, a polite and ingenious scholar, was the younger son of the rev. Gideon Hardinge, and grandson of
, a polite and ingenious scholar, was the younger son of the rev. Gideon Hardinge, and grandson of sir Robert Hardinge, of King’s Newton, a small hamlet in the parish of Melbourne in Derbyshire, who was knighted in the civil wars. He was born in 1700, and educated at Eton school, which he left in 17 Is for King’s college, Cambridge, where he took his degree of B. A. in 1722, and that of M. A. in 1726. When he left the university, he studied law, and was called to the bar; but obtained in 1731 the office of chief clerk of the house of commons, which he held until 1752, when he was appointed joint secretary of the treasury, in which post he died April 9, 1758.
he most eminent scholar of his time, and wrote Latin verse with great elegance. When at Cambridge he was at the head of the whig party, which happened to prevail in
At Eton and Cambridge, he had the fame of the most
eminent scholar of his time, and wrote Latin verse with
great elegance. When at Cambridge he was at the head
of the whig party, which happened to prevail in a contest
respecting the expulsion of a student, who, in one of the
college exercises had offended the tories. In this contest
he made himself master of the law and custom of visitatorial power, which he discussed in a very masterly essay;
but this, although intended for publication, has not yet
appeared. He was a very profound and judicious antiquary, particularly in what concerned English law and history. At the request of William duke of Cumberland (to whom he had been appointed, in Dec. 1732, law-reader, and was afterwards his attorney-general), he wrote a very
learned memorial upon the regency (when that subject was agitated in the last reign), which lord Hardwicke called
“an invaluable work.
” It was by Mr. Hardinge' s advice
and encouragement that Mr. Stuart undertook his journey
to Athens, with a view of illustrating the history of that
city. His diligence, accuracy, knowledge, and skill, in the
office of clerk to the House of commons, were never exceeded. He put the “Journals
” into their present form;
and drew up a very able report of the condition in which
he found them. In his office of secretary he was laborious,
able, and zealous; and so honest, that he had many enemies. He was chosen representative for the borough of
Eye in parliament in 1748 and 1754, and was a very useful
member; but had no talents or courage for eloquence,
though his taste in estimating it was exquisite.
ry much in the manner of Pope; and his “Dialogue in the Senate-house of Cambridge,” written in 1750, was much admired for its poetry and humour: the former of these
He had a rich vein of humour; and his English muse,
though never inelegant, had a peculiar turn for it. His
“Denhill Iliad,
” a poem occasioned by the hounds running
through lady Gray’s gardens at Denhill, in East Kent, is
very much in the manner of Pope; and his “Dialogue in
the Senate-house of Cambridge,
” written in Select Collection of Poems,
”
the latter in the “Poetical Calendar,
” vol. IX. In 1780,
his son, the present George Hardinge, esq. solicitor-general
to the queen, printed for private distribution, an octavo
volume of his Latin verses, with a corrected copy of the
ode in Mr. Nichols’s collection. The Latin poems are of
various dates; some of them school exercises at Eton in
1717 and 1718, and are remarkable specimens of classical
taste at so early a period of life.
, a polite French writer, was born at Tours in 1686, and coming to Paris in 1704, devoted
, a polite French writer, was born
at Tours in 1686, and coming to Paris in 1704, devoted
his time to the study of the belles lettres, and at the same
time cultivated a critical knowledge of the Greek language
under Boivin and Massieu, professors in the royal college.
In 1711, he was admitted as a pupil into the academy of
inscriptions, became an associate in 1715, and a pensionary
in 172S. For their Memoirs he wrote a great many curious
and interesting papers, and his general knowledge and reputation procured him at length the office of keeper of the
library and antiquities in the royal cabinet. In 1730 he
was chosen a member of the French academy, and the
following year began his “Histoire de l'origine et des progres de la Rhetorique dans la Grece.
” He had published
twelve dissertations on this subject, when, in 1748, the king
honoured him with the appointment of preceptor in history
and geography to madame Victoire, one of the princesses,
and he afterwards taught other illustrious females of that
family. It was for their use that he wrote his “Histoire
Poetique,
” with two treatises, one on French poetry, and
the other on rhetoric, Paris, 1751, 3 vols. 12mo, and his
universal history, “Histoire Universelle,
” 18 vols. 12mo,
to which Linguet added two others. All his works are
valued for elegance of style and the accuracy of his researches, and his personal character was not less admired,
as a man of integrity whom a court-life had not spoiled,
and who preserved the dignity of the literary character
amidst the cabals arrd intrigues by which he was surrounded.
Hardion died at Paris in September 1766. His dissertations in the Memoirs of the academy of inscriptions display
a profound knowledge of classical antiquities.
, a French Jesuit, eminent for his great parts, learning, and singularities of opinion, was born of obscure parents, at Kimper in Bretagne, in 1647. He
, a French Jesuit, eminent for his
great parts, learning, and singularities of opinion, was
born of obscure parents, at Kimper in Bretagne, in 1647.
He entered young in the society of Jesuits, and devoted
himself to the study of the belles lettres, the learned languages, history, philosophy, and divinity. In 1684, he
published in 4to, a work entitled “Nummi antiqui populorum & urbium illustrati
” in which he often gave explications very singular, and as contrary to truth as to good
sense. The same year he published, in conjunction with
Petavius, Themistii Orationes xxxiii. cum notis,“folio,;
and the year following, in 5 vols. 4to, for the use of the
dauphin,
” Plinii Historic Naturalis libri xxxvii, interpretatione & notis illustrati,“of which a much improved edition appeared at Paris in 1723, 3 vols. folio. Hitherto he
confined himself to profane learning, where his whimsies
were not supposed capable of doing much harm; but now
he began to tamper with religious subjects; and in 1687,
he published his book entitled
” De Baptismo qu<fistio triplex.“Two years after appeared his 4< Antirrheticus de
nummis antiquis colouiarum & municipiorum,
” in 4to; aud
also “S. Joannis Chrysostorni Epistola ad Cacsarium Monachum, notis ac clissertatione de sacramento altaris,
” in
4to. Le Clerc having made some reflections upon “St.
Chrysostom’s Letter to Cassarius,
” Hardouin replied, in a
piece printed in Defence de la l.ettre
de S. Jean Chrysostome, addressee a l'Auteur cle la Bibliotheque Universelle:
” to which Le Clerc returned an answer in the nineteenth volume of that work.
. Nay, he carried this whim so far, that he fancied he could see plainly enough that Æneas in Virgil was designed for Jesus Christ, and Horace’s mistress Lalage for
In 1693, he printed at Paris, in 2 vols, 4to, “Chronologize ex nummis antiquis restitute prolusio, de nummis
Herodiadum:
” in which he opened more fully that strange
paradoxical system, of which he had yet done little more
than give hints. He undertakes to prove from medals,
that the greater part of those writings which are considered
as ancient, were forged by monks of the thirteenth century, who gave to them the several names of Homer,
Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, &c. Tertullian, Origen, Basil,
Augustin, &c. He excepts only out of this monkish manufacture the works of Cicero, Pliny’s “Natural History,
”
Virgil’s “Georgics,
” and Horace’s “Satires and Epistles/'
These he supposes the only genuine monuments of antiquity remaining, except some few inscriptions and fasti:
and with the assistance of these, he is of opinion that these
monks drew np and published all the other ancient writings,
as Terence’s
” Plays,“Livy’s and Tacitus’s
” Histories,“Virgil’s
” Eneid,“Horace’s
” Odes,“&c. Nay, he carried this whim so far, that he fancied he could see plainly
enough that Æneas in Virgil was designed for Jesus Christ,
and Horace’s mistress Lalage for the Christian religion.
Absurd as all this may seem, he appears to have seriously
believed k himself, and was persuaded that his reasons for
it were clear and evident; though he would not publish
them to the world, nor explain his system, which he was
frequently called upon to do. This work was suppressed
by public authority at Paris. He afterwards published
” A
Letter upon three Samaritan Medals;“” An Essay towards
the restoring Chronology by Medals of Constantino’s age,' 7
and “A Chronology of the Old Testament, conformable to
the vulgar translation, illustrated by ancient Medals;
” all
which were likewise suppressed, on account of the paradoxes contained in them.
sacred and profane writers, and so leave all clear to infallibility and tradition only; but Le Clerc was of opinion, that there was no ground for this supposition. In
Still persisting in his opinion, in some letters, written to
Mons. Ballanfaux, and printed at Luxemburg in 1700, he
speaks of “an impious faction begun a long while ago,
which still subsists, and which by forging an infinite number of writings, that seem to breathe nothing but piety,
appears to have no other design than to remove God out
of the hearts of mankind, and to overturn all religion.
”
Mr. La Croze refuted his notion concerning the forgery of
the ancient writings, in a Dissertations historiques sur
divers sujets, Rot. 1707;“and in
” Vindiciae veterum
Scriptorum contra J. Harduinum.“La Croze imagined,
that Hardouin advanced his notions in concert with the society of Jesuits, or at least with his superiors, in order to
set aside the ancient Greek and Latin sacred and profane
writers, and so leave all clear to infallibility and tradition
only; but Le Clerc was of opinion, that there was no ground
for this supposition. In 1700 there was published at 4sterdam a volume in folio, entitled
” Joannis Harduini
opera selecta,“consisting of his
” Nummi antiqui populorum et urbium illustrati;“” De Baptismo quaestio triplex;“edition of
” St. Chrysostom’s Letter to Caesarius,“with the dissertation
” De Sacramento Altaris;“” De nummis Herodiadum;“his
” Discourse on the Last Supper,“which had been printed in 1693 a treatise in which he
explains the medals of the age of Constantine
” Chronology of the Old Testament, adjusted by the Vulgate translation, and illustrated by Medals“” Letters to M. de
Ballanfaux“and other pieces. This volume made a great
deal of noise before it was published. The author had
corrected what he thought proper in the works he had already published; and then put them into the hands of a
bookseller, who undertook to print them faithfully from
the copy he had received. He began the impression with
the author’s consent, and was considerably advanced in it,
when the clamour raised against the paradoxes in those
works obliged Hardouin to send an order to the bookseller
to retrench the obnoxious passages. But the bookseller
refused to do it, and wrote an answer to him, alleging the
reasons of his refusal. This immediately produced
” A
Declaration of the father provincial of the Jesuits, and of
the superiors of their houses at Paris, concerning a new
edition of some works of father John Hardouin of the same
society, which has been actually made contrary to their
will hy the Sieur de Lorme, bookseller at Amsterdam,“&c.
At the bottom of this was Hardouin’s recantation, which
runs in these curious terms
” I subscribe sincerely to
every thing contained in the preceding declaration I
heartily condemn in my writings what it condemns in them,
and particularly what I have said concerning an impious
faction, which had forged some ages ago the greatest part
of the ecclesiastical or profane writings, which have hitherto been considered as ancient. I am extremely sorry
that I did not open my eyes before in this point. I think
myself greatly obliged to my superiors in this society, who
have assisted me in divesting myself of my prejudices. I
promise never to advance in word or writing any thing
directly or indirectly contrary to my present recantation.
And if hereafter I shall call in question the antiquity of any
writing, either ecclesiastical or profane, which no person
before shall have charged as supposititious, I will only do
it by proposing my reasons in a writing published under
my name, with the permission of my superiors, and the
approbation of the public censors. In testimony of which
I have signed, this 27th of December, 1708, J. Hardouin,
of the society of Jesus.' 5
engaged him to undertake a new edition of“The Councils,” and gave him a pension for that purpose. It was printed, 1715, in 12 vols. folio, at the royal printing-house;
But notwithstanding this solemn protestation, nothing
can be more certain than that Hardouin industriously cherished and propagated his opinions to the last moment of
his life. Thus, in 1723, when he reprinted his edition of
Pliny in three volumes folio, he greatly augmented it with
notes, in which were dispersed many paradoxical conceits,
tending to support his general system, which Mr. Crevier
and father Desmolets of the oratory thought themselves
obliged to point out and refute. Yet, notwithstanding
all these circumstances, and the clamour raised against
him and his writings, he maintained his credit so well with
the clergy of France, that they engaged him to undertake
a new edition of“The Councils,
” and gave him a pension
for that purpose. It was printed, 1715, in 12 vols. folio,
at the royal printing-house; but the sale of it was prohibited by the parliament, who commissioned some
doctors, among whom was the celebrated Dupin, to examin^
it. These doctors gave in their report, that the edition!
should either be suppressed, or at least corrected in a
great number of places; because it contained many maxims injurious to the doctrines and discipline of the church
in general, and to those of the Gallican church in particular; and because some very essential things were omitted,
while others that were spurious were inserted.
s, Sept. 3, 1729, in his eighty-third year and after his death a volume of his “Opuscula,” in folio, was published by an anonymous friend. The largest and most singular
Father Hardouin died at Paris, Sept. 3, 1729, in his
eighty-third year and after his death a volume of his
“Opuscula,
” in folio, was published by an anonymous
friend. The largest and most singular of these is entitled
“Athei detecti;
” among whom are to be found Jansenius,
Malbranche, Thomasin, Descartes, Regis, Arnaud, Nicole,
Paschal, and Quesnel; whose irreligion, no doubt, consisted chiefly in their being enemies to the Jesuits. The
society, however, thought proper, in their “Memoires de
Trevonx,' 7 to disown any concern in the publication of
these
” Opuscula;“and affected to censure freely the
errors contained in them. A posthumous work was published in 1766, under the title of
” Joannis Harduini, Jesuitte, ad Censuram Scriptorum Veterum Prolegomena,"
with a valuable preface by Mr. Bowyer, to whom a curious
Latin pamphlet was addressed on that occasion by his
friend the rev. Caesar De Missy.
, an English bishop, was born in London, and educated at Eton, whence he was admitted
, an English bishop, was born in
London, and educated at Eton, whence he was admitted
of King’s college, Cambridge, in 1688, and took his degree of A. B. in 1692, and of A. M. 1696. He afterwards
became tutor in the college, and in that capacity superintended the education of the celebrated Anthony Collins,
who was fellow-commoner there. He had also the tuition
of the marquis of Blandford, only son of the illustrious
duke of Marlborough, who appointed him chaplain-general
to the army; but this promising young nobleman died in
1702, and was buried in King’s college chapel. The inscription on his monument is by our author. In 1708 Mr.
Hare took his degree of D. D. obtained the deanery of
Worcester, and in 1726 the deanery of St. Paul’s. In
Dec. 1727, he was consecrated bishop of St. Asaph, where
he sat about four years, and was translated, Nov. 25, 1731,
to the bishopric of Chichester, which he held with the
deanery of St. Paul’s to his death. He was dismissed from
being chaplain to George I. in 1718, by the strength of
party prejudices, in company with Dr. Moss and Dr. Sher-r
lock, persons of distinguished rank for parts and learning.
About the latter end of queen Anne’s reign he published
a remarkable pamphlet, entitled “The difficulties and
discouragements which attend the Study of the Scriptures,
in the way of private judgment;
” in order to shew, that
since such a study of the scriptures is an indispensable
duty, it concerns all Christian societies to remove, as much
as possible, those discouragements. This work was thought
to have such a direct tendency to promote scepticism, and
a loose way of thinking in matters of religious concern,
that the convocation judged it right to pass a severe censure
on it; and Whiston says, that, finding this piece likely to
hinder preferment, he aimed to conceal his being the author. The same writer charges him with being strongly
inclined to scepticism that he talked ludicrously of sacred
matters and that he would offer to lay wagers about the
fulfilling of scripture prophecies. The principal ground
for these invidious insinuations some suppose to be, that,
though he never denied the genuineness of the apostolical
constitutions (of which he procured for Whiston the collation of two Vienna Mss.), yet “he was not firm believer
enough, nor serious enough in Christianity, to hazard any
thing in this world for their reception.
” He published
many pieces against bishop Hoadly, in the Bangorian controversy; and also other learned works, which were collected after his death, and published in four volumes, 8yo.
2. An edition of “Terence,
” with notes, in 4to. 3. “The
Book of Psalms, in the Hebrew, put into the original poetical metre,
” 4to. In this last work he pretends to have
Discovered the Hebrew metre, which was supposed to be
irretrievably lost. But his hypothesis, though defended
by some, yet has been confuted by several learned men,
particularly by Dr. Lowth in his “Metrics Hareaue brevis
confutatio,
” annexed to his lectures “De Sacra Poesi Hebreeorum.
” He was yet more unfortunate in the abovementioned edition of Terence, which sunk under the reputation of that of Dr. Bentley, of whom he was once the
warm admirer, and afterwards the equally warm opponent.
During their friendship the emendations on Menander and
Philemon were transmitted through Hare, who was then
chaplain-general to the army, to Burman, in 1710; and
Bentley’s “Remarks on the Essay on Freethinking
” (supposed to be written by Collins) were inscribed to him in
1713. As soon as the first part of these were published,
Hare formally thanked Dr. Bentley by name for them, in
a most flattering letter called “The Clergyman’s Thanks
to Phileleutherus,
” printed the same year; but, in consequence of the rupture between them, not inserted in the
collection of Hare’s works. This rupture took place soon
after the above-mentioned date, and Bentley in the subsequent editions of his “Remarks
” withdrew the inscription. Hare was excessively piqued at the utter annihilation of his Terence and Phoedrus, the one soon after its
birth, the other before its birth, by Bentley’s edition of
both together in 1726, who never once names Hare.
Bishop Hare, about the time of his death, was preparing an edition of Plautus. He died at his house at Chalfont
Bishop Hare, about the time of his death, was preparing an edition of Plautus. He died at his house at Chalfont St. Giles’s, Bucks, where he had bought an* estate and resided very much, April 26, 1740, and was buried in that parish church. He was twice married. His son, the rev. Robert Hare of Hurstmonceaux place, in Sussex, prebendary of Winchester, died in March 1797. He was the father of James Hare, esq. late member of parliament for Knaresborough.
f Homersfield, in the county of Suffolk, the elder branch being seated at Stow Bardolph, in Norfolk) was born at Blechingley, in Surrey, May 10, 1693; educated at Enfield,
, third and last baron
of that name and family, descended from John, younger
brother to sir Nicholas Hare, baronet, master of the rolls,
and privy-counsellor to Henry VIII. (both sons to Nicholas Hare of Homersfield, in the county of Suffolk, the elder branch being seated at Stow Bardolph, in Norfolk)
was born at Blechingley, in Surrey, May 10, 1693; educated at Enfield, under Dr. Uvedale, who had also the
honour of educating, among many other eminent men, the
late earl of Huntingdon, and sir Jeremy Sambrooke, bart.
After the death of his grandfather, Hugh lord Colerane,
in 1708, he succeeded to the title, and was admitted a
gentleman commoner of Corpus Christi college, Oxford,
under the tuition of Dr. Rogers, who afterwards married
Lydia, one of his lordship’s sisters . A lyric poem by
lord Colerane appeared in the “Academiae Oxoniensis
Comitia Philologica, 1713,
” and in the “Musaj Anglicanae,
” vol. III. p. 303, under the title of “Musaruin
oblatio ad reginam.
” Dr. Basil Kennet, who succeeded
Dr. Turner in the presidency of that society, inscribed
to his lordship an epistolary poem on his predecessor’s
death. He was a great proficient in the learned languages, particularly the Greek; and eminently versed
in history, both civil and ecclesiastical. He was grand
master of the society of free-masons, and had made the
tour of Italy three times; the second time with Dr.
Con yers Middle ton, about 1723, in which he made a noble collection of prints and drawings of all the antiquities,
buildings, and pictures in Italy; given after his decease
to Corpus Christi college. The esteem in which he was
held by the literati procured him admittance into the Republica Literaria di Arcadia, and the particular intimacy
of the marquis Scipio Maffei; who afterwards visited him
at his ancient manor and seat at Tottenham, in Middlesex.
His lordship died at Bath, Aug. 4, 1749; and was buried
in the family vault at Tottenham, built, with the vestrv,
by his grandfather. His very valuable collection of prints
relative to English antiquities, with a portrait of him when
a young man, by Richardson, were obtained after his
death by Mr. Henry Baker for the Society of Antiquaries.
His books were sold to T. Osborne, who detained some of
the family papers, which were with difficulty recovered
from him. The pictures, bronzes, marble, tables, urns,
vases, and other antiquities, were sold by auction, March
13 and 14, 1754, for 904l. 135. 6d. The coins, it is supposed, were disposed of privately. His lordship married
in 1717, Anne, only daughter of John Hanger, esq. by
whom he had a fortune of 100,000l. but she, having unaccountably left him within three years, and resisted every
effort of his to recall her, after twenty more years he
formed a connexion with a foreign lady, Miss Duplessis, by
whom he had a natural daughter, Henrietta Rosa Pevegrina, born in Italy, and afterwards naturalized. She was
married in 1764 to James Townsend, esq. alderman of
Bishopsgate ward, who in her right -enjoyed the extensive manor of Tottenham, and repaired the family seat,
commonly called Bruce-castle, from having anciently belonged to theBruces earls of Huntingdon, which had been
considerably modernized in the close of the seventeenth
century. It is now the property of William Curtis, esq.
son to sir William Curtis, bart.
, afterwards earl of Oxford and earl Mortimer, and lord high treasurer in the reign of queen Anne, was eldest son of sir Edward Harley, and born at London, in Bow-street,
, afterwards earl of Oxford and earl
Mortimer, and lord high treasurer in the reign of queen
Anne, was eldest son of sir Edward Harley, and born at
London, in Bow-street, Covent Garden, December 5, 1661.
He was educated under the rev. Mr. Birch, at Shilton, near
Burford, Oxfordshire, which, though a private school, was
remarkable for producing at the same time, a lord high
treasurer, viz. lord Oxford a lord high chancellor, viz.
lord Harcourt a lord chief justice of the common pleas,
viz. lord Trevor and ten members of the house of commops, who were all contemporaries, as well at school as
in parliament. Here he laid the foundation of that extensive knowledge and learning, which rendered him afterwards so conspicuous in the world. At the revolution, sir
Edward Harley, and this his eldest son, raised a troop of
horse at their own expence; and, after the accession of king
William and queen Mary, he was first chosen member of
parliament for Tregony in Cornwall, and afterwards served
for the town of Radnor till he was called to the house of
lords. In 1690 he was chosen by ballot one of the nine
members of the house of commons, commissioners for
stating the public accounts; and also one of the arbitrators
for uniting the two India companies. In 1694 the house
of commons ordered Mr. Harley, November 19, to prepare and bring in a bill “For the frequent meeting and
calling of parliaments;
” which he accordingly did upon the
22d, and it was received and agreed to by both houses,
without any alteration or amendment. On February 11,
1701-2, he was chosen speaker of the house of commons;
and that parliament being dissolved the same year by king
William, and a new one called, he was again chosen
speaker, December 31st following, as he was in the first
parliament called by queen Anne.
On April 17, 1704, he was sworn of her majesty’s privy council; and, May 18th following,
On April 17, 1704, he was sworn of her majesty’s privy
council; and, May 18th following, sworn in council one
of the principal secretaries of state, being also speaker of
the house of commons at the same time. In 1706 he was
appointed one of the commissioners for the treaty of union
with Scotland, which took effect; and resigned his place
of principal secretary of state in February 1707-8. August
10, 1710, he was constituted one of the commissioners of
the treasury, also chancellor and under-treasurer of the
exchequer. On the 8th of March following he was in great
danger of his life; the marquis of Guiscard, a French papist, then under examination of a committee of the privy
council at Whitehall, stabbing him with a penknife, which
he took up in the clerk’s room, where he waited before he
was examined. Guiscard was imprisoned, and died in
Newgate the 17th of the same month: and an act of parliament passed, making it felony, without benefit of clergy,
to attempt the life of a privy counsellor in the execution of
his office; and a clause was inserted “To justify and indemnify all persons, who in assisting in defence of Mr.
Harley, chancellor of the exchequer, when he was stabbed
by the sieur de Guiscard, and in securing him, did give
any wound or bruise to the said sieur de Guiscard, whereby
he received his death.
” The wound Mr. Harley had received confined him some weeks; but the house being informed that it was almost healed, and that he would in a
few days come abroad, resolved to congratulate his escape
and recovery; and accordingly, upon his attending the
house on the 26th of April, the speaker addressed him in
a very respectful speech, to which Mr. Harley returned as
respectful an answer. They had before addressed the
queen on this alarming occasion.
In 1711, queen Anne, to reward his many eminent services, was pleased to advance him to the peerage of Great Britain, by the
In 1711, queen Anne, to reward his many eminent services, was pleased to advance him to the peerage of Great Britain, by the style and titles of baron Harley of Wigmore, in the county of Hereford, earl of Oxford, and earl Mortimer, with remainder, for want of issue male of his own body, to the heirs male of sir Robert Harley, knight of the Bath, his grandfather. May 29, 1711, he was appointed lord high treasurer of Great Britain; and August 15th following, at a general court of the South-sea company he was chosen their governor, as he had been their founder and chief regulator. October 26, 1712, he was elected a knight companion of the most noble order of the garter. July 27, 1714, he resigned his staff of lord high treasurer of Great Britain, at Kensington, into the queen’s hand, she dying upon the 1st of August following. June 10, 1715, he was impeached by the House of commons of high-treason, and high crimes and misdemeanors; and on July the 16th was committed to the Tower by the House of lords, where he suffered confinement till July 1, 1717, and then, after a public trial, was acquitted by his peers. He died in the 64th year of his age, May 21, 1724, after having been twice married.
sed for the British Museum. The dispersion, however, of his printed books must ever be regretted. He was also a man of taste and letters himself; and under this character
Hewas a great encourager of learning, and the greatest
collector in his time of all curious books in print and manuscript, especially those concerning the history of his own
country, which were preserved and much augmented by
the earl his son, and afterwards purchased for the British
Museum. The dispersion, however, of his printed books
must ever be regretted. He was also a man of taste and
letters himself; and under this character we find a proposal addressed to him by Dr. Swift, “for correcting, improving, and ascertaining the English tongue.
” He wrote
also “An Essay upon Public Credit,
” An Essay upon
Loans,
” and “A Vindication of the Rights of the Commons of England,
” said to be by him, but signed Humphrey Mackworth. Various letters by him are preserved
among the Harleian Mss.; and a few jocular verses in the
correspondence between Swift and his friends.
Oxford, says Mr. archdeacon Coxe, was unimpeachable in his private character, never offending against
Oxford, says Mr. archdeacon Coxe, was unimpeachable in his private character, never offending against morality either in conversation or action, a tender husband, and a good father; highly disinterested and generous. He prided himself in his high descent, was stiff and formal in his deportment, and forbidding in his manner. He was learned and pedantic; embarrassed and inelegant both in speaking and writing. He was equally an enemy to pleasure and business; extremely dilatory and fond of procrastination; timid in public affairs, yet intrepid when his own person was concerned; jealous of power, indefatigable in promoting the petty intrigues of the court, but negligent in things of importance a whig in his heart, and a tory from ambition too ready for temporary convenience to adopt measures he disapproved, yet unwilling wholly to sacrifice his real sentiments to interest or party; affecting the most profound secrecy in all political transactions, and mysterious in the most trifling occurrences. He was liberal in making promises, yet breaking them without scruple, a defect which arose more from facility of temper, than from design. He corresponded at the same time with the dethroned family and the house of Hanover, and was there fore neither trusted nor respected by either party. The only pojnt in which he and his colleague Bolingbroke agreed, was the love of literature and the patronage of learned men; which rendered their administration eminently illustrious.
, a learned Greek scholar and teacher, was the son of a father of the same name, who was warden of Winchester,
, a learned Greek scholar and teacher,
was the son of a father of the same name, who was warden
of Winchester, and died in 1613. He was also an able
Greek scholar, was employed on the translation of the Bible,
and published some of Chrysostom’s homilies from Mss. in
the library of New-college, Oxford. His son was born
about 1594, at Churchdowne, near Gloucester, and educated at Winchester-school. In 1611 he entered as a
demy of Magdalen-college, Oxford, and completed his
master’s degree in 1617, the highest Wood says he took,
“although he was in his latter days called Dr. Harmar.
”
His first employment as a teacher was in Magdalen school,
about which time he took orders. He was afterwards in
succession chief master of the free-school at St. Alban’s, and
under-master of Westminster-school. In 1650, when the
committee for reforming the university had ejected all the
old professors, he was appointed by their authority, Greek
professor, and in 1659 was presented to the rectory of
Ewhurst, in Hampshire. On account of his connexions
with the usurping powers, he was deprived of his professorship and rectory at the restoration, and retired to Steventon, in Hampshire,where he subsisted on his wife’s
jointure. He died there Nov. 1, 1670. As a nonconformist
Calamy has nothing to say for him, and Neal says “he was
an honest, weak man.
” He wrote Latin and Greek panegyrics on the leading men of all parties, and complimented
Charles II. with as much sincerity as he had Cromwell,
and Richard his successor. In the facility of Greek
composition he appears to have excelled, and he translated
some part of Butler’s Hudibras into Latin, retaining much
of the spirit of the original. While engaged as a teacher,
he published a “Praxis Grammatica,
” Lond. Janua Linguarum,
” of which there were six
or seven editions before J 63 1 He published also a “Lexicon Etymologicon Graccum,
” which Wood says is “junctim
cum Scapula,
” Lond. 1637, fol. His other principal works
are, 1. “Eclogse sententiarum et similitudinum, e D.
Chrysostomo decerptae,
” Gr. & Lah with notes, Lond.
Protomartyr Britannus; seu Elogia sacra
in conversionem et rnartyrium S. Albani,
” ibid. Epistola ad D. Lambertum Osbaldestonum, cui intexitur Apologia pro honoratissimo &c. D. Johanne Williams Arch. Eborac.
” ibid. M. T. Ciceronis vita, ex optimis quibusque scriptoribus delibata,
”
Ox. Mirror of Humility;
” from English
into Greek and Latin, the Assembly’s “Shorter Catechism,
” ibid. Treatise concerning Ambassadors.
”
, a learned dissenter, was born at Norwich in 1715. He received the elements of classical
, a learned dissenter, was born at
Norwich in 1715. He received the elements of classical
learning in the country, and discovering an inclination for
the profession of a dissenting minister, was sent to London
to study un'ler the tuition of Mr. Eames. When he had
finished his studies, he settled with a small congregation
at Wattsfield, in Suffolk, where he improved his acquaintance with the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, in
each of which he acquired much critical skill. The favourite object of his pursuit was oriental history, which he
applied to the illustration of the sacred writings. Observing a striking conformity between the present customs
of the eastern nations and those of the ancients, as mentioned or alluded to in various passages of scripture, he
conceived a design at a very early period, of making extracts of such passages in books of travels and voyages, as
appeared to him to furnish a key to many parts of holy
writ. In 1764 he published a volume of “Observations
on divers Passages of Scripture,
” &c. The favourable reception which this work met with, encouraged Mr. Harmer
to proceed in it, and in 1776 he gave the public an
enlarged edition of it, in 2 vols. 8vo. By the preface to this
impression we learn that Dr. Lowth bishop of London furnished him with some ms papers of sir John Chardin. In
17S7 Mr. Haroier published two other volumes. A new
edition of the whole of this most useful work has lately been
published by the rev. Adam Clarke. He was author also
of the ' Outlines of a new Commentary on Solomon’s Song,
drawn by the help of instructions from the East;“an
” Account of the Jewish Doctrine of the Resurrection of the
Dead," and some other tracts of less consequence. Mr.
Harrner died without a struggle, in November 1788,
having passed the preceding day in perfect health.
s, in which he supposed that the sun and moon returned to the same point; but this cycle of Harpalus was afterwards altered by Meton, about the year 444 B. C. who added
, a great astronomer, who flourished about
480 years before Christ, corrected the cycle of eight years
invented by Cleostratus, and in its stead proposed a new
one of nine years, in which he supposed that the sun and
moon returned to the same point; but this cycle of Harpalus was afterwards altered by Meton, about the year 444
B. C. who added ten years to it, which cycle is still in use,
and called “The Golden Number.
”
, one of the ablest French writers of the last century, was born at Paris, Nov. 20, 1739. His father, an officer of the
, one of the ablest French
writers of the last century, was born at Paris, Nov. 20,
1739. His father, an officer of the artillery, died when
he was very young, and left him in poverty. He obtained,
however, the patronage of M. Asselin, principal of the
college of Harcourt, who conceived an affection for him,
received him among his pupils, and soon after obtained a
pension for him. During his education he displayed a
turn for poetry and satire, and was accused of writing a
satirical poem on his benefactor. He protested his innocence and his reverence for M. Asselin; but this not appearing satisfactory, he was confined for some months in a
house of correction. One of his biographers says in the
Bastille; but, wherever it was, we are told that it made a
deep impression on him. His first poetical productions
after this affair, were of a species then very fashionable,
and called Heroides, in which Colordeau, Ranee, and
Dorat had distinguished themselves, and La Harpe was
thought little inferior to Dorat. In 1763, when only in
his twenty-fourth year, he wrote his tragedy of “Warwick,
” which met with deserved success, and still preserves its popularity on the stage. “Timoleon,
” which
he produced in Pharmond,
” in Warwick
” within so short a space of time.
zes; and few writers have been more successful. Among the “Eloges” which he wrote, that on Henry IV. was most admired, and scarcely less those on Fenelon, Racine, and
Having, however, acquired notice by these productions,
he had the courage to become a candidate for the academic prizes; and few writers have been more successful.
Among the “Eloges
” which he wrote, that on Henry IV.
was most admired, and scarcely less those on Fenelon,
Racine, and Catinat, which excelled in an exact estimate
of character and in elegance of style. His poetical pieces,
however, even those which obtained the prizes, are more
distinguished by purity of style, and elegance and facility
of versification, than for genuine poetical spirit. In the
mean time his enthusiasm for the stage produced in 1766
“Gustavus Vasa,
” in MenzikofT,
” and in The Barmicides,
” and afterwards various other dramas,
none of which proved rivals to his “Warwick
” in the public estimation, except his “Philoctete,
” a translation from
Sophocles, represented for the first time in 1781, in which
he is thought by his countrymen to have preserved all the
beauties of the original.
ays and poems, and by his “Warwick,” at length opened the doors of the French academy, into which he was admitted in 1776. In 1779 he wrote his “Muses Rivales” in compliment
The reputation he had gained by his various prize essays and poems, and by his “Warwick,
” at length opened
the doors of the French academy, into which he was admitted in 1776. In 1779 he wrote his “Muses Rivales
”
in compliment to Voltaire, and the year following an eloge
on that celebrated writer, with whom he had been acquainted since 1765. He was not less a favourite, or
less connected with the encyclopedists, and was at this
time accounted an adept in that audacious philosophy
which infected France, and finally dissolved her morals.
ment of the abbe“Prevost’s Histoire des Voyages,” an employment so much beneath his talents, that it was generally considered rather as a bookseller’s job than an effort
About 1779 he undertook an abridgment of the abbe“Prevost’s Histoire des Voyages,
” an employment so much
beneath his talents, that it was generally considered rather
as a bookseller’s job than an effort of literary ambition. In
the same year he printed his “Tangu et Felime,
” in four
cantos, which was reckoned one of the best productions of
the voluptuous kind. But that on which his fame is more
honourably and solidly established, was his “Cour de
Litterature, ancienne et moderne,
” which justly entitles
him to the appellation of the French Quintilian. Being
appointed a professor of literature in the Lyceum, the lectures he had delivered in it during many years were
collected and properly arranged by him, and soon after published under the title of “Lyceum; or, Course of Literature,
” in 12 vols. 8vo. M. Petitot says of this work, that
“he not only labours to give to persons of no great knowledge competent information on the topics of his work, but
arrests the attention of the most learned. In his plans,
the outline of which alone announces an immense stock of
science and learning, he embraces all ages in which literature has flourished. Every celebrated work is analyzed
and discussed. The beauties of the several writers are
happily displayed, and their faults pointed out with all the
ability of the most lively and sound criticism. That which
distinguishes La Harpe from other moderns who have
treated of literature is, that he always assumes the tone of
the work he criticises, a merit which we find in none of the
ancients except Cicero, Quintilian, and Longinus. If
he speaks of the Iliad, we behold him borrow all the rich
colours of the father of poetry to decorate his discourse.
If he treats of Demosthenes and Cicero, all the great interests of Athens and Rome are re-produced under his pen.
If Tacitus is his theme, we are instantly transported to the
age of the emperors; we enter into all the mystery of the
dark policy of Tiberius, and tremble at the sight of Nero.
”
The only regret on this subject is that the author did not
live to finish his course of instruction; only some fragments
have been left of what he purposed as a continuation.
Notwithstanding the multiplicity of his labours, La Harpe was much in company, and his visits were eagerly courted. Doubtless
Notwithstanding the multiplicity of his labours, La Harpe was much in company, and his visits were eagerly courted. Doubtless he owed the favour in which he was with polite circles to his early and brilliant success in letters, which at once balanced the prejudices created by the resentment often excited by the severity of his criticisms. From the first essay of his talents he was patronized by Voltaire and D'Alembert, who were at the head of literature and sciences; and it is well known what influence those two celebrated men possessed over the public opinion. VoUaire accorded him the title of his favourite pupil. Married while yet very young, to a woman of wit and beauty, madame de la Harpe and he mutually shone with unusual brilliancy in the most fashionable assemblies. They had been formed in the art of speaking and declamation under the eyes of Voltaire during a long stay they made at Ferney, where they were accustomed to perform the principal parts in the tragedies of that great poet, got up by his direction at his own theatre. This practice was also of great importance to M. de la Harpe in the art of reading, which he possessed in a very superior manner. The mode was still at the height of attending in crowds at the readings given by authors of their works previous to publication; and M. de Ja Harpe, whose various productions succeeded each other so rapidly, was invited to make his readings in so many circles, that he was soon compelled to be select in his choice of the circles he honoured with this gratification.
terrorism of Robespierre. It appears from the report of Gregoire to the national convention, that he was imprisoned from November 1793 to August 1794; and this confinement
At the beginning of the revolution he professed himself
an advocate for the new order of things; and most likely
he continued in the same principles till the downfall of
royalty, and till he himself fell a prey to the terrorism of
Robespierre. It appears from the report of Gregoire to
the national convention, that he was imprisoned from November 1793 to August 1794; and this confinement was the
cause of M. La Harpe’s conversion, brought about by the advice of the bishop of St. Brieux, who happened to be his fellow-prisoner La Harpe soon after proved one of the greatest
champions of the attempted counter-revolution; and from
the latter part of 1794, he devoted almost his whole time
to royalist publications, among which were his dissertation
on the war declared by the republican tyranny against good
sense and morals, his Fanaticism of the Revolutionary
Language, his Confutation of Helvetius, and his journal
Le Memorial, which he edited conjointly with his friend
Fontanes. This Memorial, however, involved La Harpe
in the directorial proscription of the 14th September 1797,
and he narrowly escaped being transported to Cayenne;
it was a twelvemonth before he was restored to his station
in Paris. But confinement had injured his health, and he
died in Feb. 1803, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. On
the evening preceding his death, M. Fontanes called to
see him; he was listening to the Prayers for the Sick; and
as soon as they were concluded, he stretched his hand to
M. Fontanes, and said, “I am grateful to divine mercy
for having left me sufficient recollection to feel how consoling these prayers are to the dying.
” His funeral was
attended by his friends, and most of the distinguished literary characters in France. A deputation from the institute
, dean of Norwich, and one of the bitterest persecutors under the reign of queen Mary, was born in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, Old Fishstreet, London,
, dean of Norwich, and one of
the bitterest persecutors under the reign of queen Mary,
was born in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, Old Fishstreet, London, and educated at Winchester school, whence
he was sent to New college, Oxford, of which he was admitted fellow in 1534. Having completed his degrees in
arts, and taken orders, he became chaplain to bishop Bonner, whose whole spirit he imbibed. In 1554 he was collated to the church of St. Martin Ludgate, which he resigned on being presented to the living of Layndon in Essex in May 1558. He had other preferments, and was
created doctor of divinity. A few months before the death
of queen Mary, he was preferred to the deanery of Norwich; but was deprived of it in 1560, and committed to
the Fleet prison He remained here about a year, and was
then set at liberty on giving security for his peaceable behaviour. He died in London in 1578. Among his
preferments was that of archdeacon of London, given to him
because he would act with more cruelty to the martyrs than
his predecessor. He appears, indeed, in every respect, a
suitable assistant to Bonner. In learning, however, he
does not appear to have been inferior to any of his contemporaries. His published works are, 1. “Concio ad clerum,
” Lond. Homilies,
” Disputations and Epistles,
” in Fox’s Acts and
Monuments. 4. “Supputatio temporum a diluvio ad A.D.
1559,
” Lond.
, brother to the preceding, was born in London, and educated at Winchester school, after which
, brother to the preceding,
was born in London, and educated at Winchester school,
after which he studied civil law at New college, Oxford, of
which he was admitted a fellow in 1536. In 1543 he took
the degree of bachelor of laws, and the year following was
chosen principal of White-hall, which stood on the site of
Jesus college. In 1546 he was appointed regius professor
of Greek. He was the first who read this lecture before it
was fully established by Henry VIII. and Leland characterizes him as “Atticae linguae interpres facilis, disertus,
aptus.
” He appears to have resigned this office in
s vitae, sanctorum sacrorum imaginum, oppugnatores et pseudo-martyres,“Antwerp, 1566, 1573, 4to This was published under the name of Alan Cope, Harpsfeld being then
him every help in compiling his ecclesiastical history. He
died in 1583. He wrote, 1. Dialogi sex contra summi
pontificatus, monastics vitae, sanctorum sacrorum imaginum, oppugnatores et pseudo-martyres,“Antwerp, 1566,
1573, 4to This was published under the name of Alan Cope,
Harpsfeld being then in prison. The initials at the end,
A. H. L. N. H. E. V. E. A. C. Pits interprets thus,
” Auctor hujus libri Nicolaus Harpsfeldus; edidit vero eum
Alanus Copus.“2.
” Historia Anglicana ecclesiastica,“Doway, 1622. The original ms. is in the Cotton library,
but differs in some passages from the printed book. It is
a learned and laborious performance, according to Wood,
but much impartiality cannot be expected. 3.
” Historia
haeresis Wickleffianæ,“published with the former. 4.
” Chronicon a diluvio Noe ad annum 1559,“ms. in verse,
and 5.
” A Treatise concerning Marriage," occasioned by
king Henry VIII. 's divorce, a ms. in the library of New
college. Other manuscripts are mentioned in our authorities.
, an eminent political writer, was born in January 1611, being the eldest son of sir Sapcote Harrington,
, an eminent political writer,
was born in January 1611, being the eldest son of sir Sapcote Harrington, and Jane the daughter of sir William
Samuel of Upton, in Northamptonshire, the place of his
nativity. When he had made a progress in classical learning, he was admitted in 1629 a gentleman-commoner of
Trinity college, in Oxford, and placed under Mr. Chillingworth, who had lately been elected fellow of that college;
from whom he might possibly acquire some portion of that
spirit of reasoning and thinking for himself, which afterwards shone forth so conspicuously in his writings.
About three years after, his father died; upon which he
left the university, and commenced travelling, having previously furnished himself with the knowledge of several
foreign languages. His first step was into Holland, then
the principal school of martial discipline; and, what may
be supposed to have affected him more sensibly, a country
wonderfully flourishing, under the auspices of liberty,
commerce, strength, and grandeur. Here it is probable
that he began to make government the subject of his meditations; for, he was often heard to say, that, “before he
left England, he knew no more of anarchy, monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, oligarchy, or the like, than as hard
words, whose signification he found in his dictionary.
” On
coming into the Netherlands, he entered a volunteer, and
remained in that capacity some months, in lord Craven’s
regiment; during which time, being much at the Hague,
he had the farther opportunity of accomplishing himself in
two courts, those of the prince of Orange, and of the queen
of Bohemia, daughter of our James I. who was then a fugitive in Holland. He was taken into great favour by this
princess, and also by the prince elector, whom he attended
to Copenhagen, when his highness paid a visit to the king
of Denmark; and, after his return from travelling, was
entrusted by him with the affairs of the Palatinate, so far
as they were transacted at the British court.
aking Flanders in his way, he set out on a tour through part of Germany, France, and Italy. While he was at Rome, the pope performed the ceremony of consecrating wax-lights
He stayed, however, but a short time in Holland; no
temptations or offers could divert or restrain him from the
resolution he had formed to pursue his travels, and therefore, taking Flanders in his way, he set out on a tour
through part of Germany, France, and Italy. While he
was at Rome, the pope performed the ceremony of consecrating wax-lights on Candlemas-day. When his holiness
had sanctified these torches, they were distributed among
the people, who fought for them very eagerly. Harrington was desirous to have one of them; but, perceiving that
it was not to be obtained without kissing the pope’s toe,
he declined to accept it on such a condition. His companions were not so scrupulous, and when they came home
spoke of his squeamishness to the king. The king told
him, “he might have done it only as a piece of respect to
a temporal prince;
” but Harrington replied, that “since
he had the honour to kiss his majesty’s hand, he thought it
beneath him to kiss any other prince’s foot.
” He is said
to have preferred Venice to all other places in Italy, as he
did its government to that of the whole world; it being, in
his opinion, immutable by any external or internal causes,
and to finish only with mankind. Here he cultivated an
acquaintance with all the men of letters, and furnished
himself with the most valuable books in the Italian tongue,
such especially as were written upon politics and government.
uriosity the commissioners appointed by parliament to Charles I. from Newcastle nearer to London, he was by some of them named to wait on his majesty, as a person known
After having thus seen Italy, France, the Low Countries,
Denmark, and some parts of Germany, he returned home
to England, and in the beginning of the civil war, 1642,
he took a decided part with the parliament, and endeavoured to get a seat in the house, but could not. His in,
clmation to letters kept him from seeking public employments, so that we hear no more of him till 1646; when
attending out of curiosity the commissioners appointed by
parliament to Charles I. from Newcastle nearer to London,
he was by some of them named to wait on his majesty, as
a person known to him before, and engaged to no party or
faction. The king approved the proposal, and Harrington,
entered on the station of a domestic; but would never
presume to come into his presence, except in public, till
he was particularly commanded by the king, and made one
of the grooms of the bed-chamber in May 1647. He had
the good fortune to please the king much: “His majesty
loved his company,
” says Wood, “and, finding him to be
an ingenious man, chose rather to converse with him than,
with others of his chamber. They had often;
” says he,
“discourses concerning government; but, when they happened to talk of a commonwealth, the king seemed not to
endure it.
” Harrington conceived a high notion of the
king, finding him to be a different person from what he
had been represented, as to parts, morals, religion, &c.
and therefore, after the king was removed out of the Isle
of Wight to Hurst-castle, in Hampshire, was forcibly
turned out of his service, because he vindicated some of
his majesty’s arguments against the parliament commissioners at Newport, and thought his concessions more satisfactory than they did. There is no ground to imagine
that he saw the king any more till the day he was brought
to the scaffold; whither Harrington found means to accompany him, and where, or a little before, he received a
token of hifcmajesty’s affection. The king’s execution affected him extremely. He often said, ft nothing ever
went nearer him; and that his grief on that account was
so great as to bring a disorder upon him."
After the king’s death, he was observed to keep much in his library, and more retired than
After the king’s death, he was observed to keep much
in his library, and more retired than usual, which his
friends attributed to discontent and melancholy. But, to
convince them that this was not the cause of his retirement, he produced a copy of his “Oceana;
” which “he
had been writing,
” he said, “not only because it was
agreeable to the studies which he pursued, but because, if
ever it should be the fate of England to be, like Italy of
old, overrun by a barbarous people, or to have its government and records destroyed by some merciless conqueror,
they might not be then left to their own invention in,
framing a new government.
” This “Oceana
” is a kind of
political romance, in imitation of Plato’s “Atlantic Story,
”
where, by Oceana, Harrington means England; exhibiting
a plan of republican government, which he would have had
erected here, in case these kingdoms had formed themselves into a genuine commonwealth. This work,
however, pleased no party, and as it reflected severely upon
Oliver’s usurpation, met with many difficulties in the publishing; for, it being known to some of the courtiers that
it was printing, they hunted it from one press to another,
till at last they found it, and carried it to Whitehall. Ah
the solicitations he could make were not able to retrieve
his papers, till he bethought himself of applying to lady
Claypole, who was a good-natured woman, and Oliver’s
favourite daughter; and who, upon his declaring that they
contained nothing prejudicial to her father’s government,
got them restored to him. He printed it in 1656, and dedicated it, as he promised lady Claypole, to her father;
who, it is said, perused it, but declared, agreeable to his
principles of policy, that “the gentleman must not think
to cheat him of his power and authority; for that what he
had won by the sword, he would not suffer himself to be
scribbled out of.
”
This work was no sooner published, than many undertook a refutation of it.
This work was no sooner published, than many undertook a refutation of it. This occasioned him to reply, and
to explain his scheme, in several successive pieces, which
may be easily seen in the collection of his works. In the mean
time, he not only endeavoured to propagate his republican'
notions by writing, but, for the more effectually advancing
a cause, of which he was enthusiastically enamoured, he
formed a society of gentlemen, agreeing with him in principles, who met nightly at Miles’s coffee-house, in New
Palace-yard, Westminster, and were called the Rota.
Wood has given a very particular account of this association, or gang, as he calls them. “Their discourses about
government,
” says he, “and of ordering a commonwealth,
were the most ingenious and smart that ever were heard;
for the arguments in the parliament-house were but flat to
those. This gang had a balloting-box, and balloted how
things should be carried by way of essay, which not being
used, or known in England before on this account, the
room was every evening very full. The doctrine there inculcated was very taking; and the more, because as to
human foresight there was no possibility of the king’s return. The greatest part of the parliament-men hated this
rotation and balloting, as being against their power: eight
or ten were for it, who proposed it to the house, and made
it out to the members, that, except they embraced that
sort of government, they must be ruined. The model of
it was, that the third part of the senate or house should
rote out by ballot every year, not capable of being elected
again for three years to come; so that every ninth year
the senate would be wholly altered. No magistrate was to
continue above three years, and all to be chosen by the
ballot, than which nothing could be invented more fair and
impartial, as it was then thought, though opposed by many
for several reasons. This club of commonwealthsmen,
which began about Michaelmas 1659, lasted till about Feb.
21 following; at which time, the secluded members being
restored by general Monk, all their models vanished .
”
After the restoration, he lived more privately than he had done before, but still was looked upon as a dangerous person, who maintained and propagated
After the restoration, he lived more privately than he
had done before, but still was looked upon as a dangerous
person, who maintained and propagated principles which
could never be reconciled to monarchical government. He
employed himself now in reducing his politics into short
and easy aphorisms methodically digested, and freely communicated his papers to all who visited him. While he
was putting the last hand to his system, he was, by an
order from the king, seized December 28, 1661, and committed to the Tower of London for treasonable designs and
practices. He was charged by lord chancellor Hyde, at a
conference of the lords and commons, with being concerned in a plot, of which twenty-one persons were the
chief managers “that they all met in Bow-street, Coventgarden, and in other places that they were of seven different parties or interests, as three for the commonwealth,
three for the long-parliament, three for the city, three for
the purchasers, three for the disbanded army, three for the
independents, and three for the fifth-monarchy men; that
their first consideration was how to agree on the choice of
parliament-men against the ensuing session; and that a
special care ought to be had about the members for the
city of London, as a precedent for the rest of the kingdom
to follow; whereupon they nominated the four members
after chosen, and then sitting in parliament. Their next
care was to frame a petition to the parliament for a preaching ministry; and liberty of conscience; then they were to divide and subdivide themselves into several councils and committees, for the better carrying on their business by themselves or their agents and accomplices all over the
kingdom. In these meetings Harrington was said to be often
in the chair;. that they had taken an oath of secrecy, and
concerted measures for levying men and money.
” The
chancellor added, that though he had certain information
of the times and places of their meetings, and particularly
those of Harrington and Wildman, they were nevertheless
so fixed in their nefarious design, that none of those they
had taken would confess any thing, not so much as that
they had seen and spoken to one another at those times or
places.
But, notwithstanding these declarations of the chancellor, it is certain, that this plot was never proved, and was probahly imaginary. It is at least easy
But, notwithstanding these declarations of the chancellor,
it is certain, that this plot was never proved, and was probahly imaginary. It is at least easy to account upon political principles, for Harrington’s confinement, and the severe usage he met with, when we consider not only his notions of government, which he every where enforced with
the greatest zeal; but also how obnoxious he made himself to the powers then in being, by his treatment of the
Stuart family. Nothing can be viler than the picture he
has drawn of Mary queen of Scotland; he has also painted
her son James I. in the most odious colours, suggesting at
the same time, that he was not born of the queen, but was
a supposititious impostor, and of course had no right to
the crown he inherited. His portrait of Charles I. is an
abominable figure t “never was man,
” says he, “so resolute and obstinate in tyranny. He was one of the most
consummate in the arts of tyranny that ever was; and it
could be no other than God’s hand, that arrested him in
the height of his designs and greatness, and cut off him
and his family.
” Such a character very ill accorded with
what he had himself observed of that unhappy monarch,
and with the grief he felt at his death; but Harrington
seems in the latter end of his life to have grown fanatic in
politics, and his keeping within no bounds might make
it the more expedient to put him under confinement.
From the Tower he was conveyed very privately to St.
Nicholas’s island opposite to Plymouth; and thence, upon
petition, to Plymouth, some relations-obliging themselves
in a bond of 5000l. for his safe imprisonment. At this
place he became acquainted with one Dr. Dunstan, who
advised him to take a preparation of guiacum in coffee, as
a certain cure for the scurvy, with whi<& he was then troubled. He drank of this liquor in great quantities, which
had probably a very pernicious effect, for he soon grew
delirious; upon which a rumour prevailed at Plymouth,
that he had taken some drink which would make any man
mad in a month; and other circumstances made his relations suspect, that he had foul play shewn him, lest he
should write any more “Oceanas.
” It was near a month
before he was able to bear the journey to London, whither,
as nothing appeared against him, he had leave from the
king to go. Here he was put under the care of physicians,
who could afford little help to the weakness of his body,
and none at all to the disorders of his mind. He would discourse of other things rationally enough; but, when his
own distemper was touched upon, he would fancy and
utter strange things about the operation of his animal spirits, which transpired from him, he said, in the shape of
birds, flies, bees, or the like. He talked so much of good
and evil spirits, that he even terrified those about him;
and to those who objected to him that these chimeras were
the fruits of a disordered imagination, he would reply, that
11 he was like Democritus, who, for his admirable discoveries in anatomy, was reckoned distracted by his fellowcitizens." In this crazy condition he married the daughter
of sir Marmaduke Dprrel, in Buckinghamshire, a lady to
whom he was formerly suitor, and with whom he spent the
remainder of his life. Towards his latter end, he was subject to the gout, and enjoyed little ease; but, after drooping
and languishing for some time, he was at last seized with a
palsy, and died at Westminster, September 11, 1677, and
lies buried there in St. Margaret’s church, on the south
side of the altar, next the grave of sir Walter Raleigh.
rst collected, methodized, reviewed, and published, by Toland, 1700, in one volume, folio; but there was another edition, by Dr. Birch, published in 1737, which Contains
His writings were first collected, methodized, reviewed,
and published, by Toland, 1700, in one volume, folio; but
there was another edition, by Dr. Birch, published in 1737,
which Contains several articles omitted in Toland’s, and
there was a third edition in 1747. He made some attempts
in the poetical way, and in 1658 published an English
translation of two eclogues of Virgil, and two books of the
“Æneis,
” under the title of “An Essay upon two of Virgil’s Eclogues, and two of his Æneids, towards the translation of the whole;
” and, in of the Æneid
” but his
poetry gained him no reputation.
, a young lawyer of great promise, was born probably at Waltham Abbey, where his father resided, in
, a young lawyer of great promise, was born probably at Waltham Abbey, where his
father resided, in 1664. He was educated at Westminster
school, whence he was elected student of Christ church,
Oxford, in 1683, and soon after was entered a member of
the Inner Temple. In 1690 he proceeded M. A. and was
admitted to the bar, where he acquired very extensive
practice. Some months before his death, he removed to
Lincoln’s-inn, where that event happened Nov. 23, 1693,
in his twenty-ninth year. His body was conveyed to Oxford, and, according to Wood, buried under the north wall
of the north transept joining to the body of the cathedral of
Christ church, but we find no memorial of him in Wood’s
account of the monumental inscriptions. His death, it is
said, was much deplored by those that knew him, “be^
cause, 1. That he was a prodigy, considering his age, in
his knowledge of the common law. 2. That he was a person of excellent parts; and 3. That he was very honest in
his dealing, and of a good and generous nature.
” His
writings, enumerated by Wood, are principally cases and
memorials respecting certain local disputes, the rights of
visitations, &c. at Oxford. He contributed some Latin
poems to the “Musae Anglicans,
” and wrote the preface
to the first volume of Wood’s “Athenae,
” and the introduction to the second. He also edited the works of Dr.
George Stradling, to which he added a preface and life.
, an ingenious English poet, was the son of John Harrington, esq. who was imprisoned in the Tower,
, an ingenious English poet,
was the son of John Harrington, esq. who was imprisoned
in the Tower, under queen Mary, for holding a correspondence with the lady Elizabeth, with whom he continued
in great favour to the time of his death. He also was
somewhat of a poet and a translator. Sir John was born at
Kelston, near Bath, in Somersetshire, in 1561, and had
queen Elizabeth for his godmother. He was instructed in
classical learning at Eton-school, and from thence removed
to Cambridge, where he took the degree of M. A. In his
thirtieth year, 159J, he published a translation of Ariosto’s
“Orlando Furioso,
” by which he gained a considerable
reputation, and for which he is now principally known.
Warton says, that although executed without spirit or accuracy, unanimated and incorrect, it enriched our poetryby a communication of new stores of fiction and
imagination, both of the romantic and comic species, of gothic
machinery and familiar manners. Mr. Harrington was
knighted in the field by the earl of Essex, which gave
much offence to the queen, who was sparing of such
honours, and chose to confer them herself. In the reign
of James, he was created knight of the Bath; and, being
a courtier, presented a ms. to prince Henry, levelled
chiefly against the married bishops, which was intended
only for the private use of his royal highness; but, being
published afterwards, created great clamour, and made
several of the clergy say, that his conduct was of a piece
with his doctrines; since he, together with Robert earl of
Leicester, supported sir Walter Raleigh in his suit to
queen Elizabeth for the manor of Banwell, belonging to
the bishopric of Bath and Wells; on a presumption that
the right rev. incumbent bad incurred a pr&munire, by
marrying a second wife. Wood’s account of it is this
"That sir John Harrington, being minded to obtain the
favour of prince Henry, wrote a discourse for his private
use, entitled * A brief View of the State of the Church
of England, as it stood in queen Elizabeth’s and king
James’s reign, to the year 1608.' This book is no more
than a character and history of the bishops of those times,
and was written to the said prince Henry, as an additional
supply to the catalogue of bishops of Dr. Francis Godwin,
upon occasion of that proverb,
id of them, that were by no means fit to be published, being written only for private use. But so it was, that the book coming into the hands of one John Chetwind, grandson
“In the said book the author Harrington doth, by imitating his godmother, queen Elizabeth, shew himself a
great enemy to married bishops, especially to such as had
been married twice; and many things therein are said of
them, that were by no means fit to be published, being
written only for private use. But so it was, that the book
coming into the hands of one John Chetwind, grandson by
a daughter to the author, a person deeply principled in
presbyterian tenets, did, when the press was open, print
it at London in 1653; and no sooner was it published, and
came into the hands of many, but it was exceeding clamoured at by the loyal and orthodox clergy, condemning
him that published it.
”
" a miscellaneous collection of his works, and antiquary collections and letters in prose and verse, was published some years ago, by the rev. IJertry Harrington of
Sir John died in 1612. His lady, Mary, daughter of
sir George Rogers, survived him till 1634. In his
epigrams are several to his mother-in-law lady Rogers. These
Epigrams“were the most popular of his works, although
they cannot now be allowed much poetical merit. They
were first published in 1618, and afterwards in 1625, under
the title of
” The most elegant and witty epigrams of sir
John Harrington, knt. digested into four bookes,“8vo.
The
” NugEe Antique," a miscellaneous collection of his
works, and antiquary collections and letters in prose and
verse, was published some years ago, by the rev. IJertry
Harrington of Bath, in whose family the papers were; of
these a’second edition was published in 1792, 3 vols. 12mo,
and a third with most valuable additions and improvements, in 1804, 2 vols. 8vo, by Thomas Park, F. S. A. with
illustrative notes and memoirs of the author.
, an eminent mathematician, was born at Oxford, or, as Anthony Wood expresses it, “turn-; bled
, an eminent mathematician, was
born at Oxford, or, as Anthony Wood expresses it, “turn-;
bled out of his mother’s womb in the lap of the Oxonian
Muses,
” in 1560. Having been instructed in grammarlearning in that city, he became a commoner of St. Maryhall, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1579. He had
then so distinguished himself, by his uncommon skill in
mathematics, as to be recommended soon after to sir Walter Raleigh as a proper preceptor to him in that science.
Accordingly, that noble knight became his first patron,
took him into his family, and allowed him a handsome pension. In 1585 he was sent over by sir Walter with his
first colony to Virginia; where, being settled, he was employed in discovering and surveying that country, in observing what commodities it produced, together with the
manners and customs of its inhabitants. He published an
account of it under this title, “A brief and true Report of
the Newfoundland of Virginia;
” which was reprinted in
the third voyage of Hakluyt’s “Voyages.
” Upon his return to England, he was introduced by his patron to the
acquaintance of Henry earl of Northumberland who,
“finding him,
” says Wood, “to be a gentleman of an
affable and peaceable nature, and well read in the obscure
pan of learning,
” allowed him a yearly pension of 120l.
About the same time, Robert Hues, well known by his
' Treatise upon the Globes,“and Walter Warner, who is
said to have communicated to the famous Harvey the first
hint concerning the circulation of the blood, being both of
them mathematicians, received pensions from him of less
value, ^o that in 1606, when the earl was committed to
the Tower for life, Harriot, Hues, and Warner, were his
constant companions, and were usually called the earl of
Northumberland’s Magi. They had a table at the earl’s
charge, who did constantly converse with them, to divert
the melancholy of his confinement; as did also sir Walter
Raleigh, who was then in the Tower. Harriot lived for
some time at Sion-college, and died in London, July 2,
1621, of a cancer in his lip. He was universally esteemed
on account of his learning. When he was but a young
man, he was styled by Mr. Hakluyt
” Juvenis in disciplinis
mathematicis excellens;“and by Camden,
” Mathematicus insignis.“A ms. of his, entitled
” Ephemeris Chryrometrica,“is preserved in Sion-college library and his
” Artis Analytic* Praxis“was printed after his death, in
a thin folio, and dedicated to Henry earl of Northumberland. Des Cartes is said to have been obliged to this
book for a great many improvements in algebra, which he
published to the world as his own, a fact that has been
amply proved, in the astronomical ephemeris for 17vS8,
by Dr. Zach, astronomer to the duke of Saxe Gotha, from
manuscripts which he found in 1784 at the seat of the earl
of Egremont at Petworth, a descendant of the above-mentioned earl of Northumberland. These papers also show
that Mr. Harriot was an astronomer as well as an algebraist,
As to his religion, Wood says, that,
” notwithstanding
his great skill in mathematics, he had strange thoughts of
the Scripture, always undervalued the old story of the
Creation of the World, and could never believe that trite
position, * Ex nihilo nihil fit.‘ He made a Philosophical
Theology, wherein he cast off the Old Testament, so that
consequently the New would have uo foundation. He was
a deist; and his doctrine he did impart to the earl, and to
sir Walter Raleigh, when he was compiling the ’ History
of the World,' and would controvert the matter with eminent divines of those times: who, therefore, having no
good opinion of him, did look on the manner of his death,
as a judgment upon him for those matters, and for nullify,
ing the Scripture.“Wood borrowed all this from Aubrey,
without mentioning his authority; and it has been answered,
that Harriot assures us himself, that when he was with the
first colony settled in Virginia, in every town where he
came,
” he explained to them the contents of the Bible,
&c. And though I told them,“says he,
” the book materially and of itself was not of such virtue as I thought
they did conceive, but only the doctrine therein contained;
yet would many be glad to touch it, to embrace it, to kiss
it, to hold it to their breasts and heads, and stroke over
all their bodies with it, to shew their hungry desires of
that knowledge which was spoken of." To which we may
add, that, if Harriot was reputed a deist, it is by no
means probable that Dr. Corbet, an orthodox divine* and
successively bishop of Oxford and Norwich, sending a
poem, dated December 9, 1618, to sir Thomas Aylesbury,
when the comet appeared, should speak of
ellor of the dioceses of Durham, Hereford, and Llandaff, and commissary of Essex, Herts, and Surrey, was the son of Dr. John Harris, bishop of Llandaff, who died in
, an English civilian, chancellor of
the dioceses of Durham, Hereford, and Llandaff, and
commissary of Essex, Herts, and Surrey, was the son of
Dr. John Harris, bishop of Llandaff, who died in 1738.
The time of his son’s birth we have not been able to ascertain. He was, however, a member of Oriel college, Oxford, where he took his degree of bachelor of laws in May
1745, and that of doctor in the same faculty in May 1750,
in which last year he was admitted into the college of advocates. Here he proved himself an eminent pleader, although not a masterly orator, and enriched himself by
very extensive practice. He died at his house in Doctors’
Commons, April 19, 1796, leaving his very extensive property mostly to charitable uses. Among the very
munificent items in his will, were 40,000l. to St. George’s hospital; 20,000l. to Hetherington’s charity for the blind;
15,000l. to the Westminster lying-in hospital, and 5000l.
to the Hereford infirmary. He also was in his life-time a
benefactor to the funds of the society of advocates. In
1752 he published a pamphlet, entitled “Observations
upon the English Language, in a letter to a friend,
” 8vo,
relating to the common mistakes in spelling, pronunciation,
and accent. This was anonymous; but he afterwards published with his name, “D. Justiniani Institutionum, Libri
quatuor; and a translation of them into English, with
notes,
”
, esq. an English gentleman of very uncommon parts and learning, was the eldest son of James Harris, esq. of the Close of Salisbury,
, esq. an English gentleman of very uncommon parts and learning, was the eldest son of James Harris, esq. of the Close of Salisbury, by his second wife the lady Elizabeth Ashley, who was third daughter of Anthony earl of Shaftesbury, and sister to the celebrated author of the Characteristics, as well as to the Hon. Maurice Ashley Cooper, the elegant translator of Xenophon’s Cyropaedia. He was born July 20, 1709. The early part of his education was received at Salisbury, under the rev. Mr. Hele, master of the grammar-school, in the Close, who was long known and respected in the West of England as an instructor of youth. From Mr. Hele’s school, at the age of sixteen, he was removed to Oxford, where he passed the usual number of years as a gentleman commoner of Wadham college. His father, as soon as he had finished his academical studies, entered him at Lincoln’s-Inn, not intending him for the bar, but, as was then a common practice, meaning to make the study of the law a part of his education.
fifteen years to the best writers of antiquity continued to be almost unremitting, and his industry was such as is not often exceeded. He rose always very early, frequently
His application during fourteen or fifteen years to the best writers of antiquity continued to be almost unremitting, and his industry was such as is not often exceeded. He rose always very early, frequently at four or five o'clock in the morning, especially during the winter, and by these means he was enabled to mix occasionally in the society of Salisbury and its neighbourhood, without too great a sacrifice of his main object, the acquisition of ancient literature. But it was not until many years after his retirement from London, that he began to read Aristotle and his commen-? tators, or to inquire, so deeply as he afterwards did, into the Greek philosophy. He had imbibed a prejudice, very common at that time even among scholars, that Aristotle was an obscure and unprofitable author, whose philosophy had been deservedly superseded by that of Mr. Locke, a notion which his own writings have since contributed to correct, with no small evidence and authority. In the midst, however, of his literary labours he was not inattentive to the public good, but acted regularly and assiduously as a magistrate for the county of Wilts; giving, in that capacity, occasional proofs of a manly spirit and firmness, without which the mere formal discharge of magisterial duty is often useless and inefficient.
The first fruit which appeared to the world of so many years spent in the pursuit of knowledge, was a volume published in 1744, containing “Three Treatises. The
The first fruit which appeared to the world of so many
years spent in the pursuit of knowledge, was a volume
published in 1744, containing “Three Treatises. The first
concerning Art. The second concerning Music, Painting,
and Poetry. The third concerning Happiness.
” These
treatises, in addition to their merit as original compositions,
are illustrated by a variety of learned notes and observations, elucidating many difficult passages of ancient writers,
the study and examination of whom it was his earnest wish
to promote and to facilitate. Lord Monboddo, speaking
>fr the dialogue upon Art, praises it, as containing “the
best specimen of the dividing, or diaeretic manner, as the
ancients called it, that is to be found in any modern book
with which he is acquainted.
”
In July 1745 he was married to miss Elizabeth Clarke, daughter and eventually heiress
In July 1745 he was married to miss Elizabeth Clarke,
daughter and eventually heiress of John Clarke, esq of
Sandford, near Bridgewater, in the county of Somerset,
Five children were the issue of this marriage, of whom two
daughters, and a son, the present lord Malmsbury, sur->
vived their father. This change in his state of life by no
means withdrew his attention from those studies in which
he had been used to take so great delight, and which he
had cultivated with such advantage and reputation; for in
1751 he published another work, entitled “Hermes, or a
philosophical inquiry concerning Universal Grammar,
” 8vo.
Of this work, Dr. Lowth, the late bishop of London, says,
“Those who would enter deeply into the subject (of universal grammar) will find it fully and accurately handled,
with the greatest acuteness of investigation, perspicuity of
explication, and elegance of method, in a treatise entitled
Hermes, by James Harris, esq. the most beautiful example of analysis that has been exhibited since the days of
Aristotle.
” What first led Mr. Harris to a deep and accurate consideration of the principles of universal grammar,
was a book which he held in high estimation, and has frequently quoted in his Hermes, the “Minerva
” of Sanciius.
To that writer he confessed himself indebted for abundance of, valuable information, of which it appears that he
knew well how to profit, and to push his researches on the
subject of grammar to a much greater length, by the help
of his various and extensive erudition. Mr. Harris’s system in this work still maintains its ground in the estimation of most men of taste, notwithstanding the coarse attack made on it by Home Tooke.
isbury, except in the summer, when he sometimes retired to his house at Darnford, near that city. It was there that he found himself most free from the interruption
From the period of his marriage until 176-1, he continued to live entirely at Salisbury, except in the summer,
when he sometimes retired to his house at Darnford, near
that city. It was there that he found himself most free
from the interruption of business, and of company, and at
leisure to compose the chief part of those works which were
the result of his study at other seasons. His time was divided between the care of his family, in. which he placed
his chief happiness, his literary pursuits, and the society
of his friends and neighbours, with whom he kept up a
constant and cheerful intercourse. The superior taste and
skill which he possessed in music, and his extreme fondness for hearing it, led him to attend to its cultivation in.
his native place with uncommon pains and success; inSomuch, that under his auspices, not only the annual musical festival in Salisbury flourished beyond most institutions of the kind, but even the-ordinary
subscription-concerts were carried on, by his assistance and directions,
with a spirit and effect seldom equalled out of the metropolis. Many of the beautiful selections made from the best
Italian and German composers for these festivals and concerts, and adapted by him, sometimes to words selected
from Scripture, or from Milton’s “Paradise Lost,
” sometimes to compositions of his own, have survived the occasions on which they were first produced, and are still in
great estimation. Two volumes of these selections have
been lately published by Mr. Corfe, organist of Salisbury
cathedral; the rest remain in manuscript in possession of
lord Malmsbury.
61, by the interest of his near relation, the late Edward Hooper, esq. of Hum court in Hampshire, he was chosen one of the representatives in parliament for the borough
In 1761, by the interest of his near relation, the late Edward Hooper, esq. of Hum court in Hampshire, he was chosen one of the representatives in parliament for the borough of Christ-church, which seat he retained to the day of his death. The year following he accepted the office of one of the lords of the admiralty, from whence he was promoted in 1763 to be a lord of the treasury. He remained in that situation until the ministry with which he was connected went out of office in 1765 and after that time he did not hold any employment until 1774, when he became secretary and comptroller to the queen. This appointment was always valued by him exceedingly; not only by reason of the handsome and flattering manner in which it was conferred upon him by her majesty, but also on account of the frequent occasions it afforded him of experiencing her majesty’s gracious kindness and condescension, of which he had a very high sense, and which were continued to him, without interruption, to the end of his life; for in her service he died.
The last of Mr. Harris’s productions was printed in 1780, by the name of “Philological Inquiries,” but
The last of Mr. Harris’s productions was printed in 1780,
by the name of “Philological Inquiries,
” but not published sooner than Indeed this publication,
” says his biographer, “is not only a retrospective view of those studies
which exercised his mind in the full vigour of his life, but
likewise a monument of his affection towards many of his
intimate friends. I cannot, therefore, but consider it as a
pleasing proof of a mind retaining, at an advanced age, a
considerable degree of its former energy and activity, together with what is still more rarely to be found, an undiminished portion of its candour and benevolence.
”
Before this last volume was entirely concluded, his health began to be very much impaired.
Before this last volume was entirely concluded, his health began to be very much impaired. He never enjoyed a robust constitution; but for some time, towards the end of his life, the infirmities under which he laboured had gradually increased. His family at length became apprehensive of a decline, symptoms of which were very apparent, and by none more clearly perceived than by himself. This was evident from a variety of little circumstances, but by no means from any impatience or fretfulness, nor yet from any dejection of spirits, such as are frequently incident to extreme weakness of body, especially when it proves to be the forerunner of approaching dissolution. On the contrary, the same equable and placid temper which had distinguished him throughout his whole life, the same tender and affectionate attention to his surrounding family, which he had unceasingly manifested while in health, continued, without the smallest change or abatement, to the very last; displaying a mind thoroughly at peace with itself, and able without disturbance or dismay to contemplate the awful prospect of futurity. After his strength had been quite exhausted by illness, he expired calmly on the 22d of December, 1780, in the $eventy-second year of his age. His remains were deposited in the north aile of the cathedral church of Salisbury, near those of his ancestors, and a monument wassoon after erected to his memory.
"The distinction by which he was most generally known, and by which he is likely to survive to
"The distinction by which he was most generally known, and by which he is likely to survive to posterity, is that of a Man of Learning. His profound knowledge of Greek, which he applied more successfully, perhaps, than any modern writer has done, to the study and explanation of ancient philosophy, arose from an early and intimate acquaintance with the excellent poets and historians in that language. They, and the best writers in the Augustan age, were his constant and never-failing recreation. By his familiarity with them, he was enabled to enliven and to illustrate his deeper and more abstruse speculations, as every page almost (of his works) will abundantly testify. But his attainments were not confined to ancient philosophy and classical learning. He possessed likewise a general knowledge of modern history, with a very distinguishing taste in the line arts, in one of which, as before observed, he was an eminent, proficient. His singular industry empowered him to make these various acquisitions, without neglecting any of the duties which he owed to his family, his friends, or his country. I am in possession of such proofs, besides those already given to the public, of my father’s laborious study and reflection, as I apprehend, are very rarely to be met with. Not only was he accustomed, through a long series of years, to make copious excts from the different books which he read, and to write critical remarks and conjectures on many of the passages extracted, but he was also in the habit of regularly cammuting to writing such reBections as arose out of his study, which evince a mind carefully disciplined, and anxiously bent on the attainment of self-knowledge and self-government. And yet, though habituated to deep thinking and laborious reading, he was generally cheerful even to playfulness. There was no pedantry in his manners or conversation, nor was he ever seen either to display his learning with ostentation, or to treat with slight or superciliousness those less informed than himself. He rather sought to make them appear partakers of what he knew, than to mortify tnern by a parade of his own superiority. Nor had he any of that miserable fastidiousness about him which too often disgraces men of learning, and prevents their being amused or interested, at least their choosing to appear so, by common performances and common events.
"It was with him a maxim, that the most difficult, and infinitely the
"It was with him a maxim, that the most difficult, and infinitely the preferable, sort of criticism, both in literature and the arts, was that which consists in finding out beauties rather than defects; and although he certainly wanted not judgment to distinguish and to prefer superior excellence of any kind, he was too reasonable to expect id should very often occur, and too wise to allow himself to be disgusted at common weakness or imperfection. He thought, indeed, that the very attempt to please, however it might fall short of its aim, deserved some return of thanks, some degree of approbation; and that to endeavour at being pleased by such efforts, was due to justice, to good-nature, and to good sense.
“My father’s affection to every part of his family was exemplary and uniform. As a husband, a parent, a master, he
“My father’s affection to every part of his family was
exemplary and uniform. As a husband, a parent, a master,
he was ever kind and indulgent; and it deserves to be
mentioned to his honour, that he thought it no
interruption of his graver occupations, himself to instruct his
daughters, by exercising them daily both in reading and
composition, and writing essays for their improvement,
during many of their younger years. No man was a better
judge of what belonged to female education, and the elegant accomplishments of the sex, or more disposed to set
a high value upon them. But he had infinitely more at
heart, that his children should be early habituated to the
practice of religion and morality, and deeply impressed
with their true principles. To promote this desirable
end, he was assiduous both by instruction and example;
being himself a constant attendant upon public worship,
and enforcing that great duty upon every part of his family. The deep sense of moral and religious obligation
which was habitual to him, and those benevolent feelings
which were so great a happiness to his family and friends,
had the same powerful influence over his public as his
private life. He had an ardent zeal for the prosperity of
his country, whose real interests he well understood; and
in his parliamentary conduct he proved himself a warm
friend to the genuine principles of religious and civil
liberty, as well as a firm supporter of every branch of our
admirable constitution.
”
, the first compiler of a “Dictionary of Arts and Sciences” in this country, was born about 1667, and received his education at St. John’s college,
, the first compiler of a “Dictionary
of Arts and Sciences
” in this country, was born about
1705, 4to; another on
” The
lawfulness and use of Public Fasting,“1706, 4to;
” The
evil and mischief of a Fiery Spirit,“a sermon published in
1710, 4to another on the Rebellion in 1715, 8vo; and a
sermon on the Accession, 1715, 4-to. He also published a
” Collection of Voyages and Travels, with a number of
engravings,“afterwards improved and republished by Dr.
Campbell a
” Treatise on the Theory of the Earth,“in
1697 a
” Treatise on Algebra,“in 1702 a
” Translation
of Pardie’s Geometry into English,“2d edit. 1702. At
this time it appears that Dr. Harris
” lived and taught mathematics at his house in Amen-Corner.“He published
also,
” Astronomical Dialogues,“the third edition of which
appeared in 1795; but the work for which he was most
eminently distinguished, and which entitles him to honourable notice, was his
” Lexicon Technicum,“or
” An
Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences,“in 2 vols. fol.
published in 1708; from which originated all the other
dictionaries of science and cyclopaedias that have since appeared. He was followed, at a considerable interval of
time, in this department of literature, by Mr. Ephrairn
Chambers, whose Cyclopedia, with all the improvements
it has received, has long maintained distinguished reputation. We are concerned to be obliged to add, that though
Dr. Harris was a man of unquestionable abilities and attainments, and of great literary application, he was chargeable with culpable imprudence in his conduct, and notwithstanding the preferments he enjoyed, he was generally
in distress. He died Sept. 7, 1719, leaving unfinished the
66 History of Kent,
” which was published in folio soon after
his death, and which, though it had engaged his attention,
more or less, for eight years, is extremely inaccurate.
Mr. Gough says (British Topography, vol. I. p. 445), “Dr t
Harris died an absolute pauper at Norton-court, and was
buried in Norton church, at the expence of John Godfrey, esq. who had been his very good friend and benefactor.
”
, president of Trinity-college, Oxford, was born at Broad Campden, in Gloucestershire, in 1578, and sent
, president of Trinity-college, Oxford, was born at Broad Campden, in Gloucestershire, in
1578, and sent for education to the free-school of Chipping-Campden, where owing to irregular conduct of the
masters and their frequent changes, he appears to have
profited little. From thence he was removed to the city
of Worcester, and lastly to Magdalen-hall, Oxford, which
was preferred from his relationship to Mr. Robert Lyster,
then principal, a man somewhat popishly inclined. Here,
however, he had a tutor of a different stamp, a reputed
puritan, under whom he studied with great assiduity. Although his parents designed him for the law, as soon as he
took his bachelor’s degree, he determined to make trial of
his talents for the pulpit, and went to Chipping-Campden,
where he preached a sermon which gave satisfaction.
He afterwards officiated for a clergyman in Oxfordshire,
and in both cases without being ordained. At length he
was examined by bishop Barlow, who found him a very
accomplished Greek, and Latin scholar, and he had the
living of Hanweli given him, near Ban bury, in Oxfordshire. During his residence here he was often invited to
London, and preached at St. Paul’s cross, also before the
parliament, and on other public occasions. He had also
considerable offers of preferment in* London, but preserved
his attachment to Hanweli, where he was extremely useful
in confirming the people’s minds, then much unsettled, in
the reformed religion, as well as in attachment to the
church of England, although he afterwards concurred with
those who overthrew it so far as to accept preferment
under them. On the commencement of the civil war,
tjie tranquillity of his part of the country was much disturbed by the march of armies, and himself obliged at last
to repair to London, after his premises were destroyed by
the soldiery. On his arrival in London, he became a
member of the assembly, but appears to have taken no
active part in their proceedings.or some time, Hanwell having now been taken from him, he officiated at the
parish-church of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate-street, until the
rilling powers ordered him to Oxford, as one of the reforming visitors. Here during the visitation of the earl of
Pembroke, the chancellor of the university, he was admitted; D. D. and president of Trinity-college in April
1,648, in the room of Dr. Hannibal Potter, who was ejected
by the visitors. This situation he retained until his death,
Uec. 11, 1658,. in his eightieth year. He was buried in^
Trinity-college chapel, with an inscription from the ele-“gant pen of Dr. Bathurst, one of his successors, and contaming praises of his conduct as a president more than sufficient to answer the charges brought against him by others.
The only words Dr. Bathurst is said to have struck out are
these in Italics,
” per decennium hujus collegii Præses
æternum cdebrandus“nor was this alteration made in the
epitaph itself, but in Wood’s ms. of the
” Hist, et Antiquitates Univ. Oxon.“The only fault of which Dr. Harris
can be accused, and which was very common with other
heads of houses put in by the parliamentary visitors, was
taking exorbitant fines for renewals of college leases, by
which they almost sold out the whole interest of >the college in such estates. On the other hand he appears to have
made some liberal grants of money to the posterity of the
founder, sir Thomas Pope.
” One is surprized,“says
Warton,
” at those donations, under the government of
Dr. Robert Harris, Cromwell’s presbytenan president.
But Harris was a man of candour, and I believe a majority
of the old loyal fellows still remained.“Durham, the author of Harris’s life, gives him the character of
” a man of
admirable prudence, profound judgment, eminent gifts
and graces, and furnished with all qualifications which
might render him a complete man, a wise governor, a
profitable preacher, and a good Christian." He appears
to have very little relished some of the innovations of his
time, particularly that easy and indiscriminate admission
into the pulpits, which filled them with illiterate enthusiasts
of every description. His works, consisting of sermons
and pious treatises, were collected in 1 vol. fol. published
in 1654.
, a learned English physician, the son of a tradesman at Gloucester, was born there about 1647, and educated at Winchester school. In
, a learned English
physician, the son of a tradesman at Gloucester, was born
there about 1647, and educated at Winchester school. In
1666 he was admitted perpetual fellow of New-college;
Oxford, without passing through the year’s probation, in
consequence of his being of the founder’s kin. Having,
however, embraced the Roman catholic religion, he resigned his fellowship in 1673, and went to France, where,
either at Doway or Paris, he took his doctor’s degree. In
1676 he returned to London, and began practice chiefly
among the Roman catholics; but when in consequence of
Oates’s plot, in 1678, all o.f that persuasion were ordered
to leave the metropolis, he renounced the errors of popery,
and wrote in 1679 a pamphlet entitled. “A Farewell to
Popery,
” Lond. 4to, On the revolution, he was appointed
physician to king William III. at the recommendation of
the celebrated Tillotson. Of his attendance on the king,
he himself informs us of this circumstance, that being in
his majesty’s chamber, he took the liberty, in the presence
of the lords in waiting, to find fault with the custom of
binding every morning the king’s feet, which were very
much swelled. He said that by this means the humours
falling into the feet would be driven back into the viscera.
Another anecdote he gives of himself, which perhaps would
have come with a better grace from any one else, is, that
Dr. Goodall, president of the college of physicians, told
him one day that he envied him (Dr. Harris) more than he
envied any body else, because he was always easy in his
mind, and free from anxious cares. He appears to have
had very considerable practice, and was a fellow of the
college, and censor in 1689. The time of his death we
have not been able to discover, but he was alive in 1725,
when he published his “Dissertationes Medicæ et Chirurgicæ, habitæ in amphitheatre collegii regalis,
” in the title-page to which he styles himself “Præses natus, et professor Chirurgiæ.
” His other publications were, 1. “Pharmacologia anti-empirica,
” Lond. De
morbis acutis infantum,
” Dissertationes medicæ
” are some valuable papers on various medical topics, and he is a strong advocate for inoculation for the small-pox.
, a biographical compiler, was the son of a tradesman at Salisbury, who probably was a dissenter.
, a biographical compiler, was the son of a tradesman at Salisbury, who probably was a dissenter. He was born in that city in 1720, and received his education at an academy kept at Taunton by messrs. Grove and Amory, men of learning and note, as dissenting teachers. An early love of books, and a thirst for knowledge, rendered application easy and profitable; and he was thought qualified to preach before he was nineteen years of age. He first officiated to a congregation at St. Loo, in Cornwall, and was afterwards invited to another in the city of Wells, where he was ordained in 1741. Within a few years, his marriage to a Miss Bovet of Honiton, occasioned his removal to that town; and his ministerial labours for the rest of his life, were confined to a very small congregation at Luppit, in the neighbourhood. To what denomination of dissenters he belonged we are not told. The strain of his discourses is said to have been plain and practical, but none of them have been published, and he appears to have soon courted fame in a different pursuit.
His preliminary attempt was on a singular subject, the “Life of Hugh Peters,” which, as
His preliminary attempt was on a singular subject, the
“Life of Hugh Peters,
” which, as he published it without his name, has escaped the notice of the collectors of
his works, but is prefixed to the late edition of his “Lives
”
as the first in the order of time, and essentially connected
with one of the subjects of his future inquiries. In this
life he professed to follow “the manner of Bayle,
” and it
might have been thought that its aukward appearance in
print would have shown Dr. Harris that his choice was injudicious; but, for whatever reason, he followed the same
in his subsequent works. The Life of Peters was published
in 1751, and in 1753 appeared his Life of James I.; in
1753, that of Charles I.; in 1761, that of Cromwell and
in 1765, that of Charles II. this last in 2 vols. 8vo. It
was his design to have completed this series with a Life of
James II., but he was interrupted by an illness which terminated fatally in February 1770, in the fiftieth year of
his age. His degree of D. D. was procured for him from
the university or Glasgow, in 1765, by his friend Mr.
Thomas Holiis, who had assisted him in his various undertakings, by many curious and interesting communications, and the use of scarce books and pamphlets. Dr.
Birch and other gentlemen in London seem also to have
contributed liberally to his stock of historical materials.
It is indeed as a collection of such, that these Lives have
been principally valued, for Dr. Harris cannot be ranked
among elegant writers, nor can it be gravely asserted that
he is always impartial. His reasonings are strongly tinged
with his early prejudices, but his facts are in general narrated with fidelity, and the evidence on both sides is given'
without mutilation.
us time-keeper for ascertaining the longitude at sea, and also of the compound or gridiron-pendulum; was born at Foulby, near Pontefract in Yorkshire, in 1693. His father
, a most accurate mechanic, the celebrated inventor of the famous time-keeper for ascertaining the longitude at sea, and also of the compound or gridiron-pendulum; was born at Foulby, near Pontefract in Yorkshire, in 1693. His father was a carpenter, in which profession the son assisted; occasionally also, according to the miscellaneous practice of country artists, surveying land, and repairing clocks and watches; and young Harrison always was, from his early childhood, greatly attached to any machinery moving by wheels. In 1700 he removed with his father to Barrow, in Lincolnshire; where, though his opportunities of acquiring knowledge were very few, he eagerly improved every incident from which he might collect information frequently employing all or great part of his nights in writing or drawing and he always acknowledged his obligations to a clergyman who came every Sunday to officiate in the neighbourhood, who lent him a ms copy of professor Sanderson’s lectures; which he carefully and neatly transcribed, with all the diagrams. His native genius exerted itself superior to these solitary disadvantages; for, in 1726, he had constructed two clocks, mostly of wood, in which he applied the escapement and compound pendulum of his own invention: these surpassed every thing then made, scarcely erring a second in a month. In 1728 he came up to London with the drawings of a machine for determining the longitude at sea, in expectation of being enabled to execute one by the board of longitude. Upon application to Dr. Halley, the astronomer royal, he referred him to Mr. George Graham, who advised him to make his machine before applying to that board. He accordingly returned home to perform his task; and in 1735 came to London, again with his first machine, with which he was sent to Lisbon the next year to make trial of it. In this short voyage he corrected the dead reckoning about a degree and a half; a success which procured him both public and private encouragement. About 17 '69 he completed his second machine, of a construction much more simple than the former, and which answered much better: this, though not sent to sea, recommended Mr. Harrison yet stronger to the patronage of his friends and the public. His third machine, which he produced in 1749, was still less complicated than the second, and more accurate, as erring only 3 or 4 seconds in a week. This he conceived to be the ne plus ultra of his attempts; but, by endeavouring to improve pocket-watches, he found the principles he applied to surpass his expectations so much, as to encourage him to make his fourth time-keeper, which is in the form of a pocket-watch, about six inches diameter. With this time-keeper his son made two voyages, the one to Jamaica, and the other to Barbadoes in which experiments it corrected the longitude within the nearest limits required by the act of the 12th of queen Anne; and the inventor had, therefore, at different times, more than the proposed reward, receiving from the board of longitude at different times almost 24,000l. besides a few hundreds from the East India company, &c. These four machines were given up to the board of longitude. The three former were not of any use, as all the advantages gained by making them, were comprehended in the last: being worthy however of preservation, as mechanical curiosities, they are deposited in the royal observatory at Greenwich. The fourth machine, emphatically distinguished by the name of The Time-keeper, was copied by the ingenious Mr. Kendal; and that duplicate, during a three years circumnavigation of the globe in the southern hemisphere by captain Cook, answered as well as the original.
The latter part of Mr. Harrison’s life was employed in making a fifth improved time-keeper, o-n the same
The latter part of Mr. Harrison’s life was employed in making a fifth improved time-keeper, o-n the same principles with the preceding one; which, after a ten weeks trial, in 1772, at the king’s private observatory at Richmond, erred only 4| seconds. Within a few years of his death, his constitution visibly declined; and he had frequent fits of the gout, a disorder that never attacked him before his 77th year. His constitution at last yielding to the infirmities of old age, he died at his house in Red Lion square, March 24, 1776, at eighty-three years of age.
en his faculties were much impaired) in which he adhered to a peculiar and uncouth phraseology. This was but too evident in his “Description concerning such mechanism
Like many other mere mechanics, Mr. Harrison found a
difficulty in delivering his sentiments in writing (at least in the latter periods of his life, when his faculties were much impaired) in which he adhered to a peculiar and uncouth
phraseology. This was but too evident in his “Description concerning such mechanism as will afford a nice or
true Mensuration of Time,
” &c.
, an English historian, was a native of London, and educated at Westminster school, under
, an English historian, was a
native of London, and educated at Westminster school,
under the celebrated Alexander Nowell. He afterwards
studied at both universities, but in what colleges seems
doubtful. Wood suspects Christ Church for Oxford, and
Baker mentions one of this name a bachelor of arts of St.
John’s, Cambridge; but the date, 1571, is obviously too
late for our Harrison. He says himself that both universities “are so clear to him that he cannot readily tell to
which of them he owes most good will.
” After leaving
Cambridge he became domestic chaplain to sir William
Brooke, knt. lord-warden of the Cinque Ports, and baron
of Cobham in Kent, who is supposed to have given him the
living of Radwinter, in Essex, in Feb. 1558, which he held
until his death in the end of 1592 or beginning of 1593.
He wrote a “Historical Description of the Island of Britain,
” published in Holiingshed’s Chronicles; and “A
Chronology
” mentioned by Hollingshed. He translated
also “The Description of Scotland,
” from Hector Boethius,^ which is prefixed to Hollingshed’s “Hist, of Scotland.
” Wood says he obtained a canonry of Windsor, and
was buried there, leaving several children by his wife Manan, daughter of Will. Isebrand, ofAnderne, in Picardy.
His turn appears to have been more for compiling ancient
history than topography; for in his dedication to lord
Cobham he says, “Indeed I must needs confess, that un1 now of late, except it were from the parish where I
dwell unto your honour in Kent, or out of London, where
I was born, unto Oxford and Cambridge, where I have
been brought up, I have never travelled forty miles forth
right and at one journey in all my life.
”
Swift expresses it) “a little pretty fellow, With a great deal of wit, good sense, and good nature,” was educated at Winchester, and was afterwards of New college, Oxford,
, a young gentleman high in
esteem, and (as Swift expresses it) “a little pretty fellow,
With a great deal of wit, good sense, and good nature,
”
was educated at Winchester, and was afterwards of New
college, Oxford, of which he became a fellow. He appears to have been employed in private tuition, which was
not a very profitable employment. He had no other income than 40l. a year as tutor to one of the duke of Queensbury’s sons. In this employment he fortunately attracted
the favour of Dr. Swift, whose generous solicitations with
Mr. St. John obtained for him the reputable employment
of secretary to lord Raby, ambassador at the Hague, and
afterwards earl of Stafford. A letter of his, whilst at
Utrecht, dated December 16, 1712, printed inthedean’s
works, informs us that his office was attended with much
vexation and little advantage. Even in Jan. 13, 1713, when
he brought over the barrier treaty, and, as Swift says, was
the queen’s minister, entrusted in affairs of the greatest
importance, he had not a shilling in his pocket to pay his
hackney coach. He died soon after this, Feb. 14,1712-13.
See the “Journal to Stella
” of that and the following day,
where Dr. Swift laments his loss with the most unaffected
sincerity. Mr. Tickell has mentioned him with respect,
in his “Prospect of Peace;
” and Dr. Young, in the
beautiful close of an “Epistle to lord Lansdown,
” most
pathetically bewails his loss. Dr. Birch, who has given
a curious note on Mr. Harrison’s “Letter to Swift,
”
has confounded him with Thomas Harrison, M. A. of
Queen’s college. In the “Select Collection,
” by Nichols,
are some pleasing specimens of his poetry; which,
with “Woodstock-Park
” in Dodsley’s “Collection,
” and
an “Ode to the duke of Marlborough, 1707,
” in Duncombe’s “Horace,
” are all the poetical writings that are
known of this excellent young man, who figured both as
an humourist and a politician in the fifth volume of the
“Tatler,
” of which (under the patronage of Bolingbroke, Henley, and Swift) he was professedly the editor. There
was another William Harrison, author of “The Pilgrim,
or the happy Convert, a pastoral tragedy,
”
f Chichester and Norwich, and archbishop of York, the son of William Harsnet, a baker at Colchester, was born in that town, and baptised June 20, 1561. He was probably
, a learned English prelate, successively bishop of Chichester and Norwich, and archbishop
of York, the son of William Harsnet, a baker at Colchester,
was born in that town, and baptised June 20, 1561. He
was probably sent to the free-school of Colchester, but was
admitted Sept. 8, 1576, of King’s college, Cambridge,
whence he removed to Pembroke-hall, of which he became
a scholar, and was elected fellow Nov. 27, 1583. He took
his degree of B.A. in 1580, and that of M. A. in 15'84.
Three years after, in March 1586-7, he was elected master
of the free-school in Colchester, but, preferring the prosecution of his studies at Cambridge, he resigned this office
in November 1588, and returned to Pembrdke-hall, where
he studied divinity, in which indeed he had made great
progress before, and had been admitted into holy orders,
as appears by a sermon preached by him at St. Paul’s cross,
Oct. 27, 1584, on the subject of predestination. In 1592
he served the office of proctor, and five years after became
chaplain to Dr. Bancroft, bishop of London, by whose favour he obtained the rectory of St. Margaret Fish-street,
London, which he resigned in 1604; and the vicarage of
Chigwell in Essex, which he resigned in 1605, but continued to reside at Chigwell, where he had purchased a
house and estate, now the property and residence of his
descendant Mrs. Fisher. In 1598 he was collated to the
prebend of Mapesbury in St. Paul’s, and Jan. 1602 to the
archdeaconry of Essex, all in bishop Bancroft’s disposal.
In April 1604, sir Thomas Lucas of Colchester presented
him to the rectory of Shenfield in that county. The year
following, upon the resignation of bishop Andrews, he
was chosen master of Pembroke-hall, which he held until
1616, when he resigned in consequence of the society
having exhibited to the king an accusation branching into
fifty-seven articles. Many of these, Le Neve says, were
scandalous, and the proof evident; but, as Le Neve was
iiot able to procure a sight of tHem, we are not enabled to
judge. They do not, however, appear to have injured his
interest at court. He had been consecrated bishop of
Chichester in 1609, and was now, in 1619, three years
after he quitted Pembroke-hall, translated to Norwich, on
the death of Dr. Overall. In 1624 we find him again accused in the house of commons of “putting down preaching setting up images praying to the east;
” and other
articles which appear to have involved him with the
puritans of his diocese, but which he answered to the satisfaction of the parliament as well as of the court. On the
death of Dr. Montague, he was translated to the archbishopric of York in 1628, and in Nov. 1629, was sworn of
the privy council. These dignities, however, he did not
enjoy long, dying atMorton-on-the-marsh, Gloucestershire,
while on a journey, May 25, 1631. He was buried at
Chigwell church, agreeably to his own desire, where his
effigies is still to be seen fixed on the north side of the
chancel, against the wall. He left several charitable legacies and a year or two before his death founded and endowed a free school at Chigwell, and some alms-houses
the history of his school may be seen in Lysons’s “Environs.
” He bequeathed his library to the corporation of
Colchester for the use of the clergy. Besides the sermon above noticed, the only other occasion on which Dr.
Harsnet appeared as a writer, was in writing some pamphlets to expose the impostures of one John Darrell, who
pretended to have the power of casting out devils. Bishop
Harsnet’s character, from what we have related, appears to
be equivocal it is said he was equally an enemy to puritanism and to popery and, according to Fuller, was the
first who used the expression conformable puritans, i. e.
those who conformed out of policy, and yet dissented in
their judgments.
, an English poet and divine, was the son of a father of both his names, who was fellow of Pembroke
, an English poet and divine, was the son of a father of both his names, who was fellow of Pembroke college, Oxford, prebendary of Wales, canon, of Bristol, and vicar of St. Mary Magdalen, Taunton, Somersetshire. Refusing to take the oaths after that revolution which placed a new family on the throne, he relinquished *all his preferments, in 1691, and retired to Kentbury in Buckinghamshire, where he died Feb. 10, 1736, aged eighty-five. His son informs us, that when judge Jeffries came to Taunton -assizes in 1685, to execute his commission upon the unfortunate persons concerned in Monmouth’s rebellion, Mr. Harte, then minister of St. Mary Magdalen’s, waited on him in private, and remonstrated much against iiis severities. The judge listened to him calmly, and with some attention, and though he had never seen him before, advanced him in a few months to a prebendal stall in the cathedral church of Bristol. Old Mr. Harte was so much respected for his piety and learning, that the prelates Kidder, Hooper, and Wynne, who successively filled the see of Bath and Wells, contrived that he should receive the profits of his prebend of Wells as long as he lived; and Mr. Simon Harcourt, afterwards lord chancellor, offered him a bishopric in queen Anne’s time, which he declined with grateful acknowledgments. According to his son’s account, he was a most laborious student, employing ten or twelve hours a day, without any interruption, but that of casual sickness, for fifty years successively. His principal business was in referring every difficult part of Scripture to those particular passages in the fathers and eminent modern divines who had explained them expressly or occasionally.
s Magazine fixes it about 1707, but an earlier date will correspond better with circumstances. If he was born in 1707, his lines to lady Hertford must have been written
The time of our poet’s birth has not been settled. A writer in the Gentleman’s Magazine fixes it about 1707, but an earlier date will correspond better with circumstances. If he was born in 1707, his lines to lady Hertford must have been written at eleven, which is highly improbable, yet there is some difficulty in adjusting the date of this poem. In Lintot’s edition, it is subscribed Sept. 30, 1725; but Francis, the late marquis of Hertford, was born in 1719, a year after his father’s marriage, and when Mr. Harte, according to the above account, could have been only eleven years of age. We have his own authority that all the poems published in this volume were written when he was under nineteen, consequently the date of 1725 must be an error, especially if Collins’s account of the Hertford family be correct But here, too, there is something that requires explanation, as the title of Beauchamp was not conferred on the family for many years after the publication of these poems.
07. With Pope he acquired an early intimacy, and shared rather more of his friendship than that poet was wont to bestow on his brethren. Pope encouraged his poetical
He received his education at Marlborough school, under the rev. Mr. Hildrop, to whom he dedicates the few divine poems in the volume published in 1727. At what time he went to Oxford does not appear, but he took his master’s degree June 30, 1720, according to the last edition of the graduates of that university, a clear proof that he must have been born long before 1707. With Pope he acquired an early intimacy, and shared rather more of his friendship than that poet was wont to bestow on his brethren. Pope encouraged his poetical enthusiasm, and inserted many lines in his poems; and Harte repaid the instructions of so distinguished a preceptor, by compliments introduced, not without elegance and propriety, in his Essays on Painting and on Satire, and elsewhere.
volume of poems, already mentioned, dedicated to the gallant and eccentric earl of Peterborough, who was, as the, author acknowledges, the first “who took notice of
In 1727, he published the volume of poems, already
mentioned, dedicated to the gallant and eccentric earl of
Peterborough, who was, as the, author acknowledges, the
first “who took notice of him.
” This volume was ushered
in by a very numerous list of subscribers, among whom is
the name of Alexander Pope, for four copies. An edition
of these poems may be sometimes picked up, dated 1739,
and printed for John Cecil, instead of Bernard Lintot, the
original publisher. As the same list of subscribers is repeated, it is probable that these were the remaining copies
bought at Lintot’s sale (who died in 1737), and published
with a new title-page.
1736-7, which excited so much admiration, or curiosity, as to pass through five editions. The other was a “Fastsermon,” preached at the same place, Jan. 9, 1739-40.
In 1730 he published his “Essay on Satire,
” 8vo, and
in Essay on Reason,
” folio, to which Pope contributed very considerably, although no part of his share
can be exactly ascertained, except the first two lines. He
afterwards published two sermons, the one entitled “The
Union and Harmony of Reason, Morality, and Revealed
Religion,
” preached at St. Mary’s, Oxford, February 27,
1736-7, which excited so much admiration, or curiosity,
as to pass through five editions. The other was a “Fastsermon,
” preached at the same place, Jan. 9, 1739-40.
He was afterwards vice-principal of St. Mary-hall, and in
so much reputation as a tutor, that lord Lyttelton, who
was one of his earliest friends, recommended him to the earl
of Chesterfield, as a private and travelling preceptor to his
natural son. With this young man, to whom his lordship
addressed those letters which have so much injured his
reputation, Mr. Harte travelled from 1746 to 1750. Lord
Chesterfield is said to have procured for him a canonry of
Windsor, in 1751, “with much difficulty,
” arising from his
college connections, St. Mary-hall, of which Dr. King
was principal, being at that time noted for jacobitism.
ich he had bestowed much labour, and in which he has accumulated very valuable materials. An edition was soon published in German by George Henry Martini, with a preface,
In 1759, he published his “History of Gustavus Adolphus,
” 2 vols. 4to, a work on which he had bestowed much
labour, and in which he has accumulated very valuable
materials. An edition was soon published in German by
George Henry Martini, with a preface, notes, and corrections from the pen of the translator John Gottlieb Bohme,
Saxon historiographer, and professor of history in the university of Leipsic. Its success, however, at home was far
inferior to his hopes, although sufficient to encourage him
to publish an 8vo edition in 1763, corrected and improved.
At this time he resided at Bath, dejected and dispirited
between real and imaginary distempers. In November
1766, a paralytic stroke deprived him of the use of his
right leg, affected his speech, and in some degree his
bead. He employed, however, his intervals of health, in
preparing “The Amaranth
” for the press, which was published in
ographer, “had none of the amiable connecting qualifications, which the earl wished in his son.” “It was impossible he should succeed in finishing the polish of his
Dr. Maty expresses his wonder, that lord Chesterfield
should not have chosen a tutor who understood a little better the external decorations which his lordship prized so
highly. “Harte,
” says this biographer, “had none of the
amiable connecting qualifications, which the earl wished
in his son.
” “It was impossible he should succeed in
finishing the polish of his education in the manner lord
Chesterfield wished; and it is a matter of astonishment
that the earl should not have perceived how much the
tutor’s example must have defeated his precepts. The
three principal articles he recommended to his son, were
his appearance, his elocution, and his style. Mr. Harte,
long accustomed to a college life, was too aukward both in
his person and address to be able to familiarize the graces
with his young pupil. An unhappy impediment in his
speech, joined to his total want of ear, rendered him
equally unfit to perceive as to correct any defects of pronunciation, a careful attention to which was so strongly
recommended in all lord Chesterfield’s letters, as absolutely necessary for an orator.
”
not practise the system which his father so elegantly and artfully recommended, let us hope that he was preserved by the better foundation Mr. Harte had laid.
All this, however, lord Chesterfield knew, and yet appointed Mr. Harte, appears to have been perfectly satis-, fied with his conduct, and treated him with great kindness and condescending familiarity as long as he lived. Dr. Maty seems to have forgot that Harte left his pupil before his lordship had-fully developed that abominable plan of hypocrisy and profligacy, which, notwithstanding his biographer’s softenings, has irrecoverably disgraced his memory; and as it is acknowledged that Mr. Stanhope did not practise the system which his father so elegantly and artfully recommended, let us hope that he was preserved by the better foundation Mr. Harte had laid.
His “Life of Gustavus Adolphus,” it must be allowed, was a very unfortunate publication. He had learning, industry, and
His “Life of Gustavus Adolphus,
” it must be allowed, was a very unfortunate publication. He had learning, industry, and the spirit of research; and he had acquired a considerable degree of political and military
knowledge. He had, besides, access to the most valuable
materials, and his work may be considered as in many respects original. But either through affectation, or by
means of oaie desultory course of reading in every language but his own, he was led to adopt a style peculiarly
harsh and pedantic, and often unintelligible, by the irregular construction of his sentences, by new words of his
own coinage, or by old words used in a new sense. The
wonder is, that in all this he fancied himself “writing in
a style less laboured and ornamental than is usually exhibited by the fluent writers of the present age.
” George
Hawkins, his bookseller, we are told, sometimes objected
to his uncouth words or phrases, while the work was in the
press, but Harte refused to change them, and used to add
with a complacent sneer, “George, that’s what we call
writing
” It is such writing, however, as we do not find
in liis Sermons printed in 1737 and 1740, far less in his
“Essays on Husbandry,
” which ought to have been mentioned as printed in 1764, and which, with very few exceptions, are distinguished for perspicuity of style, and
far more elegance than that subject is generally supposed
to admit.
pied his mind for a very considerable time before he began to collect his materials. The undertaking was suggested to him by lord Peterborow, with whom he could have
The “Life of Gustavus
” probably employed many of
his years, at least the subject must have occupied his mind
for a very considerable time before he began to collect his
materials. The undertaking was suggested to him by lord
Peterborow, with whom he could have had no communication except previously to the year 1734, when his lordship’s growing infirmities deprived him of the pleasures of
society, and in the following year, of life, When travelling
with Mr. Stanhope, our author procured access to various
sources of information, and dwelt so long on his subject
with a fond regard, that when he found how coolly his
work was received by the world, and how harshly by the
critics, he became uneasy, fretful, and, according to lord
Chesterfield, seriously ill with disappointment. Dr. Johnson was of opinion, that the defects of his history proceeded
not from imbecility, but from foppery; and it is certain
that the critics* while they pointed out the defects in his
style, paid due encomiums on the merit of the history in
other respects.
According to Boswell, Dr. Johnson said “he was excessively vain. He put copies of his book in manuscript into
According to Boswell, Dr. Johnson said “he was excessively vain. He put copies of his book in manuscript into
the hands of lord Chesterfield and lord Granville, that they
might revise it. Now how absurd was it to suppose that
two such noblemen would revise so big a manuscript. Poor
man! he left London the day of the publication of his
book, that he might be out of the way of the great praise
he was to receive; and he was ashamed to return, when he,
found how ill his book had succeeded. Itwas unlucky in
coming out the same day with Robertson’s History of Scotland.
” Not the same day, for Robertson’s history was
published a month sooner, but Hume’s “House of Tudor
”
came out the same week; and after perusing these, poor
Harte’s style could not certainly be endured. It was not,
however, so very absurd to submit his manuscript to lord
Chesterfield or lord Granville, if they permitted him; and
the former certainly did peruse it, although he might think
it too generally contaminated for a few friendly hints or
corrections.
d.” He had even attained so much character both as a poet and a philosopher, that the “Essay on Man” was at first attributed to him. It may not be impertinent to introduce
With Pope, Harte appears to have been on very intimate terms, and we find his encomiastic lines among the
testimonies of authors prefixed to the “Dunciad.
” He
had even attained so much character both as a poet and a
philosopher, that the “Essay on Man
” was at first attributed to him. It may not be impertinent to introduce here
an anecdote, related by Dr. Warton, who was very intimate with Harte. " Pope told Mr. Harte, that in order to
disguise his being the author of the second epistle of the
Essay on Man, he made, in the first edition, the following
bad rhyme:
And Harte remembered to have often heard it urged, in inquiries about the author, whilst he was unknown, that it was impossible it could be Pope’s, on account
And Harte remembered to have often heard it urged, in inquiries about the author, whilst he was unknown, that it was impossible it could be Pope’s, on account of this very passage." Warton, it may be added, always spoke with respect of Harte’s abilities.
same kind. This we learn from the concluding passage of his Gustavus, in which he says his intention was to carry the history of Germany down to the peace of Munster,
Notwithstanding the unfortunate reception of his history,
he projected another undertaking of the same kind. This
we learn from the concluding passage of his Gustavus, in
which he says his intention was to carry the history of
Germany down to the peace of Munster, but that he was
deterred by the magnitude of the undertaking. He adds,
however, in a note, that he had completed the history of
the thirty years’ war, from the breaking out of the troubles
in Bohemia in 1618, to the death of Gustavus in 1632.
These papers, with whatever else he left, are supposed to
have fallen into the hands of his servant Edward Dore, who
afterwards kept an inn at Bath. Dore and his family are
no more, and the manuscripts are probably irrecoverably
lost. We have his own authority also, that he intended to
have written a criticism on the poetry of Dryden, which
he seems to have appreciated with just taste. The advertisement to “Religious Melancholy,
” from which this information is taken, is inserted almost entire, by Dr. Warton in his edition of Pope, as the result of a conference
between Pope and Harte.
s poems, in general are entitled to considerable praise, although it may probably be thought that he was a better critic than a poet, and exhibited more taste than genius.
Harte’s poems, in general are entitled to considerable
praise, although it may probably be thought that he was a
better critic than a poet, and exhibited more taste than
genius. His attachment to Pope led him to an imitation
of that writer’s manner, particularly in the “Essay on Rear
son,
” and that on “Satire.
” His “Essay on Reason
” has
been somewhere called a fine philosophical poem. It might
with more propriety be called a fine Christian poem, as it
has more of religion than philosophy, and might be aptly
entitled An Essay on Revelation. The “Essay on Satire
”
has some elegant passages, but is desultory, and appears
to have been written as a compliment to the “Dunciad
” of
Pope, whose opinions he followed as far as they respected
the merits of the dunces whom Pope libelled.
For his “Essay on Painting,” he pleads that it was written at intervals, upon such remarks as casually occurred
For his “Essay on Painting,
” he pleads that it was written at intervals, upon such remarks as casually occurred itv
his reading, and is therefore deficient in connection. He
adds that he had finished the whole before he saw Du
Fresnoy, which may readily be believed. He discovers,
however, a very correct notion of an art which was not at
that time much studied in this country, and has laid down
many precepts which, if insufficient to form a good painter,
will at least prevent the student from falling into gross improprieties. So much knowledge of the art, and acquaintance with the works of the most eminent painters, argues a,
taste surprizing at his early age. He had some turn for
drawing, and made several sketches when abroad, which
were afterwards engraved as head pieces for the poems in
the “Amaranth.
” In this essay, he delights in images
which, although in general pleasing and just, are perhaps
too frequently, and as it were periodically, introduced.
With all his admiration of Pope, he was not less attached
to Dryden as a model; and if he has less harmony than
Pope, has at the same time less monotony.
The “Amaranth” was written, as he informs us, te for his private consolation under
The “Amaranth
” was written, as he informs us, te for
his private consolation under a lingering and dangerous
state of health.' 1 There is something so amiable, and we
may add, so heroic in this, that it is impossible not to make
every allowance for defects; but this collection of poems does
not upon the whole stand so much in need of indulgence
as may be expected. Some of them were sketched when
he was abroad, and now were revised and prepared, and
others may perhaps be the effusions of a man in sickness
and pain. Yet there are more animated passages of genuine poetry scattered over this volume, than we find in
his former works. The whole of the “Amaranth
” is of
the serious cast, such as became the situation of the author. We have, indeed, heard of authors who have sported
with unusual glee in their moments of debility and decay,
and seemed resolved to meet death with an air of good humour and levity. Such a state of mind, where it does
really occur, and is not affectation, is rather to be wondered at than envied. It is not the feeling of a rational
and an immortal creature.
, an ingenious physician and phU losopher, the son of a clergyman at Armley, in Yorkshire, was born Aug. 30, 1705. After being for some time at a private school,
, an ingenious physician and phU losopher, the son of a clergyman at Armley, in Yorkshire, was born Aug. 30, 1705. After being for some time at a private school, he was admitted of Jesus-college Cambridge, in 1720, and was afterwards elected a fellow of that society. He took his degree of A. B. in 1725, and that of A. M. in 1729. He was originally intended for the church, but having some scruples as to subscription to the thirty-nine articles, gave up that design, although throughout the whole of his life he femained in communion with the church -of England. He now directed his studies to the medical profession, in which he became eminent for skill, integrity, and charitable compassion. His mind was formed to benevolence and universal philanthropy; and he exercised the healing art with anxious and equal fidelity to the poor and to the rich. He commenced practice at Newark, in Nottinghamshire, whence he removed to Bury St. Edmund’s, in Suffolk; and after this he settled for some time in London. His last residence was at Bath.
Dr. Hartley was industrious and indefatigable in the pursuit of all collateral
Dr. Hartley was industrious and indefatigable in the
pursuit of all collateral branches of knowledge^ and lived
in personal intimacy with the learned men of his age.
The bishops Law, Butler, and Warburton, and Dr. Jortin,
were his intimate friends, and he was much attached to
bishop Hoadiy. Among his other friends or correspondents may be mentioned Dr. Hales, Mr. Hawkins Browne,
Dr. Young, Dr. Byrom, and Mr. Hooke the Roman historian. Pope was also admired by him, not only as a man
of genius, but as a moral poet; yet he soon saw the hand
of Bolingbroke in the “Essay on Man.
” Dr. Hartley’s
genius was penetrating and active his industry indefatigable his philosophical observations and attentions unremitting. From his earliest youth he was devoted to the
sciences, particularly to logic and mathematics. He studied mathematics, together with natural and experimental
philosophy, under the celebrated professor Saunderson.
He was an enthusiastic admirer and disciple of sir Isaac
Newton in every branch of literature and philosophy, natural and experimental, mathematical, historical, and religious. His first principles of logic and metaphysics he
derived from Locke. He took the first rudiments of his
own work, the “Observations on Man,' 7 from Newton and
Locke; the doctrine of vibrations, as instrumental to
sensation and motion, from the former, and the principle of
association originally from the latter, further explained in
a dissertation by the rev. Mr. Gay. He began this work
when about twenty-five years of age, and published it in
1749, when about forty-three years of age, under the title
of
” Observations on Man, his frame, his duty, and his
expectations,“2 vols. 8vo. His biographer informs us
that
” he did not expect that it would meet with any general or immediate reception in the philosophical world,
or even that it would be much read or understood; neither
did it happen otherwise than as he had expected. But at
the same time he did entertain an expectation that at some
distant period it would become the adopted system of future philosophers.“In this, however, he appears to have
been mistaken. We know of no
” future“philosophers
of any name, who have adopted his system. Dr. Priestley,
indeed, published in 1775
” Hartley’s Theory, &c. with
Essays on the subject of it," but all he has done in this is
to convince us of his own belief in materialism, and his
earnest desire to prove Hartley a materialist, who dreaded
nothing so much, although it must be confessed that hie
doctrines have an apparent tendency to that conclusion.
Since that time, Hartley’s work was nearly forgotten, until
1791, when an edition was published by his Son, in a handsome 4to volume, with notes and additions, from the
German of the rev. Herman Andrew Pistorius, rector of
Poseritz, in the island of Rugen; and a sketch of the life
and character of Dr. Hartley. The doctrine of vibrations,
upon which he attempts to explain the origin and propagation of sensation, although supported by much ingenious reasoning, isnot only built upon a gratuitous
assumption, but as Haller has shewn, it attributes properties
to the medullary substance of the brain and nerves, which
are totally incompatible with their nature.
Dr. Hartley was the author of some medical tracts relative to the operation
Dr. Hartley was the author of some medical tracts relative to the operation of Mrs. Stephens’ s medicine for the
stone, a disease with which he was himself afflicted; he
was, indeed, principally instrumental in procuring for Mrs.
Stephens the five thousand pounds granted by parliament
for discovering the composition of her medicine, which
was published in the Gazette in June, 1739. In 1738 he
published “Observations made on ten persons who have
taken the Medicament of Mrs. Stephens;
” and in View of the present Evidence for and against Mrs.
Stephens’s Medicine as a Solvent for the Stone, containing
155 Cases, with some Experiments and Observations,
”
and a “Supplement to the View of the present Evidence,
”
&c. His own case is the 123d in the above-mentioned
“View;
” but, notwithstanding any temporary relief which
he might receive from the medicine, he is said to have
died of the stone, after having taken above two hundred
pounds weight of soap, which is the principal ingredient
in its composition. In the Gentleman’s Magazine for February, 1746, Dr. Hartley published with his name, “Directions for preparing and administering Mrs. Stephens’s
Medicine in a solid Form.
” He is also said to have written
in defence of inoculation for the small-pox, against the
objections of Dr. Warren, of Bury St. Edmund’s; and
some papers of his are to be met with in the Philosophical
Transactions. He died at Bath, August 28, 1757, aged
fifty-two. He was twice married, and left issue by both
marriages.
character were of the same complexion. It may with peculiar propriety be said of him, that the mind was the man. His thoughts were not immersed in worldly pursuits
The philosophical character of Dr. Hartley, says his Son, is delineated in his works. The features of his private and personal character were of the same complexion. It may with peculiar propriety be said of him, that the mind was the man. His thoughts were not immersed in worldly pursuits or contentions, and therefore his life was not eventful or turbulent, but placid, and undisturbed by passion or violent ambition. From his earliest youth his mental ambition was pre-occupied by pursuits of science. His hours of amusement were likewise bestowed upon objects of taste and sentiment. Music, poetry, and history, were his favourite recreations. His imagination was fertile and correct, his language and expression fluent and forcible. His natu/al temper was gay, cheerful, and sociable. He was addicted to no vice in any part of his life, neither to pride, nor to sensuality, nor intemperance, nor ostentation, nor envy, nor to any sordid self-interest; but his heart was replete with every contrary virtue. The virtuous principles which are instilled in his works, were the invariable and decided principles of his life and doctrine. His person was of the middle size, and well proportioned. His complexion fair, his features regular and handsome. His countenance open, ingenuous, and animated. He was peculiarly neat in his person and attire. He was an early riser, and punctual in the employments of the day methodical in the order and disposition gf his library, papers. and writings, as the companions of his thoughts, but without any pedantry, either in these habits, or in any other part of his character. His behaviour was polite, easy, and graceful; but that which made his address peculiarly engaging, was the benevolence of heart from which that politeness flowed. He never conversed with a fellow-creature without feeling a wish to do him good. He considered the moral end of our creation to consist in the performance of the duties of life attached to each particular station, to which all other considerations ought to be inferior and subordinate; and consequently that the rule of life consists in training and adapting our faculties, through the means of moral habits and associations, to that end. In this he was the faithful disciple of his own theory; and by the observance of it he avoided the tumult of worldly vanities and their disquietudes, and preserved his mind in sincerity and vigour, to perform the duties of life with fidelity, and without distraction. His whole character was eminently and uniformly marked by sincerity of heart, simplicity of manners, and manly innocence of mind.
, an ingenious writer on agriculture in the seventeenth century, was the son of a Polish merchant, who, when the Jesuits prevailed
, an ingenious writer on agriculture in the seventeenth century, was the son of a Polish merchant, who, when the Jesuits prevailed in that country, was obliged to remove himself into Prussia, where he settled and built the first house of credit at Elbing, and his grandfather, the deputy of the English company at Dantzick, brought the English company to Elbing; whence that town came by trade to the splendour and result which it afterwards attained. His family, indeed, was of a very ancient extraction in the German empire, there having been ten brothers of the name cf Hartlib. Some of them were privy-counsellors to the emperor, some to other inferior princes; some syndics of Ausperg and Norimberg.
He was the issue of a third wife, his father having married two Polonian
He was the issue of a third wife, his father having married two Polonian ladies of noble extraction. This third
wife seems to have been an English woman, for she had
two sisters very honourably married here; one, first to
Mr. Clark, son of a lord mayor, and afterwards to a “veryrich knight, sir Richard Smith, one of the king’s privycouncil, she bringing him a portion of 10,000l.; after his
death, she married a third time sir Edward Savage, and
was made one of the ladies of honour to the king’s mother.
Her daughter married sir Anthony Irby, at Boston,
” a
knight of 4 or 5000l. sterling a year.“The other sister
married Mr. Peak, a younger brother. Warton says,
Hartlib came over into England about 1640. In 1641 he
published
” A relation of that which hath been lately attempted, to procure ecclesiastical peace among Protestants," Lond. 1641.
n 1645 he published “The Discourse of Flanders Husbandry,” 4to, about 24 pages; not then knowing who was the author; the “Legacy” to his sons, which relates also to
In 1645 he published “The Discourse of Flanders Husbandry,
” 4to, about 24 pages; not then knowing who
was the author; the “Legacy
” to his sons, which relates
also to the cultivation of their estates, consists of three
4to pages, and was written on the author’s death -bed,
1645. The author was sir Richard Weston, whom Harte
apprehends to be the sir Richard Weston “who was ambassador from England to Frederick V. elector Palatine,
and king of Bohemia, in 1619, and present at the famous
battle of Prague, concerning which a curious relation of
his, by way of letter, is still preserved in ms.
” It is remarked in the Philosophical Transactions, that England
has profited in agriculture to the amount of many millions,
by following the directions laid down in this little treatise,
which has always been looked upon as a capital performance
in husbandry.
About 1750, a piece was ignorantly published under sir R. Weston’s name, entitled “A
About 1750, a piece was ignorantly published under sir
R. Weston’s name, entitled “A treatise concerning the
Husbandry and Natural History of England,
” 8vo, which
is a poor jejune abridgment of “Hartlib’s Legacy.
” It
seems that Hartlib afterwards, in order to enlarge and better explain this famous discourse, published another edition, and annexed Dr. Beati’s annotations to it.
or an enlargement of the discourse of Husbandry used in Brabant and Flanders,” Lond. 4to. This work was only drawn up at Hartlib’s request; and passing through his
In 1652 Hartlib published “His Legacy, or an enlargement of the discourse of Husbandry used in Brabant and
Flanders,
” Lond. 4to. This work was only drawn up at
Hartlib’s request; and passing through his correction and
revision, was published by him. It consists of one general
answer to the following query, namely, “what are the
actual defects and omissions, as also the possible improvements, in English husbandry
” The real author was Robert Child. To it are annexed various correspondences
from persons eminent for skill in agriculture at this time;
as C. D. B. W. R. H. T. Underbill, Henry Cruttenden, W.
Potter, &c. as also the “Mercurius Laetificans
” and
twenty large experiments by Gabriel Plattes together
with annotations on the legacy by Dr. Arnold Beati, and
replies to the animadversions by the author of the Legacy.
In the preface Hartlib laments greatly that no public director of husbandry was established in England by authority; and that we had not adopted the Flemish custom of
letting farms upon improvement. Cromwell, as Harte
says, in consequence of this admirable performance, allowed Hartlib a pension of IQOl. a year; and it was the
better to fulfil the intentions of his benefactor, that he
procured Dr. Beati’s excellent annotations before-mentioned, with the other valuable pieces from his numerous
correspondents.
erful providences, I have spent yearly out of my own betwixt 3 and 409l. a year sterling; and when I was brought to public allowances, I have had from the parliaments
Hartlib says himself, “As long as I have lived in England, by wonderful providences, I have spent yearly out
of my own betwixt 3 and 409l. a year sterling; and when
I was brought to public allowances, I have had from the
parliaments and councils of state a pension of 300l. sterling
a year, which as freely I have spent for their service, and
the good of many.
” He says he “erected a little academy
for the education of the gentry of this nation, to advance
piety, learning, morality, and other exercises of industry,
not usual then in common schools.
” This probably occasioned Milton’s “Tractate on Education,
” about Two letters to him on the same
subject, by sir William Petty,
” Lond. The Improver Improved,
”
urie,” 1650, 4to, three sheets; and published “Twisse’s doubting Conscience resolved,” 1652, 8vo. He was also author of “The reformed Common-wealth of Bees, with the
“About the time,
” observes Harte, “when Hartlib
flourished, seems to be an rera when English husbandry
rose to high perfection; for the preceding wars had made
the country gentry poor, and in consequence thereof industrious; though sometimes the reverse of this happens
in many kingdoms. But these wise men found the cultivation of their own lands to be the very best posts they
could be fixed in. Yet, in a few years, when the restoration took place, all this industry and knowledge were
turned into dissipation and heedlessness; and then husbandry passed almost entirely into the hands of farmers.
”
Hartlib wrote a little treatise “on Setting Land,
” which
is much esteemed; and some attribute to him “Adam’s
Art Revived,
” though that work seems to belong more
properly to Sir H. Platt. He also wrote “A true and
ready way to learn the Latin Tongue,
” 1654, 4to. “A
Vindication of Mr. John Durie,
” Twisse’s doubting Conscience resolved,
”
The reformed Common-wealth of Bees, with the reformed Virginian Silkworm,
” Lond.
He was consulted in a book called “Chemical, Medicinal, and Chirurgical
He was consulted in a book called “Chemical, Medicinal, and Chirurgical Addresses to Samuel Hartlib.
”
Lond. On Motion
by Engines,
” Letters to Hartlib from Flanders,
” German by birth, a good scholar,
and a great traveller,
” was appointed in he had nothing to
keep him alive, with two relations more, a daughter and a
nephew, who were attending his sickly condition.
” About
the same time he presented a petition to the house of commons, by the name of Samuel Hartlib, sen. setting forth
his services, and praying relief; in which, among other
things, he says, that for thirty years and upwards he had
exerted himself in procuring “rare collections of Mss. in
all the parts of learning, which he had freely imported,
transcribed, and printed, and sent to such as were most
capable of making use of them; also the best experiments
in husbandry and manufactures, which by printing he hath
published for the benefit of this age and posterity.
” The
event of these applications, and the time of the death of
this ingenious man, is unknown. Sprat, in his history of
the royal society, says nothing of Hartlib, who seems to
have been an active promoter of that institution. Nor is
it less remarkable, that he never mentions Milton’s “Tractate of Education,
” although he discusses the plan of Cowley’s philosophical college. Harte intended to republish
Hartlib’s tracts, and those with which he was concerned;
and Warton had seen his collection.
, a learned divine, was born in 1680, at Minister, of catholic parents. After having
, a learned divine, was
born in 1680, at Minister, of catholic parents. After having been several years a Je.uit, he turned protestant at
Cassel in 1715, was soon after made professor of philosophy and poetry, and, in 1722, appointed professor of
history nnd rhetoric at Marpurg, where he died in 1744.
His most esteemed works are, “Hist. Hassiaca,
” 3 vols.
“Vita? Pontificum Romanorum Victoris III. Urbani II. Pascalis II. Gelasii II. Callisti II. Honorii II.;
” “State of the
Sciences in Hesse,
” in German; “Praecepta eloquentiae
rationalis,
” &c. He has also left above eighty “Academical
Discourses.
” He must be distinguished from George Hartman, a German mathematician, who, in 1540, invented
the bombarding-staff, “Baculus Bombardicus,
” and was
author of a treatise on perspective, reprinted at Paris, 1556,
4to and from Wolfgang Hartman, who published the Annals of Augsburg, in folio, 1596.
, an eminent mathematician, was born at Goud?, in Holland, March 26, 1656. His father intended
, an eminent mathematician, was born at Goud?, in Holland, March 26, 1656. His father intended him for the ministry, but the young man had an early disposition for contemplating the heavenly bodies, which engrossed his whole attention, and finding, at the age of thirteen or fourteen, that without some knowledge of the mathematics he could make no satisfactory progress in this study, he saved his boyish allowance and presents in money, and applied to a teacher of the mathematics, who promised to be very expeditious, and kept his word. Under him he first learned to grind optic glasses, and at length, partly by accident, was enabled to improve single microscopes by using small globules of glass, melted in the flame of a candle. By these he discovered the animalculse in semine humano, which laid the foundation of a new system of generation.
es to polish them one against another; and that these trials were more tedious than difficult; which was all he chose at this time to communicate.
Hartsoeker being now at Paris, and observing that the telescopical glasses of the observatory there were not large enough, made some attempts to improve them, which, although not successful at first, procured him the good opinion and encouragement of Cassini; flattered by whom he soon made good glasses of all sizes, and at length one of six hundred feet focus, which, on account of its rarity, he never would part with. As to these glasses of so long a focus, he one day told Varignon and the abbe St. Pierre, that he thought it impossible to form them in a bason, but that by trying pieces of glass intended to be quite flat, one might happen to meet with some that were segments of a sphere of a very long radius, and that he had in this manner met with one of twelve hundred feet focus; that this sphericity depended upon some insensible unevennesses in the tables of polished iron upon which the melted glass is stretched out, or on the manner of loading the gFasses to polish them one against another; and that these trials were more tedious than difficult; which was all he chose at this time to communicate.
On the revival of the royal academy of sciences at Paris, in 1699, he was named a foreign associate, and was soon after chosen member
On the revival of the royal academy of sciences at Paris, in 1699, he was named a foreign associate, and was soon after chosen member of the royal society of Berlin, but he never used either of these titles, or any other, in any of the works he afterwards published. It is probable, however, that they were of some service to his reputation at least, especially on the following occasion. Peter the Great, on his arrival at Amsterdam, having applied to the magistrates of that city for a person capable of instructing him in those branches of learning he was desirous of acquiring, they named Hartsoeker for that purpose; and he became so agreeable to the czar, that that monarch would have prevailed upon him to follow him to Moscovy. But the length of the journey for a numerous family, and the difference between the Russian manners and those of the people among whom he had hitherto lived, hindered him from accepting the proposal. The magistrates of Amsterdam, to acknowledge the honour he had done to their choice of him upon this occasion, erected a small observatory for him on one of their bastions, which was a handsome compliment to him, although at little expence.
ad, insomuch that he absolutely denied the fact, affirming that what Hamberg took for vitrified gold was a substance issuing from the charcoal tbat supported it, mixed
In 1704, after very pressing solicitations, he went to
the court of the elector Palatine, who appointed him his
first ma&ematiciau, and honorary professor of philosophy
in the university of Heidelberg. Here he published, in
1707 and 1708, his lectures, under the title of “Conjeetures Physiques,
” and then took his leave for a time of the
electorate, in order to visit other parts of Germany, or
study natural history, and mines in particular. At Cassel
he repeated the experiments made by Mr. Hamberg with
the landgrave’s burning glass constructed by Mr. Tschirnhaus, but without being able to vitrify even lead, insomuch
that he absolutely denied the fact, affirming that what
Hamberg took for vitrified gold was a substance issuing
from the charcoal tbat supported it, mixed perhaps with
some of the heterogeneous parts of the metal itself.
d three to be cast, and having soon finished them, the elector presented him with the largest, which was three feet and five inches Rhinland measure jn diameter, nine
From Hesse Cassel Hartsoeker repaired to Hanover, where Leibnitz, the professed friend of all men of learning, presented him to the elector, afterwards George I. and the electoral princess, the late queen Caroline, who gave him a very gracious reception. About this time, the elector palatine hearing speak of the burning-glass of M. Tschirnhaus, asked Mr. Hartsoeker if he could make him such a one. Upon this he caused three to be cast, and having soon finished them, the elector presented him with the largest, which was three feet and five inches Rhinland measure jn diameter, nine feet focus, and this focus perfectly circular, of the size of a louis d'or, and so ponderous, that two men could with difficulty move it.
uids, nutrition and accretion; operations, in his opinion, above the reach of mere mechanics. But it was immediately objected that rational soul, that vegetative soul,
In 1710 he published a volume entitled “Eclaircissements sur les conjectures physiques,
” being answers to
objections, most of which he attributes to Leibnitz; and
two years after he published another volume by way of
sequel to it, and in 1722 a collection of several separate
pieces on the same subject. ^In these three works he attacked, very freely, several celebrated names in the republic of letters, protesting all the while, that if he did not
esteem them, he would have given himself no trouble about
them, and that they were very welcome to criticize upon
him in their turn. But, in spite of this apology, he could
not conceal an irritable temper, and considerable virulence
in his manner of treating them. Neither Newton, Leibnitz, Huygens, or the other members of the royal academy
of sciences at Paris, escaped him on this occasion. The
academy, however, notwithstanding such behaviour, tolerated him as one of her members, and considered him as
subject to fits of ill humour, while the several members,
instead of answering him, pursued their researches.
In the second work he takes up and extends his favourite
system of plastic souls. In man, according to him, the
rational soul issues its orders, and a vegetative soul, which is
the plastic, not only intelligent, but more intelligent than
even the rational, immediately executes these orders, besides superintending or carrying on the whole animal oeconomy of the circulation of liquids, nutrition and accretion;
operations, in his opinion, above the reach of mere mechanics. But it was immediately objected that rational
soul, that vegetative soul, is ourselves, and how can we
do all these things without knowing it This difficulty he
solves by a comparison, which is at least ingenious. Suppose, says he, a dumb man alone in a room, and servants
placed in the adjacent rooms to wait upon him. He is
made to understand that when he has a mind to eat, he
has only to strike the floor with his stick. Accordingly he
strikes, and immediately sees his table covered with dishes.
Now how can he conceive that this noise, which he has not
heard, and of which he has not even any idea, should have
brought the servants to him Hartsoeker, not content with
attributing these intelligent plastic souls to men and animals, gives them to plants, and even to the celestial bodies.
lowing, when the dowager clectress, a princess of the house of Medicis, in whom a taste for learning was hereditary, returned to Italy, her native country. As soon as
The elector Palatine dying in 1716, Hartsoeker quitted the palatine court the year following, when the dowager clectress, a princess of the house of Medicis, in whom a taste for learning was hereditary, returned to Italy, her native country. As soon as the landgrave of Hesse saw him disengaged, he did him the honour to solicit him a second time to come and reside with him. But Hartsoeker thought his days too few to spend in a court, and therefore, removed to Utrecht, where he undertook a course of natural philosophy, and made an extract of all the curious and useful observations buried here and there among a heap of useless matter in Lewenhoeck’s letters. And having received some reproaches from Paris on account of the freedoms which he had taken with the royal academy of sciences, he began to draw up an apology, but did not live to finish it. He died Dec. 10, 1725. Fontenelle says he was brisk, facetious, obliging, but of an easy temper, which his artful friends often abused, and which betrayed him into those critical asperities which are too frequent in his works.
, a celebrated Jesuit, was born at Cologne in 1694, of a patrician family, and taught the
, a celebrated Jesuit, was born
at Cologne in 1694, of a patrician family, and taught the
belles lettres there until he went to Milan, on being appointed professor of Greek and Hebrew. On his return to
his own country, he acquired much celebrity as a preacher
and as a professor of philosophy and divinity. He died in
1763; his principal works were, l.“Summa historic omnis
ab exordio rerum ad annum a Christo nato 1718,
” Luxembourg, De initio metropoleos ecclesiasticae Coloniae, &c. disquisitio,
” Cologne, Bibliotheca scriptorum Coloniensium,
” ibid. Dissertationes decem historico-criticx in sacram scripturam,
” fol. 5. “Inscriptionis Herseliensis Ubio-Romanse
explanatio,
” Cologne, Councils of the church of Germany,
” which had
been projected by Schannat, a learned ecclesiastic, who
had collected materials for the purpose. These, on his
death, were put into the hands of Hartzheim, who after augmenting and reducing them to order, published the first
four volumes. The work was afterwards continued by
Scholl and Neissen.
, a caustic wit of the Elizabethan period, and the butt of the wits of his time, was born about 1545. His father, although a rope-maker by trade,
, a caustic wit of the Elizabethan
period, and the butt of the wits of his time, was born about
1545. His father, although a rope-maker by trade, was
of a good family, and nearly related to sir Thomas Smith,
the celebrated statesman. He was educated at Christ’s
college, Cambridge, and for some time at Pembroke hall,
and took both his degrees in arts. He afterwards obtained
a fellowship in Trinity-hall, and served the office of proctor in the university. Having studied civil law, he obtained his grace for a degree in that faculty, and in 1585
was admitted doctor of laws at Oxford, which he completed in the following year, and practised as an advocate
in the prerogative court of Canterbury at London. As a
poet and a scholar, he had great merit. His beautiful
poem, signed Hobbinol, prefixed to the “Faerie Queene,
”
bespeaks an elegant and well-turned mind; and among his
works are several productions of great ingenuity and profound research. But he had too much propensity to vulgar abuse; and having once involved himself with his
envious and railing contemporaries Nash and Greene,
came their equal in this species of literary warfare. He
afforded the ai, howe?er, sufficient advantage, by having
turned almanack-maker and a prophetic dealer in earthqu ikes and prodigies, things which must not be altogether
reierred to the credulity of the times, since they were as
aptly ridiculed then by his opponents, as they would be
now, did any man of real knowledge and abilities become
so absurd as to propagate the belief in them. His highest
honour was in having Spenser for his intimate friend; nor
was he less esteemed by sir Philip Sidney, as appears by
the interesting account Mr. Todd has given of Harvey’s
correspondence in his excellent Life of Spenser. For an
equally curious account of Harvey’s literary quarrels with
Nash, &c. the reader may be referred with confidence to
one of the most entertaining chapters in Mr. DTsraeli’s
“Calamities of Authors.
” He is supposed to have died in
Three proper and
wittie letters touching the Earthquake, and our English reformed versifying,
” Lond. 1.080, 4to. 2. “Two other very
commendable Letters touching artificial versifying,
” ibid.
15SO, 4to. Harvey boasted his being the inventor of
English hexameters, which very jnstly exposed him to
ridicule. 3. “Foure Letters, and certain Sonnets, touching Robert Greene and others,
” ibid. and by Mr. Haselwood in his life
of that poet in the
” Censura Literaria.“5.
” Pierce’s
Supererogation, or a new prayse of the old Asse, with an
advertisement for Pap. Hatchet and Martin Marprelate,“ibid. 1593, &c. This war ol scurrility was at length terminated by an order of the archbishop of Canterbury,
” that all Nashe’s books and Dr. Harvey’s bookes be taken
wheresoever they be found, and that none of the said
bookes be ever printed hereafter.“Among his more creditable performances, Tanner has enumerated, 1.
” Rhetor,
sive dtiorutn dterum oratio de natura, arte et exercitatione
rbetorica,“Lond. 1577, 4to. 2.
” Ciceronianus, vel oratio
post reditum habita Cantabrigise ad suos auditores,“ibid.
1577, <Ko. 3.
” Gratulatio Vatdenensium, lib. IV. ad Elizabetham reginam,“ibid. 1578. 4.
” Smithus, vel musarum
lachrymze pro obitu honoratiss. viri Thorn se Smith," ibid.
1578, 4to.
, an English physician, was born in Surrey, acquired the Greek and Latin tongues in the
, an English physician, was born in
Surrey, acquired the Greek and Latin tongues in the
Low Countries, and was admitted of Exeter-college, Oxford, in Ib55. Afterwards he went to Leyden, and studied
under Vanderlinden, Vanhorn, and Vorstius, all of them
professors of physic, and men of eminence. He was
taugbt chemistry there by a German, and, at the same
place, learned the practical part of chirurgery, and the
trade of an apothecary. After this he went to France, and
thence returned to Holland, where he was admitted fellow
of the college of physicians at the Hague; being-, at that
time, physician in ordinary to Charles II. in his exile.
He afterwards returned to London, whence he was sent, in
1659, with a commission to Flanders, to be physician to
the English army there; where staying till he was tired of
that employment, he passed through Germany into Italy,
spent some time at Padua, Bologna, and Rome, and then
returned through Switzerland and Holland to England.
Here he became physician in ordinary to his majesty; and,
after king William came over, was made physician of the
Tower. At this time there was a great debate who should
succeed to this office, and the contending parties were so
equally matched in their interests and pretensions, that it
was extremely difficult to determine which should have the
preference. The matter was at length brought to-a compromise; and Dr. Harvey was promoted, because he was
in appearance sickly and infirm, and his death was expected in a few months. He survived, however, not only
his rivals, but all his contemporary physicians, and died
after he had enjoyed his office above fifty-years. He wrote
several medical treatises, which never have been in any
esteem. Unlike his predecessor of the same name, whose
modesty equalled his knowledge, and who never proceeded
a step without fact and experiment, Gideon Harvey was
a vain and hypothetical prater throughout. Under pretence
of reforming the art of medicine, he attacked the characters of the most eminent physicians of the time, combining:
the most insulting sarcasms with many glaring falsehoods
and absurdities; and although, in the general war which,
he waged, he justly attacked many abuses which then
prevailed in the profession, yet he often committed great
errors of judgment. His principal work, part of which was
published in 1683, and part in 1686, was entitled “The
Conclave of Physicians, detecting their intrigues, frauds,
and plots against the patients,
” &c.
, an eminent English physician, who first discovered the circulation of the blood, was born of a. good family at Folkstone, in Kent, April 2, 156^.
, an eminent English physician,
who first discovered the circulation of the blood, was born
of a. good family at Folkstone, in Kent, April 2, 156^.
At ten years of age he was sent to the grammar-school at
Canterbury, and at fourteen removed thence to Caius college, in Cambridge, where he spent about six years in
the study of logic and natural philosophy, as preparatory
to the study of physic. He then travelled through France
and Germany, to Padua in Italy; where, having studied
physic under Minadous, Fabricius ab Aquapendente, and
Casserius, he was created doctor of physic and surgery in
that university, 1602. He had a particular regard for Fabricius, often quotes him in terms of the highest respect;
and declares, that he was the more willing to publish his
book, “De Motu Cordis,
” because Fabricius, who had
learnedly and accurately delineated in a particular treatise
almost all the parts of animals, had left the heart alone
untouched. Soon after, returning to England, he was incorporated M. D. at Cambridge, and went to London to
practise, and married. In 1604, he was admitted candidate of the college of physicians in London; and three
years after fellow, and physician to St. Bartholomew’s hospital. In 1615, he was appointed lecturer of anatomy and
surgery in that college; and the year after read a course of
lectures there, the original ms. of which is extant in the
British Museum, and is entitled, “Prcelectiones anatom.
universal, per me Gulielmum Harvaeiunu medicum Londinensem, anat. & chirurg. professorem.
” This appointment of lecturer was probably the more immediate cause
of the publication of his grand discovery of the circulation
of the I id. The date of this promulgation is not absolutely a -tained: it is commonly said that he first disclosed is opinion on the subject in 1619; but the index
of his ms, containing the propositions on which the doctrine is founded, refers them to April 1616. Yet with a
patience and caution, peculiarly characteristic of the sound
philosopher, he withheld his opinions from the world, until
reiterated experiment had amply confirmed his doctrine,
and had enabled him to demonstrate it in detail, and to
advance every proof of its truth of which the subject is
capable.
ar d moustration, and defended it from the objections of the most skilful anatomists. This discovery was of such vast importance to the whole art of physic, that as
In 1628 he published at Francfort his “Exercitatio anatomicade motu cordis & sang inis;
” dedicated to Charles I.
There follows also another dedication to the college of
physicians, in which he observes, thiit he had frequently
before, in his “Anatomical Lectures,
” declared his new
opinion concerning the motion and use of the heart, and
the circulation of the blood; and for above nine years had
confirmed and illustrated it before the college, by reasons
and arguments grounded upon ocular d moustration, and
defended it from the objections of the most skilful anatomists. This discovery was of such vast importance to the
whole art of physic, that as soon as men were satisfied,
which they were in a tew years, that it could not be contested, several put in for the prize themselves, and a great
many affirmed the disc very to be due to others. Some
asserted, that father Paul was the first discoverer of the
circulation, but being too much suspected for heterodoxies already, durst not make it public, for fear of the
inquisition. Honoratus Faber professed himself to be the
author of that opinion; and Vander Linden, who published
an edition of Hippocrates, about the middle of the seventeenth century, took a great deal of pains to prove, that
this father of physic knew the circulation of the blood, and
that Harvey only revived it. But the honour of the discovery has been sufficiently asserted and confirmed to
Harvey; and, says Freind, “as it was entirely owing to
him, so he has explained it with all the clearness imaginable: and, though much has been written upon tuat subject since, I may venture to say, his own book is the
shortest, the plainest, and the most convincing, of any, as
we may be satisfied, it' we look into the many apologies
written in defence of the circulation.
”
In 1632 he was made physician to Charles I. as he had been before to king James;
In 1632 he was made physician to Charles I. as he had
been before to king James; and, adhering to the royal
cause upon the breaking out of the civil wars, attended
his majesty at the battle of Edge-hill, and thence to Oxford where, in 1642, he was incorporated M. D. In
1645 the king procured him to be elected warden of Merton-college in that university but, upon the surrendering of Oxford the year after to the parliament, he left that
office, and retired to London. In 1651 he published his
book, entitled “Exercitationes de Generatione animalimn.
” This is a curious work, and had certainly been
more so, but for some misfortune, by which his papers
perished, during the time of the civil wars. For although
he had both leave and an express order from the parliament to attend his majesty upon his leaving Whitehall,
yet his house, in London, was in his absence plundered
of all the furniture; and his “Adversaria,
” with a great
number of anatomical observations, relating especially to
the generation of insects, were taken away. This loss he
lamented several years after in terms which show how he
felt it.
y his brethren in an unusual and most honourable manner: by a vote of the college his bust in marble was placed in their hall, with a suitable inscription recording
In the following year, 1652, Harvey had the satisfaction of seeing his merits acknowledged by his brethren in an unusual and most honourable manner: by a vote of the college his bust in marble was placed in their hall, with a suitable inscription recording his discoveries. He returned this compliment, by presenting to the college, at a splendid entertainment to which he invited the members, an elegantly furnished convocation-room, and a museum filled with choice books and chirurgical instruments, which he had built, at his own expence, in their garden. On the resignation of Dr Prujeau, in 1654, Harvey was unanimously nominated to the presidency, but he declined the offer on account of his age and infirmities. He still, however, frequented the meetings of the college; and his attachment to that body was shewn more conspicuously in 1656, when, at the first anniversary feast instituted by himself, he gave up his paternal estate of fifty-six pounds per annum in perpetuity, for their use. The particular purposes of this donation were, the institution of an annual feast, at which a Latin oration should be spoken in commemoration of the benefactors of the college, a gratuity for the orator, and a provision for the keeper of his library and museum. His old age was afflicted with infirmities, especially with most excruciating attacks of the gout; but he lived to complete his eighty-eighth year, acCOrding to his epitaph, and expired on the 3d of June 1658, in great tranquillity and self-possession. He was buried in the chapel of Hampstead, belonging to the church of Great Samfurd in Essex, where there is a monument erected over his grave with a Latin inscription.
s memory by a splendid edition of all his works in quarto, 1766, to which a Latin life of the author was prefixed, elegantly written by Dr. Laurence.
The private character of this great man appears to have been in every respect worthy of his public reputation. Cheerful, candid, and upright, he lived on terms of great harmony with his friends and brethren, and exhibited no spirit of rivalry or hostility in his career. He spoke modestly of his own merits, and generally treated his controversial antagonists with temperate and civil language, often very different from their own. He wrote in a remarkably perspicuous Latin style, which is flowing and even eloquent where the subject allows of ornament. The college of physicians very properly honoured his memory by a splendid edition of all his works in quarto, 1766, to which a Latin life of the author was prefixed, elegantly written by Dr. Laurence.
, a dissenting clergyman, was born in 1729, and having passed with reputation through his
, a dissenting clergyman, was
born in 1729, and having passed with reputation through
his grammatical learning, he was entered as student for
the profession of a dissenting minister, in the academy
supported by Mr. Coward’s funds. Upon quitting this
place, he engaged as an assistant to a boarding-school at
Peck ham, and preached occasionally for some neighbouring
ministers in and out of London. During this period of
his life he studied very diligently the Greek and Roman
classics, to which he was devoted through life. In 1754
he undertook the care of a grammar-school at Congleton,
in Cheshire, and preached for some years on alternate
Sundays, to two small societies in the vicinity of that
town. In 1765 he removed to Bristol, and in about five
years he was obliged, as he pretended, to quit his situation
on account of his principles as an Arian and Arminian,
being for some time scarcely able to walk along the streets
of Bristol without insult; but the truth was, that a charge
of immorality was brought against him, which he never satisfactorily answered, and which sufficiently accounted for
his unpopularity. He had previously to this, in 1768, obtained the degree of D. D. from the university of Edinburgh, and with this he came to London, and obtained
employment as a literary character, and also as an instructor in the Greek and Latin classics. He died miserably
poor, in 1794, after having been confined many years in
consequence of a paralytic attack. He was author of
many works, the most important of which is “A View of
the various Editions of the Greek and Roman Classics,
”
which has been several times reprinted, and has, as well as
his “Introduction to the New Testament,
” been translated
into several foreign languages. His other works were
pamphlets on the Arian and Socinian controversy, if we
except an edition of the Greek Testament, 2 vols. 8vo,
and a “Translation of the New Testament,
” into modern
English, which exhibits an extraordinary proof of want of
taste and judgment.
nity at Bremen, and Sarah Wolter, a lady distinguished by her learning, and her knowledge of Hebrew, was born November 30, 1682, and was appointed professor of belles-lettres
, an eminent doctor and minister
of Bremen, son of Cornelius de Hase, minister and professor of divinity at Bremen, and Sarah Wolter, a lady
distinguished by her learning, and her knowledge of Hebrew, was born November 30, 1682, and was appointed
professor of belles-lettres at Hanau, but recalled to Bremen the following year, to be minister and professor of
Hebrew, and admitted D. D. at Francfort upon Oder in
1712, though absent; and member of the royal society at
Berlin in 1718. In 1723 he was made professor of divinity
at, Bremen, and died there April 25, 1731. He left a
volume of “Dissertations,
” which are much esteemed; and
assisted M. Lampe in a journal begun under the title of
“Bibliotheca Historico-Philologico-Theoiogica,
” and continued under that of “Musieum Historico-PhilologicoTheologicum.
” His brother James was also a man of
considerable erudition. He published many classical
tracts, which were well received by the learned. He died
in 1723.
, a native of Holstein, was born July 3, 1651, and educated partly at home and partly at
, a native of Holstein, was
born July 3, 1651, and educated partly at home and
partly at Lubeck. He made such progress in the Greek
and oriental languages, that he was in 1683 appointed to
the professorship of the Greek language at the university
of Kiel, to which was added that of the Hebrew and oriental languages; but he died before he had completed his
fortieth year, May 29, 1691. His principal works are,
1. “Dissertatio de Linguis Orientalibus,
” Leipsic, Henrici Opitii synasmus restitutus,
” ibid. Biblia parva Gneca, in quibus dicta
insigniora omnia ex Versione Septuagintavirali secundum
ordmem librorum biblicorum observatum in biblis parvis
Opitianis, cum cura exhibentur,
” Kilon, Mich. Pselli de operatione
Dsemonum.
” 5. “Janua Hebraismi aperta,
” Kilon,
and eminently distinguished by hisillus“trations of the natural history and medicine of the Levant, was born at Toernvalla, in East Gothland, Jan. 3d, 1722. He was
, one of the favourite
pupils of Linnæus, and eminently distinguished by hisillus“trations of the natural history and medicine of the Levant,
was born at Toernvalla, in East Gothland, Jan. 3d, 1722.
He was the son of a poor curate, who died at an early age,
and whose widow, on account of mental and corporeal infirmities, was obliged to be placed in the hospital at Vadstena. Her brother, a worthy clergyman of the name of
Pontin, educated young Hasselquist with his own children,
at the school of Linkoeping; but he was soon deprived of
this benefactor, and was obliged to become the tutor of
young children till he was old enough to go to the university; and by a similar plan he was enabled to support himself after he entered at Upsal, in 1741. Here he soon
took a decided turn for physic and natural history, and
had some talents for poetry; and such was his diligence,
that his superiors procured him, in 1746, a royal stipend or
scholarship. In June 1747, he published his thesis, entitled
” Vires Plantarum," setting forth the erroneous and
often foolish principles on which plants had formerly been
employed in medicine, and suggesting a truly philosophical one iii their natural botanical affinities.
and above all the weak state of his own health, particularly of his lungs. Hasselquist’s first step was to solicit assistance to defray the expences of his journey,
In one of his botanical lectures in 1747, Linnæus happening to speak of Palestine, one of the most important and interesting countries to the philosopher as well as the divine, but of whose productions we had less knowledge than of those of India, the zeal of young Hasselquist became instantly excited. In vain did his preceptor, secretly delighted with his enthusiasm, represent to him the difficulties of the undertaking, the distance, the dangers, the expence, and above all the weak state of his own health, particularly of his lungs. Hasselquist’s first step was to solicit assistance to defray the expences of his journey, but the whole he obtained is represented as far inadequate to his undertaking. He began, however, to learn the oriental tongues, at the same time that he was completing his academical studies, reading lectures, and obtaining the degree of licentiate in physic. The faculty, considering his merit and circumstances, Would not aliow him to he at any expence on this occasion, any more than for his attendance on the lectures of the professors. The degree of doctor of physic was afterwards conferred on him during his absence at Cairo, March 8th, 75!, with the same honourable and delicate attention to his peculiar situation. In the spring of 1749 he went to Stockholm, read lectures on botany there during the summer, and so far recommended himself to public notice, that the company of merchants trailing to the Levant, offered him a free passage to Smyrna in one of their ships, in which he set sail August 7th, arriving at Smyrna on the 27th of November, 1749. He kept a regular journal f his voyage. Touching at Gottenburgh, he there met Toreen, just returned from China with abundance of treasures for his master Linnæus, in whose works they have at various times been communicated to the public.
ce Chondrilla juncea, the only plant he could find, which is. now in the herbarium of his preceptor, was hospitably entertained by the Arabs, and returned safe to Cairo,
At Smyrna Hasselquist nret with the kindest reception from his relation, Mr. Rydelius, the Swedish consul, as well as from the French consul, M. Peysonel, one of the first who suspected the animal nature of corals. He spent the winter in noticing every thing he could meet with respecting the main objects of his pursuit, in this place and its neighbourhood, as well as the religious ceremonies and manners of the people. He visited the house and garden, once occupied by the famous Sherard, at Sedekio, near Smyrna, but found no traces of any great care having been taken to adorn the garden, or to store it with exotic plants. He made an excursion to Magnesia, his quality of physician causing him to be received every where with respect. As the spring advanced he became desirous of extending his inquiries and early in May set sail for Alexandria, where he arrived on the 13th. Here the palm-trees, which now first presented themselves to his notice, excited him to inquire into and to verify the celebrated history of their artificial impregnation, of whicii he wrote a full account to Linnæus. Having spent two months in seeing all he could at Alexandria, Rosetta, and Cairo, he visited the Egyptian pyramids in July, brought from thence Chondrilla juncea, the only plant he could find, which is. now in the herbarium of his preceptor, was hospitably entertained by the Arabs, and returned safe to Cairo, where he had afterwards an opportunity of seeing the caravan depart for Mecca, of which he has given an ample and interesting description, as well as of many other festivals and exhibitions. He visited the catacombs, and examined many mummies of the ancient Ibis, by the size of which he was induced to take this famous bird to be a species of Ardea, common and almost peculiar to Egypt, different from the Tantalus Ibis of Linnæus. The learned Cuvier, however, has recently shewn that naturalists have been widely mistaken on this subject, and Bruce alone has indicated the real Ibis.
well as medical history, with all the zeal which had at first prompted him to the journey, and which was crowned with eminent success. Having spent near two months in
Hasselqnist proceeded, in March 1751, to 'Damiata, whence he sailed for Jaffa, or Joppa, and arrived there after a voyage of four days. He had now reached the great theatre of his inquiries, the Holy Land; and he entered upon the examination of its productions, and their sacred as well as medical history, with all the zeal which had at first prompted him to the journey, and which was crowned with eminent success. Having spent near two months in this celebrated country, he sailed from Seide the 23d of May, for Cyprus, from whence he proceeded to Rhodes, and to Stanchio, the ancient Cos, finally returning to Smyrna in the end of July.
s, for a sum amounting to 14,000 dollars of copper-money, or about 350l. sterling. This circumstance was no sooner made known, through Linnæus and his friend Bteck,
In the course of his expensive journeys and his illness,
this unfortunate young man had unavoidably incurred debts
beyond what his casual supplies from home could liquidate;
and the collections and manuscript notes, which still remained at Smyrna, were seized by his creditors, for a sum
amounting to 14,000 dollars of copper-money, or about
350l. sterling. This circumstance was no sooner made
known, through Linnæus and his friend Bteck, to the accomplished queen of Sweden, Louisa Ulrica, the worthy
sister of the great Frederick of Prussia, than she immediately redeemed these treasures out of her own purse,
gave Linnæus all the duplicates, and commissioned him to
arrange and publish the manuscript journal and remarks
of his deceased pupil; a task which he undertook with
alacrity, and executed with care and judgment. These
papers were given to the public in 1757, in Swedish, except several Latin descriptions, under the title of “Iter
Palaestinum,
” or a Journey to the Holy Land, in one volume, 8vo, with a biographical preface by Linnseus, who
subjoined to the work the very interesting letters of Hasselquist to himself. This book has been translated into
several languages, and appeared in English, at London, in
1766; but this translation is in many parts defective, especially with regard to the natural history and the scientific
names. In 1758 the above-mentioned Dr. Baeck, physician to the queen, published, at Stockholm, an oration in
praise of Hasselquist, in 8vo.
, the historian of Kent, was the only son of Edward Hasted of Hawley, in Kent, esq. barrister
, the historian of Kent, was the
only son of Edward Hasted of Hawley, in Kent, esq. barrister at law, descended paternally from the noble family
of Clifford, and maternally from the ancient and knightly
family of the Dingleys of Woolverton in the Isle of Wight.
He was born in 1732, and probably received a liberal education; but we have no account of his early life. At one
time he possessed a competent landed property in the
county of Kent, and sat in the chair for a little while at
the quarter sessions at Canterbury. His laborious “History of Kent
” employed his time and attention for upwards
of forty years; and such was his ardour in endeavouring
to trace the descent of Kentish property, that he had abstracted with his own hand, in two folio volumes, all the
wills in the prerogative office at Canterbury. His materials, in other respects, appear to have been ample. He
had access to all the public offices and repositories of records in London; to the libraries and archives of the archbishop at Lambeth, the dean and chapter of Canterbury,
and that at Surrenden in Kent. He had also the ms collections of Thorpe, Le Neve, Warburton, Edmondson,
Lewis, Twisden, and many others, with much valuable
correspondence with the gentlemen of the county. This
work was completed in four folio volumes, 1778 1799.
The whole exhibits more research than taste, either in arranging the information, or in style; and it is very defective in notices of manners, arts, or biographical and literary history. Its highest praise is that of a faithful record
of the property of the country, and of its genealogical history. During the latter part of his labours, he fell into
pecuniary difficulties, which are thought to have prevented
his making a proper use of his materials, and obliged him
to quit his residence in Kent. After this he lived in obscure retirement, and for some time in the environs of
London. A few years before his death, the earl of Radnor presented him to the mastership of the hospital at Corsham in Wiltshire, to which he then removed; and some
time after by a decree in the court of chancery, recovered
his estates in Kent. He died at the master’s lodge at Corsham, Jan. 14, 1812. By Anne his wife, who died in 1803,
Mr. Hasted left four sons and two daughters, of whom the
eldest son is vicar of Hollingborne, near Maidstone in
Kent, and in the commission of the peace for that county.
, a lady of high rank and higher virtues, the daughter of Theophilus earl of Huntingdon, was born April 19, 1682. Her mother was the daughter of sir John
, a lady of high rank
and higher virtues, the daughter of Theophilus earl of
Huntingdon, was born April 19, 1682. Her mother was
the daughter of sir John Lewis, of Ledstone, in the county
of York. The accession of a large fortune, after the death
wf her brother George earl of Huntingdon, enabled her to
afford an illustrious example of active goodness and benevolence. She fixed her principal residence at Ledstonehouse, where she became the patroness of merit, the benefactress of the indigent, and the intelligent friend and
counsellor of the surrounding neighbourhood. Temperate,
chaste, and simple, in her habits, she devoted her time,
her fortune, and the powers of her understanding, which
was of a high order, to the benefit and happiness of all
around her. “Her cares,
” says her biographer, “extended even to the animal creation; while over her domestics
she presided with the dispositions of apparent, providing
for the improvement of their minds, the decency of their
behaviour, and the propriety of their manners. She would
have the skill and contrivance of every artificer used in her
house, employed for the ease of her servants, and that they
might suffer no inconvenience or hardship. Besides providing for the order, harmony, and peace of her family,
she kept great elegance in and about her house, that her
poor neighbours might not fall into idleness and poverty
for want of employment; and while she thus tenderly regarded the poor, she would visit those in the higher ranks,
lest they should accuse her of pride or superciliousness.
”
Her system of benevolence was at once judicious and extensive. Her benefactions were not confined to the neighbourhood in which she lived; to many families, in various
parts of the kingdom, she gave large annual allowances.
To this may be added her munificence to her relations and
friends, her remission of sums due to her in cases of distress or straitened circumstances, and the noble hospitality
of her establishment. To one relation she allowed five
hundred pounds annually, to another she presented a gift
of three thousand pounds, and to a third three hundred
guineas. She acted also with great liberality towards a
young lady whose fortune had been injured in the Southsea scheme: yet the whole of her estates fell short of three
thousand pounds a-year. In the manors of Ledstone,
Ledsham, Thorpe-arche, and Colhngham, she erected
charity-schools; and, for the support of them and other
charities she gave, in her life-time. Collingham, Shadwell,
and her estate at Burton Salmon. Sht also gave Wool for
building a new church at Leeds; but, that this donation
might not hurt the mother church there, she afterwards
offered a farm near Leeds, of 23l. per annum, and capable
of improvement, to be settled on the vicar and his
successors, provided the town would do the like; which the corporation readily agreed to, and to her ladyship’s benefaction added lands of the yearly value of 24l. for the application of which they were to be entirely answerable to her
kindred This excellent lady also bequeathed at her death
considerable sums for charitable and public uses; amongst
which were five scholarships in Queen’s college, Oxford,
for students in divinity, of 28l. a year each, to be enjoyed
for five years, and, as the rents should rise, some of her
scholars to be capable, in time, of having 60l. per annum,
for one or two years after the first term. She died Dec.
22, 1739. She was fond of her pen, and frequently employed herself in writing; but, previous to her death,
destroyed the greater part of her papers. Her fortune,
beauty, and amiable qualities, procured her many solicitations to change her state; but she preferred, in a single
and independent life, to be mistress 01 her actions, and
the disposition of her income.
loss to understand its being compiled “after the manner of Bayle.” Hatcher, however, he informs us, was a very able antiquary, and a learned and pious man. He published
, the son of Dr. Hatcher, regius
professor of physic in Cambridge, and physician to queen
Mary, flourished in the sixteenth century, but of his birth,
or death we have no dates. He became a fellow of Eton
college in 1555. He is said to have left that fur Gray’s
inn, and to have afterwards studied physic. He compiled
some memoirs of the eminent persons educated in Eton
college, in two books, in a catalogue of all the provosts,
fellows, and scholars, to the year 1572. Mr. Harwood
acknowledges his obligations to this work, but leaves us at
a loss to understand its being compiled “after the manner
of Bayle.
” Hatcher, however, he informs us, was a very
able antiquary, and a learned and pious man. He published the epistles and orations of his fellow-collegian,
Walter Haddon, in a book entitled “Lucubrationes.
” He
died in Lincolnshire.
ancient privilege of election. Richard de Bury, bishop of Durham, dying April 24, 1345, king Edward was very desirous of obtaining this see for his secretary Hatfield;
, bishop of Durham. Of this great prelate we meet with few accounts previous to his promotion to the see of Durham, except his being a prebendary of Lincoln and York, and secretary to Edward III. by whom he appears to have been much esteemed. Before this time the popes had for many years taken upon them the authority of bestowing all the bishoprics in England, without even consulting the king: this greatly offended the nobility and parliament, who enacted several statutes against it, and restored to the churches and convents their ancient privilege of election. Richard de Bury, bishop of Durham, dying April 24, 1345, king Edward was very desirous of obtaining this see for his secretary Hatfield; but, fearing the convent should not elect, and the pope disapprove him, he applied to his holiness to bestow the bishopric upon him, and thereby gave him an opportunity of resuming his former usurpations. Glad of this, and of obliging the king, and showing his power at the same time, the pope immediately accepted him; objections, however, were made against him by some of the cardinals, as a man of light behaviour, and no way fit for the place; to this the pope answered, that if the king of England had requested him for an ass, he would not at that time have denied him: he was therefore elected the 8th of May, and consecrated bishop of Durham, 10th of July, 1345.
ers, a great number of the northern noblemen armed all their vassals, and came to join the king, who was then at Durham; from thence they marched against the Scots in
What his former behaviour, on which the cardinals grounded their objections, may have been, is uncertain; but it is scarce to be imagined, that a king of Edward’s judgment and constant inclination to promote merit, would have raised him to such a dignity had he been so undeserving; nor would he have employed him in so many affairs of consequence as he appears to have done had he not been capable of executing them. In 1346, David king of Scotland, at the head of 50,000 men, invaded England, and after plundering and destroying the country wherever he came, encamped his army in Bear-park, near Stanhope, 141 the county of Durham, from which he detached parties to ravage the neighbouring country; to repel these invaders, a great number of the northern noblemen armed all their vassals, and came to join the king, who was then at Durham; from thence they marched against the Scots in four separate bodies, the first of which was commanded by lord Percy and bishop Hatfield, who on this occasion assumed the warrior, as well as several other prelates. The Scots were defeated, and their king taken prisoner. In 13 54 the bishop of Durham and lords Percy and Ralph Nevill were appointed commissioners to treat with the Scots for the ransom of their captive monarch. In 1355, when king Edward went into France at the head of a large army, he was attended by our prelate; to whom, however, It is more important to mention, that Trinity college, in Oxford, owed its foundation; it was at first called Durham college, and was originally intended for such monks of Durham as should chuse to study there, more particulars of which may be seen in Warton’s Anglia Sacra. Wood, in his Annals, relates the matter somewhat differently. At the dissolution it was granted, in 1552, to Dr. Owen, who sold it to sir Thomas Pope, by whom it was refounded^ endowed, and called Trinity college. Before Hatfield’s time, the bishops of Durham had no house in London to repair to when summoned to parliament; to remedy this, this munificent prelate built a most elegant palace in the Strand, and called it Durham-house (lately Durham-yard), and by his will bequeathed it for ever to his successors in the bishopric. This palace continued in possession of the bishops till the reformation, when it was, in the fifth of Edward VI. demised to the princess Elizabeth. In the fourth of Mary it was again granted to bishop Tunstall and his successors, and afterwards let out on a building lease, with the reservation of 200l. a year out-rent, which the bishop now receives. On this pfat of ground the Adelphi buildings are erected.
Bishop Hatfield was the principal benefactor, if not the founder, of the Friary
Bishop Hatfield was the principal benefactor, if not the founder, of the Friary at Northallerton, in Yorkshire, for Carmelites or white friars. The records of his time give large accounts of his charities to the poor, his great hospitality and good housekeeping^ and of the sums he expended in buildings and repairs during the time he held the bishopric. After a life spent in an uniform practice of munificence and charity, he died at his manor of Alfond, or Alford, near London, May 7, 1381, and by his will directed his body to be buried in his own cathedral. ' It is there entombed in the south aile under a monument of alabaster, prepared by himself in his life-time, which is now remaining very perfect, though without any inscription.
, or Atto Vercellensis, bishop of Vercelli, in Italy, of a noble family, was born in Piedmont iri the beginning of the tenth century, and
, or Atto Vercellensis, bishop of Vercelli, in Italy, of a noble family, was born in Piedmont iri
the beginning of the tenth century, and was esteemed a
learned divine and canonist. He was promoted to the
bishopric of Vercelli in the year 945, and by knowledge
and amiable manners proved himself worthy of this rank,
It is not mentioned when he died. His works are, I. “Libeilus de pressuris Ecclesiasticis,
” in three parts, inserted
in D'Achery’s “Spicilegium.
” This treatise on the sufferings and grievances of the church, Mosheim says, shews
in their true colours the spirit and complexion of the times.
2. “Epistolae.
” 3. “Canones statutaque Vercellensis Ecclesiae,
” both in the same collection. In the Vatican, and
among the archives of Vercelli, are many other productions of this author, all of which were collected by Baronzio, and published as the “Complete works of Hatto,
” in.
, a statesman and lawyer in queen Elizabeth’s reign, was the third and youngest son, of William Hatton, of Holdenby in
, a statesman and lawyer
in queen Elizabeth’s reign, was the third and youngest son,
of William Hatton, of Holdenby in Northamptonshire, by
Alice, daughterof Lawrence Saunders, of Horringworth,
in the same county. He was entered a gentleman commoner of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, but removed, without
taking a degree, to the society of the Inner Temple, not
to study law, but that his mind might be enlarged by an
intercourse with those who were at once men of business
and of the world, for such was the character of the lawyers
of that day. He came on one occasion to the court at a
masque, where queen Elizabeth was struck by the elegance
of his person, and his graceful dancing. It is not improbable also that his conversation corresponded with his outward appearance. He was from this time, however, in the
way to preferment; from one of the queen’s pensioners he
became successively a gentleman of the privy chamber,
captain of the guard, vice-chamberlain, and privy-counsellor, and by these unusual gradations rose to the office
of lord chancellor in 1587, when he was likewise elected a
knight of the garter. His insufficiency is said at first to
have created strong prejudices among the lawyers against
him, founded, perhaps, on some degree of envy at his
sudden advancement without the accustomed studies; but
his good natural capacity supplied the place of experience
and study; and his decisions were not found deficient
either in point of equity or judgment. In all matters of
great moment he is said to have consulted Dr. Swale, a
civilian. “His station,
” says one of his biographers, “was
great, his dispatches were quick and weighty, his orders
many, yet all consistent: being very seldom reversed ijii
thartcery, and his advice opposed more seldom in council.
He was so just, that his sentence was a law to the subject,
and so wise, that his opinion was an oracle to the queen.
”
When, in 1586, queen Elizabeth sent a new deputation to
queen Mary of Scotland, informing her that the plea of
that unhappy princess, either from her royal dignity, or
from her imprisonment, could not be admitted, sir Christopher Hatton was one of the number, along with Burleigh, and Bromley the chancellor; and it was by Hatton’s
advice chiefly, that Mary was persuaded to answer before
the court, and thereby give an appearance of legal procedure to the trial.
lly reported, owing to the stern perseverance with which Elizabeth had demanded an old debt which he was unable to pay. Camden enumerates him among the liberal patrons
Sir Christopher did not enjoy his high office above four
years, and died unmarried, Sept. 20, 1591, of a broken
heart, as usually reported, owing to the stern perseverance
with which Elizabeth had demanded an old debt which he
was unable to pay. Camden enumerates him among the
liberal patrons of learning, and as eminent for his piety
towards God, his fidelity to his country, his untainted
integrity, and unparalleled charity. In his opinions respecting matters of religion, he appears to have been
averse to persecution, which brought upon him the reproach of being secretly affected to popery, but of this we
have no proof. As chancellor of Oxford, which office he
held from 1588 to his death, he did much to reform the
education and discipline of that university. He was buried
under a stately monument in the choir of St. Paul’s. Wood
says he wrote several things pertaining to the law, none of
which are extant 2 but the following has been attributed to
him, “A Treatise concerning Statutes or Acts of Parliament, and the exposition thereof,
” Lond. the fourth act
in the tragedy of Tancred and Gismund,
” which bears at
the end composuit Ch. Hat. This play was the joint production of five students of the Inner Temple, and was
acted at that society before the queen in 1568, but not
printed till 1592. It is reprinted in the second edition of
Dodsley’s collection.
, a classical editor of considerable fame, was born in 1684, but where, or where educated, none of our authorities
, a classical editor of considerable fame, was born in 1684, but where, or where educated, none of our authorities mention. In 1718 we find
him a preacher at the village of Stad aan't Haringvliet,. in
the island of Overflacke, between Holland and Zealand,
in which year he published “Tertulliani Apologeticus,
”
Leyden, 8vo, with a commentary. In Thesaurus Italiae,
” and for Polenus’s “Supplementa nova utriusque Thesauri Romanarum Grsecarumque Autiquitatum.
” His principal separate publicationsare, 1. “Dissert, de Alexandri magni numismate,
”
Leyden, Oratio cle actione oratoris, sive corporis eloquentia,
” ibid. Series numismatum antiquorum Henr. Adriani a Mark,
” Museum Hilenbroekianum,
” without date or place. 5.
“Thesaurus Morellian us: familiarum Romanarum numismata,
” with a commentary, Amst. fol. A History of Asia, Africa, and Europe, from the end of the fabulous ages,
” in Dutch, three parts, Sylloge scriptorum de pronunciations
Grascae Linguae,
” Leid. Reguin et
imperatorum Romanorum numismata, ducis Croyiaci, et
Arschotani, &c.
” Amst. Lucretius,
” Leyden, Josephus,
” fol. Amst.
, an English poet who flourished about the end of the fifteenth century, was a native of Suffolk, and educated at Oxford. He travelled afterwards
, an English poet who flourished about the end of the fifteenth century, was a native of Suffolk, and educated at Oxford. He travelled afterwards in England, Scotland, France, and Italy, and became a complete master of French and Italian poetry. On his return, his acquired politeness and knowledge procured him an establishment in the household of Henry VII. who was struck with the liveliness of his conversation, and admired the readiness with which he could repeat most of the old English poets, especially Lydgate: his knowledge also of the French tongue might be a recommendation to that monarch, who was fond of studying the best French books then in vogue.
, an English physician, and founder of the Humane Society, was born at Islington, Nov. 28,1736; and received the early part
, an English physician, and founder of the Humane Society, was born at Islington, Nov. 28,1736; and received the early part of his education in his native village, and completed it in St. Paul’s school. He was afterwards placed with Mr. Carsan, an ingenious medical practitioner near Vauxhall; and, on the expiration of his apprenticeship, was for a short time an assistant to Mr. Dicks, in the Strand, whom he succeeded in business; and, by his application, and unwearied attention to his patients, acquired a considerable degree of reputation and affectionate esteem. In May 1759, he married an amiable woman, by whom he had a numerous family, and who survives to lament his loss.
dable attempt he encountered much opposition, and some ridicule. The practicability of resuscitation was denied. He ascertained its practicability by advertising rewards
In 1773 he became deservedly popular, from his incessant zeal in calling the attention of the public to the resuscitation of persons apparently dead, principally by drowning. In this laudable attempt he encountered much opposition, and some ridicule. The practicability of resuscitation was denied. He ascertained its practicability by advertising rewards to persons, who, between Westminster and London bridges, should, within a certain time after the accident, rescue drowned persons from the water, and bring them ashore to places appointed for their reception, where means might be used for their recovery, and give immediate notice to him. The public mind being thus awakened to the subject, greater exertions were made by individuals than had ever before been known; and many lives were saved by himself and other medical men, which would otherwise have certainly been lost; and Mr. Hawes, at his own expence, paid the rewards in these cases for twelve months, which amounted to a considerable sum. His excellent friend, Dr. Cogan (then somewhat known to the public, and since much better known, by several valuable publications), who had long turned his thoughts to this subject, remonstrated with him on the injury which his private fortune would sustain from a perseverancein these expences and he at last consented to share them with the public. Dr. Coganancl he agreed to join their strength; and each of them bringing forward fifteen friends to a meeting at the Chapter coftee-house in 1774, the Humane Society was instantly formed. From this period the weight and organization of the infant institution devolved in great measure on Mr. Hawes, whose undeviating labours have, it is hoped, established it for ever; and without which, there would very probably not have been at this time a similar establishment in Europe, America, or India; where Humane societies have now multiplied with every great stream that fructifies the soil of those different regions.
ention in the public mind, against the too early interment of persons supposed to be dead, before it was clearly ascertained that life was totally extinct. This performance
In 1777, appeared his “Address on Premature Death
and Premature Interment;
” which he liberally distributed,
in order to awaken attention in the public mind, against
the too early interment of persons supposed to be dead,
before it was clearly ascertained that life was totally extinct. This performance had been suggested to his mind,
even prior to the establishment of the great object of resuscitation, which he afterwards so successfully pursued.
In 1780 was published, his third edition of an “Examination of the Reverend
In 1780 was published, his third edition of an “Examination of the Reverend John Wesley’s Primitive Physick;
”
in which the absurdities and dangerous remedies recommended by that venerable and (on many other accounts)
respectable writer were acutely exposed by a combination
of irony and serious argument. In 1780, or 1731, he removed to Palsgrave-place, and commenced practice as a
physician; the degree of doctor of medicine having been
conferred upon him some time before.
of the author to the notice of many learned, as well as benevolent, characters. In the same year, he was elected physician to the Surrey Dispensary and about the same
In 1781, Dr. Hawes published “An Address to the
Legislature, on the Importance of the Humane Society;
”
and, by his steady perseverance, and personal endeavours,
he lived to see most of his objects realized, as conducive
to the restoration of suspended animation. About the
same period, appeared his “Address to the King and
Parliament of Great Britain; with Observations on the General Bills of Mortality.
” These useful and interesting publications gradually raised the reputation of the author to
the notice of many learned, as well as benevolent, characters. In the same year, he was elected physician to the
Surrey Dispensary and about the same time, commenced
his medical lectures on suspended animation and was the
first, and perhaps the only, person that ever introduced
the subject as a part of medical education. These lectures were closed by a proposal of bestowing prize-medals,
suggested by the ardour of his mind, and founded by his
munificence; and in October 1782, the gold medal was
awarded, by four respectable physicians, to Dr. Richard
Pearson, of Birmingham, and the silver medal to a writer
whose paper wat signed Humanitas. Since that period
similar prize-medals, bestowed by the Medical Society,
have given rise to the invaluable works of Pearson, Goodwin, Coleman, Kite, and Fothergill.
th a large 8vo volume, entitled “Transactions of the Royal Humane Society, from 1774 to 1784,” which was dedicated to the king by royal permission.
In 1796, Dr. Hawes favoured the public with a large 8vo
volume, entitled “Transactions of the Royal Humane Society, from 1774 to 1784,
” which was dedicated to the
king by royal permission.
This worthy man died Dec. 5, 1808, and was interred in the new burying-ground at Islington.
This worthy man died Dec. 5, 1808, and was interred in the new burying-ground at Islington.
Dr. Hawes was a man totally without guile; and self never entered into his
Dr. Hawes was a man totally without guile; and self
never entered into his contemplation. There was a simplicity in his manners, the result of an innocent and unsuspecting heart. Without possessing, or affecting to possess, any very superior literary talents, he contrived to
furnish to the public an acceptable work in his “Annual
Reports.
” His practice had been considerable; and his
medical knowledge was respectable. In the resuscitative
part he was eminently skilled. He was an honorary member of the Massachusetts Humane Society; and of many
others, at Edinburgh, Manchester, Bath, &c. &c. and a
vice-president of the London Electrical Dispensary.
his attention, that his own immediate interests appeared to him to be subordinate considerations. He was always ready to afford both his pecuniary and his professional
The Royal Humane Society is a shining and an eminent proof of his philanthropy; an institution which has been found highly useful, and to establish which he employed many years of his life. The moment in which one of the regular anniversaries of the society were at an end, he began to meditate plans for the success of the ensuing year. The nomination of succeeding stewards, the augmentation of the list of regular subscribers, and the obtaining of churches and preachers for the benefit of his favourite institution, were never out of his sight; and so much indeed did the Humane Society engross his attention, that his own immediate interests appeared to him to be subordinate considerations. He was always ready to afford both his pecuniary and his professional assistance to distress; and his name ought to be recorded among those who add to the character of the nation, by the establishment of institutions founded on benevolent principles.
, an eminent naval officer, was the son of Edward Hawke, esq. barrister at law, by Elizabeth,
, an eminent naval
officer, was the son of Edward Hawke, esq. barrister at law,
by Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Bladen, esq. He was
from his youth brought up to the sea, and passed through
the inferior stations till, in 1713—4, he was appointed captain
of the Wolf. His intrepidity and conduct were first of all
distinguished in the memorable engagement with the combined fleets of France and Spain on Toulon, in 1744, when
the English fleet was commanded by the admirals Matthews, Lestock, and Rowley. If all the English ships had
done their duty on that day as well as the Berwick, which
captain Hawke commanded, the honour and discipline of
the navy would not have been so tarnished. He compelled
the Pader, a Spanish vessel of 60 guns, to strike; and, to
succour the Princessa and Somerset, broke the line without orders, for which act of bravery he lost his commission, but was honourably restored to his rank by the king.
In 1747 he was appointed rear-admiral of the 'white; and
on the 14th of October, in the same year, fell in with a
large French fleet, bound to the West Indies, convoyed
by nine men of war, of which he captured seven. This
was a glorious day for England, and the event taught British commanders to despise the old prejudice of staying
for a line of battle. “Perceiving,
” says the gallant admiral in his letters to the Admiralty, “that we lost time in
forming our line, I made the signal for the whole squadron
to chase, and when within a proper distance to engage.
”
On October the 31st, admiral Hawke arrived at Portsmouth
with his prizes, and as a reward of his bravery, he was
soon afterwards made knight of the bath. In 1748 he was
made vice-admiral of the blue, and elected an elder brother of the Trinity-house; in 1755 he was appointed viceadmiral of the white, and in 1757 commanded the squadron which was sent to co-operate with sir John Mordaunt
in the expedition against Rochfort. In 1759, sir Edward
commanded the grand fleet opposed to that of the French
equipped at Brest, and intended to invade these kingdoms.
He accordingly sailed from Portsmouth, and, arriving off
Brest, so stationed his ships that the French fleet did not
dare to come out, and had the mortification of beholding
their coast insulted, and their merchantmen taken. The
admiral, however, being by a strong westerly wind blown
from his station, the French seized this opportunity, and
steered for Quiberon-bay, where a small English squadron
lay under the command of commodore Duff. Sir Edward
Hawke immediately went in pursuit of them, and on the
20th of November came up with them off Belleisle. The
wind blew exceedingly hard at the time, nevertheless the
French were engaged, and totally defeated, nor was the
navy of France able to undertake any thing of consequence
during the remainder of the war. This service, owing to
the nature of the coast, was peculiarly hazardous; but when
the pilot represented the danger, our gallant admiral only
replied, “You have done your duty in pointing out the
difficulties; you are now to comply with my order, and
lay me along the Soleil Royal.
” For these and similar
services, the king settled a pension of 2000l. per annum
on sif Edward and his two sons, or the survivor of them;
he also received the thanks of the house of commons, and
the freedom of the city of Cork in a gold box. In 1765
he was appointed vice-admiral of Great Britain, and first
lord of the admiralty; and, in 1776, he was made a peer
of England, under the title of Baron Hawke, of Towton, in
the county of York. His lordship married Catharine the
daughter of Walter Brooke, of Burton-hall, in Yorkshire,
esq. by whom he had four children. He was one of the
greatest characters that ever adorned the British navy; but
most of all remarkable for the daring courage which induced him on many occasions to disregard those forms of
conducting or sustaining an attack, which the rules and
ceremonies of service had before considered as indispensable. He died at his seat at Shepperton in Middlesex,
October 14, 1781.
, an elegant and ingenious English writer, was born either in 1715, or 1719, in London, and was, as some report,
, an elegant and ingenious
English writer, was born either in 1715, or 1719, in London, and was, as some report, brought up to the trade of a
watchmaker. Sir John Hawkins, however, informs us that
he was, when very young, a hired clerk to one Harwood,
an attorney in Grocers’-alley in the Poultry. His parents
were probably dissenters, as he was a member of the celebrated Mr. Bradbury’s meeting, from which, it is said, he
was expelled for some irregularities. It does not appear
that he followed any profession, but devoted himself to
study and literary employment. So early as 1744 he succeeded Dr. Johnson in compiling the parliamentary debates for the Gentleman’s Magazine, to which he afterwards contributed many of his earlier productions in verse.
In 1746, he wrote in that publication, under the' name of
Greville, the “Devil Painter, a tale;
” the “Chaise Percee,
”
from the French; “Epistle to the King of Prussia;
”
“Lines to the Rev. Mr. Layng
” (who was at this time a writer in the Magazine), and to the celebrated Warburton
“On a series of theological inquiries
” “A Thought from
Marcus Antoninus
” “The Smart.
” In- The Accident
” “Ants’ Philosophy
” “Death of
Arachne;
” “Chamontand Honorius
” “Origin of Doubt;
”
“Life,
” an ode “Lines to Hope
” “Winter,
” an ode“”The Experiment,“a tale. In 1748,
” The Midsummer
Wish“” Solitude“” The two Doves,“a fable
” Autumn“in 1749,
” Poverty insulted“”Region allotted
to Old Maids;“” The Nymph at her Toilet;“” God is
Love;“” Cloe’s Soliloquy." Some of these are signed
H. Greville. Whether he wrote any prose compositions is
doubtful. Mr. Duncombe, on whose authority the above
list is given, says nothing of prose.
In 1752-3-4, he was concerned with Drs. Johnson, Bathurst, and Warton, in the Adventurer,
In 1752-3-4, he was concerned with Drs. Johnson, Bathurst, and Warton, in the Adventurer, and from the
merit of his papers acquired much reputation and many
friends. At this time, his wife kept a school for the
education of young ladies, at Bromley in Kent; and his ambition was to demonstrate by his writings how well qualified
he was to superintend a seminary of that kind. But an
incident happened after the publication of the Adventurer
which gave a new turn to his ambition. Arohbishop Herring, who had read his essays with much delight, and had
satisfied himself that the character of the author would
fully justify the honour intended, conferred on him the
degree of doctor of civil law, with which he was so elated,
as to imagine that it opened a way for the profession of a
civilian, and, having prepared himself by study, made an
effort to be admitted a pleader in the ecclesiastical courts,
but met with such opposition as obliged him to desist.
After this disappointment, he devoted his attention again
to the concerns of his school, which was much encouraged,
and became a source of considerable emolument. This
degree, however, and the consequence he began to acquire in the world, alienated him from son*e of the most
valuable of his early friends. Although he had until this
time, lived in habits of intimacy with Dr. Johnson, he
appears to have withdrawn from him; and it is singular,
that in all Mr. Boswell’s narrative of that eminent man’s
life, there is not one instance of a meeting between Johnson and Hawkesworth. This seems in some degree to confirm sir John Hawkins’s account, which states that “his
success wrought no good effects upon his mind and conduct:
” Dr. Johnson made the same remark, and with a
keen resentment of his behaviour; and sir John thinks “he
might use the same language to Hawkesworth himself, and
also reproach him with the acceptance of an academical
honour to which he could have no pretensions, and which
Johnson, conceiving to be irregular, as many do, held in
great contempt;
” thus much is certain, that soon after the
attainment of it the intimacy between them ceased.
sistencies and improbabilities of fable, is entitled to very high praise for its moral tendency, and was long a favourite with the public.
In 1756, at Garrick’s desire, Dr. Hawkesworth altered
the comedy of “Amphytrion, or the two Sosias,
” from
Dryden, and in Zimri,
” an oratorio, set to
music by Stanley, which appears to have been approved
by the public. About the same time he altered for Drurylane theatre, Southern’s tragedy of“Oroonoko,
” by some
omissions and some additions, but the latter, in the opinion
of the critics, not enough to supply the place of the former. In 1761 he appeared to more advantage as the
author of a dramatic fairy tale, “Edgar and Emtneline;'
acted at Drury-lane theatre with great success. Dr.
Hawkes worth, having gained much popularity from the
eastern stories introduced in the Adventurer, this year
gave to the public, in two volumes, his line tale of
” Almoran and Hainet," which, notwithstanding some inconsistencies and improbabilities of fable, is entitled to very
high praise for its moral tendency, and was long a favourite with the public.
In 1766, Dr. Hawkesworth was the editor of three additional volumes of Swift’s Letters, with
In 1766, Dr. Hawkesworth was the editor of three additional volumes of Swift’s Letters, with notes and illustrations. In this publication he discovers an uncommon
warmth against infidel publications, and speaks of Bolingbroke and his editor Mallet with the utmost detestation: that
4 in this he was sincere, will appear from the following proof.
We have already mentioned, that in 1744 he succeeded
Dr. Johnson as the writer or compiler of the parliamentary debates in the Gentleman’s Magazine; in this office,
if it maybe so termed, he continued until 1760, when
the plan of the Magazine was improved by a Review of
New Publications. Mr. Owen Ruffhead was the first who
filled this department, and continued to do so about two
years, according to sir John Hawkins, when he was succeeded by Dr. Hawkesworth; but there must have been
an intermediate reviewer, if sir John be correct in the
time when Mr. Ruffhead ceased to write, as Dr. Hawkesworth’s first appearance as a critic 'is ascertained, upon
undoubted authority, to have been April 1765. In the
month of October of that year, there appeared in the Magazine an abstract of Voltaire’s “Philosophical Dictionary,
”
by a correspondent. Dr. Hawkesworth’s friends, to vyhom
it appears his connection with the Magazine was no secret,
were alarmed to see an elaborate account of so impious a
work; and one of them wrote to him on the subject. An
extract from his answer, now before us, and dated Nov.
8, 176:5, will perhaps fill up a chasm in his personal as well
as literary history.
ntable for. J speak feelingly on this subject, for though Mr. Duncombe assured you that the Magazine was solely under my direction, I must beg leave to assure you that
“I am always sorry when I hear anonymous performance, not expressly owned, imputed to particular persons,
that which a man never owned either privately or in public,
I think he should not be accountable for. J speak feelingly
on this subject, for though Mr. Duncombe assured you
that the Magazine was solely under my direction, I must
beg leave to assure you that it is not, nor ever was, there
being in almost every number somethings that I never see,
and some things that I do not approve. There is in the
last number an account of Voltaire’s ‘ Philosophical Dictionary,’ a work of which I never would give any account,
because I would not draw the attention of the public to it.
It is true that the extracts exhibited in this article do not
contain any thing contrary to religion or good morals; but
it is certain that these extracts will carry the book into
many hands that otherwise it would never have reached;
and the book abounds with principles which a man ought
to be hanged for publishing, though he believed them to
be true, upon the same principle that all states hang rebels
and traitors, though the offenders think rebellion and treason their duty to God. I beg, Sir, that you would do
me the justice to say this whenever opportunity offers,
especially with respect to the political part of the Magazine, for I never wrote a political pamphlet or paper, or
ever directly or indirectly assisted in the writing of either
in my life.
”
, but without offering any publications from his own pen that can now be traced, until 1772, when he was invited to write an account of the late voyages to the South
In 1768 he published an excellent translation of “Telemachus,
” in 4to. He continued to review new books in
the magazine, but without offering any publications from
his own pen that can now be traced, until 1772, when he
was invited to write an account of the late voyages to the
South Seas, a fatal undertaking, and which in its consequences deprived him of peace of mind and life itself.
When these navigators returned home, the desire of the
public to be acquainted with the new scenes and new
objects which were now brought to light, was ardently
excited, and different attempts were made to satisfy the
general curiosity. There soon appeared a publication
entitled “A Journal of a Voyage round the World.
” This
was the production of some person who had been upon the
expedition; and, although the account was dry and imperfect, it served in a certain degree to relieve the public
eagerness. The journal of Sydney Parkinson, draughtsman to sir Joseph Banks, to whom it belonged by ample
purchase, was likewise printed, from a copy surreptitiously
obtained; but an injunction from the court of chancery
for some time prevented its appearance. This work, though
dishonestly given to the world, was recommended by its
plates. But it was Dr. Hawkesworth’s account of Lieutenant Cook’s voyage which completely gratified the public
curiosity, as it was written by authority, was drawn up
from the journal of the lieutenant, and the papers of sir.
Joseph Banks; and besides the merit of the composition,
derived an extraordinary advantage from the number and
excellence of its charts and engravings, which were furnished at the expence of government. The large price
given by the bookseller for this work, and the avidity with
which it was read, displayed in the strongest light the
anxiety of the nation to be fully informed in every thing
that belonged to the late navigation and discoveries.
f Dr. Kippis, captain Cook’s biographer, in the Biographia Britannica, is too favourable: the public was not satisfied with this work. The literary journals, indeed,
This account, chiefly from the pen of Dr. Kippis, captain Cook’s biographer, in the Biographia Britannica, is
too favourable: the public was not satisfied with this work.
The literary journals, indeed, examined it with candour,
and rather with favour; but men of science were disappointed, and the friends of religion and morals were
shocked/ No infidel could have obtruded opinions more
adverse to the religious creed of the hation, than what
Dr. Hawkesworth advanced in his preface. He denied a
special providence; he supposed that providence might
act in some general way in producing events, but contended that one event ought not to be distinguished, or
accounted an extraordinary interposition more than another. He asks, “If the deliverance of the Endeavour was
an extraordinary interposition, why did not Providence
interpose to prevent the ship from striking at all, rather
than to prevent her from being beaten to pieces after she
had struck?
” a question which was considered as much fitter
for the mouth of a professed scoffer than that of a man whose
regard for revealed religion approached, in the opinion of
some, to intemperate zeal. In his “Almoran and Hamet,
”
his notions of providence are confused and perplexed; but
in this he has attacked revealed religion, by striking off
one of its principal duties, and one of its most consoling
hopes, the duty and efficacy of prayer, of which he was
not, however, insensible when he wrote No. 28 of the Adventurer.
be attempted with a reasonable expectation of success. But what, we are told, completed his chagrin, was the notice frequently given in an infamous magazine published
An innumerable host of enemies now appeared in the
newspapers and magazines; some pointed out blunders in
matters of science, and some exercised their wit in poetical
translations and epigrams these might hurt his feelings
as an author but the greater part, who arraigned his impious sentiments and indecent narratives, probably rendered his sufferings as a man more acute. Against their
charges he stood defenceless; and no defence indeed
could be attempted with a reasonable expectation of success. But what, we are told, completed his chagrin, was
the notice frequently given in an infamous magazine published at that time, that “All the amorous passages and
descriptions in Dr. Hawkesworth’s Collection of Voyages
(should be) selected and illustrated with a suitable plate
”
And this, in defiance of public decency, was actually done,
and he whose fame had been raised on his labours in the
cause of piety and morals, was thus dragged into a partnership in the most detestable depravity that the human mind
can invent.
eclension; and it certainly aggravated the pain his friends felt, when they considered that whatever was objectionable in this work, had come from his pen without provocation
That such a reception given to a work of which he thought he might be proud, and from which he drew so great an emolument, should have irritated his mind, can excite little surprize. No respect for the services he had rendered to religion or virtue could obliterate the memory of his declension; and it certainly aggravated the pain his friends felt, when they considered that whatever was objectionable in this work, had come from his pen without provocation and without necessity, either from the nature of the undertaking, or the expectation of the public. He was, indeed, so sensible that his opinions would shock the feelings of his readers, that he thought it necessary to apologize for them in a very respectful, although unsatisfactory manner.
known to a lady who had great property and interest in the East India company; and through her means was chosen a director of that body, at the general election, in
Soon after the publication of this ill-fated book, he became known to a lady who had great property and interest in the East India company; and through her means was chosen a director of that body, at the general election, in April 1773. The affairs of the company were at this time in a confused state, and the public mind greatly agitated by the frequent debates both in parliament and at the Indiahouse. Dr. Hawkesworth (who in the list is styled John Hawkesworth, esq.) probably attended the meetings, but took no active share: his health was indeed now declining and he expired at the house of his friend Dr. Grant, of Lime-street, Nov. 17, 1773. He was interred at Bromley, in Kent, where a monument was erected to his memory.
f his personal character the following friendly sketch appeared in the Annual Register for 1773, and was no doubt intended to counteract some disadvantageous reports
Of his personal character the following friendly sketch
appeared in the Annual Register for 1773, and was no
doubt intended to counteract some disadvantageous reports respecting his principles, which were circulated
about the time of his death. “Nature had endowed him
with an uncommonly fine understanding, which had been
improved not only by long study, but by converse with
mankind. His fertile mind teemed with ideas> which he
delivered in so clear, and yet concise a manner, that no
one could be at a loss perfectly to comprehend his meaning,
or ever tired by hearing him speak; especially as his diction was so unaffectedly pure, and his language so simply
elegant, that the learned and unlearned attended with
equal pleasure to that unstudied flow of eloquence, which,
without seeming to look for them, always adopted those
words which were most suitable to the subject, as well as
most pleasing to his hearers. It has been objected to him,
that he suffered his passions to hold too strong a dominion
over him; and it must be confessed a too keen sensibility
seemed to him, as indeed it ever is to all who possess it,
a pleasing but unfortunate gift. Alive to every tender sentiment of friendship, his heart dilated with joy whenever
heaven put it in his power to be beneficial to those he
loved; but this feeling disposition was the means of leading
him into such frequent, though transient gusts of passion,
as were too much for his delicate constitution to bear,
without feeling the effects of them. Yet with all these
quick sensations, he was incapable of lasting resentment
or revenge; and had he never found an enemy till he had
done an injury, he would, we may venture to pronounce,
have left the world without having known one.
”
, an able naval commander, was born at Plymouth about 1520. Being the son of a seaman, captain
, an able naval commander, was
born at Plymouth about 1520. Being the son of a seaman, captain William Hawkins, he imbibed a love for the
profession, and when a youth made several voyages to
Spain, Portugal, and the Canaries. In the spring of 1562
he formed the design of his first famous voyage, the consequence of which was very important to his country, as
he then began that traffic in slaves, which after two centuries and a half we have seen abolished. At that time,
however, this trade was accounted honourable and useful,
and sir John bore the badge of his exploits in a crest of
arms granted him by patent, consisting of a “demi-moor
in his proper colour, bound with a cord,
” not unlike a
device which we have seen employed to excite an abhorrence of the slave-trade when its abolition was first agitated. In returning from a third expedition of this kind
he was attacked and defeated by a Spanish fleet. After
undergoing many hardships, he reached home in Jair.
1568; and it is said that his ill-success in this instance
damped his ardour for maritime enterprise. In 1573 he
was appointed treasurer of the navy, and in a few months
he had nearly lost his life by a wound from an enthusiastic
assassin, who mistook him for another person. He was
now consulted on every important occasion, and in 1588;
was appointed rear-admiral on-board the Victory, to confront the famous armada. His conduct on this occasion
obtained for him the high commendations of his illustrious
queen, the honour of knighthood, and other important commands in the navy. He died in 1595, it is said of vexation,
on account of an unsuccessful attempt on the enemies possessions in the West Indies, and in the Canaries. He was a
good mathematician, and understood every thing that related to his profession as a seaman. He possessed much
personal courage, and had a presence of mind that set
him above fear, and which enabled him frequently to deliver himself and others out of the reach of the most imminent dangers; he had great sagacity, and formed his
plans so judiciously, and executed the orders committed
to him with so much punctuality and accuracy, that he
ever obtained the applause of his superiors. He was submissive to those above him, and courteous to his inferiors,
extremely affable to his seamen, and much beloved by
them. He sat twice in parliament as burgess for Plymouth, and once for some other borough. He erected
an hospital at Chatham for the relief of disabled and diseased seamen, and is highly applauded by his contemporaries and by historians, who lived after him. His son,
sir Richard Hawkins, was brought up to a maritime life,
and in 1582, when very young, he had the command of a
vessel in an expedition under his uncle to the West Indies; he also commanded a ship in the action against the
Spanish armada, in which he was greatly distinguished.
About 1593, he sailed with three ships, his own property,
to the coast of Brazil, at the commencement of a much
longer voyage; but he was obliged to burn one of his
little squadron, another deserted their commander, so that
he was under the necessity of sailing alone through the
straits of Magellan. To satisfy the desires of his men, he
made prizes of some vessels, which drew upon him the
whole force of a Spanish squadron, to which he was compelled to yield. After a confinement of two years in Peru
and the adjacent provinces, he was sent back to Europe. He
died in 1622, as he was attending, on business, the privycouncil. He left behind him a work of considerable value,
which was printed and ready for publication it is entitled
“The Observations of sir Richard Hawkins, knight, into
the South-sea, A.D. 1593.
” From this piece, which the
author dedicated to prince Charles, afterwards king
Charles I., it appears that the issue of his voyage to the
South-seas, his long confinement, and the disasters which
naturally attended it, brought him into great distress. His
nautical observations, his description of the passage through
the straits of Magellan, and his remarks on the sea-scurvy,
and on the best methods of preserving his men in health,
were considered at that period of very great importance.
He intended to have published a second part of his observations, in which he meant to have given an account of
what happened to him and his companions during their
stay in Peru, and in Terra Firma, but which death prevented him from accomplishing.
n; and the issue of this marriage were several children. Of these the present object of this article was the youngest, and was born in the city of London, on the 30th
, a recent English writer,
the son of a man, who, though descended from the preceding sir John Hawkins, followed at first the occupation of a house-carpenter, which he afterwards exchanged for the profession of a surveyor and huijder. He
had married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Gwatkin
of Tou nhope, co. Hereford, gentleman; and the issue of
this marriage were several children. Of these the present
object of this article was the youngest, and was born in the
city of London, on the 30th day of March, 1719. After
fcaving been sent first to one school, and afterwards to a
second, where he acquired a tolerable knowledge of Latin,
he was placed under the tuition of Mr. Hoppus, the author of a well-known and useful architectural compendium,
published in 1733, 8vo, and entitled “Proportional Architecture, or the Five Orders regulated by equal Farts.
”
Under this person he went through a regular course of architecture and perspective, in order to fit him for his
father’s profession of a surveyor, for which he was at first
intended; but his first cousin, Mr. Thomas Gwatkin, being
clerk to Mr. John Scott of Devonshire-street, Bishopsgate, an attorney and solicitor in full practice, persuaded
him *to alter his resolution, and embrace that of the law,
which he did, and was accordingly articled as a clerk to
Mr. Scott. In this situation his time was too fully employed in the actual dispatch of business, to permit him
without some extraordinary means to acquire the necessary knowledge of his profession by reading and study;
besides that, his master is said to have been more artxious
to render him a good copying-clerk, by scrupulous attention to his hand-writing, than to qualify him by instruction to conduct business. To remedy this inconvenience,
therefore, he abridged himself of his rest, and rising at
four in the morning, found opportunity of reading all the
necessary and most eminent law-writers, and the works
of our mos% celebrated authors. By these means, before the expiration of his clerkship, he had already
rendered himself a very able lawyer, and had possessed
himself of a taste for literature in general, but particularly for poetry and the polite arts; and the better to
facilitate his improvement, he from time to time furnished to “The Universal Spectator,
” “The Westminster Journal,
” The Gentleman’s Magazine,“and
other periodical publications of the time, essays and
disquisitions on several subjects. The first of these is
believed to have been an
” Essay on Swearing;“but the
exact time of its appearance, and the paper in which it
was inserted, are both equally unknown. It was, however,
re-published some years since (without his knowledge till he saw it in print) in one of the newspapers. His next
production was an
” Essay on Honesty," inserted in the
Gentleman’s Magazine for March, 1739; and which occasioned a controversy, continued through the magazines
for several succeeding months, between him and a Mr.
Calamy, a descendant of the celebrated Dr. Edmund Calamy, then a fellow-clerk with him.
or at least without such as could advance him in the profession to which he had betaken himself, he was now (his clerkship being expired, and he himself admitted an
Without friends or family connections, or at least without such as could advance him in the profession to which he had betaken himself, he was now (his clerkship being expired, and he himself admitted an attorney and solicitor) to seek for the means of procuring business by making for himself reputable and proper connections.
looking over some compositions of his, lately published,” which bears date 19th February, 1740, and was inserted in “The Daily Advertiser” for February 21, 1741; but,
Impelled by his own taste for poetry, and excited to it
by his friend Foster Webb’s example, who had contributed
to “The Gentleman’s Magazine
” many very elegant
poetical compositions, he had, before this time, himself
become an occasional contributor in the same kind, as well
to that as to some other publications. The earliest of hi?
productions of this species, now known, is supposed to be
a copy of verses “To Mr. John Stanley, occasioned by
looking over some compositions of his, lately published,
”
which bears date 19th February, 1740, and was inserted in
“The Daily Advertiser
” for February 21, 1741; but,
about 1742, he proposed to Mr. Stanley the project of
publishing, in conjunction with him, six cantatas for a
Voice and instruments, the words to be furnished by himself, and the iriusic by Mr. Stanley. The proposal was
accepted, the publication was to be at their joint expence,
and for their mutual benefit; and accordingly, in 1742, six
cantatas were thus published, the five first written by Mr.
Hawkins, the sixth and last by Foster Webb; and, these
having succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations,
a second set of six more, written wholly by himself, were
in like manner published a few months after, and succeeded equally well.
-informed young man of unexceptionable morals, were become desirous of his acquaintance. Among these was Mr. Hare of Lhnehouse, a brewer, who being himself a musical
As these compositions, by being frequently performed at Vauxhall, Ranelagh, and other public places, and at many private concerts, had become favourite entertainments, and established the author’s reputation as a poet, many persons, finding him also a modest well-informed young man of unexceptionable morals, were become desirous of his acquaintance. Among these was Mr. Hare of Lhnehouse, a brewer, who being himself a musical man, and having met him at Mr. Stanley’s at musical parties, gave him an invitation to his house; and, to forward him in his profession, introduced him to a friend of his, Peter Storer of Highgate, esq. This introduction became, from his own good conduct, the means of making Mr. Hawkins’s fortune, though in a way which neither he nor Mr. Hare at that time could foresee, and different from that in which it was first intended.
In the winter of this year 1749, Dr. (then Mr.) Johnson was induced to institute a club to meet every Tuesday evening at
In the winter of this year 1749, Dr. (then Mr.) Johnson was induced to institute a club to meet every Tuesday evening at the King’s Head, in Ivy-lane, near St. Paul’s. It consisted only of nine persons, and Mr. Hawkins was invited to become one of the first members; and about this time, as it is supposed, finding his father’s house, where he had hitherto resided, too small for the dispatch of his business, now very much increasing, he, in conjunction with Dr. Munckley, a physician, with whom he had contracted ah intimacy, took a house in ClementVlane, Lombard-street. The ground-floor was occupied by him as an office, and the first floor by the doctor as his apartment. Here he continued till the beginning of 1753, when, on occasion of his marriage with Sidney, the youngest of Mr. Storer’s daughters, who brought him a considerable fortune, which was afterwards greatly increased, he took a house in Austin Friars, near Broadstreet, still continuing to follow his profession of an attorney. Having received, on the death of Peter Storer, esq. his wife’s brother, in 1759; a very large addition to her fortune, he quitted business to the present Mr. chamberlain Clark, who had a short time before completed his clerkship under him, disposed of his house in Austin Friars, and purchasing a house at Twickenham for a country, he soon afterwards bought the lease of one in Hatton-street, London, for a town-residence.
Mr. Browne an offer of writing, for his intended edition,-Walton’s Life. To this proposal no answer was returned, at least for some time, from which circumstance Mr.
From a very early period of his life he had entertained a
strong love for the amusement of angling; and being long
acquainted with Walton’s. “Complete Angler,
” had, by
observation and experience, himself become a very able
proficient in the art. Hearing, about this time, that Mr.
Moses Browne proposed to publish a new edition of that
work, and being himself in possession of some material
particulars respecting Walton, he, by letter, made Mr.
Browne an offer of writing, for his intended edition,-Walton’s Life. To this proposal no answer was returned, at
least for some time, from which circumstance Mr. Hawkins
concluded, as any one reasonably would, that his offer was
not accepted; and, therefore, having also learnt in the
mean time that Mr. B. meant not to publish the text as
the author left it, but to modernize it in order to file off
die rust, as he called it, wrote again to tell Mr. Browne
that he so understood it; and that, as Mr. B.'s intention
was to sophisticate the text in the manner above mentioned, he, Mr. Hawkins, would himself publish a correct
edition. Such an edition, in 1760, he accordingly published in octavo with notes, adding to it a “Life of Walton
” by himself, a “Life of Cotton,
” the author of the
second part, by the well-known Mr. Oldys; and ‘a set’ of
cuts designed by Wale, and engraved by Ryland.
, and also by a regular concert at his house in Austin Friars, had led him, at the same time that he was endeavouring to get together a good library of books, to be
His propensity to music, manifested by his becoming a
member and frequenter of the several musical societies before mentioned, and also by a regular concert at his house
in Austin Friars, had led him, at the same time that he
was endeavouring to get together a good library of books,
to be also solicitous foY collecting the works of some of the
best musical composers; and, among other acquisitions,
it was his singular good fortune to become possessed by
purchase of several of the most scarce and valuable theoretical treatises on the science itself any where extant, which
had formerly been collected by Dr. Pepusch*. With this
stock of erudition, therefore, he about this time, at the
instance of some very good judges, his friends, set about
procuring materials for a work then very much wanted, a
“History of the Science and Practice of Music,
” which he
afterwards published.
e, had mentioned him as such to the duke of Newcastle, then lord lieutenant for. Middlesex, his name was, in 1761, inserted in the commission of the peace for that county;
At the recommendation of the well-known Paul Whitehead, esq his neighbour in the country, who, conceiving
him a fit person for a magistrate, had mentioned him as
such to the duke of Newcastle, then lord lieutenant for.
Middlesex, his name was, in 1761, inserted in the commission of the peace for that county; and having, besides
a due attention to the great work in which he was engaged,
by the proper studies, and a sedulous attendance at the
sessions, qualified himself for the office, he became an
active and useful magistrate in the countyt. Observing,
as he had frequent occasion to do in the course of his duty,
the bad state of highways, and the great defect in the laws
for amending and keeping them in repair, he set himself
to revise the former statutes, and drew an act of parliament consolidating ajl the former ones, and adding such
other regulations as were necessary. His sentiments on
this subject he published in octavo, in 1763, under the
title of “Observations on the State of Highways, and on,
the Laws for amending and keeping them in Repair,
” subjoining to them the draught of the act before mentioned,
which bill, being afterwards introduced into parliament,
passed into a law, and is that under which all the highways
in the kingdom are at this time kept repaired. Of this
II he found that ii was a temptation to by him distributed among such of the
II he found that ii was a temptation to by him distributed among such of the
. became one of the first members. This club, since known by the appellation of “The Literary Club,” was at first intended, like the former in Ivy-lane, to have consisted
Johnson, and sir Joshua (then Mr.) Reynolds, had, in,
the winter of this year 1763, projected the establishment
of a club to meet every Monday evening at the Turk’s
Head in Gerrard street, and, at Johnson’s solicitation, he,
Mr. H. became one of the first members. This club, since
known by the appellation of “The Literary Club,
” was at
first intended, like the former in Ivy-lane, to have consisted of no more than nine persons, and that was the number of the first members; but the rule was broken through
to admit one who had been a member of that in Ivy-lane,
Till this admission, Johnson and Mr. Hawkins were the
only persons that had been members of both.
gistrates for Middlesex thought it their duty to oppose; and accordingly a vigorous opposition to it was commenced and supported under the conduct of Mr. Hawkins, who
An event of considerable importance and magnitude, in 1764, engaged him to stand forth as the champion of the county of Middlesex, against a claim, then for the first time set up, and so enormous in its amount as justly to excite resistance. The city of London finding it necessary to re-build the gaol of Newgate, the expence of which, according to their own estimates, would amount to 40,Oooj. had this year applied to parliament, by a bill brought into the House of commons by their own members, in which, on a suggestion that the county prisoners, removed to Newgate for a few days previous to their trials at the Old Bailey, were as two to one to the London prisoners constantly confined there, they endeavoured to throw the burthen of two-thirds of the expence on the county, while they themselves proposed to contribute one third only. This attempt the magistrates for Middlesex thought it their duty to oppose; and accordingly a vigorous opposition to it was commenced and supported under the conduct of Mr. Hawkins, who drew a petition against the bill, and a case of the county, which was printed and distributed amongst the members of both houses of parliament. It was the subject of a day’s conversation in the House of lords; and produced such an effect in the House of commons, that the city, by their own members, moved for leave to withdraw the bill. The success of this opposition, and the abilities and spirit with which it was conducted, naturally attracted towards him the attention of his fellow-magistrates; and, a vacancy not long after happening in the office of chairman of the quarter sessions, Mr. Hawkins was, on the 19th day 4>f September, 1765, elected the successor. In the year 1771 he quitted Twickenham, and, in the summer of the next year, he, for the purpose of obtaining, by searches in the Bodleian and other libraries there, farther materials for iiis History of Music, made a journey to Oxford, carrying with him an engraver from London, to make drawings from the portraits in the music-school.
icated to the king, and presented it to him at Buckingham-house on the Mth of November 1776, when he was honoured with an audience of considerable length both from the
After sixteen years’ labour, he, in 1776, published, in
five volumes, quarto, his “General History of the Science
and Practice of Music,
” which, in consequence of permission obtained in
Not long after this publication, in November 1777, he was induced, by an attempt to rob his house, which, though unsuccessful,
Not long after this publication, in November 1777, he was induced, by an attempt to rob his house, which, though unsuccessful, was made three different nights with the interval of one or two only between each attempt, to quit his house in Hatton-street and, after a temporary residence for a short time in St. James’s-place, he took a lease of one, formerly inhabited by the famous admiral Vernon, in the street leading up to Queen-square, Westminster, and removed thither. By this removal, he became a constant attendant on divine worship at the parish church of St. Margaret, Westminster; and having learnt, in December 177S, that the surveyor to the board of ordnance was, in defiance of a proviso in the lease under which they claimed, carrying up a building at the east end of the church, which was likely to obscure the beautiful painted glass window over the altar there, sir J. H. with the concurrence of some of the principal inhabitants, wrote to the surveyor, and compelled him to take down two feet of the wall, which he had already carried up above the sill of the window, and to slope off the roof of his building in such a manner as that it was not only no injury, but, on the contrary, a defence, to the window.
When this circumstance became known to sir J. H. he represented this act to him (as it really was) as a mere nullity; and Johnson was prevailed upon, on the 27th
When this circumstance became known to sir J. H. he represented this act to him (as it really was) as a mere nullity; and Johnson was prevailed upon, on the 27th of November, 1784, at Mr. Strahan’s, at Islington, to give him the necessary instructions, which he, sir J. on the spot converted into proper legal form, by dictating, conformably to. them, a will to Mr. Hoole, who, with some other friends, had there called in upon Johnson, and which being coinpleted, was executed by Johnson and properly attested. In the codicil, which Johnson afterwards made, sir J. assisted in the same manner, as to legal phraseology, and directing the proper mode of execution and attestation.
nd, as it is strongly believed, in consequence of a conversation that passed between them, sir J. H. was induced, on the event of Johnson’s death, on the 13th day of
From so long an acquaintance with him, and from having been intimately consulted in his affairs, and, as it is strongly believed, in consequence of a conversation that passed between them, sir J. H. was induced, on the event of Johnson’s death, on the 13th day of December, 1784, to undertake to write a life of him, and accordingly he st;t himself to collect material^* for that purpose, and for an. edition of his works, which with his life was afterwards published. But, not three months after the commencement of this undertaking, he met with the severest loss that a literary man can sustain, in the destruction of his library; consisting pf a numerous and well-chosen collection of books, ancient and modern, in many languages, fnd on most subjects, which it had been the business of ^bove thirty years at intervals to get together. This event was the consequence of a fire. Of this loss, great as it was in pecuniary value, and comprising in books, prints, and drawings, many articles that could never be replaced, he was never heard in the smallest degree to complain; but, having found a temporary reception in a large house in Orchard-street, Westminster, he continued there a short time, and then took a house in the Broad Sanctuary, Westminster.
ers of the Islington Spa. These he drank for a few mornings; but on the 14th of that month, while he was there, he was, it is supposed, seized with a paralytic affection,
In this manner he spent his time till about the month of May 1789, when, finding his appetite fail him in a greates degree than usual, he had recourse, as he had sometimes had before on the same occasion, to the waters of the Islington Spa. These he drank for a few mornings; but on the 14th of that month, while he was there, he was, it is supposed, seized with a paralytic affection, as on his returning to the carriage which waited for him, his servants perceived a visible alteration in him. On his arrival at home he went to bed, but got up a few hours after, intending to receive an old friend from whom he expected a visit in the evening. At dinner, however, his disorder returning, he was led up to bed, from which he never rose, for, being afterwards accompanied with an apoplexy, it put a period to his Jife, on the 21st of the same month, about two in the morning. He was interred on the 28th in the cloisters of Westminster-abbey, in the north walk near the easternmost door into the church, under a stone, containing, by his express injunctions, no more than the initials of his name, the date of his death and his age; leaving behind biox a high reputation for abilities and integrity, united with the well-earned character of an active and resolute magistrate, an affectionate husband and father, a firm and zealous friend, a loyal subject, and a sincere Christian (as, notwithstanding the calumnies of his enemies, can be abundantly testified by the evidence of many persons nowliving), and rich in the friendship and esteem of very many of the very first characters for rank, worth, and abilities, of the age in which he lived.
, an architect of considerable note, was born in 1666, and at the age of seventeen became the scholar
, an architect of considerable note, was born in 1666, and at the age of seventeen
became the scholar of sir Christopher Wren, but deviated
a little from the lessons and practice of his master, at least
he did not improve on them, though his knowledge in
every science connected with his art, is much commended,
and his character remains unblemished. He was deputysurveyor at the building of Chelsea college, clerk of the
works at Greenwich, and was continued in the same posts
by king William, queen Anne, and George I. at Kensington, Whitehall, and St. James’s; surveyor of all the new
churches, and of Westminster-abbey, from the death of
sir Christopher, and designed many that were erected in
pursuance of the statute of queen Anne for building fifty
new churches viz. St. Mary Wool no th, in Lombard-street;
Christ church, in Spitaifields St. George, Middlesex St.
Anne, Limehouse and St. George, Bloomsbury the
steeple of which is a master-stroke of absurdity. It consists of an obelisk topped with the statue of George I.
hugged by the royal supporters: a lion, an unicorn, and a
king, on such an eminence, as Walpole observes, are very
surprizing. He also rebuilt some part of All Souls’ college,
Oxford, and gave the plan for a new front to the street,
which may be seen in Williams’s “Oxonia,
” but has never
been executed. At Blenheim and Castle-Howard he was
associated with Vanbrugh, and was employed in erecting
a magnificent mausoleum there, when he died in March
1736, near seventy years of age. He built several mansions, particularly Easton Neston in Northamptonshire;
restored a defect in Beverley minster by a machine that
screwed up the fabric with extraordinary art repaired, in
a judicious manner, the west end of Westminster-abbey
and gave a design for the Radcliffe library at Oxford.
nt testimony of our writers, to have been the son of a tanner of Sible Hedingham, in Essex, where he was born in the reign of Edward II. Mr. Morant says, the manor of
, a brave officer of the four, teenth century, has been slightly noticed by his contemporaries at home, and would not have been brought into a conspicuous point of view but for the engraved portrait of him presented to the society of antiquaries in 1775, by lord Hailes. He is said, by the concurrent testimony of our writers, to have been the son of a tanner of Sible Hedingham, in Essex, where he was born in the reign of Edward II. Mr. Morant says, the manor of Hawk wood in. that parish takes its name from sir John. But it was holden before him by Stephen Hawkwood, probably his father, a circumstance which would lead one to doubt the meanness of his birth as well as his profession. Persons who gave names to manors were generally of more considerable rank: and the manor appears to have been in the family from the time of king John.
dward III. for his French wars, where he behaved himself so valiantly, that from a common soldier he was promoted to the rank of captain; and for some farther good service
Our hero is said to have been put apprentice to a tailor
in London: “but soon,
” says Fuller, “turned his needle
into a sword, and his thimble into a shield,
” being prest
into the service of Edward III. for his French wars, where
he behaved himself so valiantly, that from a common soldier he was promoted to the rank of captain; and for some
farther good service had the honour of knighthood conferred on him by that king, though he was accounted the
poorest knight in the army. His general, the black prince,
highly esteemed him for his valour and conduct, of which
he gave extraordinary proofs at the battle of Poictiers.
furnish him with provision and money, for which he promised them his protection. The effect of this was, that in a few months he acquired great wealth. Having also
Upon the conclusion of the peace between the English
and French by the treaty of Bretigni 1360, sir John, finding his estate too small to support his title and dignity,
associated himself with certain companies called, by Froissart, “Les Tard Venus;
” by Walsingham, “Magna Comitiva.
” These were formed by persons of various nations,
who, having hitherto found employment in the wars between England and France, and having held governments,
or built and fortified ho.uses in the latter kingdom which,
they were now obliged to give up, found themselves reduced to this desperate method of supporting themselves
and their soldiers by marauding and pillaging, or by en-,
gaging in the service of less states, which happened to be
at war with each other. Villani, indeed, charges Edward
III. with secretly authorizing these ravages in France,
while outwardly he affected a strict observance of the
peace. At this time, in the summer, continues this
historian, ah English tailor, named John della Guglea, that
is, John of the needle, who had distinguished himself iri
the war, began to form a company of marauders, and collected a number of English, who delighted in mischief,
and hoped to live by plunder, surprizing and pillaging
first one town, and then another. This company increased
so much that they became the terror of the whole country.
All who had not fortified places to defend them were forced
to treat with him, and furnish him with provision and money, for which he promised them his protection. The
effect of this was, that in a few months he acquired great
wealth. Having also received an accession of followers
and power, he roved from one country to another, till at
length he came to the Po. There he made all who came
in his way prisoners. The clergy he pillaged, but let the
laity go without injury. The court of Rome was greatly
alarmed at these proceedings, and made preparations to
oppose these banditti. Upon the arrival of certain Englishmen on the banks of the Po, Hawkwood resigned his command to them, and professed submission to the king of
England, to whose servants he presented a large share of
his ill-gotten wealth.
The first appearance of Hawkwood in Italy- was in the 1*isan service in 1364; after which period he was every
The first appearance of Hawkwood in Italy-was in the
1*isan service in 1364; after which period he was every
where considered as a most accomplished soldier, and
fought, as different occasions presented themselves, in the
service of many of the Italian states. In 1387 we find him
engaged in a hazardous service in defence of the state of
Florence. The earl of Armagnac, the Florentine general,
having been lately defeated by Venni, the governor of the
Siannese, the victors marched to surprize Hawkwood, and
encamped within a mile and a half of him. But this cautious general retreated into the Cremonese, and when by
several skirmishes he had amused the enemy, who kept
within a mile of him, and thought to force his camp, he
sallied out and repulsed them with loss. This success
a little discouraged them. Venni is said to have sent
Hawkwood a fox in a cage, alluding to his situation; to
which Hawkwood returned for answer, “the fox knew how
to find his way out.
” This he did by retreating to the
river Oglio, placing his best horse in the rear till the
enemy had crossed the river, on whose opposite bank he
placed 400 English archers on horseback. The rear by
their assistance crossed the river and followed the rest,
who, after fording the Mincio, encamped within ten miles
of the Adige. The greatest danger remained here. The
enemy had broken down the banks of the river, and let out
its waters, swoln by the melting of the snow and mountains
to overflow the plains. Hawkwood’s troops, surprized at
midnight by the increasing floods, had no resource but immediately to mount their horses, and, leaving all their
baggage behind them, marched in the morning slowly
through the water, which came up to their horses bellies.
By evening, with great difficulty, they gained Baldo, a
town in the Paduan. Some of the weaker horses sunk
under the fatigue. Many of the foot perished with cold,
and struggling against the water; many supported themselves by laying hold on the tails of the stronger horses.
Notwithstanding every precaution, many of the cavalry
were lost as well as their horses. The pursuers, seeing
the country under water, and concluding the whole army
had perished, returned back. The historian observes, that
it was universally agreed no other general could have got
over so many difficulties and dangers, and led back his
small army out of the heart of the enemy’s country, with
no other loss than that occasioned by the floods, which no
precaution could have prevented. One of the most celebrated actions of Hawkwood’s life, says Muratori, was this
treat, performed with so much prudence and art, that
! deserves to be paralleled with the most illustrious Roman generals; having, to the disgrace of an enemy infinitely superior in number, and in spite of all obstructions
from the rivers, given them the slip, and brought off his
army safe to Castel Baldo, on the borders of the Paduan.
Sir John Hawkwood, as soon as he found himself among
his allies, employed himself in refreshing his troop and
watching the enemy’s motions.
Peace being now re-established abroad, the city of Florence was, in 1393, distracted with civil feuds, which were not terminated
Peace being now re-established abroad, the city of Florence was, in 1393, distracted with civil feuds, which were
not terminated by the execution and exile of some principal citizens. But at the close of this year they sustained a greater loss in sir John Hawkwood, who died
March 6, advanced in years, at his house in the street
called PulveYosa, near Florence. His funeral was celebrated with -reat magnificence, and the general lamentation of the whole city. His bier, adorned with gold and
jewels, was supported by the first persons of the republic,
followed by horses in gilded trappings, banners, and other
military ensigns, and the whole body of the citizens. His
remains were deposited in the church of St. Repar.ita,
where a statue (as Poggio and Rossi call it, though it is well known to be a portrait) of him on horseback was put
np by a public decree. If the Florentine historians did
not distinguish between a statue and a portrait, no wonder
our countryman Stowe talks of an “image as great as a
mighty pillar,
” erecteci to the memory of sir John Hawkwood at Florence or that Weever, copying him, calls it
“a statue.
”
as “a tomb arched over, and engraven to the likeness of hawks flying in a wood,” which, Fuller says, was “quite flown away.” It is plain the last of these writers never
Sir John had a cenotaph in the church of his native town,
erected by his executors Robert Rokeden senior and junior,
and John Coe. It is described by Weever, as “a tomb
arched over, and engraven to the likeness of hawks flying
in a wood,
” which, Fuller says, was “quite flown away.
”
It is plain the last of these writers never took any pains to
visit or procure true information about this monument,
which still remains in good preservation near the upper
end of the fourth aile of Sible Hedingham church. The
arch of this tomb is of the mixed kind, terminating in a
sort of bouquet, on both sides of which, over the arch, are
smaller arches of tracery in relief. The arch is adorned
with hawks and their bells, and other emblems of hunting,
as, a hare, a boar, a boy sounding a conch-shell, &c. The
two pillars that support it are charged with a dragon and
lion. Under this arch is a low altar-tomb with five shields
in quatrefoils, formerly painted. In the south window
of the chantry chapel, at the east end of this aile, are
painted hawks, hawks bells, and escallops, which last are
part of the Hawkwood arms, as the first were probably the
crest, as well as a rebus of the name; and we find a hawk
volant on sir John’s seal. In the north and west side of
the tower are two very neat hawks on perches in relief, in
rondeaux hollowed in the wall: that over the west door is
extremely well preserved. They probably denote that
some of the family built the tower. Mr. Morant imagines
some of them rebuilt this church about the reign of Edward III. but none appear to have been in circumstances
equal to such munificence before our hero; and perhaps
his heirs were the rebuilders.
apology for the frequent changes of his service, which led him to engage as suited his interest. He was a soldier of fortune; and his abilities in the field occasioned
The circumstances of the times must make an apology for the frequent changes of his service, which led him to engage as suited his interest. He was a soldier of fortune; and his abilities in the field occasioned him to be couned by different rival states. The Florentines offered the best terms, and to them he ever after adhered with an irreproachable fidelity. His chanty appears in his joining with several persons of quality in this kingdom, in founding the English hospital at Rome for the entertainment of poor travellers.
, an English lawyer, the son of Thomas Hawles, gent, was born at Salisbury in 1645, and educated at Winchester school,
, an English lawyer, the son of Thomas Hawles, gent, was born at Salisbury in 1645, and educated at Winchester school, whence he entered as a
commoner of Queen’s college, Oxford, in 1662, but, like most
men intended for the study of the law, left the university
without taking a degree. He removed to Lincoln’s Inn,
and after studying the usual period, was admitted to the
bar, and, as Wood says, became “a person of note for
his profession.
” On the accession of king William, he
more openly avowed revolution-principles, and published
“Remarks upon the Trials of Edward Fitzharris, Stephen
Coiledge, count Coningsmarke, the lord Russel, &c.
” Lond.
The Magistracy
and Government of England vindicated; or a justification
of the English method of proceedings against criminals, by
way of answer to the Defence of the late lord Russel’s
innocence,
” ibid.
, esq. an agreeable English writer, was born at Glenburne in Sussex, Aug. 21, 1695, and educated partly
, esq. an agreeable English writer, was born at Glenburne in Sussex, Aug. 21, 1695, and educated partly at Newick, near Lewes, and partly at Lewes. In 1712 he went to Oxford, which he left without a degree, and removed to the Temple. Here he studied the law until a defect in his sight from the small pox obliged him to relinquish it. In 1718 he travelled in England and Scotland, and in 1720 on the continent, where he was a very acute observer and inquirer. After his return he resided for some years at his house in Sussex.
When lord Hardwicke was called up to the house of lords in 1734, he was chosen to succeed
When lord Hardwicke was called up to the house of
lords in 1734, he was chosen to succeed him in representing the borough of Seatbrd in the Commons; and he
represented this borough for the remainder of his life. He
defended the measures of sir Robert Walpole in general,
but was far from being subservient or indiscriminate in his
approbation of public measures. In 1728 he published his
1 Essay on Civil Government;“in 1730 his poem entitled
” Mount Caburn,“dedicated to the duchess of Newcastle,
in which he celebrates the beauties of his native country,
and the virtues of his friends. In 1735 he published
” Remarks on the Laws relative to the Poor, with proposals for
their better relief and employment; and at the same time
brought in a bill for the purpose. He made another attempt of this kind, but without effect. In May 1738, he
was appointed a commissioner of the victualling-office. In
1753 appeared “Religio Philosophi; or, the principles
of morality and Christianity, illustrated from a view of che
universe, and of man’s situation in it.
” This was followed,
in Essay on Deformity;
” in which he rallies
his own imperfection in this respect with much liveliness
and good humour. “Bodily deformity,
” says he, “is
very rare. Among 558 gentlemen in the House of commons, I am the only one that is so. Thanks to my worthy
constituents, who never objected to my person, and I hope
never to give them cause to object to my behaviour.
” The
same year he translated Hawkins Browne “De Immortalitati Animse.
” In Epigrams of Martial;
” but survived this publication only
a short time, dying June 22, the same year. A little time
before, he had been appointed keeper of the records in
the Tower; and it is said that his attention and assiduity,
during the few months he held that office, were eminently
serviceable to his successors.
ion; but, being one of those who opposed Cossim Ally Kawn, and unfortunately falling into his hands, was, with other gentlemen, ordered to be put to death at Patna,
He left a son, who inherited the imperfect form of his father. This gentleman went into the service of the East India company, where he acquired rank, fortune, and reputation; but, being one of those who opposed Cossim Ally Kawn, and unfortunately falling into his hands, was, with other gentlemen, ordered to be put to death at Patna, October 5, 1762. Mr. Hay’s works were collected by his daughter in two volumes, quarto, 1794, with a biographical sketch, exhibiting his many amiable qualities, and public spirit.
, an eminent musical composer, was born at llhorau, in Lower Austria, in 1733. His father, a wheelwright
, an eminent musical composer, was born at llhorau, in Lower Austria, in 1733. His father, a wheelwright by trade, played upon the harp without the least knowledge of music, which, however, excited the attention of his son, and first gave birth to his passion for music. In his early childhood he used to sing to his father’s harp the simple tunes which he was able to play, and being sent to a small school in the neighbourhood, he there began to learn music regularly; after which he was placed under Reuter, maestro di capella of the cathedral at Vienna; and having a voice of great compass, was received into the choir, where he was well taught, not only to sing, but to play on the harpsichord and violin. At the age of eighteen, on the breaking of his voice, he was dismissed from the cathedral. After this, he supported himself during eight years as well as he could by his talents; and began to study more seriously than ever. He read the works of Matthcson, lieinichen, and others, on the theory of music; and for the practice, studied with particular attention the pieces of Emanuel Bach, whom he made his model in writing for keyed instruments. At length, he met with Porpora, who was at this time in Vienna; and during five months was so happy as to receive his counsel and instructions in singing and the composition of vocal music.
oathing the finest lyric compositions with the most appropriate and expressive jnelodies. In 1759 he was received into the service of count Marzin, as director of his
About this time he resided in the house with Metastasio three years, as music-master to mademoiselle Martinetz, and during this time had the great advantage of hearing the Italian language spoken with purity, and of receiving the imperial laureat’s counsel, as to cloathing the finest lyric compositions with the most appropriate and expressive jnelodies. In 1759 he was received into the service of count Marzin, as director of his music, whence, in 1761, he passed to the palace of prince Esterhazi, to whose service he was afterwards constantly attached. He arrived in England in 1791, and contributed to the advancement of his art, and to his own fame, by his numerous productions in this country; while his natural, unassuming, and pleasing character, exclusive of his productions, endeared him to his acquaintance and to the nation at large. It ought to be recorded, that twelve of his noble and matchless symphonies were composed here expressly for Salomon’s concerts, and that it was from his spirit of enterprize, and enthusiastic admiration of Haydn, and love of his art, that we were indebted for his visit to this country: besides tht>e sublime symphonies, his piano-forte sonatas, his quartets and songs, were sufficient to establish his reputation as a great and original composer, upon a lasting foundation, ii only what he produced during the few years which he remained among us was known. He returned to Germany in 1796.
rios, 8 Quadros or quartets, and 6 Symphonies in four and eight parts." The chief of his early music was for the chamber. He is said at Vienna to have composed, before
The first time we meet with his name in the German catalogues of music, is in that of Breitkopf of Leipsic, 1763, to a Divertimento a Cembalo, 3 Concern a Cembalo, 5 Trios, 8 Quadros or quartets, and 6 Symphonies in four and eight parts." The chief of his early music was for the chamber. He is said at Vienna to have composed, before 1782, a hundred and twenty-four pieces for the bariton, a species of viol di gamba, for the use of his prince who was partial to that instrument, and a great performer upon it.
r there as Handel’s “Messiah” in England. His instrumental “Passione,” in sixteen or eighteen parts, was among his later and most exquisite productions previous to his
Besides his numerous productions for instruments, he
has composed many operas for the Esterhazi theatre, and
church music that has established his reputation us a deep
contrapuntist. His “Stabat Mater
” has been performed
and p imed in England, but his oratorio of “II Ritorno di
Tobia,
” composed in 1775, for the benefit of the widows
of musicians, has been annually performed at Vienna ever
since, and is as high in favour there as Handel’s “Messiah
” in England. His instrumental “Passione,
” in sixteen or eighteen parts, was among his later and most exquisite productions previous to his arrival in England. It
entirely consists of slow movements, on the subject of the
last seven sentences of our Saviour, as recorded in the
Evangelists. These strains are so truly impassioned and
full of heart-felt grief and dignified sorrow, that though
the movements are all slow, the subjects, treatment, and
effects, are so new and so different, that a real lover of
music will feel no lassitude, or wish for lighter strains to
stimulate attention.
present. The critics in the northern parts of the empire were up in arms, but before his decease he was as much respected all over Europe by professors, for his science
His innumerable symphonies, quartets, and other instrumental pieces, which are so original and so difficult, had
the advantage of being rehearsed and performed at Esterhazi under his own direction, by a band of his own forming.
Ideas so new and so varied were not at first so universally
admired in Germany as at present. The critics in the
northern parts of the empire were up in arms, but before
his decease he was as much respected all over Europe by
professors, for his science as invention. And the extent
of his tarne may be imagined from his being made the hero
of a poem on music, in Spanish, written and published at
Madrid, thirty years ago, entitled “La Musica Poema^
par D. Tomas de Yarte.
” This sublime work was produced for Cadiz. He lias not long since published it in
score with German and Italian words, so that it may be
performed as an oratorio.
In 1791, when at Oxford, he was created doctor of music, and some time before his death, was
In 1791, when at Oxford, he was created doctor of music, and some time before his death, was admitted a, member of the French institute. On his return from this country, he took a small house and garden at Gumpendorf, where he lived as a widower until the time of his death, which happened in May 1309.
, a learned Franciscan, preacher in ordinary to queen Anrie of Austria, was born in 1593 at Paris, and died there in 1661. His principal
, a learned Franciscan, preacher in
ordinary to queen Anrie of Austria, was born in 1593 at
Paris, and died there in 1661. His principal works are,
“Biblia Magna,
” Biblia Maxima,
” Biblia Magna
” is reckoned a very good work. He must
not be confounded with John de la Haye, a Jesuit, who
died 1614, aged seventy-four, leaving an “Evangelical
Harmony,
” 2 vols. fol. and other works; nor with another
John de la Haye, valet de chambre to Margaret of Valois,
who published her poems.
, esq. a very singular person, whose great erudition was so concealed by his modesty, that his name is known to very
, esq. a very singular person, whose
great erudition was so concealed by his modesty, that his
name is known to very few, though his publications are
many. He was born in 1678, and became distinguished
in 1704 by a “Treatise of Fluxions,
” in folio, which was,
we believe, the first treatise on that science ever published
in the English language; and the only work to which he
ever set his name. In 1710 came out a small 4to pamphlet
in 19 pages, entitled “A new and easy Method to find out
the Longitude from observing the Altitudes of the Celestial
bodies.
” Also in The Moon, a Philosophical Dialogue,
” tending to shew that the moon is not
an opaque body, but has native light of her own.
spectus totius operis exhibetur,” 1759, 8vo. In this laborious work, which he began in 1753, when he was seventy-five years old, his opinions are sometimes not quite
His works relating to the translation and chronology of
the holy Scriptures, were, 1. “A Vindication of the History of the Septuagint,
” from the misrepresentations of its
opponents, A Critical Examination-of
the Holy Gospels according to St. Matthew and St. Luke,
with regard to the history of the birth and infancy of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
” Dissertation on the
Chronology of the Septuagint,
” A Supplement.
” 4. “Chronographiae Asiatics
et Egyptiacae Specimen; in quo, 1. Origo Chronologiae
LXX Interpretum investigatur; 2. Conspectus totius
operis exhibetur,
” 1759, 8vo. In this laborious work,
which he began in 1753, when he was seventy-five years
old, his opinions are sometimes not quite correct, nor such
as he perhaps would probably have advanced had he begun
it in an earlier period of lite, but the whole is highly creditable to his learning and researches.
, an eminent musical composer, was born in 1708, and began his musical career as organist of St.
, an eminent musical composer, was born in 1708, and began his musical career as organist of St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury, but quitted that place on being chosen successor to Goodson, organist of Christ Church, Oxford, where he settled. He took his degree of bachelor of music July 8, 17 V 5 and was appointed professor of music Jan. 14, 1741. In April 1749 he was created doctor of music, and was also organist of Magdalen college. For many years he was sole director of the choral meetings, concerts, and encaenia, and every musical exhibition in that university to the time of his death.
He was a studious and active professor; a great collector of curious
He was a studious and active professor; a great collector
of curious and old compositions, and possessed of considerable genius and abilities for producing new. He published while at Shrewsbury, a collection of English ballads,
his maiden composition. But at Oxford his ecclesiastical
compositions for different colleges were innumerable; yet,
being local, they were never printed, and but little known
out of Oxford. Those productions which gained him the
most general celebrity, were his canons, catches, and
glees for the catch-club, in London, during the first years
of its institution; several of which were justly crowned.
His canon of “Let’s drink and let’s sing together,
” is perhaps the most pleasant of all those laboured compositions
which go under the name of canons. He had a true sense
of Handel’s superior merit, over all contemporary composers and on the publication of Mr. Avison’s well-written
“Essay on Musical Expression,
” in which it is perpetually
insinuated that Geminiani, Rameau, and Marcello, were
greatly his superiors, Dr. Hayes produced a pamphlet entitled “Remarks on the Essay of Musical Expression,
”
written with much more knowledge of the subject than
temper: he felt so indignant at Avison’s treatment of
Handel, that he riot only points out the false reasoning in
his essay, but false composition in his own works.
Dr. Hayes died July 27, 1777, and was buried in the church-yard of St. Peter’s in the east, in Oxford.
Dr. Hayes died July 27, 1777, and was buried in the church-yard of St. Peter’s in the east, in Oxford. His son Philip was regularly educated by his father in the same art. When grown up, after he had lost his treble voice, which dropped into a tolerable tenor, he was admitted one of the gentlemen of the king’s chapel, and resided chiefly in London, till the decease of his worthy father; who having established a family interest in the university, he succeeded to all his honours and appointments. He took his degree of B. M. in May 1763, and proceeded doctor of music Nov. 6, 1777, when he succeeded his father in the professorship. He also became organist of Magdalen, New college, and St, John’s. He succeeded in the same style of composition as his father, and was a considerable benefactor to the music-school and orchestra, and gave many valuable portraits both to that room and to some of the colleges. Dr. Philip Hayes was perhaps the most corpulent man in the kingdom, and his friends were long in apprehension of a sudden death, which at last took place when he was on his annual visit to London, about the time of the anniversary of the new musical fund. He dropped down dead, after he had dressed himself, in the morning of March 19, 1797, in his fifty -eighth year. His remains were interred in St. Paul’s cathedral with due respect.
ym and his colleagues. Haym appears afterwards to have tried various literary projects, one of which was his “II Tesoro Britannico,” Lond. 1719 20, 2 vols. 4to, in which
, a native of Rome, appears
to have come to London in the early part of the last century, as a musical professor, and engaged with two others,
Clayton and Dieupart, in an attempt to establish an Italian
opera here. This scheme had some success until 1710,
when the superior merits of Handel’s “Rinaldo
” diverted
the public attention from Haym and his colleagues. Haym
appears afterwards to have tried various literary projects,
one of which was his “II Tesoro Britannico,
” Lond.
1719 20, 2 vols. 4to, in which he proposed to engrave
and describe all the coins, statues, gems, &c. to be found in
the cabinets in England, and not before made public. In
the execution of this work, however, he committed so many
egregious blunders, and advanced so many ignorant and
rash conjectures, that it has ever been thrown aside with
contempt by able antiquaries. His most useful publication was his “Notizia de Libri rari nella Lingua Italiana,
”
which appeared first in
rs of his arrive life, he published proposals for a History of music, upon an admirable plan; but it was not encouraged, which Dr. Btirney thinks is much to be lamented,
He likewise wrote two tragedies, “La Merope,
” and
“La Dernodice,
” and edited an edition of Tasso in 2 vols.
4to. In the last years of his arrive life, he published proposals for a History of music, upon an admirable plan; but
it was not encouraged, which Dr. Btirney thinks is much
to be lamented, as far as Italy was concerned; as he was
not only a good practical musician, but a man of extensive
learning, and perfectly acquainted with the history of the
art in his own country, and its progress in England during
his residence there. He had not only knowledge in
counterpoint, but genius for composition, as he published at
Amsterdam in 1713, two sets of sonatas for two violins and
a bass, which are little inferior to the sonatas of Corelli.
There is more variety in them, though less grace. He
died in March 1730, and his effects were sold by auction
soon after his decease.
, an English artist, much celebrated in his day, was born in 1708, at Exeter, and was the scholar of Brown. He appears
, an English artist, much celebrated in his day, was born in 1708, at Exeter, and was the scholar of Brown. He appears to have come to London in the early part of his life, and was much employed by Fleetwood, the proprietor of Drury-lane theatre, for whom he painted many scenes. In the pursuit of his profession, he was not extremely assiduous, being more convivial than studious; yet he acquired a very considerable degree of power in his art, and was the best historical painter in the kingdom, before the arrival of Cipriani. It was this superiority of talent that introduced him to the notice of Mr. Jonathan Tyers, the founder and proprietor of Vauxhall, by whom he was employed in decorating those well-known gardens, and where some of his best historical pictures are still to be seen. He also painted four pictures from subjects taken from Sbakspeare, for what is called the prince’s pavilion in Vauxhall, but Mr. Tyers had such an high opinion of them, as to remove them to his own residence, and place copies in their room. His reputation procured him much employment from the booksellers, whom he furnished with drawings for their editions of Moore’s Fables, Congreve’s Works, Newton’s Milton, Hammer’s Shakspeare, Smcllet’s Don Quixote, Pope’s Works, &c. These drawings have in general great merit.
When the artists were incorporated by charter, Mr. Lambert was appointed the first president; but he dying shortly after, Hay
When the artists were incorporated by charter, Mr. Lambert was appointed the first president; but he dying shortly after, Hay man was chosen in his stead, in which office he remained till 1768, when, owing to the illiberal conduct of the majority of the members of that society, he was no longer continued in that station. For this exclusion, however, he was amply recompensed on the foundation of the royal academy, of which he was chosen a member, and soon after appointed librarian. This place he held till his death, Feb. 2, 1776.
, a learned schoolmaster, the son of Robert Hayne, of Thrussington, in Leicestershire, was born probably in that parish, in 1581, and in 1599 was entered
, a learned schoolmaster, the son of
Robert Hayne, of Thrussington, in Leicestershire, was
born probably in that parish, in 1581, and in 1599 was
entered of Lincoln-college, Oxford, where, being under
the care of an excellent tutor, he obtained great knowledge in philosophy, to which, and his other studies, he
was the more at leisure to give diligent application, as he
was, by a lameness almost from his birth, prevented from
enjoying the recreations of youth. In 1604 he took his
bachelor’s degree, and became one of the ushers of merchant taylors’ school, London: and after taking the degree
of master, was usher at Christ’s hospital. He was a noted
critic, an excellent linguist, and a solid divine, highly respected by men of learning, and particularly by Selden.
He died July 27, 1645, and was buried in Christ-church,
London, where a monument was erected over his grave,
(destroyed in the fire of London) with an inscription to his
memory, as an antiquary, a teacher, and a man of peace.
He bequeathed his books to the library at Leicester (which is commemorated in an inscription in that place), except a
few which he left to the library at Westminster. He gave
also 400l. to be bestowed in buying lands or houses, in or
near Leicester, of the yearly value of 24l. for ever, for the
maintenance of a schoolmaster in Thrussington, or some
town near thereto, to teach ten poor children, &c. Fifteen are now educated in this school. He founded also
two scholarships in Lincoln-college, the scholars to come
from the free-school at Leicester, or in defect of that, from
the school at Melton, &c. Several other acts of charity
are included in his will. His works are, I. “Grammatices
Latinae Compendium, 1637, reprinted in 1649, 8vo, with
two appendices. 2.
” Linguarum cognatio, seu de linguis
in genere,“&c. Lond. 1639, 8vo. 3.
” Pax in terra;
seu tractatus de pace ecclesiastica,“ibid. 1639, 8vo.
4.
” The equal ways of God, in rectifying the unequal
ways of man,“ibid. 1639, 8vo. 5.
” General View of
the Holy Scriptures or the times, places, and persons of
the Holy Scripture,“&c. ibid. 1640, fol. 6.
” Life and
Death of Dr. Martin Lutlier," ibid. 1641, 4to.
, a strenuous advocate for Socinianism, was born in 1672, and became assay-master of the mint, and principal
, a strenuous advocate for Socinianism, was born in 1672, and became assay-master of the
mint, and principal tally-writer of the exchequer. In
defence of the independence and prerogatives of his office,
he printed and privately dispersed a tract entitled “A
hriel enquiry relating to the right of his majesty’s Chapel
Royal, and the privileges of his servants within the Tower,
in a Memorial addressed to the rignt hon. the lord viscount
Lonsdale, constable of his majesty’s Tower of London,
”
The Scripture account of the attributes and
worship of God, and of the character and offices of Jesus
Christ, by a candid Enquirer after Truth.
” This he left
for the press, and it was accordingly printed by his son, in
obedience to his father’s injunctions, but probably against
his own inclinations, nor was it generally known as a publication until reprinted in 1790 by the late rev. Theophilus
Lindsey. Mr. Haynesdied November 19, 1749. His son
Samuel Haynes was educated at King’s college, Cambridge, where he took his degrees of A. B in 1723, A. M.
1727, and D. D. in 1748. He was tutor to the earl of
Salisbury, with whom he travelled, and who, in 1737,
presented him to the valuable rectory of Hatfield in Hertfordshire. In March 1743, he succeeded to a canonry of
Windsor; and in May 1747, he was presented by his
noble patron to the rectory of Clothal, which he held by
dispensation with Hatfield. He died June 9, 1752. He
published “A Collection of State-papers, relating to affairs in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. Mary and
Elizabeth, from 1542 to 1570,
” transcribed from the Cecil
Mss. in Hatfield-house, 1740, fol.
, an English historian, was educated at Cambridge, where he took the degree of LL. D. In
, an English historian, was educated at Cambridge, where he took the degree of LL. D.
In 1599 he published, in 4to, The first Part of the Life
and Raigne of King Henrie IV. extending to the end of
the first yeare of his raigne,“dedicated to Robert earl of
Essex; for which he suffered a tedious imprisonment, on
account of having advanced something in defence of hereditary succession to the crown. We are informed, in lord
Bacon’s
” Apophthegms,“that queen Elizabeth, being
highly incensed at this book, asked Bacon, who was then
one of her council learned in the law,
” whether there was
any treason contained in it?“who answered,
” No, madam for treason, I cannot deliver my opinion there is
any but there is much felony.“The queen,
apprehending it, gladly asked,
” How and wherein“Bacon answered,
” because he had stolen many of his sentences
and conceits out of Cornelius Tacitus.“This discovery is
thought to have prevented his being put to the rack.
Carnden tells us, that the book being dedicated to the
earl of Essex, when that nobleman and his friends were
tried, the lawyers urged, that
” it was written on purpose
to encourage the deposing of the queen;“and they particularly insisted on these words in the dedication* in which
our author styles the earl
” Magnus & present! judicio, &
futuri temporis expectatione.“In 1603 he published, in
quarto,
” An Answer to the first part of a certaine Conference concerning Succession, published not long since
under the name of R. Doleman.“Tais R. Doleman was
the Jesuit Parsons. In 1610 he was appointed by king
James one of the historiographers of Chelsea college, near
London, which, as we have often had occasion to notice,
was never permanently established. In 1613, he published
in 4to,
” The Lives of the Three Normans, kings of England; William I; William II.; Henry I.“and dedicated
them to Charles prince of Wales. In 1619, he received
the honour of knighthood from his majesty, at Whitehall.
In 1624, he published a discourse entitled
” Of Supremacie in Affaires of Religion,“dedicated to prince Charles,
and written in the manner of a conversation held at the
table of Dr. Toby Matthews, bishop of Durham, in the
time of the parliament, 1605. The proposition maintained is, that supreme power in ecciesiasticaJ affairs is a
right of sovereignty. He wrote likewise,
” The Life and
Raigne of King Edward VI. with the beginning of the
Raigne of queen Elizabeth,“1630, 4to, but this was posthumous; for he died June 27, 1627. He was the author
of several works of piety, particularly
” The Sr.nctuarie of
a troubled soul,“Lond. 1616, 12mo;
” David’s Tears,
or an Exposition of the Penitential Psalms,“1622, 8vo.
and te Christ’s Prayer on the Crosse for his Enemies,
”
1623. Wood says that “he was accounted a learned and
godly man, and one better read in theological authors,
than in those belonging to his profession; and that with
regard to his histories, the phrase and words in them were
in their time esteemed very good; only some have wished
that in his
” History of Henry IV.“he had not called sir
Hugh Lynne by so light a word as Mad-cap, though he
were such; and that he had not changed his historical style
into a dramatical, where he introduceth a mother uttering a woman’s passion in the case of her son.
” Nicolson observes, that “he had the repute in his time, of a
good clean pen and smooth style; though some have since
blamed him for being a little too dramatical,
” Strype
recommends that our author “be read with caution
that his style and language is good, and so is his fancy
but that he uses it too much for an historian, which puts
him sometimes on making speeches for others, which they
never spake, and relating matters which perhaps they never thought on.
” In confirmation of which censure, Kennet has since affirmed him to be “a professed speech-maker
through all his little history of Henry IV.
”
, a very elegant poet and critic, was born at Instead in Norfolk in 1766. At an early age he was placed
, a very elegant poet and critic, was born at Instead in Norfolk in 1766. At an early age he was placed under the care of the rev. Dr. Samuel Parr, then master of the grammar-school at Norwich. Even at this period he exhibited a superior elegance of mind, taste, and genius. He had a certain pensiveness of manner, which conciliated esteem and sympathy; and which, though it might in part have been excited by the delicacy of his constitution, was promoted and increased by his studious pursuits. From Norwich he removed, in 1782, to Oxford, where he became a member of Trinity college, a circumstance for which the world was probably indebted for his celebrated publication on the old English poets. Thomas Warton was then resident, as senior fellow of the college, and Headley naturally became acquainted with his labours as a poetical historian, which confirmed the bias of his mind; and from this time the study of old English poetry superseded every other literary pursuit.
nds could not for some months discover the place of his residence; but that at length it appeared he was married, and had retired to Matlock in Derbyshire. From our
He left Oxford after a residence of three years, in which interval he lost his father. His biographer informs us that his friends could not for some months discover the place of his residence; but that at length it appeared he was married, and had retired to Matlock in Derbyshire. From our other authority, however, we learn, that during his occasional visits from Oxford to his friends in Norfolk, he formed an attachment of the tenderest kind to a very beautiful woman, now alive, but of no fortune. Many of the most charming and interesting of his poetical compositions addressed to this lady. The connexion appeared to their common friends to be indiscreet, and the object of his affections married a deserving man, with whom she is now happy in a lovely family. It appears, however, that he did marry hastily, in the anguish of disappointment, a lady, who died before him. From Matlock he went to reside at Norwich, and in a short time the consumptive tendency of his constitution rendered it advisable to try the climate of Lisbon, from which he returned only to die, at Norwich, in November 1788.