’s talents and reputation procured him the friendship of the greatest artists
Fuessli’s talents and reputation procured him the friendship of the greatest artists of his time, and Mengs sent him
his treatise “on the beautiful,
” which he published with
a preface. Winkelmann, especially, lived in great intimacy
with him. His taste for poetry also procured him the ao
quaintance and correspondence of Keist, Klopstock, Wieland, Bodmer, and Breitinguer, nor was he less respected
by many persons of the first distinction in rank, and his
house was frequented by all the literati of his time, whom
he delighted by his conversation-talents. Nor was he inconsiderable as a patron of the arts. He gave lessons
gratis to many young persons, and made collections to
assist them in their studies and travels, employing his
interest with the great only for the benefit of genius and
talents. In 1740 and 1742 he had the misfortune to lose
his two friends Kupezki and Rugendas, both whose lives
he wrote, and this employment seems to have suggested to
him “The Lives of the Artists of Switzerland,
” which he
wrote with great elegance and critical discrimination. He
published also a “Catalogue raisonne
” of the best Engravings.“His own collection was uncommonly rich in the
finest specimens of that art. Of his paintings, his son appeals to the series of consular portraits, which he painted
after his return to Zurich, engraved in mezzotinto by
Preisler and others, as a fair test of his style and tasteHe died at Zurich, May 6, 1781. His lives of Rugendas
and Kupezki were published at Zurich in 1758; his Swiss
Artists in 5 vols. 1769 1779; and his Catalogue of Engravers and their works, in 1770. Besides these he published
” Winkelmann’s Letters to his friends in Switzerland,“1778, and Mengs
” On Beauty," in 1770.
, an eminent benefactor to literature, was born at Augsburg in 1526, and deserves a place in this work for his affection to learning
, 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.
rish of St. Benedict in that city in 1560, entered as a commoner of St. Alban hall, Oxford, in 1577, and was admitted scholar of Corpus Christi college about two years
, an English law-writer, was the
son of Thomas Fulbeck, who was mayor of Lincoln at the
time of his death in J 566. He was born in the parish of
St. Benedict in that city in 1560, entered as a commoner
of St. Alban hall, Oxford, in 1577, and was admitted
scholar of Corpus Christi college about two years after. In
1581 he took his bachelor’s degree, and the next year
became probationer fellow. He then removed to Gloucester-hall (now Worcester college) where he completed
the degree of M. A. in 1584. From Oxford he went to
Gray’s Inn, London, where he applied with great assiduity to the study of the municipal law. Wood says, he
had afterwards the degree of civil law conferred on him,
but where he had not been able to discover, nor is the
place or time of his death known. From an extract from,
bishop Kennet, in the new edition of Wood, it seems not
improbable that he took orders. His works are, 1. “Christian Ethics,
” Lond. An historical collection of the continual factions, tumults, and massacres -of
the Romans before the peaceable empire of Augustus
Caesar,
” ibid. A direction or
preparative to the study of the Law,
” ibid. A parallel or conference of the civil, the canon, and the common law,
” ibid. The Pandects of the Laws of
Nations; or the discourses of the matters in law, wherein
the nations of the world do agree,
” ibid.
, bishop of Chartres, who flourished towards the end of the tenth t and beginning of the eleventh century, is celebrated, in the Tlomish
, bishop of Chartres, who flourished towards
the end of the tenth t and beginning of the eleventh
century, is celebrated, in the Tlomish church history, for his
learning and piety. Some authors rank him among the
chancellors of France, under the reign or‘ king Robert, but
he was only chancellor of the church of Chartres, at the
same time that he was rector of the school. He had been
himself a disciple of the learned Gerbert, who was afterwards pope Sylvester II. in the year 999. Fulbert came
from Rome to France, and taught in the schools belonging
to the church of Chartres, which were then not only attended by a great concourse of scholars, but by his means
contributed greatly to the revival of learning and religioii
in France and Germany; and most of the eminent men of
his time thought it an honour to be able to say that they
had been his scholars. In 1007 he succeeded to the bishopric of Chartres, and the duke William gave him the office
of treasurer of St. Hilary of Poitiers, the profits of which
Fulbert employed in rebuilding his cathedral church. He
was distinguished in his time for attachment to ecclesiasrtical discipline, and apostolic courage; and such was his
character and fame, that he was highly esteemed by the
princes and sovereigns of his age, by Robert, king of
France, Canute, king of England; Richard II. duke of
Normandy; William, duke of Aquitaine; and the greater
part of the contemporary noblemen and prelates. He
continued bishop of Chartres for twenty-one years and six
months, and died, according to the abbé Fleuri, in 1029;
but others, with more probability, fix that event on April
10, 1028. His works, which were printed, not very correctly, by Charles de Villiers in 1608, consist of letters,
sermons, and some lesser pieces in prose and verse. His
sermons, Dupin thinks, contain little worthy of notice;
but his letters, which amount to 134-, have ever been considered as curious memorials of the history and sentiments
of the times. They prove, however, that although Fulbert
might contribute much to the propagation of learning, he
had not advanced in liberality of sentiment before his contemporaries. There are also two other letters of our prelate in existence, the one in D’Acheri’s “Spicilegium,
”
and the other in Martenne’s “Thesaurus Anecdotorum,
”
both illustrative of his sentiments, and the sentiments of
his age.
i at Telepta, or Tellepte, about the year 468. He was of an illustrious family, the son of Claudius, and grandson of Gordianus, a senator of Carthage. Claudius dying
, an ecclesiastical writer, was borti at Telepta, or Tellepte, about the year 468. He was of an illustrious family, the son of Claudius, and grandson of Gordianus, a senator of Carthage. Claudius dying early, left his son, then very young, to the care of his widow Mariana. He was properly educated in the knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages, and made such progress in his studies, that while yet a boy he could repeat all Homer, and spoke Greek with fluency and purity. As soon as he was capable of an employment he was made procurator or receiver of the revenues of his province. But this situation displeased him, because of the rigour he was forced to use in levying taxes; and therefore, notwithstanding the tears and dissuasions of his mother, he left the world, and took the monastic vows under Faustus, a bishop persecuted by the Arian faction, who had founded a monastery in that neighbourhood. The continued persecutions of the Arians soon separated him and Faustus; and not long after, the incursions of the Moors obliged him to retire into the country of Sicca, where he was whipped and imprisoned. Afterwards he resolved to go into Egypt; but in his voyage was dissuaded by Eulalius bishop of Syracuse, because the monks of the East had separated from the catholic church. He consulted also a bishop of Africa, who had retired into Sicily; and this bishop advised him to return to his own country, after he had made a journey to Rome. King Theodoric was in that city when he arrived there, which was in the year 500. After he had visited the sepulchres of the apostles he returned to his own country, where he built a monastery.
Africa was then under the dominion of Thrasitnond king of the Vandals, an Arian, and a cruel enemy to the catholics. He had forbidden to ordain catholic
Africa was then under the dominion of Thrasitnond king of the Vandals, an Arian, and a cruel enemy to the catholics. He had forbidden to ordain catholic bishops in. the room of those who died: but the bishops of Africa were determined not to obey an order which threatened the extinction of orthodoxy. Fulgentius, under these circumstances, wished to avoid being a bishop; and when elected for the see of Vinta in the year 507, fled and concealed himself, but being soon discovered, was appointed bishop of Ruspae much against his will. On this elevation he did not change either his habit or manner of living, but uspd. the same austerities and abstinence as before. He still loved the monks, and delighted to retire into a monastery as often as the business of his episcopal function allowed him time. Afterwards he had the same fate with about two hundred and twenty catholic bishops of Africa, whom. Thrasimond banished into the island of Sardinia; and though he was not the oldest among them, yet they paid such respect to his learning, as to employ his pen in all the writings produced in the name of their body. So great was his reputation, that Thrasimond had a curiosity to see and hear him; and having sent for him to Carthage, he proposed to him many difficulties, which Fulgentius solved to his satisfaction: but because he confirmed the catholics, and converted many Arians, their bishop at Carthage prayed the king to send, him back to Sardinia. Thrasimond dying about the year 523, his son Hilderic recalled the catholic bishops, of whom Fulgentius was one. He returned, to the great joy of those who were concerned with him, led a most exemplary life, governed his clergy well, and performed all the offices of a good bishop. He died in the year 533, on the first day of the year, being then sixty- five.
His works, as many of them as are extant, consisting of doctrinal treatises and some epistles, have often been, printed; but the last and completest
His works, as many of them as are extant, consisting of doctrinal treatises and some epistles, have often been, printed; but the last and completest edition is in one volume, 4to, Paris, 1684. Fulgentius did not only follow the dpctrine of St. Austin, but he also imitated his style. His language, indeed, is not quite so pure; but he has not the same play of words as St. Austin. He had a quick and subtle spirit, which easily comprehended whatever he applied himself to learn; and he had a clear and copious way of setting it off; too copious indeed, for he often repeats the same things in different words, and turns the question many different ways. He was deeply versed in the holy scriptures, and as well read in the fathers, particularly St. Austin: but, as he loved thorny and scholastic questions, he sometimes introduced them in the discussion of mysteries.
rmone, ad Chalcidium,” published Hy Hadrian Junius, at Antwerp, 1565, along with Nonius Marcel I us, and afterwards reprinted with the “Auctones Linguae Latinaj,” Paris,
, who is sometimes confounded with the preceding St. Fulgentius, is
supposed to have been bishop of Carthage in the sixth century, but some think not before the eighth or ninth. He
is the author of three books of mythology, addressed to
one Catus, a priest. They were first published in 1498,
at Bftilan, in folio, by Jo. Bapt. Pius, who added a
commentary.Jerome Commolin reprinted them in 1599, with the
works of other mythologists. There is likewise a treatise
by him “De Prisco Sermone, ad Chalcidium,
” published
Hy Hadrian Junius, at Antwerp, Auctones
Linguae Latinaj,
” Paris,
, a celebrated English divine, and master of Pembroke-hal in Cambridge, wns born in London, and
, a celebrated English divine, and master of Pembroke-hal in Cambridge, wns born in London, and educated in St. John’s college, Cambridge, of which he was chosen fellow in 1564. He was a youth of great parts, and of a very high spirit. When a boy at school, he is said to have betrayed great anger and mortification on losing a literary contest for a silver pen, with the celebrated Edmund Campian, and as the latter was educated at Christ’s hospital, this incident seems to prove that t'ulke was of the same school. Before he became fellow of his college, he complied with the wishes of his father, by studying law at Clirtbrd’s-inn, but on his return to the university, his inclinations became averse to that pursuit, and he was unable to conquer them, although his father refused to support him any longer. Young Fulke, however, trusted to his industry and endowments, and soon became a distinguished scholar in mathematics, languages, and divinity. Having taken orders, his early intimacy with some of the puritan divines induced him t< preach in favour of some of their sentiments respecting the ecclesiastical habits and ceremonies. This occurred about 1565, and brought upon him the censure of the chancellor of the university, which, it is said, proceeded to expulsion. On this he took lodgings in the town of Cambridge, and subsisted for some time by reading lectures. His expulsion, however, if it really took place, which seems doubtful, did not lessen his general reputation, as in 1561) there was an intention to choose him master of St. John’s college, had not archbishop Parker interfered but about the same time he found a patron in the earl of Leicester, who was more indulgent to the puritans, and who received Mr. luilke into his house, as his chaplain. It was now also that he fell under the charge of being concerned in some unlawful marriages, and in such circumstances thought it his duty to resign his fellowship, but being honourably acquitted in an examination before the bishop of Ely, he was immediately re-elected by the college.
In 1571 the earl of Essex presented him to the rectory of Warley, in Essex, and soon after to the rectory of Kedington, in, Suffolk, and about
In 1571 the earl of Essex presented him to the rectory of Warley, in Essex, and soon after to the rectory of Kedington, in, Suffolk, and about this time he took his doctor’s degree at Cambridge, and was incorporated in the same at Oxford. His degree at Cambridge was in consequence of a mandamus from the earl of Essex, that he might be qualified to accompany the earl of Lincoln, who was then going as ambassador to the court of France. Upon his return he was chosen master of Pembroke hall, and as Wood says in his Fasti, Margaret professor of divinity, but Baker, in a ms note on Wood, says he never held the latter office.
her learned divines, was engaged in a public disputation with certain Roman catholics, in the Tower, and had to contend again with his old school-fellow Campian, but
In 1582, Dr. Fulke, with other learned divines, was engaged in a public disputation with certain Roman catholics, in the Tower, and had to contend again with his old school-fellow Campian, but was more successful. He died in the month of August, 1589, and was buried in the chancel of the church at Kedington, where is an inscription to his memory, partly in Latin, and partly in English. He was married, and had a large family, to whom he appears by his will to have been able to bequeath considerable property. To Pembroke-hall he bequeathed a piece of plate, to be called Dr. Fulke’s cup, and used only at commencements and solemn feasts.
in defence of the usurped power of the popish priesthood.” feut the work by which he is best known, and is still remembered with high esteem, is his Comment upon the
His works, chiefly controversial, are, I. “Anti-prognosticon contra predictiones Nostradami,
” &c. Sermon at Hampton -court,
” Confutation
df a libelle in forme of an apology made by Frocknam,
”
A goodly gallery, or treatise on meteors,
”
Astrologus ludus,
” Metpomaxia,
sive Ludus geometricus,
” Responsio ad Tho.
Stapletoni cavillationes,
” A retentive against
the motives of Richard Bristow; also a discovery of the
dangerous rock of the popish church,
” A defence of the translation of the Holy Scriptures in English,
”
Confutation of Will. Allen’s treatise in defence of the usurped power of the popish priesthood.
” feut
the work by which he is best known, and is still remembered
with high esteem, is his Comment upon the Rheims Testament, printed in 1580, and reprinted in 1601 with this title:
“The Text of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, translated out of the vulgar Latin by the Papists of the traiterous
Seminarie at Rhemes. With arguments of books, chapters,
and annotations, pretending to discover the corruptions of
divers translations, and to clear the controversies of these
days. Whereunto is added the translation out of the original Greek, commonly used in the Church of England;
with a confutation of all such arguments, glosses, and annotations, as containe manifest impietie of Heresie, Treason, and Slander against the Catholike Church of God,
and the true teachers thereof, or the translations used in
the church of England. The whole worke, perused and
enlarged in divers places by the author’s owne hand before his death, with sundry quotations and authorities out
of Holy Scriptures, Counsels, Fathers, and History. More
amply than in the former Edition.
” This work was published again, A. brief and plain declaration,
containing the desires of all those faithful ministers who
seek discipline and reformation of the church of England,
which may serve as a just apology against the false accusations and slanders of their adversaries,
”
ntique statues. In his historical compositions he has left little to admire, his colouring being raw and unnatural, and not compensated by disposition or invention,
, was an English painter of some note in the reign of Charles II. but of his family or masters we have no account, except that he studied many years in France under Perrier, who engraved the antique statues. In his historical compositions he has left little to admire, his colouring being raw and unnatural, and not compensated by disposition or invention, but in portraits his pencil was bold, strong, and masterly. In the latter he was much employed, particularly at Oxford. His own portrait in the gallery there is touched with great force and character. The altar-piece of Magdalen was also by him, but has not been much approved. As an imitation of Michel Angelo, it falls far short of the sublime, although sometimes wild imagination of that great artist; nor is the colouring harmonious. Some of the figures, however, are correctly drawn; and he has at least imitated the temper of Michel Angelo with success, in introducing among the damned, the portrait of an hostler at the Greyhound-inn, near the college, who had offended him. The picture, it is well known, was honoured by Addison in an elegant Latin poem. At Wadham college is an altar-cloth by Fuller in a singular manner, and of merit; which is just brushed over for the lights and shades, and the colours melted in with a hot iron. Soon after the restoration, he was engaged in painting the circumstances of king Charles II.'s escape, which he executed in five large pictures. These were presented to the parliament of Ireland, where they remained for many years in one of the rooms of the parliament house in Dublin. But some time in the last century the house undergoing a thorough repair, these pictures were not replaced, but lay neglected, until they were rescued by the late earl of Clanbrassil, who obtained possession of them, and had them cleaned and removed to his seat at Tullymore park, co. Down, where they were a few years ago. Lord Orford speaks slightingly of these, which he had never seen, and probably with as much justice as of Fuller’s altar-piece at All-souls college, which he never could have seen, for Fuller had no picture there. Fuller died in Bloomsbury-square July 17, 1672, and left a gon, an ingenious but idle man, chiefly employed ia coach -painting, who died young.
, a learned English divine and critic, was born at Southampton in 1557, and educated at the
, a learned English divine and
critic, was born at Southampton in 1557, and educated at
the free-school in that town. He did not go directly thence
to the university, but was taken into the family of the
bishop of Winchester, Dr. Robert Home; where spending
some time in study, he was made at length his secretary,
and afterwards continued in that office by his successor,
Dr. Watson. But Watson dying also in about three years,
Fuller returned home, with a resolution to follow his
studies. Before he was gettled there, he was invited to be
tutor to the sons of a knight in Hampshire, whom he accompanied to St. John’s college, Oxford, in 1584. His
pupils leaving him in a little time, he removed himself to
Hart- hall, where he took both the degrees in arts, and
then retired into the country. He afterwards took order*,
and was presented to the rectory of Aldington, or Ailington, near Amesbury, in Wiltshire. He afterwards became
a prebendary in the church of Salisbury*, and rector of
Bisbop’s-Waltham, in Hampshire. He died in 1622.
He was extremely learned in the sacred tongues, and, as
Wood quaintly says, “was so happy in pitching upon useful difficulties, tending to the understanding of the Scripture, that he surpassed all the critics of his time.
” His
“Miscellanea Theologica,
” in four books, were published
first at Heidelberg, 1612, 8vo, and afterwards at Oxford,
in 1616, and at London, in 1617, 4 to. These miscellanies coming into the hands of John Drusius, in Holland,
he charged Fuller with plagiarism, and with taking his
best notes from him without any acknowledgment. But
Fuller, knowing himself guiltless, as having never seen
Drusius’s works, published a vindication of himself at
Leyden, in 1622, together with two more books of “Miscellanea Sacra,
” Leyden and Strasburgh, and dispersed throughout Pool’s
” Synopsis
Griticorum.“There are some manuscript* of Fuller in
the Bodleian library at Oxford, which shew his great skill
in Hebrew and in philological learning; as
” An Exposition of rabbi Mordecai Nathan’s Hebrew Roots, with notes
upon it,“and
” A Lexicon," which he intended to have
published with the preceding.
, an English historian and divine, was the son of the rev. Thomas Fuller, minister of St.
, an English historian and divine,
was the son of the rev. Thomas Fuller, minister of St.
Peter’s, in Aldwincle, in Northamptonshire, and born
there in 1608. The chief assistance he had in the rudiments of learning was from his father, under whom he
made so extraordinary a progress, that he was sent at
twelve years of age to Queen’s-college, in Cambridge;
Dr. Davenant, who was his mother’s brother, being then
master of it, and soon after bishop of Salisbury. He took
his degrees in arts, that of A. B. in 1624-5, and that of
A. M. in 1628, and would have been fellow of the college;
but there being already a Northamptonshire man a fellow,
he was prohibited by the statutes from being chosen, and
although he might have obtained a dispensation, he preferred removing to Sidney-college, in the same university.
He had not been long there, before he was chosen minister of St. Bennet’s, in the town of Cambridge, and soon
became a very popular preacher. In 1631, he obtained a
fellowship in Sidney-college, and at the same time a prebend in the church of Salisbury. This year also he issued
his first publication, a work of the poetical kind, now but
little known, entitled “David’s Hainous Sin, Heartie Repentances, and Heavie Punishment,
” in a thin 8vx>.
He was soon after ordained priest, and presented to the rectory of Broad Windsor, in Dorsetshire; in
He was soon after ordained priest, and presented to the
rectory of Broad Windsor, in Dorsetshire; in 1635 he
came again to Cambridge, and took his degree of B. D.
after which, returning to Broad Windsor, he married about
1638, and had one son, but lost his wife about 1641.
During his retirement at this rectory, he began to complete several works he had planned at Cambridge; but
growing weary of a country parish, and uneasy at the unsettled state of public affairs, he removed to London; and
distinguished himself so much in the pulpits there, that
he was invited by the master and brotherhood of the Savoy
to be their lecturer. In 1640, he published his “History
f the Holy War;
” it was printed at Cambridge, in folio,
and was so favourably received, that a third edition appeared in 1647. On April 13, 1640, a parliament was
called, and then also a convocation began at Westminster,
in Henry VII.'s chapel, having licence granted to make new
canons for the better government of the church; of this
convocation he was a member, and has amply detailed its
proceedings in his “Church History,
” During the commencement of the rebellion, and when the king left London in 1641, to raise an army, Mr. Fuller continued at the
Savoy, to the great satisfaction of his people, and the
neighbouring nobility and gentry, labouring all the while
in private and in public to serve the king. To this end,
on. the anniversary of his inauguration, March 27, 1642,
he preached at Westminster-abbey, on this text, 2 Sam.
xix. 30: “Yea, let him take all, so that my lord the king
return in peace;
” which being printed, gave great offence
to those who were engaged in the opposition, and brought
the preacher into no small danger. He soon found that
he must expect to be silenced and ejected, as others had
been; yet desisted not, till he either was, or thought himself unsettled. This appears from what he says in the
preface to his “Holy State,
” which was printed in folio
that same year at Cambridge. This is a collection of characters, moral essays and lives, ancient, foreign, and domestic. The second edition of 1648, contains “Andronicus, or the unfortunate politician,
” originally printed
by itself in
heard of his extraordinary abilities in the pulpit, he was now desirous of knowing them personally; and accordingly Fuller preached before him at St. Mary’s church.
In 1643, refusing to take an oath to the parliament,
unless with such reserves as they would not admit, he was
obliged in April of that year to convey himself to the king
at Oxford, who received him gladly. As his majesty had
heard of his extraordinary abilities in the pulpit, he was
now desirous of knowing them personally; and accordingly
Fuller preached before him at St. Mary’s church. His fortune upon this occasion was very singular. He had before preached and published a sermon in London, upon
“the new-moulding church-reformation,
” which caused
him to be censured as too hot a royalist and now, from
his sermon at Oxford, he was thought to be too lukewarm
which can only be ascribed to his moderation, which he
would sincerely have inculcated in each party, as the
only means of reconciling both. During his stay here, he
resided in Lincoln college, but was not long after sequestered, and lost all his books and manuscripts. This loss,
the heaviest he could sustain, was made up to him partly
by Henry lord Beauchamp, and partly by Lionel Cranfield, earl of Middlesex, wiio gave him the remains of his
father’s library. That, however, he might not lie under
the suspicion of want of zeal or courage in the royal cause,
be determined to join the army; and therefore, being
well recommended to sir Ralph Hopton, in 1643, he was
admitted by him in quality of chaplain. For this employ-,
ment he was quite at liberty, being deprived of all other
preferment. And now, attending the army from place to
place, he constantly exercised his duty as chaplain; yet
found proper intervals for his beloved studies, which he
employed chiefly in making historical collections, and
especially in gathering materials for his “Worthies of England,
” which he did, not only by an extensive correspondence, but by personal inquiries in every place which the
army had occasion to pass through.
After the battle at Cheriton-Down, March 29, 1644, lord Hopton drew on his army to Basing-house, and Fuller, being left there by him, animated the garrison to so
After the battle at Cheriton-Down, March 29, 1644,
lord Hopton drew on his army to Basing-house, and Fuller,
being left there by him, animated the garrison to so vigorous a defence of that place, that sir William Waller was
obliged to raise the siege with considerable loss. But the,
war hastening to an end, and part of the king’s army being
driven into Cornwall, under lord Hopton, Fuller, with the
leave of that nobleman, took refuge at Exeter, where he
resumed his studies, and preached constantly to the citizens. During his residence here he was appointed chaplain to the infant princess Henrietta Maria, who was born
at Exeter in June 1643; and the king soon after gave
him a patent for his presentation to the living of Dorchester in Dorsetshire. He continued his attendance on the
princess till the surrender of Exeter to the parliament, in
April 1646; but did not accept the living, because he
determined to remove to London at the expiration of the
war. He relates, in his * Worthies,“an extraordinary
circumstance which happened during the siege of Exeter
” When the city of Exeter, he says, was besieged by the
parliament forces, so that only the south side thereof towards the sea was open to it, incredible numbers of larks
were found in that open quarter, for multitude like quailg
in the wilderness; though, blessed be God, unlike them
in the cause and effect; as not desired with man’s destruction, nor sent with God’s anger, as appeared by their safe
digestion into wholesome nourishment. Hereof I was an,
eye and mouth-witness. I will save my credit in not conjecturing any number; knowing that herein, though I
should stoop beneath the truth, I should mount above
belief. They were as fat as plentiful; so that being sold
for two-pence a dozen and under, the poor who could have
no cheaper, and the rich no better meat, used to make pottage of them, boiling them down therein. Several causes
were assigned hereof, &c. but the cause of causes was the
Divine Providence; thereby providing a feast for many
poor people, who otherwise had been pinched for provision.“While here, as every where else, he was much
courted on account of his instructive and pleasant conversation, by persons of high rank, some of whom made him
very liberal offers; but whether from a love of study, or a
spirit of independence, he was always reluctant in accepting any otters that might seem to confine him to any one
family, or patron. It was at Exeter, where he is said to
have written his
” Good Thoughts in Bad Times,“and
where the book was published in 1645, as what he calls
” the first fruits of Exeter press.“At length the garrison
being forced to surrender, he came to London, and met
but a coid reception among his former parishioners, and
found his lecturer’s place filled by another. However, it
was not Ions: before he was chosen lecturer at St. Clement’s
near Lombard-street and shortly after removed to St.
Bride’s, in Fleet-street. In 1647 he published, in 4to,
” A Sermon of Assurance, fourteen years agoe preached
at Cambridge, since in other places now, by the importunity of his friends, exposed to public view.“He dedicated it to sir John Danvers, who had been a royalist, was
then an Oliverian, and next year one of the king’s judges;
and in the dedication he says, that
” it had been the pleasure of the present authority to make him mute; forbidding him till further order the exercise of his public
preaching.“Notwithstanding his being thus silenced, he
was, about 1648, presented to the rectory of Waltham, in
Essex, by the earl of Carlisle, whose chaplain he was just
before made. He spent that and the following year betwixt
London and Waltham, employing some engravers to adorn
his copious prospect or view of the Holy Land, as from
mount Pisgah; therefore called his
” Pi*gah-sijht of Palestine and the confines thereof, with the history of the
Old and New Testament acted thereon,“which he published in 1650. It is an handsome folio, embellished with
a frontispiece and many other copper- plates, and divided
into five books. As for his
” Worthies of England,“on
which he had been labouring so long, the death of the
king for a time disheartened him from the continuance of
that work:
” For what shall I write,“says he,
” of the
Worthies of England, when this horrid act will bring such
an infamy upon the whole nation as will ever cloud an4
darken all its former, and suppress its future rising glories?“He was, therefore, busy till the year last mentioned, in preparing that book and others; and the next
year he rather employed himself in publishing some
particular lives of religious reformers, martyrs, confessors,
bishops, doctors, and other learned divines, foreign and
domestic, than in augmenting his said book of
” English
Worthies“in general. To this collection, which was executed by several hands, as he tells us in the preface, he
gave the title of
” Abel Redivivus,“and published it in 4to,
1651. In the two or three following years he printed
several sermons and tracts upon religious subjects. About
1654 he married a sister of the viscount Baltinglasse; and
the next year she brought him a son, who, as well as the
other before-mentioned, survived his father. In 1655,
notwithstanding Cromwell’s prohibition of all persons from,
preaching, or teaching school, who had been adherents to
the late king, he continued preaching, and exerting his
charitable disposition towards those ministers who were
ejected by the usurping powers, and not only relieved
such from what he could spare out of his own slender
estate, but procured many contributions for them from his
auditories. Nor was his charity confined to the clergy;
and among the laity whom he befriended, there is an
instance upon record of a captain of the army who was
quite destitute, and whom he entirely maintained until he
died. In 1656 he published in folio,
” The Church History of Britain, from the birth of Jesus Christ to the year
to which are subjoined,
” The History of the
University of Cambridge since the conquest,“and
” The
History of Waltham Abbey in Essex, founded by king
Harold.“His Church History was animadverted upon
by Dr. Hey 1 in in his
” Examen Historicum;" and this
drew from our author a reply: after which they had
no further controversy, but were very well reconciled *.
About this time he was invited, accord ing to his biographer, to another living in Essex, in which he continued
his ministerial labours until his settlement at London.
George, lord Berkeley, one of his noble patrons, having
in 1658 made him his chaplain, he took leave of Essex,
and was presented by his lordship to the rectory of Cranford in Middlesex. It is said also that lord Berkeley took
him over to the Hague, and introduced him to Charles if.
It is certain, however, that a short time hefore the restoration, Fuller was re-admitted to his lecture in the Savoy,
and on that event restored to his prebend of Salisbury.
He was chosen chaplain extraordinary to the king; created
doctor of divinity at Cambridge by a mandamus, dated
August 2, 1660; and, had he lived a twelvemonth longer,
would probably have been raised to a bishopric. But upon
his return from Salisbury in August 1661 he was attacked
by a fever, of which he died the 15th of that month. His
funeral was attended by at least two hundred of his brethren; and a sermon was preached by Dr. Hardy, dean of
Rochester, in which a great and noble character was given
of him. H was buried in his church at Cranford, on the
north wall of the chancel of which is his monument, with
the following inscription:
pieces printed separately, the former in 1645, the latter in 1647, were published together in 1652, and have very recently been reprinted by the rev. Mr. Hinton, of
Besides the works already mentioned in the course of
this memoir, Fuller was the author of several others of a
smaller nature; as, l.“Good Thoughts in bad times.
”
2. “Good Thoughts in worse times.
” These two pieces
printed separately, the former in Mixt Contemplations
in better times.
” 4. “The Triple Reconciler; stating
three controversies, viz. whether ministers have an exclusive power of barring communicants from the sacrament;
whether any person unordained may lawfully preach; and
whether the Lord’s Prayer ought not to be used by all
Christians, 1654,
” 8vo. 5. “The speech of birds, also
of flowers, partly moral, partly mystical, 1660,
” 8vo. A
work entitled “T. Fuller’s Triana; or three-fold Romanza
of Mariana, Paduana, and Sabina,
”
Dr. Fuller was in his person tall and well-made, but no way inclining to corpulency; his complexion
Dr. Fuller was in his person tall and well-made, but no way inclining to corpulency; his complexion was florid; and his hair of a light colour and curling. He was a kind husband to both his wives, a tender father to both his children, a good- friend and neighbour, and a well-behaved civilized person in every respect. He was a most agreeable companion, having a great deal of wit, which he could not suppress in his most serious- compositions, but it suited the age he lived in, and however introduced, wasalways made subservient to some good purpose. Ah his Jacetite, however, must not be referred to the age of James I. and Charles. Fuller has left enough to convince us that he would have been admitted a legitimate wit in any age. He had all the rich imagery of bishop Hall, but with more familiarity and less elegance. 1
e related as are not quite credible. He could repeat five hundred strange words after twice hearing, and could make use of a sermon verbatim, if he once heard it. He
Of the powers of his memory, such wonders are related as are not quite credible. He could repeat five hundred strange words after twice hearing, and could make use of a sermon verbatim, if he once heard it. He undertook, in passing from Temple-bar to the farthest part of Cheapside, to tell at his return every sign as it stood in order on both sides of the way, repeating them either backwards or forwards: and he did it exactly. His manner of writing is also reported to have been strange. He wrote, it is said, near the margin the first words of every line down to the foot of the paper; then, by beginning at the head again, would so perfectly fill up every one of these lines, and without spaces, interlineations, or contractions, would so connect the ends and beginnings, that the sense would appear as complete, as if he had written it in a continued series after the ordinary manner. This, however, he might sometimes do to amuse his friends; it never could have been his practice.
teady he was in the interests of the church of England, against the innovations of the presbyterians and independents; but his zeal against these was mixed with greater
It was sufficiently known how steady he was in the interests of the church of England, against the innovations
of the presbyterians and independents; but his zeal against
these was mixed with greater compassion than it was towards the papists: and this raised him up many adversaries, who charged him with puritanism. He used to
call the controversies concerning episcopacy, and the newfangled arguments against the church of England, “insects
of a day;
” and carefully avoided polemical disputes, being
altogether of sir Henry Wotton’s opinion, “disputandi
pruritus, ecclesise scabies.
” The fact was, that he loved
pious and good men of all denominations, and it is this
candour which has given a value to his works superior to
those of his opponents. For the many errors which occur
in his histories, it is surely easy to find an apology in this
single circumstance, that the whole of them were compiled
and published within about twenty years, during which he
was obliged to remove from place to place in quest of
literary leisure, and freedom from the cruel severities of
the times. His “Church History* 1 is the most incorrect
of all his works, and Strype has pointed out a great many
errors in the transcription of historical documents, to which
perhaps Fuller had not the easiest access. His
” Worthies"
was a posthumous publication, by his Son, and although
less perfect than he could have made it, had his life been
spared a few years longer, with the opportunities which
the return of peace might have afforded, yet it contains
many interesting memorials; and he was the second (see Samuel Clarke) who published what may be called English biography. This work has for many years been rising
in price and- estimation, and the public has lately been
gratified by a new edition, in 2 vols. 4to, edited by Mr.
Nichols, with many improvements and additions, from the
communications of his literary friends.
nglish physician, but perhaps better known for a very useful work on morals, was born June 24, 1654, and was educated at Queen’s college, Cambridge, where he took his
, an English physician, but perhaps
better known for a very useful work on morals, was born
June 24, 1654, and was educated at Queen’s college,
Cambridge, where he took his degrees in medicine, that
of M. B. in 1676, and that of M. D. in 1681. He does
not appear to have been a member of the college of physicians of London, but settled at Sevenoak in Kent, where
he was greatly esteemed. He was a great benefactor to
the poor, and a zealous assertor of their rights, having,
not long before his death, prosecuted the managers of a
considerable charity given to the inhabitants of that town
by sir William Senoke (a foundling of the place, and in 1418 lord mayor of London) and obliged them to produce
their accounts in chancery, and to be subject for the
future to an annual election. Here Dr. Fuller died, Sept.
17, 1734. The moral work which he published was entitled “Introductio ad prudentiam; or directions, counsels
and cautions, tending to prudent management of affairs of
common life,
” Introductio, &c.; or the art of
right thinking, assisted and improved by such notions as
men of sense and experience have left us in their writings,
in order to eradicate error, and plant knowledge,
” Pharmacopreia extemporanea,
” Pharmacopoeia Bateana,
” Pharmacopoeia Domestica,
” Of eruptive fevers, measles, and small-pox,
” Medici na Gymnastica,
” which has been sometimes attributed to him, but
was written by a Francis Fuller, M. A. of St. John’s college,
Cambridge, and published in 1704.
he exercised in his monastic state, intruded himself into the see of Antioch, in the fifth century, and after having been several times deposed and condemned on account
, so called from the trade of a fuller,
which he exercised in his monastic state, intruded himself into the see of Antioch, in the fifth century, and
after having been several times deposed and condemned
on account of the bitterness of his opposition to the council of Chalcedon, was at last fixed in it, in the year 482,
by the authority of the emperor Zeno, and the favour of
Acacius, bishop of Constantinople, Among the innovations which he introduced to excite discord in the church,
was an alteration in the famous hymn which the Greeks
called Tris-agion. After the words “O God most holy,
&c.
” he ordered the following phrase to be added in the
eastern churches, “who has suffered for us upon the
cross.
” His design in this was to raise a new sect, and
also to fix more deeply in the minds of the people, the
doctrine of one nature in Christ, to which he was zealously
attached. His adversaries, and especially Fcelix, the Roman pontiff, interpreted this addition in a quite different
manner, and charged him with maintaining, that all the
three persons of the Godhead were crucified and hence
his followers were called Theopaschites. To put an end
to the controversy, the emperor Zeno published in the
year 482 the “Henoticon,
” or decree of onion, which
was designed to reconcile the parties, and Fullo signed it;
but the effects of the contest disturbed the church for a
long time after his death, which happened in the year 486.
English antiquary, was the son of a tradesman at Penshurst, in Kent, where he was born in Nov. 1632, and his early capacity being known to the celebrated Dr. Hammond,
, an English antiquary, was the
son of a tradesman at Penshurst, in Kent, where he was
born in Nov. 1632, and his early capacity being known to
the celebrated Dr. Hammond, who was minister of that
place, he took him with him to Oxford during the usurpation. There he procured him the place of chorister in
Magdalen college, and at the same time had him educated
at the school belonging to that college. In 1647 he became a candidate for a scholarship in Corpus Christi college, and succeeded by his skill in classical learning. The
next year he was ejected by the parliamentary visitors,
along with his early patron, Dr. Hammond, to whom,
however, he faithfully adhered, and was serviceable to him
as an amanuensis. Dr. Hammond afterwards procured him
a tutor’s place in a family, where he remained until the
restoration, and then resuming his scholarship at college,
was created M. A. and obtained a fellowship. He was,
several years after, presented by his college to the rectory
of Meysey Hampton, near Fairford, in Gloucestershire,
on which he resided during his life, employing his time
that was not occupied in professional duties, in the study
pf history and antiquities, particularly what regarded his
own country. He died June 28, 1688, according to
Wood, but Atkins mentions his successor, Dr. Beale, with
(he date 1697. Wood informs us that Mr. Fulmau made large collections of history, but published little. We have, however, of his, 1. “Academiae Oxoniensis Notitia,
” Oxford, Appendix to the Life of Edmund Stunton, D. D. wherein some passages are further cleared, which were not fully held forth by the former authors,
” Lond. Corrections and Observations on the first part of Burnet’s History of
the Reformation,
” not a distinct publication, but communicated by the author to Burnet, who published them
at the end of his second volume, and, according to Wood,
not completely. Fulman also collected what are called
the “Works of Charles I.
” but happening to be taken ill
about the intended time of publication (
, an accomplished scholar and Latin poet, was born at Verona, and not at Venice, as Foscarini
, an accomplished
scholar and Latin poet, was born at Verona, and not at
Venice, as Foscarini asserts. He studied Greek and Latin with astonishing progress, under Romulus Amaseus,
and the extensive learning he afterwards acquired made
him known and respected by all the eminent scholars of
his time. On the death pf one of his particular friends,
John Matthew Giberti, bishop of Verona, which happened
in 1544, he composed a funeral oration, which is said to
have been very eloquent, but which he was not able to
deliver without such continual interruption from the tears
and sobs of his audience, as prevented its being heard with
any other effect. At this time he enjoyed a canonry at
Venice, which he kept all his life. Navagero and Valerio,
the two successive bishops of Verona, and both cardinals,
had the highest esteem for Fumani; by the interest of the
former he was appointed secretary to the council of Trent.
He died advanced in age in 1587. He published “D.
Basilii Moralia, et Ascetica,
” translated by him, Leyden,
, a native of Marpurg, and a celebrated critic in the Latin language, was born in 1693.
, a native of
Marpurg, and a celebrated critic in the Latin language,
was born in 1693. He was educated at the university of
Rintlen in Westphalia, and was a writer of several
philological tracts in Latin. But the most celebrated part of
his works consists of several treatises which he published
successively on the history of the Latin language, beginning with its original formation, and pursuing it through
the several ages, from youth to extreme old age. His
treatises “De Origine Latinae Linguae,
” and “De Pueritia Latins Linguae,
” were published in
in 1518, at Werdeti, near Nuremberg. He adopted the doctrine of Osiander, whose daughter he married, and particularly became a strenuous advocate for Osiander 1 s opinions
, a celebrated Lutheran divine, was born in 1518, at Werdeti,
near Nuremberg. He adopted the doctrine of Osiander,
whose daughter he married, and particularly became a
strenuous advocate for Osiander 1 s opinions on the subject
of justification. He was a minister in Prussia, and wrote
a “Chronology,
” from Adam to
That is, “Learn from my example, to mind nothing but the employment allotted you and avoid, as you would the plague, all desire of meddling in too
That is, “Learn from my example, to mind nothing but
the employment allotted you and avoid, as you would the
plague, all desire of meddling in too many things.
” He
left a Commentary on “Daniel’s 70 Weeks,
” in German,
Fol. and one on the “Revelations,
” 4to.
, an ingenious and learned lawyer, was born at Paris in 1620; and, after a liberal
, an ingenious and learned lawyer, was born at Paris in 1620; and, after a liberal education, became eminent in the civil and canon law. He
was first an advocate in the parliament; and afterwards,
taking orders, was presented to the abbey of Chalivoy,
and the priory of Chuines. Many works of literature recommended him to the public; but he is chiefly known
and valued for his “Universal Dictionary of the French
Tongue,
” in which he explains the terms of art in all
sciences. He died in Facta,
” and.
other pieces, against his brother academicians. “Relation
des Troubles arrives au Ro‘iaume d’Eloquence;
” a tolerably good critical allegory. “Le Roman Bourgeois,
” 12mo
or 8vo; a book esteemed in its time. Five “Satires
” in
verse, 12mo, which are not valued. “Paraboles Evangeliques,
” inverse, Furetieriana,
” in which there are some amusing anecdotes.
, an Italian cardinal and antiquary, the descendant of a noble family of Bergamo, was
, an Italian cardinal
and antiquary, the descendant of a noble family of Bergamo, was born there in 1685, He studied at Milan
and Pavja, and made considerable progress in the knowledge of the civil and canon law. He went afterwards
to Rome, where he held several ecclesiastical preferments,
and in each was admired as much for his integrity as knowledge. Benedict XIV. who well knew his merit, was yet
averse to raising him to the purple, on account of some
disputes between them which took place in 1750. Yet it
is said that Furietti might have received this high honour at
that time, if he would have parted with his two superb
centaurs, of Egyptian marble, which he found in 1736
among the ruins of the ancient town of Adrian in Tivoli,
and which the pope very much wanted to place in the museum Capitolinum. Furietti, however, did not ehuse to
give them up, and assigned as a reason: “I can, if I please,
be honoured with the purple, but I know the court of
Rome, and I do not wish to be called cardinal Centaur /
”
In 1759, however, Clement XIII. a year after his accession to the papal dignity, sent the cardinal’s hat to him,
which he did not long enjoy, dying in 1764.
Furietti collected and published at Rome the works of the celebrated Caspar Barziza
Furietti collected and published at Rome the works of the
celebrated Caspar Barziza of Bergamo, and of his son
Guiniforte, most of which were never before printed, in a
handsome 4to vol. 1723, with a learned preface and life.
He published, likewise, at Bergamo in 1752, a fine edition
of the poems of Fontana; but what obtained him most reputation among scholars and antiquaries, was his treatise
on the Mosaic art of painting, entitled “De Musivis, vel
pictoriae Mosaicse artis origine, progressu, &c.
” Home,
aire’s “Corpus Poetarum. >r Quintilian says, that he wrote iambics also irt a very satirical strain, and therefore is censured by Cremutius Cordus, in Tacitus, as a
, called Bibaculus, perhaps from his excessive
drinking, an ancient Latin poet, was born at Cremona
about the year of Rome 650, or 100 before Christ. He
wrote annals, of which Macrobius has preserved some fragments. They are inserted in Maittaire’s “Corpus Poetarum. >r Quintilian says, that he wrote iambics also irt a
very satirical strain, and therefore is censured by Cremutius Cordus, in Tacitus, as a slandering and abusive writer.
Horace is thought to have ridiculed the false sublime of
his taste; yet, according to Macrobius, Virgil is said to
have imitated him in many places. But some are of opinion that the
” Annals" may be attributed to Furius Antias, or Anthius, a contemporary poet, whose fragments
are likewise in Maittaire’s collection.
, surnamed Cceriolanus, was a native of Valentia in Spain, and flourished in the sixteenth century. He studied at Paris under
, surnamed Cceriolanus, was a
native of Valentia in Spain, and flourished in the sixteenth
century. He studied at Paris under Talaeus, Tiirnebus,
and Ramus, and afterwards came to lx>uvain, where he
published a treatise “On Rhetoric,
” and another in which
he asserted that the scriptures ought to be translated into
the vulgar tongue. It was entitled “Bononia,
” sive de
libris sacris in vernaculam linguam convertendis, &c.“Basil, 1556, 8vo. It was written, however, upon too liberal principles for the council of Trent, and was accordingly
inserted in their
” Index Expurgatorius.“It otherwise
would have brought him into trouble if he had not found a
protector in the emperor Charles V. who was informed of
his learning, piety, and candour. This monarch sent him.
into the Netherlands, and placed him with his son Philip,
who made him his historian. Furius remained with this
prince during his life, and having accompanied him to the
states of Arragon, died at Valladolid in 1592. He appears to have employed his utmost endeavours in order to
pacify the troubles in the Netherlands. He wrote another
work
” Del Conseio y Gonseiero," which was much
esteemed, and twice translated into Latin, 1618 and 1663,
8vo.
, a learned dissenting clergyman, was born at Totness in Devonshire in Dec. 1726, and was educated in the free-school of that town at the same time
, a learned dissenting clergyman,
was born at Totness in Devonshire in Dec. 1726, and was
educated in the free-school of that town at the same time
with Dr. Kennicott, who was a few years his senior, and
between them a friendship commenced which continued
through life. From Totness Dr. Furneaux came to London for academical studies among the dissenters, which he
completed in 1749. He was soon after ordained, and
chosen assistant to the rev. Henry Read, at the meetinghouse in St. Thomas’s, Southwark, and joint Sunday evening lecturer at Salters’-hall meeting. In 1753 he succeeded
the rev, Moses Lowman, as pastor of the congregation at
Clapham, which he raised to one of the most opulent and
considerable among the protestant dissenters. He remained their favourite preacher, and highly esteemed by
all classes, for upwards of twenty-three years, bat was
deprived of his usefulness in 1777, by the loss of his mental powers, under which deplorable malady (which was hereditary) he continued to the day of his death, Nov. 23,
1783. His flock and friends raised a liberal subscription to
support him during his illness, to which, from sentiments
of personal respect, as well as from the principle of benevolence, the late lord Mansfield, chief justice of the king’s
bench, generously contributed. Dr. Furneaux (which title he had received from some northern university) united to
strong judgment a very tenacious iriemory; of which he
gave a remarkable proof, when the cause of the dissenters
against the corporation of London, on the exemption they
claimed from serving the office of sheriff, was heard in the'
house of lords. He was then present, and carried away,
and committed to paper, by the strength of his memory,
without notes, the very able speech of lord Mansfield,
with so much accuracy, that his lordship, when the copy was
submitted to his examination, could discover but two or
three trivial errors in it. This circumstance introduced
him to the acquaintance of that great man, who conceived
a high regard for him. Dr. Furneaux published but little,
except a few- occasional sermons the most considerable of
his works was that entitled “Letters to the hon. Mr. Justice Blackstone, concerning his exposition of the act of
toleration, and some positions relative to religious liberty,
in his Commentaries on the Laws of England,
” Letters
” was added the before-mentioned speech of lord
Mansfield. In An Essay on
Toleration,
” with a view to an application made by dissenting ministers to parliament for relief in the matter of
subscription, which, although unsuccessful then, was afterwards granted.
. 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
, 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.
en, 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
, 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,
”
as one of the three artists considered as the inventors of printing, the two others being Guttemberg and Scheeffer. It is not, however, certain, that he did more than
, a goldsmith of Mentz, was
one of the three artists considered as the inventors of printing, the two others being Guttemberg and Scheeffer. It is
not, however, certain, that he did more than supply money
to Guttemberg, who had made attempts with moveable
metal types at Strasburg, before he removed to Mentz, in
1444. But it has been strongly argued, that Laurence
Koster, at Harlaem, had first conceived the art of cutting
wooden blocks for this purpose in 1430, which he immediately improved, by substituting separate wooden types.
Schaetfer undoubtedly invented the method of casting the
metal types, in 1452. The first printed book with a date,
is said to have been a Psalter, published at Mentz in 1457;
the next, perhaps, is “Durandi Rationale divinorum Officiorum,
” by Fust and Schaeffer in Catholicon
” followed in
, a native of Paris, where he was. born in 1672, devoted himself early to poetry, and wrote for the French and Italian theatres, the royal musical
, a native of Paris, where he was.
born in 1672, devoted himself early to poetry, and wrote
for the French and Italian theatres, the royal musical
academy, and the comic opera. He obtained the privilege
of conducting the “Mercury,
” jointly with M. de Bruere,
ul Mom us
Fabuliste,
” and his operas of “Les Ages,
” “Les Amours
dcs Dieux,
” << J^es Indes Galantes,“and
” Le Carnavai
du Parnasse," are particularly admired. He wrote much'
for the Italian theatre and comic opera; but La Harpe,
who has lately dictated in French criticism, speaks with,
great contempt of his talents.
, an Italian artist, born at Florence in 1652, was successively the pupil of Subtermans and Vincenzo Dandini, and studied under Giro Ferri at Rome, and
, an Italian artist, born
at Florence in 1652, was successively the pupil of Subtermans and Vincenzo Dandini, and studied under Giro Ferri
at Rome, and after the best colourists at Venice. He was
a ready and correct designer. His colour, though sometimes languid, is generally true, juicy, and well united in
the flesh-tints. The greatest flaw of his style lies in the
choice, the hues, and the execution of his draperies. He
excels in “pretty
” subjects; his Gambols of Genii and
Children in the palace Pitti, and elsewhere, are little inferior to those of Baciccio. His greatest and most famed
work in fresco, is the vast cupola of Cestello, which was
not wholly terminated. His altar-pieces are unequal: the
best is that of S. Filippo in the church of the fathers Dell'
Oratorio. In easel-pictures he holds his place even in
princely galleries. He died in 1726, in consequence of a
tall from the scaffold on which he was painting the cupola
Of Cestello.
, one of those scholars who promoted the revival of literature, was a native of Verona, and a professor of Greek at Rome in the sixteenth century, but we
, one of those scholars who promoted the revival of literature, was a native of Verona, and a professor of Greek at Rome in the sixteenth century, but we have no dated particulars of his life. It is said he was eminent for his knowledge of the learned languages, and of philosophy and mathematics, and had even studied theology. He translated from Greek into Latin, the Commentaries of Theodoret bishop of Cyarus, on Daniel and Ezekiel, which translation was printed at Rome, 1563, fol. and was afterwards adopted by father Sirmond in his edition of Theodoret. He translated also the history of Scylitzes Curopalates, printed in 1570, along with the original, which is thought to be more complete than the Paris edition of 1648. About 1543 he published the first Latin translation of Sophocles, with scholia. Maflfei says that he also translated Zozimus, and the Hebrew Psalms, and translated into Greek the Gregorian Kalendar, with Santi’s tables, and an introductory epistle in Greek by himself. This was published at Home in 1583.
, an eminent royal architect of France, built the palace at Choisy, and undertook the royal bridge at Paris, but died in 1686, before
, 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.
oriental languages at Rome, from whence he was invited to Paris, to assist in M. le Jay’s Polyglott, and carried with him some Syriac and Arabic bibles, which he had
, a learned Maronite, who died in
1648, was professor of oriental languages at Rome, from
whence he was invited to Paris, to assist in M. le Jay’s
Polyglott, and carried with him some Syriac and Arabic
bibles, which he had transcribed with his own hand from
ms copies at Rome; these bibles were first printed in
Jay’s Polyglott, with vowel points, and a Latin version
and afterwards in the English Polyglott. Gabriel Sionita
translated also the Arabian Geography, entitled “Geographia Nubiensis,
”
, of the order of the clerks minor, was born at Rome in 1726, and boasted of being the descendant of Nicolas Gabrini, better known
, of the order of the clerks
minor, was born at Rome in 1726, and boasted of being
the descendant of Nicolas Gabrini, better known by the
name Rienzi. Having been appointed Greek professor at
Pesaro, he acquired great reputation for his critical knowledge of that language. He afterwards was invited to be
philosophy professor at Rome, and had a cure of souls
which he held for twenty-seven years, with the character
of an excellent pastor. After other preferments in the
ecclesiastical order to which he belonged, he was at last
made general, and while in this station was frequently consulted by congregations, bishops, and popes, who had a
very high esteem for his judgment. He died very advanced, on Nov. 16, 1807. Besides some tracts published in.
defence of his ancestor Rienzi, he published “A Dissertation on the 20th proposition of the first book of Euclid,
”
Pesaro,
, a French poet, well known by his satirical pieces against Bossuet, Rousseau, La Motte, and others, was the son of a merchant, and born at Lyons in 1667.
, a French poet, well known by his
satirical pieces against Bossuet, Rousseau, La Motte, and
others, was the son of a merchant, and born at Lyons in
1667. He became a father of the Oratory; obtained the
poetical prize at the French academy in 1717; and died
in his priory of Baillon Nov. 15, 1725. Among his works
are, “Le Poete sans fard,
” a satirical piece, which cost
him some months of imprisonment; a French translation
of “Anacreon,
” with notes, which was the best of his
works; “L' Anti-Rousseau,
” an attack against J. Baptiste
Rousseau, the poet; “L'Homere venge,
” against La
Motte. Gacon also attacked La Motte, and turned him
into ridicule, in a small piece entitled “Les Fables de
M. de la Motte, traduites en vers Francois, par P. S. F.
au Caffe* du Mont Parnasse, &c.
” This poet’s natural
propensity to satire and criticism, led him to attack alt
sorts of writers, and involved him in all the literary quarrels of his times. The French academy acted with great
impartiality, when they adjudged him the prize; for he
had written in some shape or other against almost all the
members of that illustrious body; and on this account it
was, that he was not suffered to make his speech of thanks,
as is usual on such occasions, the prize having been remitted to him by the hands of the abbé de Choisy. “Gacon,
” says Voltaire, “is placed bj father Niceron in the
catalogue of illustrious men, though he has been famous
only for bad satires. Such authors cannot be cited but as
examples to be detested.
” In fact, though he wrote with
care, his style was heavy and diffuse in prose, and low in
verse.
ry, was born at Wheatly near Oxford, Dec. 31, 1627. His father, William, was a farmer of that place, and his mother was a daughter of sir John Curzon of Waterperry,
, one of the astrological impostors
of the seventeenth century, was born at Wheatly near Oxford, Dec. 31, 1627. His father, William, was a farmer
of that place, and his mother was a daughter of sir John
Curzon of Waterperry, knt. Our conjuror was first put
apprentice to Thomas Nicols, a taylor, in Oxford, but
leaving his master in 1644, he went up to London, and
became a pupil of the noted William Lilly, under whom
be profited so far as to be soon enabled “to set up the
trade of almanack-making and fortune-telling for himself.
”
His pen was employed for many years on nativities, almanacks, and prodigies. There is, we believe, a complete
collection of his printed works in the new catalogue of the
British Museum, and vre hope we shall be excused for not
transcribing the list. Dodd, who has given an account of
him, as a Roman catholic, says that some of his almanacks,
reflecting upon the management of state affairs during the
time of Oates’s plot, brought him into trouble. While
other astrologers were content to exercise their art for the
benefit of their own country only, Gadbury extended his
to a remote part of the globe, as, in 1674, he published
his “West India, or Jamaica Almanack
” for that year.
He collected and published the works of his friend sir
George Wharton in 1683, 8vo. His -old master Lilly, who
quarrelled with him, and against whom he wrote a book
called “Anti-Merlinus Anglicus,
” says he was a “monster
of ingratitude,
” and “a graceless fellow;
” which is true,
if, according to his account, he had two wives living at
one time, and one of them two husbands. Lilly adds, that
be went to sea with intention for Barbadoes, but died by
the way in his voyage. When this happened we are not
told. Lilly died in 16S1, and according to Wood, Gadbury was living in 1690. “The Black Life of John Gadbury
” was written and published by Partridge in
, an English physician, who lived in the early part of the fourteenth century, of very extensive and lucrative practice, was the first Englishman who was employed
, an English physician, who lived in the early part of the fourteenth century, of very extensive and lucrative practice, was the first Englishman who was employed as a physician at court, being appointed to that office by Edward II.: before his time the king’s physicians had been exclusively foreigners. The ignorance, superstition, and low quackery, which appear throughout his practice; are painted with much life and humour by Dr. Freind. He came forward as an universal genius, was a philosopher, philologist, and poet, and undertook every thing that lay within the circle of physic and surgery, was skilled in manual operations, very expert in bone-setting, and a great oculist. He also acquaints us with his great skill in physiognomy; and designed to write a treatise of chiromancy. He was a great dealer in secrets, and some he had which were the most secret of secrets, and did miracles. But his chief strength lay in receipts, and without giving himself much trouble in forming a judgment respecting the nature of the case, he seemed to think that, if he could muster up a good number of these, he should be able to encounter any distemper. He seems to have neglected no stratagems, by which he might surprise and impose on the credulity of mankind, and to have been very artful in laying baits for the delicate, the ladies, and the rich. When he was employed in attending the king’s son, in the small-pox, in order to shew his skill in inflammatory distempers, he, with a proper formality, and a countenance of much importance, ordered the patient to be wrapped up in scarlet, and every thing about the bed to be of the same colour. This, he says, made him re-, cover without so much as leaving one mark in his face; and he commends it for an excellent mode of curing. Nevertheless this man was praised by Leland, Ovaringius, and others, as a profound philosopher, a skilful physician, and the brightest man of his age.
Anglica,” which comprises the whole practice of physic; collected indeed chiefly from the Arabians, and the moderns who had written in Latin just before him, but enlarged
His only work, which he produced while resident at
Merton college, Oxford, is the famous “Rosa Anglica,
”
which comprises the whole practice of physic; collected
indeed chiefly from the Arabians, and the moderns who
had written in Latin just before him, but enlarged and interspersed with additions from his own experience. Its
title is “Rosa Anglica quatuor Libris distincta, de morbis
particularibus: de Febribus, de Chirurgia, de Pharmacopeia.
”.
Dr. Freind observes, that John seems to have made a collection of all the receipts he had ever met with or heard
of and that this book affords us a complete history of
what medicines were in use, not only among the physicians of that time, hut among the common people in all
parts of England, both in the empirical and superstitious
way. Dr. Aikin remarks that the method of producing
fresh from salt water by simple distillation (“in an alembic with a gentle heat
”) is familiarly mentioned by this author,
even at so remote a period.
s profession, he was prebendary of St. Paul’s, in the stall of Ealdland. It seems probable from this and other instances, that the procurement of a sinecure place in
Although devoted to the practice of his profession, he
was prebendary of St. Paul’s, in the stall of Ealdland. It
seems probable from this and other instances, that the procurement of a sinecure place in the church was a method
in which the great sometimes paid the services of their
physicians. Of his “Rosa Anglica
” there are two editions, one in fol. Venice,
t 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
, 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.
olume of his long-expected work, “De fructibus et sem'mihus plantarum,” printed at Stutgard in 1788, and containing the essential generic characters, with particular
At length he gave to the public the first volume of his
long-expected work, “De fructibus et sem'mihus plantarum,
” printed at Stutgard in
In the definition and anatomical elucidation of the parts of the seed, Gaertner is
In the definition and anatomical elucidation of the parts of the seed, Gaertner is truly excellent; and, notwithstanding some slight defects, his work marks an sera in botanical science, not only directing, but even forcing the attention of botanists to parts which the Lin niean school had too much neglected, but which cnn never in future be overlooked. The second volume of this immortal work Appeared in- 1791, illustrating 500 more genera, on the same plan with the former, in 101 plates, in which the compound flowers are treated with peculiar care and success. The preface of this volume is dated April 6, 1791, but little more than three months before the death of the author, which happened on the 14th of July, 1791, in the sixtieth year of his age. He is said, though struggling for some time preceding with debility and disease, to have finished a description and drawing of the Halleria lucida but the evening before his departure. He left one son, to whom he gave an excellent education, and who has proved worthy of his distinguished father, in publishing his inedited works, and continuing with success the same inquiries.
, a learned Rabbinical writer, was the son of Dr. Gaffarell, by Lucrece de Bermond, his wife; and was born at Mannes, in Provence, about 1601. He was educated
, a learned Rabbinical writer,
was the son of Dr. Gaffarell, by Lucrece de Bermond, his
wife; and was born at Mannes, in Provence, about 1601.
He was educated at the university of Apt, in that county,
where he prosecuted his studies with indefatigable industry; and applying himself particularly to the Hebrew
language and Rabbinical learning, was wonderfully pleased
with the mysterious doctrines of the Cabala, and commenced author in their defence at the age of twenty-two.
He printed a 4to volume at Paris in 1623, under_the title
of “The secret mysteries of the divine Cabala, defended
against the trifling objections of the Sophists,
” or “Abdita
divinae Cabalae mysteria,
” &c. The following year he
published a paraphrase upon that beautiful ode the 137th
Psalm, “By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept,
when we remembered thee, O Sion>
” -&c. He began
early to be inflamed with an ardent desire of travelling for
his improvement in literature, in which his curiosity was
boundless.
mmon talents, did not escape the notice of cardinal Richelieu, who appointed him his library-keeper, and sent him into Italy to collect the best books printed or ms.
This disposition, added to his uncommon talents, did
not escape the notice of cardinal Richelieu, who appointed
him his library-keeper, and sent him into Italy to collect
the best books printed or ms. that could be found. This
employment extremely well suited Gaffarell’s taste, both
as it gave him an opportunity of furnishing his own library
with some curious pieces in oriental and other languages,
and of making inquiries into that branch of literature which
was his chief delight. With this view, while he was at
Home, he went with some others to visit Campanella, the
famous pretender to magic; his design in this visit was
to procure satisfaction about a passage in that author’s
took, “De sensu rerum et magiu.
” Campanella was then
in the inquisition, where he had been cruelly used, in
order to force him to confess the crimes laid to his charge.
At their entrance into his chamber he begged they would
have a little patience, till he had finished a small note
which he was writing to cardinal Magaloti. As soon as
they were seated, they observed him to make certain wry
faces, which being supposed to proceed from pain, he was
asked if he felt no pain; to which, smiling, he answered,
No! and guessing the cause of the question, he said he
was fancying himself to be cardinal Magaloti, as he had
heard him described. This was the very thing Gaffarell
wanted; and convinced him, that in order to discover another person’s thoughts, it was not sufficient, as he had before understood Campanella, barely to fancy yourself to
be like the person, but you must actually assume his very
physiognomy. This anecdote will afford the reader a sufficient idea of the value of the discoveries of Campanella
and GafTarell.
, 8vo, i. e. “A Latin version of Rabbi Elea’s treatise concerning the end of the world, with notes;” and the same year came out his “Curiositez Inouez, c. Unheard-of
In 1629, he published “Rabbi Flea, de fine mundi,
Latine versus, cum notis,
” Paris, 8vo, i. e. “A Latin
version of Rabbi Elea’s treatise concerning the end of the
world, with notes;
” and the same year came out his “Curiositez Inouez, c. Unheard-of Cariosities concerning
the talismanic sculpture of the Persians -, the horoscope of
the Patriarchs, and the reading of the stars.
” This curious piece went through three editions in the space of
six months. In it the author undertakes to shew that talismans, or constellated figures, had the virtue to make a
man rich and fortunate, to free a house and even a whole
country from certain insects and venomous creatures; and
from all the injuries of the air. He started many other
bold assertions concerning the force of magic; and having
also made some reflections upon his own country, and
mentioned the decalogue according to the order of the
Old Testament, and the protestant doctrine, he was censured by the Sorbonne, and therefore retracted these and
Some other things advanced as errors submitting his faith;
in all points to the doctrine of the catholic and apostolic
church.
In 1633 he was at Venice, where, among other things,
he took an exact measure of the vessels brought from Cyprus and Constantinople, that were deposited in the treasury of St. Mark, at the request of the learned Peiresc,
with whom he had been long acquainted, and who had a
great esteem for him. During his abode in this city, he
was invited to live with M. de la Thuillerie, the French
ambassador, as a companion. He accepted the invitation,
but was not content with the fruitless office of merely diverting the ambassador’s leisure hours by his learned conrersation. He aimed to make himself of more importance,
and to do this friend some real service. He resolved therefore to acquaint himself with politics, and in that view
wrote to his friend Gabriel Naude“, to send him a list of
the authors upon political subjects; and this request it
was, that gave birth to Naude’s t( Bibliographia Politica.
” Gaffarell at this time was doctor of divinity and canon law, prothonotary of the apostolic see, and commendatory prior of St. Giles’s. After his return home, he was employed by his patron cardinal Richelieu, in his project for bringing back all the protestants to the Roman church, which he calls are-union of religions; and to that end was authorized to preach in Dauphin6 against the doctrine of purgatory. To
the same purpose he also published a piece upon the pacification of Christians.
He survived the cardinal many years, and wrote several books besides those already mentioned; among which
He survived the cardinal many years, and wrote several
books besides those already mentioned; among which are,
1. “Index codicum MStorum quibus usus est Joh. Picus
Comes Mirandulanus,
” Paris, Un traite
” de la poudre
de sympathie et des Talismans.“3. (l Epistola prsefat. in Jlob. Leonis Mntinensis libellum de ritibus Hebraicis.
” 4. “Cribrum Cabalisticum,
” vid. Curiosites Inoiiez, p. 44, and 869. 5. “Avis aux Doctes touchant la necessite des langues orientales,
” ibid. p. 54 and 84. 6. “The widow of Sarepta.
” 7. “A treatise of good and evil Genii,
” vid. Mercure galant, p. Ars nova & perquam facilis legendi Rabbinos sine punctis.
” 9. “De musica Hebrseorum stupenda libellus.
” 10. '-* In voces derelictas V. T. Centuriie duoe, nova cum,
Scaligero de LXX Interpret, dissertatiuncula.“11.
” De
stellis cadentibus opinio nova.“12.
” Quaestio Hebraicophilosophica, utrum a principio mare salsum extiterit.“13.
” Lachrymae in obitum Jani Csecilii Frey. Medici,' 1
1631, 4to, and some others, mentioned by Leo Allatius,
in Apibus.
ing a history of the subterranean world; containing an account of the caves, grottos, mines, vaults, and catacombs, which he had met with in thirty years’ travel; and
In the latter part of his life he was employed in writing
a history of the subterranean world; containing an account
of the caves, grottos, mines, vaults, and catacombs, which
he had met with in thirty years’ travel; and the work was,
so nearly finished, that the plates were engraven, and it
was just ready to go to the press, when he died at Sigonce,
of which place he was then abbot, in his eightieth year,
1681; being also dean of canon law in the university of
Paris, prior of le Revest de Brousse, in the diocese of
Sisteron, and commandant of St. Omeil. His works shew
him to have been a man of prodigious reading, and uncommon subtilty of genius; but he unfortunately had also
a superstitious credulity, as appears from the following
passage in his “Unheard-of Curiosities.
” Treating of
omens, he cites Camerarius, affirming that some people
have an apprehension and knowledge of the death of their
friends and kindred, either before or after they are dead x
by a certain strange and unusual restlessness within themselves, though they are a thousand leagues off. To support this idle notion, he tells us that his mother Lucrcce
de Bermond, when she was living, had some such sign
always given her; for none of her children ver died, but
a little before she dreamt either of hair, eggs, or teeth
mingled with earth; this sign, says he, was infallible. “I
myself, when I had heard her say she had any such dream,
observed the event always to follow.
” His '< Curiosities"
was translated by Chi I mead into English, Lond. 1650, 8vo.
iments 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
, 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 English clergyman and traveller, was descended from Robert Gage of Haling, in Surrey,
, an English clergyman and traveller,
was descended from Robert Gage of Haling, in Surrey,
third son of sir John Gage, of Firle, in Sussex, who died
in 1557. He was the son of John Gage, of Haling, and
his brother was sir Henry Gage, governor of Oxford, who
was killed in battle at Culham-bridge,' Jan. 11, 1644. Of
his early history we are only told that he studied in Spain,
and became a Dominican monk. From thence he departed
with a design to go to the Philippine islands, as a missionary, in 1625; but on his arrival at Mexico, he heard
so bad an account of those islands, and became so delighted with New Spain, that he abandoned his original
design, and contented him with a less dangerous mission.
At length, being tired of this mode of life, and his request
to return to England and preach the gospel among his
countrymen being refused, he effected his escape, and
arrived in London in 1637, after an absence of twentyfour years, in which he had quite lost the use of his native
language. On examining into his domestic affairs, he
found himself unnoticed in his father’s will, forgotten by
some of his relations, and with difficulty acknowledged by
others. After a little time, not being satisfied with respect to some religious doubts which had entered his mind
while abroad, and disgusted with the great power of the
papists, he resolved to take another journey to Italy, to
“try what better satisfaction he could find for his
conscience at Rome in that religion.
” At Loretto his conversion from popery was fixed by proving the fallacy of the
miracles attributed to the picture of our Lady there; on
which he immediately returned home once more, and
preached his recantation sermon at St. Paul’s, by order of
the bishop of London. He continued above a year in.
London, and when he saw that papists were entertained
at Oxford and other parts of the kingdom attached to the
royal cause, he adopted that of the parliament, and received a living from them, probably that of Deal, in Kent,
in the register of which church is an entry of the burials
of Mary daughter, and Mary the wife of “Thomas Gage,
parson of Deale, March 21, 1652;
” and in the title of his
work he is styled “Preacher of the word of God at Deal.
”
We have not been able to discover when he died. His
work is entitled “A new Survey of the West-Indies; or
the English American his Travail by sea and land, containing a journal of 3300 miles within the main land of
America. Wherein is set forth his voyage from Spain to
St. John de Ulhua; and from thence to Xalappa, to Flaxcalla, the city of Angels, and forward to Mexico, &c. &c.
&c.
” The second edition, Lond. Madoc,
” says that
Gage’s account of Mexico is copied verbatim from Nicholas’s “Conqueast of West-India,
” which itself is a
translation from Gomara. There is an Amsterdam edition
of Gage, 1695, 2 vols. 12mo, in French, made by command of the French minister Colbert, by mons. de Beaulieu Hues O'Neil, which, however, was first published in
1676, at Paris. There are some retrenchments in this
edition. Gage appears to be a faithful and accurate relator,
but often credulous and superstitious. His recantation
sermon was published at London, 1642, 4to; and in 165L
he published “A duel between a Jesuite and a Dominican, begun at Paris, fought at Madrid, and ended at London,
” 4to.
sixteenth century, was educated at Westminsterschool, from which he was elected to Oxford, in 1574, and took afterwards his degrees in arts at Christ-church, but in
, a Latin poet of considerable note in the sixteenth century, was educated at Westminsterschool, from which he was elected to Oxford, in 1574, and took afterwards his degrees in arts at Christ-church, but in a few years preferring the study of the law, he took the degrees in that faculty also, in 1589. About this time his reputation had recommended him to Dr. Martin Heton, bishop of Ely, by whose interest, most probably, he was made chancellor of that diocese. Wood professes that he knows no more of him, unless that he was living in 1610; but by the assistance of the Ely registers, we are enabled to pursue him a little farther. By them it appears that in 1601, being then LL. D. he acted as surrogate to Dr. Swale, vicar-general of Ely, and in 1608 he was delegate and commissary to archbishop Bancroft, in the diocese of Ely; and in 1609 he was custos of the spiritualities in the vacancy of the see. In the years 1613, 1616, and 161S, he was, vicar-general and official principal to Lancelot Andrews, bishop of Ely; and in 1619 he acted as deputy for the archdeacon of Canterbury, at the installation of bishop Felton, in the cathedral of Ely. When he died we have not been able to discover.
Wood says, “he was an excellent poet, especially in the Latin tongue, and reputed the best comedian (i.e. dramatic writer) of his time.”
Wood says, “he was an excellent poet, especially in
the Latin tongue, and reputed the best comedian (i.e. dramatic writer) of his time.
” He had a controversy with Dr.
John Rainolds, on the lawfulness of stage-plays, which
appears to have been carried on in manuscript letters, until
Raiuolds published his “Overthrow of Stage-plays,
” containing his answer to Gager and a rejoinder. He had a
more singular controversy with Mr. Heale, of Exeter-college, in consequence of his (Gager’s) asserting at the Oxford Act in 1608, “That it was lawful for husbands to
beat their wives.
” This Mr. Heale answered in “An
Apology for Women,*' &c. Oxon. 1609, 4to. In the
” Exequiae D. Philippi Sidnxi,“Gager has a copy of verses in
honour of that celebrated character, who, when living, had
a great respect for his learning and virtues. His Latin
plays are, 1.
” Meleager,“a tragedy. 2.
” Rivales,“a
comedy; and 3.
” Ulysses redux," a tragedy. These
were all acted, and we are told, with great applause, in
Christ church hall. The first only was printed in 1592,
4to, and occasioned the controversy between the author
and Dr. Rainolds. Gager’s letter in defence of this and
his other plays, is in the library of University-college.
, an eminent orientalist, was a native of Paris, where he was educated; and, applying himself to study the eastern languages, became a great
, 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.
tion of Joseph Ben Gorion’s “History of the Jews,” in the original Hebrew, with a Latin translation, and notes, in 4to. In 1710, at the appointment of Sharp, abp. of
In 1706, he published an edition of Joseph Ben Gorion’s “History of the Jews,
” in the original Hebrew, with
a Latin translation, and notes, in 4to. In
ae, seu defensio concordantiarum Graecarum Conradi Kircheri, adversus Abr. Trommii animadversiones;” and in 1723, he published Abulfeda’s “Life of Mohammed,” in Arabic,
In 1717 he was appointed to read the Arabic lecture at'
Oxford, in the absence of the professor Wallis. In 1718
appeared his “Vindiciae Kircherianae, seu defensio concordantiarum Graecarum Conradi Kircheri, adversus Abr.
Trommii animadversiones;
” and in Life of Mohammed,
” in Arabic, with a Latin
translation and notes, at Oxford, in folio. He also prepared for the press the same Arabic author’s Geography,
and printed proposals for a subscription, but the attempt
proved abortive, for want of encouragement. Eighteen
sheets were printed, and the remainder, which was imperfect, was purchased of his widow by Dr. Hunt. It is said
that he wrote a life of Mahommed, in French, published
at Amsterdam, in 1730, in vols. 12mo. But this wa.s
probably a translation of the former life, Gagnier had
before this inserted Graves’s Latin translation of AbulfedaY
description of Arabia, together with the original, in the
third volume of Hudson’s “Geographiae veteris scriptores
Grseci minores,
” in
, a French historian, wa born at Colines, near Amiens; and Guicciardini, as Vossius observes, is mistaken in fixing his
, a French historian, wa born at
Colines, near Amiens; and Guicciardini, as Vossius observes, is mistaken in fixing his birth elsewhere. He had
his education at Paris, where he took a doctor of laws degree; and the reputation of his abilities and learning became so great, that it advanced him to the favour of Charles
VIII. and Louis XII. by whom he was employed in several embassies to England, Germany, and Italy. He was
keeper of the royal library, and general of the order of the
Trinitarians. He died in 1501, certainly not young; but
we are not able to ascertain his age. He was the author
of several works; the principal of which is, a History in
eleven books, “De gestis Francorutn,
” in folio, from
, a very extraordinary character, of great talents, and great vices, was a Roman catholic, of a good Family in Ireland.
, a very extraordinary character,
of great talents, and great vices, was a Roman catholic,
of a good Family in Ireland. He was a very considerable
Latin scholar, and editor of Brindley’s beautiful edition of
the Classics. He translated Pope’s “Essay on Criticism
”
into Latin verse, and after his confinement in Newgate,
to which he was sent for filing gold, he translated into the
same language the “Temple. of Fame,
” and the “Messiah,
” which he dedicated to the duke of Newcastle, in
hopes of a pardon; he also wrote verses in English on
prince George (our present sovereign), and on Mr. Adams,
the recorder, which were published in the ordinary’s account; with a poetical address to the duchess of Queensbury, by one Conner, who was then in prison for the same
Crime. Gahagan was executed at Tyburn, Feb. 1749.
of the sixteenth century, was educated at Paris, where in 1526 he had taken the degree of bachelor, and held the appointment of attorney for the French nation in the
, a French divine of the
sixteenth century, was educated at Paris, where in 1526
he had taken the degree of bachelor, and held the appointment of attorney for the French nation in the university.
He was afterwards lecturer in theology at the college of
Navarre, and rector of the university. In 1531 he took
his degree of D. D. and was chancellor of the university
from 1546 till his death, in 1549. Gaigny was deeply
read in the ancient languages, and highly esteemed as a
Latin poet, and his sovereign Francis I. frequently consulted him on subjects of literature, and made him his first
almoner. He was author of many works on subjects of
theology, the most important of which are “Commentaries
” upon the different books of the New Testament, hi
which he explains the literal sense by a kind of paraphrase.
Dupin says, “his notes will be found of admirable use to
those who desire to read the text of the New Testament,
and to comprehend the sense of it without stopping at any
difficult places, and without having recourse to larger
commentaries. His Scholia on the four evangelists, and
on the Acts of the Apostles, are inserted in the
” Biblia
Magrra" of father John de la Haye.
pt from 1673 to 1695, in which year he died, is chiefly memorable for having first projected a great and universal “Historical Dictionary,” in the execution of which
, bishop of Apt
from 1673 to 1695, in which year he died, is chiefly memorable for having first projected a great and universal
“Historical Dictionary,
” in the execution of which work
he employed and patronized Moreri, who was his almoner.
Towards the perfecting of this undertaking, he had researches made in all the principal libraries of Europe, but
particularly in the Vatican. Moreri, in dedicating his firsi
edition to his patron, pays him the highest encomiums,
which he is said to have -very thoroughly deserved, by his
love for the arts, and still more by his virtues.
, an elegant French historian, member of the old French academy, of that of inscriptions and belles-lettres, and of the third class of the institute, was
, an elegant French historian, member of the old French academy, of that of inscriptions and belles-lettres, and of the third class of the
institute, was born at Ostel, near Soissons, March 20,
1728. On his education or early pursuits, the only work
in which we find any notice of him is totally silent, and
we are obliged for the present to content ourselves with a
list of his works, all of which, however, have been eminently successful in France, and procured to the author
an extensive reputation and many literary honours, he
wrote, 1. “Rhetorique Franchise, a l'usage des jeunes
demoiselles,
” Paris, Poetique Françoise,
” ibid. Parallele des quatre Electre, de Sophocle, d'Euripide,
de Crebillon, et de Voltaire,
” ibid. ibid. 1757, 12mo.
5.
” Histoire de Marie de Bourgogne,“ibid. 1757, 12mo.
6.
” Histoire de Francois I.“1769, 7 vols. 12mo; of this
there have been several editions, and it is not without
reason thought to be Gaillard’s principal work; but Voltaire is of opinion that he softens certain obnoxious parts
of Francis’s conduct rather too much, but in general his
sentiments are highly liberal, and more free from the prejudices of his country and his religion than could have
been expected. Indeed, it may be questioned whether
he was much attached to the latter. 7.
” Histoire des rivalités de la France et de l'Angleterre,“1771—1802, 11
vols. 12mo, a work in which the author, not altogether
unsuccessfully, struggles to be impartial. 8.
” Histoire
de Charlemagne,“4 vols. 12mo. Gibbon, our historian,
who availed himself much of this history, says that
” it is
laboured with industry and elegance.“9.
” Observations
sur l'Histoire de France de Messieurs Velly, Villaret, et
Gamier,“1807, 4 vols. 12mo, a posthumous work. Besides these he was the author of various eloges, discourses,
poems, odes, epistles, &c. which were honoured with academical prizes; and several learned papers in the memoirs
of the academy of inscriptions. He wrote also in the
”
Journal des Savans“from 1752 to 1792, and in the
” Mercure“from 1780 to 1789, and in the new Encyclopedic he wrote
three fourths of the historical articles. His last performance, which bore no mark of age, or decay of faculties,
was an
” Eloge historique" on M. de Malesherbes, with
whom he had been so long intimate, that perhaps no man.
was more fit to appreciate his character. This writer, the
last of the old school of French literati, died at St. Firmin,
near Chantilly, in 1806.
is father was a clothier. He very early discovered a propensity to painting. Nature was his teacher, and the woods of Suffolk his academy, where he would pass in solitude
, an admirable English artist, was born in 1727, at Sudbury, in Suffolk, where his father was a clothier. He very early discovered a propensity to painting. Nature was his teacher, and the woods of Suffolk his academy, where he would pass in solitude his mornings, in making a sketch of an antiquated tree, a marshy brook, a few cattle, a shepherd and his flock, or any other accidental objects that were presented. From delineation he got to colouring; and after painting several landscapes from the age of ten to twelve, he quitted Sudbury, and came to London. Here he received his first instructions from Gravelot, and was then placed under the tuition of Mr. Hayman, with whom he staid but a short time. After quitting this master, he for a short time resided in Hatton-garden, and practised painting of portraits of a small size, and also pursued his favourite subject, landscape. During this residence in London, he married a young lady, who possessed an annuity of 200l.; and then retired to Ipswich, and from thence to Bath, where he settled about 1758. He now began painting portraits at the low price of five guineas, for a threequarter canvas, and was soon so successful as to be encouraged to raise his price to eight guineas. In 1761, for the first time, he sent some of his works to the exhibition in London. In 1774, he quitted Bath, and settled in London in a part of the duke of Schomberg’s house in Pail-Mall. In this situation, possessed of ample fame, and in the acquisition of a plentiful fortune, he was disturbed by a complaint in his neck, which was not much noticed upon the first attack, nor was it apprehended to be more than a swelling in the glands of the throat, which it was expected would subside in a short time, but it was soon discovered to be a cancer, which baffled the skill of the first medical professors. Finding the danger of his situation, he settled his affairs, and composed himself to meet the fatal moment, and expired Aug. 2, 1788. He was buried, according to his own request, in Kew Churchyard.
a cottage, all the tenants of the humble roof generally participated in the profits of the picture; and some of them iVequently found in his habitation a permanent
Mr. Gainsborough was a man of great generosity. If he
selected for the exercise of his pencil, an infant from a
cottage, all the tenants of the humble roof generally participated in the profits of the picture; and some of them
iVequently found in his habitation a permanent abode.
His liberality was not confined to this alone: needy relatives and unfortunate friends were further iucumbrances
on a spirit that could not deny; and. owing to this generosity of temper, that affluence was not left to his family
which so much merit might promise, and such real worth
deserve. There were other traits in his personal character
less amiable. He was very capricious in his manners, and
rather fickle and unsteady in his social connections. This
was sufficiently evinced by his general conduct towards
the royal academy, and by his whimsical behaviour to sir
Joshua Reynolds. Soon after he settled in London, sir
Joshua thought himself bound in civility to pay him a visit.
Gainsborough, however, took not the least notice of him
for several years, but at length called upon him, and requested him to sit for his picture. Sir Joshua complied,
and sat once, but being soon after taken ill, was obliged
to so to Bath for his health. On his return to London.
perfectly restored, he sent Gainsborough word that he was
returned; Gainsborough only replied, that he was glad to
hear that sir Joshua Reynolds was well, but never afterwards desired him to sit, nor had any other intercourse
with him, until he himself was dying, when he sent to
request to see sir Joshua, and thanked him for the very
liberal and favourable manner in which he had always
spoken of his works. Sir Joshua had indeed proved his
opinion of his talents, by paying an hundred guineas for
his exquisite picture of the “Girl attending pigs,
” for
which Gainsborough asked but sixty.
xhibition of his works at his own house, which did not, however, afford trhe expected gratification; and after this circumstance, he never again exhibited.
When the royal academy was founded, Gainsborough was chosen among the first members, but being then resident at Bath, he was too far distant to be employed in the business of the institution. When he came to London, his conduct was so far disrespectful to the members of that body, that he never complied with their invitations, whether official or convivial. In 1784, he sent to the exhibition a whole-length portrait, which he ordered to be placed almost as low as the floor; but as this would have been a violation of the bye-laws of the academy, the gentlemen of the council ventured to remonstrate with him upon the impropriety of such a disposition. Gainsborough returned for answer, that if they did not chuse to hang the picture as he wished, they might send it, which they did immediately. He soon after made an exhibition of his works at his own house, which did not, however, afford trhe expected gratification; and after this circumstance, he never again exhibited.
imacy of all the great musical professors of his time, (one of whom, Fischer, married his daughter), and they, by their abilities, obtained an ascendancy over him, greater
Among his amusements, music was almost as much his
favourite as painting. This passion led him to cultivate
the intimacy of all the great musical professors of his time,
(one of whom, Fischer, married his daughter), and they,
by their abilities, obtained an ascendancy over him, greater
than was perhaps consistent with strict prudence. Of his
powers in the science, no better description can be given,
than that by Mr. Jackson of Exeter, in his “Four Ages,
”
to which entertaining miscellany we may refer our readers.
Some have spoken highly of Gainsborough’s musical performance. Mr. Jackson says, that though possessed of
ear, taste, and genius, he never had application enough
to learn his notes. He scorned to take the first step; the
second was of course out of his reach; and the summit
became unattainable.
However trifling in these amusements, he was steady and manly in the prosecution of excellence in his art, though not
However trifling in these amusements, he was steady and manly in the prosecution of excellence in his art, though not without some degree of that caprice peculiar to his character. After his death many opinions were published in the literary journals of his merit. From these we shall select the following, chiefly from, sir JoshuaHeyHolds’s lectures, which appears to approach nearest to the sobriety of just criticism.
that of Watteau, more particularly in his landscapes. His pictures are generally wrought in a loose and slight manner, with great freedom of hand, and using very little
His style of execution, as well as choice of subjects,
was original, although considerably resembling that of
Watteau, more particularly in his landscapes. His pictures are generally wrought in a loose and slight manner,
with great freedom of hand, and using very little colour,
with a great body of vehicle; which gives to his works
great lightness and looseness of effect; properties extremely valuable in a picture, and too easily lost in the
endeavour to give more strict and positive resemblance of
substance. Sir Joshua Reynolds in his fourteenth lecture
says of this hatching manner of Gainsborough, that his
portraits were often little more than what generally attends
a dead colour as to finishing or determining the form of
the features; but, “as he was always attentive to the general effect, or whole together, 1 have often imagined
(says he) that this unfinished manner contributed even to
that striking resemblance for which his portraits are so remarkable. At the same time it must be acknowledged
that there is one evil attending this mode; that if the
portrait were seen previously to any knowledge of the original, different persons would form different ideas; and
all would be disappointed at not finding the original correspond with their own conceptions, under the great latitude which indistinctness gives to the imagination, to assume almost what character or form it pleases.
”
In the same lecture, which principally treats of the acquirements of Gainsborough, and which was delivered at the royal academy soon after his death,
In the same lecture, which principally treats of the acquirements of Gainsborough, and which was delivered at
the royal academy soon after his death, by its truly exalted
president, it is said of him, “that if ever this nation should
produce genius sufficient to acquire to us the honourable
distinction of an English school, the name of Gainsborough
will be transmitted to posterity in the history of the art
among the first of that rising name.
” " Whether he most
excelled in portraits, landscapes, or fancy pictures, it is
difficult to determine: whether his portraits were most
admirable fAr exact truth of resemblance, or his landscapes
for a portrait-like representation of nature, such as we see
in the works of Rubens, Rysdael, or others of these schooJsi
In his fancy pictures, when he had fixed upon his object
of imitation, whether it was the mean and vulgar form of a
wood-cutter, or a child of an interesting character, as he
tlid not attempt to raise the one, so neither did he lose any
of the natural grace and elegance of the other; such a
grace and such an elegance as are more frequently found
in cottages than in courts. This excellence was his own,
the result cJ his particular observation and taste. For this
he was certainly not indebted to any school; for his grace
was not academical, or antique, but selected by himself
from the great school of nature; where there are yet a
thousand modes of grace unselected, but which lie open in
the multiplied scenes and figures of life, to be brought out
by skilful and faithful observers.
atever he attempted he carried to a high degree of excellence. It is to the credit of his good sense and judgment that he never did attempt that style of historical
“Upon the whole we may justly say, that whatever he
attempted he carried to a high degree of excellence. It is
to the credit of his good sense and judgment that he never
did attempt that style of historical painting. for which his
previous studies had made no preparation.
”
ardent love for it. Indeed his whole mind appears to have been devoted to it, even to his dying day; and then his principal regret seemed to be, that he was leaving
Nothing could have enabled Gainsborough to reach so
elevated a point in the art of painting without the most
ardent love for it. Indeed his whole mind appears to have
been devoted to it, even to his dying day; and then his
principal regret seemed to be, that he was leaving his art,
when, as he said, “he saw his deficiencies, and had endeavoured to remedy them in his last works.
” Various
circumstances in his life exhibited him as referring every
thing to it. “He was continually remarking to those who
happened to be about him, whatever peculiarity of countenance, whatever accidental combination of figures, or
happy effects of light and shadow occurred in prospects,
in the sky, in walking the streets, or in company. If in
his walks he found a character that he liked, and whose
attendance was to be obtained,- he ordered him to his
blouse and from the fields he brought into his paintingroom stumps of trees, weeds, and animals of various kinds;
and designed them not from memory, but immediately
from the objects. He even framed a kind of model of landscapes on his table composed of broken stones, dried herbs,
and pieces of looking-glass; which he magnified, and improved into rocks, trees, and water: all which exhibit the
solicitude and extreme activity that he had about every
thing relative to his art; that he wished to have his objects
embodied as it were, and distinctly before him, neglecting
nothing that contributed to keep his faculties alive; and
deriving hints from every sort of combination.
” He was
also in the constant habit of painting by night, a practicevery advantageous and improving to an artist, for, by this
means he may acquire a new and a higher perception of
what is great and beautiful in nature. His practice in the
progress of his pictures was to paint on the whole together;
wherein he differed from some, who finish each part separately, and by that means are frequently liable to produce
inharmonious combinations of forms and features.
s of eminence this country has produced who never was indebted to foreign travel for his improvement and advancement in painting. Some use, indeed, he appears to have
Gainsborough was one of the few artists of eminence this country has produced who never was indebted to foreign travel for his improvement and advancement in painting. Some use, indeed, he appears to have made of foreign productions; and he did not neglect to improve himself in the language of the art, the art of imitation, but aided his progress by closely observing and imitating some of the masters of the Flemish school; who are undoubtedly the greatest in that particular and necessary branch of it. He frequently made copies of Hubens, Teniers, and Vandyke, which it would be no disgrace to the most accurate connoisseurs to mistake for original pictures at first sight. What he thus learned, he did not, however, servilely use, but applied it to imitate nature in a manner entirely his own.
resentation were generally rery simple, to which his own excellent taste knew how to give expression and value. In his landscapes a rising mound and a few figures seated
The subjects he chose for representation were generally rery simple, to which his own excellent taste knew how to give expression and value. In his landscapes a rising mound and a few figures seated upon, or near it; with a cow or some sheep grazing, and a slight marking of disstance, sufficed for the objects; their charm was the purity of tone in the colour; the freedom and clearness of thfc touch; together with an agreeable combination of the forms; and with these simple materials, which appear so easy as to be within every one’s grasp, but which constantly elude the designer who is not gifted with his feeling and taste, does he always produce a pleasing picture. In his fancy pictures the same taste prevailed. A collage girl; a shepherd’s boy; a woodman; with very slight materials in the back-ground, were treated by him with so much character, yet so much elegance, that they never fail to delight.
ng following Gainsborough’s death, an exhibition was made at his house in Pall Mall, of his pictures and drawings. Of the former there were fifty-six; of the latter
In the spring following Gainsborough’s death, an exhibition was made at his house in Pall Mall, of his pictures
and drawings. Of the former there were fifty-six; of the
latter one hundred and forty-eight; with several pictures
of the Flemish and other masters, which he had collected
during his life-time. They were announced for sale, and
their prices marked in the catalogue, and several were
sold. Some time after, the whole remaining collection
was sold by auction, and brought good prices. Among his
attempts were the portraits of Garrick and Foote, but he
did not succeed according to his wish, which he used to
excuse by saying that “they had every body’s faces but
their own,
” a very pertinent remark, as applied to the
portraits of dramatic personages.
Mr. Edwards mentions three etchings by the hand of Gainsborough. The first is small, and was done as a decoration to the first “Treatise on Perspective,”
Mr. Edwards mentions three etchings by the hand of
Gainsborough. The first is small, and was done as a decoration to the first “Treatise on Perspective,
” which was
published by his friend Mr. Kirby; but it is curious to
observe, that what little of perspective is introduced, is
totally false; but from the date of that work Gainsborough
must have been at that time very young. The second is
an oak tree, with gypsies sitting under it boiling their
kettle; the size 11 J inches by 17. Both these were finished
by the graver, though not improved, by Mr. Wood. The
third, a more extensive view, represents a man ploughing
on the side of a rising ground, upon which there is a windmill; the sea terminates the distance. This he called the
Suffolk Plough. It is extremely scarce, for he spoiled the
plate by impatiently attempting to apply the aquafortis,
before his friend, Mr. Grignion, could assist him, as was
agreed. Its size 16 inches by 14. He also attempted
two or three small plates in aqua tinta, but was not very
successful with them, as he knew little of the process.
This eminent artist had a nephew, Gainsborough DuPont, a modest and ingenious man, who painted portraits with considerable success,
This eminent artist had a nephew, Gainsborough DuPont, a modest and ingenious man, who painted portraits with considerable success, but died at the early age of thirty, in January 1797. His principal work is a large picture (for which he received 500l.) of all the Trinity masters, which is in the court- room of the Trinity-house upon Tower-hill.
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
, 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.
ance with John. Le Clerc, took all opportunities of visiting him, settled a correspondence with him, and became afterwards a zealous as well as able defender of his
Thus honoured at Leyclen, he went to Amsterdam, where he continued his studies under professor Limborch. At the same time he contracted an acquaintance with John. Le Clerc, took all opportunities of visiting him, settled a correspondence with him, and became afterwards a zealous as well as able defender of his character f. Upon his return home he continued his studies with equal ardour; and, improving himself particularly in the Oriental languages, obtained critical skill in the books of the Old and New Testament. He had not been above four years thus employed, when the university of Leyden sent him an offer of a doctor’s degree in divinity, provided he would assent to the articles of Dort; but he refused that honour, on the principle of preserving a freedom of judgment.
This was about 1703; and Wall’s defence of Infant Baptism coming out in less than two
This was about 1703; and Wall’s defence of Infant
Baptism coming out in less than two years after, proved an
occasion for Gale to^exert his talents in controversy. Soon
after the publication of that book, he undertook to answer
it, and pursued the subject in several letters written in
1705 and 1706; which were handed about in manuscript
several years, till he consented to make them public in
171 J, under the title of “Reflections on Mr. Wall’s History of Infant Baptism.
” The extraordinary merit of this
piece raised him to the first place amoirg the baptists;
yet he did not think fit to take upon himself the preacher’s
office immediately. He was five and thirty years of age
before he began to preach constantly and statedly J; when
he was chosen one of the ministers of the baptist congregation in Paul’s alley, near Barbican.
As he was zealous to maintain and propagate those notions which he thought authorized by primitive antiquity,
he became chairman to a society for promoting what they
called primitive Christianity; from July 3, 1715, to Feb.
the 10th following. This society met every week, at Mr.
Winston’s house in Cross-street, Hatton-garden, which
they named the “Primitive Library.
” But though Dr.
Gale testified a strong desire to extinguish all disputes
among Christians, he was by no means willing to give up
his own peculiar opinions. Hence it was that when Mr.
Wall consented to hold a conference with him upon the
subject of infant baptism, the dispute ended, as usual,
without any good issue; and Wall was so far from being
satisfied with the arguments of his antagonist, that he drew
up an answer to the Reflections, and published it under
the title of “A Defence of the History of Infant Baptism,
”
in
In his person, Dr. Gale was rather taller than the conru mon size, and of an open pleasant countenance; in his temper, of an easy and
In his person, Dr. Gale was rather taller than the conru
mon size, and of an open pleasant countenance; in his
temper, of an easy and affable behaviour, serious without
any tincture of moroseness. In his manners and morals,
chearful without levity, having a most perfect command
over his passions. He was greatly esteemed by, and lived
in friendship with, Bradford bishop of Rochester, Hoadly
bishop of Bangor, and the lord chancellor King. After
his death a collection of his sermons were printed by subscription; the second edition whereof was published 1726,
in 4 vols. 8vo, to which is prefixed an account of his life.
It appears from some passages in his funeral sermon, that
he was married, and had a family, left in great want. A
contribution, however, was raised, which enabled his widow
to set up a coffee-house in Finch-lane for the maintenance
of her children. What became of them afterwards we are
not told. Of Dr. Gale’s principal performance it may be
said, that, as Wall’s “History of Infant Baptism
” is the
best vindication of this doctrine, so the answer of Gale
is the best defence of the baptists; which, as the subject
had been handled by very great men before, is all ample
commendation of both parties.
ly 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
, 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.
In the mean time he continued to prosecute his own studies with vigour; and choosing divinity for his profession, applied himself particularly
In the mean time he continued to prosecute his own
studies with vigour; and choosing divinity for his profession, applied himself particularly to that study. On
reading Grotius, on the “Truth of the Christian Religion,
” he began to think it possible to make it appear,
that the wisest of the pagan philosophers borrowed their
more sublime contemplations, as well natural and moral,
as divine, from the Scriptures; and that, how different
soever they might be in their appearance, not only their
theology, but their philosophy and philology, were derived from the sacred oracles. Upon this principle he undertook the arduous work, which from this time became
the principal object of his theological researches for many
years. He did not, however, neglect the duties of the
priesthood, an 1 his discourses from the pulpit were conspicuous proofs of his distinguished piety and learning.
He was invited to Winchester, and became a stated preacher
there in 1657; in this station he continued for some years,
generally admired and esteemed, both for his excellent
sermons and his exemplary life and conversation. But,
being bred up in puritanical principles, he was unalterably
devoted to them; so that upon the re-establishment of the
church by Charles II. he could not prevail with himself to
comply with the act of uniformity in 1661, and, rather
than violate his conscience, chose to suffer all the penalties
of the law.
Thus excluded from the public service of his function, and deprived of his fellowship at Oxford, he found friends among
Thus excluded from the public service of his function, and deprived of his fellowship at Oxford, he found friends among his own party, and was taken into the family of Philip lord Wharton, in quality of tutor to his two sons. The state of the universities at home being now very discordant to the principles of lord Wharton, he sent his sons, with their tutor, in 1662, to Caen, in Normandy, a seminary which flourished at that time under the direction of the most distinguished professors of the reformed religion in France; among whom was the celebrated Bochart. With this learned divine and several other persons of distinguished erudition Gale became acquainted, and by this intercourse, as well as by travel, greatly improved himself without neglecting his charge.
In 1665 he returned to England with his pupils, and attending them home to their father’s seat at Quainton, in
In 1665 he returned to England with his pupils, and attending them home to their father’s seat at Quainton, in
7>uckinghamshire, continued in the family till 1666 when,
bring released from this employ, he set out thence for
London, and was struck on the road with the dreadful sight
of the city in flames. The first shock being over, he recollected his own papers, his greatest treasure, which,
when he left England, he had committed to the care of a
particular friend in London. He soon learnt that the
house of this friend was burnt, and gave up his papers as
lost, and with them all hopes of completing his great work.
They had, however, by a fortunate accident, been preserved, and the “Court of the Gentiles
” was destined to
receive its completion. At this period he became assistant to Mr. John Rowe, his countryman, who had then a
private congregation in Holborn; and continued in that
station till the death of his principal, Oct. 12, 1677, when.
Mr. Gale was chosen to succeed him, together with Mr.
Samuel Lee, his assistant.
ourt of the Gentiles” had- proceeded gradually, in consequence of the great care he took to complete and digest his collections, and to make the work in all respects
In the mean time the publication of his “Court of the
Gentiles
” had- proceeded gradually, in consequence of
the great care he took to complete and digest his collections, and to make the work in all respects a masterly
production. The first part was published at Oxford in
1669, and, being received with great applause, was followed by the other three, the last of which came out in
1677, the year when he succeeded Mr. Rowe. But this
work, large 'and laborious as it was, did not prove sufficient to employ his spare hours: he wrote also, within
the same period, several other works; namely, 2. “The
true Idea of Jansenism,
” Theophilus, or a Discourse of
the Saints’ amity with God in Christ,
” The Anatomy of Infidelity, &c.
”' A
Discourse of Christ’s coming, &c.
” Idea
Theologiae tarn contemplative quam activoe, ad formam
S. S. delineata,
” A Sermon, entitled,
Wherein the Love of the World is inconsistent with the
Love of God,
” Philosophia
generalis in duas partes disterminata, &c.
” A Summary of the two Covenants,
” prefixed to a piece
published by him, entitled “A Discourse of the two Covenants,
” written by William Strong, sometime preacher
at the Abbey church at Westminster. “The Life and
death of Thomas Tregosse, minister of the gospel at Milar
and Mabe in Cbrnwal, with his Character,
” was also written by him, and published in Lexicon Grreci Testamenti Etymologicon, Synonymum, sive Glossarium Homonymum.
”
This, as the title imports, was intended by him for a lexicon and concordance together: he finished it as far as the
letter Iota, and the most considerable words were also
placed under other letters. But he was prevented from
carrying it further by his death; which happened in March
that year, when he was not quite fifty. As to his character, besides what has been already mentioned, he was a
most zealous non-conformist, stedfast in those opinions,
and warm in the defence of them. His zeal this way
extended itself beyond the grave; he wished, he resolved,
to perpetuate them as far as he was able. In that spirit
he bequeathed all his estate to young students of his own
principles, and appointed trustees to manage it for their
support. He bequeathed also his well-chosen library toward
promoting useful learning in New England, where those
principles universally prevailed. But, notwithstanding this
warm concern for supporting and propagating his own
communion, he was not without charity for those who
differed from him, whom he would labour to convince, but
not to compel; being as much an enemy to sedition as
he was to persecution. Hence we find even Wood giving
him all his just commendations without those abatements
and restrictions which are usual in his characters. It was
allowed also, that, in hit “Court of the Gentiles,
” and
other works, he shewed extensive learning, and considerable abilities.
latonism through a violent antipathy to the Cartesian system, which he thought unfriendly to morals, and contradictory to the doctrine of revelation. He undertook to
In this work, partly, as we have already noticed, but
chiefly in his “Philosophia generalis,
” he was induced,
says Brucker, to become a zealous advocate for Platonism
through a violent antipathy to the Cartesian system, which
he thought unfriendly to morals, and contradictory to the
doctrine of revelation. He undertook to trace back philosophy to its origin, and maintained, that there was a
wonderful agreement between the ancient barbaric
philosophy, and the Jewish and Christian theology. He brought
every philosophical tenet to the test of the scriptures, and
thought that it would not be a difficult undertaking, to
separate from the pagan philosophy those doctrines which
originated in divine revelation, and had been transmitted
by tradition from the Hebrews to the gentiles. Having
persuaded himself that these doctrines had passed in a
direct line, and without material corruption, from the Hebrew fountain to Plato, he recommended his philosophical
writings as, next to the scriptures, the most valuable remains of ancient wisdom. The chief point which he labours to maintain in his “Philosophia generalis
” is, that
Plato received his knowledge of theology from the Hebrews,
and that the doctrine on this subject taught by him and
his followers, for the most part, agrees with that of the
holy scriptures. This opinion he implicitly adopts from
the ancient fathers, whose authority, with respect to this
matter, Brucker thinks there is reason to call in question.
His account of other philosophers is given, without much
appearance of accurate discrimination, chiefly from Laertius. He divides the Aristotelian philosophy into pure
and impure, and supposes, gratuitously enough, that the
former passed from Moses to the Stagy rite through the
channel of Plato’s instruction.
, celebrated for his knowledge of the Greek language and antiquities, and descended from a family considerable in the
, celebrated for his knowledge of the Greek language and antiquities, and descended from a family considerable in the North and East Riding of Yorkshire, was born in 1636, at Scruton in Yorkshire. He was sent to Westminster-school, and, being admitted king’s-scholar there, was elected to Trinity college, Cambridge, and became fellow of that society He took his degree of B. A. in 1656; of M. A. in 1662. In the prosecution of his studies, he applied himself to classical and polite literature, and his extraordinary proficiency procured him early a seat in the temple of fame. His knowledge of the Greek tongue recommended him, in 1666, to the office of regius professor of that language in the university, which he resigned in 1672; and his majesty’s Choice was approved by the accurate edition which he gave of the ancient mythologic writers, as well physical as moral, in Greek and Latin, published at Cambridge iri 1671, 8vo. This brought his merit into public view; and the following year he was appointed head master of St. Paul’s school in London; soon after which, by his majesty’s direction, he drew up those inscriptions which are to be seen upon the Monument, in memory of the dreadful conflagration in 1666, and was honoured with a present of plate made to him by the city. His excellent conduct and commendable industry in the school abundantly appear, from the great number of persons, eminently learned, who were educated by him: and, notwithstanding the fatigue of that laborious office, he found time to publish new and accurate editions of several ancient Greek authors.
He accumulated the degrees of B. and D. D. in 1675; and June 7, 1676, was collated to the prebend
He accumulated the degrees of B. and D. D. in 1675; and June 7, 1676, was collated to the prebend Consumpt. per mare in the cathedral of St. Paul. He was also elected in 1677 into the royal society, of which he became a very constant and useful member, was frequently of the council, and presented them with many curiosities, particularly a Roman urn with the ashes, found near Peckham in Surrey (part of these burnt bones he gave to Mr. Thoresby); and in 1685, the society having resolved to have honorary secretaries, who would act without any view of reward, Dr. Gale was chosen with sir John Hoskyns into that office, when they appointed the celebrated Halley for their clerkassistant, or under-secretary, who had been a distinguished scholar of our author’s at St. Paul’s school. Dr. Gale continued at the head of this school with the greatest reputation for 25 years, till 1697, when he was promoted to the deanry of York; and being admitted into that dignity Sept. 16, that year, he removed thither. This preferment was no more than a just reward of his merit, but he did not live to enjoy it many years. On his admission, finding the dean’s right to be a canon-residentiary called in question, he was at the expence of procuring letters patent in 1699, to annex it to the deanry, which put the matter out of all dispute. On his removal from London,' he presented to the new library, then lately finished at hi9 college in Cambridge, a curious collection of Arabic manuscripts. During the remainder of his life, which was. spent at York, he preserved an hospitality suitable to his station and his good government of that church is mentioned with honour. Nor has that care which he took, to repair and adorn that stately edifice, passed without a just tribute of praise.
Having possessed this dignity little more than four years and a half, he died April 8, 1702, in his 67th year, in the deanery-house,
Having possessed this dignity little more than four years and a half, he died April 8, 1702, in his 67th year, in the deanery-house, and was interred with a suitable epitaph; in the middle of the choir of his cathedral. There is a fine portrait of him in the library of Trinity-college, Cambridge, the gift of his son and there- is another at Scruton.
From the list of his publications, it is evident, that dean Gale was a learned divine, and well versed in historical knowledge. This gained him the esteem
From the list of his publications, it is evident, that dean
Gale was a learned divine, and well versed in historical
knowledge. This gained him the esteem of most of the
learned men his contemporaries, both at home and abroad.
With some of them he held a particular correspondence,
as Mabillon, from whom he received the ms. of Alcuin de
Pontificibus Kboracensibus, published in his “Hist. Brit.
Scriptores,
” Baluze, Allix, Cappel, Rudolph, Wetstein of
Amsterdam, Greevius, Huetius, &c. This last had a singular respect for him, and declares it his opinion, that our
author exceeded all men he ever knew, both for modesty
and learning.
No. 231, is a letter from Thoresby to Lister, 16S>7, concerning two Roman altars found at Collerton and Blenkinsop castle in the county of Northumberland, with notes
In Phil. Trans. No. 231, is a letter from Thoresby to Lister, 16S>7, concerning two Roman altars found at Collerton and Blenkinsop castle in the county of Northumberland, with notes by Dr. Gale. This was the Greek inscription to Hercules. See Horsley, p. 245.
ried Barbara daughter of Thomas Pepys, esq. of Impington, in the county of Cambridge, who died 1689, and by whom he had three sons and a daughter. To his eldest son
Dr. Gale married Barbara daughter of Thomas Pepys,
esq. of Impington, in the county of Cambridge, who died
1689, and by whom he had three sons and a daughter. To
his eldest son he left his noble library of choice and valuable books, besides a curious collection of many esteemed
manuscripts, a catalogue of which is printed in the “Catalogus MSStorum Anglia; & Hiberniae,
” Hi. p. 185.