Sharp had a servant, one Carmichael, who by his cruelties had rendered himself particularly odious to
Sharp had a servant, one Carmichael, who by his cruelties had rendered himself particularly odious to the presbyterians. Nine men formed the resolution, in 1679, of waylaying him in Magus-moor, about three miles from St. Andrew’s. While they were waiting for this man, the primate himself appeared in a coach with his daughter, and the assassins immediately considered this as a fit opportunity to rid the world of such a monster of perfidy and cruelty, and accordingly dispatched him with their swords, with every aggravation of barbarity, regardless of the tears and intreaties of his daughter. Such is the account given by all historians of the murder of Sharp; and that he fell by the hands of fanatics whom he persecuted, is certain. A tradition, however, has been preserved in different families descended from him, which may here be mentioned. The primate had, in the plenitude of his archiepiscopal authority, taken notice of a criminal amour carried on between a nobleman high in office and a lady of some fashion who lived within his diocese. This interference was in that licentious age deemed very impertinent; and the archbishop’s descendants believe that the proud peer instigated the deluded rabble to murder their ancestor. Such a tradition, however, is contrary to all historical testimony, and all historians have been particularly desirous to prove that the meeting with the assassins was purely accidental.
of the church of England, he had considered the necessity of inquiring into the characters of those who might be candidates for benefices in the disposal of the seal.
In 1667, he took the degree of M. A. and was ordained
both deacon and priest. In the same year, he was recommended by the celebrated Dr. Henry More, as domestic
chaplain to sir Heneage Finch, then attorney-general
to four of whose sons he was tutor two of whom, having
afterwards entered into orders, he successively collated,
when archbishop of York, to the rich prebend of Wetwang
in his cathedral. At the opening of the Sheldonian theatre
in July 1669, he was incorporated M. A. with several other
Cambridge gentlemen, whom the fame of that intended
solemnity had brought to Oxford. In 1672, sir Heneage
Finch obtained for him from the king, the archdeaconry of
Berkshire, vacant by the promotion of Dr. Mews to the see
of Bath and Wells. In the same year, sir Heneage was
appointed lord keeper of the great seal, when he gave an
eminent proof of the confidence which he placed in the
judgment and integrity of his chaplain. Attached to the
interests of the church of England, he had considered the
necessity of inquiring into the characters of those who might
be candidates for benefices in the disposal of the seal. But
the many avocations of his high office prevented his personal attention to this point: he therefore addressed his
chaplain to this effect: “The greatest difficulty I apprehend in the execution of my office, is the patronage of
ecclesiastical preferments. God is my witness, that I
would not knowingly prefer an unworthy person; but as
my course of life and studies has lain another way, I cannot
think myself so good a judge of the merits of such suitors
as you are. I therefore charge it upon your conscience,
as you will answer it to Almighty God, that upon every such
occasion, you make the best inquiry, and give me the best
advice you can, that I may never bestow any favour upon
an undeserving man; which, if you neglect to do, the guilt
will be entirely yours, and I shall deliver my soul.
” This
trust, so solemnly committed to his care, Dr. Sharp faithfully discharged and his advice was no less faithfully followed by his patron, so long as he continued in office
and never was a conscientious disposal of church preferment of more importance than in the dissolute reign of
Charles II.
In the reign of James, he was one of those distinguished preachers, who vindicated with boldness the reformed religion, and exposed
In the reign of James, he was one of those distinguished
preachers, who vindicated with boldness the reformed
religion, and exposed with success the errors of popery.
On May 2, 1686, he delivered in his church of St. Giles’s,
a memorable discourse, in which he expressed a contempt
of those who could be converted by any arguments in favour
of the Romish faith. It was therefore considered as a reflection not only upon those courtiers who had conformed
to that religion, but even upon the king himself; and he
accordingly experienced the resentment of James and his
party. On June 17 following, a mandate was issued to
Compton, bishop of London, to suspend the obnoxious
preacher; but Compton was too firm to the protestant interest to obey so tyrannical a command. He wrote a
letter to lord Sunderlaud, which he requested might be
communicated to the king. In this letter, he said “that
the only power he had over Sharp, was as his judge; and
that he could not in that capacity condemn him, without
the forms of law.
” He added, " Sharp was so willing to
give his majesty all reasonable satisfaction, that he made
him the bearer of the letter/' But to this no answer was
returned, nor was Sharp admitted. The bishop therefore
recommended Sharp to desist from the exercise of his
function: and prevailed on him to write a petition to the
king, in which he expressed his sorrow for constructions
that were offensive, and promised to be more guarded for
the future. But the petition was not admitted to be read.
It had been resolved indeed to humiliate Compton, as well
as to punish Sharp. For, because the mild prelate refused
to condemn him uncited, unheard, undefended, untried, he
was himself suspended by that ecclesiastical commission,
which suspended also Sharp; and was another example of
the vengeance which arbitrary power determined to execute on those who had the courage to oppose it.
, in his “Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica,” vol. VI. They were communicated to him by Mr. Gough, who purchased them in ms. at the sale of Mr. Ralph Thoresby’s Museum,
Dr. Sharp, during his suspension, resided at his deanery
at Norwich. He there amused his leisure hours in collecting coins, of which, as well British, Saxon, and English, as
Greek and Roman, he then and afterwards amassed sufficient to furnish a choice and valuable cabinet. To his researches of this kind, the learned and the curious are indebted for his ingenious and accurate “Remarks on the
English, Scots, and Irish money,
” which he communicated
in 16.98-9 to Mr. Ralph Thoresby; in an introductory letter
to whom he acknowledges his partiality to the study of
antiquity, but modestly fears that he made that a business,
which should be only a recreation. Part of these “Remarks
” were published by Mr. Ives in his “Select Papers,
”
but the whole by Mr. Nichols, in Bibliotheca
Topographica Britannica,
” vol. VI. They were communicated to him by Mr. Gough, who purchased them in ms.
at the sale of Mr. Ralph Thoresby’s Museum, in 1764.
The merit of dean Sharp was now in the highest estimation, and upon the deprivation of those bishops who refused the oaths to William and Mary, he was considered as
The merit of dean Sharp was now in the highest estimation, and upon the deprivation of those bishops who refused the oaths to William and Mary, he was considered as a proper person to succeed to one of the vacant sees. But neither the favour of his majesty, nor the persuasion of his friends, could prevail on him Ho accept the offer. He declined the promotion, not from any scruple of conscience, but from a delicacy of feeling; for he entertained a particular esteem for the prelates who were deprived. This refusal, however, which reflects equal honour on his disinterestedness and on his sensibility, displeased the king. But his friend, Dr. Tillotson, the day after his nomination to the see of Canterbury, waited on him, and proposed an expedient, by which he might accede, without violating his resolution, to the kind intention of his majesty. This was, that he should promise to accept the see of York, when it should become vacant, and that he should ground his present refusal on his wish to be preferred to his native county. To this he agreed, and Dr. Tillotson acquainted the king with what had passed; when his majesty signified his approbation of Dr. Sharp’s intention. In a few days afterwards, Lamplugh, the archbishop of York, died, and Sharp was consecrated in his room, July 5, 1691. His elevation to this dignity, says Thoresby, the historian of Leeds, was not only to the comfort and honour of his native county and family, but to the universal satisfaction and joy of the whole nation.
insist on the primitive Wilson’s acceptance of it: whose modesty had before declined the honour, and who could not even now receive it, without saying, “he was forced
In 1693, he visited his diocese, when he found the collegiate church of Southwell in the greatest confusion, its
government neglected, and its members in distraction and
animosity. By the wisdom and moderation of his excellent
“Injunctions,
” he restored it to its former decency, order,
and hospitality. In 1697, as metropolitan he represented
to the king, that the see of Sodor and Man had continued
vacant four years, with which his majesty perhaps might
not be acquainted; that, of necessity, it ought to be filled;
and that the patron of the bishopric should be reminded,
that any further delay would preclude his nomination.
The isle of Man was greatly indebted to the archbishop for
this remonstrance, as it occasioned the earl of Derby, the
patron of the see, to insist on the primitive Wilson’s acceptance of it: whose modesty had before declined the
honour, and who could not even now receive it, without
saying, “he was forced into the bishopric.
”
was sworn one of her privy council, and was appointed lord almoner. In 1705, he Concurred with those who apprehended the church to be in danger; but their opinions,
On the accession of queen Anne, the archbishop was
sworn one of her privy council, and was appointed lord
almoner. In 1705, he Concurred with those who apprehended the church to be in danger; but their opinions,
however zealously defended, when they became the subject
of parliamentary debate, were discountenanced by a great
majority; and the church was declared to be “in a most
safe and flourishing condition.
” In 1706, he was nominated one of the commissioners for treating of the union
between England and Scotland. He is said to have been
appointed merely out of respect to his dignity; but would
not be present, even once, at the treaty. In the affair of
Sacheverell, on which the opinions of men were so much
divided, in 1709, he joined with those peers, who expressed
the most contemptuous opinion of the sermon, bat did not
> think the preacher guilty of a misdemeanour and who
entered their protest against the sentence of the majority.
He afterwards opposed the intended promotion of Swift to
an English mitre, in this remarkable caution to the queen,
"that her majesty should be sure that the man whom she
, “to recommend deserving clergymen for the crown-preferments.” Among the many distinguished divines who, on rarious occasions, had been indebted to his interest, were
In 1712, archbishop Sharp perceived his health to decline, and was recommended to try the benefit of the Bath
waters, but his recovery soon appeared hopeless. Not long
before his death, he procured sir William Dawes to be
appointed his successor, merely from his good opinion of
him, “that he would be diligent in executing the duties
of his office.
” In the reign of queen Anne, the greatest
attention was always paid to his recommendation, and in
that of William, also, he had been joined with several other
disinterested prelates, in a commission from his majesty,
“to recommend deserving clergymen for the crown-preferments.
” Among the many distinguished divines who,
on rarious occasions, had been indebted to his interest,
were his particular friend Tillotson, the bishops Bull, Beveridge, Wilson, Potter, and Gibson; Dr. Prideaux, though
he himself thought otherwise, and Dr. Mills.
ages, as one of the greatest ornaments of this country. He was that faithful and vigilant governor, who promoted the diligent clergy of his own diocese to the dignities
The character of Sharp, says Mr. Todd, whose accurate
and well-arranged memoir we have followed, affords one of
the best examples that can challenge imitation, whether he
is considered as a man, as a scholar, as a divine, or as a
diocesan. His amiable disposition and unshaken integrity,
his distinguished learning and extensive charity, will
transmil his name to latest ages, as one of the greatest ornaments
of this country. He was that faithful and vigilant governor, who promoted the diligent clergy of his own diocese to
the dignities in his cathedral: who conferred, indeed, on
the deserving whatever was in his own gift, without the
least regard to political opinions and partv interest; who
enforced the laudable injunction of residence to the prebendaries of York, Southwell, and Rippon: who, in all respects, promoted by true discipline the decency of the
church, as “by sound doctrine he exhorted and convinced
the gainsayers.
”
Dr. Thomas Sharp left three sons, John, who after various promotions became also archdeacon of Northumberland,
Dr. Thomas Sharp left three sons, John, who after various promotions became also archdeacon of Northumberland, and a prebendary of Durham, and died in 1792. He had the merit of arranging and establishing lord Crew’s noble charity for sick and lame seamen at Bamborough, and conducted the institution with the greatest care and humanity. Dr. Sharp’s other sons were William, many years an eminent surgeon in London, who died in Is 10, aged eightyone, and Granville, the subject of the next article.
h from which he had before rescued him. Mr. Sharp instantly went to the prison, and found the negro, who in sickness and misery had been discarded by his master, sent
, eminent as a Christian, a scholar,
and a gentleman, one of the sons of Dr. Thomas Sharp,
and grandson to the archbishop, was born in 1734. He
was educated for the bar, but did not practise at it. When
he quitted the legal profession, he obtained a place in the
ordnance office, which he resigned at the commencement
of the American war; of the principles of which he did
not approve. He now took chambers in the Temple, and
devoted himself to a life of study; at the same time, laying
himself out for public utility. He first became known to
the public in the case of a poor and friendless negro, of
the name of Somerset. This person had been brought
from the West Indies to England, and falling into bad
health, was abandoned by his master, and turned into the
streets, either to die, or to gain a miserable support by
precarious charity. In this destitute state, almost, it is
said, on the point of expiring on the pavement of one of
the public streets of London, Mr. Sharp chanced to see
him. He instantly had him removed to St. Bartholomew’s
hospital, attended personally to his wants, and in a short
time had the happiness to see him restored to health. Mr.
Sharp now clothed him, and procured him comfortable employment in the service of a lady. Two years had elapsed,
and the circumstance almost, and the name of the poor
negro, had escaped the memory of his benefactor, when
Mr. Sharp received a letter from a person, signing himself
Somerset, confined in the Poultry Compter, stating no
cause for his commitment, but intreating his interference to
save him from a greater calamity even than the death from
which he had before rescued him. Mr. Sharp instantly
went to the prison, and found the negro, who in sickness
and misery had been discarded by his master, sent to
prison as a runaway slave. Mr. Siiarp went immediately to
the lord major, William Nash, esq. who caused the parties
to be brought before him; when, after a long hearing, the
upright magistrate decided that the master had no property
in the person of the negro, in this country, and gave the
negro his liberty. The master instantly collared him, in
the presence of Mr. Sharp and the lord mayor, and insisted
on his right to keep him as his property. Mr. Sharp now
claimed the protection of the English law, caused the master to be taken into custody, and exhibited articles of peace
against him for an assault and battery. After various legal
proceedings, supported by him with most undaunted spirit,
the twelve judges unanimously concurred in an opinion that
the master had acted criminally. Thus did Mr. Sharp
emancipate for ever the race of blacks from a state of
slavery, while on British ground, and in fact banished slavery
from Great Britain. Such an incident could not fail deeply
to impress a benevolent mind; and slavery, in every shape
and country, became the object of his unceasing hostility.
In 17G9, he published a work, entitled “A Representation
of the injustice and dangerous tendency of toleratinaSlavery, or of admitting the least claim of private property
in the persons of men in England. 7 ' Having succeeded in
the case of an individual negro, he interested himself in the
condition of the many others who were seen wandering
about the streets of London, and at his own expence collected a number of them, whom he sent back to Africa,
where they termed a colony on the river Sierra Leone. He
performed a still more essential service to humanity, by becoming the institutor of the
” Society for the abolition of
the Slave trade;“which, after contending against a vast
mass of opposition, at length succeeded, as far as this
country was concerned, and it is hoped will soon be universal. Similar principles led Mr. Sharp to use his endeavours
to restrain the practice of marine impressment; and a
citizen of London having been carried off by a press-warrant, Mr. Sharp obtained a habeas corpus from the court of
king’s bench, to bring him back from a vessel at the Nore;
and by his arguments obliged the court to liberate him.
His political principles led him to become the warm advocate of
” parliamentary reform,“and he published
” A
Declaration of the people’s natural right to a share in the
legislature, which is the fundamental principle of the British
constitution of state." In this he proposed to restore the
ancient tithing$, hundreds, &c. and the whole body of the
people were to form a national militia, each thousand to
constitute a regiment, the alderman or magistrate to be the
colonel; and each hundred to constitute a company, the
constable of each fo.r the time being to be their captain.
So many of the thousands to be summoned once in every
year, by their magistrate, as would have a right to vote in
their respective hundreds, before the constable, in the
choice of their part of the representative legislature.
After stating that the division of this kingdom into tithings
and hundreds was instituted by the immortal Alfred, he
endeavours to prove that such a division is consistent with
the most perfect state of liberty that man is capable of enioying, and yet fully competent to answer all the purposes of mutual defence, to secure the due execution of
the laws, and maintain public peace. Mr. Sharp was
educated in the principles of the established church, and
through life shewed a warm attachment to them. This led
him to recommend an episcopal church in America; and
he introduced the first bishops from that country to the
archbishop of Canterbury for consecration.
of the great doctrine in question, the divinity of Christ, no impartial reader, I think, can doubt, who is at all acquainted with the original language of the New Testament.
Mr. Sharp wrote, besides the works already mentioned
1. “Remarks on several very important Prophecies in
five Parts. I. Remarks on the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th
Verses in the seventh Chapter of Isaiah; in answer to Dr.
Williams’s Critical Dissertation on the same subject; II.
A Dissertation on the nature and style of Prophetical
Writings, intended to illustrate the foregoing Remarks
III. A Dissertation on Isaiah vii. 8 IV. On Gen. xlix. 10;
V. Answer to some of the principal Arguments used by Dr.
Williams in Defence of his Critical Dissertation,
” 1768,
8vo. 2. “A Representation of the injustice and dangerous tendency of tolerating Slavery, &c.
” with some other
tracts in support of his opinions. 3. “Remarks on the
Encroachments on the Riyer Thames, near Durham Yard,
”
Remarks on the Opinions of some of
the most celebrated writers on Crown Law, respecting
the due distinction between Manslaughter and Murder;
being an attempt to shew tiiat the plea of sudden anger
cannot remove the imputation and guilt of murder, when a
mortal wound is wilfully given with a weapon: that the
indulgence allowed by the courts to voluntary manslaughter
in rencounters, and in sudden affrays and duels, is indiscriminate, and without foundation in law: and that impunity in such cases of voluntary manslaughter is one of the
principal causes of the continuance and present increase of
the base and disgraceful practice of duelling. To which
are added, some thoughts on the particular case of the
gentlemen of the army, when involved in such disagreeable
private differences. With a prefatory address to the reader,
concerning the depravity and folly of modern men of
honour, falsely so called; including a short account of the
principles and designs of the work,
” Remarks on the Uses of the Definitive Article in the Greek
of the New Testament; containing many new proofs of
the Divinity of Christ, from passages which are wrongly
translated in the common English Version. To which is
added a plain matter-of-fact argument for the Divinitv of
Christ, by the Editor,
” Durhiin, 'Museum Oxoniense,
” published by Dr. Burgess, the
present very excellent bishop of St. David’s. A
Supplement to the Remarks was, at the same time, promised in
the third fasciculus of the Museum. “But,
” says Dr.
Burgess, “as many learned friends concurred with the
editor in thinking that the Remarks contain a very valuable
accession to the evidences of Christ’s divinity, he was unwilling to detain the Supplement, which exemplifies the
rules of the Remarks, any longer from the public; and has,
therefore, prevailed on Mr. Sharp to permit him to publish
it with the Remarks. He earnestly recommends them both
to Mr. Wakeneiu’s must deliberate consideration. To Mr.
Sharp’s Remarks and Supplement he has subjoined a plain
historical proof of the divinity or Cnrist, iounded on Chnst’s
own testimony of himself, attested and, interpreted by his
living witnesses and enemies, the Jews; on the evidence of
his trial and crucifixion; and on the most explicit declarations of the apostles after the resurrection of Christ. What
appeared to him on a former occasion (in a sermon on the divinity of Christ, 1792, second edition), to be a substantial and unanswerable argument, he has, in this little exercise on the subject, endeavoured to render an easy and
popular proof of our Saviour’s divinity. It was printed separately for the use of the unlearned part of his parishioners;
and is subjoined to this treatise for the convenience of
other unlearned readers, and such as have not much considered the subject.
” A second edition of the “Remarks
”
was published in Dear sir, I have great pleasure in presenting you with a new edition of your valuable tract. That
you have very happily and decisively applied your rule of
construction to the correction of the common English version of the New Testament, and to the perfect establishment of the great doctrine in question, the divinity of Christ,
no impartial reader, I think, can doubt, who is at all acquainted with the original language of the New Testament.
I say decisively applied, because I suppose, in all remote
and written testimony, the weight of evidence must ultimately depend on the grammatical analogy of the language
in which it is recorded. I call the rule yours; for, though
it was acknowledged and applied by Bege and others to
some of the texts alluded to by you, yet never so prominently, because singly, or so effectually, as in your remarks,
In the addition to the former edition, I wished to excite
the attention of a learned and declared enemy to the doctrine of our Saviour’s divinity; but he is no more and J
do not know that he even expressed, or has left behind
him, any opinion on the subject, or that any other Socinian has undertaken to canvass the principles of your Remarks. The public has, however, lately seen an ample
and learned confirmation of your rule, drawn from a very
minute, laborious, and candid examination of the Greek
and Latin fathers, in ‘Six Letters addressed to Granville
Sharp, Esq. respecting his Remarks on the Uses of the
Definitive Article in the Greek Text of the New Testament. London, 1802.’ I have taken some pains to improve the plain argument for Christ’s divinity, which I
before subjoined to your Remarks. In this edition I have
prefixed to it a table of evidences by Dr. Whitby, which I
hope the younger part of your readers will find useful to
them in pursuing the different branches of this most important subject; and you, J think, will not disapprove, because it is conducive to the principal purpose of your
tract.
” Bishop Burgess afterwards adverted, in a note on
his primary charge, to a weak attack on Mr. Granville
Sharp, in a publication entiled “Six more Letters, &c.
by Gregory Blunt, esq.
” These letters are very well calculated to
mislead the unlearned reader, by abstract questions, gratuitous assertions, and hypothetical examples, but communicate nothing on the score of authority, which bears any
comparison with the unanimous consent of the Greek
fathers; and nothing at all which has any pretence to
grammatical observation.
” In the latter part of
outhful mistake, which rendered his continuance at the seminary uneasy to himself and his relations, who becoming acquainted with the late Principal Blackwell, then
, D. D. F. R. and A. Ss. master of
the Temple, and chaplain in ordinary to his majesty, was
born in Yorkshire in 1713, and, after passing some time at
the grammar-school of Hull, came to Westminster, where
he studied under the celebrated Dr. Freind. While here,
he fell into a youthful mistake, which rendered his continuance at the seminary uneasy to himself and his relations, who becoming acquainted with the late Principal
Blackwell, then at London, they settled Mr. Sharpe with
him in the summer of 1731. Mr. Blackwell was at that
time Professor of Greek in the Marischal College of Aberdeen, and was publishing his “Enquiry into the Life and
Writings of Homer,
” so that Mr. Sharpe’s friends judged
he might have a fair opportunity of making a considerable
proficiency in the Greek language under a person so
eniinently skilled in it. Mr. Sharpe was boarded in his house
four years without stirring out of Scotland; and after he
had finished his studies, returned to England, and in a few
years entered into orders. When Dr. Seeker was promoted to the deanery of St. Paul’s, Mr. Sharpe was appointed minister of the Broad -way chapel, St. James’s, in
which he continued till the death of Dr. Nicholls, of the
Temple, when, on account of his great learning, he was
declared the Doctor’s successor, and in this station he was
at his death, which happened at the Temple-house, Jan.
8, 1771. The Doctor never was married. His abilities
and attainments in every kind of useful knowledge were
conspicuous, and his skill in the Oriental languages extensive and uncommon.
Thomas Hyde, S. T. P. separatim edidit,“1767. Some of the prints in this were etched by Dr. Sharpe, who had a good talent in that branch of art, and sometimes, for
His works were, 1. “A Review of the Controversy
about the meaning of Demoniacs in the New Testament,
”
1744. 3.
” Two Dissertations, the first upon the origin of languages, the
second upon the original powers of letters, with a Hebrew
Lexicon,“1751. 4.
” A Dissertation on the Latin
Tongue,“1751. 5.
” An Argument in defence of Christianity, taken from the concessions of the most ancient adversaries,“1755. 6.
” An Introduction to Universal History, translated from the Latin of Baron Holberg,“1758.
7.
” A second argument in defence of Christianity, taken
from the ancient prophecies,“1762. 8.
” The rise and
fall of the holy city and temple of Jerusalem,“1764. 9.
” The want of universality no objection to the Christian
religion,“1765. 10.
” Syntagma Dissertationum quas
olim auctor doctissirnus Thomas Hyde, S. T. P. separatim
edidit,“1767. Some of the prints in this were etched by
Dr. Sharpe, who had a good talent in that branch of art,
and sometimes, for his amusement, took likenesses of singular persons, and engraved them. Cole speaks of
” an
admirable etching“by him, of a country farmer asleep in a
chair. He was a tenant of the Temple estate, and so very
lethargic as to fall asleep in the chair when he was waiting
for Dr. Sharpe’s receipt for his rent. 11.
” The origin
and structure of the Greek tongue,“1768. 12.
” A Letter to the Right Rev. the Bishop of Oxford, containing
remarks upon some strictures made by Archbishop Seeker
on Merrick’s Annotations on the Psalms,“1769. 13.
” The
advantages of a Religious Education, a sermon preached
at the Asylum,“1770. These publications are incontestable evidences of the abilities and application of the learned author, who also carried on an extensive literary correspondence with many eminent scholars both of his own
and other countries, particularly Dr. Sykes and Dr. Hunt.
Two volumes of his original letters are now before us, the
one entitled * c From the time I went abroad,
” which appears to have been in 1752; the other “Concerning the
Latin and Hebrew Dissertations.
” There are few particulars of a biographical kind in them, but abundant proof of
the facility with which he could enter upon learned discussions without apparent preparation. After his death a
volume of his “Sermons
” was published by the Rev. Joseph
Robertson in
deputy botanical lecturer. To this office he was appointed by Dr. Sibthorp, the botanical professor, who was then upon the eve of setting out upon his travels in Greece,
, an eminent naturalist, the younger of
two sons of the rev. Timothy Shaw, was born Dec. 10, 1751,
at Bienon in Buckinghamshire, of which place his father
was vicar. His propensity for the studies which rendered
him distinguished, discovered itself at the early age of four
years; when, entering into no such amusements as those
with which children are generally delighted, he entertained
himself with books, or wandered by the sides of ditches,
catching insects, and taking them home with him, where
he would spend all his leisure time in watching their motions and examining: their structure. He was educated entirely by his father; and as the precocity of his intellect
gave him an aptitude for acquiring whatever it was wished
that he should acquire, he was, to the credit of the preceptor as well as the pupil, abundantly qualified at the age of
little more than thirteen, to enter upon a course of academical studies. In 1765 he was entered at Magdalen -hall,
Oxford, where he was no less distinguished by the regularity of his conduct than by an uncommonly diligent application to his studies. On May 24, 1769, he was admitted to the degree of bachelor of arts; and on May ^6,
1772, to that of master of arts. That he might assist his
father in his clerical duties, he took orders, and was ordained deacon in 1774, at Buckden, by Green, bishop of
Lincoln, and performed regularly the duty at Stoke and
Buckland, two chapels, each three miles apart from Bierton,
the mother-church. As his predilection for natural science
never forsook him, and feeling a stronger inclination for
studies more connected with it than parochial duties and
theological acquirements, he laid aside the clerical habit,
and went to Edinburgh, where he engaged in a course of
reading, and qualified himself for a profession more congenial with his favourite pursuit. Having directed his views
to medicine, he attended for three years the lectures of
Black and Cullen, and other eminent professors, and then
returned to Oxford, where he obtained an appointment by
which he acquired much celebrity, viz. deputy botanical
lecturer. To this office he was appointed by Dr. Sibthorp,
the botanical professor, who was then upon the eve of setting out upon his travels in Greece, &c. Upon the death of
Dr. Sibthorp, Dr. Shaw was a candidate for the vacant chair
of the professor of botany; and so high did the votes of the
members of the university run in his favour, that he would
have succeeded in his wishes, had it not been discovered
that the statute relating to that professorship enacted that
no person in orders should be deemed eligible. On October 17, 1787, he was admitted to the degrees of bachelor
and doctor of medicine. It appears from the catalogue of
of Oxford graduates that when he took these degrees he
had removed his name from Magdalen-hall to Magdalencollege. In this year Dr. Shaw removed to London, where
he practised as a physician. In 1788 some gentlemen,
distinguished for their attachment to the study of, and eminent for their acquirements in natural history, established a
society for the advancement of this science, under the name of
the Linmean Society. Dr. (now sir James) Smith was elevated
to the chair of president of this society, and Dr. Shaw was
appointed one of the vice-presidents. Among the Linnsean
transactions appear the following articles, contributed by
Dr. Shaw: “Description of the Stylephorus cordatus, a
new fish.
” “Description of the Cancer stagnalis of Linnaeus.
” “Remarks on Scolopendra electrica, and Scolopendra subterranea.
” “A Note to Mr. Kirby’s Description of the new species of Hirudo.
” “Account of a minute
Ichneumon.
” “Description of a species of Mycteria,
”
“Description of the Mus Bursarius, and Tubularia magnifica.
”
y, illustrative of the accessions which had been made to natural science by the discoveries of those who had attempted to explore the undefined shores of New Holland.
Dr. Shaw’s fame, which had already beamed forth in
Oxford, now began to shine with effulgence in London; for about this time he was becoming popular as a
lecturer, and admired as an author. His lectures at the
Leverian Museum, both before and after that rich and incomparable collection was removed from Leicester-house,
never failed to attract a numerous and scientific audience.
An elegant production, entitled “The Naturalist’s Miscellany,
” made its appearance in Speculum Linnseum, or Linnsean Zoology,
” 4to: one number only appeared. A vacancy happening in the British Museum in 1791, Dr. Shaw
became a candidate for the office of a librarian upon that
great national establishment; and his eminent qualifications
procured him the appointment of assistant keeper of the
Natural History. The melancholy scenes and the disagreeable effluvia of a sick chamber, had given him a disgust for the practice of a profession whose studies he had
pursued with considerable ardour and delight. Upon this
appointment, therefore, he resigned with cheerfulness whatever prospects he might have had as a physician, for the
narrow income of an office which afforded him the most enlarged opportunities of prosecuting his researches into that
science to which he was most devoted. Between the years
1792 and 1796 appeared “Musei Leveriani explicatio Anglica et Latina, opera et studio Georgii Shaw, M.D. R.S.S.
Adduntur figurae eleganter sculptse et coloratas. Irnpensis
Jacobi Parkinson.
” In The Zoology of New Holland;
”
the beautiful and accurate figures which adorned it were
delineated by Mr. Sowerby: the botanical part, which
formed another portion of this work, was written by
sir James Smith, and published under the title of “The
Botany of New Holland.
” Sixty large and beautiful
prints, published by J. Miller, the celebrated editor of the
Gardener’s Dictionary, under the title of “Various subjects
in Natural History, wherein are delineated Birds, Animals,
and many curious Plants,
” not meeting with a quick sale,
from want of letter-press containing descriptions of the
plates, Dr. Shaw was applied to, to supply the deficiency.
This work was published in 1796, under the following title:
“Cimelia Physica: Figures of rare and curious Quadrupeds, Birds, &c. together with several most elegant Plants,
engraved and coloured from the subjects themselves: with
descriptions by Geo. Shaw, M. D. F. R. S.
” This, and the
Museum Leverianum, are amongst the most magnificent
publications England has produced.
f natural history, the objects of which had become exceedingly numerous by the discoveries of those, who through love of enterpnze, or stimulated by commerce, ventured
From the extended state of natural history, the objects
of which had become exceedingly numerous by the discoveries of those, who through love of enterpnze, or stimulated by commerce, ventured to traverse the globe in search
of new regions, it became desirable that a work should be
accomplished which should give, in a systematic, yet a popular form, the description and history of those numerous
beings, among which man holds so elevated a place, and
which, equally with himself, have proceeded from the grand
source of creative power and goodness. The verbosity and
the reveries of BufTon rendered his, otherwise valuable,
work uselessly extensive; and the systematic brevity of
Linnæus was too dry for any but philosophers. To give a
systematic history of the animal kingdom, free from the
redundancies of the one, and more inviting to the general
reader than the philosophic production of the other, was a
comprehensive and arduous undertaking, which Dr. Shaw
ventured to attempt, and had, with an ability which will
for ever render him illustrious amongst his countrymen,
nearly completed. This work was entitled “General Zoology, or Natural History, with plates from the best authorities, and most select specimens.
” Of this celebrated
work, Parts I and 2 of the first volume were published in
1800, and from time to time seven more volumes in the
life-time of the author. Among his papers was found a
ninth volume prepared for the press, which is intended for
publication.
hat regards personal merit, or public service, his name will be transmitted to posterity among those who give lustre to their age and country, who do honour to human
As few men have left behind them a character more estimable in every quality that regards personal merit, or public service, his name will be transmitted to posterity among
those who give lustre to their age and country, who do
honour to human nature by their virtues, and who contribute to the advancement of science and the interests of
literature by their superior talents. Endued by nature
with considerable intellectual parts, and those improved
by assiduous cultivation, he acquired a vast stock of general
knowledge. His extensive information was treasured up
without confusion, applied in his works with discernment,
and communicated to every inquirer with cheerfulness and
freedom. At an early period of life he became an excellent scholar. He wrote Latin with facility, with elegance,
and with great purity, Upon most subjects of polite literature he manifested in his conversations a critical taste,
and a high relish for the productions of genius. Among
the relaxations from graver studies, poetical compositions
occasionally employed his talents, and the productions of
this kind, which are dispersed in his General Zoology, and
in Dr. Thornton’s “Temple of Flora,
” are equally creditable to his taste and his imagination. He had a prodigious
and a most tenacious memory: to such a perfection did he
enjoy this faculty, that he could refer persons correctly to
almost every author he had read, for any fact that they
needed. In trials that have been made upon him in the
earlier part of his life, he could repeat the preceding or
following line of any one recited from Milton’s Paradise
Lost, or the works of Horace. Dr. Shaw’s reputation was
great in botany, but still greater in Zoology. Herein posterity will be ever indebted for the services he has rendered
this branch of natural history, especially that portion of it
which relates to arrangement and description. A clear and
correct account of the generic and specific character of
animals, the essentials of this science, is the remarkable
feature and meritorious character of all his works. Having
in the first place strictly attended to these, he then proceeded to give his subjects all the suitable embellishments
that extensive erudition, good taste, and a correct memory
could bestow. His descriptions, if they were minute, yet
they were never trifling; if enlivened by anecdote, and
rich in information, it was done with propriety, and without
being tedious; they were too, always popular, and at the
same time possessing all that the dignity of science required.
His hours of amusement were frequently employed upon
mechanical contrivances, connected with his philosophical
pursuits, or his domestic comforts, in which he shewed
great ingenuity in invention, and a delicate neatness in
execution. His behaviour was remarkably polite. In his
person he was neat, gentlemanlike in his dress, methodical in his habits, in the disposition of his library, his
papers, and in the order of every thing that belonged to
him. His natural temper was lively, good-humoured, sociable. His conversation was precise, full of information,
always amusing, frequently smart and witty. He was universally esteemed by men of science, beloved by a large
circle of his friends, and had it not been for a few sarcastic
expressions which he had, without any malicious intention,
suffered to escape him, he had lived without an enemy.
None of those passions which produce so much disquietude
and misery amongst mankind, seem ever to have found a
place in his bosom. He was frugal in his expences, moderate in his wishes, temperate to an uncommon degree in
eating and drinking, and so chaste in his desires, that no
one could reproach him with the commission of an indecent
action, or the use of an immodest word; nay, such was the
delicacy and purity of his mind, that the writer of this memoir has repeatedly heard him assert, thnt he had scrupulously endeavoured to avoid in his writings every expression which a woman would blush to read. Sincerity of heart,
innocence of mind, and simplicity of manners, eminent!/
and uniformly marked his whole character. Of his religious
sentiments little is known, as he was remarkably reserved
upon all subjects connected with his personal conduct and
opinions. He however sufficiently shewed in his conversation, and by performing the public duties of religion in his
attendance upon the service of the Church of England,
that his notions were, in this respect, serious and pious.
himself and his family were afflicted with the plague, being infected by some relations from London, who came from thence to avoid it. He buried two friends, two children,
From Whatton he removed to Cotes, a small village near Loughborough, and during his stay there both himself and his family were afflicted with the plague, being infected by some relations from London, who came from thence to avoid it. He buried two friends, two children, and a servant, of that distemper, during the progress of which he and his wife attended each other, and he himself was forced to bury the dead in his own garden. Towards the latter end of the year 1666, he removed to Asliby de la Zouch, and was chosen in 1668 to be sole school-master of the free-school there, the revenue of which he procured to be increased for himself and his successors, and by his interest with the gentlemen in the neighbourhood, was enabled to re-build the school and school-house: he also obtained a licence from archbishop Sheldon to teach school in any part of his province; and Dr. Fuller, bishop of Lincoln, in whose diocese the school was situated, granted him the same upon such terms as to subscription as Mr. Shaw chose. This school, his piety, learning, and temper, soon raised into such reputation, that the number of his scholars increased in so great a degree, that he had often 160 boys or more under his care. Many of these afterwards became distinguished characters in the three professions of law, physic, and divinity.
n ornament to his profession, and a benefactor to his country. Besides bishop Fuller abovementioned, who said that he was glad to have so worthy a man in his diocese
He died Jan. 22, 1696, in the 59th year of his age,
leaving behind him the character of an upright, modest, sensible, aud moderate man, an ornament to his profession,
and a benefactor to his country. Besides bishop Fuller abovementioned, who said that he was glad to have so worthy a
man in his diocese upon any terms, he appears to have been
highly respected by Dr. Barlow, the subsequent bishop of Lincoln, and lived likewise on friendly terms with the vicar of
Ashby de la Zouch. When toleration was granted to the
dissenters, he licensed his school for a place of worship, but
contrived that the meetings should be between church,
hours, and attended the church at the usual periods with
his whole school and many of his congregation. He wrote
several religious tracts, particularly “Immanuel;
” “The
True Christian 1 s Test,
” “The voice of one crying in the
wilderness, &c;
” and a Latin grammar, and an epitome
of the same; with, what may seem very odd in one of his
character, two comedies, 'the one called “Words made visible, or Grammar and Rhetoric,
” The different Humours of Men,
”
and afterwards under his successor, the rev. William Bagshaw Stevens, an ingenious poet and scholar, who died in 1800. From this accomplished man, for whom he retained
, the historian of Staffordshire, was
son of the rev. Stebbing Shaw, rector of Hartshorn,
on the borders of Derbyshire, near Ashby de la Zouch.
He was born in 1762, at or near Stone, in Staffordshire;
in the neighbourhood of which town, his mother inherited a small landed estate, which descended to this her
only child. He was educated at the school of Repton,
near Harishorn, first under the rev. Dr. Prior, and afterwards under his successor, the rev. William Bagshaw
Stevens, an ingenious poet and scholar, who died in 1800.
From this accomplished man, for whom he retained an unabated friendship till death, he early imbibed a warm love
of literature. At the close of the month of October, 1780,
he became a resident member of Qu.en’s-college, in Cambridge. At this period, his first literary predilections were
fixed on English poetry, of which he had caught an enthu iastic fondness from his last master. But even this
partiality yielded to his propensity for music; in which his
performance on the violin occupied a large portion of his
time, and he had already attained considerable excellence.
In due time he took his degree of B. A. was elected to a
fellowship, and went into orders. Not long afterwards, the
intimacy which, for almost half a century, had subsisted
between his father and his neighhour, sir Robert Burdett,
of Foremark, in which hospitable mansion the son had
passed many of his early days, induced him to undertake
the superintending care of the present sir Francis, then
lately released from Westminster school, at his father’s
villa at Ealing. With this pupil, he made a tour to the
Highlands of Scotland in the autumn of 1787, of which he
kept a diary. This diary, originally composed merely for
private amusement, he afterwards inconsiderately published;
and thus, it must be confessed, made his first appearance
as an author with some disadvantage; luckily, however,
the publication was anonymous. In the following year,
he made a tour to the West of England, of which he published a more laboured account, with his name. The book
was well received; and, though the style is not simple and
easy (an attainment which indeed the author never reached), yet it discovered a dawning attention to the history of
families and property, to which his industrious researches
were afterwards directed with considerable success. In
1789, about the time of the publication of his tour, he
obtained admission to the reading-room of the British Museum. His account of the vast stores of topographical and
genealogical materials deposited there, fired the imagination of one of his learned friends, who resided in London,
and with whom he passed much of his time. To this connection may be ascribed the origin of a periodical publication, entitled “The Topographer,
” which commenced in
the spring of
f his second volume, which was in all respects equal to the former. He had now succeeded his father, who died at the close of 1799, in the living of Hartshorn, a village
In 1801 he published the first part of his second volume, which was in all respects equal to the former. He had now succeeded his father, who died at the close of 1799, in the living of Hartshorn, a village rendered remarkable as the birth-place of the celebrated dean Stanhope, whose father enjoyed this preferment. Here he spent the summer, and found some relaxation from his severe studies, in improving his house and garden. But his enjoyments were not uninterrupted. A bilious habit rendered him perpetually subject to slow fevers. The fatigue of exercise in a burning sun now brought on a more fierce attack. He recovered, however, and returned to London in the winter of 1801, and went on with his work. But it was soon perceived that his constitution had received an alarming shock. Early in the spring he found himself unfit for his usual occupations. A new attack of a dreadful and lamentable fever ensued but from this too he was at length restored. All application to books was now prohibited and in June or July it was deemed advisable for him to pay a visit to the Kentish coast, attended by his only relation, an affectionate half-sister, the daughter of his father by a second wife. They went first to Ramsgate, and thence removed to the more quiet seclusion of Sandgate, near Hythe. Here he passed the autumn, and was so well that he joined some friends in a few days expedition to the opposite coast, and visited Boulogne. Towards the end of October 1802 his disorder suddenly returned with more violence than before. After a struggle of ten days, it was deemed right to remove him to London for better advice, where he died on the 28th, aged forty-one, deeply lamented by all vvho knew him, and leaving a chasm in the department of literature which he had embraced, not easy to be supplied
tion; and the improvements wero made, and the edition prepared for the press, by the author himself, who expressly presented the work, with these additions, alterations,
, a celebrated traveller, son of Mr.
Gabriel Shaw, was born at Kenda!, in Westmorland, about
1692. He received his education at the grammar-school
of that place; was admitted of Queen’s-college, Oxford,
Oct. 5, 1711, where he took the degree of B. A. July 5,
1716; M. A. Jan. 16, 1719; went into orders, and was
appointed chaplain to the English factory at Algiers. In
this station he continued several years, and thence took
opportunities of travelling into several parts. During his
absence he was chosen fellow of his college, March J 6,
1727 and at his return in 1733 took the degree of doctor
in divinity, July 5, 1734, and in the same year was elected
F. R. S. He published the first edition of his “Travels
”
at Oxford in Marmora Oxoniensia
”)
which he had collected in his travels. On the death of
Dr. Felton in 1740, he was nominated by his college
principal of St. Edmund-hall, which he raised from a ruinous condition by his munificence; and was presented at
the same time to the vicarage of Bramley in Hants. He
was also regius professor of Greek at Oxford till his death,
which happened Aug. 15, 1751. He was buried in Bramley church, where a monument was erected to his memory,
with an inscription written by his friend Dr. Browne, provost of Queen’s-college, Oxford. His “Travels
” were
translated into French, and printed in Travels
” in his “Description of the East,
”
our author published a supplement, by way of vindication,
in 1746. In the preface, to the “Supplement
” he -says,
the intent and design of it is partly to vindicate the Book
of Travels from some objections that have been raised
against it by the author of “The Description of the East,
&c.
” He published <c A farther vindication of the Book of
Travels, and the Supplement to it, in a Letter to the Right
reverend Robert Clayton, D. D. lord bishop of Clogher.“This letter consists of six folio pages, and bears date in
1747. After the doctor’s death, an improved edition of
his book came out in 1757, under the title of
” Travels or
Observations relating to several parts of Barbary and the
Levant, illustrated with cuts. The second edition, with
great improvements. By Thomas Shaw, D. D. F. R. S.
regius professor of Greek, and principal of St. Edmund
Hall, in the university of Oxford." The contents of the
supplement are interwoven in this edition; and the improvements wero made, and the edition prepared for the
press, by the author himself, who expressly presented the
work, with these additions, alterations, and improvements,
to the public, as an essay towards restoring the ancient
geography, and placing in a proper light the natural and
sometimes civil history of those countries where he travelled. The Sliawia in botany received its name in honour
of Dr. Shaw, who has given a catalogue, in alphabetica
order, accompanied with rude plates, of the rarer plants
observed by him in Barbary, Egypt, and Arabia. The
species amount to 632, and the catalogue is enriched witli
several synonyms, as well as occasional descriptions and
remarks. His dried specimens are preserved at Oxford.
The orthography of the name is attended with difficulty to
foreigners, our w being as unmanageable to them, as their
multiplied consonants are to us. Some of them blunder
into Schawia, Shaavia, or Shavia. Perhaps the latter might
be tolerated, were it not for the ludicrous ambiguity of
Shavius itself, applied by facetious Oxonians to the above
famous traveller and his namesakes.
soon released. This was followed by “Letters on the English Nation, by Battista Angeloni, a Jesuit, who resided many years in London. Translated from the original Italian
In 1739 he attracted the attention of the public, we are
told, by an epitaph to the memory of Thomas Coster, esq.
member for Bristol; in which it has been observed, “that
he has contrived to raise emotions of pity, grief, and indignation, to a very high degree.
” How far these lines are
calculated to produce such an effect the reader may
judge. The next year he published a pamphlet on the
Bristol waters; but from this period we hear no more of
him until 1752, when he was at Paris, and there obtained
the title of Doctor, if he obtained it at all. Until this
time he appears to have lived in obscurity, but at an age
when vigorous exertion usually subsides, he seems to have
resolved to place himself in a conspicuous situation whatever hazard might attend it, and commenced a public
writer with a high degree of intrepidity and virulence. In
1754 he began this career with “The Marriage Act,
” a
political novel, in which he treated the legislature with
such freedom, that it occasioned his being taken into custody, from whence, however, he was soon released. This
was followed by “Letters on the English Nation, by Battista Angeloni, a Jesuit, who resided many years in London. Translated from the original Italian by the author of
the Marriage Act,
” Marriage Act.
” But his most celebrated performances were a series of “Letters to the People of England,
” written in a style vigorous and energetic, though
slovenly and careless, yet well calculated to make an impression on common readers; and they were accordingly
read with avidity, and circulated with diligence. They
had a very considerable effect on the minds of the people,
and galled the ministry, who seem to have been at first too
eager to punish the author. On the publication of the
“Third Letter,
” we find warrants dated March 4th and
8th, 1756, issued by lord Holdernesse, to take up both
Scott the publisher and the author. This prosecution,
however, seems to have been dropped and the culprit proceeded for some time unmolested, “having declared (says one of his answerers) that he would write himself into a
post or into the pillory, in the last of which he at length
succeeded.
” On Jan. 12, 1758, a general warrant was
signed by lord Holdernesse, to search for the author, printer, and publishers of a wicked, audacious, and treasonable
libel, entitled “A sixth Letter to the People of England.
”
At this juncture government seems to have been effectually
roused: for having received information that a seventh
letter was printing, by virtue of another warrant dated
Jan. 23, all the copies were seized and entirely suppressed.
In Easter Term an information was filed against him by
Mr. Pratt, then attorney-genera], afterwards lord Camden;
and on June 17th, the information was tried, and the author found guilty. On Nov. 28th following, he received
sentence, by which he was fined five pounds, ordered to
stand in the pillory Dec. 5, at Charing Cross, to be confined three years, and to give security for his good behaviour for seven years, himself in 500l. and two others in
150l. each.
ide the profits. The care and expences attending the publication were to be wholly Dr. Shebbeare' s, who caused it to be handsomely printed in 4to, with a Tory preface,
On the day appointed he was exhibited on the pillory;
but the under sheriff, a Mr. Beardmore, himself a political
writer, and Shebbeare’s coadjutor in the “Monitor,
” a
paper of the same tendency with the “Letters,
” &c. permitted him merely to stand on the platform of the pillory,
tmconfined and at his ease, with a servant in livery (an Irish chairman equipped for the occasion) holding an umbrella
over his head. For this wilful perversion of the sentence,
Mr. Beardmore was fined 50l. and suffered two months imprisonment. Some time before Shebbeare was tried for the
publication already mentioned, the duchess of Queensbury
as heir of Lord Clarendon, obtained an injunction to stop
the publication of the continuation of that nobleman’s history; a copy of which had got into the hands of Francis
Gwyn, esq. between whom and the doctor there had been
an agreement to publish it and equally divide the profits.
The care and expences attending the publication were to
be wholly Dr. Shebbeare' s, who caused it to be handsomely
printed in 4to, with a Tory preface, containing frequent
reflections on, and allusions to, recent events, and living
characters, which gave it the appearance rather of a temporary pamphlet than of a work calculated for posterity.
On the injunction being obtained, Dr. Shebbeare was under
the necessity of applying to the aid of law to recover the
money expended by him in printing, amounting to more
than 500l., of which more than half had been wasted on
his side in the courts of law and equity*.
ch also he has introduced living characters. He died Aug. 1, 1788, leaving, we are told, among those who knew him best, the character of a benevolent man, which, from
His publications, satirical, political, and medical, amount,
it is said, to thirty-four, besides a novel called “Lydia, or
Filial Piety,
” in which also he has introduced living characters. He died Aug. 1, 1788, leaving, we are told,
among those who knew him best, the character of a benevolent man, which, from the affectionate manner in which
he speaks of his relations, he probably deserved. His character, in other respects, cannot be held up to admiration.
glish clergyman, was born in the village of Linton in Craven, Yorkshire, March 18, 1740. His father, who, having no trade or profession, lived upon and farmed his own
, a learned English clergyman, was born in the village of Linton in Craven, Yorkshire, March 18, 1740. His father, who, having no trade or profession, lived upon and farmed his own estate, was a rery sensible and intelligent man, so far superior to those among whom he lived, and so disinterested in the application of his talents, that he was highly popular and useful in his native village. His mother was a woman of very superior understanding. He was educated at the grammarschool of the parish; and in 176 1 was admitted of St. John’s college, Cambridge, where his singular facility in the acquirement of philosophical knowledge quickly became so conspicuous, that, at a time when other under-graduates find sufficient employment in preparing for their own exercises and examinations, he had no less than six pupils. At this time also he laid the foundation of a lasting friendship with two young men of great promise in the university, John Law and William Paley, both of Christ’s college; the one afterwards bishop of Elphin, the other the late celebrated writer. In St. John’s he lived upon terms of almost equal intimacy with Mr. Arnald, the senior wrangler of his year, whose genius, always eccentric, after a short career of court ambition, sunk in incurable lunacy. His academical exercises also connected him more or less with the late lord Aivanley, the present Mr. baron Graham, and the learned and pious Joseph Milner, afterwards of Hull; all of whom, as well as Law, took their first degrees at the same time with himself. Such a constellation of talent has scarcely been assembled in any single year from that time to the present.
er marrying again soon after, the care of his education was left entirely to the conduct of a tutor, who, though himself a mau of learning, had not that happy manner
, duke of Buckinghamshire, a poet and wit of the seventeenth century, was born in 1649, and Was the son of Edmund^ earl of Mulgrave. At nine years of age he lost his father, and his mother marrying again soon after, the care of his education was left entirely to the conduct of a tutor, who, though himself a mau of learning, had not that happy manner of communicating his knowledge by which his pupil could reap any great improvement under him. In consequence of which, when he came to part from his governor, after having travelled with him into France, he quickly discovered, in the course of his conversation with men of genius, that though he had acquired the politer accomplishments of a gentleman, yet that he was still greatly deficient in every part of literature, and those higher excellencies, without which it is impossible to rise to any considerable degree of eminence. He therefore resolved to educate himself, and dedicate for some time a certain number of hours every day to study. Such a purpose, 'says Dr. Johnson, formed at such an age, and successfully prosecuted, delights as it is strange, and instructs as it is real. By this means he very soon acquired a degree of learning which entitled him to the character of a scholar; and his literary acquisitions are the more wonderful, as those years in which they are commonly made were spent by him in the tumult of a military life, or the gaiety of a court. When war was declared against the Dutch, he went at the age of seventeen on board the ship in which princ Rupert and the duke of Albemarle sailed, with the command of the fleet; but by contrariety of winds they were restrained from action. His zeal, however^ for the king’s service was recompensed by the command of one of the independent troops of horse, then raised to protect the coast,
e out in 1672, he went again a volunteer in the ship which the celebrated lord Ossory commanded, and who represented his behaviour so favourably, that he was advanced
Next year he received a summons to parliament, which, as he was then but eighteen years old, the earl of Northumberland censured as at least indecent, and his objection was allowed. When the second Dutch war broke out in 1672, he went again a volunteer in the ship which the celebrated lord Ossory commanded, and who represented his behaviour so favourably, that he was advanced to the command of the Catharine, the best second-rate ship in the navy. He afterwards raised a regiment of foot, and commanded it as colonel. The land forces were sent ashore by prince Rupert: and he lived in the camp very familiarly with Schomberg. He was then appointed colonel of the old Hollaud regiment, together with his own, and had the promise of a garter, which he obtained in his twenty-fifth year. He was likewise made gentleman of the bed-chamber. He afterwards went into the French service, to learn the art of war under Turenne, but staid only a short time. Being by the duke of Monmouth opposed in his pretensions to the first troop of horseguards, he, in return, made Monmouth suspected by the duke of York. He was not long after, when Monmouth fell into disgrace, recompensed with the lieutenancy of Yorkshire, and the government of Hull.
the king himself. These remonstrances, however, were in vain no redress was to be had and the earl, who saw the trap laid for him by his enemies, was compelled to throw
When in 1680, the Moors besieged Tangier, lord Mulgrave was sent to its relief, with two thousand men. And now, says Dr. Johnson, a strange story is told of the danger to which he was intentionally exposed in a leaky ship, to gratify some resentful jealousy of the king. For this jealousy historians assign different causes. Some imagine that the king had discovered an intrigue between lord Mulgrave and one of his mistresses; a*nd others attribute his majesty’s resentment to proposals of marriage, which his lordship was bold enough to make to the princess Anne. It is added, that " be the cause what it would, it is apparent it was intended that lord Mul grave should be lost in the passage; a vessel being provided to carry him over, which had been sent home as unserviceable, and was in so shattered a condition, that the captain of her declared he was afraid to make the voyage. On this his lordship applied, not on)y to the lord high admiral, but to the king himself. These remonstrances, however, were in vain no redress was to be had and the earl, who saw the trap laid for him by his enemies, was compelled to throw himself into almost inevitable danger to avoid the imputation of cowardice, which of all others he had the greatest detestation of. He, however, dissuaded several volunteers of quality from accompanying him in the expedition; only the earl of Plymouth, the king’s natural son, piqued himself on running the same hazard with a man, who, in spite of the ill treatment he met with from the ministry, could so valiantly brave every danger in the service of his father.
g his other works.” Such is the story as compiled by Baker from various authorities, and which those who are accustomed to weigh evidence will probably not think very
“Providence, however, defeated this malicious scheme,
by giving them remarkably tine weather through the whole
voyage, which lasted three weeks; at the termination of
which, by the assistance of pumping the whole time to
discharge the water, which leaked in very fast, they arrived safe at Tangier. And perhaps there cannot be a
more striking instance of innate firmness and magnanimity
than in the behaviour of this nobleman during the voyage.
For, though he was fully convinced of the hourly dangers
they were in, yet was his mind so calm and undisturbed,
that he even indulged his passion for the Muses amidst the
tumults of the tempestuous elements, and during this
voyage composed a poem, which is to be met with among
his other works.
” Such is the story as compiled by Baker
from various authorities, and which those who are accustomed to weigh evidence will probably not think very
credible in all its circumstances.
mes, with little power of invention or propriety of sentiment. At his return he found the king kind, who, as Dr. Johnson says, perhaps had never been angry, and he continued
The consequence of this expedition was the retreat of
the Moors, and the blowing-up of Tangier. The poem
above alluded to was “The Vision,
” a licentious one, such
as was fashionable in those times, with little power of invention or propriety of sentiment. At his return he found
the king kind, who, as Dr. Johnson says, perhaps had never
been angry, and he continued a wit and a courtier as
before.
At the succession of king James, to whom he was intimately known, and by whom he thought himself beloved,
he was admitted into the privy council, and made lord
chamberlain. He accepted a place in the high commission
without knowledge, as he declared after the Revolution,
of its illegality. Having few religious scruples, he attended the king at mass, and kneeled with the rest; but
had no disposition to receive the Ilomish faith, or to force
it upon others; for when the priests, encouraged by his
appearances of compliance, attempted to convert him, he
told them, as Burnet has recorded, that he was willing to
receive instruction, and that he had taken much pains to
believe in God who had made the world and all men in it;
but that he should not be easily persuaded “that man was
quits, and made God again.
” A pointed sentence, says
Dr. Johnson, is bestoweo^ by successive transmission to the
last whom it will fit; this censure of transubstantiation,
whatever be its value, was uttered long ago by Anne Askew,
one of the first sufferers for the Protestant religion, who,
in the time of Henry VIII. was tortured in the Tower;
concerning which there is reason to wonder that it was not
known to the historian of the Reformation.
osition to the advice of his friends, did quit the kingdom, he appears to have been one of the lords who wrote such letters to the fleet, the army, and all the considerable
In the revolution he acquiesced, though he did not promote it, and when king James, in opposition to the advice
of his friends, did quit the kingdom, he appears to have
been one of the lords who wrote such letters to the fleet,
the army, and all the considerable garrisons in England,
as persuaded them to continue in proper order and subjection. To his humanity, direction, and spirited behaviour in council also, his majesty stood indebted for the
protection he obtained from the lords in London, upon
his being seized and insulted by the populace at Feversham in Kent. There was once a design of associating
him in the invitation of the prince of Orange; but the earl
of Shrewsbury discouraged the attempt, by declaring
that Mulgrave would never concur. This king William
afterwards told him and asked what he would have done
if the proposal had been made “Sir,
” said he, “I
would have discovered it to the king whom I then
served.
” To which king William replied, “I cannot
blame you.
”
On the accession of queen Anne, that princess, who ever bad a great regard for him, loaded him with employments
On the accession of queen Anne, that princess, who ever bad a great regard for him, loaded him with employments and dignities. In April 1702, he was sworn lord privy seal, made lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum for the north riding of Yorkshire, and one of the governors of the Charter-house; and the same year was appointed one of the commissioners to treat of an union between England and Scotland. On the 9th of March, 1703, he was created duke of Normanby, and on the 19th of the same month duke of Buckinghamshire, there being suspected to be somewhere a latent claim to the title of duke, of Buckingham.
In 1710, the whig ministry beginning to give ground, his grace, who was strongly attached to tory principles, joined with Mr. Harley,
In 1710, the whig ministry beginning to give ground, his grace, who was strongly attached to tory principles, joined with Mr. Harley, afterwards earl of Oxford, in such measures as brought about a change in the ministry, shook the power, of the duke and duchess of Marlborough, and introduced Mr. Harley, the earl of Shrewsbury, lord Bolingbroke, &c. into the administration. Her majesty now offered to make him chancellor, which he refused, but in 1711 was appointed steward of her majesty’s household, and president of the council, and on her decease, in 1713, was nominated one of the lords justices in Great Britain, till the arrival of king George I. from Hanover.
directed by his will to be engraved on it. He left only one legitimate son behind him, named Edmund, who died in the bloom of youth. It is observable, that the duke’s
His grace died on the 24th of February, 172O, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and after lying in state for some days at Buckingham house, was interred with great solemnity in Westminster-abbey, where a handsome monument has since been erected to his memory, with an epitaph written by himself, and directed by his will to be engraved on it. He left only one legitimate son behind him, named Edmund, who died in the bloom of youth. It is observable, that the duke’s three wives wer all widows. The duchess died in 1742. She published a splendid edition of his works in 1723, 2 vols. 4to, which were afterwards reprinted in 1729 and 1740, 2 vols. 8vo. The first contains his poems upon various subjects: the second, his prose works, which consist of historical memoirs, speeches in parliament, characters, dialogues, critical observations, essays, and letters; but the edition of 1729 is castrated, some particulars relating to the revolution in 1723 having given offence.
time entered into holy orders, and afterwards became domestic chaplain to the lord keeper Coventry, who gave him a prebend of Gloucester. The lord keeper had a high
, archbishop of Canterbury, was
youngest son of Roger Sheldon of Stanton in Staffordshire,
and was born there July 19, 1593. His Christian name
was given him at his baptism by Gilbert earl of Shrewsbury, to whom his father was a menial servant, although
descended from the ancient family of the Sheldons of Staffordshire. In the latter end of 1613 he was admitted a
commoner of Trinity college, Oxford, and took the degree
of bachelor of arts Nov. 27, 1617, and that of master, May
20, 1620. In 1622 he was elected fellow of All Souls’
college, and about the same time entered into holy orders,
and afterwards became domestic chaplain to the lord keeper
Coventry, who gave him a prebend of Gloucester. The
lord keeper had a high esteem for him, and employed him^
in various affairs relating both to church and state. Lord
Clarendon, who mentions this, adds, that Sheldon was
very early looked upon as equal to any preferment the
church could yield; and sir Francis Wen man would often
say, when Sheldon visited at lord Falkland’s house, that
“he was born and bred to be archbishop of Canterbury.
”
Lord Coventry therefore recommended him to Charles I,
as a person well versed in political affairs. He was some
time rector of Ickford in Bucks, and presented to the
rectory of Newington by archbishop Laud. November 11,
1628, he proceeded bachelor of divinity; and, May 2, 1632,
he was presented by the king to the vicarage of Hackney
in Middlesex, then void by the promotion of David Dolben to the bishopric of Bangor. On June 25, 1634, he
compounded for his degree of doctor of divinity; and in
the middle of March 1635, was elected warden of All Souls*
college. About the same time he wrote some letters to
Mr. Chilling-worth concerning subscription to the thirtynine articles, who had some scruples on that obligation
(see Chillingworth). Dr. Sheldon became chaplain in
ordinary to his majesty, and was afterwards clerk of the
closet, and was intended for master of the Savoy; but the
commotions which ensued prevented those promotions.
During the rebellion he adhered to the royal cause, and in
Feb. 1644- was one of the, king’s chaplains sent by his majesty to attend his commissioners at the treaty of Uxbridge,
vvUere he argued so earnestly in favour of the church, as
to incur the resentment of the parliamentary commissioners,
which they afterwards made him feel. In April 1646 he
attended the king at Oxford, and was witness to a remarkable vow which his majesty made there, the purport of
which was, that when it should please God to re-establish
his throne, he would restore to the church all impropriations, lands, &c. which were taken from any episcopal see,
cathedral, collegiate church, &c. This vow, which is in
the appendix to Echard’s history, was preserved thirteen
years under ground by Dr. Sheldon. In August 1647 there
passed some letters between Dr. Sheldon and several gentlemen, then prisoners in the Tower of London for the
royal cause, who had scruples about applying for their
liberty to the usurping powers, if in the king’s opinion
such application should seem prejudicial to his majesty’s
interest. On submitting this matter to the king, he gave
them permission to act as they should think fit.
nd followed his studies until the approach of the restoration. On March 4, 1659-60, Dr. John Palmer, who iiad ^been placed in the wardenship in his room, dying, and
During his majesty’s being at Newmarket that year, and afterwards in the Isle of Wight, Dr. Sheldon attended on him as one of his chaplains. On March 30, 1647-8, he was ejected from his wardenship by the parliament-visitors, and imprisoned with Dr. Hammond, in Oxlord, and other places, that they might not only be no hindrance to the changes going on in the university, but be prevented from attending the king at the Isle of Wight. Dr. Sheldon remained confined above six months, and then the reforming committee set him at liberty, Oct. 24, 1648, on condition that he should never come within five miles of Oxford; that he should not go to the king in the Isle of Wight, and that he should give security to appear before them at fourteen days’ warning, whenever cited. Upon his release he retired to Snelston in Derbyshire, where, at his own expence, and by contributions from his friends, he sent money constantly to the exiled king, and followed his studies until the approach of the restoration. On March 4, 1659-60, Dr. John Palmer, who iiad ^been placed in the wardenship in his room, dying, and there being an immediate prospect of his majesty’s return, there was no election made of a successor, but Dr. Sheldon was restored, though he never took re-possession. On the king’s return he met his majesty at Canterbury, and was soon after made dean of the royal chapel; and upon bishop Juxon’s translation to the see of Canterbury, was made bishop of London, to which he was elected October 9, 1660, and consecrated the 28th of that month. He held the mastership of the Savoy with that bishopric; and the famous conference between the episcopal and presbyterian clergy concerning alterations to be made in the liturgy, in 1661, was held at his loggings in the Savoy, in the course of which he exerted himself much against the presbyterians. Upon archbishop Juxon’s death he was elected to the see of Canterbury Aug. 11, 1663. In 1665, during the time of the plague, he continued at Lambeth, and exerted the utmost benevolence to those who would otherwise have perished in their necessities; and by his letters to all the bishops, procured considerable sums to be returned out of all parts of his province. On December 20, 1667, he was elected chancellor of the university of Oxford, but on the 31st of July, 1669, resigned that office. He died at Lambeth, November 9, 1677, in the eightieth year of his age, and was interred in Croydon church in Surrey, where a monument was erected to his memory by his heir, sir Joseph Sheldon, then lately lord mayor of London, son of his elder brother Ralph Sheldon of Stanton in Staffordshire.
e on his conduct in this respect. The character given of him by Dr. Samuel Parker, bishop of Oxford, who had been his chaplain, seems in a great degree to correspond
Dr. Sheldon’s character has been represented with the discordance that must be expected in the reports of contending parties. It would appear on an impartial view of contemporary authorities, that he was more eminent as a politician than a divine; and that in the former character, resentment of personal injuries, as well as of the more extensive evils brought on the church by the abettors of the usurpation, led him to take a very decided and severe part in the penal laws enacted against the nonconformists. Burnet, with due allowance for his talents and many good qualities, speaks with censure on his conduct in this respect. The character given of him by Dr. Samuel Parker, bishop of Oxford, who had been his chaplain, seems in a great degree to correspond with other authorities, and confirms the general opinion that Sheldon was not precise as a divine.
ith a kind of exultation and joy, ‘Da well, and rejoice/ His advice to young noblemen and gentlemen, who by their parents’ commands resorted daily to him, was always
Parker, in his “Comrnentarii de rebus sui temporis,
”
tells us, that archbishop Sheldon (t was a man of undoubted piety; but though he was very assiduous at prayers, yet he did not set so great a value on them as others did, nor regarded so much worship as the use of worship, placing the chief point of religion in the practice of a good life. In his daily discourse he cautioned those about him not to deceive themselves with an half religion, nor to think that divine worship was confined within the walls of the church, the principal part of it being without doors, and consisting in being conversant with mankind. If men led an upright,
sober, chaste life, then and not till then they might look
upon themselves as religious; otherwise it would signify
nothing what form of religion bad men followed, or to what
church they belonged. Therefore having spoken to this
effect, he added with a kind of exultation and joy, ‘Da
well, and rejoice/ His advice to young noblemen and
gentlemen, who by their parents’ commands resorted daily
to him, was always this; ’ Let it be your principal care to
become honest men, and afterwards be as devout and religious as you will. No piety will be of any advantage to
yourselves or any body else, unless you are honest and
moral men/ He had a great aversion to all pretences to
extraordinary piety, which covered real dishonesty; but
had a sincere affection for those, whose religion was attended with integrity of manners. His worthy notions of
religion meeting with an excellent temper in him, gave
him that even tranquillity of mind, by which he was still
himself, and always the same, in adversity as well as in
prosperity; and neither over rated nor despised life, nor
feared nor wished for death, but lived agreeably to himself
and others."
sterity with the highest honours. On the accession of Charles II. when the members of the university who bad been ejected by the usurping powers, be* gan to restore
It is as a prelate of great munificence that Sheldon will be handed down to posterity with the highest honours. On the accession of Charles II. when the members of the university who bad been ejected by the usurping powers, be* gan to restore the ancient establishments, a design was formed of erecting some building for the acts, exercises, &c. which had formerly been performed in St. Mary’s church, with some inconvenience to the university, and some injury to the church. Certain houses were accordingly purchased, which stood on the site of the present theatre; and in 1664, Sheldon, then archbishop of Canterbury, having contributed [QOOl. the foundation-stone was laid July 26, with great solemnity before the vice chancellor, heads of houses, &c. And when no other benefactors appeared to promote the work, archbishop Sheldon munificently took upon himself the whole expence, which amounted to 12,470l. 1 \s. \\d. and gave also 2000l. to be laid out in estates for repairs, or the surplus to be applied to the establishment of a printing-house. The architect employed was the celebrated sir Christopher Wren, and the building was completed in about five years. It was one of sir Christopher’s first works, and a happy presage of the talents which he afterwards displayed in the metropolis. Nor did the archbishop’s liberality stop here. Mr. Henry Wharton has enumerated the following sums he bestowed on other public purposes: To lord Petre for the purchase of London House, the residence of the bishops of London, 5200l. He abated in his fines for the augmentation of vicarages 1680l. He gave towards the repair of St. Paul’s before the fire 2169l. 17s. lOd. and the repairs of his houses at Fulham, Lambeth, and Croydon, 4500l. To All Souls’ chapel, Trinity college chapel, Christ church, Oxford, and Lichfield cathedral, 450l. When first made bishop, the leases being all expired, he abated in his fines 17,733l. including probably the article of 1680l. above mentioned.
, eldest son of a plain uneducated country gentleman, of Hales-Owen, Shropshire, who farmed his own estate, was born Nov. 18, 1714. He learned to
, eldest son of a plain uneducated country gentleman, of Hales-Owen, Shropshire, who
farmed his own estate, was born Nov. 18, 1714. He learned to read of an old dame, commemorated in his poem of
the “School-mistress;
” and soon received such delight
from books, that he was always calling for new entertainment, and expected that, when any of the family went to
market, a new book should be brought him, which, when
it came, was in fondness carried to bed and laid by him. It
is said, that> when his request had been neglected, his mo^
ther wrapped up a piece of wood of the same form, and
pacified him for the night. As he grew older, he went for
a while to the grammar-school in Hales-Owen, and was
placed afterwards with Mr. Crumpton, an eminent schoolmaster at Solihul, where he distinguished himself by the
quickness of his progress. When he was young (June 1724)
he was deprived of his father; and soon after (August 1726)
of his grandfather; and was, with his brother, who died
afterwards unmarried, left to the care of his grandmother,
who managed the estate. From school he was sent in 1732
to Pembroke-college in Oxford, a society which for half a
century had been eminent for English poetry and elegant
literature. Here it appears that he found delight and advantage; for he continued his name there ten years, though
he took no degree. After the first four years he put on the
Civilian’s gown, but without shewing any intention to engage in the profession. About the time when he went to Oxford, the death of his grandmother devolved his affairs to
the care of the reverend Mr. Dolman, of Brome in Staffordshire, whose attention he always mentioned with gratitude.
At Oxford he amused himself with English poetry; and in
1737, printed at Oxford, for private circulation, a small
miscellany of juvenile verses, without his name. He then
for a time wandered about, to acquaint himself with life 7
and was sometimes at London, sometimes at Bath, or any
place of public resort; but he did not forget his poetry.
He published in 1740 his “Judgment of Hercules,
” addressed to Mr. Lyttelton, whose interest he supported with
great warmth at an election: this was, two years afterwards,
followed by the “School-mistress.
” Mr. Dolman, to
whose care he was indebted for his ease and leisure, died in
1745, and the care of his own fortune now fell upon him.
He tried to escape it a while, and lived at his house with
his tenants, who were distantly related; but, finding that
imperfect possession inconvenient, he took the whole estate
into his own hands, more to the improvement of its beauty
than the increase of its produce. His delight in rural pleasure was now excited, and his ambition of rural elegance:
he began from this time, says Johnson, “to point his
prospects, to diversify his surface, to entangle his walks,
and to wind his waters; which he did with such judgment
and such fancy, as made his little domain the envy of the
great, and the admiration of the skilful; a place to be visited
by travellers, and copied by designers.
” Of these employ*
merits Dr. Johnson has perhaps formed a harsh estimate^
yet Shenstone’s affectionate apologist, Mr. Greaves, is obliged to confess that he spent his whole income in adorning the
Leasowes, and that it added little to his comfort, the only
happiness he felt being confined to the moment of improvement. It i$ said, that, if he had lived a little longer, he
would have been assisted by a pension such bounty could
not have been ever more properly bestowed and overtures
appear to have been made lor that purpose, but they came
too late he died at the Leasowes, of a putrid fever, Feb^
11, 1763 and was buried by the side of his brother in the
church-yard of Hales-Owen. He was never married,
though it appears that he was twice in love, and Johnson
says he might have obtained the lady, whoever she was, to
whom his “Pastoral Ballad
” was addressed. He is represented by his friend Dod^lev as a man of great tenderness
and generosity, kind to all that were within his influence
but, if once offended, not easily appeased inattentive to
(economy, and careless of his expences; in his person larger than the middle size, with something clumsy in his form; very negligent of his cloaths, and remarkable for wearing his grey hair in a particular manner; for he held that the fashion was no rule of dress, and that every man was to suit his appearance to his natural form. These, says Mr. Greaves, were not precisely his sentiments, though he thought right enough, that every one should, in some degree, consult his particular shape and complexion in
adjusting his dress; and that no fashion ought to sanctify
what was ungraceful, absurd, or really deformed.
ranslations from the Greek, and some poems and orations which remain in ms. He had a nephew William, who in the beginning of queen Elizabeth’s reign left England on
, a celebrated Latin
poet and linguist, was born at Sugworth, in the parish of
Radley, near Abington in Berks, about 1509. He was
educated in Corpus Christ! college, Oxford, of which he
was admitted probationer fellow in 1528, and completed
his degrees in arts in 1533. At that time he was Greek
reader in his college, and succeeded Robert Wakefield in
the Hebrew professorship of the university of Oxford about
1538. Three years afterwards, by leave from the heads of
the university, he began to expound in the public schools
the book of Genesis in Hebrew, and would have proceeded
through the other books of the Pentateuch, had he not
been prevented by death. He died at Agmondesham in
Buckinghamshire, in 1542. He was thought to have surpassed Origen for memory, and Ovid for expedition in
versifying; it having been but an ordinary matter with him
to compose one hundred good verses every day, at vacant
hours. Leland cejebrates him in his “Encomia,
” and in
his “Cygnea Cantio,
” in which he calls him “clecus
utriusque linguae.
” He is praised likewise in White’s
“Diacosiomartyrion,
” and by Pits. His works are, 1. Summa et synopsis Novi Test, distichis ducentis sexaginta comprehensa,“Strasb. 1556, 8vo, reprinted at London and Oxford. 2.
” Hippolytus Ovidianae Phaedrae respondens.“Oxon. 1584. 3.
” Vita et epicedion Joannis Claymundi,“a ms. in Corpus college library. He wrote also some
translations from the Greek, and some poems and orations
which remain in ms. He had a nephew William, who in
the beginning of queen Elizabeth’s reign left England on
account of his adherence to popery, and died at Rome in
1598. He was educated also at Corpus, and had the reputation of a man of learning. He left some Mss. on catholic subjects, and one 4to printed at Rome in 1596, entitled
” The literal connexion of the Psalms of our lady’s office,
and their confirmation, from the Greek, Hebrew, Syriac,
Chaldaic, Arabic, Æthiopic, &c." If acquainted with all
these languages, he could have been no common scholar in
the sixteenth century.
cond viscount Townshend, and to Wriothesley lord Howland, son of the celebrated patriot lord Russel, who in 1700 became the second duke of Bedford, Sherard made two
, a very
learned botanist, was the son of George Sherwood, of
Bushby, in Leicestershire. It does not appear at what time
or for what reason the alteration in the name was made.
He was born in 1659, educated first at Merchant Taylors’
school, and then at St. John’s college, Oxford, where he
entered in 1677. He subsequently became a fellow of this
college, and took the degree of bachelor of law, December
11, 1683. Being appointed travelling tutor successively,
to Charles, afterwards the second viscount Townshend, and
to Wriothesley lord Howland, son of the celebrated patriot
lord Russel, who in 1700 became the second duke of Bedford, Sherard made two successive tours through Holland,
France, Italy, &c. returning from the last, as sir J. Smith
thinks, not. much before the year 1700, when his last-mentioned pupil was twenty years old. Dr. Pulteney supposes
him to have come back in 1693, led perhaps by the date of
Ray’s “Sylloge Stirpium Europaearum,
” printed in
Wharton, and the preface in question displays the objects and acquisitions of one of the first rank, who could certainly not long remain in obscurity, the above initials
Botany was ever the prominent pursuit of Sherard in
all his journeys. He cultivated the friendship and correspondence of the most able men on the continent, such as
Boerhaave, Hermann, Tournefort, Vaillant, Micheli, *&c.
He is universally believed to have been the author of a
12mo volume, entitled “Schola Botanica,
” published at
Amsterdam in Bibliotheca Botanica,
” v. I. Paradisus Batavus,
” to examine his herbarium, and to compose a Prodromus of that
work, which is subjoined to the little volume now under
our consideration. All this can apply to Sherard only, who
became the editor of Hermann’s book itself, and who in Hs
preface, dated from Geneva in 1697, appears under his
own name, and speaks of himself as having long enjoyed
the friendship and the communications of that eminer>t
man, whose judgment and talents he justly commemorates,
and of whose various literary performances, as well as of his
botanical principles, he gives an account. Dr. Pulteney
cpnceives this preface to have been written during a third
tour of its author to the continent; but we presume him to
have then been with the young lord Rowland, and consequently on his second tour only.
the mediation of Sherard, the sale of his manuscripts and drawings of Parisian plants, to Boerhaave, who published in 1727 the splendid “Botanicon Parisiense.” This
In 1721, Dr. Sherard revisited the continent. Vaillant
was now in a declining state of health, and died in May
1722. Previous to his decease he concluded, through the
mediation of Sherard, the sale of his manuscripts and
drawings of Parisian plants, to Boerhaave, who published
in 1727 the splendid “Botanicon Parisiense.
” This
work, though not free from imperfections in the distribution of its materials, would doubtless have been far less
correct, but for the superintendance of Sherard, who
passed a summer with Boerhaave in revising the manuscript.
Our great botanist had already rendered a more important
service to his favourite science, by bringing with him from
Germany, in August 1721, the celebrated Dillenius. (See Dillenius.) By a comparison of dates, it appears that
Sherard made several visits to the continent. He went
from Paris to Holland in 1721, and thence with Dillenius,
the same year, to England. He stayed some time with
Boerhaave again in 1724, or perhaps 1725. We know not
precisely when or where it happened that he was, like
Linnæus in Norway, in danger of being shot for a wolf.
ourers left no department of botany unimproved. James Sherard, seven years younger than his brother, who had acquired opulence by medical practice, first as an apothecary,
What principally attached Sherard to Dillenius, was the
similarity of their tastes respecting those intricate tribes of
vegetables now termed cryptogamic. To these the
attention of both had long been directed, and hence originated
the cultivation, which this line of botanical study has received, from that period, in England and Germany. This
taste, however, was not exclusive; for these friends and
fellow labourers left no department of botany unimproved.
James Sherard, seven years younger than his brother, who
had acquired opulence by medical practice, first as an apothecary, and then as a physician, in London, had a great
fondness for the same pursuit, and reared at his country
seat at Eltham, a number of exotic plants, from every
climate. Hither the more learned subject of our present
article frequently resorted. He had acquired affluence by
his public appointments, but his style of living was simple
and private Devoted to the cultivation of knowledge in
himself, and to the diffusion of that of others, he lent his
aid to all who required it, without coming forward conspicuously as an author. *He assisted Catesby with information and with money, to bring out his natural history of
Carolina, though neither that work, nor the “Hortus
Elthamensis
” of Dillenius, appeared till some time after his
decease, which happened at Eltham Aug. 12, 1728, when
he was 69 years of age. He was buried at Eltham Aug.
19. His brother died Feb. 12, 1738-9, aged/72, and is
buried in Evington church, near Leicester, with his wife,
whose maiden name was Lockwood, by whom he had no
children.
The most ostensible and splendid service to botany was rendered by the will of Dr. William Sherard, who left 3000l. for the endowment of the botanical professorship
The most ostensible and splendid service to botany was
rendered by the will of Dr. William Sherard, who left
3000l. for the endowment of the botanical professorship at
Oxford, besides 500l. which he gave in his life-time for the
improvement of the garden. He bequeathed to this establishment his choice botanical library, his ample herbarium,
and the manuscript of his “Pinax,
” the completion of
which he intended should be one of the objects and duties
of the new professor. He bequeathed also his books
(with the exception of the botanical part) and many curiosities to St. John’s college, Oxford. In 1766, some of his
Mss. were presented by Mr. Ellis to the Royal Society.
gate. Mis son, the poet, was born here Sept 18, 1618, and educated by the celebrated Thomas Farnaby, who then taught a school in Goldsmith’s rents. On his removal to
, an English poet, was descended from an antient family of the same name at Stanyhurst, in Lancashire. His grandfather, Henry, appears to have belonged, but in what capacity is not known, to Corpus Christi college, Oxford, and settled in that city, where Edward the father of our poet was born. This Edward went afterwards to London, and became secretary to the first East India company, established by queen Elizabeth’s charter, and in 1613, obtained a reversionary grant of the office of clerk of the ordnance. He was afterwards knighted by Charles I. He married Frances, the second daughter pf John Stanley of Roydon Hall, in Essex, esq. and resided in Goldsmith’s Rents, near Redcross-street, Cripplegate. Mis son, the poet, was born here Sept 18, 1618, and educated by the celebrated Thomas Farnaby, who then taught a school in Goldsmith’s rents. On his removal to Sevenoaks in Kent, in 1636, young Sherburne was educated privately, under the care of Mr. Charles Aleyn, the poetical historian of the battles of Cressy and Poictiers, who had been one of Farnaby’s ushers. On the death of Aleyn in 1640, his pupil being intended for the army, was sent to complete his education abroad, and had travelled in France and part of Italy, when his father’s illness obliged him to return. After his father’s death in 1641, he succeeded to the clerkship of his majesty’s ordnance, the reversion of which had been procured for him in 1638,- but the rebellion prevented his retaining it long. Being a Roman catholic, and firmly attached to the king, he was ejected by a warrant of the house of Lords in April or May 1642, and harassed by a long and expensive confinement in the custody of the usher of the black rod.
On his release he determined to follow the fortunes of his royal master, who made him commissary-general of the artillery, in which post
On his release he determined to follow the fortunes of
his royal master, who made him commissary-general of the
artillery, in which post he witnessed the battle of Edge-hill,
and afterwards attended the king at Oxford, where he was
created master of arts, Dec. 20, 1642. Here he took such
opportunities as his office permitted of pursuing his studies,
and did not leave Oxford untilJune 1646, when it was surrendered to the parliamentary forces. He then went to
London, and was entertained by a near relation, John
Povey, esq. at his chambers in the Middle Temple. Being
plundered of all his property, and what is ever most dear*
to a man of learning, his ample library, he would probably
have sunk under his accumulated sufferings, had he not
met with his kinsman, Thomas Stanley, esq. father of the
learned Thomas Stanley, esq. who was a sufferer in the
same cause, and secreted near the same place. But some
degree of toleration must have been extended to him soon
after, as in 1648, he published his translation of Seneca’s
“Medea,
” and in the same year, Seneca’s answer to
Lucilius’s question “Why good men suffer misfortunes,
seeing there is a divine providence?
” In Poems and Translations,
” with a Latin dedication to Mr. Stanley; and when sir George Savile, afterwards
marquis of Halifax, returned from his travels about that
time, he appointed Mr. Sherburne superintendant of his
affairs; and by the recommendation of his mother, kidy
Savile, he was afterwards made travelling tutor to her
nephew, sir John Coventry. With this gentleman he visited
various parts of the continent, from March 1654 to October
1659. On the restoration, sir Anthony Ashley Cooper,
afterwards lord Shaftesbury, put another into his place in
the ordnance, but on Mr. Sherburne’s application to tlve
House of Peers, it was restored to him, although its emoluments were soon greatly retrenched.
from his place in the ordnance, as a suspected papist, but these were ineffectual; and his majesty, who appears to have been satisfied with his character and conduct,
During the commotions excited by the popish plot, attempts were made to remove him from his place in the
ordnance, as a suspected papist, but these were ineffectual;
and his majesty, who appears to have been satisfied with
his character and conduct, conferred on him the honour
of knighthood, Jan. 6, 1682, As, however, he could not
take the oaths on the revolution, he quitted his public employment, and by this step sacrificed his property to his
principles. For some time he lived a retired and probably
a comfortable life, but poverty at length induced him to
seek relief. In 1696, he presented a supplicatory memorial to the earl of Romney, then master general of the ordnance, and another to the king. In both, he represented,
in very earnest but modest language, his long and faithful
services, his total loss of fortune in the cause of royalty,
his extreme indigence, and his advanced age (he being then upwards of eighty-two years old), and concluded with
an humble request that an annual stipend for his support
might be granted upon the quarter books of the office.
The writer to whom we are indebted for this account has
not been able to discover that this request was ever complied with. He adds, that sir Edward was well acquainted
with the duties of his station, to the discharge of which he
dedicated a long life, and was the principal person concerned in drawing up the “Rules, orders, and instructions
”
given to the office of ordnance in
y that learned critic’s announcing an intention of publishing a new edition of Manilius. Sir Edward, who had formerly translated the first book of that poet into English
To these scanty notices, may be added his acquaintance with Dr. Bent ley, which was occasioned by that learned critic’s announcing an intention of publishing a new edition of Manilius. Sir Edward, who had formerly translated the first book of that poet into English verse, took this opportunity of sending to Bentley his collection of editions and papers belonging to Caspar Gevanius, who had also intended an edition of Manilius, but was prevented by death.
being observed to give early indications of genius, attracted the notice of a friend to his family, who sent him to the college of Dublin, and contributed towards his
, D. D. the intimate friend of
Dean Swift, is said by Shield, in Cibber’s “Lives of the
Poets,
” to have been born about Sufficient for
the day is the evil thereof.
” On this being known, he was
struck out of the list of chaplains to the lord-lieutenant,
and forbidden the castle.
ars; but the air being, as he said, too moist and unwholesome, and being disgusted with some persons who lived there, he sold the school for about 400l. and having soon
This living Dr. Sheridan afterwards changed for that of Dunboyne, which, by the knavery of the farmers and power of the gentlemen of the neighbourhood, fell as low as 80l. per annum. He gave it up for the free school of Cavan, where he might have lived well in so cheap a country on 80l. a year salary, besides his scholars; but the air being, as he said, too moist and unwholesome, and being disgusted with some persons who lived there, he sold the school for about 400l. and having soon spent the money, became infirm in health, and died Sept. 10, 1738, in his fifty-fifth year.
him with kindness as long as he lived. The early part of his education he received from his father, who in 1734 sent him to Westminster school, at a time when he could
, son to the preceding, by his wife Miss Macpherson, daughter of a Scotch gentleman, was born at Quilca in Ireland, the residence of Swift, in 1721. Swift was one of his sponsors, and treated him with kindness as long as he lived. The early part of his education he received from his father, who in 1734 sent him to Westminster school, at a time when he could very ill afford it. Our author was there immediately taken notice of upon examination, and although a mere stranger, was by pure merit elected a king’s scholar. But this maintenance sometimes falling short, his father could not add fourteen pounds to enable his son to finish the year, which if he had done, he would have been removed to a higher class, and in another year would have been elected to Oxford or Cambridge. Being thus obliged to return to Dublin, he was sent to the university there, and took his master’s degree in arts. In 1738 he lost his father, and at that time intended to devote himself to the education of youth, and would immediately after taking his degree have entered upon this office, had he not now conceited that high opinion of the art of oratory from which he never afterwards receded, and in the restoration of which art (for he considered it as lost) he laboured with an uncommon degree of enthusiasm. In order to qualify himself for this undertaking, he fancied that he must himself learn the practice of oratory, and that the stage was the only school. With this last strange notion, he appeared on the theatre in Smock- alley, in January 1743, in the character of Richard III. and met with the greatest encouragement. His career, however, was soon interrupted by a petty squabble, the first of many in which it was his fate to be involved, with Gibber about Cato’s robe. The abusive correspondence which passed on this important occasion was printed in a pamphlet entitled * The Buskin and Sock, being controversial letters between Mr. Thomas Sheridan, tragedian, and Mr. Theophilus Gibber, comedian," 12 mo.
d. Soon after the receipt of this letter Garrick arrived in Dublin, and had a meeting with Sheridan, who repeated the offer, and taking out his watch, which he laid
In Jan. 1744, Mr. Sheridan accepted an engagement at
Covent-Garden, and came over to England accordingly.
During his residence here, he published proposals, dated
Oct. 16, 1744, for printing in 4to the works of his father,
but from warn of encouragement or some other reason, the
volume never appeared; and when, a few years before hi*
death, he was asked where the Mss. w^re, could not recollect their fate. He played in 1744 at Covent-Garden, and
in 1745 at Drury-Lane. During this latter season, some
injudicious friends endeavoured to set up a rivalship between Sheridan and Garrick, which occasioned a quarrel
between them, which was not made up when Sheridan left
London. It is curious to observe how Sheridan treated
Garrick on this occasion. Having on his return to Dublin
undertaken the management of the theatre there, he, wrote
to Garrick, informing him, “that he was then sole manager
of the Irish stage, and should be very happy to see him in
Dublin: that he would give him all advantages and encouragement which he could in reason expect.
” He also made
an offer to divide all the profits with him, from their united
representation, after deducting the incurred expences; but
told him at the same time, that he must expect nothing
from his friendship, for he owed him none: yet that all the
best actor had a right to command, he might be very certain should be granted. Soon after the receipt of this letter Garrick arrived in Dublin, and had a meeting with Sheridan, who repeated the offer, and taking out his watch,
which he laid on the table, said he would wait a certain
number of minutes for his determination Such was Garrick’s situation at this time, that he accepted the terms,
which, as well as his acquiescence in the arrogant manner
of proposing them, he probably did not recollect with much
pleasure, when his own merit and public favour had placed
him on a vast height of superiority above his manager.
n the most open and offensive manner, with such of the actresses as would admit of them, while those who would not were perpetually exposed to insult and ill-treatment.
Mr. Sheridan appeared to much more advantage afterwards as a reformer of the manners of the Dublin audience,
which he attempted with great spirit. The young and unruly among the male part of the audience, had long claimed
a right of coming into the green-room, attending rehearsals, and carrying on gallantries, in the most open and
offensive manner, with such of the actresses as would admit
of them, while those who would not were perpetually exposed to insult and ill-treatment. These grievances Sheridan determined by degrees to remove, and at last happily
effected, though not until he was involved in contests with
the most tumultuous audiences, both at the hazard of
losing his means of subsistence, and even of losing his life,
from the resentment of a set of lawless rioters, who were
at length, through an exertion of justice in the magistracy
of Dublin in the support of public decency, convinced of
their error, or at least of the impracticability of pursuing
it any farther with impunity. During the space of about
eight years, Mr. Sheridan possessed the office of manager
of the theatre royal of Dublin, with all the success both
with respect to fame and fortune that could well be expected; till at length he was driven from the stage and its
concerns by another of those popular tumults by which
managers and performers are daily liable to suffer. In the
summer of the year 1754, in which the rancour of political
party arose to the greatest height that it had almost ever
been known to do in Dublin, Mr. Sheridan unfortunately
revived a tragedy, viz. Miller’s “Mahomet.
” In this
play were many passages respecting liberty, bribery, and
corruption, which pleased the anti-courtiers as expressive
of their own opinions in regard to certain persons at that
time in power, and therefore they insisted on those passages
being repeated, a demand which, on the first night of its
representation, the actor in whose part most of them occurred, complied with. The absurdity, however, of such
repetitions, merely as destroying the effect of the tragedy,
having occurred to the manager, the same speeches, when
again called for by the audience on the succeeding night,
were refused by the actor, and he being obliged to hint
the cause of his refusal, the manager became the object of
their resentment. On his not appearing to mollify their
rage by some kind of apology, they flew out into the most
outrageous violence, cul the scenery to pieces with their
swords, tore up the benches and boxes, and, in a word,
totally despoiled the theatre; concluding with a resolution never more to permit Mr. Sheridan to appear on that
stage.
test increase of theatrical strength, he found himself deserted by some of his principal performers, who had engaged themselves at the r>ew house and, at the same time,
In consequence of this tumult he was obliged to place the management of his ravaged playhouse in other hands for the ensuing season, and come himself to England, where he continued till the opening of the winter of the year 1756, when the spirit gf party being in some degree subsided, and Sheridan’s personal opponents somewhat convinced of the impetuous rashness of their proceedings, he returned to his native country, and having preceded his first appearance on the stage by a public apology for such parts of his conduct as might have been considered as exceptionable, he was again received with the highest favour by the audience. But now his reign, which had been thus disturbed by an insurrection at home, was yet to undergo a second shock from an invasion from abroad. Two mighty potentates from England, viz. Mr. Barry and Mr. Woodward, having found means to sound the disposition of the people of Dublin, with whom the former, exclusive of his allowed theatrical merit, had great interest by being their countryman, and finding it the opinion of many that a second theatre in that city would be likely to meet with eocouragenaent, if supported by good performers, immediately raised a large subscription among the nobility and gentry, set artificers to work, erected a new play-house in Crow-street during the summer season, and, having engaged a company selected from the two theatres of London, were ready for opening by the beginning of the ensuing winter. And now, at a time when Mr. Sheridan needed the greatest increase of theatrical strength, he found himself deserted by some of his principal performers, who had engaged themselves at the r>ew house and, at the same time, some valuable auxiliaries which he had engaged from England, among whom were Mr. Theophilus Gibber and Mr. Maddox the wire-dancer, lost their lives in the attempt to come to Ireland, being driven by a storm and cast away on the coast of Scotland. This completed that ruin which had begun to take place, and had been so long impending over his head. He was now compelled entirely to throw up his whole concern with that theatre, and to seek out for some other means of providing for himself and family.
ts, of which, though forfeited, he had not been deprived. Being much censured for this step by those who could not yield a like compliance, he endeavoured to vindicate
, a learned English divine,
was born in South wark about 1641, and educated at Eton
1 school, where he distinguished himself by the vigour of his
genius and application to his studies. Thence he removed
to Peter-house in Cambridge in May 1657, where he took
a bachelor of arts degree in 1660, and a master’s in 1665.
He now went into holy orders, and officiated as a curate
until 1669, when he was preferred to the rectory of St.
George’s, Botolph-lane, in London. In this parish he
discharged the duties of his function with great zeal, and
was esteemed an excellent preacher. In 1673, he.published “A discourse concerning the knowledge of Christ,
and our union and communion with him,
” which involved
him in a controversy with the celebrated nonconformist Dr.
John Owen, and with Mr. Vincent Alsop. In 1680, he
took the degree of D. D. and about the same time published
some pieces against the nonconformists. Soon after he
was collated to a prebend of St. Paul’s, was appointed
master of the Temple, and had the rectory of Therfield in
Hertfordshire. In 1684 he published a pamphlet, entitled
“The case of Resistance to the Supreme Powers stated and
resolved, according to the doctrine of the holy Scriptures;
”
and continued to preach the same opinion after the accession of James II. when it was put to the test. He engaged also in the controversy with the papists, which shews
that he was not a servile adherent to the king, but conscientious in his notions of regal power. This likewise he
shewed at the Revolution, when he refused to take the
oaths to William and Mary, and was therefore suspended
from all his preferments. During his suspension, he published his celebrated treatise, entitled “A practical discourse on Death,
” The Case of the Allegiance due to the
Sovereign Princes stated and resolved, according to Scripture and Reason, and the principles of the Church of England, with a more particular respect to the Oath lately enjoined of Allegiance to their present Majesties king William
and queen Mary, 1690,
” quarto. This was followed by
twelve answers. His design was to lay down such principles as would prove the allegiance due to William and
Mary, even supposing them to have no legal right, which
the celebrated Mr. Kettlewell could by no means agree
with, and therefore wrote, upon another principle, “The
duty of Allegiance settled upon its true grounds.
” The
dispute is perhaps now of little consequence; but Sherlock persisted in preaching his doctrine of non-resistance
in the new reign, and had undoubtedly some merit in this
kind of consistency, and in rendering that plausible in any
degree, which the other nonjurors thought contradictory in
every degree. In 1691, he published his “Vindication
of the doctrine of the holy and ever blessed Trinity;
” but
his attempt to explain this mystery was not satisfactory,
and involved him in a controversy with Dr. South. What
was more mortifying, a fellow of University-college, Oxford, having preached his doctrine in a sermon at St. Mary’s,
the university issued a decree, censuring that doctrine as
false, impious, and heretical, and warned all persons under
their jurisdiction not to preach or maintain any such notions. The controversy being exasperated by this indignity, the king at last interposed, and issued directions “to
the archbishops and bishops,
” ordaining, that “all preachers should carefully avoid all new terms, and confine
themselves to such ways of explanation as have been commonly used in the church.
” After this, it is but fair to
state Dr. Sherlock’s notion: he thought that there were
three eternal minds 9 two of these issuing from the father,
but that these three were one by a mutual consciousness
in the three to every one of their thoughts. Dr. Sherlock was promoied to the deanery of St. Paul’s in 1691.
He died at Hampstead June 19, 1707, in his 67th year;
and was interred in the cathedral of St. Paul. He left
two sons and two daughters; the eldest of his sons was Dr.
Thomas SherLck, bishop of London. Burnet says, that
“he was a clear, polite, and a strong writer, but apt to
assume too much to himself, and to treat his adversaries
with contempt. This created him many enemies, and made
him pass for an insolent haughty man.
” He was, however,
a man of considerable learning and abilities, and conscientious, however mistaken, in those peculiar opinions which
engaged him in such frequent controversies with his brethren.
e principal champion and ornament of both church and university.” This was very high praise from one who reflected so little honour on either.
In 1714, at which time he took his doctor’s degree in
divinity, he succeeded sir William Dawes in the mastership of Katherine-hall, and when appointed
vice-chancellor, in his turn, discharged the duties of that office in a
manner the most beneficial to the university. In particular he exerted himself in inspecting and bringing into
order the public archives, and in the course of this employment acquired such a knowledge of the constitution,
history, power, and immunities of the university, as gave
his opinion a very great weight in all subsequent disputes.
He likewise, during his residence in Katherine-hall, discovered not only very superior abilities with deep and extensive learning, but also much wisdom, policy, and talents
for governing. It was in allusion to this political sway,
that Dr. Bentley during his disputes at Cambridge, gave
Dr. Sherlock the nickname of cardinul Alberom, while
about the same time Bentley’s antagonist, Middleton, called
Sherlock, “the principal champion and ornament of both
church and university.
” This was very high praise from
one who reflected so little honour on either.
er, as to make it appear that they have no better foundation than the Divination among the heathens “ who learnt,” says he, “that art in schools, or under discipline,
In 1724 Collins published his insidious attack, entitled
“A Discourse of the Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion
” in which he endeavours to fix the evidences of it chiefly, if not solely, upon the prophecies of
the Old Testament; and then explains these prophecies in
such a manner, as to make it appear that they have no
better foundation than the Divination among the heathens
“who learnt,
” says he, “that art in schools, or under
discipline, as the Jews did prophesying in the schools and
colleges of the prophets.
” This work occasioned many
pieces to be written upon the subject of prophecy; and,
though Sherlock did not enter directly into the controversy, yet he took an opportunity of communicating his
sentiments, in six discourses delivered at the Temple
church, in April and May 1724, which he published the
year after, with this title, “The Use and Intent of Prophecy, in the several ages of the world,
” 8vo. In these
we have a regular series of prophecies, deduced through
the several ages from the beginning, and presented in a
connectecj view; together with the various degrees of light
distinctly marked out, which were successively communicated in such a manner, as to answer the great end of religion and the designs of providence, till the great events
to which they pointed should receive thtir accomplishment. These discourses have been exceedingly admired,
and gone through several editions. The fourth, corrected
Scheme of Prophecy;” but that author being dead, was now published, not in answer to him, but to all who call in question, or are offended with, the History of the Fall,
for reforming the lives and manners ters, 1790, 8vo, p. 457.
and enlarged, was published in 1744, 8vo; to which are
added, “Four Dissertations: I. ‘The Authority of the
second Epistie of St. Peter.’ 2. ‘ The Sense of the Ancients before Christ, upon the Circumstances and Consequences of the Fall.’ 3. ‘ The blessing of Judah,’ Gen.
xlix. 4. ‘ Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem’.
” Three of these
dissertations, if we mistake not, accompanied the discourses
from their first publication; the fourth was added afterwards. In 1749, Sherlock, then bishop of London, published “An Appendix to the second Dissertation, being a
farther enquiry into the Mosaic account of the Fall,
” 8vo.
An advertisement is prefixed, setting forth, that the dissertation was drawn up some years since, and intended as
an examination of the objections made to the History of
the Fall by the author of “The Literal Scheme of Prophecy;
” but that author being dead, was now published, not
in answer to him, but to all who call in question, or are
offended with, the History of the Fall, as it stands recorded
by Moses. Whether Dr. Middleton, who had ridiculed
the “Literal History of the Fall,
” considered himself as
particularly aimed at here, or whether he acted from
other private motives of resentment, which has been asserted, we know not, but he published the year after,
1750, a sharp and satirical “Examination of the Discourses
upon Prophecy, with Animadversions upon this Dissertation:
” in which he undertakes to explain and affirm
these four points: 1. “That the use of Prophecy, as it
was taught and practised by Christ, his Apostles, and
Evangelists, was drawn entirely from single and separate
predictions, gathered by them from the books of the Law
and the Prophets, and applied, independently on each
other, to the several acts and circumstances of the life of
Jesus, as so many proofs of his Divine Mission; and, consequently, that his Lordship’s pretended chain of Antediluvian Prophecies is nothing else but a fanciful conceit
which has no connection at all with the evidences of the
Gospel.
” 2. “That the Bishop’s exposition of his text is
forced, unnatural, and inconsistent with the sense of St.
Peter, from whose epistle it is taken.
” 3. “That the
historical Interpretation, which he gives to the account of
Fall, is absurd and contradictory to reason; and that the
said account cannot be considered under any other character than that of Allegory, Apologue, or Moral Fable.
”
4. “That the Oracles of the Heathen World, which his
Lordship declares to have been given out by the, Devil, in
the form of a Serpent, were all impostures, wholly managed
by human craft, without any supernatural aid or interposition whatever.
”
On tins pro.notion, he had the misfortune to differ with Dr. Herring, then archbishop of Canterbury, who had made his option for the rectory of St. George’s Hanoversquare,
On tins pro.notion, he had the misfortune to differ with
Dr. Herring, then archbishop of Canterbury, who had
made his option for the rectory of St. George’s Hanoversquare, which being one of the most valuable livings in his
diocese, the bishop was very unwilling to relinquish it, and
drew up a pamphlet respecting the nature of the archbishop’s options, and resolved to oppose the present claim.
The matter, however, was accommodated by his giving up
the living of St. Anne’s, Solio, which the archbishop accepted. Dr. Sherlock printed fifty copies of his thoughts
on the subject, in 1757, for private distribution, in a folio
pamphlet, entitled “The Option; or an Inquiry into the
grounds of the claim made by the archbishop, on all consecrated or translated bishops, of the disposal of any preferment belonging to their respective sees that he shall
make choice of.
” The chief argument of the author, deduced from the registers, &c. of the archbishops, is that
the archbishop of Canterbury never had, nor at this tune
has a right to an option from a translated bishop; but he
allows that the claim on consecrated bishops is well founded,
for it is properly a consecration fee, and becomes due ratione consecrationis. Archbishop Herring, to whom he had
sent a ms copy, in 1749, reprinted the whole afterwards
in 4to, with a short answer in onu page, and distributed it
among his friends. Dr Sherlock, however, we see, virtually gave up the point, by giving up the living of St.
Anne’s.
of his limbs, and then at times of his speech, insomuch that he could not be understood but by those who were constantly about him. Still the powers of his understanding
Bodily infirmities now began to affect him very much,
and, though for three or four years he applied himself to
business, and made one general visitation of his diocese in
person, yet he was then visited with a severe illness, which
deprived him almost first of the use of his limbs, and then
at times of his speech, insomuch that he could not be understood but by those who were constantly about him. Still
the powers of his understanding and his accustomed cheerfulness continued; and under this weak state of body, in
which he lay many years, he revised, corrected, and published, 4 vols. of “Sermons
” in 8vo. The last time in
which he probably used his pen, was in an affectionate
congratulatory letter to his present majesty on his accession, being incapable of waiting on him in person . He
He died July 18, 1761, in his eighty-fourth year, and was
interred in the church-yard at Fulham, in a vault made for
that purpose: where likewise a monument was erected to
his memory, with an inscription drawn up by Dr. Nicholls,
who succeeded him, in the mastership of the Temple, and
speaks thus of his character:
ding the judgment of that august assembly, in opposition to some of the great luminaries of the law, who had at first declared themselves of a different opinion: and
Bishop Sherlock hud acquired mu< h knowleage of the laws and constitution of England, which enabled him to appear with great weight, both as a governor of the church, and a lord of parliament. In cases of ecclesiastical law, brought before the House of Peers, he had sometimes the honour of leading the judgment of that august assembly, in opposition to some of the great luminaries of the law, who had at first declared themselves of a different opinion: and in general when he assisted at the deliberations of that house, he entered freely into many other questions of importance, as appears by his speeches printed in the parliamentary debates.
charters of the Colony of Massachusetts-bay,” 8vo the style of which was much admired even by those who disliked the sentiments. Mr. Mainvvaring, in the introduction
Dr. Shipley gave an early and decided opinion against
the coercive measures adopted towards America, to which
his friends imputed his receiving no further advancement.
In the year 1774 he published “A speech intended to have
been spoken on the bill for altering the charters of the Colony of Massachusetts-bay,
” 8vo the style of which was
much admired even by those who disliked the sentiments.
Mr. Mainvvaring, in the introduction to his “Sermons,
”
p. 28, 8vo, speaks of it in the following terms “If it were
allowable for a moment to adopt the poetical creed of the
antients, one would almost imagine, that the thoughts of a
truly elegant writer were formed by Apollo, and attired by
the Graces. It would seem, indeed, that language was at
a loss to furnish a garb adapted to their rank and worth;
that judgment, fancy, taste, had all combined to adorn
them, yet without impairing that divine simplicity for the
want of which nothing can compensate.
” And in a note
on this passage, he says, “Amongst all the productions, antient or modern, it would be difficult to find an instance of
more consummate elegance than in a printed Speech intended to be spoken in the House of Lords.
” Besides this
effort, his lordship during the whole American war, continued to be an opponent of Government; but his character,
talents, and manners were always highly respected by men
of all parties. His works, consisting of sermons, charges,
and parliamentary speeches, were published in 2 vols. 8vo,
in 1792.
English troops, which, at that time, were serving in Holland. In 1596 he was one of the adventurers who went against the Spaniards in their settlements in the West
, a celebrated traveller, second
son of Thomas Shirley of Weston, in Sussex, was born in
1565. He studied at Hart-hall, Oxford, where he took his
bachelor’s decree in 1581, and in the same year was elected
probationer fellow of All Souls College. Leaving the university, he spent some time in one of tru 1 inns of court, after
which he travelled on the continent, and joined the English
troops, which, at that time, were serving in Holland. In
1596 he was one of the adventurers who went against the
Spaniards in their settlements in the West Indies; and on
his return, the earl of Essex, with whom he was a great favourite, employed him in the wars in Ireland, for his services in which he was knighted. After this he was sent by
the queen into Italy, in order to assist the people of Ferrara in their contest with the pope: but finding that before
he arrived, peace had been, signed, he proceeded to Venice,
and travelled from thence to Persia, where he became a
favourite with Shah Abbas, who sent him as his ambassador
to England in 1612. By the 'emperor of Germany he was
raised to the dignity of count, and by the king of Spain he
was appointed admiral of the Levant seas. Such honours
excited the jealousy of James I. who ordered him to return,
but this he thought proper to disobey, and is supposed to
have died in Spain about the year 1630. There is an account of his West Indian expedition in the third volume of
Hakluyt’s collection, under the following title: “A true
Relation of the Voyage undertaken by Sir Anthony Shirley,
Knight, in 1596, intended for the island San Tome, but
performed to St. Jago, Dominica, Margarita, along the
Coast of Tien a Firma to the Isle of Jamaica, the Bay of
Honduras, thirty leagues up Rio Dolce, and homewards by
Newfoundland, with the memorable Exploits achieved in
all this Voyage.
” His travels into Persia are printed separately, and were published in London in 1613, 4to; and
his travels over the Caspian sea, and through Russia, were
inserted in Purchas’s Pilgrimages.
t to Katherine-hall, Cambridge, where he formed a close attachment with Bancroft, the epigrammatist, who has recorded their friendship in one of his epigrams. At Cambridge,
, an English dramatic writer and poet,
was of an antient family, and born about 1594, in the
parish of St. Mar) Wool-church, London. He was educated at Merchant-Taylors school, and thence removed to
St. John’s college in Oxford; where Laud, then president
of that college, had a good opinion of his talents, yet
would often tell him, as Wood relates, that “he was an unfit person to take the sacred function upon him, and should
never have his consent;
” 'because Shirley had then a large
mole upon his left cheek, which appeared a great deformity.
Afterwards, leaving Oxford without a degree, he went to
Katherine-hall, Cambridge, where he formed a close attachment with Bancroft, the epigrammatist, who has recorded their friendship in one of his epigrams. At Cambridge, Wood supposes he took the degree in arts, as he
soon after entered into orders, and took a cure at or near
St. Alban’s, in Hertfordshire; but, becoming unsettled in
his principles, changed his religion for that of Rome, left
his living, and taught a grammar school in the town of St.
Alban’s. This employment being after some time uneasy
to him, he retired to London, lived in Gray’s-inn, and commenced dramatic writer, which recommended him to the
patronage of various persons of rank, especially Henrietta
Maria, Charles the First’s queen, who made him her servant. His first comedy is dated 1629, after which he wrote
nine or ten, between that year and 1637, when he went to
Ireland, under the patronage of George earl of Kildare, to
whom he dedicated his tragi-comedy of the “Royal Master,
” and by whose influence that comedy was acted in the
castle at Dublin, before the lord deputy. From Ireland he
returned to England in 1638; but Wood says, that when
the rebellion broke out, he was obliged to leave London
and his family (for he had a wife and children), and, being
invited by his patron, William earl of Newcastle, to accompany him in the wars, he attended his lordship. Upon the
decline of the king’s cause, he retired to London; where,
among other of his friends, he found Thomas Stanley, esq.
author of the “Lives of Philosophers,
” who supported him
for the present. The acting of plays being now prohibited,
he returned to his old occupation of teaching school, which
he carried on in White Friars; and educated many youths,
who afterwards proved eminent men. At the Restoration,
several of his plays were brought upon the theatre again;
and it is probable he subsisted very well, though it does not
appear how. In 1666 he was forced, with his second wife
Frances, by the great fire in September, from his house
near Fleet-street, in the parish of St. Giles’s in the fields,
where, being extremely affected with the loss and terror
that fire occasioned, they both died within the space of
twentv-four hours, and were both interred in the same
grave, Oct. the 29th.
There was one Mr. Henry Shirley, a contemporary of our author, who wrote a tragedy called “The Martyred Soldier;” which was often
There was one Mr. Henry Shirley, a contemporary of
our author, who wrote a tragedy called “The Martyred
Soldier;
” which was often acted with applause. It was
printed in 1631, and dedicated by the publisher J. K. to
sir Kenelm Digby; the author being then dead. More recently there was a William Shirley, who was for some
years resident in Portugal, in a public character, as it is
supposed. On some disgust, however, or dispute in which
he had involved himself there, he returned to England
about 1749. He was esteemed well versed in affairs of
trade, and the commercial interests and connections of
different kingdoms, especially those of Great Britain and
Portugal. He was also considered as the author of several
letters on those subjects, published in the Daily Gazetteer, and signed Lusitanicus; and wrote a pamphlet, entitled
“Observations upon the sentence of the conspirators against
the king of Portugal,
”
ed his whole time to mathematical and mechanical pursuits. He was pupil to the celebrated Maclaurin, who perceiving the bent of his genius, encouraged him to prosecute
, an eminent optician, was born in Edinburgh in the year 1710. At the age of ten being left in a state of indigence by the death of both his parents, he was admitted into Heriot’s hospital, where he soon shewed a fine mechanical genius, by constructing for himself a number of curious articles with common knives, or such other instruments as he could procure. Two years after he was removed from the hospital to the high- school, where he so much distinguished himself in classical learning, that his friends thought of qualifying him for a learned profession. After four years spent at the high-school, in 1726 he was entered a student of the university of Edinburgh, where he passed through a regular course of study, took his degree of master of arts, and at the earnest entreaties of his relations, attended the divinity lectures: after which, in 1731, he passed his examination to fit him for a preacher in the church of Scotland. He soon, however, gave up all thoughts of a profession which he found little suited to his talents, and from this period he devoted his whole time to mathematical and mechanical pursuits. He was pupil to the celebrated Maclaurin, who perceiving the bent of his genius, encouraged him to prosecute those particular studies for which he seemed best qualified by nature. Under the eye of his preceptor he began, in 1732, to construct Gregorian telescopes; and, as the professor observed, by attending to the figure of his specula, he was enabled to give them larger apertures, and to carry them to greater perfection, than had ever been done before him.
e time of his death. His eminence as an artist is universally admitted, and he is spoken of by those who knew him from his youth upwards, as a man of virtue and very
Mr. Short was accustomed to visit the place of his nativity once every two or three years during his residence in London, and in the year 1766 he paid his last visit to Scotland. He died at Newington Butts, near London, in June 1768, after a very short illness, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. Mr. Short was a very good general scholar, besides well skilled in optics and mathematics. He was a very useful member of the Royal Society, and wrote a great many excellent papers in the Philosophical Transactions, from 1736 to the time of his death. His eminence as an artist is universally admitted, and he is spoken of by those who knew him from his youth upwards, as a man of virtue and very amiable manners.
te of Tripoly, a strong squadron was sent into those parts under the command of sir John Narborough, who arrived before Tripoly in the spring of the year, and found
, an eminent English admiral, was born near Clay, in Norfolk, about 1650, of parents
in middling circumstances, and put apprentice to some
mechanic trade, to which he applied himself for som.e time.
He is said to have early discovered an inclination for the
naval service, and at length went to sea, under the protection of sir Christopher Mynns, as a cabbin-boy, and applying himself very assiduously to the study of navigation, became an able seaman, and quickly arrived at preferment.
In 1674, our merchants in the Mediterranean being very
much distressed by the piratical state of Tripoly, a strong
squadron was sent into those parts under the command of
sir John Narborough, who arrived before Tripoly in the
spring of the year, and found considerable preparations for
defence. Being, according to the nature of his instructions,
desirous to try negotiation rather than force, he thought
proper to send Shovel, now a lieutenant, to demand satisfaction for what was past, and security for the time to
come. Shovel went on shore, and delivered his message
with great spirit; but the Dey, despising his youth, treated
him with much disrespect, and sent him back with an indefinite answer. Shovel, on his return to the admiral, acquainted him with some remarks he had made on shore.
Sir John sent him back with another message, and well
furnished him with proper rules for conducting his inquiries and observations. The Dey’s behaviour was worse the
second time, which Shovel made a pretence for delaying
his departure that he might complete his observations.
On his return he assured the admiral it was very practicable to burn the ships in the harbour, notwithstanding their
lines and forts: accordingly, in the night of the 4th of
March, Shovel, with all the boats in the fleet, filled with
combustibles, went boldly into the harbour, and destroyed
the vessels in it, after which he returned safe to the fleet,
without the loss of a single man; and the Tripolines were so
disconcerted at the boldness and success of the attack, as
immediately to sue for peace. Of this affair sir John Narborough gave so honourable account in all his letters, that
the next year Shovel had the command given him of the
Sapphire, a fifth rate; whence he was not long after *e*
moved into the James galley, a fourth rate, in which he
continued till the death of Charles II. Although he was
known to be unfriendly to the arbitrary measures of James
II. yet that prince continued to employ him, and he was
preferred to the Dover, in which situation he was when the
Revolution took place, and heartily concurred in that event.
In 1689, he was in the first battle, that of Bantry-bay, in
the Edgar, a third-rate; and so distinguished himself by
courage and conduct, that when king William came down
to Portsmouth, he conferred on him the honour of knighthood. In 1690, he was employed in conveying king YVilr
liam and his army into Ireland, who was so highly pleased
with his diligence and dexterity, that he did him the honour to deliver him a commission of rear-admiral of the
blue with his own hand. Just before the king set out for
Holland, in 1692, he made him rear-admiral of the red, at
the same time appointing him commander of the squadron
that was to convoy him thither. On his return, Shovel joined
admiral Russell with the grand fleet, and had a share in the
glory of the victory at La Hogue. When it was thought proper that the fleet should be put under command of joint admirals in the succeeding year, he was one; and, as Campbell says, “if there had been nothing more than this joint
commission, we might well enough account from thence
for the misfortunes which happened in our affairs at sea,
during the year 1693.
” The joint admirals were of different parties; but as they were all good seamen, and probably meant well to their country, though they did not agree
in the manner of serving it, it is most likely, “that, upon
mature consideration of the posture things were then in,
the order they had received from court, and the condition
of the fleet, which was not either half manned or half victualled, the admirals might agree that a cautious execution
of the instructions which they had received was a method
as safe for the nation, and more so for themselves, than
any other they could take.
” On this occasion sir Cloudesley Shovel was at first an object of popular odium; but
when the affair came to be strictly investigated in parliament, he gave so clear and satisfactory an account of the
matter, that it satisfied the people that the commanders
were not to blame; and that if there was treachery, it must
have originated in persons in office at home. The character of sir Cloude&ley remaining unimpeached, we find him.
again at sea, in 1694, under lord Berkley, in the expedition
to Camaret-bay, in which he distinguished himself by his
dextrous embarkation of the land forces, when they sailed
on that unfortunate expedition; as also when, on their return to England, it was deemed necessary to send the fleet
again upon the coast of France, to bombard Dieppe, and
other places. In 1702 he was sent to bring the spoils of
the Spanish and French fleets from Vigo, after the capture
of that place by sir George Rooke. In 1703, he commanded the grand fleet up the Streights; where he protected our trade, and did all that was possible to be done
for the relief of the protestants then in arms in the Cevenues; and countenanced such of the Italian powers as
were inclined to favour the allies. In 1704 he was sent,
with a powerful squadron, to join sir George liooke, who
commanded a grand fleet in the Mediterranean, and had
his share in the action off Malaga. Upon his return he
was presented to the queen by prince George, as lord high
admiral, and met with a very gracious reception; and was
next year employed as commander in chief. In 1705, when
k was thought necessary to send both a fleet and army to
Spain, sir Cloudesley accepted the command of the fleet
jointly with the earls of Peterborough and Monmouth, which
sailed to Lisbon, thence to Catalonia, and arrived before
Barcelona on the 12th of August and it was chiefly through
his activity, in furnishing guns for the batteries, and men ta
play them, and assisting with his advice, that the place
was taken.
luable emerald ring from his finger, stripped and buried him. This coming to the ears of Mr, Paxton, who was purser of the Arundel, he found out the fellows, declared
After the unsuccessful attempt upon Toulon, in which sir Cloudesley performed all in his power, he bore away for the Streights; and soon after resolved to return home. He left sir Thomas Dilkes at Gibraltar, with nine ships of the line, for the security of the coasts of Italy: and then proceeded with the remainder of the fleet, consisting of ten ships of the line, four fire-ships, a sloop, and a yacht, for England. Oct. 22, he came into the soundings, and had ninety fathom water. About noon he lay-by; but at six in the evening he made sail again, and stood away under his courses, believing, as it is supposed, that he saw the light on St. Agnes, one of the islands of Scilly. Soon after which, several ships of his fleet made the signal of distress, as he himself did; but the admiral’s, and some more, perished with all oil-board. How this accident happened has never been properly accounted for. Sir Cloudesiey Shovel’s body was thrown ashore the next day upon the island of Scilly, where some fishermen took him up; and, having stolen a valuable emerald ring from his finger, stripped and buried him. This coming to the ears of Mr, Paxton, who was purser of the Arundel, he found out the fellows, declared the ring to be sir Cloudesley Shovel’s, and obliged them to discover where they had buried the body; which he took up and carried on-board his own ship to Portsmouth. It was thence conveyed to London; and buried in Westminster-abbey with great solemnity, where a monument (a most tasteless one indeed) was afterwards erected to his memory by the queen’s direction.
assistant to Mr. Vincent Alsop, at the meeting Tothill-fields, Westminster. He was also one of those who established a lecture against popery, which was carried on with
, an eminent and pious divine, was born at Exeter in May 1657, and educated in school learning at his native city, whence, at the age of fourteen he was placed at a dissenting academy at Taunton, and afterwards at another at Newington-green, London. Having gone through the usual course of studies in these seminaries, and having decided in favour of nonconformity, he was encouraged by the celebrated Dr. Manton, to preach as a candidate for the ministry before he was quite twenty years of age. Two years after, in 1679, he received ordination from some dissenting ministers, but in a very private way, and his first settlement appears to have been as assistant to Mr. Vincent Alsop, at the meeting Tothill-fields, Westminster. He was also one of those who established a lecture against popery, which was carried on with good success in a large room in Exchange-alley.
a physician and naturalist, but his reputation is more securely founded on his having been the first who illustrated the antiquities of his native country, in various
We have hitherto considered sir Robert as a physician
and naturalist, but his reputation is more securely founded
on his having been the first who illustrated the antiquities
of his native country, in various learned essays, the titles
of which it is unnecessary to give, as the whole were printed in “A collection of several treatises in folio, concerning
Scotland as it was of old, and also in later times. By sir
Robert Sibbald, M. D.
” Edin. The liberty and independency of
the kingdom and church of Scotland asserted, from ancient
records in three parts,
” De Gestis Gul. Valise,
” Edin.
sh botanical harvest. Dr. Sibthorp discovered at Fanar an aged Greek botanist, Dr. Dimitri Argyrami, who had known the Danish traveller Forskall, and who was possessed
On the 20th of March, 1794, Dr. Sibthorp set out from London, on his second tour to Greece. He travelled to Constantinople in the train or' Mr. Listen, ambassador to the Porte, and was attended by Francis Borone, as a botanical assistant. They reached Constantinople on the 19th of May, not without Dr. Sibthorp’s having suffered much from the fatigues of the journey, which had brought on a bilious fever. He^oon recovered his health at Constantinople, where he was joined by his friend Mr. Hawkins from Crete. Towards the end of August they made an excursion into Bithynia, and climbed to the summit of Olympus, from whence they brought a fresh botanical harvest. Dr. Sibthorp discovered at Fanar an aged Greek botanist, Dr. Dimitri Argyrami, who had known the Danish traveller Forskall, and who was possessed of some works of Linnæus.
res, and the domestic economy of that celebrated spot. Here Dr. Sib thorp lost his assistant Borone, who perished by an accidental fall from a window, in his sleep,
Recovered health, and the accession of his friend’s company, caused Dr. Sibthorp to set out with alacrity on his voyage to Greece, on the 9th of September. Passing down the Hellespont, on the 13th, with a light but favourable breeze, they anchored at Koum Cale, in the Troad, spent two days in examining the plains of Troy, and then proceeded to the isles of 1mb ros and Lemnos. On the 25th they anchored at mount Athos, and passed ten days in examining some of the convents and hermitages, with the romantic scenery, and botanical rarities, of that singular spot, on all which Dr. Sibthorp descants at length, with great delight, in his journal. Their departure wafe, for some time, prevented, by a few Barbary pirates hovering on the coast, but they sailed on the 5th of October, and on the 7th landed at Skiatho. From hence, on the llth, they proceeded down the strait of Negropont, and on the 13th passed under the bridge of live arches, which connects that island with the main land of Greece. On the 15th, at noon, they entered the harbour of the Pyraeus, and proceeded to Athens, where the four succeeding weeks were employed in collecting information relative to the present state of the government, the manufactures, and the domestic economy of that celebrated spot. Here Dr. Sib thorp lost his assistant Borone, who perished by an accidental fall from a window, in his sleep, on or about the 20i h of October.
were to be confided. Their judicious choice fell upon the learned president of the Linnsean Society, who has nearly completed the “Prodromus,” and the second volume
We have now to record the posthumous benefits which
Dr. Sibthorp has rendered to his beloved science, and which
are sufficient to rank him amongst its most illustrious patrons. By his will, dated Ashburton, January 12, 1796, he
gives a freehold estate in Oxfordshire to the university of
Oxford, for the purpose of first publishing his “Flora
Gfaeca,
” in 10 folio volumes, with 100 coloured plates in
each, and a “Prodromus
” of the same work, in 8vo, without plates. His executors, the honourable Thomas Wenman, John Hawkins, and Thomas Platt, esqrs. were to appoint a sufficiently competent editor of these works, to
whom the manuscripts, drawings, and specimens, were to
be confided. Their judicious choice fell upon the learned
president of the Linnsean Society, who has nearly completed the “Prodromus,
” and the second volume of the
“Flora.
” The plan of the former, was drawn out by Dr.
Sibthorp, but nothing of the latter, except the figures, was
prepared, nor any botanical characters or descriptions whatever. The final determination of the species, the distinctions of such as were new, and all critical remarks, fell
to the lot of the editor, who has also revised the references
to Dioscorides. When these publications are finished, the
fcnnlial sum of 200. is to be paid to a professor of rural
oeconomy, who is, under certain limitations^ to be Sherar*
dian professor of botany. The remainder of the rents of
the estate above mentioned is destined to purchase books
for the professor, and the whole of the testator’s collections*
with his drawings, and books of natural history, botany,
and agriculture, are given to the university. The only
work which Dr. Sibthorp published in his life-time is a
“Flora Oxoniensis,
”
, a strenuous champion for repub-lican government, who set up Marcus Brutus for his pattern, and died like him in the
, a strenuous champion for repub-lican government, who set up Marcus Brutus for his pattern, and died like him in the cause of liberty, was second
son of Robert, earl of Leicester, by Dorothy, eldest daughter of Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland; and was born
about 1617, or as some say, 1622. Of his education, and
how he spent the younger part of his life, we know little.
It appears that his father, when he went as ambassador to
Denmark in 1632, took him with him, when a mere boy,
and again in 1636, when he went as ambassador to France.
During the rebellion he adhered to the interest of the parliament, in whose army he was a colonel; and was nominated one of the king’s judges, and as some say, sat on the
bench, but was not present when sentence was passed, nor:
did he sign the warrant for his execution. His admirers,
however, assure us that he was far from disapproving of
that atrocious act. He was in truth such a zealous republican, that he became a violent enemy to Cromwell, after
“he had made himself protector. In June 1659 he was appointed, by the council of state, to go with sir Robert
Houeywood, and Bulstrode Whitelocke, esq. commissioners to the Sound, to mediate a peace between the kings of
Sweden and Denmark: but Whitelocke observes, that himself was unwilling to undertake that service,
” especially,“says he,
” to be joined with those that would expect precedency of me, who had been formerly ambassador extraordinary to Sweden alone; and I knew well the over-ruling
temper and height of colonel Sidney. I therefore endeavoured to excuse myself, by reason of my old age and infirmities; but the council pressed it upon me:" which at
last he evaded. While Sidney was at the court of Denmark, M. Terlon, the French ambassador there, had the 1
confidence to tear out of the university Album this verse;
which the colonel, when it was presented to him, had written in it
Lord Molesworth, who relates this in the preface to his spirited Account of Denmark,
Lord Molesworth, who relates this in the preface to his
spirited Account of Denmark, observes, that, “though M.
Terlon understood not a word of Latin, he was told by
others the meaning of the sentence; which he considered
as a libel upon the French government, and upon such as
was then setting up in Denmark by French assistance or
example.
”
stice Jeffreys, Nov. 1683; and found guilty. After his conviction he sent to the marquis of Halifax, who was his nephew by marriage, a paper to be laid before the king,
At the restoration, Sidney would not personally accept
of the oblivion and indemnity generally granted to the whole
nation; but continued abroad till 1677, when his father
died. He then returned to England, and obtained from
the king a particular pardon, upon repeated promises of
constant and quiet obedience for the future. Burnet observes, “that he came back when the parliament was pressing the king into the war, the court of France having obtained leave for him to return; and that, upon his doing
all he could to divert the people from that war, some took
him for a pensioner of France: while he in the mean time
declared, to those to whom he durst speak freely, that he
knew it was a juggle; that our court was in an entire confidence with France; and had no other design in this show
of a war but to raise an army, and keep it beyond sea till it
was trained and modelled.
” In 1683, he was accused of
being concerned in the Rye-house plot; and, after lord
Eussel had been examined, was next brought before the
king and council. He said, that he would make the best
defence he could, if they had any proof against him, but
xvould not fortify their evidence by any thing he should say;
so that the examination was very short. He was arraigned
for high treason before the chief justice Jeffreys, Nov. 1683;
and found guilty. After his conviction he sent to the marquis of Halifax, who was his nephew by marriage, a paper
to be laid before the king, containing the main points of
his defence upon which he appealed to the king, and desired he would review the whole matter but this had no
other effect, except only to respite his execution for three
weeks. When the warrant for his execution was brought,
he told the sheriff, that he would not expostulate any thing
upon his own account; for, the world was nothing to him:
but he desired it mig^ht be considered, how guilty they
were of his blood, who had not returned a fair jury, but
one packed, and as directed by the king’s solicitor. He
was beheaded on Tower-hill, where he delivered a written
paper to the Sheriff, Dec. 7, 1683: but his attainder was
reversed in the first year of William and Mary. “The
execution of Sidney,
” says Hume, “is regarded as one of
the greatest blemishes of the reign of Charles II. The
evidence against him, it must be confessed, was not legal:
and the jury, who condemned him, were, for that reason,
very blameable. But that after sentence parsed by a court
of judicature, the king should interpose and pardon a man,
who, though otherwise possessed of merit, was undoubtedly guilty, who had ever been a most indexible and most
inveterate enemy to the royal family, and who lately had
even abused the king’s clemency, might be an act of heroic generosity, but can never be regarded as a necessary
and indispensable duty.
” Burnet, who knew Sidney personally, gives the following character of him: “He was a
man of most extraordinary courage; a steady man, even
to obstinacy; sincere, but of a rough and boisterous temper, that could not bear contradiction. He seemed to be a
Christian, but in a particular form of his own he thought
it was to be like a divine philosophy in tue mind but he
was against all public worship, and every thing that looked
like a church. He was stiff to all republican principles;
and such an enemy to every thing that looked like monarchy, that he set himself in a high opposition against
Cromwell when he was made protector. He had studied
the history of government in all its branches, beyond anv
man I ever knew.
”
y VIII. His father, Henry Sidney, was from his infancy the companion and bosom friend of Edward VI., who conferred upon him the honour of knighthood, constituted him
, a very accomplished English gentleman, and one of the greatest ornaments of the court of queen Elizabeth, was born Nov. 29, 1554, at Penshurst in Kent. He was the grandson of sir William Sidney, knight banneret, and chamberlain and steward of the household to Henry VIII. His father, Henry Sidney, was from his infancy the companion and bosom friend of Edward VI., who conferred upon him the honour of knighthood, constituted him ambassador to France, and afterwards promoted him to several appointments near his person. He was at this time universally beloved and admired, as the most ac^ complished gentleman in the court of the youthful monarch, who expired in his arms. Sir Henry, after this melancholy event, retired to his seat at Penshurst. He afterwards enjoye'd the favour of queen Mary, and gave his son the name of Philip, in compliment to her husband the king of Spain. In Elizabeth’s reign his abilities were more immediately called forth, and proved him a brave soldier, a consummate general, an able counsellor, and a wise legislator, while in private life he was no less estimable as a husband, father, and a friend; firmly attached to the church of England, and adorning his Christian profession by his temperance and exemplary piety. He was lord president of Wales, and for the space of eleven years discharged the administration of lord deputy of Ireland, with extraordinary justice and probity, and left to provincial governors an example of integrity, moderation, and wisdom, which was never surpassed. The mother of Philip Sidney, was Mary, the eldest daughter of the unfortunate duke of Northumberland, a lady no less illustrious and amiable than her husband.
, the celebrated printer, and here was honoured with the friendship of Hubert Languet (See Languet), who was then a resident from the elector of Saxony; and to him he
During this massacre, Mr. Sidney preserved his life,
by taking refuge with several of his countrymen, in the
house of sir Francis Walsingham, the English ambassador;
and when the danger was over, proceeded on his travels,
tinder the tutorage of Dr. John Watson, then dean, and
afterwards bishop of Winchester, to whom sir Francis
Walsingham recommended him. Having left Paris, he
pursued his journey through Lorraine, by Strasburgh and
Heidelberg, to Franc fort. At the latter place, he lodged
at the house of Andrew Wechel, the celebrated printer,
and here was honoured with the friendship of Hubert
Languet (See Languet), who was then a resident from
the elector of Saxony; and to him he was principally indebted for his extensive knowledge of the customs and
usages of nations, their interests, governments, and laws,
and nothing could be more honourable to a youth of the
age of nineteen, than the choice of such a companion and
guide. Sidney has gratefully commemorated Languet in
some lines in the third book of his “Arcadia.
” When
they were separated, Languet renewed in his letters the
strongest assurances of his regard, intermixed with the
most useful and most endearing lessons of advice.
pleasure and instruction from a free and undisguised conversation on topics of learning with persons who professed the religion of the church of Rome. This circumstance
At Vienna, where Mr. Sidney appears to have arrived in 1573, he learned horsemanship, the use of arms, and all those manly and martial exercises which were suitable to his youth and nobleness of birth. He excelled at tilt or tournament, in managing all sorts of weapons, in playing at tennis, in diversions of trial and skill, in music, in all the exercises that suited a noble cavalier, while his person, his aspect, his discourse, his every gesture were embellished with dignity and grace. In 1574, he was at Venice, where his sacred adherence to the precepts of youth guarded him against its dissipations. His biographer thinks it probable that he was not unknown to the celebrated Paul Sarpi. In June 1574, Sidney left Venice and came to Padua, where he applied hiinself with his accustomed diligence to geometry and astronomy, and here he met with the illustrious 7 asso, which his biographer conceives was one of his motives for visiting Padua. On his return to Venice in 1574-, Mr. Sidney derived great pleasure and instruction from a free and undisguised conversation on topics of learning with persons who professed the religion of the church of Rome. This circumstance gave rise to a suspicion among his friends in England, that he was inclined to become a member of that church; but against this he appears to have been sufficiently guarded by his friend Languet, and it was by his persuasion that he desisted from visiting Rome.
hiefs that would have attended the maiv riage. Nor did he lose her majesty’s favour, although others who interfered, were treated with the utmost rigour, particularly
His spirit and sense were afterwards displayed in a manner which reflects high honour upon his character. When in 1579, queen Elizabeth seemed inclined to accede to the proposal of a marriage with the duke of Anjou, which might have endangered the prosperity, religion, and liberty of the nation, Mr. Sidney addressed a letter to her against such a connection, written with unusual elegance of expression as well as force of reasoning, and with uncommon freedom. The delicacy of the subject, and the difficulty of discussing it without offending the queen, he was perfectly aware of, yet his zeal for the welfare of his country, and particularly the protestant religion, would not permit him to be silent; and it is supposed that by this letter he had the honour of averting the mischiefs that would have attended the maiv riage. Nor did he lose her majesty’s favour, although others who interfered, were treated with the utmost rigour, particularly Stubbs, a gentleman of Lincoln’s Inn, and Page a printer, whose right hands were cut, the one for writing, and the other for-printing a pamphlet against the match. Camden, the historian, was present at the execution of this savage sentence, one of the greatest blemishes in the reign of Elizabeth.
ises. This challenge was given in the genuine spirit of chivalry in honour of the queen. Among those who gallantly offered themselves as defenders, were Edward Vere,
Among the fashionable amusements in the court of Elizabeth, tournaments were most in vogue. In 1580, Philip
earl of Arundel, and sir William Drury his assistant, challenged all comers to try their feats of arms in those exercises. This challenge was given in the genuine spirit of
chivalry in honour of the queen. Among those who gallantly offered themselves as defenders, were Edward Vere,
earl of Oxford, lord Windsor, Mr. Philip Sidney, and
fourteen others. The victory Was adjudged by her majesty
to the earl of Oxford. With this earl of Oxford Sidney
had afterwards a serious quarrel, having received a personal
insult from him. The queen interposed to prevent a duel,
with which Sidney was much dissatisfied, and to compose
his mind retired to Wilton, the seat of his brother-in-law
the earl of Pembroke. In this seat of rural beauty (and not at Houghton-house, as asserted in Gough’s Camden, which was not built until after his death) he planned the
design of the “Arcadia.
” It has been conjectured that
the Ethiopic history of Heliodorus, which had been recently translated into English prose by Thomas Underdowne, suggested that new mode of writing romance which
is pursued in this work; but it seems more probable that
he derived the plan of his work from the “Arcadia
” of
Sannazarius, a complete edition of which was printed at
Milan in 1504. The persons introduced by the Italian
author are shepherds, and their language, manners, and
sentiments are such as suit only the innocence and simplicity of pastoral life. This species of composition may be
considered as forming the second stage of romance-writing.
The heroism and the gallantry, the moral and virtuous
turn of the chivalry-romance, were still preserved; but the
dragons, the necromancers, the enchanted castles were
banished, and some small resemblance to human nature
was admitted. Still, however, there was too much of the
marvellous in them to please an age which aspired to refinement. The characters were discerned to be strained, the
style swollen, the adventures incredible, and the books
themselves were voluminous and tedious. With respect to
the “Arcadia,
” Sidney formed a just estimate when he
characterized it as “an idle composition, as a trifle, and
triflingly handled.
” He appears indeed to have written it
chiefly for his sister’s amusement, to whom he sent it in
portions as it came from his pen. He never completed the
third book, nor was any part of the work printed during
his life. It is said he intended to arrange the whole anew*
and to have changed the subject by celebrating the prowess
and military deeds of king Arthur, The whole, imperfect
as he left it, was corrected by his sister’s pen, and carefully perused by others under her direction, so that it was
very properly called “The countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia.
” It now lies neglected on the shelf, and has almost
sunk into oblivion; yet the reception it obtained from the
public, having gone through fourteen impressions, and
having been translated into the French, Dutch, and other
European languages, clearly evinces that it was once held
in very high estimation. “There are,
” says his biographer, “passages in this work exquisitely beautiful, and
useful observations on life and manners, a variety and accurate discrimination of characters, fine sentiments expressed in strong and adequate terms, animated descriptions, equal to any that occur in the ancient or modern
poets, sage lessons of morality, and judicious reflexions on
government and policy.
”
only surviving daughter and heir of sir Francis Walsingham, a young lady of great beauty and worth, who is said to have endeared herself to him by those lovely qualities
In 1583 he married Frances, the only surviving
daughter and heir of sir Francis Walsingham, a young lady
of great beauty and worth, who is said to have endeared
herself to him by those lovely qualities which embellish
and improve the female character; and about the same
time the queen conferred on him the honour of knighthood. She also gave him a sinecure in Wales of the
yearly value of 120l. but at what time is uncertain. About
1584 several plots and conspiracies formed against the
queen’s person, both at home and abroad, greatly alarmed
her. To remove her fears of danger, the nobility and
gentry, and indeed men of all degrees and conditions, instituted an association under the direction of the earl of
Leicester, binding themselves under the most solemn obligations to prosecute even to death those enemies of their
country who should attempt any thing against their sovereign. Of the zeal of sir Philip Sidney at this momentous
crisis no doubt can be entertained. While the efforts of
Leicester exposed him to the rude censures and severe
aspersions of anonymous writers, his nephew took up the
pen to vindicate his fame. With this view he composed
an answer to a publication, entitled “Leicester’s Commonwealth,
” the reputexl author of which was Parsons the
noted Jesuit; but sir Philip’s production has not been
thought conclusive as to the chief points in dispute, and it
remained in ms. until the publication of the Sidney papers in 1746.
ievously oppressed by the cruelties of the duke of Alva, implored the assistance of queen Elizabeth, who promised to send a military force to their relief, and on this
The protestant inhabitants of the Netherlands being grievously oppressed by the cruelties of the duke of Alva, implored the assistance of queen Elizabeth, who promised to send a military force to their relief, and on this occasion indulged the martial disposition of sir Philip Sidney, who was now a privy counsellor, by appointing him governor of Flushing, one of the most important places in the Netherlands. Sir Philip, who entered heartily into the cause of the protestant religion, prepared himself cheerfully to sacrifice his life and fortune in this service, and on his arrival at Flushing, Nov. 18, 1585, was immediately appointed colonel of all the Dutch regiments, and captain of a small band of English soldiers amounting to 300 horse and foot. Not long after, the earl of Leicester was sent, with an army of 5000 foot and 1000 horse, to the United Provinces, as general of the English auxiliaries, and sir Philip, promoted to the office of general of the horse under his uncle, joined himself to this army. It would be foreign to our purpose to recount the different causes which obstructed the success of the auxiliaries, or the mischiefs which arose from dissentions among the commanders. Sir Philip, we are told, attempted by wise counsels to reconcile them. In July 1586, accompanied by the young prince Maurice, he took Axell, a town in Flanders, without the loss of a single man; but on September 22, 1586, having engaged with a convoy sent by the enemy to Zutphen, a strong town in Guelderland, then besieged by the Spaniards, the English troops, far inferior in number to those of the enemy, though they gained a decisive victory, sustained an irreparable loss by the death of sir Philip Sidney. Having one horse shot under him, he mounted a second, and seeing lord Willoughby surrounded by the enemy, and in imminent danger, he rushed forward to rescue him. Having accomplished his purpose, he continued the fight with great spirit, until he received a bullet in the left thigh, which proved fatal.
ty of the soul of man, the prospect of future blessedness, the redemption of mankind by the Messiah, who was promised to the Jews for the salvation of the whole world.
The works of sir Philip Sidney, which we shall but
briefly notice, are, 1. The “Arcadia
” already mentioned.
2. “Astrophel and Stella,
” with sonnets of various noblemen and gentlemen, The Defence of
Poesy,
” Arcadia*
” In Observations on Poetry and Eloquence from
Ben Jonson’s Discoveries,
” 8vo. 4. “Sonets,
” several of
which appeared in Constable’s “Diana,
” Arcadia,
” with “Astrophel
and Stella.
” 5. “A remedie for Love.
” 6. “The Lady
of May, a masque,
” both generally printed with the “Arcadia.
” 7. “Valour anatomized in a fancie,
” Cottoni Posthuma,
” England’s Helicon,
” and
other collections. 9. “English Version of the Psalms of
David,
” a ms. 10. A translation of Du Plessis 7 true use
of the Christian religion, begun by sir Philip, and finished
at his request by Arthur Goiding, 1587 and 1592, 1604
and 1617. Dr 4 Zouch is of opinion that the greatest part
of it was by sir Philip. It is pleasing to reflect, adds this
biographer, that the most accomplished gentleman and the
most complete scholar of his -age, was deeply impressed
with a sense of religion, that he delighted in contemplating
the doctrines of revelation, the existence of one supreme
being, the creation of the world by him, and his providential government of it, the immortality of the soul of man,
the prospect of future blessedness, the redemption of mankind by the Messiah, who was promised to the Jews for the
salvation of the whole world.
broke, sister of the preceding, manied in 1676, Henry earl of Pembroke; and her eldest son, William, who succeeded to the titles and estates of his father, is the ancestor
, countess of Pembroke, sister of the
preceding, manied in 1676, Henry earl of Pembroke; and
her eldest son, William, who succeeded to the titles and
estates of his father, is the ancestor of the present family.
She had received a liberal education, and was distinguished
among the literary characters of the age for a highly cuLtivaied mind and superior talents. Congenial qualities and
pursuits united her vith her brother sir Pnilip Sidney, in
bonds of strict friendship; and, as we have mentioned in his
article, he wrote the “Arcadia
” for her amusement. To
her also Mr. Abraham Fraunce devoted his poetic and literary labours. The countess por 5 sessed a talent for poetical
composition, which she assiduously cultivated. She translated from the Hebrew into English verse many of the
Psalms, which are said to be preserved in the library at
Wilton, and in this was assisted by her brother. She
also translated and published “A Discourse ok Life and
Death, written in French by Phiiip Mornay, done into
English by the countess of Pembroke, dated May 13,
1590, Wilton:
” Lond. The
Tragedie of Antonie: done into English by the countess
of Pembroke,
” Lond. An Elegy on Sir Philip Sidney,
” printed in Spenser’s
“Astrophel,
” Pastoral Dialogue in praise of
Astrsea,
” i. e. queen Elizabeth, published in Davison’s
“Poetical Rapsody,
” The Countesse of Pembroke’s Passion,
”
occurs among the Sloanian Mss. No. 1303.
ful in all parts of literature, especially in poetry. He married Papianilla, the daughter of Avitus, who, from the office of pretorian prefect in Gaul, was raised to
, a learned ecclesiastic of the fifth century, was descended of an illustrious family, his father and grandfather having been pretorian prefects in Gaul, and was born at Lyons about 430. He was educated with care, performed his studies under the best masters of that time, and became very skilful in all parts of literature, especially in poetry. He married Papianilla, the daughter of Avitus, who, from the office of pretorian prefect in Gaul, was raised to the imperial throne, after the death of Maximus. But Majorianus, whom Leo had taken into a partnership of the empire, forced Avitus to lay down his crown, and came to besiege the city of Lyons, where Sidonius had shut himself up. The city being taken, he fell into the hands of the enemy but the reputation of his great learning softened the barbarity of his enemies, and in return for their lenient treatment of him, he wrote a poem in honour of Majorianus, who was so highly gratified with it as to erect a statue to Sidonius in the city of Rome. The emperor Anthemius was equally pleased with a panegyric which Sidonius wrote in praise of him, and made him governor of Rome, and a patrician; but he soon quitted his secular employment, and obtained preferment in the church, being in 472 chosen, against his will, as reported, bishop of Clermont. He appears however to have been worthy of the station by learning and charity. His liberality indeed was highly conspicuous, and even before he was bishop, he frequently converted his silver plate to the use of the poor. When Clermont was besieged by the Goths, he encouraged the people to stand upon their defence, and would never consent to the surrender of the city; so that, when it was delivered up, he was forced to fly, but was soon restored. Some time after, he was opposed by two factious priests, who deprived him of the government of his church; but he was again re-instated with honour at the end of a year. He died in peace in 487, after he had been bishop fifteen years.
f Piero della Francesca. He was an artist of spirit and expression, and one of the first in Tuscany, who designed the naked with anatomical intelligence, though still
, a Florentine artist, born at Corfcona in 1439, was the scholar of Piero della Francesca. He was an artist of spirit and expression, and one of the first in Tuscany, who designed the naked with anatomical intelligence, though still with some dry ness of manner, and too much adherence to the model: the chief evidence of this is in the Duomo of Orvieto, where in the mixed imagery of final dissolution and infernal punishment, he has scattered original ideas of conception, character, and attitude, in copious variety, though not without remnants of gothic alloy. The angels, who announce the impending doom or scatter plagues, exhibit, with awful simplicity, bold fore-shortenings; whilst the St. Michael presents only the tame heraldic figure of a knight all cased in armour. In the expression of the condemned groups and daemons, he chiefly dwells on the supposed perpetual renewal of the pangs attending on the last struggles of life with death, contrasted with the inexorable scowl or malignant grin of fiends methodizing torture; a horrid feature, reserved by Dante for the last pit of his Inferno. It has been first said by Vasari, who exulted in his relation to Luca, that Michael Angelo, in certain parts of his Last Judgment, adopted something of the conduct and the ideas of his predecessor. This is true, because Michael Angelo could not divest himself of every impression from a work he had so often seen: his originality consisted in giving consequence to the materials of Luca, not in changing them; both drew from the same sources, with the same predilections and prejudices, and differed less in the mode than the extent of their conception.
the Gesu of Cortona, forms and tints of modern grace; and he distinguished himself among the artists who concurred to decorate the pannels of the Sistina, by superior
Luca Signorelli worked at Urbino, Volterra, Arezzo, Florence, and other cities of Italy; and though by far the greater part of his performances be defective in form and union of colour, Wfe meet in some others, especially in the Communion of the Apostles at the Gesu of Cortona, forms and tints of modern grace; and he distinguished himself among the artists who concurred to decorate the pannels of the Sistina, by superior composition.
Of this artist, who died in 1521, aged eighty- two, a story is told as a proof of
Of this artist, who died in 1521, aged eighty- two, a story is told as a proof of what an absolute command he had over his passions, or rather, it might have been said, over natural affection. He had a son extremely handsome, and a youth of great hopes, who was unfortunately killed at. Cortona. When this son, greatly beloved by him, was brought home, he ordered his corpse to be carried into his painting-room and, having stripped him, immediately drew his picture, without shedding a tear.
bservations on the Abbe* Pluche’s History of the Heavens,” translated from the French of Silhouette, who professes that he was chiefly indebted for them to the second
, a French writer, whose
taste for English literature entitles him to a place here,
was born at Limoges in 1709, and appears to have been
brought up to civil or political life, although he always cultivated a taste for literature. He purchased the office of
master of requests, and after having managed the affairs of
the duke of Orleans, became comptroller-general and minister of state in 1759. This was a critical time for
France, which was carrying on a ruinous war, and the
finances were in a very low condition. Silhouette wished
to remedy this last evil by retrenchment and ceconomy,
but finding that such a plan was only a topic for ridicule,
he quitted his post in about nine months, and retired to his
estate of Brie-sur-Marne,and devoted his time to study, and
his wealth to benevolence. He died in 1767. His works
were: 1. “Idee generate du Government Chinois,
” Reflexion politique,
” from the Spanish of Balthazar Gracian, Essay on Man,
” which the French speak of as
faithful, but not elegant. 4. A translation of Bolingbroke’s
“Dissertation on Parties.
” This is said to have been
printed at London in Lettre sur les transactions
pubiiques du Regrie d'Elizabeth,
” with some remarks on
Rapin’s account of that reign, Amst. 1736, 12mo. 6. A
translation of Pope’s “Miscellanies,
” Traite* mathematique sur le bonheur,
” Alliance,
” Divine Legation
” may be sent to M. Silhouette in Franoe.
In the “History of the Works of the Learned
” also, we
find “Observations on the Abbe* Pluche’s History of the
Heavens,
” translated from the French of Silhouette, who
professes that he was chiefly indebted for them to the
second volume of the “Divine Legation,
” and to some particular remarks communicated to him hy Mr. Warburton.
9. “Epitres morales, Lettres phiiosophiques, et Traits
mathematiques,
” printed at the Bowyer press, in Memoirs des commissaires du roi et de ceux de sa
majeste Britamuque stir les possessions et les droits respectifs des deux couronnes en Amerique,
” Paris, Voyage de France, d‘Espagne, de Portugal, et d’ltalie,
”
a posthumous work, Paris,
contention, he was obliged to resign the see to Arnulf, the natural son of Lothaire, king of France, who had been formerly deposed from it. This was in 997, and at the
On his rise to the papacy we shall be brief. In 991, Hugh Capet promoted him to the archbishopric of Rheiins; but this elevation was a source of disquiet to him, and after much contention, he was obliged to resign the see to Arnulf, the natural son of Lothaire, king of France, who had been formerly deposed from it. This was in 997, and at the same time Otho III. conferred upon him the archbishopric of Ravenna; and on the death of pope Gregory V, in 999, he was elected to the papal dignity, when he assumed the name of Silvester. The acts of his pontificate were but few, and not at all important. In 1000 he is said to have conferred on Stephen I., king of Hungary, the royal title, with the famous crown, the palladium of that kingdom, and to have constituted him perpetual legate of the holy see, with power to dispose of all ecclesiastical benefices. It was also in this century that the plan of the holy war was formed; and towards the conclusion of it, the signal was given by our learned pontiff, in the first year of his pontificate, in aa epistle, written in the name of the church of Jerusalem, to the church universal throughout the world, in which the European powers are solemnly exhorted to succour and deliver the Christians in Palestine. The pontiff’s exhortations, however, were only regarded by the inhabitants of Pisa.
in the Louvre. Silvestre married Henrietta Selincart, a lady celebrated both for her wit and beauty, who dying in September 1680, he erected a superb monument to her
, a celebrated French engraver, was born August 15, 1621, at Nanci, of a good family, originally Scotch. After his father’s decease, he went to Paris, where Israel Henriet, his mother’s brother, a skilful engraver, gladly received him, and educated him as his own son. He drew ajl the views of Paris and its environs, engraved them with great success, and went twice afterwards to Rome, whence he brought the great number of fine Italian views which he has left us. Louis XIV. being at length informed of this artist’s great genius, employed him to engrave all the royal palaces, conquered places, &c, and appointed him drawing master to the dauphin, allowing him a considerable pension besides, with apartments in the Louvre. Silvestre married Henrietta Selincart, a lady celebrated both for her wit and beauty, who dying in September 1680, he erected a superb monument to her memory in the church of St. Germain l'Auxerrois. He died October 11, 1691, aged seventy.
to surprize, a contrary wind carried his ship to the isle of Pharos. There he nut with an anchorite, who advised him to write tho life of Theoctista, a female saint
, surnamed Metaphrasfes, from his having
written the lives of the saints in a diffuse manner, was born
of noble parents at Constantinople, in the tenth century,
and was well educated, and raised himself by his merit to
very high trust under the reigns of Leo, the philosopher,
and Constantine Pruphyrogenitus his son. It is said, that
when sent on a certain occasion by the emperor to the
island of Crete, which the Saracens were about to surprize,
a contrary wind carried his ship to the isle of Pharos.
There he nut with an anchorite, who advised him to write
tho life of Theoctista, a female saint of Lesbos. With this
he complied, and we may presume, found some pleasure
in the undertaking, as be gradually extended his researches
to the lives of an hundred and twenty other saints, which,
with respect to style, are not disgraceful to a scholar, but,
cardinal Bellarmin says, he describes his saints rather as
what they ought to be, than as what they were. There
are Latin translations of this work by Lipotian, Surius, and
others, but no edition of the original Gveek; and iiis translators are accused of having added much of a fabulous nature. Some other religious tracts of Metaphrastes are extant, and some “Annals.
” He died in 976 or 977.
, a learned divine of the sixteenth century, who co-operated in the reformation, was born Nov. 6, 1530, at Cappell,
, a learned divine of the sixteenth century, who co-operated in the reformation, was born Nov. 6, 1530, at Cappell, a village near Zurich in Swisserland. His father, Peter Simler, after having been for many years a member of, and afterwards prior of the L onastery there, embraced the reformed religion, became a preacher of it, and died in 1557. After being educated for some time in his father’s monastery, he went to Zurich in 1544, and studied for two years under the direction of the celebrated Bullinger, who was his god-father. He removed thence to Basil, where he studied rhetoric and mathematics, and afterwards to Strasburgh, where Sturmius, Martyr, Bucer, and others of the reformers resided; but as he had no thoughts at this time of divinity as a profession, he improved himself chiefly in other branches of learning. He continued here about two years, and passed three more in visiting various universities, and hearing the lectures of the most eminent professors. In 1549, he returned home, and with such visible improvement in learning, that Gesner often employed him to lecture to his scholars, both in geometry and astronomy. In 1552 he was appointed to expound in public the New Testament, which he did with so much ability as to be greatly admired by the learned of Zurich, as wt 11 as by the English who had taken refuge there from the Marian persecution. In 1557 he was made deacon; and when Bibliander, on account of his advanced age, was declared emeritus^ Simler was appointed to teach in his place, and was likewise colleague with Peter Martyr, who had a high opinion of him, and on his death in 1563, Simler succeeded him as professor of divinity. He filled this office with great reputation until his constitution became impaired by a hereditary gout, which in his latter years interrupted his studies, and shortened his useful life. He was only forty-five when he died, July 2, 1576. He is represented as a man of a meek, placid, and affectionate temper, and although never rich, always liberal, charitable, and hospitable.
hysician extraordinary to the king, was born March 17, 1750, at Sandwich, in Kent, where his father, who followed the profession of the law, was so respected, that,
, a late learned physician,
and physician extraordinary to the king, was born March
17, 1750, at Sandwich, in Kent, where his father, who
followed the profession of the law, was so respected, that,
at the coronation of their present majesties, he was deputed by the cinque ports one of their barons to support
the king’s canopy, according to ancient custom. His mother, whose maiden name was Foart, and whose family
was likewise of Sandwich, died when he was an infant. He
was educated at a seminary in France, where he not only
improved himself in the learned languages, but acquired
such a perfect knowledge of the French tongue, as to be
able to write and speak it with the same facility as his
own. He pursued his medical studies for nearly three
years at Edinburgh, and afterwards went to Holland, and
studied during a season at Leyden, where he was admitted to the degree of doctor of physic: he chose the measles
for the subject of his inaugural discourse, which he inscribed to Cullen, and to Gaubius, both of whom hud
shewn him particular regard. After taking his degree at
Leyden, he visited and became acquainted with professor
Camper in InesKuul, who had at that time one of the finest
anatomical museums in Kurope. From thence he proceeded to Aix-lct-Chapelle and the Spa, and afterwards
visited different parts of Germany; stopped for some time
at the principal universities; and wherever he went cultivated the acquaintance of learned men, especially those
of his own profession, in which he was ever anxious to impr >ve himself. At Berne, in Switzerland, he became
known to the celebrated Haller, who afterwards ranked
him among his friends and correspondents. He came to
reside in London towards the close of 1778, being then
in his 2Stii year, and was admitted a member of the
College of Physicians, and was elected a fellow of the
Royal Society 1779, and of the Society of Antiquaries
1791, as he had been before of different foreign academies
at Nantz, Montpellier, and Madrid: he was afterwards admitted an honorary member of the Literary and Philosophical Society at Manchester, and of the Royal Society of
Medicine at Paris, at which place he was elected one of the
Associes Etrangers de l‘Ecole de Medicine; and in 1807,
Correspondant de la Premiere Classe de I’Institut Imperial. Previous to 1778, he had written an elementary work
on Anatomy, which was greatly enlarged and improved
in its second edition, 1781: and he had communicated to
the Royal Society the History of a curious case, which was
afterwards published in their Transactions, “Phil. Trans.
”
vol. LXIV. He became also the sole editor of the London “Medical Journal;
” a work which, after going through
several volumes, was resumed under the title of “Medical
Facts and Observations’.
” these two works have ever been
distinguished for their correctness, their judicious arrangement, and their candour. About this time he published
an account of the Tape-worm, in which he made known
the specific for this disease, purchased by the king of
France. This account has been enlarged in a subsequent
edition. — He likewise distinguished himself by a practical
work on “Consumptions,
” which, at the time, became
the means of introducing him to considerable practice in
pulmonary complaints. In 1780, he was elected physician
to the Westminster General Dispensary; a situation he
held for many years, and which afforded him ample scope
for observation and experience in the knowledge of disease. These opportunities he did not neglect; and though,
from his appointment soon after to St. Luke’s Hosr
he was led to decline general practice, and to attach himself more particularly to the diseases of th mi-.;,
continued to communicate to the publick such facts and
remarks as he considered likely to promote the extension
of any branch of professional science. With this view, he
published some remarks on the treatment of Hydrocephalus internus (“Med. Comment, of Edinburgh, vol. V.
”),
and in the same work a case of Ulceration of the Œsophagus and Ossification of the Heart. He wrote also an account of a species of Hydrocephalus, which sometimes
takes place in cases of Mania (London Med. Journal, vol. VI.) and an account of the Epidemic Catarrh of the
year 1788, vol. IX. He had given an account also of the
“Life of Dr. William Hunter,
” with whom he was personally acquainted, a work abounding in interesting anecdote, and displaying an ingenuous and impartial review of
the writings and discoveries of that illustrious anatomist.
From the time of his being elected physician to St. Luke’s
Hospital to the period of his death, he devoted himself,
nearly exclusively, to the care and treatment of Insanity;
and his skill in this melancholy department of human disease, became so generally acknowledged, that few, if any,
could be considered his superiors. In the year 1803, it
was deemed expedient to have recourse to Dr. Simmons,
to alleviate the mournful malady of his sovereign, of whom
he had the care for nearly six months, assisted by his
son: the result was as favourable as the public could have
wished; and on taking their leave, his majesty was pleased
to confer a public testimony of his approbation, by appointing Dr. Simmons one of his physicians extraordinary, which took place in May 1804. — In the unfortunate
relapse, which occurred in 1811, Dr. Simmons again attended; and, in conjunction with the other physicians,
suggested those remedies and plans which seemed most
likely to effect a cure. In February of that year he resigned the office of physician to St. Luke’s, in a very elegant letter, in which he assigned his age and state of health
as the reasons for his resignation. The governors were so
sensible of the value of his past services, and the respect
due to him, as immediately to elect him a governor of the
charity. They also proposed his being one of the committee; and, expressly on his account, created the office
of Consulting Physician, in order to have the advantage of
his opinion, not merely in the medical arrangement, but
in the domestic ceconomy of the hospital. His last illness
began on the evening of the 10th. of April, 1813, when
he was seized with sickness, and a violent vomiting of bile,
accompanied with a prostration of strength so sudden, and
so severe, that on the second day of the attack he was
barely able to stand; and a dissolution of the powers of life
seeming to be rapidly coming on, he prepared for his departure with methodical accuracy, anticipated the event
with great calmness, and, on the evening of the 23d of the
same month, expired in the arms of his son. He was buried May 2, at Sandwich in Kent, and, according to the
directions expressed in his will, his remains were deposited
in a vault in the church-yard of St. Clement, next to those
of his mother. In private life, Dr. Simmons was punctiliously correct in all his dealings; mild and unassuming in
his manners, and of rather retired habits, passing Ins time
chiefly in his study and in his professional avocations. He
was one of the earliest proprietors of the Roy;d Institution
and, in 1806, became an hereditary governor of the British Institution for the promotion of the Fine Arts. He
has left one son, who is unmarried, and a widow, to deplore
his loss.
hat he might be permitted to remain in Paris; but this being unaccompanied by any advantages, Simon, who had much of an independent spirit, petitioned to go back to
, a French critic and divine of great
learning, was born at Dieppe, May 13, 1638, and commenced his studies among the priests of the oratory, whom
he quitted for some time, and went to Paris, where he applied himself to divinity, and made a great progress in
Oriental learning, for which he had always a particular
turn. About the end of 1662, he returned to the oratory
and became a priest of it. On the death of father Bourgouin, general of this congregation, some cause of displeasure inclined him to leave them, and join the society
of the Jesuits; but from this he was diverted by the persuasions of father Bertad, the superior of the oratory. He
was then sent to the college of Juilly, in the diocese of
Meaux, to teach philosophy; but other business occurring,
he was ordered to go to Paris. In the library of the oratory there was a valuable collection of Oriental books, of
which Simon was employed to make a catalogue, which he
executed with great skill, and perused at the same time
those treasures with great avidity. M. de Lamoignon, first
president of the parliament of Paris, meeting with him one
day in the library, was so pleased with his conversation,
that he requested of Senault, the new general of the oratory, that he might be permitted to remain in Paris; but
this being unaccompanied by any advantages, Simon, who
had much of an independent spirit, petitioned to go back
to Juilly, to teach philosophy, as before. He accordingly
arrived there in 1668, and, in 1670, his first publication
appeared, a defence of the Jews against the accusation of
having murdered a Christian child, “Factum pour les Juifs
de Metz,
” &c. In the following year, with a view to shew
that the opinion of the Greek church is not materially
different from that of the church of Rome, with respect
to the sacrament, he published “Fides Ecclesiae Orientalis,
seu Gabrielis Metropolitae Philadelphiensis opuscula, cum
interpretatione Latina et notis,
” Paris, Perpetuity
of the faith respecting the Eucharist
” appeared, our author, who from his youth was an original, if not always a
just thinker, expressed some opinions on that work, and
on the subject, which involved him in a controversy with
the gentlemen of Port-Royal; and this seems to have laid
the foundation of the opposition he afterwards met with
from the learned of his own communion. His next publication came out under the name of Recared Simeon (for he often used fictitious names), and was a translation from
Leo of Modena, entitled “Ceremonies et Coutumes qui
s’observent aujourdui parmi les Juifs,
” &c. Comparison
between the ceremonies of the Jews and the discipline of
the church.
” In this edition, and perhaps in the subsequent ones of 1682 and 1684, the reader will find a great
number of parentheses and crotchets, which Bayle thus
accounts for: The work having been submitted in ms. to
M. Perot, a doctor of the Sorbonne, for examination, he
added some passages, which the author being obliged to
retain, and yet unwilling that they should pass for his own,
inclosed in crotchets; but had afterwards to complain, that
the printers, who were not in the secret, had omitted some
of these. In 1675, Simon published a “Voyage duMontLiban,
” from the Italian of Dandini, with notes; and,
about the same time, a “Factum du Prince de Neubourg,
abbe de Feschamps, centre les religieux de cette abbay
”
and, as was usual with him, took an opportunity to attack
the Benedictines.
d Testament,” which appeared in 1678, but was immediately suppressed by the Messieurs du Port Royal; who alleged, that it. contained things false and dangerous to religion
But the first work of importance which he published,
and that which rendered him most famous, was his “Critical History of the Old Testament,
” which appeared in
idgment of his “Critical History of the Old Testament.” In 1686, he published an answer to Le Clerc, who had criticised his work the year before; and, upon Le Clerc’s
In 1684 he published, at Francfort, “Histoire de l'Origine et du Progres des Revenus Ecclesiastiques,
” or, “The
History of the Rise and Progress of Ecclesiastical Revenues,
” under the name of Jerome a Costa. A second
edition of it, with great additions, was printed at Francfort, 1709, in 2 vols. 12mo. In 1684 he published, at
London, “Disquisitiones Criticae de variis per diversa loca
et tempora Bibliorum Editionibus,
” &c. and in the same
year, at the same place, appeared an English translation
of it, with this title, “Critical Enquiries into the various
editions of the Bible, printed in divers places and at several times, together with animadversions upon a small treatise of Dr. Isaac Vossius concerning the oracles of the
Sibyls.
” There is his usual display of learning in this
piece, which may be considered as an abridgment of his
“Critical History of the Old Testament.
” In
an unfortunate propensity to singularities and novelties of opinion, and too much contempt for those who differed from him, and in this last work he has perhaps unsettled
In 1688 he published at Francfort, under the name of
John Reuchlin, “Dissertation Critique sur la Nouvelle
Bibliotheque des Auteurs Ecc'eYiastiques par Du Pin, &c.
”
in which he supports with great spirit some principles in
his “Critical History of the Old Testament,
” which had
been controverted by Du Pin. In Histoire Critique du Texte du Nouveau Testament,
” an English version of which was published the same year at London; in 1690, “Histoire Critique des versions du Nouveau
Testament;
” in Histoire Critique des principaux
Commentateurs du Nouveau Testament;
” in all which, as
indeed in every thing else he wrote, there appears great
acuteness, and great learning, with, however, an unfortunate propensity to singularities and novelties of opinion,
and too much contempt for those who differed from him,
and in this last work he has perhaps unsettled more than he
has settled. In 1702 he published a French translation of
the New Testament, with critical remarks, in 2 vols. 8vo:
which was censured by cardinal de Noailles, and Bossuet,
bishop of Meaux. In 1714, was published at Amsterdam,
in 2 vols. 12mo, “Nouvelle Bibliotheque Choisie,
” or, “A
new select library, which points out the good books in
various kinds of literature, and tht? use to be made of them;
”
but this must be reckoned a posthumous work; for Simon
died at Dieppe in April 1712, in his seventy-fourth year,
and was buried in St. James’s church.
men of Meliceutes, i. e. sweet as honey, and the tearful eye of his muse was proverbial. Dr. Warton, who has an elegant paper in the Adventurer (No. 89) partly on the
He obtained the prize in poetry at the public games
when he was eighty years old. According to Suidas, he
added four letters to the Greek alphabet: and Pliny assigns
to him the eighth string of the lyre; but these claims are
disputed by the learned. Among the numerous poetical
productions, of which, according to Fabricius, antiquity
has made him the author, were his many songs of victory
and triumph, for athletic conquerors at the public games.
He is likewise said to have gained there, himself, the prize
in elegiac poetry, when ^schylus was his competitor. His
poetry was so tender and plaintive, that he acquired the
cognomen of Meliceutes, i. e. sweet as honey, and the
tearful eye of his muse was proverbial. Dr. Warton, who
has an elegant paper in the Adventurer (No. 89) partly
on the merits of this poet, remarks that he was celebrated
by the ancients for the sweetness, correctness, and purity
of his style, and his irresistible skill in moving the passions.
Dionysius places him among those polished writers, who
excel in a smooth volubility, and flow on, like plenteous
and perennial rivers, in a course of even and uninterrupted
harmony. Addison has an ingenious paper on Simonides’
“Characters of Women,
” in the Spectator (No.
ce from Bosworth, where he went to lodge at the house of a taylor’s widow, of the name of Swinfield, who had been left with two children, a daughter and a son, by her
Upon this occasion he repaired to Nuneaton, a town at a small distance from Bosworth, where he went to lodge at the house of a taylor’s widow, of the name of Swinfield, who had been left with two children, a daughter and a son, by her husband, of whom the son, who was the younger, being but about two years older than Simpson, had become his intimate friend and companion. And here he continued some time, working at his trade, and improving his knowledge by reading such books as he could procure.
arge solar eclipse, which took place on the llth day of May, 1724. This phenomenon, so awful to many who are ignorant of the cause of it, struck the mind of young Simpson
Among several other circumstances which, long before
this, gave occasion to shew our author’s early thirst for
knowledge, as well as proving a fresh incitement to acquire
it, was that of a large solar eclipse, which took place on
the llth day of May, 1724. This phenomenon, so awful
to many who are ignorant of the cause of it, struck the
mind of young Simpson with a strong curiosity to discover
the reason of it, and to be able to predict the like surprising events. It was, however, several years before he could
obtain his desire, which at length was gratified by the following accident. After he been some time at Mrs. Swinfield’s, at Nuneaton., a travelling pedlar came that way,
and took a lodging at the same house, according to his
usual custom. This man, to his profession of an itinerant
merchant, had joined the more profitable one of a fortuneteller, which he performed by means of judicial astrology.
Every one knows with what regard persons of such a cast
are treated by the inhabitants of country villages; it
cannot be surprising therefore that an untutored lad of nineteen should look upon this man as a prodigy, and, regardin^ him in this lignt, should endeavour to ingratiate himself into his favour; in which he succeeded so well, that
the sage was no less taken with the quick natural parts and
genius of his new acquaintance. The pedlar, intending a
journey to Bristol fair, left in the hands of young Simpson
a i oK! edition of Cocker’s Arithmetic, to which was subjo i.ed a short Appendix on Algebra, and a book tipoa
Gemtim s, by Partridge the almanac maker. These books
h 11 “‘ perused to so good purpose during the absence of
his f’ri<-nd, as to excite his amazement upon his return in
consequence of which he set himself about erecting a genethliacal type, in order to a presage of Thomas’s future
fortune. The position of the heavens the wizard having
very maturely considered,
” secundum artem,“pronounced
with much confidence, that
” within two years time Simpson would turn out a greater man than himself!"
and this was the method of fluxions. But he was altogether at a loss to discover any English author who had written on the subject, except Mr. Hayes; and his work,
It was not long after this, that Simpson, being pretty
well qualified to erect a figure himself by the advice of his
friend, make an open profession of casting nativities, and
was so successful, that he quite neglected weaving, and
soon became the oracle of Bosworth and its environs.
Scarcely a courtship advanced to. a match, or a bargain to
a sale, without the parties previously consulting the infallible Simpson about the consequences. Helping persons to
stolen goods he always declared above his match; and
that, as to life and death, he had no power. Together
witii his astrologv, he had furnished himself with arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, sufficient to qualify him for
looking into the “Ladies Diary-
” (of which he had afterwards the direction), by which he came to understand,
that there was still a higher branch of mathematical knowledge than any he had been yet acquainted with; and this
was the method of fluxions. But he was altogether at a
loss to discover any English author who had written on the
subject, except Mr. Hayes; and his work, being a folio
and rather scarce, exceeded his ability of purchasing. An
acquaintance, however, lent him Stone’s Fluxions, which
is a translation of De l'Hospital’s “Analyse des infinitement petits
” and by this one book, and his own penetrn<:; tJents, he was enabled, in a very few years, to
compose a much more accurate treatise on that subject
tnan any that had before appeared in our language. In
the mean time an unfortunate event involved him in a deal
of trouble. Having undertaken to raise the devil, in order
to answer certain questions to a joung woman, who consulted him respecting her sweetheart, then absent at sea,
the credulous girl was so frightened on the appearance of
a man from beneath some straw, who represented the devil,
that she fell into violent fits, from which she was with difficulty recovered, and which for a considerable time threatened insanity or fatuity. In consequence of this exertion
of his art, he was obliged to leave the place, and he removed to Derby, where he remained a few years, working
at his trade by day, and instructing pupils in the evening.
It would seem that Simpson had an early turn for versifying, both from the circumstance of a song written here in
favour of the Cavendish family, on occasion of the parliamentary election at that place, in 1733; and from his first
two mathematical questions that were published in the
“Ladies Diary,
” which were both in a set of verses, not
ill written for the occasion. These were printed in the
Diary for 1736, and therefore must at latest have been
written in 1735. These two questions, being at that time
pretty difficult ones, shew the great progress he had even
then made in the mathematics; and from an expression in
the first of them, viz. where he mentions his residence as
being in latitude 52, it appears he was not then come up
to London, though he must have done so very soon after.
to hardships for the subsistence of his family, having married the taylor’s widow with two children, who soon brought him two more. He, therefore, came up to London
After, however, he took leave of astrology and its emoluments, he was driven to hardships for the subsistence of
his family, having married the taylor’s widow with two
children, who soon brought him two more. He, therefore,
came up to London in 1735 or 1736, and for some time
wrought at his business in Spitalfields, and taught mathematics when he had any spare time. His industry soon
became so productive, that he was enabled to bring up his
wife and children to settle in London. The number of his
scholars increasing, and his abilities becoming in some
measure known to the public, he issued proposals for publishing, by subscription, “A new Treatise of Fluxions,
wherein the Direct and Inverse Method are demonstrated
after a new, clear, and concise manner; with their application to Physics and Astronomy. Also the Doctrine of
infinite Series and reverting Senes universally and amply
explained; fluxionary and exponential Equations solved,
”
&c. When he first proposed his intentions of publishing
such a work, he did not know of any English book founded
on the true principles of fluxions, that contained any thing
material, especially the practical part; and, though some
progress had been made by several learned and ingenious
gentlemen, the principles were nevertheless left obscure
and defective, and all that had been done by nny of them
in “infinite series
” very inconsiderable. The book was
not published till 1737, 4to; the author having been frequently interrupted from furnishing the press so fast as he
could have wished, through his unavoidable attention to
his pupils for his immediate support. In 1740 he published “A Treatise on the Nature and Laws of Chance,
”
in 4to; to which are annexed full and clear Investigati ns
of two important Problems added in the second edition of
Mr. De Moivre’s “Book on Chances, and two new Methods for summing of Series.
” His next performance was,
“Essays on several curious and useful subjects in speculative and mixed Mathematics. Dedicated to Francis Blake,
esq. since fellow of the Royal Society, and his very good
Friend and Patron,
” The Doctrine of Annuities and Reversions
deduced from general and evident Principles: with useful
Tables, shewing the values of single and joint lives, &c.
at different rates of interest,
” &c. This, in An Appendix, containing some Remarks on
a late Book on the same subject (by Mr. Abr. De Moivre, F. R. S.) with answers to some personal and malignant representations in the Preface thereof.
” To this De Moivre
never thought fit to reply. In Mathematical Dissertations on a variety of Physical and
Analytical subjects,
” 4to. This work he dedicated to Martin
Folkes, esq. president of the Royal Society. His next
book was, “A Treatise of Algebra, wherein the fundamental principles are fully and clearly demonstrated, and
applied to the solution of a variety of problems.
” To
which he added, “The Construction of a great number of
geometrical Problems, with the method of resolving them
numerically.
” This work was designed for the use of young
beginners; inscribed to William Jones, esq. F. R. S. and
printed in 1745, 8vo. A new edition appeared in 1755,
with additions and improvements. This is dedicated to
James earl of Morton, F. R. S. Mr. Jones being dead; and
there was a sixth edition in 1790. His next work was,
“Elements of Geometry, with their application to Mensuration of Superficies and Solids, to the determination of
Maxima and Minima, and to the construction of a great
variety of Geometrical Problems,
” Trigonometry, Plane and Spherical, with the construction
and application of Logarithms,
” 8vo. This little book contains several things new and useful. In 1750 appeared in 2
vols. 8vo, “The doctrine and application of Fluxions, containing, besides what is common on the subject, a number of
new improvements in the Theory,and the solution of a variety
of new and very interesting Problems, in different branches
of the Mathematics.
” In the preface the author offers this
to the world as a new book rather than a second edition of
that published in 1737; in which he acknowledges, that,
besides errors of the press, there are several obscurities
and defects, for want of experience, in his first attempt.
This work is dedicated to George earl of Mat-clesfield. In
1752 appeared in 8vo, “Select Exercises for young proficients in Mathematics,
” dedicated to John Bacon, esq.
F. R. S. His “Miscellaneous Tracts,
” printed in
At the academy he exerted his faculties to the utmost, in instructing the pupils who were the immediate objects of his duty, as well as others, whom
At the academy he exerted his faculties to the utmost, in instructing the pupils who were the immediate objects of his duty, as well as others, whom the superior officers of the ordnance permitted to be boarded and lodged in hi$ house. In his manner of teaching, he had a peculiar and happy address; a certain dignity and perspicuity, tempered with such a degree of mildness, as engaged both the attention, esteem, and friendship of his scholars; of which the good of the service, as well as of the community, was a necessary consequence.
f that day, particularly Mr. Jones, Mr. Caswell, Dr. Jurin, and Mr. Ditton. With the latter, indeed, who was then mathematical master of Christ’s Hospital, and well
, an eminent mathematician, was the eldest son of Mr. John Simson, of Kirton-hall in Ayrshire, and was born Oct. 14, 1687. Being intended for the church, he was sent to the university of Glasgow in 1701, where he made great progress in classical learning and the sciences, and also contracted a fondness for the study of geometry, although at this time, from a temporary cause, no mathematical lectures were given in the college. Having procured a copy of Euclid’s Elements, with the aid only of a few preliminary explanations from some more advanced students, he soon came to understand them, and laid the foundation of his future eminence. He did not, however, neglect the other sciences then taught in college, but in proceeding through the regular course of academic study, acquired that variety of knowledge which was visible in his conversation throughout life. In the mean time his reputation as a mathematician became so high, that in 1710, when only twenty-two years of age, themembersof the college voluntarily made him an offer of the mathematical chair, in which a vacancy in a short time was expected to take place. From his natural modesty, however, he felt much reluctance, at so early an age to advance abruptly from the state of a student, to that of a professor in the same college, and therefore solicited permission to spend one year at least in London. Being indulged in this, he proceeded to the metropolis, and there diligently employed himself in improving his mathematical knowledge. He also enjoyed the opportunity of forming an acquaintance with some eminent mathematicians of that day, particularly Mr. Jones, Mr. Caswell, Dr. Jurin, and Mr. Ditton. With the latter, indeed, who was then mathematical master of Christ’s Hospital, and well esteemed for his learning, &c. he was more particularly connected. It appears from Mr. Simson’s own account, in his letter, dated London, Nov. 1710, that he expected to have had an assistant in his studies chosen by Mr. Caswell; but, from some mistake, it was omitted, and Mr. Simson himself applied to Mr. Ditton. He went to him not as a scholar (his own words), but to have general information and advice about his mathematical studies. Mr. Caswell afterwards mentioned to Mr. Simson that he meant to have procured Mr. Jones’s assistance, if he had not been engaged.
of Dr. Robert Sinclair, or Sinclare (a descendant or other relative probably of Mr. George Sinclare, who died in that office in 1696), the university, while Mr. Simson
When the vacancy in the professorship of mathematics
at Glasgow did occur, in the following year, by the resignation of Dr. Robert Sinclair, or Sinclare (a descendant or other relative probably of Mr. George Sinclare, who died in that office in 1696), the university, while Mr. Simson was
still in London, appointed him to fill it; and the minute
of election, which is dated March 11, 1711, concluded
with this very proper condition, “That they will admit the
said Mr. Robert Simson, providing always, that he give
satisfactory proof of his skill in mathematics, previous to
his admission.
” He returned to Glasgow before the ensuing session of the college, and having gone through the
form of a trial, by resolving a geometrical problem proposed to him, and also by giving “a satisfactory specimen of
his skill in mathematics, and dexterity in reaching geometry and algebra;
” having produced also respectable certificates of his knowledge of the science, from Mr. Caswell
and others, he was duly admitted professor of mathematics,
on the 20th of November of that year.
first occupation necessarily was the arrangement of a proper course of instruction for the students who attended his lectures, in two distinct classes. Accordingly
Mr. Simson, immediately after his admission, entered on the duties of his office; and his first occupation necessarily was the arrangement of a proper course of instruction for the students who attended his lectures, in two distinct classes. Accordingly he prepared elementary sketches of some branches on which there were not suitable treatises in general use. Both from a sense of duty and from inclination, he now directed the whole of his attention to the study of mathematics; and though he had a decided preference for geometry, which continued through life, yet he did not devote himself to it to the exclusion of the other branches of mathematical science, in most of which there is sufficient evidence of his being well skilled. From 1711, he continued near fifty years to teach mathematics to two separate classes, at different hours, five days in the week, during a continued session of seven months. His manner of teaching was uncommonly clear and successful; and among his scholars, several rose to distinction as mathematicians; among which may be mentioned the celebrated names of Dr. Matthew Stewart, professor of mathematics at Edinburgh; the two Rev. Dr. Williamsons, one of whom succeeded Dr. Simson at Glasgow; the Rev. Dr. Trail, formerly professor of mathematics at Aberdeen; Dr. James Moor, Greek professor at Glasgow: and professor Robison, of Edinburgh, with many others of distinguished merit. In 17.58, Dr. Simson, being then seventy-one years of age, found it necessary to employ an assistant in teaching; and in 1761, on his recommendation, the Rev. Dr. Williamson was appointed his assistant and successor.
gow, with some oi tie members of his regular club, and with a variety of other respectable visitors, who wished to cultivate the acquaintance, and enjoy the society
In his disposition, Dr. Simson was both cheerful and sociable; and his conversation, when he was at ease among his friends, was animated and various, enriched with much anecdote, especially of the literary kind, but always unaffected. It was enlivened also by a certain degree of natural humour; and even the slight fits of absence, to which in company he was occasionally liable, contributed to the entertainment of his friends, without diminishing their affection and respect, which his excellent qualities were calculated to inspire. One evening (Friday) in the week he devoted to c!nb, chiefly of his own selection, which met in a tavern in-ar the college. The first p; rr of the evening was employed in playing the game o which he was particularly fond; but, though he tool all trouble in estimatng chances, it was remarki h;it he was often Uimh ces ml. The rest of the evening ua> spent in cheerful conversation and, as he had some taste for music, he did not scruple to amuse his party with a song and it is said that he was rather fond of singing some Greek odes, to which modern music had been adapted. On Saturdays he usually dined in the village of Anderston, then about a mile distant from Glasgow, with some oi tie members of his regular club, and with a variety of other respectable visitors, who wished to cultivate the acquaintance, and enjoy the society of so eminent a person. In the progress of time, from his age and character, it became the wish of his company that every thing in these meetings should be directed by him; and though his authority, growing with his years, was somewhat absolute, yet the good humour with which it was administered, rendered it pleasing to even body He had his own chair and place at table; he gave instructions about the entertainment, regulated the time of break.ng up, and adjusted the expense. These parties, in the years of his severe study, were a desirable and useful relaxation to his mind, and they continued to amuse him till within a few months of his death.
l paternal estate in Ayrshire to the eldest son of his next brother, probably of his brother Thomas, who was professor of medicine in the university of St Andrew’s,
In his person, Dr. Sunson was tall and erect; and his
countetance, which was handsome, conveyed a pleasing
expression of the superior character of his mind. His
manner had always somewhat of the fashion which prevailed
in the early part of his life, but was uncommonly graceful.
He was seriously indisposed only for a few weeks before his
death, and through a very long life had enjoyed a uniform
state of good health. He died October I, 1768, when his
eighty-first year was almost completed; having bequeathed
his small paternal estate in Ayrshire to the eldest son of his
next brother, probably of his brother Thomas, who was
professor of medicine in the university of St Andrew’s, and
who is known by some works of reputation, particularly a
“Dissertation on the Nervous System, occasioned by the
Dissection of a Brain completely Ossified.
”
branches of hydrostatics as were of a practical nature: and it has been said he was the first person who suggested the proper method of draining the water from the numerous
, professor of philosophy in the university of Glasgow in the seventeenth century, was the author of several works on mathematical and physical subjects. He was dismissed from his professorship soon after the restoration, on account of his principles, being a strict adherent to the presbyterian form of church government. During the period of his ejectment, he resided about the soutnern and border counties, collecting and affording useful information on the subjects of mining, engineering, &c. and was in particular employed by tue magistrates of Edinburgh on the then new plan for supplying that city with water, &c. Considerable attention seems to have been paid by him to such branches of hydrostatics as were of a practical nature: and it has been said he was the first person who suggested the proper method of draining the water from the numerous coal mines in the south-west of Scotland. When the revolution took place in 1688, and the presbyterian became the established religion of Scotland, Mr. Sinclare was recalled to his professorship, which he held until his death in 1696.
and consequence to his public communications. He is said to have been the first, in Italy at least, who published a kind of political journal under the name of “Memorie
, an Italian annalist, was born in 1613,
and was a monk of Parma, where he employed the leisure
hours which a monastic life afforded, in writing- the history
of his times. The confidence placed in him by political
men, and the correspondence to which he had access, enabled him to penetrate into the secret motives and causes
of actions and events, and gave an air of authenticity and
consequence to his public communications. He is said to
have been the first, in Italy at least, who published a kind
of political journal under the name of “Memorie recondite,
” afterwards collected into volumes. The first two having found their way into France, induced cardinal Mazarine to entertain a very high opinion of the author, and by
his persuasion, Louis XIV. invited Siri to Paris. On his
arrival, he was preferred to a secular abbey, and quitting
his ecclesiastical functions, lived at court in great intimacy
and confidence with the king and his ministers, and was
made almoner and historiographer to his majesty. There,
in 1677, he published the 3d and 4th volumes of his journal, and continued it as far as the eighth, 4to. This, says
Baretti, is as valuable a history as any in Italian, though
the style and language are but indifferent, and it is very
difficult to find all the volumes. The period of time they
include is from 1601 to 1640. He published also another
work of a similar kind, called “11 Mercurio, owero istoria de' correnti Tempi,
” from 1647 to 1682, which extends to fifteen 4to volumes, the two last of which are more
difficult to be found than all the rest. The former work,
however, is in most estimation on account of the historical
documents it contains, which are always useful, whatever
colouring an editor may please to give. Siri has not escaped
the imputation of venality, especially in his attachment to
the French court, yet Le Cierc observes (Bibl. Choisie, vol. IV.) that no French writer dared to speak so freely of
the public men of that nation as Siri has done. There is
a French translation of the “Memorie recondite,
” under
the title of “Memoires secrets,
” which, Landi says, might
have been much improved from Siri’s extensive correspondence with almost all the ministers of Europe, now extant
in the Benedictine library of Parma, and among the private
archives of Modena. Siri died in 1683, in the seventieth
year of his age.
e formed a friendship with the most eminent men of the time, particularly with Bellarmine and Tolet, who were of his own society, and with the cardinal Baronius, D’Ossat,
, a very learned French Jesuit, was
the son of a magistrate, and born at Riom, Oct. 12, 1559.
At ten years of age he was sent to the college of Billon,
in Lower Auvergne, the first seminary which the Jesuits had
in France. He entered into the society in 1576, and two
years after took the vows. His superiors, discovering his
uncommon talents, sent him to Paris; where he taught
classical literature two years, and rhetoric three. Two of
his pupils were Charles of Valois, duke D‘Angouleme, the
natural son of Charles IX., and Francis de Sales. During
this time, he acquired a perfect knowledge of the Greek
and Latin languages; and formed that style which has been
so much esteemed by the learned. It is said that he took
Muretus for his model, and never passed a day without
reading some pages in his writings; and it is certain that
by this, or his natural taste, he became one of the purest
Latin writers of his time. In 1586, he began his course
of divinity, which lasted four years. He undertook to
translate into Latin the works of the Greek fathers, and
began to write notes upon Sidonius Apollinaris. In 1590,
he was sent for to Rome by the general of the order,
Aquaviva, to take upon him the office of his secretary;
which he discharged for sixteen years with success, and
clothed the sentiments of his employer in very superior
language. The study of antiquity was at that time his
principal object: he visited libraries, and consulted manuscripts: he contemplated antiques, medals, and inscriptions: and the Italians, though jealous of the honour of
their nation, acknowledged his acuteness as an antiquary,
and consulted him in many cases of difficulty. At Rome
he formed a friendship with the most eminent men of the
time, particularly with Bellarmine and Tolet, who were of
his own society, and with the cardinal Baronius, D’Ossat,
and Du Perron. Baronius was much assisted by him in his
“Ecclesiastical Annals,
” especially in affairs relating to the
Greek history upon which he furnished him with a great
number of works, translated from Greek into Latin.
nt to him by fattier Vittelleschi, general of their order: but Louis XIII. would not suffer a person who did so much honour to his kingdom, to leave it; and, in 1637,
Sirmond returned to Paris in 1606; and from that time did not cease to enrich the public with a great number of works, particularly editions of the authors of the middle age, printed by him with great care from original manuscripts discovered by him in the public libraries. Much of his life was employed, and the better part of his reputation depends, on his labours as an editor, which produced correct copies of Geoffrey de Vendome, Ennodius, Flocloard, Fulgentius, Valerian, Sidonius Apollinaris, one of his most valuable editions, Paschasius Radbert, Eugene of Toledo, Jdacius, AJarcellinus, and many others When his reputation> came more generally known, pop.- Urban VIII. had a desire to draw him again to Rome and caused a letter for that purpose 10 be sent to him by fattier Vittelleschi, general of their order: but Louis XIII. would not suffer a person who did so much honour to his kingdom, to leave it; and, in 1637, appointed him his confessor, in the room of father Caussin, which delicate office he accepted with great reluctance, yet demeaned himself with the utmost caution and prudence, never meddling with political affairs, or employing his interest in enriching his relations. In 1643, however, after the death of Louis XIII. he left the court, and resumed his ordinary occupations with the same tranquillity as if he had never quitted his retirement. In 1645, he went to Rome, notwithstanding his great age, for the sake of assisting at the election of a general, upon the death of Vittelleschi, as he had done thirty years before upon the death of Aquaviva; and, after his return to France, resumed his studies. But having engaged in a warm dispute in the college of the Jesuits, the exertion brought on a disorder which carried him off in a few days. He died Oct. 7, 1651, aged ninety- two.
s necessary. His dissertations have passed for a model; by which it were to be wished that every one who writes would form himself. When he treated of one subject, he
The works of which he was author and editor amount to
fifteen volumes in folio; five of which, containing his original productions, many of them on controversial points,
were printed at the royal printing-house at Paris in 1696,
under this title: “Jacobi Sirmondi Opera Varia, nunc
primum coilecta, ex ipsius schedis emendatiora, Notis
posthumis, Epistolis. et Opusculis aliquibus auctiora.
”
The following character is given of him by Du Pin
“Father Sirmond knew how to join a great delicacy
of understanding and the jnstest discernment to a profound
and extensive erudition. He understood Greek and Latin
in perfection, all the profane authors, history, and whatever goes under the name of belles lettres. He had a very
extensive knowledge in ecclesiastical antiquity, and had
studied with care all the authors ~A the middle -ige His
style is pure, concise, and nervous: yet he affects too
much certain expressions of the comic poets. He meditated very much upon what he wrote, and had a particular
art of reducing into a note what comprehended a great
many things in a very few words. He is exact, judicious,
simple; yet never omits any thing that is necessary. His
dissertations have passed for a model; by which it were to
be wished that every one who writes would form himself.
When he treated of one subject, he never said immediately
all that he knew of it; but reserved some new arguments
always for a reply, like auxiliary troops, to come up and
assist, in case of need, the grand body of the battle. He
was disinterested, equitable, sincere, moderate, modest,
laborious; and by these qualities drew to himself the
esteem, not only of the learned, but of all mankind. He
has left behind him a reputation which will last for many
ages.
”
care of it to the learned Platina. He published a bull, March 1, 1746, granting indulgences to those who should celebrate the festival of the Immaculate Conception of
, originally called Francis Albisola Della
Rovera, is said by some writers to have been the son of a
fisherman at Celles, a village live leagues from Savona in
the territory of Genoa, but others derive him from a branch
of a noble family. He was born in 1413, entered the Franciscan order, took a doctor’s degree at Padua, and taught
with reputation in the universities of Bologna, Pavia, Sienna,
Florence, and Perugia. After this he became general of
the Franciscans, then cardinal through the interest of cardinal Bessarion, and at length pope, August 9, 1471, on
the death of Paul II. He immediately armed a fleet
against the Turks, and displayed great magnificence and
liberality during his whole pontificate. He was almost the
founder of, and certainly greatly enriched the Vatican library, and entrusted the care of it to the learned Platina.
He published a bull, March 1, 1746, granting indulgences
to those who should celebrate the festival of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin; the first decree of the
Roman church concerning that festival. The establishment of the feast of St. Joseph, for which Gerson had
taken great pains, is also ascribed to this pope. Historians
have reproached him with conniving at the vices of his
nephews, being too violent against the Medici family and
the Venetians, and having joined in the conspiracy of the
Pazzi at Florence. There seems upon the whole to have
been little in his character to command the respect of posterity, except his patronage of literature. He died
August 13, 1484, aged 71. Before his election to the pontificate, he wrote the following treatises “De Sanguine
Christi,
” Rome, De futuris contigentibus
” “De potentia Dei;
” “De Conceptione beatse
V.irginis,
” &c.; a very scarce work is also attributed to him,
entitled “Regulne Cuncellariae,
” La Banque Romaine,
”
ewarded with his master’s favourite servant-maid for a wife. These were the parents of that pontiff, who, from the instant of his accession to the papacy, even to the
, whose proper names were Felix Peretti, was born in 1521, in the signiory of Montalto his father, Francis Peretti, for his faithful service to a country gentleman, with whom he lived as a gardener, was rewarded with his master’s favourite servant-maid for a wife. These were the parents of that pontiff, who, from the instant of his accession to the papacy, even to the hour of his death, made himself obeyed and feared, not only by his own subjects, but by all who had any concern with him. Though he very early discovered talents and inclination for learning, the poverty of his parents prevented their indulging it; for which reason, at about nine years of age, his father hired him to an inhabitant of the town, to look after his sheep: but his master, being on some occasion disobliged, removed him to a less honourable employment, and gave him the care of his hogs. He was soon released, however, from this degrading occupation: for, in 1531, falling accidentally under the cognizance of father Michael Angelo Selleri, a Franciscan friar, who was going to preach during the Lent season at Ascoli, the friar was so exceedingly struck with his conversation and behaviour, as to recommend him to the fraternity whither he was going. Accordingly, with the unanimous approbation of the community, he was received among them, invested with the habit of a lay -brother, and placed under ft the sacristan, to assist in sweeping the church, lighting the candles, and such little offices; who, in return for his services, was to teach him the responses, and rudiments of grammar."
new friendships at Rome, which were afterwards of signal service to him one with the Colonna family, who thereby became his protectors the other with father Ghisilieri,
With no other tutor, his education commenced, and by a quick comprehension, strong memory, and unwearied application, he made such a surprising progress, that in 1534 he was thought fit to receive the cowl, and enter upon his noviciate; and, in 1535, was admitted to make his profession, being no more than fourteen. He pursued his studies with so much assiduity, that, in 1539, he was accounted equal to the best disputants, and was soon admitted to deacon’s orders. In 1545 he was ordained priest, and assumed the name of father Montalto: the same year, he took his bachelor’s degree, and two years after, his doctor’s; and was appointed to keep a divinity act before the whole chapter of the order, at which time he so effectually recommended himself to cardinal de Carpi, and cultivated so close an intimacy with Bossius his secretary, that they were both of them ever after his steady friends; and, indeed, he had frequent occasions for their interposition on his behalf; for the impetuosity of his temper, and his impatience of contradiction, had already subjected him to several inconveniencies, and in the subsequent part of his life involved him in many more difficulties. While all Italy was delighted with his eloquence, he was perpetuallyembroiled in quarrels with his monastic brethren: he, however, formed two new friendships at Rome, which were afterwards of signal service to him one with the Colonna family, who thereby became his protectors the other with father Ghisilieri, by whose recommendation he was appointed inquisitor-general at Venice, by Paul IV. soon after his accession to the papacy in 1555. But the severity with which he executed his office, was so offensive to a people jealous of their liberties, as the Venetians were, that he was obliged to owe his preservation to a precipitate flight from that city.
aplain and consultor of the inquisition, to attend cardinal Buon Compagnon, afterwards Gregory XIII. who was then legate a latere to Spain. Here Montalto had great honours
After his retreat from Venice, we find him acting in many public affairs at Rome, and as often engaged in disputes with the conventuals of his order; till he was appointed, as chaplain and consultor of the inquisition, to attend cardinal Buon Compagnon, afterwards Gregory XIII. who was then legate a latere to Spain. Here Montalto had great honours paid him: he was offered to be made one of the royal chaplains, with a table and an apartment in the palace, and a very large stipend, if he would stay there; but having centered his views at Rome, he declined accepting these favours, and only asked the honour of bearing the title of his majesty’s chaplain wherever he went." While things were thus circumstanced at Madrid, news was brought of the death of Pius IV. and the elevation of cardinal Alexandrine to the holy see, with the title of Pius V. MontaUo was greatly transported at this news, the new pontiff having ever been his steadyfriend and patron; for this new pope was father Ghisilieri, who had been promoted to the purple by Paul IV. Montalto’s joy at the promotion of his friend was not ill-founded, nor were his expectations disappointed; for Pius V. even in the first week of his pontificate, appointed him general of his order, an office that he executed with his accustomed severity. In 1568 he was made bishop of St. Agatha; and, in 1570, was honoured with a cardinal’s hat and a pension. During this reign he had likewise the chief direction of the papal councils, and particularly was employed to draw up the bull of excommunication against queen Elizabeth.
eater knowledge and experience.” The election being determined in favour of cardinal Buon Compagnon, who assumed the name of Gregory XIII. Montalto did not neglect to
Being now in possession of the purple, he began to aspire to the papacy. With this view “he became humble,
patient, and affable; so artfully concealing the natural impetuosity of his temper, that one would have sworn this
gentleness and moderation was born with him. There was
such a change in his dress, his air, his words, and all his
actions, that his nearest friends and acquaintance said, he
was not the same man. A greater alteration, or a more
absolute victory over his passions, was never seen in any
one; nor is there an instance, perhaps, in all history, of a
person supporting a fictitious character in so uniform and
consistent a manner, or so artfully disguising his foibles
and imperfections for such a number of years.
” To which
may be added, that, while he endeavoured to court the
friendship of the ambassadors of every foreign power, he
very carefully avoided attaching himself to the interest of
any one; nor would he accept favours, that might be presumed to lay him under peculiar obligations. He was not
less singular in his conduct to his relations, to whom he
had heretofore expressed himself with the utmost tenderness; but now he behaved very differently, “knowing that
disinterestedness in that point was one of the keys to the
papacy. So that when his brother Antony came to see him
at Rome, he lodged him in an inn, and sent him back again
the next day with only a present of sixty crowns; strictly
charging him to return immediately to his family, and tell
them, ‘That his spiritual cares increased upon’him, and
he was now dead to his relations and the world; but as he
found old age and infirmities begin to approach, he might,
perhaps, in a while, send for one of his nephews to wait
on him',
”
Upon the death of Pius V. which happened in 1572,
Montalto entered the conclave with the rest of the cardinals;
but, appearing to give himself no trouble about the election, kept altogether in his apartment, without ever stirring from it, except to his devotions. He affected a total
ignorance of the intrigues of the several factions; and, if
he was asked to engage in any party, would reply, with
seeming indifference, “that for his part he was of no manner of consequence; that, as he had never been in the
conclave before, he was afraid of making some false step,
and should leave the affair to be conducted wholly by
people of greater knowledge and experience.
” The election being determined in favour of cardinal Buon Compagnon, who assumed the name of Gregory XIII. Montalto did not neglect to assure him, “that he had never
wished for any thing so much in his life, and that be should
always remember his goodness, and the favours he received
from him in Spain.
” The new pope, however, not only
shewed very little regard to his compliment, but during
his pontificate, treated him with the utmost contempt, and
deprived him of the pension which had been granted to
him by Pins V. Nor was he held in greater esteem by the
generality of the cardinals, who considered him as a poor,
old, doting fellow, incapable of doing either good or harm;
and who, by way of ridicule, they were used frequently to
style, “the ass of La Marca.
” He seldom interfered in>
or was present at any public transactions; the chief part of
his time was employed in works of piety and devotion;
and his benevolence to the indigent was so remarkable,
that, when a terrible famine prevailed at Pome, the poor
said openly of him, “that cardinal Montalto, who lived
upon charity himself, gave with one hand what he received
with the other; while the rest of the cardinals, who wallowed in abundance, contented themselves with shewing
them the way to the hospital.
”
ithstanding this affected indifference to what passed in the world, he was never without able spies, who informed him from time to time of every the most minute particular.
Notwithstanding this affected indifference to what passed
in the world, he was never without able spies, who informed him from time to time of every the most minute
particular. He had assumed great appearance of imbecility and all the infirmities of old age, for some years before
the death of Gregory XIII. in 1585; when it was not without much seeming reluctance, that Montalto accompanied
the rest of the cardinals into the conclave, where he maintained the same uniformity of behaviour in which he had
so long persisted. “He kept himself close shut up in his
chamber, and was no more thought or spoken of, than if
he had not been there. He very seldom stirred out, and
when he went to mass, or any of the scrutinies, appeared
so little concerned, that one would have thought he had no
manner of interest in any thing that happened within those
walls;
” and, without promising any thing, he flattered
everybody. This method of proceeding was judiciously
calculated to serve his ambition. He was early apprised,
that there would be great contests or divisions in the conclave; and he knew it was no uncommon case, that when
the chiefs of the respective parties met with opposition to
the person they were desirous of electing, they would all
willingly concur in the choice of some very old and infirm
cardinal, whose life would last only long enough to prepare
themselves with more strength against another vacancy.
These views directed his conduct, nor was he mistaken in
his expectations of success. Three cardinals, who were the
heads of potent factions, finding themselves unable to
choose the persons they respectively favoured, all concurred to elect Montalto. As it was not yet necessary for
him to discover himself, when they came to acquaint him
with their intention, “he fell into such a violent fit of
coughing, that they thought he would have expired upon
the spot.
” When he recovered himself, he told them,
“that his reign would be but for a few days that, besides
the continual difficulty of breathing, he had not strength
enough to support such a weight; and that his small experience in affairs made him altogether unfit for a charge
of so important a nature.
” Nor would he be prevailed on
to accept it on any other terms, than that “they should
all three promise not to abandon him, but take the greatest
part of the weight off his shoulders, as he was neither able,
nor could in conscience pretend, to take the whole upon
himself.
” The cardinals giving a ready assent to his proposal, he added, “If you are resolved to make me pope,
it will be only placing yourselves on the throne; we must
share the pontificate. For my part, I shall be content with
the bare title; let them call me pope, and you are heartily
welcome to the power and authority.
” This artifice succeeded; and, in confidence of engrossing the administration, they exerted their joint interests so effectually, that
Montalto was elected. He now immediately pulled off the
mask which be had worn for fourteen years, with an
amazing steadiness and uniformity. As soon as ever he found
a sufficient number of votes to secure his election, he
threw the staff with which he used to support himself into
the middle of the chapel; and appeared taller by almost a
foot than he had done for several years. Being asked according to custom, “Whether he would please to accept
of the papacy,
” he replied somewhat sharply, “It is
trifling and impertinent to ask whether I will accept what
I have already accepted: however, to satisfy any scruple
that may arise, I tell you, that I accept it with great pleasure; and would accept another, if I could get it; for I
find myself strong enough, by the divine assistance, to
manage two papacies.
” Nor was the change in his manners less remarkable than in his person: he immediately
divested himself of the humility he had so long professed;
and, laying aside his accustomed civility and complaisance,
treated every body with reserve and haughtiness.
conduct, but also that of other governors and judges for many years past; promising rewards to those who could convict them of corruption, or of having denied justice
In the place of such judges as were inclined to lenity,
he substituted others of a more austere disposition, and
appointed commissaries to examine not only their conduct,
but also that of other governors and judges for many years
past; promising rewards to those who could convict them
of corruption, or of having denied justice to any one at the
instance or request of men in power. All the nobility, and
persons of the highest quality, were strictly forbidden, on
pain of displeasure, to ask the judges any thing in behalf
of their nearest friends or dependants; at the same time
the judges were to be fined in case they listened to any
solicitation. He further commanded every body, “on
pain of death, not to terrify witnesses by threats, or tempt
them by hopes or promises. He ordered the syndics and
mayors of every town and signiory, as well those that were
actually in office, as those who had been for the last ten
years, to send him a list of all the vagrants, common debauchees, loose and disorderly people in their districts,
threatening them with the strappado and imprisonment, if
they omitted or concealed any one.
” In consequence of
this ordinance, the syndic of Albano, leaving his nephew,
who was an incorrigible libertine, out of the list, underwent the strappado in the public market-place, though the
Spanish ambassador interceded strongly for him. He par
ticularly directed the legates and governors of the ecclesiastical state to be expeditious in carrying on all criminal
processes; declaring, “he had rather have the gibbets and
gallies full, than the prisons.
” He aUo intended to have
shortened all other proceedings in law. It had been usual,
and was pleasing to the people, as often as his holiness
passed by, to cry out, “Long live the pope:
” but Sixtus,
having a mind to go often unexpectedly to the tribunals of
justice, convents, and other public places, forbade this
custom in regard to himself; and punished two persons
who were ignorant of this edict, with imprisonment, for crying out, “Long live pope Sixtus.
” Adultery he punished
with death: nor was he less severe to those who voluntarily
permitted a prostitution of their wives; a custom at that
time very common in Rome. The female sex, especially
the younger part, attracted, in a very particular manner,
the attention of Sixtus; not only the debauching of any of
them, whether by force or artifice, but even the attempting of it, or offering the least offence against modesty,
was very severely punished. For the more effectual prevention, as well of private assassinations, as public quarrels, he forbade all persons, on pain of death, to draw a
sword, or to carry arms specified in the edict; nor would
he be prevailed on to spare any who transgressed this order:
even to threaten another with an intended injury was sufficient to entitle the menacer to a whipping and the gallies;
especially if the nature of their profession furnished the
means of carrying their threats into execution. The banditti, who were numerous when Sixtus was advanced to
the papacy, were rendered still more so by the junction of
many loose and disorderly people; who, conscious of their
demerits, and terrified at the severities they daily saw
practised, had fled from justice. Their insolence increased
with their numbers; insomuch, that no one could live in
the ecclesiastical state with saiety to his person or fortune,
nor could strangers travel without imminent danger of
being robbed or murdered. The public security more
especially required the extirpation of these plunderers,
which, by the prudence, vigilance, and resolution of this
pope, was effectually performed in less than six months.
He obliged the nobility of Rome, and the country round
it, to an exact payment of their debts. He abolished all
protections and other immunities, in the houses of ambassadors, cardinals, nobles, or prelates. To this purpose,
he sent for all the ambassadors, and ordered them to acquaint their respective masters, “that he was determined
nobody should reign in Rome but himself; that there
should be no privilege or immunity of any kind there, but
what belonged to the pope; nor any sanctuary or asylum
but the churches, anil that only at such times, and upon
such occasions, as he should think proper.
”
to the Vatican. When Sixtus saw Camilla, he pretended not to know her, and asked two or three times who she was; upon which one of the cardinals, who handed her in,
In respect to his private character, it appears, from
several instances, that he was, as well in his habit as
diet, generally temperate and frugal; that he remembered, and greatly rewarded, every service that was conferred upon him when he was in an inferior station. Nor
did his elevation make him unmindful of his former poverty: his sister once intimating, that it was unbecoming
his dignity to wear patched linen, he said to her, “Though
we are exalted, through the Divine Providence, to this
high station, we ought not to forget, that shreds and
patches are the only coat of arms our family has any title
to.
” The behaviour of Sixtus to his relations, previous to
his exaltation, has been already noted: soon after his accession to the pontificate, he sent for his family to Rome,
with express orders, that they should appear in a decent
and modest manner. Accordingly, his sister Camilla, accompanied by her daughter and two grandsons, and a
niece, came thither. The pope’s reception of them was
as singular as any other part of his conduct; for some of
the cardinals, to ingratiate themselves with his holiness,
went out to meet her, dressed them all in a very superb
manner, and introduced them with great ceremony to the
Vatican. When Sixtus saw Camilla, he pretended not to
know her, and asked two or three times who she was;
upon which one of the cardinals, who handed her in,
said, “It is your sister, holy father.
” “My sister!
” replied Sixtus, with a frown, “I have but one sister, and
she is a poor woman at Le Grotte: if you have introduced
her in this disguise, I declare 1 do not know her; and
yet I think I should know her again, if I was to see her
in such clothes as she used to wear.
” Their conductors
then thought it expedient to send them to a common inn,
where they were disrobed of their finery. When this was
done, Sixtus sent two of his ordinary coaches for them;
and being introduced a second time, the pope embraced
them tenderly, and said to Camilla, “Now we see it is
our sister indeed: nobody shall make a princess of you
but ourselves.
” The terms Sixtus stipulated with his sister, as the conditions of her advancement, were, “not to
ask any favour in matters of government, or make the
least intercession for criminals, or otherwise interfere in
the administration of justice;
” assuring her that every suit
of that kind would meet with a refusal not less mortifying
to her than painful to himself. This being settled, he made,
indeed, a princely provision, not only for his sister, who
took care punctually to obey his orders, but also for all
the family.
swered, “He could get no other, for the pope had made his washer-woman a princess;” meaning Camilla, who had formerly been a laundress. The pope ordered strict search
The pope’s severity could not exempt him from several
poignant satires, though we have only one instance
wherein he thought them worth his resentment; and that
related to his sister. Pasquin was dressed one morning
in a very dirty shirt; and being askedby Marforio, why
he wore such dirty linen answered, “He could get no
other, for the pope had made his washer-woman a princess;
” meaning Camilla, who had formerly been a laundress. The pope ordered strict search to be made for the
author, and promised to give him a thousand pistoles, and
his life, provided he would discover himself; but threatened to hang him, if he was found out by any body else.
The author, though he had trusted no person with the secret, was so tempted with the offer, that he was simple
enough to make a full confession of it to the pope; demanding the money, and to have his life spared. Sixtus
was so astonished at his folly and impudence, that he
could not speak for some time; and at last said, “It is true
we did make such a promise, and we shall not be worse than
our word; we give you your life, and you shall have the
money immediately; but we reserved to ourselves the power
of cutting off your hands, and boring your tongue through
to prevent your being so witty for the future:
” which was
directly executed, Sixtus declaring, that he did not deserve
the punishment so much for the pasquinade, as for being so
audacious to avow it.
This extraordinary man, who was an encourager of arts as well as arms, died, not without
This extraordinary man, who was an encourager of arts as well as arms, died, not without a suspicion of being poisoned by the Spaniards, Aug. 27, 1500, having enjoyed the papacy little more than five years.
gion, which above all other faults would naturally tend to bring him into disgrace and danger. Those who felt his satire would be glad to excite a clamour against his
In the page where Skelton mentions his being curate of Trompington, he informs us that he was at the same time (1507) rector of Diss in Norfolk, and probably had held this living long before. Tradition informs us, that his frequent buffooneries in the pulpit excited general censure. Of what nature those buffooneries were, we cannot now determine, but it is certain that at a much later period the pulpit was frequently debased by irreverent allusions and personal scurrilities. There appear to have been three subjects at which Skeltori delighted to aim his satire; these were, the mendicant friars, Lilly the grammarian, and cardinal Wolsey. From what we find in his works, his treatment of these subjects was coarse enough in style, and perhaps illiberal in sentiment; and there is some reason to think that he did not preserve a due reverence for the forms and pomp of the established religion, which above all other faults would naturally tend to bring him into disgrace and danger. Those who felt his satire would be glad to excite a clamour against his impiety; and it must be allowed that the vices of his age are frequently represented in such indelicate language, as to furnish his enemies with the very plausible reproach, that he was not one of those reformers who begin with themselves.
f his poems or ballads might very justly rouse the vigilance of his diocesan, the bishop of Norwich, who, Mr. Warton thinks, suspended him from his functions. Anthony
But although we can now have very little sympathy with
the injured feelings of the begging friars, it is not improbable that some of his poems or ballads might very justly
rouse the vigilance of his diocesan, the bishop of Norwich,
who, Mr. Warton thinks, suspended him from his functions. Anthony Wood asserts, that he was punished by the
bishop for “having been guilty of certain crimes, as most
poets are.
” According to Fuller, the crime of “most poets
”
in Skelton’s case, was his keeping of a concubine, which
yet was at that time a less crime in a clergyman than marriage. Skelton, on his death-bed, declared that he conscientiously considered his concubine as his wife, but was
afraid to own her in that light; and from this confession, and
the occasional liberties he has taken with his pen, in lashing
the vices of the clergy, it is not improbable that he had
imbibed some of the principles of the reformation, but had
not the courage to avow them, unless under the mask of
such satire as might pass without judicial censure.
ssical learning recommended him to the office of tutor to prince Henry, afterwards king Henry VIII., who, at his accession, made him royal orator, an office so called
“J. Sceltonus Vates Pierius hie situs est.
”
Skelton appears to have been a more considerable personage, at one time at least, than his contemporaries would
have us to believe. It is certain that he was esteemed a
scholar, and that his classical learning recommended him
to the office of tutor to prince Henry, afterwards king
Henry VIII., who, at his accession, made him royal orator, an office so called by himself, the nature of which is
doubtful, unless it was blended with that of laureat. As to
his general reputation, Erasmus, in a letter to Henry VIII.
styles him “Britannicarum literarum decus et lumen,
” a
character which must have either been inferred from common opinion, or derived from personal knowledge. Whatever provocation he gave to the clergy, he was not without
patrons who overlooked his errors and extravagancies for
the sake of his genius, and during the reign of Henry VII.
he had the enviable distinction of being almost the only professed poet of the age. Henry Algernon Percy, fifth earl
of Northumberland, one of the very few patrons of learned
men and artists at that time, appears to have entertained a
high regard for our author. In a collection of poems magnificently engrossed on vellum for the use of this nobleman,
is an elegy on the death of the earl’s father, written by
Skelton. This volume is now in the Bullish Museum, but
the elegy may be seen in Skelton’s works, and in Dr. Percy’s Relics.
o the manners of their age. The manners of no age can apologize for the licentiousness of the writer who descends to copy them. There are always enough in an age that
When a favourite author betrays grossnessand indecency, it is usual to inquire how much of this is his own, and how much may be referred 19 the licentiousness of his age? Warton observes, that it is in vain to apologize for the coarseness, obscenity, and scurrility of Skelton, by saying-, that his poetry is tinctured with the manners of his age, and adds, that Skelton would have been a writer without decorum at any period. This decision, however, is not more justly passed on Skelton than it ought to be on others, whom it has been the fashion to vindicate by an appeal to the manners of their age. The manners of no age can apologize for the licentiousness of the writer who descends to copy them. There are always enough in an age that has a court, a clergy, and a people, to support the dignity of virtue, and to assert the respect due to public decency. If we knew more minutely of the manners of our country in these remote periods, it would probably be found that licentiousness has, upon the whole, been more discouraged than patronized by the public voice.
of them is a matter of less trouble and less injury to an edition of his works than his biographers, who have copied one another, would insinuate. As to his poetry,
Although it is impossible to lessen the censure which Skelton incurred among his contemporaries, and immediate successors, it is but fair to say that his indelicacies are of no very seductive kind, that they are obscured by cant words and phrases no longer intelligible, or intelligible but to few, and that the removal of them is a matter of less trouble and less injury to an edition of his works than his biographers, who have copied one another, would insinuate. As to his poetry, Mr. Warton’s character may in general be followed with safety, and ought to be preserved with the respect due to so excellent a critic.
r which frequently involved him in quarrels. On one occasion he had a quarrel with a fellow-student, who happened to be connected with Dr. Baldwin, the provost, and
Here he soon obtained the reputation of a scholar, and also distinguished himself by his skill in fencing, cudgelling, and other manly feats, as well as in some college frolics from which he did not always escape uncensured. His temper was warm, and he entertained that irritable sense of honour which frequently involved him in quarrels. On one occasion he had a quarrel with a fellow-student, who happened to be connected with Dr. Baldwin, the provost, and who insinuated that Skelton was a Jacobite, an accusation which he repelled by the most solemn declaration of his adherence to the Hanover family. Baldwin, however, was prejudiced against him, and endeavoured to keep him out of a scholarship, but, mistaking him for another of the same name, his malice was disappointed, and Skelton received this reward of merit in 1726. Baldwin, however, on other occasions did every thing in his power to make a college life uneasy to him; and Skelton, finding it impossible to gain his favour without disgraceful compliances, resolved to take his degree at the statutable period, and quit the college. This, however, his enemy still endeavoured to prevent, and, on some idle pretence, stopped his degree.
e could give was insufficient for the relief of the poor, he solicited the aid of people of fortune, who usually contributed according to his desire, and could not indeed
On leaving Dr. Madden, he repaired to his brother’s, in
Dundalk, until, in 1732, he was nominated to the curacy
of Monaghan, in the diocese of Cloghet, by the hon. and
rev. Francis Hamilton, the rector. This situation was for
some years permanent, and afforded him leisure to pursue
his favourite study of diunity, and to execute the duties of
a parish priest. “His inclinations,
” says his biographer,
“were all spiritual, and he only desired an opportunity of
being more extensively useful for long before, he had fixed
his thoughts on the rewards of a better world than the present.
” His life was accordingly most exemplary, and his
preaching efficacious. It was said that the very children
of Monaghan, whom he carefully instructed, knew more
of religion at that time, than the grown people of any of
the neighbouring parishes, and the manners of his flock
were soon greatly improved, and vice and ignorance retreated before so powerful an opponent. His charities were
extraordinary, for all he derived from his curacy was 40l.
of which he gave 10l. a year to his mother, and for some
years a like sum to his tutor, Dr. Delany, to pay some
debts he had contracted at college. The rest were for his
maintenance and his charities, and when the pittance he
could give was insufficient for the relief of the poor, he
solicited the aid of people of fortune, who usually contributed according to his desire, and could not indeed refuse
a man who first gave his own before he would ask any of
theirs. His visits to the jails were also attended with the
happiest effects. On one remarkable occasion, when a
convict at Monaghan, of whose innocence he was well assured, was condemned to be hanged within five days, he
set off for Dublin, and on his arrival was admitted to the
privy council, which then was sitting. Here he pleaded
lor the poor man with such eloquence, as to obtain his
pardon, and returned with it to Monaghan in time to save
his life. In order to be of the more use to his poor parishioners, he studied physic, and was very successful in
his gratuitous practice, as well as by his spiritual advice,
and was the means of removing many prejudices and superstitions which he found very deeply rooted in their
minds.
Christianity,” another piece of irony against the enemies of the church, which was imputed to Swift, who, as usual, neither affirmed nor denied; but only observed, that
He published the same year, “Some proposals for the
revival of Christianity,
” another piece of irony against the
enemies of the church, which was imputed to Swift, who,
as usual, neither affirmed nor denied; but only observed,
that the author “had not continued the irony to the end.
”
In 1737, he published a “Dissertation on the constitution
and effects of a Petty Jury.
” In this, among other things,
^eems to object to locking up a jury without food, until
they agree upon their opinion. The attorney general
called at his bookseller’s, who refused to give up the name
of the author. “Well,
” said the attorney general, “give
my compliments to the author, and inform him from me,
that I do not think there is virtue enough in the people
of this country ever to put his scheme into practice.
”
op,” ten guineas, which Mr. Skelton frequently presented to a Mr. Arbuthnot, a poor cast-off curate, who was unable to serve through age and infirmity. At length Dr.
His fame, however, both as a preacher and writer, his
extraordinary care as an instructor of a parish, and his
wonderful acts of charity and goodness, began, about 1737,
to be the subject of conversation, not only in the diocese
of Clogher, and other parts of the North, but also in the
metropolis; but still no notice was taken of him in the
way of preferment. Dr. Sterne, the bishop of Clogher,
usually sent for him, after he had bestowed a good preferment upon another, and gave him, “by way of a sop,
”
ten guineas, which Mr. Skelton frequently presented to
a Mr. Arbuthnot, a poor cast-off curate, who was unable
to serve through age and infirmity. At length Dr. Delany,
who had been his tutor at college, perceiving him thus neglected, procured for him an appointment to the curacy
of St. Werburgh’s in Dublin. This would have been
highly acceptable to Mr. Skelton, and Dr. Delany would
have been much gratified to place such a man in a situation where his merits were likely to be duly appreciated:
it is painful to relate in what manner both were disappointed. When he was on the point of leaving the
diocese of Clogher, bishop Sterne perceiving that it would
be to his discredit if a person of such abilities should leave
his diocese for want of due encouragement, sent a clergyman to inform him, “that if he staid in his diocese he
would give him the first living that should fall.
” Relying
on this, he wrote to Dr. Delany, and the curacy of St.
Werburgh’s was otherwise disposed of. The first living
that fell vacant was Monaghan, where he had so long officiated, which the bishop immediately gave to his nephew
Mr. Hawkshaw, a young gentleman that had lately entered
into orders! It would even appear that he had made his
promise with a determination to break it, for when he bestowed the preferment on his nephew, he is reported to
have said, “I give you now a living worth 300l. a year,
and have kept the best curate in the diocese for you, who
was going to leave it: be sure take his advice, and follow
his directions, for he is a man of worth and sense.
” But
Skelton, with all his “worth and sense,
” was not superior
to the infirmities of his nature. He felt this treacherous
indignity very acutely, and never attended a visitation
during the remainder of the bishop’s life, which continued
for a series of years; nor did the bishop ever ask for him,
or express any surprize at his absence. Under Mr. Hawkshaw, however, he Jived not unhappily. Mr. Hawkshaw
submitted to his instructions, and followed his example, and
there was often an amicable contest in the performance of
their acts of duty and charity.
is terraqueous majesty, the WorUl.” The objects of his ridicule in this are Hill, the mathematician, who proposed making verses by an arithmetical table, lord Shaftesbury,
After he returned to his curacy, he was offered a school
xvorth 500l. a year, arising from the benefit of the scholars,
but refused it as interfering with the plan of literary improvement and labour which he had marked out for himself; and when told that he might employ ushers, he said
he could not in conscience take the money, without giving
up his whole time and attention to his scholars. In 1744,
he published “The Candid Reader, addressed to his terraqueous majesty, the WorUl.
” The objects of his ridicule
in this are Hill, the mathematician, who proposed making
verses by an arithmetical table, lord Shaftesbury, and Johnson, the author of a play called “Hurlothrumbo,
” with a
parallel between Hurlothrumbo and the rhapsody of Shaftesbury. In the same year he also published “A Letter
to the authors of Divine Analogy and the Minute Philosopher, from an old officer,
” a plain, sensible letter, advising the two polemics to turn their arms from one another
against the common enemies of the Christian faith. During
the rebellion in 1745, he published a very seasonable and
shrewd pamphlet, entitled the “Chevalier’s hopes.
”
On the death of Dr. Sterne, the see of Clogher was filled
by Dr. Clayton, author of the “Essay on Spirit,
” a decided
Arian; and between him and Skelton there could consequently be no coincidence of opinion, or mutuality of respect. In 1748, Mr. Skelton having prepared for the press
his valuable work entitled “Deism revealed,
” he conceived it too important to be published in Ireland, and
therefore determined to go to London, and dispose of it
there. On his arrival, he submitted his manuscript to Andrew Millar, the bookseller, to know if he would purchase
it, and have it printed at his own expence. The bookseller desired him, as is usual, to leave it with him for a
day or two, until he could get a certain gentleman of great
abilities to examine it. Hume is said to have come in
accidentally into the shop, and Millar shewed him the ms.
Hume took it into a room adjoining the shop, examined it
here and there for about an hour, and then said to Andrew, print. By this work Skelton made about 200l. The
bookseller allowed him for the manuscript a great many
copies, which he disposed of among the citizens of London, with whom, on account of his preaching, he was a
great favourite. He always spake with high approbation of
the kindness with which he was received by many eminent
merchants. When in London he spent a great part of his
time in going through the city, purchasing books at a cheap
rate, with the greater part of the money he got by his
“Deism revealed,
” and formed a good library. This work
was published in 1749, in two volumes, large octavo, and
a second edition was called for in 1751, which waacomprized in two volumes 12mo. It has ever been considered
as a masterly answer to the cavils of deists; but the style
in this, as in some other of his works, is not uniform, and
his attempts at wit are rather too frequent, and certainly
not very successful. A few months after its publication
the bishop of Clogher, Dr. Clayton, was asked by Sherlock, bishop of London, if he knew the author. “O yes,
he has been a curate in my diocese near these twenty
years.
” “More shame for your lordship,
” answered Sherlock, “to let a man of his merit continue so long a curate
in your diocese.
”
eary solitude, and relieve his indigent parishioners with the money. Watson, a bookseller in Dublin, who had advertised then: for sale without success, at last bought
In 1757 a remarkable dearth prevailed in Ireland, and no where more than in Mr. Skelton’s parish. The scenes of distress which he witnessed would now appear scarcely credible. He immediately set himself to alleviate the wants of his flock, by purchases of meal, &c. at other markets, until he had exhausted all his money, and then he had recourse to a sacrifice which every man of learning will duly appreciate. He resolved to sell his books, almost the only comfort he had in this dreary solitude, and relieve his indigent parishioners with the money. Watson, a bookseller in Dublin, who had advertised then: for sale without success, at last bought them himself for 80l. and immediately paid the money. Soon after they were advertised, two ladies, lady Barrymore and a Miss Leslie, who guessed at Skelton’s reason for selling his hooks, sent him So/, requesting him to keep his books, and relieve his poor with the money; but Skelton, with many expressions of gratitude, told them he had dedicated his books to God, and he must sell them; and accordingly both sums were applied to the relief of his parishioners. Every heart warms at the recital of such an act of benevolence, and all reflections on it would lessen the impression. One other circumstance may be added. The bookseller sold only a part of the books in the course of trade, and those that remained, Mr. Skelton, when he could allord it, took from him at the price he sold them for, but insisted on paying interest for the sum they amounted to, for the time Mr. Watson had them in his possession.
y the superstitious. In 1758, Dr. Clayton, bishop of Clogher, died, and was succeeded by Dr. Garnet, who treated Mr. Skelton with the respect he deserved, and in 1759
About 1758, a pamphlet appeared in Dublin, entitled
“An Appeal to the common sense of all Christian people,
”
an artful defence of Arianism, an answer to which was
written by Mr. Skelton, in the opinion of his biographer, in a masterly manner and style, exceeding any
of hi* former compositions. But as the “Appeal
” sunk
into obscurity, the answer was not inserted in the edition
of his works published in 1770. Here, however, maybe
found a description of Longh-Derg, which he wrote about
this time, a place much visited by the superstitious. In
1758, Dr. Clayton, bishop of Clogher, died, and was succeeded by Dr. Garnet, who treated Mr. Skelton with the
respect he deserved, and in 1759 gave him the living of
Devenish, in the county of Fermanagh, near Enniskillen,
worth about 300l. a year, and thus he was brought once
more into civilized society. When leaving Pettigo, he
said to the poor, “Give me your blessing now before I go,
and God’s blessing be with you. When you are in great
distress, come to me, and I '11 strive to relieve you.
” In
this new charge, he exerted the same zeal to instruct his
flock both in public and private, and the same benevolence
toward the poor which had made him so great a benefit to
his former people. W r e must refer to his biographer for
numerous proofs, for which his memory continues still to
be held in high veneration. In 17oG, the bishop of
Clogher removed him from Devenish to the living of Fintona,
in the county of Tyrone, worth at least 100l. more than the
other. He was now in the fifty-ninth year of his age.
“God Almighty,
” he used to say, “was very kind to me:
when I began to advance in years and stood in need of a
horse and servant, he gave me a living. Then he gave me
two livings, one after another, each of which was worth a
hundred a year more than the preceding. I have therefore
been rewarded by him, even in this world, far above my
deserts.
”
of his practices to distribute money, even in times of moderate plenty, among indigent housekeepers, who were struggling to preserve a decent appearance. He was also
In his latter days, when the air of Fintona became too keen for him, he passed some of his winters in Dublin, and there was highly valued for his preaching, which, in the case of charities, was remarkably successful. During a dearth, owing to the decline of the yarn manufactory at Fintona, he again exhausted his whole property in relieving the poor, and again sold his books for 100l. He said he was now too old to use them; but the real cause was, that he wanted the money to give to the poor, and the year after he bestowed on them 60l. It was one of his practices to distribute money, even in times of moderate plenty, among indigent housekeepers, who were struggling to preserve a decent appearance. He was also the kind and liberal patron of such of their children as had abilities, and could, by his urgent application and interest, be advanced in the world.
hich he had left unfinished, came into the hands of Thomas Henshaw, esq. of Kensington, near London, who corrected, digested, and added to them, his additions being
He wrote “Prolegomena Etymologica;
” “Etymologicon
linguae Anglicanae;
” “Etymologicon Botanicum;
” “Etymologica Expositio vocum forensium;
” “Etymoiogicon vocum omnium Anglicarum;
” “Etymologicon Onomasticon.
”
After his death these works, which he had left unfinished,
came into the hands of Thomas Henshaw, esq. of Kensington, near London, who corrected, digested, and added to
them, his additions being marked with the letter H: and
after this, prefixing an epistle to the reader, published them
with this title, “Etymologicon Linguae Anglicanse,
” &,c.
n of king James,” Lond. 1621, fol. in Latin and English verse, with historical notes, which Granger, who calls this Slater’s “capital work,” thinks the most valuable
, a learned divine
and poet, was born in Somersetshire in 1587, and was admitted a member of St. Mary hall, Oxford, in 1600, whence
he removed to Brasenose college in 1607. In the following year he took his degree of B. A. and was chosen to a
fellowship. He took his master’s degree in 1611, entered
into holy orders, and was beneficed. In 1623 he took his
degrees in divinity, and bad by this time acquired very
considerable reputation for his poetical talent, and his
knowledge in English history. He died at Otterden in
Kent, where he was beneficed, in Oct. or Nov. 1647. His
works are, 1. “Threnodia, sive Pandioniuni,
” &c. being
elegies and epitaphs on the queen Anne of Denmark, to
whom he had been chaplain. It is a quarto of four sheets,
printed in 1619. The elegies and epitaphs are in Hebrew,
Greek, Latin, and English verses, and some of them in
the fantastical shape of pillars, circles, &c. 2. “PaltcAlbion, or the History of Great Britain from the first peopling of this island to the reign of king James,
” Lond. capital work,
” thinks
the most valuable part. 3. “Genethliacon, sive stemma
regis Jacobi,
” Lond. The Psalms of David, in fowre languages,
Hebrew, Greeke, Latin, and English, and in 4 parts,
set to the tunes of our church, with corrections,
”
rder. He went through his first studies in his own country, together with the learned John Sturmius, who was born in the same town with himself; and afterwards removed,
, an excellent German historian, was born in 1506, at Sleiden, a small town upon the confines of the duchy of Juliers, whence he derived his name. His origin, according to Varillas, was so obscure, that not knowing the name of his father, he adopted that of his birth-place; but this is the report of an enemy, as his father’s name was Philip, and his family not of the lower order. He went through his first studies in his own country, together with the learned John Sturmius, who was born in the same town with himself; and afterwards removed, first to Paris, and then to Orleans, where he studied the law for three years. He took the degree of licentiate in this faculty, but, having always an aversion to the bar, he continued his pursuits chiefly in polite literature. Uporf his return to Paris, he was recommended by his friend Sturmius, in 1535, to John Du Bellay, archbishop and cardinal; who conceived such an affection for him, that he settled on him a pension, and communicated to him affairs of the greatest importance; for Sleidan had a turn for business, as well as letters. He accompanied the ambassador of France to the diet of Haguenan, but returned to Paris, and remained there till it was not safe for him to stay any longer, as he was inclined to the sentiments of the reformers. In 1542 he retired to Strasburg, where he acquired the esteem and friendship of the most considerable persons, and especially of James Sturmius; by whose counsel he undertook, and by whose assistance he was enabled, to write the history of his own time. He was employed in some uegociations both to France and England; and, in one of these journeys, he met with a lady whom he married in 1546. About the same time the princes of the league of Smalcald honoured him with the title of their historiographer, and granted him a pension, and when he lost this by the dissolution of the league in 1547, the republic of Strasburgh gave him another. In 1551, he went, on the part of the republic, to the council of Trent; but, the troops of Maurice, elector of Saxony, obliging that council to break up, he returned to Strasburgh without having transacted any business. He was employed in other affairs of state, when the death of his wife, in 1555, plunged him into a deep melancholy, with such a total loss of memory, as that he did not know his own children. Some imputed this to poison; and others to natural causes. It ended, however, in his death, at Strasburg, Oct. 31, 1556, in the fiftieth year of his age.
ry branches of physic in London, particularly chemistry, under Mr. Strafforth, an excellent chemist, who had been pupil to the celebrated Stahl. He also studied his
The younger years of sir Hans Sloane were marked by a strong attachment to the works of nature, in the contemplation of which he passed his leisure hours, until his studies of every kind were, in his sixteenth year, interrupted by a spitting of blood, which confined him to his room for three years. When, by strict regimen and abstinence, he had recovered, he studied the preliminary branches of physic in London, particularly chemistry, under Mr. Strafforth, an excellent chemist, who had been pupil to the celebrated Stahl. He also studied his favourite science of botany at Chelsea garden, which was then but just established, and, young as he was, contracted during that time an acquaintance with Boyie and Ray.
Plantartim,” with proper acknowledgments. At London Dr. Sloane became the favourite of Dr. Sydenham, who took him into his house, and zealously promoted his interest
After four years thus employed, he visited France for
improvement, in company with Mr. (afterwards sir) Tancred
llobinson, M. D. (see his life, vol. XXVI.) and another
student. At Paris he attended the lectures of Tournefort
and Du Verney; and is supposed to have taken his degrees
in medicine at Montpellierj some say at Orange. At
Montpellier he was recommended by Tournefort to M. Chirac, then chancellor and professor of that university, and
by his means to other learned men, particularly Magnol,
whom he always accompanied in his botanical excursions,
and derived much benefit from his instructions. He returned to London at the latter end of 1684, and immediately went to visit his illustrious friends Boyle and Ray.
The latter was now retired and settled at Black Notley in
Essex. Dr. Sloane sent him a great variety of plants and
seeds, which Ray has described in his “Historia Plantartim,
” with proper acknowledgments. At London Dr.
Sloane became the favourite of Dr. Sydenham, who took
him into his house, and zealously promoted his interest in
the way of practice. On Jan. 21, 1685, he was elected a
fellow of the Royal Society, and in April 1687, entered
into the college of physicians. Such early advancements
in his profession are the strongest presumptions in favour of
his superior knowledge, and promising abilities. Yet these
flattering prospects he relinquished, to gratify his ardour for
natural knowledge.
s to his successor, he constantly applied the money to the relief of those belonging to the hospital who most wanted it. In the preceding year, 1693, he had been elected
Dr. Sloane returned from his voyage, May 29, 1689, and
fixing in London, soon became eminent. In 169-1 he was
chosen physician to Christ’s hospital, which station he filled
until age and infirmities obliged him to resign in 1730, and
although he punctually received every year the emolument
of his office, because he would not set a precedent that
might be disadvantageous to his successor, he constantly
applied the money to the relief of those belonging to the
hospital who most wanted it. In the preceding year, 1693,
he had been elected secretary to the Royal Society, and
had revived the publication of the “Philosophical Transactions,
” which had been interrupted from the year
he queen’s consent was necessary to the acceptance of it. He was frequently consulted by queen Anne, who, in ber last illness, was blooded by him. On the accession of
In 1708, he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, a distinction of the highest estimation in science, and the greater at that time, as the French nation was at war with England, and the queen’s consent was necessary to the acceptance of it. He was frequently consulted by queen Anne, who, in ber last illness, was blooded by him. On the accession of George I. he was created a baronet, being the first English physician on whom an hereditary title of honour had been conferred. He was appointed physician general to the army, which office he enjoyed till 1727, when he was made physician to George II. He also gained the confidence of queen Caroline, and prescribed for the royal family until his death.
ceived, as in London, the visits of persons of rank, of all learned foreigners, of the royal family, who sometimes did him. that honour; and never refused admittance
Having thus resigned all his public employments, he left London in May 1741, and retired to his house at Chelsea, the manor of which he had purchased in 1712, and to which he removed his museum. Here he received, as in London, the visits of persons of rank, of all learned foreigners, of the royal family, who sometimes did him. that honour; and never refused admittance or advice to any, whether rich or poor, who came to consult him concerning their health. Hitherto his great temperance had preserved him from experiencing the infirmities of old age, but in his ninetieth year, he complained of frequent "pains, and was sensible of an universal decay, the progress of which he bore with complacency, and after an illness of only three days, expired Jan. 11, 1752. He was interred on the 18th at Chelsea, in the same vault with his lady, who died in 1724. She was the daughter of alderman Langley of London, and married to Dr. Sloane in 1695. Of this marriage two daughters only survived him, the eldest of whom was married to George Stanley, esq. of Hampshire, and the younger to lord Cadogan.
s frequently solicited by distressed persons of all classes, and, as is usual in such cases, by many who abused his bounty. To foreigners he was extremely courteous,
Sir Hans Sloane was tall and well made in his person; easy, polite, and engaging in his manners; sprightly in his conversation, and obliging to all. It appears by his correspondence in the British Museum that he was a man. of great benevolence, and from that character, was frequently solicited by distressed persons of all classes, and, as is usual in such cases, by many who abused his bounty. To foreigners he was extremely courteous, and ready to shew and explain his curiosities to all who gave him timely notice' of their visit. He kept an open table once a week for his learned friends, particularly those of the Royal Society. In the aggregation of his vast collection of books, he is said to have sent his duplicates, either to the royal college of physicians, or to the Bodleian library.
is life-time, he left a more considerable legacy at his death. He was ever a benefactor to the poor, who felt the consequences of his death severely. He was zealous
He was governor of almost every hospital in London; and to each, after having given 100l. in his life-time, he left a more considerable legacy at his death. He was ever a benefactor to the poor, who felt the consequences of his death severely. He was zealous in promoting the establishment of the colony of Georgia in 1732; and formed himself the plan for bringing up the children in the Foundling hospital in 1739. In 1721 he gave the freehold of the ground at Chelsea, near four acres, on which the botanical garden stood, to the company of apothecaries, on condition chat the demonstrator should, in the name of the company, deliver annually to the Royal Society, fifty new plants, till the number should amount to 2000, all specifically different from each other; the list of which was published yearly in the Philosophical Transactions. The first wa printed in 1722, and the catalogues were continued until 1773, at which time the number 2550 was completed. These specimens are duly preserved in the archives of the society, for the inspection of the curious.
n. For this our author was indebted to the celebrated antiquary Ashmole, also a native of Lichfield, who, discerning his capacity, sent him to Westminster-school in
, a learned prelate, was born in 1663,at Lichfield in Staffordshire, where his father followed the business of a dyer, but appears not to have been in opulent circumstances, as he was unable to give his son a liberal education. For this our author was indebted to the celebrated antiquary Ashmole, also a native of Lichfield, who, discerning his capacity, sent him to Westminster-school in 1G78. Here he was soon distinguished as a young man of parts and application, and acquired particular notice by the classical turn of his exercises. Two years after, he wrote two elegies, one in Latin and the other in English, on the death of Lilly, the astrologer, out of gratitude, we are told, to his patron Ashmole, a great admirer of Lilly. Whatever the poetical merit of these elegies, we may say, in reference to the subject, that they would now be thought ironical.
Dr. Smalridge, who had long been admired as a preacher, was chosen lecturer of
Dr. Smalridge, who had long been admired as a preacher, was chosen lecturer of St. Dunstan’s in the West, London, in Jan. 1708, and for some time quitted the university. His early acquaintance with Atterbury had now been improved into a great degree of intimacy and friendship, arising no doubt, from a similarity of sentiments and studies; and in 1710 Dr. Smalridge had an opportunity of giving a public testimony of his regard for Atterbury, by promoting his advancement to the prolocutor’s chair in the lower house of convocation, and presenting him to the upper house, in an elegant speech, which was much admired, and afterwards printed. In this speech he even touches on Atterbury’s warmth in controversy, with considerable delicacy indeed, but in a manner that became one who would not deceive the learned body he was addressing. Smalridge himself was not much of a party man, and studiously avoided an intemperate interference in disputed points respecting either church or state, unless where his principles might be called in question, or his silence misunderstood.
ury; but he soon regained his favour with the princess of Wales at least, afterwards queen Caroline, who was his steady patron till his death.
In the following year, 1711, he resigned the lectureship of St. Dunstan’s, having been made one of the canons of Christ-church, on the same day that Atterbury was made dean; and the latter having resigned the deanery of Carlisle, Dr. Smalridge succeeded him in that preferment, as he did likewise in the deanery of Christ-church, in 17 Is, when Atterbury was made bishop of Rochester. In 1714 Dr. Smalridge was consecrated bishop of Bristol, and the queen soon after appointed him her lord almoner, in which capacity he for some time served her successor George I.; but refusing to sign the declaration which the archbishop of Canterbury and the bishops in and about London had drawn up against the rebellion in 1715, he was removed from that place. In this measure he probably was influenced by Atterbury; but he soon regained his favour with the princess of Wales at least, afterwards queen Caroline, who was his steady patron till his death.
s of Wales procured a pension of 300l. a-year for the widow, and a prebend of Worcester for the son, who afterwards received the living of C bristleton near Chester,
Newton says the Biographia Britannica is wrong about his
family, and “that he left a widow and three children, a son
named Philip and two daughters, both sensible clever women. Caroline princess of Wales procured a pension of
300l. a-year for the widow, and a prebend of Worcester
for the son, who afterwards received the living of C bristleton near Chester, from sir Roger Mostyn, and had the
chancellorship of Worcester conferred upon him by bishop
Hough, out of regard to his father’s memory. A subscription too was opened, and nobly promoted for the publication of sixty of the Bishop’s Sermons; some of which, it
must be confessed, are unequal to the rest, but it is some
excuse that they were never designed for the press.
”
have nowhere else met with. “In this state of exigence those ladies were visited by Mr. Wairtwrigbt, who had been some years register to that diocese, and had, by the
Bishop Newton adds that he had Bristol, the poorest
bishopric, and Christ-church the most expensive deanery
in the kingdom. This seems to confirm in some degree
what Mr. Skelton says in his “Hylema.
” “The bishopric
of Bristol is one of the lowest in point of income among the
English sees. Hence it was that Dr. Smalridge, at his
decease, was not able to leave even a tolerable subsistence
to his widow and two daughters.
” Mr. Skelton adds a
noble instance of liberality, which we have nowhere else
met with. “In this state of exigence those ladies were
visited by Mr. Wairtwrigbt, who had been some years
register to that diocese, and had, by the profits of his place,
and other practice of the law, acquired 3000l. This sum,
his all, he with difficulty prevailed on the widow and her
daughters to accept.
” Mr. Skelton informs us that when
queen Caroline heard of this liberal act from Mrs. Smalridge, she was so pleased with Mr. Wain Wright’s conduct,
as to send him to Ireland, as a baron of the Exchequer.
and what in her circumstances became desirable, the notice and protection of his father’s relations. Who they were we are not told, but young Smart was very cordially
Smart was born earlier than the usual period of gestation,
and to this circumstance his biographer ascribes that delicacy of constitution which rendered him unequal to the
indulgences of men of vigour and gaiety. His taste for
poetry is said to have appeared when he was only four years
old, in an extempore effusion, which has not been preserved, but which is said to have indicated a relish for verse,
and an ear for numbers. He was educated at Maidstone
until he was eleven years old, at which time his father
died, and his mother was induced to send him to Durham,
where he might enjoy the advantages of a good school,
change of air, and what in her circumstances became desirable, the notice and protection of his father’s relations.
Who they were we are not told, but young Smart was very
cordially received at Raby Castle, by lord Barnard, and in
this family obtained the friendship of the hon. Mrs. Hope,
and the more substantial patronage of the late duchess of
Cleveland, who allowed him forty pounds a year until her
death, in 1742. His gratitude to these noble personages
is amply testified by his “Ode to lord Barnard,
” whom he
particularly acknowledges as one who encouraged his youthful studies. It was probably owing to the liberality of the
same family that, after he had acquired very considerable
reputation at Durham school, he was sent to Cambridge,
in his seventeenth year, and admitted of Pembroke Hall,
Oct. 30, 1739.
Smart, as a young man, aiming at poetical honours, was gratified with the letters of Pope; and Pope, who was ever alive to extent of fame, was not sorry to find his
During the early part of his residence at Cambridge he
wrote the Tripos poems, among his works, a species of
composition of which it is not often that much notice is
taken, but the merit of Smart’s verses was immediately
and generally acknowledged. When afterwards, by the
advice of his friends, he offered himself as a candidate for
an university scholarship, he is said to have translated
Pope’s Ode on St. Cecilia’s day into Latin. But this is
doubted by his biographer, on account of the length and
labour of the composition. He must, however, have executed that translation about this time, as the applause it
received induced him to turn his mind to other translations
from the same author, and to write to him for his advice
or approbation, which produced a correspondence very
flattering on both sides. Smart, as a young man, aiming
at poetical honours, was gratified with the letters of Pope;
and Pope, who was ever alive to extent of fame, was not
sorry to find his works introduced on the continent in a classical form. Smart proceeded, accordingly, to translate the
“Essay on Criticism,
” of all Pope’s writings, perhaps the
most unfit for the purpose; but it brought him into some
reputation with scholars.
s riding out, by jumping from his horse and plunging into the flood to rescue the distressed damsel, who was near perishing in the stream, into which she had fallen
In 1743, he was admitted to the degree of bachelor of
arts; and July 3, 1745, was elected a fellow of Pembroke
hall. About this time, he wrote a comedy, of which a fevr
songs only remain; and a ludicrous soliloquy of the Princess Periwinkle, preserved in the Old Woman’s Magazine.
The play was called “A Trip to Cambridge, or the Grateful Fair.
” The business of the drama, says his biographer,
“was laid in bringing up an old country baronet to admit
his nephew a fellow commoner at one of the colleges in,
which expedition a daughter or niece attended. In their approach to the seat of the Muses, the waters from a heavy rain
happened to be out at Fenstauton, which gave a youug student
of Emmanuel an opportunity of shewing his gallantry as he
was riding out, by jumping from his horse and plunging
into the flood to rescue the distressed damsel, who was near
perishing in the stream, into which she had fallen from her
poney, as the party travelled on horseback. The swain
being lucky enough to effect his purpose, of course gained
an interest in the lady’s heart, and an acquaintance with
the rest of the family, which he did not fail to cultivate on
their arrival at Cambridge, with success as far as the fair
one was concerned. To bring about the consent of the
father (or guardian, fur my memory is not accurate), it
was contrived to have a play acted, of which entertainment
he was highly fond; and the Norwich company luckily
came to Cambridge just at that time; only one of the actors had been detained on the road; and they could not
perform the plav that night, unless the baronet would consent to take apart; which, rather than be disappointed
of his favourite amusement, he was prevailed upon to do,
especially as he was assured that it would amount to nothing
more than sitting at a great table, and signing an instrument,
as a justice of peace might sign a warrant: and having
been some years of the quorum, he felt himself quite equal
to the undertaking. The tinder-play to he acted by the
Norwich company on this occasion, was the ‘ Bloody War
of the King of Diamonds with the King of Spades;’ and
the actors in it came on with their respective emblems
on their shoulders, taken from the suits of the cards they
represented. The baronet was the king of one of the parties, and in signing a declaration of war, signed his consent
to the marriage of his niece or daughter, and a surrender
of all her fortune.
” This farce vvas acted at Pembroke-college-hall, the parlour of which made the green-room.
introduced to this gentleman’s family by Dr. Burney, the celebrated author of the History of Music, who composed several of Smart’s songs, and enriched the coilection
In 1747, Smart took the degree of master of arts, and
became a candidate for the Seatonian prize, which was
adjudged to himfor five years, four of them in succession.
The Mibjects of his poems were, “The Eternity,
” March
5, 1750. “The Immensity,
” April 20, 1751. “The
Omniscience,
” Nov. 1, 1752. “The Power,
” Dec. 5, 1753.
and “The Goodness of the Supreme Being,
” Oct. 28, 1755.
It is probable he might have succeeded in the year 1754,
but his thoughts were for some time diverted by an important change in his situation. In 1753 he quitted college.
on his marriage with Miss Ann-Maria Carnan, the daughter
by a former husband of Mary wife of the hue worthy Mr.
John Newbery. He had been introduced to this gentleman’s family by Dr. Burney, the celebrated author of the
History of Music, who composed several of Smart’s songs,
and enriched the coilection of his works published in 1791
with some original compositions not generally known tobelong to our poet. Before this time, Smart had occasionally visited London, and had relinquished the prospects
of any regular profession. In 1751 he published his Seatonian poem on the “Immensity of the Supreme Being:
”
and about the same time appears to have been engaged
with Newbery in a general scheme of authorship. He had
a ready turn for original composition, both in prose and
verse, and as Newbery projected many works in the form
of periodical miscellanies, must have been an useful coadjutor. During the years 1750 and 1751 he was a frequent
contributor to the “Student, or Oxford and Cambridge
Miscellany,
” and carried on at the same time “The Midwife, or the Old Woman’s Magazine,
” a small periodical
pamphlet, which was published in three-penny numbers,
and was afterwards collected into three volumes, 12mo.
Smart and Newbery were almost the sole writers in this
last work, which consists of short pieces in prose and verse,
mostly of the humorous kind, and generally in a style of
humour which in our more polished days would be reckoned
somewhat coarse.
ir being entered in the hallbook of the stationers’ company, and threatened to prosecute all persons who should pirate them, or any part of them. As he affected to conceal
During the publication of the “Midwife,
” he wrote the
prologue and epilogue to Othello, when acted at Drurylane theatre by the Delaval family and their friends. Of
the importance of this prologue and epilogue he had so high
an opinion, that when he published them, in March 1751,
he added a solemn notice of their being entered in the hallbook of the stationers’ company, and threatened to prosecute all persons who should pirate them, or any part of
them. As he affected to conceal his share in the “Midwife,
”
he permits that old lady to copy these articles “because a
work of merit printed in that Magazine is as a brilliant set
in gold, and increased, not diminished, in its lustre.
” He
was now acquiring the various arts of puffing, and he ever
preserved a much higher opinion of his works than even his
best friends could allow to be just. Among other schemes,
to which it is to be regretted a man of talents should descend, we find him about the beginning of 1752, endeavouring to amuse the town with a kind of farcical performance, called the “Old Woman’s Oratory,
” intended partly
to ridicule orator Henley’s buffooneries, and partly to promote the sale of the Old Woman’s Magazine. In neither
of these was he very successful; the magazine was soon
discontinued for want of encouragement, and Henley was
a man whose absurdities could be heightened only by
himself.
uld afford a very unfavourable opinion of our author’s character, had it not been an attack on a man who had rendered himself ridiculous and contemptible by practising
“The Hilliad,
” which is perhaps one of the most bitter
satires ever published, would afford a very unfavourable
opinion of our author’s character, had it not been an attack
on a man who had rendered himself ridiculous and contemptible by practising with unblushing effrontery every
species of literary and medical quackery. According to
Smart, Hill gave the first public provocation, in one of his
“Inspectors,
” where he accuses Smart of ingratitude. Hill
alledged that he had been the cause of Smart’s being
brought up to town; that he had been at all times his friend,
and had supported his character; and, long before he appeared as “Inspector,
” he spoke well of those pieces, on
the merit of which Smart’s fortune at that time depended;
he hints also among other favours, that he had been the
means of introducing him to Newbery; and for all this, the
only return Smart made was by an abusive poem, “a long
elaborate work, which he has read at alehouses and cyder
cellars, and if any bookseller will run the risk, will publish.
”
To this heavy accusation, Smart pleaded not guilty in
totOy solemnly declaring in an advertisement in the Daily
Gazetteer, that he never received the least favour from
Hill, directly or indirectly, unless an invitation to dinner,
which he never accepted, might be reckoned such. He
denied at the same time having ever been in his company
but twice, the first time at Mr. Newbery’s, the second at
Vauxhall gardens; and asserts that Hill had been his enemy
as much as it was in his power, particularly in the “Impertinent,
” another of his papers, in which he abuses not only
Smart, but Fielding, who was his particular friend. This
declaration was corroborated by an advertisement from honest Newbery, who adds that he introduced Smart to Hill,
six months after the former had engaged with himself
(Newbery) in business, when they met as perfect strangers.
With respect to Hill’s assertion that he had been the means
of introducing Smart to Mr. Newbery, the latter declares
it to be an absolute falsehood.
. Smart’s acquaintance were likewise forward in their services; and particularly Dr. Samuel Johnson, who, on the first approaches of Mr Smart’s malady, wrote several
In 1754, Smart published the Seatonian prize poem ou
the “Power,
” and in Goodness of the
Supreme Being; and in the same year, his
” Hymn to the
Supreme Being,“on recovery from, a dangerous, fit of illness, which illness seems to have filled up the space between
the years 1754 and part of 1756.
” Though the fortune,“says his hiographer,
” as well as the constitution of Mr.
Smart, required the utmost care, he was equally negligent
in the management of both, and his various and repeated
embarrassments acting upon an imagination uncommonly
fervid, produced temporary alienations of mind; which at
last were attended with paroxysms so violent and continued
as to render confinement necessary. In this melancholy
state, his family, for he had now two children, must have
been much embarrassed in their circumstances, but for the
kind friendship and assistance of Mr. Newbery. Many other
of Mr. Smart’s acquaintance were likewise forward in their
services; and particularly Dr. Samuel Johnson, who, on
the first approaches of Mr Smart’s malady, wrote several
papers for a periodical publication in which that gentleman
was concerned, to secure his claim to a share in the profits
of it."
esses, indeed, that he had been encouraged to think that such a translation would be useful to those who are desirous of acquiring or recovering a competent knowledge
Smart’s madness, according to Dr. Johnson’s account,
discovered itself chiefly in unnecessary deviations from the
usual modes of the world, in things ibat are not improper
in themselves. He would fall upon his knees and say his
prayers in the street, or in any unusual place, and insisted
on people praying with him. His habits were also remark,
ably slovenly, but he had not often symptoms of dangerous
lunacy, and the principal reason of his confinement was to
give his constitution a chance of recovering from the eifr cts
of intemperance. After his release, when his mind appeared
to be in some measure restored, he took a pleasant lodging
in the neighbourhood of St. James’s park, and conducted
his affairs for some time with prudence. He was maintained
partly by his literary occupations, and partly by the generosity of his friends, receiving-, among other benefactions,
fifty pounds a year from the treasury, but by whose interest
his biographer has not been able to discover. In 1757 he
published a prose translation of the works of “Horace.
”
From this performance he could derive little fame. He
professes, indeed, that he had been encouraged to think
that such a translation would be useful to those who are desirous of acquiring or recovering a competent knowledge
of the Latin tongue, but the injury done to learners by
literal translations was at this time too generally acknowledged to allow him the full force of this apology.
ed after a short illness occasioned by a disorder in his liver, May 18, 1770, leaving two daughters, who, with his widow, were long settled at Reading, and by their
His last publication, in 1768, exhibited a more striking
proof of want of judgment than any of his late performances.
It was entitled “The Parables of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. Done into familiar verse, with occasional applications for the use of younger minds,
” This was dedicated
to Master Bonnel George Thornton, a child of three years
old, and is written in that species of verse which would be
tolerated only in the nursery. In what manner he lived
during his latter years, his biographer has not informed us;
but at length he was confined for debt in the King’s-bench
prison, the rules of which were obtaiued for him by his
brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Carnan. Here he died after
a short illness occasioned by a disorder in his liver, May 18,
1770, leaving two daughters, who, with his widow, were
long settled at Reading, and by their prudent management
of the.bookselling trade, transferred to them by the late Mr.
John Newbery, were enabled to maintain a very respectable rank in life.
ng the want of proper dates, and other circumstances illustrative of the literary character of a man who, with all his failings, had many amiable qualities. Of his personal
In 1791, a collection of his poetical pieces was formed, to which were prefixed some memoirs of his life collected from his relations. Of these much use has been nade in the present sketch, but it has been found necessary to employ considerable research in supplying the want of proper dates, and other circumstances illustrative of the literary character of a man who, with all his failings, had many amiable qualities. Of his personal character, the following particulars yet remain to he added from the Memoirs.
conversation, the following extemporary spondaic, descriptive of the three Bedels of the university, who were at that time all very fat men, is still remembered by his
"His piety was exemplary and fervent; it may not be uninteresting to the reader to be told, that Mr. Smart, in composing the religious poems, was frequently so impressed with the sentiment of devotion, as to write particular passages on his knees. He was friendly, affectionate, and liberal to excess; so as often to give that to others, of which he was in the utmost want himself; he was also particularly engaging in conversation, when his first shyness was worn away; which he had in common with literary men, but in a very remarkable degree. Having undertaken to introduce his wife to my lord Darlington, with whom he was well acquainted; he had no sooner mentioned her name to his lordship, than he retreated suddenly, as if stricken with a panic, from the room, and from the house, leaving her to follow overwhelmed with confusion. As an instance of the wit of his conversation, the following extemporary spondaic, descriptive of the three Bedels of the university, who were at that time all very fat men, is still remembered by his academical acquaintance.
he law did not suit the bent of his genius, he wrote a strong memorial on the subject to his father, who had the good sense to allow him from that time to pursue the
The father of Mr. Stneaton was an attorney, and wished
to bring him up to the same profession. Mr. Smeaton
therefore, came up to London in 1742, and attended the
courts in Westminster-hull; but, finding that the law did
not suit the bent of his genius, he wrote a strong memorial
on the subject to his father, who had the good sense to
allow him from that time to pursue the path which nature
pointed for him. Early in 1750 he had lodgings in Turnstile, Holborn, and was commencing the business of a mathematical-instrument-maker. In 1751 be invented a machine to measure a ship’s way at sea, and a compass of
peculiar construction, touched by Dr. Knight’s artificial
magnets: and made two voyages with Dr. Knight, to ascertain the merit of his contrivances. In 1753 he was
elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and the number of
his papers inserted in the Transactions of that body sufficiently evinces how highly he deserved that distinction.
In 1759 he received, by an unanimous vote, their gold
medal, for his pape/ entitled “An Experimental Enquiry
concerning the natural Powers of Wind and Water to turn
Mills, and other MacJiines depending on a circular Motion.
” This paper, he says, was the result of experiments
made on working models, in 1752 and 1753, but not communicated to the society till 1759; before which time he
had not an opportunity of putting the effect of these experiments into real practice, in a variety of cases, and for
various purposes, so as to assure the society that he had
found them to answer. These experiments discovered that
wind and water could be made to do one-third more than
was before known, and they were made, we may observe,
in his 27th anil 28th years.
e found hardy enough to undertake it. Such a man was first found in the person of Mr. H. Winstanley, who, in 3696, was furnished by the Trinity-house with the necessary
Indeed his building the Eddystone lighthouse, were there no other monument of his fame, would establish his character. The Eddystone rocks have obtained their name from the great variety of contrary sets of the tide or current in their vicinity. They are situated nearly S. S. W. from the middle of Plymouth Sound. Their distance from the port of Plymouth is about 14 miles. They are almost in the line which joins the Start and the Lizard points; and as they lie nearly in the direction of vessels coasting up and down the channel, they were unavoidably, before the establishment of a lighthouse there, very dangerous, and often fatal to ships. Their situation with regard to the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic is such, that they lie open to the swells of the bay and ocean, from all the southwestern points of the compass; so that all the heavy seas from the south-west quarter come uncontrolled upon the Eddystone rocks, and break upon them with the utmost fury. Sometimes, xvhen the sea is to all appearance smooth and even, and its surface unruffled by the slightest breeze, the ground swell meeting the slope of the rocks, the sea beats upon them in a frightful manner, so as not only to obstruct any work being done on the rock, or even landing upon it, when, figuratively speaking, you might go to sea in a walnut-shell. That circumstances fraught with danger surrounding it should lead mariners to wish for a lighthouse, is not wonderful; but the danger attending the erection leads us to wonder that any one could be found hardy enough to undertake it. Such a man was first found in the person of Mr. H. Winstanley, who, in 3696, was furnished by the Trinity-house with the necessary powers. In 1700 it was finished; but in the great storm of November 1703, it was destroyed, and the projector perished in the ruins. In 1709 another, upon a different construction, was erected by a Mr. lludyerd, which, in 1755, was unfortunately consumed by fire. The next building was under the direction of Mr. Smeaton, who, having considered the errors of the former constructions, has judiciously guarded against them, and erected a building, the demolition of which seems little to be dreaded, unless the rock on which it is erected should perish with it. But although Mr. Saieaton completed the building of the Eddystone lighthouse in a manner that did him so much credit, it does not appear that he soon got into full business as a civil engineer; for in 17G4, while he was in Yorkshire, he offered himself a candidate for the place of one of the receivers of the Derwentvvater Restate. This place was conferred upon him at a full board in Greenwich hospital, the last day of the same year, notwithstanding a powerful opposition. He was very serviceable in it, by improving the mills, and the estates belonging to the hospital; but in 1775 his private business was so much increased that he wished to resign, though he was prevailed upon to hold it two years longer. He was now concerned in many important public works. He made the river Calcler navigable; a work that required great skill and judgment, on account of the very impetuous floods to which that river is liable. He planned and superintended the execution of the great canal in Scotland, which joins the two seas; and was supposed to prevent the falling of Londonbridge, when that event was apprehended, on the opening of the great arch. In 1771 he became joint proprietor, with his friend Mr. Holmes, of the works for supplying Greenwich and Deptford with water, an undertaking which they succeeded in making useful to the public and beneficial to the proprietors, which it had never been before. Mr. Smeaton, in the course of his employments, constructed a vast variety of mills, to the entire satisfaction and great advantage of the owners; and he improved whatever he took under his consideration, of the mechanical or philosophical kind. Among many instances of this, we may mention his improvements in the air-pump, the pyrometer, the hygrometer, and the steam engine. He was constantly consulted in parliament, and frequently in the courts of law on difficult questions of science; and his strength of judgment, perspicuity of expression, and strict integrity, always appeared on those occasions to the highest advantage. About 1785, finding his health begin to deciinej Mr. Smeaton wished as much as possible to withdraw himself from business, and to employ his leisure in drawing up and publishing an account of his principal inventions and works. His narrative of the Eddystone lighthouse, already mentioned, was a part of this design, and the only part which he was able to complete. Notwithstanding his wish to retire from business, he could not resist the solicitation of his frit'nd Mr. Aubert, then chairman of the trustees for Ram&gate harbour, to accept the place of engineer to that harbour; and the improvements actually made, as well as his report published by the trustees in 179l, evince the attention which he paid to that important business.
words of his friend Mr. Holmes. “Mr. Smeaton had a warmth of expression, that might appear to those who did not know him to border on harshness, but those more intimately
On the 16th of September 1792, Mr. Smeaton was suddenly struck with paralysis, as he was walking in his garden at Austhorpe, and remaining in a very infirm state,
though in full possession of his faculties, died on the 28th
of the ensuing month. The character of this celebrated
engineer may properly be given in the words of his friend
Mr. Holmes. “Mr. Smeaton had a warmth of expression,
that might appear to those who did not know him to border
on harshness, but those more intimately acquainted with
him, knew it arose from the intense application of his
mind, which was always in the pursuit of truth, or engaged
in investigating difficult subjects. He would sometimes
break out hastily, when any thing was said that did not
tally with his ideas; and he would not give up any tiling
he argued for, till his mind was convinced by sound reasoning. In all the social duties of life, he was exemplary;
he was a most affectionate husband, a good father, a warm,
zealous, and sincere friend, always ready to assist those
he respected, and often before it was pointed out to him
in what way he could serve them. He was a lover and
encourager of merit, wherever he found it; and many men
are in a great measure indebted for their present situation
to his assistance and advice. As a companion he was always entertaining and instructive; and none could spend
their time in his company without improvement.
” As a
man,“adds Mr. H.
” I always admired and respected him,
and his memory will ever be most dear to me." A second
edition of his narrative of the Eddystone, was published in
1793, under the revisal of his friend Mr. Aubert: but
without any addition. The papers of Mr. Smeaton were
purchased of his executors by sir Joseph Banks, under the
voluntary promise of accounting to them, for the profits
of whatever should be published. Accordingly under the
inspection of a society of civil engineers, founded originally by Mr. Smeaton, three 4to volumes of his reports
have been published 1797, &c. with a life prefixed.
During many years of his life, Mr. Smeaton was a constant attendant on parliament, his opinion being continually called for. And here his natural strength of judgment
and perspicuity of expression had their full display. It
was his constant practice, when applied to, to plan or
support any measure, to make himself fully acquainted
with it, and be convinced of its merits, before he would
be concerned in it. By this caution, joined to the clearness of his description, and the integrity of his heart, he
seldom failed having the bill he supported carried into an
ad of parliameut. No person was heard with more attention, nor had any one ever more confidence placed in his
testimony. In the courts of law he had several compliments paid to him from the bench, by the late lord Mansfield and others, on account of the new light he threw
upon difficult subjects.
ebrated as a teacher, having instructed, as he informs us in his practice, nearly a thousand pupils, who assisted, whilst attending his lectures, eleven hundred and
, M. D. an eminent accoucheur, was a native of Scotland, and after some practice in his country, settled in the early part of the last century in London. He was principally celebrated as a teacher, having instructed, as he informs us in his practice, nearly a thousand pupils, who assisted, whilst attending his lectures, eleven hundred and fifty poor women. The women were supported, by a subscription among the pupils, during their lying-in. Dr. Smellie was the first writer who considered the shape and size of the female pelvis, as adapted to the head of the foetus, and who ascertained the position of the latter during the period of gestation; and his opinion has been confirmed by later writers, particularly by Dr. Hunter, who had several opportunities of dissecting women who died undelivered, at different periods of their pregnancy. He also introduced many improvements in delivery and in the use of instruments, and abolished many superstitious notions, and erroneous customs, that prevailed in the management of women in labour, and of the children; and he had the satisfaction to see the greater part of his maxims adopted, not only in this island, but by the most respectable practitioners in the greater part of Europe.
practice recommended in the treatise. These were very soon translated into French by Mons. Preville, who assigns as a motive for the undertaking, the high character
In 1752 he published his lectures; having spent, as he
says, six years in digesting and improving them, under
the title of a “Treatise of Midwifery,
” in one volume, 8vo.
This was followed in 1754, by a volume of cases, intended
to illustrate the method of practice recommended in the
treatise. These were very soon translated into French by
Mons. Preville, who assigns as a motive for the undertaking, the high character the author enjoyed on the continent. Smellie mentions, in the preface to his volume of
cases, his intention of publishing a second volume, to contain a collection of cases in preternatural Jabours, which
would complete his plan. This volume did not appear
until about five years after his death, namely, in 17G8.
“Some years ago,
” the editor says, “the author retired
from business in London, to his native country, where he
employed his leisure hours in methodizing and revising his
papers, and in finishing his collection of cases for this publication. The manuscript was transmitted to the person
who prepared the two former volumes for the press, and
even delivered to the printer, when the doctor died advanced in years, in 1763, at his own house near Lanerk in
North Britain. This, with the two former volumes,
” the
editor continues to say, “we may venture to call a complete system of midwifery. It is the fruit of forty years
experience, enriched with an incredible variety of practice, and contains directions and rules of conduct to be
observed in every case that can possibly occur in the exercise of the obstetric art; rules that have not been deduced
from the theory of a heated imagination, but founded on
solid observation, confirmed by mature reflection, and
reiterated experience.
” This opinion of the merit of the
author, and his work, has been confirmed by the general
suffrage of the public.
ntemporaries. The most formidable of these wasDr. William Burton, practitioner of midwifery at York, who- attacked him with great acrimony; and Dr. William Douglas,
This author had the fate of almost all ingenious men, to
excite the indignation of some of his contemporaries. The
most formidable of these wasDr. William Burton, practitioner of midwifery at York, who- attacked him with great
acrimony; and Dr. William Douglas, who styles himself
physician extraordinary to the prince of Wales, and manmidwife, addressed two letters to Dr. Smellie, in 1748, accusing him of degrading the profession, by teaching midwifery at a very low price, and giving certificates to pupils
who had only attended him a few weeks, by which means
the number of practitioners was enormously multiplied,
and many improper persons admitted. Apothecaries, he
says, resorted to the doctor, from various parts of the
country, and at the end of two or three weeks, returned
to their shops, armed with diplomas signed by the professor,
attesting their proficiency in the art. These were framed
and hung up in the most conspicuous parts of their houses,
and were, without doubt, surveyed with veneration by
their patients. “In your bills,
” he says, “you set forth
that you give a universal lecture in midwifery for half a
guinea, or four lectures for a guinea.
” In these universal
lectures, the whole mystery of the art was to be unfolded.
He charges him also with hanging out a paper lanthorn,
with the words “Midwifery taught here for five shillings,
”
each lecture, we presume. This was certainly an humiliating situation for a man of so much real merit. Dr.
Douglas relates these cases, in which he contends that
Smellie had acted unscientifically; and particularly says,
that he suffered one of the women to die by not giving
timely assistance. To the charges of mal-practice, Dr.
Smellie answered, by giving a full recital of the cases, and
referred to Dr. Sands, and other practitioners, who attended
with him. His answer was so satisfactory, that Dr. Douglas
retracted his charges in his second letter. On the other
points, Smellie was silent. It is probable, that, having
practised the first nineteen years at a small town in Scotland, where medical fees may be supposed to be low, he
might not think the price he demanded for his instructions
so insignificant and inadequate as it really was. Smellie is
said to have been coarse in his penron, and aukward and
unpleasing in his manners, so that he never rose into any
great estimation among persons of rank. On the other
hand, he appears to have had an active and ingenious
mind, with a solid understanding and judgment. He had
a peculiar turn to mechanics, which was evinced by
the alterations he made in the forceps, crotchets, and
scissors, which all received considerable improvements
under his hands; but this was more particularly shewn by
the elegant construction of his phantoms, or machines, on
which he demonstrated the various positions of the foetus
in utero, and the different species of labour. That he
was candid and modest appears through every page of his
works; ready on all occasions to acknowledge the merit of
others, and when correcting their errors assuming no superiority over them. We will conclude this account with
the words of one of his pupils, who appears to have been
well acquainted with his disposition and manners. “No
man was more ready than Dr. Smellie to crave advice and
assistance when danger or difficulty occurred, and no man
was more communicative, without the least self-sufficiency
or ostentation. He never officiously intermeddled in the
concerns of others, or strove to insinuate himself into practice by depreciating the character of his neighbour; but
made his way into business by the dint of merit alone, and
maintained his reputation by the most benelicent and disinterested behaviour.
”
friendship from the year 1752, they were introduced to the society of the first wits in France, but who were also unhappily the most notorious deists. The biographer
After the publication of this work, Dr. Smith remained
four years at Glasgow, discharging his official duties with
increasing reputation. Towards the end of 1763 he received an invitation from Mr. Charles Townsend to accompany the duke of Buccieugh on his travels; and the liberal
terms of the proposal, added to a strong desire of visiting
the continent of Europe, induced him to resign his professorship at Glasgow. Early in the year 1764 he joined the
duke of Buccieugh in London, and in March set out with
him for the continent. Sir James Macdonald, afterwards
so justly lamented by Dr. Smith and many other distinguished persons, as a young man of the highest accomplishments and virtues, met them at Dover. After a fevr
days passed at Paris, they settled for eighteen months at
Thou louse, and then took a tour through the south of
France to Geneva, where they passed two months. About
Christmas 1765 they returned to Paris, and there remained
till the October following. By the recommendations of
David Hume, with whom Dr. Smith had been united in.
strict friendship from the year 1752, they were introduced
to the society of the first wits in France, but who were also
unhappily the most notorious deists. The biographer of
Dr. A. Smith has told us, in the words of the duke of Buccleugh himself, that he and his noble pupil lived together
in the most uninterrupted harmony during the thres years
of their travels; and that their friendship continued to the
end of Dr. Smith’s life, whose loss was then sincerely regretted by the survivor.
The next ten years of Dr. A. Smith’s life were passed in a
retirement which formed a striking contrast to his late migrations. With the exception of a few visits to Edinburgh
and London, he passed the whole of this period with his mother at Kirkaldy, occupied habitually in intense study. His
friend Hume, who considered a town as the true scene for
a man of letters, in vain attempted to seduce him from his
retirement; till at length, in the beginning of 1776, he
accounted for his long retreat by the publication of his
“Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations,
” 2 vols. 4to. This book is well known as the most
profound and perspicuous dissertation of its kind that the
world has ever seen. About two years after the publication
of this work the author was appointed one of the commissioners of the customs in Scotland. The greater part of
these two years he passed in London, in a society too extensive and varied to allow him much time for study. In
consequence of his new appointment, he returned in 1778
to Edinburgh, where he enjoyed the last twelve years of
his life in affluence, and among the companions of his youth.
“During the first years of his residence in Edinburgh,
”
says his biographer, “his studies seemed to be entirely
suspended; and his passion for letters served only to amuse
his leisure and to animate his conversation. The infirmities
of age, of which he very early began to feel the approaches,
reminded him at last, when it was too late, of what he yet
owed to the public and to his own fame. The principal
materials of the works which he had announced had long
ago been collected, and little probably was wanting, but a
few years of health and retirement, to bestow on them that
systematical arrangement in which he delighted; and the
ornaments of that flowing, and apparently artless style,
which he had studiously cultivated, but which, after all his
experience and composition, he adjusted with extreme difficulty to his own taste.
” The death of his mother in 1784,
who, to an extreme old age, had possessed her faculties
unimpaired, with a considerable degree of health, and that
of a cousin, who had assisted in superintending his household, in 1788, contributed to frustrate his projects. Though
he bore his losses with firmness, his health and spirits gradually declined, and, in July 1790, he died of a chronic
obstruction in his bowels, which had been lingering and
painful. A few days before his death he gave orders to
destroy all his manuscripts, with the exception of some
detached essays, which he left to the care of his executors,
and which have since been published in one volume 4to,
in 1795.
writer on the subject of the corn-trade, was horn at Stepney, in 1713. His father was Charles Smith, who occupied several mills by descent, and erected those great
, an able writer on the subject of the
corn-trade, was horn at Stepney, in 1713. His father was
Charles Smith, who occupied several mills by descent, and
erected those great establishments of the kind at Barking in
Essex, from which he retired to Croydon, where he died in
1761. Our author succeeded, on his father’s retirement,
to the occupation of his predecessors: but, having a competent fortune, left the active management to his partner
and relation, while he found leisure to pursue his inquiries
at Barking, and discharge the duties of a country magistrate.
In 1748, he married Judith, daughter of Isaac Lefevre,
brother to Peter Lefevre, who had established the largest
malt-distillery in England; and from henceforth he resided
among his wife’s relations at Stratford in Essex. Here,
inquisitive and industrious, he turned his attention to the
operations of the corn-trade, and policy of the corn-laws,
and was induced by the scarcity of 1757, to lay the result
of his labours on this subject before the public, in three
valuable tracts published in 1758 and 1759. These were
well received, and the author lived to see an edition of
them published by the city of London; to hear his work
quoted with approbation by Dr. Adam Smith, in his “Wealth
of Nations;
” and to observe his recommendations adopted
by parliament. But in the midst of these enjoyments he
died by a fall from his horse, Feb. 8, 1777, aged sixtythree. His only son, Charles Smith, esq. was lately member of parliament for Westbury in Wiltshire. Mr. Smith’s
tracts on corn had become very scarce, when in 1804 they
were re-published by George Chalmers, esq. with a memoir
of the author.
She discovered from a very early age an insatiable thirst for reading, which was checked by an aunt, who had the care of her education; for she had lost her mother almost
, an elegant poetess, was born in 1749. She was the daughter of Nicholas Turner, esq. a gentleman of Sussex, whose seat was at Stoke, near GuiU ibrd; but he had another house at Bignor Park, on the banks of the Aru.n, where she passed many of her earliest years, amidst scenery which had nursed the fancies of Otway and Collins, and where every charm of nature seems to have left the most lively and distinct impression on her mind. She discovered from a very early age an insatiable thirst for reading, which was checked by an aunt, who had the care of her education; for she had lost her mother almost in her infancy. From her twelfth to her fifteenth year, her father resided occasionally in London, and she was introduced into various society. It is said that before she was sixteen, bhe married Mr. Smith, a partner in his father’s house, who was a West India merchant, and also an East India director; an ill-assorted match, and the prime source of all her future misfortunes. After she had resided some time in London, and partly in the vicinity, Mr. Smith’s father, who could never persuade his son to give his time or care sufficiently to the business in which he was engaged, allowed him to retire into the country, and purchased for him Lyss farm in Hampshire.
In this situation, Mrs. Smith, who had now eight children, passed several anxious and important
In this situation, Mrs. Smith, who had now eight children,
passed several anxious and important years. Her husband
was imprudent, kept a larger establishment than suited his
fortune, and engaged in injudicious and wild speculations
in agriculture. She foresaw the storm that was gathering
over her; but she had no power to prevent it; and she endeavoured to console her uneasiness by recurring to the
muse, whose first visitings had added force to the pleasures
of her childhood. “When in the beech woods of Hampshire,
” she says, “I first struck the chords of the melancholy lyre: its notes were never intended for the public ear:
it was unaffected sorrow drew them forth I wrote mournfully, because I was unhappy.
”
ore her death which promised success, but it does not appear that these were completed. Her husband, who seems never to have conquered his habits of imprudence, died,
During this long period of constant literary exertion, which alone seemed sufficient to have occupied all her time, Mrs. Smith had both family griefs and family business of the most perplexing and overwhelming nature to contend with. Her eldest son had been many years absent as a writer in Bengal; her second surviving son died of a rapid and violent fever; her third son lost his leg at Dunkirk, as an ensign in the 24th regiment, and her eldest daughter expired within two years after her marriage. The grandfather of her children had left his property, which lay in the West Indies, in the hands of trustees and agents, and it was long unproductive to her family. Some arrangements are said to have been attempted before her death which promised success, but it does not appear that these were completed. Her husband, who seems never to have conquered his habits of imprudence, died, it is said, in legal confinement, in March 1806; and on Oct. 28 following, Mrs. Smith died at Telford, nearFarnham, in Surrey, after a lingering and painful illness, which she bore with the utmost patience.
, one of those writers who, without much labour have attained high reputation, and who
, one of those writers who, without much labour have attained high reputation, and who are mentioned with reverence rather for the possession than the exertion of uncommon abilities, was the only son of Mr. Neale, an eminent merchant, by a daughter of the famous baron Lechmere; and born in 1668. Some misfortunes of his father, which were soon after followed by his death, occasioned the son to be left very young in the hands of Mr. S nith, who had married his father’s sister. This gentleman treated him with as much tenderness as if he had been his own cnild; and placed him at Westminster-school under the care of Dr. Busby. After the death of his generous guardian, young Neale, in gratitude, thought proper to assume the name of Smith. He was elected from Westminster to Cambridge, but, being offered a studentship, voluntarily removed to Christ-church in Oxford; and was there by his aunt handsomely maintained as long as she lived; alter which, he continued a member of that society till within five years of his own death. Some time before he left Christ church, he was sent for by his mother to Worcester, and acknowledged by her as a legitimate son; which his friend Oldisworth mentions, he says, to wipe off the aspersions that some had ignorantly cast on his birth. He passed through the exercises of the college and university with unusual applause; and acquired a great reputation in the schools both for his knowledge and skill in disputation. He had a long and perfect intimacy with all the Greek and Latin classics; with whom he had carefully compared whatever was worth perusing in the French, Spanish, and Italian languages, and in all the celebrated writers of his own country. He considered the ancients and moderns, not as parties or rivals for fame, but as architects upon one and the same plan, the art of poetry.
sed the polite world, that sense was thought to be sacrificed to sound: and this occasioned Addison, who wrote the prologue, to satirize the vitiated taste of the public.
His works are not many, and those scattered up and down
in miscellaneous collections. His celebrated tragedy, called
“Phaedra and Hippolitus,
” was acted at the theatre royal
in A Poem to the
Memory of Mr. John Phillips,
” his most intimate friend,
three or four odes, and a Latin oration spoken publicly at
Oxford, “in laudem Thomas Bodleii,
” were publhhed in
1719, under the name of his Works, by his friend Oldisworth, who prefixed a character of Smith.
of part of Demosthenes; it not being thought proper to trust the superintendance of others to a man who took so little care of himself. From this time Smith employed
He died in 1710, in his forty-second year, at the seat
of George Ducket, esq. called Hartham, in Wiltshire;
and was buried in the parish church there. Some time
before his death, he engaged in considerable undertakings;
and raised expectations in the world, which he did not live
to gratify. Oldisworth observes, that he had seen of his
about ten sheets of Pindar, translated into English; which,
he says, exceeded any thing in that kind he could ever hope
for in our language. He had drawn out a plan for a tragedy
of Lady Jane Grey, and had written several scenes of it; a
subject afterwards nobly executed by Mr. Rowe. But his
greatest undertaking was a translation of Longinus, to which
he proposed a large addition of notes and observations of
his own, with an entire system of the art of poetry in three
books, under the titles of “thoughts, diction, and figure.
”
He intended also to make remarks upon all the ancients and
moderns, the Greek, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and
English poets; and to animadvert upon their several beauties and defects.
Oldisworth has represented Smith as a man abounding
with qualities both good and great; and that may perhaps
be true, in some degree, though amplified by the partiality
of friendship. He had, nevertheless, some defects in his
conduct one was an extreme carelessness in the particular of dress which singularity procured him the name of
“Captain Rag.
” The ladies, it is said, at once commended
and reproved him, by the name of the “handsome sloven.
”
It is acknowledged also, that he was much inclined to intemperance which was caused perhaps by disappointments, but led to that indolence and loss of character,
which has been frequently destructive to genius, even of a
higher order than he appears to have possessed. Dr. Johnson thus draws up his character: “As his years advanced,
he advanced in reputation; for he continued to cultivate
his mind; but he did not amend his irregularities, by which,
he gave so much offence, that, April 24, 1700, the dean
and chapter declared ' the place of Mr. Smith void, he
having been convicted of riotous misbehaviour in the house
of Mr. Cole, an apothecary; but it was referred to the
dean when and upon what occasion the sentence should be
put in execution. Thus tenderly was he treated; the governors of his college could hardly keep him, and yet wished
that he would not force them to drive him away. Some
time afterwards he assumed an appearance of decency; in
his own phrase, he whitened himself, having a desire to
obtain the censorship, an office of honour and some profit
in the college; but when the election came, the preference
was given to Mr. Foulkes, his junior; the same, I suppose,
that joined with Freind in an edition of part of Demosthenes; it not being thought proper to trust the superintendance of others to a man who took so little care of himself. From this time Smith employed his malice and his
wit against the dean, Dr. Aldrich, whom he considered as
the opponent of his claim. Of his lampoon upon him, I
once heard a single line too gross to be repeated. But
he was still a genius and a scholar, and OxtV-rd was unwilling to lose him: he was endured, with all his pranks
and his vices, two years longer; but on December 20,
1705, at the instance of all the canons, the sentence declared five years before was put in execution. The execution was, I believe, silent and tender; for one of his
friends, from whom I learned much of his life, appeared
not to know it. He was now driven to London, where he
associated himself with the whigs, whether because they
were in power, or because the tories had expelled him, or
because he was a whig by principle, may perhaps be
doubted. He was, however, caressed by tnen of great
abilities, whatever were their party, and was supported by
the liberality of those who delighted in his conversation.
There was once a design, hinted at by Oldisvvorih, to have
made him useful. One evening, as he was sitting with a
friend at a tavern, he was called down by the waiter, and,
having stayed some time below, came up thoughtful. After
a pause, said he to his friend, ‘ He that wanted me below
was Addison, whose business was to tell me that a history
of the revolution was intended, and to propose that I should
undertake it. I said, ’ What shall I do with the character
of lord Sunderland?‘ And Addison immediately returned,
’ When, Rag, were you drunk last?' and went away. Captain Rag was a name that he got at Oxford by his negligence
of dress. This story I heard from the late Mr. Clark, of
Lincoln’s Inn, to whom it was told by the friend of Smith.
Such scruples might debar him from some profitable employments; but as they could not deprive him of any real
esteem, they left him many friends; and no man was ever
better introduced to the theatre than he, who, in that
violent conflict of parties, had a prologue and epilogue
from the first wits on either side. But learning and nature
will now-and-then take different courses. His play pleased
the critics, and the critics only. It was, as Addison has
recorded, hardly heard the third night. Smith had, indeed, trusted entirely to his merit; had insured no band
of applauders, nor used any artifice to force success, and
found that naked excellence was not sufficient for its own
support. The play, however, was bought by Lintot, who
advanced the price from fifty guineas, the current rate, to
sixty; and Halifax, the general patron, accepted the dedication. Smith’s indolence kept him from writing the
dedication, till Lintot, after fruitless importunity, gave
notice that he would publish the play without it. Now,
therefore, it was written; and Halifax expected the author
with his book, and had prepared to reward him with a
place of three hundred pounds a year. Smith, by pride,
or caprice, or indolence, or bashful ness, neglected to attend him, though doubtless warned and pressed by his
friends, and at last missed his reward by not going to solicit it. In 1709, a year after the exhibition of Phaedra,
died John Philips, the friend and fellow-collegian of Smith,
who, on that occasion, wrote a poem, which justice must
place among the best elegies which our language can shew,
an elegant mixture of fondness and admiration, of dignity
and softness. There are some passages too ludicrous; but
every human performance has its faults. This elegy it was
the mode among his friends to purchase fora guinea-, and,
as his acquaintance was numerous, it was a very profitable
poem. Of his ‘ Pindar,’ mentioned by Oldisworth, I have
never otherwise heard. His ‘ Longinus’ he intended to
accompany with some illustrations, and had selected his
instances of * the false Sublime,’ from the works of Blackmore. He resolved to try again the fortune of the stage,
with the story of * Lady Jane Grey.' It is not unlikely
that his experience of the inefficacy and incredibility of
a mythological tale might determine him to choose an action from English history, at no great distance from our
own times, which was to end in a real event, produced by
the operation of known characters. Having formed his
plan, and collected materials, he declared that a few
months would complete his design; and, that he might
pursue his work with fewer avocations, he was, in June,
1710, invited by Mr. George Ducket, to his house at
Hartham in Wiltshire. Here he found such opportunities
of indulgence as did not much forward his studies, and
particularly some strong ale, too delicious to be resisted.
He ate and drank till he found himself plethoric: and
then, resolving to ease himself by evacuation, he wrote to
an apothecary in the neighbourhood a prescription of a
purge so forcible, that the apothecary thought it his duty
to delay it till he had given notice of its danger. Smith,
not pleased with the contradiction of a shopman, and
boastful of his own knowledge, treated the notice with rude
contempt, and swallowed his own medicine, which, in
July 1710, brought him to the grave. He was buried at
Hartham. Many years afterwards, Ducket communicated
to Oldmixon, the historian, an account, pretended to have
been received from Smith, that Clarendon’s History was,
in its publication, corrupted by Aldrich, Smalridge, and
Atterbury; and that Smith was employed to forge and insert the alterations. This story was published triumphantly
by Oldmixon, and may be supposed to have been eagerly
received: but its progress was soon checked for, finding
its way into the journal of Trevoux, it fell under the eye
of Atterbury, then an exile in France, who immediately
denied the charge, with this remarkable particular, that he
never in his whole life had once spoken to Smith; hrs
company being, as must be inferred, not accepted by those
who attended to their characters. The charge was afterwards very diligently refuted by Dr< Burton of Eton a
man eminent for literature, and, though not of the same
party with Aldrich and Atterbury, too studious of truth to
leave them burthened with a false charge. The testimonies which he has collected have convinced mankind that
either Smith or Ducket were guilty of wilful and malicious
falsehood. This controversy brought into view those parts
of Smith’s life which with more honour to his name might
have been concealed. Of Smith I can yet say a little more.
He was a man of such estimation among his companions,
that the casual censures or praises which he dropped in
conversation were considered, like those of Scaliger, as
worthy of preservation. He had great readiness and exactness of criticism, and by a cursory glance over a new
composition would exactly tell all its faults and beauties.
He was remarkable for the power of reading with great rapidity, and of retaining with great fidelity what he so
easily collected. He therefore always knew what the present question required; and, when his friends expressed
their wonder at his acquisitions, made in a state of apparent
negligence and drunkenness, he never discovered his hours
of reading or method of study, but involved himself in
affected silence, and fed his own vanity with their admiration and conjectures. One practice he had, which was
easily observed: if any thought or image was presented to
his mind that he could use or improve, he did not suffer
it to be lost; but, amidst the jollity of a tavern, or in the
warmth of conversation, very diligently committed to paper.
Thus it was that he had gathered two quires of hints for
his new tragedy; of which Howe, when they were put into
his hands, could make, as he says, very little use, but
which the collector considered as a valuable stock of materials. When he came to London, his way of life connected
him with the licentious and dissolute; and he affected the
airs and gaiety of a man of pleasure; but his dress was
always deficient: scholastic cloudiness still hung about
him, and his merriment was sure to produce the scorn of
his companions. With all his carelessness, and all his
vices, he was one of the murmurers at form tie; and wondered why he was suffered to be poor, when Addison was
caressed and preferred: nor would a very little have contented him; for he estimated his wants at six hundred
pounds a year. In his course of reading it was particular,
that he had diligently perused, and accurately remembered,
the old romances of knight-errantry. He had a high opinion of his own merit, and something contemptuous in his
treatment of those whom he considered as not qualified to
oppose or contradict him. He had many frailties; yet it
cannot but be supposed that he had great merit, who could
obtain to the same play a prologue from Addison, and an
epilogue from Prior; and who could have at once the patronage of Halifax, and the praise of Oldisworth.
”
er, was a painter of portraits, but produced also some good landscapes. He is said, however, by some who remember him, to have been more remarkable for painting fruit
, of Ch'uhester, the second, but most known, of three brothers, all distinguished as painters, was born in 1714. George is celebrated as a painter of landscape, but it was expected by the connoisseurs of the time, that his younger brother John would have surpassed him in that syle of painting. In the contests for prizes, at the society for the encouragement of arts, John’s landscapes were frequently preferred to those of George; but he died at an earlier period, and all memory of his works, as well as of the artist himself, has been nearly obliterated. William, the eldest brother, was a painter of portraits, but produced also some good landscapes. He is said, however, by some who remember him, to have been more remarkable for painting fruit and flowers, than for the other branches of his art. William was deformed, and his countenance was thought by many to resemble that of the celebrated John Locke. John died July 29, 1764, at the age of forty- seven, William on the 27th of the ensuing September, at the age of fifty -seven. George survived till Sept. 7, 1776, when he died, at the age of sixty-two. Their remains are deposited in the church-yard of St. Paneras at Chichester, and distinguished only by a plain stone, containing their names and the profession of each, with the dates above recited. Mr. W. Pether, an ingenious painter and engraver in mezzotinto, who was intimate with these brothers, published several years ago an admirable print, with fine likenesses of the three, represented in a groupe; the eldest is reading a lecture upon landscape to the two younger, who are listening with great attention.
ondon. Here he was patronized by William Cecil, lord Burleigh, to whom he dedicated his sermons, and who prevented the prosecutions to which the other scrupulous puritans
, an English divine of popular fame in
the sixteenth century, was born in 1550 of a good family
at Withcock in Leicestershire, and after purstuing his
studies at Oxford, entered into the church. Wood thinks
he took the degree of M. A. as a member of Hart-hall, in
1583; and adds, that “he was then esteemed the miracle
and wonder of his age, for his prodigious memory, and
for his fluent, eloquent, and practical way of preaching.
”
His scruples, however, as to subscription and ceremonies
were such, that being loth, as his biographer Fuller informs us, “to make a rent either in his own conscience
or in the church,
” he resolved not to undertake a pastoral
charge, but accepted the office of lecturer of the church
of St. Clement Danes, London. Here he was patronized
by William Cecil, lord Burleigh, to whom he dedicated
his sermons, and who prevented the prosecutions to which
the other scrupulous puritans were at that time exposed.
He appears to have been one of the most popular preachers of his age. Fuller informs us, as an instance, that
after his preaching a sermon on Sarah’s nursing of Isaac,
in which he maintained the doctrine that it was the duty of
all mothers to nurse their own children, “ladies and great
gentlewomen presently remanded their children from the
vicinage round about London, and endeavoured to discharge the second moietie of a mother, and to nurse them,
whom they had brought into the world.
” Their compliance with his instructions on this point was the more
condescending 1 as Mr. Smith was a bachelor.
Of his death we have no certain account. Fuller, who gives him the highest character, and whose principles would
Of his death we have no certain account. Fuller, who
gives him the highest character, and whose principles
would not have permitted him to pay this respect to a
puritan, unless of very extraordinary worth or talents, after
making every inquiry, concludes that he died about 1600.
Wood says that he was “in great renown among men in
1593,
” in which year he thinks he died.
his mission to his “being a person of a Spanish port and demeanour, and well known to the Spaniards, who held him, as their king did, in high value, and especially for
, a traveller and ambassador, was the son of sir Clement Smith, of Little Baddow
in Essex, by a sister of Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset, and consequently sister to Jane Seymour, the third
queen of Henry VIII. He was educated at Oxford, but
in what college is not known. Wood informs us that he
travelled into foreign countries, and became very accomplished both as a soldier and a gentleman. He was in
France in the reign of his cousin Edward VI. and from the
introduction to his book of “Instructions,
” it appears that
he had been in the service of several foreign princes. In
1576, when the states of the Netherlands took up arms in
defence of their liberty against the encroachments of the
Spanish government, they solicited queen Elizabeth for
a loan; but, this being inconvenient, she sent Smith to intercede with the Spanish monarch in their behalf. For this
purpose she conferred the honour of knighthood upon him.
Wood imputes his mission to his “being a person of a
Spanish port and demeanour, and well known to the
Spaniards, who held him, as their king did, in high value,
and especially for this reason that he was first cousin to
king Edward VI.
” Carnden, in his “History of Elizabeth,
” says that he was graciously received by the king of
Spain, and that “he retorted with such discretion the disgraceful injuries of Caspar Quiroga, archbishop of Toledo,
against the queen, in hatred of her religion, and of the
inquisitors of Sevil, who would not allow the attribute of
Defender of the Faith in the queen’s title, that the king
gave him thanks for it, and was displeased with the archbishop, desiring the ambassador to conceal the matter from
the queen, and expressly commanded the said attribute to
be allowed her.
” We have no further account of his history, except that he was living in 1595, irv great esteem
by learned and military men. He wrote, 1. A “Discourse
concerning the forms and effects of divers Weapons, and
other very important matters military; greatly mistaken
by divers men of war in their days, and chiefly of the rnusquet, calyver, and long-bow, &c.
” Lond. Certain instructions, observations, and
orders military, requisite for all chieftains, captains, higher
and lower officers,
” ibid. Instructions for enrolling and mustering.
” There
are two Mss. relative to his transactions in Spain in the
Cotton library, and one in the Lambeth library.
reat Britain, and in reclaiming the inhabitants from barbarism. If the same, which is very probable, who is mentioned in Stow’s “Survey of London,” under the name of
, commonly called Capt. John Smith,
or Smyth, was born at Willoughby in the county of Lincoln, but descended from the Smyths of Cuerdley. He
ranks with the greatest travellers and adventurers of his
age, and was distinguished by his many achievements in
the fpur quarters of the globe. In the wars of Hungary
about 1602, in three single combats he overcame three
Turks, and cut off their heads, for which and other gallant
exploits Sigismund, duke of Transylvania, under whom he
served, gave him his picture set in gold, with a pension of
three hundred ducats: and allowed him to bear three
Turks heads proper as his shield of arms. He afterwards
went to America, where he was taken prisoner by the Indians,
from whom he found means to escape. He often hazarded
his life in naval engagements with pirates, Spanish men of
war, and in other adventures, and had a considerable hand
in reducing New-England to the obedience of Great Britain, and in reclaiming the inhabitants from barbarism. If
the same, which is very probable, who is mentioned in
Stow’s “Survey of London,
” under the name of “Capt.
John Smith, some time governor of Virginia and admiral
of New-England,
” he died June 21, 1631, and was buried
at St. Sepulchre’s church, London. There is a ms life of
him, by Henry Wharton in the Lambeth library, but his
exploits may be seen in his “History of Virginia, NewEngland, and the Summer Isles,
” written by himself, and
published at London in A Map of Virginia, with a description of the
country, the commodities, people, government, and religion,
” Oxon. New-England’s Tryals, &c.
”
Lond. Travels in Europe, &c.
” ibid.
hard Stearn or Stern, archbishop of York; and in 1681 was invited to Durham by Dr. Dennis Granville, who had a great regard for his family, and esteemed him highly for
Our author was born at Lowther, Nov. 10, 1659, and was at first educated by his father with a care which his extraordinary capacity amply repaid, for we are told that he learned the Latin grammar in the fifth year of his age, and the Greek grammar in his ninth. After this he was sent to Bradford in Yorkshire, and placed under Mr. Christopher Nesse, a nonconformist (see Nessje) of considerable learning; but here it is said he forgot almost all his grammar rules. He then appears to have been taught by Mr. William Lancaster, afterwards provost of Queen’s college, Oxford, and next by Mr. Thomas Lawson, a quaker schoolmaster, under whom he continued his progress in the learned languages. He was also for some time at the school of Appleby, whence he was sent to Cambridge, and admitted of St. John’s college June 11, 1674, about a year before his father’s death. From his first entrance at college, he was much noticed for his exemplary conduct, afcd close application to study, which enabled him to take his degrees in arts with great reputation; that of A. B. in 1677, and of A. M. in 1681. Being intended for the church, he was ordained both deacon and priest, by Dr. Richard Stearn or Stern, archbishop of York; and in 1681 was invited to Durham by Dr. Dennis Granville, who had a great regard for his family, and esteemed him highly for his attainments. In July 1682 he was admitted a minor canon of Durham, and about the same time he was collated to the curacy of Croxdale, and, in July 1684, to the living of Witton-Gilbert. In 1686 he went to Madrid, as chaplain to lord Lansdowne, the English ambassador, and returned soon after the revolution. In 1694 Crew, bishop of Durham, appointed him his domestic chaplain, and had such an opinion of his judgment, that he generally consulted him in all ecclesiastical matters of importance. His lordship also collated him to the rectory and hospital of Gateshead in June 1695, and to a prebend of Durham in September following. In 1696 he was created D. D. at Cambridge, and was made treasurer of Durham in 1699, to which bishop Crew, in July 1704, added the rectory of Bishop-Wearmouth.
ther’s will, but died before him, a student of the Temple; and Posthumus Smith, an eminent civilian, who died 1725.
Here he not only repaired the chancel in a handsome and substantial manner, but built a very spacious and ele*gain parsonage-house, entirely at his own expeuce, and laid out considerable sums on his prebendal house, and on other occasions shewed much of a liberal and charitable spirit. But his chief delight was in his studies, to which he applied with an industry which greatly impaired his health, so that he began to decline about two years before his death, which took place July 30, 1715, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. He died at Cambridge, where he had resided for some time in order to complete his edition of the works of the venerable Bede; and was interred in the chapel of St. John’s college, in which a handsome marble monument was erected to him, with a Latin inscription by his learned friend Thomas Baker; the antiquary. His character seems in all respects to have been estimable. He was learned, generous, and strict in the duties of his profession. He was one of ten brothers, five of whom survived him, and whom he remembered in his will. They were all men of note William, a physician, died at Leeds in 1729; Matthew, a Blackwell-hall factor, died at Newcastle in 1721; George, a clergyman and chaplain general to the army, died in 1725; Joseph, provost of Queen’s-college, Oxford, of whom hereafter; Benjamin, remembered also in his brother’s will, but died before him, a student of the Temple; and Posthumus Smith, an eminent civilian, who died 1725.
nder his own eye at the public school at Durham, under Mr. Thomas Battersby, a very diligent master, who qualified him for the university at the age of fifteen. He was
, younger brother of the preceding Dr. John Smith, and the munificent provost of Queen’s college, Oxford, was born at Lowther, Oct. 10, 1670. His father dying when he was five years old, his mother removed with her family to Guisborough in Yorkshire, where he was educated for some time, until his brother placed him under his own eye at the public school at Durham, under Mr. Thomas Battersby, a very diligent master, who qualified him for the university at the age of fifteen. He was not, however, sent thither immediately, but put under the tuition of the rev. Francis Woodman, one of the minor canons of Durham, an excellent classical scholar. The dean also, Dr. Dennis Granville, invited him to his house, and took a lively interest in his education. Here he continued until the revolution, when Dr. Granville, who could not be reconciled to the new government, determined to follow his master, king James, to France, and much solicited young Smith to embark in the same cause, which his party did not think at that time hopeless. But Smith being very eager to commence his university education, and hearing of the arrival of his uncle, Dr. John, from Madrid, preferred going to London to meet and advise with him. This had another happy effect, for he now found a generous patron in his godfather, sir Joseph Williamson, who received him very kindly, and gave him recommendatory letters to Oxford, where he was admitted, May 10, 1689, to a scholarship in Queen’s college. Here he had Mr. William Lancaster for his tutor, and pursued his studies with such zeal and success as to become an honour to the society. Among his contemporaries were, the afterwards well known and highly respected prelates Tanner and Gibson, with both of whom now began an intimacy which subsisted all the-ir lives. In 1693, being chosen a taberder, he took his first degree in arts, and was advancing in his studies, when sir Joseph Williamson removed him from college, by appointing him his deputy keeper of the paper-office at Whitehall; and sir Joseph being soon after one of the plenipotentiaries at Ryswick, took Mr. Smith with him as his secretary.
n of “handsome Smith,” to distinguish him from his fellow- proctor, Mr. Smith of St. John’s college, who had few personal graces. They were equally attentive, however,
On queen Anne’s visiting the university in 1702, Mr.
Smith was selected to address her majesty; and in 1704, he
served the office of senior proctor with spirit and prudence,
and constantly attended the disputations and other exercises
in the public schools. At this time it appears he had the
appellation of “handsome Smith,
” to distinguish him from
his fellow- proctor, Mr. Smith of St. John’s college, who
had few personal graces. They were equally attentive,
however, to their duties, and in their attendance on the
public disputations, which made Tickel say on one occasion,
“there was warm work at the schools, for that the two
Smiths made the sparks fly
” In the exercise of this office,
Mr. Smith coming to a tavern, where was a party carousing,
one of whom happened to be a relation of prince George
of Denmark, he admonished them for their irregularity,
which they considered as an intrusion, and made use of the
French language, which they thought he did not understand, to speak disrespectfully of him. On this, Mr.
Smith, in the same language, informed them of the nature
and obligations of his office, in a manner so polite, and at
the same time so spirited, that they acknowledged their
fault, admired his behaviour, and having accepted an invitation to spend the following evening with him in his college, treated him ever after with the greatest respect.
he declined, and employed his interest, which was very great, in behalf of his tutor, Dr. Lancaster, who was accordingly elected, and proved a considerable benefactor
On the death of Dr. Halton in July 1704, Mr. Smith’s friends proposed him as a candidate for the provostship, but this he declined, and employed his interest, which was very great, in behalf of his tutor, Dr. Lancaster, who was accordingly elected, and proved a considerable benefactor to the college. It was he who conducted the erection of the buildings on the south side, from the benefaction of
nother, William Henry Granviile, nephew to dean Granville, and the last earl of Bath of that family, who had a very high esteem for him.
These promotions requiring a residence in London, Mr. Smith was soon after appointed chaplain to Edward Villiers, earl of Jersey, then lord chamberlain, whom he had known at Ryswick, where his lordship was one of the plenipotentiaries. Lord Jersey now introduced him at court, and he preached several times before the' queen, and would have been otherwise promoted by his lordship’s interest had he lived. But he not only lost this patron by death, but another, William Henry Granviile, nephew to dean Granville, and the last earl of Bath of that family, who had a very high esteem for him.
er, niece to the late provost, Dr. Halton, and of the noble family of Lonsdale, a very amiable lady, who had engaged his affections while resident with her uncle at
In the mean time, having accumulated his degrees in divinity, Nov. 2, 1708, he was presented by his college to the rectory of Knights-Emham, and the donative of UptonGrey, both in the county of Southampton. Soon after he married Mis.s Mary Lowther, niece to the late provost, Dr. Halton, and of the noble family of Lonsdale, a very amiable lady, who had engaged his affections while resident with her uncle at Queen’s. In 1716, Dr. Smith exchanged Upton -Grey with Dr. Grandorge, prebendary of Canterbury, for t'ie rectory of St. Dionis Back-church, London, where he performed the duties of a parish priest with the utmost assiduity, and was much admired, and consulted for his advice in matters of conscience, and where he reclaimed several persons, some of distinction, from the errors of popery, and was a great benefactor to the repairs of the church, over which he presided for forty years. He likewise annually bought a great number of religious tracts, which he liberally distributed among his parishioners.
London. Anne became the wife of the rev. William Lamplugh, some time fellow of New college, Oxford, who died in 1737, after which she married major James Hargrave,
Mrs. Smith died April 29, 1745, and was buried at Kidlington, where many of the family He. By her he had three children, Joseph, Anne, and William. The last died young, and was buried in St. Dionis church, London. Anne became the wife of the rev. William Lamplugh, some time fellow of New college, Oxford, who died in 1737, after which she married major James Hargrave, and survived her father, as did her brother, Joseph Smith, esq. LL. D. who inherited the estate at Kidlington.
lord Orford) to be the best mezzotinter that has appeared, was certainly a genius of singular merit, who united softness with strength, and finishing with freedom. He
, pronounced by Mr. Walpole (since lord Orford) to be the best mezzotinter that has appeared, was
certainly a genius of singular merit, who united softness
with strength, and finishing with freedom. He flourished
towards the end of king William’s reign, but of his life lit'
tie is known, except that he served his time with one Tillet,
a painter, in Moor-fields; and that as soon as he became his
own master, he applied to Becket, and learned the secret
of mezzotinto. Being further instructed by Vander Vaart,
he was taken to work in the house of sir Godfrey Kneller;
and, as he was to be the publisher of that master’s works,
no doubt he received considerable hints from him, wh,tch
he amply repaid. “To posterity, perhaps,
” says lord Orford, “his prints will carry an idea of something burlesque;
perukes of outrageous length flowing over suits of armour,
compose wonderful habits. It is equally strange that fashion
could introduce the one, and establish the practice of representing the other, when it was out of fashion. Smith
excelled in exhibiting both, as he found them in the portraits of Kneller.
” Lord Orford and Mr. Strutt have given
a list of his best works, and the latter an instance of avarice
not much to his credit.
nslation of the work: for after the task was finished by the whole number appointed to the business, who were somewhat above forty, the version was revised and improved
, bishop of Gloucester, a very learned
prelate, was born in the city of Hereford, and became,
about the year 1568, a student in Corpus Christi college,
Oxford; from which college he transferred himself to
Brasen Nose, and took the degrees in arts, as a member of
that house. He was afterwards made one of the
chaplains, or petty canons of Christ-church, and was
admitted to the degree of bachelor in divinity, whilst he
belonged to that royal foundation. In process of time he
was raised to the dignity of canon residentiary of the cathedral church of Hereford: he was created doctor of divinity in 1594; and, at length, in 1612, advanced to tke
see of Gloucester, and consecrated on the 20th of September in that year. His knowledge of the Latin, Greek,
and Oriental languages was so extraordinary, that, upon
this account, he was described, by a learned bishop of the
kingdom, as a, “very walking library.
” He used to say of
himself, that he was “covetous of nothing but books.
”
It was particularly for his exact and eminent skill in the
Eastern tongues, that he was thought worthy, by king James
the First, to be called to that great work, the last
transiation by authority of our English Bible. In this undertaking he was esteemed one of the principal persons. He
began with the first, and was the last man in the translation of the work: for after the task was finished by the
whole number appointed to the business, who were somewhat above forty, the version was revised and improved by
twelve selected from them; and, at length, was referred
to the final examination of Bilson bishop of Winchester,
and our Dr. Smith. When all was ended, he was commanded to write a preface, which being performed by him,
it was made public, and is the same that is now extant in
our Church Bible. The original is said to be preserved in
the Bodleian library. It was for his good services in this
translation, that Dr. Smith was appointed bishop of Gloucester, and had leave to hold in commendam with his bishopric his former livings, namely, the prebend of Hinton
in the church of Hereford, the rectories of Upton-onSevern, Hartlebury in the diocese of Worcester, and the
first portion of Ledbury, called Overhall. According to
Willis he died October 20; but W r ood says, in the beginning
of November, 1624, and was buried in his own cathedral.
He was a strict Calvinist, and of course no friend to the
proceedings of Dr. Laud. In 1632, a volume of sermons,
transcribed from his original manuscripts, being fifteen in
number, was published at London, in folio, and he was
the editor of bishop Babington’s works, to which he prefixed a preface, and wrote some verses for his picture.
One of bishop Smith’s own sermons was published in octavo, 1602, without his knowledge or consent, by Robert
Burhill, under the title of “A learned and godly Sermon,
preached at Worcester, at an assize, by the Rev. and learned
Miles Smith, doctor of divinitie.
”
te on the spot, but were not permitted. He was also one of the witnesses against archbishop Cranmer, who had done him many acts of friendship in the preceding reign.
On the accession of queen Mary, he returned to England, was restored to his professorship, made canon of
Christ-church, and chaplain to her majesty. One of his
principal appearances on record was at Oxford, where,
when the bishops Ridley and Latimer were brought to the
stake, he preached a sermon on the text, “If I give my
body to be burnt, and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing.
” This discourse, which lasted only about a quarter of an hour, was replete with invectives against the
two martyrs, and gross assertions, which they offered to
refute on the spot, but were not permitted. He was also
one of the witnesses against archbishop Cranmer, who had
done him many acts of friendship in the preceding reign.
For this conduct he was deprived of all his preferments
when queen Elizabeth came to the throne in 1559, and
was committed to the custody of archbishop Parker, by
whose persuasion he recanted part of what he had written
in defence of the celibacy of the clergy. He then contrived to make his escape, and went to Doway in Flanders,
where he obtained the deanery of St. Peter’s church, and
a professorship. He died in 1563. He wrote about sixteen tracts in favour of popery, some of which were answered by Peter Martyr. A list of them may be seen in
Dodd or Wood. They are partly in Latin and partly in
English, the latter printed in London, and the former at
Lovaine.
L. D. in 1723, and D. D. in 1739. Very little, we regret to say, is on record, respecting Dr. Smith, who has so well deserved of the learned world. He was mathematical
, the very learned successor of Bentley
as master of Trinity college, Cambridge, was born in 1689,
and educated at that college, where he took his degrees
of A. B. in 1711, A.M. in 1715, L L. D. in 1723, and
D. D. in 1739. Very little, we regret to say, is on record,
respecting Dr. Smith, who has so well deserved of the
learned world. He was mathematical preceptor to William
duke of Cumberland, and master of mechanics to his majesty, George II. It appears that he was maternal cousin,
of the celebrated Roger Cotes, whom he succeeded in 1716,
as Plumian professor at Cambridge, and afterwards succeeded Bentley as master of Trinity. He published some
of the works of his cousin Cotes, particularly his “Hydrostatical and Pneumatical Lectures,
” Complete systern of Optics,
” Harmonics,
or the philosophy of Musical Sounds,
”