have been eminently distinguished in 1650, when, though not above thirty years of age, his interest was so extensive, as to procure the music professor’s chair at Gresham,
The exact time is not known when he first began to collect and consider the Bills of Mortality but he tells us himself that he had turned his thoughts that way several years, before he had any design of publishing the discoveries he had made. As his character must have been eminently distinguished in 1650, when, though not above thirty years of age, his interest was so extensive, as to procure the music professor’s chair at Gresham, for his friend doctor (afterwards sir William) Petty; so it is more than probable, that his acquaintance and friendship with that gentleman, was the consequence of a similarity of pursuits; and that our author had then communicated some of his thoughts upon this subject to sir William, who, on his part, is likewise said to have repaid the generous confidence with some useful hints towards composing his book. This piece, which contained a new and accurate thesis of policy, built upon a more certain reasoning than was before that time known, was first presented to the public in 1661, 4to, and met with such an extraordinary reception, that another edition was called for in the following year; and our author’s fame, and the usefulness of his book, began to be spoken of both at home and abroad. Immediately after the publication of it, Lewis XIV. of France, or his ministers, provided, by a law, for the most exact register of births and burials, that is any where in Europe; and in England Charles II. conceived such a high esteem for his abilities, that at the first institution of the royal society, his majesty recommended him to their choice for a member; with this charge, that if they found any more such tradesmen, they should be ure to admit them all. He had dedicated the work to sir Robert Moray, president of the royal society, and had sent fifty copies to be dispersed among their members, when he was proposed (though a shopkeeper), and admitted into the society, February 26, 1661-2; and an order of council passed, June 20, 1665, for publishing the third edition, which was executed by the society’s printer, and came out that same year. Alter receiving this honour, he did not long continue a shopkeeper, but left off business; and on September 25, 1666, became a trustee for the management of the New-river, for one of the shares belonging to sir William Backhouse, who dying in 1669, his relict, afterwards countess of Clarendon, appointed Mr. Graunt one of her trustees.
m from an imputation thrown upon his memory by bishop Burnet who, having observed that the New-river was brought to a head at Islington, where there is a great room
This account of the time of our author’s admission into
the government of the New-river is taken from the minute
books, or register, of the general court of that company,
and sufficiently clears him from an imputation thrown upon
his memory by bishop Burnet who, having observed that
the New-river was brought to a head at Islington, where
there is a great room full of pipes that conveys it through
the streets of London, and that the constant order was to
set all the pipes running on Saturday night, that so the
cisterns might be all full on Sunday morning, there being
a more than ordinary consumption of water on that day,
relates the following story, which he says was told him by
Dr. Lloyd (afterwards bishop of Worcester) and the countess of Clarendon: “There was,
” says he, “one Graunt,
a papist, who under sir William Petty published his Observations an the Bills of Mortality. He had some time
before applied himself to Lloyd, who had great credit with
the countess of Clarendon, and said he could raise that
estate considerably, if she would make him a trustee for
her. His schemes were probable; and he was made one
of the board that governed that matter, and by that he
had a right to come as often as he pleased to view their
works at Islington. He went thither the Saturday before
the fire broke out, and called for the key where the heads
of the pipes were, and turned all the cocks of the pipes
that were then open, stopt the water, and went; away and
carried 'the keys with him; so, when the fire broke out
next morning, they opened the pipes in the streets to find
water, but there was none. Some hours were lost in sending to Islington, where the door was broke open, and the
cocks turned, and it was long before the water got to London. Graunt, indeed, denied that he had turned the
cocks; but the officer of the works affirmed, that he had,
according to order, st them all running, and that no person had got the keys from him besides Graunt, who confessed he had carried away the keys, but said he did it
without design.
” This, indeed, as Burnet observes, is but
a presumption; and, we may add, a groundless calumny;
since it is evident, from the above account, that Graunt
was not admitted into the government of the New-river
company till twenty-three days after the breaking out of
the tire of London, to which may be added a farther proof
that the parliament met September 18, 1666, and, on the
very day that he was admitted a member of the New-river
Company, they appointed a committee to inquire into the
causes of the fire.
ks being stopped, or any suspicions of Graunt. It is true, indeed, that he changed his religion, and was reconciled to the church of Rome some time before his death;
The report made by sir Robert Brooke, chairman of
that committee, contains abundance of extraordinary relations, but not one word of the cocks being stopped, or
any suspicions of Graunt. It is true, indeed, that he
changed his religion, and was reconciled to the church of
Rome some time before his death; but it is more than
probable he was no papist at this juncture, since, in the
title-page of his book in 1665, he is styled captain, and
Wood informs us, that he had been two or three years a
major when he made this change, which therefore could
not have happened before 1667 or 1668 at soonest. However, the circumstances of the countess of Clarendon’s
saying he was her trustee makes it plain that the story was
not invented till some years after the fire, when Graunt
was known to be a papist. It was apparently not invented
till after his death. The first time of its appearance in
public seems to have been in Echard’s “History of England.' 1 And according to bishop Burnet’s account, the
story could not be told to him till after 1667, when Graunt
was appointed trustee for the countess of Clarendon. The
report, however, never reached his ears, and so could not
disturb him in the prosecution of his studies, which he carried on after this change in his religion with the same assiduity as before, and made some considerable observations
within two years of his death, which happened April 18, 1674,
in the vigour of his age, having not quite completed his 54th
year. He was interred on the 22d of the same month in
St. Dunstan’s church, in Fleet-street, the corpse being at.
tended by many of the most ingenious and learned persons
of the time, and particularly by sir William Petty, who
paid his last tribute with tears to his memory. He left
his papers to this friend, who took care to adjust and insert them in a fifth edition of his work, which he published
in 1676, 8vo, and that with so much care, and so much
improved, that he frequently cites it as his own which
probably gave occasion to bishop Burners mistake, who,
as we have seen, called it sir William’s book, published
under Graunt’s name. It is evident, however, that his
observations were the elements of that useful science,
which was afterwards styled
” Political Arithmetic,“and of
which Graunt must have the honour of being the first
founder; and whatever merit may be ascribed to sir William Petty, Mr. Daniel King, Dr. Davenant, and others,
upon the subject, it is all originally derived from the first
author of the
” Observations on the Bills of Mortality."
, a French artist, well known in this as well as his own country, was born at Paris March 26, 1699. He does not appear to have had
, a French artist, well known in this as well as his own country, was born at Paris March 26, 1699. He does not appear to have had much education in his profession, but soon made some figure as a draughtsman. He accompanied La Rochalard, who was appointed governor-general of St. Domingo, and meeting in that island with the artist Frezier, was employed by him on a map of the country. Gravelot returned to France in 1745, where he applied principally to drawing; but finding himself in the midst of a number of eminent artists, among whom he despaired of distinguishing himself, he came over to London, where he lived thirteen years. He possessed great fertility of invention, and composed, with much judgment, small subjects for vignettes and other book ornaments; he drew also admirably ancient buildings, tombs, and prospects, and was much employed in all these branches by the artists of London. He drew the monuments of the kings for Vertue, and gave the designs, where invention was necessary, for Pine’s plates of the tapestry in the house of lords. He was also for some time employed in Gloucestershire, drawing churches and antiquities. Vertue compares his neat manner to Picart, and owns that in composition and design, he even excelled his favourite Hollar. He sometimes attempted painting small histories and conversations, and he designed as well as engraved some of the prints to sir The* mas Hanmer’s edition of Shakspeare, and those belonging to Theobald’s edition: but the finest specimen of his abilities as an engraver, is his large print of Kirkstall abbey. He returned to France about the beginning of the present reign, and executed for the booksellers of Paris, the beautiful designs with which they ornamented the works of Corneille, Racine, Voltaire, Boccaccio, Ariosto, Marmontel, &c. He died at Paris in 1773. He is said to have been a man of wit and talents, and perfectly acquainted with the history and theory of his art.
, a very eminent French antiquary and lawyer, was born at Nismes in the beginning of 1635, and being educated
, a very eminent French antiquary and lawyer, was born at Nismes in the beginning of
1635, and being educated for the profession of the law,
became an advocate of the parliament of Toulouse, and of
the presidial court of Nismes, and director and secretary of
the academy of that place. During his researches into
matters of history and antiquities, he made a very fine collection of medals and manuscripts, among which were the
originals of the proceedings of the popish inquisitors
against the Albigenses. So highly was Graverol esteemed
for learning, that no strangers of distinction visited Nismes
without paying their respects to him, and such was his reputation in Italy that, in 1691, he was elected an associate
of the Ricovrati of Padua; and when the states of Languedoc formed the plan of collecting their records respecting
their fiefs and seignories, they considered Graverol as the
only person fit to execute the work, which he was earnestly
requested to undertake by the cardinal Bonzi. But his
adherence to the protestant religion impeded his advancement in life, and involved him in serious troubles. He
retired first to Orange in 1685, where he was very favourably received, but not thinking that a place of safety, left
it for Swisserland or Holland. During this journey he
was arrested and confined at Montpellier for about two
months. After this he must have been released, and permitted to go home, as we find he died at Nismes Sept. 10,
1694. Among the works which contributed most to his
reputation, are, 1. “Observations sur les arrets du parlement de Toulouse recueillespar la Rochefiavin,
” Toulouse,
Notice ou abrege historique des vingt-deux
villes chefs des dioceses de la province de Languecloc,
” 1
posthumous work published in 1696. 3. “Sorberiana,
sive excerpta ex ore Samuelis Sorbiere,
” Toulouse, Sorberiana.
” In the Journal des Savans
for March Bibliotheque du Languedoc,
” a kind of literary journal, in.
which he was to give the lives of the eminent men of that
province, and particulars of its history, &c.
, a learned protestant divine, brother to the preceding, was born at Nismes, September 11, 1636. He was minister at Lyons,
, a learned protestant divine, brother to the preceding, was born at Nismes, September 11,
1636. He was minister at Lyons, but left that place on
the revocation of the edict of Nantes, and went to Amsterdam, and afterwards to London, where he exercised the
ministerial office, and died in 1718. His works are numerous; the principal one is, “Ivloses vindicatus,
” Amsterdam, Archaeologia Philosophical
”
, an English divine and miscellaneous writer, was a younger son of Richard Graves, esq. of Mickleton, in Glou
, an English divine and miscellaneous writer, was a younger son of Richard Graves, esq. of Mickleton, in Gloucestershire, where he was born in 1715. His father, who was an able antiquary, died in 1729. His son, Richard, was educated partly at home, under the rev. Mr.Smith, curate of the parish in which his father resided, and partly at a public school at Abingdon, in Berkshire, whence, at the age of sixteen, he was chosen a scholar of Pembroke college, Oxford. Soon after his arrival he joined a party of young men who met in the evening to read Epictetus, Theophrastus, and other Greek authors, seldom read at schools; and a short time after became the associate of his contemporaries, Shenstone the poet, and Anthony Whistler, who used to meet to read poetry, plays, and other light works. In 1736 he was elected a fellow of All Souls college, where he acquired the particular intimacy of sir William Blackstone; but instead of pursuing the study of divinity, according to his original intention, he now devoted his attention to physic, and attended in London two courses of anatomy. A severe illness, however, induced him to resume the study of divinity, and in 1740, after taking his master’s degree, he entered into holy orders. About the same time he removed with Mr. Fitzherbert, fatlier of lord St. Helen’s, to the estate of that gentleman at Tissington, in Derbyshire, where he remained three years enjoying in his house the highest pleasures of refined society. At the end of that period, he set off‘ to make the tour of the north, and while at Scarborough, accidentally met with a distant relation, Dr. Samuel Knight, archdeacon of Berkshire, and the author of the Lives of Colet and Erasmus, by whose recommendation he obtained a curacy near Oxford. This was particularly gratifying to Mr. Graves, who was then coming, by turn, into office in the college, and had been for some time desirous of procuring such a situation. He immediately took possession of his curacy, but as the parsonage-house was out of repair, he took a lodging with a gentleman -farmer in the neighbourhood. The attractions of the farmer’s youngest daughter made such a powerful impression on the heart of Mr. Graves that he resigned his fellowship and married her. After residing about two years on his curacy, he was presented by Mr. Skrine to the rectory of Claverton, where he went to reside in 1750, and till his death, was never absent from it a month at a time. As the narrowness of his circumstances obliged him to superintend in person the education of his children, he likewise -resolved to take other pupils under his tuition; and this practice he continued, with great credit to himself, upwards of thirty years. In 1763, through the interest of Ralph Allen, esq. of Prior-Park, he was presented to the living of Kilmersdon, in addition to tbat of Claverton, and that gentleman likewise procured him the appointment of chaplain to lady Chatham. His conversation was rendered highly agreeable by that epigrammatic turn which points his writings of the lighter kind. His constant good humour rendered him an acceptable companion in every society, his colloquial impromptus being frequently as happy as the jeux d’e^prit of his pen, while both were invariably the unmeditated effusions of a sportive fancy and guileless heart. He died at Claverton, Nov. 23, 1804, at the advanced age of ninety.
Mr. Graves’s publications were very numerous. His first was The Festoon; or, a collection of Epigrams, with an Essay on
Mr. Graves’s publications were very numerous. His first
was The Festoon; or, a collection of Epigrams, with an
Essay on that species of composition.“In 1772 he produced
” The Spiritual Quixote,“in 3 vpls. intended as a
satire on the itinerant and illiterate preachers among the
methodists, and which might have been pronounced one
of the most amusing and interesting novels of his time, had
he not, in pursuit of his main object, incautiously introduced the language of scripture, which, whether used by
methodists, or others, can never be a legitimate subject of
ridicule. He next published
” A Translation from the
Italian of Galates; or, a treatise on Politeness, by De la
Casa, archbishop of Benevento.“He soon after published
” Columelia, or the distressed Anchoret,“in 2 vols. to
show the consequence of a person of education and talents
retiring to solitude and indolence in the vigour of youth:
in this it is thought he alluded to his friend Shenstone. He
also published two volumes of poems under the title o
” Euphrosyne,“which have gone through several editions,
but he is rather entitled to the merit of an agreeable versifier, than that of a genuine poet. Then appeared his
” Eugenius; or, Anecdotes of the Golden Vale,“in 2
vols. In 1778 appeared
” Recollections of some particulars in the life of William Shenstone, esq. in a series of
letters to W. Seward, esq. F. R. S.“This was published
to vindicate the character of his friend from the criticisms
and censure of Dr. Johnson, Mr. Gray, and Mr. Mason.
The following is a list of his subsequent publications, although probably not in chronological order.
” Plexippus;
or, the aspiring Plebeian,“in 2 vols.
” Hiero on the
condition of Royalty,“from the Greek of Xenophon
” Fleurettes,“a translation of Fenelon’s Ode on Solitude,
and other French authors
” The Life of Commodus,“from the Greek of Herodian
” The Rout,“from a young
man in town to his friend in the country
” The Meditations of Antoninus, translated from the Greek;“” The
Reveries of Solitude,“consisting of pieces of prose and
verse
” The Coalition or, Opera rehearsed,“a comedy
in three acts
” The Farmer’s Son,“a moral tale, in the
ballad metre
” Sermons on various subjects,“in 1 vol.
” Senilities,“consisting of pieces in prose and verse. His
last publication was
” The Invalid, with the obvious means
of enjoying Life, by a Nonagenarian.“The above, we
believe, is a tolerably correct list of the publications of Mr.
Graves; whose works, although the
” Spiritual Quixote"
only will be much called for hereafter, will always be read
with pleasure, there being a sprightliness and epigram*
matic turn in his writings which was peculiar to himself,
and which he retained to the last. In Mr. Graves ended
the bright associates of their time, composed of Shenstone,
Whistler, and Jago.
, an eminent Dutch philosopher, was born Sept. 26, 1688, at Bois-le-duc, in Holland, of an ancient
, an eminent Dutch
philosopher, was born Sept. 26, 1688, at Bois-le-duc, in
Holland, of an ancient and honourable family. He was
educated with the greatest care, and very early discovered
an extraordinary genius for mathematical learning. He
was sent to the university of Leyden, in 1704, with an intention to study the civil law; but at the same time he
cultivated with the greatest assiduity his favourite science.
Before he was nineteen, he composed his treatise on perspective, which gained him great credit among the most
eminent mathematicians of his time. When he had taken
his doctor’s degree in 1707, he quitted the college, and
settled at the Hague, where he practised at the bar. In
this situation he contracted and cultivated an acquaintance
with learned men; and made one of the principal members
of the society that composed a periodical review, entitled
“Le Journal LitteVaire.
” This journal began in May
Remarks on the construction of
Pneumatical Engines;
” A moral Essay on Lying;“and a celebrated Essay on the Collision of Bodies;
”
which, as it opposed the Newtonian philosophy, was attacked by Dr. Clarke, and many other learned men.
In 1715, when the States sent to congratulate George I. on his accession to the throne, Gravesande was appointed secretary to the embassy. During his stay in England
In 1715, when the States sent to congratulate George I.
on his accession to the throne, Gravesande was appointed
secretary to the embassy. During his stay in England he
was admitted a member of the royal society, and became
intimately acquainted with sir Isaac Newton. On his return to Holland, when the business of the embassy was
over, he was chosen professor of the mathematics and
astronomy at Leyden; and he had the honour of first teaching the Newtonian philosophy there, which was then in its
infancy. The most considerable of his publications is
“An Introduction to the Newtonian Philosophy; or, a
treatise on the Elements of Physics, confirmed by experiments.
” This performance, being only a more perfect
copy of his public lectures, was first printed in 1720; and
has since gone through many editions, wiih considerable
improvements. He published also “A small treatise on
the Elements of Algebra, for the use of young students.
”
After he was promoted to the chair of philosophy in 1734,
he published “A Course of Logic and Metaphysics.
” He
had a design too of presenting the public with “A Sj’stem
of Morality,
” but his death, which happened in
He was amiable in his private and respectable in his public character;
He was amiable in his private and respectable in his public character; for, few men of letters have done more eminent services to their country. The ministers of the republic consulted him on all occasions in which his talents were requisite to assist them, which his skill in calculation often enabled him to do in money affairs. He was of great service also in detecting the secret correspondence of their enemies, as a decipherer. And, as a professor, none ever applied the powers of nature with more success, or to more useful purposes.
, an eminent scholar, and illustrious lawyer of Italy, was born of genteel parents at Roggiano, February 18, 1664; and
, an eminent scholar, and
illustrious lawyer of Italy, was born of genteel parents at
Roggiano, February 18, 1664; and educated under Gregory Caloprese, a famous philosopher of that time, and
his cousin-german. He went to Naples at sixteen, and
there applied himself to the Latin and Greek languages,
and to civil law; which application, however, did not
make him neglect to cultivate, with the utmost exactness,
his own native tongue. He was so fond of stu<jy, that he
pursued it ten or twelve hours a day, to the very last years
of his life; and, when his friends remonstrated agakist this
unnecessary labour, he used to tell them that he knew of
nothing which could afford him more pleasure. He went
to Rome in 1689, and some years after was made professor
of canon law, in the college of Sapieozia, by Innocent
XL who esteemed him much; which employment he held
as long as he lived. He does not, however, seem to have
been of an amiable cast; at least he had not the art of
making himself beloved. The free manner in which he
spoke of all mankind, and the contempt with which he
treated the greatest part of the learned, raised him up many
enemies; and among others the famous Settano, who has
made him the subject of some of his satires. It is said that
he missed a cardinal’s hat because of his satirical turn of
mind. When at Rome he used to bow to coach-horses,
“because,
” said he, “were it not for these poor beasts,
these great people would have men, and even philosophers, to draw their coaches.
” There were at one time
doubts of his religious principles, and his pupil Metastasio
seems inclined to justify these, by sinking this part of his
history. Many universities of Germany would have drawn
Gravina to them, and made proposals to him for that purpose; but nothing was able to seduce him from Rome.
That of Turin offered him the first professorship of law, at
the very time that he was attacked by the distemper of
which he died, and which seems to have been a mortification in his bowels. He was troubled with pains in those
parts for many years before; but they did not prove fatal
to him till Jan. 6, 1718. He had made his will in April
1715, in which he ordered his body to be opened and
embalmed.
His first publication was a piece entitled “Prisci Censorini Photistici Hydra Mystica;
His first publication was a piece entitled “Prisci Censorini Photistici Hydra Mystica; sive, de corrupta morali
doctrina dialogus,
” Coloniic, L'Endimione di Erilo
Cleoneo, Pasture Arcade, con nn Discorso di Bione Crateo,
” Rome, Delle Antiche Favola,
” Rome, Opuscula,
” at Rome
in lu96, 12mo; containing, first, “An Essay upon an ancient Law;
” secondly, “A Dialogue concerning the excellence of the Latin Tongue,
” thirdly, “A Discourse of
the change which has happened in the Sciences, particularly in Italy;
” fourthly, “A Treatise upon the Contempt
of Death;
” fifthly, upon “Moderation in Mourning;
”
sixthly, “The Laws of the Arcadians.
” A collection of
such of these as regard literary history and study was published in 1792, for the use of young students, by the present learned bishop of St. David’s. But the greatest of all
his works, and for which he will be ever memorable, is,
5. His three books, “De Ortu et Progressu Juris Civiiis;
”
the first of which was printed at Maples, in De Romano Imperio;
” and dedicated to pope
Clement XI. who was much the author’s friend. This is
reckoned the best edition of this famous work; for, when
it was reprinted at Leipsic with the “Opuscula
” abovementioned, in Editio novissima ad nuperam Neapolitanam emt-ndata et aucta.
” Gravina 1 s view, in this
“History of Ancient Law,
” was to induce the Roman
youth to study it in its original records in the Pandects,
the Institutes, and the Code, and not to content themselves, as he often complained they did, with learning it
from modern abridgments, drawn up with great confusion,
and in very barbarous Latin. Such knowledge and such
language, he said, might do well enough for the bar, where
a facility of speaking often supplied the place of learning
and good sense, before judges who had no extraordinary
share of either; but were what a real lawyer should be
greatly above. As to the piece “De Romano Imperio,
”
Le Clerc pronounces it to be a work in which Gravina
has shewn the greatest judgment and knowledge of Roman
antiquity. The next performance we find in the list of his
works is, 6. * c Acta Consistoriaiia creationis Em in. et Rev
Cardinalium institute a S. D. N. Clemente XL P. M. diebus
17 Maii et 7 Junii anno salmis 1706. Accessit eorundem
Cardinalium brevis delineatio,“Colonise, 1707, 4to. 7.
” Delia Ragione Poetica Libri duo,“Rome, 1708, 4to.
To a subsequent edition of this in 1716, was added a letter
” De Poesi,“from which Blackwell, in his Inquiry into
the life and writings of Homer, has taken many observations. Dr. Warton says that Gravina’s remarks have a
novelty and penetration in them. 8. << Tragedie cinque,
”
ISlapofi, 1712, 8vo. These five tragedies are, “II Papimano;
” “II Palamede
” “L'Andromeda
” “L'Appio
Ciaudio;
” “II Servio Tullio.
” Gravina said that he composed these tragedies in three months, without interrupting
l^is lectures; yet declares in his preface, that he should
look upon all those as either ignorant or envious, who
should scruple to prefer them to what Tasso, Bonarelli,
Trissino, and others, had composed of the same kind.
This at least shews that Gravina, great as his talents were,
had too high an opinion of them. They could not, it is
true, have been written by Sophocles himself in a more
Grecian style; but he is entitled to more fame from having
educated and formed the taste of Metastasio, who was his
pupil, and to whom he left a legacy, amounting in our
money to nearly 4000l. with his library, and a small estate
in the kingdom of Naples. 9. “Orationes,
” Nap. in the edition of
61 Origines Juris Civilis,
” printed at Leipsic, in 1717. 10.
<l Delia Tragedia Libro uno,“Napoli, 1715, 410. This work,
his two books
” Delia Ragione Poetica,“his discourse
upon the
” Endymion" of Alexander Guidt, and some
other pieces, were printed together at Venice in 1731,
4to, but a more complete edition of his works was published at Naples by John Antony Sergi, 1756 1758, 3
vols. 4to.
, an excellent Latin poet, was born at Palermo, in Sicily, of a family originally of Gravina,
, an excellent Latin poet, was born
at Palermo, in Sicily, of a family originally of Gravina, a
city in the kingdom of Naples. He was canon of Naples,
and died at Rome of the plague, in 1528. It is thought
that the greater part of his works were lost when the
French went to Naples under Louis XII. in 1501, but a
collection of what remained was published therein 1532,
4to; a few of them are also inserted in the “Carm. Illust.
Poet. Ital.
” His epigrams are preferred by Sannazarius
to those of all his contemporaries. Paul Jovius and others
also bestow high encomiums on his poetry.
, an eminent English poet, was the fifth child of Mr. Philip Gray, a citizen and money-scrivener
, an eminent English poet, was the
fifth child of Mr. Philip Gray, a citizen and money-scrivener of London, and a man of such brutal manners, that
his wife (whose maiden name was Dorothy Antrobus) was
obliged in 1735 to apply to an eminent civilian for his advice as to a separation. Thomas was born in Cornhill,
Dec. 20, 1716, and was the only one of many children who
survived. The rest died in their infancy, from suffocation, produced by a fulness of blood; and he owed his life
to a memorable instance of the love and courage of his
mother, who removed the paroxysm which attacked him,
by opening a vein with her own hand an instance of affection which he long rememhered with filial rev erence.
Indeed it was to her exertions when her home was rendered
unhappy by the cruelty of her husband, that our poet was
indebted for his education, and consequently for the happiness of his life. We may readily, therefore, believe
what Mason has told us, that “Gray seldom mentioned his
mother without a sigh.
”
He was educated at Eton, under the protection of Mr. Antrobus, his
He was educated at Eton, under the protection of Mr.
Antrobus, his maternal uncle, who was at that time assistant to Dr. George, and also a fellow of Peter-house,
Cambridge, where Gray was admitted as a pensioner in
1734, in his nineteenth year. At Eton his friendship with
Horace Walpole (the late earl of Orford), and more particularly with Richard West, commmenced. In the latter,
who was a son of the Irish lord chancellor West, henet
with one whose proficiency in literature was considerable
for his age, whose mind was amiable and ingenuous, wnose
disposition was similar to his own, but whose loss he had
to deplore, after a strict friendship of eight years. When
Gray removed to Peter-house, West went to Christ church,
Oxford, and Walpole to King’s -college, Cambridge. It
is difficult to trace the line of study which Gray pursued
at college. His correspondence at that time treats chiefly
of his poetry, and other private pursuits; and he seems to
have withdrawn himself entirely from the severity of mathematical studies, while his inquiries centered in classical literature, in the acquisition of modern languages, in
history and other branches of polite literature. During
his residence at college from 1734 to 1738, his poetical
productions were some Latin verses entitled “Luna habitabilis,
” inserted in the “Musae Etonenses;
” a poem “Onthe marriage of the prince of Wales;
” and a “Sapphic
Ode to West,
” both in Latin also a Latin version of the
“Care selve beate
” of the Pastor Fido, and fragments of
translations in English from Statins and Tasso.
re, but on an umtution which Mr. Walpole gave him to be his companion in his travels, this intention was laid aside for the present, and never after put in execution.
In 1738 Mr. Gray removed from Peter-house to London, intending to apply himself to the study of the law in the Inner temple, where his friend Mr. West had begun the same pursuit some months before, but on an umtution which Mr. Walpole gave him to be his companion in his travels, this intention was laid aside for the present, and never after put in execution. From his letters to Mr. West, he seems to have been a very diligent traveller, his attention being directed to every work of art that was curious and instructive. Architecture both of Gothic and Grecian origin, painting and music, were all studied by him, with the manners and customs of the inhabitants. Their tour was the accustomed one through France and Italy. In April 1740 they were at Reggio, where an unfortunate difference took place between them, and they parted. Much has been said of this famous quarrel, but the real cause has never been sufficiently explained. Walpole, however, affected to take the blame on himself, and probably spoke truth; and it is certain that the parties were afterwards reconciled, as to outward respect, which no man knew better than Walpole how to pay in such proportions as suited his convenience, and in such warm and animated language as could not fail to be successful where he was not known. Cole, however, says, that when matters were made up between Gray and Walpole, the latter asked Gray to Strawberry-hill, and when he came, he without any ceremony told Walpole, that he came to wait on him as civility required, but by no means would he ever be there on the terms of his former friendship, which he had totally cancelled. Cole’s narratives are sometimes to be received with caution, and although Gray’s late excellent editor and biographer thinks this worthy of credit, and not inconsisVii 4: with the independence of Gray’s character, yet if he did address Walpole in such language, it is difficult to conceive that there could have ever been any intercourse between them afterwards, which we are certain was the case.
hom, also, in the summer, when he retired to his family at Stoke, he sent his “Ode to Spring,” which was written there, but which did not arrive in Hertfordshire till
Gray returned by himself to England in 1741, in which
year his father died. With a small fortune, which her
feiTsbarvd’s i:n prudence had impaired, Mrs. Gray and a
maiden sister retired to the house of Mrs. Rogers, another
sister, at Sloke, near Windsor; and Gray, thinking his
fortune not sufficient to enable him to prosecute the study
of the law, and yet unwilling to hurt the feelings of his
mother, hy appearing entirely to forsake his profession,
pretended to change the line of study, and went to Cambridge to take his degree in civil law, but had certainly no
thoughts of that as a profession. He went accordingly to
Cambridge, in the winter 1742, where he took his degree
of bachelor of civil law, and employed himself in a perusal
of' the Greek authors with such assiduity, that in the space
of about six years there were hardly any writers of note in
that language, whom he had not only read but digested;
remarking, by the mode of common-place, their contents,
their difficult and corrupt passages, and all this with the
accuracy of a critic, added to the diligence of a student.
In his first year also he translated some parts of Propertins, and selected for his Italian studies the poetry of Petrarch. He wrote a heroic epistle in Latin, in imitation
of the manner of Ovid; and a Greek epigram which he
communicated to West; to whom, also, in the summer,
when he retired to his family at Stoke, he sent his “Ode
to Spring,
” which was written there, but which did not
arrive in Hertfordshire till after the death of his beloved
friend, who expired June 1, 1742, aged twenty -six. In
the autumn of this same year, Gray composed the ode. on
“A distant prospect of Eton College,
” and the “Hymn
to Adversity,
” and began the “Elegy in a Country Church
Yard.
” An affectionate sonnet in English, and an apostrophe which opens the fourth book of his poern “De
principiis cogitandi
” (his last composition in Latin verse)
bear strong marks of the sorrow left on his mind from the
death of West; and of the real affection with which he honoured the memory of his worth and of his talents.
In 1744 the difference between Walpole and Gray was adjusted by the interference of a lady who wished well to both
In 1744 the difference between Walpole and Gray was
adjusted by the interference of a lady who wished well to
both parties. The lapse of years had probably softened
their mutual resentment in a sufficient degree to admit
again of correspondence on amicable terms. About this
time Gray became acquainted with Mr. Mason, then a
scholar of St. John’s college, whose poetical talents he had
noticed, and some of whose poems he revised at the request of a friend. His bequests to Mr. Mason show
that this intimacy was improved into the str.ctest friendship and confidence. He maintained also a
correspondcnce with another friend, Dr. Wharton of Durham, and
seems to have been on familiar terms with the celebrated
Dr. Middleton, whose loss he afterwards laments. “I find
a friend,
” he says, “so uncommon a thing, that I cannot
help regretting even an old acquaintance, which is an indifferent likeness of it.
”
he publication of the “Ode to Eton College,” folio, of which, according to Dr. Warton, little notice was taken. Walpole now wished him to print his own poems with those
In 1747, Gray appeared first as an author, by the publication of the “Ode to Eton College,
” folio, of which, according to Dr. Warton, little notice was taken. Walpole
now wished him to print his own poems with those of his
deceased friend West, but this he declined, thinking the
materials not sufficient; but he complied with another
wish of Walpole, in commemorating in an ode the death
of his favourite cat. Soon after this he sent to Dr. Wharton a part of his poem “On the alliance of education and
government,
” which he never pursued much further. It
was indeed Gray’s misfortune seldom to execute his plans.
In 1749 he finished his “Elegy,
” which we have seen he
began seven years before, and which being now handed
about in manuscript, was read with great applause, and
when printed, was, as it continues to be, the most popular
of all his works. Mason justly attributes this to the affecting and pensive cast of the subject. That it has not
ceased to be admired even by scholars appears from the
many translations which it has undergone, into Latin, by
Messieurs Anstey, Roberts, and Lloyd, and into Greek
by Dr. Cooke, Dr. Norbury, Dr. Coote, and Messieurs
Tew and Weston. This elegy was soon after added to a
well-known edition of his poems printed in 4to, with den
signs by Mr. Bentley. In March 1703 he lost his mother,
whom he had so Jong and so affectionately loved, and
placed over her remains an inscription which strongly
marks his filial piety and sorrow.
temper, Gray complained to the governing part of the society, and not thinking that his remonstrance was sufficiently attended to, quitted the college. He now removed
In 1754 and 1755 he appears to have written “An ode
to Vicissitude,
” that “On the progress of Poetry,
” the
“Bard,
” and probably some of those fragments with which
he seems to have amused himself without much design of
completion. About this period he complains of listlessness and depression of spirits, which prevented his application to poetry; and from this time we may trace the
course of that hereditary disease in his constitution which
embittered in a considerable degree the remainder of his
days; and whose fatal strength not even the temperance
and regularity of a whole life could subdue. In 1756 he
left Peter-house, where he had resided above twenty years,
on account of some incivilities which he met with, which
Mason thus mentions. Two or three young men of fortune, who lived on the same staircase, had for some time
intentionally disturbed him with their riots, and carried
their ill-behaviour so far as frequently to awaken him at
midnight. After having borne with their insults longer
than might reasonably have been expected even from a
man of less warmth of temper, Gray complained to the
governing part of the society, and not thinking that his
remonstrance was sufficiently attended to, quitted the college. He now removed to Pembroke-hall, which he describes “as an sera in a life so barren of events as his.
”
he greatest of our lyric poets. In the same year, on the death of Gibber, the office of poetluurt>at was offered to him by the duke of Devonshire, then lord chamberlain,
In July 1757 he took his “Odes
” to London for publication, but they were first printed at the Strawberry-hill
press. It seems agreed that they did not succeed with the
public, although they have since deservedly entitled him
to rank among the greatest of our lyric poets. In the
same year, on the death of Gibber, the office of poetluurt>at was offered to him by the duke of Devonshire, then
lord chamberlain, which he politely declined. In 1758
he composed for his own amusement the little book which
he calls “A Catalogue of the Antiquities, Houses, &c. in
England and Wales,
” which after his death was printed
for private distribution by Mr. Mason, and in 1787 for sale.
About this time the study of architecture seems to have
employed much of his time, and some very acute observations by him on this subject appeared afterwards in
Bentham’s “History of Ely,
” a work which was in a great
measure the fruit of “voluntary contributions.
” In January 1759, the British Museum was opened to the publick; and Gray went to London to read and transcribe the
manuscripts of the Harleian and Cottonian collections. A
folio volume of his transcripts was in Mr. Mason’s hands,
out of which one paper alone, the speech of sir Thomas
Wyat, was published in the second number of lord Orford’s
“Miscellaneous Antiquities.
” In
In the summer of 1765 he took a journey into Scotland, to improve his health, which was then weak and uncertain, and to gratify his curiosity with the
In the summer of 1765 he took a journey into Scotland,
to improve his health, which was then weak and uncertain, and to gratify his curiosity with the natural beauiies
and antiquities of that wild and romantic country. He
went through Edinburgh and Perth to Glames-castle, the
seat of iord V Strathmore, where he resided some time, and
afterwards went to the nortli, where he formed an acquajntance with Dr. Beattie, “whom,
” says Dr. Johnson, “he
found a poet, a philosopher, and a good man,
” but at
that time little known beyond the circle of his friends at
Aberdeen. Gray’s account of this journey, says Dr. Johnson, “so far as it extends, is curious and elegant; for as
his comprehension was ample, his curiosity extended to
all the works of art, all the appearances of nature, and all
the monuments of past events.
” Part of the summer of
1766 and 1767 he passed in journies in England, and had
intended a second tour to Scotland, but returned to London without accomplishing his design. At Dr. Beattie’s
desire, a new edition of his poems was printed by the
Foulis’s of Glasgow, then the most elegant printers in the
island; and at the same time Dodsley was also printing
them in London. In both these editions, the “Long
Story
” was omitted, as the plates from Bentley’s designs
which illustrated it were worn out, but some pieces of
Welch and Norwegian poetry, written in a bold and original manner, were inserted in its place of which the
“Descent of Odin
” is undoubtedly the most valuable,
though in many places it is obscure. This his late biographer attributes to his having translated only that part
of it which he found in the Latin version of Bartholinus.
n, then in power, bestowed it upon Mr. Gray without the smallest solicitation, although the contrary was at that time reported; and in the following year, when his noble
In 1768, the professorship of modern history again became vacant by the accidental death of Mr. Brocket, and
the duke of Grafton, then in power, bestowed it upon
Mr. Gray without the smallest solicitation, although the
contrary was at that time reported; and in the following
year, when his noble patron was installed as chancellor of
the university, Gray wrote the Ode that was set to music
on that occasion. When this ceremony was past, he went
on a tour to the lakes of Cumberland and Westmoreland,
of which he has given an account in his correspondence.
“He that reads his epistolary narrative,
” says Dr. Johnson, “wishes, that to travel, and to tell his travels, had
been more of his employment: but it is by staying at home
that we must obtain the ability 06 travelling with intelligence and improvement.
” In April 1770, he complains
much of a -tepr^ssioti of spirits, talks of an intended tour
into Wales in the summer, and of meeting his friend Dr.
Wharton at, Mr. Mason’s. In July, however, he was still
at Cambridge, and wrote to Dr. Beattie, complaining of
illness and pain in his head; and in this letter, he sent
him some criticisms on the first book of the “Minstrel,
”
which have since been published. His tour took place in
the autumn, but he does not appear to have written any
journal of it. In May. 1771 he wrote to Dr. Wharton,
just sketching the outlines of his tour in Wales and some
of the adjacent counties. This is the last letter that remains in Mr. Mason’s collection. He there complains of
an incurable cough, of spirits habitually low, and of the
uneasiness which the thought of the duties of his professorship gave him, which, Mr. Mason says, he had now a
determined resolution to resign. He had held this office
nearly three years, and had not begun to execute the duties of it, which consist of two parts, one, the teaching of
modern languages; the other, the reading of lectures on
Modern History. The former he was allowed to execute
by deputies, but the latter he was to commence in person,
by reading a public lecture in the schools, once at least
in every term. He was at liberty to chuse his language,
and chose the Latin, which Mr. Mason thought somewhat
injudicious; and although we do not find that he proceeded
farther than to draw up a part of his introductory lecture,
he projected a plan of very great extent, of much greater
indeed than from his inactivity, whether the effect of illness
or indolence, he would probably have been able to execute.
His death, however, prevented the trial. A few days alter
writing the letter just mentioned, he removed to London,
where his health more and more declined. His physician,
Dr. Gisborne, advised freer air, and he went to Kentittgton.
There he in some degree revived, and returned to Cambridge, intending to go from that place to Old Park, near
Durham, the residence of his friend Dr. Wharton. On
the 24th of July, however, while at dinner in the collegehall, he was seized with an attack of the gout in his stomach, of which he died in the evening of the 30th, 1771,
in the fifty-fifth year of his age, sensible almost to the
last; aware of his danger, and expressing no visible concern at the thought of his approaching death. He was
interred by the side of his mother, in the church-yard of
StoVe.
nt of personal courage, a reservedness and caprice of temper, and a foppish attention to dress. This was somewhat singular in one who to his other qualities, added a
In his private character many virtues were united; benevolence, temperance, integrity, and ceconomy, patience
under the contempt of hypercriticism, and a friendly and
affectionate disposition. He had also some failings, among
which are enumerated a want of personal courage, a reservedness and caprice of temper, and a foppish attention
to dress. This was somewhat singular in one who to his
other qualities, added a great portion of humour, and had a
quick sense of the ridiculous. His sensibility was even morbid, and very often fastidious ancl troublesome to his friends.
He seemed frequently overwhelmed by the ordinary intercourse and ordinary affairs of life. Coarse manners, and
vulgar or unrefined sentiments, overset him. Mason’s excuse for all this will not perhaps be thought the excuse of a
friend; he attributes it rather to “an affectation in delicacy
an.l effeminacy, -than the things themselves,
” and says
that Grav “chose to put on this appearance before persons
whom he did not wish to please.
”
ation in this respect has hitherto stood upon the evidence of those who know him most intimately. He was above fifty years of age before he became sensible of the necessity
Gray appears to have written in a desultory manner; his efforts were such as he could accomplish probably at one time, and he had not in many instances affection enough for his subject to return to it. Hence no poet of modern times has left so many specimens or samples, so mueh planned, and so little executed. Activity and labour it appears he could never endure, unless in storing his mind with various knowledge for his own curiosity and satisfaction. Hence, although he read much and read critically, and amassed a vast fund of general learning, his reputation in this respect has hitherto stood upon the evidence of those who know him most intimately. He was above fifty years of age before he became sensible of the necessity of concentrating his knowledge in one pursuit, and as he had never accustomed himself so to regulate his acquisitions as to render them useful to others, he apparently sunk under the task which his professorship imposed; and it is much to the credit of his independent spirit, that when he found it impossible to execute the duties, he determined to resign the emoluments of his place.
, an Italian scholar and poet of considerable eminence, was born at Florence March 22, 1503, of a noble family, which can
, an Italian scholar and
poet of considerable eminence, was born at Florence
March 22, 1503, of a noble family, which can be traced as
far as the thirteenth century, but was now decayed, as we
find that Grazzini in his youth was brought up as an apothecary. He had, however, studied philosophy and the
belles lettres, and from the timetliathe acquired some reputation in the literary world, gave up his medical business. In 1540 he became one of the founders of the
academy of Florence, which was first called the academy
of the Humides, and each member distinguishing himself
by some appellation relative to the water, Grazzini adopting that of Lasca, which signifies a roach. From the first
establishment of this academy, he was appointed chancellor,
and when, some months after, the grand duke changed its
name to that of the academy of Florence, he was chosen
overseer, or superintendant, an office which he afterwards
filled three times. As the number of members, however,
increased, the juniors began to make new regulations without consulting the founders, and a schism broke out, attended with so many unpleasant circumstances, that Grazzini withdrew, and became the founder of a new academy,
known still by the name of La Crusca. The object of this
society was to polish the Italian language, to fix a standard
for it, to point out such authors as might be always models
for those who chose to improve their style, to oppose the
progress of false taste; and to sift the flour from the bran
of literature, crusca signifying bran. Grazzini was well
qualified to assist an academy instituted for these purposes.
He hail enriched the language with several choice phrases
and new modes of expression, and the academicians have
very justly ranked him among those authors to whom they
have been obliged for examples, in correcting their great
vocabulary. In the mean time his growing fame induced
his friend Leonard Salviati to endeavour his re-introduction
into the academy of Florence, which was successfully accomplished in 1566, twenty years after he had left it; in
return for which he procured admission for Salviati among
the Cruscanti. Grazzini died at Florence in February
1583. He was a man of unquestionable genius, spirit, and
humour, and wrote with great elegance, and although
there are some indelicate passages in his poems, which
was the vice of the times, he was a man of strict morals,
and even, says his biographer, very religious. Many of
his works are lost, and among these some prose tales, and
many pieces of poetry. There remain, however, twentyone tales, six comedies, a great number of capitoli, or
satirical chapters, and various poems, of which the best
edition is that of Florence, 1741, 2 vols. 8vo. His Tales
or Novels were printed at Paris, 1756, 8vo, from which
some copies have been printed in 4to, under the title of
London. An excellent French translation of them appeared
in 1775, 2 vols. 8vo, in which nine histories wanting in the
third evening are said to be inserted from an old French
translation in ms. He wrote also “La guerra di Mostri,
Poema giocoso,
” Florence, Tutti i trionfi, carri, mascherate o canti carnasciaj^schi
dal tempo di Lorenzo de Medici a questoanno 1559,
” 8vo;
e wori r derful cures have been attested by some of the most eminent men of the seventeenth century, was the son of William Greatrakes, esq. and born at Affane, co.
, an empiric, whose wori r
derful cures have been attested by some of the most eminent men of the seventeenth century, was the son of William Greatrakes, esq. and born at Affane, co. Waterforcl,
in Ireland, Feb. 14, 1628. He was educated a protestant
in the free-school of Lismore, until the age of thirteen,
when his friends intended to have removed him to Trinity
college, Dublin, but the rebellion breaking out, his mother took refuge with him in England, where he was kindly
received by his great uncle Edmund Harris, brother to
sir Edward Harris, knt. his grandfather by the mother’s
side. After his uncle’s death he spent some years in the
study of the classics and divinity under a clergyman in Devonshire, and then returned to Ireland, which was at that
time in so deplorable a state that he retired to the castle of
Caperquin, where he spent a year in contemplation, and
seems to have contracted a species of enthusiasm which
never altogether left him. In 1649 he entered into the
service of the parliament, and continued in the army until
1656, when, a great part of the English being disbanded,
he retired to his native country of Aflfane, and by the interest of the governor there, was made clerk cf the peace
for the county of Cork, register for transplantation, and
justice of the peace. At the Restoration all these places
were taken from him, and his mind being disturbed partly
with this disappointment, and partly for want of any regular and useful occupation, he felt an impulse, as he calls
it, that the gift of curing the king’s evil was bestowed upon
him and accordingly he began his operations, which were
confined to praying, and stroking the part affected and
such wonderful cures were effected, that he determined
not to stop here. Three years after, he had another impulse that he could cure all kinds of diseases, and by
the same simple remedy, which must be administered
by himself. When however he pretended to some supernatural aid, and mentioned the Holy Ghost with irreverent presumption, as his assistant, he was cited to the
bishop’s court, and forbid to take such liberties. This
probably was the cause of his coming to England in January 1665, where he performed many cures, was invited
by the king to Whitehall, and his reputation spread most
extensively. Even Dr. Henry Stubbe, an eminent physician, published a pamphlet in praise of his skill. Having
failed in one instance, that of a Mr. Cresset in Charterhouse square, there appeared a pamphlet entitled “Wonders no miracles: or Mr. Valentine Greatrakes Gift of
Healing examined,
” &c. Lond. A brief account of Mr. Valentine Greatrakes, and
divers of his strange cures,
” &c. ibid.
, an eminent mathematician and antiquary, was eldest son of John Greaves, rector of Colmore, near Alresford,
, an eminent mathematician and antiquary, was eldest son of John Greaves, rector of Colmore, near Alresford, in Hampshire, where, his son was born in 1602, and probably instructed in grammar learning by his father, who was the most celebrated school-master in that country. At fi/teen years of age he was sent to Baliol college, in Oxford, where he proceeded B. A. July 6, 1621. -Three years after, his superiority in classical learning procured him the first place of five in an election to a fellowship of Merton-college. On June 25, 1628, he commenced M. A. and, having completed his fellowship, was more at liberty to pursue the bent of his inclination, which leading him chiefly to oriental learning and the mathematics, he quickly distinguished himself in each of these studies; and his eminent skill in the latter procured him the professorship of geometry in Gresham college, which he obtained February 22^ 1630.
y. He also visited other parts of Italy; and before his departure, meeting with the earl of Arundel, was offered 200l. a year to live with his lordship, and attend him
At this time he had not only read the writings of Copernicus, Regiomoritanus, Purbach, Tycho Brahe, and Kepler, with other celebrated astronomers of that and the preceding age, but had made 1 the ancient Greek, Arabian, and Persian authors familiar to him, having before gained an accurate skill in the oriental languages; but the acquisitions he had already made serving to create a thirst for more, he determined to travel for farther improvement. Accordingly he went to Holland in 1635, and having attended for some time the lectures of Goliusj the learned professor of Arabic at Leyden, he proceeded to Paris, where he conversed with the celebrated Claudius Hardy, about the Persian language; but finding very scanty aid in that country, he continued his journey to Rome, in order to view the antiquities of that cily. He also visited other parts of Italy; and before his departure, meeting with the earl of Arundel, was offered 200l. a year to live with his lordship, and attend him as a companion in his travels to Greece; the earl also promising every other act of friendship that might lie in his power. A proposal so advantageous would have been eagerly accepted by Mr. Greaves, but he had now projected a voyage to Egypt, and was About to return to England, in order to furnish himself with every thing proper to complete the execution of his design.
Immediately after his return, he acquainted archbishop. Laud, who was his liberal patron, with his intentions, and, being encouraged
Immediately after his return, he acquainted archbishop. Laud, who was his liberal patron, with his intentions, and, being encouraged by his grace, set about making preparations for it. His primary view was to measure the pyramids with all proper exactness, and also to make astronomical and geographical observations, as opportunities offered, for the improvement of those sciences. A large apparatus of proper mathematical instruments was consequently to be provided; and, as the expence of purchasing these would be considerable, he applied for assistance to the city of London, but mefwith an absolute denial. This he very much resented, and in relating the generosity of his brothers upon his own money falling short, he observes, 44 That they had strained their own occasions, to enable him, in despite of the city, to go on with his designs.* 1 He had been greatly disappointed in his hopes of meeting with curious books in Italy he therefore proposed to make that another principal part of his business and to compass it in the easiest manner, he bought several books before his departure, in order to exchange them with others in the east. Besides his brothers, he had probably some help from Laud, from whom he received a general discretionary commission to purchase for him Arabic and other Mss. and likewise such coins and medals as he could procure. Laud also gave him a letter of recommendation to sir Peter Wyche, the English ambassador at Constantinople.
Peter Wyche, and became acquainted with the venerable Cyril Lucaris, the Greek patriarch, by whom he was much assisted in purchasing Greek Mss., and who promised to
Thus furnished, he embarked in the river Thames for Leghorn, June 1637, in company with his particular friend Mr. Edward Pococke, whom he had earnestly solicited to that voyage. After a short stay in Italy, he arrived at Constantinople before Michaelmas. Here he met with a kind reception from sir Peter Wyche, and became acquainted with the venerable Cyril Lucaris, the Greek patriarch, by whom he was much assisted in purchasing Greek Mss., and who promised to recommend him to the monks of Mount Athps, where he would have the liberty of entering into all the libraries, and of collecting a catalogue of such books as either were not printed, or else, by the help of some there, might be more correctly published. These, by dispensing with the anathemas which former patriarchs had laid upon all Greek libraries, to preserve the books from the Latins, Cyril proposed to present to archbishop Laud, for the better prosecution of his designs in the edition of Greek authors; but all this was frustrated by the death of that patriarch, who was barbarously strangled June 1638, by express command of the grand signior, on pretence of holding a correspondence with the emperor of Muscovy.
out of an ignorant monastery which depended on the patriarch, fourteen good Mss. of the fathers, he was forced privately to restore the books and lose the money, to
Nor 'vas this the only loss which our traveller sustained by Cyril’s death; for having procured out of an ignorant monastery which depended on the patriarch, fourteen good Mss. of the fathers, he was forced privately to restore the books and lose the money, to avoid a worse inconvenience. Thus Constantinople was no longer agreeable to him, and the less so, because he had not been able to perfect himself in the Arabic tongue for want of sufficient masters, which be hoped to have found there. Tn these circumstances, parting with his fellow-traveller Pococke, he embraced the opportunity then offered of passing in company with the annual Turkish fleet to Alexandria, where, having in his way touched at Rhodes, he arrived before the end of September 1638. This was the boundary of his intended progress. The country afforded a large field for the exercise of his curious and inquisitive genius; and he omitted no opportunity of remarking whatever the heavens, earth, or subterraneous parts, offered, that seemed any way useful and worthy of notice; but, in his astronomical observations, he was too often interrupted by the rains, which, contrary to the received opinion, he found to be frequent and violent, especially in the middle of winter. He was also much disappointed here in his expectations of purchasing books, finding very few of these, and no learned men. But the principal purpose of his coming here being to take an accurate survey of the pyramids, he went twice to the deserts near Grand Cairo, where they stand; and having exeputed his undertaking entirely to his satisfaction, embarked at Alexandria in April 1639. Arriving in two months at Leghorn, he made the tour of Italy a second time, in order to examine more accurately the true state of the Roman weights and measures, as he was now furnished with proper instruments for that purpose, made by the best hands.
From Leghorn he proceeded to Florence, where he was received with particular marks of esteem by the grand duke of
From Leghorn he proceeded to Florence, where he was received with particular marks of esteem by the grand duke of Tuscany, Ferdinand II. to whom he had inscribed a Latin poem from Alexandria, in which he exhorted that prince to clear those seas of pirates, with whom they were extremely infested. He obtained, likewise, admittance into the Medicean library, which had been denied to him as a stranger when he was here in his former tour. ' From Florence he went to Rome, and took most exact measurements of all the ancient remains of that city and neighbourhood; after which he returned to Leghorn, where taking his passage in a vessel called the Golden Fleece, at the end of March, he arrived at London before Midsummer 1640, with a curious collection of Arabic, Persic, anci Greek Mss. together with a great number of gems, coins, and other valuable antiquities, having spent full three years in this agreeable tour.
for his loyalty to the king and his gratitude to Laud. After a short stay at Gresham college, which was no longer a place of safety for him, he went to Oxford, and
But upon his return, the ensuing national troubles proved greatly detrimental to his private affairs, and he suffered much for his loyalty to the king and his gratitude to Laud. After a short stay at Gresham college, which was no longer a place of safety for him, he went to Oxford, and set about digesting his papers, and preparing such of them as might be most useful for the press. In this business he was assisted by archbishop Usher, to whom he had been long known; and here he drew a map of Lesser Asia at his grace’s request, who was writing his dissertation of that country, printed in 1641.
ss had been more than abundantly compensated by the Savilian professorship of astronomy, to which he was chosen the day before, in the room of Dr. Bainbridge, lately
All this while he gave himself no concern about his Gresham lecture, from which the usurping powers removed
him on November 15, 1643. But this loss had been more
than abundantly compensated by the Savilian professorship
of astronomy, to which he was chosen the day before, in
the room of Dr. Bainbridge, lately deceased; and he had
a dispensation from the king, to hold his fellowship at
Puerton-college, because the stipend was much impaired
by means of the civil wars. The lectures being also impracticable on the same account, he was at full leisure to
continue his attention to his papers; and accordingly we
find that he had made considerable progress by September
the following year; some particulars of which may be seen
in a letter of that date to archbishop Usher. Among other
things, it appears that he had made several extracts from
them concerning the true length of the year; and happening, in 1645, to fall into discourse with some persons of
figure at the court then at Oxford, with whom he much
associated, about amending the Kalendar, he proposed a
method of doing it by omitting the intercalary day in the
leap-year for forty years, and to render it conformable to
the Gregorians. He drew up a scheme for that purpose,
which was approved by the king and council; but the state
of the times would not permit the execution of it. The
publication of his “Pyramidographia,
” and the “Description of the Roman Foot and Denarius,
” employed him the
two subsequent years: he determined to begin with these,
as they contained the fruit of his labours in the primary
view of his travels, and he was not in a condition to proceed any farther at present.
of commons who had a regard for learning, among whom Selden made the greatest figure. That gentleman was burgess for the university of Oxford; and, being well known
Hitherto he had been able, in a considerable degree, to
surmount his difficulties, there being still left, some members in the house of commons who had a regard for learning, among whom Selden made the greatest figure. That
gentleman was burgess for the university of Oxford; and,
being well known to our author before his travels, he dedicated his “Roman Foot
” to him, under the character of
his noble and learned friend: and his friendship was very
serviceable to Greaves, in a prosecution in the parliament,
in 1647, occasioned by his executorship to Dr. Bainbridge.
This trust had so involved him in law-suits as entirely to
frustrate his design of going to Leyden to consult some
Persian Mss. necessary for publishing some treatises in
that language. Upon the arrival of the parliamentary commissioners at Oxford, several complaints were made to
them against him on the same account; which being sent
by them to the committee of the house of commons, our
author, probably by the interest of Selden (who was a member of that committee), was there acquitted, after
which he applied to the court of aldermen and the committee of Camden-house for restitution. But though he
evaded this farther difficulty by the assistance of some
powerful friends, yet this respite was but short; however,
But the tyrannical violence of the parliamentary visitors was now above all restraint, and a fresh charge was drawn up against
But the tyrannical violence of the parliamentary visitors
was now above all restraint, and a fresh charge was drawn
up against Greaves. Dr. Walter Pope informs us, that,
considering the violence of the visitors, Greaves saw it
would be of no service to him to make any defence; and,
finding it impossible to keep his professorship, he made it
his business to procure an able and worthy person to succeed him. By the advice of Dr. Charles Scarborough the
physician, having pitched upon Mr. Seth Ward, he opened
the matter to that gentleman, whom he soon met with
there; and at the same time proposed a method of compassing it, by which Ward not only obtained the place,
but the full arrears of the stipend, amounting to 500l. due
to Greaves, and allowed him a considerable part of his
salary. The murder of the king, which happened soon
after, was a shock to Greaves, and lamented by him in
pathetic terms, in a letter to Dr. Pococke: “O my good
friend, my good friend, never was sorrow like our sorrow;
excuse me now, if I am not able to write to you, and to
answer your questions. O Lord God, avert this great sin
and thy judgments from this nation.
” However, he bore
up against his own injuries with admirable fortitude; and,
fixing his residence in London, he married, and, living
upon his patrimonial estate, went on as before, and produced some other curious Arabic and Persic treatises,
translated by him with notes, every year. Besides which,
he had prepared several others for the public view, and was
meditating more when he was seized by a fatal disorder,
which put a period to his life, Octobers, 1652, before he
was full fifty years of age. He was interred in the church
of St. Bennet Sherehog, in London. His loss was much
lamented by his friends, to whom he was particularly endeared by joining the gentleman to the scholar. He was
endowed with great firmness of mind, steadiness in friendship, and ardent zeal in the interest which he espoused,
though, as he declares himself, not at all inclined to
contenlion. He was highly esteemed by the learned in foreign parts, with many of whom he corresponded. Nor
was he less valued at home by all who were judges of his
great worth and abilities. He had no issue by his wife, to
whom he bequeathed his estate for her life; and having
left his cabinet of coins to his friend sir John Marsham,
author of the “Canon Chronicus,
” he appointed the eldest
of his three younger brothers (Dr. Nicolas Greaves),
his executor, who by will bestowed our author’s astronomical instruments on the Savilian library at Oxford, where
they are reposited, together with several of his papers; but
many others were sold by his widow to a bookseller, and
lost or dispersed.
hree brothers, Nicholas, Thomas, and Edward, all men of distinguished learning. Dr. Nicholas Greaves was a commoner of St. Mary’s Hall, in Oxford, whence in 1627 he
Mr. Greaves had three brothers, Nicholas, Thomas,
and Edward, all men of distinguished learning. Dr. Nicholas Greaves was a commoner of St. Mary’s Hall, in
Oxford, whence in 1627 he was elected fellow of All-Souls
college. In 1640 he was proctor of that university. November 1st 1642 he took the degree of B. D. and July 6th
the year following, that of D. D. He was dean of Dromore in Ireland. Dr. Thomas Greaves was admitted a
scholar of Corpus Christi college in Oxford March 15th,
1627, and chosen fellow thereof in 1636, and deputy
reader of the Arabic during the absence of Mr. Edward Pocock in 1637. He took the degree of B. D. October 22,
1641, and was rector of Dunsby in Lincolnshire during the
times preceding the Restoration, and of another living near
London. October I Oth, 1661, he had the degree of D. D.
conferred upon him, and a prebend in the church of
Peterborough in 1666, being then rector of Benefield in Northamptonshire, “which benefice he resigned some years
before his death through trouble from his parishioners, who,
because of his slowness of speech and bad utterance, held
him insufficient for it, notwithstanding he was a man of
great learning.
” In the latter part of his life he retired to
Weldon in Northamptonshire, where he had purchased an
estate, and died there May 22, 1676, in the sixty-fifth
year of his age, and was interred in the chancel of the
church there. His writings are, “De Linguae Arabicae
militate et proestantia, oratio Oxonii habita 19 Julii 1637,
”
Oxford, Observationes qusedam in Persicam
Pentateuchi versionem,
” printed in the sixth volume of the
Polyglot Bible; “Annotationes quaedam in Persicatn interpretationem Evangeliorum,
” printed in the same volume. These annotations were translated into Latin by
Mr. Samuel Clarke. It appears likewise, by a letter of his
to the celebrated nonconformist Baxter, that he had made
considerable progress in a refutation of Mahometanism
from the Alcoran, upon a plan that was likely to have been
useful in opening the eyes of the Mahometans to the impostures of their founder. He corresponded much with
the learned men of his time, particularly Selden, and
Wheelocke, the Arabic professor at Cambridge. Dr. Edward Greaves, the youngest brother of Mr. John Greaves,
was born at or near Croydon in Surrey, and admitted probationer fellow of All-Souls college in Oxford in 1634;
and studying physic, took the degree of doctor of that
faculty July 8, 1641, in which year and afterwards he practised with good success about Oxford. In 1643 he was
elected superior lecturer of physic in Merton college, a
chair founded by Dr. Thomas Linacre. Upon the declining of the king’s cause he retired to London, and practised there, and sometimes at Bath. In March 1652 he
was examined for the first time before the college of physicians at London, and October 1, 1657, was elected
fellow. After the Restoration he was appointed physician
in ordinary to king Charles II. and was created a baronet.
Mr. Wood styles him a pretended baronet; but we find
that he takes this title in his oration before the college of
physicians; and in the sixth edition of Guillim’s Heraldry
are his arms in that rank. He died at his house in Covent
Garden, November 11, 1680, and was interred in the parish church there. He wrote and published Morbus
Epideiw'cus, ann. 1643; or, the New Disease, with signs,
causes, remedies,“&c. Oxford, 1643, 4to, written upon
occasion of a disease called
” Morbus Campestris,“which
raged in Oxford while the king and court were there.
” Oratio habita in >dibus Collegii Medicorum Londinensium, 25 July, 1661, die Hurveii memoriae dicato," Lond.
1667, 4to.
, a Roman senator, and a man of letters, flourished in the reign of Caligula, and was greatly distinguished for eloquence, and for the study of philosophy,
, a Roman senator, and a man of letters, flourished in the reign of Caligula, and was greatly distinguished for eloquence, and for the study of philosophy, as well as for a moral conduct surpassing that of many of his contemporaries. He refused to obey the command of the emperor to appear as the accuser of Marcus Silanus, and suffered death in consequence, in the 40th year of the Christian sera. Seneca, who never speaks of him without admiration, says, that he was put to death because he was too good a man to be permitted to live under a tyrant. He is said to have written a treatise concerning agriculture and the management of vines. He was the father of the illustrious Cn. Julius Agricola.
, an English prelate, was born about 1706, at Beverly, in Yorkshire, and received the
, an English prelate, was born about
1706, at Beverly, in Yorkshire, and received the rudiments of his education at a private school. From this he
was admitted a sizar in St. John’s college, Cambridge;
and after taking his degrees in arts, with great credit as a
classical scholar, engaged himself as usher to a school at
Lichfield, before Dr. Johnson and Mr. Garrick had left
that city, with both of whom he was of course acquainted,
but he continued here only one year. In 1730 he was
elected fellow of St. John’s, and soon after the bishop of
Ely procured him the vicarage of Hingeston from Jesus
college, which was tenable with a fellowship of St. John’s,
but could not be held by any fellow of Jesus. In 1744,
Charles duke of Somerset, chancellor of the university,
appointed Mr. Green (then B. D.) his domestic chaplain.
In January 1747, Green was presented by his noble patron
to the rectory of Borough-green, near New-market, which
he held with his fellowship. He then returned to college,
and was appointed bursar. In December 1748, on the
death of Dr. Whalley, he was elected regius professor of
divinity, with which office he held the living of Barrow in
Suffolk, and sodn after was appointed one of his majesty’s
chaplains. In June 170, on the death of dean Castle,
master of Bene't college, a majority of the fellows (after the headship had been declined by their president, Mr. Scottowe) agreed to apply to archbishop Herring for his
recommendation; and his grace, at the particular request
of the duke of Newcastle, recommended professor Green,
who was immediately elected. Among the writers on the
subject of the new regulations proposed by the chancellor,
and established by the senate, Dr. Green took an active
part, in a pamphlet published in the following winter, 1750,
without his name, entitled “The Academic, or a disputation on the state of the university of Cambridge.
” On
March 22, 1751, whenhis friend Dr. Keene, master of
St. Peter’s college, was promoted to the bishopric of Chester, Dr. Green preached the consecration -sermon in Elyhouse chapel, which, by order of the archbishop of York,
was soon after published. In October 1756, on the death
of Dr. George, he was preferred to the deanery of Lincoln,
and resigned his professorship. Being then eligible to the
office of vice-chancellor, he was chosen in November following. In June 1761, the dean exerted his polemical
talents in two letters (published without his name) “on the
principles and practices of the Methodists,
” the first addressed to Mr. Berridge, and the second to Mr. Whitfield.
On the translation of bishop Thomas to the bishopric of
Salisbury, Green was promoted to the see of Lincoln, the
last mark of favour which the duke of Newcastle had it in
his power to shew him. In 1762, archbishop Seeker (who had always a just esteem for his talents and abilities) being indisposed, the bishop of Lincoln visited as his proxy
the diocese of Canterbury. In 1763 he preached the 30th
of January sermon before the house of lords, which was
printed.
es, and a most extensive diocese, bishop Green (having nocommendam) had a very inadequate income, he was presented to the residentiaryship of St. Paul’s, which bishop
The bishop resigned the mastership of Bene't college in
July 17G4. After the death of lord Willoughby of Parham
in 1765, the literary conversation meetings of the royal
society, &c. which used to be held weekly at his lordship’s
house, were transferred to the bishop of Lincoln’s in Scotland yard, as one of their most accomplished members.
In July 1771, on a representation to his majesty, that, with
distinguished learning and abilities, and a most extensive
diocese, bishop Green (having nocommendam) had a very
inadequate income, he was presented to the
residentiaryship of St. Paul’s, which bishop Egerton vacated on his
translation to the see of Durham. He now removed to his
residentiary-house in Amen-corner, and took a small country-house at Tottenham. It has often been noticed as a
circumstance conducing to our prelate’s honour, that, in
May 1772, when the bill for relief of protestant dissenters,
&c. after having passed the house of commons, was rejected, on the second reading, by the house of lords
(102 to 27), he dissented from his brethren, and was the
only bishop who voted in its favour. Without any particular previous indisposition, his lordship died suddenly in
his chair at Bath, on Sunday, April 25, 1779. This elegant scholar was one of the writers of the celebrated
“Athenian Letters,
” published by the earl of Hardwicke
in
, an ingenious English poet, was descended from a family in good repute among the dissenters,
, an ingenious English poet, was descended from a family in good repute among the dissenters, and had his education in some of the sects into which that body is divided. He was a man of approved probity, and sweetness of temper and manners. His wit abounded in conversation, and was never known to give offence. He had a post in the custom-house, where he discharged his duty with the utmost diligence and ability, and died at the age of forty-one years, at a lodging in Nag’s-head-court, Gracechurch-street, in 1737.
Mr. Green, it is added, had not much learning, but knew a little Latin. He was very subject to the hip, had some free notions on religious
Mr. Green, it is added, had not much learning, but
knew a little Latin. He was very subject to the hip, had
some free notions on religious subjects, and, though bred
amongst the dissenters, grew disgusted at the precisent-s*
and formality of the sect. He was nephew to Mr. Tanner,
clerk of fish mongers’ -hall His poem entitled “The
Spleen,
” was written by piece-meal, and would never
have been completed, had he not been pressed to it by his
i'riend Glover, the celebrated author of “Leonidas,
” &c.
By this gentleman it was committed to the press soon after
Green’s death.
ing autbor published nothing in his lifetime. In 1732 he printed a few copies of “The Grotto,” which was afterwards inserted in the 5th volume of JJodsley’s Collection.
This very amusing autbor published nothing in his lifetime. In 1732 he printed a few copies of “The Grotto,
”
which was afterwards inserted in the 5th volume of JJodsley’s Collection.
dotes are given from indisputable authority: Mr. Sylvanus Bevan, a quaker and a friend of Mr. Green, was mentioning, at Batson’s coffee-house, thaty while he was bathing
The following anecdotes are given from indisputable
authority: Mr. Sylvanus Bevan, a quaker and a friend of
Mr. Green, was mentioning, at Batson’s coffee-house, thaty
while he was bathing in the river, a waterman saluted him
with the usual insult of the lower class of people, by calling out, “A quaker, a quaker, quirl
” He at the same
expressed his wonder, how his profession could be known
while he was without his cloaths. Green immediately replied, that the waterman might discover him by his swimming against the stream. The department in the customhouse to which Mr. Green belonged was under the controul
of the duke of Manchester, who used to treat those immediately under him once a year. After one of these entertainments, Mr. Green, seeing a range of servants in the
hall, said to the first of them, “Pray, sir, do you give
tickets at your turnpike
” In a reform which took place
in the custom-house, amongst other articles, a few pence,
paid weekly for providing the cats with milk, were ordered
to be struck off. On this occasion, Mr. Green wrote a
humourous petition as from the cats, which prevented the
regulation in that particular from taking place. Mr. Green’s
conversation was as novel as his writings, which occasioned
one of the commissioners of the customs, a very dull man,
to observe, that he did not know how it was, but Green
always expressed himself in a different manner from other
people.
“The author of the following poern had the greatest part of his time taken up in business; but was accustomed at his leisure hours to amuse himself with striking
“The author of the following poern had the greatest part
of his time taken up in business; but was accustomed at
his leisure hours to amuse himself with striking out small
sketches of wit or humour for the entertainment of his
friends, sometimes in verse, at other times in prose. The
greatest part of these alluded to incidents known only
within the circle of his acquaintance. The subject of the
following poem will be more generally understood. It
was at first a very short copy of verses; but at the desire
of the person to whom it is addressed, the author enlarged
it to its present state. As it was writ without any design
of its passing beyond the hands of his acquaintance, so
the author’s unexpected death soon ifter disappointed
many of his most intimate friends in their design of
prevailing on him to review and prepare it for the sight of the
public. It therefore now appears under all the disadvantages that can attend a posthumous work. But it is presumed every imperfection of this kind is abundantly overbalanced by the peculiar and unborrowed cast of thought
and expression, which manifests itself throughout, and secures to this performance the first and principal character
necessary to recommend a work of genius, that of being
an original.
”
“The Spleen” had not been long published before it was admired by those whose opinion was at that time decisive. Pope
“The Spleen
” had not been long published before it
was admired by those whose opinion was at that time decisive. Pope said there was a great deal of originality in
it; and Gray, in his private correspondence with the lat
lord Orford, observes of Green’s poems, then published i
Dodsley’s Collection, “There is a profusion of wit everywhere; reading would have formed his judgment, and
harmonized his verse, for even his wood-notes often break
out into strains of real poetry and music.
” “The Spleen
”
was first printed in
, an eminent English musician, was the son of the Rev. Thomas Greene, vicar of St. Clave Jewry,
, an eminent English musician, was the son of the Rev. Thomas Greene, vicar of St. Clave Jewry, in London, and nephew of John Greene, serjeant at law. He was brought up in the choir of St. Paul, and when his voice broke was bound apprentice to
ind, the organist of that cathedral. He was early noticed as an elegant organ-player and composer for the
ind, the organist of that cathedral. He was early noticed as an elegant organ-player and composer for the church, and obtained the place of organist of St. Dunstan in the West before he was twenty years of age. In 1717, m the death of Daniel Purcel!, he was likewise elected organist of St. Andrew’s, Holborn; but the next year, his master, Brind, dying, Greene was appointed his successor by the dean and chapter of St. Paul’s; upon which event he quitted both the places he had previously obtained. In 1726, on the death of Dr. Crofts, he was appointed organist and composer to the chapel royal; and on the death of Eccles, 1735, master of his majesty’s band. In 1750 he obtained the degree of doctor in music at Cambridge, and was appointed public music professor in the same university, in the room of Dr. Tudway. Greene was an intelligent man, a constant attendant at the opera, and an acute observer of the improvements in composition and performance, which Handel and the Italian singers employed in his dramas, had introduced into this country. His melody is therefore more elegant, and harmony more pure, than those of his predecessors, though less nervous and original. Greene had the misfortune to live in the age and neighbourhood of a musical giant, with whom he was utterly unable to contend, but by cabal and alliance with his enemies, Handel was but too prone to treat inferior artists with contempt; and for many years of his life never spoke of Greene without some injurious epithet. Greene’s figure was below the common size, and he had the misfortune to be very much deformed; yet his address and exterior manners were those of a man of the world, mild, attentive, and well-bred.
the duchess of Newcastle, which, joined to his professional merit, and the propriety of his conduct, was the foundation of his favour with the prime minister and the
Greene had the honour, early in life, to teach the duchess of Newcastle, which, joined to his professional merit, and the propriety of his conduct, was the foundation of his favour with the prime minister and the nobility. In 1730, when the duke of Newcastle was installed chancellor of the university of Cambridge, he was appointed to set the ode, and then not only obtained his doctor’s degree, but, on the death of Dr. Tudway, he was honoured with the title of professor of music in that university. As an exercise for his degree, he set Pope’s ode for St. Cecilia’s day; having first had interest sufficient to prevail on the author to make new arrangements in the poem to render it more fit for music, and even to add an entire new stanza, between the second and third, which had never appeared in any of the printed editions.
in his profession: for besides being organist of St. Paul’s, in 1727, on the death qf Dr. Croft, he was appointed organist and composer of the chapel royal; and in
Greene had sense and knowledge sufficient, in his younger days, to admire and respect the abilities of the two great musical champions, Handel and Bononcini, but owing probably to Handel’s contemptuous treatment of him, became a partizan on the side of Bononcini. Greene’s merit and connections were such, that he soon arrived at the most honourable appointments in his profession: for besides being organist of St. Paul’s, in 1727, on the death qf Dr. Croft, he was appointed organist and composer of the chapel royal; and in 1735 he succeeded Eccles as composer to his majesty, and master of his band, in which station he set all the odes of the laureat Colley Gibber, as long as he lived.
n score; a plan which he did not live to accomplish, but as he beueathed his papers to Dr. Boyce, it was afterwards exeuted in a very splendid and ample manner. Dr.
The compositions of Dr. Greene were very numerous, particularly for the church. Early in his career he set a Te Deum, and part of the Song of Deborah, which were never printed; but the anthems and services which he produced for St. Paul’s and the king’s chapel he collected and published in two vols. folio; and of these the merit is so various as to leave them open to much discrimination and fair criticism. There is considerable merit of various kinds in his catches, canons, and two-part songs; the composition is clear, correct, and masterly; the melodies, for the times when they were produced, are elegant, and designs intelligent and ingenious. The collection of harpsichord lessons, which he published late in his life, though they discovered no great powers of invention, or hand, had its day of favour, as a boarding-school book; for being neither so elaborate as those of Handel, nor so difficult as the lessons of Scarlatti, or the sonatas of Alberti, they gave but little trouble either to the master or the scholar. During the last years of his life he began to collect the services and anthems of our old church composers, from the single parts used in the several cathedrals of the kingdom, in order to correct and publish them in score; a plan which he did not live to accomplish, but as he beueathed his papers to Dr. Boyce, it was afterwards exeuted in a very splendid and ample manner. Dr. Greene ied in 1755.
lish poet and miscellaneous iter of the Elizabethan age, and memorable for his tants and imprudence, was a native of Norwich, and born ubout 1560. His father appears
, an English poet and miscellaneous
iter of the Elizabethan age, and memorable for his tants and imprudence, was a native of Norwich, and born
ubout 1560. His father appears to have been a citizen of
Norwich, the fabricator of his own fortune, which it is
thought he had accumulated by all the tricks of selfishness
and narrow prudence. He educated his son, however, as
a scholar, at St. John’s college, Cambridge. Here he took
the degree of A. B. in 1578, and for some time travelled
into Italy and Spain. Ou his return, he took his master’s
degree at Clare-hall, in 1583, and was incorporated in the
same at Oxford in 1588, no inconsiderable proof that
hiproficiency in his studies had been very conspicuous, and
that there was nothing at this time grossly objectionable in
his moral demeanour. It is supposed that he took orders
after his return from his travels, and that he was the same
Robert Greene who was presented to the village of Tollesbury, in Essex, June 19, 1584. If this be the case, it is
probable that he did not long reside, or was perhaps driven
from Tollesbury, by his irregular life, the greater part of
which was spent in London. Here, from some passages
cited by Mr. Beloe, it would appear that he gave himself
up to writing plays and love pamphlets, and from the date
of his “Myrrour of Modestie,
” The history of genius,
” says one of our authorities, with equal justice and feeling, “is too often a detail of immoral irregularities, followed by indigence and misery. Such, in after
times, was the melancholy tale of Otway and Lee, of Savage, Boyse, Smart, Burns, Dermody, and many others.
Perhaps the writers of the drama have, of all others, been
the most unfortunate in this respect; perhaps there is
something which more immediately seizes all the avenues
of the fancy in the gorgeous exhibitions of the stage;
which leads men away from the real circumstances of their
fortune, to the delusions of hope, and to pursue the fairy
lights so hostile to sober truth.
” In what species of dissipation, and to what degree Greene indulged, it were useless now to inquire his faults were probably exaggerated
by the rival wits of his day and his occupation as a playwriter being in itself at that time looked upon as criminal,
was barely tolerated. Among his errors, about which we
are afraid there is now no doubt, may be mentioned his
marrying an amiable lady, whom he deserted and ill-used.
His career, however, was short. He died Sept. 5, 1592,
at an obscure lodging near Dowgate, not without signs of
contrition, nor indeed without leaving behind him written
testimonies that he was more frequently conscious of an.
ill-spent life than able or willing to amend it. In some of
his works also, he made strenuous exertions to warn the
unthinking, and expose the tricks, frauds, and devices of
his miscreant companions. His works, says one of his
biographers, contain the seeds of virtue, while his acts
display the tares of folly. From such of his writings as
have fallen 'in our way, he appears to possess a rich and
glowing fancy, great command of language, and a perfect
knowledge of the manners of the times. As a poet he has
considerable merit, and few of his contemporaries yield a
more pleasant employment to the collectors of specimens.
His writings attained great popularity in his day, but until
very lately, have been seldom consulted unless by poetical
antiquaries. The following list of his works, by Mr. Haslewood, is probably complete: 1. “The Myrrour of Modestie,
” Monardo the Tritameron of Love,
”
Planetomachia,
” Euphues’s censure to Pbilautus,
” Arcadia
or Menaphon, Camillae’s alarm to slumbering Euphues,
”
Pandosto the Triumph of Time,
” Perimedes
the blackesmith,
” The pleasant and delightful
history of Dorastiis and Favvnia,
” Alcida, Greene’s Metamorphosis,
”
The Spanish Masquerade,
” Orpharion,
” The Royal Exchange, contayning
sundry aphorisms of Philosophic,
” Greene’s
mourning garment, given him by Repentance at the funerals of Love,
” Never too late,
” A notable discovery of
Coosenage,
” The ground work of
Conny Catching,
” 159U 18. “The second and last part
of Conny Catching,
” The third and
last part of Conny Catching,
” Disputation,
between a hee conny-catcher and a shee conny-catcher,
”
Greene’s Groatsworth of wit bought with a
million of repentance,
” Philomela, the lady FitzwalterV
nightingale,
” A quip for an
upstart courtier,
” r$92, 162O, 1625, 1635, and reprinted in 1
the Harleian Miscellany. 24. “Ciceronis amor, Tullie’s
love,
” News
both from heaven and hell,
” The Black
Book’s Messenger, or life and death of Ned Browne,
” The repentance of Robert Greene,
” Greene’s vision at the instant of his death,
” no date.
29. “Mamillia, or the triumph of Pallas,
” Mamillia, or the second part of the triumph of Pallas,
”
Card of Fancy,
” Greene’s
funerals,
” The
honourable history of Fryer Bacon and Fryer Bongay, a
comedy,
” The history of
Orlando Furioso, a play,
” 1S94, 1599. 35. “The comical
historic of Alphonsus king of Arragon, a play,
” A looking-glass for London and England,
” a comedy,
jointly with Lodge, The Scottish Historic of James the Fourthe, si ai ue at Flodden, intermixed
with a pleasant comedie,
” Penelope’s
Webb,
” Historic of Faire Bellora,
” no date,
afterwards published, as “A paire of Turtle doves, or the
tragical history of Bellora and Fidelio,
” The
debate between Follie and Love, translated out'of French,
”
Thieves falling out, true men come by their
goods,
” Greene’s Farewell to Folie,
” Arbasto, the history of Arbasto king of Denmarke,
” FairEmme, a comedy,
” The
history of lobe,
” a play, destroyed, but mentioned in Warburton’s list. A few other things have been ascribed toGreene on doubtful authority.
, a worthy English prelate, was the son of Thomas Greene of St. Peter’s Mancroft in Norwich,
, a worthy English prelate, was the son of Thomas Greene of St. Peter’s Mancroft in Norwich, where he was born in 1658, He was educated in the freeschool of that city, and in July 1674, admitted of Bene't college, Cambridge, of which he obtained a scholarship, and in 1680 a fellowship, and became tutor. He took his degree of A. B. in 1679, and that of A. M. in 1682. His first step from the university was into the family of sir Stephen Fox, grandfather of the late hon. Charles Fox, to whom he was made domestic chaplain through the interest of archbishop Tenison, who soon after his promotion to the see of Canterbury, took him under the same relation into his own palace; and collated him April 2, 1695, to the vicarage of Minster in the isle of Thanet; he being, since 1690, D. D. by the archbishop’s faculty. To the same patron he was likewise obliged for a prebend in the cathedral of Canterbury, into which he was installed in May 1702; for the rectory of Adisham cum Staple in Kent, to which he was collated Oct. 2, 1708, and for the archdeaconry of Canterbury, into which he was installed the next month, having been chosen before one of the proctors of the clergy in convocation for that diocese. Upon these preferments he quitted the vicarage of Minster, as he did the rectory of Adisham upon his institution (in Feb. 1716) to the vicarage of St. Martin’s in the Fields, Westminster; to which he was presented by the trustees of archbishop Tenison, for the disposal of his options, of whom he himself was one. This he held in commendam with the bishopric of Norwich, to which he was consecrated Oct. 8, 1721, but was thence translated to Ely, Sept 24, 1723.
Long previous, however, to these high appointments, he was elected, May 26, 1698, master of Bene't college, upon the r
Long previous, however, to these high appointments,
he was elected, May 26, 1698, master of Bene't college,
upon the recommendation of his friend Tenison, and
proved an excellent governor of that society. Soon after
he became master, he introduced the use of public prayers
in the chapel immediately after the locking up of the gates,
that he might know what scholars were abroad, and if necessary, visit their chambers: this practice was found so
beneficial as to be continued ever since. In other respects,
when vice-chancellor, which office he served in 1699 and
1713, and at the public commencement, he acquitted himself with great skill and dignity. The zeal also which he
shewed for the protestant succession in the house of Hanover, upon the death of queen Anne, and his prudent conduct at that juncture, were so acceptable to the court,
that they are thought to have laid the foundation of his
church preferments; an earnest of which George I. gave
him in appointing him one of his domestic chaplains the
year following. Dr. Greene resigned the mastership of
his college in 1716. He married Catherine sister of bishop
Trimnell, by whom he had two sons and seven daughters.
Having made a handsome provision for this family, he died
in a good old age, May 18, 1738, and was buried in his
cathedral. Those who knew him most intimately inform us
that it was his unfeigned and uniform endeavour to exercise a conscience void of offence towards God and man,
and to discharge his duty, in the several relations he bore
to his fellow creatures, to the best of his judgment and abilities, with the same faith and spirit which appear through
all his writings. These writings are, 1. “The Sacrament of
the. Lord’s Supper explained to the meanest capacities,
”
Lond, The principles of religion explained for the instruction of the weak,
” ibid. Four discourses on the four last things, viz. Death,
Judgment, Heaven, and Hell,
” ibid.
, a puritan divine of considerable talents and popularity, was born about 1631, and educated at Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, where
, a puritan divine of considerable talents and popularity, was born about 1631, and educated at Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, where he took his degrees in arts, and became a fellow. Quitting the university, he was appointed to the living of Dry Drayton near Cambridge, where he continued about twenty-one years, after which he removed to London, and died two years after, in 1591, of the plague, according to Fuller, who, as well as Strype, bishop Wilkins, and others, give him a high character for piety, usefulness, and moderation of sentiment, although a nonconformist in some points. His works, consisting of sermons, treatises, and a commentary on Psalm cxix. were collected into one volume, folio, and published in 1601, and again in 1612.
, a very ingenious English painter, was descended from a good family in Salisbury, where he was born.
, a very ingenious English painter, was descended from a good family in Salisbury, where he was born. He was the most successful of all the disciples of sir Peter Lely, who is said to have considered him so much as a rival, that he never suffered him to see him paint. Greenhill, however, prevailed with sir Peter to draw his wife’s picture, and took the opportunity of observing how he managed his pencil; which was the great point aimed at. He is said to have been equally qualified by nature for the sister-arts of painting and poetry; but his loose and unguarded manner of living was probably the occasion of his early death; and only suffered him just to leave enough of his hand, to make us wish he had been more careful of a life so likely to do honour to his country. Mrs. Behn, with whom he was a great favourite, endeavoured to perpetuate his memory by an elegy, to be found among her works. He painted a portrait of bishop Ward, which is now in the town-hall of Salisbury. He died May 19, 1676.
, a gallant naval officer, was the son of sir Roger, of an ancient family, in the west of England,
, a gallant naval officer, was the son of sir Roger, of an ancient family, in the west of England, and was born about 1540. At the age of sixteen, by the permission of queen Elizabeth, he served in the imperial army in Hungary, against the Turks. Upon his return, he engaged with the troops employed for the reduction of Ireland, and obtained so much reputation as to be appointed sheriff of the city of Cork, and in 1571, he represented the county of Cornwall in parliament. He was afterwards high sheriff of the county, and received the honour of knighthood; but the bias of his mind was chiefly fixed upon plans of foreign discovery and settlement, proposed by his relation sir Walter Raleigh, and when the patents were made out, he obtained the command of a squadron fitted out for the purpose, consisting of seven small vessels. With these he sailed in the spring of 1585, and reaching the coast of Florida in June, he left there a colony of one hundred men, and then sailed homewards. He made other voyages, and on occasion of the Spanish invasion, was appointed one of a council of war, to concert means of defence, and received the queen’s commands not to quit the county of Cornwall. In 1591 he was appointed vice-admiral of a squadron, fitted out for the purpose of intercepting a rich Spanish fleet from the West Indies. This fleet, when it appeared, was convoyed by a very superior force, and Greenville was urged to tack about; but he preferred, and no doubt his sailors agreed with him, taking chance of breaking through the enemy’s fleet, which almost immediately surrounded him. The Spanish admiral, with four other ships, began a clos? attack at three in the afternoon the engagement lasted till break of day next morning, during which the Spaniards, notwithstanding their vast superiority, were driven off fifteen times. At length the greater part of the English crew being either killed or wounded, and the ship reduced to a wreck, no hope of escape remained. The brave commander had been wounded at the beginning of the action, but he caused his wounds to be dressed on deck, and refused to go down into the hold, and in that state he was shot through the body. He was now taken to the cabin, and while in the act of being dressed, the surgeon was killed by his side. The admiral still determined to hold out, wishing rather to sink the ship than surrender, but the offers of quarter from the Spaniards induced the men to yield. Sir Richard was taken on board the Spanish ship, and honourably treated, but died of his wounds in about three days. He has sometimes been blamed for rashness, but of this his censurers appear to be very imperfect judges.
, a brave and loyal officer, grandson of the preceding, was born in 1596. He was educated at Exeter college, Oxford, where
, a brave and loyal officer,
grandson of the preceding, was born in 1596. He was
educated at Exeter college, Oxford, where his accomplishments were acknowledged, and his principles of loyalty
and religion indelibly fixed, under the care of Dr. Prideaux.
After taking possession of his estate he sat in parliament;
and in 1638 attended the king with a troop of horse, raised
at his own expence, in an expedition to Scotland, on which
occasion he received the honour of knighthood. Abhorring
the principles which then broke out in open rebellion, he
joined the royal army, and had a command at the battle of
Stratton, in 1643, when the parliamentary forces were defeated, and greatly distinguished himself in other engagements, particularly that at Lansdown, near Bath, fought
successfully against sir William Waller, July 5, 1643, but
received a fatal blow with a pole-axe. Many of his brother officers fell with him, and their bodies were found
surrounding his. Lord Clarendon says, “That which
would have clouded any victory, was the death of sir Bevil Greenville. He was, indeed, an excellent person, whose
activity, interest, and reputation was the foundation of
what had been done in Cornwall, and his temper and affection so public, that no accident which happened could
make any impression on him; and his example kept others
from taking any thing ill, or at least seeming to do so; in
ft word, a brighter courage and gentler disposition were
never married together, to make the most cheerful and
innocent conversation.
” His descendant, lord Lansdowne,
erected a monument on the spot where he was killed.
a younger son of the preceding, and brother to sir John Greenville first eari of Bath, of his name, was born in Cornwall, admitted gentleman commoner of Exeter college,
, a younger son of the preceding, and brother to sir John Greenville first eari of Bath,
of his name, was born in Cornwall, admitted gentleman
commoner of Exeter college, Sept. 22, 1657, actually
created in convocation master of arts Sept. 28, 1660.
About this time he married Anne, the daughter of Dr.
Cosin, bishop of Durham, who conferred several preferments on him, as the rectories of Easington and Elwick in.
the county palatine of Durham; the archdeaconry of Durham, to which he was collated on the death of Dr. Gabriel
Clarke, Sept. 16, 1662, and to the first stall of prebendaries of the church of Durham, Sept. 24, 1662, from
whence he was removed to the second, April 16, 1668.
On December 20, 1670, he was created doctor of divinity,
being then one of the chaplains in ordinary to Charles II.;
and on the 14th of December, 1684, he was installed dean
of Durham in the place of Dr. John Sudbury deceased. In
the register of Eton college we find that immediately
after the restoration, Dr. Greenville was recommended in
very strong terms to the master and fellows for a fellowship, by three several letters from the king, but for what
reason this recommendation did not take effect, does not
appear; probably he might wave his interest on account
of other preferment which was more acceptable to him.
On the 1st of February 1690, he was deprived of all his
>referments upon his refusal to comply with the new oaths
>f allegiance and supremacy to the prince of Orange then
in possession of the throne, a change which he utterly abhorred, always considering the revolution as a rebellion
and usurpation. Soon after the prince of Orange’s landing,
he left Durham in order to retire into France; and sometimes lived at Corbeil (from whence it is supposed his family originally sprung), but more frequently at Paris and
St. Germain’s, where he was very civilly treated and much
countenanced by the queen-mother, as we find in several
of his own letters, notwithstanding what has been falsely
asserted by Mackay in an account of the court of St. Germain’s. He owns he _was sometimes attacked by the
priests, but with much good manners and civility. Mr*
Wood says, that during his retirement, he was, on the
death of Dr. Lamplugh, nominated to the see of York, by
king James II. though never consecrated; but this seems
rery doubtful. In April 1695 he came incognito into EngJand; but soon returned. For some time before his death
he enjoyed but a very indifferent state of health, having
been much troubled with a sciatica, and other infirmities.
He died at Paris, after a series of many sufferings, on
April 7, 1703, N. S. and was buried at the lower end of
the Holy Innocents’ church in that city. Lord Lansdowne
in a letter to a nephew of his, who was going to enter into
holy orders, says of him, “You had an uncle whose mejnory I shall ever revere: make him your example. Sanctity sate so easy, so unaffected, and so graceful upon him,
that in him we beheld the very beauty of holiness. He
was as cheerful, as familiar, as condescending in his conversation, as he was strict, regular, and exemplary in his
piety; as well bred and accomplished as a courtier, and
as reverend and venerable as an apostle. He was indeed
apostolical in every thing, for he abandoned all to follow
his Lord and Master.
” There seems little reason to doubt
this character, as far as it respects Dr. Greenville’s private
character, but in bigotry for restoration of James II. he
probably excelled all his contemporaries, and from some
correspondence lately published in the Life of Dr. Comber,
his successor in the deanery of Durham, there is reason tp
doubt whether in his latter days his mind was not unsound.
He published, 1. “The Complete Conformist, or seasonable advice concerning strict conformity and frequent
celebration of the Holy Communion,
” preached on the 7th
of January, being the first Sunday after the Epiphany,
1682, in the cathedral church of Durham, on John i. 29,
Loud. 1684, 4to. To which is added “Advice or a letter
written to the clergy of the archdeaconry of Durham,
” to
the same purpose. 2. “A Sermon preached in the cathedral church of Durham, upon the revival of the ancient
and laudable practice of that and some other cathedrals, in
having sermons on Wednesdays and Fridays during Advent
and Lent,
” on Rom. xiii. 11, Loud. 1686, 4to. 3. “Counsels and Directions divine and moral: in plain and familiar
letters of advice to a young gentleman his nephew, soon
after his admission into a college in Oxford,
” Lond. The resigned and resolved Christian and faithfull
and undaunted loyalist: in two plaine farewell sermons,
and a loyal farewell visitation speech. Both delivered
amidst the lamentable confusions occasioned by the late
foreign invasion and home-defection of his majestie’s subjects in England. By Denis Granville, D. D. deane and
archdeacon of Durham, now in exile, chaplaine in ordinary
to his majestic. .Whereunto are added certaine Letters to
his relations and friends in England, shewing the reasons
and manner of his withdrawing out of the kingdom.
” “A
Letter to his brother the earl of Bathe.
” “A Letter to
his bishop the bishop of Durham.
” “A Letter to his brethren the prebendaries
” “A Letter to the clergy of his
archdeaconry.
” “A Letter to his curates, at Easington
and Sedgefield,
” printed at Rouen, The
chiefest matters contained in sundry Discourses made to
the clergy of the archdeaconry of Durham, since his majestic‘ s coming to the crown. Summed up and seasonably
brought again to their view in a loyal farewell visitation
speech on the 13th of November last, 88, being ten days
after the landing of the prince of Orange.*’ This is dated
from his study at Rouen Nov. 15, 1689. With a preface
to the reader and an advertisement. 6.
” A copy of a
paper penned at Durham, by the author, Aug. 27, 1688,
by way of reflection on the then dismal prognostics of the
time.“7.
” Directions which Dr. Granville, archdeacon
of Durham, rector of Sedgefield and Easington, enjoins to
be observed by the curates of those his parishes, given
them in charge at Easter-visitation held at Sedgefield, in
the year 1669."
, surnamed the Great, was born of a patrician family, equally conspicuous for its virtue
, surnamed the Great, was born of a patrician family, equally conspicuous for its virtue and nobility at Rome, where his father Gordian was a senator, and extremely rich; and, marrying a lady of distinction, called Sylvia, had by her this son, about the year 544. From his earliest years he discovered genius and judgment; and, applying himself particularly to the apophthegms of th ancients, he fixed every thing worth notice in his memory, where it was faithfully preserved as in a store-house; he also improved himself by the conversation of old men, in which he took great delight. By these methods he made a great progress in the sciences, and there was not a man. in Rome, who surpassed him in grammar, logic, and rhetoric; nor can it be doubted but he had early instructions in the civil law, in which his letters prove him to have been well versed: he was nevertheless entirely ignorant of the Greek language. These accomplishments in a young nobleman procured him senatorial dignities, which he filled with great reputation and he was afterwards appointed praefect of the city by the emperor Justin the Younger but, being much inclined to a monastic life, he quitted that post, and retired to the monastery of St. Andrew, which he himself had founded at Rome in his father’s house, and put it under the government of an abbot, called Valentius. Besides this, he founded six other convents in Sicily; and, selling all the rest of his possessions, he gave the purchase-money to the poor.
He had not, however, enjoyed his solitude in St. Andrew’s long, when he was removed from it by pope Pelagius II. who made him his seventh
He had not, however, enjoyed his solitude in St. Andrew’s long, when he was removed from it by pope Pelagius II. who made him his seventh deacon, and sent him as his nuncio to the emperor Tiberius at Constantinople, to demand succours against the Lombards. The pope, it is said, could not have chosen a man better qualified than Gregory for so delicate a negociation; but the particulars of it are unknown. Meanwhile, he was not wanting in exerting his zeal for religion. While he was in this metropolis, he opposed Eutychius the patriarch, who had advanced an opinion bordering on Origenism, and maintained, that after the resurrection the body is not palpable, but more subtile than air. In executing the business of his embassy, he contracted a friendship with some great men, and so gained the esteem of the whole court, by the sweetness of his behaviour, that the emperor Maurice chose him for a godfather to one of his sons, born in the year 583. Soon after this he was recalled to Rome, and made secretary to the pope; but, after some time, obtained leave to retire again into his monastery, of which he had been chosen abbot.
his wish, in the enjoyment of a solitary and unruffled lite, when Pelagius II. dying Feb. 8, 590, he was elected pope by the clergy, the senate, and the people of Rome;
Here he had indulged himself with the hopes of gratifymg his wish, in the enjoyment of a solitary and unruffled lite, when Pelagius II. dying Feb. 8, 590, he was elected pope by the clergy, the senate, and the people of Rome; to whom he had become dear by his charity to the poor, whom the overflowing of the Tiber, and a violent plague, had left perishing with hunger. This promotion was so disagreeable to him, that he employed all possible methods to avoid it; he wrote a pressing letter to the emperor, conjuring him not to confirm his election, and to give orders for the choice of a person who had greater capacity, more vigour, and better health than he could boast; and hearing his letter was intercepted by the governor of Rome, and that his election would be confirmed by the imperial court, he fled, and hid himself in the most solitary part of a forest, in a cave firmly resolved to spend his days there, till another pope should be elected and, the people despairing to find him, a new election ensued. In this case, the Roman clergy, always fond of miracles, tell us that Gregory would never accept the papal chair, till he had manifestly found, by some celestial signs, that God called him to it. It is pretended, that a dove flying before those who sought for him, shewed them the way they were to go; or that a miraculous light, appearing on a pillar of fire over his cavern, pointed out to them the place of his reeat.
However that be, it is almost as certain that his reluctance was sincere, as that he at length accepted the dignity, and was
However that be, it is almost as certain that his reluctance was sincere, as that he at length accepted the dignity, and was enthroned pope, Sept. 3, 590. And it appeared by his conduct, that they could not have elected a person more worthy of this exalted station; for, besides his great learning, and the pains he took to instruct the church, both by preaching and writing, he had a very happy talent to win over princes, in favour of the temporal as well as spiritual interests of religion. It would be tedious to run over all the particulars of his conduct on these occasions; and his converting the English to Christianity, a remarkable fact in our history, is on that account generally known. In this attempt Gregory owed his success to the assistance of queen Ethelburga, who not only prompted the king Ethelbert her consort, to treat the pope’s missionaries kindly, but also to become himself a convert.
nce to the four general councils, and the fifth too, as well as the four gospels. In this modesty he was not followed by his successors; and he even exceeded some of
The new pope, according to custom, held a synod at Rome the same year, 591; whence he sent letters to the four patriarchs of the East, with a confession of his faith, declaring his reverence to the four general councils, and the fifth too, as well as the four gospels. In this modesty he was not followed by his successors; and he even exceeded some of his predecessors in that and other virtues, which for many ages past have not approached the chair of St. Peter. As he had governed his monastery with a severity unparalleled in those times; so now he was particularly careful to regulate his house and person according to St. Paul’s directions to Timothy. Even in performing divine worship, he used ornaments of but a moderate price, and his common garments were still more simple. Nothing was more decent than the furniture of his house, and he retained none but clerks and religious in his service. By this means his palace became a kind of monastery, in which there were no useless people; every thing in his house had the appearance of an angelic life, and his charity surpassed all description. He employed the revenues of the church entirely for the relief of the poor; he was a constant and indefatigable preacher, and devoted all his talents for the instruction of his flock.
he had a particular respect; he put an end to the schism in the church of Iberia the same year: this was effected by the gentle methods of persuasion, to which, however,
In the mean time, he extended his care to the other churches under his pontifical jurisdiction, and especially those of Sicily, for whom he had a particular respect; he put an end to the schism in the church of Iberia the same year: this was effected by the gentle methods of persuasion, to which, however, he had not recourse till after he had been hindered from using violence. Upon this account he is censured as an intolerant; and it is certain his maxims on that head were a little inconsistent. He did not, for instance, approve of forcing the Jews to receive baptism, and yet he approved of compelling heretics to return to the church. In some of his letters too he exclaims against violence in the method of making converts, yet at the same time was for laying heavier taxes on such as would not be converted by persuasive means; and in the year 593, he sent a nuncio to Constantinople, and wrote a letter the same year to the emperor Maurice, declaring his humility and submission to that sovereign; he also shewed the same respect to the kings of Italy, though they were heretics.
ar he laboured to convert the infidels in Sardinia by gentle methods/ according to his system: which was, to punish heretics, especially at their first rise, as rebels
The same year he composed his “Dialogues,
” a work
filled with fabulous miracles and incredible stories; the
style is also, low, and the narration coarse yet they were
received with astonishing applause and Theodilinda,
queen of the Lombards, having converted her husband to
the catholic faith, the pope rejoiced at it, and sent his
“Dialogues,
” composed the following year, to that princess. She is thought to have made use of his book at this
time for the conversion of that people, who were easily
influenced by such compositions, for the same reason
pope Zachary, about 150 years after, translated it into
Greek for the use of those people, who were so delighted
with it, that they gave St. Gregory the surname of Dialogist. Still these dialogues being the composition of
Gregory is a point now thought very doubtful. In the
year 594, he excommunicated and suspended the bishop
of Salona, the metropolis of Dalmatia, who, however, paid
no regard to the exercise of his power in these censures.
The same year he laboured to convert the infidels in Sardinia by gentle methods/ according to his system: which
was, to punish heretics, especially at their first rise, as
rebels and traitors, but to compel infidels only indirectly;
that is, treating the obstinate with some rigour, and persuading them as much by promises, threats, and gentle
severities, as by argument and reason. This was the distinction he made in treating with the Manichees and pagans.
l to the ecclesiastics; founding churches and convents, and even sueing t9 the pope for relics. This was a kind of piety which particularly pleased Gregory; and accordingly,
In the year 595, he refused to send the empress Constantia any relics of St. Paul, which she had requested, desiring to look at the body of that apostle. On this occasion he relates several miraculous punishments for such a rash attempt, all as simply devised as those in his< Dialogues." The same year he warmly opposed John patriarch of Constantinople, for assuming the title of oecumenical or universal, which he himself disclaimed, as having Do right to reduce the other bishops to be his substitutes; and afterwards forbad his nuncio there to communicate with that patriarch, till he should renounce the title. His humility, however, did not keep him from resenting an affront put upon his understanding, as he thought, by the emperor, for proposing terms of peace to the Lombards, who besieged Rome this year: the same year he executed the famous mission into England; and as Brunehaut, queen of France, had been very serviceable in it, he wrote a letter of thanks to her on the occasion. The princess is represented as a profligate woman, but very liberal to the ecclesiastics; founding churches and convents, and even sueing t9 the pope for relics. This was a kind of piety which particularly pleased Gregory; and accordingly, he wrote to the queen several letters, highly commending her conduct in that respect, and carried his complaisance so far as to declare the French happy above all other nations in having such a sovereign. In the year 598, at the request of the Christian people at Caprita, a small island at the bottom of the gulph of Venice, he ordered another bishop to be ordained for that place, in the room of the present prelate, who adhered to the Istrian schism. This was done contrary to the orders of the emperor Maurice, against taking any violent measures with schismatics.
onstantinople, in the use of ceremonies; and declares that see to be undoubtedly subject to Rome, as was constantly testified by the emperor and the bishop of that city.”
In the year 599, he wrote a letter to Serenus bishop of
Marseilles, commending his zeal in breaking some images
which the people had been observed to worship, and throwing them out of the church; and the same year a circular
letter to the principal bishops of Gaul, condemning simoniacal ordinations, and the promotions of laymen to
bishoprics he likewise forbad clerks in holy orders to live
with women, except such as are allowed by the canons
and recommended the frequent holding assemblies to regulate the affairs of the church. The same year he re-r
fused, on account of some foreseen opposition, to take
cognizance of a crime alleged against the primate of Byzacena, a province in Africa. About the same time he
wrote an important letter to the bishop of Syracuse, concerning ceremonies, in which he says, “That the church
of Rome followed that of Constantinople, in the use of
ceremonies; and declares that see to be undoubtedly subject to Rome, as was constantly testified by the emperor
and the bishop of that city.
” He had already this year
reformed the office of the church, which is one of the most
remarkable actions of his pontificate. In this reform, as it
is called, he introduced several new customs and superstitions; amongst the rest, purgatory. He ordered pagan
temples to be consecrated by sprinkling holy water, and
an annual feast to be kept, since called wakes in England,
on that day; with the view of gaining the pagans in England to the church-service. Besides other less important
ceremonies, added to the public forms of prayer, he made
it his chief care to reform the psalmody, of which he was
excessively fond. Of this kind he composed the “Ainiphone ,
” andnch tiines as hest suited the psalms, the
hymns, the prayers, the verses, the canticles, the lessons,
the epistles and gospels, the prefaces, and the Lor-i’s
prayer. He likewise instituted an academy of chanters for
all the clerks, as far as the deacons exclusively: he gave
them lessons himself, and the bed, in which he continued
to chant amidst his last illness, was preserved with great
Generation in the palace of St. John Lateran for a long
time, together with the whip with which he used to threaten the young clerks and singing hoys, when they sang
out of tune. He was so rigid in regard to the chastity of
ecclesiastics, that he was unwilling to admit a man into the
priesthood who was not strictly free from defilement by any
commerce with women. The candidates for orders were
according to his commands questioned particularly on that
subject. Widowers were excepted, if they had observed
a state of continency for some considerable tiifie.
At this time, as well as the next, year 600, he was confined to his bed by the gout in his feet, which lasted for
At this time, as well as the next, year 600, he was confined to his bed by the gout in his feet, which lasted for three years; yet he celebrated mass on holidays, although with much pain. This brought on a painful burning heat all over his body, which tormented him in the year 601. His behaviour in this sickness was very exemplary. It made him feel for others, whom he compassionated, exhorting them to make the right use of their infirmities, both by advancing in virtue and forsaking vice. He was always extremely watchful over his flock, and careful to preserve discipline; and while he allowed that the misfortunes of the times obliged the bishops to interfere in worldly matters, as he himself did, he constantly exhorted them not to be too intent on them. This year he held a council at Rome, which made the monks quite independent by the dangerous privileges which he granted them. Gregory forbad the bishops to diminish in any shape the goods, lands, and revenues, or titles of monasteries, and took from them the jurisdiction they ought naturally to have over the converts in their dioceses. But many of his letters shew, that though he favoured the monks in some respects, he nevertheless knew how to subject them to all the severity of their rules. The same year he executed a second mission into England, and, in answer to the bishop of Iberia, declared the validity of baptism by the Nestorians, as being performed in the name of the Trinity.
that he ought to be tried, as he requested, by the holy see, which is the chief of all churches.” It was in the same spirit of preserving the dignity of his pontificate,
The dispute about the title of Universal Bishop and the
equality of the two sons of Rome and Constantinople still
subsisting, and the emperor Maurice having declared for
the latter, our pope saw the murder of him and his family
without any concern by Phocas. This usurper having sent
his picture to Rome in the year C03, Gregory received it
with great respect, and placed it with that of the empress
his consort (Leontia) in the oratory of St. Csesarius in the
palace; and soon after congratulated Phocas’s accession to
the throne. There are still extant, written upon this occasion, by the holy pontiff, three letters^ wherein he expresses his joy, and returns thanks to Godj for that execrable parricide’s accession to the crown, as the greatest
blessing that could befall the empire; and he praises God,
that, after suffering under a heavy galling yoke, his subjects begin once more to enjoy the sweets of liberty under
his empire flatteries unworthy a man of honour, and especially a pope and for which his historian, Maimbourg,
condemns them. But Gregory thought himself in conscience obliged to assert the superiority of his see above
that of Constantinople, and he exerted himself much to
secure it. In general he had the pre-eminence of the
holy see much at heart; accordingly this same year, one
Stephen, a Spanish bishop, having complained to him of
an unjust deprivation of his bishopric, the pope sent a
delegate to judge the matter upon the spot, giving him a
memorial of his instructions, in which among other particulars he orders thus: “If it be said, that bishop Stephen,
had neither metropolitan nor patriarch, you must answer,
that he ought to be tried, as he requested, by the holy see,
which is the chief of all churches.
” It was in the same
spirit of preserving the dignity of his pontificate, that he
resolved to repair the celebrated churches of St. Peter and
St. Paul; with which view, he gave orders this year to the
subdeacon Sabinian (afterwards his successor in the popedom), to fell all the timber necessary for that purpose in
the country of the Brutii, and send it to Rome: he wrote
several other letters on this occasion, which are striking
proofs of his zeal for carrying on the repairs of old churches,
although he built no new ones.
But while he was thus intent in correcting the mischiefs of the late war, he
But while he was thus intent in correcting the mischiefs
of the late war, he saw it break out again in Italy, and still
to the disadvantage of the empire, the affairs of which
were in a critical situation, not only in the provinces of the
west, but every where else. Gregory was much afflicted
with the calamities of this last war, and at the same time
his illness increased. The Lombards made a truce in November 603, which was to continue in -force till April 605.
Some time after, the pope received letters from queen
Theodilinda, with the news of the birth and baptism of her
son Adoaldus. She sent him also some writings of the
abbot Secundinus upon the fifth council, and desired him
to answer them. Gregory “congratulates her on having
caused the young prince, destined to reign over the Lombards, to be baptised in the catholic church.
” And as to
Secundinus, he excuses himself on account of his illness:
I am afflicted with the gout,“says he,
” to such a degree, that I am not able even to speak, as your envoys
know; they found me ill when they arrived here, and left
me in great danger when they departed. If God restores
my health, I will return an exact answer to all that the
abbot Secundinus has written to me. In the mean time, I
send you the council held under the emperor Justinian,
that by reading it he may see the falsity of all that he has
heard against the holy see and the catholic church. God
forbid that we should receive the opinions of any heretic,
or depart in any respect from the letter of St. Leo, and
the four councils:“he adds,
” I send to the prince Adoaldus, your son, a cross, and a book of the gospel in a Persian box; and to your daughter three rings, desiring you
to give them these things with your own hand, to enhance
the value of the present. I likewise beg of you, to return
my thanks to the king, your consort, for the peace he made
for us, and engage him to maintain it, as you have already
tlone."
the end of the great portico, in the same place with those of some preceding popes. It is thought he was not above sixty years of age. We shall only add one particular
This letter, written in January 604, is the last of Gre* gory’s that has any date to it; he died the 12th of March following, worn out with violent and almost incessant ill* ness. His remains were interred in a private manner, near the old sacristy of St. Peter’s church, at the end of the great portico, in the same place with those of some preceding popes. It is thought he was not above sixty years of age. We shall only add one particular relating to our own country. Augustin the missionary having followed the rule approved by former popes of dividing the revenues of all the English churches into four parts, the first for the bishop, the second for the clergy, the third for the poor, and the fourth for repairing the church; this division was confirmed by Gregory, who directed farther, that the bishop’s share should be not only for himself, but likewise for all his necessary attendants, and to keep up hospitality,
by rendering the professors contemptible on account of their ignorance. Dupin says, that his genius was well suited to morality, and he had acquired an inexhaustible
It remains to be observed, in justice to this pope, that
the charge of his causing the noble monuments of the ancient splendour of the Romans o be destroyed, in order to
prevent those who went to Rome from paying more attention to the triumphal arches, &. than to things sacred, is
rejected by Platina as a calumny. Nor is the story, though
credited by several learned authors, particularly by Brucker,
of his reducing to ashes the Palatine library founded by Augustus, and the burning an infinite number of pagan books,
particularly Livy, absolutely certain. However, it is undeniable, he had a great aversion to all such books, which
he carried to that excess, that he flew in a violent passion
with Didier, archbishop of Venice, for no other reason
than because he suffered grammar to be taught in his diocese. In this he followed the apostolical constitutions:
the compiler whereof seems also to have copied from Gregory Nazianzen, who thought reading pagan books would
turn the minds of youth in favour of their idolatry; and we
have seen more recently the same practice zealously defended, and upon the same principle too, by Mr. Tillemont.
Yet Julian the apostate is charged with using the same
prohibition, as a good device to effect the ruin of Christianity, by rendering the professors contemptible on account of their ignorance. Dupin says, that his genius was
well suited to morality, and he had acquired an inexhaustible fund of spiritual ideas, which he expressed nobly
mough, generally in periods, rather than sentences: his
:omposition was laboured, and his language inaccurate, but
sy, well connected, and always equally supported. He
left more writings behind him than any other pope from
the foundation of the see of Rome to the present period.
'hese consist of twelve books of “Letters,
” amounting to
ipwards of eight hundred in number. “A comment on
:he book of Job,
” generally known by the name of “Grejry’s Morals on Job.
” “A Pastoral,
” or a treatise on
duties of a pastor. This work was held in such veneration by the Gallican church, that all the bishops were
jbiiged, by the canons of that church, to be thoroughly
icquainted with it, and punctually to observe the rules
contained in it. He was author also of “Homilies
” on the
prophet Ezekiel; and on the gospels, and of four books
of “Dialogues.
” His works have been printed over and
over again, in almost all forms, and at a number of different places on the continent, as Lyons, Paris, Rouen, Basil,
Antwerp, Venice, and Rome. The best edition is that of
Paris, in 1705, in 4 vols. folio.
, the principal event in whose life is the reformation he introduced in the Roman calendar, was born at Bologna in 1502. His name before his promotion was Hugh
, the principal event in whose life is the reformation he introduced in the Roman calendar, was born at Bologna in 1502. His name before his promotion was Hugh Buoncompagno. He was brought up to the study of the civil and canon law, which he taught in his native city with uncommon reputation. He was afterwards appointed judge of the court of commerce at Bologna. From this city he removed to Rome, where, after various preferments, he was on the death of Pius V. in 1572, unanimously elected his successor, and at his consecration he took the name of Gregory XIII. His reformation of the calendar, was according to a method suggested by Lewis Lilio, a Calabrian astronomer, which after his death was presented to the pope by his brother. This method, which was immediately adopted in all catholic countries, but was rejected by the protestants and by the Greeks, was intended to reform the old or Julian year, established by Julius Caesar, which consisted of'365 days 6 hours, or 365 difys and a quarter, that is three years of 365 days each, and the fourth year of 366 days. But as the mean tropical year consists only of 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes 57 seconds, the former lost 11 minutes 3 seconds every year, which in the time of pope Gregory had amounted to 10 <lays, and who, by adding these 10 days, brought the account of time to its proper day again, and at the same time appointed that every century after, a day more should be added, thereby making the years of the complete centuries, viz. 1600, 1700, 1800, &c. to be common years of 365 days each, instead of leap-years of 366 days, which makes the mean Gregorian year equal to 365 days 5 hours 45 minutes 36 seconds. This computation was not introduced into the account of time in England, till 1752, when the Julian account had lost 11 days, and therefore the 3d of September, was in that year by act of parliament accounted the 14th, thereby restoring the 11 days which had thus been omitted.
ing encouraged the assas, smation of Elizabeth queen of England, by Parr, an Eng* lisn catholic, who was detected in a conspiracy against the queen’s life. This pope
In 1584 Gregory incurred the suspicion, although some
think without foundation, of having encouraged the assas,
smation of Elizabeth queen of England, by Parr, an Eng*
lisn catholic, who was detected in a conspiracy against the
queen’s life. This pope contributed greatly to correct and
amend Gratian’s decretals, which he enriched with learned
He died of a quinsey, in the eighty-fourth year of
Jbis age, and the 14th of his pontificate, in 1586. Several
of his “Letters,
” “Harangues,
”&c. are said to be in existence.
, was born A. D. 324, at Azianzum, an obscure village belonging to
, was born A. D. 324, at Azianzum, an obscure village belonging to Nazianzum, a town of the second Cappadocia, situated in a poor, barren, and unhealthy country. His parents were persons of rank, and no less eminent for their virtues: his father, whose name was also Gregory, had been educated in a religion called Hypsistarianism*, to which, being the religion of his ancestors, he was a bigot in his younger years; and the deserting it not only lost him the kindness of his friends, but estranged him from his mother, and deprived him of his estate. This, however, he bore with great cbearfulness for the sake of Christianity, to which he was converted by his wife, though not without the help of an emphatical dream; he was afterwards made bishop of Nazianzum, being the second who sat in that chair, where he behaved with great prudence and diligence. Nor was our author’s mother less eminent; descended of a pious family, sh was herself, for piety, so much the wonder of her age, that this son was said to have been the pure effect of her prayers, and of a vow to devote him to God, after the example of Hannah; and upon his birth she was careful to perform her vow.
er some time, he travelled abroad for his farther improvement; in which rout, the first step he took was to Crcsarea, and having rifled the learning of that university,
Thus advantageously born, he proved a child of pregnant parts; by which, and the advantage of a domestic institution under his parents, he soon outstrip! his contemporaries in learning. Nature had formed him of a grave and serious temper, so that his studies were not obstructed by the little sports and pleasures of youth. After some time, he travelled abroad for his farther improvement; in which rout, the first step he took was to Crcsarea, and having rifled the learning of that university, he travelled to Caesarea Philippi in Palestine, where some of the most celebrated masters of that age resided, and where Eusebius then sat bishop. Here he studied under the famous orator Thespasias, and had among other fellow-pupils, Euzo'ius, afterwards
* This was a kind of Samaritan abstinence from some kind of meats,
* This was a kind of Samaritan abstinence from some kind of meats,
mber, a season for rough weather, they were taken with a storm in the road near Cyprus; and the case was become desperate, when suddenly the tern" pest, it was affirmed,
tUcy observed th labbath, and a strict tytslot, signifying The Most High., the Arian bishop of that place. He applied himself par* ticularly to rhetoric, minding the elegance, not the vanity and affectation, which then too much disgraced that pro* fession. Hence he removed to Alexandria, whose schools were famous next to those of Athens, which he designed for his last stage; and therefore went aboard a ship belon.ingto JEgina, an Island not far from Athens, the mari’si -3 of which were his familiar acquaintance?; but it being about the middle of November, a season for rough weather, they were taken with a storm in the road near Cyprus; and the case was become desperate, when suddenly the tern" pest, it was affirmed, ceased by the prayers of Gregory, Thus miraculously preserved, he arrived safe at Athens, where he was joyfully entertained, his great abilities rendering him the admiration both of the scholars and professors. Here he commenced a friendship wiih St. Basil, the great companion of his life; here too he became acquainted with Julian, afterwards emperor and apostate, an event which he remarkably foretold, although at that time Julian had given no ground for suspicion.
After the departure of his friend, Nazianzen was prevailed upon by the students to undertake the professor’s
After the departure of his friend, Nazianzen was prevailed upon by the students to undertake the professor’s place of rhetoric, and he sat in that chair with great applause for a little while; but being now thirty years of age, and much solicited by his parents tq return home, he complied', taking his journey by land to Constantinople. Here he met his brother Crcsarius, just then arrived from Alexandria, so accomplished in all the polite learning of that age, and especially in physic, which he had made his particular study, that he had not been there long before he had public honours decreed him, matches proposed from noble families, the dignity of a senator offered him, and a committee appointed to wait upon the emperor, to intreat him, that though the city at that time wanted no learned men in any faculty, yet this might be added to all its other glory, to have Cccsarius for its physician and inhabitant. But Nazianzen’s influence prevailed against all these temptations; and the two brothers returned home together, to the great joy of their aged parents.
he had made during the storm above-mentioned, to consecrate himself to God by baptism. Afterwards he was ordained a presbyter by his father, who soon had occasion to
Nazianzen now thought it time to fulfil a vow which he
had made during the storm above-mentioned, to consecrate himself to God by baptism. Afterwards he was ordained a presbyter by his father, who soon had occasion
to avail himself of his assistance. Gregory, the father,
among several of the eastern bishops, had received a creed
composed by a convention at Constantinople, in the year
395, in which the word consubstantial being laid aside,
that article was expressed thus: “that the Son was in all
things like the Father, according to the Scriptures.
” In
consequence, the monks of Cappadocia, in denying him
communion, were followed by a great part of the people.
Nazianzen, therefore, zealously endeavoured to make up
this breach. He first convinced his father of the error,
which he found him as ready to recant, and give public
satisfaction to the people; then he dealt with the other
party, whom he soon prevailed with to be reconciled; and,
to bind all with a lasting cement, he made on this occasion
his first oration, “Concerning Peace.
”
books and learning of the Gentiles. The defeat of this design, next to the two Apollinarii in Syria, Was chiefly owing to Na0ianzen, who upon this occasion composed
Julian had now ascended the throne; and in order to suppress Christianity, published a law, prohibiting Christians not only to teach, but to be taught the books and learning of the Gentiles. The defeat of this design, next to the two Apollinarii in Syria, Was chiefly owing to Na0ianzen, who upon this occasion composed a considerable part of his poems, comprehending all sorts of divine, grave, and serious subjects, in all kinds of poetry; by which means the Christian youth of those times were completely furnished;, and found no want of those heathen authors that were taken from them. Julian afterwards coming to Caesarea, in the road to his Persian expedition, one part of the army was quartered at Nazianzum, where the commander peremptorily required the church (which the elder Gregory had not long since built) to be delivered to him. But the old man stoutly opposed him, daily assembling the people to public prayers, who were so affected with the common cause, that the officer was forced to retire for his own safety. Julian being slain not long after, Nazianzen published two invective orations against him, which are at once remarkable proofs of his wit and eloquence, but which qualities were mixed with too much virulence and acriiony.
Julian’s death obtained some respite from public concerns, he made a visit to his friend Basil, who was then in monastic solitude upon a mountain in Pontus, whither
Having by Julian’s death obtained some respite from public concerns, he made a visit to his friend Basil, who was then in monastic solitude upon a mountain in Pontus, whither he had often solicited Nazianzen’s company. The latter was naturally inclined to such a course of life, and always looked upon his entering into orders as a kind of force and tyranny put upon him, which he could hardly digest; yet he knew not how to desert his parents. But his brother Caesarius being now returned from court, where he had been for some years, with a purpose to fix in his possession at home, gave him an opportunity to indulge his inclination. He accordingly retired to his old companion, with whom in his solitary recess he remained several years, passing the time in watching, fasting, and all the several acts of mortification. He was tbus employed when the necessity of affairs at home obliged him to quit his retirement. His father laboured under the infirmities of age, and being no longer able to attend his charge, prevailed with him to come home; he returned accordingly about Easter, and published a large apologetic in excuse of his flight, which had been much censured. He had not long entered upon his charge of assistant to his father, u-ben the family had the misfortune to lose his brother Cacsarius, who departed this life October 11, 358. Some time after, died of a malignant fever, his sister Gorgonia, whose funeral-sermon he preached; as he did also that of his father, the aged bishop of Nazianzum, who died not long after, near one hundred years old, having been fortyfive years bishop of that place. In the conclusion of thig latter oration he addressed himself to his mother Norma, to support her mind under so great a loss, consolations which were proper and seasonable: for she, being thus deprived of her affectionate partner, and being nearly of equal years to her husband, expired, as may probably be conjectured, soon after.
By these breaches in the family, Nazianzen was sufficiently weaned from the place of his nativity; and, though
By these breaches in the family, Nazianzen was sufficiently weaned from the place of his nativity; and, though he was not able to procure a successor to" his father, he resolved to throw up his charge, and accordingly retired to Seleucia, famous for the temple of St. Thercla, the virginmartyr; where, in a monastery of devout virgins dedicated to that saint, he continued a long time, and did not return till the death of St. Basil, whom he deeply regretted he could not attend at his last hours, being himself confined by sickness. About this time he was summoned to a council at Antioch, holden anno 378, to consider the emperor’s late edict for tolerating the catholics, in order to suppress Arianism; and, being ordered by the council to fix himself for that purpose at Constantinople, he presently repaired thither. Here he found the catholic interest at the lowest ebb; the Arians, favoured by Valens, had possessed themselves of all the churches, and proceeded to such extremities that scarcely any of the orthodox dared avow their faith. He first preached in his lodgings to those that repaired thither, and the congregation soon growing numerous, the house was immediately consecrated by Nazianzen, under the name of the church of Anastasia, or the resurrection; because the catholic faith, which in that city had been hitherto oppressed, here seemed to have its resurrection. The opposition to his measures but increased his fame, together with the number of his auditors, and even drew admirers and followers from foreign parts; among whom St. Jerom, lately ordained presbyter, came on purpose to put himself under his tutelage and discipline; an honour in which Jerom glories on every occasion. As the catholics grew more considerable, they chose him for their bishop, and the choice was confirmed by Meletus of Antioch, and Peter who succeeded Athanasius at Alexandria; but he was opposed by the Arians, who consecrating Maximus, a famous cynic philosopher and Christian, gave him a great deal of trouble. The Arian bishop, however, was at length forced to retire, and his successor Demophilus was deposed by the emperor Theodosius, who directed an edict to the people of Constantinople, February 27, 380, re-establishing the orthodox faith; and afterward coming thither in person, he treated Nazianzen with all possible kindness and respect, and appointed a day for his instalment in the see.
But this ceremony was deferred for the present at his own request; and falling sick
But this ceremony was deferred for the present at his
own request; and falling sick soon after, he was visited by
crowds of his friends, who all departed when they had
made their compliments, except a young man with a
pale look, long hair, in squalid and tattered cloaths, who,
standing at the bed’s feet, made all the dumb signs of
the bitterest sorrow -and lamentation. Nazianzen, starting, asked him, “Who he was, whence he came, and
what he wanted?
” To which he returned no answer,
but expressed so much the moi'e passion and resentment, howling, wringing his hands, and beating his breast
in such a manner that the bishop himself was moved to
tears. Being at length forced aside by one who stood
by, he told the bishop, “This, sir, is the assassin, whom
some had suborned to murder you; but his conscience has
molested him, and he is here come ingenuously to confess
ins fault, and to beg your pardon.
” The bishop replied.
“Friend, God Almighty be propitious to you, his gracious
preservation of me obliges me freely to forgive you the
desperate attempt you designed has made you mine, nor
do I require any other reparation, than that henceforth you
desert your party, and sincerely give up yourself to God.
”
Constantinople in May anno 382. This is called the second general council, in which the Nicene Creed was ratified; and, because the article concerning the Holy Ghost
Theodosius being highly solicitous about the peace of the church, summoned a council to meet at Constantinople in May anno 382. This is called the second general council, in which the Nicene Creed was ratified; and, because the article concerning the Holy Ghost was but barely mentioned, which was become one of the principal controversies of the age, and for the determination of which the council had been chiefly summoned, the fathers now drew up an explanatory creed, composed, as it is said, by Gregory of Nyssen, and is the same which in our liturgy is called the Nicene Creed. The see of Constantinople was also now placed next in precedence to that of Rome. Our author carried a great sway in that council, where all things went on smoothly, till at last they fell into disturbances on the following occasion.
he pertinaciously resisted all intreaties that were made to take that charge upon him. And, when he was summoned to the re-assembling of the council the following year,
There had been a schism for some time in the church of Antioch, occasioned by the ordination of two bishops to that see; and one of those, named Melitus, happening to die before the end of the council, Nazianzen proposed to continue the other, named Paulinus, then grown old, for his life. But a strong party being made for one Flavianus, presbyter of the church, these last carried it; and, not content with that, resolved to deprive their grand opposer of his seat at Constantinople. To prevent this he made a formal resignation to the emperor, and went to his paternal estate at Nazmnzum, resolving never to episcopize any more; insomuch, that though, at his return, he found the see of Nazianzum still vacant, and over-run with the heresy of Apollinarius, yet he pertinaciously resisted all intreaties that were made to take that charge upon him. And, when he was summoned to the re-assembling of the council the following year, he refused to give his attendance, and even did not stick to censure all such meetings as factious, and governed by pride and ambition. In the mean time, in defence of his conduct, he wrote letters to the Roman praetorian prefect, and the consul; assuring them, that, though he had withdrawn himself from public affairs, it was not, as some imagined, from any discontent for the loss of the great place he had quitted; and that he would not abandon the common interests of religion; that his retirement was a matter of choice more than necessity, in which he took as great pleasure as a man that has been tossed in a long storm at sea does in a safe and quiet harbour. And, indeed, being now freed from all external cares, he entirely gave himself up to solitude and contemplation, and the exercise of a strict and devout life. At vacant hours he refreshed the weariness of his old age with poetry, which he generally employed upon divine subjects, and serious reflections upon the former passages of his life; an account of which he drew up in iambics, whence no inconsiderable part of his memoir is derived. Thus he passed the remainder of his days till his death in the year 389. He made a will, by which, except a few legacies to some relations, he bequeathed his whole estate to the poor of the diocese of Nazianzum. In this spirit, during the three years that he enjoyed the rich bishopric of Constantinople, he never touched any part of the revenues, but gaVe it all to the poor, to whom he was extremely liberal.
He was one of the ablest champions of the orthodox faith concerning
He was one of the ablest champions of the orthodox faith
concerning the Trinity, whence he had the title given him
of e SeoAoyes, “The Divine,
” by unanimous consent. His
moral and religious qualities were attended with the natural
graces of a sublime wit, subtle apprehension, clear judgment, and easy and ready elocution, which were all set off
with as great a stock of human learning as the schools of
the East, as Alexandria, or Athens itself, was able to afford.
All these excellences are seen in his works, of which we
have the following character by Erasmus; who, after having enriched the western church with many editions of the
ancient fathers, confesses, that he was altogether discouraged from attempting the translation of Nazianzen, by
the acumen and smartness of his style, the grandeur and
sublimity of his matter, and those somewhat obscure allusions that are frequently interspersed among his writings.
Upon the whole, Erasmus doubts not to affirm, that, as ha
lived in the most learned age of the church, so he was the
be*t scholar of that age. His works consist of sermons,
letters, and poems, the latter evidently imbued with genius, and have been printed in Greek and Latin, Paris,
1609 and 1611, 2 vols. fol. with notes by the learned abbot
de Billi, who was also author of the Latin translation. This
edition is more esteemed than the new one of 1G30. There
are some poems by St. Gregory in “Tollii insignia itinerarii Italici,
” Utrecht,
, was the younger brother of St. Basil, and had an equal care taken
, was the younger brother of St. Basil, and had an equal care taken of his education, being brought up in all the polite and fashionable modes of learning; but, applying himself particularly to rhetoric, he valued himself more upon being accounted an orator than a Christian. On the admonition of his friend Gregory Nazianzen he quitted those studies; and, betaking himself to solitude and a monastic discipline, he turned his attention wholly to the holy scriptures, and the controversies of the age; so that he became as eminent in the knowledge of these as he had before been in the course of more pleasant studies. Thus qualified for the highest dignity in the church, he was placed in the see of Nyssa, a city on the borders of Cappadocia. The exact time of his promotion is not known, though it is certain he was bishop in the year 371. He proved in this station a stout champion for the Nicene faith, and so vigorously opposed the Arian party, that he was soon after banished by the emperor Valens; and, in a synod held at Nyssa by the bishop of Pontus and Galatia, was deposed, and met with very hard usage. He was hurried from place to place, heavily fined, and exposed to the rage and petulance of the populace, which fell heavier upon him, as he was both unused to trouble, and unapt to bear it. In this condition he remained for seven or eight years, during which, however, he went about countermining the stratagems of the Arians, and strengthening those in the orthodox faith; and in the council of Antioch in the year 378, he was, among others, delegated to visit the eastern churches lately harassed by the Arian persecution.
returned with a heavy heart to Antioch: and being on this occasion consulted afterwards, whether it was an essential part of religion to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem
He went not long after to Arabia; and, having dispatched the affairs of the Arabian churches, he proceeded
to Jerusalem, having engaged to confer with the bishops of
those parts, and to assist in their reformation. Upon his
arrival, finding the place overrun with vice, schism, and
faction, some shunning his communion, and others setting
up altars in opposition to him, he soon grew weary of it,
and returned with a heavy heart to Antioch: and being on
this occasion consulted afterwards, whether it was an essential part of religion to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem
(which, it seems, was the opinion of the monastic disciplinarians at that time), he declared himself freely in the negative. After this, he was summoned to the great council
at Constantinople, where he made no inconsiderable figure,
his advice being chiefly relied on in the most important
cases; and particularly the composition of the creed, called
by us the Nicene creed, was committed to his care. He
composed a great many other pieces, commentaries on
different parts of the scriptures; sermons; lives, and letters. There is a good edition of his works by Fronton du
Due, 1615, 2 vols. fol. and another of 1638, 3 vols. fol.
more ample, but not so correct. They are, however, in
less estimation than the works of almost any of the fathers.
He lived to a great age, and was alive when St. Jerom
wrote his “Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Writers
” in the year
, surnamed Thaumaturgus, was descended of parents eminent for their birth and fortune, at
, surnamed Thaumaturgus, was descended of parents eminent for their birth and fortune, at Neo-Cesarea, the metropolis of Cappadocia, where he was born. He was educated very carefully in the learning and religion of the Gentiles by his father, who was a warm, zealot; but, losing this parent at fourteen years of age, he, enlarging his inquiries, began by degrees to perceive the vanity of that religion in which he had been bred, and turned his inclinations to Christianity. Having laid the necessary ground-work of his education at home, and studied the law for some time, to which he had no great inclination, he resolved to accomplish himself by foreign travels, to which purpose he went first to Alexandria, then become famous by the Platonic school lately erected there*. Departing from Alexandria, he came back probably through Greece, and staid awhile at Athens whence returning home, he applied himself to his old study of the law but again growing weary of it, he turned to the more agreeable speculations of philosophy.
f Origen, who at that time had opened a school at Csesarea, in Palestine, and whose renown tid doubt was great at Alexandria, soon reached his ears. To that city therefore
The fame of Origen, who at that time had opened a school at Csesarea, in Palestine, and whose renown tid doubt was great at Alexandria, soon reached his ears. To that city therefore he betook himself, where meeting with Fermilian, a Cappaclocian gentleman, and afterwards bishop of Ca^area, in that country, he commenced a friendship with him, there being an extraordinary sympathy and agreement in their tempers and studies; and they jointly put themselves, together with his brother Athenodorus, under the tutorage of that celebrated master. Origen endeavoured to settle him in the full belief of Christianity, of which he had some insight before, and to ground him in the knowledge of the holy scriptures, as the best system of true wisdom and philosophy.
Neo-Caesarea was a large and populous place, but being miserably overgrown with
Neo-Caesarea was a large and populous place, but being miserably overgrown with superstition and idolatry, Christianity had as yet scarce made its entrance there. However, our young philosopher was appointed to be a guide of souls in the place of his nativity. Phredinius, bishop of Amasia, a neighbouring city in that province, cast his eye upon him for that purpose; and it was thought his relation to the place would more endear the employment tohim. But, upon receiving the tirst intimation of the design, he shifted his quarters, and, as oft as sought for, fled from one desert to another; so that the bishop by all his arts and industry could not obtain intelligence of him; he therefore constituted him bishop of the place in his absence, and how averse soever he seemed to be before, he now accepted the charge, when perhaps he had a more formal and solemn consecration. The province he entered upon was difficult; the city and neighbourhood being wholly addicted to the worship of demons, and there not being above seventeen Christians in those parts, so that he must find a church before he could govern it. The country was overrun with heresies; and himself, though accomplished sufficiently in human learning, was altogether unexercised in theological studies and the mysteries of religion. But here again he had immediate assistance from heaven; for, one night, as it is related by his biographer, Gregory of Nyssen, with the superstitious spirit then prevalent, while he was musingupon these things, and discussing matters of faith in his own mind, he bad a vJsJon, in which St. John the evangelist and the blessed virgin appeared in the chamber where he was, and discoursed before him concerning those points. In consequence, after their departure, he immediately penned that canou and rule of faith which they had declared. To this creed he always kept himself, and bequeathed it as an inestimable deposit to his successors. The original, written with his own hand, we are informed, was preserved in that church in his name. It is cited by Dr. Waterland, as express and explicit respecting the doctrine of the Trinity. There can be no doubt of its authenticity, although the Socinians have taken much pains to prove the contrary.
Thus furnished, he began to apply himself more directly to the charge committed to him, and he was said to b^> endowed with the power of working miracles: hence
Thus furnished, he began to apply himself more directly
to the charge committed to him, and he was said to b^> endowed with the power of working miracles: hence the title
of Thaurnaturgus, or wonder-worker, is constantly ascribed
to him in the writings of the church. St Basil assures
us, that upon this account the Gentiles used to call him a
second Moses. In this faithful and successful government
of his flock he continued quietly till about anno '2bO, when
he fled from the Decian persecution; but, as soon as the
storm was over, he returned to his charge, and in a general
visitation of his diocese, established in every place anniversary festivals and solemnities in honour of the martyrs
who had suffered in the late persecution. In the reign of
Galienus, about the year 260, upon the irruption of the
northern nations into the Roman empire, the Goths breaking
into Pontus, Asia, and some parts of Greece, created such
confusion, that a neighbouring bishop of those parts wrote
to Gregory for advice what to do: our author’s answer,
sent by Euphrasymus, is called his “Canonical Epistle,
”
still extant among his works. Not long afterwards was
convened that synod at Antioch, wherein Paul of Samosata,
bishop of the place, which he did not care to lose, made a
feigned recantation of his heretical opinions. Our St. Gregory was among the chief persons in this synod which met
in the year 264, but did not long survive it, dying either
this or most probably the following year.
St. Basil says he was an evangelical man in his whole life. In his devotion he shewed
St. Basil says he was an evangelical man in his whole life. In his devotion he shewed the greatest reverence: yea and nay, were the usual measures of his communication. He was also a man of uncommon meekness and humility, and a firm adherent to truth. With respect to the miracles ascribed to him, they do not rest upon the authority of his contemporaries, and are more numerous and extraordinary than will now be readily credited. His works *vere primed in Greek and Latin, 1626, folio, and in the library of the fathers. Gerard Vossius also printed a& edition at Mentz in 1604, 4to. Many of his writings, however, are supposed to be lost.
orius, an eminent bishop and writer of the sixth century, descended from a noble family of AuTergne, was born about the year 544. He was educated by his uncle Gallus,
, St., or frequently called Geregius
Florentius Gregorius, an eminent bishop and writer of
the sixth century, descended from a noble family of AuTergne, was born about the year 544. He was educated
by his uncle Gallus, bishop of Clermont, and became so
eminent for learning and virtue, as to be appointed bishop
of Tours in the year 573. He assisted at the council held
at Paris in the year 577, respecting Pretextat, bishop of
Rouen, and strongly opposed the violence of some of the
members of that assembly, particularly Chilperic and Fredegonde. He went afterwards to visit the tomb of > the
apostles at Rome, where he formed a friendship with St.
Gregory the Great, and died Norember 27, 595. This
bishop wrote a “History of France,
” in ten books; eight
books of “The Miracles, or Lives of the Saints;
” and
other works, in the library of the fathers. The best edition-is that by Dom Ruinart, 1699, fol. His history is very
useful; for though the style is dry and coarse, and the
author extremely simple and credulous, yet an ingenious
critic may easily separate the truths contained in it from
the falsehoods. This work has been translated into French
by the abbeé de Marolles, 1668, 2 vols. 8vo.
, general of the Augustines 1357, who died in 1358, was a celebrated scholastic divine, surnamed the Authentic Doctor,
, general of the Augustines 1357,
who died in 1358, was a celebrated scholastic divine, surnamed the Authentic Doctor, and wrote a “Commentary
on the Master of the Sentences,
” Valentia, A Treatise
on Usury,
” and other works, Rimini,
, a Flemish geometrician, was born at Bruges in 1584, and became a Jesuit at Rome at twenty
, a Flemish geometrician, was born at Bruges in 1584, and became a Jesuit at Rome at twenty years of age. He studied mathematics under the learned Jesuit Clavius. He afterward became a reputable professor of those sciences himself, and his instructions were solicited by several princes he was called to Prague by the emperor Ferdinand II. and Philip IV. king of Spain was desirous of having him to teach the mathematics to his ion, the young prince John of Austria. He was not less estimable for his virtues than his skill in the sciences. His well-meant endeavours were very commendable, when his holy zeal, though for a false religion, led him to follow the army in Flanders one compaign, to confess the wounded and dying soldiers, in which he received several wounds himself. He died of an apoplexy at Ghent, in 1667, at eighty-three years of age.
As a writer, Gregory of St. Vincent was very diffuse and voluminous, but he was an excellent geometrician.
As a writer, Gregory of St. Vincent was very diffuse and
voluminous, but he was an excellent geometrician. He
published, in Latin, three mathematical works, the principal of which was his “Opus Geometricum Quadratures
Circuli, et Sectionum Coni,
” Antwerp,
, the first of an eminent family of learned men in Scotland, was the son of the Rev. Mr. John Gregory, minister of Drumoak in
, the first of an eminent family of
learned men in Scotland, was the son of the Rev. Mr. John
Gregory, minister of Drumoak in the county of Aberdeen,
and was born at Aberdeen in November 1638. His mother
was a daughter of Mr. David Anderson of Finzaugh, or
Finshaugh, a gentleman who possessed a singular turn for
mathematical and mechanical knowledge. This mathematical genius was hereditary in the family of the Andersons,
and from them it seems to have been transmitted to their
descendants of the names of Gregory, Reid, &c. Alexander Anderson, cousin -german of the said David, was
professor of mathematics at Paris in the beginning of
the seventeenth century, and published there several valuable and ingenious works; as may be seen in our vol. II.
The mother of James Gregory inherited the genius of her
family; and observing in her son, while yet a child, a
itrong propensity to mathematics, she instructed him
herself in the elements of that science. His education in the
languages he received at the grammar-school of Aberdeen,
and went through the usual course of academical studies at
Marischal college, but was chiefly delighted with philosophical researches, into which a new door had been lately
opened by the key of the mathematics. Galileo, Kepler,
and Des Cartes were the great masters of this new method;
their works, therefore, Gregory made his principal study,
and began early to make improvements upon their discoveries in optics. The first of these improvements was the
invention of the reflecting telescope, which still bears his
name; and which was so happy a thought, that it has
given occasion to the most considerable improvements
made in optics, since the invention of the telescope. He
published the construction of this instrument in his “Optica
promota,
”
plate of metal for the object speculum into a true parabolic concave, which the design required, he was much discouraged; and after a few imperfect trials made with
About 1664 or 1665, coming to London, he became acquainted with Mr. John Collins, who recommended him to the best optic glass-grinders there, in order to have his telescope executed. But as this could not be done for want of skill in the artists to grind a plate of metal for the object speculum into a true parabolic concave, which the design required, he was much discouraged; and after a few imperfect trials made with an ill-polished spherical one, which did not succeed to his wish, he dropped the pursuit, and resolved to make the tour of Italy, then the mart of mathematical learning, in the view of prosecuting his fa* vourite study with greater advantage.
him to some new improvements in the speculative part. The sublime geometry on the doctrine of curves was then hardly passed its infant state, and the famed problem of
He had not been long abroad when the same inventive
genius, which had before shewn itself in practical mathematics, carried him to some new improvements in the speculative part. The sublime geometry on the doctrine of
curves was then hardly passed its infant state, and the
famed problem of squaring the circle still continued a reproach to it; when our author discovered a new analytical
method of summing up an infinite converging series, by
which the area of the hyperbola, as well as the circle, may
be computed to any degree of exactness. He was then at
Padua; and getting a few copies of his invention printed
there in 1667 under the title “Vera Circuli et Hyperbolae
Quadratura,
” he sent one to his friend Mr. Collins, who
communicated it to the royal society, where it met with
the commendation of lord Brounker and Dr. Wallis. He
reprinted it at Venice, and published it the following year,
1668, together with another piece entitled “Geometric
pars universalis, inserviens quantitatum curvarum transmutationi et mensurae,
” in which he is allowed to have shewn,
for the first time, a method for the transmutation of curves.
These works engaged the notice, and procured the author
the correspondence of the greatest mathematicians of the
age, Newton, Huygens, Wallis, and others. An account
of this piece was also read by Mr. Collins before the royal
society, of which Gregory, being returned from his travels,
was chosen a member, admitted the 14th of January this
year, and communicated to them an account of the controversy in Italy about the motion of the earth, which was
denied by Riccioli and his followers.
the antagonists, though setting out with decent temper, yet grew too much heated in the combat. This was the case here, especially on die side of Gregory, whose defence
The same year, his quadrature of the circle being attacked by Mr. Huygens, a controversy arose between those
two eminent mathematicians, in which our author produced some improvements of his series. But in this dispute it happened, as it generally does in most others, that
the antagonists, though setting out with decent temper,
yet grew too much heated in the combat. This was the
case here, especially on die side of Gregory, whose defence was, at his own request, inserted in the “Philosophical Transactions;
” but Leibnitz, who allows Gregory
the highest merit for his geniui and discoveries, is of opinion, that Huygens has pointed out, though not errors,
some considerable deficiencies in the treatise above-mentioned, and has shewn a much simpler method of attaining
the same end. Gregory also received from Mr. Collins,
about this time, an account of the series invented by sir
Isaac Newton; who in that had actually effected what our
author was stiffly contending against Huygens to be utterly
impossible: that is, the ratio of the diameter of a circumference, expressed in a series of simple terms, independent
of each other, and entirely freed from the magic vinculum
of surds, in which they had till then been indissolubly held.
ones Geometricae,” which contributed still much farther to extend his reputation. About this time he was elected professor of mathematics in the university of St. Andrew’s,
In 1668 our author published at London another work,
entitled “Exercitationes Geometricae,
” which contributed
still much farther to extend his reputation. About this
time he was elected professor of mathematics in the university of St. Andrew’s, an office which he held for six years.
During his residence there he married, in 1669, Mary,
the daughter of George Jameson, the celebrated painter,
whom Mr, Walpole has termed the Vandyke of Scotland, and who was fellow disciple with that great artist
in the school of Rubens at Antwerp. His fame placed him
in so great esteem with the royal academy at Paris, that,
in the beginning of 1671, it was resolved by that aca^
demy to recommend him to their grand monarch for a
pension; and the design was approved even by Mr. Huygens, though he said he had reason to think himself improperly treated by Mr. Gregory, on account of the controversy between them. Accordingly, several members of
that academy wrote to Mr. Oldenburg, desiring him to acquaint the council of the royal society with their proposal;
informing him likewise, that the king of France was willing
to allow pensions to one or two learned Englishman, whom
they should recommend. But no answer was ever made
to that proposal; and our author, with respect to this particular, looked upon it as nothing more than a compliment.
eral objections to Mr. Gregory’s, this gave birth to a dispute between those two philosophers, which was continued during that and the following year, in the most amicable
In 1672 he published “The great and new art of weighing Vanity or a discovery of the ignorance and arrogance
of the great and new artist, in his pseudo-philosophical
writings. By M. Patrick Mathers, arch-bedal to the university of St. Andrew’s. To which are annexed some tentamina de motu penduli et projectorum.
” Under this
assumed name, our author wrote this little piece to expose
the ignorance of Mr. Sinclare, professor at Glasgow, in
his hydrostatical writings, and in return for some ill-usage
of that author to a colleague of Mr. Gregory’s. In the
same year, sir Isaac Newton, on his wonderful discoveries
in the nature of light, having contrived a new reflecting
telescope, and made several objections to Mr. Gregory’s,
this gave birth to a dispute between those two philosophers,
which was continued during that and the following year, in
the most amicable manner on each side; Mr. Gregory defending his own construction so far, as to give his antagonist the whole honour of having made the catoptric telescopes preferable to the dioptric; and shewing, that the
imperfections in these instruments were not so much owing
to a defect in the object-speculum as to the different refrangibility of the rays of light. In the course of this dispute, our author described a burning concave mirror,
which was approved by sir Isaac, and is still in good
esteem. Several letters that passed in this dispute are
printed by Dr. Desaguliers, in an appendix to the English
edition of Dr. David Gregory’s “Elements of Catoptrics
and Dioptrics.
” All this while he attended the proper
business of his professorship with great diligence, which
taking up the greatest part of his time, especially in the
winter season, interrupted him in the pursuit of his proper
studies. These, however, led him to farther improvements
in the invention of infinite series, which he occasionally
communicated to his intimate friend and correspondent
Mr. Collins. In 1674 Mr. Gregory was called to Edinburgh, to fill the chair of mathematics in that university.
This place he had held but little more than a year, when,
in October 1675, being employed in shewing the satellites
of Jupiter through a telescope to some of his pupils, he
was suddenly struck with total blindness, and died a few
days after, to the great loss of the mathematical world, at
only thirty-seven years of age.
series; and his method for transformation of curves, have been already mentioned. Besides these, he was the first who gave a geometrical demonstration of lord Brounker’s
The most shining part of Gregory’s character is that of
his mathematical genius as an inventor. In this view, particularly, he merits a place in these memoirs; and therefore we shall conclude this article with a list of the most
remarkable of his inventions. His reflecting telescope; burning concave mirror; his quadrature of the circle, by an infinite converging series; and his method for transformation of
curves, have been already mentioned. Besides these, he
was the first who gave a geometrical demonstration of lord
Brounker’s series for squaring the hyperbola, as it had
been explained by Mercator in his “Logarithmotechnia.
”
He was likewise the first who demonstrated the meridian
line to be analogous to a scale of logarithmic tangents, of
the half compliment of latitude . He also invented and
demonstrated geometrically, by the help of the hyperbola,
a very simple converging series for making the logarithms,
and therefore recommended by Dr. Halley as very proper
for practice. He also sent to Mr. Collins the solution of
the famous Keplerian problem by an infinite series. He
found out a method of drawing tangents to curves geometrically, without any previous calculations. He gave a
rule for the direct and inverse method of tangents, which
stands upon the same principle (of exhaustions) with that
of fluxions, and differs not much from it in the manner of
application. He likewise gave a series for the length of
the arc of a circle from the tangent, and v ice versa; as
also for the secant and logarithmic tangent and secant, and
vice versa. These, with others, for certifying, or measuring the length of the elliptic and hyperbolic curves, were
sent to Mr. Collins, in return for some received from him
of sir Isaac Newton’s; and their elegance being admirable,
and above whatever he had produced before, and after the
manner of sir Isaac, gave room to think he had improved
himself greatly by that master, whose example he followed,
i delivering his series in simple terms, independent on
each other.
We are assured, that at his death he was in pursuit of a general method of quadrature, by infinite series,
We are assured, that at his death he was in pursuit of a
general method of quadrature, by infinite series, like that
of sir Isaac. This appeared by his papers, which came
into the hands of his nephew, Dr. David Gregory, who
published several of them; and he himself assured Mr.
Collins, he had found out the method of making sir Isaac’s
series; who thereupon concluded he must have written a
treatise upon it. This encouraged Mr. Stewart, professor
of mathematics in Aberdeen, to take the trouble of examining his papers, then in the hands of Dr. David Gregory, the late dean of Christ church, Oxford; but no such
treatise could be found, nor any traces of it, and the same
had been declared before by Dr. David Gregory; whence
it happens, that it is still unknown what his method was of
making those serieses. However, Mr. Stewart affirms,
that, in turning over his papers, he saw several curious
upon particular subjects, not yet printed. On the
contrary, some letters which he saw confirmed Dr. David
Gregory’s remark, and made it evident, that our author had
never compiled any treatise, containing the foundations of
this general method, a very short time before his death;
so that all that can be known about his method can only be
collected from his letters, published in the short history of
his “Mathematical Discoveries,
” compiled by Mr. Collins,
and his letters to that gentleman in the “Commercium Epistolicum.
” From these it appears, that, in the beginning of
, elder brother of the preceding, was born in 1627 or 1628, and although he possessed all the genius
, elder brother of the preceding, was born in 1627 or 1628, and although he possessed all the genius of the other branches of his family, was educated by his father for trade, and served an apprenticeship to a mercantile house in Holland. Having a stronger passion, however, for knowledge than for money, he abandoned trade in 1655, and returning to his own country, he succeeded, upn the death of an elder brorher, to the estate of Kinarclie, situated about forty miles north of Aberdeen, where he lived many years, and where thirty-two children were born to him by two wives. Of these, three sons made a conspicuous figure in the republic of letters, being all professors of mathematics at the same time in three of the British universities, viz. David at Oxford, James at Edinburgh, and Charles at St. Andrew’s.
Mr. Gregory, the subject of this memoir, while he lived at Kinardie, was a jest among the neighbouring gentlemen for his ignorance of
Mr. Gregory, the subject of this memoir, while he lived at Kinardie, was a jest among the neighbouring gentlemen for his ignorance of what was doing about his own farm, but an oracle in matters of learning and philosophy, and particularly in medicine, which he had studied for his amusement, and began to practise among his poor neighbours. He acquired such a reputation in that science, that he was employed by the nobility and gentlemen of that county, but took no fees. His hours of study were singular. Being much occupied through the day with those who applied to him as a physician, he went early to bed, rose about two or three in the morning, and, after applying to his studies for some hours, went to bed again, and slept an hour or two before breakfast. He was the first man in that country who had a barometer; and having paid great attention to the changes in it, and the corresponding changes in the weather, he was once in danger of being tried by the presbytery for witchcraft or conjuration. A deputation of that body waited upon him to inquire into the ground of certain reports that had come to their ears; but, affording them ample satisfaction, a prosecution was prevented.
ccount of the whole. After making some experiments with this model, which satisfied him, Mr. Gregory was so sanguine in the hope of being useful to the allies in the
About the beginning of the last century, he removed with his family to Aberdeen, and in the time of queen Anne’s wars employed his thoughts upon an improvement in artillery, in order to make the shot of great guns more destructive to the enemy, and executed a model of the engine he had contrived. The late Dr. Reid, in his additions to the lives of the Gregorys, published in Hutton’s Dictionary, informs us that he conversed with a clockmaker at Aberdeen, who had been employed in making this model; but having made many different pieces by direction without knowing their intention, or how they were to be put together, he could give no account of the whole. After making some experiments with this model, which satisfied him, Mr. Gregory was so sanguine in the hope of being useful to the allies in the war against France, that he set about preparing a field equipage with a view to make a campaign in Flanders, and in the mean time sent his model to his son the Savilian professor, the subject of our next article, that he might have his, and sir Isaac Newton’s opinion of it. His son shewed it to Newton without letting him know that his own father was the inventor of it. Sir Isaac was much displeased with it, saying, that if it had tended as much to the preservation of mankind, as to their destruction, the inventor would have deserved a great reward: but, as it was contrived solely for destruction, and would soon be known by the enemy, he rather deserved to be punished, and urged the professor very strongly to destroy it, and if possible, to suppress the invention. It is probable the professor followed this advice, as he died soon after, and the model was never found. Sir Isaac’s objection, however, appears rather to be fastidious, and might apply with equal force to any improvement in muskeis, &c. or to gunpowder itself. When the rebellion broke out in 1715, Mr. Gregory went a second time to Holland, and returned when it was over to Aberdeen, where he died about 1720, aged ninety-three, leaving behind him a history of his own time and country, which was never published. One of his daughters was mother to the late celebrated Dr. Thomas Reid of Glasgow, by whom the above particulars were first communicated.
, son of the preceding, and nephew to the inventor of the reflecting telescope, was born June 21, 1661, at Aberdeen; where he also received the
, son of the preceding, and nephew
to the inventor of the reflecting telescope, was born June
21, 1661, at Aberdeen; where he also received the first
grounds of his learning, but was afterwards removed to
Edinburgh, and took his degree of M. A. in that university.
The great advantage of his uncle’s papers induced his friends
to recommend the mathematics to him; and he had a natural subtilty of genius particularly fitted for that study, to
which he applied with indefatigable industry, and succeeded so well that he was advanced to the mathematical
chair, at Edinburgh, at the age of twenty-three. The
same year he published a treatise, entitled “Exercitatio
Geometrica de dimensione figurarum,
” Edinb. Principia
” was no
sooner out in
o resign the Savilian professorship of astronomy at Oxford, he left Scotland, and, coming to London, was admitted a member of the royal society: and paid his addresses
He continued at Edinburgh till 1691, when, hearing of
Dr. Bernard’s intention to resign the Savilian professorship
of astronomy at Oxford, he left Scotland, and, coming to
London, was admitted a member of the royal society: and
paid his addresses to sir Isaac Newton, who took the first
opportunity of recommending him to Mr. Flamstead (master of the mathematical school in Christ’s-hospital, London), with a letter, recommending his mathematical merit
above all exception in these terms: “Sir, it. is almost a
fortnight since I intended, with Mr. Paget and another
friend or two, to have given you a visit at Greenwich; but
sending to the Temple coffee-house, I understood you had
not been in London for two or three weeks before, which
made me think you were retired to your living for a time.
The bearer hereof, Mr. Gregory, mathematic professor of
Edinburgh college, in Scotland, intended to have given
you a visit with us. You will find him a very ingenious
person, and a good mathematician, worth your acquaintance.
” In proceeding, he mentions our author as a fit
person, in case of Mr. Flamstead’s death, to carry on his
astronomical views. Thus recommended, the royal astronomer used his best interest to procure him success at Oxford, where he was elected astronomy-professor this year,
having been first admitted of Baliol college, and incorporated M. A. February 8, and he was created M. D. on the
so slow, as to be utterly of no use in from which the tract was compiled
so slow, as to be utterly of no use in from which the tract was compiled
it in 1745. 8vo, with additions, and the 144. second edition was printed at Edin18th of the same month, but he had no relish
it in 1745. 8vo, with additions, and the 144.
second edition was printed at
Edin18th of the same month, but he had no relish for the technical part of his profession, and was seldom seen in the
ohservatory. His genius lay more to geometry, and in
that way he succeeded very well, both in his elements of
optics*, and of physical and geometrical astronomy. This
last is reckoned his master-piece; and, having finished it
in 1702, folio, he immediately engaged in carrying on the
noble design of his predecessor, Dr. Bernard, to print all
the works of the ancient mathematicians, the first-fruits of
which appeared in an edition of Euclid’s works in Greek
and Latin, folio, the following year. In the same design
he afterwards joined with his colleague, Dr. Hailey, in preparing an edition of “Apollonius’s Conies:
” Dr. Bernard
had left materials for the four first books, which our author
undertook to complete, but was prevented by his death,
which happened October 10, 1708. He died at the Greyhound-inn, at Maidenhead, in Berkshire, in his way from
London to Bath. His disorder was a consumption. He
was interred at Maidenhead, but there is a handsome
marble monument erected to his memory in St. Mary’s
church at Oxford, by his wife.
* It was published in 1695, in La- by Dr. Browne; and a third in 1735,
* It was published in 1695, in La- by Dr. Browne; and a third in 1735,
was compiled from his lecturos, read two reflecting telescopes,
was compiled from his lecturos, read two reflecting telescopes, with their
uncle James Gregory. It was much 11 other forms, in stone, brick, and the
uncle James Gregory. It was much 11 other forms, in stone, brick, and the
onstruct the orbit of a comet by three accurate observations, is commended by Dr. Halley. Our author was a most intimate and confidential friend of sir Isaac, and was
of the demonstrations; and a second some catenary curve, within the breadth
edition in English came out in 1705, of their forming stones.
method, to construct the orbit of a comet by three accurate
observations, is commended by Dr. Halley. Our author was
a most intimate and confidential friend of sir Isaac, and
was intrusted with a manuscript copy of the “Principia,
”
for the purpose of making observations on it. Of these
Newton availed himself in the second edition, they having
come too late for his first publication, which was exceedingly hurried by Dr. Halley, lest Newton’s backwardness
might not let it appear at all. There is a complete copy
of these observations preserved in the library of the university of Edinburgh, presented to it by Dr. James Gregory, the present professor of the practice of medicine.
These contain many sublime mathematical discussions,
many valuable commentaries on the “Principia,
” and
many interesting anecdotes. There are in it some paragraphs in the hand-writing of Huygens relative to his
theory of light.
of Mr. Oiiphant of Langtown in Scotland. By this lady he had four sons, of whom, the eldest, David, was elected, from Westminster school in 1714, student of Christ
Dr. David Gregory married, in 1695, Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. Oiiphant of Langtown in Scotland. By this lady he had four sons, of whom, the eldest, David, was elected, from Westminster school in 1714, student of Christ church, Oxford; became rector of Semly in Wiltshire; was installed canon of Christ church, June 8, 1736, and dean, May 18, 1756. He was appointed the first professor of modern history and languages on the foundation of that professorship by George 1. prolocutor of the lower house of convocation, and master of Sherburn hospital, near Durham. He died and was interred in Christ church cathedral, 1767, in the seventy -first year of his age, in the same grave with his wife Mary (Grey), who died in 1762.
When Dr. David Gregory, the Savilian professor, quitted Edinburgh, he was succeeded in the professorship at that university by his brother
When Dr. David Gregory, the Savilian professor, quitted
Edinburgh, he was succeeded in the professorship at that
university by his brother James, likewise an eminent mathematician; who held that office for thirty-three years,
and, retiring in 1725, was succeeded by the celebrated
Maclaurin. A daughter of this professor James Gregory,
a young lady of great beauty and accomplishments, was
the victim of an unfortunate attachment, that furnished the
subject of Mallet’s well-known ballad of “William and
Margaret.
” Another brother, Charles, was created professor of mathematics at St. Andrew’s by queen Anne, in
1707. This office he held with reputation and ability for
thirty-two years; and, resigning in 1739, was succeeded
by his son, who eminently inherited the talents of his family, and died in 1763.
, professor of medicine in the university of Edinburgh, was born at Aberdeen in 1724. He was the third son of James Gregory,
, professor of medicine in the university of Edinburgh, was born at Aberdeen in 1724. He was the third son of James Gregory, M. D. professor of medicine in King’s college, Aberdeen, by Anne, daughter of the rev. George Chalmers, principal of King’s college there. His grandfather was David Gregory of Kinardie, and his grand-uncle the James Gregory, whose life we have first given, the inventor of the reflecting telescope. Though the father of Dr. John Gregory died when he was very young, his education was carefully superintended, and he made a rapid progress in his studies, and like the rest of his ancestors became deeply versed in mathematical knowledge. He also cultivated an elegant and just taste, clearness -and beauty of expression, with precision of judgment, and extensive knowledge. He was the early, intimate, and constant friend and associate of Drs. Gerard, Beattie, and the other eminent men who belonged to the university of Aberdeen. In 1742, he went to Edinburgh, to prosecute the study of medicine, and thence to Leyden in 1745, and to Paris in 1746, for further improvement. On his return he was appointed professor of philosophy in King’s college, Aberdeen, and had at the same time the degree of M. D. conferred upon him. He held this professorship for a few years. In 1754, he went to London, where he. cultivated the acquaintance, and fixed the esteem and friendship of' some of the most distinguished literati there. Edward Montague, esq. an eminent mathematician, maintained a firm friendship for the doctor, founded on a similarity of manners and studies. His, lady the celebrated Mrs. Montague? and George lord Lyttelton, were of the number of his friends; and it is not improbable that he would have continued in London, and practised there in his profession, if the death of his brother Dr. James Gregory, professor of physic in King’s college, Aberdeen, in 1756, had not occasioned his being recalled to his native university to fill that chair. His occupations in physic now began to be active; he gave a course of lectures in physic, and practised in his profession, with great success. In the above-mentioned year, while at London, he was elected a fellow of the royal society. In 1766, on the death of Dr. Robert Whytt, the ingenious professor of the theory of physic at Edinburgh, Dr. Gregory was called to succeed him, as his majesty’s first physician in Scotland; and about the same time he was chosen to fill the chair of professor of the practice of physic, which was just resigned by Dr. Rutherford. Dr. Gregory gave three successive courses of practical lectures. Afterwards by agreement with his ingenious colleague, Dr. Cullen, they lectured alternate sessions, on the practice and institutions of medicine, with just and universal approbation, till the time of Dr. Gregory’s death.
rank he held in it, and in the public esteem, by still greater exertions of labour and assiduity. It was during this time of business and occupation, that he prepared
The doctor having attained the first dignities of his profession in his native country, and the most important medical station in the university, far from relaxing from that
attention to the duties of his profession which had raised
him, endeavoured to merit the rank he held in it, and in
the public esteem, by still greater exertions of labour and
assiduity. It was during this time of business and occupation, that he prepared and published his practical Syllabus
for the use of students, which, if it had been finished,
would have proved a very useful book of practice; and
likewise, those admired “Lectures on the Duties, Office,
and Studies of a Physician.
”
But for some days, and even that preceding his death, he had been as well as usual; at midnight, he was left in good spirits by Dr. Johnstone, late physician in Worcester,
Dr. Gregory, for many years before his death, felt the
approach of disease, and apprehended, from an hereditary
and cruel gout, the premature death, which indeed too
soon put a period to his life and usefulness. In this anxious
expectation, he had prepared “A Father’s Legacy to his
Daughters.
” But for some days, and even that preceding
his death, he had been as well as usual; at midnight, he
was left in good spirits by Dr. Johnstone, late physician in
Worcester, at that time his clinical clerk; yet at nine
o'clock in the morning of the 10th of February, 1773, he
was found dead in his bed.
Dr. Gregory was tall in person, and remarkable for the sweetness of his disposition
Dr. Gregory was tall in person, and remarkable for the sweetness of his disposition and countenance, as well as for the ease and openness of his manners. He was an universal and elegant scholar, an experienced, learned, sagacious, and humane physician a professor, who had the happy talent of interesting his pupils, and of directing their attention to subjects of importance, and of explaining difficulties with simplicity and clearness. He entered with great warmth into the interests and conduct of his hearers, and gave such as deserved it every encouragement and assistance in his power: open, frank, social, and undisguised in his life and manners, sincere in his friendships, a tender husband and father: and an unaffected, cheerful, candid, benevolent man.
“Comparative View of the state and faculties of Man with those of the Animal World,” 8vo. This work was first read to a private literary society at Aberdeen, and without
Dr. Gregory published: 1. “Comparative View of the
state and faculties of Man with those of the Animal World,
”
8vo. This work was first read to a private literary society
at Aberdeen, and without the most distant view to publication. Many hints are thrown out in it on subjects of consequence, with less formality, and more freedom, than if
publication had been originally intended. The author put
his name to the second edition of this work many additions
are also joined to it and it is dedicated to George lord
Lyttelton, who always professed a high esteem for the
author and his writings. This work, indeed, if the author
had left no other, must convince every one, that, as a man
of science, he possessed extensive knowledge, exquisite
taste and judgment, and great liberality of mind. 2. 4 * Observations on the duties and offices of a Physician, and on
the method of prosecuting inquiries in Philosophy,“1770,
8vo, published by one who heard the professor deliver them,
in lectures; but they were acknowledged, and republished
in a more correct form, by the author, in the same year.
3.
” Elements of the practice of Physic for the use of
Students," 1772, repubiished 1774, and intended as a text
book, to be illustrated by his lectures on the practice of
physic; but he died before he had finished it, and before
he had finished the first course of lectures which he gave
on that text.
The doctor’s death happened while he was lecturing on the pleurisy. His son, Dr. James Gregory, finished
The doctor’s death happened while he was lecturing on
the pleurisy. His son, Dr. James Gregory, finished that
course of lectures, to the general satisfaction of the university and published in 1774, a small tract of his father’s,
entitled “A Father’s Legacy to his Daughters
” which
was written solely for their use (about eight years before the author died) with the tenderest affection, and deepest
concern for their happiness. This work evinces great
knowledge of human nature, and of the world, and manifests such solicitude for their welfare as strongly recommends the advice which he gives. In 1788, all his works
were published together in 4 vols. 8vo, with a life of himself, and an account of his family.
of the best rank in the town; and, his parents being well respected for their piety and honesty, it was resolved to give him a liberal education at the university,
, a learned divine of a different family from the preceding, wus born November 10, 1607, at
Agmondesham, in Buckinghamshire. There appeared in
his infancy such a strong inclination to learning, as recommended him to the notice of some persons of the best rank
in the town; and, his parents being well respected for their
piety and honesty, it was resolved to give him a liberal
education at the university, the ex pence of which they
were not able to support. To this purpose, he was chosen
at the age of fifteen, by Dr. Crooke, to go with sir William
Drake to Christ church, in Oxford, whom he attended in
the station of a servitor, and he was soon after retained by
sir Robert Crook in the same capacity; Dr. George MorJey, afterwards bishop of Winchester, was their tutor. Mr.
Gregory made the best use of this favour, and applied
so closely to his studies, for several years at the rate
of sixteen hours each day, that he became almost a prodigy for learning. He took his first degree in arts in 1628,
and commenced master in 1631; about which time, entering into orders, the dean, Dr. Brian Duppa, gave him
a chaplain’s place in that cathedral. In 1634, he published
a second edition of sir Thomas Ridley’s “View of the Civil
and Ecclesiastical Law,
” 4to, with notes; which was well
received, and afforded the world eminent proofs of his extensive knowledge; the notes shewing him well versed in?
historical, ecclesiastical, ritual, and oriental learning, and
a considerable master of the Saxon, French, Italian, Spanish, and all the eastern languages. All these acquisitions
were the pure fruit of his own industry; for he had no assistance, except for the Hebrew tongue, in which Mr. John
Dod, the decalogist, gave him some directions, during one
vacation that he resided with him near Banbury. His merit engaged the farther kindness of Dr. Duppa; and, when
that prelate was promoted to the bishopric of Chichester
in 1638, he made Mr. Gregory his domestic chaplain, and
some time after gave him a prebend in that church. His
patron also continued his favours after his translation to the
see of Salisbury in 1G41, when he seated him in a stall of
that cathedral.
id not enjoy the benefit of these preferments long being a firm loyalist, as well as his patron > he was deprived or both by the tyranny of the usurpers, and was reduced
But he did not enjoy the benefit of these preferments
long being a firm loyalist, as well as his patron > he was
deprived or both by the tyranny of the usurpers, and was
reduced some years before his death to great distress. In.
these circumstances, he was taken into the house of one
Sutton, to whose son he had been tutor; this was an obscure ale-house on Kiddington-green, near Oxford, where
he died March 13, 1646, of an hereditary gout, with which
he had been troubled for above twenty years, and which
at last seized his stomach. His corpse was carried to Oxford, and interred, at the expence of some friends, in that
cathedral. He was honoured with the acquaintance and
favour of the greatest men of the age, and held a correspondence with several eminent persons abroad, as well
Jews and Jesuits, as others. His works are, “Notes and
Observations on some passages of Scripture,
” published a
little before his death in Critici Sacri.
” His posthumous works were published by his friend Mr. John Gurgany, B D. of Merton college, in a quarto volume, entitled
“Gregorii Posthuma,
” A Discourse of the LXX Interpreters;
the place and manner of their interpretation.
” II. “A
Discourse declaring what time the Nicene Creed began to
be sung in the Church.
” III. “A Sermon upon the Resurrection, from 1 Cor. xv. verse 20.
” IV. “Kaivav tievrep-,
or, a Disproof of him in the third of St. Luke, verse 36.
”
V. “Episcopus Puerorum in die Innocentium.
” VI. “De
JEris & Epochis, shewing the several accounts of time
among all nations from the creation to the present age.
”
VII. “The Assyrian Monarchy, being a description of its
rise and fall.
” “VIII.
” The description and use of the
Terrestrial Globe.“Besides these, he wrote a tract entitled
” Alkibla,“in which he endeavoured to vindicate the
antiquity of worshiping towards the East. There is a
manuscript of his entitled
” Observationes in loca quaedam
excerpta ex Johannis Malelae chronographia,“in the public library at Oxford; and he intended to have published a
Latin translation of that author with annotations. He
translated likewise from Greek into Latin, 1.
” Palladius de
Gentibus Indiae & Brachmanibus“2.
” S. Ambrosius de
Moribus Brachmannorum“3.
” Anonymus de Brachmanibus" which translations came after his death into
the hands of Mr. Edmund Chilmead, chaplain of Christ
church, Oxford, and then into those of Edward Byshe, esq.
who published them in his own name at London, 1665, 4to.
, D. D. a divine and miscellanebus writer, was descended from a family, originally from Scotland, but a branch
, D. D. a divine and miscellanebus writer, was descended from a family, originally from Scotland, but a branch of which was settled in Ireland. His father, who had been educated in Trinity college, Dublin, held, at the time of his son’s birth, the living of Edernin, and a prebend in the cathedral of Ferns. Dr. Gregory was born April 14, 1754, and after his father’s death in 1766, was removed to Liverpool, where his mother fixed her residence. He passed some time under the tuition of an excellent schoolmaster of the name of Holder), by whom he was much distinguished for his proficiency in learning. As it was his mother’s desire that he should be brought up to commerce, he spent some years in mercantile employments; but a taste for literature, which continued to be his ruling propensity, produced a final determination in favour of a learned profession. Although the regular process of education for this purpose had been interrupted, the intervening variety of pursuit and observation proved the foundation of a great store of information relative to the arts and sciences, to commerce, manufactures, and political institutions, that was very useful in his subsequent compilations. When his destination was fixed, he passed an interval of study at the university of Edinburgh, and in 1776 entered into holy orders. He first officiated as a curate at Liverpool, where he distinguished himself as a preacher, and wrote some occasional pieces in the periodical journals and magazines, particularly against the slave trade, which he had the spirit to attack in the principal seat of that traffic. In 1782 he removed to London, and obtained the curacy of St. Giles’s Cripplegate, in which parish he became very popular, both in that capacity and afterwards as their morningpreacher. His other London preferments, if they may be so called, were the curacy and lectureship of St. Botolph’s, the lectureship of St. Lute’s, one of the weekly lectureships of St. Antholin’s, and a small prehend in St. Paul’s, which he relinquished for the rectory of Stapleford in Hertfordshire. He was also some time one of the evening preachers at the Foundling hospital. In 1804 he was presented by Mr. Addington, now lord Sidmbuth, to the valuable living of West Ham in Essex, where in a little time the powers of his constitution, although apparently a strong one, suddenly gave way, and he died, after a short confinement, March 12, 1808.
The greater part of Dr. Gregory’s time, after his arrival in London, was spent in literary employment, and principally in compilations
The greater part of Dr. Gregory’s time, after his arrival
in London, was spent in literary employment, and principally in compilations that were successful and useful. He
was the first who, about 1782-3, suggested a series of extracts from eminent authors, which were published by the late
Mr. Kearsley of Fleet-street, under the name of “Beauties,
” and had a very extensive sale. He afterwards published an original work, entitled “Essays historical and
moral,
” 2.
” Church History,“1788, and 1795, 2 vols. 3.
” Life of
Chatterton,“1780, 8vo, inserted afterwards in the
” Biographia Britannica,“for which it was originally intended.
4.
” Sermons,“1789. 5. A translation of Telemachus, or
rather a revisal of Hawkesworth’s translation, 1795, 4to.
6.
” The Economy of Nature,“3 vols. 8vo. 7.
” A Dictionary of Arts and Sciences,“1806, 2 vols. 4to. To some
of these it is supposed he contributed little more than his
name; but the number of works which he compiled without his name, would furnish perhaps a more numerous list.
Among others he was many years editor of the
” New Annual Register,“conducted through the whole of the French
war with bitter hostility to the measures of the British government. He took advantage, however, of the short interval of peace, to give it a turn favourable to the then administration, which it is said procured him the living of
West Ham. He left in the press
” Letters on Natural and
Experimental Philosophy,“and a
” Series of Letters to
his Son," which have since been published.
the sixteenth century, one of the greatest masters of what Roman catholics call the spiritual life, was born in 1504, at Grenada. He was educated in the house of the
, a celebrated Dominican in the
sixteenth century, one of the greatest masters of what
Roman catholics call the spiritual life, was born in 1504, at
Grenada. He was educated in the house of the marquis
de Mondejar, and acquired great reputation by his piety,
preaching, and writings. The kings of Portugal and Castile had a particular esteem for him, and would have raised
him to the highest ecclesiastical dignities, but he persisted in refusing their offers. He died December 31,
1588. His works have been translated into French by
Mr. Girard, in 2 vols. folio, and 10 vols. 8vo. They are
said to be written with uncommon eloquence of style, and
contain solid instruction. The principal are, “The Sinner’s Guide,
” 1 vol. the “Memorial of the Christian Life,
”
with the supplement, 3 vols. a “Treatise on Prayer,
” 2
vols. an excellent “Catechism,
” 4 vols. the edition of
1709 is more complete than the preceding ones. “Instructions for Preachers,
” 8vo, a treatise on the duties of
bishops; “Sermons,
” 6 vols. 8vo, Antwerp, 1604, in
Latin the Life of the Holy Priest, Avila, &C.
mily distinguished by many honourable persons, which took its name from a town so called in Norfolk, was the younger son of sir Richard Gresham, knight, alderman, sheriff,
, descended of an ancient
family distinguished by many honourable persons, which
took its name from a town so called in Norfolk, was the
younger son of sir Richard Gresham, knight, alderman,
sheriff, and lord mayor of London, an opulent merchant,
and a man of great public spirit, who died in February
1548. His brother, sir John Gresham, was also an opulent merchant, and had served the offices of alderman,
sheriff, and lord mayor. He died of a pestilential fever in
1556, after, among other acts of munificence, endowing the
free school of Holt in Norfolk, and bestowing the government of it on the fishmongers’ company in London. Thomas, the son of the preceding sir Richard, was born in
1519 at London, and bound apprentice to a mercer there
while he was young: but, to enlarge his mind by an education suitable to his birth and fortune, was sent to Caius
college, then Gonvil-hall, in Cambridge; where he remained a considerable time, and made such improvements
in learning, that Caius the founder of the college styles
him “doctissimus mercator,
” the very learned merchant.
However, the profits of trade were then so great, and such
large estates had been raised by it in his own family, that
he afterwards engaged in it, and was admitted a member
of the Mercers’ company in 1543. About this time he
warned Anne, the daughter of William Femley, esq. of
West Creting, in Suffolk, und widow of William Heade, of
Fulham, in Middlesex, esq., by whom he had a son named
Richard, who not long after succeeded his father in the office
of agent to king Edward for taking up money of the merchants at Antwerp, and removed to that city with his family
in 1551.
ch the business of taking up money of the merchants at Antwerp for the king’s use, had been managed, was greatly to the prejudice of the crown of England, as well by
The business of his employ gave him a great deal of trouble and much uneasiness. The usual method in which the business of taking up money of the merchants at Antwerp for the king’s use, had been managed, was greatly to the prejudice of the crown of England, as well by giving a very large interest for the money borrowed, as other inconveniences, when the principal was not paid within the time of the contract. And as the money which was now taken up in Mr. Gresham’s agency, was not paid at the time agreed on, this gave him great uneasiness, his business being then to get it prolonged, which was not to be done without the consideration of the king’s purchasing jewels or some other commodities to a large amount, as a consideration for prolonging the debt, besides continuing the interest. But this way of proceeding he neither thought for his majesty’s honour nor his own credit, as his agent, and therefore projected the following scheme to bring the king wholly out of debt in two years Provided the king and council would assign him 1200l. or 1300l. a week, to be secretly received at one man’s hands, that so it might be kept secret, he would so use that matter in Antwerp, that every day he would be seen to take up in his own name 200l. sterling by exchange, which would amount in one year to 73,000l. and so doing; it should not be perceived nor give occasion to make the exchange fall. He proposed farther, that the king should take all the lead into his own hands, and making a staple of it, should put out a proclamation or shut up the custom-house, that no lead should be conveyed out of the kingdom for five years; by which the king might cause it to rise, and feed them at Antwerp from time to time, as they should have need. By which means he might keep his money within the realm, and bring himself out of the debts which his father and the Jate duke of Somerset had brought upon him. This scheme being put into execution, had the proposed effect in discharging his majesty’s debts, which were very considerable, as well as in raising his majesty’s credit so high abroad, that he might have borrowed what sums he pleased; and, by the advantageous turn which by this means was given to the exchange in favour of England, not only the price of all foreign commodities was greatly sunk and abated; but likewise gold and silver, which before had been exported in large quantities, were most plentifully brought back again.
in the course of that reign grants of estates and reversions to the value of about 300l. a year. He was but a young man when first employed by king Edward; and the
In the performance of these services, Gresham often stretched his own credit, and kept up the exchange at his own risk, by which he frequently lost several hundred pounds at a time; and on one particular time he took up 50,000l. for the king’s service. In the course of these transactions, he had frequently occasion to meddle with political affairs, as well as those immediately committed to his charge, through the application of the emperor’s sister, then regent in the Netherlands, as well as that of the Icing his master; so that he made at least forty journeys from England to Antwerp during the remainder of the short reign of Edward VI. These services were so acceptable to the young monarch, that about three weeks before his death, he granted to Mr. Gresham, as a mark of his favour, Iool a year to him and his heirs for ever. Mr. Gresham also obtained, in the course of that reign grants of estates and reversions to the value of about 300l. a year. He was but a young man when first employed by king Edward; and the skill and prudence displayed in the various matters in which he was employed, discovered an uncommon knowledge of mercantile affairs. But notwithstanding his abilities, and the considerable services he had rendered to the crown, he was, upon the accession of queen Mary, removed from his agency. This induced him to draw up a memorial of his services to the late king, which he sent to a minister of state to be laid before her majesty; and the services lepresented as done, not only to the king, but to the nation in general, by the increase both of money and trade, and the advancement of the public credit, being observed to be fact, he was taken soon after into the queen’s service, and reinstated in his former employment, as appears by the commissions given him at different times during that reign. After the decease of queen Mary, in 1558, he was taken immediately into the service of queen Elizabeth, who employed him on her accession to provide and buy up arms; and in 1559 she conferred on him the honour of knighthood, and appointed him her agent in foreign parts. In this state of credit and reputation, he thought proper to provide himself with a mansion-house in the city, suitable to his station and dignity; and with this spirit built a large and sumptuous house for his own dwelling, on the west-side of Bishopsgate-street, London, afterwards called Gresham-college, where he maintained an establishment becoming his character and station. But this flow of prosperity received a heavy check by the loss of his only son, aged 16 years, who died in 1564, and was buried in St. Helen’s church, opposite to his mansion house.
building he supposes would cost upwards of 2000l., 1000l. of which he doubts not to raise before he was out of his office: but nothing effectual was done in it. Sir
At this time the merchants of London met in Lombardstreet, exposed to the open air and all the injuries of the
weather. To remedy wbich inconvenience, sir Thomas’s
father during his shrievalty wrote a letter to sir Thomas
Audeley then lord-privy-seal, acquainting him that there
were certain houses in that street belonging to sir George
Monoux, which if purchased and pulled down, a handsome
exchange might be built on the ground; he therefore desired his lordship to move his majesty, that a letter might
be sent to sir George, requiring him to sell those houses
to the mayor and commonalty of the city of London for
that purpose. The building he supposes would cost upwards of 2000l., 1000l. of which he doubts not to raise
before he was out of his office: but nothing effectual was
done in it. Sir Thomas therefore took up his father’s design, and improving upon his spirit, proposed that if the
citizens would give him a piece of ground in a proper
place large enough for the purpose, he would build ari
exchange at his own expence with large and covered
walks, where the merchants and traders of all sorts might
daily assemble and transact business at all seasons, without
interruption from the weather or impediments of any kind.
This generous offer was gratefully accepted, and in 1566
several houses upon Cornhill and the back of it, with three
alleys, called Swan-alley, New-alley, and St. Christopher’s alley, containing in all eighty houses, were purchased
by the citizens for more than 3532l. and sold for 478l. on
condition of pulling them down, and carrying off the stuff.
This done, the ground-plot was made plain at the charges
of the city, and possession given to sir Thomas, who was
styled “Agent to the queen’s highness
” and who, on the
7th of June, laid the first stone of the foundation and
the work was forthwith followed with such diligence, that
by Nov. 1567, the same was covered with slate, and the
shell shortly after fully finished. It is said that the timber
of which this fabric was built, was first framed and put together at Battisford, near Ipswich, in Suffolk, and thence
brought to London.
The plan of this edifice, was formed from the exchange at Antwerp, being an oblong square,
The plan of this edifice, was formed from the exchange
at Antwerp, being an oblong square, with a portico supported with pillars of marble, ten on the north and south
sides, and seven on the east and west; under which stood
the shops each seven feet and a hall' long, and five feet
broad, in all 120, twenty-five on each side east and west,
and thirty-four and an half north, and thirty-five and an
half south, each of which paid sir Thomas 47. 105. a year
upon an average. There were likewise other shops fitted
up at first in the vaults below, but the dampness and darkness rendered these so inconvenient, that the vaults were
soon let out to other uses; upon the roof stood at each
earner, upon a pedestal, a grasshopper, which was the
crest of sir Thomas’s arms. This edifice was fully completed, and the shops opened in 1569; and Jan. 29, 1570,
queen Elizabeth attended by her nobility, came from Somerset-house thither, and caused it by a trumpet and a herald
to be proclaimed “The Royal Exchange.
” The story, however, of sir Thomas’s having on this day reduced a costly
pearl to powder, and drank it up in a glass of wine, seems
to rest on very slender foundation, and is very inconsistent with his character, who knew how to unite the
magnificence of the nobleman with the prudence of the
merchant.
In the mean time he had scarcely entered upon the execution of this noble design, when in 1566, he was sent over to Antwerp to take up the sum of 14,667l. Flemish
In the mean time he had scarcely entered upon the execution of this noble design, when in 1566, he was sent
over to Antwerp to take up the sum of 14,667l. Flemish
money, for her majesty, and prolong the time of payment
for 34,3S5l. more; and in December of the same year,
there was another debt of the queen’s prolonged of S532l.
Flemish. Sir Thomas, however, perceiving the disadvantage of borrowing money from foreigners, at an exorbitant interest, advised her majesty to take up what money
she wanted of her own merchants; which advice, however,
was not immediately adopted, but in 1569 an opportunity
occurred which rendered his advice necessary. The quarrel which at this time took place between queen Elizabeth
and the king of Spain, obliged the English merchants to
send their effects to Hamburgh, on which the duke of
Alva, governor of the Netherlands, prohibited all commerce with England. Upon this, secretary Cecil, who was
then at the head of the exchequer, had nis tears lot the
merchants would not have money enough to carry on their
trade, and the queen lest the falling off in the duties on
cloth might prevent her paying her debts abroad. Sir
Thomas, however, when consulted, told the secretary that
in his opinion the queen needed be at no difficulty to pay
her creditors, if she saw her merchants well paid in London
their first payment, which was half of her debt to them;
for by the time the other half should be payable, the merchants would have plenty of money both here and at Hamburgh. He assured him, that the commodities shipped by
our merchants from Hamburgh were well worth 100,000l.;
and those shipped hence with our goods thither, were
worth upwards of 200,000l. so that the duty upon cloths
(10,000l. at least) would enable the queen to discharge her
debt. As to the secretary’s fears respecting the merchants, sir Thomas observed that there was no foundation
for them, considering the great vent our commodities had
at Hamburgh already, and were likely to have, and therefore he advised that the first payment agreed on at Hamburgh should above all things be provided for; assuring
the secretary, that he knew certainly that the duke of Alva
was more troubled with the queen’s great credit, and with
the vent of her commodities at Hamburgh, than he was
with any thing else, and “quaked for fear;
” that this xvas
one of the principal hindrances to the payment of the tenth,
penny, then demanded by the duke for the sale of any
kind of goods in the Netherlands; which he believed would
be his undoing. He then renewed his advice respecting
borrowing of her own subjects in preference to foreigners,
urging many reasons grounded on facts. When, however,
the motion of lending money to the queen was first proposed among the merchants by sir Thomas, it met with
great opposition, and was negatived in the common-hall;
but upon more mature consideration afterwards several of
the merchants and aldermen lent her majesty various sumg
of money, to the value of 16,000l. for six months, at 6 per
cent, interest for that time. She gave bonds to each of
them separately for re-payment, and likewise -other accustomed bonds to discharge them of the statute of usury; and
when the six months were expired, she prolonged the payment for six month? more, paying the same interest, with
brokage. As her majesty was thus enabled to borrow
money of her own subjects, instead of foreigners, and the
commerce with Flanders, particularly Antwerp, was now
prohibited, sir Thomas’s office as agent for her majesty in
those parts, ceased of course. But in 1572, to shew her
regard for him, she was pleased to appoint him, together
with the archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of London,
and other persons of eminence, assistants to the lord mayor
for the government of the city of London during her intended progress that summer. This method was afterwards continued on similar occasions, and sir Thomas
Gresham was joined in the commission till 1578.
kmen from London, who so speedily and so silently performed their task, that before morning the wall was finished, to the great surprize of the queen and her courtiers,
Though sir Thomas had purchased very large estates in several counties of England, yet he thought a country seat near London, to which he might retire from business and the hurry of the city as often as he pleased, would be very convenient. With this view he bought Osterley-park, near Brentford, in Middlesex, where he built a large magnificent seat within the park, which he impaled, being well wooded, and furnished with many ponds stocked with fish and fowl, and of great use for mills, as paper-mills, oilmills, and corn-mills. In 1578, queen Elizabeth visited Osterley, where sir Thomas entertained her magnificently. On this occasion, having given it as her opinion that the court before the house would look better divided with a wajl, sir Thomas in the night sent for workmen from London, who so speedily and so silently performed their task, that before morning the wall was finished, to the great surprize of the queen and her courtiers, one of whom, however, observed, that it was no wonder that he who could build a change should so soon change a building. This became afterwards the property of the family of Child, and is now that of the right hon. the earl of Jersey, by marriage into that family.
Before Osterley was completed, sir Thomas projected and executed that noble design
Before Osterley was completed, sir Thomas projected and executed that noble design of converting his mansionhouse in Bishopsgate-street into a seat for the muses, and endowing it with the revenues arising from the royal exchange after his decease. While he was meditating this design, the university of Cambridge wrote him an elegant Latin letter, reminding him of a promise, as they had been informed, to give them 500l. either towards building a new college there, or repairing one already built. This letter was dated March 14, 1574-5; and it was followed by another of the 25th, to acquaint him with a report they had heard, that he had promised lady Burghley both to found and endow a college for the profession of the seven liberal sciences. They observe, that the only place proper for such a design, was either London, Oxford, or Cambridge; they endeavour to dissuade him from London, lest it should prove prejudicial to the two universities; and they hope he will not make choice of Oxford, since he was himself bred at Cambridge, which might presume upon a superior regard from him on that account. At the same time, they wrote another letter to the lady Burghley, in which they earnestly request that she will please to use her interest with him, to rix upon Cambridge for the place of his intended college.
e, as might best secure his views with regard to the uses for which he designed them. This indenture was soon followed by two wills, one of his goods, and the other
But these letters had not the desired effect he persisted in his resolution to settle it in his house at London and accordingly, by an indenture dated May 20, 1575, he made a disposition of his several manors, lands, tenements, and hereditaments; with such limitations and restrictions, particularly as to the royal exchange and his mansionhouse, as might best secure his views with regard to the uses for which he designed them. This indenture was soon followed by two wills, one of his goods, and the other of his real estates: the former of these bears date July 4th ensuing, whereby he bequeaths to his wife, whom he makes his sole executrix, all his goods, as ready money, plate, jewels, chains of gold, with all his stock of sheep and other cattle if within the realm of England, and likewise gives several legacies to his relations and friends and to all his servants, amounting in the whole to upwards of 2000l. besides some small annuities. The other will is dated July the 5th, wherein he gives one moiety of the royal exchange to the mayor and commonalty of London, and the other to the Mercers company, for the salaries of seven lecturers in divinity, law, physic, astronomy, geometry, music, and rhetoric, at 50l. per annum for each, with his house in Bishopsgate-street for the lecturers’ residence, where the lectures were to be read. He likewise leaves 53l. 6s. Sd. yearly for the provision of eight almsfolks residing in the alms-houses behind his house, and lOl. yearly to each of the prisons in Newgate, Ludgate, KingVbench, the Marshalsea, and Compter in Woodstreet, and the like sum to each of the hospitals of Christchurch, St. Bartholomew, Bedlam, Southwark, and the Poultry-compter; and 100l. yearly to provide a dinner fof the whole Mercers company in their hall on every of their quarter days, at 25l. each dinner. By this disposition sufficient care was taken that the two corporations, to whom the affair was trusted, should receive no damage by the execution of it; for the stated annual payments amount to no more than 6031. 6s. Sd. and the yearly rents of the exchange received by sir Thomas were 740l. besides the additional profits that must arise from time to time by fines, which were very considerable. But the lady Anne his wife was to enjoy both the mansion-house and the exchange during her life if she survived sir Thomas, and then they were both vested in the two corporations for the uses declared in the will for the term of fifty years; which limitation was made on account of the statutes of mortmain, that prohibited the alienation of lands or tenements to any corporation, without licence first had from the crown. And that space of time the testator thought sufficient for procuring such licence, the doing of which he earnestly recommends to them without delay; in default whereof, at the expiration of fifty years, these estates were to go to his heirs at law.
affairs so much to his own honour, the interest of the public, and the regards due to his family, he was at leisure to reap the fruits of his industry and success. But
Having thus settled his affairs so much to his own honour,
the interest of the public, and the regards due to his family, he was at leisure to reap the fruits of his industry
and success. But he did not long enjoy this felicity, for
Nov. 21, 1579, coming from the exchange to his house in
Bishopsgate-street, he suddenly fell down in his kitchen,
became speechless, and presently died. He was buried
in his own parish church of St. Helen’s. His obsequies
were performed in a very solemn manner, the corpse being
attended by 100 poor men, and the like number of poor
women, whom he had ordered to be cloathed in black
gowns of 5s. 8d. per yard at his own expence. The charges
of the funeral amounted to 800. His corpse was deposited
in a vault at the north-east corner of the church, which he
had before provided for himself and family, with a curious
marble tomb over it; on the south and west sides of which are
his own arms, and on the north and east the same impaled
with those of his lady. The arms of sir Thomas, together
with the City of London and Mercers company, are likewise painted in the glass of the east window of the church,
above the tomb, which stood as he left it without any inscription, till 1736, when the following words, taken from
the parish register, were cut on the stone that covers it,
by order of the church-wardens: “Sir Thomas Gresham,
knight, was buried December 15, 1579.
” By his death
many large estates in several counties of England, amounting at that time to the clear yearly value of 2300l. and upwards, came to his lady, who survived him many years,
and continued to reside after his decease in the mansionhouse at London, in the winter, and at Osterley-park in
the summer season, at which last place she died Nov. 23,
1596, very aged. Her corpse was brought to London, and
buried in the same vault with her husband.
his fortune, generous and benign; ready to perform any good actions and encourage them in others. He was a great friend and patron of our celebrated rnartyrologist John
Mr. Ward has drawn sir Thomas’s character at large,
and observes, that he had the happiness of a mind every
way suited to his fortune, generous and benign; ready to
perform any good actions and encourage them in others.
He was a great friend and patron of our celebrated rnartyrologist John Fox. He was well acquainted with the
ancient and several modern languages; he had a very
comprehensive knowledge of all affairs relating to commerce, whether foreign or domestic; and his success was
not less, being in his time esteemed trie richest commoner
in England. He transacted queen Elizabeth’s mercantile
affairs so constantly, that he was called “The Royal Merchant,
” and his house was sometimes appointed for the reception of foreign princes upon their first arrival at London.
As no one could be more ready to perform any generous
actions which might contribute to the honour of this
country, so he very well knew how to make the best use
of them for the most laudable purposes. Nor was he less
serviceable both to the queen and her ministry on other
occasions, who often consulted him, and sought his advice in matters of the greatest importance relating to the
welfare of the government. But the most shining part of
his character appears in his public benefactions. The
royal exchange was not pnly a singular ornament to the
city of London, and a great convenience to the merchants,
who wanted such a place to meet and transact their affairs
in, but likewise contributed very much to the promotion of
trade, both by the number of shops erected there, and the
much greater number of the poor; who were employed in
working for them. And the donation of his own mansionhouse for a seat of learning and the liberal arts, with the
handsome provision made for the endowment and support
of.it, was such an instance of a generous and public spirit
as has been equalled by few, and must perpetuate his memory with the highest esteem and gratitude so long as any
regard to learning and virtue is preserved among us. Nor
ought his charities to the poor, his alms-houses, and the
liberal contributions to the ten prisons and hospitals in
London and Southwark, to be omitted.
, a French poet of considerable eminence, was born 1709, at Amiens, entered among the Jesuits at 16, and quitted
, a French poet of
considerable eminence, was born 1709, at Amiens, entered among the Jesuits at 16, and quitted the society at
the age of 26, about the end of J735. It was about this
time his “Ver Vert
” first came out, which has been so
justly admired, as the production of a genius (in Rousseau’s judgment) “at once refined, embellished, ornamented;
”
appearing in short, “in all its perfection.
” This great
poet considers the author as “displaying in his familiar
style, whatever is most brilliant in poetry, and every idea
>vith which a complete knowledge of the world could furnish a man who had passed his whole life in it.
” He thought
the same of the “Chartreuse,
” another of his productions,
but accused its author of negligence in his other pieces,
being of opinion that the familiar style did not exclude the
perfection of poetry. M. Cresset was admitted into the
French academy in 1748, and gave up poetry that he
might devote himself wholly to works of piety, and died
June 16, 1777, at Amiens, after having received letters of
nobility, and been appointed historiographer of the order
of St. Lazore. He married in 1751, mademoiselle Galland, daughter of a merchant of Amiens, but had no
children. Besides the pieces above-mentioned, he wrote
“Le Lutrin vivant;
” Les Ombres;“” Epistles;“66 Odes
” a poetical translation of Virgil’s Eclogues
“Edward III.
” a tragedy “Sidney,
” and “Le Mechant,
”
comedies the latter of which is deservedly admired.
They have all been collected in 1748, 2 vols. 12mo. Two
little poems in the style of “Ver Vert
” were found among
his papers, one entitled “Le Gazetin;
” the other, “Le
Parrain Magnifique,
” but not the two cantos which he had
added to the Ver Vert. This last poem has been versified
in English by Gilbert Cooper, and by Dr. Geddes.
, a learned German, was born at Marcdorf about 1561, and entered among the society of
, a learned German, was born at Marcdorf about 1561, and entered among the society of Jesuits at the age of seventeen. When he had finished his studies, he was appointed a professor at Ingolstad, where he spent twenty-four years, teaching philosophy, morality, and school-divinity, employments which did not hinder him from, composing an unusual number of books. The catalogue of them, as given by Niceron, consists of near 153 articles; which, he tells us, were copied by him from the proposals, published in 1753, for priming an edition of all Gretser’s works at Ratisbon, in 17 vols. folio. His great erudition was equalled by his modesty, and we are told he could not bear to be commended. The inhabitants of Marcdorf were desirous of having his picture; but when informed of the earnest application they had made to his superiors for that purpose, he expressed his chagrin, and told them, that if they wanted his picture, they need but draw that of an ass. Still, however, to shew their regard, and in a way more acceptable to him, they purchased all his works, and devoted them to the use of the public. He died at Ingolstad, in 1635. He spent his whole life in writing against foreign and English protestant authors (See Thomas James), and in defending the order to which he belonged. Some authors have bestowed very great encomiums upon him, but others think his works only compilations of materials that may be useful to writers of more judgment. They were printed according to the proposals above-mentioned, at Ratisbon, 1739, 17 vols. folio.
, lord Brooke, an ingenious writer, was the eldest son of sir Fulk Greville, of Beauchamp-court (at
, lord Brooke, an ingenious writer, was the eldest son of sir Fulk Greville, of Beauchamp-court (at Alcaster) in Warwickshire, and born there in 1554. It is conjectured, that he was educated at the school in Shrewsbury; whence he was removed to Cambridge, and admitted a fellow-commoner at Trinitycollege; and some time after, making a visit to Oxford, he became a member of that university, but of what college is not certain. Having completed his academical studies, he travelled abroad to finish his education and Upon his return, being well accomplished, was introduced to the court of queen Elizabeth by his uncle Robert Greville, where he was esteemed a most ingenious person, and particularly favoured by the lovers of arts and sciences. He was soon nominated to some beneficial employment in the court of marches of Wales by his kinsman, sir Henry Sidney, then lord-president of that court and principality.
Our author was not then above twenty-two years of age, so that this post may
Our author was not then above twenty-two years of age,
so that this post may be esteemed an honourable attestation
of his merit. But the nature of it did not please him; his
ambition prompted him to another course of life. He had
already made some advances in the queen’s favour, had
attained a competent familiarity with the modern languages,
and some expertness in the martial exercises of those
times; these were qualifications for a foreign employment,
which was more agreeable to the activity of his temper,
and promised a quicker access to some of the first posts in
the state. In reality he was so eager to advance his fortune in this line, that to gratify his desire, he ventured
to incur his royal mistress’s displeasure, and made several
attempts in it, not only with, but even without her majesty’s consent. Out of many of these we have an account
of the few following from his own pen. First, when the
two mighty armies of Don John and the duke Casimire
were to meet in the Low-countries, he applied and obtained her majesty’s leave under her own hand, to go thither; but after his horses with all other preparations were
shipped at Dover, the queen (who always discouraged these excursions) sent her messenger, sir Edward Dyer,
with her mandate to stop him. He was so much vexed at
this disappointment, that afterwards, when secretary Walsingham was sent ambassador in 1578, to treat with those
two princes, an opportunity of seeing an affair in which so
much Christian blood and so many Christian empires were
concerned, was so tempting, that he resolved not to risque
a denial, and therefore stole away without leave, and went
over with the secretary incog. The consequence was,
that at his return the queen forbade him her presence for
many months. To the same ambition may also be referred
his engagement with sir Philip Sidney to accompany sir
Francis Drake in his last expedition but one to the WestIndies in 1515, in which they were both frustrated by the
same authority.
Again, when the earl of Leicester was sent general of
her majesty’s forces the same year, and had given Mr.
Greville the command of one hundred horse, “Then I,
”
to use his own words, “giving my humour over to good
order, yet found that neither the intercession of this grandee, seconded with my own humble suit, and many other
honourable friends of mine, could prevail against the constant course of this excellent lady (the queen) with her
servants, so as I was forced to tarry behind, and for this importunity of mine to change my course, and seem to press
nothing before my service about her; this princess of government as well as kingdoms made me live in her court a
spectacle of disfavour too long as I conceived.
”
iefly from the processes which went out of that court, all of which are made out by that officer. He was also constituted secretary for South and North Wales by the
During his excursions abroad, his royal mistress granted him the reversion of two of the best offices in the court of the marches of Wales, one of which falling to him in 1580, he met with some difficulties about the profits. In this contest he experienced the friendship of sir Philip Sidney, who by a letter written to his father’s secretary, Mr. Molyneux, April 10, 1581, prevailed on him not to oppose his cousin Greville' s title in any part or construction of his patents; and a letter of sir Francis Walsingham to the president, the next day, April 11, put an end to the opposition that had been made from another quarter. This office appears to be clerk of the signet to the council of Wales, which is said to have brought him in yearly above 2000l. arising chiefly from the processes which went out of that court, all of which are made out by that officer. He was also constituted secretary for South and North Wales by the queen’s letters patent, bearing date April 25, 1583. In the midst of these civil employments he made a conspicuous figure when the French ambassadors, accompanied by great numbers of their nobility, were in England a second time to treat of the queen’s marriage with the duke of Anjou, in 1581. Tilts and tournaments were the courtly entertainments in those days; and they were performed in the most magnificent manner on this occasion by two noblemen, beside sir Philip Sidney and Fulk Greville, who with the rest behaved so bravely as to win the reputation of a most gallant knight. In 1586 these two friends were separated by the unfortunate death of the former, who be* queathed to his dear friend one moiety of his books.
ttended his kinsman, the earl of Essex, to Oxford; and among other persons in that favourite’s train was created M. A. April 11, that year. In 1558 he was accused to
In 1558 Mr. Greville attended his kinsman, the earl of Essex, to Oxford; and among other persons in that favourite’s train was created M. A. April 11, that year. In 1558 he was accused to the lords of the council, by a certificate of several gentlemen borderers upon Farickwood in Warwickshire, of having made waste there to the value of 14,000 but the prosecution seems to have been dropped, and, October 1597, he received the honour of knighthood. In the beginning of March the same year, he applied for the office of treasurer of the war; and about two years afterwards, in the 41st of Elizabeth, he obtained the place of treasurer of marine causes for life. In 1599 a commission was ordered to be made out for him as rear-admiral of the fleet, which was intended to be sent forth against another threatened invasion by the Spaniards.
beginning of the next opened no less in his favour. At the coronation of James I. July 15, 1603, he was made K. B. and his office of secretary to the council of the
During this glorious reign he frequently represented his county in the house of commons, together with sir Thomas Lacy; and it has been observed that a better choice could not have been made, as both of them were learned, wise, and honest. He continued a favourite of queen Elizabeth to the end of her reign. The beginning of the next opened no less in his favour. At the coronation of James I. July 15, 1603, he was made K. B. and his office of secretary to the council of the court of marches of Wales was confirmed to him for life, by a patent bearing date July 24. In the second year of this king he obtained a grant of Warwick castle. He was greatly pleased with this favour; and, the castle being in a ruinous condition, he laid out at least 20,000l. in repairing it.
He was afterwards possessed of several very beneficial places in the
He was afterwards possessed of several very beneficial places in the marches court of Wales, and at this time he seems to have confined his views within the limits of these offices. He perceived the measures of government quite altered, and the state waning from the lustre in which he had seen it shine; besides, he had little hopes of being preferred to any thing considerable in the ministry, as he met with some discouragements from sir Robert Cecil, the secretary, and the persons in power. In this position of affairs he seems to have formed some schemes of retirement, in order to write the history of queen Elizabeth’s life. With this view he drew up a plan, commencing with the union of the two roses in the marriage of Henry VII. and had made some progress in the execution of it; but the perusal of the records in the council chest being denied him by the secretary, as he could not complete his work in that authentic and substantial manner which would do him credit, he broke off the design, and disposed himself to revise the product of his juvenile studies and his poetical recreations with sir Philip Sidney.
er Cecil, he obtained no advancement in the court or state; but, in 1615, some time after his death, was made under-treasurer and chancellor of the exchequer; in consequence
During the life of the treasurer Cecil, he obtained no
advancement in the court or state; but, in 1615, some
time after his death, was made under-treasurer and chancellor of the exchequer; in consequence of which he was
called to the board of privy-council. In 1617 he obtained
from the king a special charter, confirming all such liberties
as had been granted to any of his ancestors in behalf of the
town of Alcester, upon a new reserved rent of ten shillings
a year; and, in 1620, was created lord Brooke of Beau*
champ-court. He obtained this dignity as well by his
merit and fidelity in the discharge of his offices as by his
noble descent from theNevils, Willoughbys de Brook, and
Beauchamps. In September 1621, he was made one of the
lords of the king’s bed-chamber; and on this, resigning his
post in the exchequer, he was succeeded therein by Richard
Weston, afterwards earl of Portland. After the demise of
king James, he continued in the privy-council of Charles
I. in the beginning of whose reign he founded a historylecture in the university of Cambridge, and endowed it
with a salary of lOOl. per annum. He did not long survive
this last act of generosity; for, though he was a munificent
patron of learning and learned men, he at last fell a sacrifice to the extraordinary outrage of a discontented domestic. The account we have of this fatal event is, that his
lordship, neglecting to reward one Ralph Heywood, who
had spent the greatest part of his life in his service, this
attendant expostulated thereupon with his lordship in his
bed-chamber, at Brook-house in Holborn; and, being severely reproved for it, presently gave his lordship a mortal
stab in the back with a knife or sword; after which he
withdrew into another room, and, locking the door, murdered himself with the same weapon. He died September
30, 1628, and his corpse being wrapt in lead, was conveyed
from Brook-house, Holborn, to Warwick; where it was
interred on the north side of the choir of St. Mary’s church,
there, in his own vault, which had formerly been a chapter-house of the church; and where, upon his monument,
there is this inscription: “Fulke Greville, servant to
queen Elizabeth, counsellor to king James, and friend
to sir Philip Sidney. Tropheum peccati.
” He made that
dear friend the great exemplar of his life in every thing;
and Sidney being often celebrated as the patron of the
muses in general, and of Spenser in particular, so we are
told, lord Brooke desired to be known to posterity under
no other character than that of Shakspeare’s and Ben Jonson’s master, lord-chancellor Egerton and bishop Overal’s
patron. His lordship also obtained the office of clarencieux
at arms for Mr. Camden, who very gratefulty acknowledged
it in his life-time, and at his death left him a piece of plate
in his will. He also raised John Speed from a mechanic
to be an historiographer.
His lordship had an inclination to history and poetry. Hence, with respect to the former, it was that lord Bacon submitted his “Life of Henry VII.” to his perusal
His lordship had an inclination to history and poetry.
Hence, with respect to the former, it was that lord Bacon
submitted his “Life of Henry VII.
” to his perusal and
animadversions. And his extraordinary kindness to sir
William Davenant must be added to other conspicuous
evidences of the latter; that poet he took into his family
when very young, and was so much delighted with his promising genius, that, as long as the patron lived, the poet
had his residence with him, and probably formed the plan
of some of his first plays under his lordship’s encouragement, since they were published soon after his death. This
noble lord was never married, so that his honour falling
by the patent to his kinsman Robert Greville, he directed
his estate also by his will to go along with it to the same
relation, being next of kin to him.
The Robert Greville, whom we have mentioned as the adopted heir of lord Brooke, was educated by him as became the estate and dignity to which he
The Robert Greville, whom we have mentioned as the
adopted heir of lord Brooke, was educated by him as became the estate and dignity to which he was to succeed;
but when the civil war commenced, he joined the parliament army, in whose cause he had written some treatises,
and was killed in battle at Litchfield, in 1643, in the thirtyfilth year of his age. He wrote, i. “The Nature of Tiuth;
its union and unity with the soule, which is one in its essence, faculties, acts; one with truth,
” Lond. A Discourse opening the nature of that Episcopacie
which is exercised in England,
” ibid. Two
Speeches, spoken in the Guildhall, London, concerning his
majesty’s refusal of a Treaty of Peace,
” ibid. Answer to the Speech of Philip earl of Pembroke, concerning Accommodation, in the house of lords, Dec. 19,
1642,
” printed by order of the house, and reprinted in
lord Somers’s tracts; but which appears to have been
drawn up by lord Clarendon, as containing the substance
of lord Brooke’s sentiments. 5. “Speech at the Election
of his captains and commanders at Warwick-castle,
” London,
, a French poet and physician, was born at Clermont, in Beauvoisis, in 1533. He began early to
, a French poet and physician, was
born at Clermont, in Beauvoisis, in 1533. He began early
to write, producing his tragedy of the “Death of Caesar
”
in his fifteenth year; and practised physic with success.
He was long retained in the service of Margaret of France,
duchess of Savoy, whom he followed to Piedmont. He
* Lord Orford erroneously attributes 4to, which was evidently written by to him “Sir Fulke Grevilta’s Five one of
* Lord Orford erroneously attributes 4to, which was evidently written by
to him “Sir Fulke Grevilta’s Five one of the presbyterian party, and was
Yeares of king James, or the condition afterwards republishetl, with additions,
of the state of England, and the rela- under the title of
” The first Fourteen
tion it had to other provinces,“1643, Years of king James,
” 1651, 4to.
died at Turin the 5th of November 1573. There are three
plays extant of his: “The Treasurer’s Wife,
” a comedy,
in Death of Caesar,
” a tragedy; and the
“Frighted Ones, (Les Esbahis)
” a comedy, both acted the
same day at the college of Beauvais in 1560. Grevin,
though snatched away by a premature death, had acquired
a great reputation, not only as a poet, but as a physician.
Some of his countrymen, speaking of his dramas, give him
this favourable testimony, “that he effaced all who preceded him on the French stage, and that eight or ten such
poets as he would have put it on a good footing, his versification being easy and smooth, especially in his comedies,
and his plots well contrived.
” His poems and plays were
printed at Paris, 1561, 8vo. He left also a “Treatise on
Poisons,
” and another “against Antimony,
” both translated
into Latin, and printed in 4to. It was by his means that
the absurd decree of the faculty of Paris, afterwards confirmed by parliament, against the use of antimony in medicine, was passed. He was a Calvinist, and united with Rochandieu and Florence Christian in their ingenious poem
entitled “The Temple,
” which they wrote against Ronsard, who had abused the Calvinists in his discourse on the
Miseries of Time."
, a worthy parish priest, was born in November 1607, at Atherston, in the parish of Manceter,
, a worthy parish priest, was born in November 1607, at Atherston, in the parish of Manceter, Warwickshire; and, having been well grounded in grammar-learning under his uncle Mr. John Denison, was admitted a student of Baliol college, Oxford, in 1624. Here pursuing his studies carefully, he became qualified for academical honours; and, taking both his degrees in arts at the regular times, he was ordained at twenty-eight years of age by Dr. Wright, bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. In the beginning of the civil wars he sided with the parliament party, took the covenant, and, at the request of the corporation of Coventry, became minister of the great parish of St. Michael in that city, in which station he was admired for his conscientious performance of all his duties. The soundness of his doctrine according to his persuasion, the prudence and sanctity of his conversation, the vigilancy and tenderness of his care, were of that constant tenor, that he seemed to do all which the best writers upon the pastoral office tell us should be done. As he sided with the presbyterians against the hierarchy, so he joined with that party also against the design of destroying the king. In this, as in other things, he acted both with integrity and courage, of which we have the following remarkable instances. In 1648, when Cromwell, then lieutenant-general, was at Coventry upon his march towards London, Mr. Grew took this opportunity to represent to him the wickedness of the design, then evidently on foot, for taking off his majesty, and the sad consequences thereof, should it take effect; earnestly pressing him to use his endeavours to prevent it, and not ceasing to solicit him till he obtained his promise for it. Nor was he satisfied with this; for afterwards, when the design became more apparent, he addressed a letter to him, reminding him of his promise, and took care to have his letter delivered into CromwelPs own hands. At another time he was required to read in the church the proclamation against sir George Booth, and threatened by Lambert’s soldiers, then in Coventry, with the loss of his place if he refused, yet he determined not to read it. Of his liberality we have this instance: When Mr. Panton, a minister of the royalist party, was obliged to sell his library, Dr. Grew bought some of the books, and being afterwards requested to return them, with an offer of the money he paid, he returned the books, but refused the money, as he knew that Mr. Panton could not yet afford the money so well as himself.
ed that of doctor the ensuing act, when he preached the “Concio ad Clerum” with applause. In 1654 he was appointed one of the assistants to the commissioners of Warwickshire,
In 1651 he accumulated the degrees of divinity, and
completed that of doctor the ensuing act, when he preached
the “Concio ad Clerum
” with applause. In A Sinner’s Justification by Christ,
&c. delivered in several Sermons on Jer. ii. 6, 1670,
” 8vo;
and “Meditations upon our Saviour’s Parable of the Prodigal Son, &c. 1678,
” 4to, both at the request, and for
the common benefit, of some of his quondam parishioners.
t and most universal vegetable anatomist and physiologist of this country, the son of the preceding, was born at Coventry. The year of his birth is not mentioned, but
, the first and most universal vegetable anatomist and physiologist of this country, the son of
the preceding, was born at Coventry. The year of his
birth is not mentioned, but from some circumstances appears to have been 1628. He was brought up a presbyterian, his father having taken the covenant; and on the
change of the national form of religion, at the restoration
of Charles II. he was sent to study in some foreign university, where he took his degree of doctor of physic. He
settled first at Coventry, and probably resided there in
1664, when, as he informs us in tht 1 preface to his Anatomy
of Plants, he first directed his thoughts to the subject of
that work, “upon reading some of the many and curious
inventions of learned men, in the bodies of animals. For
considering that both of them came at first out of the same
hand, and were therefore the contrivances of the same wisdom; I thence,
” says he, “fully assured myself, that it
could not be a vain design to seek it in both. That so I
might put somewhat upon that side the leaf which the best
botanicks had left bare and empty.
” Four years afterwards
he consulted his brother-in-law, Dr. Henry Sampson, who
encouraged him to go on, by pointing out a passage in
Glisson’s book “De Hepate,
” chap. 1, in which the anatomy of plants is hinted at as an unexplored, but very
promising line of study for a practical observer. For some
time he resided at Coventry, but determining to settle in
London, he came thither about 1672. Before this his first
essay on the anatomy of plants was communicated to the
royal society in 1670, by bishop Wilkins, under the title
of an “Idea of a Philosophical History of Plants.
” It was
received with the honour and attention it deserved, being ordered to be printed, and its author, in that year
also, on the recommendation of the same learned divine,
became a fellow of the royal society. He was appointed
secretary in 1677, in which capacity he published the
Philosophical Transactions from Jan. 1677-8, to Feb. in the
following year. In 1680 he was made an honorary fellovr
of the college of physicians. He is said to have attained
to considerable practice in his profession, nor did his being
a nonconformist deprive him of the credit justly due to his
piety and philosophical merit, even in the worst times. He
lived indeed to see various changes of opinions and professions, apparently with the tranquillity becoming a philosopher and a good man, and died suddenly, March
25, 1711.
the same line of inquiry, scarcely any thing relative to the vegetable anatomy is left untouched. It was the character of Grew to observe every thing, and if a more
Dr. Grew’s Anatomy of Vegetables, of Roots, and of Trunks, originally formed three separate publications in 8vo, but were subsequently collected into a folio volume, and published in 1682, with 83 plates. In this work, truly original, though Malpighi had about the same time, or rather before, pursued the same line of inquiry, scarcely any thing relative to the vegetable anatomy is left untouched. It was the character of Grew to observe every thing, and if a more philosophical observer, more aware of what is best worth remarking, be, in general estimation, a superior character, the latter is more likely to see through the false medium of dazzling theory. The works of Grew are a storehouse of facts, for the use of less original and more indolent authors. They seldom require correction, except where theory is interwoven with observation, and even his theories have passed current till very lately. His chemistry is, of course, that of his time, but his remarks on vegetable secretions, and their multifarious and peculiar properties, abound with ingenuity and originality, as well as his comparative examinations of the various kinds of fruits and seeds. If he had no correct ideas of the propulsion or direction of the sap, we must not forget that he was one of the first who adopted and illustrated the doctrine of the sexes of plants, nor did even the principles of methodical arrangement entirely escape his notice.
n to him by Daniel Coiwell, esq. the founder of the collection. The latest publication of our author was “Cosmographia Sacra, or a Discourse of the Universe, as it is
In 1681 Dr. Grew published a folio volume, entitled
“Museum Regalis Societatis,
” or a catalogue and description of the natural and artificial rarities belonging to the
Royal Society, and preserved at Gresbam college. This
is a scientific and descriptive catalogue, with learned references to preceding writers. It is accompanied by “the
Comparative Anatomy of Stomachs and Guts begun, being
several lectures read before the Royal Society in 1676.
”
Twenty-two plates illustrate the first part of this volume,
and nine the latter, which were given to him by Daniel
Coiwell, esq. the founder of the collection. The latest
publication of our author was “Cosmographia Sacra, or a
Discourse of the Universe, as it is the creature and kingdom of God.
” He was an illustrious proof that it is the
fool, and not the philosopher, “who hath said in his heart
there is no God
” The works of Grew were soon translated
into French and Latin, but the latter very incorrectly. His
funeral sermon was preached at the meeting in the Old
Jewry by the rev. John Shower. It appears by this discourse that Dr. Grew illustrated his learned character by a
life of strict piety, humility, and charity.
, was an illustrious personage of the blood royal of England by both
, was an illustrious personage of the blood royal of England by both parents: her grandmother on her father’s side, Henry Grey marquis of Dorset, being queen-consort to Edward IV.; and her grandmother on her mother’s side, lady Frances Brandon, being daughter to Henry VII. queen-dowager of France, and mother of Mary queen of Scots. Lady Jane was born, 1537, at Bradgate, her father’s seat in Leicestershire, and very early gave astonishing proofs of the pregnancy of her parts; insomuch that, upon a comparison with Edward VI. who was partly of the same age, and thought a kind of miracle, the superiority has been given to her in every respect. Her genius appeared in the works of her needle, in the beautiful character in which she wrote; besides which, she played admirably on various instruments of music, and accompanied them with a voice exquisitely sweet in itself, and assisted by all the graces that art could bestow. These, however, were only inferior ornaments in her character; and, as she was far from priding herself upon them, so, through the rigour of her parents in exacting them, they became her grief more than her pleasure.
Her father had himself a tincture of letters, and was a great patron of the learned. He had two chaplains, Harding,
Her father had himself a tincture of letters, and was a great patron of the learned. He had two chaplains, Harding, and Aylmer afterwards bishop of London, both men of distinguished learning, whom he employed as tutors to his daughter; and under whose instructions she made such a proficiency as amazed them both. Her own language she spoke and wrote with peculiar accuracy: the French, Italian, Latin, and it is said Greek, were as natural to her as her own. She not only understood them, but spoke and wrote them with the greatest freedom: she was versed likewise in Hebrew, Chaldee, and Arabic, and all this while a mere child. She had also a sedateness of temper, a quickness of apprehension, and a solidity of judgment, that enabled her not only to become the mistress of languages, but of sciences; so that she thought, spoke, and reasoned, upon subjects of the greatest importance, in a manner that surprized all. With these endowments, she had so much mildness, humility, and modesty, that she set no value upon those acquisitions. She was naturally fond of literature, and that fondness was much heightened as well by the severity of her parents in the feminine part of her education, as by the gentleness of her tutor Aylmer in this: when mortified and confounded by the unmerited chicling of the former, she returned with double pleasure to the lessons of the latter, and sought in Demosthenes and Plato, who were her favourite authors, the delight that was denied her in all other scenes of life, in which she mingled but little, and seldom with any satisfaction. It is true, her alliance to the crown, as well as the great favour in which the marquis of Dorset her father stood both with Henry VIII. and Edward VI. unavoidably brought her sometimes to court, and she received many marks of Edward’s attention; yet she seems to have continued for the most part in the country at Bradgate.
Here she was with her beloved books in 1550, when the famous Roger Ascham
Here she was with her beloved books in 1550, when the
famous Roger Ascham called on a visit to the family in
August; and all the rest of each sex being engaged in a
hunting-party, he went to wait upon lady Jane in her
apartment, and found her reading the “Phaedon
” of Plato
in the original Greek. Astonished at it, after the first
compliments, he asked her, why she lost such pastime as
there needs must be in the park; at which smiling, she
answered, “I wist all their sport in the park is but a shadow to that pleasure that I find in Plato. Alas, good folk,
they never felt what true pleasure meant.
” This naturally
leading him to inquire how a lady of her age had attained
to such a depth of pleasure both in the Platonic language
and philosophy, she made the following very remarkable
reply: “I will tell you, and I will tell you a truth, which
perchance you will marvel at. One of the greatest benefits which ever God gave me is, that he sent me so sharp
and severe parents, and so gentle a schoolmaster. For
when I am in presence either of father or mother, whether
I speak, keep silence, sit, stand, or go, eat, drink, he
merry or sad, be sewing, playing, dancing, or doing any
thing else, I am so sharply taunted, so cruelly threatened,
yea presently sometimes with pinches, rips, and bohs, and
other ways (which I will not name, for the honour I bear them), so without measure misordered, that 1 think myself
in hell, till time come that I must go to Mr. Aylmer, who
teachfcth me so gently, so pleasantly, with such fair allurements to learning, that I think all the time nothing while
I am with him; and, when I am called from him I fall on
weeping, because whatsoever I do else but learning is full
of grief, trouble, fear, and wholly misliking unto me.
And thus my book hath been so much my pleasure, and
bringeth daily to me more pleasure and more, and that in
respect of it all other pleasures in very deed be but trifles
and troubles unto me
” What reader is not melted with
this speech What scholar does not envy Ascham’s felicity
at this interview He was indeed very deeply affected with
it, and to that impression we owe the discovery of some
farther particulars concerning this lovely scholar.
At this juncture he was going to London in order to attend sir Richard Morrison on his
At this juncture he was going to London in order to
attend sir Richard Morrison on his embassy to the emperor
Charles V. and in a letter wrote the December following to
Sturmius, the dearest of his friends, having informed him
that he had had the honour and happiness of being admitted to converse familiarly with this young lady at court,
and that she had written a very elegant letter to him, he
proceeds to mention this visit at Bradgate, and his surprise
thereon, not without some degree of rapture. Thence he
takes occasion to observe, that she both spoke and wrote
Greek to admiration; and that she had promised to write
him a letter in that language, upon condition that he would
send her one first from the emperor’s court. But this
rapture rose much higher while he was penning a letter
addressed to herself the following month. There, speaking of this interview, he assures her, that among all the
agreeable varieties which he had met with in his travels
abroad, nothing had occurred to raise his admiration like
that incident in the preceding summer when he found
her, a young maiden by birth so noble, in the absence of
her tutor, and in the sumptuous house of her most noble
father, at a time too when all the rest of the family, both
male and female, were regaling themselves with the
pleasures of the chace; “I found,
” continues he, “a Zw Km Eoi,
O Jupiter and all ye gods I I found, I say, the divine virgin diligently studying the divine ‘ Pbaedo’ of the divine
Plato in the original Greek. Happier certainly in this
respect than in being descended, both on the father and
mother’s side, from kings and queens.
” He then puts h.er
in mind of the Greek epistle she had promised; and
prompted her to write another also to his friend Sturmius,
that what he had said of her, whenever he came, might be
rendered credible by such authentic evidence.
Brandon, both dying at Buckden, the bishop of Lincoln’s palace, of the sweating sickness, her father was created duke of Suffolk, October 1551. Dudley earl of Warwick
If lady Jane received this letter in the country, it is probable she did not stay there long after, since some changes happened in the family which must have brought her to town; for, her maternal uncles, Henry and Charles Brandon, both dying at Buckden, the bishop of Lincoln’s palace, of the sweating sickness, her father was created duke of Suffolk, October 1551. Dudley earl of Warwick was also created duke of Northumberland the same day, and in November the duke of Somerset was imprisoned for a conspiracy against him as privy-counsellor. During this interval came the queen-dowager of Scotland from France, who, being magnificently entertained by king Edward, was also, among other ladies of the blood royal, complimented as her grandmother, by lady Jane, who was now at court, and much in the king’s favour. In the summer of 1552 the king made a great progress through some parts of England, during which, lady Jane went to pay her duty to his majesty’s sister, the lady Mary, at Newhall, in Essex; and in this visit her piety and zeal against popery prompted her to reprove the lady Anne Wharton for making a curtesy to the host, which, being carried by some officious person to the ear of the princess, was retained in her heart, so that she never loved lady Jane afterwards; and, indeed, the events of the following year were not likely to work a reconciliation.
, as things then stood, they foresaw must happen upon his death. To obtain this end, no other remedy was judged sufficient but a ciiange in the succession of the crown,
The dukes of Suffolk and Northumberland, who were now, upon the fall of Somerset, grown to the height of their wishes in power, upon the decline of the king’s health in 1553, began to think how to prevent thui reverse of fortune which, as things then stood, they foresaw must happen upon his death. To obtain this end, no other remedy was judged sufficient but a ciiange in the succession of the crown, 'and transferring it into their own families. What other steps were taken, preparatory to this bolU attempt, may be seen in the general history, and is foreign to the plan of this memoir, which is concerned only in relating the part that was destined for lady Jane to act in the intended revolution: but this was the principal part; in reality the whole centered in her. Those excellent and amiable qualities, which had rendered her dear to all who had the happiness to know her, joined to her near affinity to the king, subjected her to become the chief tool of an ambition, notoriously not her own. Upon this very account she was married to the lord Guilford Dudley, fourth, son to the duke of Northumberland, without being acquainted with the real design of the match, which was ceJebrated with great pomp in the latter end of May, so much to the king’s satisfaction, that he contributed bounteously to the expence of it from the royal wardrobe. In the mean, time, though the populace were very far from being pleased with the exorbitant greatness of the duke of Northumberland, yet they could not help admiring the beauty and innocence which appeared in lord Guilford and his bride.
But the pomp and splendor attending their nuptials was the last gleam of joy that shone in the palace of Edward, who
But the pomp and splendor attending their nuptials was
the last gleam of joy that shone in the palace of Edward,
who grew so weak in a few days after, that Northumberland thought it high time to carry his project into execution. Accordingly, in the beginning of June, he broke the
matter to the young monarch; and, having first made all
such colourable objections as the affair would admit against
his majesty’s two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, as well as
Mary queen of Scots, he observed, that, “the lady Jane,
who stood next upon the royal line, was a person of extraordinary qualities that her zeal for the reformation was
unquestioned that nothing could be more acceptable to
the nation than the prospect of such a princess that in.
this case he was bound to set aside all partialities of blood
and nearness of relation, which were inferior considerations, and ought to be over-ruled by the public good.
”
To corroborate this discourse, care was taken to place
about the king those who should make it their business to
touch frequently upon this subject, enlarge upon the accomplishments of lady Jane, and describe her with all
imaginable advantages: so that at last, the king’s affections inclining to this disposition of the crown, he consented to overlook his sisters, and set aside his father’s will.
Agreeably to which, a deed of settlement being drawn up
In form of law' by the judges, was signed by his majesty^
and all the lords of the council.
plished, and the letters patent having passed the seals before the close of the month, the next step was to concert the properest method for carrying this settlement
This difficult affair once accomplished, and the letters patent having passed the seals before the close of the month, the next step was to concert the properest method for carrying this settlement into execution, and till that was done to keep it as secret as possible. To this end Northumberland formed a project, which, if it had succeeded, would have made all things easy and secure. He directed letters to the lady Mary in her brother’s name, requiring her attendance at Greenwich, where the court then was; and she had got within half a day’s journey of that place when the king expired, July 6, 1553; but, having timely notice of it, she thereby avoided the snare which had been so artfully laid to entrap her. The two dukes, Suffolk and ^Northumberland, found it necessary to conceal the king’s decease, that they might have time to gain the city of London, and to procure the consent of lady Jane, who was so far from having any hand in this business, that as yet she was unacquainted with the pains that had been taken to procure her the title of queen. At this juncture, Mary sent a letter to the privy council, in which, though she did not take the title of queen, yet she clearly asserted her right to the crown; took notice of their concealing her brother’s death, and of the practice into which they had since entered; intimating, that there was still room for reconciliation, and that, if they complied with their duty in proclaiming her queen, she could forgive and even forget what was past: but in answer to this they insisted upon the indubitable right, and their own unalterable fidelity to queen Jane, to whom they persuaded the lady Mary to submit.
However, she was at length prevailed upon, by the exhortations ofher father,
However, she was at length prevailed upon, by the exhortations ofher father, the intercession of her mother,
the artful persuasions of Northumberland, and above all,
the earnest desires of her husband, whom she tenderly
loved, to yield her assent to what had been and was to be
done. And thus, with a heavy heart, she suffered herself
to be conveyed by water to the Tower, where she entered
with all the state of a queen, attended by the principal nobility, and, which is very extraordinary, her train supported by the duchess of Suffolk, her mother, in whom, if
in any of this line, the right of succession remained.
About six in the afternoon she was proclaimed with all due
solemnities in the city; the same day she also assumed the
regal, and proceeded afterwards to exercise many acts of
sovereignty; but, passing over the transactions of her
short reign, which are the subject of general history, it is
more immediately our business to conclude this article with
her behaviour on her fall. Queen Mary was no sooner
proclaimed, than the duke of Suffolk, who then resided
with his daughter in the Tower, went to her apartment,
and, in the softest terms he could, acquainted her with
the situation of their affairs, and that, laying aside the
state and dignity of a queen, she must again return to that
of a private person to which, with a settled and serene
countenance, she made this answer “I better brook this
message than my former advancement to royalty out of
obedience to you and my mother, I have grievously sinned,
and offered violence to myself. Now I do willingly, and
as obeying the motions of my soul, relinquish the crown,
and endeavour to salve those faults committed by others
(if at least so great a fault can be salved) by a willing relinquishment and ingenuous acknowledgement of them.
”
hich afterwards affected him so far, that he died ravingHowever, the strictness of their confinement was mitigated in December, by a permission to take the air in the
Thus ended her reign, but not her misfortunes. She "saw the father of her husband, with all his family, and many of the nobility and gentry, brought prisoners to the tower for supporting her claim to the crown; and this grief must have met with some accession from his being soon after brought to the block. Before the end of the month, she had the mortification of seeing her own father, the duke of Suffolk, in the same circumstances with herself; but her mother, the duchess, not only remained exempt from all punishment, but had such an interest with the queen as 10 procure the duke his liberty on the last day of the month. Lady Jane and her husband, being stiil in confinement, were Nove'mber 3, 1553, carried from the Tower to Guildhall with Cranmer and others, arraigned and convicted of high treason before judge Morgan, who pronounced on them sentence of death, die remembrance of which afterwards affected him so far, that he died ravingHowever, the strictness of their confinement was mitigated in December, by a permission to take the air in the queen’s garden, and other little indulgences. This might give some gleams of hope; and there are reasons to believe the queen would have spared her life, if Wyat’s rebellion had not happened; but her father’s being engaged in that rebellion gave the ministers an opportunity of persuading the queen, that she could not be safe herself, while lady Jane and her husband were alive: yet Mary was not brought without much difficulty to take them off. The news made no great impression upon lady Jane the bitterness of death was passed she bad expected it long, and was so well prepared to meet her fate, that she was very little discomposed.
But the queen’s charity hurt her more than her justice. The day first fixed for her death was Friday February the 9th; and she had, in some measure, taken
But the queen’s charity hurt her more than her justice.
The day first fixed for her death was Friday February the
9th; and she had, in some measure, taken leave of the
world by writing a letter to her unhappy father, who she
heard was more disturbed with the thoughts of being the
author of her death than with the apprehension of his own*.
In this serene frame of mind, Dr. Feckenham, abbot of
Westminster, came to her from the queen, who was very
desirous she should die professing herself a papist, as her
father-in-law had done. The abbot was indeed a very fit
instrument, if any had been fit for the purpose, having,
with an acute wit and a plausible tongue, a great
tenderiless in his nature. Lady Jane received him with much
civility, and behaved towards him with so much calmness
and sweetness of temper, that he could not help bein
overcome with her distress: so that, either mistaking or
pretending to mistake her meaning, he procured a respite
of her execution till the 12th. When he acquainted her
with it, she told him, “that he had entirely misunderstood her sense of her situation; that, far from desiring
her death might be delayed, she expected and wished for it
as the period of her miseries, and her entrance into eternal
happiness.
” Neither did he gain any thing upon her in regard to popery; she heard him indeed patiently, but answered all his arguments with such strength, clearness, and
steadiness of mind, as shewed plainly that religion had
been her principal care . On Sunday evening, which was
the last she was to spend in this world, she wrote a letter
in the Greek tongue, as some say, on the blank leaves at
the end of a testament in the same language, which she
bequeathed as a legacy to her sister the lady Catharine
Grey; a piece which, if we had no other left, it is said,
were sufficient to render her name immortal. In the morning, the lord Guilford earnestly desired the officers, that he
might take his last fare well of her; which though they willingly permitted, yet upon notice she advised the contrary,
“assuring him that such a meeting would rather add to his
afflictions then increase his quiet, wherewith they had prepared their souls for the stroke of death; that he demanded
a lenitive which would put fire into the wound, and that it
was to be feared her presence would rather weaken than
strengthen him that he ought to take courage from his
reason, and derive constancy from his own heart that if
his soul were not firm and settled, she could not settle it
by her eyes, nor conform it by her words that he should
do well to remit this interview to the other world that
there, indeed, friendships were happy, and unions indissoluble, and that theirs would be eternal, if their souls
carried nothing with them of terrestrial, which might hinder them from rejoicing.
” All she could do was, to give
him a farewell out of a window, as he passed to the place
of his dissolution, which he suffered on the scaffold on
Tower-hill with much Christian meekness. She likewise
beheld his dead body wrapped in a linen cloth, as it passed
under her window to the chapel within the Tower.
And, about an hour after, she was led to a scaffold: she was attended by Feckenham, but was observed
And, about an hour after, she was led to a scaffold: she
was attended by Feckenham, but was observed not to give
much heed to his discourses, keeping her eyes stedfastly
fixed on a book of prayers which she had in her hand.
After some short recollection, she saluted those who were
present, with a countenance perfectly composed: then,
taking leave of Dr. Feckenham, she said, “God will
abundantly requite you, good Sir, for your humanity to
me, though your discourses gave me more uneasiness than
all the terrors of my approaching death.
” She next addressed herself to the spectators in a plain and short
speech; after which, kneeling down, she repeated the
Miserere in English. This done, she stood up and gave to
her women her gloves and handkerchief, and to the lieutenant of the Tower her Prayer-book. In untying her
gown, the executioner offered to assist her; but she desired he would let her alone; and turning to her women,
they undressed, and gave her a handkerchief to bind about
her eyes. The executioner, kneeling, desired her pardon,
to which she answered, el most willingly.“He desired
her to stand upon the straw; which bringing her within
sight of the block, she said,
” I pray dispatch me quickly;“adding presently after,
” Will you take it off before I lay
me down“The executioner answered,
” No, madam.“Upon this, the handkerchief being bound close over her
eyes, she began to feel for the block, to which she was
guided by one of the spectators. When she felt it, she
stretched herself forward, and said,
” Lord, into thy hands
I commend my spirit;" and immediately her head was
separated at one stroke.
Her fate was universally deplored even by the persons best-affected to queen
Her fate was universally deplored even by the persons
best-affected to queen Mary; and, to a woman of any
feeling, it must certainly have given much disquiet to begin
her reign with such an unusual effusion of blood; especially in the present case of a near relation, one formerly
honoured with her friendship and favour, who had indeed
usurped, but without desiring or enjoying, the royal diaclem which she assumed, by the constraint of an ambitious
father and an imperious mother, and which at the first
motion she chearfully and willingly resigned. This made
her exceedingly lamented at home and abroad; the fame
of her learning and virtue having reached over Europe,
excited many commendations, and some express panegyrics in different nations and different languages. Immediately after her death, there came out a piece, entitled,
“The precious Remains of Lady Jane Grey,
” in 4to.
, a learned schoolmaster of the seventeenth century, was born in London in 1590, and was educated at Westminster-school,
, a learned schoolmaster
of the seventeenth century, was born in London in 1590,
and was educated at Westminster-school, whence he was
elected student of Christ-church, Oxford, in 1606. Here
he made great proficiency under the tuition of Dr. Samuel
Fell, and was considered even at this early period as eminent for his learning in the Greek and Latin languages.
Having taken his degrees in arts, he was in 1614 appointed
first master of the Charter-house, or Sutton’s new foundation of the hospital school; but some years afterwards,
having rendered himself incapable of holding that office by
marriage, the governors gave him the living of Castle
Camps in Cambridgeshire. On the 29th of January 1624,
he was admitted chief master of Merchant Taylors’ school,
on a disputed election, which, however, terminated in hw
favour, and he enjoyed the place with much reputation
until 1631, when he resigned and was elected head master
of Eton school, and a fellow. He was ejected by the
usurping powers from both his mastership and living, and
reduced to much distress. At length he obtained the
mastership of Tunbridge school, in which he continued
until the restoration, when he was re-appointed to his former preferments, but did not long live to enjoy them.
He died very poor at Eton in October 1660, and was.
buried in the choir of the chapel, near the stairs leading to
the. organ-loft. He published 1. “A Dictionary
” in Latin
and English, and English and Latin, an improvement on
Rider’s, but afterwards superseded by Holyoak’s. 2. “Luculenta e sacra scriptura testimonia, ad Hugonis Grotii
baptizatorum puerorum institutionem,
” Lond. Parabolse evangelical, Lat. redditse carmine paraphrastico
varii generis in usum scholar Tunbrigiensis,
” Lond. 8vo,
no date. Of the second article above-mentioned, we have
an edition of 1668, the title of which is, “Hugonis Grotii
Baptizatorum Puerorum Institutio, alternis interrogationibus et responsionibus.
” This contains Wase’s translation
into Greek, with grammatical notes, and other notes by
Barth. Beale, and Gouldsmith’s English version.
, an ingenious and learned English divine, the son of John Grey of Newcastle, was born there in 1694, and in 1712 was entered of Lincoln college,
, an ingenious and learned English
divine, the son of John Grey of Newcastle, was born there
in 1694, and in 1712 was entered of Lincoln college, Oxford, where he took the degree of B. A. May 15, 1716,
and that of M. 4- January 16, 1718-19. May 1, he was
ordained deacon, and priest April 10, 172Q, by Crew bishop of Durham, to whom he was chaplain and secretary,
and who gave him, in 1721, the rectory of Hinton, near
Brackley, in Northamptonshire; and obtained for him, from
lord Willoughby de Broke, the rectory of Kimcote in Leicestershire. ' He was alsp a prebendary of St. Paul’s. In
1746, he was official and commissary of the archdeaconry
of Leicester. In 1730, he published at Oxford a “Visitation-Sermon
” and, the same year, '< Memoria Technica or a new Method of artificial Memory“a fourth
edition of which came out in 1756. At this time also appeared his
” System of English Ecclesiastical Law, extracted from the Codex Juris Ecclesiastic! Anglican!“of
bishop Gibson, 8vo. This was for the use of young students designed for orders; and for this the university gave
him the degree of D. D. May 28, 1731. He printed an
assize sermon in 1732, called
” The great Tribunal,“and
in 1736, was the author of a large anonymous pamphlet,
under the title of
” The miserable and distracted State of
Religion in England, upon the Downfall of the Church
established,“8vo and, the same year, printed another
Visitation- Sermon. He also published
” A new and easy
Method of learning Hebrew without points, 1738;“” Historia Josephi,“and
” Paradigmata Verborum, 1744;
” The last Words of David,“1749;
” Nova Methodus Hebraice discendi diligentius recognita & acl Usum
Scholarum accornmodata, &c.“1751;
” A Sermon at the
opening of Steane chapel, Northampt.“1752; and, lastly,
an English translation of Mr. Hawkins Browne’s poem
” De
Animi Immortalitate,“1753. He died Feb. 28, 1771, in
his 77th year. He married Joyce, youngest daughter of
the rev. John Thicknesse of Brazen-nose-college, Oxford,
and sister of the late Philip Thicknesse, esq. by whom he
left three daughters, the eldest of whom married Dr.
Philip Lloyd, dean of Norwich, and was well-known for
her genius in working in worsted, and for her painted windows in that cathedral. Dr. Grey was buried at Hinton,
as is his widow, who died Jan. 12, 1794, aged eighty-nine.
His
” Memoria Technica" was at one time a very popular
book, and the system has lately in part been revived by a
foreigner, which has been the means of again directing
the public attention to Dr. Grey’s book; but it seems
agreed that such helps are of very little substantial efficacy,
and that attention and exercise are the only means to
assist or prolong memory. Dr. Grey was a man of piety
and liberality, as appears by his frequent correspondence
with Dr. Doddndge.
, LL. D. an English divine, and miscellaneous writer, was of a Yorkshire family, originally from France. He was born in
, LL. D. an English divine, and miscellaneous writer, was of a Yorkshire family, originally
from France. He was born in 1687, and was admitted a
pensioner in Jesus college, Cambridge, April 18, 1704,
but afterwards removed to Trinity-ball, where he was admitted scholar of the house, Jan. 6, 1706-7; LL. B. 1709
LL. D. 1720; and though he was never fellow of that
college, he was elected one of the trustees for Mr. Ayloffe’s benefaction to it. He was rector of Houghton
Conquest in Bedfordshire: and vicar of St. Peter’s and St.
Giles’s parishes in Cambridge, where he usually passed
the winter, and the rest of his time at Ampthill, the neighbouring market-town to his living. He died Nov. 25, 1766,
at Ampthill, and was buried at Houghton Conquest. Very
little of his history has descended to us. How he spent
his life will appear by a list of his works. He is said to
have been of a most amiable, sweet, and communicative
disposition; most friendly to his acquaintance, and never
better pleased than when performing acts of friendship
and benevolence. Being in the commission of the peace,
and a man of reputable character, he was much courted
for his interest in elections. He was not, however, very
active on those occasions, preferring literary retirement.
His works were, 1. “A Vindication of the Church of England, in answer to Mr. Pearce’s Vindication of the Dis^
senters; by a Presbyter of the Church of England.
” Presbyterian Prejudice displayed,
” A pair of clean Shoes and Boots for a Dirty Baronet;
or an answer to Sir Richard Cox,
” The
Knight of Dumbleton foiled at his own weapons, &c. In a
Letter to Sir Richard Cocks, knt. By a Gentleman and
no Knight,
” A Century of eminent Presbyterians: or a Collection of Choice Sayings, from the public sermons before the two houses, from Nov. 1641 to Jan.
31, 1648, the day after the king was beheaded. By a
Lover of Episcopacy,
” A Letter of Thanks to
Mr. Benjamin Bennet,
” A memorial of the Reformation,
” full of gross prejudices
against the established church, and “A defence of it.
”
7. “A Caveat against Mr. Benj. Bennet, a mere pretender to history and criticism. By a lover of history,
” A Defence of our ancient and modern Historians against the frivolous cavils of a late pretender to.
Critical History, in which the false quotations smd unjust
inferences of the anonymous author are confuted and exposed in the manner they deserve, la two parts,
” A Review of Dr. Zachary Grey’s Defence
of our ancient and modern historians. Wherein, instead
of dwelling upon his frivolous cavils, false quotations, unjust inferences, &c it is proved (to his glory be it spoken)
that there is not a book in the English tongue, which contains so many falsehoods in so many pages. Nori vitiosus
homo es, Zachary, sed vitium. By the author,
” &c. y. “An
Appendix by way of Answer to the Critical Historian’s
Review,
” 1725. 11.
” The Ministry of the
Dissenters proved to be null and void from Scripture and
antiquity,“1725. 12. In 1732 he wrote a preface to his
relation dean Moss’s sermons,
” by a learned hand.“Mr.
Masters in his history of C. C. C. C. ascribes this to Dr.
Snape, who might perhaps have been editor of the sermons, but it was written by Dr. Grey. 13.
” The spirit
of Infidelity detected, in answer to Barbeyrac, with a defence of Dr. Waterland,“1735, 8vo. 14.
” English Presbyterian eloquence. By an admirer of monarchy and episcopacy,“1736, 8vo. 15.
” Examination of Dr. Chandler’s
History of Persecution,“1736, 8vo. 16.
” The true picture
of Quakerism,“1736. 17.
” Caveat against the Dissenters,“1736, 8vo. 18.
” An impartial Examination of the
second volume of Mr. Daniel Neal’s History of the Puritans,“1736, 8vo. The first volume of Neal had been examined by Dr. Madox, assisted in some degree by Dr.
Grey, who published his examination of the third volume
in 1737, and that of the fourth in 1739. J 9.
” An examination of the fourteenth chapter of Sir Isaac Newton’s
Observations upon the prophecies of Daniel,“1736, 8vo.
This is in answer to sir Isaac’s notion of the rise of Saintworship. 20.
” An attempt towards the character of the
Royal Martyr, king Charles I.; from authentic vouchers,“1738. 21.
” Schismatics delineated from authentic vouchers, in reply to Neal, with Dowsing' s Journal, &c. By
Philalethes Cantabrigiensis,“1739, 8vo. 22.
” The Quakers and Methodists compared,“&c. 1740. 23.
” A Review of Mr. Daniel Neil’s History of the Puritans, with a
Postscript. In a letter to Mr. David Jennings;“a pamphlet, Cambridge, 174-4. 24.
” Hudibras with large annotations, and a prelate,“&c. 1744, 2 vols. 8vo. 2b.
” A
serious address to Lay Methodists: by a sincere Protestant,“1745, 8vo. 27.
” Popery in its proper colours, with a list
of Saints invocated in England before the Reformation,“17, 8vo. 28,
” Remarks upon a late edition of Shakspeare, with a long string of emendations borrowed by the
celebrated editor from the Oxford edition without acknowledgement. To which is prefixed, a Defence of the late
sir Thomas Hanmer, bart. addressed to the rev. Mr. Warburton, preacher of Lincoln’s-Inn,“8vo, no date, but
about 1745. 29.
” A word or two of Advice to William
Warburton, a dealer in many words; by a friend. With
an Appendix, containing a taste of William’s Spirit of Railing,“1746, 8vo. 30.
” A free and familiar Letter to that
great refiner of Pope and Shakspeare, the rev. William
Warburton, preacher at Lincoln’s-Inn. With Remarks
upon the epistle of friend W. E. (query if not T. E. i. e. Thomas Edwards). In which his unhandsome treatment of
this celebrated writer is exposed in the manner it deserves.
By a Country Curate,“1750, 8vo, 31.
” A Supplement
to Hudibras,“1752, 8vo. 32.
” Critical, historical, and
explanatory notes on Shakspeare, with emendations on the
text and metre,“1755, 2 vols. 8vo. 33.
” Chronological
account of Earthquakes,“1757, 8vo. In 1756 he assisted
iVIr. Whalley in his edition of Shakspeare; he had also contributed to Mr. Peck’s
” Desiderata,“and
” Life of Cromwell," and collected some materials for a Life of Baker,
the Cambridge antiquary, which were afterwards enlarged
and published by the rev. Robert Masters. Dr. Grey left
some other Mss. and a collection of letters, now in Mr.
Nichols’s possession.
by his laborious researches into the private history, annals, and pamphlets of the Cromwell period, was enabled to become a very formidable antagonist. His Examinations
From this copious account of Dr. Grey’s literary employments, an idea may be formed of his character and
sentiments. It would appear that in early life he had
studied ffce history of the church to which he belonged,
particularly during the seventeenth century when she suf*
fered the severest shock; and having examined into the
personal history of the artful agents, as well as the more
artful means by which the hierarchy and civil government
were overthrown, conceived an implacable dislike to the
whole body of non-conformists, which by an easy transition, he continued towards their immediate successors,
the dissenters. Finding the latter frequently employed in
vindicating the cause of republican church-government,
'and bestowing all their pity on those who suffered by the
restoration, without any notice of those whom they made
to suffer by the previous revolution, he directed his power*
of controversy to some of those advocates, and by his laborious researches into the private history, annals, and pamphlets of the Cromwell period, was enabled to become a
very formidable antagonist. His Examinations of Neal are,
in this respect, the most valuable of his writings, and strict
impartiality will be found to require a close attention, in
the readers of Neal, to what Dr. Grey and his precursor
bishop Madox have advanced. The same researches which
Dr. Grey had occasion to pursue in answering Neal and
others of that party, seem to have furnished him with the
matter of the notes by which he afterwards illustrated his
edition of Butler’s Hudibras, a work which will probably
preserve his memory to a very long date, as his plan was
entirely new. Yet, he did not escape attacks, both serious and jocular on this publication. Warburton, in his
preface to Shakspeare, “hardly thinks there ever appeared,
in any learned language, so execrable an heap of nonsense,
under the name of Commentaries, as hath lately been
given us on this satiric poet:
” and Fielding, in the preface to his “Voyage to Lisbon,
” has introduced “the
laborious much-read Dr. Zachary Grey, of whose redundant
notes on Hudibras he shall only say, that it is, he is confident, the single book extant, in which above 500 authors
are quoted, not one of which could be found in the collection of the late Dr. Mead.
” But Dr. Warton has very well
observed, that, “if Butler is worth reading, he is worth
explaining; and the researches used for so valuable and
elegant a purpose merit the thanks of genius and candor,
not the satire of prejudice and ignorance.
”
e controversial spirit. Warburton’s conduct, however, appears wanton and unprovoked, for he not only was at one time on good terms with Grey, and had himself some thoughts
The above attack by Warburton produced, from Dr. Grey,
the pamphlets mentioned above, No. 28, 29, and 30, in which
there is much of the grossness as well as the acuteness of
the controversial spirit. Warburton’s conduct, however,
appears wanton and unprovoked, for he not only was at
one time on good terms with Grey, and had himself some
thoughts of illustrating Hudibras, but had actually supplied
Grey with the result of his own inquiries, and was therefore a contributor to “so execrable an heap of nonsense;
”
for which Grey makes very grateful acknowledgment in his
preface. To account for Warburton’s contempt for a commentator whom he had thus assisted, and for a plan which
he meant to have executed (perhaps as he executed his plan on Shakspeare), we are inclined to prefer the
conjeeture of a gentleman whom extensive reading, reflection,
and taste have constituted an able umpire in literary quarrels. Mr. D'Israeli thinks that V/arburton’s motive was
jealousy, and that “though he had naif reluctantly yielded
the few notes he had prepared, his proud heart sickened
when he beheld the amazing subscription Grey obtained
for his first edition of Hudibras he received for that work
1500l. a proof that J;his publication was felt as a want by
the public.
” Grey, “however, may be entitled to a higher
merit than that of gratifying the public taste by his edition
of Hudibras. He was unquestionably the founder of that
species of commentary which has since been so successfully employed in illustrating Shakspeare, by bringing together all the information, the contemporary writing, and
the style, manners, prejudices, and peculiarities of the
age, however distant, in which the author to be explained
wrote. And although this example has been followed,
perhaps in some instances, to a degree of minuteness that
exposes the commentator to the ridicule of the wits, and
although it must be allowed that some of the Shakspeare
commentators have
” bestowed all their tediousness“upon
us with a too liberal hand, yet it cannot be controverted,
that they have pursued the only just and legitimate process
for elucidating the writings of distant ages. The merit of
this example, therefore, is due to Grey, and is that on
which his fame as a writer and literary antiquary will rest,
long after his other publications, with the exception perhaps of his Examinations of Neal, are forgotten. He had
also made some progress in an edition of Shakspeare upon
the plan of his Hudibras, which we presume his advanced
age prevented his completing. What he had collected,
however, appeared in his
” Critical, historical, and explanatory notes“above-mentioned. Of this work Dr.
Johnson says that
” what Dr. Grey undertook he has well
enough performed, but as he neither attempts judicial nor
emendatory criticism, he employs rather his memory than
his sagacity;“and he adds,
” It were to be wished that
all would endeavour to imitate his modesty, who have not
been able to surpass his knowledge?."
, surnamed Mofa, was a learned civilian of Padua, who, after being a law professor
, surnamed Mofa, was a
learned civilian of Padua, who, after being a law professor
at Padua, Pisa, and Pavia, as far as 1557, left Italy, in
order to make a public profession of the Protestant religion; but who, like some other Italian converts, imbibed
the heresy of the Antitrinitarians. After having been professor of civil law at Tubingen for some time, he quitted
the employment, in order to escape the punishment he
would have incurred, had he been convicted of his errors.
He was seized at Bern, where he feigned to renounce his
opinions, in order to escape very severe treatment; but, as
he relapsed again, and openly favoured the heretics, who
had been driven from Geneva, he would, as Beza intimates, certainly have been put to death, if he had not died
of the plague in September 1567, or as others say in 1564.
In a journey to Geneva, during the trial of Servetus, he
desired to have a conference with Calvin, which Calvin at
first refused, but afterwards granted; and then Gribaldus,
though he came according to the appointed time and place,
refused to confer, because Calvin would not give him his
hand, till they should be agreed on the articles of the
Trinity. He was afterwards cited to appear before the
magistrates, in order to give an account of his faith; but,
his answers not being satisfactory, he was commanded to
leave the city. He wrote several works, which are esteemed
by the public; as “Commentarii in legem de rerum
mistura, & de jure fisci,
” printed in Italy. “Commentarii in pandectas juris,
” at Lyons. “Commentarii in aliquot praecipuos Digesti,
” &c. Francfort, Historia Francisci Spira?, cui anno 1548, familiaris aderat, secundum quae ipse viclit & audivit,
” Basil, De methoclo ac
ratione studendi in jure civili libri tres,
” Lyons,
, an eminent professor of law, was born in 1632, at Leipsic. His father, who was minister in that
, an eminent professor of
law, was born in 1632, at Leipsic. His father, who was
minister in that city, dying in 1685, the celebrated Mencke
married the widow, and took great care of her son’s education. Gribner assisted in the “Leipsic Journal,
” was professor of law at Wittenburgh, then at Dresden, and finally
at Leipsic, where he was chosen to succeed M. Mencke.
He died in 1734. Besides several academical dissertations,
he left < Principia processes Judiciarii“” Principia Juris*
prudentite naturalis;^ a small work much esteemed;
*' Opuscula Juris public! et privatl," He was also a benefactor to the university of Letpsic, by leaving a considerable legacy co the library, a sum of money as a provision
for the widows of the professors, and an annual sum as an
exhibition >Y,r a. law student.
, a very extraordinary woman, (whose maiden name is nowhere mentioned), was born in the county of Kilkenny in Ireland, and married to Mr.
, a very extraordinary woman, (whose maiden name is nowhere mentioned), was born
in the county of Kilkenny in Ireland, and married to Mr.
George Grierson, printer in Dublin. She died in 1733,
at the age of twenty-seven; and was allowed to be an excellent scholar, not only in Greek and Roman literature,
but in history, divinity, philosophy, and mathematics. She
gave a proof of her knowledge in the Latin tongue by her
dedication of the Dublin edition of Tacitus to lord Carteret; and by that of Terence to his son, to whom she likewise wrote a Greek epigram. Dr. Harwood esteems her
Tacitus one of the best edited books ever published.
Among the editions of her husband’s press, is a very fine
one of Dupin’s Ecclesiastical History, 1724, 3 vols. folio,
a rare book in this country. Mrs. Grierson composed some
poems in English, several of which are inserted by Mrs.
Barber amongst her own. When lord Carteret was lordlieutenant of Ireland, he obtained a patent for Mr. Grierson, her husband, to be the king’s printer; and, to distinguish and reward her uncommon merit, had her life inserted in it. Besides her parts and learning, she was also
a woman of great virtue and piety. Mrs. Pilkington has
recorded some particulars of her, and tells us, that, “when
about eighteen years of age, she was brought to her father,
to be instructed in midwifery; that she was mistress of
Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and French, and understood the
mathematics as well as most men: and what,
” says Mrs.
Pilkington, “made these extraordinary talents yet more
surprising was, that her parents were poor illiterate country people; so that her learning appeared like the gife
poured out on the apostles, of speaking all the languages
without the pains of study.
” Mrs. Pilkington inquired of
her, where she had gained this prodigious knowledge: to
which Mrs. Grierson sail, that “she had received some
little instruction from the minister of the parish, when she,
could spare time from her needle-work, to which she was
closely kept by her mother.
” Mrs. Pilkington adds, that
“she wrote elegantly both in verse and prose; that her
turn was chiefly to philosophical or divine subjects; that
her piety was not inferior to her learning; and that some
of the most delightful hours she herself had ever passed
were in the conversation of this female philosopher.
” Her
son, who was also his majesty’s printer at Dublin, and instructed by her, was a man of uncommon learning, great
wit, and vivacity. He died in Germany, at the age of
twenty-seven. Dr. Johnson highly respected his abilities,
and often observed, that he possessed more extensive knowledge than any man of his years he had ever known. His
industry was equal to his talents, he particularly excelled
in every species of philological learning, and was perhaps
the best critic of his time.
, a French writer of considerable reputation, was born October 9, 1698, at Moulins. He entered early among the
, a French writer of considerable
reputation, was born October 9, 1698, at Moulins. He
entered early among the Jesuits at Paris, was professor of
belles lettres in the college of Louis le Grand, and distinguished himself afterwards in the pulpit. On the dissolution of his order, he retired to Brussels, where he died of
a nephritic cholic, February 22, 1775. His works are, 1.
An edition of Daniel’s “History of France,
” Paris, Traité des differentes sortes de preuves qui servent à etablir la verite de
l'Histoire,
” Liege, Sermons,
” Liege, Anneé du Chretien,
”
Paris, Latin Poems,
” written
at college, of indifferent character. 6. An improved edition of‘ D’Avrigny’s Memoirs, 1757, 5 vols. 12mo. 7.
“Insuffisance de la religion naturelle,
” Liege, 2 vols.
12mo. 8. An enlarged edition of the “Delices des Pays
Bas,
” Liege,
, a landscape painter, born at Amsterdam in 1645, was a pupil of Roland Roghman, whose manner he relinquished after
, a landscape painter, born at Amsterdam in 1645, was a pupil of Roland Roghman, whose manner he relinquished after he became acquainted with the more perfect one of A. Vandervelde and Lingelbach. He settled in England, and made views of many of the principal places, which are highly wrought, but with rather an artificial tone of colouring. His execution was minute and laboured, but his pictures are very well completed in that style. He likewise employed his talents in imitations of Rembrandt, Rysdael, Polemburg, and Teniers; and so successfully, that his productions are often taken for originals. He died in the seventy-third year of his age, in 1718. He was known by the appellation of the old Griffier.-^-His son, Robert Griffier, or the young Griffier, practised the same profession as his father, and in the same style. He resided chierly upon the continent, and produced a great number of elaborate pictures of views on the Rhine, &c. with many figures in them. He was alive in 1713.
, a lady once of some note a a writer of novels and plays, whose maiden name was Griffith, was of Welch descent, and early in life married Richard
, a lady once of some note a
a writer of novels and plays, whose maiden name was
Griffith, was of Welch descent, and early in life married
Richard Griffith, a gentleman of a good family, but reduced fortune, in Ireland. The first performance by which
she became known was entitled “The Letters of Henry
and Frances,
” which are said to contain the genuine correspondence between her and her husband before their marriage, and for some years after. They were published at
the particular request of Margaret countess of Cork, who
was one of her friends, and privy to her connexion with
Mr. Griffith, which was at first kept secret. From these
letters, a few particulars of the private history of the parties may be collected. Mr. Griffith appears to have received no regular education, although in his youth he had
evinced some talents for poetry; he introduced himself,
however, by degrees into “the genteelest and most reputable company;
” but tired of a city life, passed several
years with a relation in the country of Ireland, where he
read, learned French, and “studied husbandry philosophically.
” He then engaged in a farm and the linen manufacture; and about 1760 appears to have received a
place from the duke of Bedford, at that time lord lieutenant of Ireland. His acquaintance with Mrs. Griffith was
accidental, and commenced on his parr, to use his own
phrase, “as an act of gallantry
” but rinding “no probability of success,
” a strange declaration and being
enafrioured with her writings, conversation, and character, became, at last, a real and honourable lover, but declined
matrimony for several years, as she had no fortune, and his
expectations from his father were much larger than they
were likely to turn out. At length, however, they married,
about the year 1752; and their first publication was this
correspondence, published by subscription, and not very
successful with any class of readers, not even the sentimentalists, for whom it was chiefly calculated. Some of
the letters, however, are of a superior cast, and contain
many sensible remarks on books, men, and manners. Their
next publication, which was also written in conjunction,
was “Two Novels, in Letters, 4 vols. the first and second,
entitled Delicate Distress, by Frances the third and fourth,
entitled the Gordian Knot, by Henry,
” The Triumvirate; or the authentic Memoirs of A. B. and C.
” 2 vols. 12mo, a novel of so Joose a
kind, that even his wife could not venture to recommend it
to the fair sex, and yet adds her opinion that “every gentleman will read it with pleasure, and I trust without any
injury to his morals.
” Of Mr. Griffith’s performances we
hear no more, nor have been able to ascertain the time of
his death. Mrs. Griffith’s other novels were “Lady Barton,
” and “Juliana HarJey.
” She also wrote some dramas
which had various success, but none of them have preserved their station on the stage. One of her most agreeable publications svas “The Morality of Shakspeare’s
Drama illustrated,
” The Adventures of Pierre Viaud,
” and the
“Letters of Ninon de L'Enclos,
” c. She died Jan. 3,
1793, at Millecenr, in the county of Kildare. She was unquestionably a woman of considerable literary talents, but
does not appear to have found in her lover and husband
the judgment which could give them a proper direction.
Nor did he contribute much to bar happiness in his latter
days. He had long accustomed himself to the cant of sentiment, which is too frequently mistaken for genuine moral
feeling. When in his grand climacteric, he seduced a girl
of fortune and consequence, with whom he lived the reminder of his days. The libehine notions in his “
Triumvirate
” appear to have been more predominant
sense he affected to entertain of pure morals in his “Letters.
”
, called Bolognese, was born at Bologna in 1606, and studied under A. Caracci, to whom
, called Bolognese, was born at Bologna in 1606, and studied under A. Caracci, to whom he was related. He was a good designer of figures, but became chiefly distinguished for his landscapes. When he arrived at Rome, Innocent X. did justice to his merit, employed him to paint in the Vatican and the Q,uirinal, and even in churches. This pope used to visit him when at work, and talk familiarly with him. His reputation reached cardinal Mazarine at Paris, who sent for him, settled a large pension on him, and employed him for three years in embellishing hi? palace and the Louvre, by the order of Lewis XIII. The troubles of the state, and the clamours raised against the cardinal, whose party he warmly espoused, put him so much in danger, that his friends advised him to retire among the Jesuits, for whom he painted a decoration for the exposition of the sacrament during the holy days, according to the custom of Rome. This piece was much relished at Paris: the king honoured it with two visits, and commanded him to paint a similar piece for his chapel at the Louvre. Grimaldi after that returned to Italy, and at his arrival at Rome found his great patron Innocent X. dead; but his two successors Alexander VII, and Clement IX. honoured him equally with their friendship, and found him variety of employment. His chief power lay in landscape, though he designed figures well, and his pencil equalled his design, light, and flowing with great depth of colour, bolder in the masses and the dash of bushy foliage than Caracci’s, but perhaps tc-o green. The gallery Colon n a, at Rome, has many of his views, which remained chiefly in Italy, less known on this side of the Alps than those of Poussin and Claude. He understood architecture, and has engraved in aqita fortis forty-two landscapes in an excellent manner, five of which are after Titian. Grimaldi was amiable in his manners, as well as skilful in his profession: he was generous without profusion, respectful to the great without meanness, and charitable to the poor. The following instance of his benevolence may serve to characterise the man. A Sicilian gentleman, who had retired from Messina with his daughter, during the troubles of that country, was reduced to the misery of wanting bread. As he lived over-against him, Grimaldi was soon informed of it; and in the dusk of the evening, knocking at the Sicilian’s door, without making himself known, tossed in money and retired. The thing happening more than once, raised the Sicilian’s curiosity to know his benefactor; who, finding him out, by hiding himself behind the door, fell down on his knees to thank the hand that had relieved him: Grimaldi remained confused, offered him his house, and continued his friend till his death. He died of a dropsy at Rome in 1G60, and left a considerable fortune among six children; of which the youngest, named Alexander, was a pretty good painter.
, a learned cardinal, was born at Venice in 1460. His father being procurator of St. Mark,
, a learned cardinal, was born at
Venice in 1460. His father being procurator of St. Mark,
and afterwards doge of the city, the son was soon brought
into public notice, and employed by the state in important
offices. In 1493 he was raised to the purple by pope
Alexander VI. having previously acquired great fame on
account of the piety which he displayed towards his father, who was commander of a fleet, and being defeated by
the Turks, was imprisoned and treated with great rigour.
The son offered to take his place, which being refused, he
attended him in prison, and rendered him all the service in
his power. Grimani was also an eminent patron of the
fine arts: he collected a choice and valuable library, consisting of eight thousand volumes in all languages, which,
at his decease, in 1523, he bequeathed to the canons regular of St. Salvadore, in Venice. It was afterwards increased by the addition of many valuable works by the cardinal patriarch Marino Grimani, and was preserved until
nearly the end of the seventeenth century, when it was
unfortunately destroyed by fire. Dominick Grimani also
made a fine collection of statues, and other remains of antiquity. In 1509, he was visited by Erasmus, who relates
the particulars of. his reception, in one of his letters, with
interesting minuteness, and afterwards dedicated to him
his “Paraphrasis in hlpistol. Pauli ad Romanes.
” On another occasion we find Erasmus soliciting cardinal Grimani
for a copy of Origen’s commentary on the Psalms, a translation of which he had been urged to undertake by
Warham, archbishop of Canterbury. Grimani is said to have
transiated irom the Greek some homilies of Chrysostom.
, a poet of considerable rank in his time, was a native of Huntingdonshire, and received the first part of
, a poet of considerable rank in his time, was a native
of Huntingdonshire, and received the first part of his academical education at Christ’s college in Cambridge, where
he became B. A. in 1539 or 1540. Removing to Oxford
in 1542, he was elected fellow of Merton college; but,
about 1547, having opened a rhetorical lecture in the refectory of Christ church, then newly founded, he was
transplanted to that society, which gave the greatest encouragement to such students as were distinguished for their
proficiency in criticism and philology. The same year
he wrote a Latin tragedy, which probably was acted in the
college, entitled “Archipropheta, sive Joannes Baptista,
”
dedicated to the dean, Richard Cox, and printed Colon.
1548, 8vo. In 1548, he explained all the four books of
Virgil’s Georgics in a regular prose Latin paraphrase, in
the public hall of his college, which was printed at London in 1591, 8vo. He wrote also explanatory commentaries, or lectures, on the <c Andria“of Terence, the Epistles of Horace, and many pieces of Cicero, perhaps for the
same auditory. He translated Tully’s Offices into English,
which he dedicated to the learned Thirlby, bishop of Ely,
printed at London, 1553, 8vo, and reprinted in 1574 and
1596. He also made translations from some of the Greek
classics; but these, Mr. Warton thinks, were never published; among others was the
” Cyropaedia.“Bale mentions some plays and poems, but not with sufficient precision to enable us to know whether they were in Latin or
English. It is allowed, however, that he was the second
English poet after lord Surrey who wrote in blank verse,
and added to Surrey’s style new strength, elegance, and
modulation. In the disposition and conduct of his cadences, says our poetical historian, he often approaches to
the legitimate structure of the improved blank verse, although he is not quite free from those dissonancies and asperities, which in his time adhered to the general character
and state of English diction. Both Mr. Warton and Mr.
Ellis have given specimens of his poetry from
” The
Songes written by N. G.“annexed to the
” Songes and
Soanettes of uncertain Auctours“in TottelPs edition of
lord Surrey’s Poems (reprinted in the late edition of the English poets). As a writer of verses in rhyme, Mr. Warton thinks that Grimbold yields to none of his contemporaries, for a masterly choice of chaste expression, and the
concise elegancies of didactic versification; and adds that
some of the couplets in his
” Praise of Measure-keeping,“or moderation, have all the smartness which mark the modern style of sententious poetry, and would have done honour to Pope’s ethic epistles. It is supposed that he died
about 1563. Wood and Tanner, and after them, Warton,
are decidedly of opinion that he is the same person, called
by Strype
” one Grimbold," who was chaplain to bishop
Ridley, and who was employed by that prelate while in
prison, to translate into English Laurentius Valla’s book
against the fiction of Constantine’s Donation, with some
other popular Latin pieces against the papists. In Mary’s
reign, it is said that he was imprisoned for heresy, and
saved his life by recantation. This may be true of the
Grimbold mentioned by Strype, but we doubt whether he
be the same with our poet, who is mentioned in high terms
by Bale, on account of his zeal for the reformed doctrines,
without a syllable of his apostacy, which Bale must have
known, and would not have concealed.
ed lawyer, and master of the rolls in the seventeenth century, descended from a very ancient family, was born at Brad fieldball, near Manningtree, in Essex, about 1594.
, a celebrated lawyer,
and master of the rolls in the seventeenth century, descended from a very ancient family, was born at Brad fieldball, near Manningtree, in Essex, about 1594. Where
he had his early education is not known, but he studied
law in Lincoln’s-inn, and practised with considerable success. In August 1638 he was chosen recorder of Colchester,
and representative for that place in the parliament which
met at Westminster April 13, 1640, and again in the parliament which met Nov. 3 of the same year. The measures he at first supported were those of the party which
finally overthrew the government, and although he argued
chiefly against such abuses as might have been reformed
by a better understanding between the conflicting parties,
yet his violence against the court, and particularly a bitter
speech he made against archbishop Laud, seem to prove
that he was too much swayed by the popular clamour of
the times, and too readily became one of the committees
for the redress of grievances, real or imaginary, as well as
for bringing those to punishment who were most obnoxious
to the people. In 1642 he was made one of the lieutenants
of the county of Essex, in pursuance of the parliament’s
ordinance for the militia, and in August the same year,
came down to Colchester and proclaimed sir John Lucas a
traitor, for intending to assist the king. When he came,
however, to penetrate more deeply into the designs of the
reformers, he began to withdraw his countenance from
them, and when in 1647 he was appointed one of the commissioners to treat with the king at Newport, in the isle of
Wight, his majesty had every reason to be pleased with
his candour and moderation. On his return to parliament,
he argued for accepting the king’s concessions, and being
at the same time one of the commissioners for disbanding
the army, was, among others, forcibly excluded from the
house by a party of soldiers. After the murder of the
king, he went abroad for some time, but in 1656 we find
him elected to Cromwell’s parliament as one of the sixteen,
representatives for the county of Essex, but not approved by
the council, against whose decision he signed a spirited re*
monstrance. In February 1659-60 he was chosen one of the
new council of state, in whom the executive power was lodged
by the remains of the long parliament that restored Charles
II.; and a few months after, he was also chosen speaker of
the house of commons in what was called the “Healing
parliament
” which met April 25, 1660. In May following,
he waited on the king at Breda, and on his majesty’s arrival, and the settlement of the government, was appointed
master of the roils Nov. 3, 1660, which office he filled for
nearly twenty-four years with great ability and integrity.
He was aiso appointed in the same year chief steward of
the borough or St. AlbanV, and recorder of Harwich, and
from the restoration to the time or his death, continued to
represent Colchester in parliament. For several years he
entertained Dr. Gilbert Burntt, afterwards bishop of Salisbury, as his chaplain, or preacher at the rolls; and much
assisted him in his “History of the Reformation.
” Burnet in his “Own Times
” has given an affectionate and
probably faithful character of sir Harbottle, who appears
to have been a man of real worth, piety, and moderation
in his latter days. Sir Harbottle died Dec. 31, 1683, aged
about ninety, and was buried in the chancel of St. Michael’s
church, St. Alban’s. He was twice married, first to Mary,
daughter of sir George Croke, an edition of whose “Reports
” he published, 3 vols. folio; and secondly to Anne,
daughter of sir Nathaniel Bacon, of Culford-hall, in Suffolk. Other particulars of his family may be seen in our
authorities.
, archbishop of Canterbury, was born in 15 ID, at Hinsingham, a small village in Cumberland.
, archbishop of Canterbury, was born in 15 ID, at Hinsingham, a small village in Cumberland. After a suitable inundation of learning at school, he was sent to Magdalen-college, in' Cambridge, but removed thence to Christ’s, and afterwards to Pembrokehall; where, having taken his first degree in arts, he wa chosen fellow in 1538, and commenced M. A. in 1541, having served the office of junior bursar of his college the preceding year. In 1548 he was appointed senior proctor of the university, and is said to have often sat as assessor to the vice-chancellor in his courts. In 1549 he became president [vice-master] of his college; and being now B. D. was unanimously chosen lady Margaret’s public preacher at Cambridge; as he was also one of the four disputants in a theological extraordinary act, performed that year for the entertainment of king Edward’s visitors.
Thus distinguished in the university, his merit was observed by Hid ley, bishop of London, who made him his chaplain
Thus distinguished in the university, his merit was observed by Hid ley, bishop of London, who made him his
chaplain in 1550; perhaps by the recommendation of Bucer, the king’s professor of divinity at Cambridge, who
soon after his removal to London, in a letter to that prelate, styles our divine “a person eminent for his learning
and piety.
” And thus a door being opened to him into
church -preferments, he rose by quick advances. tiis
patron the bishop was so much pleased with him, that he
designed for him the prebend of Cantrilles, in St. Paul’s
church, and wrote to the council (some of whom had procured it for furnishing the king’s stables) for leave
to give this living, as he says, “to his well deserving chaplain, who was without preferment, and to whom he would
grant it with all his heart, that so he might have him continually with him and in his diocese to preach,
” adding,
that “he was known to be both of virtue, honesty, discretion, wisdom, and learning.
” What effect this application
had does not appear, but the praecentor’s place becoming
vacant soon after, his lordship on August 24, 1551,
collated him to that office, which was of much greater
value, and likewise procured him to be made one of his
majesty’s chaplains, with the usual salary of 40l. in December of the same year. On July 2, 1552, he obtained a
stall in Westminster-abbey; which, however, he resigned
to Dr. Bonner, whom he afterwards succeeded in the
bishopric of London. In the mean time, there being a
design on the death of Dr. Tonstall, to divide the rich see
of Durham into two, Grindal was nominated lor one of
these, and would have obtained it, had not one of the
courtiers got the whole bishopric dissolved, and settled as
a temporal estate upon himself.
rches there; in the disputes at Francfort about a new model of government and form of worship, which was to be different from the last liturgy of king Edward, he sided
In 1553, he fled from the persecution under queen Mary into Germany; and, residing at Strasbourg, made himself master of the German tongue, in order to preach in the churches there; in the disputes at Francfort about a new model of government and form of worship, which was to be different from the last liturgy of king Edward, he sided with Cox and others against Knox and his followers. Returning to England on the accession of Elizabeth, in 1558, he was employed among others, in drawing up the new liturgy to be presented to the queen’s first parliament; and was also one of the eight protestant divines, chosen to hold a public dispute with the popish prelates about that time. His talent for preaching was likewise very serviceable, and he was generally appointed to that duty on all public occasions. On May 15, 1559, he preached at St. Paul’s at the first reading of the common-prayer before the privy-council, nobility, lord mayor, and aldermen. About the same time he was appointed one of the commissioners in the north, o the royal visitation for restoring the supremacy of the crown, and the protestant faith and worship. This visitation extended also to Cambridge, xvhere Dr. John Young being removed for refusing the oath of supremacy, from the mastership of Pembroke-hall, Grindal was chosen by the fellows to succeed him in 1559. This office, however, he accepted with reluctance, and finding that he could not reside, he resigned it in May 1562, if not before; yet so highly was he beloved by the society, that the three succeeding masters were chosen by his recommendation.
In July the same year, he was nominated to the bishopric of London, vacant by the deposition
In July the same year, he was nominated to the bishopric of London, vacant by the deposition of Bonner.
The juncture was very critical, and the fate of the church
revenues depended upon the event. An act of parliament
had lately passed, whereby her majesty was empowered
to exchange the ancient episcopal manors and lordships
for tithes and impropriations; a measure extremely regretted by these first bishops, who scrupled whether they
should comply in a point so injurious to the revenue of
their respective sees, which must suffer considerably by
these exchanges; and which too would cut off all hope of
restoring the tithes, so long unjustly detained from the
respective churches, for the maintenance of the incumbents. In this important point our new-nominated bishop
consulted Peter Martyr in a letter dated August of this
year; nor did he accept of the bishopric till he had re*
ceived an opinion in favour of it from that divine, who
said that the queen might provide for her bishops and
clergy in such manner as she thought proper, that being
none of GrindaPs concern. He also communicated to that
divine his scruples concerning the habits and some customs then used in the church, on both which Martyr gave
him the advice of a sensible and moderate man who regarded more weighty matters. Before this answer could
be received, Grindal was consecrated Dec. 1, but the exchange of lands with the queen not being fully settled, he
could not compound for his first fruits, and consequently
he was hindered from exercising his episcopal function,
and was obliged to have the queen’s express authority for
that purpose. We may here remark that Cox bishop of
Ely, Barlow of Chichester, and Scory of Hereford, were consecrated at the same time by archbishop Parker, with whom
they all joined in a petition to her majesty to stop these exchanges, and they offered her as an equivalent, 1000 marks a
year during their lives. In 1560, he was made one of the ecclesiastical commissioners, in pursuance of an act of parliament to inspect into the manners of the clergy, and regulate
all matters of the church; and the same year he joined with
Cox and Parker, in a private letter to the queen, persuading
her to marry. In 1561, he held his primary visitation. In
1563 he assisted the archbishop of Canterbury, together with
some civilians, in preparing a book of statutes for Christ
church, Oxford, which as yet had none fixed. This year
he was also very serviceable, in procuring the^ English
merchants, who were ill used at Antwerp and ether parts
of the Spanish Netherlands, and who had been very kind
to the English exiles in the late reign, a new settiemeut
Embden, in East-Frieslaml; and the same year, at the
request of sir William Cecil, secretary of state, he wrote
animadversions upjn a treatise entitled “Christiani Hominis Norma,
” &c. “The Rule of a Christian Man,
”
the author of which, one Justus Velsius, a Dutch enthusiast, had impudently, in some letters to the queen, used
menaces to her majesty; hut being at last cited before
the ecclesiastical commission, was charged to depart the
kingdom.
67 he executed the queen’s orders in proceeding against the prohibited and unlicensed preachers; but was so treated by some with reproaches and rude language, that it
On April 15, 1564, he took the degree of D. D. at Cambridge, and the same year executed the queen’s express command, for exacting uniformity in the clergy; but proceeded so tenderly and slowly, that the archbishop thought fit to excite and quicken him; whence the puritans supposed him inclined to their party. However, he brought several nonconformists to comply; to which end he pub* Jished a letter of Henry Bullinger, minister of Zurich, in Switzerland, to prove the lawfulness of compliance, which had a very good effect. The same year, October 3, on the celebration of the emperor Ferdinand’s funeral, he preached a sermon at St. Paul’s, afterwards printed, from which Strype has given extracts. In 1567 he executed the queen’s orders in proceeding against the prohibited and unlicensed preachers; but was so treated by some with reproaches and rude language, that it abated much of his favourable inclinations towards them, which was felt and resented on their part. Even although some years afterwards he both procured the liberty of some separatists who had been imprisoned according to law, and indulged their ministers with a licence to preach on their promising not to act against the laws, yet they immediately abused that liberty, and when he proceeded against them for it, they had the boldness to lodge a complaint in the privy council representing his dealings with them. The archbishop, touched with their ingratitude, joined with the council in opinion that such men ought to be severely punished as a warning to others. Grimial was also threatened with a premunire by some of his clergy for raising a contribution upon them the preceding year for the persecuted Protestants abroad, without the queen’s licence. But this did not discourage him, and having procured a commission from her majesty to visit the Savoy, the hospital appointed for the relief and entertainment of poor travellers, he deprived the master, who had almost ruined the charity by his abuses and mismanagement. This was the last piece of service he performed for his diocese, being on May I, 1570, translated to the see of York. He owed this promotion to secretary Cecil and archbishop Parker, who liked his removal from London, as not being resolute enough for the government there. The same year he wrote a letter to his patron Cecil, that Cartwright the famous nonconformist might be silenced; and in 1571, at his metropolitical visitation, he shewed a hearty zeal, by his injunctions, for the^discipline and good government of the church. In 1572 he petitioned the queen to renew the ecclesiastical commission. In 157* he held one for the purpose of proceeding against papists, whose number daily diminished in his diocese, which he was particularly careful to provide with learned preachers, as being in his opinion the best method of attaining that end. He rejected therefore such as came for institution to livings if they were found deficient in learning, and in this policy he was encouraged by the queen, to whom it was highly agreeable. In other respects he had frequently to contend with the avarice of the courtiers, some of whom, would have greatly impoverished the church, if he and Other prelates had not opposed them.
the first chair in the church, which became vacant by the death of archbishop Parker. Accordingly he was translated to the see of Canterbury, in which he was confirmed,
His patron, Cecil, then lord treasurer, recommended him to the first chair in the church, which became vacant by the death of archbishop Parker. Accordingly he was translated to the see of Canterbury, in which he was confirmed, February 15, 1575. On May 6, 1576, he began his metropolitical visitation, and took measures for the better regulation of his courts; but the same year fell under her majesty’s displeasure, upon account of the favour he shewed to what was called the exercise of prophesying.
ned the true sense of the place, a certain time being fixed for dispatching the whole. The advantage was the improvement of the clergy, who hereby coiisiderabiy profited
These prophesyings had been used for some time, the rules of which were, that the ministers of a particular division at a set time met together at some church, and there each in their order explained, according to their abilities, some portion of scripture allotted to them before; this done, a moderator made his observations on what had been said, and determined the true sense of the place, a certain time being fixed for dispatching the whole. The advantage was the improvement of the clergy, who hereby coiisiderabiy profited in the knowledge of the scripture; but this mischief ensued, that at length confusions and disturbances took place at those meetings, by an ostentation of superior parts in some, by advancing heterodox opinions, and by the intrusion of some of the silenced se* paratists, who took this opportunity of declaiming against the liturgy and hierarchy, and even speaking against states and particular persons. The people also, of whom there was always a great conflux as hearers, fell to arguing and disputing much about religion, and sometimes a layman would take upon himself to speak. In short, the exercises degenerated into factions.
t the number of preachers as well as the exercises, and ordered him to redress both; urging, that it was good for the church to have few preachers, that three or four
Grindal laboured to redress these irregularities by setting down rules and orclers for the management of these exercises; however, the queen still disapproved of them, as seeing probably how very apt they were to be abused. She did not like that the laity should neglect their secular affairs by repairing to those meetings, which she thought might fill their heads with notions, and so occasion dissentions and disputes, and perhaps seditions in the state. And the archbishop being at court, she particularly declared herself offended at the number of preachers as well as the exercises, and ordered him to redress both; urging, that it was good for the church to have few preachers, that three or four might suffice for a county, and that the reading of the Homilies to the people was sufficient. She therefore required him to abridge the number of preachers, and put down the religious exercises. This did not a little afflict him. He thought^ and very properly, the queen infringed upon his office, to whom, next to herself, the highest trust of the church of England was committed; especially as this command was peremptory, and made without at alladvising with him, and that in a matter so directly concerning religion: he wrote a letter to her majesty, declaring, that his conscience would not suffer him to comply with her commands.
This refusal was dated December 20, 1576. The queen therefore having given him
This refusal was dated December 20, 1576. The queen therefore having given him sufficient time to consider well his resolution, and he continuing inflexible, she sent letters next year to the bishops, to forbid all exercises and prophesyings, and to silence all preachers and teachers not lawfully called, of which there were no small number; and in June the archbishop was sequestered from his office, and confined to his house by an order of the court of starchamber. In November the lord-treasurer wrote to him about making his submission, with which he not thinking fit to comply, his sequestration was continued; and iri January there were thoughts of depriving him, which* how-ever, were laid aside. June 1579, his confinement was either taken off, or else he had leave to retire to his house at Croydon; for we find him there consecrating the bishop of Exeter in that year, and the bishops of Winchester, and Lichfield and Coventry, the year following. This part of his function was exercised by a particular commission from the queen, who in council appointed two civilians to manage the other affairs of his see, the two of his nomination being set aside. Yet sometimes he had special commands from the queen and council to act in person, and issued out orders in his own name; and in general was as active as he could be, and vigilant in the care of his diocese as occasion offered. In 1580, for instance, when there happened a violent earthquake, our archbishop having issued an order for prayer and humiliation, composed a prayer for families throughout his diocese, which was allowed by the council, who in a letter to him commended his great zeal, and required him to enjoin the observation of his new order of prayer in all other dioceses. The council also referred to him the decision of a dispute that happened the same year at Merton college, Oxford, of which he was visitor, as archbishop; and soon after he was employed by the lord treasurer in a controversy between the university and town of Cambridge.
served for the future, better calculated than the former to produce a proper effect on offenders. It was moved in this convocation, that no business should be entered
This year (1580), a convocation met at St. Paul’s, at which, though he could not appear, yet he had a principal share in the transactions of it. He drew up an expedient for preserving the authority of the spiritual courts in the point of excommunications; he laid before them also a new form of penance to be observed for the future, better calculated than the former to produce a proper effect on offenders. It was moved in this convocation, that no business should be entered upon, nor any subsidy granted, till he was restored, and although the motion was negatived, yet they unanimously presented a petition in his favour to her majesty, which they thought was a more respectful proceeding. This, however, proved ineffectual, nor was he restored until after he made his submission, in which, among other things, to clear himself of the charge of a refiactory disobedience in the matter of the exercises, he proved that in his own bishopric, and other peculiar jurisdictions, he never suffered the practice after the time of her majesty’s command.