Some time before the civil wars broke out, he was called to the bar, and began to make a figure in the world; but, observing how difficult
Some time before the civil wars broke out, he was called
to the bar, and began to make a figure in the world; but,
observing how difficult it was to preserve his integrity, and
yet live securely, he resolved to follow those two maxims
of Pomponius Atticus, who lived in similar times; viz.
“To engage in no faction, nor meddle in public business,
and constantly to favour and relieve those that were lowest.
”
He often relieved the royalists in their necessities, which
so ingratiated him with them, that he became generally
employed by them in his profession. He was one of the
counsel to the earl of Strafford, archbishop Laud, and king
Charles himself 5 as also to the duke of Hamilton, the earl
of Holland, the lord Capel, and the lord Craven. Being
esteemed a plain honest man, and of great knowledge in
the law, he was equally acceptable to the presbyterians
and the loyalists. In 1643 he took the covenant, and appeared several times with other lay -persons among the
assembly of divines. He was then in great esteem with
the parliament, and employed by them in several affairs,
particularly in the reduction of the garrison at Oxford;
being as a lawyer added to the commissioners named by
the parliament to treat with those appointed by the king.
In that capacity he was instrumental in saving the university, by advising them, especially the general Fairfax, to
preserve that seat of learning from ruin. Afterwards,
though no man more lamented the murder of Charles I.
he took the oath called “The Engagement;
” and, January
* Blackstone observes, that " if and try prisoners, having very strong
* Blackstone observes, that " if and try prisoners, having very strong
and execution is done accordingly, the but that it was necessary
and execution is done accordingly, the but that it was necessary to decide the
judge is guilty of murder; and upon disputes of civil property in the worst
judge is guilty of murder; and upon disputes of civil property in the worst
an order the protector had made, viz.” That none who had been of the king’s party should carry arms;“ and so would have forced the piece from him. But the other not regarding
to sit on the crown side at the assizes, property.“against an order the protector had made, viz.
” That none
who had been of the king’s party should carry arms;“and
so would have forced the piece from him. But the other
not regarding the order, and being the stronger man, threw
down the soldier, and having beat him, left him. The
soldier went to the town, and telling a comrade how he
had been used, got him to go with him, and help him to
be revenged on his adversary. They both watched his
coming to town, and one of them went to him to demand
his gun; which he refusing, the soldier. struck at him as
they were struggling, the other came behind, and ran his
sword into his body, of which he presently died. It was
in the time of the assizes, so they were both tried. Against
the one there was no evidence of malice prepense, so he
was only found guilty of manslaughter, and burnt in the
hand; but the other was found guilty of murder: and
though colonel Whaley, who commanded the garrison,
came into the court, and urged that the man was killed
only for disobeying the protector’s order, and that the
soldier was but doing his duty; yet the judge regarded
both his reasonings and threatenings very little, and therefore not only gave sentence against him, but ordered the
execution to be so suddenly done, that it might not be
possible to procure a reprieve. On another occasion he
displayed both his justice and courage in a cause in which
the protector was deeply concerned, and had therefore
ordered a jury to be returned for the trial. On hearing
this, judge Hale examined the sheriff about it, and having
discovered the fact, shewed the statute which ordered all
juries to be returned by the sheriff or his lawful officer,
and this not being done, he dismissed the jury, and would
not try the cause. The protector was highly displeased
with him, and at his return from the circuit (for this happened in the country) told him in great anger, that
” he
wa not fit to be a judge.“Hale replied only, with inimitable aptness of expression, that
” it was very true."
in 1660, which recalled Charles II, he was elected one of the knights for the county of Gloucester; and moved, that a committee might be appointed to look into the
When Cromwell died, he not only excused himself from
accepting the mourning that was sent him, but also refused
the new commission offered him by Richard; alleging,
that “he could act no longer under such authority.
” He
did not sit in Cromwell’s second parliament in 1655;but
in Richard’s, which met in January 1658-9, he was one^of
the burgesses for the university of Oxford. In the healing
parliament in 1660, which recalled Charles II, he was
elected one of the knights for the county of Gloucester;
and moved, that a committee might be appointed to look
into the propositions that had been made, and the concessions that had been offered by Charles I. during the late
war, that thence such propositions might be digested as
they should think fit to be sent over to the king at Breda.
The king upon his return recalled him in June by writ, to
the degree of serjeant-at-law; and upon settling the courts
in Westminster-hall, constituted him in November chief
baron of the exchequer. When chancellor Clarendon delivered him his commission, he told him that “if the king
could have found out an honester and fitter man for that
employment, he would not have advanced him to it; and
that he had therefore preferred him, because he knew none
that deserved it so well.
” As he knew it was usual for
persons in his present station to be knighted, he endeavoured to avoid that honour, by declining for a considerable
time all opportunities of waiting on the king; which Clarendon observing, sent for him upon business one day,
when the king was at his house, and told his majesty,
“there was his modest chief-baron,' 1 on which he was unexpectedly knighted. He continued eleven years in this
place, and very much raised the reputation and practice
of the court by his impartial administration of justice, and
by his cautious diligence, and great exactness in trials.
This gave occasion to the only complaint that was made
of him,
” that he did not dispatch matters quick enough;"
but on the other hand his deliberation had this good effect,
that causes tried before him were seldom if ever tried
again.
y matter in which justice was concerned. One of the first peers in England went once to his chamber, and told him, “that having a suit in law to be tried before him,
He would never receive private addresses or recommendations from any persons of whatever rank, in any
matter in which justice was concerned. One of the first
peers in England went once to his chamber, and told him,
“that having a suit in law to be tried before him, he was
come to acquaint him with it, that he might the better understand it when it should be heard in court.
”
Judge Hale interrupted him, and said, “he did not deal
fairly to com-e to his chamber about such affairs, for he
never received any information of causes but in open court,
where both parties were to be beard alike,
” and therefore he
would not suffer him to go on. The nobleman complained of
this to the king, as a rudeness that was not to be endured; but
his majesty bid him “content himself that he was no worse
used,
” and added, “he verily believed Hale would have
used himself no better, if he had gone to solicit him in
any of his own causes.
” Two other stories are told to
prove his strict integrity, one of a gentleman who sent him
a buck for his table, and the other of the dean and chapter
of Salisbury, who made him a present of six sugar-loaves,
and as the gentleman and the dean and chapter had causes
pending before him, he insisted on paying for these articles before he would try them. Too much, however,
has been made of these stories, for it was proved that both
presents were compliments which the parties had been accustomed to pay to the judges for the time being on the
circuit. So many are the testimonies to judge Hale’s integrity, that it cannot stand in need of such petty supports
as these.
Judge Hale, probably in consequence of his rule of favouring and relieving those that were lowest, and perhaps owing to the connections
Judge Hale, probably in consequence of his rule of favouring and relieving those that were lowest, and perhaps
owing to the connections he had formed in early life, was
now very charitable to the nonconformists, and screened
them as much as possible from the severities of the law.
He thought many of them had merited highly in the affair
of the king’s restoration, and at least deserved that the
terms of conformity should not have been made stricter
than they were before the war. In 1671 he was promoted
to the place of lord chief justice of England, and behaved
in that high station with his usual strictness, regularity, and
diligence; but about four years and a half after this advancement, he was attacked by an inflammation in the
diaphragm, which in two days time broke his constitution
to that degree that he never recovered; for his illness
turned to an asthma, which terminated in a dropsy. Finding himself unable to discharge the duties of his function,
he petitioned in January 1675-6, for a writ of ease; which
being delayed, he surrendered his office in February. He
died December 25th following, and was interred in the
church-yard of Alderley, among his ancestors; for he did
not approve of burying in churches, but used to say, “That
churches were for the living, and church-yards for the
dead.
” He was twice married, having by his first wife ten
children, all of whom he outlived except his eldest daughter and youngest son. The male line of the family became
extinct in 1784, by the death of his great grandson, Matthew Haje, esq. barrister at law.
To enter more minutely into the character of this great
and good man would be to enlarge this article beyond all
reasonable bounds. The testimonies to the excellence of
his character are numerous. Whoever knew him spoke
well of him. One enemy only, Roger North (in his Life of the Lord Keeper North) has endeavoured to lessen the
respect due to sir Matthew Hale’s character; but in so
doing, it has been justly remarked, has degraded his own.
Sir Matthew was, for the brightness and solidity of his genius, the variety and elegance of his learning, and the politeness of his manners, the delight and envy of his contemporaries. His knowledge in divinity and humanity was
a radicated habit: and there was scarce ever any appeal
from his judgment as a casuist or a critic. Biirnet’s Life
of Hale cannot be too often read.
lished by himself; namely, 1. “An Essay touching theGravitation or Non -gravitation of Fluid Bodies, and the Reasons thereof.” 2. “Difficiies Nugse, or observationstouching
He was the author of several things which were published by himself; namely, 1. “An Essay touching theGravitation or Non -gravitation of Fluid Bodies, and the
Reasons thereof.
” 2. “Difficiies Nugse, or observationstouching the Torricellian Experiment, and the various solutions of the same, especially touching the weight and
elasticity of the air.
” 3. “Observations touching the Principles of natural motion, and especially touching rarefaction and condensation.
” 4. “Contemplations moral and
divine.
” 5. “An English Translation of the Life of
Pomponius Atticus, written by Corn. Nepos; together
with observations political and moral.
” 6. “The Primitive Origination of Mankind considered and explained
according to the Light of Nature, &c.
” He left also at
his decease other works, which were published namely,
1. His “Judgment of the Nature of true Religion, the
Causes of its Corruption, and the Church’s Calamity by
men’s addition and violences, with the desired Cure.
”
2. “Several Tracts; as a f Discourse of Religion under
three heads’,
” &c. 3. “A Letter to his Children, advising them how to behave in their speech.
” 4. “A Letter
to one of his sons after his recovery from the small-pox/'
5.
” Discourse of the Knowledge of God and of ourselves,
first by the light of nature; secondly, by the sacred Scriptures.“All these, under the title of his
” Moral and Religious Works,“were published by the rev. Thomas Thirlwall, 1805, 2 vols. 8vo, with his life by bishop
and an appendix to it.
Of his law tracts, one only was printed in his life-time,
viz.:
” London Liberty, or an argument of Law and Reason,“1650, which was reprinted in 1682, under the title
of
” London’s Liberties, or the opinions of those great
lawyers, lord chief justice Hale, Mr. justice Wild, and
serjeant Maynard, about the election of mayor, sheriffs,
aldermen, and common councel of London, and concerning
their charter.“In 1668 he wrote a preface to Rolle’s
” Abridgment," which he published with the whole of that
work.
death, appeared, 1. “The Pleas of the Crown, or a Methodical Summary,” 1678, 8vo, continued by Jacob and reprinted in 1716. To this edition is often annexed “The Treatise
After his death, appeared, 1. “The Pleas of the Crown,
or a Methodical Summary,
” The Treatise of Sheriffs 7 Accounts,
” and “The Trial of
the Witches.
” It must not be concealed that this otherwise learned and sagacious man was so far prejudiced by
early opinions, as to believe in witchcraft, and to preside
on the trials of some persons accused of it. The “Pleas
”
has passed through seven editions, the last of which was in
Historia
Placitorum Coronse,
” of which hereafter. 2. “Treatise
shewing how useful, &c. the inrolling and registering of
all conveyances of land,
” Tractatus de Successionibus apud Anglos, or a treatise of Hereditary Descents,
” History of the
Common Law.
” 4. “A treatise on the original Institution,
&c. of Parliaments,
” Hale’s Jurisdiction of the House of Lords,
” with an introductory preface, including a narrative of the same jurisdiction, from
the accession of James I. 5. “Analysis of the Law,
”
without date, but seems to have been only a design for a,
6. “History of the Common Law of England, in twelve
chapters,
” Historia Placitorum Coronie, or
History of the Pleas of the Crown,
” He desired they should be kept
safe and all together, bound in leather, and chained; not
lent out or disposed of: only, if any of his posterity of that
society should desire to transcribe any book, and give good
caution to restore it again in a prefixed time, they should
be lent to him, and but one volume at a time:
” They are,“says he,
” a treasure not fit for every man’s view; nor is
every man capable of making use of them."
olk. He was educated probably at Oxford, whence he went to the university of Paris, studied divinity and the canon law, and excelled so in both as to be called the
, an eminent scholastic divine of
the thirteenth century, is supposed by some to have been
a native of Gloucestershire, but others think he was a native of Hales in Norfolk. He was educated probably at
Oxford, whence he went to the university of Paris, studied
divinity and the canon law, and excelled so in both as to
be called the “Irrefragable Doctor,
” and the “Fountain
of Life.
” Nothing indeed can exceed the encomiums bestowed upon him in extravagance, although he appears to
have been a good man, and well versed in the learning of
his time. In 1222 he entered into the order of the Friars
Minims, and took up his principal residence at Paris,
where he died August 27, 1245. By order of Innocent
IV. he wrote a commentary on the four books of sentences,
or “Sum of Divinity,
” printed at Nuremberg, Sum of the Virtues,
” Paris, Destructorium Vitiorum,
” Nuremberg,
, a learned Englishman, was the younger son of Thomas Hales, of Hales’-place, at Halden in Kent, and was liberally educated, although at no university. He became
, a learned Englishman,
was the younger son of Thomas Hales, of Hales’-place, at
Halden in Kent, and was liberally educated, although at
no university. He became an excellent scholar in the
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew tongues, and was well skilled
in the municipal laws and antiquities. In the reign of
Henry VIII. he was clerk of the ha,naper for several years^
and in 1548 was appointed a commissioner to inquire into
inclosures, decayed houses, and the unlawful converting
of arable land into pasture, for the counties of Oxfordj,
Berks, &c. On this occasion he made an excellent charge,
which is printed at length by Strype. He obtained a good
estate in Warwickshire and elsewhere, upon the dissolution
of the monasteries, and founded a free-school at Coventry.
For the use of the scholars there, he wrote “Introductiones ad Grammaticam,
” Latin and English. He was also
the author of the “High way to Nobility,
” Lond. 4to; and
translated into English “Plutarch’s Precepts for the preservation of good health,
” Lond. An Oration to Queen Elizabeth
at her first entrance to her reign,
” which was, however,
not spoken, but delivered in manuscript to the queen.
He also wrote a treatise in favour of the succession of the
house of Suffolk to the crown on the demise of Elizabeth,
who was so displeased with it, as to commit the author to
the Tower. It was answered by Lesley, bishop of Ross.
Mr. Hales, whose imprisonment was probably of no long
duration, died Jan. 28, 1572, and was buried in the church
of St. Peter le Poor, Broad-street, London. Some of his.
Mss. are in the Harleian collection.
, an eminent divine and critic, usually distinguished by the appellation of The Ever
, an eminent divine and critic, usually
distinguished by the appellation of The Ever Memorable,
was the fourth son of John Hales, of High Church, near
Bath, in Somersetshire, by Bridget his wife, one of the
Goldsburghs of Knahill, in Wiltshire. He was born April
19, 1584, at Bath, where his father then resided, but according to his register at Corpus college, Oxford, at Highchurch. His parents, who are stated to have been of
“genteel quality,
” placed him to school at Mells and Killmaston,'in Somersetshire, until fit for the university, in
which he was entered of Corpus college April 16, 1597,
but being then under age, was not sworn till April 17>
1599. He continued at this college until he toolc his bachelor’s degree in arts July 9, 1603, and had distinguished
himself in the interval by equal diligence and proficiency
in his studies. The reputation he thus acquired engaged
the attention of sir Henry Savile, then warden of Mertoncollege, who being always desirous of increasing the number of its learned members, persuaded him to remove;
and accordingly he was chosen probationer of Merton in
September, and admitted fellow Oct. 13, 1606. He proceeded to his master’s degree in 1609. He had not been
long in this station before the warden availed himself of
his assistance in preparing his edition of St. Chrysostom’s
works, and found him a very able coadjutor, as he was an
excellent Greek scholar. His reputation indeed for skill
in this language was such as to procure him the place of
lecturer in Greek in the college.
by sir Henry Savile to deliver the funeral oration at Merton -college, where sir Thomas was buried; and this was published the same year at Oxford, “Oratio funebris
On the death of sir Thomas Bodley, Jan. 28, 1613, he
was appointed by sir Henry Savile to deliver the funeral
oration at Merton -college, where sir Thomas was buried;
and this was published the same year at Oxford, “Oratio
funebris habita in collegio Mertonensi, a Johanne Halesio,
magistro in artibus, et ejusdem collegii socio, anno 1613;
Martii 29, quo die clarissimo equiti D. Thoniae Bodleio
funus ducebatur,
” 4to. It is reprinted in Bates’s “Vitae
selectorum.
”
On May 24 of this year, Mr. Hales quitted his fellowship at Merton, and was admitted fellow of Eton college. He was then in orders,
On May 24 of this year, Mr. Hales quitted his fellowship at Merton, and was admitted fellow of Eton college. He was then in orders, and had acquired fame as a
preacher. In 1616 he held a correspondence with Mr.
Oughtred, as appears by a letter of his to that excellent
mathematician, printed in the General Dictionary, hi
1618 he accompanied sir Dudley Carlton, ambassador to
the Hague, as his chaplain, by which means he procured
admission into the synod of Dort, though he was not properly a member. This indeed seems to have been his
principal view in accompanying sir Dudley, who, besides
his brother the bishop of Llandaff, first English commissioner, recommended him to Bogerman, president of the
synod, and some other leading men. Ail this afforded him
a favourable opportunity of collecting that information respecting the proceedings of the synod, which was afterwards published in his “Golden Remains.
” The effect of
these proceedings on his own mind was, that he became a
convert to Arminianism. His friend Mr. Faringdon. informs
us that “in his younger days he was a Calvinist, but that
some explanation given by Episcopius* of the text in St.
John iii. 16, induced him, as he said, to
” bid John
Calvin good night.“It does not appear, however, from
his sermons, that he became a decided anti-predestinarian,
although he pleads strongly for a toleration between the
two parties, and thinks they may remain in Christian
charity with each other. It is more remarkable that he
should be induced by the arguments advanced in this synod, to think with indifference of the divinity of Jesus
Christ as a necessary article of faith. This, however,
seems obvious from some passages in his
” Tract on
Schism;“and such was his free and open manner both of
talking and writing on these subjects, that he soon incurred
the suspicion of inclining to Socinianism. Dr. Heylin
went so far as to attribute two works to him, published with
fictitious names, which have been since printed in the
” Phoenix;" but it has been proved that they were written
by Socinian authors. His biographers, however, all allow
that he may be classed among those divines who were
afterwards called Latitudinarians. He returned from the
synod Feb. 8, 1619.
up a vindication of himself in a letter addressed to his grace, who in 1638 sent for him to Lambeth, and after a conference of several hours, appears to have been reconciled
About 1636 he wrote his tract on “Schism
” for the use
of his friend Chilling-worth, in which, as already noticed,
he expresses his sentiments on liturgies, forms of worship,
&c. in exact conformity with those who are for dispensing
with all obligations of the kind in established churches.
Being informed that archbishop Laud was displeased with
it, he drew up a vindication of himself in a letter addressed
to his grace, who in 1638 sent for him to Lambeth, and
after a conference of several hours, appears to have been
reconciled to him. Of this conference we have a curious
account by Dr. Heylin, in his “Cyprianus Anglicus,
”
some particulars of which have been eagerly contested by
Des Maizeaux, in his Life of Hales. What seems most
clear is, that Hales made some kind of declaration to the^
archbishop, purporting that he was a true son of the church
of England, both in doctrine and discipline, which certainly implies a change or intended change of opinion,
unless we allow to the writer of his life in the Biographia
Britannica, that “a true son of the church,
” or an “or* Such is the story given by all his 87 and 92, we shall see more reasor.
biographers; but if we consult his to think that he was influenced by the
Letters in the
” Golden Remains,“p. opinions of Martinius.
thodox son of the church,
” were phrases used, not in opn ^ition to heretics, but to puritans. In either way, the
archbishop appears to have been satisfied, and informed
Mr. liuies that he might have any preferment he pleased.
Hales at this time modestly declined the offer, but the
year following was presented by the archbishop at a public
dinner, with a canonry of Windsor, in which he was installed June 27, 1639. With respect to the letter above-r
ttientioned, which he wrote to the archbishop, it is said to
have been first published by Dr. Hare in the seventh edition of his pampnlet entitled “Difficulties and Discouragements which attend the study of the Scriptures in the way
of private judgment.
” Des Maizeaux says it was probably
found among the papers of archbishop Laud, which after
the restoration were taken from Prynne; but this conjecture
is erroneous; it was found in the house of Mrs. Powney,
where Mr. Hales died, and there are even some reasons for
doubting whether it was ever sent to the archbishop, although this is certainly not improbable. The original is at
Eton, and appeared in print before it fell into the hands
of Dr. Hare, the author of “Difficulties and Discouragements,
” if indeed Dr. Hare was that author, which has
been questioned.
the college to a private chamber at Eton, where he remained for a quarter of a year unknown to any, and spent in that time only sixpence a week, living upon bread and
In 1642 his tract on “Schism
” was printed* without
his consent, as favouring the disorganizing principles then
prevailing, a clear proof that its tendency before had not
been mistaken; but this procured our author no favour;
for the same year he was ejected from his stall at Windsor.
About the time of archoishop Laud’s death, in 1644, Mr.
Hales retired from his lodgings in the college to a private
chamber at Eton, where he remained for a quarter of a
year unknown to any, and spent in that time only sixpence a week, living upon bread and beer; and as it was
his custom formerly to fast from Tuesday night to Thursday night, now in his retirement he abstained during the
same time from his bread and beer; and when he iieard of
the archbishop’s murder, he wished that his own head had
been taken off instead of his grace’s. Another account
Tract concerning Schism* and Sdiis-Richard Cud worth’s Tract, <c The
Tract concerning Schism* and Sdiis-Richard Cud worth’s Tract, <c The
matiques; wherein is briefly discovered Union of Christ and the Church in a
matiques; wherein is briefly discovered Union of Christ and the Church in a
Written by a learned and judicious curious wood-cut in the title-jjage. If,
Written by a learned and judicious curious wood-cut in the title-jjage. If,
o worth reviving. forms us that he was bursar about the time when the contest began between the king and parliament, and when both armies had sequestered the college
supposed, to be Richard Bishop, who worth reviving.
forms us that he was bursar about the time when the contest began between the king and parliament, and when
both armies had sequestered the college rents, so that he
could not get any to pay wages to the servants, or to buy
victuals for the scholars. But after nine weeks hiding himself to preserve the college writings and keys, he was
forced to appear. The old woman that concealed him
demanded but six-pence a week for his brown bread and
beer, which was all his meat, and he would give her
twelve-pence. This concealment was so near the college
or highway, that he used to say, “those who searched for
him might have smelt him if he had eaten garlick.
”
refused to accept it, saying, if he had a right to any part, he had a right to the whole. Both Wood and Des Maizeaux have misrepresented this expression, which we give
He continued in his fellowship at Eton, although he refused the covenant, but was ejected upon his refusal to take
the engagement “to be faithful to the Common-wealth of
England, as then established without a king, or a house
of lords.
” His successor, a Mr. Penwarn, or Penwarden,
kindly offered him half the profits of his fellowship; but
Mr. Hales refused to accept it, saying, if he had a right
to any part, he had a right to the whole. Both Wood and
Des Maizeaux have misrepresented this expression, which
we give on the authority of Mr. Montague, one of his
executors. About the same time he refused a liberal offer
from a gentleman of the Sedley family, in Kent, of 100l.
his board, and servants to attend him. In this spirit of independence he retired to the house of a Mrs. Salter, at
Rickings, near Colebrook, accepting of a smaller salary of
50l. with his diet, to instruct her son. Here he also officiated as chaplain, performing the service according-to
the liturgy of the church of England, in company with
Dr. Henry King, the ejected bishop of Chichester, who
was in the same house. But this retirement was soon disturbed by an order from the ruling powers, prohibiting all
persons from harbouring malignants, or royalists; and although Mrs. Salter assured Mr. Hales that she was prepared
to risk the consequences, he would not suffer her to incur
any danger upon his account, but retired to the house of
Hannah Dickenson, in Eton, whose husband had been his
servant, and who administered the humble comforts she
could afford with great care and respect. But being now
destitute of every means of supporting himself, ne was
obliged to sell (not the whole, as Wood says, but) a part
of his valuable library to Cornelius Bee, a bookseller in
London, for 700l. which, Walker informs us, and the fact
seems to be confirmed by Dr. Pearson in his preface to the
“Golden Remains,
” he shared with several ejected clergymen, scholars, and others.
We shall now relate a story which has appeared in the various accounts of his life, and which is at least interesting-, but in most particulars questionable.
We shall now relate a story which has appeared in the
various accounts of his life, and which is at least interesting-,
but in most particulars questionable. It is thus related,:
“His friend Mr. Faringdon
” (See Faringdon) “coming
to see Hales some few months before his death, found him
in very mean lodgings at Eton, but in a temper gravely
ch earful, and well becoming a good man under such circumstances. After a slight and homely dinner, suitable
to their situation, some discourse passed between them
concerning their old friends, and the black and dismal
aspect of the times; and at last Hales asked Faringdon to
walk out with him into the church-yard. There this unhappy man’s necessities pressed him to tell his friend that
he had been forced to sell his whole library, save a few
books which he had given away, and six or eight little
books of devotion which lay in his chamber; and that for
money, he had no more than what he then shewed him,
which was about seven or eight shillings; and ‘ besides,’
says he, < I doubt I am indebted for my lodging.‘ Faringdon, it seems, did not imagine that it had been so very
low with him, and therefore was much surprised to hear it;
but said that ’ he had at present money to command, and
to-morrow would pay him fifty pounds, in part of the
many sums he and his wife had received of him in their
great necessities, and would pay him more as he shoukl
want it.‘ But Hales replied, < No, you don’t owe me a
penny; or if you do, I here forgive you; for you shall
never pay me a penny. I know you and yours will have
occasion for much more than what you have lately gotten;
but if you know any other friend that hath too full a purse,
and will spare me some of it, I will not refuse that.‘ To
this Hales added, ’ When I die, which I hope is not far
off, for I am weary of this uncharitable world, I desire you
to see me buried in that place in the church-yard,‘ pointing to the place. l But why not in the church-/ said Faringdon, * with the provost (sir Henry Savile), sir Henry
Wotton, and the rest of your friends and predecessors?’
‘ Because,’ says he, * I am neither the founder of it, nor
have I been a benefactor to it, nor shall I ever now be able
to be Sq.'
”
Dr. Walker, who relates this story, informs us of the
persons from whom he received it; but it is now unnecessary to trace a narrative so flatly contradicted by Mr.
Hales’s will, in which we find him bequeathing a very
considerable property, and a very considerable part of his
library, and indeed leaving such friendly legacies as are
wholly inconsistent with the circumstances of a man reduced to a few shillings, and in debt for his lodging.
an hour of his death. Mr. Montague, to whom he had been talking, left the room for about that time, and found him dead on his return. During this sickness, being aware
His last illness was of short duration, nor did it appear
serious to his friends, with whom he conversed as freely as
if in perfect health, within half an hour of his death. Mr.
Montague, to whom he had been talking, left the room for
about that time, and found him dead on his return. During
this sickness, being aware that he was suspected of holding
opinions adverse to the faith of the church of England, he
made a declaration of his belief to his pupil, Mr. Salter,
and appears to have recanted, if ever he held, opinions
unfavourable to the doctrine of the Trinity. Mr. Salter
made a memorandum of this from his mouth, which was
long in possession of that family, as Mr. Fulman, when
collecting materials for Hales’ s life, was credibly assured,
both by Mr. Salter and by Mr. Montague. There is an
article indeed in his “Remains
” which seems to confirm
this point, entitled his “Confession of the Trinity,
” and
may probably be the manuscript which Mr. Salter penned.
He died May 19, 1656, aged seventy-two, and was buried, according to his own desire, in Eton church-yard,
He died May 19, 1656, aged seventy-two, and was buried, according to his own desire, in Eton church-yard,
where a monument was erected over his grave by Mr. Peter
Curwen. In person, he was of an ingenuous and open
countenance, sanguine, cheerful, and vivacious; his body
was well proportioned, and his motion quick and sprightly.
As to the excellence of his character, all writers seem
agreed. Whatever his errors, he was esteemed a good
man by those who knew him, and an able writer, as appears by the testimonies of lord Clarendon, lord Say and
Sele, Dr. Pearson, bishop of Chester, Dr. Heylin, Andrew Marvel, Wood, Sailing-fleet, and others, quoted by
sir David Dalrymple lord Hailes, in his fine edition of
Hales’s works, and in the Biographia Britannica. “They,
”
says lord Hailes, “who are acquainted with the literary
and political history of England, will perceive that the
leading men of all parties, however different and discordant,
have, with a wonderful unanimity, concurred in praise of
the virtues and abilities of the ever memorable Mr. John
Hales of Eton.
”
uneral of sir Thomas Bodley. Bishop Pearson says, that “while he lived, none was ever more solicited and urged to write, and thereby truly teach the world, than he;
We do not find that Hales ever suffered any thing to be
published in his life-time, except his oration at the funeral
of sir Thomas Bodley. Bishop Pearson says, that “while
he lived, none was ever more solicited and urged to write,
and thereby truly teach the world, than he; but that none
was ever so resolved, pardon the expression, so obstinate
against it.
” In 1659, however, there appeared a collection of his works with this title, “Golden Remains of the
ever-memorable Mr. John Hales of Eton college, &c.
”
which was enlarged with additional pieces in a second
edition of Several Tracts by the ever-memorable Mr. John Hales, &c.
” The 1st of which is, “Concerning the. Sin against the Holy Ghost;
” 2. “Concerning the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and whether the
Church may err in Fundamentals;
” 3. “A Paraphrase on
the 12th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew;
”
4. “Concerning the power of the Keys, and auricular
Confession;
” 5. “Concerning Schism and Schismatics;
”
and some short pieces entitled “Miscellanies.
” There is
no preface nor advertisement to this volume, which seems
to have been put out by the editor, who was thought to
be sir Robert Filmer, with caution: but it is finely and
correctly printed, with a portrait of Mr. Hales. To these
volumes of posthumous works we must add the letter to
archbishop Laud, mentioned before, which was printed in
1716. In 1765 lord Hailes edited a beautiful edition of
his whole works, 3 vols. 12mo, with a very few alterations
of obsolete words, and corrections in spelling, &c. Dr.
Johnson blamed him for taking these liberties. We are
more inclined to blame him for omitting bishop Pearson’s
preface to the “Golden Remains,
” with Faringdon’s Letter, which give a particular value to the edition of
It remains to be mentioned, that Wood informs us that Mr. Hales not only associated with, and was respected by the wits of his time, sir John Suckling, sir
It remains to be mentioned, that Wood informs us that
Mr. Hales not only associated with, and was respected by
the wits of his time, sir John Suckling, sir William Davenant, Ben Jonson, &c. but would sometimes divert himself with writing verses; and that he had a talent for
poetry he thinks appears from sir John Suckling’s
tioning him in his “Session of Poets:
”
ile To see them about nothing keep such a coil. Apollo had spied him, but knowing his mind, Past by, and called Falkland that sat just behind.” But there is no proof
“Hales, set by himself, most gravely did smile
To see them about nothing keep such a coil.
Apollo had spied him, but knowing his mind,
Past by, and called Falkland that sat just behind.
”
But there is no proof that Mr. Hales of Eton was meant
here, and still less proof of a letter in verse by sir John
Suckling having been written to Mr. Hales at Eton, and beginning“” Sir, whether these lines do find you out," &c.
It has more the appearance of one written to some person,
at Oxford or Cambridge, than at Eton.
Isaac Walton, by Mr. Fulman of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, who had proposed to finish the work, and on that occasion had applied for the assistance of Mr. Walton.
Mr. Faringdon had collected materials with a view to the
life of Mr. Hales, which, Mr. Zouch informs us, were on
his demise consigned to the care of Isaac Walton, by Mr.
Fulman of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, who had proposed to finish the work, and on that occasion had applied
for the assistance of Mr. Walton. Mr. Zouch adds, that
“the result of this application is not known.
” Having,
however, by the kindness of Henry Ellis, esq. of the British museum, had access to a transcript of Mr. Fulman’s
Mss. in Corpus college, as far as they regard the project
of writing Hales’s life, we are enabled to say that it was a
Mr. Milington, and not Mr. Fulman, who sent Faringdon’s
materials to Mr. Walton, and that the latter gave Fulman
every information in his power. By the same Mss. we have
been enabled to correct many mistakes in Des Maizeaux’s
life of Haiti, as well as in those in the General Dictionary,
and Biographia Britannica.
he physiology of plants, was the sixth son of Thomas Hales, esq. of Beakeborn, or Beckesbourn, Kent, and grandson of sir Robert Hales, bart. of Beckesbourn, where he
, an eminent natural philosopher, particularly distinguished by his experiments on the physiology of plants, was the sixth son of Thomas Hales, esq. of Beakeborn, or Beckesbourn, Kent, and grandson of sir Robert Hales, bart. of Beckesbourn, where he was born, Sept. 17, 1677, and was admitted a pensioner of Bene't college, Cambridge, under the tuition of Mr. Moss, June 19, 1696, where, after taking his first degree in arts, he was admitted a fellow, Fob. 25, 1702-3. He proceeded M. A. at the next commencement, and was admitted B. D. in 1711. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by the university of Oxford in 1733. Botany and anatomy formed his studies of relaxation while at Cambridge, his companion in which was the celebrated antiquary Dr. Stukeley. He was advanced successively to the perpetual curacy of Teddington, Middlesex, and to the livings of Portlock, Somersetshire, and Farringdon, Hampshire. He married Mary, the daughter and heiress of Dr. Henry Newce of Much-Hadham, in the county of Hertford, and rector of Halisham in Sussex. This lady died at the end of two years, leaving no issue, nor did he ever marry strain. He resided to the end of his life at Teddington, wliere he was visited by persons of rank and taste, amongst others by Frederick late prince of Wales, after whose death Dr. Hales was made clerk of the closet to the princess dowager, who always entertained a high respect for him, and after his decease erected a handsome monument to his memory in Westminster-abbey, near that of Handel. On this is liis bust in a large medallion, supported by a female figure representing Botany, accompanied by Religion. The epitaph is in Latin. He refused a canonry 01 Windsor, that he migbt continue to devote himself to his parochial duties, and his favourite scientific pursuits; and as piety, truth, and virtue were the principles of his character, he lived in universal esteem to the age of eighty-four, dying at Teddington, January 4, 1761, where he was buried, under the church tower, which he had rebuilt at his own expence.
1731, followed afterwards by several others. This work was translated into French by Buffon in 1735, and into Italian by a Neapolitan lady named Ardinghelli, in 1756.
Dr. Hales, having been elected a fellow of the royal society in 1717, communicated to that learned body his first
essay in Vegetable Physiology, containing an account of
some experiments concerning the effect of the sun’s heat
in raising the sap. In 1727 appeared the first edition of
his “Vegetable Staticks,
” in 8vo, illustrated by plates, of
which a second edition was published in 1731, followed
afterwards by several others. This work was translated
into French by Buffon in 1735, and into Italian by a Neapolitan lady named Ardinghelli, in 1756. There are also
German and Dutch editions. The original book was, in
fact, the first volume of a work entitled “Statical Essays,
”
of which the second, relating to the circulation of the
blood in animals, was called “Hemastaticks,
” and came out
in a friendly admonition to the drinkers of gin,
brandy, and other spirituous liquors,
” which has often
been reprinted and distributed gratis, by those who consider the temporal and eternal interests of their fellow subjects rather than the increase of the revenue. His invention of a ventilator for mines, prisons, hospitals, and the
holds of ships, laid before the royal society in 1741, and
applied also to the ventilation and consequent preservation
of corn in granaries, has proved one of the most extensively useful contrivances for the preservation of health
and human life. His philosophy was not a barren accumulation for the ignorant to wonder at, or for its professor
to repose on in sottish self-sufficiency and uselessness; but
an inexhaustible bank, on which his piety and his benevolence were continually drawing. Such philosophy and
such learning alone entitle their possessors to authority or
respect, and such are the best fruits of religion. In this
instance at least they were duly honoured, both at home
and abroad. The fame of Hales was widely diffused
throughout the learned world, of which he received a most
distinguished testimony, in being elected one of the eight
foreign members of the French academy of sciences, in
1753, in the place of sir Hans Sloane, who died that same
year. In 1732 he had been appointed, by the British government, a trustee for settling a colony in Georgia. He
was well acquainted with Mr. Ellis, and other naturalists of
his day, with whose views and pursuits of all kinds he ardently concurred; but it does not appear that his foreign
correspondence was extensive. His name does not occur
among the correspondents of Haller, who nevertheless held
him in the highest estimation, as a philosopher and a man.
As a vegetable physiologist, Dr. Hales is entitled to the
highest honour. His experiments and remarks led the
way to those of Du Hamel, Bonnet, and all that have followed. His accuracy of observation, and fidelity of relation, have never been impeached, and his ideas in physics,
in many instances, went before the knowledge of his day,
and anticipated future discoveries: such are his observations relative to airs, and to vegetable secretions. One of
his more able successors in the study of vegetable physiology has doubted the accuracy of one of his plates only,
tab. 11, in which three trees, having been united by engrafting their branches, the intermediate one, by the earth
being removed from its roots, is left hanging in the air,
but an experiment of the late Dr. Hope’s at Edinburgh,
upon three willows, of which Dr. Smith was an eye-witness,
and which was conducted with success in imitation of this
of Hales, puts his account beyond all doubt whatever.
religion. He acquired the knowledge of seventeen languages, among the rest, of the French, English, and German, having had part of his education in these countries;
, a Polander, of the seventeenth century,
whose original name was Albert Bobowski, was born a
Christian;but, being taken by the Tartars while a child,
was sold to the Turks, who educated him in their religion.
He acquired the knowledge of seventeen languages, among
the rest, of the French, English, and German, having had
part of his education in these countries; and became interpreter to the grand seignior. He translated into the
Turkish language the catechism of the church of England,
and all the Bible. He composed a Turkish grammar and
dictionary, and other things which were never printed.
His principal work is, “A Treatise upon the Liturgy of
the Turks, their pilgrimages to Mecca, their circumcision,
and manner of visiting the sick,
” which he was induced to
write by Dr. Smith, chaplain to the English embassy at the
Porte, and who gave the ms. to Dr. Hyde, by whom it was
published in Latin, in the appendix of the “Itinera muncli ab Abrahamo Peritsol,
” Oxford, The State of the Ottoman Empire.
”
, a learned English lady, the daughter of Mr. Robert Murray of the Tullibardin family, and allied by the mother’s side to the Perth family, was born in
, a learned English lady, the
daughter of Mr. Robert Murray of the Tullibardin family,
and allied by the mother’s side to the Perth family, was
born in London, Jan. 4, 1622. Her father was preceptor
to Charles I. and afterwards provost of Eton college, and
her mother was subgoverness to the duke of Gloucester
and the princess Elizabeth. Anne was instructed by her
parents in every polite and liberal science; but theology
and physic were her favourite studies. She became so
particularly versed in the latter art, and in the practice of
surgery, that she was consulted by the first personages in
the kingdom: and the reputation of her skill was also diffused over Holland, whence many persons came for her
advice. She was a faithful royalist, and a sufferer in the
cause of Charles. On March 2, 1656, she was married to
sir James Halket, a worthy and amiable man, to whom she
bore four children, one of which, Robert, her eldest son,
only survived. During her first pregnancy she wrote,
mder the apprehension that she should not survive her
delivery, a tract, containing excellent instructions, entitled
“The Mother’s Will to the Unborn Child.
” She was
fourteen years a wife, and twenty-eight a widow. She was
an acute theologian and a profound student. Her learning,
simplicity, unaffected piety, exemplary conduct, and sweetness of manners, conciliated universal respect and esteem.
She left twenty-one volumes, principally on religious subjects, some in folio, and others in quarto, from which a
volume of “Meditations
” was printed at Edinburgh in
He received the rudiments of learning at Carlisle, whence he was removed to Queen’s college, Oxford, and admitted battiler July 7, 1696, but for some reason was not
, a learned, but not very accurate editor, was the son of the rev. Henry Hall, of Kirkbridge in Cumberland, where he was born in 1679. He received the rudiments of learning at Carlisle, whence he was removed to Queen’s college, Oxford, and admitted battiler July 7, 1696, but for some reason was not matriculated till Nov. 18, 1698. He took his bachelor’s degree in 1701, and that of master in 1704, having just entered into holy orders; and was elected fellow of his college, April 18, 1706. In 1719, upon the death of Dr. Hudson, keeper of the Bodleian library, he became a candidate for that office, and it appears that Dr. Hudson, a little time before his death, expressed a wish that Mr. Hall should be his successor; but his endeavours failed. Dr. Hudson, at the time of his death, had nearly finished his edition of Josephus; and by Mr. Hall’s exertions it was soon published. Shortly after, he married Dr. Hudson’s widow. On April 8, 1720, he was instituted to the rectory of Hampton Poyle, in Oxfordshire, at the presentation of his college; and in the following year took his degrees in divinity. He died at Garford, in Berkshire, and was buried at Kingston, in that county, April 6, 1723.
by his literary labours, deserved far more attention than he acquired. He had a quick apprehension, and his judgment was clear and penetrating; but it was his misfortune
Dr. Hall, by his literary labours, deserved far more attention than he acquired. He had a quick apprehension,
and his judgment was clear and penetrating; but it was his
misfortune never to compare or revise the manuscripts he
had once transcribed. His edition of “Leland de Scriptoribus
” is very erroneously printed, and in some parts are
great omissions, from his negligence. This was his first
publication, and appeared in 2 vols. 8vo, Oxford, 1709.
From a letter of bishop Tanner, we learn that he originally
designed to publish Leland’s work only, and not what he
afterwards completed in his “Bibliotheca;
” and that he
was at first somewhat concerned to find himself anticipated, although he allows Mr. Hall’s fitness for the task.
Mr. Hail published also “N. Triveti Annales,
” Continuatio
” of the same, Magna Britannia,
” but
was not, as reported, the author of the account of Cumberland in that work.
, an English lawyer and historiographer, was the son of John Halle of Northall in Shropshire,
, an English lawyer and historiographer, was the son of John Halle of Northall in Shropshire, by Catherine his wife, daughter and heir of Thomas Gedding, and was descended from sir Francis Van Halle, knight of the garter in the time of Edward III. who was the son of Frederic Van Halle, of the Tyrol, in Germany, natural son of Albert king of the Romans and archduke of Austria. He was born, probably about the last year of the fifteenth century, in the parish of St. Mildred’s, London. He was educated at Eton, whence in 1544 he was sent to King’s college, Cambridge, where he continued until he became a junior fellow. He afterwards studied at Gray’s-inn, and resided there until he was made a judge in the sheriffs’ court. Wood, however, says that he went to Oxford about 1518, when cardinal Wolsey founded certain lectures there; and adds that, that being the common mart of learning, no person of ingenuity or curiosity thought themselves complete until they had been there. But Mr. Baker of St. John’s, in a letter to Hearne, seems to think this doubtful, as he is not to be traced from Gray’s-inn to Oxford.
After he had been called to the bar, he became first one of the common Serjeants, and then under-sheriff of the city of London, in both which offices
After he had been called to the bar, he became first one
of the common Serjeants, and then under-sheriff of the city
of London, in both which offices he gave much satisfaction.
In 1533 he was appointed summer reader of Gray’s-inn,
and in 1540 double reader in Lent, and one of the judges
of the sheriffs’ court. About the same time, according to
Fox, he was a member of the house of commons, and was
one of those who supported the bill for establishing the Six
Articles by which popery was in a great measure upheld.
He died in 1547, and was buried, but without any memorial, in the church of St. Bennet Sherehog, London. He
wrote “The Union of the Houses of York and Lancaster,
”
Lond.
hed by Hearne in the appendix to the chartulary of Worcester, also vindicates the merit of the work; and Hearne says it is written in a masculine and elegant style,
There are various characters given of this chronicle by antiquaries. Bishop Nicolson speaks of it with disrespect, as a record of the fashions of clothes; but Peck vindicates Hall with some warmth. The author of a fragment, supposed to be Stow, published by Hearne in the appendix to the chartulary of Worcester, also vindicates the merit of the work; and Hearne says it is written in a masculine and elegant style, and contains nothing but what is agreeable to the dignity and majesty of an historian. On the other hand Fox and Ascham object to the fidelity and style of our author. Hall has been accused of being no favourer of the clergy, and some instances of misrepresentation in that respect have been pointed out by Fiddes in his life of cardinal Wolsey (p. 50, &c.)
her is said to have occasionally resided at an old house at Poplar, which had a large hanging garden and a building at the bottom, and this, tradition reported, had
, a learned English divine, was born in
London in 1716. Of his parents little is known. His father is said to have occasionally resided at an old house at
Poplar, which had a large hanging garden and a building
at the bottom, and this, tradition reported, had been the
laboratory of sir Richard Steele. The subject of this memoir
was sent early to Eton, admitted on the foundation in 1729;
and elected to King’s college, Cambridge, in 1735, where
of course he became a fellow in 1738, and took the degrees
in arts. Being recommended by Dr. Chapman to archbishop Potter, his grace appointed him his librarian at
Lambeth in 1748, on the resignation of Mr. Jones. In
that station he continued till the death of his patron in
1749; when archbishop Herring, who succeeded to the
primacy, being sensible of his merit, not only continued
him in that office, but, on his taking orders, appointed
him one of his chaplains; and, in April 1750, collated him
to the rectory of Harbledown (vacant by the promotion of Mr, Thomas Herring to the rectory of Chevening); in
November 1752, the archbishop collated him also to the
vicarage of Herne, which he held by dispensation; to
which his grace afterwards added the sinecure rectory of
Orpington, in the deanery of Shoreham, one of his peculiars. In 1756, Mr. Hall vacated Herne, on being presented to the vicarage of East Peckham by the dean and
chapter of Canterbury, by whom he was much esteemed,
having greatly assisted their auditor in digesting many of
the records, charters, &c. preserved in their registry. In
return, the late Dr. Walwyn (one of the prebendaries, who vacated that vicarage) was called by the archbishop to the
rectory of Great Mongeham, void by the death of Mr.
Byrch. On the death of archbishop Herring in 1757, he
resigned the librarianship of Lambeth, and from that time
resided chiefly at Harbledown, in a large house, which he
hired, afterwards the seat of Robert Mead Wilmot, esq.
Soon after the death of archbishop Herring, Mr. Hall was
presented by his executors to the treasurership of the cathedral of Wells, one of his grace’s options. He was also at
first a competitor for the precentorship of Lincoln, an option of archbishop Potter (which Dr. Richardson gained in 1760 by a decree of the house of lords); but soon withdrew
his claim, well grounded as it seemed. His learning and
abilities were great, but not superior to his modesty; and
by his singular affability he obtained the love and esteem
of all who knew him. His charitable attention to his poor
parishioners, especially when they were ill, was constant
and exemplary. At archbishop Seeker’s primary visitation
at Canterbury, in 1758, Mr. Hall was “pitched upon
” (his grace’s official expression) to preach before him at St.
Margaret’s church, which he did from Acts xvii. 21. He
died a bachelor, at Harbledown, Nov. 2, 1763, in the fortyseventh year of his age, after a short illness, occasioned by
a violent swelling in the neck, which could not be accounted for by the eminent physicians who attended him.
He was buried under the communion-table, at Harbledown -church, without any epitaph.
, an English poet of some note, was born at Durham, August 1627, and after one year spent at St. John’s college, Cambridge, removed
, an English poet of some note, was born
at Durham, August 1627, and after one year spent at St.
John’s college, Cambridge, removed to Gray’s-inn, London, where he was called to the bar; but entering into
the politics of the times, and writing on subjects favourable to the rebellion, he attracted the notice of parliament,
who sent him into Scotland to attend Oliver Cromwell,
and afterwards distinguished him by other marks of favour:
but, being too much addicted to pleasure, he fell a sacrifice to its indulgence; and returning to his native city of
Durham, died there, August 1, 1656. In 1646 (during his short residence at Cambridge), being then but nineteen
years of age, he published “Horas Vacivse, or Essayes,
” a
sufficient proof of his abilities. His poems came out the
same year. He published the first English version of Longinus, which he entitled “The Height of Eloquence,
”
Lond. Hierocles upon the Golden Verses of Pythagoras;
” before which is an account of the ingenious translator and his works, by John Davis of Kidwelly, by whom
it was published in 1657, 8vo. Several of his poems are
preserved in Nichols’s “Select Collection,
” reprinted from
a little volume, entitled “Poems by John Hall, Cambridge,
printed by Roger Daniel, printer to the universitie, 1646,
for J. Rothwell at the Sun in St. Paul’s Churchyard,
” to
which in The Second Booke of Divine
Poems by J. H.
” which is now become exceedingly scarce.
Recommendatory verses are prefixed to it by Jo. Pawson
(his tutor), H. More, W. Dillingham, W. Harrington, Ja.
Windet, R. Marshall, T. Smithsby, and Edw. Holland.
, a very eminent, pious, and learned English prelate, was born July 1, 1574, in Bristow-park,
, a very eminent, pious, and learned English prelate, was born July 1, 1574, in Bristow-park, within the parish of Ashby de la Zouch, in Leicestershire. His father was an officer to Henry earl of Huntingdon, then president of the North, and under him had the government of that town, which was the chief seat of the earldom. His mother was of the family of the Bembridge’s, and according to his own account, a woman of great piety. His parents had twelve children, and therefore, although disposed to bring up Joseph for the church, were inclined from motives of oeconomy to confine his education to the care of a private tutor. But Mr. Gilby, fellow of Emanuel college, hearing of this design, represented its disadvantages in such a manner to Mr. Hall’s eldest son, that the latter importuned his father that Joseph might be sent to the university, and generously offered to sacrifice part of his inheritance, rather than prevent his brother from enjoying the advantages of academical education. His father, struck with this mark of brotherly affection, declared that, whatever it might cost him, Joseph should be sent to the university.
He was accordingly removed to Cambridge at the age of fifteen, and admitted of Ernanuel college, of which he was chosen scholar,
He was accordingly removed to Cambridge at the age of fifteen, and admitted of Ernanuel college, of which he was chosen scholar, and took the degree of bachelor of arts. His residence, however, was not without its difficulties. In 1591, as his expences began to be felt in so large a family, he was recalled to fill the office of schoolmaster at Ashby de la Zouch, and would have been prevented from ever returning to college, had not Mr. Edmund Sleigh of Derby, an uncle by marriage, offered to defray half the expences of his residence at Cambridge, until he should attain the degree of master of arts; and this he liberally performed. Another difficulty still presented itself. In 1395, his rholar&hip exnir*^ a^rj +h Q statutes of the college permitting only one person of a county to become fellow, he was about to leave the university a second time, when the earl of Huntingdon prevailed on his countryman and tutor, Mr. Gilby, to resign his fellowship, on promise of being made his lordship’s chaplain, and receiving higher promotion Mr. Gilby consented, and the days of examination for the fellowship were appointed; but before two of the three days of trial had expired, news was brought of the sudden death of the earl, by which event Mr. Gilby was likely to be deprived of the conditions on which he resigned. Alarmed at this, our author, with very honourable feeling, went to the master of the college, Dr. Chaderton, and stated the case, offering at the same time to leave college, and hoping that Mr. Gilby could be re-admitted. The latter, however, he was told, could not take place, as the fellowship had been declared void, and the election must proceed whether he continued to be a candidate or not. Mr. Hall accordingly went to the third examination, and was unanimously chosen.
In 1596 he took his degree of master of arte, and acquitted himself on every public trial with great reputation.
In 1596 he took his degree of master of arte, and acquitted himself on every public trial with great reputation.
He read also the rhetoric lecture in the schools, but resigned it, when he found that it interfered with an object
more dear to him, the study of divinity; and he soon after
entered into holy orders. As we have no account of him
when at college, except the few particulars in his “
Specialities,
” written by himself, we cannot trace the progress
of his muse. It is not improbable that, like other juvenile
poets, he had written some pieces at a very early period of
life. All that is certain, however, is, that his satires were
published in 1597 and 1598 in the following order: “Virgidemiarurn (i. e. a gathering or harvest of rods), sixe
bookes. First three bookes of tooth-lesse satyrs, 1. Poetical.
2. Academical!. 3. Moral.
” Printed by T. Creede for R.
Dexter. “The three last bookes of byting satyrs,
” by R.
Bradock for Dexter,
g been published before he set out. At Brussels he entered into a conference with Coster the Jesuit, and confirmed his own religious persuasion by what he had occasion
Soon after his entering into the church, he was recommended by Dr. Chaderton to the lord chief justice Popham,
to be master of Tiverton -school in Devonshire, then newly
founded by Mr. Blundel; but he had scarcely accepted the
appointment, when lady Drury of Sufteld offered him the
rectory of Halsted near St. Edmundsbury, which induced
him to relinquish the school. Two years after his settlement at this place, he married a daughter of sir George
Winniff of Bretenham. In 1605, he accompanied sir Edmund Bacon to the Spa, where he composed his “Second
Century of Meditations,
” the first having been published
before he set out. At Brussels he entered into a conference with Coster the Jesuit, and confirmed his own religious persuasion by what he had occasion to see of the
practices and actual state of the Romish church, which he
states as the principal object that induced him to take this
journey. About a year and a half after, happening to be
in London, he was invited to preach before prince Henry
at Richmond palace, which he performed so much to his
highness’ s satisfaction, that he made him one of his chaplains f,
ter known than the prelate or the pole-Hist, of Poetry, and the Life of Hall in
ter known than the prelate or the pole-Hist, of Poetry, and the Life of Hall in
read bishop Hail’s Meditations and he was collated to the archdeaconry of
read bishop Hail’s Meditations and he was collated to the archdeaconry of
Sermons with pleasure and advantage, Nottingham, upon the promotion of
Sermons with pleasure and advantage, Nottingham, upon the promotion of
and still fewer that his poems were Wood’s Ath. vpl. I. Fasti. 155.
and still fewer that his poems were Wood’s Ath. vpl. I. Fasti. 155. Halsted, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the incumbent, who assured him that with such a deduction it was an incompetent maintenance, and that he had been obliged to write books in order to be able to buy some. These arguments not prevailing, he was about to resign Halsted, when Edward lord Denny, afterwards earl of Norwich, gave him the donative of Waltham Holy Cross in Essex. About the same time (1612) he took the degree of doctor in divinity.
He now returned home, and resumed his professional duties, happy in having overcome his
He now returned home, and resumed his professional
duties, happy in having overcome his perplexities, an in
the acquisition of a new patron, whom he valued so highly
as to refuse the prince’s invitation to reside near his person, and in the road to higher preferment. He was afterwards made a prebendary of the collegiate church of Wolverhampton, a very small endowment, but acceptable to
our author from the prospect it afforded of public usefulness; and after many law-suits he was the means of recovering some revenues belonging to the church which had
been unjustly withheld. He is said by all his biographers
to have retained the living of Waltham for twenty-two
years, and this assertion is founded on his own words in
his “Specialities;
” but as he expressed the time in numerals, there may be a mistake in the printing, for if he remained at Waltham twenty -two years, he must have kept
that living after he was bishop of Exeter, which is not very
probable, especially as we find there were three incumbents on the living of Waltham before 1637.
In 16)6 he attended the embassy of James Hay, viscount Doncaster, into France, and during his absence king James performed a promise he had made
In 16)6 he attended the embassy of James Hay, viscount
Doncaster, into France, and during his absence king James
performed a promise he had made before his setting out,
of conferring upon him the deanery of Worcester. In the
following year he accompanied his majesty into Scotland
as one of his chaplains; but on his return it was insinuated
to the king that Dr. Hall leaned too much to the presbyterian interpretation of the five points , the discussion of
which at that time occupied the attention of the protestant
world: on this he was required to give his opinion in writing, with which the king was so well satisfied, and found
himself s* much of his way of thinking, that he commanded
it to be read in the university of Edinburgh. In 1618 he
was sent to the synod of Dort, which was summoned by
the states-general, and consisted of the most eminent divines deputed from the United Provinces, and churches of
England, Scotland, Switzerland, &c. and its objectwas to
decide the controversy between the Calvinists and Arminians respecting the five points. Dr. Hairs companions on
this mission were Dr. Carleton, bishop of Landaff, and
afterwards of Chichester, Dr. Davenant, master of Queen’s
college, Cambridge, and Dr. Ward, master of Sidney; but
the state of his health requiring his return after about two
months, his place was supplied by Dr. Goad. During his
short residence, however, he preached a Latin sermon before the synod, and on his departure, among other honourable testimonies of their esteem, received from them, a
rich gold medal which is painted suspended on his breast
in the fine portrait now in Emanuel college. It appears
by his treatise entitled “Via Media,
” that he was not
extremely rigid with respect to all the five points; but his
was not an age for moderation, and no party sought a
middle way.
s defence is worthy of notice. “I entered upon that place (the bishopric) not without much prejudice and suspicion on some hands; for some who sat at the stern of the
In 1624 he refused the bishopric of Gloucester, but in
1627 accepted that of Exeter, to which he was consecrated
Dec. 23, holding with it in commendam the rectory of St.
Breock in Cornwall. At this time he appears again to
have lain under the suspicion of being a favourer of the
puritans. What he says in his defence is worthy of notice. “I entered upon that place (the bishopric) not without much prejudice and suspicion on some hands; for some
who sat at the stern of the church, had me in great jealousy for too much favour of puritanism. I soon had intelligence who were set over me for spies; my ways were
curiously observed and scanned. Some persons of note in
the clergy, finding me ever ready to encourage those
whom I found conscionably forward and painful in their
places, and willingly giving way to orthodox and peaceable lecturers, in several parts of my diocese, opened
their mouths against me, both obliquely in the pulpits, and
directly at the court, complaining of my too much indulgence to persons disaffected, and my too much liberty of
frequent lecturings within my charge. The billows went
so high, that I was three several times upon my knees to
his majesty, to answer these great criminations; and what
contest I had with some graat lords concerning these particulars, it would be too long to report: only this, under
how dark a cloud I was here upon, I was so sensible, that
I plainly told the lord archbishop of Canterbury (Laud)
that rather than I would be obnoxious to these slanderous
tongues of his misinformers, I would cast off my rochet; I
knew I went right ways, and would not endure to live
under undeserved suspicion.
”
It must be allowed that the religious principles which he inculcated from the pulpit and the press, were much more consonant to what the puritans maintained,
It must be allowed that the religious principles which he inculcated from the pulpit and the press, were much more consonant to what the puritans maintained, than the lax Arminianism for which Laud contended, but at the same time bishop Hall’s zeal for episcopacy was not inferior to that of any supporter of the church. Few men, indeed, wrote more, or suffered more, in the cause. He published, even when publishing became hazardous, several able treatises in defence of the liturgy and church discipline; and was the powerful antagonist of Marshall, Calamy, Young, Newcomen, and Spurstow, who wrote a celebrated book called Smectymnuus (a title made up of their initials, Christian and surname), and all this he boldly ventured, when the republican party had possessed themselves of the fortresses of civil and ecclesiastical government, and were about to substitute power for argument; nor was it long before they made him experience the dangers of a high station in the church.
bishop of Norwich; but on the 30th of December following, having joined with the archbishop of York, and eleven other prelates, in a protest against the validity of
On the 15th of November, 1641, he was translated, by the little power now left to the king, to be bishop of Norwich; but on the 30th of December following, having joined with the archbishop of York, and eleven other prelates, in a protest against the validity of such laws as should be made during their compelled absence from parliament, he was ordered to be sent to the Tower with his brethren on the 30th of January, 1641-2. Shortly after, they were impeached by the commons of high treason, and on their appearance in parliament were treated with the utmost rudeness and contempt. The commons, however, did not think fit to prosecute the charge of high treason, having gained their immediate purpose by driving them from the house of lords, and he and his brethren were ordered to be dismissed; but upon another pretext they were again sent to the Tower, and it was not until June following that he was finally released on giving bail for 5000l. He immediately returned to Norwich, and being received with rather more respect than could be hoped for in the then state of popular opinion, he resumed his functions, frequently preaching, as was his custom, to crowded audiences, and enjoying the forbearance of the predominant party till the beginning of April, 1643, when the destruction of the church could no longer be delayed. About this time, the ordinance for sequestering notorious delinquents having passed, and our prelate being included by name, a distinction which his writings and his popularity had merited, all his rents were stopped, even the half-year then due; and a few days after, the sequestrators entered his palace, and began the work of devastation with unfeeling brutality, seizing at the same time all his property real and personal. Some notion of their proceedings may be formed from his own brief account.
ring-apparel, had not some of them declared their opinion to the contrary. These goods, both library and household-stuff of all kinds, were appointed to be exposed to
“The sequestrators sent certain men appointed by them
(whereof one had been burned in the hand) to appraise all
the goods that were in my house; which they accordingly
executed with all diligent severity, not leaving so much as
a dozen of trenchers, or my children’s pictures out of their
curious inventory: yea, they would have apprized our
very wearing-apparel, had not some of them declared their
opinion to the contrary. These goods, both library and
household-stuff of all kinds, were appointed to be exposed
to public sale; but in the mean time, Mrs. Goodwin, a
religious good gentlewoman, whom yet we had never
known or seen, being moved with compassion, very kindly
offered to lay down to the sequestrators the whole sum at
which the goods were valued; and was pleased to leave
them in our hands, for our use, till we might be able to
re-purchase them. As for the books, several stationers
looked on them, but were not forward to buy. At last Mr.
Cooke, a worthy divine of this diocese, gave bond to the
sequestrators, to pay them the whole sum whereat they
were set; which was afterwards satisfied out of that poor
pittance which was allowed me for my maintenance.
”
mployers at the seat of government disdained to vary their proceedings by such an act of generosity, and the Norwich committee were told that they had no power to allow
This “poor pittance
” had at first the appearance of
liberality, for when he applied to the committee of sequestrators at Norwich, they were either so ashamed of what
they had been compelled to do, or entertained so much
respect for his character, as to agree that he should have
400l. a-year out of the revenues of the bishopric. But
their employers at the seat of government disdained to vary
their proceedings by such an act of generosity, and the
Norwich committee were told that they had no power to
allow any such thing, but if his wife needed a maintenance.
upon her application to the lords and commons she might
receive a fifth part. After long delays, this was granted;
but the sequestrators produced such confused accounts, that
the bishop could never ascertain what a fifth part meant,
and was obliged to take what they offered. And that even
this pittance might wear the appearance of insult and persecution, after they had cut off all his resources they demanded assessments and monthly payments for the very
estates they had seized, and levied distresses upon him in
spite of every assurance that he had given up all. They
even commanded him to find the arms usually furnished
by his predecessors, although they had deprived him of all
power over his diocese.
While he remained in his palace, he was continually exposed to the insolence of the soldiery and mob, who were plundering and demolishing the windows and monuments
While he remained in his palace, he was continually exposed to the insolence of the soldiery and mob, who were
plundering and demolishing the windows and monuments
of the cathedral. At length he was ordered to leave his
house, and would have been exposed to the utmost extremity, had not a neighbour offered him the shelter of his
humble roof. Some time after, but by what interest we
are not told, the sequestration was taken off a small estate
which he rented at Higham near Norwich, to which he retired. His sufferings had not damped his courage, as in
1644 we find him preaching in Norwich, wherever he
could obtain the use of a pulpit, and, with yet more boldness, in the same year he sent “A modest offer of some
meet considerations,
” in favour of episcopacy, addressed
to the assembly of divines. During the rest of his life he
appears to have remained at Higham unmolested, performing the duties of a faithful pastor, and exercising such
hospitality and charity as his scanty means permitted. He
died Sept. 8, 1656, in the eighty-second year of his age,
and was buried in the church-yard of Higham without any
memorial. In his will he says, “I leave my body to be
buried without any funeral pomp, at the discretion of my
executors, with this only monition, that I do not hold
God’s house a meet repository for the dead bodies of the
greatest saints.
” His wife died in
His works were published at various periods in folio, quarto, and duodecimo. They have lately been collected w a very handsome,
His works were published at various periods in folio,
quarto, and duodecimo. They have lately been collected
w a very handsome, correct, and well-arranged edition,
by the rev. Josias Pratt, in 10 vols. 8vo. The “Meditations
” have been often reprinted. As a moralist he has
been entitled the Christian Seneca; his knowledge of the
world, depth of thought, and elegance of expression, place
him nearer our own times than many of his contemporaries,
while he adorned his age by learning, piety, and the uniform exercise of all the Christian graces. It would, indeed, be difficult to mention a prelate of more excellent
character, or one, of his time, whose talents and sufferings,
whose zeal in prosperity, and courage in adversity, deserve
more honourable mention.
, son of the preceding, was born at Waltham Holy Cross in 1612, while his father was rector there, and was admitted commoner of Exeter college, Oxford, in 1628. After
, son of the preceding, was born at
Waltham Holy Cross in 1612, while his father was rector
there, and was admitted commoner of Exeter college, Oxford, in 1628. After taking his degrees and obtaining a
fellowship, he was in 1639 collated to a prebend of Exeter.
In 1641 he was made archdeacon of Cornwall on the resignation of his brother Robert, and had also the rectory
of Minhinnet in that county, but was sequestered by the
usurping powers, and although he would have kept a
school for his subsistence, was not suffered even that resource. On the restoration, he was first made canon of
Windsor, and afterwards bishop of Chester, with which he
held Wigan in Lancashire, a living that was for several
turns presented to the bishops of Chester. His death, on
Aug. 23, 1668, was occasioned by a wound received by a
knife, which happened to be in his pocket, when he fell
from the mount in his garden at Wigan. He published
some sermons, and a treatise entitled “The Triumphs of
Rome over despised Protestancy,
” Lond.
t’s college, Cambridge, which his principles obliged him to leave about 1572. He then went to Doway, and thence to Italy, where he resumed his studies and took his degree
, a Roman catholic writer, was educated at Christ’s college, Cambridge, which his principles
obliged him to leave about 1572. He then went to Doway,
and thence to Italy, where he resumed his studies and took
his degree of D. D. Returning afterwards to Doway, he
obtained a professorship and some preferment. He died
in 1604-. He wrote some books of controversy; but is
chiefly worthy of notice now, as the author of that “Life
of bishop Fisher
” which goes under the name of Bailey.
He left it in manuscript at his death, and it was long
preserved as a choice rarity in the library of the English Benedictines at Dieuward in Lorraine; but several transcripts
getting abroad, one fell into the hands of Thomas Bailey,
D. D. a son of Bailey, or Bayly, bishop of Bangor. This
Dr. Bailey, who was a Roman catholic, sold it to a bookseller, by whom it was printed at London in 1655, under
the editor’s name. In 1739 another edition was published
at London, 12mo, edited by Coxeter. It is valued as a
narrative of considerable interest and authenticity.
, a learned nonconformist, was born at Worcester July 22, 1610, and after being educated in grammar at the king’s school there,
, a learned nonconformist, was born at
Worcester July 22, 1610, and after being educated in
grammar at the king’s school there, under Mr. Henry
Bright, was entered at Baliol-college in 1624, whence he
soon removed to Pembroke, and had for his tutor a Mr.
Thomas Lushington, a man eminent for learning. After
taking his first degree in arts, he returned home, and for
a while taught a private school, and preached at King’sNortou. About this time Wood says he began to adhere
to the puritans, but he adds, “was so rigid in his persuasion that he was disliked by the brethren.
” This perhaps
may he gathered from his works, some of which were written in opposition to unlicensed preachers, fifth-monarchy
men, and other extravagancies of the times. He was afterwards master of the free-school at KingVNorton, and curate of the place, the only preferments he had. He appears to have been a man of retired and studious habits,
and although averse to episcopacy and the ceremonies, free
from turbulence or open interference in the commotions of
the times. He died April 13, 1665, and was buried at
KingVNorton, to the school of which he was a bountiful
benefactor in the establishment of a library there, as well
as to the library of Birmingham school. Among his works
are many controversial tracts enumerated by Wood, commentaries on some parts of the Scriptures, and some translations, adapted apparently for the use of schools, from
Ovid.
university of Paris, was born at Bayeux in Normandy, September 8, 1611. He studied philosophy, law, and divinity, for five years in the university of Caen; and also
, professor of canon law in the university of Paris, was born at Bayeux in Normandy, September 8, 1611. He studied philosophy, law, and divinity,
for five years in the university of Caen; and also applied
himself to poetry, under the direction of his uncle Anthony
Halle, who was a Latin poet of some note, with such success, that he gained the prizes in the poetical exercises
that are performed every year in these two cities, “to the
honour of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary.
”
This procured him so much reputation, that, though he
was still very young, he was chosen professor of rhetoric
in the university of Caen. Some time afier, being rector
of the university, he made an oration to M. Seguier, chancellor of France, then in Normandy, to -suppress some
popular insurrections; which was so much approved by
that head of the law, that he received a doctor of law’s degree from him in 1640. He attended M. Seguier to Paris,
and gained such reputation by some pieces he published,
that they offered him the mastership of five different colleges; and he was incorporated in his absence (a very unusual thing) into the body of the university in 1641. He
was made king’s poet, and reader of the Latin and Greek
tongues in the royal college in 1646. His assiduous application to study having ruined his health, he was obliged to
rest for two years, in order to recover it. He afterwards
resolved to raise the glory of the faculty of the law, which
was miserably sunk; and in 1655 he obtained the post
of regius professor of the canon law, when he vigorously
began, and, though he met with great difficulties, successfully executed what he had resolved. Besides “Canonical Institutions,
” which he published in A Collection of Latin Poems and Orations.
” He died December 27, 1689.
, one of the most eminent physicians and philosophers of the eighteenth century, was born at Berne, Oct.
, one of the most eminent physicians and philosophers of the eighteenth century, was born at Berne, Oct. 16, 1708. He was the son of Nicholas de Haller, an advocate of considerable distinction in his profession, who had a numerous family. Albert was the youngest of five sons. From the commencement of his education, he discovered a great capacity for literature of every kind; to forward the progress of his studies, his father took into his family a private tutor, named Abraham Billodz; but such was the discipline employed by this pedagogue, that the accidental sight of him at any subsequent period of life, excited in Haller those painful recollections, of which all may have some idea who have been tutored with rigid severity. The progress of Haller’s studies, however, at the earliest periods of life, was rapid almost beyond belief. When other children were beginning only to read, he was studying Bayle and Moreri, and at nine years of age he was able to translate Greek, and was beginning to learn Hebrew. Not long after this, however, the course of his education was somewhat interrupted by the death of his father, which happened when he was in the thirteenth year of his age. After this he was sent to the public school at Berne, where he exhibited many specimens of early and uncommon genius. He was distinguished for his knowledge in the Greek and Latin languages, but principally for his poetical genius; and his essays of this kind, which were published in the German language, were read and admired throughout the whole empire.
th year of his age he began the study of medicine at Tubingen, under those eminent teachers Duvernoy and Camerarius; and continued there for the space of two years,
In the sixteenth year of his age he began the study of medicine at Tubingen, under those eminent teachers Duvernoy and Camerarius; and continued there for the space of two years, when the reputation of the celebrated Boerhaave drew him to Leyden. Nor was this distinguished teacher the only man from whose superior abilities he had there an opportunity of profiting. Ruysch was still alive, and Albinus was rising into fame. Animated by such examples, he spent all the day, and the greatest part of the night, in the most intense study; and the proficiency which he made gained him universal esteem, both from his teachers and fellow-students. From Holland, in 1727, he came to England, where, however, his stay was but short, it being his intention rather to visit the illustrious men of that period than to prosecute his studies at London, and he formed connections with some of the most eminent of them. He was honoured with the friendship of Douglas and Cheselden, and he met with a reception proportioned nis merit from sir Hans Sloane, president of the royal society. After his visit to Britain he went to France, and ere, under those eminent masters, Winslow and Le Bran, with the latter of wbom he resided during his stay in Paris, be had opportunities of prosecuting anatomy which he bad not before enjoyed. But the zeal of our youno-ana. tomist was greater than the prejudice* of the people at that period, even in the enlightened city of Paris, could admit of. An information being lodged against him to the police, for dissecting dead bodies, he was obliged to make a precipitate retreat to Basil, where he became a pupil to the celebrated Bernoulli!.
Thus improved and instructed by the lectures of the most distinguished teachers
Thus improved and instructed by the lectures of the most distinguished teachers of that period, by uncommon natural abilities, and by unremitting industry, he returned to Berne in the twenty-sixth year of his age. Not long after this, he offered himself a candidate, first for the office of physician to an hospital, and afterward for a professorship. But neither the character which he acquired before he left his native country, nor the fame which he had accumulated abroad, were sufficient to combat the interest opposed to him. He was disappointed in both; and it was even with difficulty that he obtained in the following year the appointment of keeper to a public library at Berne. The exercise of this office, however, although ill suited to his great abilities, was agreeable to him, as it afforded him an opportunity for that extensive reading by which he has been so justly distinguished; nor did this neglect of his merit diminish his ardour, or detract from his reputation either at home or abroad. He was soon after nominated a professor in the university of Gottingen, by king George II. The duties of this important office, which he discharged with no less honour to himself than advantage to the public, afforded him an ample field for the exertion of those great talents he possessed. Extensively acquainted with the sentiments of others respecting the ceconomy of the human body, struck with the diversity of opinions which they held, and sensible that the only means of investigating truth was by careful and candid experiment, he undertook the arduous task of exploring the phenomena of human nature from the original source. In these pursuits he was no less industrious than successful, and there was hardly any function of the body on which his experiments did not reflect either a new or a stronger light. Nor was it long necessary for him, in this arduous undertaking, to labour alone. The example of the preceptor inspired his pupils with the spirit of industrious exertion. Zinn, Zimmerman, Caldani, and many others, laboured with indefatigable industry to prosecute and to perfect the discoveries of their great master. And the mutual exertions of the teacher and his students not only tended to forward the progress of medical science, but placed the philosophy of the human body on a more sure, and an almost entirely new basis.
similar pursuits. To him, the anatomical theatre, the school of midwifery, the chirurgical society, and the royal academy of sciences at Gottingen, owe their origin.
But the labours of Dr. Haller during his residence at Gottingen, were by no means confined to any one department of science. He was not more anxious to be an improver himself, than to instigate others to similar pursuits. To him, the anatomical theatre, the school of midwifery, the chirurgical society, and the royal academy of sciences at Gottingen, owe their origin. Such distinguished merit could not fail to meet with a suitable reward from the sovereign under whose protection he then taught. The king of Great Britain not only honoured him with every mark of attention which he himself could bestow, but procured him also letters of nobility from the emperor. The title, however, of baron de Haller, he never assumed, although it was often bestowed on him. On the death of Dillenius he had an offer of the professorship of botany at Oxford the states of Holland invited him to the chair of the younger Albinus and the king of Prussia was anxious that he should be the successor of Maupertuis at Berlin. Marshal Keith wrote to him in the name of his sovereign, offering him the chancellorship of the university of Halle, vacant by the death of the celebrated Wolff. Count Orlowr invited him to Russia, in the name of his mistress, the empress, offering him a distinguished place at St. Petersburgh. The king of Sweden conferred on him an unsolicited honour, by raising him to the rank of knighthood, of the order of the polar star; and the late Joseph II. emperor of Germany, honoured him with a personal visit.
Thus honoured by sovereigns, revered by men of literature, and esteemed by all Europe, he had it in his power to have held
Thus honoured by sovereigns, revered by men of literature, and esteemed by all Europe, he had it in his power
to have held the highest rank in the republic of letters.
Yet, declining all the tempting offers which were made to
him, he continued at Gottingen, anxiously endeavouring
to extend the rising fame of that medical school. But
after seventeen years residence there, an ill state of health
rendering him less fit for the duties of the important office which he held, he solicited and obtained permission
from the regency of Hanover to return to his native city of
Berne. His fellow-citizens, who might at first have fixed
inm among themselves, with no less honour than advantage
to their city, were now as sensible as others of his superior
merit. A pension was settled upon him for life, and he
was nominated at different times to fill the most important
offices in the state. These occupations, however, did not
diminish his ardour for useful improvements. He was the
first president, as well as the greatest promoter, of the
economical society at Bern; and may he considered as the
father and founder of the orphan hospital of that city.
Declining health at length restrained his exertions in the
more active scenes of life, and for many years he was
confined entirely to his own house. But even this could
not put a period to his studies; he continued his favourite
employment of writing till within a few days of his death,
and preserved his senses and composure to the last moment, meeting death with the calmness of a philosopher,
and what is transcendently superior, the lively faith of a
Christian. His last words were addressed to the physician
who attended him. “My friend,
” said he to M. Rosselet,
u the artery no longer beats," and immediately he expired, at the age of sixty-nine years, on the 12th of December, 1777.
o deserve the highest praise. In conversation he was most agreeable. His elocution was free, strong, and concise; and his knowledge remarkably diversified. His immense
The personal character of this extraordinary man is universally acknowledged to deserve the highest praise. In conversation he was most agreeable. His elocution was free, strong, and concise; and his knowledge remarkably diversified. His immense reading, fertile and faithful memory, and sound judgment, gave satisfaction to men of all dispositions. He was superior to the affectation of wit, and equally disdained to make a parade of his knowledge. His disposition was gentle, and his heart replete with sensibility. All his writings are expressive of his love of virtue. Ever pure in his own morals, he beheld with regret the neglect of them in others; and sincerely lamented the influence which irregularities in private life seemed likely to produce on the manners of the state.
f thinking, had beeo happily impressed with the grand idea of a God, the great origin of all beings, and with the belief of eternity, “that ancient source as well as
But his religious principles form his highest honour.
Religion was the object of his most serious inquiries, even
from his earliest youth, at which period it was his happiness
to enjoy a religions education. His comprehensive mind,
ever capable of a just mode of thinking, had beeo happily
impressed with the grand idea of a God, the great origin
of all beings, and with the belief of eternity, “that ancient source as well as universal sepulchre of worlds and
ages, in which the duration of this globe is lost as that of a
day, and the life of map. as a moment.
” Persuaded of a
future life, he waited with confidence for that consummation which shall dissipate the mists of human wisdom, and
display to us the universe such as it actually is, by the
light of a new luminary, emanating from the Divinity himself. It was impossible that a spirit thus elevated, and
constantly employed in researches after truth, could neglect
to inquire into that most important one, the religion of his
ancestors and of his country. Convinced of the reality of
revelation, by diligently studying the scriptures, he could
not behold with indifference any attacks on this fundamental law, this strongest bond of society; and at a time
when other illustrious men prostituted their fame and talents in making dangerous attacks upon religion, he thought
it his duty to enter the lists as her avowed champion and
defender.
r modern infidels to associate with themselves, if at all possible, men of eminent literary talents, and it must be confessed, they have been often too successful, especially
It has been usual for modern infidels to associate with themselves, if at all possible, men of eminent literary talents, and it must be confessed, they have been often too successful, especially with medical professors and practitioners, but Haller disdained such an association. Of this we have a remarkable proof which occurred soon after he had published his discoveries relative to irritability. On this property of animated matter, the unprincipled La Mettrie, the Dr. Sangrado of his day, laid the foundation of a system of materialism; and he had the impudence to dedicate it to Haller, declaring that to him he owed the acquisition of the great truths which it contained. Haller considered what La Mettrie meant for jocularity, as a serious insult; and observed, with horror, that he was held up to Europe as a favourer of materialism, or at least as the inventor of principles which served as a basis for that doctrine. Neither the respect which he had constantly declared for Christianity, in all his works, nor his mode of life, so conformable to the precepts of the Gospel, seemed sufficient to secure him against this imputation. He complained of it bitterly, and La Mettrie, in his answer, assumed the same tone; and Haller had prepared to publish a long and serious refutation of the charge, when he was informed of the death of his antagonist, and discovered, that, deceived by an excess of delicacy, which was, doubtless, laudable, he alone had been made the dupe of La Mettrie’s irony.
ng pains. This would have been purchasing an useless fact at too great a price. Haller perceived it, and the compassion he felt for the victims of his researches is
Another trait of his character may here be introduced, which is of more importance than the institutors of wanton experiments are disposed to allow. His humanity must have suffered in making experiments which could not be conducted without subjecting a great number 'of animals to most excruciating pains. This would have been purchasing an useless fact at too great a price. Haller perceived it, and the compassion he felt for the victims of his researches is often apparent in the narrative of his experiments. We behold him impressed with a kind of remorse, and omitting no occasion of expatiating on the utility which may be derived from them to mankind. He even seems desirous to believe that these animals suffer no pain, and is unwilling to renounce the opinion of Descartes. To such dilemmas may the best of men be reduced, when, from whatever motive, they are performing an action in itself wrong. We are willing, however, to believe, that he was as sparing as possible in such experiments.
In person Haller was tall and majestic, and of a serious and expressive countenance; he had
In person Haller was tall and majestic, and of a serious
and expressive countenance; he had at times an open
smile, always a pleasing tone of voice, usually low, and
seldom elevated, even when he was most agitated. He
was fond of unbending himself in society, and was on those
occasions remarkably cheerful, polite, and attentive; he
would converse with the ladies on fashions, modes of dress,
and other trifles, with as much ease as if he had never
secluded himself from the world. Mr. Bonnet informed
Mr. Coxe that Haller wrote with equal facility the German,
French, and Latin tongues; that he was so well acquainted
with all the European languages, except the Russian, Polish, and Hungarian, as to speak with the natives in their
respective idioms. When he conversed on any science or
subject of literature, his knowledge was so extensive, that
he seemed to have made that his particular study. His
profound erudition in every branch of science is well
known to all who are conversant with his works: but the
variety of his information, and the versatility of his talents,
are thus delineated by Tscharner Lobrede, who was his
particular friend “He possessed a fundamental knowledge
of natural history was well read in history, both ancient
and modern, universal and particular; and uncommonly
versed in the state of agriculture, manufactures, trade,
population, literature, and languages of the respective
nations of Europe he had read with attention the most
remarkable voyages and travels and was particularly
conversantin the late discoveries which tend to illustrate the
geography of the globe. He had even perused many
thousand novels and plays; and possessed such an astonishing memory, that he could detail their contents with the
utmost precision. As it was his custom to make extracts,
and to give his opinion of every book which came into his
hands, as well for his own private use, as for the Gottingen Review (in which his department embraced history, medicine, anatomy, natural history, and several miscellaneous works, especially those which appeared in Italy),
he read most new publications; and so eager was he usually
in the perusal, that he laid them upon the table even when
he was at dinner, occasionally looking into them, and
marking those parts with a pencil which he afterward extracted or commented upon. He was accustomed to make
his remarks on small pieces of paper, of different sizes,
which he placed in order and fastened together; a method
he learned from Leibnitz.
” It may be added, as one
weakness in this great character, that he was always impatient under sickness, as well from his extreme susceptibility of pain, as because he was precluded in that situation from his literary occupations. He was fond, therefore,
of taking violent remedies, more calculated to remove the
immediate effects of pain, and to check his disorder, than
to cure it radically. In his latter years he accustomed himself to opium, which, Zimmerman informs us, he took in
so large a dose as eight grains, and which operated as a
temporary palliative, but increased his natural impatience.
This restlessness of temper, which occasionally disturbed
his tranquillity even in his younger clays, and in the full
flow of his health and spirits, was considerably heightened
by the advances of age, and the disorders which shattered
his frame toward the close of his days.
during a residence of some time at Bienne in 1723, he composed several pieces in the epic, dramatic, and lyric styles, his genius being awakened by the romantic scenery
In his youth, during a residence of some time at Bienne
in 1723, he composed several pieces in the epic, dramatic, and lyric styles, his genius being awakened by the
romantic scenery of the country to poetical enthusiasm.
At this period he was so entirely absorbed in his favourite
study, that on a fire breaking out in the house in which he
lived, he rushed into his apartment, and rescued his poetry
from the flames, leaving his other papers, with little regret,
to destruction. Afterward, when a more mature age had
ripened his judgment, he was frequently heard to say that
he had preserved from the flames those composition^ which
he then thought the finest productions of human genius,
in order at a future period to consign them to destruction,
as unworthy of his pen. In the sequel, however, he was
more successful in his poetical effusions. In 1729 he
composed his poem “On the Alps,
” on which critics have
been highly lavish of praise. He likewise wrote some
ethic epistles on the “The Imperfection of human Virtue,
on Superstition and Infidelity, the origin of Evil, and on
the vanity of Honour;
” also various “Satires,
” “Doris 3
” a pastoral on his first wife, and his much admired “Elegy
on her death.
” It is a convincing proof of Haller’s versatile genius and extraordinary mental powers, that be
should have so eminently excelled in poetry, which, except
in his early youth, he never considered otherwise than as
an amusement, either to soothe him under afflictions, or to
console him for the envy and neglect of his contemporaries.
The soundest German critics place Haller among the most
eminent of their poets: and consider sublimity as the grand
characteristic of his writings. They acknowledge that he
improved the harmony and richness of his native tongue;
that he possessed the highest powers of invention and
fancy; great originality both in his ideas and language;
that he is the true colourist of nature that he sounded the
depths of metaphysical and moral science and that he
equally excels in picturesque descriptions, in soft and
delightful imagery, in elevated sentiments, and philosophical precision. A few supercilious critics have reproached his poetry with occasional obscurities, and accuse
him of having introduced a new language affectedly averse
to the common modes of diction; but twenty-two successive editions of his German poems, and the translation of
them into the principal languages of Europe, prove that
they possess the great aim of poetry, that of pleasing and
interesting the reader.
living, against Revelation.” His own religious principles, it has been already remarked, were fixed; and having imbibed the system of Calvin, this was supposed to have
To his other writings he added, in the German tongue,
“Letters to his Daughter, on the truth of the Christian
Revelation,
” which have been translated into English. He
published also an extract from Ditton’s “Truth of the
Resurrection of Jesus Christ,
” which he acknowledges to
have first cleared any doubts he might entertain on that
subject. He avows at the same time tflat he received
infinite satisfaction from the study of the New Testament,
because he was never more certain of holding converse
with the Deity than when he read his will in that divine
book. In 1775 he published, in German, “Letters concerning several late attempts of Free-thinkers yet living,
against Revelation.
” His own religious principles, it has
been already remarked, were fixed; and having imbibed
the system of Calvin, this was supposed to have occasioned
some uneasiness and anxiety to him on his death, but he
finally obtained consolation.
rks form an imperishable monument to his memory. The most of his various dissertations on anatomical and physiological subjects, published during his residence at Gottingen,
His scientific works form an imperishable monument to
his memory. The most of his various dissertations on anatomical and physiological subjects, published during his
residence at Gottingen, were collected, revised, and reprinted in 1751, under the title of“Opuscula Anatomica,
de respiratione, de rnonstris, aliaque minora, quae recensuit,
emendavit, auxit. Addidit alia inedita, et novas icones,
”
Gottingae, 8vo. The principal publications within the period just mentioned were, his great work on the botany of
Switzerland, the first edition of which appeared in 1742,
under the title of “Enurneratio methodica Stirpium Helvetise indigenarum, &c.
” folio which, after undergoing considerable corrections and augmentations, was given under
its perfect form, entitled “Historia Stirpium Helvetiae indigenarum,
” in Commentarii ad Hermanni Boerhaave Praelectiones
Academicas, &c.
” appeared in seven successive volumes,
8vo, between Prelections,
” from a ms copy of
his own, collated with others. In 1743, he began to publish fasciculi of anatomical plates in folio, particularly relative to the blood-vessels in situ, which are among the
most valuable of these helps to the study of the human
frame. They were entitled “Iconum Anatomicarum,
quibus praecipuae partes corporis humani delineate continentur, Fascic.
” The plates amount to thirty-six in number. The first edition of his excellent little work “PrimsB
Lmese Physiologic in usum Praelectionum Academicarum
” was published in Methodus Studii Medici,
” with so many additions, that by
much the greater part was his own; it may be considered
as a prelude to his later “Bibliothecae.
” He delivered two
academical discourses in Dissertation sur les parties sensibles et
irritables des Animaux,
” Lausanne, 12mo. Besides these
works, he printed a catalogue of plants growing in the
botanic garden, and in the district, of Gottingen; observations made in a journey to the Hercynian forest in 1738,
and an “Iter Helveticum, anni 1739;
” and likewise a number of botanical papers, which were collected in his
“Opuscula Botanica,
”
owing year he printed “Deux Memoires sur le Mouvement du Sang, et sur les Effets de la Saignee, &c.” and a continuation of his inquiries respecting irritability and
In 1755 he published his “Opuscula Pathologica, quibus
sectiones cadaverum morbosorum potissimum continentur,
”
at Lausanne, 8vo. In the following year he printed “Deux
Memoires sur le Mouvement du Sang, et sur les Effets de
la Saignee, &c.
” and a continuation of his inquiries respecting irritability and sensibility, entitled “Memoires sur
la nature sensible et irritable des partes du Corps Animal,
”
Lausanne, 4 vols. 12mo. He likewise sent to the press a
collection of theses, under the title of “Disputationes Chirurgicae selects,
” ibid. Elementa Physiologiae Corporis
Humani,
” began to make its appearance: the first volume,
in 4 to, having been published at Lausanne in 1757, and
the eighth and last in 1766. Such a vast collection of
well-authenticated facts, with so much accurate description and truly scientific argumentation, so well arranged,
was never perhaps brought together upon any subject; and
of this the author’s own discoveries made a very conspicuous part. His other anatomical writings are principally
comprised in his “Opera anatomica minora,
” in Deux Memoires
sur la Formation du Cceur dans le Poulet, &c.
” containing
the result of three years’ experiments at Berne, in which
he traced, hour after hour, the developement of the parts
of the chick in ovo, and especially of the heart. There
are besides many separate tracts, which it would be tedious
to enumerate.
These were his “Bibliothecse,” containing a chronological list of every book, of every age, country, and language, respecting subjects connected with medicine, which
But before we complete the catalogue of the labours of
Haller in favour of medical science, we have to notice a
series of volumes, which alone would have entitled him to
the praise of a life well spent in the service of his profession. These were his “Bibliothecse,
” containing a chronological list of every book, of every age, country, and
language, respecting subjects connected with medicine,
which had come to his knowledge, with brief analyses, and
opinions. Of these he published the “Bibl. Botanica,
”
Bibl. Chirurgica,
” Bibl. Anatomica,
” Bibl. Medicinæ
Practicæ,
”
zabeth Buchers, in 1738, who died in childbed the same or the following year; both natives of Berne; and lastly in 1739, to Amelia Frederica Teichmeyer, a German lady,
Haller was three times married first to Marianne Wytsen, in 1731, who died in 1736; secondly to Elizabeth
Buchers, in 1738, who died in childbed the same or the
following year; both natives of Berne; and lastly in 1739,
to Amelia Frederica Teichmeyer, a German lady, who survived him. He left eight children, four sons and four
daughters, all of whom he lived to see established. His
eldest son, Gotlieb Emmanuel, who was born in 1735,
followed his father’s example in dedicating himself to the
service of his country, and to the pursuits of literature,
He was elected member of the great council, and obtained
various employments under government, particularly the
baillage of Nyon, in which situation he died in 1786. He
distinguished himself as an author by various publications
tending to illustrate the history and literature of Swisserland, and particularly by his “Swiss Library,
” in 6 vols.
8vo, of which he lived to publish only the first Another
valuable work of his was entitled " Cabinet of Swiss Coins
and Medals.
, a dissenting clergyman, was born at Exeter in 1692, and educated under the care of Mr. Pierce, who was assistant to
, a dissenting clergyman, was born
at Exeter in 1692, and educated under the care of Mr.
Pierce, who was assistant to his father Mr. Hallet, minister
of a congregation of protestant dissentars in that city. Joseph was ordained in 1713, and in 1722 he succeeded his
father as joint-minister with Mdf. Pierce. Prior to this
event he had engaged in the controversy, then warmly
carried on in the west of England, concerning the Trinity;
and in 1720, adopted the principles of Dr. Clarke, which
he demonstrated in a treatise entitled “The Unity of God
not inconsistent with the Divinity of Christ; being remarks
upon Dr. Waterland’s Vindication, relating to the Unity of
God, and the Object of Worship.
” He published other
pieces on the same subject; but his reputation is chiefly
founded on his work entitled “A free and impartial Study
of the Holy Scriptures recommended, being notes on some
peculiar texts, with discourses and observations,
” Discourse of the nature, kinds, and numbers of our Saviour’s Miracles
” his
“Immorality of the Moral Philosopher,
” and his “Consistent Christian,
” against the infidel writers, Woolston,
Morgan, and Chubb. Mr. Hallet died in 1744.
, an eminent English philosopher and astronomer, was born at Haggerston, in the parish of St. Leonard,
, an eminent English philosopher and astronomer, was born at Haggerston, in the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, near London, October 29, 1656. His father, a wealthy soap-boiler in Winchester-street, put him to St. Paul’s school, under the learned Dr. Thomas Gale, but his h'rst tutor is said to have been his father’s apprentice, who taught him writing and arithmetic at nine years old. At school he not only excelled in all parts of classical learning, but made such uncommon progress in mathematics, that, as Wood says, he had perfectly learnt the use of the celestial globe, and could make a complete dial; and we are informed by Halley himself, that he observed the change of the variation of the magnetic needle at London, in 1672, that is, one year before he left school. In 1673 he was entered a commoner of Queers-college, in Oxford, where he applied himself to practical and geometrical astronomy, in which he was greatly assisted by a curious apparatus of instruments which his father, willing to encourage his son’s genius, had purchased for him. At nineteen he began to publish new observations and discoveries, and continued to do so to the end of a very long life; nor did he distinguish himself less in the practical part of the science. Several observations made by him concerning a spot in the sun, seen at Oxford in July and August 1676, were published, with others by Flamsteed upon the same subject, in the Philosophical Transactions. By these the motion of the sun round its own axis, a phenomenon till then not well ascertained, was finally determined. The same year he likewise observed there, on Aug. 21, a.n occultation of Mars by the Moon, which he made use of afterwards, with others, in settling the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope against the objections of the French astronomers.
dmission into college, pursued a general scheme for ascertaining the true places of the fixed stars, and thereby correcting the errors of Tycho Brahe. His original view
He had from his first admission into college, pursued a
general scheme for ascertaining the true places of the fixed
stars, and thereby correcting the errors of Tycho Brahe.
His original view was to carry on the design of that first
restorer of astronomy, by completing the catalogue of
those stars from his own observations; but upon farther
inquiry, finding this province taken up by Hevelius and
Flamsteed, he dropped that pursuit, and formed another;
which was, to perfect the whole scheme of the heavens by
the addition of the stars which lie so near the south pole
that they could not be observed by those astronomers, as
never rising above the horizon either at Dantzick or Greenwich. With this view he left the university, before he had
taken a degree, and applied himself to sir Joseph Williamson, then secretary of state, and to sir Jonas Moore, surveyor of the ordnance, both encouragers of these studies;
who, applauding his purpose, mentioned it to Charles II.
The king was much pleased with the plan, and immediately
recommended him to the East India Company, who readily
promised to supply him with every convenience, and to
carry him to St. Helena, then in their possession by a grant
from the crown, which he had been told was a proper situation for his design. Accordingly he embarked for that island
November 1676, and arriving there safely in three months,
began his task; but the frequent fogs which hover over the
island made it much more difficult than he expected, and
it was only by embracing every opportunity which offered
during his abode on the island, that he was enabled to execute his purpose. He ascertained the position of 350
Stars, and published an account of his labours in 1676,
under the title of “Catalogus Stellarum Australian.
” In
honour of his royal patron, he formed a new southern constellation, to which he gave the name of “Kobur Carolinum,
”
or the “Royal Oak.
” During his stay at St. Helena, he
had an opportunity of observing the transit of Mercury
over the sun’s disk; an observation of some importance,
because it could not be completely made in Europe, the
sun not being risen in that country at the beginning of the
transit. Having returned to England November 1678, the
king, greatly satisfied, gave him, at his own request, a letter of mandamus to the university of Oxford for the degree
of M. A. the words of which are, that “his majesty has
received a good account of his learning as to the mathematics and astronomy, whereof he has gotten a good testimony by the observations he has made during his abode
in the island of St. Helena.
” This letter was dated November 18, and the same month he was also chosen fellow
of the royal society. Indeed his catalogue of these southern stars merited particular honour; it was an entirely
new acquisition to the astronomical world, and might not
unaptly be called “Ccelum Australe eo usque incognitum;
” and thence he acquired a just claim to the title,
which by Flamsteed was not long after given him, the
Southern Tycho.
iety to go to Dantzick, for the satisfaction of Hevelius the consul, to adjust a dispute between him and our Hooke, about the preference of plain or glass sights in
In 1679 he was appointed by the royal society to go to Dantzick, for the satisfaction of Hevelius the consul, to adjust a dispute between him and our Hooke, about the preference of plain or glass sights in astroscopical instruments. He set out May 14 of this year, with a letter recommendatory from the society, and arrived at that city on the 26th. He waited on the consul immediately, and after some conversation, agreed to enter upon the business of his visit that same night; on which, and every night afterwards, when the sky permitted, the two astronomers made their observations together till July 18, when Halley left Dantzick, and returned to England. Here he continued till the latter end of the following year, 1680; when he set out upon what is usually called the grand tour, accompanied by the celebrated Mr. Nelson, who had been his school-fellow, and was his friend. They crossed the water in December to Calais; and in the mid-way thence to Paris, Haliey had, first of any one, a sight of the remarkable comet as it then appeared a second time that year in its return from the sun. He had the November before seen it in its descent, and now hastened to complete his observations upon it, in viewing it from the royal observatory of France. That building had been finished not many years before; and Halley’s design in this part of his tour was to settle a friendly correspondence between the two royal astronomers of Greenwich and Paris; embracing in the mean time every opportunity of improving himself under so great a master as Cassini, as he had done before under Hevelius. From Paris he went with his fellow-traveller, by the way of Lyons, to Italy, where he spent a great part of the year 1681; but his affairs then calling him home, he left Mr. Nelson at Rome, and returned to England, after making some stay a second time at Paris.
Soon after his return to England, he married the daughter of Mr. Tooke, auditor of the Exchequer; and took a house at Islington, where he immediately set up his tube
Soon after his return to England, he married the daughter of Mr. Tooke, auditor of the Exchequer; and took a
house at Islington, where he immediately set up his tube
and sextant, and eagerly pursued his favourite study. In
1683 he published his “Theory of the Variation of the
Magnetical Compass,
” in which he supposes the whole
globe of the earth to be one great magnet, having four
rnagnetical poles or points of attraction, two near the north
and two near the south pole. The same year also he entered early upon a new method of finding out the longitude
by a most accurate observation of the moon’s motion. His
pursuits are said to have been interrupted about this time
by the death of his father, who having suffered greatly by
the fire of London, as well as by a second marriage, into
which he had imprudently entered, was found to have
wasted his fortune. He soon, however, resumed his usual
occupations; for, January 1684, he turned his thoughts to
the theory of the planetary motions; and gravity occurred
to him, as it bad done to Dr. Hooke, as the probable cause.
But he could not satisfy himself as to the law according to
which this power diminishes, and therefore first applied to
Dr. Hooke and sir Christopher Wren; who not affording him
any assistance, he went to Cambridge to Newton, who
supplied him fully with what he had so ardently sought.
But Halley having now found an immense treasure, could
not rest till he had prevailed with the owner to enrich the
public with it, and to this interview the world is in some
measure indebted for the celebrated “Principia
” of Newton, which were published in Principia.
”
In 1685 he became clerk to the royal society, and seems, for several years about that period, to have been the
In 1685 he became clerk to the royal society, and seems,
for several years about that period, to have been the principal person employed in drawing up the “Philosophical
Transactions.
” In
o recommend him at courti; but, hear-likely to lose a professorship; which ing that he was a sceptic and a ban-he did accordingly, and it was the terer of religion,
* Whiston, in the Memoirs of his ley should talk with him about it, which
own Life, tells us from Dr. Bentlev, he did. But Halley was so sincere in
that Halley “being thought of for sue-his infidelity, that he would not so
cessor to the mathematical chair at Ox-much as pretend to believe the Chrisford, bishop Stilling&eet was desired tiau religiou, though he thereby was
to recommend him at courti; but, hear-likely to lose a professorship; which
ing that he was a sceptic and a ban-he did accordingly, and it was the
terer of religion, the bishop scrupled given to Dr. Gregory.
”
fco be concerned, till his chaplain Bent.
which, though it was well received both at home and
abroad, he found upon a review liable to great and insuperable objections. Yet the phenomena of the variation
of the needle, upon which it is raised, being so many certain and indisputed facts, he spared no pains to possess
himself of all the observations relating to it, he could possibly come at. To this end he procured an application to
be made to king William, who appointed him commander
of the Paramour Pink, August 19, 169S; with express
orders to seek by observations the discovery of the rule of
the variations, and, as the words of his commission run,
“to call at his majesty’s settlements in America, and make
such farther observations as are necessary for the better
laying down the longitude and latitude of those places, and
to attempt the discovery of what land lies to the south of
the Western ocean.
” He set out on this attempt November 24th following, and proceeded so far as to cross the
line; but his men growing sickly and untractable, and his
first lieutenant mutinying, he returned home in June 1699.
After getting his lieutenant tried and cashiered, he sailed
September following, a second time, having the same ship
with another of less bulk, of which he had also the command. He traversed the vast Atlantic Ocean from one
hemisphere to another, as far as the ice would permit him
to go; and, in his way back touched at St. Helena, the
coast of Brazil, Cape Verd, Barbadoes, Madeiras, the Canaries, the coast of Barbary, and many other latitudes,
arriving in England in September 1700. Having thus furnished himself with a competent number of observations,
he published in 1701, “A General Chart, shewing at one
view the Variation of the Compass in all those seas where
the English navigators were acquainted;
” and was the first
who laid a sure foundation for the discovery of the law or
rule whereby the said variation changes all over the world.
In 1775 the original journals of Dr. Halley’s two voyages
were published by Mr. Alexander Dalrymple, in a thin
quarto volume, but they are not of much value, and were
obviously never intended for publication by Dr. Halley
himself.
ission from the king, to observe the course of the tides in cry part of the British channel at home, and to take the wigitude and latitude of the principal head-lands,
Halley had been at home little more than half a year, en he went in the same ship with another express commission from the king, to observe the course of the tides in cry part of the British channel at home, and to take the wigitude and latitude of the principal head-lands, in order to lay down the coast truly. These orders were executed with his usual expedition and accuracy; and soon after his return he published, in 1702, a large map of the Britisli channel. The emperor of Germany having resolved to make a convenient and safe harbour for shipping in that part of his dominions which borders upon the Adriatic, Halley was sent this year by queen Anne to view the two ports on the Dalmatian coast, lying to that sea. He embarked November 27, went over to Holland, and passing thence through Germany to Vienna, proceeded to Istria, with a view of entering upon the execution of the emperor’s design; but, some opposition being given to it by the Dutch, it was laid aside. The emperor, however, presented him with a rich diamond ring from his finger, and gave him a letter of high commendation, written with his own hand, to queen Anne. He was likewise received with great respect by the king of the Romans, by prince Eugene, and the principal officers of that court. Presently after his arrival in England, he was dispatched again upon the same business; and, passing through Osnaburgh and Hanover, arrived at Vienna, and was presented the same evening to the emperor, who directly sent his chief engineer to attend him to Istria.
He returned to England November 1703; and, Wallis being deceased a few weeks before, Halley was appointed
He returned to England November 1703; and, Wallis
being deceased a few weeks before, Halley was appointed
Savilian professor of geometry at Oxford in his room, and
had the degree of LL. D. conferred upon him by that
university. He was scarcely settled at Oxford when Aidrich, dean of Christ Church, engaged him to translate into
Latin from the Arabic “Apollonius de Sectione llationis.
”
At the same time, from the account given of them by
Pappus, he restored the two books, which are lost, of the
same author, “De Sectione Spatii;
” and the whole was
published by him in one. volume, 8vo, at Oxford, Conies;
” and ventured to supply the whole 8th book,
which is lost, of the original. He likewise added Serenus
on the “Section of the Cylinder and Cone,
” printed from
the original Greek, with a Latin translation, and published
the whole, 1710, in folio; not to mention, that in the
midst of all these publications the “Miscellanea Curiosa,
”
in 3 vols. 8vo, had come out under his direction in 1708.
Jn 1713 he succeeded Dr. (afterwards sir) Haas Sloane, in
the post of secretary to the royal society; and, upon the
death of Flamsteed in 1719, was appointed to succeed him
at Greenwich by George I. which made Halley, that he
might be more at liberty for the proper business of his
situation, resign the post of secretary to the royal society
in 1721.
king George II. his consort queen Caroline thought proper to make a visit at the royal observatory; and, being pleased with every thing she saw, took notice that Dr.
Upon the accession of king George II. his consort queen Caroline thought proper to make a visit at the royal observatory; and, being pleased with every thing she saw, took notice that Dr. Halley had formerly served the crown as a captain in the navy; and she soon after obtained a grant of his half-pay for that commission, which he enjoyed from that time during his life. An offer was also made him of being appointed mathematical preceptor to the duke of Cumberland; but he declined that honour in consideration of his advanced age, and because he deemed the ordinary attendance upon that employment not consistent with the performance of his duty at Greenwich. In August 1729 he was admitted as a foreign member of the academy of sciences at Paris. About 1737 he was seized with a paralytic disorder in his right hand, which, it is said, was the first attack he ever felt upon his constitution: however, he came as usual once a week till within a little while before his death, to see his friends in town on Thursday, before the meeting of the royal society. His paralytic disorder increasing, his strength gradually wore away, and he came at length to be wholly supported by such cordials as were ordered by his physician Dr. Mead. He expired as he sat in his chair, without a groan, January 14, 1741-2, in his eighty-sixth year, and was interred at Lee, near Blackheath.
Halley’s astronomical tables, on which he laboured from 1725 till his death, were published in 1749, and were for many years the best and most complete with which astronomers
Halley’s astronomical tables, on which he laboured from 1725 till his death, were published in 1749, and were for many years the best and most complete with which astronomers were furnished, though of late years other tables have been constructed still more perfect, and entitled to a greater degree of confidence.
Dr. Halley was of a middle stature, inclining to tallness, of a thin habit of body, and fair complexion, and always spoke and acted with an uncommon
Dr. Halley was of a middle stature, inclining to tallness,
of a thin habit of body, and fair complexion, and always
spoke and acted with an uncommon degree of sprightliness
and vivacity. He was of an ardent and glowing temper, of
a generous and friendly disposition, and of great candour,
He retained his good spirits to the last, and used to say
“that a studious life generally contributes to make a long
one, by keeping a man out of harm’s way.
” That he was,
with all his learning and amiable qualifications, an infidel
in religions matters, seems as generally allowed as it appears unaccountable. It must, however, be deeply regretted that he cannot be numbered with those illustrious
characters who thought it not beneath them to be Christians, with Bacon and Milton, Boyle, Locke, and Newton.
, a celebrated French bishop, was born in 1595. He rose to be doctor and professor of the Sorboune, archdeacon of Dinan, prebendary of
, a celebrated French bishop, was
born in 1595. He rose to be doctor and professor of the
Sorboune, archdeacon of Dinan, prebendary of Chartres,
syndic of the faculty of divinity at Paris, and, at length,
bishop of Cavaillon in 1656. He travelled into Greece,
Italy, and England. Urban VIII. had so great a value for
him, that he twice nominated him to the bishopric of Toul;
and wishing to create two cardinals, one of which should
be a Frenchman, the other a Spaniard, proposed him, with
father de Lugo, for that dignity; but a strong faction, and
some reasons of state, placed the hat designed for M. Hallier on the head of the commander of Valencey. M. Hallier appeared with great distinction, as proctor, at the
assembly of the French clergy, 1645, in which the rules
concerning the regulars were revived, which he explained
by a learned “Commentary.
” On his second visit to
Kome in 1652, he solicited, both by personal application
and by writing, the condemnation of the five famous propositions of Jansenius, and obtained the bull “Cum occasione
” against them. He died in Defence of a censure of the faculty of theology at
Paris respecting the Bishops of England against the Jesuits;
” “Treatise on the Hierarchy;
” and a “Treatise
on Elections and Ordinations,
”
of Mr. Jebb, of Mansfield, by which alliance our author became first cousin of the late sir Richard, and Dr. John Jebb. He was admitted of Jesus college, Cambridge,
, a learned English prelate, was born at Mansfield in Derbyshire, Jan. 18, 1733. He was the eldest son of Mr. Samuel Hallifax, apothecary, by Hannah, daughter of Mr. Jebb, of Mansfield, by which alliance our author became first cousin of the late sir Richard, and Dr. John Jebb. He was admitted of Jesus college, Cambridge, where he distinguished himself in his academical exercises, and he was in the list of wranglers, as they are called, and obtained the chancellor’s gold medal forclassical learning, and some prize dissertations. He proceeded A. B. in 1744, and A.M. in 1747, and afterwards removed to Trinity Hall (where are only two fellowships in divinity), and proceeded LL.D. in 1761. In Nov. 1765 he was presented to the rectory of Chaddington, in Buckinghamshire, and in 1768 was elected professor of Arabic in the university of Cambridge, which he resigned in 1770 on being made regius professor of civil law. In February 1774 he was appointed chaplain in ordinary to his majesty; in 1775 was created D. D. by royal mandate, and on the death of Dr. Topham succeeded him as master of the faculties in Doctors Commons. From Mrs. Galley, relict of Dr. Galley, prebendary of Gloucester, he received, without any solicitation on his part, but merely as a reward for his eminent services in the cause of religion, the valuable rectory of Warsop, in Nottinghamshire, in 1778. In 1781 he was advanced to the see of Gloucester, and thence was translated to the see of St. Asaph in 1787, being the first English bishop that was translated to that see, and the second that was translated to a bishopric in North Wales. He died of the stone, March 4, 1790, when only fifty-seven years of age. He married one of the daughters of Dr. Cooke, provost of King’s college, Cambridge, who wrote the elegant epitaph on his monument in the church of Warsop, where bishop Hallifax was buried at his own desire, near a favourite son who was interred there. By his wife he left another son and six daughters.
ersity of Cambridge,” 1774, 8vo; Twelve Sermons on the Prophecies concerning the Christian Religion, and in particular concerning the church of Papal Home, preached
Bishop Hallifax published at various times, fourteen
sermons, preached on occasional subjects; an “Analysis
of the Roman Civil Law compared with the Laws of England, being the heads of a course of lectures publicly read
in the university of Cambridge,
”
born at Liege in 1572, acquired great reputation by his critical knowledge of the learned languages, and of ecclesiastical history. He was also an admired preacher in
, a learned Jesuit, born at Liege in
1572, acquired great reputation by his critical knowledge
of the learned languages, and of ecclesiastical history. He
was also an admired preacher in his day. He died in 1656.
His principal works are; 1. “Anthologia poetica, Gr. Lat.
”
Douay, Illustrium ecclesiae orientalis
Scriptorum Vitae et documenta,
” Douay, Acta Sanctorum,
” and other collections.
a portrait painter of great celebrity, was born at Mechlin in 1584. He was a pupil of C. Van Mander, and by a careful observation of nature obtained that accurate knowledge
, a portrait painter of great celebrity, was born at Mechlin in 1584. He was a pupil of C. Van Mander, and by a careful observation of nature obtained that accurate knowledge of the structure of the human frame, which is so useful in his art. No man ever set the features of a face together with more truth than Frank Hals, or with a readier pencil; and he did it with great truth and spirit also of colour, as well as of execution. He avoided the laboured mode of finish so much admired among his countrymen at the time, and gave his portraits much expression and animation of countenance, particularly of a gay and humourous nature. A decided character of individual nature is remarkable in his portraits, and is not found in an equal degree in any other painter. If he had joined to this most difficult part of the art, a patience in finishing what he had so correctly planned, he might justly have claimed the place which Vandyke, all things considered, so justly holds as the first of portrait painters. This last mentioned artist was so delighted with his works, that he went to Haerlem, where he resided, for no other purpose than to pay him a visit. He introduced himself as a gentleman on his travels, who wished in haste to have his portrait painted. Hals was hurried from the tavern, where he usually passed his leisure time, seized the first canvas he could find, and began his labour. In a short time he had proceeded so far, that he asked Vandyke to look at what he had done, who expressed himself as very well pleased with it, at the same time saying that he thought such work so easy, he was persuaded he could do it himself. Taking the palette and pencils, he desired F. Hals to sit down, and in a quarter of an hour shewed him the portrait. The moment he saw it he recognized his visitor, and embraced him with transport. Vandyke endeavoured to prevail upon Hals to accompany him to England, engaging to enrich him but he was not able to succeed Hals declaring that his happiness consisted in the enjoyment of his friends and his bottle, and while he possessed these he was satisfied with his condition. For his treatment of Brouwer, see our account of that artist. He died in 1666, at the age of eighty-two. He had a brother, Dirk Hals, a painter of animals, merry-makings, conversations, feasts, and subjects of drollery, to whom, however, as an artist, he was far superior in all the better qualities of art: yet Dirk’s works gained him much reputation, and he practised with great success till he was sixty-seven years old, when he died in 1656.
, a pious Scotch divine, and professor of divinity in the university of St. Andrew’s, was
, a pious Scotch divine, and
professor of divinity in the university of St. Andrew’s, was
born at Duplin in the parish of Aberdalgy, near Perth,
Dec. 25, 1674. His father had been minister of that
parish, from which he was ejected after the restoration, for
nonconformity. He died in 1682, and as the country was
still unsafe for those who professed the presbyterian religion, his mother went over to Holland with her son, then
about eight years old. During their stay there, he was
educated at Erasmus’s school, and made great proficiency
in classical literature. On his return to Scotland in 1687,
he resumed his studies, and was also sent to the university.
When he had finished his philosophical course there, he
entered upon the study of divinity; and being, in June
1699, licensed to preach, he was in May 1700, appointed
minister of the parish of Ceres, in which he performed the
part of a zealous and pious pastor; but his labours proving
too many for his health, the latter became gradually impaired. In April 1710, he was appointed by patent from
queen Anne, professor of divinity in the college of St.
Leonard at St. Andrew’s, through the mediation of the
synod of Fife. On this occasion he entered on his office
an inaugural oration, in qua, post exhibitam
rationem suscepti muneris, examinatur schedula nupera, cui
titulus ' Epistola Archimedis ad Regem Gelonem Albae
Graecae reperta anno serae Christianas 1688, A. Pitcarnio,
M. D. ut vulgo creditur, auctoreV Pitcairn’s reputation
as a deist was at that time very common in Scotland, however justly he may have deserved it; and Mr. Halyburton’s
attention had been much called to the subject of deism as
revived in the preceding century. He did not, however,
enjoy his professorship long, dying Sept. 23, 1712, aged
only thirty-eight. It does not appear that he published
any thing in his life-time; but soon after his death two
works were published, which still preserve his memory in
Scotland. 1. “The Great Concern of Salvation,
” Ten Sermons preached before and after the
celebration of the Lord’s Supper,
” Natural Religion insufficient; and
Revealed necessary to man’s happiness,
” Edinburgh, whosoever
carefully examines what this learned and pious author has
offered on these several heads, will find many excellent
things; though the narrowness of his notions in some points
has prejudiced some persons against his work, and hindered them from regarding and considering it so much as
it deserves.
”
, professor of chemistry and of the practice of medicine in the university of Jena, was born
, professor of chemistry and of the practice of medicine in the university of Jena, was born in that city, December 21, 1697, his father being professor of mathematics in the same university. From his earliest years he had evinced a disposition to the study of anatomy, and was accustomed to steal from his parents, whf> destined him for the church, to attend the lectures of Slevoight on that subject. After the death of his father he relinquished even the study of the mathematics, to which he had applied himself during several years, and gave up his attention exclusively to medical pursuits. In 1721 he took the degree of M. D. and in 1726 was appointed professor; and he held the chair of the practice of medicine at the time of his death, which occurred June 22, 1755.
Hamberger is entitled to the merit of having illustrated physiology by the doctrines of philosophy, and of having rendered both more popular than they had ever before
Hamberger is entitled to the merit of having illustrated
physiology by the doctrines of philosophy, and of having
rendered both more popular than they had ever before
been in Germany; but in the dispute with the celebrated
Haller, in which the publication of his hypothesis concerning respiration involved him, and which was carried on
with considerable asperity, he was altogether in error; he
lived long enough, indeed, to be convinced of the weakness of his hypothesis, which he avowed to his friends. It
was contained in a dissertation, “De Respirationis mechanismo et usu genuino,
” published in Elementa Physices, methodo Mathematica in usum auditorum conscripta,
” Jense, Disputatio de Venaesectione, quatenus motum sanguinis mutat,
” ibid. Dissertation stir la mechanique des Secretions dans le corps humain,
” Bourdeaux, Physiologia Medica, seu do
actionibus corporis humani sani doctrina,
” Jense, Elementa Physiologiae Medicse, &c.
” Metfiodus medendi Morbos, cum prafatione de prsestantia
Theorise Hambergeri, prae ceteris,
” ibid.
, a very learned French philosopher and divine, was born at Vire in Lower Normandy, 1624. He passed
, a very learned French
philosopher and divine, was born at Vire in Lower Normandy, 1624. He passed through his first studies at Caen,
and his course of rhetoric and philosophy at Paris. At
eighteen he wrote a treatise, in which he explained, in a,
very simple manner, and by one or two figures, Theodosius’s three books upon spherics; to which he added a tract
upon trigonometry, extremely short, yet perspicuous, and
designed as an introduction to astronomy. In one of his
latter works he observes, that he was prompted by the vanity natural to a young man to publish this book: but, as
Fontenelle remarks, there are few persons of that age
capable of such an instance of vanity. At nineteen he entered himself in the congregation of the oratory, where he
continued ten years, and left it in order to be curate of
Neuilli upon the Marne. He applied in the mean time intensely to study, and acquired much reputation' by publishing works upon astronomy and philosophy. In 1666,
Colbert proposed to Lewis XIV. a scheme, which was approved by his majesty, for establishing a royal academy of
sciences; and appointed our author secretary of it. In
1668, he attended M. Colbert de Croissy, plenipotentiary
for the peace at Aix la Chapelle; and, upon the conclusion of it, accompanied him in his embassy to England,
where he formed an acquaintance with the most eminent
persons of this nation, particularly with Boyle, Hay, and
Willis. Thence he went over to Holland, and returned to
France, having made a great number of useful observations
in his travels. In 1678 his “Philosophia Vetus etNova, ad
usum scholae aceommodatain regia Burgundia pertractata,
”
was printed at Paris in 4 vols. 12mo; and, in 1681, enlarged and reprinted there in six. This work, which was
done by the order of M. Colbert, contains a judicious collection of the ancient and modern opinions in philosophy.
Several years after its publication, the Jesuits carried it
to the East-Indies, and taught it with success; and father
Bovet, a missionary in China, wrote to Europe, that when
his brethren and himself engaged in drawing up a system of
philosophy in the Tartarian language for the emperor, one
of their chief aids was Du Hamel’s “Philosophia e't Astronomia;
” and they were then highly valued, though the
improvements in philosophy since his time have rendered
them of little use. In 1697 he resigned his place of secretary of the royal academy of sciences, which by his recommendation he procured for M. de Fontenelle. He had
some years before this devoted himself to divinity, and
published various works in that science. However, he did
not entirely resign his former studies, but published at
Paris, in 1698, “Regiae Scientiarum Academiae Historia,
”
4to, in four books; which, being much liked, he afterwards augmented with two books more. It contains an
account of the foundation of the royal academy of sciences,
and its transactions, from 1666 to 1700, and is now the
most useful of any of his works relating to philosophy; as
perhaps the most useful which he published in theology is
his last work printed at Paris, 1706, in folio, and entitled
“Biblia Sacra Vulgatae editionis, una cum selectis ex optimis quib usque interpretibus notis, prolegomenis, novis
tabulis chronologicis et geographicis.
”
He died at Paris August 6, 1706, without any sickness, and of mere old age, being almost eighty-three. Though he had quitted
He died at Paris August 6, 1706, without any sickness, and of mere old age, being almost eighty-three. Though he had quitted his cure at Neuilli in 1663, yet he went every year to visit his old flock and the day he spent there was kept as an holy-day by the whole village. He was highly esteemed by the most eminent prelates of France, though he enjoyed but very small preferments. He was a man of great modesty, affability, piety, and integrity; he was disinterested, averse to all contests, and exempt from jealousy and affectation. He wrote Latin with remarkable purity and elegance.
, an eminent French writer on rural ceconomy and vegetable physiology, was born at Paris in 1700. Being a member
, an eminent French writer on rural ceconomy and vegetable physiology, was born at Paris in 1700. Being a member of
the academy of sciences, he published in the memoirs of
that body in 1728, “his first ceconomical essay, on a kind of
parasitical fungus which infests the roots of the cultivated
saffron, and is fatal to them. In the same year he published in that work his first treatise on a much more important subject, the propagation of trees by grafting,
where he hazarded some physiological opinions, and entered on a course of experiment and observation, subsequently pursued to an extent which has been of great service to science, and has justly rendered his name famous.
He continued from time to time to communicate to the
academy various papers relative to these matters. In 1750
he began to publish in 12mo, his
” Traite de la Culture
des Terres,“which was continued in following years till
1761, when the sixth volume came out. Our English
writer Tull was his first guide, but he subsequently profited widely by the experience of himself and of various
other people, aided by his physiological sagacity, of which
he made a far more cautious use than is general with farming philosophers, and deserves to be reckoned the father
of intelligent agriculture in France. His
” Elements d'Agriculture," in 2 vols. 12mo, published in 1764, may be considered as a sequel to the preceding work. These two
volumes have been translated into German, Spanish, and
English. Du. Hamel wrote also on the cultivation and preparation of Madder, in 1757, 4to.
A more splendid and extensive work of our author was published in 1755, making 2
A more splendid and extensive work of our author was
published in 1755, making 2 vols. 4to, entitled “Traité
des Arbres et Arbustes qui se cultiventen France en pleine
terre.
” Having been made inspector of the marine, he
undertook to investigate all that concerned the cultivation
and preservation of timber, and in this work extended his
views to the treatment and botanical discrimination of all
trees and shrubs capable of bearing the climate of France.
Hence a number of American species became first known
to his countrymen, and even to other nations by his means.
Haller reckons that this work treats of a thousand species
and varieties. They are arranged alphabetically, according
to their Latin generic names, and he took for the basis of
the work the nomenclature of Tournefort. It is to be regretted that he did not regularly adopt the Linnaean nomenclature as to species, which had appeared two years before in
the “Species Plautarum,
” a work he occasionally cites; but
he was not enough of a practical botanist to feel its transcendant utility. His most eminent and important work,
the “Physique des Arbres,
” came out in
rests of the kingdom, highly important in a country where so much wood is continually used for fuel, and so little, in proportion to some other countries, naturally
In 1760 he published another valuable practical volume
in 4to, with plates, entitled “Des Semis et Plantations
des Arbres, et de leur Culture.
” This had an especial
view to the great national object of improving the forests
of the kingdom, highly important in a country where so
much wood is continually used for fuel, and so little, in
proportion to some other countries, naturally produced.
The author laudably takes advantage of the panic with
which his countrymen are every now and then seized, of
a scarcity of fuel, to excite their attention to the means he
would recommend for the prevention of so dreadful an
evil, and his book is a mine of practical information for
the woodman, the planter, and the gardener, of the first
authority and value. The same subject is followed up in
2 vols. 4to, published in 1764, under the title of “De
l'exploitation des Bois, ou moyen de tirer parti des taillis
demi futayes et hautes futayes;
” and in Du transport, de la conservation,
et de la force du Bois,
” full of practical information relative to the properties, qualities, and uses of different
woods, intermixed with physiological remarks, as in the
preceding performances of this excellent writer, who published also in 1764, upon the art of refining sugar, in folio,
and in 1765, on the preservation of grain, in 12mo. His
most splendid work was printed at Paris in 1768, in 2 vols.
4to, with fine coloured plates. Its title is “Traite des
Arbres fruitiers.
” In this the varieties of fruit-trees are elegantly distinguished by figures and descriptions, and their
treatment illustrated with the usual science of the author.
Du Hamel was associated to the chief learned societies of Europe, lived in high respect and esteem, and died at Paris in 1782, when he was dean of the academy
Du Hamel was associated to the chief learned societies of Europe, lived in high respect and esteem, and died at Paris in 1782, when he was dean of the academy of sciences. Besides the above works, he wrote on the management of rope-yards and fisheries, and on naval architecture.
, a learned Lutheran divine, was born at Osnabrug, in 1525, and began to publish his opinions at Camen; but being driven from
, a learned Lutheran divine, was born at Osnabrug, in 1525, and began to publish his opinions at Camen; but being driven from thence,
was received by the canons at Bilefeldt,~ and taught the
youth there according to Luther’s catechism. His enemies
having obliged him to retire to Rostock, he took a doctor
of divinity’s degree, and attended the conference at Antwerp in 1567, by desire of the prince of Orange. He was
appointed superintendant of the churches in the duchy of
Brunswick, that they might be regulated according to the
confession of Augsburg; and at last, superintendant-general of the county of Oldenburg, 1593; where he died
June 27, 15L5. His principal works are, 4 * Commentaria
in Pentateuchum,“Dilingae, 1563, fol.; Cbronicum
Dldenburgicum,
”.&c. and “Opera Genealogico-Historica
de Westphalia et Saxonia inferiori,
”
England, but was a second time compelled to leave this country at the revolution. He was an elegant and accomplished character, and was for many years the delight and
, of whom some notice
has been taken in our account of Grammont, was of an
ancient Scotch family, but born in Ireland, whence with
his family he passed over to France, as followers of the
fate of Charles the Second. At the Restoration he again
returned to England, but was a second time compelled to
leave this country at the revolution. He was an elegant
and accomplished character, and was for many years the
delight and ornament of the most splendid circles of society, by his wit, his taste, and above all, his writings.
His works have been often published, particularly in 6
vols. 12mo, 1749, and in 3 vols. 8vo, 1805, and consist of
pieces of poetry, fairy-tales, and “Memoirs of the Count
de Grammont,
” all of which are excellent in their kind.
The Fairy Tales were intended as a refined piece of ridicule on the passion for the marvellous, which made the
Arabian Nights Entertainments so eagerly read at their
first appearance. The “Memoirs of Grammont
” will
always excite curiosity, as giving a striking and too faithful detail of the dissolute manners of Charles II. 's court.
Count Hamilton died at St. Germain’s, in 1720, aged seventy-four.
amiltons of Murdieston, originally of Fife, but now of Lanarkshire, in Scotland, was born at Lanark, and having discovered from his infancy a great predilection for
, an excellent painter, descended from the ancient family of the Hamiltons of Murdieston, originally of Fife, but now of Lanarkshire, in Scotland, was born at Lanark, and having discovered from his infancy a great predilection for historic painting, went young to Rome, where he became the scholar of Augustine Massuchi. With the exception of a few occasional visits to Britain, he resided the whole of his life at Rome, where he died in 1797. He had not perhaps the genius of an inventor; but the advantages of liberal education, and of a classic taste in the choice of his subjects, and the style at which he always, and often successfully, aimed, made him at least equal to his most celebrated contemporaries. Some of the subjects which he painted from the Iliad bear ample evidence of this. Achilles grasping the body of Patroclus, and rejecting the consolation of the Grecian chiefs, and Hector tied to his chariot, have something of Homeric sublimity and pathos; the moment chosen is the crisis of the fact, and the test of the hero’s character. But in this last he is not always happy, as in Achilles dismissing Briseis, where the gesticulation of an actor supplants the expression of the man. Of his women the Briseis in the same subject is the most attractive. Neither his Andromache mourning over Hector, nor the Helen in the same, or the scene with Paris, reach our ideas of the former’s dignity and anguish, or the form and graces of the latter. Indeed, what idea can be supposed to reach that beauty, which, in the confession of age itself, deserved the ten years’ struggle of two nations And yet, in the subject of Paris, those graces and that form are to be subordinate to the superior ones of Venus. He would rank with the first names in art, who from such a combination should escape without having provoked the indignation, contempt, or pity of disappointed expectation.
ectness nor characteristic purity; something of the modern eclectic principle prevails in his works, and his composition is not seldom as much beholden to common-place
Though he was familiar with the antique, the forms of Hamilton have neither its correctness nor characteristic purity; something of the modern eclectic principle prevails in his works, and his composition is not seldom as much beholden to common-place ornamental conceits and habits, as to propriety. Though solicitous about colour, he was no colourist; he should have disdained what the grandeur of his subjects rejected, and contented himself with negative hues, and grave and simple tones, instead of the clammy greys, harsh blues, and sordid reds, the refuse of the Roman and Bolognese schools, that cut his breadth and dim his chiaroscuro.
monuments. He opened scavos in various places of ttye Roman state, at Centumcellue, Velletri, Ostia* and above all at Tivoli, among the ruins of Adrian’s Villa; and
A considerable part of the latter periods of this artist’s
life was dedicated to the discovery of antique monuments.
He opened scavos in various places of ttye Roman state, at
Centumcellue, Velletri, Ostia* and above all at Tivoli,
among the ruins of Adrian’s Villa; and it must be owned
that the success which attended most of his researches made
amply up to art in general for the loss which painting perhaps may have suffered by the intermission of his practice
and example. In the collection of the Museo Clementino,
next to the treasures of Belvedere, the contributions of
Hamilton in statues, busts, and basso relievos, were by far
the most important to the progress of art and classic learning; and the best collections scattered over Russia, Germany, and this country, owe many of their principal ornaments to his discoveries. Nor was he less attentive to
modern art; he published his “Schola Italica Picture
”
to trace the progress of its styles from Lionardo da Vinci
to the successors of the Caracci. It yet remains to be said
Hamilton, that however eminent his talents or other
qualities were, they were excelled by the liberality, benevolence, and humanity of his character.
, earl of Orkney, a brave officer, was the fifth son of William earl of Selkirk, and very early embraced the profession of arms. In March 1689-90
, earl of Orkney, a brave officer, was the fifth son of William earl of Selkirk, and very early embraced the profession of arms. In March 1689-90 he was made a colonel, and distinguished himself with particular bravery at the battle of the Boyne, under king William, July 1, 1690; and those of Aghrim, July 12, 1691; of Steinkirk, Aug. 3, 1692, and of Lauden, July 19, 1693. Nor did he appear to less advantage at the sieges of Athlone, Limerick, and Namur. His eminent services in Ireland and Flanders through the whole course of the war, recommended him so highly to the favour of William III. that on Jan. 10, 1695-6, he was advanced to the dignity of a peer of Scotland, by the title of earl of Orkney. His lady, likewise, whom he married in 1695, and who was the daughter of sir Edward Villiers, knight-marshal, and a special favourite with the king, received a grant under the great seal of Ireland, of almost all the private estates of the abdicated king James, of very considerable value. Upon the accession of queen Anne, the earl of Orkney was promoted to the rank of majorgeneral March 9, 1701-2, to that of lieutenant-general Jan. 1, 1703-4, and in February following was made knight of the thistle. In 1704 his lordship was at the battle of Blenheim, which was crowned with so important a victory in favour of the allies; and he made prisoners of war a body of 1300 French officers and 12,000 common soldiers, who had been posted in the village of Blenheim. In July 1705, he was detached with 1200 men to march before the main body of the army, and to observe the march of a great detachment of the enemy, which marshal Villars had sent off to the Netherlands, as soon as he found the march of the allies was directed thither; and his lordship used such expedition, that he seasonably reinforced the Dutch, and prevented marshal Villeroy’s taking the citadel of Liege, about which his troops were then formed. The next month his lordship marched with fourteen battalionsof foot, and twenty-four squadrons of horse, to support the passage over the Dyle, which was immediately effected. In July 1706, he assisted at the siege of Menin; and on Feb. 12, 1706-7, was elected one of the sixteen peers for Scotland, to sit in the first parliament of Great Britain after the union. The same year he again served under the duke of Marlborough in Flanders; being in the latter end of May detached with seven battalions of foot from Meldart to the pass of Louvain, in order to preserve the communication with it, and on that side of Flanders; which his lordship did, and abode there during the time of the allied army’s encamping at Meldart. When they decamped on Aug. 1, to Nivelle, within two leagues of the French army, and a battle was expected, the earl, with twelve battalions of foot, and thirty squadrons of horse and dragoons, and all the grenadiers of the army, advanced a little out of the front of it, and lay all night within cannon-shot of the enemy; and the next morning charged their rear in their retreat for above a league and a half, and killed, disabled, and caused to desert, above 4000 of them. In the beginning of September following his lordship was again detached with another considerable body of troops to Turquony, under a pretence of foraging by the Scheld, but really with the design of drawing the enemy thither from Tournay to battle, and getting between them and the city. In November 1708, the earl commanded the van of the army at the passing of the Scheld; and in June the year following, assisted at the siege of Tournay, and took St. Amand and St. Martin’s Sconce; and on Aug. 20, was detached from the camp at Orchies towards St. Guilliampass, on the river Heine, towards the northward of Moms, in order to attack and take it, for the better passage of the army to Mons; and on the 30th of that month, was present at the battle of Malplaquet. In 1710 he was sworn of the privy-council; and made general of foot in Flanders, and in 1712 colonel of the royal regiment of foot-guards called the fuzileers, and served in Flanders under the duke of Ormond. In October, 1714, his lordship was appointed gentleman extraordinary of the bed-chamber to king George I. and on Dec. 17 following, governor of Virginia. He was likewise afterwards constable, governor and captain of Edinburgh castle, lord-lieutenant of the county of Clydesdale, and field-marshal. He died in London, at his house in Albemarle-street, Jan, 29, 1736-7.
, bishop of Ossory, and an eminent mathematician, was born in the county of Dublin,
, bishop of Ossory, and an eminent mathematician, was born in the county of Dublin, March 26, 1729. He entered of Trinity-college, Dublin, Dublin, Nov. 17, 1742, and in 1751 was elected a fellow that college. In 1758 he published his treatise on conic ions, < De Sectionibus Conicis," and in 1759 was elected Erasmus Smith’s professor of natural philosophy. In 1764 he resigned his fellowship, having accepted a college living; and in 1767 obtained the living of St. Anne’s, Dublin, which in the following year he resigned at the proposal of the primate Robinson, for the deanery of Armagh. In 1772 he married an Irish lady of good family of the name of Wood. In 1796 he was consecrated 'bishop of Clonfert, having been recommended to that dignity without his solicitation or knowledge; and in 1799 was removed to the see of Ossory, where he continued till his death, Dec. 1, 1805.
Dr. Hamilton’s works have lately been collected and published by his son, in 1809, 2 vols. 8vo. The first contains
Dr. Hamilton’s works have lately been collected and
published by his son, in 1809, 2 vols. 8vo. The first contains his treatise on conic sections already mentioned; the
second, “An Essay on the existence and attributes of the
Supreme Being;
” “An Essay on the permission of Evil;
”
three philosophical essays on the ascent of vapours, the
aurora borealis, and the principles of mechanics;“Remarks and hints on the improvement of Barometers;
” “On
the power of fixed alkaline salts to preserve flesh from putrefaction;
” and “Four introductory Lectures on Natural
Philosophy,
” written originally in discharge of his duty as
professor of natural philosophy; and received at their first
publication, as the work of an acute and sound philosopher.
In every office, whether ecclesiastical or otherwise, he
seems to have been anxious to perform all the duties it
imposed with fidelity and care.
ers to have been of royal descent, as by his father, he was nephew to James Hamilton, earl of Arran, and by his mother, nephew to John Stewart, duke of Albany: Mackenzie,
, usually reckoned the first Scotch reformer, is said by all the Scotch ecclesiastical writers to have been of royal descent, as by his father, he was nephew to James Hamilton, earl of Arran, and by his mother, nephew to John Stewart, duke of Albany: Mackenzie, however, who cannot be suspected of any wish to degrade his countryman, maintains that his father was only a bastard brother of the earl of Arran, and his mother a bastard sister of the duke of Albany. Whatever truth there may be in this, it appears that he had great family interest, and being possessed of uncommon abilities, was intended for the higher offices in the church, had he not become its decided enemy. He was born in 1503, and after completing the usual course of studies at the university of St. Andrew’s, went to Germany, where he was, according to Dempster, made a professor in the university of Marpurg, which was newly erected by Philip, Landgrave of Hesse. During his residence abroad he imbibed the opinions of Luther, Melanchthon, and other reformers; and on his return to his own country, where he had been made abbot of Ferme, or Feme, in Ross-shire, he spared no pains in exposing what he considered as the corruptions of the Church of Rome, and the many errors, both in doctrine and practice, that had crept into the Christian religion.
In this employment he was both zealous and successful^ for he was a young man of great learning, of a courteous
In this employment he was both zealous and successful^ for he was a young man of great learning, of a courteous disposition, and unblameable in private life. This alarmed the clergy, who, under pretence of conferring with him, enticed him to St. Andrew’s, at that time the principal seat of the dignified clergy, where after repeated disputation, in which some of the clergy appeared to lean to his opinions, he was one night suddenly apprehended in his bed, and carried prisoner to the castle. The next day he was presented before the archbishop of St. Andrew’s, James Beton, assisted by the archbishop of Glasgow, the bishops of Brechin, Dunkeld, and Dumblaine, with a number of abbots, priors, and doctors, before whom he was accused of the following articles: 1. That the corruption of sin remains in children after baptism. 2. That no man by the power of his free-will can do any thing that is truly good. 3. That no man is without sin altogether, so long as he liveth. 4. That every true Christian may know himself to be in a state of grace. 5. That a man is not justified by works, but by faith only. 6. That good works make not a good man, but that a good man doeth good works, as it is the good tree which bringeth forth good fruit, not the fruit that maketh the tree good. 7. That faith, hope, and charity, are so linked together, that he who hath one hath all, and he who lacketh one lacketh all. 8, That remission of sin is not purchased by any actual penance.
H. That the holy patriarchs were in heaven before Christ’s passion. 12. That the pope is Antichrist, and that every priest has as much power as the pope.
9. That auricular confession is not necessary to salvation. 10. That there is no purgatory. H. That the holy patriarchs were in heaven before Christ’s passion. 12. That the pope is Antichrist, and that every priest has as much power as the pope.
In his defence he maintained the first seven of these articles to be undoubtedly true, and sound doctrine, and as such they appear to have been afterwards
In his defence he maintained the first seven of these articles to be undoubtedly true, and sound doctrine, and as such they appear to have been afterwards adopted by Calvin, and, in substance, make part of that system known by his name, and incorporated in the national creed of Scotland. The rest of the articles, Mr. Hamilton allowed, were disputable points, but such as he could not condemn, unless he saw better reasons than had been offered. They were all condemned, however, as heretical, and on the 1st of March, 1527, sentence was pronounced against him, declaring him a heretic, and giving him over to the secular power, to suffer the punishment due to heretics, which was burning alive. On the same day the secular power pronounced its sentence, which was immediately executed with every circumstance of savage barbarity, which, all historians agree, he bore with firmness and invincible constancy to the principles he had professed. The place of execution was the gate of St. Salvador’s college.
on which made a deep impression on the people. One friar Campbell, who had often conferred with him, and appeared to be convinced by his arguments, now molested him
A circumstance accompanied his execution which made
a deep impression on the people. One friar Campbell,
who had often conferred with him, and appeared to be
convinced by his arguments, now molested him much when
tied to the stake. Hamilton exclaimed “Wicked man,
thou knowest that I am not an heretic, and that it is the
truth of God for which I suffer. So much thou didst confess to me in private, and thereupon I appeal thee to answer before the judgment-seat of Christ.
” This Campbell
died raving mad a short time after, when the people began to compare his end with that of the martyr’s, and
upon inquiring more closely into the cause of the latter’s
death, became many of them converts to his doctrines.
One Lindsay, an intimate friend of the archbishop, said,
“My lord, if ye burn any more, except ye follow my
counsel, ye will utterly destroy yourselves if ye will burn
them, let them be burned in hollow cellars, for the smoke
of Mr. Patrick Hamilton hath infected as many as it blew
upon.
” It is certain that his unjust and precipitate execution raised a general clamour against the churchmen,
for condemning such a man because he maintained doctrines some of which they could not prove to be heretical,
and others of them were proposed only as theological
problems to be disputed among divines. He was only
twenty-three years of age when he suffered, and his youth
and excellent character undoubtedly weighed much with
the people.
and is published in Fox’s “Acts and Monuments.
” It is
a very ingenious explanation and defence of the doctrines
of justification, free-will, election, &c. and has not in
closeness of reasoning and aptness of quotation been exceeded by any divines of the Calvinistic persuasion in later
times. If we consider his extreme youth and the age in
which he wrote, it will yet appear a more extraordinary
composition.
, “a skilful physician, was born at Edinburgh, Dec. 6, 1721, and educated at the high school there. He was afterwards apprenticed
, “a skilful physician, was born
at Edinburgh, Dec. 6, 1721, and educated at the high
school there. He was afterwards apprenticed to Mr. William Edmonston, a surgeon and apothecary at Leith, and
after continuing in that station three years, studied* medicine at the university of Edinburgh. In 1741, he went as
surgeon’s mate on board the Somerset, and for some time
had the care of the military hospital at Port Mahon. In
1744, he was appointed surgeon to the Wolf sloop of war.
The four following years were divided between his occupations at sea, and his attendance upon the lectures of
Drs. Hunter and Smellie in London. In 1748, he went
to Lynn in Norfolk, invited thither by his brother, a merchant in that town. He afterwards accepted an offer of
settling at Lynn; and in 1766, having received the degree
of M. D. from the university of St. Andrew’s, he succeeded
to the practice of Dr. Lidderdale, who died about that time.
In this situation he continued to the time of his death,
which happened Nov. 9, 1793. As he was of an inquisitive and industrious turn of mind, the time that could be
spared from his practice he employed in endeavouring to
make improvements in his profession, and of his success
several valuable monuments remain. He was a frequent,
correspondent of the royal societies of London and Edinburgh. In 1791, he published a
” Treatise on the Scrofula,“which has been well received. He invented a machine for reducing dislocated shoulders, and an apparatus
for keepiug the ends of fractured bones together, to prevent lameness and deformity from those accidents. In
1801, was published a posthumous work, entitled
” Observations on the marsh remittent fever; also on the water
canker, or cancer aquaticus of Van Swieten, with some remarks on the leprosy," 8vo. Prefixed to this volume is an
account of the author, from which we have extracted the
preceding sketch.
, of Bangour, an ingenious poet, was the son of a man of fortune and family in Airshire, where he was born in 1704. He received a
, of Bangour, an ingenious poet, was the son of a man of fortune and family in Airshire, where he was born in 1704. He received a liberal education, to which he joined the accomplishments of the man of the world, and amidst the lighter dissipations of society, cultivated a taste for poetry, of which he exhibited frequent specimens for the amusement of his friends. In 1745 he joined the unfortunate cause of the Pretender, and conceived great hopes from the temporary success of the rebels at Preston-pans; but after the battle of Culloden, which terminated the struggle, was obliged to provide for his safety in flight, and after many narrow escapes, reached the continent, where he remained until he received a pardon, and was enabled to visit his native land. To recruit his health, however, he was obliged to return to the more genial climate of France, where he died in 1754.
Among the revivers of his fame, professor Richardson, and lord Woodhouslee, are entitled to the highest respect. The latter,
Among the revivers of his fame, professor Richardson,
and lord Woodhouslee, are entitled to the highest respect.
The latter, in his elaborate life of lord Kames, says, “With
the elegant and accomplished William Hamilton of Bangour, whose amiable manners were long remembered with
the tenderest recollection by all who knew him, Mr. Home
(lord Kames) lived in the closest habits of friendship. The
writer of these memoirs has heard him dwell with delight
on the scenes of their youthful days; and he has to regret,
that many an anecdote to which he listened with pleasure,
was not committed to a better record than a treacherous
memory. Hamilton’s mind is pictured in his verses. They
are the easy and careless effusions of an elegant, fancy and
a chastened taste; and the sentiments they convey are the
genuine feelings of a tender and susceptible heart, which
perpetually owned the dominion of some favourite mistress;
but whose passion generally evaporated in song, and made
no serious or permanent impression. His poems had an
additional charm to his contemporaries, from being commonly addressed to his familiar friends of either sex, by
name.
”
s from Hamilton’s letters, that he communicated his poems to his friends for their critical remarks, and was easily induced to alter or amend them by their advice. He
It appears from Hamilton’s letters, that he communicated his poems to his friends for their critical remarks, and
was easily induced to alter or amend them by their advice.
He had sent the piece entitled “Contemplation*
” one of
the most laboured of his productions, to Mr. Home, who
suggested some alterations. In a letter from Hamilton, in
July 1739, he says, “I have made the corrections on the
moral part of Contemplation, and in a post will send it to
Will. Crawford, who has the rest, and will transmit it to
you. I shall write to him fully on the subject.
” It is
pleasing ^to remark, that the Will. Crawford here mentioned, was the author of the beautiful pastoral ballad of
Tweed-side, which, with the aid of its charming melody,
will probably live as long as the language is understood.
Hamilton may be reckoned among the earliest of the Scotch
poets who wrote English verse with propriety and taste,
and with any considerable portion of the poetic spirit.
Thomson, Mallet, and he, were contemporaries. “The
poems of Hamilton,
” says professor Richardson, “display
regular design, just sentiments, fanciful invention, pleasing sensibility, elegant diction, and smooth versification,
His genius was aided by taste, and his taste was improved
by knowledge. He was not only well acquainted with the
most elegant modern writers, but with those of antiquity.
Of these remarks, his poem entitled c Contemplation, or
the Triumph of Love,' affords sufficient illustration.
”
Some of Hamilton’s poems were first published at Glasgow in 1748, and afterwards reprinted, not only without the author’s name, but
Some of Hamilton’s poems were first published at Glasgow in 1748, and afterwards reprinted, not only without
the author’s name, but without his consent, and even without his knowledge. He corrected, however, many errors
of that copy, and enlarged some of the poems, though he
did not live to make a new and complete publication. The
improvements he made were carefully inserted in the edition published at Edinburgh in 1760, with the addition of
many pieces taken from his original manuscripts. Since
that time, although they have been inserted in the new
edition of the English Poets, there has been no demand
for a separate edition. It would be of importance, but it
is seldom easy, to account for the various fates of poets.
Hamilton, if not of the first class, and in whom we find only
those secondary qualities which professor Richardson has
so ably pointed out in the “Lounger,
” surely excels some
whose works are better known and more current. The
neglect which he has experienced naay be partly attributed
to his political principles, and partly to the local interest
which his effusions excited, and to which they were long
confined. Verses of compliment and personal addresses
tnust have extraordinary merit, if they attract the notice of
distant strangers. Prejudice, however, is now at an end,
and the friends of Scottish genius, who have lately called
the attention of the puhlic to this writer, have proved that
he deserves a higher rank than has yet been assigned to
him. He is perhaps very unequal, and the blemishes in
his verse and diction to which professor Richardson has
alluded are frequent, yet it is no inconsiderable merit to
have been one of the first of his countrymen who cultivated the purity and harmony of the English language,
and exhibited a variety of composition and fertility of sentiment that are rarely to be found in the writings of those
whose poetical genius is of the second degree.
Hamilton, esq. an advocate of the court of session in Scotland, who after the union came to London, and was admitted to the English bar. His son was born in Lincoln’s-inn
, a statesman of some
note, was the only son of William Hamilton, esq. an advocate of the court of session in Scotland, who after the union
came to London, and was admitted to the English bar.
His son was born in Lincoln’s-inn Jan. 28, 1728-9, and
was educated at Winchester school, and at Oriel college,
Oxford, where he was admitted a gentleman commoner,
March 1, 1744-5. During his residence at Oxford, it is
supposed he wrote those poems which were printed in
1750, 4to> for private distribution only, but have lately
been published by Mr. Malone. On leaving Oxford, he
became a member of Lincoln’s-inn, with a view to study
the law; but on his father’s death in 1754, he betook hifnself to a political life, and in the same year was chosen,
member of parliament for Petersfield in Hampshire. His
first effort at parliamentary eloquence was made Nov. 13,
1755, when, to use the words of Waller respecting Denham, “he broke out, like the Irish rebellion, threescore
thousand strong-, when nobody was aware, or in the least
suspected it.
” Certainly no first speech in parliament
ever produced such an effect, or acquired such eulogies,
both within and without the house of commons. Of this
speech, however, no copy remains. For many years it was
supposed to have been his only attempt, and hence the
familiar name of Single-speech was fixed upon him; but he
spoke a second time, Feb. 1756, and such was the admiration which followed this display of his talents, that Mr,
P\>jc, then one of the principal secretaries of state, procured him to be appointed, in April of the same year, one
of the lords of trade. At this board he sat five years without ever exerting his oratorical talents; and in 1761 accepted the office of principal secretary to George earl of
Halifax, then appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland. In the
Irish parliament, as he filled an office of responsibility, it
was necessary for him to support the measures of administration; and accordingly in 1761 and 1762, he made five
speeches on various occasions, which fully gratified the
expectations of his auditors. Mr. Hamilton continued secretary to the succeeding lord lieutenant, Hugh earl of
Northumberland, in 1763, but it is believed his exertions
in that session were less splendid and less frequent; and
before it concluded, on some disgust he resigned his office.
On his return to England, and for a long time afterwards, he meditated taking an active part in the political
warfare of the house of commons, but he never again addressed the chair, though he was chosen into every new
parliament that was summoned from that time till May 1796,
a little before his death. In this period, the only office hg
filled was that of chancellor of the exchequer in Ireland,
which he held from Sept. 1763 to April 1784. During
this interval he was one of those on whom common rumour
bestowed the authorship of Junius’s letters, and perhaps
never was any rumour so completely devoid of a probable
foundation. He died at his house in Upper Brook-street,
July 16, 1796, and was buried in the chancel vault of the
church of St. Martin in the Fields. In 1803, Mr. Malona
published his works under the title of “Parliamentary
Logic; to which are subjoined two Speeches delivered in
the House of Commons in Ireland, and other pieces,
” 8vo f
with a life of the author prefixed. These speeches give
us but a faint idea of the splendid abilities which once so
enraptured his hearers, nor does his poetry entitle him to
rank above the elegant versifiers of his time. His Parliamentary Logic“is a performance of a more singular cast.
It consists of a string of maxims, or rules, for managing a
debate in parliament, in which the author appears serious,
else we should have supposed parliamentary logic
” to
imply a ridicule on the language of that house. These
maxims, however, seem admirably qualified to make a partizan; although we much doubt whether they have a tendency to make that more valuable character, an honest man.
, a gentleman of great eminence in the literary and political world, was born in Scotland in 1730. He was of a branch
, a gentleman of great eminence in the literary and political world, was born in Scotland in 1730. He was of a branch of the family of Hamilton, which was considerably reduced in circumstances at
the time of his birth; he himself having repeatedly declared to his friends in Naples, that “he was condemned
to make his way in the world with an illustrious name and
a thousand pounds.
” He was not, however, doomed to
spend many years of his youth in such narrow circumstances; as in 1755 he married a young lady of amiable
character, with whom he received a fortune of 5000l. a
year. The active and important part of his life began
from the moment in which he entered the diplomatic line;
and we may consider it as a circumstance peculiarly fortunate for the literary world, that he was destined to remain nearly the rest of his life in a country truly classical,
in regard to the fine arts and natural history; pursuits for
which he had early evinced the greatest predilection.
Mr. Hamilton was appointed ambassador to the court of Naples in 1764; and from that time to 1800, in which he was recalled, it may be
Mr. Hamilton was appointed ambassador to the court of
Naples in 1764; and from that time to 1800, in which he
was recalled, it may be said, with the strictest justice, that
he did much more for the advancementof the fine arts, natural
history, and antiquities, than any individual or corporation
in that metropolis; perhaps, or even the government itself. In Naples the state of those branches of knowledge,
which constituted Mr. Hamilton’s pursuits, was at this time
very low, and as far as early and intense application may
be considered proofs of a predominant passion, it appears
that the objects of natural history chiefly engaged his attention. In a short period from his arrival, he had already
collected a vast number of articles connected with this
science, and had thus formed a valuable cabinet, of which,
according to the expression of one of his friends, “he
could be himself the ablest demonstrator.
” Between 1764,
and the middle of 1767, he visited Vesuvius no less than
twenty-two times, and had as often observed the different
spots around Naples affected by volcanic eruptions; and
it was universally remarked by those who had the pleasure,
to accompany him in these excursions, that he was the
best and most instructive “Cicerone
” that could possibly
be found for such occasions. He also visited Mount Etna,
and the Eolian islands, places which had not been examined with such attention before. The phenomena which
their surface presented to his view did not satisfy his
curiosity: he observed the interior parts of the soil, and every
minute circumstance that attended the operations of nature: not one of the different substances which had ever
issued from these volcanoes was left unnoticed. In all his
excursions he was constantly accompanied by an artist of
great merit, Mr. Fabris, who drew plans and delineated
such objects as were most interesting and striking.
partial letters to the royal society, from 1766 to 1779; in whose Transactions for the above years, and also in the Annual Register, these letters are preserved; the
These observations, though since reduced to systematic,
works, were first communicated in partial letters to the
royal society, from 1766 to 1779; in whose Transactions
for the above years, and also in the Annual Register, these
letters are preserved; the perusal of which will amply
gratify those who are fond of curious incidents, and personal anecdotes relating to the subject of this memoir,
The works themselves were two: viz. “Observations on
Mount Vesuvius, Mount Etna, and other Volcanoes of the
Two Sicilies,
” which appeared in Campi PhJegraei,
” published at Naples in that
volcanoes lie dormant for several years, nay even for centuries.
” “When 1 arrived,
” says he, “at Naples, Vesuvius was quiet, very seldom was smoke visible on its top; in
the year 1766, it seemed to take fire, and has never since been,
three months without either throwing up red hot stones, or
disgorging streams of lava; nor has its crater been ever
free from smoke. At Naples, when a lava appears, and
not till then, it is styled an eruption; whereas I look upon
the five nominal eruptions I have been witness to, from
March 1766 to May 1771, as in effect but one continued
eruption. It is certain, that by constant attention to the
smoke that issues from the crater, a very good guess may
be given as to the degree of fermentation within the volcano. By this alone 1 foretold the two last eruptions; and
by another very simple observation, I pointed out, some
time before, the very spot from whence the lava has issued. When the cone of Vesuvius was covered with snow,
I remarked a spot on which it would not lie.
”
the several spots already described. The drawings, by Mr. Fabris, were coloured with surprising art and great force of expression, and represented nature with the utmost
The “Campi Phlegraei
” were chiefly calculated to exhibit the view of the several spots already described. The
drawings, by Mr. Fabris, were coloured with surprising
art and great force of expression, and represented nature
with the utmost accuracy and truth. Each plate was accompanied by concise and perspicuous explanations in
English, and French. In the first volume, a large map was
Also exhibited of the gulph of Naples and the country
contiguous, which is unrivalled for its beauty and splendour. And in the author’s letter to sir John Pringle, dated
Naples, May 2, 1776 (which may be considered as a dedication of the Work to the royal society), some additional
observations on the subject were communicated, which had
not been inserted either in the partial letters to the late
Mr. Maty, or in the 8vo edition of them in 1772. In short,
the publication was so accurate, so splendid, and so magnificent, as to have excited a surprise how such an invaluable performance could make its appearance in the south
of Italy.
publication, which was too striking not to excite a peculiar attention in our ingenious naturalist, and not to engage him in a new work. We allude to the great eruption
A new phenomenon, however, occurred after this publication, which was too striking not to excite a peculiar
attention in our ingenious naturalist, and not to engage
him in a new work. We allude to the great eruption of
Mount Vesuvius, on the 8th of August, 1779, and to the
“Supplement
” to the “Campi Phiegraei,
” to which it
gave rise. As was his custom, Mr. Hamilton had communicated a description of that wonderful event to the royal
society, which was printed in the first part of the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1780. He afterwards,
however, as he had done with his former ones, collected
these observations, and formed of them a regular work. In
the year of the great eruption, he published in Naples, a
fine edition of the above-mentioned book, beautifully illustrated by coloured prints, from the drawings of the
same artist, Peter Fabris; the drawings and illuminations
being likewise copied from nature, under his own inspection.
In the science of antiquities, so early as 1765, he had promoted the publication of the magnificent and elegant ttrork, “Antiquites Etrusques, Grecques,etRomaines,
In the science of antiquities, so early as 1765, he had
promoted the publication of the magnificent and elegant
ttrork, “Antiquites Etrusques, Grecques,etRomaines, tire*es
du Cabinet de Mr. Hamilton;
” a fine collection of designs
from Etruscan, Greek, and Roman vases, which was received
with the greatest satisfaction by the lovers of antiquity and
the arts. The design of this work was professedly the advancement of the arts. It was intended to shew on what
system the ancients gave their vases that elegance so generally acknowledged and admired, and how they were able
to assign the exact measures of their proportion; and to
establish certain principles for the artist who would perform something in the same way. It was, in short, a most
valuable present to the learned and to artists, and above
all to manufacturers of earthen ware and china, and of vase
in silver, glass, &c. who found here an infinite variety of
beautiful models, most of which had been until then unknown; and indeed it may be observed, that since that
period our articles of the above description are universally
formed with more beauty, taste, and elegance; qualities in
which we as yet remain unequalled by any other country.
to gain the least information on the subject. The two former volumes were reduced to a smaller size, and republished at Paris, by Mr. David, in 1787, in five 8vo volumes.
We are informed in the abbe Winkelman’s Letters, that
the above-mentioned work was intended to be comprised
in four large folio volumes. Of these, the two former only
appeared at the stated time. The two latter volumes (as we are informed by a note in the last edition of the Letters of Winkelnian) were published in Naples in 1775; but the
writer of this article has never been able to procure a sight
of them, or even to gain the least information on the subject. The two former volumes were reduced to a smaller
size, and republished at Paris, by Mr. David, in 1787, in
five 8vo volumes. The adventurer D‘Hancarville, editor
of the work, as we are told by Winkelman, expected, by
that publication, to acquire a fortune of twenty thousand
pounds. It is not probable that he ever realized this expectation, but we know from D’Hancarville himself, that
Mr. Hamilton allowed him to reap the emolument which
might arise from the work. Of the particulars of which,
he himself says, that “long since Mr. Hamilton had taken
pleasure in collecting those precious monuments, and had
afterwards trusted them to him for publication, requiring
only some elegance in the execution; and the condition,
that the work should appear under the auspices of his Britannic majesty.
” “It answers no purpose to have of the
ancient vases that general and vague idea which is given
of them by the books of Caylus, or Montfaucon. There
are few antiquaries and scholars who have not entertained
a wish to see such a collection executed with care and
precision. They can now compare the present with that
of cardinal Gualtieri, reported by Montfaucon, and with
all the others which have hitherto appeared. Mr. Hamilton, justly apprehensive that the vases, already destined
for England, might be damaged in their way, has resolved
to have them engraved at Naples.
”
lle’s work, is that precious collection which is now seen in one of the rooms of the British Museum, and which formerly belonged to the senatorial house of Porcinari,
Part of the vases which gave rise to D'Hancarville’s
work, is that precious collection which is now seen in one
of the rooms of the British Museum, and which formerly
belonged to the senatorial house of Porcinari, in Naples.
Mr. Hamilton purchased it from the proprietors in. 1765,
and it still is a matter of surprise with the greatest of our
artists, that it was ever suffered to go out of its native land.
In Naples, however, it never occasioned any surprise; as
it is there known, that full rive years before the purchase,
the same valuable property, through the means of the
famous Theatin lather Paciaudi, had been offered to the
count of Caylus; and, in fact, the best-informed Neapolitans were fully convinced that it was much better that
such precious monuments should be in the power of some
active nation, in which they might be put to the best use,
than to remain in their own country, where they would
have been forever useless. About the same time (in 1767),
the British Museum received from Mr. Hamilton two other
valuable presents: 1st. A complete collection of every
sort of matter produced by Mount Vesuvius, by which he
thought it might be proved that “many variegated marbles
and many precious stones are the produce of volcanos,
and that there have been volcanos in many parts of the
world, where at present there are no traces of them visible.
”
2. Two very scarce and interesting books, respecting the
formation of the celebrated new mountain at Pozzuolt,
published at Naples, a few months after the event, in 1538:
the one written by Marc Antony delli Falconi; and the
other by Peter James di Toledo.
ouragement that this eminent artist, in 1769, published that elegant collection of views at Pozzuoli and other spots in the neighbourhood of Naples. It is pleasing to
Among the several persons whom Mr. Hamilton honoured with his patronage at Naples, we shall only mention the celebrated engraver, Morghen; as it was owing to his encouragement that this eminent artist, in 1769, published that elegant collection of views at Pozzuoli and other spots in the neighbourhood of Naples. It is pleasing to say that Mr. Morghen soon evinced his gratitude towards his patron, and the nation to which the latter belonged the collection was dedicated to the Society of arts in London and the greatest part of the views were inscribed to some individuals of our nobility who then happened to be in Naples. Ever since the year 1770, Mr. Hamilton had established a regular correspondence with various intelligent persons 4n the several provinces of the kingdom, concerning such monuments of arts or antiquities as might happen to be found near their respective residences, and which might answer his further purposes. This correspondence was carried on with a peculiar activity in the province of Campania, that province being indeed the spot in which the greatest number of ancient vaseshas been found, and which for this reason is thought to have possessed the chief manufactures of that article.
Whilst at this period Mr. Hamilton so successfully indulged in scientific and literary pursuits, he had no opportunity of exerting himself
Whilst at this period Mr. Hamilton so successfully indulged in scientific and literary pursuits, he had no opportunity of exerting himself to any advantage in his public and diplomatic capacity, nothing of importance being
then in agitation in the political world; and, with regard
to private connexions, it is still in the remembrance of his
old friends, that, till he became acquainted with some congenial characters, he found himself, in the midst of an
immense metropolis, as insulated as if he had been in a
village. Of his domestic life, about this period, we fortunately have an account from the celebrated secretary of
the French academy, Duclos, from which we shall here
give an extract, the more properly, as, with the alteration
of time and place, it is his characteristic picture in every
part of his life. “Mr. Hamilton,
” says he, “was in the
habit of taking his dinner at home with a select number of
friends, among whom I had the honour of being admitted.
He had also a weekly party of the most distinguished persons of Naples. In these parties, a concert was sometimes
given, in which Miss Hamilton played on the harpsichord
so eminently, that her talents were acknowledged in a town
decidedly superior in musical science to the rest of Italy.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are the happiest couple I ever saw.
Both still in the vigour of youth, with good hearts and
cultivated minds, and tenderly attached to each other, they
presented to me the image of a patriarchal life. The lady,
mistress of a considerable fortune, enjoys the pleasure of
making that of her husband, who had nothing of his own
but an illustrious name. The gentleman, duly sensible of
what he owes to a beloved wife, is highly pleased to acknowledge it, and the sentiment of his gratitude increases
the happiness of his situation.
”
from 1772 to 1784, formed a remarkable epoch in Mr. Hamilton’s life, with respect to his advancement and domestic affairs. On the S Au f Januar >"> 1772 > he was created
The twelve years which elapsed from 1772 to 1784, formed a remarkable epoch in Mr. Hamilton’s life, with respect to his advancement and domestic affairs. On the S Au f Januar >"> 1772 > he was created knight of the bath. About 1775, he lost his only daughter. In 1782, he likewise lost his lady. And in 1784, after twenty years’ absence, he visited his native country. He had been made a tellow of the royal society in 1766.
ell employed in the service of the sciences; for, in 1779, he repeated his visits to Mount Vesuvius, and published the Supplement already mentioned; in February 1783,
This time, however, was equally well employed in the
service of the sciences; for, in 1779, he repeated his
visits to Mount Vesuvius, and published the Supplement
already mentioned; in February 1783, he undertook the
journey to Calabria, to observe the phenomena produced
by the dreadful earthquake which just before had desolated
that beautiful province, and of which he subsequently gave
an account, in a letter to sir Joseph Banks, inserted in the
Transactions of the Royal Society;“and, so early as
1777, he wrote an excellent memoir on the discoveries
until then made in Pompeii; which memoir, accompanied
with 13 beautiful plates, was inserted in the fourth volume
of the
” Archaeologia,“and by which we are informed,
” that the city was supposed to have been a mile in length,
and about three miles and a half round; that only one hundred yards of a principal street, supposed to run through
the whole city, had then been cleared; that the width of
the horse-way was said to be in general ten feet eight
inches English, and the elevated foot-way on each side,
about three feet wide that the plan of most of the houses
was a square court, with a fountain in the middle, and
small rooms round, communicating with that court; and
that fragments of large panes of glass were found there,
shewing that the ancients of this period knew well the use
of glass for windows."
ct which lad not yet been accessible to his researches. The history of the discovery of Herculaneum, and of the Royal museum to which it gave rise, is too well known
His most truly meritorious labours, however, at the close of the above mentioned period, were those which had in view the unrivalled museum of Portici; an object which lad not yet been accessible to his researches. The history of the discovery of Herculaneum, and of the Royal museum to which it gave rise, is too well known to require any detailed notice in this place: it is equally alien to our purpose to relate the several tardy and unsuccessful measures which the government took to illustrate that unrivalled establishment; and we shall only notice the ancient manuscripts in the Museum, which are immediately connected with our subject. It is known that about eight hundred objects of this kind had been found in the several excavations of Herculaneum; and that on application being made to Mr. Assemanni of the Vatican, on the subject, this learned man had recommended an able, industrious, and indefatigable Piarist monk, named Father Anthony Piaggi, who possessed the art of completely unfolding the'deca3ed manuscripts. Some successful trials were made: a work on the philosophy of Epicurus, another on morals, a third on rhetoric, and a fourth on music, were brought to light: and of the last, the author of which was a Greek named Philodemus, thirty-eight full columns were happily copied. Father Anthony’s services were still more beneficial; he instructed in his art a pupil named Merli, afterwards as able as himself. Neither of them, however, persevered in their tasks: they complained of the supineness of the ministry, and of their own scanty allowance.
f. Numberless other memoirs of the kind were also presented to several persons in the royal service, and they met with no better success. The consequence was, that Father
Among the papers left by sir William at his death, are found more than fifty memoirs directed by Father Anthony to the marquis of Sambuca, soliciting his patronage for the great work of the manuscripts, to which solicitations that minister seemed to be deaf. Numberless other memoirs of the kind were also presented to several persons in the royal service, and they met with no better success. The consequence was, that Father Anthony at last put himself under the protection of sir William, and tendered his services for any information which the latter might wish concerning the Museum. The propriety of accepting this offer may be questioned. It was considered, however, by one who was not particularly acquainted with the administration of the establishment, as too important not to meet with an immediate compliance: a treaty was concluded, that sir William should grant to Father Anthony a pension of 600 ducats a year (100l.), and the latter should regularly send to him every week a sheet of original information; and in order to elude any ministerial inquisition, it was also agreed that the correspondence should be carried on in cyphers. This correspondence lasted till the death of Father Anthony in 1798; and, if we except a want of delicacy, and perhaps also a breach of trust in the monk, we may presume that, in the main object, it proved satisfactory to both parties: sir William was indeed so satisfied, that, some years after the commencement of the treaty, he procured for Father Anthony an additional pension, of the same sum of 600 ducats a year (100l.), from his royal highness the Prince of Wales; and Father Anthony, on his side, seemed also so sensible of the favours he had received, that on his death, he bequeathed all his manuscripts and papers of every kind to his patron.
In 1791, sir William was appointed a privy counsellor; and in the same year he married Miss Harte, the present lady Hamilton.
In 1791, sir William was appointed a privy counsellor; and in the same year he married Miss Harte, the present lady Hamilton. About the same time also, in order to give a further illustration to his favourite doctrine respecting the constant state of eruption of Mount Vesuvius, he charged a Dominican friar at Resina, to compile for hit use, a daily calendar of the several phenomena of that mountain; a compilation which, most probably, will also be found among his papers.
During the short interval between his arrival in England and his death, this respectable philosopher and naturalist was occupied
During the short interval between his arrival in England and his death, this respectable philosopher and naturalist was occupied in ordering and classifying his numerous manuscripts, which had been conveyed from Naples to Palermo, at the time of his removal; and from the latter place to London, on his return to England. These manuscripts consisted of eight large boxes; four of which contained his correspondence with Father Anthony, and the other four, the valuable papers which the latter had bequeathed to him. Jt was his intention, alter a due arrangement, to favour the public with two works collected from their contents, one of which was to exhibit a series of original observations on the best monuments of art in the Museum of Portici; and the other, a series of historical anecdotes concerning its literary and economical administration, from its first establishment, of both which there is a prospect of publication.
jesty in the American war: 3. his excellent conduct during the family misunderstanding between Spain and Naples, from 1784 to 1786: but these are matters which belong
With regard to his diplomatic exertions, which naturally
constituted the immediate duties of his station, we may
notice, 1. the explanations, which, in 1772, he had with
the first minister, marquis Tanucci, on account of Michael
Torcia, who, in his performance, “The Political Sketch
of Europe,
” had used some improper expressions 2. the
negotiations which he successfully concluded for the neutrality of his Sicilian majesty in the American war: 3. his
excellent conduct during the family misunderstanding between Spain and Naples, from 1784 to 1786: but these
are matters which belong to political history. The fame
of sir William Hamilton will ultimately rest on his talents,
learning, and patriotic spirit.
. Robert Adams, the celebrated architect, when clerk of the works to that college, was born in 1750, and sent to Italy, when very young, under the patronage of Mr. Adams.
, an historical painter, the son
of a Scotch gentleman who resided many years at Chelsea,
as deputy to Mr. Robert Adams, the celebrated architect,
when clerk of the works to that college, was born in 1750,
and sent to Italy, when very young, under the patronage
of Mr. Adams. He was there some time under the tuition
of Zucchi, the painter of arabesque ornaments at Rome,
and although Mr. Edwards thinks he was then too young to
receive any material benefit from this tour, it served at
least to increase his early taste for the art, and he caught
a pleasant manner of painting, much in the style of his
master. When he returned to England he became a pupil
in the royal academy, and by attention to his studies, acquired considerable employment. He practised in many
different ways, mostly history, and frequently arabesque,
of which latter kind he executed some decorations at the
seat of the late earl of Bute at High Cliff, Hampshire. He
sometimes painted portraits, but his manner was not well
adapted to that branch, yet his portrait of Mrs. Siddons in
the character of lady Randolph (now in the possession of Samuel Whitbread, esq.) was allowed to have great merit.
He was much employed by the late alderman Boydell, for
his Shakspeare, and by Macklin for his edition of the Bible
and of the Poets. In the former his “Woman of Samaria 7 '
deserves much praise. One of his most capital works was
a picture of the
” Queen of Sheba entertained at a banquet
by Solomon," a design for a window in Arundel castle.
His manner of painting was light, airy, and pleasant, and
he excelled in ornaments to which he gave a propriety,
richness, and a classic air. His coloured drawings imitate
the fulness of his oil-paintings with more freshness, and,
without much labour, are finished with taste. He was
elected associate of the royal academy Nov. 8, 1784, and
royal academician, February 10, 1789. He died in the
vigour though not in the bloom of life, Dec. 2, 1801, of a
violent fever of only three days 1 duration, deeply lamented
by his friends, and regretted by the public. He was a
man of great affability and gentle manners; his politeness
covered no insincerity, nor his emulation envy. He was
one of the few artists we have personally known who spoke
with high respect of his brethren, and was equally respected by them for his amiable temper.
, descended from a family long situated at Somersham-place, in Huntingdonshire, was born in 16u3, and educated at St. John’s college, Cambridge. He was a commissioner
, descended from a family
long situated at Somersham-place, in Huntingdonshire,
was born in 16u3, and educated at St. John’s college,
Cambridge. He was a commissioner of the navy, a good
speaker in parliament, had the name of “silver-tongued
Hammond
” given him by lord Bolingbroke, and was a
man of note among the wits, poets, and parliamentary
writers, in the beginning of the last century. A volume of
“Miscellany Poems,
” was inscribed to him, in 1694, by
his friend Mr. Hopkins; and in 1720 he was the editor of
“A new Miscellany of Original Poems,
” in which he had
himself no small share. His own pieces, he observes in
his preface, “were written at very different times, and
were owned by him, lest in a future day they should be
ascribed to other persons to their prejudice, as the ‘ Ode
on Solitude’ has been, in wrong, to the earl of Roscommon, and as some of the rest have been to others.
” He
was the intimate friend of Mr. Moyle, and wrote the “Account of his Life and Writings,
” prefixed to his works in
, well remembered as a man esteemed and caressed by the elegant and great, was the second son of Anthony
, well remembered as a man
esteemed and caressed by the elegant and great, was the
second son of Anthony Hammond mentioned above: he was
born about 1710, and educated at Westminster-school;
but it does not appear that he was of any university,
although Mr. Cole claims him for Cambridge, but without
specifying his college. When about eighteen, he was introduced to the earl of Chesterfield, and from a conformity of character, manners, and inclinations, soon became particularly attached to his lordship. He was equerry
to the prince of Wales, and seems to have come very early
into public notice, and to have been distinguished by those
whose patronage and friendship prejudiced mankind at that
time in favour of those on whom they were bestowed; for
he was the companion of Cobham, Lyttelton, and Chesterfield. He is said to have divided his life between pleasure
and books; in his retirement forgetting the town, and in
his gaiety losing the student. Of his literary hours all the
effects are exhibited in his memorable “Love Elegies,
”
which were written very early, and his “Prologue
” not
long before his death. In Elegies
” were
published after his death; and while the writer’s name was
remembered with fondness, they were read with a resolution to admire them. The recommendatory preface of the
editor, who was then believed, and is affirmed by Dr.
Maty, to be the earl of Chesterfield, raised strong prejudices in their favour; but Dr. Johnson is of opinion that
they have neither passion, nature, nor manners, and Dr.
Beattie was informed on very good authority that Hammond
was not in love when he wrote his “Elegies.
”
, a learned English divine, was born at Chertsey in Surrey, August 18, 1605; and was the youngest son of Dr. John Hammond, physician to Henry
, a learned English divine, was born at Chertsey in Surrey, August 18, 1605; and was the youngest son of Dr. John Hammond, physician to Henry prince of Wales, svho was his godfather, and gave him his own name. In his infancy he was remarkable for sweetness of temper, the love of privacy, and a devotional turn. He was educated at Eton-school, and sent to Magdalen-college, Oxford, in 1618; of which, after taking his degrees in a regular way, he was elected fellow in July 1625. During the whole of his residence here, he generally spent thirteen hours every day in study; in the course of which he not only went through the usual academic studies, but read almost all the classics, writing emendations, critical remarks, &c. as he proceeded. Having applied himself also with great diligence to the study of divinity, he was admitted to holy orders in 1629, and soon, after took the degree of bachelor of divinity. In 1633 he was presented to the rectory of Penshurst in Kent, by Robert Sidney earl of Leicester. That nobleman, happening to be one of his auditors while he was supplying a turn at court for Dr. Frewen, the president of his college, and one of his majesty’s chaplains, was-so deeply affected with the sermon, and conceived so high an opinion of the preacher’s merit, that he conferred on him this living, then void, and in his gift. Upon this he quitted his college, and went to his cure, where he resided as long as the times permitted him, punctually performing every branch of the ministerial function in the most diligent and exemplary manner. In 1639 he took the degree of D. D.; in 1640, was chosen one of the members of the convocation, called with the long parliament, which began that year; and, in. 1643, made archdeacon of Chichester by the unsolicited favour of Dr. Brian Duppa, then bishop of Chichester, and afterwards of Winchester. The same year also he was named one of the assembly of divines, but never sat amongst them.
dle of July 1643; but, joining in the fruitless attempt then made atTunbridge in favour of the king, and a reward of 100l. being soon after promised to the person that
In the beginning of the national troubles he continued
undisturbed at his living till the middle of July 1643; but,
joining in the fruitless attempt then made atTunbridge in
favour of the king, and a reward of 100l. being soon after
promised to the person that should produce him, he was
forced to retire privily and in disguise to Oxford. Having
procured an apartment in his own college, he sought that
peace in retirement and study which was no where else to
be found. Among the few friends he conversed with was
Dr. Christopher Potter, provost of Queen’s college; by
whose persuasion it was, that he published his “Practical
Catechism,
” in
canonry of Christ Church in Oxford becoming vacant, the king bestowed it upon him about March 1645; and the university chose him their public orator. His majesty also,
A few days after the breaking of this treaty, a canonry
of Christ Church in Oxford becoming vacant, the king
bestowed it upon him about March 1645; and the university chose him their public orator. His majesty also,
coming to reside in that city, made him one of his chaplains in ordinary: notwithstanding all which employments,
he did not remit from his studies, or cease to publish books,
principally contrived to do service in the times when they
were written. When Oxford surrendered, his attendance
as cbaplain was superseded; but when the king came into
the power of the army, he was permitted to attend him
again, in his several confinements and removes of Woburn,
Caversham, Hampton-court, and the Isle of Wight: at
which last place he continued till Christmas, 1647, when all
his majesty’s servants were removed from him. He then
returned again to Oxford, where he was chosen sub-dean
of Christ Church in which office he continued till March
30, 1648, and was then forcibly turned out of it by the
parliamentary visitors. The accusations against him were,
his refusing to submit to the visitors’ power; his being
concerned in drawing up the reasons which were presented
to the convocation against the authority of that visitation;
and his refusing to publish the visitors’ orders for the expulsion of several of the members of Christ Church. Instead, however, of being commanded immediately to quit
Oxford, as others were, a committee of parliament voted
him and Dr. Sheldon to be prisoners in that place, where
they continued in restraint for about ten weeks. During
this confinement he began his “Paraphrase and Annotations on the New Testament;
” the ground-work of which
is said to be this. Having written in Latin two large volumes of the way of interpreting the New Testament, with
inference to the customs of the Jews, and of the first
heretics in the Christian church, and also of the heathens,
especially in the Grecian games and, above all, of the
importance of the Hellenistical dialect he began to consider, that it might be more useful to the English render,
to write in our vulgar language, and set every observation
in its natural order, according to the direction of the text.
And having some years before collated several Greek copies
of the New Testament, and observed the variation of our
English from the original, and made an entire translation
of the whole for his own private use, he cast his work into
that form in which it now appears. It came out first in
1653; in 1656, with additions and alterations; and, in
1698, Le Clerc put out a Latin translation of it, viz. of
the “Paraphrase and Annotations,
” with the text of the
Vulgate, in which he has intermixed many of his own animadversions, explained those points which Dr. Hammond
had but slightly touched, and corrected many of his
mistakes.
o the house of sir Philip Warwick at Clapham in Bedford shire. The trial of king Charles drawing on, and Dr. Hammond being in no other capacity to interpose than by
From Oxford he was removed to the house of sir Philip
Warwick at Clapham in Bedford shire. The trial of king
Charles drawing on, and Dr. Hammond being in no other
capacity to interpose than by writing, he drew up an address to the general and council of officers, which he published under this title: “To the right honourable the lord
Fairfax, and his council of war, the humble Address of
Henry Hammond.
” It is unnecessary to add that this produced no effect, as his majesty’s doom was fixed. Dr.
Hammond’s grief for the death of his royal master was
extreme; but, as soon as he had in some measure recovered
his spirits, he resumed his studies, and published several
pieces. The rigour of his restraint being taken off in the
beginning of 1649, he removed to Westwood in Worcestershire, the seat of the loyal sir John Packington, from
whom he received a kind invitation; and here spent the
remainder of his days. In 1651, when Charles II. came
into those parts, he waited upon him, and received a letter
from his own hand of great importance, to satisfy his loyal
subjects concerning his adherence to the religion of the
church of England. In 1653 he published, as already observed, his great work on the New Testament, and went
on applying antidotes to the distempers of the church and
state, and opposing the absurd tenets of the sectaries,
particularly those of the anabaptists. Afterwards he undertook a “Paraphrase and Commentary on all the books
of the Old Testament;
” of which he published the Psalms,
and went through a third part of the book of Proverbs.
His want of health only hindered him fromproceeding
farther: for that strength of body which had hitherto
attended his indefatigable mind, beginning to fail him
about 1654, he was attacked by a complication of disorders, the stone, the gout, the colic, and the cramp; but
the stone put an end to his life. While Charles II. was
designing him for the bishopric of Worcester, and he was
preparing to go to London, whither he had been invited
by the most eminent divines, he was seized with a sharp fit
of the stone the 4th of April, of which he died the 25th of
the same month, 1660.
Dr. Hammond was a very handsome man, well-made, and of a strong and vigorous constitution; of a clear and florid
Dr. Hammond was a very handsome man, well-made,
and of a strong and vigorous constitution; of a clear and
florid complexion, his eye remarkably quick and sprightly,
and in his countenance there was a mixture of sweetness and
dignity. He had a free, graceful, and commanding eloquenee. King Charles I. said of him, that he was the most
natural orator he ever heard. He had not, however, a
technical memory, and used to complain that it was harder
for him to get ope sermon by heart than to pen twenty. He
was of a very kind, social, benevolent, and friendly disposition; extremely liberal to the poor, to whom he rendered his bounty more valuable by his manner of bestowing it. “Misery and want,' 7 says his excellent biographer,
” wherever Dr. Hammond met with them, sufficiently endeared the object. His alms were as exuberant as his love;
and in calamities, to the exigence he never was a stranger,
whatever he might be to the man that suffered.“Among
other evidences which Hammond gave of his benevolence,
Dr. Fell informs us, that, when he saw a man honest and
industrious, he would trust him with a sum, and let him pay
it again at such times and in such proportions as he found
himself able; all this accompanied by an inquiry into his
condition, and advice as to the better disposal of the money, closing his discourse with prayer, and dismissing the
object of his benevolence with the utmost kindness. To
persons of rank and fortune his advice was, to
” treat their
poor neighbours with such a cheerfulness, that they may
be glad to have met with them."
Dr. Hammond was a man of great temperance; his diet was of the plainest kind, and he frequently practised fastng. He seldom went to bed until
Dr. Hammond was a man of great temperance; his diet
was of the plainest kind, and he frequently practised fastng. He seldom went to bed until midnight, or remained
in it beyond five or six o'clock. By these means he was
enabled to endure cold and fatigue, and in the severest
weather sat at a distance from a fire. His studious industry was unceasing. He not only avoided, but had a
strong aversion to idleness. “To be always furnished with
somewhat to do
” he considered as the best expedient both
for innocence and pleasure, saying, that no burthen was
more heavy, or temptation more dangerous, than to have
time lie on one’s hand.“His piety was fervent, and from
his youth he spent much of his time in secret devotion.
Bishop Burnet says of him, that
” his death was an unspeakable loss to the church; for as he was a man of great
learning, and of most eminent merit, he having been the
person that during the bad times had maintained the cause
of the church in a very singular manner; so he was a very
moderate man in his temper, though with a high principle,
and would probably have fallen into healing counsels. He
was also much set on reforming abuses, and for raising the
clergy to a due sense of the obligations they lay under."
He published a great many controversial and practical tracts and sermons, commentaries, &c. in his life-time,
He published a great many controversial and practical tracts and sermons, commentaries, &c. in his life-time, which, with many posthumous pieces, were collected together by his amanuensis, the learned Mr. William Fulman, and published in 4 vols. fol. 1684; and in 1739 Mr. Peck published a collection of his letters, amounting to nineteen.
594. He was of as ancient (Whitlocke says the ancientest) extraction as any gentleman in his county; and cousin-german to Oliver Cromwell, his father having married
, of Hamden, in Buckinghamshire, a celebrated political character in the reign of Charles
I. was born at London in 1594. He was of as ancient
(Whitlocke says the ancientest) extraction as any gentleman in his county; and cousin-german to Oliver Cromwell, his father having married the protector’s aunt. In
1609 he was sent to Magdalen college in Oxford whence,
without taking any degree, be removed to the inns of
court, and made a considerable progress in the study of the
law. Sir Philip Warwick observes, that “he had great
knowledge both in scholarship and the law.
” In his entrance into the world, he is said to have indulged himself
in all the licence of sports, and exercises, and company,
such as were used by men of the most jovial conversation;
but afterwards to have retired to a more reserved and
austere society, preserving, however, his natural cheerfulness and vivacity. In the second parliament of king
Charles, which met at Westminster, February 1625-6, he
obtained a seat in the house of commons, as he also did in
two succeeding parliaments; but made no figure till 1636,
when he became universally known, by a solemn trial at
the king’s bench, on his refusing to pay the ship-money.
He carried himself, as Clarendon tells us, through this
whole suit with such singular temper and modesty, that he
obtained more credit and advantage by losing it, than the
king did service by gaining it. From this time he soon
grew to be one of the most popular men in the nation, and
a leading member in the long parliament. “The eyes of
all men,
” says the same writer, “were fixed upon him as
their pater patrite, and the pilot that must steer the vessel
through the tempests and rocks which threatened it.
”
After he had held the chief direction of his party in the
house of commons against the king, he took up arms in
the same cause, and was one of the first who opened the
war by an action at a place called Brill, a garrison of the
king’s, on the edge of Buckinghamshire, about five miles
from Oxford. He took the command of a regiment of foot
under the earl of Essex, and shewed such skill and bravery,
that, had he lived, he would; probably, soon have been
raised to the post of a general. But he was cut off early
by a mortal wound, which he received in a skirmish with
prince Rupert, at Chalgrove-field, in Oxfordshire, where,
it is generally reported, he was shot in the shoulder with a
brace of bullets, which broke the bone, June 18, 1643;
and, after suffering much pain and misery, he died the
24th, an event which affected his party nearly as much as
if their whole army had been defeated . “Many men
observed,
” says Clarendon, “that the field in which this
skirmish was, and upon which Hampden received his deathwound, namely, Chalgrove-field, was the same place in
which he had first executed the ordinance of the militia,
and engaged that county, in which his reputation was very
great, in this rebellion: and it was confessed by the prisoners that were taken that day, and acknowledged by all,
that upon the alarm that morning, after their quarters were
beaten up, he was exceeding solicitous to draw forces together to pursue the enemy; and, being a colonel of foot,
put himself amongst those horse as a volunteer, who were
first ready, and that, when the prince made a stand, all
the officers were of opinion to stay till their body came up,
and he alone persuaded and prevailed with them to advance: so violently did his fate carry him to pay the mulct
in the place where he had committed the transgression
about a year before. This was an observation made at that
time;
” but lord Clarendon does not adopt it as an opinion
of his own.
gaged in the opposite party to him, was, perhaps, one of the most extraordinary men that ever lived; and is thus delineated by the noble historian already quoted. “He
Hampden, if we form our judgment of him only from
the account of those who were engaged in the opposite
party to him, was, perhaps, one of the most extraordinary
men that ever lived; and is thus delineated by the noble
historian already quoted. “He was a man of much greater
cunning, and it may be of the most discerning spirit, and
of the greatest address and insinuation to bring any thing
to pass which he desired, of any man of that time, and who
laid the design deepest. He was not a man of many words,
and rarely began the discourse, or made the first entrance
upon any business that was assumed, but a very weighty
speaker; and after he had heard a full debate, and observed how the house was like to be inclined, took up the
argument, and shortly, and clearly, and craftily, so stated
it, that he commonly conducted it to the conclusion he
desired. He was of that rare affability and temper in debate, and of thatseeming humility and submission of judgment, as if he brought no opinion of his own with him,
but a desire of information and instruction; yet he had so
subtle a way, and under the notion of doubts insinuating
his objections, that he infused his own opinions into those
from whom he pretended to learn and receive them. And
even with them who were able to preserve themselves from
his infusions, and discerned those opinions to be fixed in
him with which they could not comply, he always left the
character of an ingenuous and conscientious person. He
was, indeed, a very wise man, and of great parts, and
possessed with the most absolute spirit of popularity, and
the most absolute faculties to govern the people, of any
man I ever knew. For the first year of the parliament he
seemed rather to moderate and soften the violent and
distempered humours than to inflame them. But wise and
dispassionate men plainly discerned, that that moderation
proceeded from prudence, and observation that the season
was not ripe, rather than that he approved of the moderation and that he begot many opinions and notions, the
education whereof he committed to other men so far disguising his own designs, that he seemed seldom to wish
more than was concluded. And in many gross conclusions,
which would hereafter contribute to designs not yet set on
foot, when he found them sufficiently backed by a majority of voices, he would withdraw himself before the question, that he might seem not to consent to so much visible
unreasonableness; which produced as great a doubt in
some as it did approbation in others of his integrity. After
he was among those members accused by the king of high
treason, he was much altered; his nature and carriage
seeming much fiercer than it did before: and without
question, when he first drew his sword, he threw away the
scabbard. He was very temperate in diet, and a supreme
governor over all his passions and affections; and had
thereby a great power over other men’s. He was of an
industry and vigilance not to be tired out or wearied by
the most laborious and of parts not to be imposed upon
by the most subtle and sharp and of a personal courage
equal to his best parts so that he was an enemy not to be
wished wherever he might have been made a friend and
as much to be apprehended where he was so, as any man
could deserve to be. And therefore his death was no less
pleasing to the one party than it was condoled in the other.
In a word, what was said of Cinna might well be applied to
him: he had ahead to contrive, a tongue to persuade, and
a hand to execute, any mischief, or,‘-’ as the historian says
elsewhere,
” any good." Thus is Hampden described by
Clarendon, agreeably to the notions usually formed of his
character after the restoration; which was that of a great,
rather than a good man. But as the characters of statesmen, commanders, or men acting in a public capacity,
always vary with the times and fashions of politics, at the
revolution, and since, he has been esteemed a good man
as well as a great.
duchy of Magdeburgh, February 4, 1684, by a second wife of his father, who was an eminent physician and surgeon of the same place, and then above sixty years of age.
, the greatest musical composer of his time, or perhaps of any time or country, was born at Halle, in the duchy of Magdeburgh, February 4, 1684, by a second wife of his father, who was an eminent physician and surgeon of the same place, and then above sixty years of age. From his very childhood he discovered such a propensity to music, that his father, who always intended him for the civil law, took every method to oppose this inclination, by keeping him out of the way of, and strictly forbidding him to meddle with, musical instruments of any kind. The son, however, found means to get a little clavicord privately conveyed to a room at the top of the house; and with this he used to amuse himself when the family was asleep. While he was yet under seven years of age, he went with his father to the duke of Saxe Weisenfels, where it was impossible to keep him from harpsichords, and other musical instruments. One morning, while he was playing on the organ, after the service was over, the duke was in the church; and something in his manner of playing affected his highness so strongly, that he asked his valet-de-chambre (who was Handel’s brother-in-law) who it was that he heard at the organ? The valet replied, that it was his brother. The duke demanded to see him; and after making proper inquiries about him, expostulated very seriously with his father, who still retained his prepossessions in favour of the civil law. He allowed that every father had certainly a right to dispose of his children as he should think most expedient; but that in the present instance he could not but consider it as a sort of crime against the public and posterity to rob the world of such a rising genius. The issue of this conversation was, not only a toleration for music, but consent also that a master should be called in to forward and assist him.
m under one Zackau, organist to the cathedral church, a person of great abilities in his profession, and not more qualified than inclined to do justice to any pupil
The first thing his father did at his return to Halle, was to place him under one Zackau, organist to the cathedral church, a person of great abilities in his profession, and not more qualified than inclined to do justice to any pupil of promising hopes. Handel pleased him so much, that he never thought he could do enough for him. He was proud of a pupil who already began to attract the attention of the public; and glad of an assistant who by his extraordinary talents was capable of supplying his place whenever he had a mind to be absent. If it seem strange to talk of an assistant at seven years of age, it will appear stranger that at nine Handel began to compose the church service for voices and instruments, and from that time was accustomed to compose a service every week for three years successively. Having far surpassed his master, the master himself confessing it, and made all the improvement he could at Halle, it was agreed he should go to Berlin in 1698, where the opera was in a flourishing condition under the encouragement of the elector of Brandenburg, afterwards king of Prussia. Handel had not been long at this court before his abilities became known to the sovereign, who frequently sent for him, and made him large presents. He farther offered to send him to Italy, where he might be formed under the best masters, and have opportunities of hearing and seeing all that was excellent in the kind; but his father refused this offer from a spirit of independence. During his stay at Berlin, he became acquainted with two Italian composers, Buononcini and Attilio; the same who afterwards came to England while Handel was here, and were at the head of a formidable opposition against him.
Next to the opera of Berlin, that of Hamburgh was in the highest request and thither it was resolved to send him, with a view to improvement
Next to the opera of Berlin, that of Hamburgh was in the
highest request and thither it was resolved to send him,
with a view to improvement but his father’s death happening soon after, and his mother being left in narrow
circumstances, he thought it necessary to procure scholars,
and obtain some employment in the orchestra; and by this
means was enabled to prove a great relief to her. He had
a dispute at Hamburgh with one of the masters, in opposition to whom he laid claim to the first harpsichord, which
was determined in his favour. The honour, however, had
like to have cost him dear; for his antagonist so resented
his being constrained to yield to such a stripling competitor, that, as they were coming out of the orchestra, he
made a push at him with a sword, which had infallibly
pierced his heart, but for the friendly score which he
carried accidentally in his bosom. “Had this happened,
”
says his historian, “in the early ages, not a mortal but
would have been persuaded that Apollo himself interposed
to preserve him in the form of a music-book.
” Dr. Burney, however, has subdued this flourish a little, by informing us that the sword broke against a metal button. t
From conducting the performance he became composer to the Chouse; and “Almeria,” his first opera, was composed when he was not much
From conducting the performance he became composer
to the Chouse; and “Almeria,
” his first opera, was composed when he was not much above fourteen years of age.
The success of it was so great, that it ran for thirty nights
without interruption; and this encouraged him to
compose others, as he did also a considerable number of sonatas during his stay at Hamburgh, which was about four
or five years. He contracted an acquaintance at this place
with many persons of note, among whom was the prince
of Tuscany, brother to the grand duke. The prince, who
was a great lover of the art for which his country was famous, would often lament Handel’s not being acquainted
with the Italian music; shewed him a large collection of
it,; and was very desirous he should return with him to
Florence. Handel plainly answered, that he could see
nothing in the music answerable to the prince’s character
of it; but, on the contrary, thought it so very indifferent,
that the singers, he said, must be angels to recommend it.
The prince smiled at the severity of his censure, yet
pressed him to return with him, and intimated that no convenience should be wanting. Handel thanked him for
the offer of a favour which he did not chuse to accept; for
he resolved to go to Italy on a speculation of his own, as
soon as he could raise a sum sufficient for the purpose.
He had in him from his childhood a strong spirit of independence, which was never known to forsake him in the
most distressful seasons of his life; and it is remarkable
that he refused the greatest offers from persons of the first
distinction, because he would not be cramped or confined
by particular attachments.
Soon after, he went to Italy, and Florence was his first destination; where at the age of eighteen,
Soon after, he went to Italy, and Florence was his first
destination; where at the age of eighteen, he composed
the opera of “Rodrigo,
” for which he was presented with
Agripjpina
” in three weeks; which was performed twenty-seven
nights successively, and with which the audience were enraptured. From Venice he went to Rome, where his arrival was no sooner known than he received polite messages from persons of the first distinction. Among his
greatest admirers was the cardinal Ottoboni, a man of reiined taste and princely magnificence; at whose court he
met with the famous Corelli, with whom he became well
acquainted. Attempts were made at Rome to convert him
to Popery; but he declared himself resolved to die a member of that communion, whether true or false, in which he
had been born and bred. From Rome he went to Naples;
and after he quitted Naples, made a second visit to Florence, Rome, and Venice. The whole time of his abode
in Italy was six years; during which he had composed a
great deal of music, and some in almost every species of
composition. These early fruits of his studies would doubtless be great curiosities, could they be met with.
accordingly visited Hanover, where he met with Steffani, with whom he had been acquainted at Venice; and who was then master of the chapel to George I. when elector
He now returned to his native country, but could not prevail on himself to settle while there was any musical court which he had not seen. He accordingly visited Hanover, where he met with Steffani, with whom he had been acquainted at Venice; and who was then master of the chapel to George I. when elector of Hanover. There also was a nobleman who had taken notice of him in Italy, and who afterwards did him great service when he came to Kngland for the second time, baron Kilmansegge, who now introduced him at court, and so well recommended him to his electoral highness, that he immediately offered him a pension of 1500 crowns per annum, as an inducement to stay. Handel excused his not accepting this high favour, because he had promised the court of the elector palatine, and had also thoughts of going to England, whither he had received strong invitations from the duke of Manchester. On this he obtained leave to be absent for a twelvemonth or more at a time, and to go whithersoever he pleased; and on these conditions he thankfully accepted the pension.
After paying a visit to his mother, who was now extremely old and blind, and to his old master Zackau, he set out for Dusseldorp.
After paying a visit to his mother, who was now extremely old and blind, and to his old master Zackau, he
set out for Dusseldorp. The elector was highly pleased
with him, and at parting made him a present of a fine set
of wrought plate for a dessert. From Dusseldorp he made
the best of his way through Holland; and embarking for
England, he arrived at London in the winter of 1710,
where he was soon introduced at court, and honoured with
marks of the queen’s favour. Many of the nobility were
impatient for an opera from him on which he composed
“Rinaldo,
” which succeeded so wonderfully, that his
engagements at Hanover became the subject of much
concern. He returned however thither in about a twelvemonth; for besides his pension, Steffani had resigned to
him the mastership of the chapel; but in 17 12 he obtained
leave of the elector to visit England again, on condition
that he returned within a reasonable time. The poor state
of music here, and the wretched proceedings at the Haymarket, made the nobility desirous that he might be employed in composing for the theatre. To their applications the queen added her own authority; and as an encouragement, settled on him for life a pension of 20O/,
per annum. All this induced Handel to forget his obligations to Hanover; so that when George I. came over at
the death of the queen, in 1714, conscious how ill he had
deserved at his hands, he durst not appear at court. It
happened, however, that his noble friend baron Kilmansegge was here; and he, with others of the nobility, contrived the following scheme for reinstating him in his majesty’s favour. The king was persuaded to form a party
on the water; and Handel was desired to prepare some
music for that occasion. This, which has since been so
justly celebrated under the title of the “Water Music,
”
was performed and conducted by himself, unknown to his
majesty, whose pleasure on hearing it was equal to hig
surprize. Upon his inquiring whose it was, the baron
produced the delinquent, and presented him to his majesty, as one that was too conscious of his fault to attempt
an excuse for it. Thus Handel was restored to favour,
and his music honoured with the highest approbation; and
as a token of it, the king was pleased* to add a pension foe
life of 200l. a year to that which queen Anne had before
given him. Some years after, when he was employed to
teach the young princesses, another pension was added to
the former by her late majesty.
Handel was now settled in England, and well provided for. The first three years he was chiefly, if
Handel was now settled in England, and well provided
for. The first three years he was chiefly, if not constantly,
at the earl of Burlington’s, where he frequently met Pope.
The poet one day asked his friend Arbuthnot, of whose
knowledge'in music he had an high idea, what was his real
opinion of Handel, as a master of that science? who re-,
plied, “Conceive the highest you can of his abilities, and
they are much beyond any thing that you can conceive.
”
Pope nevertheless declared, that Handel’s finest things,
so untoward were his ears, gave him no more pleasure
than the airs of a common ballad. The two next years
Handel spent at Cannons, then in its glory, and composed
music for the chapel there. About this time a project was
formed by the nobility for erecting an academy in the
Haymarket; the intention of which was to secure a constant supply of operas, to be composed by Handel, and
to be performed under his direction. For this purpose
the sum of 50,000^. was subscribed, the king subscribing
lOOOl. and a society was formed called “the Royal Academy.
” Handel immediately was commissioned to go to
Dresden in quest of singers, whence he brought Senesino
and Duristanti. At this time Buononcini and Attilto,
whom we have mentioned before, composed for the opera,
and had a strong party in their favour, which produced
a violent opposition, ridiculed by Swift and the other wits
of the time, although of great importance to the fashionable world; but at last the rival composers and performers
were all united, and each was to have his particular part.
The academy being now firmly established, and Handel appointed principal composer, all things went on prosperously
The academy being now firmly established, and Handel appointed principal composer, all things went on prosperously for a course of ten years. Handel maintained an absolute authority over the singers and the band, or rather kept them in total subjection. What, however, they regarded for some time as legal government, at length appeared to be downright tyranny; on which a rebellion commenced, with Senesino at the head of it, and all became tumult and civil war. Handel perceiving that Senesino was grown less tractable and obsequious, resolved to subdue him. To manage him by gentle means he disdained; yet to controul him by force he could not, Senesino’s interest and party being too powerful. The one, therefore, was quite refractory, the other quite outrageous. The merits of the quarrel are not known; but, whatever they were, the nobility would not consent to his design of parting with Senesino, and Handel had resolved to have no farther concerns with him. And thus the academy, after it had gone on in a flourishing state for above nine years, was at once dissolved.
still continued at the Haymarket, but his audience gradually sunk away. New singers must be sought, and could not be had any nearer than Italy, to which, however, he
Handel still continued at the Haymarket, but his audience gradually sunk away. New singers must be sought, and could not be had any nearer than Italy, to which, however, he was obliged to go, and returning with several singers, he carried on the opera for three or four years without success. Many of the nobility raised a new subscription for another opera at Lincoln’s-inn-fields, and sent for Farinelli and others; and in short, the opposition was so strong, that in spite of his great abilities, his affairs declined, and his fortune was not more impaired than his health and his understanding. His right arm was become useless to him from a stroke of the palsy; and his senses were greatly disordered at intervals for a long time. In this unhappy state, it was thought necessary that he should go to the vapour-baths at Aix-la-Chapelle; and thence he received a cure, which from the manner, as well as quickness of it, passed with the nuns for a miracle.
Soon after his return to London, in 1736, his “Alexander’s Feast” was performed at Covent-garden, and applauded; and several other attempts were made to reinstate
Soon after his return to London, in 1736, his “Alexander’s Feast
” was performed at Covent-garden, and applauded; and several other attempts were made to reinstate
him, but they did not prevail; the Italian party were too
powerful; so that in 174-1 he went to Dublin, where he
was well received, and began to repair his fortune. At
his return to London in 1741-2, the minds of most men
were disposed in his favour, and the aera of his prosperity
returned. He immediately began his oratorios in Coventgarden, which he continued with uninterrupted success
and unrivalled glory, till within eight days of his death.
The last was performed on the 6th, and he expired on the
13th of April, 1759. He was buried in Westminster-abbey,
where by his own order, and at his own expence, a monument is erected to his memory.
t any character of Handel after what Dr. Burney has given. “That Handel was superior in the strength and boldness of his style, the richness of his harmony, and complication
As a composer, it would be affectation to attempt any
character of Handel after what Dr. Burney has given.
“That Handel was superior in the strength and boldness
of his style, the richness of his harmony, and complication
of parts, to every composer who has been most admired
for such excellencies, cannot be disputed; and while
fugue, contrivance, and a full score were more generallyreverenced than at present, he remained wholly unrivalled.
We know it has been said that Handel was not the original
3-nd immediate inventor of several species of music for which
his name has been celebrated; but with respect to originality, it is a term to which proper limits should be set
before it is applied to the productions of any artist. Every
invention is clumsy in its beginning; and Shakspeare was
not the first writer of plays, or Corelli the first composer
of violin solos, sonatas, and concertos, though those which
he produced were the best of his time; nor was Milton the
inventor of epic poetry. The scale, harmony, and cadence of music being settled, it is impossible for any composer to invent a genus of composition that is wholly and
rigorously new, any more than for a poet to form a language, idiom, and phraseology for himself. All that the
o-reatest and boldest musical inventor can do, is to avail
himself of the best effusions, combinations, and effects of
his predecessors; to arrange and apply them in a new
manner; and to add from his own source, whatever he can
draw, that is grand, graceful, gay, pathetic, or in any
other way pleasing. This Handel did in a most ample and
superior manner; being possessed in his middle age and
full vigour, of every refinement and perfection of his time;
uniting the depth and elaborate contrivance of his own
country with Italian elegance and facility; as he seems
while he resided south of the Alps, to have listened attentively in the church, theatre, and chamber, to the most
exquisite compositions and performers of every kind that
were then existing. We will not assert that his vocal meTodies were more polished and graceful than those of his
countryman and contemporary Hasse; or his recitatives or
musical declamation, superior to that of his rivals Buononcini and Porpora. But in his instrumental compositions
there is a vigour, a spirit, a variety, a learning, and invention,
superior to every other composer that can be named; and
in his organ fugues and organ playing, there is learning
always free from pedantry; and in his choruses a grandeur
and sublimity which we believe has never been equalled
since the invention of counterpoint.
”
The figure of Handel was large, and he was somewhat corpulent and unwieldy in his motions, and his
The figure of Handel was large, and he was somewhat corpulent and unwieldy in his motions, and his general cast of countenance seemed rather heavy and sour; yet, when animated in conversation, his visage was full of fire and dignity, and such as impressed ideas of superiority and genius; and when he smiled, there was an uncommon sudden flash of intelligence, wit, and good-humour beaming in his countenance. Though he was generally rough and peremptory in his manners and conversation, he was totally devoid of ill-nature or malevolence; indeed, there was an original humour and pleasantry in his most lively sallies of anger or impatience, which, with his broken English, were extremely risible. His natural propensity to wit and humour, and happy manner of relating common occurrences in an uncommon way, enabled him to throw persons and things into very ridiculous attitudes. Had he been as great a master of the English language as Swift, his bon-mots would have been as frequent, and somewhat of the same kind.
jurious to society. Nature, indeed, required a great supply of sustenance to support so huge a mass, and he was rather Epicurean in the choice of it; but this seems
Handel, with many virtues, was addicted to no vice that was injurious to society. Nature, indeed, required a great supply of sustenance to support so huge a mass, and he was rather Epicurean in the choice of it; but this seems to have been the only appetite which he allowed himself to gratify; and though he was frequently rough in his language, and in the habit of swearing, a' vice then much more in fashion than at present, he became more regular during the last years of his life, and constantly attended public prayers twice a day, winter and summer, both in London and Tunbridge.
It has been said of him, that out of his profession he was ignorant and dull, but, if the fact was as true as it is severe, it must
It has been said of him, that out of his profession he was ignorant and dull, but, if the fact was as true as it is severe, it must be allowed in extenuation, that to possess a difficult art in the perfect manner in which he did, and to be possessed by it, seems a natural consequence, and all that the public had a right to expect, as he pretended to nothing more. So occupied and absorbed was Handel by the study and exercise of his profession, that he had little time to bestow, either on private amusements or the cultivation of friendship. Indeed, the credit and reverence arising from these, had Handel possessed them, would have been transient, and confined to his own age and acquaintance; whereas the fame acquired by silent and close application to his professional business is universal. Dr. Burney thinks it probable that his name, like that of many of his brethren, will long survive his works. The most learned man can give us no information concerning either the private life or compositions of Orpheus, Amphion, Linus, Olympus, Terpander, or Timotheus, yet every school-boy can tell us that they were great musicians, the delight of their several ages, and many years after, of posterity. Though totally free from the sordid vices of meanness and avarice, and possessed of their opposite virtues, charity and generosity, in spite of temporary adversity, powerful enemies, and frequent maladies of body, which sometimes extended to intellect, Handel died worth upwards of 20,000l.; which, except 1000l. to the fund for decayed musicians and their families, he chiefly bequeathed to his relations on the continent.
him so much honour, that he was invited to Gotha, where he was made professor of morality, politics, and history; and appointed afterwards professor of history, politics,
, a learned German professor,
was born February 16, 1633, at Breslaw. Some theses
which he maintained did him so much honour, that he
was invited to Gotha, where he was made professor of
morality, politics, and history; and appointed afterwards
professor of history, politics, and rhetoric, at Breslaw,
1661 librarian of the Elizabeth library, in the same city,
1670 - y patron of the college of Elizabeth, 1631 and in
1688, teacher and inspector of all the schools of the Augsburg confession in that country. He died at Breslaw,
April 24, 1709. He wrote many works which established
his reputation among his countrymen as an acute critic and
profound scholar. His principal performance, and that
for which he is most esteemed among scholars, is his book
“De Romanarum rerum Scriptoribus,
” 2 vols. 4to, 1669,
1675, to which was added another, “De By z an tin arum
rerum Scriptoribus Grsecis,
”
ch as to bring great odium on him. Out of avarice he tore away the brass plates from the gravestones and monuments, and sold them; and he also appears by Fleetwood’s
, an English divine of a very
mixed character, was son to Thomas Hanmer of Porkington, in Shropshire, where he was born in 1543, though
Fuller says he was born in Flintshire. He became chaplain
of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, where he took a degree
in arts in April 1567. He afterwards was presented to the
living of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, during his holding of
which his conduct was such as to bring great odium on him.
Out of avarice he tore away the brass plates from the gravestones and monuments, and sold them; and he also appears by Fleetwood’s Diary to have paid very little regard to
his oath in a court of justice. In 1581 or 1582, betook
his degrees in divinity, and in Nov. 4th, 1583, was presented to the vicarage of Islington, which he resigned in
1590. Two or three years afterwards he resigned Shoreditch, went to Ireland, and at length became treasurer to
the church of the holy Trinity, in Dublin, which he kept
until his death in 1604. Weever says he committed suicide; and there is still a tradition to this effect among the
inhabitants of Shoreditch parish. Whatever his errors, he
was esteemed an exact disputant, and a good preacher; an
excellent Greek scholar, and well versed in ecclesiastical
and civil history. Besides some tracts against the Jesuits,
he published “A Chronography,
” &c. Lond. The
Ancient Ecclesiastical Histories of the first 600 years after
Christ, originally written by Eusebius, Socrates, and Evagrius,
” The Chronicle of Ireland, in two parts,
” the third
part of which was published in A Sermon on the Baptising of a Turk,
”
preached in the collegiate church of St. Katherine,
, a distinguished statesman and polite writer, was born about 1676, and had his education at
, a distinguished statesman and polite writer, was born about 1676, and had his education at Westminster-school, and Christ-church, Oxford. When he arrived at years of maturity, he was chosen knight of the shire for the county of Suffolk, and sat in parliament near thirty years, either as a representative for that county, or for Flintshire, or for the borough of Thetford. In this venerable assembly he was soon distinguished; and his powerful elocution and unbiassed integrity drew the attention of all parties. In 17 13 he was chosen speaker of the house of commons; which office, difficult at all times, but at that time more particularly, he discharged with becoming dignity. All other honours and emoluments he declined. Having withdrawn himself by degrees from public business, he spent the remainder of his life in an honourable retirement amongst his books and friends; and there prepared an elegant and correct edition of the works of Shakspeare. This he presented to the university of Oxford; and it was printed there 1744, in 6 vols. 4to, with elegant engravings, by Gravelot, at the expence of sir Thomas. He died at his seat in Suffolk, April 5, 1746.
ed Lutheran divine, was born March 1, 1595, at Blaxen in the county of Oldenburg, into which county, and Delmenhorst, his ancestors had introduced Lutheranism. He was
, a celebrated Lutheran divine,
was born March 1, 1595, at Blaxen in the county of Oldenburg, into which county, and Delmenhorst, his ancestors
had introduced Lutheranism. He was professor of morality, afterwards of divinity and oriental languages at Marpurg, and, lastly^ superintendant of the churches of Lubec, where he died February 17, 1671. His principal
works are, “Scutum Catholic veritatis,
” against the Jesuit Thomas Henrici an “Examination of the Jesuit Becan’s Manual
” a “Hebrew Grammar
” “Expositio Epistolse Pauli ad Ephesios,
” Marpurg, Synopsis
Theologiae
” “Irenicum Catholico Evangelicum
” “De
Justificatione Hominis,
” &c. His son, Philip Lewis
Hanneken, who died professor of divinity at Wittemberg,
June 16, 1706, has also left several works on the Scriptures.
, an historical and portrait painter, was born at the Hague in 1611, and as some
, an historical and portrait painter, was born at the Hague in 1611, and as some writers report, was a disciple of Vandyke; But with more probability, was a disciple of Hubert Kavestein. However, he formed his taste, and his manner of penciling, by studying and copying the works of Vandyke, observing particularly the airs of the heads, which he very happily imitated; and in the tints of his carnations he had somewhat so extremely soft and delicate, as to give them an appearance little inferior to those of Vandyke. Several of Hannetnan’s copies after that illustrious painter’s works shewed such exactness, and at the same time such a freedom of hand, that they are frequently mistaken for originals. Although he was usually employed in portrait-painting, yet he sometimes designed historical and allegorical subjects. Of the latter kind there is^a large picture in the hall of the States of Holland, representing Peace, under the figure of a beautiful woman seated on a throne, holding a dove on her knees, and crowned with wreaths of laurel by two genii. The composition is rich, and it is painted with a great deal of force; the carnations approaching very near to the tints of Vandyke. He came to England in the reign of Charles I. and continued here for sixteen years, and, at his return to the Hague, became the favourite painter of the princess Mary of Orange. There is a picture of her, and the prince in armour, at lord Stratford’s at Wentworth castle, painted, as lord Orford thinks, by him; there are also portraits by him at Windsor, Worksop, and other places. He died about 1680.
rica, entered the ocean by what is now called the Strait of Gibraltar; discovered several countries, and would have continued his voyage, had he not been in want of
, a Carthaginian general, who was employed
to sail round Africa, entered the ocean by what is now
called the Strait of Gibraltar; discovered several countries,
and would have continued his voyage, had he not been in
want of provisions. The “Periplus of Hanno,
” ascribed
to him, was published in Greek by Gelenius, 1533, and
there is a good edition of it in Greek and Latin, with notes,
Leyden, 1674, 12mo. It is also inserted in the “Geographi Veteres,
” Oxford, 4 vols. 8vo, but some suppose this
work is of much later date than the time of Hanno, there
being reason to suppose he was the famous Carthaginian
general who carried on the war against Agathocles, when
Carthage was in its most flourishing state. It has been
translated into Italian by Romusio, into Spanish by Campomanes, into French by Bougainville, and in I7U7 into
English by the learned Mr. Falconer of Corpus college,
Oxford, who has ably defended the authenticity of the
work against Dodwell and other writers.
, a monk of St. Alban’s, and a Latin poet of the twelfth century, was a native of this country,
, a monk of St. Alban’s, and a Latin
poet of the twelfth century, was a native of this country,
and educated at Oxford, where he took a master’s degree.
He is said to have travelled through a great part of Europe,
and during a long residence at Paris, studied rhetoric, and
was distinguished for his taste even among the numerous
and polite scholars of that flourishing seminary. On his
return to England, he became a Benedictine monk in the
abbey of St. Alban’s, where he died about the beginning
of the thirteenth century. He wrote a long Latin poem in
nine books, dedicated to Walter bishop of Rouen, entitled
“Architrenius,
” which Warton, who has given a long specimen of it, pronounces a learned, ingenious, and very entertaining performance, containing a mixture of satire and
panegyric on public vice and virtue, with some historical
digressions, but not enough to justify Simlerus’s blunder
in the epitome of Gesner’s Bibliotheca, where he says the
subject is *' de antiquitatibus Britannise." This work was
printed at Paris, 1517, 4to, and is scarce; but there are
two manuscripts of it in the Bodleian library, with some
epistles, epigrams, and other poems by the same hand.
, a benevolent and amiable character, was born at Portsmouth in 1712. He was at
, a benevolent and amiable character, was born at Portsmouth in 1712. He was at a very early age bound apprentice to a merchant at Lisbon, and afterwards connected himself with a mercantile house at Petersburgh, in consequence of which he was induced to travel into Persia. On leaving Russia with an independent fortune, he returned to his own country, and passed the remainder of his life as a private gentleman, honourably to himself and useful to the world. In 1753, he published an account of his travels through Russia into Persia, and back again through Russia, Germany, and Holland. To this work also was added an account of the revolutions of Persia during the present century. His other publications are very numerous; most of them were well received, and all of them calculated to prove him an excellent citizen and liberal-minded man. The institution of the Marine Society, justly attributed to his activity and benevolence, was the favourite object of Mr. Han way’s care; and in 1758, he was also particularly instrumental in the establishment of the Magdalen charity. His public spirit, and, above all, his disinterestedness, were so conspicuous, that a deputation of the principal merchants in London waited upon the earl of Bute, when prime minister, and represented to him that an individual like Mr. Hanway, who had done so much public good to the injury of his private fortune, was deserving of some signal mark of the public esteem. He was accordingly made a commissioner of the navy, a situation which he held more than twenty years, and, when he resigned, he was allowed to retain the salary for life, on account of his known exertions in the cause of universal chanty. To enumerate the various instances in which the benevolent character of his heart was successfully exerted, would be no easy task. Sunday-schools in a great measure may look upon' Mr. Hanway as their father; the chimney-sweepers’ boys are much indebted to his humanity; and perhaps there never was any public calamity in any part of the British empire which he did not endeavour to alleviate. So greatly and so universally was he respected, that when he died, in 1786, a subscription of many hundred pounds was raised to erect a monument to his memory. The great character of his numerous works is a strong masculine spirit of good sense, and a very chaste simplicity. In his private life he was remarkable for the strictest integrity of conduct, and for a frankness and candour which naturally inspired confidence. The number of his publications amounted to almost seventy, a catalogue of which is annexed to his Life by Mr. Pugh, a work highly edifying and entertaining.
, a learned Dutch catholic divine, and called in that language Van der Haer, was born at Utrecht in
, a learned Dutch catholic divine,
and called in that language Van der Haer, was born at
Utrecht in 1550, and after the usual course of academical
instruction, taught rhetoric at Douay, and travelled afterwards into Germany, Italy, and Muscovy. He accompanied father Pousse vin, who was sent there by the pope as
nuncio. On his return, he was made canon of Bois-Ie-duc,
then of Namur, and Louvain, at which last place he died,
January 12, 1632. His principal works are, “Biblia sacra
expositionibus priscorum Patrum litteralibus *t mysticis
illustrata,
” Antwerp, Catena aurea in IV
Evangelia,
” 1625, 8vo; “Annales Ducum Brabantiae, ac
tumultuum Belgicorum
” an abridgment of the “Lives of
the Saints,
” taken chiefly from Surius, 8vo and “A Chronology,
” Antwerp,
the fertility of his pen, wrote an incredible number of pieces for the theatre, som say six hundred, and some even more. Of these, however, no more remain than thirty-four,
, a French dramatist of the seventeenth century, remarkable for the fertility of his pen,
wrote an incredible number of pieces for the theatre, som
say six hundred, and some even more. Of these, however,
no more remain than thirty-four, which were published by
himself in six volumes, 8vo, Paris, 1625 1628. Among
these the only tolerable piece is “Marianne,
” so good, indeed, that his readers will wonder how it came there. All
his boast was a remarkable facility in writing; it was said
that he would write two thousand lines in twenty-four
hours: in three days his play was composed, and acted.
He certainly had considerable talents, but, as he was very
necessitous, and compelled to write against time, his abilities had not fair scope. He was the first French dramatist
who introduced the custom of being paid for his pieces.
He died at Paris in 1630.
, one of our old English historians, descended from a reputable northern family, was born in 1373, and at the age of twelve was admitted into the family of sir Henry
, one of our old
English historians, descended from a reputable northern
family, was born in 1373, and at the age of twelve was admitted into the family of sir Henry Percy, eldest son to
the earl of Northumberland, familiarly known by the name
of Harry Hotspur, on account of his impatient spirit. He
was one of the most esteemed warriors of his time, active
and enterprising, had a large vassalry, numerous partizans,
and unlimited authority. His household, as lord of the
east march of England, was constantly held at Berwick^
upon-Tweed. Harding, it appears, was with his patron,
as a volunteer, in the battles of Homildon and Cokelawe.
After the death of Percy, he enlisted under the banners
of sir Robert Umfravile, with whom he had fought at Horoildon, and who was connected with the Percies by the
ties of affinity as well as those of arms. In 1405, when
king Henry IV. reduced the fortresses of lord Bardolph
and the earl of Northumberland, sir Robert Umfravile’s
services in the expedition were rewarded with the castle
of Warkworth, under whom Harding became the constable.
How long he remained at Warkworth does not appear, but
his knowledge of Scottish geography seems soon to have
engaged him in the secret service of his country, In 1415
we find him attendant on the king at Harfleur, and his
journal of the march which preceded the memorable battle
of Agincourt forms one of the most curious passages among
the additions to the late reprint of his Chronicle. In 1416
he appears to have accompanied the duke of Bedford to
the sea-fight at the mouth of the Seine. In 1424 he was
at Rome, and employed partly in inspecting “the great
Chronicle of Trogus Pompeius;
” but soon after he was
again employed in collecting documents for ascertaining
the fealty due from the Scottish kings, which seems to
have been attended with some personal danger. He has
even been accused of forging deeds to answer his royal
master’s purpose; but the truth of this charge cannot now
be ascertained.
ively as Harding was engaged in public life, he found time to gather materials lor his “Chronicle,”, and appears to have finished the first composition of it toward
Actively as Harding was engaged in public life, he
found time to gather materials lor his “Chronicle,
”, and
appears to have finished the first composition of it toward
the latter en4 of the minority of king Henry VI. The
Lansdowne manuscript closes with the life of sir Robert
Umfravile, who died, according to Dugdale, Jan. 27, 1436,
and under whom Harding seems to have lived in his latter
years as constable of Kyme castle in Lincolnshire. Of
the rewards which he received for his services, we find only
a grant for life often pounds per annum out of the manor
or alien preceptory of Wyloughton in the county of Lincoln, in the eighteenth year of Henry VI.; and in 1457 he
had a pension of twenty pounds a year for life by letters
patent, charged upon the revenues of the county of Lin.,
coin. During his latter days he appears to have re-composed his “Chronicle
” for Richard duke of York, father
to king Edward IV. who was slain in the battle of Wakefield, Dec. 31, 1460. It was afterwards presented to king
Edward IV. himself. The history comes no lower than
the flight of Henry VI. to Scotland, but from “the excusacion
” touching his “defaultes,
” in which the q‘ueen’is
mentioned, it is evident that Harding could not have
finished his work before 1465. How long he survived its
completion is unknown, but he must then have been at
least eighty-seven years of age. His “Chronicle of England unto the reign of king Edward IV.
” is in verse, and as
a metrical composition is beneath criticism, but, as a record of facts, is highly interesting to the English historian
and antiquary. It was first printed by Grafton in 1543,
with a continuation by the same, to the thirty-fourth year
of Henry VIII. This has been long ranked among the most
rare and expensive of our Chronicles, but those who prefer use to mere antiquity, will set a higher value on the
edition printed in 1812 by the booksellers of London,
Henry Ellis, esq. the learned editor of this edition, has
prefixed a biographical and literary preface, to which the
preceding account is much indebted, and has carefully
collated Harding' s part of the “Chronicle
” with two manuscripts of the author’s own time, the Lansdowne and the
Harleian, both which are in the British Museum; and
Grafton’s addition has been collated with his duplicate
edition.^ It is noticed by Mr. Ellis as a very singular fact,
that there should be two editions of Harding, both printed
by Grafton in the month of January 1543, differing in
almost every page, and one, in Grafton’s own portion of
the work, containing (in the reign of Henry VIII.) no less
than twenty-nine pages more than the other.
, a popish divine of considerable note, and the antagonist of bishop Jewel, was born at Comb-Martin in Devonshire,
, a popish divine of considerable
note, and the antagonist of bishop Jewel, was born at
Comb-Martin in Devonshire, 1512. His school education
was first at Barhstaple, and afterwards at Winchester,
whence he was removed to New-college, Oxford, and after
two years’ probation, was chosen fellow there in 1536. In
1542, having completed his degrees in arts, he was chosen
Hebrew professor of the university by Henry VIII. and,
fcis religion probably kept pace with the king’s, but
Edward no sooner ascended the throne, than Harding became
a zealous protestant. He was afterwards chaplain to the
duke of Suffolk, father of Jane Grey, and had the honour
to instruct this young lady in the protestant religion; but,
on the accession of queen Mary, he immediately became
a confirmed papist, and was chaplain and confessor to Gardiner bishop of Winchester. There is a curious epistle
preserved by Fox, said to be written by lady Jane to Harding on his apostacy, which, Burnet observes, “is full of
Jife in the thought, and zeal in the expression.
” In 1554,
he proceeded D. D. at Oxford, and was the year after
made treasurer of the cathedral of Salisbury, as he had
been a little before prebendary of Winchester. When
Elizabeth came to the crown, being deprived of his preferment, he left the kingdom; and, having fixed his abode
at Louvain in Flanders, he became, says Wood, “the target of popery,
” in a warm controversy with bishop Jewel,
respecting ordination, against whom, between 1554 and
1567, he wrote seven pieces. He died at Louvain Sept.
16, 1572, and was buried in the church of St. Gertrude,
with an epitaph, given at length by Pits. He was undoubtedly a man of parts and learning, and not an inelegant writer. Humphrey, in his “Life of Jewel,
” comparing himwith his adversary, says, “in multis pares
sunt, & arnbo doctrinae & eloquentiae gloria praecellentes.
”
, a polite and ingenious scholar, was the younger son of the rev. Gideon Hardinge,
, 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.
At Eton and Cambridge, he had the fame of the most eminent scholar of his
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.
He had a rich vein of humour; and his English muse, though never inelegant, had a peculiar turn
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 his time to the study of the
, 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 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
, 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.
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
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.
Still persisting in his opinion, in some letters, written to Mons. Ballanfaux, and printed at Luxemburg in 1700, he speaks of “an impious faction
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
ing 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,
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,
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
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 of King’s college,
, 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
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.
tion 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
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.
, third and last baron of that name and family, descended from John, younger
, 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
, 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, sworn in council one of the principal secretaries
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.
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,
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.
Hewas a great encourager of learning, and the greatest collector in his time of all curious books in print
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.
vate character, never offending against morality either in conversation or action, a tender husband, and a good father; highly disinterested and generous. He prided
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
, 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.
”
ssenter, 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
, 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.
lourished 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
, 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.
”
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
, 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.