He was accordingly presented next day, April 16, to the visitor, Dr.
He was accordingly presented next day, April 16, to the
visitor, Dr. Mews, bishop of Winchester, and was the same
day sworn in president of the college. He returned next
day, and was solemnly installed in the chapel. Many applications were made to the king during this and the tblflowing month in behalf of the fellows, both by themselves,
the bishop of Winchester, and by the duke of Ormond,
chancellor of the university: notwithstanding which, they
were cited to appear at Whitehall, in June following, before
his majesty’s commissioners for ecclesiastical causes, who
decreed that the election of Mr. Hough, who had now
taken his doctor’s degree, was void, and that he be removed
from his office of president. Still as Farmer’s moral character was too strong to get over, another mandate was sent
to the fellows on August 27, to admit Dr. Samuel Parker
president, who was at that time bishop of Oxford, and a
Roman Catholic. But this was declined, on the ground
of the office heing full, and being directly contrary to
their statutes and the oath they had taken, although the
king went to Oxford in September in order to enforce his
mandate, attended by lord Sunderland and others. Among
these was the celebrated William Penn the quaker, whose
influence with his brethren, and the dissenters in general,
James II. made use of to promote his own designs in favour
of popery, under the colour of a. general toleration and
suspension of the penal laws against all sectaries, as well
as against the Roman catholics. Perm’s interference in the
present business, however, does not appear to havebeen
improper. He even allowed, after making himself acquainted with the circumstances of the case, that the
“fe^ows could not yield obedience without a breach of
their oaths, and that such mandates were a force on conscience, and not agreeable to the king’s other gracious
indulgencies.
”
to attend him in person, at three in the afternoon, at Christ Church, of which the bishop of Oxford was dean. The fellows accordingly attended, and presented a petition,
The king, however, with whom no good advice had any
weight, as soon as he arrived at Oxford, sent for the fellows, Sept. 4, to attend him in person, at three in the
afternoon, at Christ Church, of which the bishop of Oxford was dean. The fellows accordingly attended, and
presented a petition, recapitulating their obligations to
obey the statutes, &c. which the king refused to accept,
and threatened them, in a very gross manner, with the
whole weight of his displeasure, if they did not admit the
bishop of Oxford, which they intimated was not in their
power; and having returned to their chapel, and being
asked by the senior fellow whether they would elect the
bishop of Oxford their president, they all answered in their
turn, that it being contrary to their statutes, and to the
positive oath which they had taken, they did not apprehend
it was in their power. Their refusal was followed by the
appointment of certain lords commissioners to visit the
college. These were, Cartwright bishop of Chester, sir
Robert Wright, chief justice of the king’s bench, and sir
Thomas Jenner, baron of the exchequer, who cited the
pretended president, as he was called, and the fellows, to
appear before them at Magdalen college on Oct. 21, the
day before which the commissioners had arrived at Oxford,
with the parade of three troops of horse. Having assembled on the day appointed in the hall, and their commission read, the names of the president and fellows were
called over, and Dr. Hough was mentioned first. It
was upon this occasion that he behaved with that courage and intrepidity, prudence and temper, which will
endear his memory to the latest posterity. The commissioners, however, struck his name out of the books of the
college, and admonished the fellows and others of the
society no longer to suhmit to his authority. At their next
meeting the president came into court, and said, “My
lords, you were pleased this morning to deprive me of my
place of president of this college I do hereby protect
against all your proceedings, and against all that you have
done, or hereafter shall do, in prejudice of me and my
right, as illegal, unjust, and null: and therefore I appeal
to my sovereign lord the king in his courts of justice.
” As
he had refused them the keys, they sent for a smiHi to
force the door of the president’s lodgings. Burnet savs,
“the nation, as well as the university, looked on all this
proceeding with a just indignation. It was thought an
open piece of robbery and burglary, when men, authorized
by no legal commission, came forcibly and turned men out
of their possessions and freeholds.
”
It was not until the end of September in the following year, 1688,
It was not until the end of September in the following
year, 1688, that the infatuated James II. began to see
the folly of 4iis conduct, and, conscious both of his past
error and present danger, began to be alarmed. Among
other steps taken too late for the preservation of his crown,
he ordered lord Sunderland to write to the bishop of Winchester, that “the king, having declared his resolution topreserve the church of England, and all its rights and immunities, his majesty, as an evidence of it, commanded
him to signify to his lordship his royal will and pleasure,
that, as visitor of St. Mary Magdalen college in Oxford, he
should settle that society regularly and statuteably.
” In
consequence of this, Dr. Hough, as president, and the
fellows and demies who had been expelled, wej;e all
restored.
Soon after the revolution, viz. in April 1690, Dr. Hough was nominated bishop of Oxford, with a licence to hold the presidentship
Soon after the revolution, viz. in April 1690, Dr. Hough was nominated bishop of Oxford, with a licence to hold the presidentship of Magdalen -college in commendam, which he did till he succeeded Dr. William Lloyd, bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, in 1699. It must have been a singular satisfaction to him, as it was a most appropriate reward, that he should receive that mark of elevation in a place which was the scene of his degradation-, or rather of his exemplary fortitude and manly virtue; nor does it appear that this accession of rank at all altered the general benignity of his nature towards those with whom he was connected, either in his college or in his diocese; for even they who had taken a different part at the time of his election, or were of a different opinion with himself, were always treated by him with the greatest humanity and indulgence.
e contributed 1000l. towards building All Saints church in Worcester. In 1715 the metropolitan chair was offered to him, on the death of archbishop Tenison, which he
The remainder of bishop Hough’s life affords few incidents for biography, as he very seldom employed his pen, unless in correspondence, or other compositions not intended for the press, but the steady virtues of his character appeared throughout his whole conduct, and afforded subject for many a heart-felt and many a studied panegyric. Whilst in the see of Lichfield and Coventry, he repaired and almost rebuilt as well as adorned the episcopal house at Eccleshall, and afterwards, on his removal to Worcester, he rehuilt great part of the palace there, particularly the whole front, where his arms are impaled with those of the see in the pediment, and made considerable improvements at his other seat at the castle of Hardebury, so as to have laid out many thousand pounds upon them. He had before repaired the lodgings at Magdalen college at his own expence, and contributed 1000l. towards the hew building at that place of his education. He likewise contributed 1000l. towards building All Saints church in Worcester. In 1715 the metropolitan chair was offered to him, on the death of archbishop Tenison, which he declined, from the too modest and humble sentiments which he entertained of himself; but afterwards, in 1717, he succeeded bishop Lloyd in the see of Worcester. As his public benefactions have been just mentioned, it is necessary to add that his private acts of charity were very extensive. His usual manner of living was agreeable to his function, hospitable without profuseness, and his conversation with all was full of humanity and candour, as well as prudent and instructive.
duration. Bishop Hough’s lamp of life burnt clear,- if not bright, to the last^ and though his body was weak, he had no pain or sickness, as he himself acknowledged
His earliest biographer says, that *' his heavenly temper
of mind, his contempt of the world, and his indifference
to life, were most visible in the latter period of his own; his
firm faith in the promises of the gospel exerted itself most
remarkably in his declining years, as well in conversation
with some of his friends about his hopes of a better state,
and even in his own private thoughts on the nature of that
state, as in several letters to others about the gradual decay
of his body, the just sense he had of his approaching
dissolution, and his entire resignation to the will of God.
As he had on many occasions expressed his well-grounded
hopes of immortality, so they gradually grew stronger on
him, and seemed to be more vigorous in proportion to the
decays of his body. Indeed, even the temper of his mind
bore so just a proportion to his well-tempered constitution
of body, as by an happy result of both, to extend his age
to the beginning of his ninety-third year, and almost to
the completion of the fifty-third year of his episcopate.
But he cast only a cursory eye upon the minute distinctions of human life, as the whole is at best of a short
duration. Bishop Hough’s lamp of life burnt clear,- if not
bright, to the last^ and though his body was weak, he had
no pain or sickness, as he himself acknowledged on several
occasions, not only at a considerable distance from his
death, but even a few minutes before he expired.“A little
before his death, he wrote a letter to his friend lord
Digby, where we find the following remarkable words
” I am weak and forgetful In other respects 1 have ease
to a degree beyond what I durst have thought on, when
years began to multiply upon me. I wait contentedly for
a deliverance out of this life into a better, in humble
confidence, that by the mercy of God, through the merits
of his Son, I shall stand at the resurrection on his right
hand. And when you, my lord, have ended those days
which are to come, which I pray may be many and comfortable, as innocently and as exemplary as those which are
passed, I doubt not of our meeting in that state where the
joys are unspeakable, and will always endure." He died
March 8, 1743, and was buried in Worcester cathedral
near his wife, where his memory is preserved by an elegant
monument.
, a French poetess, was born at Paris in 1638, and possessed all the charms of her sex,
, a French
poetess, was born at Paris in 1638, and possessed all the
charms of her sex, and wit enough to shine in the age of
Louis XIV. Her taste for poetry was cultivated by the
celebrated poet Henault, who is said to have instructed her
in all he knew, or imagined he knew; but she not only
imitated him in his poetry, but also in his irreligion; for
her verses savour strongly of Epicureanism. She composed epigrams, odes, eclogues, tragedies; but succeeded best in the idyllium or pastoral, which some affirm
she carried to perfection. She died at Paris in 1694,
and left a daughter of her own name, who had some talent
for poetry, but inferior to that of her mother. The first
verses, however, composed by this lady, bore away the
prize at the French academy; which was highly to her
honour, if it be true, as is reported, that Fontenelle wrote
at the same time, and upon the same subject. She was a
member of the academy of the Ilicovrati of Padua, as,was
her mother, who was also of that of Aries. She died at
Paris in 1718. The works of these two ladies were
collectively published in 1747, in 2 vols. 12mo. Several
maxims of the elder of these ladies are much cited by
French writers; as, that on gaming, “On commence par
tre dupe, on finit par etre fripon.
” People begin dupes,
and end rogues. And that on self-love: “Nul n'est content cle sa fortune, ni mécontent de son esprit.
” No one
is satisfied with his fortune, or dissatisfied with his talents.
ved, contrary to the common opinion, that animals could live and breathe for some time, although air was freely admitted into both cavities of the thorax. Soon after
, an able promoter of exotic
botany in England, went first to the West Indies, in the
character of a surgeon, and upon his return, after two
years’ residence at Leyden, took his degrees in physic
under Boerhaave, in 1728 and 1729. At Leyden he instituted a set of experiments on brutes; some of which were
made in concert with the celebrated Van Swieten. They
were afterwards published in the Philosophical Transactions
under the title of “Experimenta de perforatione thoracis,
ejusque in respiratione affectibus,
” the result of which
proved, contrary to the common opinion, that animals
could live and breathe for some time, although air was
freely admitted into both cavities of the thorax. Soon
after his return from Holland, he was in 1732 elected a
fellow of the royal society, and went immediately to the
West Indies, where he fell a sacrifice to the heat of the
climate, July 14, 1733. He had previously sent over a
description and figure of the dorsteria contrayerva, which
were published in the Philosophical Transactions, vol.
XXXVII. This was the first authentic account received
of that drug, although known in England from the time of
sir Francis Drake, or earlier. He also sent to his friend
Mr. Miller, of Chelsea, the seeds of many rare and new
plants collected by him in the islands. His ms Catalogue
of plants also came into the hands of Mr. Miller, and after
his death into the possession of sir Joseph Banks, who,
out of respect to the memory of so deserving a man, gratified the botanists with the publication of them, under the
title of " Reliquiae Houstonianae, 1781, 4to.
, a native of Paris, was eighteen years a member of the congregation called the oratory,
, a native of Paris,
was eighteen years a member of the congregation called
the oratory, and afterwards secretary to cardinal Dubois,
by whom he was much esteemed. He was appointed in
1742 perpetual secretary to the French academy, but did
not long enjoy his preferment, for he died the same year,
being about fifty- four years old. He published a work
entitled “La Verite
” de la Religion Chretienne prouvée par
les fails," the latter editions of which are far superior to
the first. The best edition is that of Paris, 1741, 3 vols.
4to. This book had an astonishing success on its first appearance; but sunk afterwards into a state of discredit no
less astonishing: it had been extolled too highly at first,
ancl afterwards too much depreciated. The style is affected, and the author lays down useless principles, and,
sometimes, even such as are dangerous and hurtful to his
cause. His proofs are not always solid or well chosen;
but he is particularly blameable for having separated the
difficulties and objections from the proofs brought against
them. By thus heaping objections on objections at the
end of his work, and giving very short and concise answers
for fear of repetitions, he gives greater forceto the former
than to the latter, makes us lose sight of his proofs, and
seems to destroy what he had established.
, an English historian, who flourished in the reign of Henry II. was born in Yorkshire, most probably in the town of that name, was
, an English historian, who
flourished in the reign of Henry II. was born in Yorkshire,
most probably in the town of that name, was of a good
family, and lived beyond the year 1204, but the exact periods of his birth and death are not known. He is said to
have had some situation in the family of Henry II. and to
have been employed by that monarch in confidential services, such as visiting monasteries. He was by profession
a lawyer, but, like other lawyers of that time, in the
church, and also a professor of theology at Oxford. After
the death of Henry, he applied himself diligently to the
writing of history, ancl composed annals, which he commenced at the year 731, the period where Bede left off,
and continued to the third year of king John, 1202. These
annals were first published by Savile among the Historic!
Anglici, in 1595, and reprinted at Francfort in 1601, folio,
in two books. Leland says of him, “If we consider his
diligence, his knowledge of antiquity, and his religious
strictness of veracity, he may be considered as having surpassed, not only the rude historians of the preceding ages,
but even what could have been expected of himself. If to
that fidelity, which is the first quality of a historian, he had
joined a little more elegance of Latin style, he might have.
stood the first among the authors of that class.
” Vossius
says that he wrote also a history of the Northumbrian kings,
and a life of Thomas a Becket. Edward the Third caused
a diligent search to be made for the works of Hoveden
when he was endeavouring to ascertain his title to the crown
of Scotland. Savile bears the same testimony to his fidelity that we have seen given by Leland.
, the first English botanist who gave a sketch of what is called a “Flora,” was bora in London in 1619, and educated at Merchant Taylors’ school.
, the first English botanist who gave a
sketch of what is called a “Flora,
” was bora in London in
a choice library of books of
his faculty, and the character of a noted herbalist.
” The
work which he published, fto which we have alluded, was
entitled “Phytologia Britannica, natales exhibens indigenarum Stirpium sponte emergentium,
” Lond.
, earl of Surrey, and duke of Norfolk, an eminent commander in the reign of Henry VIII. was born in 1473, and brought up to arms, and soon after the accession
, earl of Surrey, and duke of Norfolk, an eminent commander in the reign of Henry VIII. was born in 1473, and brought up to arms, and soon after the accession of Henry was decorated with the knighthood of the garter. He served with his brother sir Edward, against sir Andrew Barton, a Scotch free-booter, or pirate, who perished in the action. Wuen his brother, sir Edward, was killed in an action near Brest, in 1513, he was appointed to the office in his stead, and in the capacity of high admiral he effectually cleared the channel of French cruisers. The victory of Flodden-field, in which the king of Scotland was slain, was chiefly owing to his valour and good conduct. For this his father was restored to the title of duke of Norfolk, and the title of earl of Surrey was conferred on him. In 1521 he was sent to Ireland as lordlieutenant, chiefly for the purpose, it was thought, of having him out of the way during the proceedings against his father-in-law, the duke of Buckingham. Here he was very instrumental in suppressing the rebellion, and having served there two years he returned, and had the command of the fleet against France. By the death of his father he succeeded to the title and estates as duke of Norfolk. Notwithstanding his great services, Henry, at the close of his tyrannical life and reign, caused the duke to be sent to the Tower on a charge of high treason, and his son to be beheaded in his presence. The death of the king saved the duke’s life. He was, however, detained prisoner during the whole of the reign of Edward VI. but one of the first acts of Mary, after her accession to the throne, was to liberate him. He was, after this, the principal instrument in suppressing the rebellion excited by sir Thomas Wyatt. He died in August 1554, having passed his eightieth year. He was father to the illustrious subject of our next article.
Henry Howard, earl of Surrey, was the eldest son of Thomas, the third duke of Norfolk, lord high
Henry Howard, earl of Surrey, was the eldest son of Thomas, the third duke of Norfolk, lord high treasurer of England in the reign of Henry VIII. by Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham. He was born either at his father’s seat at Framlingham, in Suffolk, or in the city of Westminster, and being a child of great hopes, all imaginable care was taken of his education. When he was very young he was companion, at Windsor castle, with Henry Fitzroy, duke of Richmond, natural son to Henry VIII. and afterwards student in Cardinal college, now Christ Church, Oxford. In 1532 he was with the duke of Richmond at Paris, and continued there for some time in the prosecution of his studies, and learning the French language; and upon the death of that duke in July 1536, travelled into Germany, where he resided some time at the emperor’s court, and thence went to Florence, where he fell in love with the fair Geraldine, the great object of his poetical addresses, and in the grand duke’s court published a challenge against all who should dispute her beauty; which challenge being accepted, he came oft victorious. For this approved valour, the duke of Florence made him large offers to stay with him; but he refused them because he intended to defend the honour of his Geraldine in all the chief cities of Italy. But this design of his was diverted by letters sent to him by king Henry VIII. recalling him to England. He left Italy, therefore, where he had cultivated his poetical genius by the reading of the greatest writers of that country, and returned to his own country, where he was considered a one of the first of the English nobility, who adorned his high birth with the advantages of a polite taste and extensive literature. On the first of May, 1540, he was one of the chief of those who justed at Westminster, as a defendant, against sir John Dudley, sir Thomas Seymour, and other challengers, where he behaved himself with admirable courage, and great skill in the use of his arms, and, in 1542, served in the army, of which his father was lieutenant-genera!, and which, in October that year, entered Scotland, and burnt divers villages. In February or March following, he was confined to Windsor castle for eating flesh in Lent, contrary to the king’s proclamation of the 9th of February 1542. In 1544, upon the expedition to Boulogne, in France, he was field-marshal of the English army; and after taking that town, being then knight of the garter, he was in the beginning of September 1545, constituted the king’s lieutenant and captain-general of all his army within the town and country of Boulogne. During his command there in 1546, hearing that a convoy of provisions of the enemy was coming to the fort at Oultreau, he resolved to intercept it; but the Rhingrave, with' four thdusand Lanskinets, together with a considerable number of French under the marshal de Blez, making an obstinate defence, the Englisii were routed, anil sir Edward Poynings, with divers other gentlemen, killed, and the earl of Surrey himself obliged to fly; though it appears by a letter of his to the king, dated January 8, 1545-6, that this advantage cost the enemy a great number of men. But the king was so highly displeased with this ill success, that, from that time he contracted a prejudice against the earl, and, soon after, removed him from his command, appointing the earl of Hertford to succeed him. On this sir William Paget wrote to the earl of Surrey to advise him to procure some eminent post under the earl of Hertford, that he might not be unprovided in the town and field. The earl being desirous, in the mean time, to regain his former favour with the king, skirmished against the French, and routed them; but, soon after, writing over to the king’s council, that as the enemy had cast much larger cannon than had been yet seen, with which they imagined they should soon demolish Boulogne, it deserved consideration, whether the lower town should stand, as not being defensible, the council ordered him to return to England, in order to represent his sentiments more fully upon those points, and the earl of Hertford was immediately sent over in his room. This exasperating the earl of Surrey, occasioned him to let fall some expressions which savoured of revenge, and a dislike of the king, and an hatred of his counsellors; and was, probably, one great cause of his ruin soon after. His father, the duke of Norfolk, had endeavoured to ally himaelf to the earl of Hertford, and to his brother, sir Thomas Seymour, perceiving how much they were in the king’s favour, and how great an interest they were likely to have under the succeeding prince; and therefore he would have engaged his son, being then a widower (having lost his wife Frances, daughter of John earl of Oxford), to marry the earl of Hertford’s daughter, and pressed his daughter, the duchess of Richmond, widow of the king’s natural son, to marry sir Thomas Seymour. But though the earl of Surrey advised his sister to the marriage projected for her, yet he would nol consent to that designed for himself; nor did the proposition about himself take effect. The Seymours could not but perceive the enmity which the earl bore them; and they might well be jealous of the greatness of the Howard family, which was not only too considerable for subjects, of itself, but was raised so high by the dependence of th whole popish party, both at home and abroad, that they were likely to be very dangerous competitors for the chief government of affairs, if the king should die, whose disease was now growing so fast upon him that he could not live many weeks. Nor is it improbable, that they persuaded the king, that, if the earl of Surrey should marry the princess Mary, it might embroil his son’s government, and, perhaps, ruin him. And it was suggested that he had some such high project in his thoughts, both by his continuing unmarried, and by his using the arms of Edward the Confessor, which, of late, he had given in his coat without a diminution. To complete the duke of Norfolk’s and his son’s ruin, his duchess, who had complained of his using her ill, and had been separated from him about four years, turned informer against him. And the earl and his sister, the duchess dowager of Richmond, being upon ill terms together, she discovered all she knew against him; as likewise did one Mrs. Holland, for whom the duke was believed to have had an unlawful affection. But all these discoveries amounted only to some passionate expressions of the son, and some complaints of the father, who thought he was not beloved by the king and his counsellors, and that he was ill used in not being trusted with the secret of affairs. However, all persons being encouraged to bring informations against them, sir Richard Southwel charged the earl of Surrey in some points of an higher nature; which the earl denied, and desired to be admitted, according to the martial law, to fight, in his shirt, with sir Richard. But, that not being granted, he and his father were committed prisoners to the Tower on the 12th of December 1546; and the earl, being a commoner, was brought to his trial in Guildhall, on the 13th of January following, Jbefore the lord chancellor, the lord mayor, and other commissioners; where he defended himself with great skill and address, sometimes denying the accusations, and weakening the credit of the witnesses against him, and sometimes interpreting the words objected to him in a far different sense from what had been represented. For the point of bearing the arms of Edward the Confessor, he justified himself by the authority of the heralds. And when a witness was produced, who pretended to repeat some high words of his lordship’s, by way of discourse, which concerned him nearly, and provoked the witness to return him a braving answer; the qarl left it to the jury to judge whether it was probable that this man should speak thus to him, and he not strike him again. In conclusion, he insisted upon his innocence, but was found guilty, and had sentence of death passed upon him. He was beheaded on Tower-hill on the 19th of January 1546-7; and his body interred in the church of All Hallows Barking, and afterwards removed to Framlingham, in Suffolk.
His next biographer to whom any respect is due was the late earl of Orford, in his Catalogue of “Royal and Noble
His next biographer to whom any respect is due was
the late earl of Orford, in his Catalogue of “Royal and
Noble Authors.
” The account of Surrey, in this work, derives its chief merit from lord Orford’s ingenious explanation of the sonnet on Geraldine, which amounts to this,
that Geraldine was Elizabeth (second daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald earl of Kildare), and afterwards third wife of
Edward Clinton earl of Lincoln; and that Surrey probably saw her first at Hunsdon-house in Hertfordshire, where,
as she was second cousin to the princesses Mary and
Elizabeth, who were educated in this place, she might
have been educated with them, and Surrey, as the companion of the duke of Richmond, the king’s natural son,
might have had interviews with her, when the duke went
to visit his sisters. All this is ingenious; but no light is
thrown upon the personal history of the earl, and none of
the difficulties, however obvious, in his courtship of Geraldine removed, or even hinted at; nor does lord Orford
condescend to inquire into the dates of any event in his
life.
lais to visit Francis I. with a most magnificent retinue. The friendship of these two young noblemen was soon strengthened by a utw tie; for Richmond married the lady
Mr. Warton commences his account of Surrey by observing, that “Lord Surrey’s life throws so much light on
the character and subjects of his poetry, that it is almost
impossible to consider the one, without exhibiting a few
anecdotes of the other.
” He then gives the memoirs of
Surrey almost in the words of lord Orford, except in th
following instances:
“A friendship of the closest kind commencing between
these two illustrious youths (Surrey and the duke of Richmond), about the year 1530, they were both removed
to cardinal Wolsey’s college at Oxford. Two years afterwards (1532) for the purpose of acquiring every accomplishment of an elegant education, the earl accompanied
his noble friend and fellow-pupil into France, where they
received king Henry, v on his arrival at Calais to visit
Francis I. with a most magnificent retinue. The friendship of these two young noblemen was soon strengthened
by a utw tie; for Richmond married the lady Mary Howard, Surrey’s sister. Richmond, however, appears to have
died in the year 1536, about the age of seventeen, having
never cohabited with his wife. It was long before Surrey
forgot the untimely loss of this amiable youth, the friend
and associate of his childhood, and who nearly resembled
himself in genius, refinement of manners, and liberal acquisitions.
”
is mistress, and prepared to defend the cause of her beauty with the weapons of knight-errantry. Nor was this adventurous journey performed without the intervention
"It is not precisely known at what period the earl of Surrey began his travels. They have the air of a romance. He made the tour of Europe in the true spirit of chivalry, and with the ideas of an Amadis: proclaiming the unparalleled charms of his mistress, and prepared to defend the cause of her beauty with the weapons of knight-errantry. Nor was this adventurous journey performed without the intervention of an enchanter. The first city in Italy which he proposed to visit was Florence, the capital of Tuscany, and the original seat of the ancestors of his Geraidine. In his way thither, he passed a few days at the emperor’s court ^ where he became acquainted with Cornelius Agrippa, a celebrated adept in natural magic. This visionary philosopher shewed our hero, in a mirror of glass, a living image of Geraidine, reclining on a couch, sick, and reading one of his most tender sonnets by a waxen taper. His imagination, which wanted not the flattering F represeniations and artificial incentives of illusion, was heated anew by this interesting and affecting spectacle. Inflamed wiih every enthusiasm of the most romantic passion, he hastened to Florence and on his arrival, immediately published a defiance against any person who could handle a lance and was in love, whether Christian, Jew, Turk, Saracen, or Canibal, who should presume to dispute the superiority of Geraldine’s beauty. As the lady was pretended to be of Tuscan extraction, the pride of the Flo-, rentines was flattered on this occasion: and the grand duke of Tuscany permitted a general and unmolested ingress into his dominions of the combatants of all countries, till this important trial should be decided. The challenge was accepted, and the earl victorious. The shield which he presented to the duke before the tournament began, is exhibited in Vertue’s valuable plate of the Arundel family, and was actually in the possession of the late duke of Norfolk.
“He was recalled to England for some idle reason by the king, much sooner
“He was recalled to England for some idle reason by
the king, much sooner than he expected and he returned
home, the most elegant traveller, the most polite lover, the
most learned nobleman, and the most accomplished gentleman, of his age. Dexterity in tilting, and gracefulness
in managing a horse under arms, were excellencies now
viewed with a critical eye, and practised with a high degree
of emulation. In 1540, at a tournament held in the presence of the court at Westminster^ and in which the principal of the nobility were engaged, Surrey was distinguished above the rest for his address in the use and exercise of arms. But his martial skill was not solely displayed in. the parade and ostentation of these domestic
combats. In 1542, he marched into Scotland, as a chief
commander in his father’s army; and was conspicuous for
his conduct and bravery at the memorable battle of
Flodden-Field, where James the Fourth of Scotland was
killed.
”
s and verses availed so little. No memoirs of that incurious age have informed us whether her beauty was equalled by her cruelty; or whether her ambition prevailed so
“Among these anecdotes of Surrey’s life, I had almost
forgot to mention what became of his amour with the fair
Geraldine. We lament to find that Surrey’s devotion to
this lady did not end in a wedding, and that all his gallantries and verses availed so little. No memoirs of that
incurious age have informed us whether her beauty was
equalled by her cruelty; or whether her ambition prevailed so far over her gratitude, as to tempt her to prefer
the solid glories of a more splendid title and ample fortune
to the challenges and the compliments of so magnanimous,
so faithful, and so eloquent a lover. She appears, however, to have been afterwards the third wife of Edward
Clinton, earl of Lincoln. Such also is the power of time
and accident over amorous vows, that even Surrey himself
outlived the violence of his passion. He married Frances,
daughter of John earl of Oxford, by whom he left several
children. One of his daughters, Jane countess of Westmoreland, was among the learned ladies of that age, and
became famous for her knowledge of the Greek and Latin
languages.
”
taken place some time between 1515 and 1520, probably the former, or at least earlier than 1520. He was, it is, universally agreed, the school companion of the duke
The birth of lord Surrey may be conjectured to have
taken place some time between 1515 and 1520, probably
the former, or at least earlier than 1520. He was, it is,
universally agreed, the school companion of the duke of
Richmond, who died in 1536, in his seventeenth year, and
if we allow that Surrey was two or three years older, it will
not much affect the high probability that he was a very
young man at the time when his biographers made him fall
in love with Geraldine, and maintain her beauty at Florence. None of the portraits of Surrey, as far as the present writer has been able to ascertain, mention his age, except that in the picture gallery at Oxford, on which is
inscribed, that he was beheaded in “1547, set. 27.
” The
inscription, indeed, is in a hand posterior to the date of
the picture (supposed to be by Holbein), but it may have
been the hand of some successful inquirer. None of the
books of peerage notice his birth or age, nor are these circumstances inserted on his monument at Framlingham.
Conjecture, it has been already observed, supposes him to
have been born some time between 1515 and 1520. If
we take the earliest of these dates, it will still remain that
his biographers have either crowded more events into his
life than it was capable of holding, or that they have delayed his principal adventures until they become undeserving of credit, and inconsistent with his character.
le time before his death. Among other accusations whispered in the ear of his jealous sovereign, one was his continuing unmarried (an expression which usually denotes
Mr. Warton observes, that “it is not precisely known
at what period the earl of Surrey began his travels;
” but
this is a matter of little consequence in refuting the account usually given of those travels, because all his biographers are agreed that he did not set out before 1536,
At this time he had ten years only of life before him, which
have been filled up in a very extraordinary manner. First,
he travels over a part of Europe, vindicating the beauty
of Geraldine in 1540 he is celebrated at the justs at
Westminster in 1542 he goes to Scotland with his father’s
army in 1543 (probably) he is imprisoned for eating
flesh in lent ^in 1544 5, he is commander at Boulogne
and lastly, amidst all these romantic adventures, or serious
events, he has leisure to marry the daughter of the earl of
Oxford, and beget five children, which we may suppose
would occupy at least five or six of the above ten years,
and those not the last five or six years, for we find him a
widower a considerable time before his death. Among
other accusations whispered in the ear of his jealous sovereign, one was his continuing unmarried (an expression which usually denotes a considerable length of time) after
the period when a second marriage might be decent, in
order that he might marry the princess Mary, in the event
of the king’s death, and so disturb the succession of Edward.
The placing of these events in this series would render
the story of his knight-errantry sufficiently improbable,
were we left without any information respecting the date
of Surrey’s marriage, but that event renders the whole impossible, if we wish to preserve any respect for the consistency of his character. Surrey was actually married
before the commencement of his travels in pursuit or in
defence of Geraldine’s beauty. His eldest son, Thomas,
third duke of Norfolk, was eighteen years old when his
grandfather died in 1554. He was consequently born in
1536, and his father, it is surely reasonable to suppose,
was married in 1535. It would, therefore, be unnecessary to examine the story of Surrey’s romantic travels any
farther, if we had not some collateral authorities which
may still show that whatever may be wrong in the present statement, it is certain that there is nothing right in
the common accounts, which have been read and copied
without any suspicion.
s, however, is as improbable as all the rest of the story, for it can be decidedly proved that there was no time for Surrey’s gallantries towards Geraldine, except the
If it be said that Surrey’s age is not exactly known, and
therefore allowing 1536, the date of his travels, to be erroneous, it is possible that he might have been enamoured
of Geraldine long before this, and it is possible that his
travels might have commenced in 1526, or any other period founded on this new conjecture. This, however, is
as improbable as all the rest of the story, for it can be decidedly proved that there was no time for Surrey’s gallantries towards Geraldine, except the period which his
biographers, however absurdly, have assigned, namely,
when he was a married man. The father of lady Elizabeth, the supposed Geraldine, married in 1519, one of
the daughters of Thomas Grey, marquis of Dorset, and
by her had five children, of whom Elizabeth was the
fourth, and therefore probably not born before 1523 or
1524. If Surrey’s courtship, therefore, must be carried
farther back, it must be carried to the nursery; for even
in 1536, when we are told he was her knight-errant, she
could not have been more than eleven or twelve years old.
Let us add to this a few particulars respecting Geraldine’s
husband. She married Edward lord C'linton. He was
born in 1512, was educated in the court, and passed his
youth in those magnificent and romantic amusements which
distinguished the beginning of Henry VIII.'s reign, but
did not appear as a public character until 1544, when he
was thirty-two years of age, Geraldine about twenty-four,
and Surrey within two years of his death, and most probably a widower. This earl of Lincoln had three wives;
the date of his marriage with any of them is not known,
nor how long they lived, but Geraldine was the third, the
only one by whom he had no children, and who survived
his death, which took place in 1584, thirty-eight years
after the death of Surrey. Mr. Warton, in his earnest
desire to connect her with Surrey, insinuates that she might
have been either cruel, or that her “ambition prevailed
so far over her gratitude as to tempt her to prefer the
solid glories of a more splendid title and ample fortune,
to the challenges and the compliments of so magnanimous,
so faithful, and so eloquent a lover.
” On this it is only
necessary to remark, that the lady’s ambition might have
been as highly gratified by marrying the accomplished and
gallant Surrey, the heir of the duke of Norfolk, as by allying herself to a nobleman of inferior talents and rank.
But of his two conjectures, Mr. Warton seems most to
adhere to that of cruelty^ for he adds, that “Surrey himgelf outlived his amorous vows, and married the daughter
of the earl of Oxford.
” This, however, is as little deserving of serious examination, as the ridiculous story of
Cornelius Agrippa showing Geraldine in a glass, which
Anthony Wood found in Drayton’s “Heroical Epistle,
”
or probably, as Mr. Park thinks, took it from Nash’s
fanciful “Life of Jack Wilton,
” published in Heroical Epistle
” which led Mr.
Warton into so egregious a blunder as that of our poet
being present at Flodden-field, in 1513. Dr. Sewell, indeed, in the short memoirs prefixed to his edition of Surrey’s Poems, asserts the same; tut little credit is due to
the assertion -of a writer who at the same time fixes Surrey’s birth in 1520, seven years after that memorable
battle was fought.
to the very dates which are brought to confirm it, it seems more safe to conjecture that this sonnet was one of our author’s earliest productions, addressed to Geraldine,
It is now time to inquire whether the accounts hitherto
given can be confirmed by internal evidence. It has been
so common to consider Geraldine as the mistress of Surrey,
that all his love-poems are supposed to have a reference
to his attachment to that lady. Mr. Warton begins his
narrative by observing, that “Surrey’s life throws so much
light on the character and subjects of his poetry, that it is
almost impossible to consider the one without exhibiting a
few anecdtes of the other.
” We have already seen what
those anecdotes are, how totally* irreconcileable with probability, and how amply refuted by the dates which hi
biographers, unfortunately for their story, have uniformly
furnished. When we look into the poems, we find the
celebrated sonnet to Geraldine, the only specious foundation for his romantic attachment; but as that attachment
and its consequences cannot be supported without a continual violation of probability, and in opposition to the
very dates which are brought to confirm it, it seems more
safe to conjecture that this sonnet was one of our author’s
earliest productions, addressed to Geraldine, a mere child,
by one who was only not a child, as an effort of youthful
gallantry, in one of his interviews with her at Hunsdon.
Whatever credit may be given to this conjecture, for
which the present writer is by no means anxious, it is certain that if we reject it, or some conjecture of the same
import, and adopt the accounts given by his biographers,
we cannot proceed a single step without being opposed by
invincible difficulties. There is no other poem in Surrey’s
collection that can be proved to have any reference to
Geraldine, but there are two with the same title, viz. “The
Complaint of the absence of her lover being upon the sea,
”
which are evidently written in the character of a wife, lamenting the absence of her husband, and tenderly alluding
to “his faire litle Sonne.
” Mr. Wanon, indeed, finds
Geraldine in the beautiful lines beginning “Give place,
ye lovers, here before,
” and from the lines “Spite drave
me into Boreas reign,
” infers that her anger “drave him
into a colder climate,
” with what truth may now be left to
the reader. But another of his conjectures cannot be
passed over. “In 1544,
” he says, “lord Surrey was fieldmarshal of the English army in the expedition to Boulogne,
which he took. In that age, love and arms constantly
went together; and it was amid the fatigues of this protracted campaign, that he composed his last sonnet, called
* The Fansie of a Wearied Lover.
” But this is a mere
supposition. The poems of Surrey are without dates, and
were arranged by their first editor without any attention
to a matter of so much importance. The few allusions
made to his personal history in these poems are very dark,
but in some of them there is a train of reflection which
seems to indicate that misfortunes and disappointments
had dissipated his Quixotism, and reduced him to the sober and serious tone of a man whose days had been “fevr
and evil.
” Although he names his productions songs and
sonnets, they have less of the properties of either than of
the elegiac strain. His scripture- translations appear to be
characteristic of his mind and situation in his latter days.
What unless a heart almost broken by the unnatural conduct of his friends and family, could have induced the
gay and gallant Surrey, the accomplished courtier and
soldier, to console himself by translating those passages
from Ecclesiastes which treat of the shortness and uncertainty of all human enjoyments, or those Psalms which
direct the penitent and the forsaken to the throne of almighty power and grace? Mr. Warton remarks that these
translations of Scripture “show him to have been a friend
to the reformation;
” and this, which is highly probable,
may have been one reason why his sufferings were embittered by the neglect, if not the direct hostility of his
bigotted father and sister. The translation of the Scriptures
into prose was but just tolerated in his time, and to familiarize them by the graces of poetry must have appeared
yet more obnoxious to the enemies of the reformation.
, and nature. Petrarch would have been a better poet had he been. a worse scholar. Our author’s mind was not too much over-laid by learning.”
Although the present writer has taken some liberties with
the Historian of English poetry, in his account of Surrey’s
life, he has not the presumption to omit Mr. Warton’s elegant and just criticism on his poems. “Surrey for justness of thought, correctness of style, and purity of expression, may justly be pronounced the first English classical poet. He unquestionably is the first polite writer of
love-verses in our language, although it must be allowed that
there is a striking native beauty in some of our love-verse,
written much earlier than Surrey’s.
” It is also worthy of
notice, that while all his biographers send him to Italy to
study its poetry, Mr. Warton finds nothing in his works of
that metaphysical cast which marks the Italian poets his
supposed masters, especially Petrarch. “Surrey’s sentiments are for the most part natural and unaffected; arising
from his own feelings, and dictated by the present circumstances. His poetry is alike unembarrassed by learned allusions, or elaborate conceits. If our author copies Petrarch, it is Petrarch’s better manner; when he descends
from his Platonic abstractions, his refinements of passion,
his exaggerated compliments, and his play upon opposite
sentiments, into a track of tenderness, simplicity, and nature. Petrarch would have been a better poet had he been.
a worse scholar. Our author’s mind was not too much
over-laid by learning.
”
l merit, however, is that of being the first specimen in the English language, of blank verse, which was at that time growing fashionable in the Italian poetry. It is
The translation of the two books of the Eneid is “executed with fidelity, without a prosaic servility; the diction
is often poetical, and the versification varied with proper
pauses.
” Its principal merit, however, is that of being
the first specimen in the English language, of blank verse,
which was at that time growing fashionable in the Italian
poetry. It is very probable that he intended to have translated the whole, and he is so much more elegant and correct in this than in his other translations, that the Eneid
appears to have been the production of his happier days.
different arrangement, made to suit his situation and feelings at the time they were written, which was probably when he was in the Tower.
The fidelity which Mr. Warton attributes to the translations from Virgil, our author has not preserved in his translations from Scripture, which are very liberal, and by frequent omissions, and a different arrangement, made to suit his situation and feelings at the time they were written, which was probably when he was in the Tower.
The translation of the second and fourth book of the Eneid was published in 1557, but it seems doubtful whether together or
The translation of the second and fourth book of the Eneid was published in 1557, but it seems doubtful whether together or separately. The translations of the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the few additional original poems, were printed, but not published, many years ago, by Dr. Percy, from a ms.f now in the possession of Thomas Hill, esq. A more correct and perfect edition of Surrey may soon be expected from Dr. Nott.
, earl of Northampton, second son of the preceding, but unworthy of such a father, was born at Shottisham in Norfolk about 1539. He was educated at
, earl of Northampton, second
son of the preceding, but unworthy of such a father, was
born at Shottisham in Norfolk about 1539. He was educated at King’s college, and afterwards at Trinity-hall,
Cambridge, where he took the degree of A. M. to which
he was also admitted at Oxford, in 1568. Bishop Godwin
says, his reputation for literature was so great in the unU
versity, that he was esteemed“the learnedest among the
nobility; and the most noble among the learned.
” He
was at first, probably, very slenderly provided for, being
often obliged, as Lloyd records, “to dine with the chair
of duke Humphrey.
” He contrived, however, to spend
some years in travel; but on his return could obtain no
favour at court, at least till the latter end of queen Elizabeth’s reign, which was probably owing to his connections.
In 1597, it seems as if he was in some power (perhaps, however, only through the influence of his friend lord Essex), because Rowland White applied to him concerning
sir Robert Sydney’s suits at court. He was the grossest of
flatterers, as appears by his letters to his patron and friend
lord Essex; but while he professed the most unbounded
friendship for Essex, he yet paid his suit to the lord treasurer Burleigh. On the fall of Essex, he insinuated himself so far into the confidence of his mortal enemy, secretary Cecil, as to become the instrument of the secretary’s
correspondence with the king of Scotland, which passed
through his hands, and has been since published by sit
David Dalrymple. It is not wonderful, therefore, that a
man of his intriguing spirit, was immediately on king
James’s accession, received into favour. In May 1603,
he was made a privy-counsellor; in January following,
lord warden of the Cinque Ports; in March, baron of
Marnhill, and earl of Northampton; in April 1608, lord
privy seal; and honoured with the garter. In 1609, he
succeeded John lord Lumley, as high steward of Oxford;
and in 1612, Robert, earl of Salisbury, as chancellor of
Cambridge. Soon after he became the principal instrument in the infamous intrigue of his great niece the countess of Essex with Carr viscount Rochester. The wretch
acted as pander to the countess, for the purpose of conciliating die rising favourite and it is impossible to doubt
his deep criminality in the murder of Overbury. About
nine months afterwards, June 15, 1614, he died, luckily
for himself, before this atrocious affair became the subject
of public investigation. He was a learned man, but a
pedant dark and mysterious, and far from possessing masterly abilities. It causes astonishment, says the elegant
writer to whom we are indebted for this article, “when
we reflect that this despicable and wicked wretch was the
sou of the generous and accomplished earl of Surrey.
”
One of his biographers remarks, that “his lordship very
prudently died a papist; he stood no chance for heaven in
any other religion.
”
, earl of Nottingham, lord high admiral of England, was son of William lord Howard of Effingliam, and grandson of Thomas
, earl of Nottingham, lord high admiral of England, was son of William lord Howard of Effingliam, and grandson of Thomas second duke of Norfolk/ He was born in 1536, and initiated early into the affairs of state, being sent in 1559, on the death of Henry II. king of France, with a compliment or condolence to his successor Francis II. and to congratulate him on "his accession to the throne, &c. On his return he was elected one of the knights of the shire for the county of Surrey in 1562, and in 1569 was general of the horse under the earl of Warwick, in the army sent against the earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, then in rebellion. The year following he went with a fleet of men of war to convoy the princess Anne of Austria, daughter of the emperor Maximilian, going into Spain, over the British seas; and in 1573, upon the death of his father, succeeded him in honours and estate. The same year he was installed knight of the garter, and likewise made lord chamberlain of the household; and in 1585 constituted lord high admiral of England.
th which he entirely dispersed and destroyed the Spanish armada; and when, in 1596, another invasion was apprehended from the Spaniards, and a fleet of 150 ships was
In 1588, the memorable year of the Spanish invasion, the queen, knowing his abilities in naval affairs, and popularity with the seamen, gave him the command of her whole fleet, with which he entirely dispersed and destroyed the Spanish armada; and when, in 1596, another invasion was apprehended from the Spaniards, and a fleet of 150 ships was equipped with a proper number of land forces, he was appointed commander in chief at sea, as the earl of Essex was at land. In this expedition Cadiz was taken, and the Spanish fleet there burnt; and the lord high admiral had so great a share in this success, that on Oct. 22 of the same year he was advanced to the dignity of Earl of Nottingham, and appointed justice itinerant for, life of all the forests south of Trent. In 1599, upon an apprehension of the Spaniards again designing the invasion of England, and on private intelligence, that the earl of Essex, then lord deputy of Ireland, discontented at the power of his adversaries, was meditating to return into England with a select party of men, the queen having raised 6000 foot soldiers to be ready on any emergency, reposed so entire a confidence in the earl of Nottingham, that she committed to him the chief command. But these forces being again disbanded a few days after, he had no opportunity for action until 1601, when he suppressed the carl of Essex’s insurrection. The same year he was appointed one of the commissioners for exercising the office of earl marshal of England; and in the beginning of 1602-3, dnring the queen’s last illness, he was deputed by the council, with the lord keeper Egerton and secretary Cecil, to know her majesty’s pleasure in reference to the succession, which she declared in favour of James king of Scotland.
Upon the accession of that king to the throne of England, the earl was continued in his post of lord admiral, and at the coronation
Upon the accession of that king to the throne of England, the earl was continued in his post of lord admiral,
and at the coronation was made lord high steward of England for that occasion; and the year following, upon the
renewing the commission to seven lords for exercising
the office of earl marshal, he was appointed one of that
number. In 1604 he was one of the commissioners to
treat of an union between England and Scotland; and in
1605, sent ambassador to the court of Spain, attended with
a splendid retinue, who being, as Wilson says, “persons
of quality, accoutred with all ornaments suitable, were the
more admired by the Spaniards for beauty and excellency,
by how much the Jesuits had made impressions in the vulgar opinion, that since the English left the Roman religion, they were transformed into strange horrid shapes,
with heads and tails like beasts and monsters.
” His employment there was to take the oath of the king of Spain
to the treaty of peace lately made with him; and he had a
particular instruction, that in performing that ceremony,
which was most likely to be in the royal chapel, he should
have especial care, that it might be done, not in the forenoon in the time of mass, but rather in the afternoon, at
which time the Romish service is most free from superstition. During this embassy, the king of Spain did more
honour to the earl than ever he had done to any person in
his employment in that kingdom; and the people in general shewed all possible regard for him, as his lordship’s behaviour there justly deserved; and at his departure from
thence in June the same year, he had presents made him
by that king in plate, jewels, and horses, to the value of
20.000l. besides the gold chains and jewels given to his
Upon the marriage of the lady Elizabeth to
the Elector Palatine, February 14, 1612-13, the earl of
Nottingham with the duke of Lenox conducted her highness from the chapel; and had the honour of convoying
Jierwith a royal navy to Flushing. He continued lord high
admiral of England till February 6, 1618-19, when finding
himself unable any longer to perform the necessary duties
of that great employment, which he ha4 enjoyed about
thirty-three years with the highest applause, he voluntarily resigned it to his majesty; who being sensible of the
important services which he had done the nation, remitted
him a debt owing to the crown of 1 8,000l. settled upon
him a pension of 1000l. a year for life, and granted him
the place and precedency of John Mowbray, who had been
created earl of Nottingham by king Richard II. at the time
of his coronation.
lived in a most splendid and magnificent manner, keeping seven standing houses at the same time; and was always forward to promote any design serviceable to his country.
He died at the age of eighty-eight, leaving rather an
everlasting memorial of his extraordiaary worth, than any
great estate to his family; although he had enjoyed so
long the profitable post of lord admiral. He lived in a
most splendid and magnificent manner, keeping seven
standing houses at the same time; and was always forward to promote any design serviceable to his country.
He expended in several expeditions great sums out of his
private fortune; and in the critical year 1588, when, on
a surmise, that the Spaniards were unable to set sail that
year, secretary Walsingham, by order of the queen, wrote
to him to send back four of his largest ships, he desired,
that nothing might be rashly credited in so weighty a matter, and that he might keep those ships with him, though
it were at his own cost; and in the expedition to Cadiz,
he, and the earl of Essex, the two commanders, contributed very largely out of their own estates. Sir Robert
Naunton styles him “a good, honest, and brave man; and
as for his person, as goodly a gentleman as any of that
age:
” and Mr. Osborne tells us, that his “fidelity was
impregnable in relation to corruption.
” By his first wife,
Catharine, daughter to Henry Gary lord Hunsdon, he had
two sons and three daughters; and by his second, Margaret, daughter to James Stuart earl of Murray in Scot-<
land, two sons.
, the indefatigable friend of the poor and unfortunate, was born at Hackney, in 1726. His father, who kept a carpet-warehouse
, the indefatigable friend of the poor
and unfortunate, was born at Hackney, in 1726. His
father, who kept a carpet-warehouse in Long-lane, Smithfield, ciymg wiule he was very young, left him to the care
or' guardians, by whom he was apprenticed to Mr. Newnham, grandfather to the late alderman Newhham, a wholesale grocer in the city of London. His constitution appearing too weak for attention to trade, and his father having left him, and an only sister, in circumstances which
placed them above the necessity of pursuing it, he bought
out the remainder of his indentures before the time, and
took a tour in France and Italy. On his return, he lodgei
at the house of a Mrs Lardeau^ a widow, in Stoke- Newing.
ton, where he was so carefully attended by the lady, thai
though she was many years older than himself, he form
an attachment to her, and in 1752 made her his wife. She
Wag possessed of a small fortune, which he generously presented to her sister. She lived, however, only three yeai
after their union, and he was a sincere mourner for hei
loss. About this time he became a fellow of the royal society, and, in 1756, being desirous to view the state ol
Lisbon after the dreadful earthquakej he embarked for thai
city. In this voyage, the Hanover frigate, in which hi
sailed, was taken by a French privateer, and the inconveniences which he suffered during his subsequent confine
ment in France, are supposed to have awakened his sympathies with peculiar strength in favour of prisoners, and
to have given rise to his plans for rendering prisons less
pernicious to health. It is supposed, that after his release,
he made the tour of Italy. On his return, he fixed himself
at Brokenhurst, a retired and pleasant villa near Lymington, in the New Forest. Mr. Howard married a second
time in 1758; but this lady, a daughter of a Mr. Leeds,
of Croxton in Cambridgeshire, died in child-bed of her
only child, a son, in 1765. Either before, or soon after
the death of his second wife, he left Lymington, and purchased an estate at Cardington, near Bedford, adjoining to
that of his relation Mr. Whitbread. Here he much conciliated the poor by giving them employment, building them
cottages, and other acts of benevolence; and regularly attended the congregations of dissenters at Bedford, being
of that persuasion. His time was also a good deal occupied by the education of his only son, a task for which he
is said to have been little qualified. With all his benevolence of heart, he is asserted to have been disposed to a
rigid severity of discipline, arising probably from a very
strict sense of rectitude, but not well calculated to form a
tender mind to advantage. In 1773, he served the office
of sheriflj which, as he has said himself, “brought the distress of prisoners more immediately under his notice,
” and
led to his benevolent design of visiting the gaols and other
places of confinement throughout England, for the sake of
procuring alleviation to the miseries of the sufferers. In
1774, trusting to his interest among the sectaries at Bedford, he offered himself as a candidate for that borough,
but was not returned; and endeavouring to gain his seat
by petition, was unsuccessful. He was, however, in the
same year, examined before the House of Commons, on
the subject of the prisons, and received the thanks of the
house for his attention to them. Thus encouraged, he
completed his inspection of the British prisons, and extended his views even to foreign countries. He travelled
with this design, three times tnrough France, four through
Germany, five through Holland, twice through Italy, once
in Spain and Portugal, and once also through the northern
states, and Turkey. These excursions were taken between
1775 and 1787. In the mean time, his sister died, and
left him a considerable property, which he regarded as
the gift of Providence to promote his humane designs, and
applied accordingly. He published also in 1777, “The
State of the Prisons in England and Wales, with preliminary Observations, and an Account of some Foreign Prisons,
” dedicated, to the House of Commons, in 4to. In
Have I
not one friend in England,
” he said, when he first heard
of the design, “that would put a stop to such a proceeding?
” In 1789, he published “An Account of the principal Lazarettos in Europe, with various Papers relative to
the Plague, together with further Observations on some
foreign Prisoas and Hospitals; and additional remarks on
the present state of those in Great Britain and Ireland.
”
He had published also, in I am not insensible,
” says he, “<>f the dangers that must attend such
a journey. Trusting, however, in the protection of that
kind Providence which has hitherto preserved me, I calmly
and cheerfully commit myself to the disposal of unerring
wisdom. Should it please God to cut off my life in the
prosecution of this design, let not my conduct be uncandidly imputed to rashness or enthusiasm, but to a serious,
deliberate conviction, tnat I am pursuing the path of duty;
and to a sincere desire of being made an instrument of
more extensive usefulness to my fellow-creatures, than
couid be expected in the narrower circle of a retired life.
”
He did actually fall a sacrifice to this design; for in visiting
a sick patient at Cherson, who had a malignant epidemic
fever, he caught the distemper, and died, Jan, 20, 1790.
An honour was now paid to him, which we believe is without a precedent: his death was announced in the London
Gazette.
Mr. Howard was, in his own habits of life, rigidly temperate, and even abstemious;
Mr. Howard was, in his own habits of life, rigidly temperate, and even abstemious; subsisting entirely, at one
time, on. potatoes; at another, chiefly on tea and bread
and butter; of course not mixing in convivial society, nor
accepting invitations to public repasts. His labours have
certainly had the admirable effect of drawing the attention of
this country to the regulation of public prisons. In many
places his improvements have been adopted, and perhaps
in all our gaols some advantage has been derived from
them. We may hope that these plans will terminate in
such general regulations as will make judicial confinement,
instead of the means of confirming and increasing depravity (as it has been too generally), the successful instrument
of amendment in morality, and acquiring habits of industry.
While the few criminals, and probably very few, who may
be too depraved for amendment, will be compelled to be
beneficial to the community by their labour; and, being
advantageously situated in point of health, may suffer
nothing more than that restraint which is necessary for the
sake of society, and that exertion which they ought never
to have abandoned. Considered as the first mover of these
important plans, Howard will always be honoured with the
gratitude of his country; and his monument, lately erected
in St. Paul’s cathedral, is a proof that this gratitude is not
inert. The monument is at the same time a noble proof
of the skill and genius of the artist, Mr. Bacon, and represents Mr. Howard in a Roman dress,- with a look and
attitude expressive of benevolence and activity, holding in
one hand a scroll of plans for the improvement of prisons,
hospitals, &c. and in the other a key while he is trampling on chains and fetters. The epitaph contains a sketch of
his life, and concludes in words which we also heartily adopt:
“He trod an open but unfrequented path to immortality,
in the ardent and unremitted exercise of Christian charity.
May this tribute to his fame excite an emulation of his truly
glorious achievements!
” To this may be added the eloquent
eulogium pronounced upon Mr. Howard by Mr. Burke, in
his “Speech at Bristol, previous to the election in 1780.
”
Having occasion to mention him, he adds, “I cannot name
this gentleman without remarking, that his labours and
writings have done much to open the eyes and hearts of
mankind. He has visited all Europe, not to survey the
sumptuousness of palaces, or the stateliness of temples;
not to make accurate measurements of the remains of ancient grandeur, nor to form a scale of the curiosity of
modern art not to collect medals, or collate manuscripts;
but to dive into the depths of dungeons to plunge into
the infection of hospitals to survey the mansions of sorrow and pain; to take the gage and dimensions of misery,
depression, and contempt to remember the forgotten, to
attend to the neglected, to visit the forsaken, and to compare and collate the distresses of all men in all countries.
His plan is original, and it is as full of genius as it is of
humanity. It was a voyage of discovery; a circumnavigation of charity. Already the benefit of his labour is felt
more or less in every country; I hope he will anticipate
his final reward, by seeing all its effects fully realised in
his own. He will receive, not by retail, but in gross, the
reward of those who visit the prisoner; and he has so forestalled and monopolized this branch of charity, that there
will be, I trust, little room to merit by such acts of benevolence hereafter
”
, an English writer of some abilities and learning, born Jan. 1626, was a younger son of Thomas earl of Berkshire, and educated at Magdalen
, an English writer of some
abilities and learning, born Jan. 1626, was a younger son
of Thomas earl of Berkshire, and educated at Magdalen
college, Cambridge. During the civil war he suffered with
his family, who adhered to Charles I. but at the Restoration was made a knight, and chosen for Stockbridge in
Hampshire, to serve in the parliament which began in
May 1661. He was afterwards made auditor of the exchequer, and was reckoned a creature of Charles II. whom
the monarch advanced on account of his faithful services,
in cajoling the parliament for money. In 1679 he was
chosen to serve in parliament for Castle Rising in Norfolk;
and re-elected for the same place in 1688. He was a
strong advocate for the Revolution, and became so passionate an abhorrer of the nonjurors, that he disclaimed all
manner of conversation and intercourse with persons of
that description. His obstinacy and pride procured him
many enemies, and among them the duke of Buckingham;
who intended to have exposed him under the name of
Bilboa in the “Rehearsal,
” but afterwards altered his
resolution, and levelled his ridicule at a much greater
name, under that of Bayes. He was so extremely positive, and so sure of being in the right upon every subject,
that Shadwell the poet, though a man of the same principles, could not help ridiculing him in his comedy of the
“Sullen Lovers,
” under the character of Sir Positive At-all.
Jn the same play there is a lady Vaine, a courtezan which
the wits then understood to be the mistress of sir Robert,
whom he afterwards married. He died Sept. 3, 1698. He
published, 1. “Poems and Plays.
” 2. “The History of
the Reigns of Edward and Richard II. with reflections and
characters of their chief ministers and favourites; also a
comparison of these princes with Edward I. and III.
” 1690,
8vo. 3. “A letter to Mr. Samuel Johnson, occasioned by
a scurrilous pamphlet, entitled Animadversions on Mr.
Johnson’s answer to Jovian,
” The History
of Religion,
” The fourth book of Virgil
translated,
” Statius’s Achilleis translated,
”
, Mus. D. was brought up in the king’s chapel, and took his degree of doctor
, Mus. D. was brought up in the
king’s chapel, and took his degree of doctor of music at
Cambridge at the time of the Installation of theduke of Grafton as chancellor of that university. Dr. Howard had studied
much under Dr. Pepusch at the Charter-house, and was
well acquainted with the mechanical rules of counterpoint.
His overture in the “Amorous Goddess,
” a happy imitation of Handel’s overture in “Alcina,
” particularly the
musette and minuet, was very popular in the theatres and
public gardens. But his ballads, which were long the delight of natural and inexperienced lovers of music, had
the merit of facility; for this honest Englishman preferred
the style of his own country to that of any other so mnch,
that he never staggered in his belief of its being the best
in the world, by listening to foreign artists or their productions, for whom and for which he had an invincible
aversion.
he lead in managing the affairs of the musical fund; but not with equal address and intelligence. He was a dull, vulgar, and unpleasant man; and by over-rating his own
He began to flourish about the year 1740, and from that
time till Arne’s Vauxhall songs were published under the
title of “Lyric Harmony,
” they were the most natural and
pleasing which our country could boast. After the decease
of Michael Christian Festing, Dr. Howard took the lead
in managing the affairs of the musical fund; but not with
equal address and intelligence. He was a dull, vulgar,
and unpleasant man; and by over-rating his own importance, and reigning paramount over his equals, he rendered
the monthly meetings disagreeable, and cooled the zeal
of many well-wishers to the society. He long laboured
under a dropsy, yet walked about with legs of an enormous
size, during several years. But it was not this disorder
which put an end to his existence at last, but repeated
paralytic strokes. He died about the year 1783.
, the author of a very popular book of “Devout Meditations,” was the third son of John, Grubham Howe, of Langar in Nottinghamshire,
, the author of a very popular book
of “Devout Meditations,
” was the third son of John,
Grubham Howe, of Langar in Nottinghamshire, by his
wife Annabelia, third natural daughter and coheiress of
Emanuel earl of Sunderland, lord Scrope of Bolton. He
was born in Gloucestershire in 1661, and during the latter
end of the reign of Charles II. was much at court. About
1686 he went abroad with a near relation, who was sent by
James II. as ambassador to a foreign court. The ambassador died; and our author, by powers given to hint to
that effect, concluded the business of the embassy. He
had an offer of being appointed successor to his friend in
his public character; but disliking the measures that were
then carried on at court, he declined it, and returned to
England, where he soon after married a lady of rank and
fortune, who, dying in a few years, left behind her an
only daughter, married afterwards to Peter Bathurst, esq.
brother to the first earl Bathurst. After his lady’s death,
Mr. Howe lived for the most part in the country, where
he spent many of his latter years in a close retirement,
consecrated to religious meditations and exercises. He
was a man of good understanding, of an exemplary life,
and cheerful conversation. He died in 1745. The work
by which he is still remembered, was entitled “Devout
Meditations; or a collection of thoughts upon religious
and philosophical subjects,
” 8vo, and was first published
anonymously; but the second edition, at the instance of
Dr. Young and others, came out in 1752 with the author’s
name. It has often been reprinted since. Dr. Young said
of this book, that he " should never lay it far out of his
reach; for a greater demonstration of a sound head and
sincere heart he never saw.
, a relation of the preceding, was the younger brother of sir Scroop Howe, of Nottinghamshire.
, a relation of the preceding, was
the younger brother of sir Scroop Howe, of Nottinghamshire. In the convention-parliament, which met at Westminster Jan. 22, 1688-9, he served for Cirencester, and
was constantly chosen for that borough, or as a knight of
the shire for the county of Gloucester, in the three last
parliaments of king William, and in the three first of queen
Anne. In 1696 he was a strenuous advocate for sir John
Fenwick; and his pleading in behalf of that unfortunate
gentleman, shews his extensive knowledge of the laws, and
aversion to unconstitutional measures. In 1699, when the
army was reduced, it was principally in consideration of
Mr. Howe’s remonstrances, that the House of Commons
agreed to allow half-pay to the disbanded officers; and
when the partition-treaty was afterwards under the consideration of that house, he expressed his sentiments of it in
guch terms, that king William declared, that if it were not
foi the disparity of their rank, he would demand satisfaction
with the sword. At the accession of queen Anne, he was
sworn of her privy-council April 21, 1702; and, on June
7 following, constituted vice-admiral of the county of
Gloucester. Before the end of that year, Jan. 4, 1702-3,
he was constituted paymaster-general of her majesty’s
guards and garrisons. Macky says of him, “he seemed
to be pleased with and joined in the Revolution, and was
made vice-chamberlain to queen Mary; but having asked
a grant, which was refused him, and given to lord Portland, he fell from the court, and was all that reign the most
violent and open antagonist king William had in the house.
A great enemy to foreigners settling in England; most
clauses in acts against them being brought in by him. He
is indefatigable in whatever he undertakes; witness the old
East India company, whose cause he maintained till he>
fixed it upon as sure a foot as the new, even when they
thought themselves past recovery. He lives up
” to what his
visible estate can afford; yet purchases, instead of running
in debt. He is endued with good natural parts, attended
with an unaccountable boldness; daring to say what he
pleases, and will be heard out; so that he passeth with
some for the shrew of the house. On the queen’s accession to the throne he was made a privy-counsellor, and
paymaster of the guards and garrisons. He is a tall, thin,
pale-faced man, with a very wild look; brave in his person,
bold in expressing himself, a violent enemy, a sure friend,
and seems to be always in a hurry. Near fifty years old."
Such is the character given of this gentleman in 1703.
A new privy council being settled May 10, 1708, according
to act of parliament, relating to the union of the two
kingdoms, he was, among the other great officers, sworn
into it. He continued paymaster of the guards and garrisons till after the accession of George I. who appointed
Mr. Walpole to succeed him on Sept. 23, 1714: the privy
council being also dissolved, and a new one appointed to
meet on Oct. 1 following, he was left out of the list. Retiring to his seat at Stowell in Gloucestershire, he died
there in 1721, and was buried in the chancel of the church
of Stowell.
Mr. Howe was author of “A panegyric on king William,” and of several songs
Mr. Howe was author of “A panegyric on king William,
”
and of several songs and little poems; and is introduced in
Swift’s celebrated ballad “On the Game of Traffic.
” He
married Mary, daughter and coheir of Humphrey Baskerville, of Pantryllos. in Herefordshire, esq. widow of sir
Edward Morgan, of Laternam in Monmouthshire, bart. b$
whom he was father to the first lord Chedworth.
, a learned non-conformist divine in the seventeenth century, was a minister’s son, and nephew to Mr. Obadiah Howe, vicar of Boston
, a learned non-conformist divine in the seventeenth century, was a minister’s son, and nephew to Mr. Obadiah Howe, vicar of Boston in Lincolnshire. He was born May 17, 1630, at Loughborough in Leicestershire, of which town his father was minister, being settled there by archbishop Laud, though afterwards ejected by that prelate on account of his adherence to the Puritans; upon which he went with his son to Ireland, where they continued till the Irish Rebellion broke out, when they returned to England, and settled in Lancashire, where our author was educated in the first rudiments of learning and the knowledge of the tongues. He was sent pretty early to Christ college in Cambridge, where he continued till he had taken the degree of bachelor of arts, and then removed to Oxford, and became bible-clerk of Brazen-nose college in Michaelmas term 1648, and took the degree of bachelor of arts Jan. 18, 1649. He was made a demy of Magdalen college by the parliament visitors, and afterwards fellow; and July 9, 1652, took the degree of master of arts. Soon after this he became a preacher, and was ordained by Mr. Charles Herle at his church of Winwick in Lancashire, and not long after became minister of Great Torrington in Devonshire. His labours here were characteristic of the times. He informed Dr. Calamy, that on the public fasts it was his common way to begin about nine in the morning with a prayer for about a quarter of an hour, in which he begged a blessing on the work of the day; and afterwards read and expounded a chapter or psalm, in which he spent about three quarters; then prayed for about an hour, preached for another hour, and prayed for about half an hour. After this he retired, and took some little refreshment for about a quarter of an hour or more (the people singing all the while), and then came again into the pulpit, and prayed for another hour, and gave them another sermon of about an hour’s length, and so concluded the service of the day, about four o'clock in the evening, with half an hour or more in prayer.
aving occasion to take a journey to London, he went as a hearer to the chapel at Whitehall. Cromwell was present, and, struck with his demeanor and person, sent a messenger
In March 1654 he married the daughter of Mr. George Hughes, minister of Plymouth. Having occasion to take a journey to London, he went as a hearer to the chapel at Whitehall. Cromwell was present, and, struck with his demeanor and person, sent a messenger to inform him that he wished to speak with him when the service was over. In the course of the interview he desired him to preach before him the following Sunday: he requested to be excused, but Cromwell would not be denied, and even undertook to write to his congregation a sufficient apology for his absence from them longer than he intended. This led to the appointment of Mr. Howe to the office of his domestic chaplain, and he accordingly removed with his family to Whitehall. Dr. Calamy tells us, that while he was in this station, he behaved in such a manner that he was never charged, even by those who have been most forward to inveigh against a number of his contemporaries, with improving his interest in those who then had the management of affairs in their hands, either to the enriching himself, or the doing ill offices to others, though of known differing sentiments. He readily embraced every occasion that offered, of serving the interest of religion and learning, and opposing the errors and designs which at that time threatened both. The notion of a particular faith prevailed much at Cromwell’s court; and it was a common opinion among them, that such as were in a special manner favoured of God, when they offered up prayers and supplications to him for his mercies, either for themselves or others, often had such impressions made upon their minds and spirits by a divine hand, as signified to them, not only in the general that their prayers would be heard and answered, but that the particular mercies which were sought for would be certainly bestowed; nay, and sometimes also intimated to them in what way and manner they would be afforded, and pointed out to them future events beforehand, which in reality is the same with inspiration. Mr. Howe told Dr. Calamy, that not a little pains was taken to cultivate and support this notion at Whitehall and that he once heard a sermon there from a person of note, the avowed design of which was to defend it. He said, that he was so fully convinced of the ill tendency of such a principle, that after hearing this sermon, he thought himself bound in conscience, when it came next to his turn to preach before Cromwell, to set himself industriously to oppose it, and to beat down that spiritual pride and confidence, which such fancied impulses and impressions were apt to produce and cherish. He observed, while he was in the pulpit, that Cromwell heard him with great attention, but would sometimes knit his brows, and discover great uneasiness. When the sermon was over, a person of distinction came to him, and asked him, if he knevy. what he had done? and signified it to him as his apprehension, that Cromwell would be so incensed at that dis’A course, that he would find it very difficult ever to make his peace with him, or secure his favour for the future. Mr. Howe replied, that he had but discharged his conscience, and could leave the event with God. He afterwards observed, that Cromwell was cooler in his carriage to him than before; and sometimes he thought he would have spoken to him of the matter, but never did.
protector, Mr. Howe stood in the same relation to him of chaplain as he had done to the father; and was in his judgment very much averse tp Richard’s parting with his
Upon the death of Oliver Cromwell, his son Richard
succeeding him as protector, Mr. Howe stood in the same
relation to him of chaplain as he had done to the father;
and was in his judgment very much averse tp Richard’s
parting with his parliament, which he foresaw would prove
his ruin. When the army had set Richard aside, Mr. Howe
returned to his people at Great Torrington, among whom
he continued till the act of uniformity took place August
24, 1662, after which he preached for some time in private
houses in Devonshire. In April 1671 he went to Ireland,
where he lived as chaplain to the lord Massarene in the
parish of Antrim, and had leave from the bishop of the
diocese and the metropolitan to preach in the public church
of that town every Sunday in the afternoon, without submitting to any terms of conformity. In 1675, upon the
death of Dr. Lazarus Seaman, he was chosen minister of
his congregation, upon which he returned to England and
settled at London, where he was highly respected, not
only by his brethren in the ministry among the dissenters,
but also by several eminent divines of the church of England, as Dr. Whichcot, Dr. Kidder, Dr. Fowler, Dr. Lucas,
and others. In August 1685 he travelled beyond sea with
the lord Wharton, and the year following settled at Utrecht,
and took his turn in preaching at the English church in
that city. In 1687, upon king James’s publishing his
“Declaration for liberty of conscience,
” Mr. Howe returned
to London, where he died April 2, 1705, and was interred
in the parish church of Allhallows Bread-street.
Mr. Howe, abating his attachment to the family of the Usurper, was a man of more moderation than most of his brethren, and as a
Mr. Howe, abating his attachment to the family of the
Usurper, was a man of more moderation than most of his
brethren, and as a divine laboured zealously to promote the
interests of real practical religion, and to diffuse a spirit of
candour, charity, and mutual forbearance, among his dissenting brethren. He was a man of distinguished piety
and virtue, of eminent intellectual endowments, and of
extensive learning. Granger says, “He was one of the
most learned and polite writers among the dissenters. His
reading in divinity was very extensive: he was a good
Orientalist, and understood several of the modern languages.
”
, an accomplished scholar of the seventeenth century, was born at Crendon in Buckinghamshire, and elected scholar of
, an accomplished scholar of the seventeenth century, was born at Crendon in Buckinghamshire,
and elected scholar of Trinity-college in 1632, of which,
when B. A. he became fellow in 1637. By Hearne, in his
preface to “Robert of Gloucester,
” he is called “a very
great cavalier and loyalist, and a most ingenious man.
”
He appears to have been a general scholar, and in polite
literature was esteemed one of the ornaments of the university. In 1644 he preached before Charles I. at Christchurch cathedral, Oxford; and the sermon was printed, and
in red letters (but only thirty copies), of which perhaps the
only one extant is in the Bodleian library. In 1646 he was
created bachelor of divinity by decree of the king, among
others who were complimented with that degree for having
distinguished themselves as preachers before the court at
Oxford. He was soon afterwards ejected from his fellowship by the presbyterians, but not in the general expulsion
in 1648, according to Walker. Being one of the bursars
of the college, and foreseeing its fate, and having resolved
at the same time never to acknowledge the authority of
Cromwell’s visitors, he retired, in the beginning of 1648,
to a college estate in Buckinghamshire, carrying with him
many rentals, rolls, papers, and other authentic documents
belonging to his office. These he was soon after induced
to return on a promise of being allowed to retain his fellowship; but they were no sooner recovered than he was
expelled, and not restored until 1660. He lived forty-two
years after this, greatly respected, and died fellow of the
college, where he constantly resided, Aug. 28, 1701, and
was interred in the college chapel. Hearne says, “he
lived. so retiredly in the latter part of his life, that he rarely
came abroad; so that I could never see him, though I have
often much desired to have a sight of him.
”
, fourth viscount Howe, and earl Howe, and first baron Howe of Langar, a gallant English admiral, was the third son of sir Emanuel Scrope, second lord viscount Howe,
, fourth viscount Howe, and earl
Howe, and first baron Howe of Langar, a gallant English
admiral, was the third son of sir Emanuel Scrope, second
lord viscount Howe, and Mary Sophia Charlotte, eldest
daughter to the baron Kilmansegge. He was born in 1725,
was educated at Eton, entered the sea-service at the age
of fourteen, on board the Severn, hon. captain Legge,
part of the squadron destined for the South Seas under
Anson. He next served on board the Burford, 1743, under
admiral Knowles, in which he was afterwards appointed
acting lieutenant; but his commission not being confirmed,
he returned to admiral Knowles in the West- Indies, where
he was made lieutenant of a sloop of war; and being employed to cut an English merchantman, which had been
taken by a French privateer under the guns of the Dutch
settlement of St. Eustatia, and with the connivance of the
governor, out of that harbour, he executed the difficult
and dangerous enterprise in such a manner, as to produce
the most sanguine expectations of his future services. In
1745, lieutenant Howe was with admiral Vernon in the
Downs, but was in a short time raised to the rank of commander, in the Baltimore sloop of war, which joined the
squadron then cruizing on the coast of Scotland, under the
command of admiral Smith. During this cruize an action
took place, in which captain Howe gave a fine example of
persevering intrepidity. The Baltimore, in company with
another armed vessel, fell in with two French frigates of
thirty guns, with troops and ammunition for the service of
the pretender, which she instantly attacked, by running
between them. In the action which followed, capt. Howe
received a wound hi his head, which at first appeared to be
fatal. He, however, soon discovered signs of life, and
when the necessary operation was performed, resumed all
his former activity, continued the action, if possible, with
redoubled spirit, and obliged the French ships, with their
prodigious superiority in men and metal, to sheer off, leaving the Baltimore, at the same time, in such a shattered
condition, as to be wholly disqualified to pursue them. He
was, in consequence of this gallant service, immediately
made post-captain, and in April 1746, was appointed to
the Triton frigate, and ordered to Lisbon, where, in consequence of captain Holbourne’s bad state of health, he
was transferred to the Rippon, destined for the Coast of
Guinea. But he soon quitted that station to join his early
patron admiral Knowles in Jamaica, who appointed him
first captain of his ship of 80 guns; and at the conclusion
of the war in 1748, he returned in her to England. In
March 1750-51, captain Howe was appointed to the command of the Guinea station, in La Gloire, of 44 guns;
when, with his usual spirit and activity, he checked the
injurious proceedings of the Dutch governor-general on the
coast, and adjusted the difference between the English and
Dutch settlements. At the close of 1751, he was appointed
to the Mary yacht, which was soon exchanged for the Dolphin frigate, in which he sailed to the Streights, where he
executed many difficult and important services. Here he
remained about three years; and soon after, on his return
to England, he obtained the command of the Dunkirk of
60 guns, which was among the ships that were commissioned from an apprehension of a rupture with France.
This ship was one of the fleet with which admiral Boscawen
sailed to obstruct the passage of the French fleet into the
Gulph of St. Lawrence, when captain Howe took the Alcide, a French ship of 64 guns, off the coast of Newfoundland. A powerful fleet being prepared, in 1757, under
the command of sir Edward Hawke, to make an attack
upon the French coast, captain Howe was appointed to the
Magnanime, in which ship he battered the fort on the
island of Aix till it surrendered. In 1758 he was appointed
commodore of a small squadron, which sailed to annoy tke
enemy on their coasts. This he effected with his usual
success at St. Malo, where an hundred sail of ships and
several magazines were destroyed; and the heavy gale
blowing into shore, which rendered it impracticable for
the troops to land, alone prevented the executing a similar
mischief in the town and harbour of Cherbourg. On the
1st of July he returned to St. Helen’s. This expedition
was soon followed by another, when prince Edward, afterwards duke of York, was entrusted to the care of commodore Howe, on board his ship the Essex. The fleet sailed
on the 1st of August 1758, and on the 6th came to an
anchor in the Bay of Cherbourg; the town was taken, and
the bason destroyed. The commodore, with his royal
midshipman on board, next sailed to St. Malo; and as his
instructions were to keep the coast of France in continual
alarm, he very effectually obeyed them. The unsuccessful affair of St. Cas followed. But never was courage,
skill, or humanity, more powerfully or successfully displayed than on this occasion. He went in person in his
barge, which was rowed through the thickest fire, to save
the retreating soldiers; the rest of the fleet, inspired hy
his conduct, followed his example, and at least seven hundred men were preserved, by his exertions, from the fire
of the enemy or the fury of the waves. In July in the
same year (1758), his elder brother, who was serving his
country with equal ardour and heroism in America, found
an early grave. That brave and admirable officer was killed in a skirmish between the advanced guard of the French,
and the troops commanded by general Abercrombie, in the
expedition against Ticonderago. Commodore Howe then
succeeded to the titles and property of his family. In the
following year (1759), lord Howe was employed in the Channel, on board his old ship the Magnanime but no opportunity offered- to distinguish himself till the month of November, when the French fleet, under Conflans, was defeated. When he was presented to the king by sir Edward
Hawke on this occasion, his majesty said, “Your life, my
lord, has been one continued series of services to your
country.
” In March I advised his
majesty to make the promotion. 1 have tried my lord
Howe on fmportant occasions; he never asked me how he
was to execute any service, but always went and performed
it.
” In
But the greatest glory of lord Howe’s life was reserved almost to its close. On the breaking out of the revolutionary
But the greatest glory of lord Howe’s life was reserved almost to its close. On the breaking out of the revolutionary war in 1793, he accepted the command of the western squadron. Three powerful armaments were prepared for the campaign of 1794: one under lord Hood commanded the Mediterranean, reduced the island of Corsica, and protected the coasts of Spain and Italy; a second under sir John Jervis, afterwards lord St. Vincent, with a military force headed by sir Charles Grey, reduced Martijiico, Guadaloupe, St. Lucia, and St. Domingo; but the most illustrious monument of British naval glory was raised by earl Howe. During the preceding part of the war, France, conscious of her maritime inferiority, had confined her exertions to cruizers and small squadrons for harassing our trade; but in the month of May, the French were induced to depart from this system, and being very anxious for the safety of a convoy daily expected from America, with an immense supply of corn and flour, naval stores, &c. the Brest fleet, amounting to twenty-seven sail of the line, ventured to sea under tjbe command of rearadmiral Villaret. Lord Howe expecting the same convoy, went to sea with twenty ships of the line, and on the 28th of May descried the enemy to windward. After various previous manoeuvres which had been interrupted by a thick fog, the admiral found an opportunity of bringing the French to battle on the 1st of June. Between seven antj eight in the morning, our fleet advanced in a close and compact line; and the enemy, finding an engagement unavoidable, received our onset with their accustomed valour. A close and desperate engagement ensued, in the course of which, the Montague of 130 guns, the French admiral’s ship, having adventured to encounter the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns, earl Howe’s ship, was, in less than an hour, compelled to fly; the other ships of the same division, seeing all efforts ineffectual, endeavoured to follow the flying admiral: ten, however, were so crippled that they could not keep pace with the rest; but many of the British ships being also greatly damaged, some of these disabled French ships effected their escape. Six remained in the possession of the British admiral, and were brought safe into Portsmouth, viz. two of 80 and four of 74 guns; and the Le Vengeur, of 74, was sunk, making the whole loss to the enemy amount to seven ships of the line. The victorious ships arrived safe in harbour with their prizes; and the crews, officers, and admiral, were received with every testimony of national gratitude. On the 26th of the same month, their majesties, with three of the princesses, arrived at Portsmouth, and proceeded the next morning in barges to visit lord Howe’s ship, the Queen Charlotte, at Spithead. His majesty held a naval levee on board, and presented the victorious admiral with a sword, enriched with diamonds and a gold chain, with the naval medal suspended from it. The thanks of both houses of parliament, the freedom of the city of London, and the universal acclamations of the nation, followed the acknowledgments of the sovereign. In the course of the following year, he was appointed general of marines, on the death of admiral Forbes; and finally resigned the command of the western squadron in April 1797. On the 2d of June in the same year, he was invested with the insignia of the garter. The last public act of a life employed against the foreign enemies of his country, was exerted to compose its internal dissentions. It was the lot of earl Howe to contribute to the restoration of the fleet, which he had conducted to glory on the sea, to loyalty in the harbour. His experience suggested the measures to be pursued by government on the alarming mutinies, which in 1797 distressed and terrified the nation; while his personal exertions powerfully promoted the dispersion of that spirit, which had, for a time, changed the very nature of British seamen, and greatly helped to recall them to their former career of duty and obedience. This gallant officer, who gained the first of the four great naval victories which have raised the reputation of the British navy beyond all precedent and all comparison, died at his house in Graf ton -street, London, of the gout in his stomach, August 5, 1799. In 1758 his lordship married Mary, daughter of Chiverton Hartop, esq. of Welby, in the county of Leicester. His issue by this lady, is lady Sophia Charlotte, married to the hon. Pen Ashton Curzon, eldest son of lord Cuizon, who died in 1797; lady Mary Indiana, and lady Louisa Catharine, married to earl of Altamont, of Ireland. He was succeeded in his Irish viscounty by his brother, general sir William Howe, who died (1814) while this sheet was passing through the press; and in the English barony by lady Curzon.
, a voluminous English writer, the son of Thomas Howell, minister of Abernant in Caermarthenshire, was born about 1594, and, to use his own words, “his ascendant was
, a voluminous English writer, the
son of Thomas Howell, minister of Abernant in Caermarthenshire, was born about 1594, and, to use his own
words, “his ascendant was that hot constellation of cancer
about the midst of the dog-days.
” He was sent to the freeschool at Hereford -, and entered of Jesus-college, Oxford,
in 1610. His elder brother Thomas Howell was already a
fellow of that society, afterwards king’s chaplain, and was
nominated in 1644 to the see of Bristol. James Howell,
having taken the degree of B. A. in 1613, left college, and
removed to London; for being, says Wood, “a pure
cadet, a true cosmopolite, not born to land, lease, house,
or office, he had his fortune to make; and being withal not
so much inclined to a sedentary as an active life, this situation pleased him best, as most likely to answer his views.
”
The first employment he obtained was that of steward to a
glass-house in Broad-street, which was procured for him
by sir Robert Mansel, who was principally concerned in it.
The proprietors of this work, intent upon improving the
manufactory, came to a resolution to send an agent abroad,
who should procure the best materials and workmen; and
they made choice of Howell for this purpose, who, setting
off in 1619, visited several of the principal places in Holland, Flanders, France, Spain, and Italy. In Dec. 1621,
he returned to London; having executed the purpose of
his mission very well, and particularly having acquired a
masterly knowledge in the modern languages, which afforded him a singular cause for gratitude. “Thank God,
”
he says, “I have this fruit of my foreign travels, that I
can pray unto him every day of the week in a separate
language, and upon Sunday in seven.
”
, he quitted his stewardship of the glass-house; and having experienced the pleasures of travelling, was anxious to obtain more employments of the same kind. In 1622
Soon after his return, he quitted his stewardship of the
glass-house; and having experienced the pleasures of travelling, was anxious to obtain more employments of the
same kind. In 1622 he was sent into Spain, to recover a
rich English ship, seized by the viceroy of Sardinia for his
master’s use, on pretence of its having prohibited goods
on board. In 1623, during his absence abroad, he was
chosen fellow of Jesus college in Oxford, upon the new
foundation of sir Eubule Thelwal: for he had taken unremitting care to cultivate his interest in that society. He tells
sir Eubule, in his letter of thanks to him, that he “will
reserve his fellowship, and lay it by as a good warm garment against rough weather, if any fall on him:
” in which
he was followed by Prior, who alleged the same reason
for keeping his fellowship at St. John’s-college in Cambridge. Howell returned to England in 1624; and was
soon after appointed secretary to lord Scrope, afterwards
earl of Sunderland, who was made lord-president of the
North. This office carried him to York; and while he
resided there, the corporation of Richmond, without any
application from himself, and against several competitors,
chose him one of their representatives, in the parliament
which began in 1627. In 1632, he went as secretary to
Robert earl of Leicester, ambassador extraordinary from
Charles I. to the court of Denmark, on occasion of the
death of the queen dowager, who was grandmother to that
king: and there gave proofs of his oratorical talents, in
several Latin speeches before the king of Denmark, and
other princes of Germany. After his return to England,
his affairs do not appear so prosperous; for, except an
inconsiderable mission, on which he was dispatched to
Orleans in France by secretary Windebankin 1635, he was
for some years destitute of any employment. At last, in
1639, he went to Ireland, and was well received by lord
Strafford, the lord-lieutenant, who had before made him
very warm professions of kindness, and employed him as
an assistant-clerk upon some business to Edinburgh, and
afterwards to London; but his rising hopes were ruined by
the unhappy fate which soon overtook that nobleman. I
1640 he was dispatched upon some business to France;
and the same year was made clerk of the council, which
post was the most fixed in point of residence^ and the most
permanent in its nature, that he bad ever enjoyed. But
his royal master, having departed from his palace at Whitehall, was not able to secure his continuance long in it: for,
in 1643, having visited London upon some business of his
own, all his papers were seized by a committee of the
parliament, his person secured, and, in a few days after,
he was committed close prisoner to the Fleet. This at
least he himself assigns as the cause of his imprisonment:
but Wood insinuates, that he was thrown into prison, for
debts contracted through his own extravagance; and indeed some of his own letters give room enough to suspect
it. But whatever was the cause, he bore it cheerfully.
This spot, however, brought him a comfortable subsistence, during his long stay in prison, where he was confined till some time after the king’s death; and as he got
He had now no resource except his pen: and applied
himself therefore wholly to write and translate books.
“Here,
” he says, “I purchased a small spot of ground
upon Parnassus, which I have in fee of the muses, and I
have endeavoured to manure it as well as I could, though
I confess it hath yielded me little fruit hitherto.
” This
spot, however, brought him a comfortable subsistence,
during his long stay in prison, where he was confined till
some time after the king’s death; and as he got nothing
by his discharge but his liberty, he was obliged to continue
the same employment afterwards. His numerous productions, written rather out of necessity than choice, shew,
however, readiness of wit, and exuberant fancy. Though
always a firm royalist, he does not seem to have approved
the measures pursued by Buckingham, Laud, and Strafford; and was far from approving the imposition of shipmoney, and the policy of creating and multiplying monopolies. Yet the unbridled insolence and outrages of the
republican governors so much disgusted him, that he was
not displeased when Oliver assumed the sovereign power
under the title of protector; and in this light he addressed
him on that occasion in a speech, which shall be mentioned
presently. His behaviour under Cromwell’s tyranny was
prudential, and was so considered; for Charles II. at his
restoration, thought him worthy of his notice and favour:
and his former post under the council being otherwise disposed of, a new place was created, by the grant of which
he became the first historiographer royal in England. He
died Nov. 1666, and was interred in the Temple-church.
London, where a monument was erected to his memory,
with the following inscription, which was taken down when
the church was repaired in 1683, and has not since been
replaced: “Jacobus Howell, Cambro-Britannus, Regius
Historiographus in Anglia primus, qui post varies peregrinationes tandem naturae cursum peregit, satur annorum & famas domi forisque hue usque erraticus, hie fixus
1666.
”
Dedicated to prince Charles. Reprinted in 1650, with additions. These works were published before he was thrown into prison. 4. “Casual Discourses and Interlocutions
His works were numerous. 1. “Dodona’s Grove, or,
The Vocal Forest, 1640.
” 2. “The Vote:
” a poem, presented to the king on New-year’s day, 1641. 3. “Instructions for Forraine Travell shewing by what course,
and in what compass of time, one may take an exact survey of the kingdomes and states of Christendome, and arrive to the practical knowledge of the languages to good
purpose, 1642.
” Dedicated to prince Charles. Reprinted
in Casual Discourses and
Interlocutions between Patricius and Peregrin, touching
the distractions of the times.
” Written soon after the battle of Edgehill, and the first book published in vindication
of the king. 5. “Mercurius Hibernicus: or, a discourse
of the Irish Massacre, 1644.
” 6. “Parables reflecting on
the Times, 1644.
” 7. “England’s Tears for the present
Wars, &c. 1644.
” 8. “Preheminence and Pedigree of
Parliaments, 1644.
” 9. “Vindication of some passages
reflecting upon him in Mr. Prynne’s book called The Popish Royal Favourite, 1644.
” 10. “Epistolae Ho-Elianae:
or, Familiar Letters, domestic and foreign, divided into
sundry sections, partly historical, partly political, partly
philosophical,
” I will attend with patience how
England will thrive, now that she is let blood in the Bapilical vein, and cured as they say of the king’s evil:
” and
it is no great excuse, that he was led into this manner by
the humour of the times. Wood relates, it does not appear on what authority, that “many of these letters were
never written before the author of them was in. the Fleet,
as he pretends they were, but only feigned and purposely
published to gain money to relieve his necessities:
” be this
as it will, he allows that they “give a tolerable history of
those times,
” which, if true, is sufficient to recommend
them*. There are also some of his letters among the
Strafford papers.
1664. 41. “Concerning the surrender of Dunkirk, thiit it was done upon good Grounds,” 1664. Besides these original works,
1664. 41. “Concerning the surrender of Dunkirk, thiit it
was done upon good Grounds,
” St. Paul’s late Progress upon
Earth about a Divorce betwixt Christ and the Church of
Rome, by reason of her dissoluteness and excesses, &c.
”
A Venetian Looking-glass: or, a Letter written very
lately from London to Cardinal Barberini at Rome, by a
Venetian Clarissimo, touching the present Distempers in
England,
” An exact History of the late Revolutions in Naples, &c.
” A Letter of Advice
from the prime Statesmen- of Florence, how England may
come to herself again,
” The Nuptials of Peleus and Thetis, &c.
” The Process and Pleadings in the Court of
Spain, upon the death of Anthony Ascham, resident for
the Parliament of England, &c.
”
quary sir Robert Cotton, knight and baronet,” in 8vo. The print of him prefixed to some of his works was taken from a painting which is now at Landeilo house, in Mo
Lastly, he published, in 1649, “The late King’s Declaration in Latin, French, and English:
” and in Cottoni Posthuma, or divers choice Pieces of that renowned
antiquary sir Robert Cotton, knight and baronet,
” in 8vo.
The print of him prefixed to some of his works was taken
from a painting which is now at Landeilo house, in Monmouthshire, the seat of Richard Lewis, esq.
, a learned, but somewhat unfortunate divine, was born soon after the restoration, and educated at Jesus college,
, a learned, but somewhat unfortunate divine, was born soon after the restoration, and educated at Jesus college, Cambridge, where he took his degree of B. A. in 1684, and that of M. A. in 1688, after
which it is not improbable that he left the university, as he
not only scrupled the oaths to the new government, but
adhered to the nonjuring party with a degree of firmness,
zeal, and rashness, which no considerations of personal loss
or suffering could repress. In 1712 he was ordained and
instituted into priest’s orders by Dr. Hickes, the celebrated
nonjuror, who was titled Suffragan Bishop of Thetford.
Before this, in 1708, he published “Synopsis Canonum
S. S. Apostolorum, et conciliorum cecumenicorum et
provincialium, ab ecclesia Graeca receptorum,
” 1710, in folio;
“Synopsis canonum ecclesiae Latinae,
” folio and in as once more
finished
” by Mr. Howel, the manuscript having been burnt
at the fire whicb consumed Mr. Bowyer’s printing-house.
Soon after this he printed a pamphlet entitled “The case
of Schism in the Church of England truly stated,
” which
was intended to be dispersed or sold privately, there being
no name of any author or printer. Both, however, were
soon discovered, andRedmayne, the printer, was sentenced
to pay a fine of 500l. to be imprisoned for five years, and
to find security for his good behaviour for life. The principles laid down in Howel’s pamphlet are these: 1. “That
the subjects of England could not transfer their allegiance
from king James II.; and thence it is concluded, that all
who resisted king James, or have since complied with such
as did, are excommunicated by the second canon: 2. That
the catholic bishops cannot be deprived by a lay-power
only; and thence it is inferred, that all who have joined
with them that were put into the places of the deprived
bishops, are schismatics.
” As such assertions seemed to
aim at the vitals of government, both civil and ecclesiastical, it was thought necessary to visit Mr. Howel’s crime
with a more severe punishment than had been inflicted on.
the printer. Accordingly he was indicted at the Old Bailey
Feb. 18, 1717, fora misdemeanour, in publishing “a seditious libel, wherein are contained expressions denying
his majesty’s title to the crown of this realm, and asserting
the pretender’s right to the same &c. &c.
” and being
found guilty, he was ordered to pay a fine of 500l. to be
imprisoned for three years, to find four securities of 500l.
each, himself bound in 1000l. for his good behaviour during
life, and to be twice whipped. On hearing this last part of
the sentence, he asked, if they would whip a clergyman?
and was answered by the court, that they paid no deference
to his cloth, because he was a disgrace to it, and had no
right to wear it that they did not look upon him as a
clergyman in that he had produced no proof of his ordination, but from Dr. Hickes, under the denomination of
the bishop of Thetford, which was illegal, and not according to the constitution of this kingdom, which knows no
such bishop. And as he behaved in other respects haughtily, on receiving his sentence, he was ordered to be degraded, and stripped of the gown he had no right to wear,
which was accordingly done in court by the executioner,
A few days after, however, upon his humble petition to
his majesty, the corporal punishment was remitted. He
died in Newgate, July 19, 1720. The history of this man
may now excite unmixed compassion. He was a man of
irreproachable character, and of great learning and acquaintance with ecclesiastical history. One of the ablest
attacks on popery was of his writing, entitled “The View
of the Pontificate, from its supposed beginning, to the end
of the Council of Trent, A. D. 1563, in which the corruptions of the Scripture and sacred antiquity, forgeries in
the councils, and encroachments of the court of Rome on
the church and state, to support their infallibility, supremacy, and other modern doctrines, are set in a true light.
”
The first edition of this appeared in History of the Bible,
”
3 vols. 8vo, with above 150 cuts by Sturt; and a second
edition of his “Orthodox Communicant.
” From the list
of nonjurors at the end of Kettlevvell’s Life, we learn that
he was at one time master of the school at Epping, and at
another time curate of Estwich in Suffolk.
d, under the title “Medulla Historiae Anglicanae,” with many wood-cuts, and we are inclined to think was really the production of Dr. William Howell, an Oxford graduate,
There is another work, often reprinted, and once a very
popular book, which has been attributed to this Mr. Howel,
but in 1712 the publisher ascribed it to Dr. William Howell.
It is an abridged history of England, under the title “Medulla Historiae Anglicanae,
” with many wood-cuts, and we
are inclined to think was really the production of Dr. William Howell, an Oxford graduate, but originally of Magdalen college, Cambridge, afterwards chancellor of Lincoln, and admitted a civilian in 1678. He acquired higher
reputation by writing a History of the World, from the earliest times to the ruin of the Roman empire in the west, a
work praised by Gibbon. It was published in 3 or 4 vols.
in 1680, folio. He also published “Elementa Historiae
Civilis,
” Ox.
, successively bishop of Oxford and Durham, was born in St. Bride’s parish, London, in 1556, and educated at
, successively bishop of Oxford and
Durham, was born in St. Bride’s parish, London, in 1556,
and educated at St. Paul’s school, whence he became student of Christ church, Oxford, in 1577. After taking his
degrees in arts, and entering into holy orders, he was vicar
of Bampton in Oxfordshire, rector of Brightwell in Berkshire, a fellow of Chelsea college, and canon of Hereford.
When vice-chancellor of Oxford he exerted himself against
those puritans who opposed the discipline and ceremonies,
but was afterwards a more distinguished writer and preacher
against popery. He appears to have entered the lists
against Bellarmine and his friends with determined resolution, declaring “that he'd loosen the pope from his
chair, though he were fastened thereto with a tenpenny
nail.
” King James commanded his polemical discourses,
which are the most considerable of his works, to be printed,
in 1622, 4to. They are all in the form of sermons.
He was, first, bishop of Oxford, and Sept. 28, 1628, translated to
He was, first, bishop of Oxford, and Sept. 28, 1628, translated to Durham, which he held only two years, dying Feb.
6, 1631, aged seventy-five, and was interred in St. Paul’s
church, London, leaving behind him, as Wood says, (t the character of a very learned man, and one plentifully endowed with all those virtues which were most proper for a bishop.“ Hozier (Peter D'), a man famous in his time, and
even celebrated by Boileau, for his skill in genealogies,
was born of a good family at Marseilles, in 1592, and bred
to military service; but very early applied himself with
great zeal to that study for which he became so eminent.
By his probity as well as talents, he obtained the confidence
of Louis XIII. and XIV. and enjoyed the benefit of their
favour in several lucrative and honourable posts. After
rising through several appointments, such as judge of arms
in 1641, and certifier of titles in 1643, he was admitted in,
1654 to the council of state. He died at Paris in 1660.
Hozier was author of a History of Britany, in folio, and of
many genealogical tables. His son, Charles, was born
Feb. 24, 1640, at Paris. His father had given him some instructions in genealogy, which he made use of to draw up,
under the direction of M. de Caumartin,
” the Peerage of
Champagne,“Chalons, 1673, folio, in form of an Atlas.
He received the cross of St. Maurice from the duke of
Savoy in 1631, and had also the office of judge of the arms
of the French nobility, and was rewarded with a pension
of 4000 livres. He died in 1732. This gentleman’s
nephew succeeded him in his office, and died in 1767.
He compiled the
” L'Armorial, ou Registres de la Noblesse de France," 10 vols. folio. Such works, of late
years, have been of very little use in France.
ent.” This book has been translated into several languages, and gone through several impressions. It was translated into Italian, and published at Venice in 1582; at
, a native of French Navarre, though
he is usually supposed to be a Spaniard, lived in the seventeenth century. He gained great fame by a work which
he published in Spanish, upon a very curious and interesting subject. The title of it runs thus: “Examen de ingenios para las Sciencias, &c. or, an examination of such
geniuses as are fit for acquiring the sciences, and were
born such: wherein, by marvellous and useful secrets,
drawn from true philosophy both natural and divine, are
shewn the gifts and different abilities found in men, and
ibr what kind of study the genius of every man is adapted,
in such a manner, that whoever shall read this book attentively, will discover the properties of his own genius, and
be able to make choice of that science in which he will
make the greatest improvement.
” This book has been
translated into several languages, and gone through several impressions. It was translated into Italian, and published at Venice in 1582; at least the dedication of that
translation bears this date. It was translated into French
by Gabriel Chappuis in 1580; but there is a better French
version than this, by Savinien d'Alquie, printed at Amsterdam in 1672. He has taken in the additions inserted by
Huarte in the last edition of his book, which are considerable both in quality and quantity. It has been translated
also into Latin, and lastly, into English, by Carew and
Bellamy. This very admired author has been highly extolled for acuteness and subtlety, and undoubtedly had a
great share of these qualities: Bayle, however, thinks, that
“it would not be prudent for any person to rely either on
his maxims or authorities for,
” says he, “he is not to be
trusted on either of these heads, and his hypotheses are
frequently chimerical, especially when he pretends to teach
the formalities to be observed by those who would beget
children of a virtuous turn of mind. There are, in this
part of his book, a great many particulars repugnant to
modesty (a discovery which we are surprized Bayle should have made): and he deserves censure for publishing, as a
genuine and authentic piece, a pretended letter of Lentulus the proconsul from Jerusalem to the Roman senate,
wherein a portrait is given of Jesus Christ, a description of
his shape and stature, the colour of his hair, the qualities
of his beard, &c.
” The work, however, has now altogether
lost its popularity, and deservedly.
cbald, or Hugbald, a monk of St. Amand, in Flanders, who preceded Guido more than one hundred years, was contemporary with Remi, and author of a treatise on music, which
, Hucbald, or Hugbald, a monk of St.
Amand, in Flanders, who preceded Guido more than one
hundred years, was contemporary with Remi, and author
of a treatise on music, which is still subsisting in the king
of France’s library, under the title of “Enchiridion Musicae,
” No. 7202, transcribed in the eleventh century. In
this work there 4s a kind of gammut, or expedient for delineating the several sourrds of the scale, in a way wholly
different from his predecessors; but the method of Guido
not only superseded this, but by degrees effaced the
knowledge and remembrance of every other that had been
adopted in the different countries and convents of Europe.
However, the awkward attempts at singing in consonance,
which appear in this tract, are curious, and clearly prove
that Guido neither invented, nor, rude as it was before his
time, much contributed to the improvement of this art.
Hubald was not only a musician, but a poet; and an idea may be formed of
Hubald was not only a musician, but a poet; and an idea may be formed of his patience and perseverance, if not of his genius, from a circumstance related by Sigebert, the author of his life, by which it appears that he vanquished a much greater difficulty in poetry than the lippogrammists of antiquity ever attempted: for they only excommunicated a single letter of the alphabet from a whole poem; but this determined monk composed three hundred verses in praise of baldness, which he addressed to the emperor Charles the Bald, and in which he obliged the letter C to take the lead in every word, as the initial of his patron’s name and infirmity, as thus:
, a celebrated anatomist, was born at Basle, in 1707. He was a pupil of Haller at Berne, in
, a celebrated anatomist, was
born at Basle, in 1707. He was a pupil of Haller at
Berne, in 1730, after which he studied at Strasburgh, and
in 1733 took the degree of M. D. at his native place. He
visited Paris in 1735, and in the same year was appointed
physician to the court of Baden Dourlach. At the request
of Haller, he examined the Graubund mountains, in Switzerland, and transmitted to him his collection of plants
found in that district, previous to the publication of Haller’s work on the botany of Switzerland. Haller then invited him to Gottingen in 1738, to be dissector, where,
having acquired considerable reputation, he was made extraordinary professor of anatomy in that city in 1739; professor in the Caroline college at Cassel, with the rank of
court-physician, in 1742; and counsellor of state and
body-physician to the prince in 1748. He died in 1778.
His principal works are entitled, “Commentatio de Medulla Spinali, speciatim de Nervis ab ea provenientibus,
”
cum icon. Goett. Commentatio de Vaginas
Uteri structura rugosa, necnon *de Hymene,
” De cadavere aperto in quo non existit vesica
fellea, et de Sterno gibboso.
”
, a voluminous female author, was born at Geneva in 1710, and died at Lyons in 1753. Her principal
, a voluminous female author, was born
at Geneva in 1710, and died at Lyons in 1753. Her
principal works are, 1. “Le monde fou, prefere au monde
sage,
” Le Systeme des Theologiens anciens et modernes, sur l'etat des Ames separees
des corps,
” Suite du meme
ouvrage, servant de reponse a M. Ruchat,
” Reduction du Spectateur Anglois.
” This
was an abridgment of the Spectator, and appeared in
1753, in six parts, duodecimo; but did not succeed. 5.
“Lettres sur la Religion essentielle a l'homme,
”
, a native of Dockum, in the Dutch territories, famous as a lawyer, an historian, and a philologer, was born in 1635, and became professor at Franeker, and afterwards
, a native of Dockum, in the Dutch
territories, famous as a lawyer, an historian, and a philologer, was born in 1635, and became professor at Franeker,
and afterwards at Lewarde. He published, 1. in 1662,
seven dissertations, “De genuina aetate Assyriorum, et
regno Medorum.
” Also, 2. A treatise “De Jure civitatis.
” 3. “Jurisprudentia Frisiaca.
” 4. “Specimen
Philosophise civilis.
” 5. “Institutiones Historiae civilis;
”
and several other works. From Institutiones historic civilis.
” He died in
, son of the former, was born at Franeker in 1669; and afterwards advanced to the same
, son of the former, was born at
Franeker in 1669; and afterwards advanced to the same
professorships. He published in 1690, 1. “A dissertation
” De vero sensu atque interpretatione, legis IX. D.
de lege Pompeia, de Parricidis,“Franeker, 4to. 2. Also,
<c Dissertation urn libri tres, quibus explicantur, &c. selecta
juris publici, sacri, privatique capita,
” Franeker,
, a celebrated French preacher, was born in 1640, and was contemporary with Bourdaloue, whom, indeed,
, a celebrated French preacher,
was born in 1640, and was contemporary with Bourdaloue,
whom, indeed, he could not rival, but was skilful enough
to please; being esteemed by him one of the first preachers
of the time. He was a priest of the congregation of the
Oratory, and no less remarkable for his gentle piety and
profound humility, than for his eloquence. He excelled
consequently rather in the touching style of the sacred,
than the vivid manner of the temporal orator. He was
used to say, that his brother Massillon was fit to preach to
the masters, and himself to the servants. He died in.
1717, after displaying his powers in the provinces, in the
capital, and at court. Eight years after his death, in 1725,
his sermons were published at Paris, in 6 vols. 12mo, and
were much approved by all persons of piety and taste.
“His manner of reasoning,
” says his editor, father Monteuil, “had not that dryness which frequently destroys the
effect of a discourse; nor did he employ that studied elocution which frequently enervates the style by an excess
of polish.
” The best composition in these volumes is the
funeral oration on Mary of Austria. As a trait of his humility, it is related, that on being told by a person in a
large company, that they had been fellow-students; he
replied, “I cannot easily forget it, since you not only
lent me books, but gave me clothes.
”
orities, of Torgau, in Saxony, highly celebrated for his skill in history, geography, and genealogy, was born in 1668. His works were chiefly written in the form of
, a native of Lusatia, or, according
to some authorities, of Torgau, in Saxony, highly
celebrated for his skill in history, geography, and genealogy,
was born in 1668. His works were chiefly written in the
form of question and answer, and so popular in Germany,
that his introduction to geography went through a vast
number of editions in that country, and has been translated into English, French, and other languages. His
works, therefore, are calculated rather for the instruction,
of the ignorant, than the satisfaction of the learned; but
are well executed in their way. Hubner was professor of
geography at Leipsic, and rector of the school at Hamburgh, in which city he died in 1731. His questions on
modern and ancient geography were published at Leipsic
in 1693, in 8vo, under the title of “Kurtze Fragen aus
der newen und alten Geographic.
” He published, 2. in
1697, and several subsequent years, in 10 volumes, similar
questions on political history, entitled “Kurtze Fragen
aus der Politischen Historic, bis zum Ausgang des Siebenzenden saeculi.
” 3. His next work was Genealogical
Tables, with genealogical questions subjoined, 1708, &c.
4. “Supplements to the preceding works. 5. Lexicons,
resembling our Gazetteers, for the aid of common life,
entitled fs Staats, Zeitungs, und Conversations-Lexico.
”
6. A Genealogical Lexicon. 7. “Bibliotheca Historica
Hamburgensis,
” Leipsic, Museum Geographicum.
” The two last were more esteemed by the
learned than any of his other works.
, was an eminent English navigator, who flourished in high fame in
, was an eminent English navigator, who flourished in high fame in the beginning of the seventeenth century. Where he was born and educated, we have no certain account; nor have we of any private circumstances of his life. The custom of discovering foreign countries for the benefit of trade not dying with queen Elizabeth, in whose reign it had been zealously pursued, Hudson, among others, attempted to find out a passage by the north to Japan and China. His first voyage was in 1607, at the charge of some London merchants; and his first attempt was for the north-east passage to the Indies. He departed therefore on the 1st of May; and after various adventures through icy seas, and regions intensely cold, returned to England, and arrived in the Thames Sept. 15. The year following he undertook a second voyage for discovering the same passage, and accordingly set sail with fifteen persons only, April 22; but not succeeding, returned homewards, and arrived at Gravesend on Aug. 26.
voyages, he undertook again, in 1609, a third voyage to the same parts, for further discoveries; and was fitted out by the Dutch East India company. He sailed from Amsterdam
Not disheartened by his former unsuccessful voyages,
he undertook again, in 1609, a third voyage to the same
parts, for further discoveries; and was fitted out by the
Dutch East India company. He sailed from Amsterdam
with twenty men English and Dutch, March 25; and on April
25, doubled the North Cape of Finmark, in Norway. He
kept along the coasts of Lapland towards Nova Zembla, but
found the sea so full of ice that he could not proceed.
Then turning about, he went towards America, and arrived at the coast of New France on July 18. He sailed
from place to place, without any hopes of succeeding in
their grand scheme; and the ship’s crew disagreeing, and
being in danger of mutinying, he pursued his way homewards, and arrived Nov. 7, at Dartmouth, in Devonshire;
of which he gave advice to his directors in Holland, sending them also a journal of his voyage. In 1610, he was
again fitted out by some gentlemen, with a commission to
try, if through any of those American inlets which captain Davis saw, but durst not enter, on the western side
of Davis’s Streights, any passage might be found to the
South Sea. They sailed from St. Catharine’s April 17,
and on June 4, came within sight of Greenland. On the
9th they were off Forbisher’s Streights, and on the 15th
came in sight of Cape Desolation. Thence they proceeded
north-westward, among great quantities of ice, until they
came to the mouth of the Streights that bear Hudson’s
name. They advanced in those Streights westerly, as the
land and ice would permit, till they got into the bay,
which has ever since been called by the bold discoverer’s
name, “Hudson’s Bay.
” He gave names to places as he
%vent along; and called the country itself “Nova Britan^nia,
” or New Britain. He sailed above
, a learned English critic, was born at Widehope, near Cockermouth, in Cumberland, 1662; and,
, a learned English critic, was born at Widehope, near Cockermouth, in Cumberland, 1662; and, after having been educated in grammar and classical learning by Jerome Hechstetter, who lived in that neighbourhood, was entered in 1676 of Queen’s-college, Oxford. Soon after he had taken the degree of M. A. in 1684, he removed to University-college, of which he was unanimously chosen fellow in March 1686, and became a most considerable and esteemed tutor. In April 1701, on the resignation of Dr. Thomas Hyde, he was elected principal keeper of the Bodleian library; and in June following, accumulated the degrees of B. and D. D. With this librarian’s place, which he held till his death, he kept his fellowship till June 1711, when, according to the statutes of the college, he would have been obliged to resign it; but he had just before disqualified himself for holding it any longer, by marrying Margaret, daughter of sir Robert Harrison, knight, an alderman of Oxford, and a mercer. In 1712, he was appointed principal of St. Maryby the chancellor of the university, through the interest of Dr. Radcliffe; and it is said, that to Hudson’s interest with^this physician, the university of Oxford is obliged for the very ample benefactions she afterwards received from him. Hudson’s studious and sedentary way of life, and extreme abstemiousness, brought him at length into a bad habit of body, which turning to a dropsy, kept him about a year in a very languishing condition. He died Nov. 27, 1719, leaving a widow, and one daughter.
catalogue of the Bodleian library, which he had caused to be fairly transcribed in 6 vols. folio. He was an able assistant to several editors in Oxford, particularly
Dr. Hudson intended, if he had lived, to publish a catalogue of the Bodleian library, which he had caused to
be fairly transcribed in 6 vols. folio. He was an able
assistant to several editors in Oxford, particularly to Dr.
Gregory in his “Euclid,
” and to the industrious Mr. Hearne
in his “Livy,
” &c. He corresponded with many learned
men in foreign countries; with Muratori, Salvini, and
Bianchini, in Italy; with Boivin, Kuster, and Lequien, in
France; with Olearius, Menckenius, Christopher Woifius,
and, whom he chiefly esteemed, John Albert Fabricius, in
Germany; Eric Benzel, in Sweden; Frederic Rostgard,
in Denmark; with Pezron, Reland, Le Clerc, in Holland,
&c. He used to complain of the vast expence of foreign
letters; for he was far from being rich, never having been
possessed of any ecclesiastical preferment; of which he
used also to make frequent and not unjust complaints. He
met, sometimes, however, with generous patronage. When
employed on his edition of Josephus, the earl of Caernarvon (afterwards duke of Chandos) hearing of his merit and
the expensive nature of his undertaking, sent him a present of two hundred guineas, which Dr. Hudson handsomely acknowledges in the dedication to the earl’s son,
lord Wilton, of his edition of Esop’s Fables. On his decease, several sets of his Josephus were disposed of by his
widow, at twelve shillings per set, a work which now
ranks in the very first class of Variorum editions in folio.
Dr. Hudson had been long conversant with Josephus, had
revised sir Roger L'Estrange’s translation, and added some
critical notes. He also digested and finished Dr. Willis’s
two discourses prefixed to that work. Hearne was a kind
of pupil to Dr. Hudson, and directed by him in his critical
studies.
, a portrait-painter of some celebrity, born in 1701, was the scholar and son-in-law of Richardson, and enjoyed for many
, a portrait-painter of some celebrity, born in 1701, was the scholar and son-in-law of Richardson, and enjoyed for many years the chief business of portrait-painting in the capital, after the favourite artists, his master and Jervas, were gone off the stage. Though Vanloo first, and Liotard afterwards, for a few years diverted the torrent of fashion from the established professor, still the country gentlemen were faithful to their compatriot, and were content with his honest similitudes, and with the fair tied wigs, blue velvet coats, and white satin waistcoats, which he bestowed liberally on his customers, and which with complacence they beheld multiplied in Faber’s mezzotintos. The better taste introduced by sir Joshua Reynolds, who had been for some time his pupil, put an end to Hudson’s reign, who had the good sense to resign the throne soon after finishing his capital work, the family piece of Charles duke of Marlboro ugh, about 1756. He retired to a small villa he had built at Twickenham, on a most beautiful point of the river, and where he furnished the best rooms with a well- chosen collection of cabinet-pictures and drawings by great masters having purchased many of the latter from his father-inlaw’s capital collection. Towards the end of his life he married to his second wife, Mrs. Fiennes, a gentlewoman with a good fortune, to whom he bequeathed his villa. He died Jan. 26, 1779.
, one of the earliest Linniean botanists in England, was born in Westmoreland, about the year 1730. He served his ap
, one of the earliest Linniean botanists in England, was born in Westmoreland, about the
year 1730. He served his apprenticeship to an apothecary
in Panton-street, Haymarket, to whose business he succeeded, and with whose widow and daughters he continued
to reside. His acquaintance with the amiable and learned
Mr. Benjamin Stillingfleet greatly advanced his taste and
information in natural history. This gentleman directed
his attention to the writings of Linnæus, and gave his mind
that correct and scientific turn, which caused him to take
the lead as a classical English botanist, and induced him to
become the author of the “Flora Anglica,
” published in
Synopsis
” as a ground-work, to dispose his
plants in order, according to the Linnaean system and nomenclature, with such additions of new species, or of new
places of growth, as the author or his friends were able to
furnish. The particular places of growth of the rarer species were given in Ray’s manner, in English, though the
rest of the book was Latin. The elegant preface was written by Mr. Stillingfleet, and probably the concise, but not
less elegant, dedication to the late duke of Northumberland, “artium, turn utilium, turn elegant ioruin, judici et
patrono
”
l taste; and his correspondence with Linnæus, Haller, and others, as well as amongst his countrymen, was frequent, and very useful to him in the course of his studies,
This publication gave Mr. Hudson a considerable rank as a botanist, not only in his own country, but on the eontinent, and derived no small advantage from a comparison with Dr. Hill’s attempt of the same kind. He had indeed previously, in the course of his medical practice, formed some valuable connexions, which were cemented by botanical taste; and his correspondence with Linnæus, Haller, and others, as well as amongst his countrymen, was frequent, and very useful to him in the course of his studies, which were extended, not only to botany in all its cryptogamic minutiae, but with great ardour also, to insects, shells, and other branches of British zoology. He was elected a fellow of the royal society Nov. 5th, and admitted Nov. 12th, 1761. He took the lead very much in. the affairs of the Apothecaries’ company, and was their botanical demonstrator in the Chelsea-garden for many years.
8, a new edition, in two volumes, with many additions, and various alterations, which, on the whole, was worthy of the advanced state of the science.
Mr. Hudson, having never married, continued to reside
in Panton-street with the last surviving daughter of his
friend and master, an amiable and valuable woman, married to Mr. Hole. His “Flora
” being grown very scarce,
he published, in
ouse, and the greater part of his literary treasures, were destroyed by a sudden fire, caused, as it was believed, by the villany of a confidential servant, who knew
Mr. Hudson’s tranquillity received a dreadful shock in the winter of 1783, when his house, and the greater part of his literary treasures, were destroyed by a sudden fire, caused, as it was believed, by the villany of a confidential servant, who knew of a considerable sum in money which his master had received a day or two before; and the insurance having been neglected, although for a short time only, the loss was considerable, in a pecuniary point of view, to a man whose resources were not extensive. He bore the whole like a philosopher and a Christian, giving up his practice, and retiring, with Mr. and Mrs. Hole, to a more economical residence in Jermyn-street, where he died May 23d, 1793, and was buried in St. James’s church.
, a Spanish poet and critic, and a member of the Spanish academy, was born at Zaira in Estremadura, about the year 1730. Among his
, a Spanish poet
and critic, and a member of the Spanish academy, was born
at Zaira in Estremadura, about the year 1730. Among
his countrymen he acquired considerable fame by the exercise of his poetical and critical talents, and was at least
successful in one of his dramas, “La Raquel,
” a tragedy,
which, to many stronger recommendations, adds that of
being exempt from the anachronisms and irregularities so
often objected to the productions of the Spanish stage.
He published “A Military library;
” and “Poems
” in
2 vols. printed at Madrid in 1778: but his principal work
is his “Teatro Hespanol,
” Madrid,
, bishop of Avranches in France, a very eminent scholar, was born of a good family at Caen in Normandy, Feb. 8, 1630. His
, bishop of Avranches in France,
a very eminent scholar, was born of a good family at Caen
in Normandy, Feb. 8, 1630. His parents dying when he
was scarcely out of his infancy, Huet fell into the hands
of guardians, who neglected him: his own invincible love
of letters, however, made him amends for all disadvantages;
and he finished his studies in the belles lettres before he was
thirteen years of age. In the prosecution of his philosophical studies, he met with an excellent professor, father
Mambrun, a Jesuit; who, alter Plato’s example, directed
him to begin by learning a little geometry, and Huet contracted such a relish for it, that he went through every
branch of mathematics, and maintained public theses at
Caen, a thing never before done in that city. Having
passed through his classes, it was his business to study the
law, and to take his degrees in it; but two books then
published, seduced him from this pursuit. These were,
“The Principles of Des Cartes,
” and “Bochart’s Sacred
Geography.
” He was a great admirer of Des Cartes, and
adhered to his philosophy for many years; but afterwards
saw reason to abandon it as a visionary fabrick, and wrote
against it. Bochart’s geography made a more lasting impression upon him, as well on account of the immense
erudition with which it abounds, as by his acquaintance
with its author, who was minister of the Protestant church
at Caen. This book, being full of Greek and Hebrew
learning, inspired Huet with an ardent desire of being
versed in those languages, and, to assist his progress in
these studies, he contracted a friendship with Bochart, and
put himself under his directions.
At the age of twenty years and one day, he was delivered by the custom of Normandy from the tuition of his
At the age of twenty years and one day, he was delivered by the custom of Normandy from the tuition of his guardians: and soon after took a journey to Paris, not so much from curiosity to see the place, as for the sake of purchasing books, and making himself acquainted with the learned men of the times. He soon became known to Sirmond, Petavius, Vavassor, Cossart, Rapin, Naude, and, in short, to almost all the scholars in France. With Petavius in particular he passed much of his time: he was a great admirer of the splendour of his diction, and the variety of his erudition; but he confesses, that in weighing the arguments which he offered in support of his dogmas, he perceived in them a degree of weakness and ambiguity, which obliged him to suspend his assent, and inclined him towards scepticism. Naturally excelling rather in genius than judgment, and the vigour of his understanding having been rather repressed than improved by an immense variety of reading, Huet found his mind too feeble to master the difficulties of metaphysical and theological studies, and concluded that his want of success in the search after truth was owing, not to any peculiar infelicity in his own case, but to the general imbecility of the human mind.
t not having been very graciously received, through the intrigues of Bourdel, another physician, who was jealous of him, and the queen’s fickle temper being well known,
With this bias towards scepticism Huet entered upon his
travels, and Christina of Sweden having invited Bochart to
her court, Huet accompanied him, in April 1652. He
saw Salmasius at Leyden, and Isaac Vossius at Amsterdam.
He often visited the queen, who would have engaged him.
in her service; but Bochart not having been very graciously received, through the intrigues of Bourdel, another
physician, who was jealous of him, and the queen’s fickle
temper being well known, Huet declined^ all offers, and
after a stay of three months returned to France. The chief
fruit of his journey was a copy of a manuscript of Origen’s
“Commentaries upon St. Matthew,
” which he transcribed
at Stockholm; and the acquaintance he contracted with
the learned men in Sweden and Holland, through which he
passed. Upon his return to his own country, Caen, he resumed his studies with more vigour than ever, in order to
publish his manuscript of Origen . While he was employed in translating this work, he was led to consider the
rules to be observed in translations, as well as the different
manners of the most celebrated translators. This gave occasion to his first performance, which came out at Paris in
1661, under this title, “De interpretatione libri duo:
”
and it is written in the form of a dialogue between Casaubon, Fronto Ducaeus, and Thuanus. M. de Segrais tells
us, that tf nothing can be added to this treatise, either
with respect to strength of critical judgment, variety of
learning, or elegance of style;“” which last,“says abbe Olivet,
” is so very extraordinary, that it might have done
honour to the age of Augustus.“This book was first printed
in a thin 4to, but afterwards in 12mo and 8vo^ In 1688,
were published at Rouen, in 2 vo!s. folio, his
” Origenis
Commentaria, &e. cum Latina interpretatione, notis &
observationibus;“to which is prefixed, a large preliminary
discourse, in which is collected all that antiquity relates of
Origen. The interval of sixteen years, between his return
from Sweden and the publication of this work, was spent
entirely in study, excepting a month or two every year,
when he went to Paris; during which time he gave the
public a specimen of his skill in polite literature, in an
elegant collection of poems, entitled
” Carmina Latina &
Grajca;“which were published at Utrecht in 1664, and
afterwards enlarged in several successive editions. While
he was employed upon his
” Commentaries of Origen,“he
had the misfortune to quarrel with his friend and master
Bochart; who desiring one day a sight qf his manuscript
for the sake of consulting some passages about the Encbarist,
which had been greatly controverted between Papists and
Protestants, discovered an hiatus or defect, which seemed
to determine the sense in favour of the Papists, and reproached Huet with being the contriver of it. Huet at first
thought that it was a defect in the original ms. but upon
consulting another very antient ms. in the king’s libra'
Paris, he found that he had omitted some words in the
harry of transcribing, as he says, and that the mistake was
his own. Bochart, still supposing that this was a kind of
pious fraud in Huet, to support the doctrine of the church
of Rome in regard to the Eucharist, warned the Protestants
against Hoet’s edition of Origen’s
” Commentaries," and
dissolved the friendship which had so long subsisted between Huet and himself.
In 1659 Huet was invited to Rome by Christina, who bad abdicated her crown, and
In 1659 Huet was invited to Rome by Christina, who
bad abdicated her crown, and retired thither; but, remembering the cool reception which Bochart had experienced from her majesty after as warm an invitation, he
refused to go. His literary reputation, however,
Bossuet was appointed by the king preceptor to the Dauphin, procured him to be chosen for his colleague, with
the title of sub-preceptor, which honour had some time
been designed him by the duke de Montausier, governor
to the Dauphin. He went to court in 1670, and staved
there till 1680, when the Dauphin was married. Though
his employment must of necessity occupy a considerable
part of his time, he found enough to complete his “Demonstratio Evangelica,
” which, though a great and laborious work, was begun and ended amidst the embarrassments of a court *. It was published at Paris in 1679, in
folio; and has been reprinted since in folio, 4to, and 8vo.
Huet owns that this work was better received by foreigners
than by his own countrymen; many of whom considered it
as a work full of learning indeed, but utterly devoid of that
demonstration to which it so formally and pompously pretends. Others, less equitable, borrowed from it, and attacked it at the same time, to cover their plagiarism;
which Huet complains of. Father Simon had a design of
Baking an abridgment“of this work; bat Haet being informed that his purpose was likewise to alter it as he
thought proper, desired him to excuse himself that trouble.
Huet was employed on the editions of the classics
” in
usum Delphini:" for though the first idea of these was
started by the duke de Montausier, yet Huet formed the
plan, and directed the execution, as far as the capacity
of the persons employed in that work would permit. He
undertook, he tells us, only to promote and conduct the
work, but at last came in for a share of it, in completing
Faye’s edition of Manilius. He was also chosen a member
of the French academy and his speech pronounced on the
occasion before that illustrious body was published at Paris
in 1674.
While he was employed in composing his “Demonstratio Evangel. ca,” the sentiments
While he was employed in composing his “Demonstratio Evangel. ca,
” the sentiments of piety, which he had
cherished from his earliest youth, moved him to enter into
orders, which he did at the late age of forty-six; and be
tells us, that previous to this he gradually laid aside the
lay habit and outward appearances. In 1678, he was presented by the king to the abbey of Aunay in Normandy,
which was so agreeable to him, tiiat be retired there every
summer, after he had left the court. In 1685, he was
nominated to the bUho;>ric of Soissons but before the
bulls for his institution were expedited, the abbe de Sillery
having been nominated to the see of Avranches, they exchanged bishoprics with the consent of the king; though,
owing to the differences between the court of France and
that of Rome, they could not be consecrated till 1692.
In 1689, he published his “Censura Philosophise Cartesians,
” and addressed it to the duke de Montausier: it
appears that he was greatly piqued at the Cartesians, when
he wrote this book; but it may be questioned whether he
thoroughly understood the system. In 1690, be published
in Caen, in 4to, his “Qusestiones Ainetanse de Concordia Rationis & Fidei
” which is written in the form of a
dialogue, after the manner of Cicero’s Tusculan Questions.
In this he endeavours to fix the respective limits of reason
and faith, and maintains, that the dogmas and precepts
of each have no alliance, and that there is nothing, however, contradictory to common sense, or to good morals,
which has not been received, and which we may not be
bound to receive, as a dictate of faith. He honestly confesses that he wrote this work to establish the authority of
tradition against the empire of reason.
In 1699, he resigned his bishopric of Avranches, and was presented to the abbey of Fontenay, near the gates of Caen.
In 1699, he resigned his bishopric of Avranches, and
was presented to the abbey of Fontenay, near the gates of
Caen. His love to his native place determined him to fix
there, for which purpose he improved the house and gardens belonging to the abbot. But several grievances and
law-suits obliged him to remove to Paris, where he lodged
among the Jesuits in the Maison Professe“, whom he had
made heirs to his library, reserving to himself the use of it
while he lived. Here he spent the last twenty years of his
life, dividing his time between devotion and study. He
did not consider the Bible as the only book to be read,
but thought that all other books must be read, before it
could be rightly understood. He employed himself chiefly
in writing notes on the vulgate translation: for which purpose he read over the Hebrew text twenty-four times; comparing it, as he went along, with the other Oriental texts, and
spent every day two or three hours in this work from 1681
to 1712. He was then seized with a very severe distemper,
which confined him to his bed for near six months, and
brought him so very low, that he was given up by his physicians, and received extreme unction. Recovering, however, by degrees, he applied himself to the writing of his
life, which was published at Amsterdam in 1718, in 12mo,
underline title of
” Pet. Dan. Huetii, Episcopi Abrincensts,
Commentarius de rebus ad eum pertinentibus:“where the
critics have wondered, that so great a master of Latin as
Huetius was, and who has written it, perhaps, as well as
any of the moderns, should be guilty of a solecism in the
very title of his book; in writing
” eum,“when he
should have manifestly written
” se.“This performance,
though drawn up in a very amusing and entertaining manner, and with great elegance of style, is not executed
with that order and exactness which appear in his other
works: his memory being then decayed, and afterwards
declining more and more, so that he was no longer capable
of a continued work, but only committed detached thoughts
to paper. Olivet in the mean time relates a most remarkable singularity of him, namely, that,
” for two or three
hours before his death, he recovered all the vigour of his
genius and memory." He died January 26, 1721, in his
91st year.
“Bibliotheque Choisee,” Amst. 1706. Huet, in his “Demonstratio Evangelica,” had asserted, that there was nothing sublime in this passage, as Longinus had observed, but
Besides the works -which we have mentioned in the course
of this memoir, he published others of a similar nature,
viz. “De l'Origine des Romans,
” De la situation du Paradis Terrestre,
” Nouveaux Memoires pour servir a
l'Histoire du Cartesianisrne,
” Statuts Synodaux
pour le diocese d'Avranches, &c.
” De Navigationibus Salomonis,
” Amst. Notse in
Anthologiam Epigrammatum Grsecorum,
” Ultraj. Origines de Caen,
” Roan, Lettres a Mons.
Perrault, sur le Parallele des Anciens & des Modernes, du
10 Oct. 1692,
” printed without the author’s knowledge in
the third part of the “Pieces Fugitives,
” Paris, Examen du sentiment de Longin sur ce passage de la
Genese, Et Dieu dit, que la lumiere soit faite, & la lumiere
fut faite,
” inserted in tome X of Le Clerc’s “Bibliotheque
Choisee,
” Amst. Demonstratio Evangelica,
” had asserted, that there was nothing sublime in
this passage, as Longinus had observed, but that it was
perfectly simple. Messrs, de Port Royal and Boileau,
who gave translations of Longinus, asserted its sublimity
on that very account; and this occasioned the “Examen
”
just mentioned. “Lettre a M. Foucault, conseiller d‘etat,
sur l’origine de la Poesie Franchise, du 16 Mar. 1706,
”
inserted in the “Memoires de Trevoux,
” in Lettre de M. Morin (that is, of M. Huet,) de Tacademie des
inscriptions a M. Huet, tonchant le livre de M. Tolandus
Anglois, intitule, Adeisidtemon, & Origines Judaicce,
” inserted in the “Memoires de Trevoux
” for Sept. Dissertations sur diverses
rnatieres de la Religion & de Philologie,
” Histoire de Commerce & de la Navigation des Anciens,
” Traite Philosophique de
laFoiblesse de I'esprit huniain,
” Amst. Huetiana, ou pensees diverses de M. Huet,
”
Diana de Castro, ou le faux Yncas,
” A Latin translation of Longus’s Loves
of Daphnis and Chloe;
” “An Answer to Regis, with
regard to Des Cartes’s Metaphysics;
” “Notes upon the
Vulgate translation of the Bible;
” and a collection of between 5 and 600 letters in Latin and French written to
learned men.
estimonies than to investigate truth, and more disposed to raise difficulties than to solve them, he was an injudicious advocate for a good cause. If we are not very
On the whole, though it cannot be questioned that Huet, on account of his great learning and fertile genius, may justly claim to have his name preserved with honour in the republic of letters, several circumstances must prevent us from ranking him among the first philosophers of the seventeenth century. Better qualified to accumulate testimonies than to investigate truth, and more disposed to raise difficulties than to solve them, he was an injudicious advocate for a good cause. If we are not very much mistaken, Huet did not strictly adhere to the scholastic art of reasoning which he had learned in the schools of the Jesuits; otherwise he must have seen that there can be no room for faith, or for, what he artfully conceals under that name, the authority of the church, if every criterion of truth be rejected, and human reason be pronounced a blind and fallacious guide.
ry, few of which perhaps will be thought now very interesting. St. Hugh, bishop of Grenoble in 1080, was a native of Chateau-neuf-sur-PIsere, near Valence in Dauphiny,
. There are several ecclesiastics of this name in French history, few of which perhaps will be thought now very interesting. St. Hugh, bishop of Grenoble in 1080, was a native of Chateau-neuf-sur-PIsere, near Valence in Dauphiny, who received St. Bruno and his companions, and fixed them in the Grande Chartreuse. He was author of a Cartulary, some fragments of which are in Mabillon’s posthumous works, and in Allard’s Memoirs of Dauphiny, 1711 and 1727, 2 vols. fol. He died April 1, 1132. He must be distinguished from the subject of the next article.
, a saint of the Romish calendar, was of a very distinguished family in Burgundy, and was born in
, a saint of the Romish calendar, was
of a very distinguished family in Burgundy, and was born
in 1023. When he was only fifteen, he rejected all worldly
views, and entered into the monastic life at Cluni, under
the guidance of the abbot Odilon. After some years, he
was created prior of the order, and abbot in 1048, at the
death of Odilon. In this situation he extended the reform
of Cluni to so many monasteries, that, according to an
ancient author, he had under his jurisdiction above ten
thousand monks. In 1058 he attended pope Stephen when
dying, at Florence; and in 1074 he made a religious pilgrimage to Rome. Some epistles written by him are extant in Dacheri Spicilegium. There are also other pieces
by him in the “Bibliotheque de Cluni.
” He died in
, or de St. Marie, a celebrated monk of the abbey of Fleury towards the end of the 11th century, was called Hugh de St. Marie from the name of a village which belonged
, or de St. Marie, a celebrated
monk of the abbey of Fleury towards the end of the 11th
century, was called Hugh de St. Marie from the name of a
village which belonged to his father. He is little known
but by his works, which are two books: “De la Puissance
Royale, et de la Dignite
” Sacerdotale,“dedicated to Henry
king of England, in which he establishes with great solidity the rights and bounds of the priestly and royal powers,
in opposition to the prejudices which prevailed at that time.
This work may be found in torn. IV. of the
” Miscellanea“of Beluze. % He wrote also
” A Chronicle," or History,
from the beginning of the world to 840, and a small Chronicle from 996 to 1109, Minister, 163S, 4to, valuable and
scarce. It may also be found in Troher’s collection.
, born in 1065, was a monk of St. Vannes at Verdun, and afterwards abbot of Flavigny
, born in 1065, was a monk of
St. Vannes at Verdun, and afterwards abbot of Flavigny in
the 12th century, but was dispossessed of that dignity by
the bishop of Autun, who caused another abbot to be elected.
Hugh, however, supplanted St. Laurentius, abbot of Vannes,
who was persecuted by the bishop of Verdun for his attachment to the pope, and kept his place till 1115, after which
time it is not known what became of him. He wrote the
“Chronicle of Verdun,
” which is esteemed, and may be
found in P. Labbe’s * Bibl. Manuscript."
, also called Hugh Of Rouen, left Amiens, his native place, and going to England was made first, abbot of Roding, and afterwards bishop of Rouen,
, also called Hugh Of Rouen, left Amiens, his native place, and going to England was made first, abbot of Roding, and afterwards bishop of Rouen, 1130, and died 1164. He has the character in his church of being one of the greatest, most pious, and most learned bishops of his age. He wrote three books for the instruction of his clergy, which are in the library of the fathers, and P. d'Achery has printed them at the end of Guibert de Nogent’s works. Some other pieces by Hugh may be found in the collections by Martenne and Durand.
me governed by its first abbot Gilduin in 1115, and taught theology with so much reputation, that he was called a second Augustine. He died in 1142, aged 44, after having
, an eminent divine in the 12th
century, originally of Flanders, devoted himself to religion in the abbey of St. Victor at Paris, at that time governed by its first abbot Gilduin in 1115, and taught theology with so much reputation, that he was called a second
Augustine. He died in 1142, aged 44, after having been
prior to St. Victor, leaving several works, in which he
imitates St. Augustine’s style, and follows his doctrine.
The principal among these is a large treatise “On the Sacraments.
” They have all been printed at Rouen, Thesaurus.
”
, a celebrated cardinal of the Dominican order, was so called from the place of his birth, at the gates of Vienne,
, a celebrated cardinal of the Dominican order, was so called from the place of his birth,
at the gates of Vienne, where there is a church dedicated
to St. Cher. He acquired great reputation in the 13th
century by his prudence, learning, and genius; was doctor
of divinity of the faculty of Paris, appointed provincial of
his order, afterwards cardinal by Innocent IV. May 28,
1244, and employed by this pope and his successor Alexander IV. in affairs of the greatest consequence. He died
March 19, 1263, at Orvieto. His principal works are a
collection of the various readings of Hebrew, Greek, and
Latin Mss. of the bible, entitled “Correctorium Bibliae,
”
which is in the Sorbonne in ms.; a “Concordance of the
Bible,
” Cologn, Commentaries on the Bible
” “Speculum Ecclesiae,
”
Paris,
, an English poet, was son of a citizen of London, and born at Marlborough in Wiltshire
, an English poet, was son of a citizen
of London, and born at Marlborough in Wiltshire July 29,
1677. He was educated at a dissenting academy, under
the care of Mr. Thomas Rowe, where, at the same time,
the afterwards celebrated Dr. Isaac Watts was a student,
whose piety and friendship for Mr. Hughes induced him to
regret that he employed any part of his talents in writing
for the stage. Mr. Hughes had a weak or at least a delicate constitution, which perhaps restrained him from
severer studies, and inclined him to pursue the softer arts
of poetry, music, and drawing; in each of which he made
considerable progress. Hk acquaintance with the Muses
and the Graces did not render him averse to business; he
had a place in the office of ordnance, and was secretary to
several commissions under the great seal for purchasing
lands, in order to the better securing of the royal docks
and yards at Portsmouth, Chatham, and Harwich. He
continued, however, to cultivate his taste for letters, and
added to a competent knowledge of the ancient, an intimate acquaintance with the modern languages. The first
testimony he gave the public of his poetic vein, was in a
poesi “on the peace of Ryswick,
” printed in 1697, and
received with uncommon approbation. In 1699, “The
Court of Neptune
” was written by him on king William’s
return from Holland; and, the same year, a song on the
duke of Gloucester’s birth-day. In the year 1702, he
published, on the death of king William, a Pindaric ode,
entitled “Of the House of Nassau,
” which he dedicated
to Charles duke of Somerset and in 1703 his “Ode in
Praise of Music
” was performed with great applause at
Stationers’-hall.
when his declining health could neither allow him long possession nor full enjoyment. His last work was his tragedy, “The Siege of Damascus;” after which a Siege became
His numerous performances, for he had all along employed his leisure hours in translations and imitations from
the ancients, had by this time introduced him, not only to
the wits of the age, Addison , Congreve, Pope, Southerne,
Rowe, and others, but also to some men of rank in the
kingdom, and among these to the earl of Wharton, who
offered to carry him over, and to provide for him, when
appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland; but, having other
other views at home, he declined the offer. His views,
however, were not very promising, until in 1717 the lord
chancellor Cowper made him secretary to the commissions
of the peace; in which he afterwards, by a particular
request, desired his successor, lord Parker, to continue him.
He had now affluence; but such is human life, that he had
it when his declining health could neither allow him long
possession nor full enjoyment. His last work was his
tragedy, “The Siege of Damascus;
” after which a Siege
became a popular title. This play was long popular, and
is still occasionally produced; but is not acted or printed
according to the author’s original draught, or his settled
intention. He had made Phocyas apostatize from his
religion; after which the abhorrence of Eudocia would
have been reasonable, his misery would have been just,
and the horrors of his repentance exemplary. The players,
however, required that the guilt of Phocyas should terminate in desertion to the enemy; and Hughes, unwilling
that his relations should lose the benefit of his work, complied with the alteration. He was now weak with a lingering consumption, and not able to attend the rehearsal;
yet was so vigorous in his faculties, that only ten days
before his death he wrote the dedication to his patron lord
Cowper. On Feb. 17, 1720, the play was represented,
and the author died. He lived ta hear that it was well
received; but paid no regard to the intelligence, being
then wholly employed in the meditations of a departing
Christian.
A man of his amiable character was undoubtedly regretted; and Steele devoted an essay in the paper
A man of his amiable character was undoubtedly regretted; and Steele devoted an essay in the paper called
“The Theatre,
” to the memory of his virtues. In Poems on several occasions,
with some select Kssays in prose.
” Hughes was also the
author of other works in prose. “The Advices from
Parnassus,
” and “The Political Touchstone of Boccalini,
”
translated by several hands, and printed in folio, 1706,
“were revised, corrected, and had a preface prefixed to
them, by him. He translated himself
” Fontenelle’s Dialogues of the Dead, and Discourse concerning the Ancients
and Moderns;“”the Abbé Vertot’s History of the Revolutions in Portugal;“and
” Letters of Abelard and Heloisa.“He wrote the preface to the collection of the
” History of England“by various hands, Called
” The
Complete History of England,“printed in 1706, in 3 vols.
folio; in which he gives a clear, satisfactory, and impartial
account of the historians there collected. Several papers
in the
” Tatlers,“” Spectators,“and
” Guardians,“were
written by him. He is supposed to have written the whole,
or at least a considerable part, of the
” Lay Monastery,“consisting of Essays, Discourses, &c. published singly under
the title of the
” Lay Monk,“being the sequel of the
” Spectators.“The second edition of this was printed in
1714, 12mo. Lastly, he published, in 1715, an accurate
edition of the works of Spenser, in 6 vols. 12mo; to which
are prefixed the
” Life of Spenser,“”An Essay on Allegorical Poetry,“” Remarks on the Fairy Queen, and other
writings of Spenser,“and a glossary, explaining old words;
all by Mr. Hughes. This was a work for which he was well
qualified, as a judge of the beauties of writing, but he wanted
an antiquary’s knowledge of the obsolete words. He did
not much revive the curiosity of the public, for near thirty
years elapsed before his edition was reprinted. The character of his genius is not unfairly given in the correspondence of Swift and Pope.
” A month ago,“says Swift,
” was sent me over, by a friend of mine, the works of John
Hughes, esq. They are in prose and verse. I never heard
of the man in my life, yet I find your name as a subscriber.
He is too grave a poet for me; and I think among the
mediocrists, in prose as well as verse.“To this Pope
returns:
” To answer your question as to Mr. Hughes;
what he wanted in genius, he made up as an honest man;
but he was of the class you think him."
, was the younger brother of Mr. John Hughes, and, like him, a votary
, was the younger brother of Mr. John
Hughes, and, like him, a votary of the Muses, and an
excellent scholar. He was born in 1685. He published,
in 1714, in 8vo, a translation of “The Rape of
Proserpine,
” from Claudian, and “The Story of Sektus and
Erictho,
” from Lucan’s “Pharsalia,
” book vi. These
translations, with notes, were reprinted in 1723, 12mo. He
also published, in 1717, a translation of Suetonius’ s “Lives
of the Twelve Caesars,
” and translated several “Novels
”
from the Spanish of Cervantes, which are inserted in the
“Select Collection of Novels and Histories,
” printed for
Watts, Miscellanies in Verse and Prose
” was
published in
, of a different family from the former, was born in 1682, and became a fellow of Jesus college, Cambridge.
, of a different family from the former,
was born in 1682, and became a fellow of Jesus college,
Cambridge. He was called by bishop Atterbury “a learned
hand,
” and is known to the republic of letters as editor of
St Chrysostom’s treatise “On the Priesthood.
” Two letters of his to Mr. Bonwicke are printed in “The Gentleman’s Magazine,
” in one of which he says, “I have at last
been prevailed on to undertake an edition of St. Chrysostom’s tsefi itfaxrvws, and I would beg the favour of you to
send me your octavo edition. I want a small volume to lay
by me; and the Latin version may be of some service to
me, if I cancel the interpretation of Fronto Ducaeus.
” A
second edition of this treatise was printed at Cambridge in
Greek and Latin, with notes, and a preliminary dissertation
against the pretended “Rights of the Church,
” &c. in
On
the Priesthood,
” a posthumous work by the Rev. John
Bunce, M. A. was published by his son (vicar of St. Stephen’s near Canterbury) in 1760. Mr. Hughes died Nov.
18, 1710, and was buried in the church of St. Nicholas,
Deptford, where there is a long Latin inscription to his
memory.
, a learned Jesuit, was born at Brussels in 1588; and died of the plague at Rhinberg
, a learned Jesuit, was born at Brussels in 1588; and died of the plague at Rhinberg in 1639.
He published his first work in 1617, which was “De prima
scribendi origine, et universae rei literarise antiquitate,
”
Antwerp, 8vo. This book was republished by Trotzius in
1738, with many notes. 2. “Obsidio Bredana, sub Ambrosio Spinola,
” Antwerp, Militia equestris, antiqua et nova,
” Antwerp, Pia
JDesideria,
” the work by which he is best known, was first
published in 1632, 8vo, and reprinted in 32mo, with all the
clearness of Elzevir, and adorned with rather fanciful engravings. These “Pia Desideria
” are in Latin, and consist of three books, the subjects of which are thus arranged.
B. 1. “Gemitus Animae penitentis.
” 2. “Vota animae
sanctas.
” 3. “Suspiria animae amantis.
” They consist of
long paraphrases in elegiac verse, on various passages of
scripture. His versification is usually good, but he wants
simplicity and sublimity; yet he is sometimes p oetical,
though his muse is not like that of David.
, a voluminous author in Latin and French, whose works, from their subjects, are little known here, was a canon of the Premonstratensian order, a doctor of divinity,
, a voluminous author in Latin and French, whose works, from their subjects, are little
known here, was a canon of the Premonstratensian order,
a doctor of divinity, abbe of Etival, and titular bishop of
Ptolemais. He died at an advanced age, in 1735. His
works are, 1. “Annales Praemonstratensium,
” a history of
his own order, and a very laborious work, in two volumes,
folio; illustrated with plans of the monasteries, and other
curious particulars; but accused of some remarkable errors. 2. “Vie de St. Norbert Fondateur des Premontres,
”
Sacrae antiquitatis monumenta historica,
dogmatica, diplomatica,
” Trait
historique et critique de la Maison de Lorraine,
” Reflexions sur les deux Ouvrages concernant
la Maison de Lorraine,
” where he defends his former
publication.
, a protestant divine, of a considerable family, was born at Zurich in 1683, and was educated partly at home, and
, a protestant divine, of a
considerable family, was born at Zurich in 1683, and was
educated partly at home, and partly at Bremen, devoting
his chief attention to the study of the Hebrew language
and the writings of the Rabbins. From Bremen he went
to Holland, where he published at Leyden a very curious
book, not in 4to, as Moreri says, but in 8vo, -entitled
“Sepher Toledot Jescho,
” or the history of Jesus Christ,
written by a Jew, full of atrocious calumnies, which
Huldrich refutes in his notes. The work is in Hebrew and
Latin. On his return to Zurich in 1706, he was made
chaplain of the house of orphans, and four years after professor of Christian morals, in the lesser college, to which
was afterwards added the professorship of the law of nature.
This led him to write a commentary on Puffendorff “on
the duties of men and citizens.
” His other works are the
“Miscellanea Tigurina,
” 3 vols. 8vo, and some sermons in
German. He died May 25, 1731. Zimmerman, who wrote
his life, published also a Sermon of his on the last words
of St. Stephen. He was a man of considerable learning,
and of great piety, sincerity, and humility.
, a late dramatic and miscellaneous writer, and an actor, was born in the Strand, London, in 1728, where his father was in
, a late dramatic and miscellaneous
writer, and an actor, was born in the Strand, London, in
1728, where his father was in considerable practice as an
apothecary. He was educated at the Charter-house, with
a view to the church, but afterwards embraced his father’s
profession, which, however, he was obliged to relinquish
after an unsuccessful trial. What induced him to go on
the stage we know not, as nature had not been very bountiful to him in essential requisites. He performed, however, for some time in the provincial theatres, and in 1759
obtained an engagement at Covent-garden theatre, which
he never quitted, unless for summer engagements. In
one of these he became acquainted with Shenstone the
poet, who, observing his irreproachable moral conduct, so
different from that of his brethren on the stage, patronized
him as far as he was able, and assisted him in writing his
tragedy of “Henry II.
” and “Rosamund.
” It was indeed Mr. Hull’s moral character which did every thing for
him. No man could speak seriously of him as an actor,
but all spoke affectionately of his amiable manners and undeviating integrity. He was also a man of some learning,
critically skilled in the dramatic art, and the correspondent
of some of the more eminent literary men of his time. His
poetical talents were often employed, and always in the
cause of humanity and virtue, but he seldom soared above
the level of easy and correct versification. In prose, perhaps, he is entitled to higher praise, but none of his works
have had more than temporary success. He died at his
house at Westminster, April 22, 1808. For the stage he
altered, or wrote entirely, nineteen pieces, of which a list
may be seen in our authority. His other works were, I.
“The History of sir William Harrington,
” a novel, Genuine Letters from a gentleman to a young
lady his pupil,
” Richard Plantagenet,
”
a legendary tale, Select Letters between
the late duchess of Somerset, lady Luxborough, miss Dolman, Mr. Whistler, Mr. Dodsley, Shenstone, and others,
”
Moral Tales in verse,
”
, an English physician, was born at Holme Torp in Yorkshire, June 17, 1732, and was taught
, an English physician, was born
at Holme Torp in Yorkshire, June 17, 1732, and was
taught the rudiments of medical science by his brother,
Dr. Joseph Hulme, an eminent physician at Halifax, and
afterwards was a pupil at Guy’s hospital. In 1755, he
served in the capacity of surgeon in the navy, and being
stationed at Leith after the peace of 1763, he embraced the
favourable opportunity of prosecuting his medical studies
at Edinburgh, where he took his degree of doctor in 1765.
His inaugural thesis was entitled “Dissertatio Medica
Inauguralis de Scorbuto.
” Soon after his graduation, he
settled in London as a physician, intending to devote his
attention particularly to the practice of midwifery. This,
however, he soon relinquished: and, on the establishment
of the general dispensary (the first institution of the kind in London), he was appointed its first physician. He was
also some time physician to the City of London Lying-in
hospital. About 1774, he was, through the influence of
lord Sandwich, then first lord of the admiralty, elected
physician to the Charter-house His other official situations he resigned many years before his death, and withdrew himself at the same time in a great measure from the
active exercise of his profession; but continued in the
Charter-house during the remainder of his life. In March
1807, he was bruised by a fall, of which he died on the
28th of that month, and was buried at his own desire in
the pensioners’ burial ground, followed by twenty-four
physicians and surgeons, who highly respected his character.
Dr. Hulme was the author of several dissertations; viz. a republication of
Dr. Hulme was the author of several dissertations; viz.
a republication of his thesis, with additions, 1768. “A
treatise on Puerperal Fever,
” 1772. An oration “De Re
Medica cognostenda et promovenda,
” delivered at the anniversary of the medical society in 1777, to which a small
tract was annexed, entitled “Via tuta et jucunda Calculum
solvendi in vesica urinaria inhaerentem.
” An enlarged
edition of this tract, in English, appeared in the following
year, under the title of “A safe and easy Remedy for the
relief of the Stone and Gravel, the Scurvy, Gout, &c.
and for the destruction of Worms in the human body
illustrated by cases together with an extemporaneous
method of impregnating water and other liquids with fixed
air, by simple mixture only, &c.
” Rechercher quelles sont les causes de i'endurcissement de tissu cellulaire auquel plusieurs enfans nouveauxnés sont sujets.
” In on the light spontaneously emitted from
various bodies,
” an account of which was published in the
Philosophical Transactions of that and the following year.
He had been chosen a fellow of that society in 1794, and
of the society of antiquaries in 1795. To the Archaeologia
he contributed an account of a brick brought from the site
of ancient Babylon. Dr. Hulme was also one of the editors of the “London Practice of Physic.
” In Historical Essay on the English Constitution,
” and
other tracts, probably a relation of Dr. Hulme.
, a celebrated philosopher and historian, was descended from a good family in Scotland, and born at Edinburgh
, a celebrated philosopher and historian, was descended from a good family in Scotland, and
born at Edinburgh April 26, 1711. His father was a descendant of the family of the earl of Hume or Home, and
his mother, whose name was Falconer, was descended from
that of lord Halkerton, whose title came by succession to
her brother. This double alliance with nobility was a
source of great self-complacency to Hume, who was a philosopher only in his writings. In his infancy he does not
appear to have been impressed with those sentiments of
religion, which parents so generally, we may almost add
universally, at the time of his birth, thought it their duty
to inculcate. He once owned that he had never read the
New Testament with attention. However this may be, as
he was a younger brother with a very slender patrimony,
and of a studious, sober, industrious turn, he was destined
by his family to the law: but, being seized with an early
passion for letters, he found an insurmountable aversion
to any thing else; and, as he relates, while they fancied
him to be poring upon Voet and Vinnius, he was occupied with Cicero and Virgil. His fortune, however, being
very small, and his health a little broken by ardent application to books, he was tempted, or rather forced, to make
a feeble trial at business; and, in 1734, went to Bristol,
with recommendations to some eminent merchants: but, in
a few months, found that scene totally unfit for him. He
seems, also, to have conceived some personal disgust against
the men of business in that place: for, though he was by
no means addicted to satire, yet we can scarcely interpret
him otherwise than ironically, when, speaking in his History (anno 1660) of James Naylor’s entrance into Bristol
upon a horse, in imitation of Christ, he presumes it to be
“from the difficulty in that place of finding an ass
”
Never, however, according to the avowal of the author himself, was any literary attempt more unsuccessful. “It fell,” he says,
Never, however, according to the avowal of the author
himself, was any literary attempt more unsuccessful. “It
fell,
” he says, “dead born from the press, without reaching such distinction as even to excite a murmur among the
zealots.
” He adds, however, that “being naturally of a
cheerful and sanguine temper, he soon recovered the
blow.
” But this equanimity, we shall afterwards find was
mere affectation, nor was the work quite unnoticed. It
was criticised with great ability in the only review of that
period, “The Works of the Learned;
” and from a perusal of the article, we have no hesitation in ascribing it to
Warburton. Whether it be true, that Hume called on
Jacob Robinson, the publisher, and demanded satisfaction,
we will not affirm. One remark of the Reviewer seems
somewhat singular, and it may be thought prophetic.
“This work abounds throughout with egotisms. The author would scarcely use that form of speech more frequently, if he had written his own memoirs.
”
received an invitation from general St. Clair, to attend him as a secretary to his expedition; which was at first meant against Canada, but ended in an incursion upon
In 1742, he printed, with more success, the first part of
his “Essays.
” In independent;
for he was now master of near 1000l.
”
ter, he cast the first part of that work anew, in the” Inquiry concerning Human Understanding,“which was published while he was at Turin; but with little more success.
Having always imagined, that his want of success, in
publishing the *' Treatise of Human Nature,“proceeded
more from the manner than the matter, he cast the first
part of that work anew, in the
” Inquiry concerning Human Understanding,“which was published while he was at
Turin; but with little more success. He perceived, however, some symptoms of a rising reputation: his books
grew more and more the subject of conversation; and
” I
found,“says he,
” by Dr. Warburton’s railing, that they
were beginning to be esteemed in good company.“In
1752, were published at Edinburgh, where he then lived,
his
” Political Discourses;“and the same year, at London,
his
” Inquiry concerning the Principles of Morals.“Of
the former he says,
” that it was the only work of his
which was successful on the first publication, being well
received abroad and at home:“and he pronounces the
latter to be,
” in his own opinion, of all his writings, historical, philosophical, or literary, incomparably the best;
although it came unnoticed and unobserved into the world."
strongly promised himself success from this work, thinking himself the first English historian that was free from bias in his principles: but he says, “that he was
In 1754, he published the first volume, in 4to, of “A
Portion of English History, from the Accession of James I.
to the Revolution.
” He strongly promised himself success from this work, thinking himself the first English historian that was free from bias in his principles: but he says,
“that he was herein miserably disappointed and that, instead of pleasing all parties, he had made himself obnoxious
to all.
” He was, as he relates, “so discouraged with this,
that, had not the war at that time been breaking out between France and England, he had certainly retired to
some provincial town of the former kingdom, changed his
name, and never more have returned to his native country.
”
The “cheerful and sanguine temper
” of which he formerly
boasted, had now forsaken him, and the philosopher had
dwindled to a mere irritable author. He recovered himself, however, so far, as to publish, in 1756, his second volume of the same history and this was better received.
“It not only rose itself,
” he says, “but helped to buoy
up its unfortunate brother.
” Between these publications
came out, along with some other small pieces, his “Natural History of Religion:
” which, though but indifferently
received, was in the end the cause of some consolation to
him; because, as he expresses himself, “Dr. Hurd wrote
a pamphlet against it, with all the illiberal petulance, arrogance, and scurrility, which distinguish the Warburtonian
school;
” so well aware was he, that, to an author, attack of
any kind is much more favourable than neglect. Dr. Hurd,
however, was only the ostensible author; he has since declared expressly, that it proceeded from Warburton himself. In 1759, he published his “History of the House of
Tudor;
” and, in
on from the earl of Hertford to attend him on his embassy to Paris; which at length he accepted, and was left there charg6 d'affaires in the summer of 1765. In Paris,
Being now about fifty, he retired to Scotland, determined never more to set his foot out of it; and carried
with him “the satisfaction of never having preferred a
request to one great man, or even making advances of
friendship to any of them.
” But, while meditating to
spend the rest of his life in a philosophical manner, he
received, in 1763, an invitation from the earl of Hertford
to attend him on his embassy to Paris; which at length he
accepted, and was left there charg6 d'affaires in the summer of 1765. In Paris, where his peculiar philosophical
opinions were then the mode, he met with the most flattering and unbounded attentions. He was panegyrized by
the literati, courted by the ladies, and complimented by
grandees, and even princes of the blood. In the beginning of 1766 he quitted Paris; and in the summer of that
year went to Edinburgh, with the same view as before, of
burying himself in a philosophical retreat; but, in 1767,
he received from Mr. Con way a new invitation to be
under-secretary of state, which, like the former, he did
not think it expedient to decline. He returned to Edinburgh in 1769, “very opulent,
” he says, “for he possessed a revenue of lOOOl. a year, healthy, and, though
somewhat stricken in years, with the prospect of enjoying
long his ease.
” In the spring of 1775, he was struck with
a disorder in his bowels; which, though it gave him no
alarm at first, proved incurable, and at length mortal. It
appears, however, that it was not painful, nor even troublesome or fatiguing: for he declares, that “notwithstanding
the great decline of his person, he had never suffered a
moment’s abatement. of his spirits; that he possessed the
same ardour as ever in study, and the same gaiety in company: insomuch,
” says he, “that, were I to name a period of my life which I should most choose to pass over
again, I might be tempted to point to this latter period.
”
He died August 25, 1776; and his account of his own life,
from which we have borrowed many of the above particulars, is dated only four mjonths previous to -hi* decease.
As the author was then aware of the impossibility of a recovery, this may he considered as the testimony of a dying
man respecting his own character and conduct. But it
disappointed those who expected to find in it some acknowledgment of error, and some remorse on reflecting on
the many whom he had led astray by his writings. Hume,
however, was not the man from whom this was to be expected. He had no religious principles which he had violated, and which his conscience might now recall. He
had none of the stamina of repentance. From a mere fondness for speculation, or a love of philosophical applause,
the least harmful motives we can attribute to Hume, it was
the business of his life, not only to extirpate from the
human mind all that the good and wise among mankind
have concurred in venerating, the authority and obligations
of revealed religion; but he treats that authority and the
believers in, and defenders of revealed religion, with a
contempt bordering on abhorrence; or, as has been said
of another modern infidel, “as if he had been revenging a
personal injury.
” Hume early imbibed the principles of a
gloomy philosophy, the direct tendency of which was to
distract the mind with doubts on subjects the most serious
and important, and, in fact, to undermine the best interests, and dissolve the strongest ties of society. Such is
the character of Hume’s philosophy, by one who knew him
as intimately as Dr. Smith , who respected his talents and
his manners, but would have disdained to insult wisdom
and virtue by bestowing the perfection of them on the
studies, the conversation, and the correspondence that were
constantly employed in ridiculing religion. Another reason, perhaps, why Hume died in the same state of mind
in which he had lived, gibing and jesting, as Dr. Smith
informs us, with the prospect of eternity, may be this,
that he was at the last surrounded by men who, being of
nearly the same way of thinking, contemplated his end
with a degree of satisfaction or as the triumph of philosophy over what he and they deemed superstition. Even
his clerical friends, the Blairs and Robertsons, who professed to know, to feel, aud to teach what Christianity is,
appear to have withheld the solemn duties of their office,
and by their silence at least, acquiesced in his obduracy.
His social qualities, his wit, his acuteness, and we may
add, his fame, preserved to him the regard of his learned
countrymen, who forgot the infidel in the historian.
, a learned English writer, was born at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, about 1527, and
, a learned English writer, was
born at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, about 1527,
and had his school education at Cambridge; after which
he became first a demy, then a fellow, of Magdalen-college
in Oxford. He took the degree of M. A. in 1552, and
about that time was made Greek reader of his college, and
entered into orders. In June 1555 he had leave from his
college to travel into foreign countries; he went to Zurich,
and associated himself with the English there, who had
fled from their country on account of their religion. After
the death of queen Mary he returned to England, and was
restored to his fellowship in Magdalen college, from which
he had been expelled because he did not return within the
space of a year, which was one condition on which he was
permitted to travel; another was, that he should refrain
from all heretical company. In 1560 he was appointed
the queen’s professor of divinity at Oxford; and the year
after elected president of his college. In 1562 he took
both the degrees in divinity; and, in 1570, was made
dean of Gloucester. In 1580 he was removed to the
deanery of Winchester; and had probably been promoted
to a bishopric if he had not been disaffected to the church
of England. For Wood tells us, that from the city of
Zurich, where the preaching of Zuinglius had fashioned
people’s notions, and from the correspondence he had at
Geneva, he brought back with him so much of the Calvinist both in doctrine and discipline, that the best which
could be said of him was, that he was a moderate and conscientious nonconformist. This was at least the opinion
of several divines, who used to call him and Dr. Fulke of
Cambridge, standard-bearers among the nonconformists;
though others thought they grew more conformable in the
end. Be this as it will, “sure it is,
” says Wood, that
“Humphrey was a great and general scholar, an able
linguist, a deep divine and for his excellency of style,
exactness of method, and substance of matter in his writings, went beyond most of our theologists .
” He died in
Feb. 1590, N. S. leaving a wife, by whom he had twelve
children. His writings are, 1 “Epistola de Graecis literis,
et Homeri lectione et imitatione;
” printed before a book
of Hadrian Junius, entitled “Cornucopias,
” at Basil, De Religionis conservatione et reformatione, deque
primatu regum, Bas. 1559.
” 3. “De ratione interpretandi auctores, Bas. 1559.
” 4. “Optimates: sive de nobilitate, ejusque autiqua origine, &c.
” Bas. Joannis Juelli Angli, Episcopi Sarisburiensis, vita et
mors, ejusque verae doctrinae defensio, &c. Lond. 1573.
”
6. “Two Latin orations spoken before queen Elizabeth;
one in 1572, another in 1575.
” 7. “Sermons;
” and 8.
“Some Latin pieces against the Papists, Campian in particular.
” Wood quotes Tobias Matthew, an eminent archbishop, who knew him well, as declaring, that “Dr.
Humphrey had read more fathers than Campian the Jesuit
ever saw; devoured more than he ever tasted; and taught
more in the university of Oxford, than he had either
learned or heard.
”
, an eminent anatomist and physician, was born at Chateau- Briant, in February 1701. His father was a
, an eminent anatomist
and physician, was born at Chateau- Briant, in February
1701. His father was a physician, and practised at St.
Malo. He studied first at Rennes, and afterwards at Angers and Paris, and received the degree of M. D. at Rheims
in 1722. On his return to Paris he studied anatomy and
surgery with great assiduity, under the celebrated teachers
Winslow and Du Verney, and was admitted into the academy of sciences in 1724. Having been honoured with
the appointment of physician to the duke of Richelieu, he
accompanied rliat nobleman in his embassy to the court of
the emperor Charles VI. at Vienna, and ever afterwards
retained his entire confidence, and had apartments in his
house. On the death of Du Verney, in 1730, Hunauld
was appointed his successor, as professor of anatomy in
the king’s garden, where he soon acquired a reputation
little short of that of his predecessor, and found the spacious theatre overflowing with pupils. Having been admitted a member of the faculty of medicine of Paris, he
practised with great success, and attracted the notice of
the court. He took a journey into Holland, where he
became acquainted with the celebrated Boerhaave, with
whom he ever afterwards maintained a friendly correspondence; and, in 1735, he visited London, where he was
elected a member of the royal society, at one of the meetings of which he read some “Reflections on the operation
for Fistula Lacrymalis,
” which were printed in the Transactions. He was cut off in the vigour of life by a putrid fever, in December 1742, being in his forty-second
year. The greater part of his writings consist of papers,
which were published in various volumes of the memoirs
of the academy of sciences, between 1729 and 1742 inclusive. Osteology was a favourite subject of his enquiry,
and some of the most curious of his observations relate to
the formation and growth of the bones of the skull. He
likewise traced with great accuracy the lymphatics of the
lungs to the thoracic duct, and the progress of some of the
nerves of the thoracic viscera. He published anonymously,
in 1726, a critique, in the form of a letter, on the book of
Petit, relative to the diseases of the bones, which occasioned some controversy, and received the formal disapproval of the academy. Hunauld had collected a considerable anatomical museum, which was especially rich in
preparations illustrative of osteology and the diseases of
the bones, and which came into the possession of the academy after his death.
, waiwode of Transylvania, and general of the armies of Ladislas, king of Hungary, was one of the greatest commanders of his time. He fought against
, waiwode of Transylvania, and general of the armies of Ladislas, king of Hungary, was one of the greatest commanders of his time. He fought against the Turks like a hero, and, in 1442 and 1443, gained important battles against the generals of Arnurath and obliged that prince to retire from Belgrade, after besieging it seven months. In the battle of Varnes, so fatal to the Christian cause, and in which Ladislas fell, Corvinus was not less distinguished than in his more fortunate contests; and, being appointed governor of Hungary, became proverbially formidable to the Turks. In 1448, however, he suffered a defeat from them. He was more fortunate afterwards, and in 1456, obliged Mahomet U. also to relinquish the siege of Belgrade; and died the 10th of September in the same year. Mahomet, though an enemy, had generosity enough to lament the death of so great a man; and pride enough to allege as one cause for his regret, that the world did not now contain a man against whom he could deign to turn his arms, or from whom he could regain the glory he had so lately lost before Belgrade. The pope is said to have shed tears on the news of his death; and Christians in general lamented Huniades as their best defender against the infidels.
, a celebrated Lutheran divine, was born at Winende, a village in the duchy of Wirtemburg, in 1550.
, a celebrated Lutheran divine, was
born at Winende, a village in the duchy of Wirtemburg,
in 1550. He was educated at the schools in that vicinity,
and took his degree in arts at Tubingen, in 1567. He
then applied himself earnestly to the study of theology,
and was so remarkable for his progress in it, that in 1576he was made professor of divinity at Marpurg. About the
same period he married. He was particularly zealous
against the Calvinists, and not long after this time began
to write against them, by which he gained so much reputation, that in 1592 he was sent for into Saxony to reform
that electorate, was made divinity-professor at Wittemburg,
and a member of the ecclesiastical consistory. In these
offices he proved very vigilant in discovering those who
had departed from the Lutheran communion; and, from
the accounts of the severities practised against those who
would not conform to that rule, it appears that nothing less
than a strong persecution was carried on by him and his
colleagues. In 1595 he was appointed pastor of the church
at Wittemburg, and in the same year published his most
celebrated polemical work, entitled “Calvin us Judaizans,
”
in which he charges that reformer with all possible heresies.
At the same time he carried on a controversy with Hnberus,
about predestination and election. Against Calvin he
wrote with the most intemperate acrimony. Hunnius was
present at the conference at Ratisbon in 1601, between
the Lutherans and Roman catholics. He died of an inflammation brought on by the stone, in April 1603. His
works have been collected in five volumes; and contain,
funeral orations, a catechism, prayers, colloquies, notes
on some of the evangelists, &c. &c. His acrimony in
writing went beyond his judgment.
, a dissenting divine, was born in London in 1678, and was the son of Benjamin Hunt, a
, a dissenting divine, was born in
London in 1678, and was the son of Benjamin Hunt, a
member of the mercers’ company in London. He was
educated under Mr. Thomas Rowe,and after he had finished
his course with him, he went first to Edinburgh, and then
to Leyden; at the latter place he applied himself most
diligently to the study of the Hebrew language and the
Jewish antiquities. In Holland he preached to a small
English congregation, and upon his return he officiated
some time at Tunstead, in Norfolk, from whence he removed to London about 1710, and was appointed pastor of
the congregation at Pinners’ hall. In 1729 the university
of Edinburgh conferred on him the degree of D. U. He
died in 1744. He was author of several single sermons;
and likewise of “An Essay towards explaining the History
and Revelations of Scripture in their several periods; to
which is annexed a dissertation on the Fall of Man.
” After
his death four volumes of his “Sermons,
” with tracts,
were published, to which was prefixed Dr. Lardner’s Funeral Sermon for him.
ncer, he addressed that most excellent letter of consolation, printed in his life by Birch, p. 135), was admitted a scholar of C. C. C. Cambridge, Jan. 29, 1693. After
, of Canterbury, the son of Mr. Nicholas Hunt of that city (an intimate and worthy friend of Arch. Tillotson, and to whom, whilst labouring under a cancer, he addressed that most excellent letter of consolation, printed in his life by Birch, p. 135), was admitted a
scholar of C. C. C. Cambridge, Jan. 29, 1693. After taking the degree of M. B. in 1699, he practised physic at
Canterbury, and became a collector of Roman coins, vessels, and utensils, particularly of those about Reculver and
Richborough, after the manner of archdeacon Batteley, in
his “Antiquitates Rutupina?;
” all which, together with
his books and manuscripts, he bequeathed to the library of
that cathedral. He was esteemed a learned antiquary.
The time of his death is uncertain.
, a learned Hebraist, and Regius professor of Hebrew, Oxford, was horn in 1696, but where or of what parents we have not been
, a learned Hebraist, and Regius professor of Hebrew, Oxford, was horn in 1696, but where
or of what parents we have not been able to learn, or indeed to recover any particulars of his early life. He was
educated at Hart-hall, Oxford, where he proceeded M. A.
in Oct. 26, 1721, and was one of the first four senior fellows or tutors, when the society was made a body corporate
and politic under the name of Hertford college; and he
took his degree of B. D. in 1743, and that of D. D. in
1744. His first literary publication, which indicates the
bent of his studies, was “A Fragment of Hippolytus,
taken out of two Arabic Mss. in the Bodleian library,
”
printed in the fourth volume of “Parker’s Bibliotheca
Bibiica,
” De antiquitate, elegantia, utilitate, Linguae Arabicae,
” published the same year; and another “De usu
Dialectorum Orientalium, ac praecipue Arabicae, in Hebraico codice interpretando,
” which was published in Abdollatiphi
Historias Ægypti compendium,
” with a full account of that
work, which, however, he never published. The subscribers were recompensed by receiving in lieu of it his
posthumous “Observations on the Book of Proverbs,
”
edited by Dr. Kennicott after his death.
In 1747, Dr. Hunt was appointed regius professor of Hebrew, and consequently canon
In 1747, Dr. Hunt was appointed regius professor of
Hebrew, and consequently canon of the sixth stall in Christ
church. He had in 1740 been elected a fellow of the royal
society, and was also a fellow of that of antiquaries. In
1757, as we have noticed in the life of bishop Hooper, he
published the works of that prelate, in the preface to which
he represents himself as “one who had received many obligations from his lordship, was acquainted with his family,
and had been formerly intrusted by him with the care of
publishing one of his learned works,
” viz. “De Benedictione patriarchs Jacobi, conjecturae,
” Oxon.
Dr. Hunt’s epistolary correspondence both at home and abroad, was considerable. Some of his letters are to be found in “Doddridge’s
Dr. Hunt’s epistolary correspondence both at home and
abroad, was considerable. Some of his letters are to be
found in “Doddridge’s Letters,
” published by Stedman.
He frequently mentions his “Ægyptian History,
” and his
“attendance on Abdollatiph,
” as engrossing much of his
time. He also highly praises Dr. Doddridge’s “Rise and
Progress of Religion,
” and his “Life of colonel Gardiner.
”
In State of the printed Hebrew text of the Old Testament
”
to his much respected friend Dr. Hunt, to v.hom he stood
“indebted for his knowledge of the very elements of the
Hebrew language.
” Anquetil du Perron, the French orientalist, having made some unhandsome reflections on Dr.
Hunt, the celebrated sir William Jones, then a student at
Oxford, repelled these by a shrewd pamphlet, published
in 1771, entiled “Lettre a monsieur A[nquetil du P(erron)
dans laquelle est compris l'examen de sa traduction des
livres attribues a Zoroastre.
”
Among Dr. Hunt’s intimate friends was Dr. Gregory Sharpe, who sought his acquaintance and highly prized
Among Dr. Hunt’s intimate friends was Dr. Gregory
Sharpe, who sought his acquaintance and highly prized it,
and their correspondence was frequent and affectionate.
Dr. Hunt not only promoted Dr. Sharpe’s election into the
royal society, but was a liberal and able assistant to him in
his literary undertakings. When, however, Dr. Sharpe
published his edition of Dr. Hyde’s Dissertations in 1767,
no notice was taken of these obligations; and the reason
assigned is Dr. Hunt’s having declined a very unreasonable
request made by Dr. Sharpe, to translate into Latin a long
English detail of introductory matter. Such treatment
Dr. Hunt is said to have mentioned “to his friends, with
as much resentment as his genuine good-nature would permit.
” This very learned scholar, who had long been
afflicted with the gravel, died Oct. 31, 1774, aged seventyeight, and was buried in the north aile joining to the body
of the cathedral of Christ-church, with an inscription expressing only his name, offices, and time of his death.
His library was sold the following year by honest Daniel
Prince of Oxford. In that same year Dr. Kennicott pub.lished a valuable posthumous work of his friend, entitled
“Observations on several passages in the Book of Proverbs,
with two Sermons. By Thomas Hunt,
” &c. 4to. A considerable part of this work was printed before his death;
and the only reason given why he himself did not finish it,
was, that he was remarkably timorous, and distrustful of
his own judgment; and that, in his declining years, he
grew more and more fearful of the severity of public criticism, for which he certainly had little cause, had this been
his only publication. His character, as an Orientalist, had
been fully established by his former works; and he justly
retained it to the close of his life, leaving the learned
world only to regret that he did not engage in some gra-id
and critical work, or that he did not complete an edition
of Job which he bad long intended.
, an eminent physician and antiquary of Durham, was the son of Thomas Hunter, gent, of Medomsley, in the county
, an eminent physician and
antiquary of Durham, was the son of Thomas Hunter,
gent, of Medomsley, in the county of Durham, where he
was born in 1675: he was educated at the free-school of
Houghton-le-Spring, founded by the celebrated Bernard
Gilpin, and was admitted of St. John’s college, Cambridge,
where he continued until he had taken his bachelor’s degree
in 1698. In 1701 he received a faculty or licence from
Dr. John Brookbank, spiritual chancellor at Durham, to
piactice physic through the whole diocese of Durham.
After some years he removed to the city of Durham; and
though he published little, was always ready to assist in any
literary undertaking. He is acknowledged by Mr. Horsley
and Mr. Gordon to be very exact and masterly in the knowledge of antiquities. Dr. Wilkins mentions him with respect in the preface to the first volume of his “Councils,
”
to which he furnished some materials; and Mr. Bourne was
much indebted to him in compiling his “History of Newcastle
” He published a new edition of “The Ancient
Rites and Monuments of the church of Durham,
” An Illustration of Mr. Daniel Neale’s
History of the Puritans, in the article of Peter Smart, M. A.
from original papers, with remarks.
” Antiquitates Parochiales Dioc. Dunelm.
hucusque ineditae,
” but no further progress appears to have
been made. Perhaps this might be owing to an
unfortunate accident he met with, in searching the archives of the
cathedral, where he spilt a bottle of ink on the celebrated
copy of Magna Charta, and was never afterwards permitted
to come there. In 1757 be retired from Durham, with
his family, to Unthank, an estate belonging to his wife, in
Shotley parish, Northumberland, where he died July 13
of that year, and was buried in Shotley church.
, a popular preacher and writer, was born at Culross, in Perthshire, in 1741. He had the best education
, a popular preacher and writer, was
born at Culross, in Perthshire, in 1741. He had the best
education that the circumstances of his parents would permit, and at the age of thirteen was sent to the university
of Edinburgh, where, by his talents and proficiency, he
attracted the notice of the professors, and when he left
Edinburgh he accepted the office of tutor to lord Dundonald’s sons at Culross abbey. In 1764 he was licensed
to preach, having passed the several trials with great applause: and very quickly became much followed on account of his popular talents. He was ordained in 1766,
and was appointed minister of South Leith. On a visit to
London in 1769, he preached in most of the Scotch meeting-houses with great acceptance, and soon after his return he received an invitation to become pastor of the Scotch
church in Swallow-street, which he declined; but in 1771
he removed to London, and undertook the pastoral office
in the Scotch church at London-wall. He appeared first
as an author in 1783, by the commencement of his “Sacred Biography,
” which was at length extended to seven
volumes octavo. While this work was in the course of publication, he engaged in the translation of Lavater’s “Essays
on Physiognomy,
” and in order to render his work as complete as possible, he took a journey into Swisserland, for
the purpose of procuring information from Lavater himself.
He attained, in some measure, his object, though the author did not receive him with the cordiality which he expected, suspecting that the English version must injure the
sale of the French translation. The first number of this
work was published in 1789, and it was finished in a style
worthy the improved state of the arts. From this period
Dr. Hunter spent much of his time in translating different
works from the French language. In 1790 he was elected
secretary to the corresponding board of the “Society for
propagating Christian Knowledge in the Highlands and
Islands of Scotland.
” He was likewise chaplain to the
“Scotch Corporation;
” and both these institutions Were
much benefited by his zealous exertions in their behalf.
In 1795, he published two volumes of Sermons; and in
1798 he gave the world eight “Lectures on the Evidences
of Christianity,
” being the completion of a plan begun by
Mr. Fell. The whole contains a popular and useful elucidation of the proofs in favour of the Christian religion,
arising from its internal evidence, its beneficial influence,
and the superior value of the information which it conveys
with respect to futurity. During the latter years of his
life, Dr. Hunter’s constitution suffered the severest shocks
from the loss of three children, which, with other causes,
contributed to render him unable to withstand the attacks
of disease. He died at the Hot-Wells, Bristol, on the
27th of October, 1802, in the 62d year of his age. Dr.
Hunter was a man of learning: his writings are eloquent,
and shew how well he had studied human nature. In the
pulpit his manner was unaffected, solemn, and impressive.
He indulged his liberal and friendly heart in the exercise
of hospitality, charity, and the pleasures of social intercourse, but the latter frequently beyond the limits which a
regard to prudence and economy should have prescribed.
He was the translator of “Letters of Euler to a German
Princess, on different subjects in Physics and Philosophy
”
“The Studies of Nature by St. Pierre
” “Saurin’s Sermons;
” “Sonnini’s Travels.
” Miscellaneous pieces and
sermons of his own have been published since his death, to
which are prefixed memoirs: from these the foregoing particulars have been taken. Dr. Hunter, about 1796 or 7,
began “A History of London and its Environs,
” which
came out in parts, but did little credit to him, as he evidently had no talents or research for a work of this description.
, an eminent anatomist and physician, was born May 23, 1718, at Kilbride in the county of Lanark. He was
, an eminent anatomist and physician, was born May 23, 1718, at Kilbride in the county of Lanark. He was the seventh of ten children of John and Agnes Hunter, who resided on a small estate in that parish, called Long Calderwood, which had long been in the possession of his family. His great grandfather, by iiis fatner’s side, was a youoger son of Hunter of Hunterston, chief of the family of that name. At the age of fourteen, his father sent him to the college of Glasgow; where he passed five years, and by nis prudent behaviour and diligence acquired the esteem of the professors, and the reputation of being a good scholar. His father had designed him for the church, but the necessity of subscribing to articles of faith was to him a strong objection. In this state of mind he happened to become acquainted with Dr Cullen, who was then just established in practice at Hamilton, under the patronage of the duke of Hamilton. By the conversation of Dr. Cullen, ha was soon determined to devote himself to th^ profession of pbysic. His father’s consent having been previously obtained, he went, in 1737. to reside with Dr. Cullen. In the family of this excellent friend and preceptor he passed nearly three years, and these, as he has been often heard to acknowledge, were the happiest years of his life. It was then agreed, that he should prosecute his medical studies at Edinburgh and London, and afterwards return to settle at Hamilton, in partnership with Dr. Cullen.
ed in London in the summer of 1741, and took up his residence at Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Smellie’s, who was at that time an apothecary in Pall-mall. He brought with him
Mr. Hunter set out for Edinburgh in Nov. 1740, and continued there till the following spring, attending the lectures of the medical professors, and amongst others those of the late Dr. Alexander Monro. He arrived in London in the summer of 1741, and took up his residence at Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Smellie’s, who was at that time an apothecary in Pall-mall. He brought with him a letter of recommendation to his countryman Dr. James Douglas, from Mr. Foulis, printer at Glasgow, who had been useful to the doctor in collecting for him different editions of Horace. Dr. Douglas was then intent on a great anatomical work on the bones, which he did not live to complete, and was looking out for a young man of abilities and industry whom he might employ as a dissecter. This induced him to pay particular attention to Mr. Hunter; and finding him acute and sensible, he after a short time invited him into his family, to assist in his dissections, and to superintend the education of his son. Mr. Hunter having communicated this offer to his father and Dr. Cullen, the latter readily and heartily gave his concurrence to it; but his father, who was very old and infirm, and expected his return with impatience, consented with reluctance. His father did not long survive, dying Oct. 30 following, aged 78.
Mr. Hunter, having accepted Dr. Douglas’s invitation, was by his friendly assistance enabled to enter himself as a surgeon’s
Mr. Hunter, having accepted Dr. Douglas’s invitation,
was by his friendly assistance enabled to enter himself as a
surgeon’s pupil at St. George’s hospital under Mr. James
Wilkie, and as a dissecting pupil under Dr. Frank Nichols,
who at that time taught anatomy with considerable reputation. He likewise attended a course of lectures on experimental philosophy by Dr. Desaguliers. Of these means
of improvement he did not fail to make a proper use. He
soon became expert in dissection, and Dr. Douglas was at
the expence of having several of his preparations engraved.
But before many months had elapsed, he had the misfortune to lose this excellent friend. Dr. Douglas died April
1, 1742, in his 67th year, leaving a widow and two children. The death of Dr. Douglas, however, made no
change in his situation. He continued to reside with the
doctor’s family, and to pursue his studies with the same
diligence as before. In 1743 he communicated to the
royal society “An Essay on the Structure and Diseases of
articulating Cartilages.
” This ingenious paper, on a subject which till then had not been sufficiently investigated,
affords a striking testimony of the rapid progress he had
made in his anatomical inquiries. As he had it in contemplation to teach anatomy, his attention was directed principally to this object; and it deserves to be mentioned as
an additional mark of his prudence, that he did not precipitately engage in this attempt,but passed several years
in acquiring such a degree of knowledge, and such a collection of preparations, as might insure him success. After
waiting some time for a favourable opening, he succeeded
Mr. Samuel Sharpe as lecturer to a private society of surgeons in Covent-garden, began his lectures in their rooms,
and soon extended his plan from surgery to anatomy. This
undertaking commenced in the winter of 1746. He is said
to have experienced much solicitude when he began to
speak in public, but applause soon inspired him with courage; and by degrees he became so fond of teaching, that
for many years before his death he was never happier than
when employed in delivering a lecture.
iice of advertisements. This circumstance taught him to be more reserved in this respect. In 1747 he was admitted a member of the corporation of surgeons, and in the
The profits of his two first courses were considerable,
but by contributing to the wants of different friends, he
found himself, at the return of the next season, obliged to
defer his lectures for a fortnight, merely because he had
not money to defray the necessary expeiice of advertisements. This circumstance taught him to be more reserved
in this respect. In 1747 he was admitted a member of
the corporation of surgeons, and in the spring of the following year, soon after the close of his lectures, he set
out in company with his pupil, Mr. James Douglas, on a
tour through Holland to Paris. His lectures suffered no
interruption by this journey, as he returned to England
soon enough to prepare for his winter course, which began
about the usual time. At first he practised both surgery
and midwifery, but the former he always disliked; and,
being elected one of the surgeon-men-midwives first to the
Middlesex, and soon afterwards to the British lying-in
hospital, and recommended by several of the most eminent surgeons of that time, his line was thus determined.
Over his countryman, Dr. Smellie, notwithstanding his
great experience, and the reputation he had justly acquired, he had a great advantage in person and address.
The most lucrative part of the practice of midwifery was
at that time in the hands of sir Richard Manningham and
Dr. Sandys. The former of these died, and the latter retired into the country a few years after Mr. Hunter began
to be known in midwifery. Although by these incidents
he was established in the practice of midwifery, it is well
known that in proportion as his reputation increased, his
opinion was eagerly sought in all cases where any light
concerning the seat or nature of any disease, could be expected from an intimate knowledge of anatomy. In 1750
he obtained the degree of M. D. from the university of
Glasgow, and began to practise as a physician. About
this time he quitted the family of Mrs. Douglas, and went
to reside in Jermyn-skreet. In the summer of 1751 he
revisited his native country, for which he always retained
a cordial affection. His mother was still living at Long
Calderwood, which was now become his property by the
death of his brother James. Dr. Cullen, for whom he always
entertained asincere regard, was then established at Glasgow.
During this visit, he shewed his attachment to his little
paternal inheritance, by giving many instructions for repairing and improving it, and for purchasing any adjoining
lands that might be offered for sale. As he and Dr. Cullen
were riding one day in a low part of the country, the latter pointing out to him Long Calderwood at a considerable
distance, remarked how conspicuous it appeared. “Well,
”
said he, with some degree of energy, “if I live, I shall
make it still more conspicuous.
” After his journey to
Scotland, to which he devoted only a few weeks, he was
never absent from London, unless his professional engagements, as sometimes happened, required his attendance at a distance from the capital.
his introduction, that it required a good deal of time, and be had little to spare; that the subject was unpleasant, and therefore he was very seldom in the humour to
In 1762 we find him warmly engaged in controversy,
supporting his claim to different anatomical discoveries, in,
a work entitled “Medical Commentaries,
” the style of
which is correct and spirited . As an excuse for the tardiness with which he brought forth this work, he observes
in his introduction, that it required a good deal of time,
and be had little to spare; that the subject was unpleasant, and therefore he was very seldom in the humour
to take it up. In 1762, when our present excellent queen
became pregnant, Dr. Hunter was consulted; and two
years after he had the honour to be appointed physicianextraordinary to her majesty. About this time his avocations were so numerous, that he became desirous of lessening his fatigue, and having noticed the ingenuity and
assiduous application of the late Mr. William Hewson,
F. R. S. who was then one of his pupils, he engaged him,
first as an assistant, and afterwards as a partner in his lectures. This connection continued till 1770, when some
disputes happened, which terminated in a separation. [See
Hewson]. Mr. Hewson was succeeded in the partnership
by Mr. Cruikshank, whose anatomical abilities were deservedly respected.
April 30, 1767, Dr. Hunter was elected F. R. S. and the year following communicated to that
April 30, 1767, Dr. Hunter was elected F. R. S. and the
year following communicated to that learned body “Observations on the Bones commonly supposed to be Elephants’ bones, which have been found near the river Ohio
in America.
” This was not the only subject of natural
history on which Dr. Hunter employed his pen; for in a
subsequent volume of the “Philosophical Transactions,
”
we find him offering his “Remarks on some Bones found
in the Rock of Gibraltar,
” which he proves to have belonged to some quadruped. In the same work, likewise,
he published an account of the Nyl-ghau, an Indian animal not described before, and which, from its strength
and swiftness, promised, he thought, to be an useful acquisition to this country.
68, Dr. Hunter became F. S. A. and the sam*' year, at the institution of a royal academy of arts, he was appointed by his majesty to the office of professor of anatomy.
In 1768, Dr. Hunter became F. S. A. and the sam*' year, at the institution of a royal academy of arts, he was appointed by his majesty to the office of professor of anatomy. This appointment opened a new field for his abilities; and he engaged in it, as he did in every other pursuit of his life, with unabating zeal. He now adapted his anatomical knowledge to the objects of painting and sculpture; and the novelty and justness of his observations proved at once the readiness and the extent of his genius.
In January 1781, he was unanimously elected to succeed the late Dr. John Fothergill
In January 1781, he was unanimously elected to succeed the late Dr. John Fothergill as president of the society of physicians of London. “He was one of those,
”
says Dr. Simmons, “to whom we are indebted for its
establishment, and our grateful acknowledgments are due
to him for his zealous endeavours to promote the liberal
views of this institution, by rendering it a source of mutual
improvement, and thus making it ultimately useful to the
public.
” As his name and talents were known and respected in every part of Europe, so the honours conferred
on him were not limited to his own country. In 1780 the
royal medical society at Paris elected him one of their foreign associates; and in 1782 he received a similar mark
of distinction from the royal academy of sciences in that
city. We come now to the most splendid of Dr. Hunter’s
medical publications, “The Anatomy of the Human Gravid Uterus.
” The appearance of this work, which had
been begun so early as 1751 (at which time ten of the thirty-four plates it contains were completed), was retarded till 1775, only by the author’s desire of sending it
into the world with fewer imperfections. This great work
is dedicated to the king. In his preface to it we find the
author very candidly acknowledging, that in most of the
dissections he had been assisted by his brother, Mr. John
Hunter. This anatomical description of the gravid uterus,
was not the only work which Dr. Hunter had in contemplation to give to the public. He had long been employed in collecting and arranging materials for a history of the various concretions that are formed in the human body. He seems to have advanced no further in the
execution of this design, than to have nearly completed
that part of it which relates to urinary and biliary concretions. Among Dr. Hunter’s papers have likewise been
found two introductory lectures, which are written out so
fairly, and with such accuracy, that he probably intended
no further correction of them, before they should be
given to the world. In these lectures Dr. Hunter traces
the history of anatomy from the earliest to the present
times, along with the general progress of science and the
arts. He considers the great utility of anatomy in the
practice of physic and surgery; givt-s the ancient divisions
of the different substances composing the human body,
which for a long time prevailed in anatomy; points out
the most advantageous mode of cultivating this branch of
natural knowledge; and concludes with explaining the
particular plan of his own lectures. Besides these Mss. he
has also left behind him a considerable number of cases of
dissection. The same year in which the tables of the
gravid uterus made their appearance, Dr. Hunter communicated to the royal society “An essay on the Origin of
the Venereal Disease.
” After this paper had been read
to the royal society, Dr. Hunter, in a conversation with
the late Dr. Musgrave, was convinced that the testimony
on which he placed his chief dependence was of less
weight than he had at first imagined; he therefore very
properly laid aside his intention of giving his essay to the
public.
ome account of which these memoirs would be very incomplete. When he began to practise midwifery, he was desirous of acquiring a fortune sufficient to place him in easy
We must now go back a little in the order of time, to describe the origin and progress of Dr. Hunter’s Museum, without some account of which these memoirs would be very incomplete. When he began to practise midwifery, he was desirous of acquiring a fortune sufficient to place him in easy and independent circumstances. Before many years had elapsed, he found himself in possession of a sum adequate to his wishes iii this respect; and this he set apart as a resource of which he might avail himself whenever age or infirmities should oblige him to retire from business. He has been heard to say, that he once took a considerable sum from this fund for the purposes of his museum, but that he did not feel himself perfectly at ease till he had restored it again. After he had obtained this competency, as his wealth continued to accumulate, he formed a laudable design of engaging in some scheme of public utility, and at first had it in contemplation to found an anatomical school in this metropolis. For this purpose, about 1765, during the administration of Mr. Grenville, he presented a memorial to that minister, in which he requested the grant of a piece of ground in the Mews for the site of an anatomical theatre. Dr. Hunter undertook to expend 7000l. on the building, and to endow a professorship of anatomy in perpetuity. This scheme did not meet with the reception it deserved. In a conversation on this subject soon afterwards with the earl of Shelburne, his lordship expressed a wish that the plan might be carried into execution by subscription, and very generously requested to have his name set down for 1000 guineas. Dr. Hunter’s delicacy would not allow him to adopt this proposal. He chose rather to execute it at his own expence, and accordingly purchased a spot of ground in Great Windmill-street, where he erected a spacious house, to which he removed from Jermyn-street in 1770. In this building, besides a handsome amphitheatre and other convenient apartments for his lectures and dissections, there was one magnificent room, fitted up with great elegance and propriety as a museum.
fter his death, and that Dr. Hunter should have the refusal of it at 500l. under the valuation. This was accordingly done, and Dr. Hunter purchased it for the sum of
Of the magnitude and value of his anatomical collection,
some idea may be formed, when we consider the great
length of years he employed in making anatomical preparations, and in the dissection of morbid bodies; added to
the eagerness with which he procured additions, from the
collections that were at different times offered for sale in
London. His specimens of rare diseases were likewise
frequently increased by presents from his medical friends
and pupils, who, when any thing of this sort occurred to
them, very justly thought they could not dispose of it
more properly than by placing it in Dr. Hunter’s museum.
Before his removal to Windmill-street, he had confined
his collection chiefly to specimens of human and comparative anatomy, and of diseases; but now he extended his
views to fossils, and likewise to the branches of polite literature and erudition. In a short space of time he became possessed of “the most magnificent treasure of Greek
and Latin books that has been accumulated by any person
now living, since the days of Mead.
” A cabinet of ancient medals contributed likewise greatly to the richness
of his museum. A description of part of the coins in this
collection, struck by the Greek free cities, has been published by the doctor’s learned friend Mr. Combe, under the
title of “Nummorum veterurn populorum & urbium qui
in museo Guliehni Hunter asservantur descriptio figuris
illustrata. Opera & studio Caroli Combe, S. R. & S. A.
Soc. Londini,
”
e, notwithstanding his very abstemious manner of living. About ten years before his death his health was so much impaired, that, fearing he might soon become unfit for
Dr. Hunter, at the head of his profession, honoured with the esteem of his sovereign, and in the possession of every thing that his reputation and wealth could confer, seemed now to have attained the summit of his wishes. But these sources of gratification were embittered by a disposition to the gout, which harassed him frequently during the latter part of his life, notwithstanding his very abstemious manner of living. About ten years before his death his health was so much impaired, that, fearing he might soon become unfit for the fatigues of his profession, he began to think of retiring to Scotland. With this view he requested his friends Dr. Cullen and Dr. Baillie, to look out for a pleasant estate for him. A considerable one, and such as they thought would be agreeable to him, was offered for sale about that time in the neighbourhood of Alloa. A description of it was sent to him, and met with his approbation: the price was agreed on, and the bargain supposed to be concluded. But when the title-deeds of the estate came to be examined by Dr. Hunter’s counsel in London, they were found defective, and he was advised not to complete the purchase. After this he found the expences of his museum increase so fast, that he laid aside all thoughts of retiring from practice.
hstanding this valetudinary state, his ardour seemed to be unabated. In the last year of his life he was as eager to acquire new credit, and to secure the advantage
This alteration in his plan did not tend to improve his
health. In the course of a few years the returns of his
gout became by degrees more frequent, sometimes affecting his limbs, and sometimes his stomach, but seldom
remaining many hours in one part. Notwithstanding this
valetudinary state, his ardour seemed to be unabated. In
the last year of his life he was as eager to acquire new
credit, and to secure the advantage of what he had before
gained, as he could have been at the most enterprising
port of his life. At length, on Saturday, March 15, 1783,
after having for several days experienced a return of wandering gout, he complained of great head-ache and nausea.
In this state he went to bed, and for several days felt more
pain than usual, both in his stomach and limbs. On the
Thursday following he found himself so much recovered,
that he determined to give the introductory lecture to the
operations of surgery. It was to no purpose that his
friends urged to him the impropriety of such an attempt.
He was determined to make the experiment, and accordingly delivered the lecture; but towards the conclusion, his
strength was so exhausted that he fainted away, and was
obliged to be carried to bed by two servants. The following night and day his symptoms were such as indicated
danger; and on Saturday morning Mr. Combe, who made
him an early visit, was alarmed on being told by Dr. Hunter himself, that during the night he had certainly had a
paralytic stroke. As neither his speech nor his pulse were
affected, and he was able to raise himself in bed, Mr.
Combe encouraged him to hope that he was mistaken.
But the event proved the doctor’s idea of his complaint to
be but too well founded; for from that time till his death,
which happened on Sunday March 30, he voided no urine
without the assistance of the catheter, which was occasionally introduced by his brother; and purgative medicines were administered repeatedly, without procuring a
passage by stool. These circumstances, and the absence
of pain, seemed to shew that the intestines and bladder
had lost their sensibility and power of contraction; and it
was reasonable to presume, that a partial palsy had affected
the nerves distributed to those parts. The latter moments
of his life exhibited a remarkable instance of calmness and
fortitude. Turning to his friend Mr. Combe, “If I had
strength enough to hold a pen,
” said he, “I would write
how easy and pleasant a thing it is to die.
”
th, to Mr. Cruikshank, for the term of thirty years, at the end of which period the whole collection was bequeathed to the university of Glasgow, but Dr. Baillie removed
By his will, the use of his museum, under the direction of trustees, devolved to his nephew Matthew. Baillie, and in case of his death, to Mr. Cruikshank, for the term of thirty years, at the end of which period the whole collection was bequeathed to the university of Glasgow, but Dr. Baillie removed it to its destination some years before the completion of that term. The, sum of 8000l. sterling was left as a fund for the support and augmentation of the collection. The trustees were, Dr. George For.lyne, Dr. David Pitcairne, and Mr. Charles (since Dr.) Combe, to each of whom Dr. Hunter bequeathed an annuity of 20l. for thirty years, that is, during the period in which they would oe executing the purposes of the will. Dr. Hunter likewise bequeathed an annuity of 100l. to his sister Mrs. Baillie, during her life, and the sum of 2000l. to each of her two daughters. The residue of his estate and effects went to his nephew. On Saturday April 5, his remains were interred in the rector’s vault of St. James’s church, Westminster.
Of the person of Dr. Hunter it may be observed that he was regularly shaped, but of a slender make, and rather below a
Of the person of Dr. Hunter it may be observed that he was regularly shaped, but of a slender make, and rather below a middle stature. There are several good portraits of him extant. One of these is an unfinished painting by Zoffany, who has represented him in the attitude of giving a lecture on the muscles at the royal academy, surrounded by a groupe of academicians. His manner of living was extremely simple and frugal, and the quantity of his food was small as well as plain. He was an early riser, and when business was over, was constantly engaged in his anatomical pursuits, or in his museum. There was something very engaging in his manner and address, and he had such an appearance of attention to his patients when he was making his inquiries, as could hardly fail to conciliate their confidence and esteem. In consultation with his medical brethren^ he delivered his opinions with diffidence and candour. In familiar conversation he was chearful and unassuming. All who knew him allowed that he possessed an excellent understanding, great readiness of perception, a good memory, and a sound judgment. To these intellectual powers he united uncommon assiduity and precision, so that he was admirably fitted for anatomical investigation. As a teacher of anatomy, he was long and deservedly celebrated. He was a good orator, and having a clear and accurate conception of what he taught, he knew how to place in distinct and intelligible points of view the most abstruse subjects of anatomy and physiology. How much he contributed to the improvement of medical science in general, may be collected from the concise view we have taken of his writings. The munificence he displayed in the cause of science has likewise a claim to our applause. Dr. Hunter sacrificed no part of his time or his fortune to voluptuousness, to idle pomp, or to any of the common objects of vanity that influence the pursuits of mankind in general. He seems to have been animated with a desire of distinguishing himself in those things which are in their nature laudable; and being a bachelor, and without views of establishing a family, he was at liberty to indulge his inclination. Let us, therefore, not withhold the praise that is due to him; and undoubtedly his temperance, his prudence, his persevering and eager pursuit of knowledge, constitute an example which we may, with advantage to ourselves and to society, endeavour to imitate.
anatomists, sagacious and expert surgeons, and acute observers of nature, that any age has produced, was born at Long Calderwood, before-mentioned, July 14, 1728. At
, younger brother of Dr. Hunter, one of the most profound anatomists, sagacious and expert surgeons, and acute observers of nature, that any age has produced, was born at Long Calderwood, before-mentioned, July 14, 1728. At the age of ten years he lost his father, and being the youngest of ten children, was suffered to employ himself in amusement rather than study, though sent occasionally to a grammar-school. He had reached the age of twenty before he felt a wish for more active employment; and hearing of the reputation his brother William had acquired in London as a teacher of anatomy, made a proposal to go up to him as an assistant. His proposal was kindly accepted, and in September 1748 he arrived in London. It was not long before his disposition to excel in anatomical pursuits was fully evinced, and his determination to proceed in that line confirmed and approved. In the summer of 1749 he attended Mr. Cheselden at Chelsea-hospital, and there acquired the rudiments of surgery. In the subsequent winter he was so far advanced in the knowledge of anatomy, as to instruct his brother’s pupils in dissection; and from the constant occupation of the doctor in business, this task in future devolved almost totally upon him. In the summer of 1756 he again attended at Chelsea, and in 1751 became a pupil at St. Bartholomew’s, where he constantly attended when any extraordinary operation was to be performed. After having paid a visit to Scotland, he entered as a gentleman commoner in Oxford, at St. Mary-hall, though with what particular view does not appear. His professional studies, however, were not interrupted, for in 1754 he became a pupil at St. George’s hospital, where in 1756 he was appointed house-surgeon. In the winter of 1755, Dr. Hunter admitted him to a partnership in his lectures.
The management of anatomical preparations was at this time a new art, and very little known; every preparation,
The management of anatomical preparations was at this time a new art, and very little known; every preparation, therefore, that was skilfully made, became an object of admiration; many were wanting for the use of the lectures, and Dr. Hunter having himself an enthusiasm for the art, his brother had every advantage in the prosecution of that pursuit towards which his own disposition pointed so strongly; and of which he left so noble a monument in his Museum of Comparative Anatomy. Mr. Hunter pursued the stud^bf anatomy with an ardour and perseverance of which few examples can be found. By this clo^e application for ten years, he made himself master of all that was already known, and struck out some additions to that knowledge. He traced the ramifications of the olfactory nerves upon the membranes of the nose, and discovered the course of some of the branches of the fifth pair of nerves. In the gravid uterus, he traced the arteries of the uterus to their termination in the placenta. He also discovered the existence of the lymphatic vessels in birds. In comparative anatomy, which he cultivated with indefatigable industry, his grand object was, by examining various organizations formed for similar functions, under different circumstances, to trace out the general principles of animal life. With this object in view, the commonest animals were often of considerable importance to him; but he also took every opportunity of purchasing those that were rare, or encouraged their owners to sell the bodies to him when they happened to die.
By excessive attention to these pursuits, his health was so much impaired, that he was threatened with consumptive symptoms,
By excessive attention to these pursuits, his health was so much impaired, that he was threatened with consumptive symptoms, and being advised to go abroad, obtained the appointment of a surgeon on the staff, and went with the army to Belleisle, leaving Mr. Hewson to assist his brother. He continued in this service till the close of the war in 1763, and thus acquired his knowledge of the nature and treatment of gun-shot wounds. On his return to London, to his emoluments from private practice, and his half-pay, he added those which arose from teaching practical anatomy and operative surgery; and that he might be more enabled to carry on his inquiries in comparative anatomy, he purchased some land at Earl’s-court, near Brompton, where he built a house. Here also he kept such animals alive as he purchased, or were presented to him; studied their habits and instincts, and cultivated an intimacy with them, which with the fiercer kinds was not always supported without personal risk. It is recorded by his biographer, that, on finding two leopards loose, and likely to escape or be killed, he went out, and seizing them with his own hands, carried them back to their den. The horror he felt afterwards at the danger he had run, would not, probably, have prevented him from making a similar effort, had a like occasion arisen.
On the 5th of February, 1767, Mr. Hunter was elected a fellow of the royal society; and in order to make
On the 5th of February, 1767, Mr. Hunter was elected a fellow of the royal society; and in order to make that situation as productive of knowledge as possible, he prevailed on Dr. George Fordyce, and Mr. Gumming (the celebrated watch-maker) to form a kind of subsequent meeting at a coffee-house, for the purpose of philosophical discussion, and inquiry into discoveries and improvements. To this meeting some of the first philosophers of the age very speedily acceded, among whom none can be more conspicuous than sir Joseph Banks, Dr. Solander, Dr. Maskelyne, sir Geo. Shuckburgh, sir Harry Englefieid, sir Charles Blagden, Dr. Noothe, Mr. Ramsden, and Mr. Watt of Birmingham. About the same time, the accident of breaking his tendo Achillis, led him to some very successful researches into the mode in which tendons are reunited so completely does a true philosopher turn every accident to the advantage of science. In 176M, Dr. Hunter having finished his house in Windmill-street, gave up to his brother that which he had occupied in Jermyn-street; and in the same year, by the interest of the doctor, Mr. Hunter was elected one of the surgeons to St. George’s hospital. In 1771 he married Miss Home, the eldest daughter of Mr. Home, surgeon to Burgoyne’s regiment of light-horse, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. In 1772 he undertook the professional education of his brother-in-law Mr. Everard Home, then leaving Westminster-school, who has assiduously pursued his steps, ably recorded his merits, and successfully emulates his reputation.
ledge which he thus obtained, he applied most successfully to the improvement of the art of surgery; was particularly studious to examine morbid bodies, and to investigate
As the family of Mr. Hunter increased, his practice and character also advanced; but the expence of his collection absorbed a very considerable part of his profits. The best % rooms in his house were filled with his preparations; and his mornings, from sun-rise to eight o'clock, were constantly employed in anatomical and philosophical pursuits. The knowledge which he thus obtained, he applied most successfully to the improvement of the art of surgery; was particularly studious to examine morbid bodies, and to investigate the cause of failure when operations had not been productive of their due effect. It was thus that he perfected the mode of operation for the hydrocele, and made several other improvements of different kinds. At the same time the volumes of the Philosophical Transactions bear testimony to his success in comparative anatomy, which was his favourite, and may be called almost his principal pursuit. When he met with natural appearances which could not be preserved in actual preparations, he employed able draughtsmen to represent them on paper; and for several years he even kept one in his family expressly for this purpose. In Jan. 1776, Mr. Hunter was appointed surgeon -extraordinary to his majesty. In the autumn of the same year, he had an illness of so severe a nature, as to turn his mind to the care of a provision for his family in case of his decease; when, considering that the chief part of his property was vested in his collection, he determined immediately to put it into such a state of arrangement as might make it capable of being disposed of to advantage at his death. In this he happily lived to succeed in a great measure, and finally left his museum so classed as to be fit for a public situation.
Mr. Hunter in 1781 was elected into the royal society of sciences and belles lettres
Mr. Hunter in 1781 was elected into the royal society of
sciences and belles lettres at Gottenburg; and in 1783,
into the royal society of medicine, and the royal academy
of surgery at Paris. In the same year he removed from
Jermyn-street to a larger house in Leicester-square, and,
with more spirit than consideration, expended a very great
sum in buildings adapted to the objects of his pursuits.
He was in 1785 at the height of his career as a surgeon,
and performec 1 some operations with complete success,
which were thought by the profession to be beyond the
reach of any skill. His faculties were now in their fullest
vigour, and his body sufficiently so to keep pace with
the activity of his mind. He was engaged in a very
extensive practice, he was surgeon to St. George’s hospital, he gave a very long course of lectures in the
winter, had a school of practical anatomy in his house,
was continually engaged in experiments concerning the
animal osconomy, and was from time to time producing
very important publications. At the same time he instituted a medical society called “Lyceum Medicum
Londinense,
” which met at his lecture-rooms, and soon
rose to considerable reputation. On the death of Mr.
Middleton, surgeon-general, in 1786, Mr. Hunter obtained
the appointment of deputy surgeon-general to the army;
but in the spring of the year he had a violent attack of illness, which left him for the rest of his life subject to peculiar and violent spasmodic affections of the heart. In
July 1787, he was chosen a member of the American philosophical society. In 1790, finding that his lectures occupied too much of his time, he relinquished them to his
brother-in-law Mr. Home; and in this year, on the death
of Mr. Adair, he was appointed inspector-general of hospitals, and surgeon-general of the army. He was also
elected a member of the royal college of surgeons in
Ireland.
The death of Mr. Hunter was perfectly sudden, and the consequence of one of those spasmodic
The death of Mr. Hunter was perfectly sudden, and the consequence of one of those spasmodic seizures in the heart to which he had now for several years been subject. It happened on the 16th of October, 1793. Irritation of mind had long been found to bring on this complaint; and on that day, meeting with some vexatious circumstances at St. George’s hospital, he put a degree of constraint upon himself to suppress his sentiments, and in that state went into another room; where, in turning round to a physician who was present, befell, and instantly expired without a groan. Of the disorder which produced this effect, Mr. Home has given a clear and circumstantial account, of a very interesting nature to professional readers. Mr. Hunter was short in stature, but uncommonly strong, active, and capable of great bodily exertion. The prints of him by Sharp, from a picture by sir Joshua Reynolds, give a forcible and accurate idea of his countenance. His temper was warm and impatient; but his disposition was candid and free from reserve, even to a fault. He was superior to every kind of artifice, detested it in others, and in order to avoid it, expressed his exact sentiments, sometimes too openly and too abruptly. His mind was uncommonly active; it was naturally formed for investigation, and so attached to truth and fact, that he despised all unfounded speculation, and proceeded always with caution upon the solid ground of experiment. At the same time his acuteness in observing the result of those experiments, his ingenuity in contriving, and his adroitness in conducting them, enabled him to deduce from them advantages which others would not have derived. It has been supposed, very falsely, that he was fond of hypothesis; on the contrary, if he was defective in any talent, it was in that of imagination; he pursued truth on all occasions with mathematical precision, but he made no fanciful excursions. Conversation in a mixed company, where no subject could be connectedly pursued, fatigued instead of amusing him; particularly towards the latter part of his life. He slept little; seldom more than four hours in the night, and about an hour after dinner. But his occupations, laborious as they would have been to others, were far from being fatiguing to him, being so perfectly congenial to his mind. He spoke freely and sometimes harshly of his contemporaries; but he considered surgery as in its infancy, and, being very anxious for its advancement, thought meanly of those professors whose exertions to promote it were unequal to his own. Money he valued no otherwise than as it enabled him to pursue his researches; and in his zeal to benefit mankind, he attended too little to the interests of his own family. Altogether he was a man such as few ages produce, and by his great contributions to the stores of knowledge, will ever deserve the gratitude and veneration of posterity.
order. 1. A treatise on “the Natural History of the Human Teeth,” 1771, 4to; a second part to which was added in 1778. 2. “A treatise on the Venereal Disease,” 1786,
The contributions of Mr. Hunter to the Transactions of
the Royal Society cannot easily be enumerated: his other
works appeared in the following order. 1. A treatise on
“the Natural History of the Human Teeth,
” A treatise
on the Venereal Disease,
” Observations
on certain Parts of the Animal QEconomy,
” A treatise on the Blood, Inflammation, and Gunshot Wounds,
” 4to. This was a posthumous work, not
appearing till the year 1794; but it had been sent to tho
press in the preceding year, before his death. There are
also some papers by Mr. Hunter in the “Transactions of
the Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge,
” which were published in Life of John Hunter,
” from
which we have taken this account. By his will, Mr. Hunter directed that this museum should be offered to the
purchase of government; and, after some negociation, it
was bought for the public use for the sum of 15,000l. and
given to the College of Surgeons, on condition of exposing
it to public view on certain days in the week, and giving a
set of annual lectures explanatory of its contents. A large
building for its reception has been completed in Portugalstreet, connected with the College of Surgeons, in Lincoln’s-inn fields; and in the spring of the year 1810 the
first course of lectures was delivered by Mr. Home and sir
William Blizard.
t in his ms conjecture in his title-page of the only copy extant, of a farce called “Androboros.” He was appointed lieutenant-governor of Virginia in 1708, but was taken
, author of the celebrated
“Letter on Enthusiasm,
” and, if Coxeter be right in his
ms conjecture in his title-page of the only copy extant,
of a farce called “Androboros.
” He was appointed lieutenant-governor of Virginia in 1708, but was taken by the
French in his voyage thither. Two excellent letters, addressed to colonel Hunter while a prisoner at Paris, which
reflect equal honour on Hunter and Swift, are printed in
the 12th volume of the Dean’s works, by one of which it
appears, that the “Letter on Enthusiasm
” had been
ascribed to Swift, as it has still more commonly been to
the earl of Shaftesbury. In 1710 he was appointed governor of New York, and sent with 2700 Palatines to settle
there. From Mr. Cough’s “History of Croyland Abbey,
”
we learn, that Mr. Hunter was a major-general, and that,
during his government of New-York, he was directed by
her majesty to provide subsistence for about 3000 Palatine?
(the number stated in the alienating act) sent from Great
Britain to be employed in raising and manufacturing naval
stores; and by an account stated in 1734, it appears that
the governor had disbursed 20,000l. and upwards in that
undertaking, no part of which was ever repaid. He returned to England in 1719; and on the accession of
George II. was continued governor of New York and the
Jerseys. On account of his health he obtained the government of Jamaica, where he arrived in February 1728;
died March 31, 1734; and was buried in that island.
, an ancient English historian, was the son of one Nicholas, a married priest, and was born about
, an ancient English historian, was the son of one Nicholas, a married priest, and
was born about the beginning of the twelfth century, or
end of the eleventh, for he informs us that he was made
an archdeacon by Robert Bloet, bishop of Lincoln, who
died in 1123. He was educated by Albinus of Anjou, a
learned canon of the chqrch of Lincoln, and in his youth
discovered a great taste for poetry, by writing eight books
of epigrams, as many of love verses, with three long
didactic poems, one of herbs, another of spices, and a
third of precious stones. In his more advanced years he
applied to the study of history; and at the request of
Alexander bishop of Lincoln, who was his great friend
and patron, he composed a general History of England,
from the earliest accounts to the death of king Stephen,
1154, in eight books, published by sir Henry Savile. In
the dedication of this work to bishop Alexander, he tells
us, that in the ancient part of his history he had followed
the venerable Bede, adding a few things from some other
writers: that he had compiled the sequel from several
chronicles he had found in different libraries, and from
what he had heard and seen. Towards the conclusion be
very honestly acknowledges that it was only an abridgment,
and that to compose a complete history of England, many
more books were necessary than he could procure. Mr.
Wharton has published a long letter of this author to his
friend Walter, abbot of Ramsay, on-the contempt of the
world, which contains many curious anecdotes of the kings,
nobles, prelates, and other great men who were his contemporaries. In the Bodleian library is a ms Latin poem
by Henry, on the death of king Stephen, and the arrival
of Henry II. in England, which is by no means contemptible, and in Trinity college library, Oxford, is a fine ms.
of his book “De imagine mundi.
” When he died is
uncertain.
, a learned English divine, was born at Deorhyrst in Gloucestershire, where his father was minister,
, a learned English divine, was born at Deorhyrst in Gloucestershire, where his father was minister, in 1636. Having been educated in school learning at Bristol, he was sent to Merton-college, Oxford, of which in due time he was chosen fellow. He went through the usual course of arts and sciences with great applause, and then applied himself most diligently to divinity and the Oriental languages. The latter became afterwards of infinite service to him, for he was chosen, chaplain to the English factory at Aleppo, and sailed from England in Sept. 1670. During his eleven years’ residence in this place, he applied himself particularly to search out and procure manuscripts; and for this purpose maintained a correspondence with the learned and eminent of every profession and degree, which his knowledge in the Eastern, languages, and especially the Arabic, enabled him to do. He travelled also for his diversion and improvement, not only into the adjacent, but even into distant places; and after having carefully visited almost all Galilee and Samaria, he went to Jerusalem. In 1677 he went into Cyprus; and the year after undertook a journey of 150 miles, for the sake of beholding the venerable ruins of the once noble and glorious city of Palmyra; but, instead of having an opportunity of viewing the place, he and they that were with him were very near being destroyed by two Arabian princes, who had taken possession of those parts. He had better success in a journey to Egypt in 1680, where he met with several curiosities and manuscripts, and had the pleasure of conversing with John Lascaris, archbishop of mount Sinai.
683 took the degrees in divinity. About the same time, through the recommendation of bishop Fell, he was appointed master of Trinity college in Dublin, and went over
In 1682 he embarked, and landed in Italy; and having visited Rome, Naples, and other places, taking Paris in his way, where he stayed a few weeks, he arrived, after many dangers and difficulties, safe in his own country. He retired immediately to his fellowship at Merton college; and in 1683 took the degrees in divinity. About the same time, through the recommendation of bishop Fell, he was appointed master of Trinity college in Dublin, and went over thither, though against his will; but the troubles that happened in Ireland at the Revolution forced him back for a time into England; and though he returned after the reduction of that kingdom, yet he resigned his mastership in 1691, and came home, with an intention to quit it no more. In the mean time he sold for 700l. his fine collection of Mss. to the curators of the Bodleian library having before made a present of thirty- five. In 1692 he was presented by sir Edward Tumor to the rectory of Great Hallingbury in Essex, and the same year he married. He was offered about that time the bishopric of Kilmore in Ireland, but refused it; in 1701, however, he accepted that of Raphoe, and was consecrated in Christ-church, Dublin, Aug. 20. He survived his consecration but twelve days, for he died Sept. 2, in his 66th year, and was buried in Trinity college chapel.
All that he published himself was, “An Account of the Porphyry Pillars in Egypt,” in the “Philosophical
All that he published himself was, “An Account of the
Porphyry Pillars in Egypt,
” in the “Philosophical Transactions, No. 161.
” Some of his “Observations
” are
printed in "A Collection of curious Travels and Voyages,'
in two vols. 8vo, by Mr. J. Ray; and thirty-nine of his
letters, chiefly written while he was abroad, were published
by Dr. T. Smith, at the end of his life.
, an eminent and accomplished prelate, was born at Congreve, in the parish of Penkrich, in Staffordshire,
, an eminent and accomplished prelate, was born at Congreve, in the parish of Penkrich, in
Staffordshire, Jan. 13, 1720. He was the second of three
children, all sons, of John and Hannah Hurd, whom he
describes as “plain, honest, and good people, farmers, but
of a turn of mind that might have honoured any rank and
any education;
” and they appear to have been solicitous
to give this son the best and most liberal education. They
rented a considerable farm at Congreve, but soon after
removed to a larger at Penford, about half-way between
Brewood and Wolverhampton in the same county. There
being a good grammar-school at Brewood, Mr. Hurd was
educated there under the rev. Mr. Hitman, and upon his
death under his successor the rev. Mr. Budvvorth, whose
memory our author affectionately honoured in a dedication,
in 1757, to sir Edward Littleton, who had also been educated at Brewood school. He continued under this master’s
care until 1733, when he was admitted of Emanuel college,
Cambridge, but did not go to reside there till a year or twa
afterwards.
he had been admitted under another person. He took the degree of B. A. in 1739, proceeded M. A. and was elected fellow in 1742. In June of that year he was ordained
In this college he had the happiness of being encouraged by, and hearing the lectures of, that excellent tutor, Mr. Henry Hubbard, although he had been admitted under another person. He took the degree of B. A. in 1739, proceeded M. A. and was elected fellow in 1742. In June of that year he was ordained deacon in St. Paul’s cathedral, London, by Dr. Joseph Butler, bishop of Bristol and dean of St. Paul’s, on letters diruissory from Dr. Gooch, bishop of Norwich; and was ordained priest May 20, 1744, in the chapel of Gonvile ar.d Caius college, Cambridge, by the same Dr. Gooch.
Mr. Kurd’s first literary performance, as far as can be ascertained, was “Remarks on a late book entitled ‘An Enquiry into the rejection
Mr. Kurd’s first literary performance, as far as can be
ascertained, was “Remarks on a late book entitled ‘An
Enquiry into the rejection of the Christian miracles by the
Heathens, by William Weston, B. D.’
” Commentary on Horace’s Ars Poetica,
” in the preface to
which he took occasion to compliment Mr. Warburton in a
manner which procured him the acquaintance of that author, who soon after returned the eulogium, in his edition
of Pope’s works, in which he speaks of Mr. Kurd’s Commentary in terms of the highest approbation. Hence
arose an intimacy which remained unbroken during the
whole of their lives, and is supposed to have had a considerable effect on the opinions of Mr. Hurd, who was
long considered as the first scholar in what has been called
the Warburtonian school. His Commentary was reprinted
in 1757, with the addition of two Dissertations, one on
the Province of the Drama, the other on Poetical Imitation,
and a letter to Mr. Mason, on the “Marks of Imitation.
”
A fourth edition, corrected and enlarged, was published in
3 vols. 8vo. in 1765, with the addition of another
Dissertation on the idea of universal Poetry; and the whole were
again reprinted in 1776. It is needless to add that they
fully established Mr. Kurd’s character as an elegant, acute,
and judicious critic.
In May 1750, by Warburton’s recommendation to Dr. Sherlock, bishop of London, Mr. Kurd was appointed one of the Whitehall preachers. At this period the
In May 1750, by Warburton’s recommendation to
Dr. Sherlock, bishop of London, Mr. Kurd was appointed
one of the Whitehall preachers. At this period the university of Cambridge was disturbed by internal divisions,
occasioned by an exercise of discipline against some of its
members, who had been wanting in respect to those who
were entrusted with its authority. A punishment having been inflicted on some delinquents, they refused
to submit to it, and appealed from the vice-chancellor’s
jurisdiction. The right of the university, and those to
whom their power was delegated, becoming by this means
the subject of debate, several pamphlets appeared, and
among others who signalised themselves upon this occasion,
Mr. Kurd was generally supposed to have written “The
Academic, or, a disputation on the state of the university
of Cambridge, and the propriety of the regulations made
in it on the 1 Ith day of May and the 26th day of June
1750, 8vo
” but this was, as we have already remarked, the
production of Dr. Green: Mr. Hurd, however, wrote
“The opinion of an eminent lawyer (the earl of Hardwicke)
concerning the right of appeal from the vice-chancellor of
Cambridge to the senate; supported by a short historical
account of the jurisdiction of the university; in answer
to a late pamphlet, intituled * An Inquiry into the right
of appeal from the vice-chancellor, &c.' By a fellow of a
college,
” A Letter to the
Author of a Further Inquiry,
”
tation; addressed to the author of the sixth,” 1755, 8vo. It has been said, that upon reflection, he was so little satisfied with the warmth of zeal he had displayed
In 1751, he published the “Commentary on the Epistle to Augustus;
” and a new edition of both Comments,
with a dedication to Mr. Warburton, in 1753. In 1752
and 1753, he published two occasional sermons, the one
at the assizes at Norwich, on “The Mischiefs of Enthusiasm and Bigotry,
” and the other, for the charity schools
at Cambridge, neither of which has been retained in his
works. The friendship which had already taken place between Warburton and Mr. Kurd had from its commencement continued to increase by the aid of mutual good
offices; and in 1755 an opportunity offered for the latter
to shew the warmth of his attachment, which he did perhaps with too close an imitation of his friend’s manner.
Dr. Jortin having, in his “Dissertations,
” spoken of Warburton with less deference and submission than the claims
of an overbearing and confident superiority seemed to demand, Mr. Hurd wrote a keen satire, entitled “The Delicacy of Friendship, a seventh dissertation; addressed to
the author of the sixth,
” Tracts by Warburton and
a Warburtonian.
” It was this obtrusion, however, for
which it would not be easy to assign the most liberal motives, that probably induced the author in his latter days,
not only to acknowledge the tract, but to include it among
those which he wished to form his collected works.
death of Dr. Arnald, entitled to the rectory of Thurcaston, as senior fellow of Emanuel college, and was instituted Feb. 16, 1757. At this place he accordingly entered
Although Mr. Kurd’s reputation as a polite scholar and
critic had been now fully established, his merit had not
attracted the notice of the great. He still continued to
reside at Cambridge, in learned and unostentatious retirement, till, in Dec. 1756, he became, on the death of Dr.
Arnald, entitled to the rectory of Thurcaston, as senior
fellow of Emanuel college, and was instituted Feb. 16, 1757.
At this place he accordingly entered into residence, and,
perfectly satisfied with his situation, continued his studies,
which were still principally employed on subjects of polite
literature. It was in this year that he published “A Letter to Mr. Mason on the Marks of Imitation,
” one of his
most agreeable pieces of this class, which was afterwards
added to the third edition of the “Epistles of Horace.
”
This obtained for him the return of an elegy inscribed to
him by the poet, in 1759, in which Mason terms him “the
friend of his youth,
” and speaks of him as seated in “low
Thurcaston’s sequester' d bower, distant from promotion’s
view.
” The same year appeared Mr. Kurd’s “Remarks
on Hume’s Essay on the Natural History of Religion.
”
Warburton appears to have been so much concerned in
this tract, that we find it republished by Hurd in the quarto
edition of that prelate’s works, and enumerated by him in
his list of his own works. It appears to have given Hume
some uneasiness, and he notices it in his account of his
life with much acrimony.
In 1759, he published a volume of “Dialogues on sincerity, retirement, the golden age of Elizabeth, and the
constitution of the English government,
” in 8vo, without
his name. In this work he was thought to rank among those
writers who, in party language, are called constitutional;
but it is said that he made considerable alterations in the
subsequent editions. This was followed by his very entertaining “Letters on Chivalry and Romance,
” which with
his yet more useful “Dialogues on foreign Travel
” were
republished in Dialogues moral and political.
” In the
year preceding, he wrote another of those zealous tracts in
vindication of Warburton, which, with the highest respect
for Mr. Kurd’s talents, we may be permitted to say, have
added least to his fame, as a liberal and courteous polemic. This was entitled “A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Thomas Leland, in which his late ‘ Dissertation on the principles of Human Eloquence’ is criticized, and the bishop
of Gloucester’s idea of the nature and character of an inspired language, as delivered in his lordship’s Doctrine of
Grace, is vindicated from all the objections of the learned
author of the dissertation.
” This, with Mr. Kurd’s other
controversial tracts, is republished in vol. VIII. of the late
authorized edition of his works, with the following lines,
by way of advertisement, written not long before his death
"The controversial tracts, which make up this volume,
were written and published by the author at different times,
as opportunity invited, or occasion required. Some sharpness of style may be objected to them; in regard to which
he apologizes for himself in the words of the poet:
Allen of Prior-Park and in 1765, on the recommendation of bishop Warburton and Mr. Charles Yorke, he was chosen preacher of Lincoln’s-inn; and was collated to the archdeaconry
With this apology, we return to his well-earned promotions. In 1762, he had the sine-cure rectory of Folkton,
near Bridlington, Yorkshire, given him by the lord chancellor (earl of Northington), on the recommendation of
Mr. Allen of Prior-Park and in 1765, on the recommendation of bishop Warburton and Mr. Charles Yorke, he
was chosen preacher of Lincoln’s-inn; and was collated to
the archdeaconry of Gloucester, on the death of Dr.
Geekie, by bishop Warburton, in August 1767. On Commencement Sunday, July 5, 1768, he was admitted D. D.
at Cambridge; and on the same day was appointed to
open the lecture founded by his friend bishop Warburton,
for the illustration of the prophecies, in which he exhibited
a model worthy of the imitation of his successors. His
“Twelve Discourses
” on that occasion, which had been
delivered before the most polite and crowded audiences
that ever frequented the chapel, were published in 1772,
under the title of “An Introduction to the Study of the
Prophecies concerning the Christian Church, and in particular concerning the Church of Papal Rome;
” and raised
his character as a divine, learned and ingenious, to an eminence almost equal to that which he possessed as a man of
letters; but his notion of a double sense in prophecy, which
he in general supposes, has not passed without animadversion. This volume produced a private letter to the author
from Gibbon the historian, under a fictitious name, respecting the book of Daniel, which Dr. Hurd answered;
and the editor of Gibbon’s Miscellaneous Works having
printed the answer, Dr. Hurd thought proper to include
both in the edition of his works published since his death
(in 1811). It was not, however, until the appearance of
Gibbon’s “Miscellaneous Works,
” that he discovered the
real name of his correspondent.
d notes, in 2 vols. 8vo. This has not been thought the most judicious of Dr. Kurd’s attempts, yet it was too fastidiously objected to, as interfering with the totality
In 1769, Dr. Hurd published “The Select Works of Mr.
Abraham Cowley,
” with a preface and notes, in 2 vols. 8vo.
This has not been thought the most judicious of Dr. Kurd’s
attempts, yet it was too fastidiously objected to, as interfering with the totality of Cowley’s works. Dr. Hurd had
no intention to sink the old editions; he only selected
what he thought most valuable.
sfield, who had for some time cultivated his acquaintance, and had a high esteem for his talents, he was promoted to the bishopric of Lichneld and Coventry, and consecrated
In 1775, by the recommendation of lord Mansfield, who
had for some time cultivated his acquaintance, and had a
high esteem for his talents, he was promoted to the
bishopric of Lichneld and Coventry, and consecrated Feb.
12, of that year. On this occasion he received an elegant
and affectionate letter of congratulation from the members
of Emanuel college, to which he returned an equally elegant and respectful letter of thanks. In this year he edited
ft republication of bishop Jeremy Taylor’s “Moral Demonstration of the Truth of the Christian Religion,
” 8vo; and
early in Sermons preached
at Lincoln’s-inn,
” which was followed afterwards by a second and third. These added very greatly to the reputation he had derived from his sermons on prophecy, and are
equally distinguished by elegant simplicity of style, perspicuity of method, and acuteness of elucidation. On June
5th of this year, he was appointed preceptor to their royal
highnesses the prince of Wales, and prince Frederick, now
duke of York. Very soon after entering into the episcopal office, appeared an excellent “Charge delivered to the
clergy of the diocese of Lichneld and Coventry, at the
bishop’s primary visitation in 1775 and 1776,
” and soon
after, his “Fast Sermon
” for the “American rebellion,
”
preached before the House of Lords. In
seats of Worcester, he resolved to put the castle into complete order, and to build a library, which was much wanted. The library was accordingly finished in 1782, and
On the death of the bishop of Winchester, Dr. Thomas,
in May 1781, bishop Hurd received a gracious message
from his majesty, with the offer of the see of Worcester
(vacant by the promotion of bishop North to Winchester),
and of the clerkship of the closet, in the room of Dr.
Thomas, both which he accepted. On his arrival at Hartlebury castle, one of the episcopal seats of Worcester, he
resolved to put the castle into complete order, and to
build a library, which was much wanted. The library was
accordingly finished in 1782, and furnished with a collection of books, the property of his lately deceased friend
bishop Warburton, which he purchased. To these he afterwards made several considerable additions, and bequeathed the whole of his own collection. On the death of
Dr. Cornwallis, archbishop of Canterbury, in 1783, bishop
Hurd had the offer of the archbishopric from his majesty,
with many gracious expressions, and vvas pressed to accept
it: but he humbly begged leave to decline it, “as a charge
not suited to his temper and talents, and much too heavy
for him to sustain, especially in these times,
” alluding to
the political distractions arising from a violent conflict between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox, and their respective supporters. The king was pleased not to take offence at this
freedom, and then to enter with Dr. Hurd into some confidential conversation on the subject. “I took the liberty,
”
said the good bishop to Mr. Nichols, when relating this
affair, “of telling his majesty, that several much greater
men than myself had been contented to die bishops of
Worcester; and that I wished for no higher preferment.
”
In the end of February 1788, was published in 7 vols. 4to, a complete edition of the Works of
In the end of February 1788, was published in 7 vols.
4to, a complete edition of the Works of bishop Warburton,
prepared by our prelate, but who did not publish the
“Life
” until
tinguished, the unscholarlike animosities of former times. But in this all were disappointed; and it was with regret they saw the worst characteristics of Warburton,
In 1795 the life of bishop Warburton appeared under
the title of “A Discourse, by way of general preface to
the quarto edition of bishop Warburton’s works; containing some account of the life, writings, and character of
the author.
” Of this work, which excited no common
portion of curiosity/ the style is peculiarly elegant and
pure, but the whole is too uniform in panegyric not to
render the author liable to the suspicion of long-confirmed
prejudices. Even the admirers both of Warburton and
Hurd would have been content with less effort to magnify
the former at the expence of all his contemporaries; and
conscious that imperfection is the lot of all, expected that
age and reflection would have abated, if not wholly extinguished, the unscholarlike animosities of former times.
But in this all were disappointed; and it was with regret
they saw the worst characteristics of Warburton, his inveterate dislikes, his strong contempt, and sneering rancour,
still employed to perpetuate his personal antipathies; and
employed, too, against such men as Lowth and Seeker. If
these were the feelings of the friends who venerated Warburton, and who loved Hurd, others who never had much
attachment to Warburton, or his school, found little difficulty in accumulating charges of gross partiality, and illiberal language, against his biographer. This much may be
sufficient in noticing this life as the production of Dr. Hurd.
It will come hereafter to be more particularly noticed as
regarding Warburton.
The remainder of bishop Kurd’s life appears to have
been spent in the discharge of his episcopal duties, as far
as his increasing infirmities would permit; in studious retirement; and often in lamenting the loss of old and tried
friends. So late as the first Sunday in February before his
death, though then declining in health and strength, he
was able to attend his parish church, and to receive the
sacrament. Free from any painful or acute disorder, he
gradually became weaker, but his faculties continued perfect. After a few days’ confinement to his bed, he expired in his sleep, on Saturday morning, May 28, 1808,
having completed four months beyond his eighty-eighth
year. He was buried in Hartlebury church-yard, according to his own directions. As a writer, Dr. Hurd’s taste,
learning, and genius, have been universally acknowledged,
and although a full acquiescence has not been given in all
his opinions, he must be allowed to be every where shrewd,
ingenious, and original. Even in his sermons and charges,
while he is sound in the doctrines of the church, his arguments and elucidations have many features of novelty, and
are conveyed in that simple, yet elegant style, which renders them easily intelligible to common capacities. Dr.
Hurd’s private character was in all respects amiable.
With his friends and connexions he obtained the best eulogium, their constant and warm attachment; and with the
world in general, a kind of veneration, which could neither
be acquired nor preserved, but by the exercise of great
virtues. One of his last employments was to draw up a
series of the dates of his progress through life. It is to be
lamented he did not fill up this sketch. Few men were
more deeply acquainted with the literary history of his
time, or could have furnished a more interesting narrative. Much of him, however, may be seen in his Life of
Warburton, and perhaps more in the collection of Warburton’s “Letters
” to himself, which he ordered to be
published after his death, for the benefit of the Worcester
Infirmary. Of this only 250 copies were printed, to correspond with the 4to edition of Warburton’s works, but it
has since been reprinted in 8vo.
Dr. Hurd was early an admirer of Addison, and although afterwards seduced
Dr. Hurd was early an admirer of Addison, and although
afterwards seduced into the love of a style more flighty and
energetic, maturer judgment led him back to the favourite
of his youth. “His taste is so pure,
” Dr. Hurd says in a
letter to Mason, “and his Virgiliau prose (as Dr. Young styles it) so exquisite, that I have but now found out, at
the close of a critical life, the full value of his writings.
”
This letter is dated 1770; and the author, whose life was
then far from its close, employed his leisure hours in preparing an edition of Addison’s works, which he left quite
ready for the press! It was published accordingly in six
handsome volumes, 8vo, with philological notes. These
are accounted for in a very short address prefixed in these
words: “Mr. Addison is generally allowed to be the most
correct and elegant of all our writers; yet some inaccuracies of style have escaped him, which it is the chief design,
of the following notes to point out. A work of this sort,
well executed, wouldbe of use to foreigners who study
our language and even to such of our countrymen as
wish to write it in perfect purity.
” This is followed by an
elegant Latin inscription to Addison, written in 1805, by
which we learn that he intended this edition as a monument to Addison “Hoc monumentum sacrum esto.
” In
the same year,
, an ingenious poet, and very amiable man, the son of James Hurdis, gent, was born at Bishopstone in Sussex in 1763. His father dying, and
, an ingenious poet, and very amiable man, the son of James Hurdis, gent, was born at Bishopstone in Sussex in 1763. His father dying, and leaving his mother in no affluent circumstances, with seven children, seems to have laid the foundation of that extreme tenderness and liberality of brotherly affection which formed the most striking feature in the character of Mr. Hurdis. He was educated at Chichester school, where being of a delicate constitution, he seldom partook in the juvenile sports of his school companions, but generally employed his hours of leisure in reading. His inclination to poetry soon appeared in various juvenile compositions, and he contracted at the same time a fondness for the sister art, music, which ended in his being a very considerable performer on several instruments^ Before he left school, he nearly completed the building of an organ, an instrument he preferred to all others.
In 1780 he was entered a commoner of St. Mary-hall, Oxford; and at the election
In 1780 he was entered a commoner of St. Mary-hall,
Oxford; and at the election in 1782, was chosen a demy
of St. Mary Magdalen college. Here his studies, which
were close and uninterrupted, were encouraged, and his
amiable character highly respected, by Dr. Home, president of Magdalen, and his successor Dr. Routh, by Dr.
Sheppard, Dr. Rathbone, and others. About 1784 he went
to Stanmer in Sussex, where he resided for some considerable time as tutor to the late earl of Chichester’s youngest
son, the hon. George Pelham, now bishop of Exeter. In
May 1785, having taken his bachelor’s degree, he retired
to the curacy of Burwash in Sussex, which he held for six
years, but in the interim, in 1786, was elected probationer
fellow of Magdalen, and the following year took his master’s degree. Finding himself now sufficiently enabled to
assist his mother in the support of her family, he hired a
small house, and took three of his sisters to reside with
him. In 1788, he first appeared before the public as a
poet, in “The Village Curate,
” the reception of which
far exceeded his expectations, a second edition being
called for the following year. This poem, although perhaps not highly finished, contained so many passages of
genuine poetry, and evinced so much elegance, taste, and
sense, as to pass through the ordeal of criticism with great
applause, and to be considered as the earnest of future
and superior excellence. Such encouragement induced
the author to publish in 1790, his “Adriano, or the first of
June,
” which was followed in a short time by his “Panthea,
”
“Elmer and Ophelia,
” and the “Orphan Twins,
” all which
were allowed to confirm the expectations of the public,
and place the author in an enviable rank among living
poets. These were followed by two publications, connected with his profession; “A short critical Disquisition ou
the true Meaning of the word tO*OiJin, found in Gen. i. 21,
1790,
” and “Select critical Remarks upon the English
version of the first ten chapters of Genesis.
” In Sir Thomas More,
” a poem of
considerable merit, but not intended for the stage. In
1792, he was deprived by death of his favourite sister Catherine, whose elegant mind he frequently pourtrayed in
his works, under the different appellations of Margaret and
Isabel. On this affliction he quitted his curacy, and returned with his two sisters to Bishopstone. Here the
trouble of his mind was considerably alleviated by an
affectionate invitation from his much- esteemed friend Mr. Hayley to visit Eartham, where he had the pleasing satisfaction
of becoming personally known to Cowper, the celebrated
poet, with whom he had maintained a confidential correspondence for some years.
with two of his sisters, resided in a small house at Temple Cowley. In November of the same year, he was elected professor of poetry in that university, and in the year
In 1792, he published his “Cursory Remarks upon the
arrangement of the plays of Shakspeare, occasioned by
reading Mr. Malone’s Essay on the chronological order of
those celebrated pieces;
” which showed that he had bestowed much attention on this curious subject In April
1793, he went to Oxford, and with two of his sisters, resided in a small house at Temple Cowley. In November
of the same year, he was elected professor of poetry in that
university, and in the year following took the degree of
B. D. On being elected professor, he published a specimen of some intended lectures on English poetry, and
meant to have published the lectures themselves, a few of
which he printed at a private press, but the scheme was
dropped for want of encouragement. In 1797 he took his
degree of D. D. and in 1799, married Harriet, daughter of
Hughes Minet, esq. of Fulham, Middlesex. In 1800 he
published his “Favourite Village,
” and the same year his
“Twelve Dissertations on the Nature and Occasion of Psalm
and Prophecy,
” 8vo, in which he displays much ingenuity
and acumen, as in all his publications, but has in some instances yielded too much to the hypotheses which arise
from a fertile imagination, and are repugnant to the genius
of the Hebrew criticism, and the rules of Hebrew grammar. Dr. Hurdis’s fame seems indeed more solidly established on his poetical than his critical works.
hort illness, in his thirty-eighth year, leaving a widow and two sons, and a posthumous daughter. He was buried, by his own desire, at Bishopstone. As few men bore so
Dr. Hurdis died Dec. 23, 1801, after a very short illness,
in his thirty-eighth year, leaving a widow and two sons,
and a posthumous daughter. He was buried, by his own
desire, at Bishopstone. As few men bore so excellent a
character in every station and duty of life, few have been
more generally lamented. In 1808, a correct and elegant
edition of his “Poems,
” in 3 vols. was printed at the university-press, Oxford, encouraged by a very large list of
subscribers. They have since been partly reprinted, and
are likely to retain their popularity-
, a French divine of some eminence, was born at Champigny-sur-Youne, in 1639, the son of a labourer.
, a French divine of some eminence,
was born at Champigny-sur-Youne, in 1639, the son of a
labourer. He made it his object to know every thing that
could throw any light upon theology; and with this view
he studied the oriental languages. He was a member of
the learned society of Port- Royal, where he imbibed at
once his zeal for religion and for letters. He was afterwards professor of the learned languages in the university
of Paris, and principal of the college of Boncourt. He
died in 1717. There are extant by him, 1. A Dictionary
of.the Bible, 2.vols. folio, less full, and less complete, than
that of Calmet, published in 1715. 2. An edition of the
Latin Testament, with notes, which are much esteemed,
2 vols. 12mo. 3. “A French translation of the former,
with the notes from the Latin augmented, 1702, 4 vols.
12mo. 4.
” A Sacred Grammar," with rules for understanding the literal sense of the Scripture. He was considered as a Jansenist; and by some said to be only Quesnel a little moderated.
, a celebrated divine and martyr, was born at a town in Bohemia, called Hussenitz, about 1376, and
, a celebrated divine and martyr, was born at a town in Bohemia, called Hussenitz, about 1376, and liberally educated in the university of Prague. Here he took the degree of B. A. in 1393, and that of master in 1395; and we find him, in 1400, in orders, and a minister of a church in that city. About this time the writings of our countryman Wickliffe had spread themselves among the Bohemians, which was owing to the following circumstance: Queen Anne, the wife of Richard II. of England, was daughter to the emperor Charles IV. and sister to Wenceslaus king of Bohemia, and Sigismund emperor of Germany. She was a princess of great piety, virtue, and knowledge, nor could she endure the implicit service and devotion of the Romish church. Her death happened in 1394, and her funeral was attended by all the nobility of England. She had patronized Wickliffe, and after her death, several of Wickliffe’s books were carried by her attendants into Bohemia, and were the means of promoting the reformation there. They had also been carried into the same country by Peter Payne, an Englishman, one of his disciples, and principal of Edmund-hall. Fox mentions another person, a young nobleman of Bohemia, who had studied some time at Oxford, and carried home with him several of Wickliffe’s tracts. They were particularly read by the students at Prague, among the chief of whom was Huss; who, being much taken with Wickliffe’s notions, began to preach and write with great zeal against the superstitions and errors of the church of Rome. He succeeded so far, that the sale of indulgences gradually decreased among the Bohemians; and the pope’s party declared, that there would soon be an end of religion, if measures were not taken to oppose the restless endeavours of the Hussites. With a view, therefore, of preventing this danger, Subinco, the archbishop of Prague, issued forth two mandates in 1408; one, addressed to the members of the university, by which they were ordered to bring together all Wickliffe’s writings, that such as were found no contain any thing erroneous or heretical might be burnt; the other, to all curates and ministers, commanding them to teach the people, that, after the consecration of the elements in the holy Sacrament, there remained nothing but the real body and blood of Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine. Hjiss, whose credit and authority in the university were very great, as well for his piety and learning, as on account of considerable services he had done, found no difficulty in persuading many of its members of the unreasonableness and absurdity of these mandates: the first being, as he said, a plain encroachment upon the liberties and privileges of the university, whose members had an indisputable right to possess, and to read all sorts of books; the second, inculcating a most abominable error. Upon this foundation they appealed to Gregory XII. and the archbishop Subinco was summoned to Rome. But, on acquainting the pope that the heretical notions of WicklifTe were gaining ground apace in Bohemia, through the zeal of some preachers who had read his books, a bull was granted him for the suppression of all such notions in his province. By virtue of this bull, Subinco condemned the writings of Wickliffe, and proceeded against four doctors, who bad not complied with his mandate in bringing in their copies. Huss and others, who were involved in this sentence, protested against this projcedure of the archbishop, and appealed from him a second time, in June 1410. The matter was then brought before John XXIII. who ordered Huss, accused of many errors and heresies, to appear in person at the court of Rome, and gave a special commission to cardinal Colonna to cite him. Huss, however, under the protection and countenance of Wenceslaus king of Bohemia, did riot appear, but sent three deputies to excuse his absence, and to answe'r all which should be alledged against him. Colonna paid no regard to the deputies, nor to any defence they could make; but. declared Huss guilty of contumacy to the court of Rome, and excommunicated him for it. Upon this the deputies appealed from the cardinal to the pope, who commissioned four other cardinals to examine into the affair. These commissaries not only confirmed all that Colonna had done, but extended the excommunication, which was limited to Huss, to his friends and followers: they also declared him an Heresiarch, and pronounced an interdict against him.
All this time, utterly regardless of what was doing at Rome, Huss continued to preach and write with great
All this time, utterly regardless of what was doing at Rome, Huss continued to preach and write with great zeal against the errors and superstitions of that church, and in defence of Wickliffe and his doctrines. His discourses were pointed directly against the pope, the cardinals, and the clergy of that party; and at the same time he published writings, to shew the lawfulness of exposing the vices of ecclesiastics. In 1413, the religious tumults and seditions were become so violent, that Subinco applied to Wenceslaus to appease them. Wenceslaus banished Huss from Prague; but still the disorders continued. Then the archbishop had recourse to the emperor Sigismond, who promised him to come into Bohemia, and assist in settling the affairs of the church; but, before Sigismond could be prepared for the journey, Subinco died in Hungary. About this time bulls were published by John XXIil. at Prague against Ladislaus king of Naples; in which a crusade was proclaimed against that prince, and indulgences promised to all who would go to the war. This furnished Huss, who had returned to Prague upon the death of Subinco, with a favourable occasion of preaching against indulgences and crusades, and of refuting these bulls: and the people were so affected and inflamed with his preaching, that they declared pope John to be Antichrist. Upon this, some of the ringleaders among the Hussites were seized and imprisoned; which, however, was not consented to" by the people, who were prepared to resist, till the magistrate had promised that no harm should happen to the prisoners; but the Hussites discovering that these persons had been executed in prison, took up arms, rescued their bodies, and interred them honourably, as martyrs, in the church of Bethlehem, which was Huss’s church. Huss, says Mr. Gilpin, discovered on this occasion a true Christian spirit The late riot had given him great concern; and he had now so much weight with the people as to restrain them from attempting any farther violence, whereas, at the sound of a bell, he could have been surrounded with thousands, who might have laughed at the police of the city.
Matters were in this state at Prague and in Bohemia, till the council of Constance was called where it was agreed between the pope and the emperor,
Matters were in this state at Prague and in Bohemia, till
the council of Constance was called where it was agreed
between the pope and the emperor, that Huss should appear and give an account of himself and his doctrine. The
emperor promised him security against any danger, and
that nothing should be attempted against his person; upon
which he set out, after declaring publicly, that he was
going to the council of Constance, to answer the accusations that were formed against him and challenging all
people who had any thing to except to his life and convey
sation, to do it without delay. He made the same declaration in all the towns through which he passed, and arrived at Constance, Nov. 3, 1414. Here he was accused
in form, and a list of his heretical tenets laid before the
pope and the prelates of the council. He was summoned
to appear the twenty-sixth day after his arrival; and declared himself ready to be examined, and to be corrected
by them, if he should be found to have taught any doctrine worthy of censure. The cardinals soon after withdrew to deliberate upon the most proper method of proceeding against Huss; and the result of their deliberations
was, that he should be imprisoned. This accordingly was
done, notwithstanding the emperor’s parole for his security; nor were all his prince’s endeavours afterwards sufficient to release him, though he exerted himself to the
utmost. Huss was removed from prison to prison for six;
months, suffering great hardships from those who had the
care of him; and at last was condemned of heresy by the
council in his absence, and without a hearing, for maintaining that the Eucharist ought to be administered to the
people in both kinds. The emperor, in the mean time,
complained heavily of the contempt that was shewn to
himself, and of the usage that w is employed towards Huss;
insisting, that Huss ought to be allowed a fair and public
hearing. In pretended compliance with this, he was on
the 5th and 7th of June 1415, brought before the council,
and permitted to say what he could in behalf of himself
and his doctrines; but every thing was carried on with
noise and tumult, and Huss soon given to understand that
they were not disposed to hear any thing from him but a
recantation of his errors; which, however, he absolutely
refused, and was ordered back to prison. On July 6, he
was brought again before the council, where he was condemned of heresy, and ordered to be burnt. The ceremony of his execution was this he was first stripped of hi&
iacerdotal vestments by bishops nominated for that purpose; next he was formally deprived of his university-degrees; then he had a paper-crown put upon his head,
painted round with devils, and the word heresiarch inscribed in great letters; then he was delivered over to the
magistrate, who burnt him alive, after having first burnt
his books at the door of the church. He died with great
firmness and resolution; and his ashes were afterwards
gathered up and thrown into the Rhine. His writings,
which are very numerous and learned, were collected into
a body and published, 1558, in two volumes folio, under
this title, “Joannis Hussi Opera, quse extant.
” To preserve his memory, it is said that the 7th of July was, for
many years, held sacred among the Bohemians. In some
places large fires were lighted in the evening of that day
upon the mountains, to preserve the memory of his sufferings; round which the country people would assemble
and sing hymns. Huss, although a martyr for the opinions
of Wickliffe, did not imbibe the whole of them. He was
in most points a strenuous Calvinist, if we may anticipate
the epithet, but neither he nor Jerora of Prague denied
the real presence in the eucharist, and transubstantiation.
It is said that at his execution he asked the excutioner,
“Are you going to burn a goose?
” (the meaning of Huss in the Bohemian language) “In one century you will have
a swan you can neither roast nor boil.
” This was afterwards interpreted to mean Luther, who had a swan for his
arms. Much of Huss’s writings are in Fox, Gilpin, and
other ecclesiastical writers.
, a distinguished artist, was the sixth, but only surviving son and heir of John Hussey of
, a distinguished artist, was the sixth, but only surviving son and heir of John Hussey of Marnhull, esq. descended from a very ancient family, and was born at Marnhull (in Dorsetshire), Feb. 10, 1710. At seven years of age he was sent by his father, who was a Roman catholic, to Doway for his education, where he continued two years. He then was removed to St. Osier’s, where he pursued his studies for three years more. His father, though willing to afford him some education, yet designed him for trade; to which, perhaps, he was the more inclined, as a near relation, in the commercial world, offered to take him under his protection and care. Thought from a sense of parental authority, and filial obedience, Mr. Hussey did not at first openly oppose this design, yet it was so repugnant to his natural turn and bent, that he found his mind greatly embarrassed and perplexed; but after some opposition, his father very wisely yielded to his son’s request, to be permitted to follow the direction of his genius; and for that end he placed him under the care and tuition of Mr. Richardson, the painter; with whom he continued scarcely a month; revolting at the idea and proposal of being kept in the bondage of apprenticeship for seven years. He then commenced pupil at large under one Damini, a Venetian artist, esteemed one of the best painters at that time in England, with whom he continued nearly four years. During this time he was principally employed in copying pictures, and finishing those of his master, whom he assisted in painting the ornaments of the cathedral of Lincoln. During their work, on a scaffold nearly twenty feet high, as Mr. Hussey was drawing back to see the effects of his pencil, he would have fallen, had not his master saved him as ingeniously as affectionately, and at some risque to himself. Mr. Hussey entertained such a sense of his master’s humanity and kindness, that he could not bear the thought of being separated from him, and therefore requested permission of his father for Damini to attend him whilst pursuing his studies in Italy. This he obtained; and under the care and direction of the Venetian, our young and inexperienced pupil set out for the seat of science and genius; bending first his course for Bologna. But, soon after their arrival, the poor unsuspecting pupil found that one act of friendship is by no means a sure pledge of another; Damini having in a few days decamped, taking with him all his pupil’s money and the best of his apparel. Mr. Hussey was, however, kindly relieved from this state of distress by signor Gislonzoni, who had been ambassador from the States of Venice to the court of London, and now became his friend and protector.
sey prosecuted his studies at Bologna for three years and a half, and then removed to Rome, where he was received with the most obliging courtesy by a celebrated artist,
Mr. Hussey prosecuted his studies at Bologna for three years and a half, and then removed to Rome, where he was received with the most obliging courtesy by a celebrated artist, Hercule Lelli, who, refusing any compensation, imparted to him in the most friendly manner all that he knew of the art. This did not entirely satisfy Mr. Hussey, who seems to have aimed at establishing some fixed and unerring principles: hence he was led into a search after theory, which ended, although he knew nothing of music, in his adopting the ancient hypothesis of musical or harmonic proportions, as being the governing principle of beauty, in all forms produced by art, and evea by nature. Delighted with this discovery, as he thought it, he continued his studies at Rome with increasing pleasure and reputation. At length, in 1737, he returned to his friends in England, with whom he resided till 1742, when he went to London, where he submitted to the drudgery (as he used to call it) of painting portraits for his subsistence.
plicity of his heart, he communicated his principles, as well as from those whose professional pride was piqued, and envy excited, by those masterly, elegant, and graceful
Whilst thus employed, our artist met with great opposition and very illiberal treatment from those to whom, in the simplicity of his heart, he communicated his principles, as well as from those whose professional pride was piqued, and envy excited, by those masterly, elegant, and graceful performances which were the result of these principles. The meek spirit of Hussey, as well as his pride of conscious superiority, could ill bear the treatment both himself and his performances met with from the envy of those who depreciated their merit. This, as he often complained, affected him deeply; and so depressed his spirits, and repressed his ardour, as to give him a disgust to the world, and almost a dislike to his profession, and his temper, though not rendered sour and morose, was certainly exasperated. After conflicting with this and other difficulties and misfortunes, Mr. Hussey left London in the month of October 1768, and retired for three years into the country, to recover his health and spirits; and having at length, by the death of his elder brother, Mr. Hussey, in 1773, succeeded to possession of his paternal estate at Marnhull, he resided there in affluence, ease, and content, and pursued his favourite studies, and amusements of gardening, till the autumn of 1787; when, from motives purely of a religious nature (after having transferred and resigned all his worldly possessions to a near relation) he retired to Beaston, near Ashburton, in Devonshire; at which place, in the month of June 1788, as he was working in the garden in a very sultry day, he suddenly fell, and expired.
The great merit of Mr. Hussey’s pencil drawings from life was, that he has preserved the best characteristic likenesses of
The great merit of Mr. Hussey’s pencil drawings from life was, that he has preserved the best characteristic likenesses of any artist whatever. And, with respect to those of mere fancy, no man ever equalled him in accuracy, elegance, simplicity, and beauty. The academical drawings he left at Bologna, notwithstanding the school has been often purged, as it is called, by removing old drawings to make room for those of superior merit, are still shewn on account of their superior merit.
them and siicji characters as Mr. Russey, who appears to have been no less amiable as a man, than he was admirable as an artist?
Mr. Barry, that ingenious and liberal artist, whose great work in the paintings which adorn the large room at the Society of Arts in the Adelphi, together with his description of these paintings, do no less honour to himself than to his country, has, among other illustrious characters, thought Mr. Hussey entitled to an eminent place in his Elysium, and thus notices him: " Behind Phidias, I have introdced<Giles Hussey, a name that never occurs to me without fresh grief, shame, and horror, at the mean, wretched cabal of mechanics, for they deserve not the name of artists; and their still meaner runners, and assistants, that could have co-operated to cheat such an artist out of the exercise of abilities, that were so admirably calculated to have raised this country to an immortal reputation, and for the highest, species of excellence. Why will the great, who can have no interest but in the glory of their country, why will they suffer any dirty, whispering medium to interfere between them and siicji characters as Mr. Russey, who appears to have been no less amiable as a man, than he was admirable as an artist?
“My attention was first turned to this great character by a conversation I had,
“My attention was first turned to this great character
by a conversation I had, very early in life, with Mr. Stuart,
better known by the name of Athenian Stuart, an epithet
richly merited by the essential advantages Mr. Stuart had
rendered the public, by his establishing just ideas, and a
true taste for the Grecian arts. The discourses of this
truly intelligent and very candid artist, and what I saw of
the works of Hussey, had altogether made such an impression on my mind, as may be conceived, hut cannot be
expressed. With fervour I went abroad, eager to retrace
all Hussey’s steps, through the Greeks, through Rafaelle,
through dissected nature, and to add to what he had been
cruelly torn away from, by a laborious, intense study and
investigation of the Venetian school. In the hours of relaxation, I naturally endeavoured to recommend myself to
the acquaintance of such of Mr. Hussey’s intimates as were
still living: they always spoke of him with delight. And
from the whole of what I could learn abroad, added to the
information I received from my very amiable and venerable
friend Mr. Moser since my return, Mr. Hussey must have
been one of the most amiable, friendly, and companionable
men, and the farthest removed from all spirit of strife and
contention.
”
ctfully of Hussey. The latter says, that “disdaining portraiture, discountenanced in history, Hussey was reduced to the solitary patronage of the then duke of Northumberland,
Mr. Edwards and Mr. Fuseli have spoken less respectfully of Hussey. The latter says, that “disdaining portraiture, discountenanced in history, Hussey was reduced
to the solitary patronage of the then duke of Northumberland, who, says Edwards, * offered to receive him into his
family, and to give him a handsome pension, with the attendance of a servant, upon condition that he should employ his talents chiefly,‘ though not exclusively, ’ for the
duke. This offer he rejected, because the duke did not
comply with the further request of keeping a priest for him
in the house.' Hussey, a bigot in religion, was attached
to the creed of Rome; but had he not been so, commis.
sions and patronage, almost confined to drawing copies,
ven from the antique, was certainly sufficiently provoking
for a man of an original turn, to be rejected.
” It is not
strictly true, however, that the duke of Northumberland
was his only patron. Mr. Duane was another, who possessed many of his works. Mr. West bought some penciled
heads at Mr. Duane’s sale, and said of one of them, that “he
would venture to show it against any head, ancient or modern; that it was never exceeded, if ever equalled; and
that no man had ever imbibed the true Grecian character
Vid art deeper than Giles Hussey.
”
, a philosopher of the Shaftesbury school, was the son of a dissenting; minister in Ireland, and was born Aug.
, a philosopher of the Shaftesbury school, was the son of a dissenting; minister in Ireland, and was born Aug. 8, 1694. He, discovered early a superior capacity, and ardent thirst after knowledge; and when he had gone through his school-education, was sent to an academy to begin his course of philosophy. In 1710 he removed from the academy, and entered a student in the university of Glasgow in Scotland. Here he renewed his study of the Latin and Greek languages, and applied himself to all parts of literature, in which he made a progress suitable to his uncommon abilities. Afterwards h.e turned his thoughts to divinity, which he proposed to make the peculiar study and profession of his life, and for the prosecution of this he continued several years longer at Glasgow.
He then returned to Ireland; and, entering into the ministry, was just about to be settled in a small congregation of dissenters
He then returned to Ireland; and, entering into the
ministry, was just about to be settled in a small congregation of dissenters in the north of Ireland, when some
gentlemen about Dublin, who knew his great abilities and
virtues, invited him to set up a private academy in that
city, with which he complied, and met with much success.
He had been fixed but a short time in Dublin, when his
singular merits and accomplishments made him generally
known; and his acquaintance was sought by men of all
ranks, who had any taste for literature, or any regard for
learned men. Lord Molesworth is said to have taken great
pleasure in his conversation, and to have assisted him with
his criticisms and observations upon his “Enquiry intp the
Ideas of Beauty and Virtue,
” before it came abroad. He
received the same favour from Dr. Synge, bishop of Elphin,
with whom he also lived in great friendship. The first
edition of this performance came abroad without the author’s
name, but the merit of it would npt suffer him to be Long
concealed. Such was the reputation of the work, and the
ideas it had raised of the author, that lord Granville, who
was then lord-lieutenant of Ireland, sent his private secretary to inquire at the bookseller’s for the author; and when
he could not learn his name, he left a letter to be cpnveyed to him: in consequence of which Mr. Hutcheson
soon became acquainted with his excellency, and was
treated by him, all the time he continued in his government, with distinguished marks of familiarity and esteem.
k or literature, in, Ireland. Abp. King held him in great esteem; and the friendship of that prelate was of great use to him in screening him from two attempts made
From this time he began to be still more courted by men
of distinction, either for rank or literature, in, Ireland.
Abp. King held him in great esteem; and the friendship
of that prelate was of great use to him in screening him
from two attempts made to prosecute him, for taking upon
him the education of youth, without having qualified himself by subscribing the ecclesiastical canons, and obtaining
a license from the bishop. He had also a large share in
the esteem of the primate Boulter, who, through his influence, made a donation to the university of Glasgow of a
yearly fund for an exhibitioner, to be bred to any of the
learned professions. A few years after his Inquiry into the
Ideas of Beauty and Virtue, his “Treatise on the Passions
”
was published: these works have been often reprinted,
and always admired both for the sentiment and language,
even by those who have not assented to the philosophy of
them, nor allowed it to have any foundation in nature.
About this time he wrote some philosophical papers, accounting for laughter in a different way from Hobbes, and
more honourable to human nature, which were published
in the collection called “Hibernicus’s Letters.
” Some
letters in the “London Journal,
” The Enquiry,
” &c. occasioned his giving answers to
them in those public papers. Both the letters and answers
were afterwards published in a separate pamphlet.
taught in a private academy at Dublin for seven or eight years with great reputation and success, he was called in 1729 to Scotland, to be professor of philosophy at
After he had taught in a private academy at Dublin for
seven or eight years with great reputation and success, he
was called in 1729 to Scotland, to be professor of philosophy at Glasgow. Several young gentlemen came along
with him from the academy, and his high reputation drew
many more thither both from England and Ireland. After
his settlement in the college, the profession of moral philosophy was the province assigned to him; so that now -he
had full leisure to turn all his attention to his favourite
study, human nature. Here he spent the remainder of his
life in a manner highly honourable to himself, and ornamental to the university of which he was a member. His
whole time was divided between his studies and the duties
of his office; except what he allotted to friendship and society. A firm constitution, and a pretty uniform state of
good health, except some few slight attacks of the gout,
seemed to promise a longer life; yet he did not exceed
his 53d year, dying in 1747. He was married soon after
his settlement in Dublin, to Mrs. Mary Wilson, a gentleman’s daughter in the county of Longford; by whom he
left behind him one son, Francis Hutcheson, M. D. By
this gentleman was published, from the original ms. of his
father, “A System of Moral Philosophy,
” in three books,
Glasgow, Some
account of the Life, Writings, and Character of the Author,
”
by Dr. Leechman, professor of divinity in the same university. Dr. Hutcheson’s system of morals is, in its foundation, very nearly the same with that of lord Shaftesbury.
He agrees with the noble author in asserting a distinct
class of the human affections, which, while they have no
relation to our own interest, propose for their end the welfare of others; but he makes out his position rather more
clearly than Shaftesbury, who cannot exclude somewhat of
the selfish as the spring of our benevolent emotions. Hutcheson maintains, that the pleasure arising from the performance of a benevolent action, is not the ruling principle in prompting to such actions; but that, independently
of the selfish enjoyment, which is allowed in part to exist,
there is in the human mind a calm desire of the happiness
of all rational beings, which is not only consistent with,
but of superior influence in regulating our conduct, to the
desire of our own happiness; insomuch that, whenever
these principles come into opposition, the moral sense decides in favour of the former against the latter. Dr. Hutcheson deduced all moral ideas from what he calls a moral
sense t implanted in our natures, or an instinct like that of
self-preservation, which, independently of any arguments
taken from the reasonableness and advantages of any action, leads us to perform it ourselves, or to approve it
when performed by others; and this moral sense he maintained to be the very foundation of virtue. His hypothesis was new, but whether much better than other theories of
the same kind, may be questioned. His fame, in the opinion of an eminfent author, rests now chiefly on the traditionary history of his academical lectures, which appear to
have contributed very powerfully to diffuse, in Scotland,
that taste for analytical discussion, and that spirit of liberal
inquiry, to which the world is indebted for some of the
most valuable productions of the eighteenth century."
, a topographical historian, the son of the rev. Richard Hutchins, was born in the parish of Bradford Peverel, Sept. 21, 1698. His
, a topographical historian, the son
of the rev. Richard Hutchins, was born in the parish of
Bradford Peverel, Sept. 21, 1698. His father was rector
of All Saints in Dorchester, and curate of Bradford Peverel. His income was small, and his son’s education was
suited to the frugality of the station in which he was born.
He appears to have been sent early to the grammar-school
at Dorchester, where his master was the rev. Mr. Thornton,
rector of West Stafford, whom he afterwards mentioned
with gratitude, as behaving to him with the kindest attention, and as a second parent. He was afterwards sent to
Oxford, where his residence was not long; for he took his
master of arts degree at Cambridge, a proof that he had
not kept a statutable residence for that degree in his own
university, by applying to another in which none is required; and it is also a proof that he determined in Oxford; for, unless that exercise be performed, a certificate
of a bachelor of arts degree is never granted. He was matriculated in Easter term, 1718, from Hart-hair, now Hertford college; but was afterwards removed by a bene discessit to Baliol college; and, as it appears by their books,
he was admitted a member of that society in Easter term,
April 10, 1719, and was regularly admitted to the degree
of bachelor of arts in Lent term, Jan. 18, 1721-2. He was
a determining bachelor in the same term; so that his whole
residence in the university did not exceed four years; yet
the friendships he contracted in both societies of which
he was a member, continued with life; of which Mr.
Charles Godwyn, fellow of Baliol college, was an instance
in one; and his tutor, Mr. Davis, vice-principal of Harthall, in the other; and in what esteem he held both the one
and the other, different passages in his “History
” evince.
He was soon after admitted into holy orders, and became curate and
He was soon after admitted into holy orders, and became curate and usher to the rev. George Marsh, rector of
Burleston, vicar of Milton Abbas, and master of the free
grammar school of Milton Abbas. This engagement at
Milton procured him the acquaintance of Jacob Bancks,
sq. then the possessor of that estate, by whose interest he
obtained in 1729 the rectory of Swyre, and in 1733 the
rectory of Melcombe Horsey. About this time he began
first to engage in the study of antiquities, and having a
competent income, was enabled to pursue it with the less
interruption, as an incurable deafness prevented his enjoying the pleasures of society. In 1744 he was presented
to the living of Wareham, which was attended with a considerable increase in his clerical duties; yet without ever
relaxing in his attention to these, he continued to accumulate materials for the history of his native county, and eutered into an extensive correspondence with gentlemen
most likely to assist his researches. He had many difficulties, however, to encounter. He was himself rather a
man of diligence than of extraordinary genius; his collections were many years making, and a great part of them
fell into his hands on the death of a prior collector. The
book, however, which he did not live to see published,
was most liberally conducted through the press, by a very
handsome subscription of the gentlemen of the county, and
the kind patronage of Dr. Cuming and Mr. Gough, for the
benefit of the author’s widow and daughter. Several articles were added, relative to the antiquities and natural
history; and such a number of beautiful plates were contributed by the gentlemen of the county, that (only 600 copies having been printed, a number not quite sufficient for the subscribers) the value of the book increased, immediately after publication, to twice the original price,
which was only a guinea a volume. The title of it is,
“The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset,
compiled from the best and most ancient historians, Inquisitiones post mortem, and other valuable Records and Mss.
in the public offices, libraries, and private hands; with a
Copy of Domesday-book and the Inquisitio Gheldi for the
county: interspersed with some remarkable particulars of
Natural History, and adorned with a correct map of the
county, and views of antiquities, seats of the nobility and
gentry,
” Lond. 1774, 2 vols, folio.
the decline of life, when he had a reasonable prospect of seeing his “History” through the press, he was seized with a paralytic stroke, which greatly debilitated him,
In the decline of life, when he had a reasonable prospect
of seeing his “History
” through the press, he was seized
with a paralytic stroke, which greatly debilitated him, and
hastened his dissolution, which took place June 21, 1773,
He was buried in St. Mary’s church at Wareham, in the
ancient chapel under the south aile of the church. He
married Anne, daughter of the rev. Thomas Stephens, for-:
merly rector of Pimperne, by whom he had issue one
daughter, who was married to the late John Bellasis, esq.
major-general of artillery in the service of the East-India
company, who died at Bombay in 1808. The profit arising
from his “History,
” was the chief provision Mr. Hutchins
made for his family. A second edition was brought forwards,
of which vol. I. was published in 1796, and vol. II. in 1803,
under the auspices of gen. Bellasis, who expended a large
sum to promote the undertaking, and with the assistance
of Mr. Gough and Mr. Nichols. The improvements in this
edition were so many as to extend the work to four volumes, the third of which was nearly ready for publication
at the time when the unfortunate fire in Mr. Nichols’s
printing-office and warehouses destroyed that and a vast
mass of other valuable literary property. Mr. Nichols has
since printed the third and fourth volumes, so essential to the
completion of the work, and we may add so indispensable to
every public library and private topographical collection.
ritings have been much discussed, and who is considered as the founder of a party, if not of a sect, was born at Spenny thorn in Yorkshire in 1674. His father was possessed
, an English autnor, whose writings have been much discussed, and who is considered as
the founder of a party, if not of a sect, was born at Spenny thorn in Yorkshire in 1674. His father was possessed of
about 40l. per ann. and determined to qualify his son for a
stewardship to some gentleman or nobleman. He had
given him such school- learning as the place afforded-, and
the remaining part of his education was finished by a gentleman that boarded with his father. This friend is said to
have instructed him, not only in such parts of the mathematics as were more immediately connected with his
destined employment, but in every branch of that science,
and at the same time to have furnished him with a competent knowledge of the writings of antiquity. At the age of
nineteen, he went to be steward to Mr. Rathurst of Skutterskelf in Yorkshire, and from thence to the earl of Scarborough, who would gladly have engaged him in his service; but his ambition to serve the duke of Somerset would
not suffer him to continue there, and accordingly he removed soon after into this nobleman’s service. About 1700
he was called to London, to manage a law-suit of consequence between the duke and another nobleman; and
during his attendance in town, contracted an acquaintance
with Dr. Woodward, who was physician to the duke his
master. Between 1702 and 1706, his business carried him
into several parts of England and Wales, where he made
many observations, which he published in a little pamphlet,
entitled, “Observations made by J. H. mostly in the year
1706.
”
told, that the large and noble collection, which Woodward bequeathed to the university of Cambridge, was actually formed by him. Whether Woodward had no notion of Hntchinson’s
While he travelled from place to place, he employed
himself in collecting fossils; and we are told, that the
large and noble collection, which Woodward bequeathed
to the university of Cambridge, was actually formed by
him. Whether Woodward had no notion of Hntchinson’s
abilities in any other way than that of steward and minera)ogist, or whether he did not suspect him at that time as
likely to commence author, is not certain: Hutchinson,
however, complains in one of his books, that “he was bereft, in a manner not to be mentioned, of those observations and those collections; nay, even of the credit of
being the collector.
” He is said to have put his collections
into Woodward’s hands, with observations on them, which
Woodward was to digest and publish, with further observations of his own: but his putting him off with excuses,
when from time to time he solicited him about this work,
first suggested to Hutchinson unfavourable notions of his
intention. On this Hutehinson resolved to wait no longer,
but to trust to his own pen; and that be might be more at
leisure to prosecme his studies, he begged leave of the
duke of Somerset to quit his service. The request at first
piqued 'the pride of that nobleman; but when he was made
to understand by Hutchinson, that he did not intend to
serve any other master, and was told what were the real
motives of his request, the duke not only granted" his suit,
but made him his riding purveyor, being at that time
master of the horse to George I. As there is a good house
in the Mews belonging to the office of purveyor, a fixed
salary of 200l. per ann. and the phice a kind of sinecure,.
Hutchinson’s situation and circumstances were quite agreeable to his mind; and he gave himself up to a studious and
sedentary life. The duke also gave him the next presentation of the living of Sutton in Sussex, which Hutchinson
bestowed on the rev. Julius Bate, a great favourite with
htm, and a zealous promoter of his doctrines.
the Mss. he left behind him, were collected in 1743, amounting to 12 vols. 8vo. An abstract of them was also published in 1723, in 12mo. Hutchinson' s followers look
In 1724 he published the first part of his “Moses’s Principia;
” in which he ridiculed Woodward’s “Natural History of the Earth,
” and his account of the settlement of
the several strata, shells, and noduies, by the laws of gravity; which, he tells him, every dirty impertinent collier
could contradict and disprove by ocular demonstration.
This work, in which gravitation is exploded, is evidently
opposed to Newton’s“Principia,
” where that doctrine is
established. H utchinson also threw out some hints concerning what had passed between Woodward and himself, and
the doctor’s design of robbing him of his collection of
fossils. From this time to his death, he continued to publish a volume every year, or every other year; which, with
the Mss. he left behind him, were collected in 1743,
amounting to 12 vols. 8vo. An abstract of them was also
published in 1723, in 12mo. Hutchinson' s followers look
upon the breach between Woodward and him, as a very
happy event; because, say they, had the doctor fulfilled
his engagements, Hutchinson might have stopped there,
and not have extended his researches so far as he has done;
in which case the world would have been deprived of writings deemed by them invaluable. Others are as violent
opposers and censurers of his writings and opinions; and
the dispute has been carried on at various times with no
small degree of warmth.
ripture-philosophy. In the introduction to this second part, he hinted, that the idea of the Trinity was to be taken from the three grand agents in the system of nature,
In 1727, Hutchinson published the second part of “Moses’s Principia
” which contains the sum and substance, or
the principles of the Scripture- philosophy. As sir Isaac
Newton made a vacuum and gravity the principles of his
philosophy, this author on the contrary asserts, that a plenum and the air are the principles of the Scripture-philosophy. In the introduction to this second part, he hinted,
that the idea of the Trinity was to be taken from the three
grand agents in the system of nature, fire, light, and spirit;
these three conditions of one and the same substance,
namely, air, answering wonderfully in a typical or symbolical manner to the three Persons of one and the same
essence. This, we are told, so forcibly struck the celebrated Dr. Samuel Clarke,- that he sent a gentleman to
Mr. Hutchinson with compliments upon the performance,
and desired a conference with him on that proposition in
particular: which, however, it is added, after repeated solicitations, Hutchinson thought fit to refuse. This doctrine a certain admirer of Hutchinson, particularly in his
opinions on natural philosophy, has lately attempted to revive and illustrate, in a pamphlet entitled, “A short Way
to Truth, or the Christian doctrine of a Trinity in Unity,
illustrated and confirmed from an Analogy in the Natural
Creation.
” It was published in
aid to have completed a machine of the watch -kind, for the discovery of the longitude at sea, which was approved by sir Isaac Newton; and Whiston, in his “Longitude
Some time in 1712, Hutchinson is said to have completed a machine of the watch -kind, for the discovery of
the longitude at sea, which was approved by sir Isaac Newton; and Whiston, in his “Longitude and Latitude,
”
&c. has given a testimony in favour of his mechanical
abilities. “I have also,
” says he, “very lately been shewn
by Mr. Hutchinson, a very curious and inquisitive person,
a copy of a ms map of the world, made about eighty
years ago, taken by himself from the original: wherein
the variation is reduced to a theory, much like that which
Dr. Halley has since proposed, and in general exactly
agreeing to his observations. But with this advantage, that
therein the northern pole of the internal loadstone is much
better stated than it is by Dr. Halley its place then being,
according to this unknown very curious and sagacious author, about the meridian, &c. which ancient and authentic
determination of its place, I desire my reader particularly
to observe.
”
ruly horse, and the sudden jerks given to his body by them. On the Monday before his death, Dr. Mead was with him, and urged him to be bled; saying at the same time
Hutchinson had been accustomed to make an excursion
for a month or so into the country for his health: but to
neglecting this in pursuit of his studies, he is supposed
have brought himself into a bad habit of body, which prepared the way for his death. The immediate cause is said
to have been an overflowing of the gall, occssioned by the
irregular sallies of an high-kept unruly horse, and the sudden jerks given to his body by them. On the Monday before his death, Dr. Mead was with him, and urged him to
be bled; saying at the same time in a pleasant way, “I
will soon send you to Moses.
” Dr. Mead meant to his
studies, two of his books being entitled “Moses’s Principia:
” but Hutchinson, taking it in the other sense, answered in a muttering tone, “I believe, doctor, you will;
”
and was so displeased with Mead, that he afterwards dismissed him for another physician. He died August 28,
1737, aged 63. He seems to have been in many respects
a singular man. He certainly jjad eminent abilities, with
much knowledge and learning; but many people have
thought it very questionable, whether he did not want
judgment to apply them properly, and many more have
inveighed against his principles without previously making
themselves acquainted with them. They were, however,
in some measure, adopted by many pious and learned divines of the last century, by Home, Parkhurst, Homaine,
and the late Rev. William Jones, who, of all others, has
exhibited the ablest analysis and defence of Mr. Hutchinson’s sentiments, or what is called Hutchinsonianism, in the
“Preface to the second edition
” of his life of bishop
Home.
, a gentleman of Franconia, of uncommon parts and learning, was born in 1488 at Steckenburg, the seat of his family; was sent
, a gentleman of Franconia, of uncommon parts and learning, was born in 1488 at Steckenburg, the seat of his family; was sent to the abbey of Fulde at eleven years of age; and took the degree of M. A. in 1506 at Francfort on the Oder, being the first promotion made in that newly-opened university. In 1509, he was at the siege of Padua, in the emperor Maximilian’s army; and he owned that it was want of money, which forced him to make that campaign. His father, not having the least taste or esteem for polite literature, thought it unworthy to be pursued by persons of exalted birth; and therefore would not afford his son the necessary supplies for a life of study. He wished him to apply himself to the civil law, which might raise him in the world; but Hutten had no inclination for that kind of study. Finding, however, that there was no other way of being upon good terms with his father, he went to Pavia in 1511, where he stayed but a little time; that city being besieged and plundered by the Swiss, and himself taken prisoner. He returned afterwards to Germany, and there, contrary to his father’s inclinations, began to apply himself again to literature. Having a genius for poetry, he began his career as an author in that line, and published several compositions, which were much admired, and gained him credit. He travelled to various places, among the rest to Bohemia and Moravia; and waiting on the bishop of Olmutz in a very poor condition, that prelate, who was a great Maecenas, received him graciously, presented him with a horse, and gave him money to pursue his journey. The correspondence also he held with Erasmus was of great advantage to him, and procured him respect from all the literati in Italy, and especially at Venice.
At his return to Germany in 1516, he was recommended in such strong terms to the emperor, that be received
At his return to Germany in 1516, he was recommended
in such strong terms to the emperor, that be received from
him the poetical crown; and from that time Hutten had
himself drawn in armour, with a crown of laurel on his
head, and took great delight in being so represented. He
was of a very military, disposition, and had given many
proofs of courage, as well in the wars as in private rencounters. Being once at Viterbo, where an ambassador
of France stopped, a general quarrel arose, in which Hutten, forsaken by his comrades, was attacked by five Frenchmen at once, and put them all to flight, after receiving
some small wounds. He wrote au epigram on that
occasion, “in quinque Gallbs a se profligates,
” which mky
be seen in Melchior Adam. He had a cousin John de
Hutten, who was court-marshal to Ulric duke of Wirtemberg, and was murdered by that duke in 15 15, for the sake
of his wife, whom the duke kept afterwards as a mistress.
The military poet, as soon as he heard of it, breathed nothing but resentment; and because he had no opportunity
of shewing it with his sword, took up his pen, and wrote
several pieces in the form of dialogues, orations, poems,
and letters. A collection of these was printed io the castle
of Steckelberg, 1519, 4to.
He was in France in 1518-, whence he went to Mentz, and engaged in
He was in France in 1518-, whence he went to Mentz, and engaged in the service of the elector Albert; and attended him a little after to the diet of Augsburg, where the elector was honoured with a cardinal’s hat. At this diet, articles were exhibited against the duke of Wirtemberg, on which occasion the murder of John de Hutten, marshal of his court, was not forgotten: and a league was after formed against him. Ulric Hutten served in this war with great pleasure; yet was soon disgusted with a military life, and longed earnestly for his studies and retirement. This we find by a letter of his to Frederic Piscator, dated May 21, 1519: in which he discovers an inclination for matrimony, and expresses himself somewhat loosely on that subject.
eo the Xth’s bull against Luther in 1520, with interlineary and marginal glosses, in which that pope was made an object of the strongest ridicule. The freedom with which
Believing Luther’s cause a very good one, he joined in it with great warmth; and published Leo the Xth’s bull against Luther in 1520, with interlineary and marginal glosses, in which that pope was made an object of the strongest ridicule. The freedom with which he wrote against the irregularities and disorders of the court of Rome, exasperated Leo in the highest degree; and induced him to command the elector of Mentz to send him to Rome bound hand and foot, but the elector suffered him, to depart in peace. Hutten then withdrew to Brabant, and was at the court of the emperor Charles V. but did not stay long there, being told that his life would be in danger. He then retired to Ebernberg, where he was protected by Francis de Sickingen, Luther’s great friend and guardian, to whom the castle of Ebernberg belonged. There he wrote in 1520 his complaint to the emperor, to the electors of Mentz and Saxony, and to all the states of Germany, against the attempts which the pope’s emissaries made against him. From the same place also he wrote to Luther in May 1521, and published several pieces’ in favour of the Reformation. He did not declare openly for Luther, till after he had left the elector of Mentz’s court; but he had written to him before from Mentz, and his first letter is dated June 1520. While he was upon his journey to Ebernberg, he met with Hochstratus-, and, drawing his sword, run up to him, and swore he would kill him, for what he had done against Reuchlin and Luther: but Hochstratus, throwing himself at his feet, conjured him so earnestly to spare his life, that Hutten let him go, after striking him several times with the flat sword. Such was his turbulent zeal, so disgraceful to the cause he espoused, that Luther himself, warm as he was, blamed it. During his stay at Ebernberg, however, he performed a very generous action in regard to his family. Being the eldest son, and succeeding to the whole estate, he gave it all up to his brothers; and even, to prevent their being involved in the misfortunes and disgraces which he expected, by the suspicions that might be entertained against him, he enjoined them not to remit him any money, nor to hold the least correspondence with him.
It was now that he devoted himself wholly to the Lutheran party, to
It was now that he devoted himself wholly to the Lutheran party, to advance which he laboured incessantly both
by his writings and actions. We do not know the exact
time when he quitted the castle of Ebernberg; but it appears, that in January 1523, he left Basil, where he had
flattered himself with the hopes of finding an asylum, and
had only been exposed to great daggers. Erasmus, though
his old acquaintance and friend, had here refused a visit
from him, for fear, as he pretended, of heightening the
suspicions which were entertained against him but his
true reason, as he aftersvards declared, in a letter to Melancthon, was, “that he should then have been under a
necessity of taking into his house that proud boaster, oppressed with poverty and disease, who only sought for a
nest to lay himself in, and to borrow money of every one
he met.
” This refusal of P>asmus provoked Hutten to attack him severely, and accordingly he published an “Expostulatio
” in Spongia Erasmi
adversus adspergines Ilutteni.
” Hutten probably intended
to reply, had he not been snatched away by death; but he
died in an island of the lake Zurich, where he had
liimself for security, August 1523.
tie was a man of little stature; of a weak and sickly
Constitution; extremely brave, but passionate: for he was
mot satisfied with attacking the Roman Catholics with his
pen, he attacked them also with his sword. He acquainted
Luther with the double war which he carried on against
the clergy. “I received a letter from Hutten,
” says Luther, “filled with rage against the Roman pontiff, declaring he would attack the tyranny of the clergy both with
his pen and sword: he being exasperated against the pope
for threatening him with daggers and poison, and commanding the bishop of Mentz to send him bound to Rome.
”
Camerarius says, that Hutten was impatient, that his aif
and discourse shewed him to be of a cruel disposition and
applied to him what was said o Demosthenes, namely,
that “he would have turned the world upside down, had
his power been equal to his will.
” His works are numerous, though he died young. A collection of his “Latin
Poems
” was published at Francfort in Deliciae Poetarum Germanorum.
” He was the
author of a great many works, chiefly satirical, in the way
of dialogue; and Thuanus has not scrupled to compare
him to Lucian. Of this cast were his Latin Dialogues on
Lutheranism, published in 4to, in 1520, and now very
scarce. He had also a considerable share in the celebrated work called “Epistolae virorum obscurorum,
”
which Meiners, in his “Liv$s of Illustrious Men,
” says,
was the joint work of Ulrick and Crotus Rubianus, alias
John Jaeger, of Dornheim,in Thuringia. The produc“tions of each, according to Meiners, may easily be distinguished. Wherever we are struck with the
” peculiar
levity, rapidity, and force of the style with a certain sol- dier-like boldness and unclerical humour, in obscene jests
and pictures, and comical representations of saints, reliques, &c. with no small degree of keenness in the relation of laughable anecdotes, with a knowledge of Italy,
to be obtained only by experience, with a pleasant explanation and derivation of words in the style of the monkish schools; 'in all these places, the hand of Ulrick Hutten may be traced.“That these letters were the work of
different hands, says an acute critic, is not improbable;
but we are not certain that Crotus Rubianus had any share
in them; nor can we tell from what authority it is sq
affirmed. Goethe, who wrote his
” Tribute to the memory
of Ulrick of Hutten," translated into English by Antony
Aufrtre, esq. 1789, and who wrote that some years before
the appearance of Meiners’ Biography, seems to have led
the latter into this opinion. With much more probability
might Reuchlin have been mentioned, who, indeed, by
some has been supposed the sole author. Upon the whole,
however, there is most reason to think them Hutten' s.
, a Silesian of the sixteenth century, was the founder of the sect called the Bohemian or Moravian brethren,
, a Silesian of the sixteenth century,
was the founder of the sect called the Bohemian or Moravian
brethren, a sect of Anabaptists. Hutten purchased a territory of some extent in Moravia, and there established his
society. They are considered as descended from the better sort of Hussites, and were distinguished by several religious institutions of a singular nature, but well adapted
to guard their community against the reigning vices of
the times. When they heard of Luther’s attempts to reform the church, they sent a deputation to him, and he,
examining their tenets, though he could not in every particular approve, looked upon them as worthy of toleration
and indulgence. Hutten brought persecution upon himself and his brethren by violent declamations against the
magistrates, and the attempt to introduce a perfect equality
among men. It has been said that he was burnt as a heretic at Inspruck, but this is by no means certain. By degrees these sectaries, banished from their own country,
entered into communion with the Swiss church; though,
for some time, with separate institutions. But in the synods held at Astrog in 162O and 1627, all dissensions were
removed, and the two congregations were formed into one,
under the title of the Church of the United Brethren.
The sect of Herrenhutters or Moravians, formed by count
JZinzendorff in the beginning of the present century, pretend to be descended from these brethren, ad take the
same title of unitas Jratrum but Mosheina observes that
“they may with more propriety be said to imitate the
example of that famous community, than to descend from,
those who composed it, since it is well known that there
are very few Bohemians and Moravians in the fraternity of
the Herrenhutters; and it is extremely doubtful whether
vcn this smaJl number are to be considered as the posterity of the ancient Bohemian brethren, who distinguished
themselves so early by their zeal for the reformation,
”
, a Protestant divine, was born at Ulm, in 1553, and died at Nuremberg after 1602. He was
, a Protestant divine, was born at
Ulm, in 1553, and died at Nuremberg after 1602. He
was deeply versed in languages, oriental and occidental;
particularly Hebrew, which he seems to have taught at
Leipsic. He published, 1. “A Hebrew Bible,
” remarkable for being printed with the radical letters in black, the
servile in hollow types, and the quiescent or deficient letters in smaller characters above the line. At the end is
the 117th Psalm in thirty different languages. 2. “Two
Polyglotts,
” one in four languages, printed at Hamburg in
, was also a native of Ulm, and born in 1563. He studied at Strasbourg,
, was also a native of Ulm, and
born in 1563. He studied at Strasbourg, and early applied himself with great diligence to theology; he was afterwards at Leipsic, Heidelberg, Jena, and Wirtemburg,
and in the latter place was appointed one of the public
professors of theology. He married a lady of illustrious
birth in 1599; and died of a fever in 1616, being then,
for the fourth time rector of the university. The opinion
held of his principles may be judged by five anagrams of
his names Leonardus Hutterus, four of them implying that
he was another Luther. They are formed, says the author
who gives them, “per literarum haud vanam transposijtionem;
” thus, “Redonatus Lutherus;
” “Leonhartus
Hutterus;
” “Ah tu noster Lutherus-,
” “Notus arte Lutherus;
” “Tantus ero Lutherus.
” His works are very
numerous; a great part of them controversial, directed
against the church of Rome. Besides these, 1. “Compendium Theologiae, cum Notis D. Gotofredi Cundisii.
”
2. “Explicatio Libri Concordiae Christiante,
” 8vo. 3. “Loci
Communes Theologici,
” folio. 4. “formulae concionandi,
”
8vo. 5. “Disputationes de verbo Dei scripto, ac traditionihus non scriptis,
” in 4to, 6. “Collegium Theologicum, sive
XI disputationes de articulis confessionis Augustanse,
” 8vo.
7. “Libri Christianae Concordisc,
” 8vo; and several pieces in
defence of the Formula: Concordiae, which in his time were
highly esteemed; besides many other tracts in Latin, and in
German, all of which are enumerated by Freher, but seem
too uninteresting at the present day to be transcribed.
, an ingenious philosopher of the sceptical class, was the son of Mr. William Hutton, merchant in Edinburgh, and born
, an ingenious philosopher of the sceptical class, was the son of Mr. William Hutton, merchant in Edinburgh, and born in that city on the 3d of June, 1726. He entered the university as a student of humanity, in Nov. 1740. He studied afterwards under the celebrated Maclaurin, but did not prosecute the mathematical sciences to any great extent. The origin of his attachment to the study of chemistry is traced to the accidental mention of a chemical fact by professor Stevenson, in his prelections on logic. The fact was, that aqua regia is the only solvent of gold which requires the united action of two acids, each of which singly is capable of dissolving any of the baser metals. This important phenomenon drew him, as if by a kind of electric attraction, to the study of chemistry, with a force that could never afterwards be overcome. His philosophical career was however interrupted by his engaging, at the request of his friends, as an apprentice to a writer to the signet. But instead of copying writs and deeds, or studying th,e forms of legal proceedings, it was found that his favourite object of pursuit was the experiments of the crucible and retort. He was accordingly released from his engagement as an apprentice, and permitted to direct his attention to studies more congenial to his inclinations. He applied himself to the study of medicine as being the most closely connected with chemistry, and after attending the lectures in the university for some years, repaired, as was then customary, to the continent, to finish his course of study. He took the degree of M. D. at Leyden, in 1749.
Dr. Hutton’s first publication was given to the world in 1777, entitled “Considerations on the
Dr. Hutton’s first publication was given to the world in
1777, entitled “Considerations on the nature, quality,
and distinctions of Coal and Culm.
” It proves that culm
is the small or refuse of the infusible or stone-coal, but
very different in its properties from the small of the fusible
coal. A sketch of his great work, his “Theory of the
Earth,
” the formation of which had been the object of
many years of previous study, was communicated to the
royal society of Edinburgh soon after its original institution.
Another paper, a “Theory of Kain,
” appeared also in
the first volume of the Edinburgh Transactions. This
theory, as is well known, met with a most vigorous and
determined opposition from M. de Luc, and became a
subject of controversy, which was conducted with perhaps
too much warmth. After the period of these two publications, Dr. Hutton made severalexcursions into different
parts of Scotland, wkh a view of comparing certain results
of his theory with actual observation; and in these he
seems to have been very successful. In 1792 he published
“Dissertations on different subjects in Natural Philosophy,
” in which his theory for explaining the phenomena
of the material world, seems to coincide very closely with
that of Boscovich, though there is no reason to suppose
that the former was suggested by the latter. But Dr.
Hutton did not confine himself merely to physical speculations; he directed his attention also to the study of metaphysics, the result of which was the publication of a work
entitled “An Investigation of the Principles of Knowledge,
and of the Progress of Reason from Sense to Science and
Philosophy,
” 3 vols. 4to. The metaphysical opinions advanced in this work coincide for the most part with those
of Dr. Berkeley, and abound in sceptical boldness and philosophical infidelity. In 1794 appeared his “Dissertation
upon the Philosophy of Light, Heat, and Fire,
” 8vo,
which may be considered as a kind of supplement to the
two preceding works. In 1796 his “Theory of the Earth
”
was republished in 2 vols. 8vo, from the Edinburgh Philosophical Transactions, with large additions, and a new
mineralogical system. Many of his opinions here have
been ably combated by Kirwan and others.
In 1792 Dr. Hutton’s health began to decline, and in the summer of 1793 he was seized with a severe illness, which after some intervals of
In 1792 Dr. Hutton’s health began to decline, and in the summer of 1793 he was seized with a severe illness, which after some intervals of convalescence, terminated at last in his death, March 26, 1797.
, was a physician of considerable reputation, who practised his profession
, was a physician of considerable reputation, who practised his profession at Plymouth, where
he died in 1768. It is remarkable that no biographical
memoirs of this able and learned practitioner are extant.
Mr. Polwhele informs us only that he was the sou of a
butcher at Halberton. Yet he possessed an innate genius
and a strong propensity for medical acquisitions. By these
he was led to the university of Leyden, where he pursued
his studies with indefatigable application, and took his
doctor’s degree in medicine. At length, settling at Plymouth, by a successful course of practice he acquired a
considerable fortune, and by several admirable publications
gained universal fame. His “Treatise on Fevers
” Mr.
Polwhele notices, as the most eminent, and as it leads to
the subsequent anecdote. “The queen of Portugal being
ill of a fever, and being reduced to the last extremity, notwithstanding the efforts of the physicians of the country;
his majesty, hearing of the eminence of a physician of the
English factory at Lisbon, sent for him, and giving him
the particulars of the queen’s disorder, inquired whether
it was in his power to administer any assistance. The physician replied that he was not without hope, but that hecould do nothing unless her majesty was left to his sole
care and direction. This being granted, the disorder soon
took a turn, and in a short time the queen was restored to
perfect health. The doctor being complimented by the
king on his abilities and success, said he had ne claim but
to the application; for that the merit was due to Dr. Huxham, an eminent physician at Plymouth, whose tract on
the management of fevers he had implicitly followed. Upon
which, the king immediately procured the treatise, had it
translated into the Portuguese language, printed it in
handsome 4to, and sent it richly bound to Dr. Huxham, as
an acknowledgment of the sense he entertained of his abilities, and of his debt of gratitude on the recovery of the
queen.
”
the constitution and diseases of the seasons from 1724 to 1727, already published. The third volume was edited in 1770, after the death of the author, by his son J.
Dr. Huxham' s writings display a most intimate acquaintance with the writings of the ancients, and a great veneration for those of Hippocrates in particular; and he quotes
the ancient languages, and writes the Latin, with great
fluency and familiarity. He appears to have spent his life
;at Plymouth in the active exercise of his profession for
he kept a register of the state of health and reigning diseases at that place, together with an account of the variety
of the seasons, for nearly thirty years, (namely, from 1724 to 1752 inclusive); which were published in Latin, under
the title of“Gbservationes de Acre et Morbis Epidemicis,
”
tc. in 3 vols. 8vo. The first of these volumes commences
with an account of the year 1728 but in the dedication
to sir Hans Sloane, he refers to an account of the constitution and diseases of the seasons from 1724 to 1727, already published. The third volume was edited in 1770,
after the death of the author, by his son J. Cor. Huxham,
A. M. F. R. S.; who, it is to be regretted, did not insert
any memoirs of his father’s life.